In a recent report by CEO World Magazine, Iraq has been classified as one of the most air-polluted Arab countries, ranking near the bottom globally in terms of air quality. The findings highlight significant disparities in air pollution levels across nations, with climate change exacerbating the issue.

According to the report, Iceland boasts the cleanest air globally, with PM2.5 concentrations as low as 3.4 micrograms per cubic meter. In stark contrast, Iraq has been identified as having one of the highest levels of air pollution, with PM2.5 concentrations reaching 80.1 micrograms per cubic meter. This places Iraq alongside countries such as Pakistan, Bahrain, and Bangladesh in terms of poor air quality.

Experts attribute Iraq's air pollution crisis to a combination of factors, including the proliferation of waste incinerators, extensive oil extraction activities, rampant gas flaring, high population density resulting from widespread rural-to-urban migration, the emergence of informal settlements on the outskirts of cities, diminishing green spaces, and the degradation of infrastructure and services.

To combat this alarming trend and mitigate its adverse effects, specialists emphasize the urgent need to expand green spaces within urban areas, enhance regulatory measures to control harmful emissions from industrial facilities and vehicles, and implement sustainable urban and population planning strategies. These measures aim to alleviate the strain on already fragile infrastructure systems, which require renovation, maintenance, and rebuilding.

Moreover, UN reports have highlighted the health risks associated with Iraq's air quality, citing the presence of 37 types of minerals and 147 different bacteria and fungi in airborne dust, contributing to the spread of diseases.

The report underscores the critical importance of concerted efforts at the national and international levels to address Iraq's air pollution crisis and safeguard public health and environmental sustainability.