The persistent air pollution in Iranian metropolises for the ninth consecutive day has led to the shift of schools to online learning and the closure of universities and public and private organizations in several cities and provinces, including Tehran.
In addition to Tehran, schools, universities, and public and private organizations in the provinces of Tabriz, Alborz, Qazvin, Mashhad, and Arak were also declared remote today.
On the morning of Wednesday, December 25, Tehran Air Quality Control Company reported the air quality index (AQI) in Tehran at 157, categorizing it as “unhealthy for all age groups.”
According to data from Tehran’s air pollution monitoring stations, 20 stations are in the “red” (hazardous) status, while the remaining are in the “orange” (unhealthy) zone.
Iran’s Meteorological Organization has warned of “atmospheric stability and increased air pollution” in five major cities—Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan, Qom, and Mashhad—until Friday, December 27.
The organization has issued an orange alert, stating that no significant changes in air quality are expected until the end of the week.
According to the resolution passed during Tuesday’s air pollution task force meeting in Tehran, educational and administrative centers were closed on Wednesday, with an “odd-even” traffic plan enforced starting from residential areas.
Tehran Municipality also refrained from issuing traffic plan permits on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Abbas Shahsavani, the head of the Air Health and Climate Change Department at the Ministry of Health warned that the “unhealthy air” in Tehran poses a threat to public health.
Shahsavani emphasized that children, the elderly, patients, and pregnant women should avoid unnecessary outdoor activities.
The government-run Etemad newspaper, based in Tehran, in an interview with neurosurgeon Arman Sourani Yancheshmeh, quoted him warning of a “looming wave of brain tumor cases in the country, with air pollution as the primary cause.”
In the interview Yancheshmeh claimed that official data on pollutant particles is “sometimes manipulated and inaccurately reported.”
He added, “The cancer wave in Iran has begun, and it is no exaggeration to say that every family will eventually experience a cancer patient.”
Apart from Tehran, air quality in other major cities has also been reported as unhealthy.
Air pollution in Ahvaz has led to an increase in visits to medical centers.
Masoud Neshati, Director of Disease Affairs at Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences, announced on Monday that 1,668 people had sought medical attention for non-infectious cardiac and respiratory issues at affiliated hospitals.
Davood Mirshakar, Director General of Khuzestan’s Environmental Protection, attributed Ahvaz’s air pollution to industrial activities and the use of unsuitable fuels, stating, “Given the oil exploitation and industrial nature of the city, its pollution increases.”
The city of Mashhad is experiencing similar conditions.
According to Saeed Mahmoudi, Acting Director General of Khorasan Razavi province’s Environmental Protection Department, Mashhad’s average air quality index over the past 24 hours was 142, indicating “unhealthy” air.
Air quality in Iranian metropolises has been continuously polluted in recent weeks, leading to multiple closures of offices and educational centers.
The open session of the Majlis (parliament) was also canceled on Wednesday due to air pollution.
While it is said that a significant part of the air pollution is due to burning mazut (a low-grade heavy fuel oil) in power plants, Fatemeh Mohajerani, the government spokesperson, claimed on Tuesday, December 24, that “part of the source of air pollution in Iran is international sanctions.”
She did not elaborate on how the sanctions affect air pollution.
Omid Hajati, Deputy Head of the Environmental Protection Organization, stated, “Air pollution is tied to the energy imbalance issue, making decision-making in this area very challenging.”
