Comparative Evaluation of Measured and Predicted Air Pollutant Concentrations Using AERMOD Around the Fallujah Cement Plant

The Fallujah Cement Plant constitutes a cornerstone of reconstruction efforts in Al-Anbar Province, yet it simultaneously represents one of the largest stationary sources of air pollution in the region.This study presents the first integrated assessment of ambient air quality impacts from a major Iraqi cement facility by combining field measurements with the American Meteorological Society/Environmental Protection Agency Regulatory Model (AERMOD).Concentrations of seven pollutants-sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), total suspended particulates (TSP), particulate matter ≤ 10 µm (PM 10 ), and fine particulate matter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM 2.5 )-were monitored at three receptor sites surrounding the plant.Results revealed that measured concentrations consistently exceeded model predictions, particularly for CO 2 (+221%) and CO (+441%).Field data indicated exceedances of Iraqi national standards and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines by up to 23-fold for SO 2 and 12-fold for PM 2.5 .Spatial analysis confirmed that pollutant plumes predominantly extend southeastward under prevailing northwesterly winds, with the highest risks observed in nearby residential complexes located 2 km downwind.Overall, the findings demonstrate that the Fallujah Cement Plant poses significant public health risks, underscoring the urgent need for advanced emission-control technologies and the establishment of vegetative buffer zones to mitigate environmental and health impacts.