Journal of Health
Year:2014 | Volume:4 | Issue:4|Papers Count:7

Background & Objectives: Cyanide is a very hazardous compound that enters into the environment by different industries. In this study performance of Electrofenton process (EFP) for elimination of cyanide from aquatic environment in presence of humic Acid as an interfering compound was evaluated.Methods: In this experimental study, at every step of experiment, 1000 mL of cyanide solution with known concentrations was added to a reactor. The effects of selected parameters such as pH (3-10), reaction time (5-20 min) cyanide concentrations (100–1000 mg/l), voltage (10-30V), hydrogen peroxide concentrations (5-50 ml/lit), and humic acid levels (25-100 mg/L) on cyanide removal were investigated.Results: The results showed that efficiency of EFT process decreased with increasing pH, concentrations of cyanide and humic acid and increased with increasing voltage and hydrogen peroxide levels. The efficiency of 72% was achieved for EFP process in optimum conditions of pH=3, initial concentration of cyanide=100 mg/lit, hydrogen peroxide level=25 ml/lit, voltage=30V, and humic acid concentration=25 mg/lit. In the same conditions, however, EFP efficiency was 96% in the absence of humic acid.Conclusion: The overall results show that this process has high ability on removal of cyanide. This process was influenced by the parameters studied and the removal efficiency was varied with variation of each parameter.

Background & Objectives: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders caused by poor posture are the most common occupational illnesses. Among all the risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders in assembling industry, this descriptive-analytical study aimed to assess posture of assemblers working in a gas turbine company as well as the effect of training using OCRA method.Methods: At first, a film was taken from work procedure and posture of the operators and then prevalence of upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders was determined for 96 technicians (assemblers) using Nordic questionnaire. Posture score was assigned to each task by OCRA software. Face to face training was provided to assembling workers on doing tasks correctly and the posture was reassessed. Data were analyzed byOne Way ANOVA and t-test using SPSS-16.Results: The highest complaints were recorded for wrist and shoulder. Mean OCRA risk scores were significantly different between right and left hands for all cases. There were also significant differences in OCRA risk scores between connection box, piping, connection MBT-MBP, and fasten unit wall job groups. However, risk score index displayed no significant differences between connection MBT-MBP and roof assembly job groups. Total OCRA risk scores of before training significantly differed from those of after trainings.Conclusion: According to the results, OCRA is a useful method for assessment of musculoskeletal disorders in assembly industries. Considering effectiveness of training on decreasing the risks, ergonomic training to individuals is recommended.

Background & Objectives: Cyanide and chromium present in the wastewater of various industries such as iron and steel, coal mining, and metal plating. High toxicity and their adverse effects on health of living organisms are the reasons for necessity of controlling the levels of these pollutants in the nature. The objective of this study was concurrent removal of cyanide and chromium from aqueous solution through coagulation and flocculation processes.Methods: This pilot-scale experimental study was carried out using a conventional Jar-test apparatus. During the precipitation process, the effect of pH, concentration of ferric chloride and settling time on the removal of pollutants from aqueous solutions were studied. Cyanide and chromium concentrations were determined respectively by colorimetry and flame atomic absorption spectroscopy methods.Results: The results showed that respective removal efficiencies for cyanide and chromium are 38 and 93% at the optimum conditions of pH=7, FeCl3 concentration of 10 mg/l, and settling time of >60 minutes. Moreover, no significant changes were observed in removal efficiencies when settling time increased to more than 60 minutes.Conclusion: Although, chemical precipitation method was an appropriate option for chromium removal, however, it did not work well in removing cyanide. Thus, considering limitations on effluent discharge for these pollutants, it is recommended to apply this method in conjunction with other processes such as Fenton in order to enhance the process efficiency.

Background & Objective: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) especially rapid growing mycobacteria (RGM) are opportunistic environmental pathogens and their role in human disease is increasingly recognized. In addition, several studies indicated that humans can be infected by NTM from various environmental sources especially soil and water. Identification of rapid growing mycobacteria is important for both clinical and epidemiological studies because of their worldwide propagation. Incidence of rapid growing mycobacteria from water and soil in different regions of Robat Karim was studied using PCR-RFLP method and targeting hsp65 gene and 16S-23SrRNA.Methods: In this study a total number of 454 water and soil samples were collected from different areas of Robat Karim. After decontamination of isolates by petroff method, the sediment obtained was cultured onto Lowenstein Jensen media and Ziehl Neelsen staining was performed for microscopic observations. After DNA extraction, hsp65 gene amplified by PCR-RFLP and then PCR products were digested by two restriction enzymes, BsteII and HaeIII, prior to undergoing polyacrilamid gel electrophoresis (PAGE). 16S-23S rRNA gene was also amplified and then PCR products were digested by restriction enzymes of HaeIII and CfoI and analyzed using PAGE.Results: Based on the culture and microscopic observations, 49 (21.5%) out of 227 soil samples and 144 (63%) out of 227 water samples were positive regarding mycobacterium. 7 soil samples and 29 water samples were contained rapid growing mycobacteria based on PCR-RFLP method.The results obtained by molecular method matched completely with those from culture method. Therefore, identification of Rapid Growing Mycobacterium has a sensitivity of 100% and mycobacterium fortuitum was the predominant isolated rapid growing mycobacteria in water and soil samples with a frequency of 27.8%.Conclusion: Mycobacterium fortuitum was the most dominant rapid growing mycobacterium isolated from soil and water samples in Robat Karim area.

Background & Objective: General health can be affected by occupational factors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of general health in job satisfaction of the workers in Khalkhal chipboard factory.Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out in December 2013. The research environment was Khalkhal chipboard factory and the study population included 98 workers employed in different shifts of the factory. The data gathering instruments were General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and standard questionnaire (JDI-55). Data analysis was done by calculating correlation coefficients and descriptive statistics indices using SPSS version 16.Results: There is a significant and positive correlation between job satisfaction and general health (p<0.00001). Job satisfaction displayed positive correlation with general health in the fields of workplace (p<0.0001), supervisor (p<0.006), colleagues (p<0.002), promotion opportunities (p=0.011), and workplace conditions (p=0.004) significant, while there was no correlation between general health and payments field (p=0.092).Conclusions: According to the relationships between general health and job satisfaction of the workers, the necessity of providing safety and workplace environment standards, timely and appropriate promotion opportunities, and improvement of workplace conditions are emphasized.

Background & Objectives: Pediculosis (Pediculuscapitis), a parasitic disease, used as an important factor to determine health status of a community. This study was performed to survey the factors concerning with Pediculosis epidemiology among primary-school children of Sari, Mazandaran Province, in 2012-13.Methods: 4712 primary school children (boys and girls) were visited for head lice using cluster sampling method. Data was collected by five trained individuals using a questionnaire that included the information on the diagnostic result of head lice, eggs, and nits infections as well as the sex, age, grade, and residence place. Data were analyzed through chi-square test and the confidence level was set at 95%.Results: Out of 4712 primary school children 78 individuals were infected with head lice. The prevalence of infection was calculated as 1.65%. Significant correlations were observed between prevalence of pediculosis and factors such as bathing facilities, using personal instruments, parents educations, having health care consultant, complying with personal health, and fathers job (p<0.05); while there was no significant relations between head lice infection and hair shape and student grade (p>0.05).Conclusions: The results illustrate the role of education and guidance of teachers and parents towards improving personal hygiene and public health and subsequently on reducing the Pediculosiscapitis rate among school students in the regions studied.

Background & objectives: Caesarean section refers to surgical procedure by which babies are delivered through incisions that made on mother's abdomen and uterus. Cesarean section rates in Iran and Ardabil province are high. This study aimed to investigate the effects of socioeconomic and other nonmedical factors on caesarean section rate.Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 1200 women referred to governmental, private, and social security organization hospitals of Ardabil province using cluster sampling method. Data were collected through a questionnaire and interview and were analyzed by Chi-square using SPSS version 11.5.Results: According to the results, cesarean section accounted for 54.6% of all deliveries in Ardabil province. The highest rate of cesarean section (i.e.93%) was observed in a private hospital. The cesarean section rates in other hospitals were different. There were significant correlations between cesarean section and age, education, economic status, employment, birth order, cesarean history, type of insurance, type of hospital, residence area, possessing personal car, number of children, satisfaction rate, and type of delivery selection. There was no significant correlation between complementary insurance and type of delivery.Conclusion: Although cesarean section has been realized as a life saving effort for both mother and child, however, its rate is rising due to social, economic, and nonmedical factors. Based on WHO report, cesarean prevalence of higher than 15% is not justifiable. Different social, economic, and nonmedical factors influence this rate.