Tehran declares war on pollution

Tehran is thought to be one of the most polluted cities in the world

By Jim Muir in Tehran

Iran has declared Thursday clean air day, initiating a week of events aimed at drawing attention to the growing problem of air pollution.

There are about 200 days a year when the city is trapped in a pall of smog

The capital Tehran is believed to be one of the most heavily polluted cities in the world.

Although it is hard to pin such things down, reports say that more than 4,500 people may be dying every year in Tehran alone because of the effects of air pollution.

It is certainly something that everybody here notices and is affected by in one way or another.

Because of the city's location - hemmed in by mountains on two sides - there are about 200 days in the year when atmospheric conditions trap the city in a pall of smog.

When it reaches crisis levels, schools are closed down for the day. The Tehran cocktail is particularly rich in carbon monoxide and air-borne particles, which are often well over danger levels.

Tehran is among the most polluted cities in the world

Masks

It is quite common to see people wearing face masks in the streets, although experts say they are not very effective.

The events marking national clean air day, which include demonstrations by school children wearing masks, are aimed at drawing attention to a problem for which there is no easy answer.

A 10-year plan to combat pollution was launched last year.

Officials admit that, so far, it has only met half of its targets, and that it will take 15 to or 20 years for any real benefits to be felt.

Official estimates:

Pollutants are emitted by over 2 million vehicles

Cars account for 71% of pollution in Tehran

37% of the country's industrial units are within the city

Pollution reached more than six-times acceptable levels in 2000

More than 70% of Tehran's air pollution comes from motor vehicles, many of which are old and not able to use unleaded fuel.

Difficulties

There are restrictions on driving into the city centre, for example, tighter measures have been announced. But they are largely ineffective because there is no real alternative.

Public transport is distinctly under-developed with just one underground metro line operating so far.

Authority for tackling the problem is divided between different ministries and other agencies.

Efforts are being made, but at best, they may only succeed in holding pollution at current levels.

So it is a problem the people of Tehran will clearly have to live with for years to come - hoping for a stiff breeze to blow it away.