Middle East conflict 'drastically altered' air pollution levels in region – study

Rise of Isis led to substantial decrease in NO2 emissions in Baghdad and central Iraq since 2013, say researchers, with similar trends seen in Egypt and Syria

War, humanitarian catastrophe and economic crises in the Middle East have drastically altered air pollution levels in the region, according to a new study.

In major cities across Syria, Iraq, Palestine and Egypt, the levels of nitrogen oxides have dropped by 20-50% since 2010, researchers told the Guardian. Satellite observations show that before 2010, levels had been on a steady and marked rise since the mid 1990s, when monitoring of pollution in the region from space began.