Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency of Tehran province state that the air quality in the capital has been in 'unhealthy for all individuals' conditions for the second consecutive day on Saturday, December 24. The Islamic Republic News Agency, IRNA, reports the statements of Mohammad Rostegari, the Deputy for Environmental Monitoring and Assessment of Tehran province, who mentions that the air pollution in the capital has remained 'unchanged' over the past 48 hours and the average concentration of suspended particulate matter is still 'beyond health limits.' According to him, the air quality index in Tehran on this day is 152, which is considered 'red status' for all individuals. The clean air index ranges from zero to 50. An index of 51 to 100 is considered healthy, and 101 to 150 is unhealthy for sensitive groups. The worst case, with an index of 301 to 500, is referred to as dangerous conditions. IRNA published a photo on Saturday showing the Milad Tower obscured by air pollution. In another image taken from the same angle on a different day, the Milad Tower is clearly visible. However, the Deputy for Environmental Monitoring and Assessment of Tehran province also reported on weather forecasts predicting the arrival of a rain system in Tehran, which will lead to 'relative improvement in air quality.' Mohammad Rostegari stated, 'According to the Meteorological Organization's forecast, the arrival of the rain system and rainfall tonight and tomorrow will reduce the level of atmospheric pollutants in Tehran province, especially in the capital.' He then informed that schools in Tehran will be open tomorrow, Sunday. On Saturday, kindergartens, preschools, and elementary schools were closed due to air pollution. On this day, officials warned individuals with heart and lung diseases, pregnant women, the elderly, and children to avoid prolonged activities and exercise outdoors. According to official statistics, Tehran had only 15 days of clean air in the first nine months of this year, 208 days of healthy air, 48 days of unhealthy air for sensitive groups, and 5 days of unhealthy air for all individuals. In late November of this year, a member of the Tehran City Council stated that from the beginning of that month until the 23rd, 412 Tehran citizens had died due to air pollution.
Tehran's Air Quality Remains in Red Status
Tehran's air quality remains critically unhealthy, with an air quality index of 152, prompting warnings for vulnerable populations. Officials predict a potential improvement due to incoming rain, but the city has faced severe pollution issues, leading to school closures and health risks for residents. This ongoing crisis highlights the urgent environmental challenges facing Tehran.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Tehran's air quality has remained critically unhealthy for the second consecutive day, with an air quality index of 152, prompting health warnings and school closures for vulnerable populations. Officials anticipate a slight improvement due to incoming rain.
- The air quality index in Tehran is at 152, categorized as unhealthy for all individuals.
- Only 15 days of clean air were recorded in the first nine months of the year.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Tehran has long struggled with air pollution due to industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and geographical factors. The air quality index is a measure of pollution levels, with higher numbers indicating worse air quality.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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