Archive - Jan 1, 2005

Pollution alert in Tehran, schools close

AFP
Published January 2, 2005

TEHRAN -- Schools in the Iranian capital were closed and the elderly, the sick and children were advised to stay indoors on Sunday after air pollution reached alarming levels.

According to Tehran's official Air Quality Control Unit, Saturday's Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) - a standard measurement that incorporates carbon monoxide, dust and other pollutants - reached 168, or close to "very unhealthy".

"There was a lack of any parameter in the atmosphere to decrease the pollution," a Tehran pollution official, Elmira Parto, said in reference to the current season marked by low winds.