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Najafābād occupies a distinctive position within Iran's central plateau, situated approximately 25 kilometers west of Eşfahān in the fertile Zāyandeh River basin. This urban center lies at an elevation of around 1,600 meters above sea level, nestled between the rugged Zagros Mountains to the west and the vast, arid Dasht-e Kavir desert to the east. The city's geography creates a natural amphitheater effect, with surrounding hills and mountains partially enclosing the urban area, which can trap pollutants under certain meteorological conditions. Najafābād functions as both a satellite city to the major industrial hub of Eşfahān and as an agricultural center in its own right, surrounded by extensive farmlands that rely on the Zāyandeh River's irrigation network. The urban-rural gradient is pronounced, with dense urban fabric giving way to orchards and cultivated fields within short distances. This proximity to agricultural zones introduces seasonal biomass burning and dust from tilled fields as potential pollution sources. The city's location in a semi-arid basin means it experiences limited natural ventilation, with air masses often stagnating over the region. While not directly adjacent to major industrial complexes, Najafābād receives transported pollution from Eşfahān's manufacturing and petrochemical activities, particularly when prevailing winds blow from the east. The diminishing flow of the Zāyandeh River in recent decades has reduced its moderating influence on local climate and dust suppression, exacerbating particulate matter concerns.

Najafābād's air quality follows a distinct seasonal pattern shaped by its continental desert climate and regional meteorological conditions. During winter (December-February), cold air settles in the Zāyandeh River basin, creating frequent temperature inversions that trap pollutants near the surface. These stagnant conditions, combined with increased residential heating using fossil fuels, typically produce the year's worst air quality, particularly in January when thermal inversions are most persistent. Sensitive groups should limit prolonged outdoor exposure during these months. Spring (March-May) brings gradual improvement as increasing solar radiation breaks up inversions and occasional rainfall helps cleanse the atmosphere, though March can still experience poor air quality from lingering winter patterns. The warm, dry summer (June-August) sees generally better dispersion as thermal convection mixes the atmosphere, but intense heat (often exceeding 35°C) and strong sunshine can accelerate photochemical reactions that generate ground-level ozone, particularly in July and August. Autumn (September-November) presents a transitional period with generally favorable conditions in September and October as temperatures moderate, but late autumn can see a return of stagnation as cooling resumes. Throughout the year, wind patterns play a crucial role—northwesterly winds can bring cleaner air from mountain areas, while easterly winds may transport industrial pollutants from Eşfahān. Those with respiratory conditions should monitor local air quality reports closely during inversion episodes in winter and high-ozone periods in summer.