TEHRAN (Tasnim) � The head of Iran�s Environmental Protection Organization (IEPO) said the country has recently signed an agreement with France for cooperation in various areas of environmental protection, including efforts to tackle air pollution in the Islamic Republic.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Masoumeh Ebtekar, who was in France earlier this week, pointed to the diverse fields of cooperation between Tehran and Paris and said the two sides have agreed to boost scientific, technical and research cooperation to reduce air pollution.

She further referred to the air pollution problem here in Tehran, saying that many sand factories and mining sites, which had been working without permission around the capital, have been shut down.

Last month, the air pollution in the capital reached a dangerous level for all residents.

Director General of Iran�s Air Quality Control Organization Vahid Hosseini said at the time that the air pollution level was seven times higher than the limit set by the World Health Organization.

The air pollution in Tehran is primarily caused by vehicles, he noted.

Currently, 40 percent of Tehran residents use public transport, while 60 percent use their own cars.

According to Iran�s Ministry of Health, some 5,000 people die every year from the effects of pollution in Tehran and 80,000 across the country, mostly from traffic fumes.

By Tasnim News Agency