Bahrain calls environmental experts Country’s Pollution is hundreds of times higher than internationally accepted levels
By Karen Remo-Listana
Posted: 25 May 2005
MPs are calling for independent international experts to be brought in to check the quality of air the nation breathes, said Bahrain ’s Gulf Daily. The call came after a report revealed pollution levels of nearly 700 times those accepted under global standards.
Pollution in parts of Bahrain is hundreds of times higher than internationally accepted levels, according to a report.
 Pollution in the Persian Gulf became a problem in the 1970s. Shrimp in the northern gulf seemed particularly sensitive to marine pollution, and by 1979 they had almost disappeared from waters near Bahrain . Pollution was seriously aggravated in 1983 and again in 1991 by major oil slicks that emanated from wardamaged oil facilities and covered several thousand square kilometers of water in the northern Persian Gulf . The slicks were detrimental to the unique marine life in the vicinity of Bahrain , including coral reefs, sea turtles, dugongs (herbivorous sea mammals similar to manatees), oyster beds and shrimp beds, numerous fish species, and water fowl. The oil slicks, especially those of 1991, adversely affected the fishing industry, but as of early 1993, marine biologists remained uncertain about the longterm ecological impact of the pollution.
Hydrocarbons (other than methane) found in the air in the Southern Governorate, which includes heavily industrialised areas, were 686 times the internationally accepted levels.
Ozone levels were 51 times and inhaled particles 14 times the levels deemed acceptable elsewhere, according to a study carried out from 1993 to 2003 by the Public Commission for the Pr otection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife.
 The high levels were attributed to industries located in the South Alba Industrial Area, the Riffa Power Plant and cars.
The levels of hydrocarbons (other than methane) exceeded internationally acceptable levels by 525 times in the Capital Governorate.
Ozone levels were 27 times more and inhaled particles seven times more.
Most of the air pollution in Manama and its neighbouring villages comes from cars, said the study.
In the Muharraq Governorate, the level of ozone was 76 times the acceptable level while hydrocarbons (other than methane) were 351 times more.
There were no figures for the level of inhaled particles.
In the Central Governorate, which covers Isa Town , A'ali, Sitra and Ma'ameer, the figures for hydrocarbons were not available because "equipment to measure them had broken down".
However, figures recorded since 1997 show that ozone levels are 38 times more than internationally accepted levels.
There were no figures available for the Northern Governorate.
Posted by Editor Offshore Arabia Magazine
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