Center for Air Pollution Research

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About the Center

 

The Center for Air Pollution Research (CAPR) was established in 2010 by the Institute for Environmental Research (IER) at Tehran University of Medical Sciences in response to the urgent need for scientific inquiry into air pollution and its detrimental effects on human health. As the first dedicated research center of its kind in Iran, CAPR received initial approval from the Ministry of Health in 2010 and obtained its final accreditation in 2014. The center's primary mission is to generate, develop, and advance knowledge in the field of air pollution and its health outcomes. CAPR operates with a collaborative governance model, leveraging a team of dedicated and highly skilled researchers. It is equipped with advanced physical and laboratory facilities and maintains financial resources. Functioning as a scientific and technical arm of the national health system, the center provides evidence-based guidance for policy-making and decision-making on air pollution. CAPR is recognized as one of the country's leading scientific research institutions and actively collaborates with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other reputable international organizations and networks.

 

Research Focus Area

 

  • Ambient and Indoor Air Pollution Monitoring
  • Health and Economic Impact Assessment
  • Air Pollution Modeling and Source Apportionment
  • Particulate Matter Characterization and Biomonitoring
  • Air Quality Data Management
  • Development and Evaluation of Air Pollution Control Strategies
  • Exposure Assessment and Risk Reduction

 

Expertise, Facilities & Research Services

 

  • Advanced laboratory equipment for measuring ambient and indoor air pollutants
  • Particulate matter (PM) sampling and chemical characterization facilities
  • Air quality data management
  • Health impact assessment (HIA) databases
  • Design and performance evaluation of air pollution control equipment
  • Statistical and epidemiological analysis support for health effect studies
  • Collaboration with WHO and national policymakers for evidence-based guidance

 

 

Collaboration Opportunities

 

CAPR actively welcomes national and international collaborations to advance scientific knowledge and improve public health outcomes. We are open to joint research projects focusing on air pollution monitoring, health impact assessment, and the development of innovative control strategies. CAPR invites partnerships with academic institutions, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and industry stakeholders. Collaboration opportunities include faculty and student exchanges, visiting scholar programs, joint publications, and participation in international research networks. The center also collaborates with policymakers to translate research findings into effective air quality management policies.

 

Director & Key Researchers

 

Director: Dr. Mohammad Sadegh Hassanvand Email: hassanvand@tums.ac.ir

  • Key Faculty Member & Research Council Member: Dr. Sasan Faridi Email: Sfaridi@sina.tums.ac.ir
  • Key Research Council Member: Dr. Masud Yunesian Email: yunesian@tums.ac.ir
  • Key Research Council Member: Dr. Mansour shamsipour Email: shamsipour@tums.ac.ir
  • Key Research Council Member: Dr. Mohsen Heidari Email: moheidari@modares.ac.ir
  • Key Research Council Member: Dr. Ali Ahmadi Orkomi Email: orkomi@gmail.com
  • Key Research Council Member: Dr. Zahra Soleimani Email: ronak_soleimani@yahoo.com

 

Selected Achievements

 

  • Contributor to the development of the World Health Organization's Global Air Quality Guidelines
  • Principal investigator / Executor of air quality monitoring projects and health impact estimation studies across Iran.
  • Conducting source apportionment studies for airborne particulate matter emissions in Tehran.
  • Conducting a study on indoor and outdoor air quality assessment in Tehran.
  • Conducting studies on the assessment of health impacts of major development projects.
  • Achieving the second rank among the research centers of Tehran University of Medical Sciences
  • Development of low-cost sensors for air quality monitoring.Development of over 50 environmental health guidelines commissioned by the Ministry of Health.
  • Development of an advocacy document for air pollution reduction
  • Scientific-executive advisor to the Department of Environment, the Ministry of Health, and the Tehran Municipality in the field of air quality management.

 

Why Collaborate with Us?

 

CAPR is the first and foremost research center in Iran dedicated to air pollution and health, offering unparalleled expertise and infrastructure. Our unique strengths include:

  • First-of-its-kind national center with official accreditation from the Ministry of Health
  • Established collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international bodies
  • Comprehensive research capabilities spanning monitoring, modeling, health impact assessment, and control strategies
  • Access to national air quality data and ground-based monitoring networks
  • Strong policy engagement to translate scientific evidence into actionable public health interventions
  • Skilled multidisciplinary research team with extensive international publication records

 

Contact Information

 

  • Official Name: Center for Air Pollution Research (CAPR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences
  • Postal Address: Institute for Environmental Research, Second Fl. Reyhaneh Bldg. Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Keshavarz Blvd. Gharib St.Tehran, Iran
  • Telephone: +98 (21) 66581704
  • Email: CAPR-ier@tums.ac.ir
Last Update At : 06 September 2026