The evaluation of PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 concentrations during the Middle Eastern Dust (MED) events in Ahvaz, Iran, from april through september 2010

In this study, PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 concentrations were measured from April through September 2010. These measurements were made every six days and on days with dust events using a Grimm Model 1.177 aerosol spectrometer. Meteorological data were also collected. Overall mean values of 319.6 ± 407.07, 69.5 ± 83.2, and 37.02 ± 34.9 μg/m3 were obtained for PM10, PM2.5, and PM1, respectively, with corresponding maximum values of 5337.6, 910.9, and 495 μg/m3. The presence of the westerly prevailing wind implied that Iraq is the major source of dust events in this area. A total of 72 dust days and 711 dust hours occurred in the study area. The dust events occurred primarily during July. The longest dust event during the study period occurred in July, lasted five days, and had a peak concentration of 2028 μg/m3. These high concentrations produced AQI values of up to 500. A total estimated mortality and morbidity of 1131 and 8157 cases, respectively, can be attributed to these concentrations. The results of this study indicated the importance of dust events in Ahvaz and their possible health impacts. The study also demonstrated the need to design and implement intergovernmental management schemes to effectively mitigate such events.