Estimating Respiratory and Cardiovascular Health Risks Associated with PM2.5 Concentration in Major Populated Areas of Iraq with Examining Its Correlation to COVID-19

Adverse impacts on respiratory and cardiovascular health have been linked to air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This study aimed to 1) quantify and analyze PM2.5 concentrations in eight major Iraqi cities from February 2020 to August 2021, comparing these levels with WHO guidelines, and 2) investigate potential correlations between PM2.5 pollution levels and the spread of COVID-19 in the studied cities. Daily PM2.5 concentrations were compiled from government-operated air quality monitoring stations, and the AirQ+ health risk assessment model was utilized to estimate the relative risk of mortality and morbidity outcomes. The results revealed that PM2.5 concentrations exceeded WHO guidelines (5 μg/m3) in all studied cities, with the highest mean level in Baghdad (54 μg/m3) - over 10 times the WHO limit. The values obtained were as high as (RR 1.61, 95%, and Confidence interval CI: 1.23-2.0), in Baghdad, while the lowest was in Sulaymaniyah with a value of (RR 1.13, 95% CI: 1.06-1.21). The COVID-19, also infection rates were highest in Baghdad but did not consistently correlate with PM2.5 pollution across all cities, suggesting a complex interplay between air quality and disease transmission.