12 March 2017
Dr. Saif Al Ghais, Executive Director of Ras Al Khaimah Environmental Protection and Development Authority , said that EPDA has witnessed a significant reduction in air pollution in various areas of the emirate during the past year compared to other areas in the country. He explained, during a press conference held at EPDA's building, that «the main reason for the reduction of air pollution is the application of strict environmental measures, against crushers, factories and facilities scattered in the industrial zones in the emirate, specifically in Al Ghail, Al Jazeera Al Hamra and Maritime City».
Al Ghais added that «the Authority conducted a comprehensive study to measure the proportion of pollution in Ras Al Khaimah, during the past year, and compared with the rest of the country, and the results showed that the lowest rate of air pollution was in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah». He stressed that «the Commission did not monitor environmental violations of the crushers of the 23 crushers», pointing out that «the low rate of pollution is caused by the commitment of crushers to environmental conditions and standards, imposed by the Authority during the past years».
EPDA has committed the crushers to install filters to spray water in the loading areas, and replace imported plants planted in factories with local plants, as they bear more environmental conditions, and protect the ecosystem, as well as the allocation of 7 to 10% of the general area of the plant as green areas to combat pollution and reduce the spread the dust.
Al Ghais pointed out that EPDA has obliged cement factories to link the volume of filters to the amount of cement produced, because the sizes of some filters are not commensurate with the amount of cement, and therefore does not adequately purify the air. It is noteworthy that EPDA obliged cement and asphalt factories to move from residential areas to industrial zones, in order to prevent environmental pollution.An asphalt plant was moved from Al Qusaidat area to Saih Al Labana area. And a cement factory was moved from Al Ghab area to Athan region south of the emirate, which contributed to reducing air pollution in the Emirate.