Asthma-Related Deaths Soar

Annually air pollution causes 2,600 premature deaths in Iran, resulting in a 25% increase in asthma-related deaths. Studies in and outside Iran have established time and again that air pollution caused by car emissions and factories is the major cause of asthma attacks and other respiratory diseases.

“Around one-third of asthma cases in children are largely due to air pollution,” said Maryam Naderi, director of air Pollution Monitoring Office at Tehran’s Air Quality Control Company, Mehr News Agency reported.

Iran saw a high prevalence of asthma in 2013 with 470,000 diagnosed cases; since then deaths due to this illness has increased.   The number of deaths in people above the age of 70 is higher than other age groups.

“ Statistics indicate an increase in premature deaths from asthma between  2010-2015, “ Naderi said without elaboration.

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the bronchial tubes. It causes recurring periods of wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing.

Factors conducive to asthma in Iran include, fine particles, earth’s surface ozone, and sulfur dioxide (SO2), Naderi said.

Fine particles can accumulate in lungs and cause asthma. Studies show a direct association between the number of people admitted to hospitals due to asthma and increased levels of fine particles in the air.

The Earth’s surface ozone is also a critical issue in heavily congested cities. Ozone can initiate asthma attacks, making the symptoms more severe. Earth’s ozone surface is formed when automobile and industrial pollutants get involved in chemical reactions with oxygen and sun light.

SO2 is another factor leading to asthma. It is produced from the combustion of coal or crude oil. Large and heavy vehicles emit a large amount of SO2 into the air.