Iranian Journal of Health and Environment
Year:2010 | Volume:3 | Issue:1 (7)|Papers Count:12

Backgrounds and Objectives: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential effect of environmental exposure to toxic metal (cadmium) on pregnancy outcome and fetal growth.Materials and Methods: 330 normal pregnant women were randomly selected from vali-e-asr hospital, from July 2003 through Feb. 2005. Cadmium was measured in umbilical cord blood and mother whole blood of postpartum women without occupational exposure to metals in Tehran, Iran, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.Result: Whole blood cadmium and cord blood cadmium ranged from 0.00 to 6.30 mg/L, respectively. In the group higher level of maternal blood cadmium (> 0.40 mg/L) 1cm decrease was seen in neonatal birth height. (p=0.007)There was a significant association between cadmium exposure and birth weight. Mann-whitney test showed that, maternal blood cadmium level, was significantly negatively associated with neonatal birth weight (z=-1.83, P<0.06).Conclusion: It was concluded that environmental exposure to cadmium significantly reduces neonatal birth height.

Background and Objectives: Nowadays nitrate concentrations in surface water and especially in groundwater have increased in many locations in the world. Since nitrates cause many health and environmental concerns, increased nitrate concentrations in groundwater have led to rendered aquifers unusable as water sources. So, as the water demand is still increasing the throughout the world, decreasing the nitrate concentration in drinking water is imperative. Magnesium powder has been determined to be potentially useful for the removal of nitrate in the water environment. This research is aimed at subjecting the kinetics of nitrate chemical reduction by Mgo to an analysis of some factors affecting the chemical denitrification.Materials and Methods: Nitrate concentrations determined in 220 nm using a spectrophotometer. To determine the performance of nitrate removal by Mg0 powder, double distilled water was used for preparation of reagents and simulation of contaminated water with nitrate.All experiments were triplicate and the averaged results were reported.Results: Kinetics analysis from batch studies revealed that the denitrification reaction with Mgo powder appeared to be a first-order with respect to substrate and the observed reaction rate constant (kobs). The effects of mixing intensity on the denitrification rate suggest that the denitrification appears to be coupled with oxidative dissolution of magnesium through a largely mass transportlimited surface reaction. Also in the denitrification by Mgo determined that Mgo dose related with kobs( R2>0/99 )S Conclusion: In this research was determined that denitrification effectively by Mg0 powder can achieved in a wide range of concentrations under atmospheric conditions and without pH controlling within short reaction time. Denitrification rate was related to some parameters such as contact time, Mgo dosage, mixing rate and initial nitrate concentration.

Backgrounds and Objectives: Domestic sewers and wastewater treatment plants are suitable places for the growth of some types of Cockroaches. Annually the water and wastewater company of Qom city make considerable attempts to overwhelm the problem. The current study is aimed to determine types of Cockroaches and select the optimal methods for their control.Materials andMethods: In this study, 120 manholes are selected in different locations of Qom city, the numbers of Cockroaches are counted and the Cockroaches are classified into different groups. Then, each group are faced to different insecticides Including Simperator, Diazinon , Dursban Ec, Faikam, Sipermetrin, Icon, Deltametrina and Sulfac. One group of manholes was considered as blank sample during one month. Counting and determination of Cockroaches in these manholes conducted before using insecticides and also five months after it. Results: the study showed that all sewers were 100% polluted by Cockroaches. The number of Cockroaches in manholes range from minimum 4 to maximum 3600 in each manhole. The applied of insecticides including Dursban Ec, Simperator, Sulfac, Dursban, and Deltametrina are used 2 gr in 100 square meter of area of each sewer. The Cockroaches population reduced to approximately zero after application of these insecticides. Spraying sewers by Simperator controlled 100% of Cockroaches.Conclusion: the most effective method for the control of Cockroaches was usage of 2 gr of Dursban (Ec) in squaremeter of area in the beginning of warmseason. If we use 1-1/5months interval between the time of spraying insecticide in selected wells, with using simperator and dursban (Ec) we can overwhelm Cockroaches using Simperator and Dursban Ec. The results of statistical analysis show that reduction of number of coackroaches in one month after using poison is significant (P-value< 0.05). But after 5months it lose meaningful in all of them.Also, reduction of number of coackroaches in blank manholes was not statistically significant.

Backgrounds and Objectives: Phosphate discharges from domestic and industrial waste water to water bodies. High concentrations of phosphate in water stimulate the eutrophication phenomenon that causes taste and odor in water, losing dissolved oxygen and aquatic life in rivers or surface waters. Aim of this study is survey of phosphate adsorption on simple nano zeolite Y and nano zeolite Y that was modified with a cationic surfactant (HDTMA-Br).Materials and Methods: In This study we used simple nano zeolite Y and nano zeolite Y in form of Surfactant Modified Zeolites (SMZs) using batch tests to adsorption of Phosphate fromAqueous Solutions. The adsorbants were contacted with different initial phosphor concentrations (5, 10 and 15 mg/l), pH (4, 7, 12), contact time (30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 minutes) and weight of adsorbant (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1g). The extracted solution was determined for Phosphate concentration by the ammonium molybdate and tin chloride method with spectrophotometric detection at 680 nm.Results: Results of this study show that, with increase in contact time, decrease in pH, increase in zeolites concentration and decrease in initial phosphate concentration, the removal efficiency increased. And the Both isotherm of Langmuir and Freundlich models (r2 > 0.997 and r2 > 0.996 respectively) were agreement with adsorption equilibrium of phosphate. Reduced Chi-Sqr For Langmuir and Freundlich models were (0.00079) and (0.0011) respectively. Pseudo first-order kinetic models fits well with experimental data (r2>0.963).Conclusion: From this survey, it is concluded that performance of modified nano zeolite Y for adsorption of phosphate in same conditions is better than non-modified zeolite Y. In general the modified nano zeolite Y presented a good profile for removal of phosphate. Therefore SMZs is a suitable candidate for removal of Phosphate molecules from contaminated solutions in contaminated waters.

Backgrounds and Objectives: Hexavalent Chromium is an important contaminant in surface and ground waters and removal from contaminated water and waste water has received interest in recent years. Modified Zeolite with cationic surfactant can remove Cr(VI) from contaminant water. The aim of this research is investigation of Cr (VI) removal from aqueous solutions and its effective parameters by using Modified Zeolite with cationic surfactant.Materials and Methods: In this research the efficiency of Cr(VI) removal and impact of the important parameters including adsorbent dose, pH and contact time in the batch system was studied.Results: The results of this research showed that SMZ can remove more than 90 * Cr(VI) in the concentration 0.1-1.25 mg/l with optimum dose 0.3 gr and pH=6 120 minute in contact time.Conclusion: Modified natural zeolite have significant potential inCr(VI) removal fromcontaminated water.Maximumpercent removal of Cr(VI) was in the pH=6 and 120 minute contact time.Adsorption data in the equilibrium was fitted with Langmuir isotherm. Separation factor was between 0 and 1 that indicates the favorable condition for Cr(VI) adsorption on the SMZ.

Backgrounds and Objectives: Today, due to health, environmental and economical problems, of chlorine application, UV radiation is better option than chlorine for disinfection of effluent. The aim of this study was disinfection of secondary effluent with UV radiation.Materials and Methods: Two types of UV disinfection system including low pressure (LP) and medium pressure (MP) was used to disinfection of Isfahan North Wastewater Treatment Plant (INWWTP) effluent without pretreatment. Single and combined lamps were operated to evaluate the removal of total and fecal coliforms (TC and FC), and fecal streptococcus (FS). TSS, iron, hardness, UV absorption and transmittance were analyzed in order to observe the fouling of the quartz sleeves.Results: After using LP lamp with dose of 161 mws/cm2, TC and FC content was declined to standard level (1000 TC, and 400 FC/100ml). In addition, disinfection with MP lamp was led to FS content of 400 MPN/100 mL. Combination of LP and MP, with dose of 460 mws/cm2 could be met the environmental requirements of TC & FC, and the FS count was reached to 400 MPN/100 mL with dose of 237 mws/cm2. Maximum photo-reactivation percentage of coliforms after LP and MP lamps were appeared 15 and 3 percent respectively, while it was not observed for FS.Conclusion: High fluctuation in secondary effluent quality of INWWTP mainly TSS concentration was caused to decline of the UVT value. Therefore, disinfection of effluent by LP, MP and even combined both systems are not applicable in conventional UV dose. Hence, using advanced process unit before UV disinfection system is necessary for removal of TSS.

Backgrounds and Objectives: One of environmental outcomes in industrial towns is developing environmental pollution such as production of industrial wastewaters. These industrial wastewaters should be appropriately treated before entering to receiving waters. However we can’t solve environmental anxieties by establishing of wastewater treatment plants alone; but permanent and regular assessment of these treatment plants performance is necessary for achieving environmental standards. Thus, this research has been done in order to investigation of activated sludge performance in wastewater treatment of Agghala industrial town in Golestan province.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study implemented in sewage treatment plant laboratory of Agghala industrial town in Golestan within 12 months at 2007. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) parameter determined twice in week, But Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) test accomplished weekly. pH measured by pH meter daily. Experiment of total suspended solids (TSS) and total dissolved solids (TDS) carried out every 10 days. All tests accomplished according to standard method for water and wastewater examination (2005). Then data analyzed using excel 2007.Results: The average of BOD, COD and TSS in influent was 11196.17, 1854.58, 1232.25 mg/L respectively.Maximum influent organic loading rate was related to Shahrivar andMehr months. The total average of removal efficiency for BOD, COD and TSS was calculated 99.66, 98.2, and 97.6% respectively.Conclusion: Quality of this treatment plant effluent was according to effluent disposal standards all over year. In sum, efficiency of this treatment plant (activated sludge system) was very good in influent pollutant removing. However occasionally effluent was not adapted with environmental standards but these deficiencies is solvable by accurate management and supervision on flow rate and influent organic loading rate easily.

Backgrounds and Objectives: The dispersion of particulate matter has been known as the most serious environmental pollution of cement plants. In the present work, dispersion of the particulate matter from stack of Kerman Cement Plant was investigated using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling.Materials and Methods: In order to study the dispersion of particulate matter from the stack, a calculation domain with dimensions of 8000m × 800m × 400m was considered. The domain was divided to 936781 tetrahedral control volumes. The mixture two-phase model was employed to model the interaction of the particulate matter (dispersed phase) and air (continuous phase). The Large Eddy Simulation (LES) method was used for turbulence modeling.Results: The concentration of particulate matter in the whole calculation domain was computed. The predicted concentrations were compared to the measured values from the literature and a good agreement was observed. The predicted concentration profiles at different cross sections were analyzed.Conclusion: The results of the present work showed that CFD is a useful tool for understanding the dispersion of particulate matter in air. Although the obtained results were promising, more investigations on the properties of the dispersed phase, turbulent parameters and the boundary layer effect is needed to obtain more accurate results.

Backgrounds and Objectives: In Iran , indicated that the municipal landfill leachate has been one of the major problem for environment. In the operations, leachate treatment is a very difficult and expensive process. Although, young leachate can be treated easily by biological treatment, COD removal efficiency are usually low due to high ammonium ion content and the presence of toxic compounds such as metal ions. Treatment of leachate is necessary.The aim of this study is reduction of Chemical Oxygen Demond (COD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) from hamedan city sanitary landfill leachate by three coagulants: alum, PAC and ferrous sulfate.Materials and Methods:This experimental study was conducted to investigate the effect of treatment of landfill leachate by a coagulation–flocculation process. The effects of different amounts of coagulant and different pH values on the coagulation processes were compared.Results: result of this survey show that the high efficiency for COD removal by PAC in pH=12 and 2500(mg/l) concentration of PAC was 62.66%, by alum in pH=12 and 1000 (mg/l) concentration of alum was 60% , by ferrous sulfate in pH=2 and 1000 (mg/l) concentration of ferrous sulfate was 70.62%. Also result shown the high efficiency for TSS removal by PAC in pH=12 and 2500(mg/l) concentration of PAC was 58.37%, with alum in pH=2 and 1500 (mg/l) concentration of alum was39.14% , by ferrous sulfate in pH=7 and 2500(mg/l) concentration of ferrous sulfate was 35.58%.Conclusion: The best coagulant for COD removal is ferrous sulfate.The physico-chemical process may be used as a useful pretreatment step, especially for fresh leachates, prior to post-treatment (polishing) step for partially stabilized leachates.

Backgrounds and Objectives: Fanavaran petrochemical company is located on the shore of Persian Gulf on west south of Iran, Imam Khomeini Bandar, petrochemical special economic zone with of 25 hectares area. Two units of this company, methanol unit with production capacity 1000000 tons/ years andmonoxide carbon unit with 140000 tons/years were studied for determination and emissionfactors of SO2, CO2, CO, NO, NO2, NOx Gases.Materials and methods: With attention to project goals, for implementation of this project 14 months took into from April 2008 till June2009.For goals provide of mentioned research on this basis, 32case sampling were done from 3 emission sources by using of direct reading device of gas concentration according to standard methods of United State Environmental Protection Agency.Results: Results of the study indicate that concentration of issued pollutant gases from these units is in the level lower than Iran department of environment standard level. The total amount of emission Factory of SO2, CO2, CO, NO, NO2, NOx gases diffused from these units are11.7×10-6, 81/8×10-6, 0.14×10-6, 431.5×10-6, 19.2×10-6 , 681.2×10-6kg /tons million production in a year respectively.Conclusion: Parameters which optimization is performed in accordance with them, include of additional air percentage, exit air temperature from pre heater, and fuel type, in fact with regarding these 3 factors. effects, the work is done in a manner that the amount of pollutants diffusion is near to minimum and the selected best fuel.

Backgrounds and Objectives: Much attention has been recently paid on using waste materials as adsorbents for removal of contaminants from water and wastewater. A new low cost waste was examined for its capacity to adsorb RR198, an azo reactive model dye, from an aqueous solution. Materials andMethods: The waste was dried, powdered and characterized before being used as an adsorbent. The effects of pH (3-10), adsorbent dose (0.2-3 g), dye concentration and contact time on the adsorption efficiency were investigated. Equilibrium study data were modeled using Langmuir and Freundlich models. Results: The characterization analysis indicated that itwas composedmainly of ferric hydroxide. The powder had a BET and average pore size of 107 m2/g and 4.5 nm, respectively. The results showed that dye removal was highest at a solution pH of 7 to 8 and a powder dose of 2 g/L. The RR198 removal percentage decreased from 100& to 43& at 140 min contact time when the concentration of dye was increased from 25 mg/L to 100 mg/L, at optimum pH and dosage. The Langmuir equation provided the best fit for the experimental data. The maximum adsorption capacity was calculated to be 34.4 mg/g. Conclusion: According to the obtained results, the water coagulation waste sludge appears to be a suitable low cost and effcient adsorbent for removing reactive azo dyes from waste streams.

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate water consumption, domestic wastewater generation and organic matter concentration, based on both, economical income and meteorological temperature.Materials and Methods: The method of this study is descriptive and analytical. A checklist was used to collect data on economical income. Water consumption was obtained based on water bills. Wastewater generation and organic matter such as biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) per capita/ day were measured every four hours, during a day in three regions of Kermanshah city: Kasra, Ellaheiah and Taavon.Results: Comparing water consumption in winter and summer showed significant difference in three regions, mentioned above. The water consumption was (398 ± 75, 291 ± 48 and 188 ± 50) for warm climate and (200 ± 25, 188 ± 35 and 140 ± 41) for three regions respectively in cold weather. In spite of an apparent difference in BOD in three regions, it was not significant statistically. Waterconsumption has strongly considerable relationship with economical income (r =0.988, P_value <0.001), while the generated wastewater in these regions were not different, statistically for warm climate (220 ± 60, 204 ± 15 and 170 ±34), and in cold weather (170 ± 21, 158 ± 31 and 112 ± 29), also the generated wastewater did not have considerable difference in cold climate. This study confirms that, the effects of these two parameters, i.e.monthly economical income and environmental temperature on water consumption, generated wastewater and biodegradable organic loading per capita/day is considerable. It was concluded that water consumption and wastewater generations were much more in warm climate than in cold weather.Conclusion: Finally through this study the estimation of water consumption, wastewater generation and BOD concentration becomes possible, which is beneficial for establishment of water consumption.