Tehran’s air pollution problem needs rapid solution
By Sara Rajabova
Air pollution in Iran's capital city continues to become a big concern for the country, as it faces numerous ecological problems.
Air pollution and the use of old cars are the two main problems of Iran's capital city Tehran, that should be adressed as soon as possible, Tehran's governor Seyyed Hossein Hashemi said, Fars news agency reported.
"One body can't deal with Tehran's air pollution, so all the related organizations should cooperate to solve it," Hashemi said.
According to him, the fuels used in cars and homes should also be studied.
The air over Iran's capital is amongst the most polluted in the world. Experts say many Iranians suffer serious health problems as a result.
Tehran's air pollution problem forced the government repeatedly to declare some days-off in the capital due to high degree of pollution.
Tehran's pollution is mainly related to bumper-to-bumper traffic in a city wedged between two mountains which trap fumes.
Motor vehicles account for 70 percent of pollution in the Iranian capital. Some experts and officials say the low quality of the gasoline and diesel fuel that is used is responsible for the heavy smog in Tehran.
Officials say all car makers should be committed to manufacture vehicles meeting Euro-4 and Euro-5 standards.
Iran currently produces 14 million liters of Euro-4 and Euro-5 gasoline per day. The amount will reach 22 million once the RFCC unit of Shazand oil refinery comes on stream.
Besides, major Iranian cities also struggle with pollution on a seasonal basis.
The fact that some other big cities, like Isfahan, Mashhad, Arak, Karaj, Qom, Tabriz, and Ahvaz, are facing more or less a similar situation backs up this view.
Recall, that Iran has previously had laws implemented for dealing with the problem of air pollution, however none of them worked.