TEHRAN — Sand mines located in southwestern Tehran, which had been one of the main sources of pollution in the city, were closed permanently, Mehr news agency reported.

Owing to the district 18 municipality’s serious bid for closing down the sand mines which are claimed to be the main hotspots for air pollution in Tehran particularly during cold seasons the mines are forced to stop operating permanently.

The mines illegal activities have contributed to the water contamination, air and noise pollution and in general they were a threat for the residents’ health, district 18 mayor Behrouz Mohammadzadeh said.

Thanks to Tehran City Council, judiciary, and police force we finally succeeded in closing down these illegal units, Mohammadzadeh added.

By the beginning of the cold season worries over persisting air pollution usually caused by temperature inversion start to grow. It is believed that along with cars and sand storms from neighboring countries, sand mines are also playing a huge role in intensifying the suffocating air pollution.

MQ/MG