Air pollution in southern and western Iran sends hundreds to hospitals
Amid escalating air pollution in western Iran, reports indicate that hundreds of people have been admitted to hospitals over the past two days with symptoms of respiratory diseases.
According to the official Iranian News Agency (IRNA), more than 400 people were admitted to hospitals in Khuzestan Province due to air pollution damage during a single work shift on Monday.
The deputy director of treatment at Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences said in this regard: “Following the occurrence of dust storms in Khuzestan Province, on Monday (from 8 AM to 6 PM), 412 patients with respiratory symptoms visited medical centers in Khuzestan and received treatment.”
Of this number, 24 people were hospitalized.
Simultaneously with the intensification of air pollution in Khuzestan Province, all schools, universities, government offices, and banks in Khuzestan were announced closed on Monday, April 1st.
On Monday, the amount of dust in the air of many cities in Khuzestan Province reached several times the permissible limit, with 25 times the permissible level reported in Ahvaz and approximately 27 times in Susa.
According to IRNA, 225 cardiac and respiratory patients visited medical centers and hospitals over the past 48 hours following dust storms entering Ilam Province.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Meteorological Organization announced: “From tomorrow afternoon [Wednesday], increased winds over Iraq will cause dust to be stirred up and transferred to provinces located in the western part of the country, and a decline in air quality and visibility in these areas during Thursday is not unexpected.”
Earlier in Farvardin of the current year, an official from Iran’s Ministry of Health warned about the threat to “public health of society” if dust storms continue in the country, citing a 30 percent increase in cardiac and pulmonary patient admissions to hospitals.
Source: Radio Farda
