Why is it in the news?
Residents of Tehran experienced a phenomenon known as black rain after Israeli strikes on Iranian oil facilities.
The event raised serious environmental and public health concerns.
Category: Environment
Important Points:
● Black rain refers to rainfall contaminated with soot, ash, oil particles and industrial chemicals.
● It occurs when pollutants released from fires or explosions mix with rainwater.
● Israeli strikes triggered fires at oil facilities releasing hydrocarbons, sulfur oxides and nitrogen compounds.
● Rainfall passing through this polluted air absorbed contaminants and fell as dark precipitation.
● The World Health Organisation warned that the phenomenon poses serious health risks.
● Exposure may cause headaches, skin irritation, breathing problems and eye irritation.
● Long-term exposure to chemicals such as benzene can increase cancer risk.
● Pollutants may contaminate soil, groundwater and enter the food chain.
● A famous historical example of black rain occurred after the Hiroshima nuclear bombing.