Is the air quality good in Manama?
On April 6, 2026, at 4:30 PM PT, Manama, Bahrain is experiencing elevated pollution levels driven by intense dust storms and urban emissions. The AQI is over 150, classified as "unhealthy", with PM2.5 concentrations dominating.
These conditions can cause severe respiratory issues, worsen heart problems, and impair lung function, especially for children, the elderly, and those with health vulnerabilities.
Air quality is dynamic and, like the weather, can change frequently. Manama ranked as the 4th most polluted major city in the world on Monday 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 4th most polluted major city on April 6, 2026. Source: IQAir.
When will air quality improve in Manama?
Air quality in Manama is expected to improve by tomorrow, returning to the moderate range.
Hourly air quality forecast for Manama, Bahrain on April 6, 2026. Source: IQAir.
Over the past 30 days, air quality has generally remained within the moderate range. However, today there has been a noticeable spike, with conditions deteriorating into the unhealthy range.
Daily air quality forecast for Manama, Bahrain for the last 30 days. Source: IQAir.
Air quality map of Manama, Bahrain on April 6, 2026. Source: IQAir.
What is causing poor air quality in Manama?
The primary driver of poor air quality in Manama is the elevated concentration of particulate matter, particularly PM2.5, which is widely recognized for its adverse health effects (1).
Key contributing factors include:
- Frequent dust storms in the region that significantly increase particulate concentrations
- Vehicular emissions resulting from dense traffic activity
- Industrial operations and power generation processes
In addition, environmental factors such as wind speed and temperature play a critical role in air quality by either dispersing pollutants or allowing them to accumulate in the atmosphere.
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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.
