Analysis of Carbon Monoxide Concentration in Winter and the Use of Solar Energy to Reduce Air Pollution in Kabul

Abstract

One of the most significant problems in large cities is air pollution, which can be harmful to human health and the environment. Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, is one of the most polluted cities in Afghanistan and globally. Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of the key pollutants contributing to air pollution. The aim of this research is to study and analyze the concentration of CO in the open air of Kabul and compare it to air quality standards. In this research, related studies on the analysis of CO concentrations during winter and the use of solar energy to reduce air pollution in Kabul were reviewed from reputable scientific databases such as SID, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Medline. To examine changes in air pollutants (CO), data from the website of the National Environmental Protection Agency of Afghanistan was used. Additionally, this study explores how to optimize the use of solar energy for heating by designing and constructing buildings equipped with active and passive solar systems and how these systems function to minimize air pollution in Kabul. According to the results, the concentration of carbon monoxide reached up to 23.129 mg/m^3 during the month of November. Various solutions exist to address this challenge. Given the increasing need of Kabul’s residents for thermal energy in winter to heat their homes and the future need to end reliance on fossil fuels, solar energy in small-scale applications, such as in residential homes and apartments, presents an effective step towards reducing air pollution caused by coal smoke.