Abstract

Background Kuwait ranks as the second most air-polluted country in the world (Arab Times, 2023). Air pollution contributes to respiratory diseases, including wheezing, coughing, asthma, and heart disease. Research Question This study investigates whether there is a significant difference between the perceived air quality and the actual air quality level. Methodology We collected perceived air quality from residents of Kuwait (n=144), along with demographic, lifestyle, and health condition information. At the same time, we also measured the actual air quality at the exact locations where the survey was conducted. This allowed us to assess if individuals could accurately perceive the air quality in their environment. Results The obtained data indicated that people with respiratory problems (such as asthma or frequent coughing) perceived the air as dirtier compared to those without such health issues (ANOVA P-value<0.001). This observation is consistent with previous studies. Interestingly, no significant correlation was found between perceived air quality and actual PM2.5 levels, but a correlation with PM10 levels was evident. This suggests that people generally notice larger particles (PM10) more easily than smaller particles (PM2.5). Furthermore, individuals with respiratory conditions are more sensitive to poor air quality.