Findings of studies funded by the World Bank show that air pollution represents one of the most pressing public health issues facing urban areas in Lebanon. Available data indicate the potential for significant health problems associated with poor air quality.

• The estimated maximum hourly carbon monoxide concentrations in the vicinity of some main roads during rush hour traffic are likely to approach or exceed WHO guidelines for health.
• Total lead emissions from vehicles deposited in the atmosphere may also cause significant health problems.
• Over 70% of total NO_x emissions are attributed to mobile sources.
• Particulate emissions from vehicles are at levels high enough to be causing damage to health.

Considering the growing concern over environmental deterioration in Lebanon, the LCPS undertook a study to investigate the effects of air pollution from mobile sources on public health in Lebanon. The LCPS commissioned an economist as lead analyst, a public health expert, and a technical consultant to explore the following research questions:

• How Serious an economic and social problem is air pollution from mobile sources?

• What are the policy options available for mitigating mobile source pollution?

To investigate the effects of air pollution on public health, the research team used a three-step methodological effort. The three steps include: measuring and modeling of air pollution due to motor vehicles in the Greater Beirut Area, determining the relationship between pollutants and public health, and quantifying the effects of air pollution on public health.

To create a dialogue between the research team and an exclusive group of policy makers on the challenges and prospects of solutions to the growing problem of air pollution, the LCPS in cooperation with the Ministry of the Environment, and the Harvard Institute for International Development (HIID) held a one day workshop on the “Economic and Social Impact of Mobile Source Pollution”, on June 29, 1998.

This research project was funded by HIID and is part of its large effort to implement the MedPolicies Initiative of the Mediterranean Environmental Technical Assistance Program (METAP III). The goal of METAP III is to encourage sustainable economic growth through the integration of environmental concerns in economic and fiscal policy-making in 13 Mediterranean countries. The MedPolicies seeks to identify policies through the collaboration of researchers with relevant governmental agencies and other concerned individuals in each country.