Iran’s Dust Storms
Earth’s most air polluted city.
The most air polluted region in the world is in a place by the name of Zabol, Iran. Air pollution can be both human induced, as well as earth induced. In this particular region, the air is severely polluted by the immense amount of dust that permeates this territory.
The geographical location subjects Zabol to a low pressure environment that consequently results in sand and dust storms. These storms originate from the area in Southeast Asia, called Sistan. Sistan storms impact Zabol year-round, but intensity increases during the summer months.
These storms leave significant effects on human health, inflicting human bodies with chemical dust particles.
Elemental components that make up the pollutants within the air include large amounts of SiO2, CaO, as well as trace amounts of other elements.
Human influence on these dust storm have yet to be studied, but global warming and climate change can certainly increase these occurrences since they are more likely to happen in the warmer, summer months.
References:
- Rashki, Alireza, et al. “Assessment of chemical and mineralogical characteristics of airborne dust in the Sistan region, Iran.” Chemosphere 90.2 (2013): 227–236.
- Karimov, Fatih. “Iran’s Zabol: world’s most polluted city.” Trend.Az, 12 May 2016, en.trend.az/iran/society/2532322.html.
