College of Environmental Sciences

Under the patronage of the President of the University of Mosul, Professor Dr. Waheed Mahmoud Al-Ibrahimi, and in the presence of the Dean of the College, Professor Dr. Muthanna Jassim Al-Tai, the Assistant Dean for Scientific Affairs, Dr. Mohammed Waleed Saeed Al-Abbasi, and the heads of departments, the Master’s thesis entitled “Estimation of Oxidation and Antioxidant Variables in Individuals Exposed to Generator Smoke in Mosul” by student Shahla Mohammed Farhan Al-Rashidi was discussed this morning, Monday, November 3, 2025, in the discussion hall of our college.

The discussion committee was chaired by Professor Dr. Shihab Ahmed Yousef, with members including Assistant Professor Dr. Wasan Khairallah Ali and Lecturer Dr. Ansam Ahmed Saadoun. The thesis was supervised and examined by Assistant Professor Dr. Yusra Majeed Shihab and Lecturer Dr. Liqaa Saeed Abdullah.

This research investigated the effects of diesel generator fumes on exposed individuals and measured several biochemical variables. The study was conducted in Mosul and its surrounding villages in Iraq. It comprised two groups: a control group of apparently healthy individuals from the villages of Tal Khazaf al-Kabir, Tal Zalat, and al-Mawali (which do not have generators), consisting of 110 participants aged 10 to 70 years (60 males and 50 females); and a control group of 150 participants aged 10 to 70 years (80 males and 70 females). Blood samples were collected from both groups between September 8, 2024, and January 6, 2025. The study was divided into three parts:

Part 1: Blood gas analysis Arterial blood tests showed a significant increase in deoxygenated hemoglobin percentage, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, and lactic acid levels, and a significant decrease in oxygen partial pressure, oxygen saturation percentage, oxygenated hemoglobin percentage, pH, and bicarbonate levels in the blood of individuals exposed to generator fumes compared to the control group.

Acid-base balance was also investigated. The results showed a mixed acid-base disturbance (respiratory and metabolic acidosis), with respiratory acidosis being the predominant component in the mixed disturbance in the group exposed to generator fumes compared to the control group.

A complete blood count (CBC) analysis revealed significant increases in several hematological components, including hemoglobin levels, red blood cell count, and packed cell volume, in the blood of individuals exposed to generator fumes compared to the control group.

Part Two: Ten (10) biochemical and heavy metal variables were measured in both healthy individuals and those exposed to generator fumes. The results showed a significant increase in the levels of malondyl dialdehyde, C-reactive protein, copper, lead, cadmium, and nickel, and a significant decrease in the levels of glutathione, uric acid, and zinc in the serum of the group exposed to generator fumes compared to the control group.

Part Three: This study involved assessing the level of carbonic anhydrase enzyme in the blood serum of apparently healthy individuals and those exposed to generator fumes. The results showed that the normal range for carbonic anhydrase levels was 885.56 ± 69.66 pg/ml in the serum of the control group. The results also revealed a significant increase in the serum level of carbonic anhydrase in individuals exposed to generator fumes compared to the control group. This increase was influenced by age, sex, and smoking in both the control and exposed groups. Furthermore, the study observed the effects of oxygen saturation percentage, heart rate, duration of exposure to generator fumes, lung disease, and certain chronic illnesses in individuals exposed to generator fumes.

This study contributed to achieving two Sustainable Development Goals: Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and Goal 4 (Quality Education).

At the conclusion of the discussion, the Dean of the College of Environmental Sciences, Professor Dr. Muthanna Jassim Al-Tai, presented a letter of thanks and appreciation to the professor. Dr. Shihab Ahmed Yousef, Northern Technical University/Agricultural Technical College, and Assistant Professor Dr. Wasan Khairallah Ali, University of Mosul/College of Science.

November 3 , 2025 University of Mosul / Sustainable University

Department of Media and Government Communication

#College_of_Environmental_Sciences