Assessment of the Ambient Gaseous Pollutants in the Crowded Traffic Crossroad in Baghdad City

Abstract

Exposure to ambient gaseous components is a significant issue for people’s health. This study aims to check the modification effect of seasonal temperature variation on the association of ambient air pollutants in the selected traffic crossroads in Baghdad city. The study continued for around 180 calendar days from the winter of 2020 to the summer of 2021; during this period, seven major gaseous parameters, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2 S), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ground ozone (O3), were tested via using the devices of GIG6 and GIG2. The results showed that the high temperature significantly affected the dispersion of air pollutants, whereas the increase in air temperature from 10 °C to 48 °C led to an increase in the concentration of H2 S about ten times, and an increase in emission of CO around three times, while there are varying increases for the rest of the other air pollutants.