Financial Tribune- Lorestan Province's air quality index reached hazardous levels on Monday due to dust storms originating from Iraq.

Mehrdad Fat'hi Beiranvand, the head of the provincial office of the Department of Environment, said the concentration of dust particles was around four times above the acceptable threshold, Tasnim News Agency reported.

The international standard for PM10 concentration (particulate matter less than 10 micrometers in diameter) is 150 �g/m3. "The AQI is above 300 in the majority of counties, including the capital Khorramabad as well as Pol-Dokhtar, Kouhdasht, Rumeshgan and Dowreh Chegeni," he said. Weather forecasts predict showers over the next two days, which may help reduce pollution levels. Based on WHO's air quality guidelines, an AQI of 0-50 is "good"; 51-100 is "moderate"; 101-150 is "unhealthy for sensitive groups"; 151-200 is "unhealthy"; 201-300 is "very unhealthy"; and 301-500 is "hazardous".