Air Pollution Causes Approximately 50,000 Annual Deaths in Iran

The head of the Air Pollution Research Center at Tehran University of Medical Sciences states that around 450,000 deaths occur annually in Iran due to various factors, of which approximately 50,000 are related to air pollution, accounting for nearly 12% of total mortality in the country. Mohammad Sadegh Hasanvand emphasized that air pollution is 'one of the serious risk factors and the most important environmental pollutant,' stating that the primary pollutant currently affecting the country and contributing to unhealthy days is particulate matter less than 2.5 microns. Hasanvand noted that this pollutant, recognized as a carcinogenic compound, has been measured since 2011, and from 2011 to 2018, its levels decreased due to atmospheric instability and suitable rainfall in the country. However, he mentioned that in 2018, which was the best year for air quality, the average concentration of particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in Tehran was 27 micrograms per cubic meter, which is 5.5 times the health limit. According to this university official, after these years, there has been a continuous increase in the concentration of particulate matter less than 2.5 microns over the past four years, setting a record for air pollution increase during that period. Hasanvand pointed out that there is no program to control pollutants and emphasized that reducing pollutant concentrations depends on rainfall and atmospheric instability; if the weather is stable, pollutant concentrations will also rise. Currently, the level of particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in the country is 'six times the health limit set by the World Health Organization.' The head of the Air Pollution Research Center also highlighted the inevitability of using mazut as fuel for power plants, stressing the lack of air pollution control equipment in these facilities and industries. He also referred to the impact of sanctions, mostly imposed by the U.S. due to Iran's nuclear program, stating that these sanctions have had an effect, adding that 'if proper investment had been made in this sector, our power plants would not have deteriorated and could have had better efficiency.'