Air pollution killed about seven Iranians every hour last year, officials reported, raising urgent health concerns. The deputy health minister, Alireza Raisi, said air pollution caused 58,975 deaths in the Iranian calendar year starting March 2024. He added that fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, was the main cause. PM2.5 particles are smaller than 2.5 microns and can penetrate deep into the lungs. Consequently, they enter the bloodstream and increase health risks.
Raisi explained that 23 percent of deaths resulted from ischemic heart disease. Meanwhile, 21 percent were due to lung cancer, 17 percent from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 15 percent from strokes, and 13 percent from lower respiratory infections. In addition, Raisi said the economic cost of these deaths reached about $17.2 billion in 2024. He noted that this amounts to $47 million daily, highlighting the heavy financial burden on healthcare services.
Air pollution remains high in Iran’s major cities. Average PM2.5 levels exceed World Health Organization limits. Furthermore, vice-president Hossein Afshin warned that industrial regions face severe consequences. He highlighted Isfahan province, where cancer and multiple sclerosis rates are among the highest. Afshin added that old power plants in the area worsen air quality by increasing particulate emissions.
Khuzestan province was the worst affected. Ahvaz recorded the highest annual PM2.5 concentration at 42 micrograms per cubic meter, nearly eight times the WHO guideline. Following Ahvaz, Isfahan, Tehran, and Arak also reported high levels. Mehrdad Sharifi, deputy for health at Ahvaz Jundishapur University, said 1,624 people died from air pollution in Khuzestan last year. He added that the province faced $427 million in healthcare losses. Only two days in recent months had healthy air conditions. Moreover, hospitals treated 22,000 patients in October for pollution-related illnesses.
Officials announced that most schools in Khuzestan will remain online until mid-November. However, high schools will continue in person. Experts continue calling for stricter policies, including banning old vehicles, investing in cleaner energy, and empowering a central environmental authority.
Without systemic change, major cities such as Tehran will continue suffering from poor air quality and rising health costs. Overall, air pollution in Iran demonstrates an urgent need for policy reforms and public awareness. If immediate interventions do not occur, both public health and the economy will face worsening impacts.