Air pollution in southern and western Iran sends hundreds to hospital
As air pollution continues to worsen in the western half of Iran, news reports indicate that hundreds of people have been hospitalized with symptoms of respiratory illnesses in the past two days.
According to the official IRNA news agency, in just one work shift on Monday, more than 400 people in Khuzestan Province went to the hospital due to injuries from pollution.
The deputy director of medical care at Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences said in this regard: "Following the occurrence of microdust phenomena in Khuzestan Province, on Monday (from 8 am to 6 pm), 412 patients with respiratory symptoms were referred to Khuzestan medical centers and received care."
Of these, 24 people have been hospitalized.
As air pollution in Khuzestan Province intensified, all schools, universities, offices, and banks in Khuzestan were declared closed on Monday, May 2.
On Monday, the amount of dust in the air in many cities in Khuzestan Province reached several times the permissible limit, with 25 times the permissible limit in Ahvaz and about 27 times the permissible limit in Shush.
According to IRNA, 225 cardiorespiratory patients have also visited medical centers and hospitals in the past 48 hours due to the dust entering Ilam province.
Meanwhile, the Iranian Meteorological Organization announced: "Starting tomorrow afternoon [Wednesday], increased winds over Iraq will cause dust to rise and move to the provinces located in the west of the country, and a decrease in air quality and horizontal visibility in these areas is not far off on Thursday."
Earlier in April of this year, an official from the Iranian Ministry of Health, citing a 30% increase in heart and lung patients' visits to hospitals, warned about the threat to "public health" if dust continued to accumulate in the country.
Source: Radio Farda
