Kuwait is characterized by its dry arid-desert climate, and therefore its environment is characterized by extreme hot temperatures and dust storms. Kuwait and Gulf countries have high levels of air pollution natural sources from desert and locally generated dust (T. M. Saeed et al., 2014; UNEP, 2016; Al-Hemoud et al., 2019; Li et al., 2020; Yuan et al., 2020; Ali Al-Hemouda et al., 2021). Particulate matter-PM2.5 is fine solid or and liquid droplets particulate matter with diameters of 2.5 micrometers and less that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Recently, fine Particulate matter (PM) considered as one of the most serious pollutants in urban regions, because of its harmful effects on human health and its role in global warming (Bai, 2019; Zhou et al., 2019). A remarkable number of researchers have elaborated the impact of fine particulate air pollution PM2.5 on health, it can cause a variety of diseases (Pope and Dockery, 2006; Close et al., 2011; Duan et al., 2015; Caccarelli et al., 2016; Ding et al., 2017), that take into account socioeconomic development. With respect to the influence of socioeconomic factors related to anthropogenic activities on the distribution of PM2.5, studies suggest that growth rate, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), seasonal vehicle and smog emissions and nonecological urbanization increase PM2.5 concentrations which can influence on urban air quality (Dinda, 2004; Lequiller & Blades, 2006; Solomon et al., 2009; Guan et al., 2014; Xu et al., 2018; Ye et al., 2018; Maji et al., 2018; Wei et al., 2021). Acaravci & Ozturk (2010) explored the relationship between economic growth, energy and carbon dioxide (𝐶𝑂2) emissions consumption in several European countries. In the research paper the researcher uses a cointegration test in nineteen sites distributed over Europe to detect the possible connection between the three variables.
One of the most important research topics in recent years is the study of the impact of socioeconomic factors on PM2.5. Monthly average PM2.5 concentration and socioeconomic factors were gathered from 1980 to 2021 for the state of Kuwait. The main objectives of this research paper are as follows: (1) to investigate the temporal distribution characteristics of PM2.5 from 1980 to 2021; (2) to identify the correlation between socioeconomic driving factors and PM2.5 using Pearson test; (3) to regression analysis applying Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) using GeoDa software; (4) to provide evidence for the air pollution control and management of Kuwait.
2.1 Temporal Distribution of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5)
Suspended air pollutants, particularly fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), has been extensively researched over the past few decades (Alvarez et al., 2013; Khalil et al. 2016; Basahi et al. 2017; Dominici 2014). The Arab region suffers from a high percentage of suspended particles in the air. In Kuwait, the annual average of particulate matter less than 10 microns was eight times higher than the upper limit according to WHO standards between 2014 and 2016. A review of data from several countries in the region, including Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, Qatar, the UAE and Lebanon, shows that particulate matter concentrations of less than 2.5 microns often exceed the guideline value set by the World Health Organization. The health damage of suspended particles increases the smaller their size.
The dominance of private passenger cars in transportation modes in the Gulf countries leads to compounding the problems of traffic congestion and increased emissions. Note that vehicles on public roads in most countries of the Middle East and North Africa are responsible for 59 percent of NOx emissions in the region, and they also produce 85 percent of carbon dioxide.
Figure 1 indicates that emissions in the Middle East have increased fivefold over the past three decades, due to increased demand for water, energy and transportation. In Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE, carbon dioxide emissions increased by an average of 6 percent annually between 1980 and 2021, along with a rise in gross domestic product and an increase in energy consumption. Overall, the annual mean of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 2.5 µm of PM in Kuwait was 53 µg/m3 (AlOlayan et al., 2013). note that these concentrations exceeded the annual WHO guidelines for outdoor air quality of 10 µg/m3 for particulate matter 2.5 by five times (Tsiouri et al. 2015).
It is noticeable in Fig. 2 that emissions in Kuwait increased significantly between 2008 and 2021. Road traffic represents a source of about 36 percent of suspended particles whose size is less than 2.5 microns. In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, 54 per cent of these particulate matter levels are due to dust, sand storms and oil burning in power plants.