Warning of dangerous ozone concentrations in Tehran
The deputy head of the Environmental Protection Organization says that although Tehran's air appears blue and clean, the ozone index in the capital has exceeded 130. Ozone with a concentration higher than 100 poses serious risks to the respiratory system.
Masoud Tajrishi, Deputy Director of the Human Environment of the Iranian Environmental Protection Organization, has expressed concern about the increase in the ozone pollutant index in Tehran and called on the responsible agencies to put ozone control solutions on their agenda.
On Wednesday, July 3, at a meeting of the National Working Group on Air Pollution Reduction, Mr. Tajrishi noted that Tehran’s air has become unhealthy on a number of days since May due to an increase in ozone pollutants. ISNA news agency quoted him as saying: “Although Tehran’s air looks clean and the sky is blue, the ozone pollutant index has risen horribly. Two days ago, the ozone index in Tehran reached more than 130.”
He called on the relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Health, to examine ways to control ozone pollution and provide the necessary warnings and recommendations to the public to minimize the related damage.
Ozone is a summer pollutant and a product of the oxidation and chemical reactions of pollutants from cars, factories, power plants, and refineries in sunlight. For this reason, ozone concentrations reach their maximum in the summer and in the middle of the day.
Ozone at concentrations above 100 has a very destructive effect on the mucous membranes and respiratory organs of living organisms, causing asthma attacks and reduced lung function. About 40 percent of ozone is absorbed in the nose and larynx, but 60 percent reaches the depths of the lungs.
The deputy head of the Environmental Protection Organization has announced that on some days, ozone concentration in Tehran is high from 11 am to 7 pm, and it should be investigated what the concentration index is in other cities.
At a meeting of the Air Pollution Reduction Working Group, the CEO of the Air Quality Control Company said that one of the reasons for the increase in the ozone pollutant index was the decrease in suspended particles. ISNA news agency quoted Hossein Shahidzadeh as saying: "We must be careful that suspended particles in the air cause the intensity of solar radiation to decrease. Since suspended particles were produced less this year, the intensity of solar radiation has also increased."
Mohsen Poursaid Aghaei, Deputy Director of Transportation and Traffic of Tehran Municipality, also mentioned in this meeting the circulation of 1.7 million carburetor and worn-out motorcycles in Tehran as a violation of the Clean Air Law and one of the reasons for the intensification of the ozone index.
Ozone is one of the most important air pollutants, along with carbon dioxide or nitrogen monoxide. Ozone is also produced and released into the air by air purifiers, UV lamps, photocopiers, and laser printers. Children, active adults, and people with lung diseases should avoid environments with high ozone concentrations.
Source: DW
