The atmosphere of Baghdad has returned to the forefront of the environmental scene with rising pollution levels and the emergence of penetrating odors resembling the smell of sulfur in various areas of the capital, coinciding with overcast conditions that blocked part of the sunlight and raised widespread questions among residents about the sources of these emissions and the responsible parties.
The correspondent of the news video agency stated that the available environmental data and reports suggest that the phenomenon does not appear to be linked to a single source; rather, it may be the result of a combination of several factors, primarily emissions from oil and industrial facilities, as well as brick and asphalt factories scattered on the outskirts of Baghdad, in addition to the use of heavy petroleum derivatives and uncontrolled burning. Previous environmental reports indicated that some industrial facilities operate without full compliance with environmental standards, leading to the emission of smoke and gases at different times of the day.
Moreover, the random burning of waste is one of the sources of air pollution in the capital, in addition to emissions from private generators, power production stations, and the high density of vehicle traffic, which collectively contribute to increasing the concentration of pollutants in the air of Baghdad.
As for the odor described by residents as "sulfuric," it has been previously linked in reports to emissions containing sulfurous compounds from industrial and oil sources; however, pinpointing the exact source of each wave of pollution requires field measurements and air tests at the time and location of the odor's appearance, making it inaccurate to attribute the phenomenon to a specific party without official results.
Weather conditions exacerbate the problem, as the relative calm of the winds and the stability of air layers can contribute to trapping pollutants near the ground instead of dispersing them, increasing the density of smog and making odors and emissions more evident to residents.
Environmental reports indicate that Baghdad faces multiple sources of air pollution, including industrial activity, generators, vehicles, waste burning, and urban expansion, making addressing the issue dependent on a comprehensive plan to reduce emissions and monitor polluting facilities and sources.
In light of the recurring phenomenon of sulfuric odors, demands are rising to disclose the results of official environmental tests and the actual sources of emissions, and to announce the areas or facilities that exceed permissible limits, rather than merely describing the phenomenon or attributing responsibility to an unproven entity.
Thus, the return of the sulfuric odor to Baghdad seems, according to the available data, more like a result of the accumulation of industrial, oil, and urban pollution sources along with weather conditions that help trap pollutants, while there is still no published evidence to prove the existence of a covert party deliberately behind the phenomenon.