Detection of Air Pollution with Lead, Cadmium, and Zinc in Selected Industrial Areas of Baghdad

Abstract

The objectives of this study are to investigate the concentrations of heavy metals in two selected industrial areas. Airborne heavy metal pollution represents a persistent environmental and public health problem in rapidly urbanizing cities. This research assesses the seasonal distribution of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and zinc (Zn) associated with airborne particulate matter in two selected industrial areas including Al Bayaa on the Karkh side and Al Shurta Tunnel on the Rusafa side of Baghdad and a rural control site. Samples of air were collected during four seasons autumn, winter, spring, and summer and then analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry AAS. The results revealed pronounced seasonal differences, Lead concentrations varied across the four seasons, with the highest concentration recorded in the summer at the Al Shurta Tunnel, reaching 5.8 µg/m³, while the lowest concentration was recorded in the same area during the winter at 0.0185 µg/m³. Cadmium concentrations were recorded at their lowest value of 0.0294 µg/m³ in winter in the police tunnel and at their highest concentration of 4 µg/m³ in the Al Bayyaa area in spring. As for zinc, its concentrations ranged between 2.257 µg/m³ and 43.8 µg/m³ in the winter and spring, respectively, in the police tunnel area. In general Cd levels remained low but exhibited episodic increases, particularly in Al Bayaa. Although most measured concentrations were below commonly cited health-based guideline values, the consistent detection of heavy metals highlights their persistence in Baghdad industrial atmosphere. These findings provide baseline data for Baghdad and emphasize the necessity for continuous monitoring and strengthened air quality management strategies.