Young boys swimming at the beach in Beirut. (Credit: João Sousa/L'Orient Today)
As summer returns and foul odors begin to linger in Beirut’s air, residents are once again concerned about rising pollution levels. The dry heat, familiar haze, and seasonal respiratory issues signal more than discomfort — they point to serious environmental challenges. L’Orient Today spoke with Zeina Dagher Wehbe, professor in Environmental Sciences at the Lebanese University and consultant in Toxicology of Environmental and Occupational Chemicals, to understand why summer makes Lebanon’s air quality worse, and what can be done about it.Why does pollution in Beirut feel worse during the summer?Summer creates ideal conditions for pollution to intensify. Strong sunlight speeds up chemical reactions between pollutants, like nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), leading to the formation of ground-level ozone — a harmful...
As summer returns and foul odors begin to linger in Beirut’s air, residents are once again concerned about rising pollution levels. The dry heat, familiar haze, and seasonal respiratory issues signal more than discomfort — they point to serious environmental challenges. L’Orient Today spoke with Zeina Dagher Wehbe, professor in Environmental Sciences at the Lebanese University and consultant in Toxicology of Environmental and Occupational Chemicals, to understand why summer makes Lebanon’s air quality worse, and what can be done about it.Why does pollution in Beirut feel worse during the summer?Summer creates ideal conditions for pollution to intensify. Strong sunlight speeds up chemical reactions between pollutants, like nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), leading to the formation of ground-level ozone — a...