Association Between Respiratory Symptoms and Indoor Air Quality in Small Workshops in Babil City in Iraq

Abstract

Background: Poor indoor air quality in occupational settings is a significant public health issue as the small workshop’s workers are continuously exposed to airborne pollutants. Aim: This study was aimed to identify the relationship between the indoor air and respiratory symptomatic that affect workers in small workshops in Babylon City-Iraq. Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study conducted from September 2025 till March 2026 among the workers of 40 small workshops in Babylon City, Iraq. The detectors of various physical and chemical factors impulses are the portable calibrated instruments that were used to assess indoor air quality, measuring particulate matter (PM₂.₅, and PM₁₀). Respiratory symptoms such as persistent cough, sputum production, wheezing, dyspnea, chest tightness, nasal and throat irritation were evaluated using a semi-structured questionnaire adapted from the American Thoracic Society (ATS). Results: Overall, 63.0% of workers had at least one respiratory symptom: Persistent cough (41.0%), and nasal irritation (38.0%) were the most commonly reported complaints. Higher levels of PM₂. Relationship between respiratory symptoms and concentrations of particulate matter, PM₂₅ (χ² = 24.86, P < 0.001), PM₁₀ (χ² = 18.79, P < 0.001), CO₂ (χ² = 6.47, P = 0.011) and VOCs (χ² = 7.95, P = 0.005). Respiratory symptoms related to exposure to carbon monoxide were not statistically significant (P = 0.576). Conclusion: The poor indoor air quality was strongly related to the presence of respiratory symptoms among workers in small workshops located in Babylon City. Higher levels of particulate matter, carbon dioxide, and volatile organic compounds are key occupational health risks.