The Evaluation of PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 Concentration during Dust Storm Events in Ilam city, from Mar 2013 through Feb 2014

Dust storms are among the main natural sources of air pollution in the Middle East which increase people's concern about their harm effects on public health. This study aimed to evaluate the quantitative values of and the effects of dusts on the quality of Ilam city weather. In this study, the concentration of PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 were measured from Mar 2013 through Feb 2014. The measurement was performed once per six days and the Grimm aerosol spectrometer model 1.108 was used in all dusty days. Meteorological data was taken from aerology directorate of Ilam province and for tracking of dust storms, satellite pictures were applied. Mean ±SD of PM10, PM2.5, and PM1, during collection data, were 146.6±139. 3, 29.7 ± 25.3 and 10±5.7 μg/m3 respectively. The mean proportion of PM2.5/PM10, PM1/PM10 and PM1/PM2.5 were 0.231, 0.108 and 0. 418 during study period and 0.191, 0.052 and 0.269 during dust storm days respectively. The concentration of PM10 was more than standard fair weather during 83 days and AQI index values indicated dangerous conditions in 5 days, during year of the study. According to our findings, Iraq country particularly Nainava and Al- Anbar provinces were the main sources of dust storms of Ilam province. Discussion & This study indicates the dust storm events situation in Ilam city and its negative impact on air quality, which can have harmful effects on population health. Therefore it is necessary to determine of dust storm effect on health and ways to deal with it are more studies done. Dust storms also create an increase in PM2.5-10 particles resulting in a reduction of PM2.5/PM10 proportion. The results of this study can be used by health policy makers for design of preventive issues; however, international or regionnal cooperation are needed for any interventional action against this harmful condition.