Air Quality Research
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Director: Dr. Shmuel BrennerTogether with the Jordan Society for Sustainable Development and Al Quds University, Palestine, the Arava Institute has broken ground on a comprehensive study of PM2.5 air pollutants (particles with diameter less than 2.5 microns) in the region. The project, which concluded in December 2008, investigated and measured many elements of the phenomenon such as the different concentrations of the pollutant, chemical analysis of the different components, and specific sources of significant emissions, providing the region with its first comprehensive assessment of urban air pollution.
PM2.5 in the Region
In addition to the scientific-regulatory objective, the project aimed to conduct research jointly as a model of regional cooperation, and use the research conducted as a platform for building local capacity in the field of environmental monitoring.
Read the full report
Istanbul Declaration
PM2.5 in the Region
The term fine particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5), refers to small particles in the air of two and half microns or less that, at high enough levels, are known to have adverse health effects on human populations. Though monitoring and reducing fine particulate matter is a serious issue in nearly every industrial or developing region, to date, only a small amount of PM2.5 monitoring data for the Israel-Palestine-Jordan region exists.
The M23-20 PM2.5 study represents a significant and pioneering contribution to scientific knowledge of PM2.5 composition and concentration within the Israel-Jordan-Palestine region. By conducting a long-term, wide-ranging measurement campaign and by quantifying key chemical species present in PM2.5, a unique dataset with high spatial and temporal resolution was obtained, an intentional design that will enable and encourage future regulatory efforts to focus on effective control measures.
PM2.5 was measured over twelve months—from January to December 2007—at 11 sites located in Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority. At each selected sampling site, 24-hour integrated PM2.5 samples were collected every six days (~ 5 samples per month) for the characterization of PM2.5 mass concentration and chemical composition.
In addition to the scientific-regulatory objective, the project aimed to conduct research jointly as a model of regional cooperation, and use the research conducted as a platform for building local capacity in the field of environmental monitoring.
Read the full report
Istanbul Declaration
On May 26th, representatives from the Arava Institute met in Istanbul, Turkey with academics and professionals from Jordan, Israel, Palestine and the United States to discuss and assess the findings from a 3 year study of air pollution in this region. With support from the US Government-funded Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC) Program, the project determined that the transboundary effects of PM2.5 concentrations have a significant impact on regional air quality and the partners have agreed to work cooperatively on integrated environmental policy to improve air quality.
The participants signed the Istanbul Declaration, recognizing the potential for many future research projects to stem from this pioneering endeavor, and reaffirming their enthusiasm to see those future projects to fruition. Read the full text of the Istanbul Declaration.
The participants signed the Istanbul Declaration, recognizing the potential for many future research projects to stem from this pioneering endeavor, and reaffirming their enthusiasm to see those future projects to fruition. Read the full text of the Istanbul Declaration.
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