ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Iraqi government has instructed an industrial subdistrict to introduce measures to reduce factory emissions. The Nahrawan subdistrict, located about 25 kilometers northeast of Baghdad, is home to numerous brick, cement factories, and leather tanning workshops. The Baghdad environment directorate, which is within the environment ministry, recently visited Nahrawan where "a decision was issued to convert all factories to operate on LPG gas instead of heavy fuel," said head of the directorate Sadiq Hatem Abboud, Iraqi state media reported on Thursday. Abboud said they are coordinating with the oil and industry ministries to develop plans to address pollution and have given factories a grace period of three years to adopt technologies that reduce emissions. Workers in the Nahrwan industrial area are making thousands of red bricks on a daily basis. Iraq’s air pollution is a public health concern. Government officials have acknowledged the link between rising cancer rates and industrial pollution, mainly from the oil sector. Abboud said they imposed fines on factories emitting smoke and gas, and efforts are being made to improve production techniques and promote the use of environmentally-friendly technologies. The directorate has been in contact with the industry ministry "about the need to convert factories into environmentally-friendly operations,” he said. He also noted that they are working to establish communication channels for citizens to report complaints about odors and smoke via an official email and a designated phone line. Air pollution caused by industrial emissions coupled with climate change has become an increasing concern across Iraq.
