Is the air quality good in Manama?
On April 29, 2026, at 10:00 AM (local time), Manama, Bahrain is experiencing elevated pollution levels driven by intense dust storms and urban emissions. The AQI is 149, falling in the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" range.
This level can worsen respiratory conditions, heart-related illnesses, and other health problems, especially for children, older adults, and those with pre-existing conditions.
Air quality is dynamic and, like the weather, can change frequently. Manama ranked 3rd among the most polluted major cities in the world on Wednesday morning (local time).
Click here for a real-time air quality map of Manama.
While the air quality conditions today are unusually poor, it is important to keep in mind that the average PM2.5 concentration in 2025 for Manama was 35.9 µg/m³. This corresponds to an AQI of 101, which falls into the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” category and was 7.1 times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³.
Manama, Bahrain ranked as the 3rd most polluted major city on April 29, 2026. Source: IQAir.
When will air quality improve in Manama?
Air quality is forecasted to improve gradually throughout the day and into tomorrow.
Hourly air quality forecast for Manama, Bahrain on April 29, 2026. Source: IQAir.
Improvement may occur as wind patterns shift and airborne dust concentrations begin to decline.
However, localized pollution from traffic and industrial activity may continue to affect some neighborhoods.
Air quality map of Manama, Bahrain on April 29, 2026. Source: IQAir.
What is causing poor air quality in Manama?
Multiple sources are contributing to poor air quality in Manama today, with dust pollution remaining the primary driver. Strong winds are carrying large amounts of PM10 from surrounding arid regions into Bahrain, significantly increasing particulate pollution levels.
Urban emissions are also worsening air quality, particularly from heavy traffic corridors, industrial facilities such as refineries, petrochemical plants, aluminum operations, and ongoing construction and land reclamation activities.
A Bahrain air quality study identified PM10 as the largest contributor to poor air quality nationwide, followed by PM2.5. Researchers also found that dust storms, industrial activity, and transportation emissions are among the leading causes of pollution in Manama and nearby urban areas (1).
A separate public health study found that 54.8% of surveyed residents reported respiratory issues, and many said they take protective measures during poor air quality events, including limiting outdoor activity and wearing face coverings (2).
How can I protect myself from poor air quality?
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.
