Iran: Darkness during the day and black rain raise concerns in Tehran

Arab Weather - After months of drought, rain began to fall on the Iranian capital, Tehran, during the past 48 hours, but this rain was anything but ordinary... its drops carried black soot and toxic chemical pollutants that pose a real danger to the environment and public health.

The fires at the oil facilities led to the emission of enormous quantities of smoke and toxic gases, which blocked sunlight and turned Tehran’s daytime into almost total darkness, affecting rain clouds and precipitation characteristics, until the rain turned into what is scientifically known as “black rain”.

How does black rain form?

• Oil fires release fine particles of soot or black carbon, as well as gases such as SO₂, NO₂, carbon monoxide (CO), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

• As it rains, the water droplets collect these particles and pollutants and carry them to the ground, making the rain dark and chemically contaminated.

Environmental and health impacts

• Soil and water: direct pollution that harms agriculture, plants, and wildlife.
• Public health: Exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 particles increases the risk of respiratory, eye, and skin diseases.
• Visibility and atmosphere: Polluted clouds and thick smoke block sunlight, making the sky dark and like a black blanket covering the city.
• Weather indicators and measurement variations

Summary

Black rain is not just a strange phenomenon, but a serious environmental and health warning. Understanding how it forms and its harmful effects on humans and the environment allows us to prepare and take preventative measures, and underscores the importance of continuously monitoring air quality and weather conditions.