Tehran’s air pollution ranks first in world

Air pollution or particulate matter is a phenomenon that arises from the combination of particulate matter and dust with urban pollutants and is caused by climate change, drying of wetlands, drought, and construction of dams.

The average air pollution index in Tehran is currently 177 units and in an unhealthy condition for all groups. On April 9, Tehran’s air pollution ranked at a record 491 and was rated as the most polluted city in the world. In the category of air pollution conditions, the index is defined as 150 to 200 unhealthy, 200 to 300 very unhealthy, and 300 and above dangerous.

On April 8, air quality in Tehran’s neighboring provinces, including Alborz and Zanjan, was declared “very dangerous.” On April 9, air pollution was reported in most provinces of Iran due to dust. The weather in Mashhad was declared unhealthy for all groups, and the director of Ilam Airport also said that a plane could not land in the city on April 9 due to dust and returned to Tehran. Khuzestan officials also issued an “orange alert” for April 9 to April 11, citing the formation of dust in the province.

As expected, government officials blatantly blame the people without mentioning anything about the real causes of such weather disturbances that is the direct result of massive mismanagement of Iran’s natural resources, the excess construction of dams for personal profits, and deforestation.