Occurrences Of Dust Storms And The Effect On Human Health
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Date
2016-08
Authors
Ghsoon, Faik Salih
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Abstract
This study, shed light on the importance of a natural phenomenon, the dust storm, its birth, direction and its deep impact on human health. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of the dust storm on human health. The research methodology was based on the field study, the climatic elements and dust phenomenon in the study area and neighbouring provinces were analysed. Detailed maps of the study area were collected from eight weather stations spread from the north to south of Iraq, which cover most of the geographical forms in Iraq ranging from high areas to low areas. Samples of sand dunes were analysed to get the most accurate results that help in solving the geographical problem. Survey questionnaires were distributed to investigate the health problems, facilities that are provided during these dust storms and the effect of dust storms on the residents of Dhi-Qar city. This study also used and screened documents from the archive of various health institutions in Dhi Qar province. These data were compared with meteorological data obtained from Iraqi Meteorological Organisation. The meteorological data showed the repetition frequency of the phenomenon of dust storm for several years. Apart from that, aerial photographs of dust storms that took place in Iraq on various dates were also used. The result of this study showed that climate elements, temperature, rain shortage and wind direction and speed were the main factors in increasing the dust storm in the area of study. The result of the dust storms distribution in eight stations under research
shows that the highest total number of days of dust storms recorded in Al-Nasiriya reaching 181 days in the period from (1971-2007), of which 68 days were in the year 1978. The result also showed that the total number of people infected with respiratory diseases in 2008 reached 145790 people of all ages. The survey results show that 92% of the respondents suffer from shortness of breathing after the dust storm. In the last ten years, public hospitals have received a large number of patients experiencing shortness of breath and sometimes deaths after dust storms. It can be concluded that this great increase in the number of people infected with respiratory diseases shows the extent of the influence that the phenomena of sandstorm and dust storms have on the population of the area under study.
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The impact of the dust storm , on human health.