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COVID-19

Air Pollution's Hidden Dangers: Study Reveals Alarming Links to Mortality During Hajj Cultural Events

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

During the Hajj cultural events in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, air pollution has been found to have a significant impact on cardiovascular and respiratory mortality rates. Research conducted by Curtin University and supported by the Ministry of Health has shed light on the alarming association between air pollutants and mortality during these events. The study, published in Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health, investigated the relationship between selected air pollutants (PM10, NO2, O-3, SO2) and mortality rates from 2018 to 2022.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found a significant association between NO2 and cardiovascular mortality during Hajj cultural events, with a relative risk (RR) of 1.17 (95% CI: 1.05-1.30) compared to non-Hajj periods.
  • The increased risk of respiratory mortality associated with NO2 during Hajj cultural events was higher (RR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.09-1.40) compared with the period with no Hajj events.
  • Exposure to increased levels of O-3 also significantly impacted respiratory (RR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.04-1.48) and cardiovascular mortality (RR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.15-1.59) during Hajj cultural events.
  • The study also found an inverse association between O-3 and respiratory (RR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.89-0.96) and cardiovascular (RR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.94-0.99) mortality during non-Hajj periods.
  • The study concluded that most associations were inverse or nonsignificant during the COVID-19 period, except for SO2, which showed a positive association with cardiovascular mortality (RR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.11-1.34).

Statistics:

  • 2018-2022: the study period for the research.
  • 1.17: relative risk (RR) of cardiovascular mortality associated with NO2 during Hajj cultural events.
  • 95% CI: 1.05-1.30: 95% confidence interval for the RR.
  • 1.24: relative risk of respiratory mortality associated with NO2 during Hajj cultural events.
  • 1.09-1.40: 95% CI for the RR.
  • 1.19: RR of respiratory mortality associated with O-3 during Hajj cultural events.
  • 1.04-1.48: 95% CI for the RR.
  • 1.35: RR of cardiovascular mortality associated with O-3 during Hajj cultural events.
  • 1.15-1.59: 95% CI for the RR.
  • 0.92: RR of respiratory mortality associated with O-3 during non-Hajj periods.
  • 0.89-0.96: 95% CI for the RR.
  • 0.97: RR of cardiovascular mortality associated with O-3 during non-Hajj periods.
  • 0.94-0.99: 95% CI for the RR.
  • 1.22: RR of cardiovascular mortality associated with SO2 during COVID-19.
  • 1.11-1.34: 95% CI for the RR.

Sources:

  • The Impact of Air Pollution On Cardiovascular and Respiratory Mortality In Makkah, Saudi Arabia, During the Hajj Cultural Events and Covid-19 Outbreak. Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health, 2025.
  • NewsRx. Study Results from Curtin University Provide New Insights into COVID-19 (The Impact of Air Pollution On Cardiovascular and Respiratory Mortality In Makkah, Saudi Arabia, During the Hajj Cultural Events and Covid-19 Outbreak). Ecology, Environment & Conservation. October 31, 2025; p 498.

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