Abstract
The paper shows that the number of vehicles in the country amounts to 3.14 millions, a two- folds compared to the vehicle numbers in the last decade. This huge number emits as much as 17.2 tons of exhaust gasses such as COx, NOx, SOx, lead, and other pollutants. This is equivalent to 40 gm/sq. kilometer of Iraq area. This paper also addresses the adverse consequences of this fast-becoming major problem for physical and mental health. It appears that this sector may lead to 40-100 deaths/10000 vehicle, a value that exceeds the global rate. Vehicles are gluttony consumers of fuel. It is estimated that 71 million liters of fuel are daily burnt in vehicles. This may create odor, thermal pollution, as well as other pollutants. More than 3 million used batteries and 6 million tires are yearly discarded. The fate of these materials is either burnt causing more air pollution or left on land and creating solid waste problems. This sector has other detrimental effects on environment. Noise pollution, tourist activities consequences, and military actions using such vehicles could bring about a detrimental bad impact on the environment. The paper concludes with some steps to be adopted so as to reduce the burden caused by motor vehicle sector on the Iraqi environment. Keywords: Transportation pollution, Environmental pollution, Pollution.
