Some 35 million Iranians are affected by air pollution: Environment chief

Presently, air pollution and health hazards associated with it pose a danger to between 30 and 35 million Iranians, Director of the Environment Protection Organization Masoumeh Ebtekar was quoted Tuesday by the Islamic Republic News Agency as saying.

Speaking at a gathering to mark World Asthma Day, she said, “The 11^th government is taking good steps to tackle air pollution in the country. One such step is to cut the emission of hazardous gases in cooperation with the Oil Ministry.”

She went on to say, “Iran is among the countries where particulates are mainly to blame for air pollution.”

The environment chief added, “Air pollution is on the decline in the country. For instance, last year Tehran had 44 more clean-air days than earlier years.”

Highlighting that 2.5 million motorcycles as well as five million vehicles are on the move in the capital on a daily basis, she said, “People should opt for public transport as officials try to promote the quality of fuel.”