Air quality in Najafabad

What is the current level of air pollution in Najafabad?

Najafabad is a city and capital of Najafabad County, Isfahan Province, Iran. It is located very close to Isfahan and is almost becoming engulfed by the expanding capital city. According to a census conducted in 2016, Najafabad had an estimated population of 300,000 people.

Towards the middle of 2021, Najafabad was experiencing a period of air quality classed as being “Unhealthy for sensitive groups” with a US AQI reading of 112. This United States Air Quality Index number is an internationally used set of metrics supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and is used to compare the air quality in different cities throughout the world using comparable standards. It is calculated by using the concentration levels of the six most commonly found pollutants. If records for all six are unavailable, then a figure is calculated using the data that is published. For Najafabad, only PM2.5 was recorded which was 40.2 µg/m³ which is over four times the level as suggested by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

With a level such as this, the advice is to close doors and windows to prevent more dirty air from entering the room. Those of a sensitive disposition are advised to remain indoors or if travel outside is unavoidable, then a good quality mask is recommended. The operation of an air purifier would be beneficial if access is available. All forms of outdoor exercise should be postponed until the air quality improves. The table at the top of this page will help with that decision.

Is the level of air pollution in Najafabad constant throughout the year?

Air quality can be very changeable as it can be affected by so many variables. Looking back at the figures published by the Swiss air monitoring company IQAir.com for 2020 it can be seen that the worst air quality was found in December when the level was classified as being “Unhealthy for sensitive groups” with a reading of 41.5 µg/m³. For the remaining eleven months though, the air was much better with figures between 12.1 and 35.4 µg/m³ which classified it as being “Moderate” quality.

Records regarding air quality were first noted in 2019 when the annual average figure was 20.6 µg/m³, but then it declined in 2020 to 23.3 µg/m³. However, this may not be accurate because of the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many vehicles were no longer used as the drivers were furloughed and not required to commute to and from work. There were also many factories and other non-essential production units which were temporarily closed in an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus.

What is the main source of air pollution in Najafabad?

According to the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA), in the Isfahan region, "Two power plants near Isfahan are of the steam type. They have no place in the world anymore. Unfortunately, they used fuel oil completely at all times of the year, but this is an exception in all of Iran. The proximity of fourteen industrial towns, the existence of Shahid Montazeri and Islamabad power plants in Darcheh which were fed with fuel oil and Isfahan and Sepahan refineries and cement industries, polyacrylic Zobahan and Mobarakeh Steel Complex near Isfahan and Najafabad are the common causes of severe air pollution in cities.

Referring to the amount of pollution caused by gasoline, diesel, fuel oil and natural gas used in vehicles and domestic and industrial uses, it was reported that Industries in this area do not provide information about the amount of pollution or the amount of fuel consumed.

Can anything be done to improve the air quality in Najafabad?

Due to the phenomenon of temperature inversion in the cold months of the year and the increase in the number of polluting days, the plan to intensify monitoring of industrial, service and agricultural units with the city prosecutor is on the agenda of the city administration.” In order to reduce the pollutants emitted by these sites. In this recent environmental monitoring, these industrial units were sealed due to non-compliance with environmental requirements and air pollution and lack of a license, following the Environmental Protection Department and by order of the Najafabad city prosecutor. It was noted that they had had previous warning yet nothing was done to improve the situation.

It was stated that a total of more than 80 industrial and service units in Najafabad were subject to environmental monitoring, adding that according to environmental standards, owners of industrial and service units are required to observe and reduce pollution in their units, otherwise, their unit is sealed and temporarily closed until the pollution is completely eliminated.

What detrimental effects on human health does the polluted air in Najafabad have?

The main problems of air pollution in cities are caused by particulate matter and gases. These pollutants, which are absorbed through respiration, not only cause respiratory problems, heart attacks and strokes, but are also associated with asthma, schizophrenia and premature dementia. A combination of these factors adds to the staggering economic and health costs. The good news is that there is a way to do this, and cities can reduce the effects of air pollution with a few simple solutions.

During exercise, especially high-intensity exercise, because respiration is mainly through the mouth, pollutants and suspended particles enter the lower airways and lungs directly through the nasal mucosa, which can absorb and trap air pollutants.

The respiratory system is the first organ of the human body to be in direct contact with air pollution, and the lungs are responsible for absorbing oxygen from the air and excreting carbon dioxide into the blood. It occurs in the bloodstream and causes cardiopulmonary complications such as impaired oxygen delivery to body tissues, increased heart rate, heart attack, decreased lung capacity, asthma, bronchitis and lung cancer. Despite the positive effects of exercise on the health of body and soul, it should be noted that exercising in polluted air may exacerbate the negative effects of air pollution on humans.

Even young, strong healthy people can experience health impacts from polluted air including respiratory irritation or breathing difficulties during exercise or outdoor activities. The risk of adverse effects depends on the current status of health, the pollutant type and concentration, and the length of exposure to the polluted air. This becomes even more important for people with pre-existing respiratory problems.