Baghdad: Environmental expert Alaa Hashem Al-Badran has identified neglected sewage systems as the primary source of the ongoing sulfur gas emissions in Baghdad's atmosphere, dispelling beliefs that power stations are the cause. This revelation comes as the capital faces severe air quality issues, marked by increasing cases of respiratory distress among its residents. According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Badran explained that the emission of sulfur gases typically stems from two main sources: natural emissions from the ground and emissions from untreated sewage. In Baghdad, the latter appears to be the significant contributor, particularly due to the heavy sewage basins that have been left untreated. "The heavy sewage pipe water, moving at more than 40 meters per second, and only partially treated before being returned to rivers, is a primary factor in the pollution," Al-Badran stated. He also clarified that while power plants do emit gases, they are not the primary source of the current sulfur gas cr isis. The environmental crisis has persisted into its second week, leading to increased hospital visits by citizens suffering from suffocation and other respiratory issues. The expert's findings underline the urgent need for comprehensive management and treatment of the city's sewage systems to mitigate the health risks posed by the polluted air.