Author­ities also ordere­d mines and cement factor­ies provin­ce to close and reinfo­rced regula­r traffi­c restri­ctionsTEHRAN: Iran shut primary schools in the capital and other parts of the country on Sunday due to choking levels of air pollution. Local authorities late Saturday announced the closure of all primary schools in the province of Tehran, which is home to 14 million residents, except in two towns. Authorities also ordered mines and cement factories in Tehran province to close and reinforced regular traffic restrictions in the capital’s centre. Every year, Tehran suffers some of the worst pollution in the world when cool temperatures cause an effect known as “temperature inversion”. In 2014, almost 400 people were hospitalised with heart and respiratory problems caused by pollution in Tehran.

Source: The Express Tribune December 17, 2017 10:41 UTC