Impacts of dispersion of fine-grained Sedimentary in civilians’ health in human ecosystems of Sistan - East Iran

Development of global warming around the globe and the increase in average temperature, alongside with an increase in temperature difference between day and night specially in arid desert regions which lack green covers or a considerable body of water, has provided the necessary conditions for long lasting energetic winds to blow in hot arid regions of the earth more than ever. In addition, Long lasting energetic winds and lack of a green cover in the dry belt of the earth, causes the sedimentary grains to move across the globe and spread into the atmosphere. Different regions of Iran which are located between the 20 and 40 degrees of latitude in the north arid climate belt, in which vast low grounds are surrounded by high mountains in and outside of the country, are some of the areas that are prone to create long lasting vigorous winds. In addition to west and south-west parts of Iran which are located near Iraq and Kuwait, a large portion of Iran’s center and eastern parts, especially eastern edge of the country in the low plain of Sistan located near the Afghanistan, are the most capable areas in which various vigorous winds are created and sedimentary grains are uplifted, moved and scattered in Iran’s atmosphere and neighbor regions like Afghanistan, Pakistan and Oman sea. According to the latest published statistics from 2016, 319133 people live in Sistan region, north of Sistan Baluchestan province, within an area of 15917 Km2. These people are divided into five population center including: Zabol and Bonjar, Zahak, Hamoun, Hirman and nimrouz with 810 population center in the villages. In recent years, after a 20 years period of intensive heat, low precipitation, widespread draught and lack of a water supply for great lakes of the region –triple Hamoun lakes north of the Sistan Baluchestan province and south of the Southern Khorasan Province-, vigorous 120-days monsoon winds –which their duration has gone up to 180 days in the recent yearsalongside intensive dust storms in southern Iran, has exacerbated the air pollution to 20 times the standard limit in east and southeastern parts of the country. Move and scattered sedimentary grains cause physical a psychological harm to living members of the ecology including the people, plants and animals and increases public and private expenses in treatment of maladies caused by scatter of sedimentary grains in human environment. According to official reports, one out of every eight human deaths is caused by air pollution. Statics show that there are no years between 1979-2008 that Sistan region has not experienced dust storms. In 2011 number of days with scatter of sedimentary fine grains in Zabol’s atmosphere were 183. This count is 138 for Zahedan, capital of the Sistan Baluchestan province. Carried measurements during 2012 show that Zabol is the most polluted city in the globe in scatter of sedimentary grains. In July 1st 2016, a dust storm with a 94 km/h speed started in the region which lasted for almost two weeks and reached a speed of 105 km/h In July 14th 2016. During this storm, the density of suspended grains in the region reached 60 times the allowed limit and 22 times the critical limits. Density of suspended grains reached 9263 micro grams in cubic meter. During this dust storm, 1879 citizens referred to the ER for the complications caused by dust storm like respiratory problems, heart conditions, eye problems and traffic accidents in the routes to ERs in cities and villages. 1535 of these people were referred to healthcare centers by doctors and 58 of them were transferred to hospitals for further treatment. Planting native trees as a live hedge, managing the conservation and operation of dry and semi dry lands and fighting against desertification of the region are some of the long term controlling actions to reduce the harmful effects of production and scatter of sedimentary grains. Dredging local canals, dams, ponds and dry Hamoun Lake, avoiding the plowing of valuable grounds to prevent decadence of dense sedimentary piles and … are some of the mid-term management activities to prevent the movement and scatter of sedimentary grains on the ground and into the atmosphere. Building vernacular houses with wind-catchers on their roofs facing the prevalent winds to ventilate the interior space, special attire in form of a cloth mask to cover the face are some of the experiences of native people to prevent harms caused by the dust storms in the region and reduce the damages in natural and man made ecologies. This paper seeks to investigate the effects of scatter of sedimentary fine grains on civilian’s health (eyes and respiration system), examine the native experiences and practical scientific solutions to reduce the scatter of sedimentary grains in east of Iran, with a concentration on field studies in Sistan region.