Despite recent rainfall and snowfall across Iran, several major cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, and Arak, continue to experience air pollution. Authorities have acknowledged that the burning of mazut fuel in power plants is a contributing factor.
In Tehran, provincial officials have warned about the ongoing air pollution and its dangers, particularly for young children and the elderly, even though the city recently received snow and rain. On Tuesday, March 5th, the Air Pollution Monitoring Center in Tehran province issued a statement announcing that the poor air quality is expected to persist “until the morning of March 8th.”
According to the report, the average air quality index during the day and night leading up to the morning of March 5th reached 128, indicating “unhealthy conditions for sensitive groups” due to elevated levels of particulate matter. The announcement advises “children and the elderly to refrain from outdoor activities” and encourages “other residents to minimize unnecessary traffic with private cars.”
Reports from Isfahan also indicate recent air pollution concerns. Mansour Shihehforoush, Director General of Crisis Management for the Isfahan Governorate, told Tasnim news agency that the continued use of mazut fuel in the city’s Montazeri power plant is the primary reason for the increased pollution.
Shihehforoush explained that the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum decided to switch the Montazeri power plant to mazut due to the recent temperature drop. Previously, a study conducted by a joint research team from the University of Tehran and the University of Houston, utilizing satellite imagery, revealed that the use of mazut and low-quality diesel fuels with high sulfur content is significantly more widespread than previously acknowledged and represents the main cause of air pollution in Iran.
