Journal of Advances in Environmental Health Research
Year:2023 | Volume:11 | Issue:1|Papers Count:8

Background: Given the increasing need for health care and the expansion of various medical facilities in health care centers, it is necessary to determine the adverse effects of subsequent medical wastes. In this study, we aimed to perform a qualitative and quantitative analysis of medical wastes of Shariati public hospital in Tehran. Methods: We weighted the medical wastes to determine the share of each hospital section in total hazardous medical wastes generation. Then, the components of common and infectious medical wastes were analyzed. The raw data were analyzed using Excel and R software. Results: The total amount of generated medical wastes of common, infectious, sharp, and chemical/ pharmaceutical wastes in the hospital were 982. 78 ±,27. 08, 885. 76 ±,26. 11, 37. 062 ±,1. 55, and 45. 33 ±,3. 2 kg/day, respectively, and the average amount of wastes generation in each ward of the hospital per day was between 1. 47-6. 86 kg/bed. Also, we considered the production of medical wastes in detail and found that it was 0. 61-3. 11, 0. 77-4. 78, 0. 03-0. 23 and 0. 01-0. 91 Kg/patient/day for common, infectious, sharp and chemical/pharmaceutical wastes, respectively. Conclusion: The average amount of wastes produced in the hospital was consistent with the World Health Organization’, s (WHO’, s) report based on the amount of daily wastes generation in academic hospitals (4. 1-8. 7 kg/bed/day). However, the overall amount of infectious and sharp wastes in the hospital was 47. 37% which exceeded the recommended amount by the WHO (15-25%).

Background: One of the most important challenges in the business world is environmental performance and how to disclose it. Companies interested in disclosing environmental information try to present their information to users transparently comprehensibly. One of the most recent reports that can provide environmental information transparently and cover the criticisms of green accounting, which was presented as an independent report, is integrated reporting. Methods: In the present study, the green accounting model in integrated reporting is prepared with a critical approach. This model was developed qualitatively and the multi-grounded theory method was used. Results: Accordingly, among the selected texts and interviews with 20 experts in the field of accounting and auditing, the relevant concepts and categories were extracted and by categorizing and linking the categories, the desired model including causal conditions, contextual conditions, intervening conditions, core category or phenomenon, strategies and consequences were extracted. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it is recommended to the Accounting Standards Development Committee to hold meetings to assess the need for integrated reporting in the country and use the experiences of other countries using this report. It is also recommended for the auditing organization to assign a case in the headings of its review in companies under the title of the presence or absence of an integrated report. It can be a stimulus for companies to follow and become familiar with integrated reporting.

Background: Pit latrines are the most common human excreta and urine disposal facilities in low-income countries because they are economical. However, leachate from the facilities may percolate into the ground and compromise groundwater, necessitating periodic monitoring of nearby groundwater. This study assessed the effects of pit latrines on borehole and well water in Adesoye, Barracks, Onigbongbo, Arowojobe, and Shonibare in Maryland, Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: Water samples were analysed for physicochemical parameters (electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, hardness, calcium, pH, and chloride), heavy metals (lead, nickel, cadmium, copper, and zinc) and microbial content (bacteria, coliforms, and fungi). The mean values of each parameter was compared with the World Health Organization standards and used to calculate the average daily intake (ADI) and hazard quotient (HQ) of the heavy metals. Results: The physicochemical analysis revealed that each of the borehole and well water samples contained permissible levels of electrical conductivity and calcium. They also contained one or more non-permissible levels of pH, hardness, total dissolved solids, and chloride. The heavy metal analysis revealed non-permissible levels of lead and nickel in all of the water samples, while other heavy metals were within the permissible limits. Total bacteria and coliforms were above the permissible limits in all of the water samples, while fungi were undetected in some samples. The ADI and HQ of the heavy metals were within the threshold limit. Conclusion: The results suggest that groundwater in the areas is unsuitable for consumption. Consumers should treat groundwater and seek experts’,advice before sinking groundwater.

Background: The potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are one of the most dangerous pollutants in the environment. In this study, the elements namely cadmium, lead, chromium, nickel, copper and zinc were investigated in the soil. Methods: In this study, 144 composite samples were randomly prepared from surface soils in a depth of 10 cm in the cities of Shushtar and Dezful. Soil sampling was performed in 12 stations in Shushtar and Dezful. The PTEs were determined by ICP Varian 710-ES device. Results: The pattern of accumulation of PTEs was as Cu > Pb > Cd > Zn > Ni > Cr in Dezful. In Shushtar, the accumulation of metals in the soil was as Cu > Pb > Cd > Ni > Zn > Cr. The concentration of Ni and Cr in the surface soils of Shushtar was higher than Dezful. The Ecological risk of Cd in the surface soils of Dezful and Shushtar was higher than other PTEs. The most important risk factor for carcinogenicity was related to Cr (3. 15 × 10-7) in children. Hazard quotient (HQ) value of studied PTEs for adults and children were obtained by ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact absorption of less than 1. Conclusion: According to the results, the PTEs of Cd, Pb and Cu caused high pollution in the soils of Shushtar and Dezful, which is due to agricultural, industrial and urban activities in these areas. In general, the metals Cr, Zn and Ni slightly contaminated the soil. Also, the ecological risk of PTEs showed that the highest effects on soil was related to Cd and Pb metals.

Background: Tea is one of most frequently consumed beverages in the world. Only in Iran, around 12000 tons of tea is annually used. Besides, green tea, which is made from Camellia sinensis leaves and buds, is very popular among people. Although teas have health benefits, since they may be much drunk, they may pose a threat to consumers’,health because of absorbing various ions in their leaves. Unfortunately, there are a limited number of studies on the health effects of green teas. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study performed in 2021. In this research, the concentrations of ions: fluoride (F), chloride (Cl), nitrate (NO3), sulfate (SO4), and phosphate (PO4) in the six bestselling green tea brands, both loose and bag, in Iran were detected by means of ion chromatography. Results: The highest amounts of F, Cl, NO3, SO4, and PO4 in the brands were found to be, respectively, in 0. 27310, 0. 62103, 0. 83533, 1. 28067, and 1. 1037 mg/L. The concentrations of the ions in the both loose and bag tea samples were different significantly. Also, the content of F in the all samples was lower than those acceptable levels suggested by different organizations. Conclusion: It was found that the concentration of the ions was by far lower than those have been introduced as the standard levels. Nonetheless, the water used for tea infusion may contain high levels of these compounds and its volume drunk every day is also very important.

The long trends of drought have caused much damage to the society. This phenomenon leads to an imbalance between water supply and demand with the abnormal dominance of arid climate over an area. Given the recent widespread climate changes in the world and the importance of conserving water resources, the present study aimed to identify methods to reduce pressure on drinking water resources in drought conditions. This study was conducted by using the narrative method (scope review). The research environment included Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed databases and the articles were selected and reviewed according to the defined and peerreviewed inclusion criteria. The period searched was 2000-2020. The findings showed that the effective components in reducing the pressure on drinking water resources are the use of new devices such as water desalination equipment, the use of methods to reduce water loss, culture and community education, and policy and adoption of water management strategies to prevent waste and recycling. Given the level of economic growth of each country and the prevailing culture, it is necessary to take managerial measures, educate members of society and use modern equipment to reduce water consumption. The results of this study showed that the recycling of drinking water and the use of gray water is also an important factor that needs special attention.

Companies disclose environmental information to achieve social goals. The companies’,financial performance is an important factor regarding the information disclosure. Thus, this study identified the components of financial performance based on the environmental information disclosure. This is a systematic review study through searching either Persian and English keywords, including financial performance, environmental, social and governance, ESG, disclosure, environmental performance and environmental disclosure in databases of PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct as well as Google Scholar, SID, Magiran, and Irandoc. After reviewing and screening 388 articles based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 23 articles were carefully reviewed. The results revealed that four variables namely return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE), Tobin’, s Q and profit margin were used to measure the financial performance of companies in order to disclose environmental information. The results also revealed that some variables such as those related to corporate governance, type of industry and macroeconomic variables (economic growth) can affect the relationship between financial performance and disclosure of environmental content. Companies should disclose environmental information to maintain their reputation in society. Disclosure of environmental content is a tool to create corporate image and social contracts by publishing credible information about environmental performance to reduce or enhance the company reputation. Thus, financial performance can be directly affected by disclosure of the environmental content.

With population and economy growth, water usage, wastewater generation and treatment, treatment plants capacity and innovation ability in Iran have increased dramatically in the last decades. Currently, Iran is in the grip of severe water scarcity, with renewable water availability of less than 1700 m3/capita/y. Total municipal wastewater generated in Iran is 4. 61 billion m3/y out of which only 42% is treated. The conventional activated sludge process accounted for the largest share (> 60%) in municipal wastewater treatment in Iran. The treatment plants operational costs usually amount up to 0. 2 US $/m3 wastewater. About 55% of treated municipal effluent is reused in Iran, with an emphasis on the agricultural sector. The electricity consumption in municipal wastewater treatment facilities amounts for 0. 1% (241 million kWh/y) of the total electricity consumption of the country. Meanwhile, the current laws and policies are sometimes inefficient or do not prompt the ideal outcomes. Thus, the present study provides an overview of municipal wastewater treatment in Iran by describing the current situation and collecting data from 68 treatment plants, and defining key barriers and future policies needs towards Iran’, s sustainable municipal wastewater management (up to 2040). Here, the opinions of 50 experts from the governmental sector, industry division, and faculty members were surveyed through the meetings of the technical and steering committee. Overall, sustainable municipal wastewater management in Iran would be obtained by developing water resources, increasing the population covered by wastewater facilities (90%), improving effluent discharge standards, and lowering energy usage to 0. 45 kWh/m3 wastewater.