Deputy Minister of Health: Air Pollution is the Third Leading Cause of Death in Iran

The Deputy Minister of Health of Iran announced that air pollution is the third leading cause of death in Iran, and according to World Bank statistics, 2.5% of Iran's Gross National Income, amounting to $30.5 billion, is lost due to air pollution. Iraj Harirchi stated on Saturday, January 25, in an interview with the Mizan news agency that one in ten deaths worldwide is due to air pollution, and in Iran, air pollution is the third leading cause of death among Iranians. According to Mr. Harirchi, based on World Bank statistics, in Middle Eastern countries, including Iran, 2.5% of the Gross National Income, which is $30.5 billion, is lost due to air pollution. He announced that cancer and chronic respiratory diseases are among the direct costs of air pollution, and 'years of lost productivity' due to individuals' illnesses are among its indirect costs. The World Bank and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation had previously published a report on air pollution worldwide in 2013. According to this report, in 1990, the economic losses due to air pollution for Iran were estimated at approximately $13.9 billion (equivalent to 2.44% of GDP at constant prices based on purchasing power parity), which increased to over double, reaching $30.6 billion (equivalent to 2.48% of GDP at constant prices based on purchasing power parity) by 2013. Additionally, air pollution-related deaths in Iran were 17,000 per year in 1990, which significantly increased to over 21,000 per year by 2013. Fatemeh Derakhshani, the Deputy Minister of Health, also stated in 2014 that results from a national survey on cardiovascular diseases, accidents, and cancer ranked these as the first to third burdens of diseases in Iran. The increase in mortality, shortening of average life expectancy, reduction in the duration of productive economic activity, increased visits to health care centers and their costs, and changes in physiological functions of the body, especially respiratory and cardiovascular functions, are among the negative consequences of air pollution that have been the subject of various international studies. The air quality in Tehran and several major cities in Iran has reached 'red' status, 'unhealthy for all groups' several times since the beginning of autumn. Meanwhile, on Saturday, Tehran's air was reported to be in 'unfavorable conditions for sensitive groups.' In recent weeks, air pollution has repeatedly led to school closures in various cities, including Tehran, Tabriz, Karaj, and some cities in Khuzestan province.