Iranian Journal of Health and Environment
Year:2023 | Volume:15 | Issue:4|Papers Count:12

Background and Objective: Due to the presence of heavy metals (HMs), sludge produced in industrial wastewater treatment plants (WWPT) is classified as special waste and can cause adverse health effects. The present study aimed to identify special wastes and assess the risk associated with the presence of HMs in the sludge of WWTP from an Industrial City. Materials and Methods: Identifying the special wastes was conducted using a checklist, and classification was performed in accordance with the Basel Convention. Ecological risk assessment was done by determining the geo-accumulation and ecological indexes. The estimation of health risk was done by determining HQ and ELCR indexes. Results: The highest amount of special waste was allocated to sludge with a value of 3900/0 kg/month. Chromium was detected in the highest concentration (95. 89 ±,52. 15 mg/kg). The level of chromium and nickel pollution was evaluated in the low range, and cadmium was very severe. The ecological risk of lead was estimated in a significant range and was very high for cadmium. The HQ was less than 1, and the ELCR for inhalation and dermal exposure was estimated to be lower than the acceptable risk level of WHO. Conclusion: The present study showed that the largest amount of special waste is dedicated to sludge. Although the concentration of HMs was lower than the acceptable limits, the sludge had a high ecological risk level. Therefore, the accumulation and transfer of sludge must be carried out under the provisions of the Basel Convention and environmental considerations.

Background and Objective: Understanding the area of study stimulates the student. Therefore, students should pick their field of study with more information so that they get more engaged in it to complete the responsibilities assigned in the future as well as possible. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the attitude of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences environmental health students regarding their field of study and potential future careers. Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional, descriptive research study on medical education. In this study, 120 students studying environmental health engineering at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences had their attitudes and knowledge assessed using a questionnaire created by the University of Minnesota, America, and the results were then analyzed using chi-square and t-tests. Results: According to the research's findings, more than 80% of students chose their field of study without having any prior knowledge of it, more than 90% did not place it among their top priorities, and 80% claimed that their field of study depended on whether or not their employment position is acceptable. Conclusion: According to the data, the majority of students had an unfavorable perception about entering this field. As a result, it is necessary to thoroughly present this discipline to students before they begin studying it, as well as to update its subject headings to better meet societal demands.

Background and Objective: Microplastics enter the food chain of aquatic animals,they cause damage to the digestive system, disruption of the reproductive cycle, and finally their death. The present study was conducted to investigate the microplastic pollution in the digestive system of Vanami shrimps cultivated in some shrimp farms in Bushehr, Khuzestan, and Hormozgan provinces. Materials and Methods: Sampling was done from two shrimp farms in each port including Bandar Rig in Bushehr province, Bandar Choebdeh in Khuzestan province, and South Tiab located in Hormozgan province. 90 shrimp samples were randomly collected from each breeding farm from June to October 2019. The identification method of microplastics was done by FT-IR spectrophotometer. Results: The highest frequency of microplastics related to farmed shrimps was 41. 11% in the fields of Khuzestan province, and a lower amount of microplastic pollution was observed in Hormozgan and Bushehr provinces with 28. 88% and 17. 70%, respectively. According to one-way ANOVA, the mean of microplastics in the digestive tract of shrimp had a significant difference in the studied stations (p<0. 05). The most type and colors of microplastics in the digestive system of shrimps in the farms of all provinces belonged to fiber and black color. Polypropylene and polystyrene were detected in microplastics found in the digestive system of shrimps. Conclusion: Microplastics were observed in some of digestive tracts of the shrimps of the breeding farms examined in this research in all three provinces of Bushehr, Khuzestan, and Hormozgan. The highest frequency of microplastics in the digestive tract of shrimps is related to the breeding farms of Khuzestan province, and Hormozgan and Bushehr respectively have a lower amount.

Background and Objective: Soil contamination with heavy metals is the most important challenge and common environmental, economic, and public health issue in the world. Therefore, this research was conducted to evaluate the contamination and source identification of Fe, Zn, Cd, and Cr in the surface soils of Khorramabad county, west of Iran in 2020. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, after dividing the study area into 11 homogeneous units, a total of 65 surface soil samples were collected. After preparing the samples, the content of the elements was determined using inductively coupled plasmaoptical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Also, enrichment factor (EF), pollution factor (CF), and Nemrow integrated pollution index (NIPI) were calculated. Statistical analyses of the data were performed using SPSS statistical software. Results: The results showed that the average content of Fe, Zn, Cd, and Cr (mg/kg) in soil samples were 3. 14, 1. 13, 0. 021, and 0. 529, respectively. The EF values showed that the enrichment of Zn, Cd, and Cr was "extremely severe" and the average values of EF for the elements followed the descending order of Cd > Cr > Zn. The average values of CF and NIPI varied from 3. 30×10-5 to 0. 182 and 0. 043-0. 136, respectively, indicating the level of "low pollution" and quality conditions of "no pollution" in all the studied stations. Based on the results of multivariate statistical analysis (PCC, PCA and HCA), Fe has a geological origin,while, Zn, Cd, and Cr mainly originated from a combination of geological processes and anthropogenic activities. Conclusion: Although the average values of CF and NIPI showed that the study area has an acceptable soil quality, the values of EF indicated the impact of anthropogenic activities on soil contamination. Therefore, regular and periodic monitoring of soil samples as well as management and control of pollutant emission sources is recommended for maintaining environmental and human health.

Background and Objective: Pharmaceutical compounds can cause potential risks to aquatic and terrestrial organisms. So far, different methods have been used to eliminate these pollutants, photocatalytic processes are one of the most efficient processes to eliminate pharmaceutical compounds. In this study, the efficiency of a novel MOF-based nanocomposite, PMo/UiO-66 as a photocatalyst for amoxicillin degradation under visible light irradiation was evaluated. Materials and Methods: The study of the chemical decomposition of amoxicillin using the PMo/UiO-66 system was conducted at different stages. First, the PMo/UiO-66 MOF nanocomposite was synthesized using the solvothermal method, then the properties of the synthesized nanocomposite were investigated using XRD, FTIR, and SEM techniques. The effect of different operational parameters such as pH (3, 6, and 9), catalyst concentration (15, 20, 25, and 30 %w/w), initial concentrations of amoxicillin (20, 30, 40, and 50 mg/L) at different times on the removal efficiency was investigated. The reusability of the catalyst for four cycles was assessed. Results: The results showed that PMo/UiO-66 nanocomposite at pH 6, 25 %w/w nanocomposite concentration, and the amoxicillin concentration of 20 mg/L led to complete decomposition of amoxicillin after 120 min. The kinetic of amoxicillin removal followed the first-order model. Reusability tests showed that the photocatalytic efficiency of the synthesized catalyst was not substantially reduced after four cycles. Conclusion: The current study confirmed that the PMo/UiO-66 system has an appropriate efficiency for photocatalytic removal of amoxicillin under optimized test conditions.

Background and Objective: The current research aimed to evaluate the level of environmental knowledge, attitude, and performance of the citizens of Mazandaran province in 2021. Materials and Methods: In a descriptive study, the level of environmental knowledge, attitude, and performance of the citizens of Mazandaran province were evaluated. The statistical population of the research (384 people) was selected by simple random method. In order to collect data, a questionnaire whose reliability was determined in previous studies was used. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 21 software. Using Pearson's correlation test, the relationship between knowledge and environmental performance was analyzed. Results: Among the 384 participants, only 135 answered all the questions. The results of the study showed that, despite the average knowledge of the citizens, the environmental performance is at a good level. The average score of environmental knowledge, attitude, and performance was 5. 93±, 2. 06, 47. 67±, 9. 30, and 58. 70±, 12. 69 respectively, and the most source of obtaining environmental information is television (46. 7 percent) and social conversations (19. 3 percent). The results of Pearson's correlation test show that there was a significant relationship between the awareness and environmental performance of citizens (p<0. 05). Conclusion: Despite the average knowledge of the citizens, their environmental performance was at a good level, but according to several reports, the Mazandaran province's environmental indicators are not in good condition, which indicates that probably mechanisms and other factors such as environmental policies and economic factors also affect people's environmental performance, which should be investigated.

Background and Objective: One of the main ways of transmitting diseases is drinking water, so the safety of drinking water is an important issue for consumers, water suppliers, operators, and health officials. This study was conducted to identify and semi-quantitative evaluation and prioritization of risks in the drinking water supply system of Bostan Abad city. Materials and Methods: In order to evaluate and document the key elements of WSP and identify the steps that need improvement, the quality assurance tool of the water safety plan (WSP-QA TOOL software) was used, and then based on the guide of the water safety plan from the WHO and the International Association Water safety, WSP team formed. Then the water supply system of Bostan Abad city from the farthest point of the basin to the last consumption point was inspected and described. Results: The results showed that the highest number of risks are in the water supply sources, distribution network, and point of consumption, respectively. Also, the most vulnerable part of the system was identified as the disinfection unit and storage tanks due to biological and chemical contamination caused by equipment failure and improper preparation of chlorine solution. Conclusion: In summary, it can be said that carrying out the necessary reforms can play an effective role in reducing the risk potential in times of crisis, which should be given serious attention by water industry officials.

Background and Objective: One of the basic strategies to reduce the prevalence of diseases among people in society, especially children and adolescents, during the epidemic of COVID-19 disease, is to observe hygiene and personal protection behaviors. The present study was conducted to determine the level of compliance with health protocols in primary schools of Ilam city during the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 in 1400-1401. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-cross-sectional study was conducted in primary schools of Ilam city with a statistical sample of 49 schools (25 girls' schools and 24 boys' schools). In this study, the 2019 new coronavirus disease care and control checklist was used in schools, which has 15 questions with a total score of 100. Data with Kolmogorov-Smirnov and T-Test statistical tests using SPSS software. V21 was analyzed. Results: The results of this study showed that the highest and lowest scores are respectively related to the parameters of school health assessment before reopening (100 percent) and screening of people in terms of vaccination by PCR test (zero percent). The average score of compliance with the checklist was 74. 3 in girls' schools and 74. 38 in boys' schools. Also, the results of the T-Test showed that there is no significant relationship between the mean scores of girls' and boys' schools (p<0. 05). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that the score obtained for compliance with the checklist parameters of all schools in Ilam city is less than 85 points, and the main reason for this is the non-compliance of the screening parameter of people in terms of vaccination/PCR test in schools.

Background and Objective: Due to the presence of infectious diseases and parasitic contamination in kindergartens, it is very important to observe the health points in these centers. This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted to investigate the environmental health status of Saveh kindergartens in 2020. Materials and Methods: A checklist with 133 questions was designed, including 57 questions specific to the conditions of the coronavirus, taken from the instructions for the second step of the fight against the coronavirus and 76 questions from regulation 150/920318. All active kindergartens (9 cases) in the study were included, and the answers to the questions as yes, no, and not applicable were recorded and using SPSS software, independent T, chi-square, and one-way ANOVA was analyzed. Results: The results obtained from the analysis of the checklist showed that the compliance of the health status of all kinds of kindergartens with the regulations of 150/920318 has a percentage of total desirability that includes personal hygiene (81/4%), food hygiene (63%), tools and equipment hygiene (66/5%), building hygiene (78%), health education (90%), considerations regarding disinfectants and disinfectants based on alcohol (92%) and considerations regarding bleaches (94%). There was no significant relationship between the per capita of each child and the different items on the checklist (p>0/05). Conclusion: This study showed that the general environmental health status of kindergartens in Saveh was favorable and only two variables of hygiene of tools and equipment (66/5%) and food hygiene (63%) were the least desirable among the studied factors that should be considered.

Background and Objective: The present study aimed to explore the shielding effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Zataria multiflora Boiss on human lymphocyte DNA damage using the comet assay. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a laboratory experiment to investigate the protective effects of thyme in preventing DNA damage. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated from 16 healthy volunteers. First, the cells were treated with 100 μ, M H2O2 and aqueous and alcoholic extracts of thyme leaves with a concentration of 2. 5 mg/mL separately. Finally, the cells were incubated in a mixture of H2O2 to cause DNA damage with each of the two aqueous and alcoholic extracts at 4°, C for 30 minutes. The amount of DNA migration in cells was measured using the Comet method, and DNA damage was expressed as three indicators: sequence length, percentage of DNA in the sequence, and the amount of sequence movement. Results: The results showed that the DNA damage of lymphocytes exposed to the ethanolic extract of Z. multiflora Boiss was significantly lesser than the H2O2-treated lymphocytes. In addition, tail length (μ, m) was 5. 48±, 1. 62 versus 22. 82±, 6. 90, tail DNA (%) was 4. 56±, 1. 55 in contrast to 16. 00±, 4. 55, and tail moment (μ, m) was 0. 28±, 0. 11 against 2. 33±, 0. 83 (p< 0. 001). The results showed that Z. multiflora Boiss aqueous and ethanolic extracts were significantly able to scavenge DPPH radicals through a possible radical scavenging activity mechanism. Conclusion: As a result, the ethanolic extract had a better effect than the aqueous extract of Z. multiflora Boiss in preventing oxidative DNA damage to human lymphocytes.

Background and Objective: Considering the significant number of injured people in spas, the main goal of this research is to provide a model for measuring and managing risk in spas. Materials and Methods: To prepare the conceptual model of risk, four steps were taken, which include determining the general outline of the model, identifying the parameters, evaluating and scoring the parameters based on the questionnaire, using the hierarchical analysis method, and evaluating and determining the final risk of the pools. According to the allowed standard range of each parameter, five ranges for each parameter were obtained based on the obtained weights, health, safety and environmental risk classes. Finally, by summing up these parameters, the final score of the risk of using each pool is obtained. In order to evaluate the presented model, the risk value of hot mineral water pools in Ardabil province was obtained with the innovative method of this research. Results: According to the results, according to the risk score, Gutursoi and Gamish-Goli spas have an unacceptable risk level, while Qainarjeh, Shabil, Barjelo and Sablan spas are at a high-risk level. Conclusion: The presented model was validated with the evidence of forensic events. According to the results of the conceptual model of risk and the score obtained for each component and sub-components, appropriate solutions were presented, including the need to modify the current standards in each spa.

Background and Objective: One of the important environmental problems is the mass production of urban waste, which has increased per capita household waste production with the ever-increasing population growth,Therefore, nowadays, the use of intelligent systems has been expanded as a new solution in the analysis of environmental issues. Estimation of household waste through modeling, including the use of the fuzzy-neural network, leads to its better management. Therefore, the current research was conducted to investigate the socioeconomic factors on household waste production using the Adaptive Neural Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) in Tabriz city. Materials and Method: In this research, by using the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (AFNIS) with the Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) method, domestic waste generation in Tabriz city has been predicted. According to the nature of the subject and the investigated indicators, the information collected in descriptive research was collected from the students of schools in Tabriz using a questionnaire. Also, socio-economic factors were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 26 software, and parameters affecting domestic waste production in Tabriz city were used for modeling in MATLAB software. Results: The results of the study showed that the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system with the Fuzzy C-Means method has acceptable performance for domestic waste production in Tabriz city. Conclusion: According to the results obtained based on the statistical index, the forecasted model in domestic waste production in the Fuzzy C-Means method with the highest R (0. 75) and the lowest error has an acceptable performance model in predicting the production of dry domestic waste in the studied area.