Zabol's Air Pollution: A Crisis Unveiled

Zabol, a city in Iran, has been named the most polluted city in the world by the World Health Organization in 2016. The city's air quality is heavily impacted by the disappearance of the nearby Hamoun wetlands in the early 2000s, which has resulted in dusty conditions. Every summer, Zabol is hit by relentless dust storms known as the 120 days of wind. The air pollution in Zabol poses significant health risks, with high levels of particulate matter (PM) that can be harmful when inhaled. The PM2.5 concentration in Zabol has been recorded at 5.4 times the World Health Organization's annual guideline value. The city's population is advised to take precautions such as staying indoors, limiting outdoor activities, and wearing masks when necessary.

The disappearance of the Hamoun wetlands

Zabol, a city in the Central District of Zabol County, Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran, is known for its severe air pollution. In 2016, the World Health Organization named Zabol the most polluted city in the world. The city's air pollution is largely attributed to the disappearance of the nearby Hamoun wetlands in the early 2000s.

The Hamoun wetlands, also known as Lake Hamun, were located in the endorheic Sistan Basin and were fed by the Helmand River. The wetlands were seasonal and often dry, but they played a crucial role in the development of the region over centuries, acting as a natural cooler. However, due to drought and climate change, the wetlands dried up completely and disappeared.

The impact of the disappearing wetlands on Zabol's air quality has been significant. The city now faces dangerous levels of air pollution, with particulate matter (PM) concentrations far exceeding the World Health Organization's guidelines. The PM2.5 concentration in Zabol is currently 5.4 times the WHO's annual guideline value. These fine particles, produced by combustion, can be inhaled deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, posing serious health risks to the local population.

The public health implications of the air pollution in Zabol are profound. According to a report, more than 500 people are diagnosed with tuberculosis each year in Zabol due to dust pollution, an unusually high rate for Iran. The situation has also led to a loss of job opportunities and forced people to abandon nearly 300 villages in the province. The drying up of Hamoun is the primary driver of Zabol's severe air pollution, although other factors, such as poor water resource management, have also contributed to the crisis.

The '120 days of wind' dust storms

Zabol, a city in the Central District of Zabol County, Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran, is known for its "120-day wind" or "bad-e sad-o-bist-roz", a highly persistent summer dust storm. The dust storms blow from north to south, and their occurrence is linked to the disappearance of the nearby Hamoun wetlands in the early 2000s. This ecological change has resulted in Zabol becoming one of the windiest, dustiest, and most polluted places in the world.

The Hamoun wetland, located near Lake Hamun, was crucial to the development of the region, serving as a natural cooler. However, due to drought and climate change, it has dried up, becoming a significant source of dust in the air. The drying up of Hamoun is the primary reason for Zabol's severe air pollution, with other factors like poor water resource management also contributing.

The impact of the dust storms on Zabol's air quality is evident in its high levels of particulate matter (PM), specifically PM2.5 and PM10. These particles, produced by combustion and stirred up by the wind, are microscopic and can be inhaled, posing serious health risks to residents. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that Zabol's PM2.5 concentration was 5.4 times higher than its annual guideline value. Moreover, a 2017 study suggested that the harm from 30 minutes of outdoor cycling in Zabol's polluted air would outweigh the benefits of exercise.

The "120 days of wind" have severe consequences for the people of Zabol. The dust storms, combined with high temperatures, create an unhealthy environment. The air pollution has led to an unusually high rate of tuberculosis diagnoses in the city, with over 500 cases reported annually. The dust storms have also affected job opportunities, with over 700,000 jobs lost due to the wetland's disappearance.

To conclude, the "120-day wind" or "120 days of wind" in Zabol, Iran, is a significant environmental and health concern. The persistent dust storms, lasting around four months, have transformed Zabol into one of the most polluted cities globally, necessitating urgent mitigation strategies to protect the well-being of its residents.

Health risks of air pollution

Zabol, a city in Iran, has been recognised as one of the windiest, dustiest, and most unhealthy urban environments globally. The World Health Organization named Zabol the most polluted city in the world in 2016. The city is plagued by poverty and pollution. The Hamoun wetland, which acted as a natural cooler for the area, has almost disappeared due to drought and climate change. This has led to an increase in dust in the air, with dust storms blowing through the city during the summer.

The health risks of air pollution in Zabol are significant. The air pollution in Zabol has been linked to an increased rate of tuberculosis in the city, with more than 500 people diagnosed every year. The ultra-fine particles known as PM2.5 are produced from combustion and are small enough to get from the lungs into the bloodstream. These particles are possibly more deadly because they affect the cardiovascular system. Long-term exposure to these particles constitutes a health risk.

The particles in the air in Zabol are between 2.5 and 10 microns in diameter, roughly 30 times smaller than the width of a human hair. These particles can be inhaled deep into the lungs, and may even include microplastics. The coarser PM10s are stirred up by cars on roads, the wind, soot from open fires, and partially burned carbon from the burning of fossil fuels.

The air pollution in Zabol has severe health implications for its residents. It is essential that appropriate mitigation strategies are implemented to reduce the health risks associated with the city's air pollution.

Annual PM2.5 levels

Zabol, Iran, is known for its "120-day wind" (bād-e sad-o-bist-roz), a persistent dust storm that blows from north to south during the summer. The disappearance of the nearby Hamoun wetlands in the early 2000s has exacerbated Zabol's dusty conditions, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to name it the most polluted city in the world in 2016.

PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter that is 2.5 microns or smaller in diameter. These particles are produced by various types of combustion and are so small that they can be inhaled into the deepest parts of the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. As such, PM2.5 pollution is considered a good measure of how harmful air pollution is to human health.

Zabol's PM2.5 levels are currently 5.4 times the WHO's annual PM2.5 guideline value. The annual average AQI (Air Quality Index) in Zabol is 292, which is classified as "poor". The main pollutants in Zabol's air are PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and O3.

The high levels of PM2.5 in Zabol's air pose significant health risks to its residents. A report published by Iran's Shargh daily found that more than 500 people are diagnosed with tuberculosis in Zabol each year due to dust pollution, an unusually high rate for the country. Long-term exposure to PM2.5 pollution can also lead to cardiovascular issues and other health problems.

Mitigation strategies are needed to reduce the environmental and ecological contamination in Zabol and protect the health of its residents.

Population decline

Zabol, a city in the Central District of Zabol County, Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran, has been facing a significant population decline due to its severe air pollution. The city has been recognised as one of the windiest, dustiest, and most unhealthy urban environments globally.

The primary cause of Zabol's air pollution and subsequent population decline is the disappearance of the nearby Hamoun wetlands in the early 2000s. The wetlands, which were crucial for the region's development, have dried up due to drought and climate change. This has resulted in an increase in dust storms, known locally as the "120-day wind", which blow from north to south during the summer months. The dust from these storms contains particulate matter (PM), including PM10 and the more harmful PM2.5, which can have serious health impacts on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

The health risks associated with the polluted air in Zabol have been well-documented. A 2017 study in the journal Preventive Medicine found that the negative effects of 30 minutes of cycling outdoors in Zabol's polluted air outweighed the benefits of the exercise. Additionally, according to a report, more than 500 people are diagnosed with tuberculosis in Zabol each year due to dust pollution, an unusually high rate for the country. As a result of the air pollution and its health implications, many people have been forced to leave the city.

The population decline in Zabol is also attributed to the loss of job opportunities due to the environmental crisis. According to the report, over 700,000 jobs have disappeared because of the drying up of the Hamoun wetlands. This has further contributed to the economic decline and population exodus from the city.

To address the air pollution and population decline in Zabol, appropriate mitigation strategies and environmental management are necessary. While the city has implemented some measures, such as air quality monitoring and the use of masks, more comprehensive actions may be required to improve the health and well-being of its residents and attract new inhabitants.

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