scholarly journals Modeling Spatial Distribution and Determinant of PM2.5 at Micro-Level Using Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) to Inform Sustainable Mobility Policies in Campus Based on Evidence from King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 12043
Author(s):  
Alok Tiwari ◽  
Mohammed Aljoufie
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Fine Particles ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Sustainable Mobility ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
University Campuses ◽  
King Abdulaziz University ◽  
Pm2.5 Concentration

Air pollution is fatal. Fine particles, such as PM2.5, in ambient air might be the cause of many physical and psychological disorders, including cognitive decline. This is why educational policymakers are adopting sustainable mobility, and other policy measures, to make their campuses carbon-neutral; however, car-dependent cities and their university campuses are still lagging behind in this area. This study attempts to model the spatial heterogeneity and determinants of PM2.5 at the King Abdulaziz University campus in Jeddah, which is ranked first among the Saudi Arabian universities, as well as in the MENA region. We developed four OLS and GWR models of different peak and off-peak periods during weekdays in order to estimate the determinants of the PM2.5 concentration. The number of cars, humidity, temperature, windspeed, distance from trees, and construction sites were the estimators in our analysis. Because of a lack of secondary data at a finer scale, we collected the samples of all dependent and independent variables at 51 locations on the KAU campus. Model selection was based on RSS, log-likelihood, adjusted R2, and AICc, and a modal comparison shows that the GWR variant of Model-2 outperformed the other models. The results of the GWR model demonstrate the geographical variability of the PM2.5 concentration on the KAU campus, to which the volume of car traffic is the key contributor. Hence, we recommend using the results of this study to support the development of a car-free and zero-carbon campus at KAU; furthermore, this study could be exploited by other campuses in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region.

scholarly journals Influence of Microenvironments and Personal Activities on Personal PM2.5 Exposures among Children and Adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahima Habil ◽  
David D. Massey ◽  
Ajay Taneja
Keyword(s):  
Fine Particles ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Personal Exposure ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Outdoor Environments ◽  
Indoor Particulate Matter ◽  
Pm2.5 Concentration

Environmental issues are a major worldwide problem of significant concern. Due to the growing human population and advancement in every sector, the environmental related issues are multiplying in recent years. Scalable exposures assessments approach that captures personal exposure to particles for purposes of epidemiology are currently limited, but very valuable especially for a country like India. The high levels of indoor particulate matter and the apparent scale of its impact on the global burden of disease underline the importance of particulate as an environmental health risk and the need for monitoring them. Human exposure especially to fine particles can have significant harmful effects on the respiratory and cardiovascular system. To investigate daily exposure characteristics to PM2.5 with ambient concentrations in an urban environment, personal exposure measurements were conducted for different age groups of people residing in different indoor environments. To account for PM2.5 exposure and measurements personal environment monitors (PEM) and medium volume sampler APM 550 was used to measure PM2.5 concentration. On comparing the annual average PM2.5 concentration with National Ambient Air Quality and WHO standards the concentrations were found to be many folds higher for personal and ambient monitoring at homes, schools, and offices. Moreover, the questionnaire data study explains the fact that the health hazards experienced by occupants linked to various activity patterns pose a greater risk in different indoor environments as compared to outdoor environments. The presented research method and analysis can help develop environmental awareness in identifying these pollutants and can also help in elucidating these contaminants. A real understanding of these possible causes of airborne contaminant is crucial for selecting and developing suitable and effective control methods.

Critical Analysis of Patient and Family Rights in JCI Accreditation and Cbahi Standards for Hospitals

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 324
Author(s):  
Zuber Mujeeb Shaikh
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Joint Commission ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia ◽  
Accreditation Standards ◽  
Joint Commission International ◽  
Central Board

Patient and Family Rights (PFR) is a common chapter available in the Joint Commission International (JCI) Accreditation[i] (fifth edition) and Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI) Standards for hospitals (second edition)[ii]. JCI Accreditation is a USA based international healthcare accrediting organization, whereas CBAHI is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia based national health care accrediting organization. However, both these standards are accredited by Ireland based International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua), which is the only accrediting organization who “accredit the accreditors' in the world. In Patient and Family Rights (PFR) chapter of JCI Accreditation for hospitals, there are nineteen (19) standards and seventy-seven (77) measurable elements (ME) whereas in CBAHI Accreditation there are thirty one (31) standards, ninety nine (99) sub-standards and fifty (50) evidence(s) of compliance (EC). The scoring mechanism is totally different in both these accrediting organizations. The researcher has identified thirty two (32) common parameters from JCI Accreditation and CBAHI standards, intent statement, measurable elements, sub-standard and evidence of compliance. On the basis of these identified common parameters, the researcher has compared the Patient and Family Rights chapter in JCI Accreditation and CBAHI Standards. Methods: This is a comparison study (normative comparison) in which the researcher has critically analyzed and compared the Patient and Family Rights (PFR) standards of JCI (Joint Commission International) Accreditation of USA (United States of America) and CBAHI (Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Data Collection: Primary data are collected from the JCI Accreditation Standards for hospitals, fifth edition, 2013 and CBAHI Standards for hospitals of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, second edition, 2011. Secondary data are collected from relevant published journals, articles, research papers, academic literature and web portals. Objectives of the Study: The aim of this study is to analyze critically Patient and Family Rights (PFR) Standards in JCI Accreditation and CBAHI Standards to point out the best in among both these standards. Conclusion: This critical analysis of Patient and Family Rights (PFR) Standards in JCI Accreditation and CBAHI Standards for hospitals clearly show that the PFR Standards in CBAHI Standards are very comprehensive than the JCI Accreditation standards.

Transferring Urban Mobility Studies in Tehran, Istanbul, and Cairo to Other Large MENA Cities: Steps toward Sustainable Transport

2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Houshmand Masoumi ◽  
Erik Fruth
Keyword(s):  
Decision Makers ◽  
Lead Author ◽  
Urban Mobility ◽  
Sustainable Transport ◽  
Sustainable Mobility ◽  
Large Share ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Large Cities ◽  
Mobility Studies ◽  
Legal Constraints

AbstractThe number of urban mobility studies and projects in the three large metropoles of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, Tehran, Istanbul, and Cairo, is growing while other large cities do not enjoy a large share. It would be efficient for those other large cities to adapt the experiences, projects, and studies of Tehran, Istanbul, and Cairo to their own contexts. This paper can help facilitate that adaptation. It investigates the transferability and generalisability of the findings of a recent publication by the lead author on mobility choices in Tehran, Istanbul, and Cairo to some other large cities of more than one million inhabitants in the MENA region. The discussion provided here can provide decision-makers in the MENA region with guidance on how to utilise the findings from a recent study on Tehran/Istanbul/Cairo in their own contexts. T-tests were conducted to test the comparability of the three base cities with a sample 57 others with populations of over one million people. The results show that it would be possible to adapt the urban mobility studies of the three base megacities to 3 to 27 cities based on different criteria. Key suggestions identified by this study include providing local accessibility, neighbourhood facilities, and cycling facilities as well as removing social and legal constraints to cycling, advertising cycling, informing people about the harm arising from the overuse of cars, and increasing street connectivity by adding intersections. According to the findings, these evidence-based recommendations can enhance sustainable mobility for the inhabitants of up to 27 large cities.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of SOx, NOx, and Primary Particulate Matter Control Strategies in the Improvement of Ambient PM Concentration in Taiwan

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 460
Author(s):  
Jiun-Horng Tsai ◽  
Ming-Ye Lee ◽  
Hung-Lung Chiang
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Model Simulation ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Clean Air Act ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Control Plan ◽  
Clean Air ◽  
Pm2.5 Concentration

The Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) measurement was employed for evaluating the effectiveness of fine particulate matter control strategies in Taiwan. There are three scenarios as follows: (I) the 2014 baseline year emission, (II) 2020 emissions reduced via the Clean Air Act (CAA), and (III) other emissions reduced stringently via the Clean Air Act. Based on the Taiwan Emission Data System (TEDs) 8.1, established in 2014, the emission of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) was 73.5 thousand tons y−1, that of SOx was 121.3 thousand tons y−1, and that of NOx was 404.4 thousand tons y−1 in Taiwan. The CMAQ model simulation indicated that the PM2.5 concentration was 21.9 μg m−3. This could be underestimated by 24% in comparison with data from the ambient air quality monitoring stations of the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration (TEPA). The results of the simulation of the PM2.5 concentration showed high PM2.5 concentrations in central and southwestern Taiwan, especially in Taichung and Kaohsiung. Compared to scenario I, the average annual concentrations of PM2.5 for scenario II and scenario III showed reductions of 20.1% and 28.8%, respectively. From the results derived from the simulation, it can be seen that control of NOx emissions may improve daily airborne PM2.5 concentrations in Taiwan significantly and control of directly emitted PM2.5 emissions may improve airborne PM2.5 concentrations each month. Nevertheless, the results reveal that the preliminary control plan could not achievethe air quality standard. Therefore, the efficacy and effectiveness of the control measures must be considered to better reduce emissions in the future.

scholarly journals Socioeconomic determinants and inequalities in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases in Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Khaled Al-Hanawi
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
National Level ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
School Level ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Socioeconomic Determinants ◽  
The Government ◽  
Concentration Indices

Abstract Background Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are increasingly becoming a challenge worldwide, causing high mortality and morbidity. Saudi Arabia has one of the highest rates of NCDs globally and the highest in the Arabian Gulf region. Epidemiological data indicate that NCDs are responsible for 70 % of all deaths in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to examine the socioeconomic determinants and inequalities in the prevalence of NCDs in Saudi Arabia. Methods Data from the Saudi Family Health Survey conducted in 2018 by the General Authority for Statistics were used for this study. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to examine the socioeconomic factors associated with the prevalence of NCDs. Moreover, the concentration curve and concentration indices were used to assess inequalities in the prevalence of NCDs. Results Among the 11,527 respondents, the prevalence of NCDs was 32.15 %. The prevalence of NCDs was higher among women and among elderly respondents aged ≥ 60 years. With respect to the determinants of the prevalence of NCDs, the logistic regression results showed that the likelihood of reporting NCDs was lower among people with a higher education (OR: 0.599, 95 % CI: 0.497–0.723, p < 0.01) compared with that of people with an education below the primary school level. Other factors significantly associated with the prevalence of NCDs were age, marital status, nationality, and region of residence. The inequality analysis showed that at the national level, the prevalence of NCDs was concentrated among less educated people (concentration index = − 0.338, p < 0.01), but with significant regional variations. Gender disaggregation showed that both income-based and education-based concentration indices were significantly negative among women, indicating that the prevalence of NCDs is concentrated among women with a lower income level and with less education. Conclusions The findings of this study are important for policymakers to combat both the increasing prevalence of and socio-economic inequalities in NCDs. The government should develop targeted intervention strategies to control NCDs and achieve health equality considering socio-economic status. Future policies should target women and the lower educated population in Saudi Arabia.

Electricity production and its effects on carbon dioxide emissions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: إنتاج الكهرباء وآثاره في انبعاثات ثاني أكسيد الكربون في المملكة العربية السعودية

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 134-108
Author(s):  
Zakiah Radhi Alhajji, Mohamed Elsayed Hafez Ali Zakiah Radhi Alhajji, Mohamed Elsayed Hafez Ali
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Electric Energy ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Energy Productivity ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia

Because of increased demand for electrical energy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has resulted in an increase in carbon dioxide emissions, the electricity system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest in the Gulf region and the Arab world, with approximately 61.7 gigatons (GW) of peak demand and 89.2 gigatons (GW) of available capacity in 2018 of electricity power. It has grown rapidly over more than 20 years and has almost doubled in size since 2000. Where we observe that the total carbon dioxide emissions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 1990 to 2020; where shows rapid growth in emissions of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases, as it was found that CO2 emissions in 1990 amounted to 151 million metric tons compared to 2011 when it reached about 435 million metric tons, and the increase continued until 2020 when it reached about 530 million metric tons. The comprehensive study relied on time series analysis to carefully analyze the electric energy productivity rate from fossil fuels and the significant amount of carbon dioxide emissions typically resulting from promptly burning fossil fuels to naturally produce electric energy. Therefore, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through Vision 2030 and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, looks to reduce the rate of carbon dioxide emissions in the field of electric power generation by diversifying the fuels used or replacing them with clean and renewable energy such as solar and wind energy.

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