More than 210,000 people sought emergency treatment for heart and breathing problems in Iran between Nov. 22 and Dec. 1 as air pollution spiked in several cities, state media reported Wednesday.
The largest numbers were in Tehran, Khorasan Razavi, Khuzestan and Alborz provinces, raising “a serious alarm for vulnerable groups and the public’s overall health,” said Jafar Miadfar, head of Iran’s Emergency Medical Services Organization.
Miadfar warned hospitalizations will rise if pollution persists, especially among older adults, children and those with chronic conditions.
Air quality index readings above 150 — considered unhealthy for all groups — have been recorded in major cities over the past two weeks. Authorities have responded with school closures, remote work allowances and traffic restrictions.
Pollution typically worsens in Iran’s crowded cities during colder months, when temperature inversions trap emissions from aging vehicles and industrial plants close to the ground.