Smog chokes Baghdad as oil-fired factories belch out smoke

The stench of sulphur permeates some districts, where brick and asphalt factories run on heavy fuel oil, taking advantage of generous state subsidies in the world’s sixth biggest oil producer.

In a bid to tackle the worsening air quality, authorities recently shut down dozens of oil-fired factories and instructed others to phase out their use of heavy fuel oil.

“Every time I went to the doctor he told me to stop smoking. But I don’t smoke,” Zubaidi told AFP.

Power plants and refineries spew thick grey smoke over several areas of Baghdad.

“We can’t go up to our roofs because of the fumes,” Zubaidi said.

“We appealed to the prime minister, the government and parliament. Lawmakers have come to see us but to no avail,” the 53-year-old complained.

He is not the only victim of air pollution. Many of his neighbours suffer from chronic asthma or allergies, he said.

Waste incineration and the proliferation of private generators in the face of patchy mains supply also contribute significantly to Baghdad’s air pollution.