Air pollution in Tehran reaches code orange

TEHRAN,Nov.27(MNA) - Air quality in the metropolis of Tehran reached an alert threshold on Tuesday. Alert thresholds define the short term levels of concentrations which when exceeded will pose a risk to human health from brief exposure for the population as whole and for which immediate steps are required to reduce the pollution. Yousef Rashidi, the head of the Tehran air quality control department, said Tehran’s pollutants, that are suspended fine air particles smaller than 2.5 microns in size, have reached an alarming level. On Tuesday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Tehran was 143, meaning unhealthy air condition for sensitive groups, while the day before the number showed 118, a jump by 25. The AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality. It tells you how clean or polluted air is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for you. Rashidi said the condition is expected to continue for the next three days, advising people to take precautions. Air pollution can aggravate heart disease and stroke, lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and diabetes, said Rashidi In such situations, it is advised that elderly, children and patients stay at home, limit prolonged exertion and strenuous outdoor activities, stay cool and comfortable preferably in an air conditioned area, and drink plenty of water. People can help limit pollution levels by carpooling or using public transit and reducing electricity use, by checking in on their family, friends and neighbors who may be extra sensitive to air pollution and by encouraging them to keep any medications such as quick-relief inhalers nearby. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors air pollution through a color-coded system. When air quality is deemed “unhealthy” (orange or red color) several days in a row, the EPA calls Air Pollution Action Days to alert people to follow safety precautions.