Air Quality Index for Tehran did not hit the “good” button in the third month of the current fiscal year (May 22-June 21), charts published by Tehran Air Quality Control Company’s website, Airnow.tehran.ir, show.
Statistics indicate that the “moderate” status was recorded on 25 days, as AQI hovered between 51 and 100 during the period.
Sensitive groups in Tehran, who suffer the most from toxic air, were advised to limit outdoor activities for six days, since AQI hovered between 101 and 150, marking an unhealthy status.
Children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with respiratory and cardiovascular problems are all categorized in the sensitive group.
AQI did not hit “very unhealthy”, or “hazardous” quality during the month under review.
The index categorizes air conditions according to 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).
TAQCC indicates the air was “good” on only nine days from June 22, 2022, to June 21, 2023.
The company said 206 days turned out to be “moderate”, 117 days remained “unhealthy for sensitive groups”, 31 days stayed “unhealthy” and two days were “very unhealthy”.
The AQI did not hit “hazardous” during the one-year period.
High density of PM2.5 (particulate matters smaller than 2.5 micrometers) and PM10 were the main culprits behind the polluted days.
Monthly Comparative Data
Month-on-month comparisons showed that those who live in Tehran suffered from more air pollution in the third month of the current Iranian year compared to the previous month (April 21-May 21).
Charts illustrate that the “good” status was recorded on two days in the month ending May 21, as air remained “unhealthy for sensitive groups” during the period, with the index lingering between 101 and 150 on only two days.
Air quality was moderate on 27 days, as AQI hovered between 51 and 100 in the month.
The AQI review during the year-ago month shows air quality in Tehran improved slightly in the month ending June 21.
In the third month of the fiscal 2022-23 (April 21-May 21), moderate air quality condition was registered on 19 days, but the index remained increasingly unhealthy for the sensitive group on 11 days, compelling authorities to dissuade people from going outdoors unnecessarily.
Hazardous air quality was registered for only one day, as AQI oscillated between 301-500.
AQI did not hit “healthy or good”, “unhealthy”, or “very unhealthy” quality during the period under review.
Tehran’s air quality deteriorated in the fiscal 2022-23 compared with the year before.
The air quality was good for only two days in the fiscal 2021-22, as AQI hovered around 0-50, while the moderate air quality status was registered for 250 days, as AQI remained between 51 and 100.
Sensitive groups in Tehran were advised to stay indoors for 108 days, as AQI hovered between 101 and 150, and air quality was unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Also, six days turned out to be moderate during the year, with AQI hovering around 151-200.
Call for Examining Potentials of Producing Lithium Battery in Iran
One of the obvious measures that can reduce air pollution and reduce the use of fossil fuels is the use of electric vehicles in the country.
Unfortunately, the development of EVs has not started seriously in Iran, because of which an automotive expert urged domestic component manufacturers and carmakers to launch studies on producing lithium batteries to support the widespread use of electric vehicles in the near future.
While stating that hurdles impeding the development of electric vehicles must be removed, Mohsen Razmkhah told Khabar Khodro (a Persian website covering automobile news), “The manufacture of lithium batteries, which is one of the most important parts of EVs, uses advanced technology. Research should be conducted on the production of lithium batteries concurrent with the import of lithium batteries.
The expert noted that EVs must be developed alongside the production of gasoline cars in Iran.
“Just as Chinese, South Korean, Japanese, European and American car manufacturers have focused on the production of EVs in recent years, it is necessary for domestic carmakers to invest in cars using other kinds of fuels,” he said.
“While international automakers, including the Chinese, have been working nonstop on the production of EVs and made good progress, our view regarding electric vehicle production remains consumerist.”
Razmkhah stressed that there is no legal obstacle to the production of EVs in the country and its development requires government investment and the determination of car manufacturers.
Referring to the lack of infrastructure as one of the main obstacles to the development of EVs in the country, the expert said electric charging stations should be built before starting the production of EVs.
“EVs do not have parts such as valves and cylinders, and one of the differences between electric and gasoline cars pertains to their engine and parts, which domestic manufacturers could produce,” he added.
Admitting that no measure has been taken to produce lithium batteries and other components of EVs in Iran, Razmkhah pointed out that car manufacturers have started activities in this field, but domestic EVs have not entered the market yet.
“The development of EVs in the country will reduce fuel consumption, especially that of fossil fuels, and reduce air and noise pollution,” he said.
