Iranian Journal of Health and Environment
Year:2015 | Volume:8 | Issue:1|Papers Count:12

Background and Objectives: Arsenic contamination is of great environmental concern due to its toxic effects as a carcinogen. In order to assess soil arsenic contamination and its distribution patterns, surface soil samples collected from the urban areas of Arak were analyzed.Materials and Methods: Totally, 62 surface soil samples were collected from depth of 0–20 cm of different locations including parks, green spaces, agricultural, roadsides, and squares of Arak City. The spatial distribution of arsenic in soil was mapped using GIS and kriging method.Results: The concentration of arsenic in the surface soil of Arak City was between 2.2- 10.8 mg/kg (average: 5.78 mg/kg). Spatial analysis showed that arsenic contamination enhances in the city center and there was an increasing trend from south to north. In addition, the mean arsenic concentration in the urban topsoil samples from Arak was lower compared with mean concentration for other cities around the world.Conclusion: It seems that arsenic in soil is controlled by natural and anthropogenic factors. The highest concentrations of arsenic in center and the north areas reflected arsenic loading is originated from anthropogenic sources such as vehicles and industrial processes.

Background & Objectives: Dust storms happening frequently in arid and semiarid regions of the world carry huge amount of particulate matters; hence, these are recognized as one of the most important environmental issues at regional and international scales. This study aimed to evaluate heavy metals laden dustfall particles in Sanandaj, Khoramabad, and Andimeshk cities, West Iran.Materials & Methods: Sampling of dustfall particles was conducted once every 10 days from June 20, 2012 for one year at three stations of Sanandaj, Khorramabad, and Andimeshk simultaneously using Deposit Gauge Method. The concentration of Fe and Mn were measured using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy was used for analyzing Ni, Cr, Ag, As, Cu, and Zn. Then, pollution levels for the heavy metals were evaluated using Geo-Accumulation Index (Igeo) and Integrated Pollution Index (IPI). Mineralogy and morphology of the dustfall particles were inspected using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.Results: Igeo index indicated that levels of pollution for Ag and Cu were higher than As and Zn among the dustfall particles of the three stations whereas the concentrations of the other heavy metals were not evaluated as contaminant. Moreover, means of IPI values calculated for stations of Sanandaj, Khorramabad, and Andimeshk were 2.86, 1.55 and 1.40 respectively. X-ray diffraction revealed abundance of silicate (quartz) and carbonate (calcite) minerals in dustfall particles. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy emphasized on similarity of shape of dustfall particles in the three stations.Conclusion: Although mean of dustfall particles on area unit in Sanandaj station was less than Khorramabad and Andimeshk, heavy metals concentration was relatively higher among the sampled dustfall particles.

Background and Objectives: Reduction of released extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) during sludge dewatering is one of the main challenges in sludge treatment process. The aim of this study was to investigate the EPS quantity changes within sludge dewatering by continues ultrasonic – electrocoagulation (US – EC) reactor under different conditions and to determine the most efficient case for reducing these substances.Materials and Methods: In this study, the EPS quantity changes in supernatant were compared after undergoing different conditions of ultrasonic (frequency of 35 and 130 KHz, detention time of 3,5,10, and 30 min) and electrocoagulation (voltage of 20, 30, and 40 V, detention time of 10, 20, and 30 min) processes were compared.Results: The research found that the maximum efficiency of the US-EC reactor was achieved at a frequency of 35 KHz and detention time of 5 min for ultrasonic with voltage of 40 V and at detention time of 30 min for electrocoagulation process as under these conditions total EPS concentration reduced by 69%.Conclusion: According to the results achieved, US – EC reactor significantly reduced the released EPS in supernatant in addition to dewatering sludge.

Background and objectives: Perchloroethylene (PCE) is categorized as contaminant of concern because of its adverse health effects and persistence in drinking water resources. Permeable reactive barrier with zero valent iron (ZVI-PRB) is a passive zone in which chlorinated ethenes are degraded in situ through the chemical reduction mechanism. The objective of the present investigation was optimization and modelling of ZVI-PRB technology for the elimination of PCE from the aqueous environment using response surface methodology.Materials and methods: In order to simulate ZVI-PRB, a column filled with silica sand and ZVI was used. effects of three variables including pH, column height or barrier thickness and flow on reductive de chlorination efficiency were assessed. Design of experiment, modelling, and data analysis were carried out using response surface method.Results: The de chlorination efficiency was about 93% under optimum conditions (pH=5, 26 cm column height and 2 mL/min flow rate). The ascending trend of pH along the column revealed that the reductive condition was dominant within the column. The R2 value of 0.98 also indicated good fitness of the experimental results and model predictions.Conclusion: Based on the results, ZVI-PRB technology has high efficiency in de chlorination of PCE. Likewise, regarding to no need of energy consumption, abundance of iron, no production of harmful by-products and cost-effectiveness, ZVI-PRB is propounded as a stable, green, and environmental friendly technology in groundwater remediation.

Background & Objectives: This paper, discussed the concentrations of heavy metals such as cadmium, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, chromium, iron, and magnesium in surface sediments of the Gulf of Chabahar.Materials & Methods: Samples of coastal sediment and shallow waters were collected from five different stations in summer and winter, 2013.Results: The research found that the concentrations of heavy metals in sediments is more than water, although the concentrations of metals in sediment and water from different stations followed a general trend. Seasonal variation had effect on the concentration of metals, so that in winter, the concentration of heavy metals such as copper, lead, zinc, cadmium, and nickel was more than of the summer season.Conclusion: Generally, concentration of heavy metals in the study area was less than the quality guidelines for sediments and water. However, between different stations, higher concentrations of heavy metals were found in stations nearby the fishing ports. The results show that increase in the concentrations of heavy metals can contribute considerable impacts on the pollution level due to fishing boats in the study area; although some metals are also of natural origin.

Background and Objectives: one of the most important environmental concerns is heavy metals emissions from human activities to natural ecosystems, particularly transfer to soil. The aims of this study were measured the concentrations of Cu, Zn and Cr in landfill soil and hospital waste ash of Shahrekord municipal solid waste landfill.Materials and Methods: Soil samples were collected from three sites: out of the landfill, municipal landfill and hospital landfill. In each site 2, 1, and 1 stations ware selected respectively and each sample was replicated in three times.Results: We found that there was a significant difference between concentrations of Cu, Zn and Cr in the landfills soil (95% confidence, P <0.05). Furthermore, the highest levels of Zn and Cu were detected in the hospital landfill and also for Cr in the municipal landfills. However, the concentration levels of heavy metals in all of the sites were in order as follows: Zn>Cu>Cr.Conclusion: High concentrations of metals determined in the present study represents the high application of these metals in the structure of municipal and hospital solid wastes and also their inaccurate separation. Thus, awareness about physical and chemical characteristics of municipal and hospital wastes and also the landfill soil is necessary for evaluating their effects on the soil quality and surrounding environments.

Background and Objectives: Although amount of hospital waste generation is less than urban waste generation, but because of health risks involved, these wastes need to be managed precisely and specifically. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to survey quality and quantity of waste generation in Emam Khomaini Hospital, Karaj, Iran and to estimate its generation process in future.Materials and Methods: the total amount of different waste percentage and its weight were examined and analyzed through monthly sampling from segregated waste (including general, infectious, pharmaceutical, and sharp wastes) in Emam Khomaini Hospital in Karaj during four years (2010-2013).Results: the hospital waste generation rate became double during four years of study. Among different types of waste, the highest monthly averages per bed for general and infectious waste was 48.3 and 46.5% respectively. In addition, the most and least amount of waste generation was observed in April and September respectively. Analysis of variance showed that the increasing trend of waste generation had a significant difference (P<0.001). Moreover, the estimate of waste generation process through ARIMA time series model represented continuation of increasing trend of waste generation up to 6.3 (kg bed-1 day-1) on December 2014.Conclusion: Waste generation in Emam Khomaini’s hospital follows an increase trend (average generation from 2.98 to 4.44 kg bed-1 day-1 in 2010 to 2012 respectively, reflecting the increasing trend in the waste generation. ARIMA time series model shows that the waste generation rate would be 1.5 fold more in autumn 2014. Estimate of waste generation is necessary for planning and designing of waste management.

Background & Objectives: Cryptosporidium parvum is considered as one of the pathogenic agents transmitted by water, high resistance to conventional disinfection methods, and potency of creating various problems in water resource. Because of various problems in Cryptosporidium parvum studies, Bacillus subtilis spore is recommended as a surrogate organism for studying protozoa inactivation and evaluation of water quality. On the other hand, electrochemical process is presented as an environmental friendly and high efficient method in disinfection in recent years. The aim of this study was to propose a method for promotion of the water quality.Materials & Methods: In this study, the electrochemical system used was consisted of steel electrodes (4´8 cm), 200 mL volume, and 1-4 mg/L sodium chloride. The bacterial suspensions of Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633) was prepared according to the McFarland method with 103 to 106 spores/mL concentration. The microbial agent removal was evaluated by sampling and transferring water to the tripticase soy agar medium every 15 min for 60 min. The number of bacteria spores, supporting electrolyte, induced current, and reaction time were evaluated.Results: The proposed electrolysis process could not eliminate Bacillus subtilis spores at 104 to 106 spores mL-1 rate at lower than 100 mA current for 60 min. Adding sodium chloride supporting electrolyte up to 4 mg/L concentration completely eliminated Bacillus subtilis spores after 60 min.Conclusion: Adding sodium chloride as a supporting electrolyte can increase the spore removal because of increasing direct and indirect oxidation in electrolysis process. Improving water disinfection and spore removal after 60 min could be described by higher oxidant agents in anode electrode.

Background and Objective: Nitrate is one of the dissolved anions having great health importance in water. Human activities and natural sources are considered as the main roots of nitrate intrusion in to water bodies. The main objective of this paper was to study nitrate removal by packed bed column filled with (PAN)-oxime-nano Fe2O3.Materials and Methods: PAN-oxime-nano Fe2O3 were synthesized and used as an adsorbent in glass column for the removal of nitrate from aqueous solution. Nitrate solution tank was set above the prepared column. The effect of factors, such as flow rate (2, 5, and 7 mL/min) and bed depth (5, 10, and 15 cm) were studied.Results: It was found that the data fit well with Thomas model and breakthrough curve was designed accordingly. The column performed well at lowest flow rate. As the flow rates and time increased, earlier breakthrough was observed. The column breakthrough time (Ce/C0 = 0.05) was reduced from 9 to 4 h, as the flow rates increased from2 to 7 mL/min.Conclusion: fixed-bed using PAN-oxime-nano Fe2O3 exhibited good removal of nitrate. The adsorption studies showed that at longer bed depth, better removal of nitrate would be achieved. Thomas model was suitable for the normal description of breakthrough curve at the experimental condition. The data also were in good agreement with logistic regression.

Background and Objectives: Bottles for packaging drinking water represent one of the most popular uses of plastic and polymer additives. Recently, public concerns related to possibility of exposure to chemicals through the consumption of polyethylene terephthalate bottled water has caused great concern to consumers. Phthalate esters, as a class of these compounds, are often classified as endocrine disruptors and one of them is a possible carcinogen for human. The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of phthalates in bottled water and to calculate the health risk of phthalates intake via consumption of bottled waters.Materials and Method: After purchasing, samples were immediately stored according to the recommended conditions (25 ºC, dark place) given on the bottle label. Migration of phthalates was investigated in PET-bottled water at different time intervals using gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy. Therefore, a phthalate exposure assessment was performed to characterize their risk to the consumer’s health via a calculated hazard quotient (HQ).Results: It seems that the duration of storage affects phthalate migration. Total increases of DEHP (811.8%), DBP (2545.2%), and BBP (832%) were observed at 12 months over the initial level before storage (bottled water immediately after production); but the level of phthalates in bottled water was always very low (<EPA: 6 mg/L). Non-carcinogenic risk assessment from exposure to phthalate via consumption of bottled water was negligible in all of the subject groups (HQ<1). Furthermore, a little excess cancer risk of 9.9´10-7 for bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was observed.Conclusion: The research showed that the concentration of phthalates in PET-bottled water was extremely low. Consequently, based on the risk assessment results, bottled waters regarding existence of safe for consumers and they phthalates are not considered as public health issue for consumers as phthalates does not have any risk exposure for the consumers.

Background & objectives: Aflatoxin M1 and M2 (AFM1 and AFM2) are secondary toxic metabolite of molds excreted into livestock milk and dairy products when animal consume feedstuffs contaminated with AFB1 and AFB2. Considering the importance of taking dairy products in human diet, the present study was carried out to determine AFM1 of pasteurized Kashk (industrial liquid) in Tehran Metropolitan.Materials & Methods: Totally, 32 industrial liquid Kashk samples (eight brands with four different dates of production) were purchased from supermarkets of Tehran and were analyzed using High Performance Liquid chromatography (HPLC) and immunoaffinity columns.Results: In this study, 90.62% of samples (mean: 60.17 ± 75.48 ppt) were contaminated with AFM1. The concentration of AFM1 in 20.68% of samples were higher than Iranian national standard limits (100 ppt). Comparison of different brands showed that brand B with the mean 99.09 ± 158.47 ppt and brand G with the mean 21.27 ± 16.91 ppt had the highest and lowest level of contamination respectively, however, the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05).Conclusion: Considering contamination of more than half of the samples with AFM1 and the point that even low level of aflatoxin can be a serious problem for human health, therefore, continuous control of dairy products and preventive proceedings such as avoidance of using moldy feedstuffs for livestock is suggested.

Background and Objectives: According to the estimates of W.H.O., approximately 150000 persons are annually affected by early death of cardiovascular, respiratory disease, and lung cancer resulted from air pollution in south Asia. The short-term and long-term effects are reported as hospital admission, consulting with a physician, number of special disease, death and years of life lost (YOLL). The purpose of this paper is to discuss the effects of PM10 pollution on human health. AirQ 2.2.3 (Air Quality Health Impact Assessment) Model was used to evaluate adverse health effects caused by PM10 exposure in Ahvaz during 2009. Long-term exposure with suspended particulates are expressed as decreasing personal life. The prevalence of bronchitis and reduced lung function in children and adults, even at annual average concentrations of particulate matter below 20 mg/m3 (PM2.5) and 30 mg/m3 (PM10) have been observed. Major sources of emissions resulting from human intervention in particulate matter are road traffic (25-10%), stationary combustion (55-40%), and industrial processes (30-15%).Materials and Methods: First, PM10 data was collected from Ahvaz Environment Protection Organization and Meteorological Organization. Then, raw data were processed by Excel software. Finally, data processed were inputted to AirQ model. This model proved to be a valid and reliable tool to estimate the potential short-term effects of air pollution. This software is provided by the World Health Organization and is used to quantify the health effects of air pollution. This model consists of four input screens (Supplier, AQ data, Location, Parameter) and two output screens (Table, Graph).Results: The highest and lowest PM10 concentration was reported for Headquarter and Naderi stations respectively. Moreover, the annual, summer, and winter means and 98 decimal of this pollutant in Ahvaz City was measured as 261, 376, 170, and 1268 mg/m3 respectively. Total death toll contributed to PM10 was estimated as 1165 cases in 2009.Conclusion: Using data processing in Excel, AirQ software calculates relative risks, attributable proportion, and baseline incidence and the final output would be displayed in the form of death toll. It is noteworthy that there is no model that can estimate the effect of all pollutants together and simultaneously. In addition, it was found that the annual PM10 emission mean, the summer mean, winter mean, and 98 percentile were 261, 376, 170, and 1268 mg/m3 in Ahvaz City. Cumulative number of persons for total number of deaths attributed to PM10 exposure was 1165 in 2009; Out of which, 44% has occurred in the days with concentrations lower than 250 mg/m3. It should be noted that 62% of this value is corresponded to the days with concentrations below 350 mg/m3. The total cumulative number of cardiovascular death attributed to the exposure with PM10 during one year of monitoring was 612 persons. On the other hand, 52% of these cases have occurred in days with PM10 levels not exceeding 300 mg/m3. Cumulative number of Hospital Admissions Respiratory Disease attributed to exposure with PM10 during one year of monitoring was 1551 persons; Out of which, 36 % occurred in days with PM10 levels not exceeding 200 mg/m3.