Tehran’s unabating air pollution has forced schools to cancel physical education classes on Monday and Tuesday.
According to a statement on the website of the Ministry of Education, all outdoor physical activities in the capital’s schools have been cancelled for two days. This does not include recess periods, but students are advised to avoid engaging in strenuous activities during breaks.
Tehran’s air pollution index was 135 and 127 on Sunday and Monday respectively, more than twice the acceptable threshold of 50, based on World Health Organization guidelines. An index between 101-150 falls in the orange classification, meaning the air quality poses a danger to sensitive groups, including children, expectant mothers, the elderly and those suffering from respiratory or cardiovascular problems.
The sprawling capital is said to be home to around a third of the country’s industries, which add to the city’s pollution woes caused mainly by the five million vehicles that ply the overcrowded streets.
Since the onset of the cold season, the stat-run radio and TV has been urging people to avoid the streets of the capital and stay indoors due to the dirty and polluted air. Schools have been cancelled for a total of seven days so far.
Other major cities have not been spared as they too continue to register high levels of air pollution coupled with particulate matter, smog and dust storms.
