Alarming air pollution has forced schools in Tehran and other areas to close for several days, starting yesterday.

"All schools in Tehran, except for Firuzkuh and Damavand districts, will be closed from December 15," Iranian state news agency IRNA quoted deputy governor Mohammad Taghizadeh, after the end of the committee meeting. emergency of air pollution in Tehran a day earlier.

Officials say the level of pollution in the capital area is considered "unhealthy" to sensitive people. Children, the elderly and people with respiratory illnesses are also recommended to stay indoors. Outdoor sports activities have been postponed.

Taghizadeh added schools in the capital will continue to close today, the third day of the week working in Iran. An "even-odd" number plate scheme was also applied to restrict the flow of traffic in the capital.

Apart from Tehran, schools in Alborz Province, north of the country, and central cities such as Qom and Arak have been closed.

"We are forced to live together and suffer from this situation," said one Tehran dentist.

According to the website air.tehran.ir, the air pollution index in Tehran reached 145 micrograms / m3 in the afternoon, six times higher than the World Health Organization's (WTO) safety recommendation. maximum 25 micrograms / m3.

Many Tehran residents blame the government for rampant construction and lack of diversification of public transport, resulting in constant pollution in the capital.

"We can do nothing but wait for the wind to blow or rain," said student Bardia Danaie.

According to a World Bank report released last year, air pollution in Tehran was mainly due to large vehicles, refineries and power plants. This situation gets worse in the winter months.