Characterization of Minerals and Health Impact of Metals in Dust Storm Fallen on Baghdad, Iraq

In Iraq, dust storms have increased drastically over the past decade due to desertification, dryness, and potential outcomes of climate variation. The present study determined the material composition of the dust storm that attacked Baghdad on the 14th of April 2022. Techniques like XRD, SEM, FTIR, and BET were used to identify the structure, particle size and mineral constituents. The study was performed by collecting dust storm samples from different areas of Baghdad. Experimental results showed that the particle within the highest range was between 186 nm and 248 nm and the mean diameter was 217 nm in which the maximum intensity was determined. The identified elements (Si, Ca, Ti, C. Al, Fe, Mg, Cu, and S) and nonmetallic elements C and O with different average weight percent while calcium and silicon were the most abundant elements. Assessment of their toxicological impacts on human health particularly on human eyes has also been done. Eye maladies were the most usually considered health status in all source locations of Baghdad city, ranging from 39.0% to 42.0%. Moreover, respiratory (27.2%-31.4%) and allergic skin (6.6%-9.5%) diseases were the second and third most usually investigated cases, respectively.