The Iranian Environment Protection Organization (IEPO) started a project to dilute Tehran's air pollution by spraying water on the suffocating metropolis, Tehran Ecology Department head Ali Ashrafipur was quoted as saying by the Fars news agency today.
Five planes will spray water (2,000 liters each) into the air today, Ashrafipur said.
Five more planes will spray water over other areas in the city, he added. Each plane will spray water eight times. This will affect the level of air pollution in Tehran, he said.
Earlier, Iran announced Nov.24 and Dec. 1- 2 as days off in institutions, organizations and schools in Tehran, Rey and Shimiranat due to alarming levels of air pollution. The situation continued for two weeks.
The NYC Partnership Consulting international rating company published a list of the world's most polluted cities in early 2010. Comparing 245 large cities and capitals, the company compiled a list of the 30 dirtiest cities. The ranking took into account the level of air pollution, the degree of suitability of drinking water, the degree of recovery and recycling of waste, the availability of hospital services and medical supplies, and the presence of infectious diseases. Tehran ranked 29th in the list.