The World Health Organization warned on Tuesday that “black rain” and toxic chemicals released into the air in Iran following strikes on oil facilities could lead to respiratory problems. The agency also supported an advisory from Iranian authorities urging residents to stay indoors.
The UN health body, which operates an office in Iran and works with officials during health emergencies, said it has received several reports of oil-contaminated rainfall this week. The capital, Tehran, was covered in thick black smoke on Monday after an oil refinery was struck, marking an escalation in attacks on Iran’s domestic energy infrastructure amid the United States and Israel campaign.
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“The black rain and the acidic rain coming with it is indeed a danger for the population, respiratory mainly,” WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier told a press briefing in Geneva, adding that Iran had advised people to stay indoors.
People should take steps to protect themselves
Asked whether the WHO backed that advice, he said: “Given what is at risk right now, the oil storage facilities, the refineries that have been struck, triggering fires, bringing serious air quality concerns, that is definitely a good idea.”
He said the strikes had caused “the massive release of toxic hydrocarbons, sulfur oxides and nitrogen compounds, into the air”. Scientists said inhaling or touching the smoke or particles could cause headaches, skin and eye irritation, and difficulty breathing. Longer-term exposure to some of the compounds increases the risk of some cancers, they added.
AIR QUALITY
Scientists said that the black rain was the result of a weather pattern coming into the area, bringing rain that combined with the particles in the air.
“The rain was an eye-opener to people,” said Akshay Deoras, a research scientist at the University of Reading. But he said that long-term exposure to toxic air was likely more of a health risk, which people could protect themselves from by staying indoors, or wearing masks and covering their skin outdoors.
He said data was lacking about the air quality in the area, but stressed that weather forecasts suggested dry conditions were likely for the rest of the week. The air quality is also likely to improve over time, he added.
“The risk of exposure goes down provided we don’t see fresh strikes – if we get fresh strikes, that is going to be problematic,” he said.
