KUWAIT CITY, Oct 10: The Environment Public Authority (EPA) has dismissed as inaccurate and exaggerated a "warning" circulating on social media regarding Kuwait's air quality index. The authority emphasized that the air quality readings for fine particles (PM2.5) are not as hazardous as claimed and do not pose a carcinogenic risk, as the warning suggested. In a statement to KUNA on Thursday, the EPA clarified that the warning was based on data from the global website “Air Pollution in World: Real-time Air Quality Index Visual Map,” which publishes air quality readings from the US Embassy in Kuwait.

However, the information was misinterpreted and exaggerated when translated from English to Arabic in the warning shared on social media. The EPA explained that the air quality index on the specified date was at level two, classified as “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” with an AQI value of 147. This is below the threshold for issuing a warning, which the US Environmental Protection Agency only uses at level five (“very unhealthy”) or level six (“hazardous”) on the air quality scale.

The authority further noted that during October 7–9, 2024, Kuwait experienced unusually high humidity levels, reaching up to 90%, which may have affected the accuracy of air quality monitoring devices. This led to slightly higher readings than the actual levels, but the increase to AQI 147 for PM2.5 particles does not pose a significant risk to public health and is far from being carcinogenic, as the warning falsely claimed. The EPA urged the public to rely on official sources of information and refrain from spreading inaccurate warnings about air quality, in line with Article 126 of Environmental Protection Law No. 42 of 2014 and its amendments.