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A dust storm in Iraq created apocalyptic scenes, dealt a significant blow to air quality and sent more than 1,000 people to local hospitals this week. AccuWeather forecasters say while Iraq has dealt with numerous dust storms this spring, a combination of atmospheric factors led to a particularly potent storm on Thursday.
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More than 1,200 people in total across at least six of Iraq's 18 provinces have been treated at area hospitals for respiratory issues this week following an intense dust storm, according to Al Jazeera.
Residents who attempted to venture outside in the affected areas on Thursday morning, local time, came face-to-face with a thick, choking cloud of dust surrounding everything in the vicinity.
"The most recent dust storm Thursday morning was caused by a front dropping across Iraq," AccuWeather meteorologist Tony Zartman explained. "The gusty wind that occurred with the passage of the front kicked up the dust storm, greatly reducing visibilities and causing unhealthy air quality."
AccuWeather forecasters say it is likely that visibility was near-zero at times for other locations throughout Iraq as well as the worst of the dust darkened the sky.
Thursday's dust storm was only the most recent in a string of storms that have slammed portions of Iraq this spring. Another dust storm covered the region just this past Sunday. During Sunday's storm, both the Baghdad International Airport and the Najaf Airport were forced to close, according to The National.
"Iraq has suffered dry conditions not only recently but over the past several years," Zartman explained. "Therefore, any time a gust of wind comes along, it does not take much to kick off a dust storm."
In April, environment ministry official Issa al-Fayad warned Iraq could face "272 days of dust" per year in the coming decades, according to INA, the Iraqi state news agency.
This projected increase in the overall number of dusty days is due to Iraq and much of the surrounding areas becoming hotter and drier over time due to climate change. A lack of rainfall has led to a lack of moisture in the area soils and sands for Iraq.
When severely dry, soils can be easily lofted into the air by even slightly breezy conditions.
"Unfortunately, these dust storms are likely to become more common and more severe if conditions do not change," Zartman cautioned.
Reduced visibility is not the most dangerous problem these imposing storms create. These dust storms also contribute to a dramatic worsening of air quality for affected areas.
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| Air quality across large portions of Iraq rose to very unhealthy (denoted by dark pink) and dangerous (denoted by purple) levels on Thursday, May 5, 2022. Air quality has worsened considerably as dust storms impact the area. (AccuWeather) |
On Thursday, air quality across much of Iraq was designated as either very unhealthy or even dangerous, according to data provided by PlumeLabs, a company acquired by AccuWeather earlier in 2022.
The primary pollutant in the air across Iraq on Thursday was particulate matter (PM), also referred to as aerosols. Particulate matter is often a mix of fine dust and tiny liquid droplets suspended in the air and is categorized by size, according to PlumeLabs.
Particulate matter is typically invisible to the human eye, but it is possible to see in high concentrations, like during dust storms. If any of this particulate matter is inhaled, the effects ramp up in severity based on underlying health conditions.
During days when air quality is considered very unhealthy, health effects will be immediately felt by sensitive groups such as children, the elderly and people with respiratory conditions. Even individuals who do not fall into those categories will experience difficulty breathing and throat irritation when air quality is at a very unhealthy level.
When air quality reaches a dangerous level, any exposure to the air, even for a few minutes, can lead to serious health effects for everyone.
With no considerable rain in sight, AccuWeather forecasters say that dust storms will likely continue to cause problems in Iraq especially as the country moves into its summer, its driest season of the year.
