ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Baghdad ranked sixth among the world’s most polluted cities on Sunday, as heavy smog and rising toxic emissions pushed the capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) to “unhealthy” levels.

The AQI reading for Baghdad reached 190, a level considered harmful to the public. Lahore, Pakistan, topped the list with a score of 330, followed by Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Delhi, India; Kolkata, India; and Chengdu, China. Lahore was classified as “hazardous,” while the other cities recorded “very unhealthy” levels.

Video shared online Sunday morning showed thick smoke and a foul smell around the al-Rasheed military camp in Baghdad. Authorities said all entry points to the area were closed to protect the environment, but the pollution persisted.

The Green Iraq Observatory said cloud cover acted like a lid, trapping pollutants close to the ground. It warned that nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) in Baghdad’s air can irritate the eyes and lungs, and long-term exposure is linked to heart and vascular diseases.

The group also reported high levels of sulfur dioxide (SO₂), a gas that contributes to acid rain and can cause nausea, stomach pain, and damage to the airways.

AQI levels in Baghdad often range between 150 and 200, the observatory said, which falls under “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy.” Fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, remains the main pollutant.

In recent weeks, the index surged to 380 during one night, a level the observatory described as “beyond dangerous.” It said the average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 was 40.5 micrograms per cubic meter, more than eight times the global safety limit of 5 micrograms.

The observatory warned that high pollution levels could spread beyond the capital and affect nearby provinces.

Iraq’s environment ministry said last week that emergency measures had recently helped improve air quality in Baghdad, after the capital appeared among the world’s most polluted cities.

The ministry linked the pollution spike to uncontrolled waste burning and weak environmental oversight, while rights groups warned that Iraq is facing some of the region’s worst air pollution levels.

Experts say PM2.5 concentrations in Baghdad have repeatedly exceeded global safety limits, contributing to rising respiratory illnesses across the country.