Causes of Air Pollution in Egypt
Air pollution in Egypt is attributed to various factors, including both natural phenomena, such as volcanic eruptions and deforestation, as well as human activities like fuel combustion. Below, we explore the primary causes of air pollution in Egypt and the government’s role in mitigating this issue:
Electricity Generation Sector
This sector is the leading source of emissions in Egypt, contributing approximately 42% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in 2019. Most electricity generation plants rely on fossil fuels and natural gas for energy production.
The government has implemented an energy strategy aimed at raising the share of electricity generated from renewable sources to 20% by the end of 2022. This initiative has led to the proliferation of renewable energy projects, adding 28,229 megawatts to the grid between 2015 and 2018, bringing the total installed capacity to 55 gigawatts.
Transportation Sector
The second major source of emissions, the transportation sector contributes 19% of total gaseous emissions, with fossil fuel-dependent transportation methods being significant contributors.
To reduce emissions, the government is working to regulate exhaust emissions from vehicles, including cars and motorcycles. Stricter regulations have been established for vehicle inspections and addressing environmental violations related to emissions. Additionally, there is an initiative to transition from private to public transportation to alleviate these emissions.
Industrial Sector
The industrial sector accounts for 15% of total emissions. The government has devised a plan to monitor and regulate industrial facilities that violate environmental regulations through daily reviews, regular reporting, and surprise inspections. Moreover, assistance is provided to these companies in terms of technology and techniques to establish self-monitoring systems.
Waste Management
Egypt has a considerable number of landfills, which utilize large pits for the disposal of solid waste. These landfills are significant sources of harmful emissions that contaminate air, water, and soil, particularly through waste incineration, which produces greenhouse gases.
In response, the government aims to transition towards a recycling system to capitalize on waste for energy production, thereby transforming it from being a source of environmental issues into a valuable resource.
High Population Density
High population density significantly impacts urban areas, particularly in the capital. As the population increases, so does the demand for public and private transportation, leading to higher traffic emissions, increased electrical loads that pressure the electricity generation sector, and heightened gas consumption for cooking, along with larger amounts of waste incineration.
In 2009, a large smoke cloud enveloped the capital, highlighting the worsening air pollution problem. This incident was compounded by farmers burning rice crops at night to avoid environmental violations, contributing to the appearance of the toxic cloud.
Air Pollution
Air pollution is caused by physical, chemical, or biological factors that alter the natural properties of the atmosphere. It is responsible for approximately 7 million deaths globally each year and has detrimental effects on public health, leading to various ailments, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
Key Air Pollutants
The most significant pollutants that directly affect public health can be identified through the measurement of their concentrations in the air. These include:
- Nitrogen Oxides (NOx): These consist of nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which are released into the atmosphere as a result of high-temperature combustion processes. The primary source of their increased concentration is transportation emissions, power plants, and industrial areas.
- Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂): This gas is produced from the oxidation of sulfur residues in certain fuels during combustion, especially in power generation and industries using petroleum as fuel, as well as diesel-powered transportation.
- Particulate Matter: The main source of suspended particles in the air is emissions from vehicles and industry, which increase the dust content in the atmosphere. While wind can also transport dust from arid regions, it poses less of a health risk.
- Carbon Monoxide (CO): Mainly sourced from vehicular emissions, its concentration in the air is influenced by vehicle engine efficiency and speed.
- Ozone (O₃): Naturally present in the atmosphere due to the ozone layer.