As Iranian metropolises struggled with suffocating air pollution over the past few weeks, which led to extended school closures, some urban authorities have again touted the idea of a winter school break.
In February 2017, the Department of Environment drafted a bill on a winter break for schools. It was approved by the Cabinet at the time and sent to the parliament, but was later shelved.
Speaking to Mehr News Agency, Deputy Tehran Mayor Hojjat Behrouz said although decision-makers withdrew the bill, it can be reconsidered, since there is no workable solution for the growing air pollution.
"Let's be realistic! Even if the country had not been pressured by US sanctions, quick renovation of public transportation in a megacity like Tehran was almost impossible," Behrouz said.
“Therefore, it is wiser to think of alternative solutions.”
The bill, which already has the backing of President Hassan Rouhani and his Cabinet, proposed spreading school holidays across the year to reduce traffic and air pollution in winter.
The plan suggested that summer holidays be shortened to allow the implementation of a winter break. DOE argued that the scheme can help protect schoolchildren, considered vulnerable by health experts to the impact of air pollution.
The plan to introduce winter breaks was not without its critics. Opponents in Tehran, most of whom were members of the city council, said it will not help reduce air pollution.
“Besides, the strongest criticism came from the Ministry of Education. The ministry argued that the tradition of starting schools in the first month of fall is vital in public education, the changing of which can have a detrimental effect on the country’s educational system,” the deputy mayor said.
However, supporters said it could be an effective short-term solution, not to mention its health benefits for vulnerable groups.
Behrouz added, "Unfortunately, the scheme was abandoned by lawmakers, although almost none of the opponents' reasons were convincing."
The high density of air pollutants has forced Tehran’s to close for over two weeks since the beginning of the current school year (Sept. 23).
Suffocating Pollution
With the drop of temperature in the cold seasons, a weather phenomenon known as temperature inversion occurs in which cold air underlies warm air at higher altitude and traps air pollutants, leading to heavy smog. This phenomenon is all too familiar for residents of big cities such as Tehran and Isfahan.
In the capital, the thick blanket of atmospheric pollution and toxic dust shrouds the skies, making it tough for the citizens to breathe.
Data regularly published by Tehran Air Quality Control Company show that the levels of toxic pollutants in the city's air breached critical levels several times in the month ending Dec. 21.
According to this data, "good" air quality eluded Tehran’s residents, as the Air Quality Index did not dip below 50.
Data regularly published by Tehran Air Quality Control Company show that the levels of toxic pollutants in the city's air breached critical levels several times in the month ending Dec. 21
The index categorizes conditions dictated by a measure of polluting matters into good (0-50), moderate (51-100), unhealthy for sensitive groups (101-150), unhealthy (151-200), very unhealthy (201-300) and hazardous (301-500).
During the month, the "moderate" state was recorded on 12 days.
Children, elderly and those with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases were warned to limit their outdoor exposure for 15 days, with the AQI standing between 101 and 150, illustrating "unhealthy" condition for the group.
The index reached "unhealthy" for all groups over the past three days, standing between 151 and 200.
Pollutants measured to determine air quality include carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ground-level ozone and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). AQI figures are calculated as per the concentration of pollutants.
Analyses illustrate that the pollutant responsible for the 18 highly polluted days recorded in the period under investigation was PM2.5 (atmospheric particulate matters that have a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers).
Traffic Schemes
In an effort to make traffic rules more stringent in the central parts of Tehran on highly polluted days, officials are considering to raise the amount of fines, General Einollah Jahani, Traffic Police deputy for social affairs, told reporters.
The increase will be applied only to those breaching the "Traffic Scheme" on days with emergency air pollution state, Jahani said.
The Traffic Scheme is enforced in an area limited by Motahari Street in the north, Shariati Street in east, Kargar (west) and Shoosh (south) where cars, except public transportation vehicles, are barred from entering the area between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Entering the zone costs from 134,000 to 414,000 rials ($1-$3.1) daily for privately- owned vehicles based on time spent in the zone.
On normal days, those refusing to pay the fee will be fined 300,000 rials, in addition to the amount of unpaid fee.
“Based on the new regulations, under emergency air pollution conditions, violators will be fined 900,000 rials ($6.92), plus the daily fee,” Jahani said.
"The new rate will become operational as soon as it is confirmed by the High Council for Coordination of Urban Traffic."
Besides the traffic scheme, the Air Pollution Control scheme currently running in Tehran has been repeatedly blamed for its inadequacy.
Proposed by Tehran Municipality's Transportation Council after talks with environmentalists and urban planners, the APC scheme was launched on June 22 to curb traffic and air pollution.
In the past few months, Tehran City Council and Traffic Police have been scrutinizing the scheme’s performance and highlighting drawbacks that negatively affect air quality and public transportation.
Last month, Tehran Police Chief Hossein Rahimi told the media that the weak points of the scheme were communicated via an unofficial letter to TM, calling for urgent modifications. However, he lamented that until the present, the appeals have fallen on deaf ears.
Air pollution has long been an environmental and health nuisance for the citizens and urban managers of Tehran. Over the past few decades, mayor after mayor has failed to address the issue effectively, making excuses for their inefficiency.
