Kuwait hosts 1st int'l air quality conference

Kuwait launched on Monday the first International Conference on Applications of Air Quality in Science and Engineering to address air pollution issues.

More than 100 air quality experts and researchers from 40 countries around the globe attended the three-day event.

Organized by the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), the gathering aims to support efforts to create a healthy, comfortable and productive environment by improving air quality through science and technology.

KISR director-general Samira Omar said air pollution is the largest environmental threat to health in the world as it causes the death of about 7 million people annually.

"WHO reports indicated that 9 out of 10 people breathe polluted outdoor air beyond acceptable levels set by the WHO guidelines," she noted.