Air quality assessment is a vital aspect of environmental management, especially in urban areas experiencing growing industrialization and urbanization. Such assessments are essential for understanding the impacts of air pollutants and implementing strategies to protect public health and the environment. Al Fahaheel City, located 40.6 kilometers south of Kuwait City, faces unique challenges due to its proximity to the petrochemical facilities. This industrial activities, combined with ongoing urban development, poses a significant risk of air quality deterioration from pollutant emissions. Despite these concerns, there is limited information available on the types of pollutants, their exposure severity, peak emission times, and potential sources in the area. To address this information gap, this study evaluates the ambient air quality of Al Fahaheel City, to understand the levels and dynamics of key air pollutants. The pollutants of interest are sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), particulate matter (PM₁₀), ozone (O₃), methane (CH₄), and non-methane hydrocarbons (NMCH₄), alongside meteorological factors such as wind speed, wind direction, and solar radiation. Data were collected over an extended period, providing a comprehensive temporal snapshot of the air quality in the city. A combination of descriptive statistics, Air Quality Index (AQI) calculations, and hazard quotient assessments was employed to analyze the data. The findings reveal that the AQI predominantly fell within the "good" (green) range for most pollutants, except for PM₁₀, which was classified as "moderate" (yellow). The calculated hazard indices for individual pollutants and the overall health index remained below the ambient air quality standards (AAQS) established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), indicating no immediate health risk from the assessed pollutants. Further analysis of the relationships between pollutants using a correlation matrix identified notable links between NOₓ, CO, and CO₂, suggesting potential shared sources. Temporal trends were examined by analyzing pollutant levels throughout the day, which helped identify peak times and likely emission sources. Additionally, an analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to evaluate variability in pollutant concentrations, providing further insights into pollutant behavior under varying environmental conditions. Overall, this study contributes to the understanding of ambient air quality in Kuwait, offering a detailed analysis of pollutant levels, temporal patterns, and interrelationships. The findings emphasize the need for continuous air quality monitoring and proactive management strategies to protect public health and the environment
Keywords: Ambient air quality, air quality index, air pollutants, hazard quotient, temporal trends.
