The World Health Organization is sounding the alarm after reports of black rain in Iran, as attacks on oil refineries and storage sites sent thick, black smoke billowing over Tehran. When that smoke mixed with rain, it fell as greasy, soot-filled drops, nothing you want to breathe in or get on your skin. Scientists are warning people about real health dangers here, and the government’s telling everyone to stay inside while toxic chemicals hang in the air.

Source: X

What Caused the Toxic ‘Black Rain’ Over Tehran?

• Oil facility strikes: Strikes on oil storage facilities and oil refineries near Tehran led to massive oil blazes, which caused thick black smoke to rise into the atmosphere.
• Release of toxic chemicals: The oil blazes and strikes on petroleum facilities released toxic hydrocarbons, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen compounds into the atmosphere, all of which contribute to serious pollution.
• Mixing rain with pollutants: Scientists believe that the black rain is formed after rainwater passes through the atmosphere filled with pollutants such as soot, oil droplets, and fine particulate matter from the oil blazes.
• Acidic rain: Environmental experts believe that the rainwater carrying pollutants has the potential to achieve a pH level of 4-4.4, which is more acidic than normal rain and has the potential to cause irritation to the skin and eyes.
• Heavy particulate pollution: Oil blazes are also responsible for the release of PM2.5 particles, benzene, and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are known to enter deep into the lungs and bloodstream.

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Why Is the WHO Warning About Serious Health Risks?

According to WHO health officials, inhaling or coming into contact with particulate matter from burning smoke can result in immediate respiratory symptoms, including headaches, irritation to the skin, burning of the eyes, and difficulty breathing; children, elderly persons, and persons who have an underlying respiratory disease have the greatest risk.

Scientists believe that prolonged exposure to these chemicals can be even more harmful than short-term exposure. For example, benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), found in smoke from burning oil, are implicated in increasing the likelihood of developing cancer and chronic lung disease.

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Can the Environmental Impact be Felt Beyond Tehran?

Experts believe that the environmental impact of the pollution can also be felt beyond the health problems. The toxic particles released into the atmosphere can settle on the land and water sources, potentially affecting agricultural land and water supplies. Similarly, oil-fire pollution can leave behind heavy metals and chemicals on the city surfaces after rain.

According to meteorologists, the air quality is likely to improve gradually if dry weather conditions persist and there are no further strikes. While authorities are still monitoring the situation, the black rain in Iran is a poignant reminder of the potential for industrial disasters and conflicts to quickly snowball into environmental and health catastrophes.

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