The continuation of air pollution in Iran's metropolises for the ninth consecutive day has led to schools switching to online learning and the closure of universities and government and non-government organizations in several cities and provinces, including Tehran. Besides Tehran, schools, universities, and organizations in the provinces of Tabriz, Alborz, Qazvin, Mashhad, and Arak have also announced online classes today. The Tehran Air Quality Control Company reported on Wednesday, January 5, that the air pollution index in Tehran reached 157, categorized as 'unhealthy for all age groups.' According to air pollution monitoring stations in Tehran, today 20 stations are in 'red status' and the remaining stations are in 'orange status.' The Iranian Meteorological Organization has warned of intensified 'atmospheric stability and increased air pollution in five major cities of Iran, including Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan, Qom, and Mashhad until Friday, January 7.' This organization issued an orange alert stating that no significant changes in air quality are expected until the end of the week. Based on the resolution from yesterday's air pollution working group meeting in Tehran, educational and administrative centers were declared closed on Wednesday, and a 'odd-even' traffic plan will be implemented from home on this day. The Tehran municipality has also refrained from issuing traffic permits for Wednesday. Meanwhile, the head of the Air Health and Climate Change Group at the Ministry of Health has warned that the 'unhealthy air in Tehran' threatens 'public health.' Abbas Shahsouni emphasized that children, the elderly, patients, and pregnant women should avoid unnecessary outdoor activities. The newspaper Etemad, published in Tehran, also quoted a specialist and brain surgeon warning that 'in the coming years, a massive tsunami of brain tumor cases will emerge in the country, primarily due to air pollution.' Arman Soorani Yancheshmeh claimed in this interview that official statistics regarding pollutant particles are 'sometimes manipulated and not accurately reported.' He added that 'the cancer tsunami has begun in Iran, and it is not an exaggeration to say that every family will likely experience at least one cancer patient.' In addition to Tehran, the air pollution situation in other major cities has also been reported as unhealthy. Air pollution in Ahvaz has led to an increase in visits to medical centers. Masoud Neshti, the director of non-communicable diseases at the Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences, announced on Tuesday that 1,668 individuals with non-infectious heart and respiratory problems visited the affiliated hospitals of this university. Davood Mirshakar, the director-general of the Environmental Protection Agency of Khuzestan, attributed the air pollution in Ahvaz to industrial activities and the use of improper fuels, stating, 'Given the oil exploitation and the industrial nature of this city, its pollution increases.' The city of Mashhad is experiencing a similar situation. According to Saeed Mahmoudi, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency of Khorasan Razavi, the average air quality index in Mashhad over the past 24 hours is 142, indicating 'unhealthy' air. The air quality situation in Iran's metropolises has been consistently polluted in recent weeks, leading to several closures of offices and educational centers during this period. The open session of the Islamic Consultative Assembly was also canceled due to air pollution on Wednesday. While it is said that a significant portion of air pollution is due to the burning of mazut in power plants, Fatemeh Mohajerani, the government spokesperson, claimed on Tuesday, January 4, that 'part of the air pollution in Iran is due to international sanctions.' She did not provide further explanation on how sanctions affect air pollution. Omid Hajati, the deputy of the Environmental Protection Agency, also stated, 'Air pollution is tied to the issue of energy imbalance, making decision-making in this area very difficult.'
Air Pollution in Iran's Metropolises; Schools in Tehran Shift to Online Learning for the Ninth Day
Iran's major cities, including Tehran, are facing severe air pollution for the ninth consecutive day, leading to the closure of schools and universities. Health officials warn that this pollution poses a significant threat to public health, particularly for vulnerable groups. The situation is exacerbated by industrial activities and inadequate fuel use, with officials attributing part of the pollution to international sanctions.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Iran's major cities, including Tehran, have been experiencing severe air pollution for nine consecutive days, prompting schools and universities to switch to online learning and close operations. Health officials warn that this pollution poses significant risks to public health, particularly for vulnerable populations.
- The air quality index in Tehran reached 157, categorized as 'unhealthy for all age groups.'
- Schools and universities in multiple provinces, including Tabriz and Mashhad, have shifted to online learning due to the pollution.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Air pollution in Iran is a chronic issue exacerbated by industrial activities, vehicle emissions, and inadequate regulatory measures. The health impacts are particularly severe for vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.
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Translation confidence: 85%