Organised by
Iran Heritage Foundation
Date
Wednesday 5th October 2016, 6.30pm
Location
Asia House, 63 New Cavendish Street, London W1G 7LP
Description
This talk will highlight the issue of dust storms in Iran, which have emerged as a significant problem over the last decade. Climate change and less annual precipitation, along with human activities, have made some of Iran’s cities among the most air-polluted in the world, particularly Ahwaz. Additionally, instability and conflict in Syria and Iraq have led to their governments’ failure to maintain their land-management commitments and as a result have generated new dust storm hotspots.
According to Iran’s government, currently more than 60% of the country is affected by sand and dust storms. In Khuzestan and other western provinces of Iran, closing schools and business activities, and putting hospitals on high alert is a frequent event. Direct negative impacts of dust storms on public health and the economy are obvious consequences. Transboundary dust storms, in particular those generated in Syria and Iraq, impose even a greater risk to public health as they likely carry war remnants and pollutants containing heavy metals.
According to Iran’s government, currently more than 60% of the country is affected by sand and dust storms. In Khuzestan and other western provinces of Iran, closing schools and business activities, and putting hospitals on high alert is a frequent event. Direct negative impacts of dust storms on public health and the economy are obvious consequences. Transboundary dust storms, in particular those generated in Syria and Iraq, impose even a greater risk to public health as they likely carry war remnants and pollutants containing heavy metals.
Biography
Before joining the LMEI as a research associate, Dr Pouran was Iran Heritage Foundation (IHF) Visiting Fellow in Iran’s Environmental Sustainability at the LMEI's Centre for Iranian Studies, and senior research associate at Lancaster University. He was part of Transatlantic Initiative for Nanotechnology and the Environment (TINE), a top international scientific consortium of UK and US universities to better understand fate and behaviour of nanomaterials in the environment.
