A total of 4,810 people died as a result of air pollution in the Iranian Capital of Tehran over a one-year period, according to Health Officials.

Air pollution in Tehran was the most dangerous in the country due to the high number of vehicles in the city, a spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Health said, in comments carried by the Tasnim news agency on Monday.

The reported deaths occurred over the course of the most recent year in the Persian calendar, from March 2016 to March 2017.

Particularly in warmer months, the pollution could be so acute that all primary schools, kindergartens in the city and surrounding areas are closed.

Due to a lack of adequate public transport, many Tehran residents have no alternative but to drive a car.

In addition, petrol is both cheap at about 25 cents per litre and of low quality.

Measures were introduced in 2016 that mean drivers of individual cars are only allowed on the road every other day. (dpa/NAN)