Environmental Protection Procedures in Improving Air Quality in the University of Dammam Campuses

CONTEXT: Campuses of the University of Dammam (UOD) have several sources of air pollution that can adversely affect human health, welfare and the overall efficiency of the educational process. AIMS: This study was aiming to assess the role of environmental protection procedures in UOD and evaluate their impact on improving the air quality inside its campuses. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: In both the new and old campuses, three different sites were selected to assess air quality level. METHODS: Five air pollutants, in addition to environmental noise, were measured at all selected sites. These pollutants included particulate matter less than 10 microns (PM(10)), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO(2)), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)). The data were compared to pollutant levels, in the same locations, that were measured during a previous 6-year period, starting from 2008. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Results of this research were statistically analyzed by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (Version 16, SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA). RESULTS: The highest mean ± standard deviation of PM(10) (124.5 ± 25.0 μg/m(3)), CO (1.9 ± 0.7 ppm), VOCs (0.12 ± 0.09 ppm), NO(2) (0.039 ± 0.022 ppm), SO(2) (0.036 ± 0.047 ppm) and environmental noise (71.8 ± 4.1 dB) were found in the old UOD campus. Levels of all pollutants, except environmental noise, during the morning period were higher than those in the afternoon period. In addition, the level of the five air pollutants gradually reduced from 2008 to 2013, and reached to lower than their air quality guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: The administrative policies and management procedures of UOD had a positive effect on the level of ambient air quality and reflect the presence of a healthy and safe educational environment inside its campus.