The Impact of Urban Traffic on Air Pollution

Unhealthy conditions for sensitive groups and air filled with suspended particles and pollutants pose a danger to the elderly and children, terms that have become familiar and are repeated daily and weekly. These terms reflect the chaotic environmental situation in major cities of Iran. Issues related to traffic levels and excessive use of personal and single-occupant vehicles are highlighted, with a responsible official and air quality expert stating that carbureted cars alone produce over 400 tons of pollution daily, which is released into the air of Tehran and settles in the lungs, eyes, and skin of the people. The removal of old motorcycles from the transportation cycle and its impact on improving air quality and reducing pollution is a daily tug-of-war between various organizations and officials. Some officials state that these polluting motorcycles now travel about 16 million kilometers daily in Tehran, spreading tons of pollution across the city. Tehran needs at least 11,000 operational and clean buses without pollutants. The head of the Transportation Committee of Tehran City Council says it is predicted that all diesel systems, from buses to trucks in Tehran, will be equipped with soot-absorbing filters by the end of 1397 (2018). Eliminating traffic and reducing pollutants produced by vehicles has been a topic the government has been discussing for years. This trend claims to lay the groundwork for reducing air pollution through the development of public transportation, directing people towards efforts to preserve the environment. The 2015 Milan Expo, with a serious focus on the environment, is a cultural-trade exhibition held every five years in this city. This year's six-month exhibition, which began on April 30, 2015, is themed 'Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life.' The focus of this year's Milan Expo, with 145 countries participating, includes human processes for food supply and production, environmental diversity, and promoting the culture of ecosystem preservation in food production. The slogan for this year's Milan Expo is 'Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life.' Alongside criticisms directed at this year's expo, including its sponsors like McDonald's and Coca-Cola, which experts say promote unhealthy eating habits and are not well-regarded in environmental matters, new developments have emerged. Iran's presence at this year's Milan Expo has not been particularly prominent or striking. Neighboring countries like Turkey and those around the Persian Gulf have introduced their ecosystems and agricultural and livestock products to the exhibition. This year, exhibitors at this large gathering were required to use biodegradable and recyclable materials and optimize energy sources, with half of the structure's space designated as open space to benefit from natural light and suitable air. At this year's expo, in addition to various projects aimed at raising awareness about renewable energy, a protocol was signed to help reduce greenhouse gases globally to decrease food production emissions.