Iraq | Toxic gases and more cases of suffocation: A `pollution cloud` hangs over Baghdad

Arab Weather - The Green Iraq Observatory confirmed that the wave of pollution witnessed by the capital, Baghdad, is the widest and most severe in a whole year, as a result of the spread of toxic compounds resulting mainly from waste burning operations that are still continuing without any decisive measures to stop them so far.

The observatory explained that the emitted gases, primarily sulfur dioxide, caused cases of suffocation among citizens, some of whom were hospitalized. It warned of the possibility of a recurrence of the phenomenon in the coming weeks. It also predicted that authorities may be forced to declare public holidays on days when pollution levels are high if solutions are not found.

It has no connection to the Ethiopian volcano.

The observatory confirmed that the pollution recorded in Baghdad is not at all related to the eruption of the Haile Gobi volcano located in northeastern Ethiopia, explaining that the geographical distance and wind direction do not allow volcanic ash to reach Iraq, and that the pollution is entirely caused by local emissions, waste burning operations, and some illegal industrial activities.

Official warnings and stricter oversight

Iraqi authorities urged citizens to stay in their homes, close their windows, and avoid going out into public places due to high levels of pollutants and smoke in the capital.

The Ministry of Environment warned against any laxity in monitoring the illegal industrial activities that take advantage of the night hours to carry out illegal burning operations on the outskirts of Baghdad, and announced that it has doubled its monitoring efforts since dawn on Wednesday to reduce the recurrence of smoke emissions and air pollution that the capital witnesses from time to time.