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Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/22/world/middleeast/22tehran.html
Energy Policy in Iran Leaves Many Gasping
(New York Times) William Yong - A dense and noxious wall of smog has only rarely lifted from Tehran during the past two months. The smog may have been of Iran's own making, as officials ordered at least five of the country's major petrochemical plants to switch production to gasoline after Western pressure led many of the world's top refining companies to cut off Iran's imports. Iran's new supply of domestic gasoline may contain high levels of aromatics which when burned in car engines produces exhaust packed with high concentrations of "particulates" that, added to the typical smog caused by nitrous oxides and ozone, can cause a range of health problems. Last month, Health Minister Marzieh Vahid-Dastjerdi reported a 30% increase in pollution-related health problems.