As the unhealthy air quality in Tabriz has persisted for a week, schools in the city have been announced closed for the second consecutive day. Several schools in Tehran have also been closed on Sunday. The Iranian Meteorological Organization has warned about the increase of pollutants in populous cities. On Saturday evening, December 16, the emergency committee for reducing air pollution in Tabriz declared the closure of schools in the city due to forecasts of air stability in the coming days. Schools in Tabriz and Urmia were also closed on Saturday. According to the IRNA news agency, the emergency committee has urged Tabriz citizens to avoid unnecessary travel. The air quality in Tabriz has been in a warning and unhealthy state for the past week, and it seems that the current conditions will continue for several more days. The state-run IRIB news network, quoting the Meteorological Organization, states that due to air stability and increased pollutants in most populous cities including Tehran, Tabriz, Urmia, Sanandaj, Arak, Karaj, Qazvin, and Qom, the pollution situation may worsen in the next three days. The special air pollution task force in Tehran province also announced on Saturday that, except for Firuzkuh and Damavand, kindergartens, preschools, and elementary schools in other areas of the province will be closed on Sunday. Citizens in major cities in Iran have been grappling with air pollution issues for years. The pollution situation may worsen in the winter season, and if air stability continues, as it has in recent days, pollutants will increase. While some government officials, such as governors, claim that ending the operation of sand and gravel factories around metropolises is the solution to air pollution, others, like the CEO of Tehran Air Quality Control Company, emphasize that the pollution problem is more complex than just shutting down sand and gravel factories. Some estimates from air quality control companies in Iran indicate a major role of vehicles, specifically old cars or gasoline motorcycles. Alongside all this, an analysis report from the 'Open Data' platform published by Radio Farda indicates that despite significant efforts to measure and combat pollutants, there are still issues regarding the provision of available statistics and information. Additionally, it seems that the indicators used in Iran to measure pollutants have also become outdated and obsolete. Iranian officials state that dozens of people die daily due to air pollution-related illnesses in Iran; the number of pollution victims in Tehran alone is reported to be 270 per day.
Warning About Air Pollution in Iranian Cities; Schools in Tabriz Closed for the Second Day
Air quality in Tabriz has been unhealthy for a week, leading to school closures in Tabriz and parts of Tehran. The Iranian Meteorological Organization warns of worsening pollution due to stable weather conditions. This situation highlights ongoing air quality issues affecting major Iranian cities and the complexities of addressing them.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Air quality in Tabriz has been unhealthy for a week, prompting the closure of schools in Tabriz and parts of Tehran. The Iranian Meteorological Organization has warned of worsening pollution due to stable weather conditions.
- Schools in Tabriz and parts of Tehran were closed due to unhealthy air quality.
- The pollution situation in major cities like Tabriz and Tehran has been a persistent issue, exacerbated by winter weather.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran has long struggled with air pollution, particularly in urban areas, due to factors like outdated industrial practices and a reliance on older vehicles. The winter months often exacerbate these issues due to weather patterns that trap pollutants.
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Translation confidence: 85%