The opening of Iran's first private petrochemical unit in Mahshahr (Mashour), on the Gulf coast of Ahwaz (Khuzestan) has sparked fears of an environmental catastrophe among Ahwazi activists.
The first phase of the Rejal Petrochemical Complex is being completed this week, with the opening of a polypropylene plant. The plant will have an initial output of 90,000 tonnes per annum, but is expected to reach 160,000 tonnes when production reaches capacity. The Chairman of the company's board of directors, Ali Mohammad Rejali, claimed that investors from Isfahan had spent IRR950 billion (US$100 million) on the complex so far. He also said that the private sector is currently carrying out preliminaries for the construction of the largest unit to produce mega methanol. The unit is scheduled to come on stream in the next Iranian year (to start March 21, 2007).
Ahwazi environmentalists believe that Mahshahr is already an environmental disaster zone due to high levels of pollution. In October, there were reports that thousands of fish died off the coast of Mahshahr due to toxic chemicals from the petrochemical complex run by the Bandar Imam Petrochemical Company, a subsidiary of the state-owned National Petrochemical Company ( click here for further information ). This has affected the livelihoods and health of local Arab fishermen. Qatar banned imports of seafood from Iran due to radioactive contamination, indicating that marine pollution is a long-term industrial disaster.
Reza Vashahi, an environmentalist who lived for 25 years in Mashahr, told the British Ahwazi Friendship Society: "Mahshahr is one of the most polluted areas in Middle East and Arab Gulf. The Rejal Petrochemical Complex adds to the environmental problems facing this part of the Gulf region.
"Emissions from industries have led to respiratory problems among the local population. While local Ahwazi Arabs are suffering the health problems associated with the petrochemical industry, most are barred from employment due to racial discrimination. For the Ahwazis, it is a lose-lose situation."
Labels: environment
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keywords: ahvaz ahwaz ahwazi arabistan khuzestan khuzistan khuzestani arab arabistan iran iranian human rights security oil news ahmadinejad ethnic cleansing
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