Evaluation of ozone, PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations and estimation of attributed health effects based on AirQ+ on residents of Ahvaz, Iran (2012-2018)

Inadequate air quality is one of the environmental hazards factors imposing a significant number of deaths and complications of diseases on society. Therefore, it is highly important to determine the extent of its effects on health in communities. This study sought to assessment the concentration and additional short- and long-term mortality attributed to Particulate Matter less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Ozone (O3) were observed in Ahwaz from 2012 to 2018 using AirQ+.

Daily and hourly concentrations of PM2.5, ozone and NO2 were obtained from Department of Environment in Ahvaz. Then, the mean concentration of 2.5 PM2.5 for 24 h, the mean concentration of NO2 for 1 h and the maximum concentration of O3 for 8 h daily were calculated using Excel 2010. Finally, to calculate the annual sum of maximum daily 8-h ozone means over 35 ppb (SOMO35) index, concentrations above 35 were collected and entered into the software.

The mean seven-year concentrations of PM2.5, NO2 and O3 were 68.21 (±135.86%), 24.46 (±22.79%) µg/m3 and 24.48 (±13.77%) ppb, respectively. The death rates of Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), lung cancer and Acute Lower Respiratory tract Infections (ALRI) and stroke related to PM2.5 were 2023, 128, 110, 23, 802, respectively. The number of respiratory deaths attributed
to ozone was 68.

The results show a high number of deaths due to bad weather in Ahvaz. It can be concluded that by designing and implementing appropriate and correct solutions and decisions, both health and economic losses are prevented.