ARCHIVE OF HYGIENE SCIENCES
Year:2016 | Volume:5 | Issue:4|Papers Count:11

Background & Aims of the Study: Due to the increasing pollution of water resources, tow documented methods: the Heavy metal potential index (HPI) and the Heavy metal evaluation index (HEI) were evaluated for their suitability for contamination monitoring of heavy metals (As, Zn, Pb, Cd and Cu) contamination in groundwater resources of Asadabad Plain during spring and summer in 2012.Materials & Methods: In this analytical observational study, concentrations of heavy metals have been evaluated at 30 important groundwater sampling stations. For this purpose, collect samples in pre-cleaned, acid-soaked polyethylene bottles. Add 2 mL conc HNO3/L sample and mix well. Cap tightly and store in refrigerator until ready for analysis.Metal concentrations were determined using inductively coupled plasma- optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES).Results: The results showed that mean concentrations of As, Zn, Pb, Cd and Cu in groundwater samples in spring season were 52.53±13.62, 15.51±23.45, 10.10±2.80, 4.48±1.80 and 8.63±10.87 mg l-1, respectively and in summer season were 57.60±16.90, 14.99±17.66, 9.28±2.46, 4.57±1.73 and 10.45±10.30 mg l-, respectively. Therefore the mean values of indices in samples from spring and summer seasons were 25.61 and 27.28 respectively for HPI and were 9.29 and 8.88 respectively for HEI, and indicates low contamination levels. Comparing the mean concentrations of the evaluated metals with WHO permissible limits showed a significant difference (P<0.05). Thus, the mean concentrations of the metals were significantly lower than the permissible limits.Conclusions: Despite of the heavy metal pollution of the groundwater resources in Asadabad Plain is lower than WHO permissible limits, but the irregular and long-term usage of agricultural inputs, use of wastewater and sewage sludge in agriculture, over use of organic fertilizers and establishment of pollutant industries can threaten the groundwater resources of this region and cause adverse effect for consumers.

Background & Aims of the Study: Azo dyes are employed in industrial processes such as textile industry to create large quantities of colored sewages that have organic and nonorganic materials. So, remediation of them is essential. In this project, degradation and mineralization of Acid red 14 (AR14) that is a mono Azo dye and widely used in the textile industries was investigated by Sonocatalysis and Sono photo catalyst in the presence of homogeneous (Fe3+) photo catalyst.Materials & Methods: This study is an experimental investigation on a laboratory scale. The study performed on synthetic wastewater that hold Acid red 14.The influence of operational parameters such as initial dye concentration and ultrasonic power on the sonochemical degradation was also studied. The optimization of variables was done by one factor at a time method.Results: The efficiency of the Sonophotocatalytic process with Fe3+ was higher than Sonocatalysis and photo catalyst processes alone. The combination of sonolysis, Fe3+ and photo catalyst caused a highly synergistic effect and the synergy index obtained for Fe3+ Sono photo catalysis was 2.05. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) analysis was used to study the degree of mineralization. After 180 min of reaction, the removal of COD was 15, 25.4 and 55.5% for UV/Fe3+, US/Fe3+ and UV/US/Fe3+ process, respectively. The degradation by photocatalysis and sonolysis followed pseudo first-order with respect to the concentration of AR14.Conclusions: The results showed that the Sono photo catalytic degradation and mineralization of AR14 in the presence of Fe3+ was synergistic, most likely because of the participation of Sono-Fenton and photo-Fenton reactions.

Background & Aims of the Study: Soil and water pollution to heavy metals is a serious threat for environment and human health. Finding an effective way for refining water from these metals is very important. The aim of this study was modifying electrospun polymeric nano fibers and studying its efficiency for copper ion omission in water solutions.Materials & Methods: In this study, nano fiber was produced by solution electrospun polystyrene in DMF/THF solvent and produced nano fiber was used for copper preconcentration in waste water sample. In this study, an investigation of primary PH of solution, adsorption particle size, cleaning solvent volume, salt supply, contact time duration of adsorption material on copper ion adsorption supply was done, using modified nano fiber.Results: According to this study, copper adsorption process with correlation coefficient of (R2) in scope of 0.986 by Langmuir and Freundlich are describable. Findings show that, pH optimized amount for isolating copper ion on absorbent level is 7, absorbent particle size is 0.006 g/l, salt 1.3, potassium nitrate and the contact time of absorbent material on copper ion adsorption is 10 minutes. Copper ion adsorbate was cleaned, using 0.7 ml methanol. Most of obtrusive ions didn't have any inconvenience for copper ion isolation and measuring. The mean of the method was 2.7 mg/l and standard deviation was lower than 4%.Conclusions: this method was done on actual samples which findings show that, this method has the ability of cooper adsorption and can use this method for measuring heavy metals like copper in different tissues. This method because of having the privilege for isolating and pre concentrating different kind of mineral and organic is used successfully in different samples.

Background & Aims of the Study: Many working conditions-related stress factors that can produce injuries and illnesses are important in hospital environments. So, the health and safety of nurses and patients from workplace-induced injuries and illnesses is important. In this study, we have assessed the safety condition of one of the teaching hospitals in Kermanshah (2015).Materials and Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in one of the teaching hospital of Kermanshah University of medical sciences. For this aim a checklist was prepared based on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's standards and Part 3 of the manual of National Building Regulations. These checklists comprised (The final checklist had 239 questions of 9 dimensions) various sections of safety including; fire safety, building safety, electrical safety, emergency exit routes safety, heating and cooling equipment safety, operating room and laundry room and salty home safety. Eventually, using SPSS 16 and descriptive statistics, data were analyzed.Results: According to the results of this study, 66.6% of the units had poor safety and 33.4% of them were moderately safe. As well as, only ICU and CCU unit, heating and cooling equipment and operational room showed moderate compliance with safety requirements and other sections were poorly complied.Conclusion: The results of this study showed that safety conditions of hospital were not at favorable level. These poor safety statues can jeopardize patients and hospital personnel.Thus some interventions such as improvement of working conditions, compliance with safety acts and implementation of health, safety and environmental management system would be necessary.

Background & Aims of the Study: One way to increasing shelf life of meat is the production of sausages along with additives. One of these additives contains nitrite that in an acceptance limit is not a threat for human health but if it's amount is higher than standard, it will react in the body with secondary amine and the result is the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines. Also, the consumption of healthy and safe food is concerned for every consumer. That's why we decided to examine Nitrite, Carbohydrates, Fat, Protein, Humidity, microbial contamination and exterior features of the sausages which were produced in Qazvin province.Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of sausages produced in Qazvin province from 2011 to 2014. A total of 74 samples of products that have been produced in the factories of meat products of Qazvin, distribution system and retail level were collected. Additive composition, microbial contamination and exterior features were examined according to standard methods of Iranian national standards No 2303.Results: The overall result showed that all products comply with their nitrite acceptance limit. Of course, the amount of humidity (13.84%) and carbohydrates (39.62%) were infringement but the two combinations no adverse effects on human health and microorganism counts determined in overall processing were not at harmful levels for human health and microbial contamination of all meat products of our study were acceptable.Conclusion: According to the results, we should have more control on the hygienic quality of meat products over the production, storage and supply periods in this area.

Background & Aims of the Study: Water resources are useful or potentially useful. Uses of water are included agricultural, industrial, household, recreational and environmental activities. The majority of human uses require fresh water. Rivers are parts of this fresh water that play a very important role in the water cycle, acting as drainage channels for surface water. Hence, regular monitoring program and water quality control are the most important strategies to reduce pollution and improve the quality of water. The aim of this study is the evaluation of surface water quality by NSFWQI index and pollution risk assessment, using WRASTIC index in 2015.Materials and Methods: In this study, the analytical survey, experimental studies and investigation of references in the context of library studies have been used. Water quality data collected from 7 sampling sites during 4 seasons from March to February 2015 and quality parameters including dissolved oxygen, pH, total dissolved solids, biochemical oxygen demand, turbidity, temperature, phosphate, nitrate and fecal coliform were examined by standard method. Data were analyzed by National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index. Then WRASTIC index (Wastewater-Recreational-Agricultural-Size- Transportations avenues- Industrial -cover of vegetation) is used for risk assessment in basin.Results: NSFWQI index results showed that water quality in the river station 1 (Morkan) is located in the middle class and other stations in all seasons have bad quality. The worst situation (bad quality) was related to the bridge Chum and Varzaneh in autumn with an average of 29 and the best quality is relevant to Morkan station in summer with an average of 59. The finding of WRASTIC index represent that watershed is located in high risk class with the value of 70.Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the pollution from station 1 toward the subsequent stations have increased significantly and the river water quality has been reduced. In addition, agricultural, industrial activities and population centers are the main causes of Zayandehrud river pollution. Therefore, the management plans to protect of this valuable river is necessary.

Background & Aims of the Study: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a colorless and highly toxic, easily dissolved in water, flammable and explosive gas. Hydrogen sulfide gas is the main cause of odor emissions from municipal sewage plants. One method for removal of hydrogen sulfide gas is the use of biological systems, biofilter. The aim of this study was to survey removal hydrogen sulfide provide in septic tank by vermicomposting biofilter.Materials and Methods: In this study pilot-scale biofilter has been made of bed vermicompost and wood trash. To survey biofilter performance under real condition, the pilot installed in one wastewater pumping station of Ahwaz city, Iran. The study was carried out over 80 days. Inlet and outlet H2S concentration were measured on regular basis. To provide an optimal condition for bacterial growth, moisture was adjusted between 40% and 60% throughout the experiment.Results: Results showed that H2S concentration emitted from the pumping station during the study varied greatly between 33 and 54ppm.The maximum adsorption capacity of the biological bedding was recorded at 22.4 g/m3.hr and the mean efficiency of H2S removal account the startup time was 89.31%.The mean performance efficiency during the biological activity after the startup was recorded at 96.88%.Conclusion: use up biofilter with vermicompost bed and woodchip is an economic method for H2S removal of septic tanks. Removal efficiency of more than 96% is expected with this method.

Background & Aims of the Study: A high nitrate and arsenic concentration in water resources represents a potential risk to the environment and public health. The present work improved a chemo-physically modified activated carbon derived from walnut shells as an adsorbent to improve nitrate and arsenic removal ability from water.Materials & Methods: To increase removal efficiency, activated carbon surface characteristics was improved by acidification. Chemical activation was achieved when the carbon was mixed with water and 5% (v/v) phosphoric acid. After adsorbent preparation, the contact time, pH, initial concentration were studied as variables.Results: The effective pH for adsorption onto activated carbon was 6.5. The results indicate that 70 s and 3 mins was sufficient time to attain equilibrium for a maximum removal efficiency of 78.44% and 98% respectively for nitrate and arsenic. The adsorption capacity of the adsorbent was 10.60 mg nitrate/g carbon and 120 mg arsenic/g carbon. Removal obeyed the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model.Conclusion: The results show a noticeable improvement in activated walnut-shell carbon absorbance (improvement in crystalline structure, chemical bonds, and morphology of micropores) by chemo-physical activation. Chemo-physical activation increased the surface area of the adsorbent from 1067 to 1437 m2g-1 and decreased the mean pore size from 3.28 to 2.08 nm. The characterization results show the major reasons of adsorption could be structure, size and distributions of pores, high surface area and chemical bonds.

Background & Aims of the Study: The evaluation of financial performance is one of the main tasks of the manager that is very important. Any decision-making and rational planning in order to increase productivity and survey the effect of adopted decision on the organization performance is in relation to the accurate assessment of financial performance.The aim of this study was to investigate the process of collection and turnover of receivables and rules of hospital budget in Qom University of medical sciences during the fourth and fifth development plan.Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive-analytic and cross-sectional study. It was used from researcher-made forms for collecting data. The data after collection from financial filing unit entered to the excel software and then the period of receivables collection, circulation of receivables and average daily sales and average intake accounts was analyzed by using of activity ratios formula.Results: Our findings show that during the fourth and fifth development program, the turnover of receivables decreased from four times in the year to three times in the year and it is less than the least standard that is five times in the year. And the period of receivables collection increased from 72 days to 147 days and it is more than the maximum standard that is 67 days. This issue is indication of bad situations of insurance companies of undercontract with hospitals in paying of their obligations during study period.Conclusion: The period of collection and turnover of receivables of selected hospitals takes distance from the standard amount that needs to intervention at the macro level of decisionmaking. This study showed that resorting to legal leverage over the fourth and fifth development plan have not any impact on the improvement of reimbursement process. Therefore, the practical action of politicians about reformation of insurance’s structure and review of the ways of financing can be effective.

Background & Aims of the Study: Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is considered as a major pathogen in public health concern. The objectives of this study were to firstly determine antibiotic sensitivity among Staphylococcus aureus isolated from traditional Iranian white cheese during 2015 from Hamedan province of Iran; and secondly to estimate the presence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus.Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was done by collecting 120 Iranian white cheeses (traditional and industrial) which were available in different markets; and tested for the presence of S. aureus by culture methods. The obtained isolates were subjected to disc diffusion antimicrobial susceptibility tests followed by PCR detection of the mecA gene.Results: Out of 120 examined cheese samples, 19 samples (31.67%) were contaminated with S. aureus. The highest rate of antibiotic resistance was observed for penicillin, as all of the 19 isolates (100%) were found to be resistant to this antibiotic using disk diffusion method. Three out of 19 S. aureus isolates (15.7%) were phenotypically resistant to methicillin (disk diffusion), while 4 (21.05%) of them were genotypically confirmed as MRSA strains. Furthermore, none of the isolates were found resistant to vancomycin.Conclusion: The results of the study confirm the presence of methicillin resistant strains of S. aureus in Iranian white cheese. It should be considered to constitute a potential health risk for consumers, suggesting usage of more stringent hygiene measures.

Background & Aims of the Study: Since the chromium (VI) is a toxic, carcinogenic and non-biodegradable element and can accumulate in the tissues, the presence and release of this element through the effluents is associated with dangerous effects on life cycle. Thus, it should be removed from the effluents. In the present study, biosorption of Cr (VI) from aqueous solutions using Rice husk was investigated.Materials and Methods: The various parameters such as pH, initial Cr (VI) ion concentration, adsorbent dose, and contact time were optimized in batch adsorption system. The experimental data were modeled by Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin- Radushkevich isotherm models. The pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order and intraparticle diffusion models were used to describe the kinetic data.Results: The results indicated that Cr (VI) removal efficiency increases by increasing of contact time and adsorbent dosage. Langmuir models demonstrated the best fit of the adsorption data. The maximum adsorption capacity was 38.4 mg/g at optimum conditions of pH 5.0, contact time of 75 min, temperature of 30 oC and biomass dose of 5 g/L. The best correlation was provided by the second-order kinetic model.Conclusion: It can be concluded that the Rice husk can be considered as an effective adsorbent to remove the Cr (VI) from aqueous solution.