Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

The acid rains in Iran forced many people to rush to the hospitals after experiencing breathing problems.

Around 300 people had to go to hospitals as a result of two-day-acid rain in Ahvaz city, Iranian province of Khuzestan, IRNA news agency reported.

Avhaz, with a population of approximately 1.2m people, is recognized by the World Health Organization as one of the most polluted cities in the world. The city’s heavy industry and low-quality car fuel are the main causes of its pollution.

Head of the Department of the Health Ministry in Ahvaz city Iraj Nozari said the people had breathing problems after the rains.

Around 1,000 people had breathing problems after the first rain in Khuzestan province in early autumn.

The acid rains have recently created many problems for the population.

The cause of acid rains in Ahvaz city and the surrounding areas is air pollution resulted from the activity of oil and other industrial facilities, high humidity (95 percent) and a number of other reasons. The research into the issue is still underway.

Data from the WHO showed that Khuzestan is three times more polluted than the Chinese capital, Beijing. WHO figures also suggested that five out of the ten most polluted cities in the world are in Iran, with Ahwaz topping the list.

Earlier, environmentalists blame acid rains on high concentrations of nitrates in the air for the pollution. According to Sasan Mogahi from Jondi Shapour hospital, the local petroleum industry and post-harvest fires in sugarcane fields are the main reasons behind high atmospheric nitrate levels.

The authorities have temporarily closed primary schools and nurseries in several cities in Khuzestan and recommended parents keep their children indoors. But the pollution remained unchanged.