ARCHIVE OF HYGIENE SCIENCES
Year:2017 | Volume:6 | Issue:1|Papers Count:7

Background & Aims of the Study: Corrosion and scaling play undesirable effects on transmission and distribution system of drinking water. The aim of this study was to assess the corrosion and scaling potential of drinking water resources in Babol city, Iran.Materials and Methods: Totally, 54 water samples were collected from 27 wells in spring and autumn. Calcium hardness, pH, total alkalinity, total dissolved solids, and temperature were measured, using standard methods. The Langelier, Rayzner, Puckhorius, Larson and aggressive indices were calculated and data were analyzed by SPSS 19. To compare the mean values of each index, the results were analyzed using t-test.Results: The range of temperature, pH, TDS, total alkalinity and calcium hardness were 16-24oc; 6.8-7.89; 445-1331 mg/l; 322.9-396 mg/l and 250.50-490 mg/l, respectively. The mean of Langelier and Ryznar indices in drinking water samples in spring and autumn was 0.14, 0.15; 7.28 and 7.35, respectively. The mean of Puckhorius and Larson indices in these seasons was 11.9, 11.95 and 0.95 and 0.93, respectively. The mean of aggressive index was 6.17 and 6.27, respectively. Overall, 82.2%, 100%, 94.6%, 100% and 85.7% of water samples were corrosive based on the Langelier, Ryznar, Puckhorius, Larson and aggressive indices, respectively.Conclusion: According to these results, drinking water of Babol city has corrosion potential. Therefore, the water quality should be controlled based on pH, alkalinity and hardness parameters, along with the use of corrosion resisting materials and pipes in drinking water distribution systems.

Background & Aims of the Study: The Sharp Injuries (SIs) are a percutaneous piercing wound caused by a sharp instrument. Needle Sticks and Sharp Injuries (NSSIs) can increase the incidence of cases of Hepatitis B, C and HIV. The purpose of this study was to Investigation of the relative frequency of NSSIs in healthcare workers (HCWs) in Ahvaz, Iran (Razi hospital) over 3-year period (2011–2013).Materials and Methods: A descriptive study during 2011-2013 was conducted on 600 HCWs at Razi Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran. To measure NSSIs, has been diagnosis and categorized based on the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS). Data about health workers’ age, sex, site of NSIs injury, ward of hospitalization and caseof needle stick were collected. Descriptive statistical by SPSS version 16 used for analyzed data in this study.Results: According to the results of this study, among all nurses, the maximum cases of NSIs were HCWs. Regarding the finding, recapping needle were found in 34.17%, handling needle in 20.25%, suturing in 16.45%, passing needle in 13.92%, transit disposal in 8.86% and dissembling needle in 6.32% of cases. Findings showed that the most NSIs in Razi Hospital were general surgery, emergency, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN), operating room, orthopedic and infectious diseases wards during 2011-2013.Conclusion: Based on these findings, the number of health care-associated with NSIs between nurses in our study may be due to the shortage of nurses, long working hours during the night shift, fatigue and failure to use an appropriate equipment.

Background & Aims of the Study: Heavy metals are the most important and main pollutants because of their accumulation and high toxicity even at very low dose and cause serious hazards to ecological system as well as human health. Thus, their removal has been challenged from drinking water and industrial waters with different technologies. The purpose of this work is to investigate the removal of Cr (VI) from aqueous solutions.Materials & Methods: NiFe2O4 nanoparticles was prepared by the co-precipitation method and then applied for adsorption of Cr (VI) ions from water. Characterization of nanoparticles was carried out via TEM, EDX, XRD and BET analysis. Various physicochemical parameters like the effect of contact time, pH and adsorbent dose were studied, using batch process to optimize conditions for maximum adsorption.Results: The results demonstrated that the size of the NiFe2O4 nanoparticles was about 12 nm and had selectivity for Cr (VI) adsorption. Also, adsorption process was found to be fast with equilibrium time of 55 min. Optimum pH was found to be 3. Maximum adsorption capacity (qm) as calculated from Langmuir isotherm was found to be 294.1 mg g-1. Analysis of adsorption kinetics indicated better applicability of pseudo-second-order kinetic model.Conclusions: The results of this study represented that the synthesized NiFe2O4 nanoparticles could be useful for the simultaneous removal of anionic ions from wastewaters.

Background & Aims of the Study: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are part of the main occupational diseases in the workplace. Occupations such as hairdressers are exposed to multiple risk factors of these problems. The study was conducted to assess MSDs and posture analysis among female hairdressers in Tehran, 2015.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional research, 114 participants were studied. To collect data, demographic questionnaire, body map for assessment of MSDs and Postural Loading on the Upper Body Assessment (LUBA) method to evaluate postures was used.Also, data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney, Kruskal Wallis and Spearman correlation tests through SPSS-V20.Results: The mean and standard deviation of age and experience of the participants were5.34±8.9 and 10±8 years, respectively. In addition, they worked 9.8 hours per day on average. One hundred and thirteen (99.12%) persons have experienced the pain at least in one member of their musculoskeletal system. Most of hairdressers had reported leg, lower back, as well as neck and shoulder pain. According to the posture assessment, 94.2% of people experienced high risk of exposure to risk factors for MSDs.Conclusion: Findings showed MSDs are high among barbers. Also, the work situations require immediate correction. Correction of workstations and tools design, work rest cycle and reduction in repetitive motions can help to improve working conditions.

Background & Aims of the Study: Heavy metals discharge to environment is a worldwide problem growing in scale. When they accumulate in the environment and in food chains, they can profoundly disrupt biological processes. Peganum Harmala Seeds (PHS) was used as a bio-sorbent, using a continuous system for removing Pb2+, Co2+, Ni2+ and Cu2+ ions from aqueous solutions.Materials and Methods: PHS was used as adsorbent in adsorption of heavy metals from aqueous solutions. A stock solution of Pb (II), Co (II), Cu (II) and Ni (II) was prepared and experiments were down in a column as a reactor. The concentration was determined by atomic adsorption spectroscopy. The effect of various parameters such as pH, contact time, heavy metal concentration, ionic strength, particle size and adsorbent dosage on the process was investigated. Langmuir, Frundlich and Temkin isotherms were studied to evaluate of adsorption isotherms.Results: The adsorption efficiency was found to be pH dependent and enhanced by increasing the solution pH. Maximum removal of ions were obtained at pH=4-8. The equilibrium time was attained after 30 min and desorption studies were performed, using diluted HNO3, H2SO4 and HCl solution (1M) on adsorbed metal ions from PHS. Results illustrated that adsorbed metal ions could be recovered under acidic conditions.Investigation of the process kinetic was best fitted with pseudo second-order model.Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin models were tested for describing the equilibrium data.The Langmuir isotherm illustrated the best description of the cobalt and copper adsorption mechanism and Freundlich model describes lead and nickel ions adsorption on PHS.Conclusion: It was found that PHS would be a good adsorbent for removal of heavy metals.

Background & Aims of the Study: Background & Aims of the Study: Because of yoghurt particular flavor (caused by diacetyl) and the appropriate essential oils (from Atanal) as well as enjoy the soft tissue, it is considered as one of the most palatable dairy products.With regards to the yoghurt Portion in supplement of protein food needs in our society, it is necessary to ensure its health.In this research the hygienic quality of traditional yoghurt (no licensed) and industrial yoghurt (licensed) during hot and cold seasons (2015-2016) was evaluated. The samples collected from distributed yoghurt in Qazvin province, Iran.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, distributed yoghurt in Qazvin province has formed our Statistical Society. A total of 95 samples randomly hand-picked during hot and cold seasons. Samples were transferred at 4 °C to the laboratory. The microbiological characteristics of the samples were evaluated in accordance ISIRI 695.Search for E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus and also coliforms counting were done accord national standards (ISIRI 5234; ISIRI 6806; ISIRI 5486) by use of Lauryl Sulfate broth and EC broth; Baird-Parker agar; VRBL agar and Brilliant Green Bile Lactose broth. The YGC agar medium was used for count of fungi (molds and yeasts).Results: Microbial count showed significant difference between the traditional and industrial yoghurt samples at the levels were considered significantly different at P<0.05.The result display that traditional yoghurt samples is highly contaminated with microbes than industrial yoghurt samples and within traditional yoghurt samples group, There was a noteworthy difference on the fungi totals at warm seasons.Conclusions: Results have shown that microbial load increase in traditional yoghurt during summer, noticeably. It can indicate poor health conditions in the units; failure to maintain cold chain and inadequate training for vendors dairy products.

Background & Aims of the Study: Leachate production is a major problem for solid waste landfills and causes important threat to health public and environment. One of the typical properties of heavy metals is that they cannot easily decompose in the environment. The aim of this study was to measure of heavy metals concentrations in old-age leachate from Qazvin landfill site, Iran.Materials & Methods: Sampling was conducted during summer 2014 from the leachate which was produced in Qazvin landfill site in Lia park. The concentration of heavy metals including Zn, Ni, Hg, Cu, Co, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, and Pb along with pH were measured based on the standard method.Results: The results of this study indicated the leachate generated from Qazvin landfill site, contains large amounts of different heavy metals. The mean concentration of Zn, Ni, Hg, Cu, Co, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, and Pb were 2.8, 0.2, 0.01, 0.1, 0.08, 0.04, 0.04, 4.6, 1.4 and 1.3 ml/L, respectively. Also pH value was 8.4. The concentration of Fe, Pb, Zn and Mn in the landfill leachate was higher than the permissible standard value which was suggested by Department of Environmental (DOE).Conclusion: The results suggest that we can achieve the permissible standards to discharge effluents into the surface water, absorbing well and agricultural irrigation by applying biological and physicochemical methods.