"Nearly 59,000 Iranians die prematurely due to air pollution in year to March, according to officials. Tehran, Iran Iranians in the capital and many other cities across the country are breathing in toxic fumes as authorities resort to burning dirty fuel to produce electricity and cope with multiple ongoing crises. At 14 power plants, authorities for years have burned mazut, a dark residue of petroleum high in sulphur and other impurities, whenever they run out of natural gas to feed the electricity generators."
"This happens each year due to what observers call chronic mismanagement and ageing infrastructure. It occurs despite heavily sanctioned Iran having the world's second largest proven natural gas reserves and the third largest crude oil reserves. Thick and suffocating layers of smog blanketed Tehran on Monday even as traffic was light as the country shut down to observe a religious holiday."
"The pollution index stood at more than 200 early on Monday for a very unhealthy classification with a high concentration of PM2.5 airborne particles, which can cause respiratory issues, worsen heart problems and impair lung function, especially for children, the elderly and those with health vulnerabilities. A good index is zero to 50, while a moderate is 51 to 100."
Nearly 59,000 Iranians died prematurely in the year to March because of air pollution. Authorities burn mazut, a sulphur-rich petroleum residue, at 14 power plants whenever natural gas supplies run out. The practice, together with chronic mismanagement and ageing infrastructure, produces recurring severe smog despite Iran's vast gas and oil reserves. Tehran experienced thick layers of pollution and ranked among the world's most polluted cities. PM2.5 concentrations rose above 200, posing serious respiratory and cardiovascular risks, especially for children, the elderly and those with health vulnerabilities. Weather inversions and weak winds limited dispersion of pollutants.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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