# Impact of Dust Storms on Airborne Bacteria, Heavy Metals, and Inflammatory Markers in Asthmatic Patients

## TL;DR

Dust storms in Iraq increase heavy metals and change airborne bacteria, which worsen asthma symptoms through inflammation.

## Contribution

The study links dust storm-induced changes in heavy metals and bacterial communities to increased asthma inflammation in Iraq.

## Key findings

- Post-storm heavy metal concentrations (e.g., As, Ag, Ba) were significantly elevated in air samples.
- Asthmatic patients showed increased IL-4 and IL-8 levels after dust storms compared to controls.
- Metagenomics revealed region-specific bacterial shifts, with Al-Anbar showing higher microbial richness and diversity.

## Abstract

Asthma, a chronic bronchial disorder prevalent in children/adolescents, is exacerbated under environmental conditions like dust storms. The current study investigated heavy metal levels, airborne bacteria, and serum IL‐4/IL‐8 in asthmatics during before/after dust storms in Iraq's Al‐Anbar, Baghdad, and Kirkuk provinces. Airborne heavy metals were quantified by ICP‐MS, serum cytokines by ELISA, and bacterial communities via metagenomics. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism (p < 0.05 significant). ICP‐MS revealed considerably elevated post‐storm concentrations of As, Ag, B, Ba, Co, Hg, Mg, Mn, Ni, Sn, S, Ti, and V. Asthmatic subjects presented with considerably elevated IL‐4 and IL‐8 post‐storm (p < 0.05) compared to controls (p > 0.05). Metagenomics revealed storm‐induced bacterial alterations: Al‐Anbar contained elevated Burkholderiaceae, Methylophilaceae, and Rhodobacteraceae; Kirkuk contained elevated Ilumatobacteraceae, Microbacteriaceae, Burkholderiaceae, and Rhodobacteraceae. Baghdad's most prevalent species included Rhodocyclaceae (50%), Burkholderiaceae (17%), and Arcobacteraceae (4.5%). Al‐Anbar was significantly richer in microbes (Chao1) and more diverse (Shannon) than other regions following the dust storm (p < 0.0001). These findings indicate that dust storms raise heavy metals, alter airborne bacteria, and increase inflammatory cytokines in asthma sufferers, and these emphasize their role in exacerbating asthma in Iraq.

Dust storms in Iraq elevate airborne heavy metals (As, Ag, Ba, and so on) and alter microbial communities, exacerbating allergic inflammation (IL‐4/IL‐8) in asthmatics. Metagenomics reveals storm‐driven shifts in dominant bacteria (e.g., Burkholderiaceae, Rhodocyclaceae), linking environmental pollution to asthma risk