Variations of Particulate Matter of Tehran City and Its Effects

The current study was designed to investigate PM2.5 status in Tehran from 2011 to 2022.

Hourly data of particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations in the air of Tehran city were examined from all air quality monitoring stations belonging to the Department of Environmental and the Air Quality Control Company. The health effects of this air pollutant were estimated, including the number of attributed deaths, using BenMAP-CE and the latest version of AirQ+ software. Additionally, the economic costs associated with health impacts were calculated using the Value of Statistical Life approach.

During the 12-year period under study (from 2011 to the end of 2022), PM2.5 concentrations in of Tehran city consistently exceeded the established standards by a significant margin. The annual values were approximately 5 to 8 times higher than the new guidelines of the World Health Organization and 2.5 to 3.5 times higher than the national standards. As a result, the citizens of Tehran have been exposed to a considerably high level of this cancer-causing risk factor. The number of deaths attributed to PM2.5 in the year 2022 reached around 9,241 (with a range of 8,583 to 9,647) in individuals over 25 years of age. Furthermore, the economic loss resulting from these deaths due to PM2.5 in the ambient air of Tehran in the year 2022 were estimated to be around 2.5 billion dollars.

Considering the undesirable air quality in Tehran city, planning and implementing scientific and practical programs to reduce air pollutant concentrations in this city are considered vital necessities.