Orumiyeh, West Azarbaijan prov, Dec 24, IRNA - Vice-President and Head of the Department of Environment Massoumeh Ebtekar said here Thursday that comprehensive studies are underway to prevent air pollution in metropolises.


Upon arrival in this northwestern Iranian province, Ebtekar said such studies are aimed at preventing air pollution in large cities which are facing air pollution.

Last week, dangerous levels of air pollution forced officials to announce three days of holidays for aa schools and kindergartens in the capital.

Chairman of Tehran City Council Mehdi Chamran announced Tuesday that air pollution claims lives of 180 people every day in the capital.

Cooperation between all related sectors plays leading role to prevent air pollution, said Ebtekar.

About her travel to West Azarbaijan, Ebtekar said projects to revive Orumiyeh Lake will be reviewed.

Orumiyeh Lake, known as Lake Urmia, is an endorheic salt lake in northwest of the country.

It between the provinces of East Azerbaijan and West Azerbaijan, and west of the southern portion of the Caspian Sea.

At its full size, it was the largest lake in the Middle East and the sixth largest saltwater lake on earth with a surface area of approximately 5,200 km� (2,000 mile�), 140 km (87 mi) length, 55 km (34 mi) width, and 16 m (52 ft) depth.

The lake has shrunk to 10% of its former size due to damming of the rivers that flow into it and pumping of groundwater from the area.

By IRNA