Air pollution is defined as the exposure of the atmosphere to chemicals, solid particles, or biological compounds that cause harm to humans and other living organisms, or lead to damage to the natural environment.
Air pollution is considered one of the most dangerous contemporary environmental problems resulting from economic growth and the resulting industrial development, energy use, development in land, air and sea transportation, and the associated emission of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX).
During the past four decades, the Kingdom witnessed a huge developmental boom that covered all aspects of life, including economy, education, health, energy, industry, transportation, urban development, and many other sectors furthermore The significant expansion in the industry, agriculture, construction, and transportation sector, in addition to urban development, and the increase in the demand for electric power and desalinated water, which results in the emission of many air pollutants in high quantities and levels of concentration that fthat may affect the quality of life, health and human well-being and harm ecosystems And other living things.
The increase in population, the great economic development and the increase in the level of income have led to an increase in the number of vehicles, especially with the availability of vehicle fossil fuel at low prices in light of government support and subsidies and the lack of a public transport network that meets the daily needs of the population, whether citizens or residents, which led to heavy traffic and high congestion, which led to a decrease in the average speed of vehicles to their lowest levels, which resulted in a significant increase in the amount of emissions of air pollutants, fuel consumption and noise, in addition to the increase in the risk of spending. Therefore, the mass transit policy, modern trains and the metro system must be expanded.
