Zanjan citizens staged a widespread protest on Sunday in front of the governor’s office and the office of the Friday Imam, denouncing the pollution spewed by lead and zinc factories near the city.

The Mehr News Agency reports that protesters challenged the procedures used by the lead and zinc factories located 15 kilometres outside city limits. They called for the plants to be moved to a different location.

Protesters carried banners reading: “Health is our absolute right!” and “Zanjan has the highest rate of cancer.”

The large number of protesters prompted the governor to make an appearance amid the crowd, assuring them that the factories would be shut down according to the demands of the people.

Protesters report a high incidence of lung cancer in the city due to severe air pollution caused by emissions from the plants.
(Radio Zamaneh)