Iran's Pollution Crisis: A Critical Analysis

Iran, a country in Western Asia, has been facing severe environmental issues, especially in its urban areas. Tehran, the capital city, has been rated as one of the world's most polluted cities, with severe air pollution causing a public health crisis. Iran's pollution is caused by various factors, including vehicle emissions, refinery operations, industrial effluents, geographical features, and the combustion of fuel, which contributes to poor air quality and water scarcity. While it doesn't suffer from the extreme pollution levels of some neighbouring countries, Iran still needs to address its environmental problems to improve its air quality and reduce pollution-related health risks.

Tehran is one of the world's most polluted cities

Tehran, the capital of Iran, is rated as one of the world's most polluted cities. It suffers from severe air pollution, with parts of the city often covered by smog, making breathing difficult and causing widespread pulmonary illnesses. It is estimated that about 27 people die each day from pollution-related diseases, with local officials reporting 3,600 deaths in a single month due to hazardous air quality. The city's pollution is primarily due to a combination of vehicle emissions and industrial pollution, with motorcycles alone accounting for 30% of air and 50% of sound pollution.

Tehran's air quality is affected by several factors. Firstly, most Iranian industries are located on the outskirts of the city, and the city is congested with old cars that do not meet modern emission regulations. Additionally, Iran's busiest airport, Mehrabad International Airport, is situated in Tehran, leading to a high volume of private car and taxi usage. The city's geography also contributes to the issue, as it is bound by the Alborz mountain range in the north, obstructing the flow of humid Caspian wind and causing thermal inversion that traps polluted air.

The Iranian government has implemented various measures to combat air pollution. They have offered financial incentives for citizens to leave Tehran, and they have encouraged taxis and buses to transition from petrol engines to compressed natural gas. The government has also established a "Traffic Zone" in the city center during peak hours, requiring a special permit to drive within it.

Despite these efforts, Tehran's air pollution remains a significant issue. In December 2019, the city recorded its highest air pollution index of 181. The problem is exacerbated by the poor quality of Iranian-manufactured gasoline, which is a byproduct of international sanctions. The city's rapid growth and construction have also led to concerns about earthquake readiness, with a 90% chance of a significant earthquake in the coming decades.

Tehran's pollution has been partly attributed to the weather phenomenon known as inversion, but the primary blame lies with the high number of vehicles and the low quality of fuel they use. While authorities have implemented measures such as halting the burning of mazut for electricity generation, observers believe these steps are insufficient to significantly improve air quality in this megacity.

Vehicular emissions and poor fuel quality

Iran's environmental issues are exacerbated by vehicular emissions and poor fuel quality. The country's major cities, including Tehran, experience high levels of smoke, haze, and fumes during certain times of the year due to massive vehicular emissions. The pollution sources in Tehran are predominantly private cars using petrol, with around 3.5 million motor vehicles in the city. The quality of fuel distributed in Iran is also a concern, with gasoline offered in two quality ranges: "Normal gasoline" (87 Octane) and "Super gasoline" (95-97 Octane).

The high levels of vehicular emissions in Iran's cities are influenced by various factors, including the increased number of private vehicles, unmaintained vehicles, poorly paved roads, and inadequate infrastructure. The country's refusal to commit to sustainability goals and heavy reliance on fossil fuels have further contributed to its vulnerability to ecological crisis and climate change.

The impact of unsustainable urbanization on environmental transport and driving behavior has been studied in Isfahan, Iran. The research highlights how unsustainable urbanization, characterized by rapid population growth, poor urban development, and inefficient public transportation, affects driving behavior and contributes to increased vehicular emissions.

Furthermore, the quality of fuel in Iran is a significant issue. The octane number of gasoline and the sulfur content in diesel fuel impact air pollution levels. Diesel fuel in Iran is distributed in two qualities: 500 ppm for the United Bus Company of Tehran's usage and 7,700 ppm for other heavy-duty vehicles. The high sulfur content in diesel fuel contributes to increased emissions and air pollution.

To address these issues, Iran has implemented air pollution control programs in Tehran and Arak, aiming to gradually reduce the release of harmful chemicals into the atmosphere. Additionally, plans are in place to replace existing public transportation fleets with buses and cars running on natural gas. However, the implementation and enforcement of regulations and policies need improvement to effectively address the country's air pollution challenges.

Industrial effluents and wastewater runoff

Iran is facing significant challenges due to industrial effluents and wastewater runoff, which contribute to water and environmental pollution. Firstly, industrial facilities in Iran discharge large volumes of untreated wastewater, which ends up in surface and groundwater resources. This issue is exacerbated by the lack of a comprehensive wastewater network, particularly in large cities. As a result, freshwater resources become polluted and unsuitable for various purposes.

The World Bank has identified problems arising from the discharge of untreated industrial and municipal wastewater into public waterways and aquifers, leading to water pollution and subsequent health and environmental risks. This is further compounded by the poor performance of wastewater treatment plants, which struggle to effectively treat the high volumes of wastewater generated.

Inadequate wastewater management is not limited to industrial sources; municipal wastewater also contributes significantly to water pollution in Iran. This is partly due to the low water use efficiency in urban and rural areas, as well as the limited participation of stakeholders in the development and management of water resources. Furthermore, cultural factors play a role in the urban sector's reluctance to reuse treated wastewater, further straining freshwater resources.

The contamination of water resources has severe consequences for Iran's environment and ecosystems. For example, the discharge of industrial effluents and untreated wastewater has contaminated rivers, coastal waters, and underground water sources. This not only affects aquatic life but also impacts the availability of clean water for human consumption and agricultural activities, which are vital for a country like Iran, where water scarcity is a pressing issue.

To address these issues, Iran has implemented sector reforms and collaborated with the World Bank to improve cost recovery, collection efficiency, and overall water management. Additionally, Iran has approved the construction of dams for hydropower generation, irrigation, and flood control, although the environmental impact of these projects on water quality and ecosystems needs to be carefully considered. While Iran has made efforts to improve its water infrastructure and treatment processes, further measures are needed to effectively manage industrial effluents and wastewater runoff to mitigate their environmental and health impacts.

Poor waste disposal

Iran is one of the world's most populous countries, with 83.2 million people as of 2018. The country has experienced rapid population growth since 1966, which, along with various climates, a heavy reliance on fossil fuels, and a refusal to commit to sustainability goals, has exacerbated Iran's vulnerability to ecological crisis and climate change.

One of the key environmental issues in Iran is poor waste management. Iran produces an estimated 50,000 tons of trash daily, of which 70-80% is disposed of hygienically, but the rest is not. This has resulted in severe environmental and health problems, particularly in Tehran, the capital city.

Tehran, with a population of over 8.8 million people, generates a significant amount of waste. The city's waste management organization, TWMO, has struggled to effectively manage the waste, with two main landfill sites, Abali and Kahrizak, closing in 1991 due to open dumping and unsanitary disposal, which caused groundwater contamination and severe health issues. The remaining landfill, Kahrizak, collects waste from 22 districts of Tehran, with organic waste undergoing windrow composting. However, the compost produced does not meet acceptable quality standards for agricultural use due to a lack of homogeneity, aeration, and the presence of heavy metals.

The poor waste management in Tehran and Iran as a whole can be attributed to improper waste segregation and management before disposal. Hazardous household wastes, such as paint, batteries, poisonous utensils, and hospital wastes, are not collected separately, leading to environmental health risks. Additionally, the focus of waste management efforts in Iran has primarily been on the inefficient disposal phase rather than on waste reduction and proper segregation.

To address these issues, Iran is pursuing the necessary legal infrastructure to improve waste management. This includes supporting startups that purchase domestic plastic waste and encouraging waste collecting companies to avoid unsanitary waste disposal, often carried out by children. Separation of waste at the source is also crucial, as it reduces waste management costs and the overall amount of waste generated. By implementing these measures, Iran aims to create a waste disposal infrastructure that ensures the proper management of waste.

Water scarcity and climate change

Iran is a country located in Western Asia, with a population of about 83.2 million people as of 2018. It is one of the world's most populous and densely populated countries. Iran has a wide range of pollution sources, including vehicular fumes, factory emissions, construction sites, and the burning of fossil fuels. Its capital city, Tehran, is rated as one of the world's most polluted cities due to massive vehicle emissions and industrial operations.

While Iran does not suffer from extremely high levels of pollution like its neighboring countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, it still faces significant environmental challenges, particularly in the form of water scarcity, which is closely linked to climate change.

Iran is an arid and drought-prone country, with nearly 85% of its land area falling within arid or semi-arid zones. The country has experienced severe droughts, with the episode from 1999 to 2001 affecting over half of its population. Climate change further exacerbates water scarcity in Iran, leading to a projected 50% reduction in renewable water resources by 2050. This will have severe consequences for agriculture, drinking water supplies, and energy production, potentially triggering social unrest and environmental degradation.

Water scarcity in Iran is caused by various factors, including high climatic variability, uneven distribution of water, overexploitation of water resources, and a focus on economic development. The country's reliance on groundwater has led to unsustainable extraction rates, with an estimated loss of 5 billion cubic meters of groundwater annually. From 2002 to 2017, nationwide groundwater recharge declined by around 3.8 mm/yr.

The water crisis in Iran has been described as the "main problem that threatens" the country, and it could lead to significant internal and international migration. By 2050, up to 50 million Iranians may face severe water shortages, driving one of the largest migration waves in the region. This underscores the urgent need for comprehensive water management reforms and system-oriented mitigation and adaptation policies to address water scarcity and climate change impacts in Iran.

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