Spatial distribution of health risks associated with PM_2.5 in Turkey and Iran using satellite and ground observations

PM_2.5 originated from anthropogenic or natural sources is still a problem worldwide and highly associated with health impacts. In this study, mortality associated with PM_2.5 was calculated using satellite retrievals and ground observations for Turkey and Iran. A high-resolution population dataset along with high resolution satellite-derived PM_2.5 estimations (all compositions and dust and sea-salt removed) developed from aerosol optical depth (AOD) data were used. Health risk estimations attributable to PM_2.5 from ischemic heart disease and lung cancer along with all causes were calculated by applying the cause-specific mortality rates for Turkey and Iran for the year 2016. According to dust and sea-salt removed satellite-derived PM_2.5, mortality estimations of 36967 in Turkey and 34491 in Iran were estimated by all causes. Meanwhile, estimations of 40583 in Turkey and 34153 in Iran were found using ground PM_2.5 observations for provinces with monitoring stations. Province-based estimations were obtained with better spatially resolved PM_2.5 concentrations. Estimations using ground observations were higher than ones using satellite-derived PM_2.5 for Turkey, but similar for Iran, even without national coverage. However, estimations with all composition satellite-based PM_2.5 were significantly higher in Iran than Turkey. Values estimated in this study were found to be higher than global studies for both countries.