Tehran's Air Quality Exceeds Warning Status; School Closures Continue

On Sunday afternoon, the head of the Environmental Protection Organization announced that Tehran's air pollution index is no longer in a warning status, while the Tehran governor's office announced the extension of school closures in Tehran for Monday. ISNA reported that Masoumeh Ebtekar stated in her Telegram channel that today's air pollution index in Tehran is not in a warning status and that much of the air conditions in Tehran and some other cities in the country are due to atmospheric stability and cold, humid weather. Ebtekar emphasized that the current challenge in air quality indicators is 'particulate matter less than 2.5 microns,' which she attributed to 'incomplete fuel combustion in vehicles, industrial activities, and dust.' Meanwhile, the Deputy for Urban Development of Tehran announced that 'schools in Tehran, Rey, Islamshahr, and Quds at all educational levels will be closed on Monday.' Hassan Karimi also emphasized that this closure does not include any 'government offices, banks, and state institutions.' IRNA published a similar report quoting the Deputy for Monitoring and Environmental Assessment of Tehran Province, stating that the decision by the 'Tehran Air Pollution Emergency Committee' was made due to the 'continuation of air pollution in Tehran.' According to IRNA, given the 'atmospheric stability and ongoing air pollution in the capital,' the Tehran Air Pollution Emergency Committee held a meeting on Saturday morning at the Tehran governor's office, resulting in a two-day school closure in Tehran, a one-day closure for schools in some counties of Tehran Province, and the closure of kindergartens and preschools. The emergency committee also decided to impose a one-week ban on the operation of sand and gravel mines and polluting industries in Tehran Province, prohibit daily sales of entry permits to the traffic plan area, and intensify enforcement against vehicles lacking technical inspections. According to IRNA, the air quality index in the capital on Sunday showed an increase in particulate matter less than 2.5 microns compared to Saturday, placing it in an unhealthy condition for sensitive groups. IRNA also noted the Meteorological Organization's announcement that pollutant concentrations in the capital are expected to rise in the coming days.