Air Quality - Riyadh Air Quality and Noise Monitoring

What is Air Pollution?

Air pollution occurs when harmful particulate matter or gases build up in the air at levels that threaten human health and the environment. It is considered one of the greatest global environmental health risks, strongly linked to respiratory issues, heart disease, strokes, and certain types of cancer.

Air Quality Program in Riyadh

As part of its ongoing commitment to environmental protection, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City launched the Riyadh Sustainability Strategy. The Air Quality Program is a standout initiative within this strategy, focused on identifying pollution sources, controlling emission levels, and forecasting both air quality and weather conditions.

The Goals of the Program

Track in real-time: Monitor pollutant levels and pinpoint their sources instantly.
Control emissions: Regulate activities that cause pollution to reduce harmful emissions.
Protect health: Ensure a safe environment where pollution stays strictly within permissible limits.
Support research: Provide valuable data for scientific studies on the city's air quality.
Enhance livability: Elevate Riyadh’s quality of life, positioning it among the world’s most livable cities.

Air Quality Monitoring Stations

Riyadh is monitored using 16 fixed monitoring stations and one mobile station spread across the city. These stations track 10 types of pollutants and gather essential climatic data:

Particulate Matter: PM₁₀ and PM_2.5
Gaseous Pollutants: Carbon Monoxide (CO), Ozone (O₃), Methane (CH₄), Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂), Nitrogen Oxides (NO_x), Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S), Lead (Pb), and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
Climatic Information: Temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, solar radiation, rainfall, and atmospheric pressure.

Riyadh Air Quality & Noise App

The app provides real-time updates on pollutant concentrations and weather conditions based on live data. Designed to raise public awareness and promote a healthier lifestyle, the service is also fully integrated with the national Tawakkalna app, bringing all essential government and environmental services into one convenient place.