Spatial Statistical Analysis of Air Pollutants and Their Relationship with Respiratory and Cancer Diseases in Baghdad City using Satellite Data

Association Between Air Quality and Major Respiratory Diseases in Relation to Particulate Matter (PM10, PM2.5) and Gaseous Pollutants in Iğdır, Türkiye

This study examines the long-term associations between ambient air pollutants and the burden of major respiratory and infectious diseases in this geographically sensitive region. A retrospective analysis was conducted using ICD-10-coded hospital records of patients diagnosed with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, and tuberculosis from January 2020 to June 2026. These data were integrated with in situ air quality measurements, including PM10, PM2.5, and SO2, as well as satellite-derived Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) from MODIS. Disease incidence was stratified by year, sex, and age groups (0–85+ years) to assess demographic susceptibility patterns. Respiratory diseases constituted a substantial public health burden over the study period. Asthma showed a marked female predominance (≈29,700 females vs. ≈16,000 males) and a bimodal age distribution with peaks in early childhood (0–5 years) and mid-adulthood (35–50 years). COPD was predominantly observed in males (≈8300 males vs. ≈5500 females), with a higher median age range (≈67–70 years). Bronchitis exhibited a similar bimodal pattern, disproportionately affecting both pediatric and elderly populations, while overall case numbers declined over time. Tuberculosis incidence was approximately threefold higher in males than females, with notable age-related divergence, affecting younger females (≈30–32 years) and middle-aged males (≈42–45 years). The findings suggest a spatial–temporal correspondence between elevated pollutant concentrations and respiratory disease prevalence in the Iğdır Basin. The observed sex- and age-specific disparities underscore the potential value of region-specific environmental health strategies, strengthened air quality management, and continuous epidemiological surveillance in enclosed basin environments.

Low-Cost Sensor-Based Spatial Screening of Urban Air Quality in a Medium-Sized City: A Case Study in Alba-Iulia, Romania

Urban air pollution remains a major public health concern, with road traffic representing one of the dominant sources of particulate matter and volatile organic compounds in growing cities. This study evaluates the level of chemical air pollution in Alba-Iulia municipality (Romania) through two measurement campaigns (May 2025 and October 2025), carried out at 26 and 19 points, respectively, selected based on traffic intensity and population vulnerability criteria (schools, kindergartens, hospitals, and the food market). Measurements targeted PM2.5, PM10, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) and formaldehyde (HCHO), as well as carbon dioxide (CO2), correlated with road traffic intensity. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the two seasons for PM2.5, PM10, and CO2 (p < 0.01), as well as a strong correlation between particulate matter concentrations and vehicle counts (r = 0.60–0.95), consistent with road traffic being an important local contributor to particulate matter, though correlation alone cannot establish source dominance in a strict causal sense. A multiple regression controlling for both traffic and season explained over 73% of the variance in PM2.5 and PM10 and showed that traffic and season each contribute independently to particulate levels. Both mean PM2.5 and PM10 exceeded WHO and EU limit values in both campaigns, and the low-cost sensor over-read absolute concentrations by roughly 2–4× relative to the official monitoring network, so absolute values should be treated as orientative. Despite this bias, the consistent spatial and seasonal patterns show that portable low-cost sensors can reliably rank exposure hotspots and support the targeting of traffic-mitigation measures, such as selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems, in medium-sized cities that lack dense reference monitoring networks.

Association between air pollution and acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Hebei Province

Evidence regarding the short-term effects of ambient air pollution on acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) across multiple cities in northern China remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between major ambient air pollutants and AECOPD hospitalizations, as well as their lagged effects. We conducted an ecological time-series study of 14,786 AECOPD hospitalizations recorded at 49 hospitals in Shijiazhuang, Handan, and Chengde, Hebei Province, from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2020. City-specific associations between daily concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), inhalable particulate matter (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and 8-hour ozone and AECOPD hospitalizations were estimated using distributed lag nonlinear models, with adjustment for long-term trends, temperature, relative humidity, day of the week, public holidays, and stages of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Single-day lag effects from lag 0 to lag 5, cumulative lag effects from lag 0–1 to lag 0–5, effects of extreme pollutant concentrations, and associations stratified by age and sex were evaluated. City-specific estimates were subsequently pooled using random-effects multivariate meta-analysis. Associations were expressed as relative risks with 95% confidence intervals. During the 1096-day study period, 14,786 AECOPD hospitalizations were recorded. Compared with the 25th-percentile concentrations, the 75th-percentile concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, and CO generally showed stronger cumulative associations with longer lag periods, with the largest estimates usually observed at lag 0–5 days, whereas single-day effects were weak. All 6 pollutants exhibited nonlinear cumulative exposure–response relationships. Compared with median concentrations, the 99th-percentile concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, and CO were associated with higher hospitalization risks. High PM2.5 reached its maximum effect at lag 0–5 days (relative risk, 1.391; 95% confidence interval, 1.169–1.658). Higher 8-hour ozone concentrations were generally associated with lower hospitalization risk. Associations were more pronounced among adults aged ≥65 years and males. Short-term exposure to PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, and CO was associated with increased AECOPD hospitalization risk, with nonlinear, lagged, and cumulative effects. Older adults and females may be more susceptible to ambient air pollution.

Integrated Assessment of Air Pollution Sources, Public Health Impacts, and Data Gaps in Adana Province: Evidence-Based Policy Interventions

This study comprehensively evaluates air pollution in Adana, one of Türkiye’s key industrial, urban, and transportation hubs. Using monitoring data from 2023–2025, the concentrations of major pollutants—PM2.5., PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3—were analyzed. The results were compared with standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Union (EU), and Türkiye’s national regulations, showing that PM2.5 and PM10 thresholds were frequently exceeded at several stations. A significant finding was that data capture rates remained below 60%, indicating reliability gaps in the monitoring infrastructure and weakening evidence-based policymaking. Primary sources of pollution include coal-fired power plants, the use of low-quality fuels, open burning of agricultural residues, and vehicular emissions. These factors are aggravated by Adana’s geographic and meteorological conditions, such as temperature inversions and low wind speeds, which facilitate pollutant accumulation and increase public health risks. Statistical analyses revealed notable rises in SO2 and particulate matter concentrations during winter due to residential heating, coinciding with higher respiratory illness rates. The study recommends reducing coal dependency, expanding access to natural gas, promoting sustainable transportation, restricting agricultural waste burning, and improving data transparency. The Adana case highlights air pollution as both an environmental and social justice issue.

Health impacts and prevention strategies of urban air pollution

Urban air pollution represents one of the most significant environmental health risks worldwide, particularly in rapidly developing urban areas. Epidemiological studies consistently link major air pollutants-including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂)-with a range of adverse health outcomes. This study analyzes the health impacts of urban air pollution, with a focus on respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and evaluates current prevention and control strategies. The review synthesizes findings from 11 key peer-reviewed studies, including epidemiological analyses, systematic reviews, and policy evaluations, published between 1993 and 2024. The findings indicate that long-term exposure to PM2.5 is associated with a significant increase in the risk of chronic respiratory conditions, cardiovascular diseases, and premature mortality. Landmark cohort studies demonstrate a 6-15% increase in cardiovascular mortality per 10 μg/m³ rise in PM2.5 exposures. Vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly, are particularly susceptible to these effects. In addition, the synthesis of available evidence highlights that integrated prevention strategies-combining policy measures (e.g., emission standards), urban planning solutions (e.g., green infrastructure, traffic management), and technological innovations (e.g., clean energy, emission control systems)-have proven effective in reducing ambient pollutant levels and associated health burdens.

Assessment of PM2.5 exposure and respiratory health risks for vulnerable populations in urban underpass: a predictive MLR approach in Chiang Mai, Thailand.