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An Nāşirīyah, situated in Iraq's Dhī Qār Governorate at coordinates 31.0439°N, 46.2575°E, occupies a strategic position in the Mesopotamian alluvial plain, approximately 30 kilometers northwest of the Euphrates River's confluence with the Tigris. This low-lying urban center, with an elevation of just 7 meters above sea level, lies within the vast Tigris-Euphrates river system that defines southern Iraq's geography. The city's flat terrain, characterized by sedimentary deposits and seasonal marshlands to the south, creates a natural basin effect that traps airborne pollutants. An Nāşirīyah serves as a regional hub connecting Baghdad to Basra, positioned along major transportation corridors that contribute to vehicular emissions. The surrounding landscape transitions from urban density to agricultural zones cultivating date palms and grains, with rural areas experiencing less pollution but still affected by regional dust storms. Proximity to the Euphrates provides some moderating influence but also supports irrigation-intensive farming that can generate agricultural burning particulates. The city's location in Iraq's oil-rich south places it near petroleum extraction and processing activities, though industrial sources are less concentrated than in Basra. The urban-rural gradient shows higher pollution in the city center due to traffic, residential heating, and waste burning, with pollutants accumulating under the region's frequent temperature inversions. This geographic setting, combined with Iraq's arid climate, makes An Nāşirīyah particularly vulnerable to particulate matter from both local sources and regional desert dust.

In An Nāşirīyah, air quality follows distinct seasonal patterns shaped by Iraq's arid continental climate. Winter (December-February) brings the poorest conditions, with frequent temperature inversions trapping pollutants from heating sources and vehicular traffic near the ground; cold, stagnant air combines with occasional fog to create hazardous episodes, particularly in January. Sensitive groups should limit outdoor activities during morning hours when inversions are strongest. Spring (March-May) sees moderate improvement as temperatures rise and winds increase, though March and April experience peak dust storms from the surrounding deserts, carrying fine particulate matter that exacerbates respiratory issues. Summer (June-August) offers relatively better air quality despite intense heat, as stronger thermal mixing disperses local pollutants, though ozone may rise with sunlight; July and August are favorable for outdoor activities in early mornings before temperatures peak. Autumn (September-November) begins with clean conditions in September but deteriorates by November as temperatures drop and inversions return, compounded by agricultural burning in rural areas. Throughout the year, wind patterns from the northwest can bring industrial pollutants from nearby urban centers, while calm days allow local emissions to accumulate. Health guidance emphasizes monitoring dust storm forecasts in spring, using air filtration indoors during winter inversions, and scheduling outdoor exercise for summer mornings when dispersion is optimal.