Tehran’s air quality plunges into unhealthy levels
Social Desk
An increase is expected in the concentration of pollutants in urban and high-traffic areas of Tehran, particularly from December 2 until the morning of Wednesday, December 6, announced the Meteorological Department of Tehran Province.
Furthermore, based on forecast maps and analysis of synoptic patterns, the weather condition in Tehran Province is projected to be clear to partly cloudy over the next five days, occasionally accompanied by mild winds, and moderate winds in the highlands.
These conditions, characterized by a stable atmosphere and minimal wind, create a conducive environment for the accumulation of air pollutant particles and the rise of dust. Consequently, there is a predicted decline in air quality across the province.
Sadeq Zia’eian, an official with the Meteorological Department, added that due to atmospheric stability, a decrease in air quality and an increase in atmospheric pollutants concentration are anticipated in industrial and densely populated cities over the next five days. Presently, Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan, and Arak are experiencing air pollution.
On December 3, Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan, Mashhad, Arak, Qom, and Tabriz are expected to face air pollution, while on Monday, December 4, Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan, Arak, Qom, and Mashhad will be affected. The accumulation of atmospheric pollutants is anticipated, resulting in unhealthy and very unhealthy air conditions in high-traffic areas.
In response to the situation, the head of the Medical Emergency Organization in Tehran Province has announced the deployment of ambulance buses at five key locations in the capital to address air pollution. Mohammad Esmaeil Tavakoli stated on Saturday that due to the level of air pollution in Tehran, the province’s medical emergency fleet has been deployed in the main squares of the city.
Tavakoli emphasized that citizens should avoid unnecessary travel and urged them to seek emergency services if they experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, headache, dizziness, and nausea, in order to receive appropriate care and necessary measures. Additionally, athletes are advised to refrain from engaging in strenuous physical activities outdoors.
The PM2.5 concentration in Tehran is more than four times above the recommended limit given by the WHO.
It is worth noting that air pollution is not a recent issue in Iran, particularly in the capital city of Tehran, as the country has been grappling with excessive air pollution for decades.