Assessing Short-Term Respiratory and Skin Disease Risks From Air Pollution During the 2024 Armed Conflict in Beirut, Lebanon.

BACKGROUND

Armed conflicts can deteriorate environmental conditions, including air quality, yet their short-term health implications remain underexplored. This study assessed the impact of the 2024 Beirut conflict on air pollution and associated respiratory and dermatological risks.

METHODS

Satellite-derived air pollution concentrations for Beirut's Southern Suburbs were compared between the pre-war period (Aug. 1-Sep. 22, 2024) and the war period (Sep. 23-Nov. 29, 2024), using Mann-Whitney U and independent t-tests. Ground-level PM2.5 was measured across 5 sites from October 25 to November 3, 2024. Relative risk (RR) and attributable risk percentage (AR%) for hospital admissions were estimated using exposure-response functions from the Beirut Air Pollution and Health Effects (BAPHE) study. WHO's AirQ+ tool was applied for the validation of respiratory outcomes.

RESULTS

Median PM2.5 increased from 15.11 μg/m3 pre-war satellite period to 20.21 μg/m3 during the war. Ground-measured wartime median increased from 19.33 μg/m3 to 22.16 μg/m3 in the direct war zone (DWZ). Wartime respiratory admissions increased modestly (RR = 1.011, AR% = 1.13%) in DWZ, while skin disease admissions were higher in DWZ (RR = 1.032, AR% = 3.10%). AirQ+ estimates were aligned with BAPHE-based findings.

CONCLUSION

The 2024 Beirut conflict elevated air pollution, with measurable short-term health impacts, underscoring the need for environmental monitoring and preparedness during armed conflicts.