Economic consequences and threats to social welfare in the Khuzestan region with a look at the challenges of suspended dust particles

Abstract

The dust phenomenon has become one of the most important environmental and social challenges in Khuzestan Province in recent years and has left extensive consequences on the economic dimensions and social welfare of the residents of this area. The aim of the present study is to investigate the economic consequences of dust and analyze its role in weakening social welfare with an emphasis on the variable of access to social services. This study is applied in nature and descriptive-analytical in method, conducted with a quantitative approach. The research data were collected through a researcher-made questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale. The statistical population included citizens living in areas exposed to dust in Khuzestan Province, and the data were analyzed using Pearson correlation tests and multivariate regression. The findings showed that there is a significant and inverse relationship between dust intensity and social welfare. Also, the economic consequences of dust have a stronger negative effect on social welfare than the intensity of the phenomenon itself. On the other hand, access to social services showed a positive and significant relationship with social welfare and acts as a moderating factor in reducing the negative effects of dust. The results of the study indicate that dust crisis management requires a comprehensive and multidimensional approach that, in addition to environmental control, focuses on reducing economic damage and strengthening social welfare infrastructure.