"The Mystery of the 'Black Rain' That Left Tehran Residents in Fear: Eye Irritation and Shortness of Breath"

"Black Rain" from Fuel Storage Fires
Reports of Headaches, Breathing Difficulties Continue
Concerns Over Exposure to Fine Dust and Heavy Metals

Residents near Tehran, the capital of Iran, are reporting health issues such as headaches, dizziness, and coughing after 'black rain' fell as a result of fuel storage facilities burning due to airstrikes by the United States and Israel.

According to The New York Times on March 10 (local time), after a column of black smoke rose over Tehran in the early morning of March 8, residents witnessed black rain falling from the sky.

On the 8th (local time), a fire broke out at an oil storage facility in Tehran, the capital of Iran. Yonhap News Agency, AFP

Previously, Iranian news agency IRNA and others reported that from the night of March 7 until the early morning of March 8, major fuel supply bases such as the Shahrehan oil storage facility in northwestern Tehran, fuel tanks at the southern refinery complex in the Rey area, and fuel storage facilities in Karaj on the western outskirts, came under concentrated attack.

Residents Say "Oily Film Formed After Black Rain"

Some residents said that the black rain left a sticky, paint-like oily film on their cars and roofs. There are also an increasing number of people complaining of unusual symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and coughing.

Environmental health experts attribute these symptoms to air pollution caused by attacks on Iran's fuel storage facilities. Jonathan Levy, Chair of the Department of Environmental Health at Boston University School of Public Health, said, "It reminds me of the situation in Kuwait during the Gulf War in 1991, when oil fields were set ablaze."

Residents living several kilometers away from the fuel storage facilities are also reporting similar symptoms. One resident told The New York Times, "When I woke up in the morning, the sky had turned completely black," adding, "After going outside and coming back, my face was itchy and covered with black specks."

Another resident reported experiencing eye irritation and what felt like respiratory blockage after staying in a car for about 15 minutes. The resident said, "It was as if tear gas had spread through the air," adding, "It feels like the war has reached our very throats."

Fine Particulate Matter and Carcinogens Dispersed in the Air

According to researcher Marsha Wills-Karp of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, burning oil produces massive amounts of carbon dioxide. Because this quickly displaces oxygen, people near the fire may experience early symptoms of suffocation, such as increased heart rate, rapid breathing, headaches, dizziness, and a sense of breathlessness.

Experts explained that the black debris falling from the sky consists of PM2.5 fine particles and contains black carbon. In addition, gases such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are carcinogenic, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and heavy metals including lead, arsenic, and mercury are also released. Most of these substances are classified as hazardous chemicals by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The dangers do not subside even after the rain stops. Levy said, "Many hazardous chemicals remain airborne and can affect cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, cancer, neurodevelopmental disorders, or cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer's."

Photo by Yonhap News Agency, AFP - View of Tehran, the capital city of Iran, on the 8th (local time).

Exposure to black rain initially causes skin and eye irritation, as well as coughing. Researcher Wills-Karp explained that this is the body's natural defense response to prevent toxic substances from entering. Airborne compounds can also enter the brain through the olfactory nerves at the top of the nose.

Children, the elderly, and people with underlying conditions such as heart or lung disease are particularly at risk. Pregnant women and fetuses are also known to be vulnerable to these chemicals, as such substances can cause inflammation in the placenta. The ongoing war further exacerbates the situation by increasing stress and trauma, which weakens immunity and reduces access to medical care, raising concerns.

There are concerns that the pollution may spread to neighboring countries. Pakistan's meteorological authorities have warned that pollutants from Iran could travel across the border on the wind.

Experts advise that if it is difficult to leave contaminated areas, people should stay indoors with all windows closed, wear masks if possible, and use air purifiers. However, Levy noted, "It is extremely difficult for people in the midst of war to follow such recommendations."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.