Social

Home page

Social

Iranian newspaper about environmental disaster in Araz River: Along with Armenia, Iran is also its biggest polluter

19 June 2023 13:12 (UTC +04:00)

Iran’s “Payame ma” newspaper published an article of on the contamination of the Araz River with radioactive substances, APA reports.

The article stresses the contamination of the Araz River with radioactive substances and heavy metals.

It is noted that there is contamination in the river and it no more can be denied: “Araz River is contaminated with radioactive substances and heavy metals and this leads to the increase of oncological diseases among the residents”.

According to the publishment, the source of the contamination is Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant of Armenia.

According to the newspaper’s research, copper mines in Armenia also cause contamination. At the same time, it is noted that the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and the Ministry of Energy don’t investigate the radioactive contamination in the river which causes concern.

Despite numerous reports by government agencies about the pollution of the Araz River, Iranian officials have denied the presence of uranium in the river, highlights the article.

As a result of water pollution, diseases of the esophagus, stomach, liver and skin cancer have increased significantly in the population living in the border areas of the Araz River. There are also reports of an increase in diseases, especially stomach cancer, among residents living along the Araz coast, says the source.

It was also noted that alongside Armenia, Iran is also the biggest polluter of Araz River. Thus, sungun copper mine in Iran increases pollution.