Journal of Research in Environmental Health
Year:2020 | Volume:5 | Issue:4|Papers Count:7

Background and Aim: Air quality in indoor environments such as shopping places is affected by vehicles, in consequence of vicinity with streets and overcrowding. Despite the effect of air pollutants on community health, less attention has been paid to air pollution in traditional bazaars with natural ventilation. The aim of this study is to evaluate concentration of some air pollutants in three traditional bazaars (Sarai-e-Mokhles, Ghanadiha and Ghahvehkashiha) in Isfahan, placed at the Naqsh-e-Jahan Square. Materials and methods: The concentration of SO2, NO2, O3, Particulate Matters (PM2. 5 & PM10) were determined by Aeroqual S500 using a direct assay method. The population of fungi and bacterial were determined by Flite 3 sampling pump (SKC) during a nine-month period from autumn 2018 to spring 2019. Results: Based on results, the pollutant concentrations were much higher at the end of the weeks. In all stations, O3 concentration was close to zero but the concentrations of SO2, NO2, PM2. 5 and PM10 demonstrated higher concentrations than that of the standards. The air quality in Sarai-e-Mokhles and Ghanadiha are more critical than Ghahvehkashiha. The gram-positive Bacillus and Penicillium sp were the most population of bacteria and fungi, respectively. Conclusion: The lack of a ventilation system, various occupational activities, as well as the traffic of motorcycles increased the concentration of pollutants in the bazaars. Based on the long-term presence of market shopkeepers and high people density, it is necessary to pay more attention to air quality and to provide solutions to reduce air pollutant concentrations.

Background and Aim: : Produced wastewater by various industries is a dangerous and considerable pollution resource for the environment. The presence of non-biodegradable dyes in effluents of dying industries is regarded as a major problem. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of electro-fenton process in dye removal from the wastewater of dying industries. Materials and methods: : In the present experimental study conducted in 2017, wastewater sampling was performed according to the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. The samples were transferred to the electrochemical cell reactor and the effect of different parameters such as applied voltage, iron concentration, pH, and reaction time on dye removal efficiency were investigated. Results: According to the results, optimum conditions of Electro-Fenton process in dye removal was determined. Accordingly, in applied voltages of 25 and 35 V in 100 and more than 200 mg/L dye concentrations, , reaction time of 50-60 minutes, Fe2+ concentration of 0. 3 mg/L and pH of 3 the dye removal efficiency of 99. 8 % was achieved. Conclusion: The electro-fenton process is able to remove dye with different concentrations and maximum efficiency. Based on the results, the applied voltage and the concentration of Fe2+ were the parameters that are more efficient and pH along with reaction time demonstrated less impact on the efficiency of the electro-fenton process in dye removal from industrial wastewater.

Background and Aim: Swimming pools are one of the most important sport and recreational areas where health tips must be followed, or adverse results will threaten the health of the whole society. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate the health and hygienic status of the swimming pools as well as water health status in public swimming pools in Mashhad in spring, summer and autumn seasons of 2018. Materials and methods: This practical research was carried out to identify the relevant risks, by field observations for assessing the hygienic condition of indoor areas in 64 swimming pools. For data collection in the present study, valid and reliable questionnaires of general information and human resources (14 question), health assessment (37 questions), and water quality control instruction of Mashhad’ s swimming pools were used. Parametric analysis of variance was utilized for normal data, and non-normal data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test by considering P <0. 05. Results: The results of the evaluation of water quality by health centers indicated that the desirability amount of the residual chlorine, water pH, water temperature, water turbidity, thermophilic coliforms, heterotrophic bacteria, and water chemical quality was 86%, 96%, 95. 44%, 92. 44%, 96. 49%, 94. 96%, and 95. 31%, respectively. Amount of the residual chlorine, water turbidity, and heterotrophic bacteria was below the expected level of 95%. The outcomes of the tests performed by Mashhad health and hygiene centers (supervision organization), and pool managers’ self-control examinations revealed that the results of water pH, water temperature, thermophilic coliform, and water chemical tests were in total accordance with standards (P <0. 05). Conclusion: The results showed that most of the health risks were related to the residual chlorine, turbidity, and microbial contamination of water by heterotrophic bacteria. Training swimmers and hygiene culture development have a pivotal role in controlling health risks.

Background and Aim: Waste production is a natural consequence of human life and mismanagement of solid waste can result in environmental hazards. Determination of an appropriate location to sanitary landfill site is one of the most common ways to deal with this crisis. The purpose of this research is to find an appropriate location for landfill site in Qorveh city due to its specific location in terms of agriculture and mining. Materials and methods: The research method in this study was descriptive, analytical and quantitative. In order to locate the landfill, firstly effective information layers in landfill site study (land use layer, rivers, roads, conservation areas, soils, groundwater, morphology, … ) were identified and developed using the collected data from organizations and information centers. Finally, (GIS), (AHP) and (WLC) were used to integrate the maps. Results: The Analytical Hierarchy Process is one of the most efficient techniques designed for multi-criteria decision making, as it enables the formulation of complex problems. Due to limitations, appropriate landfill site options were identified using GIS and used as input data for the hierarchical analysis process. Distance from population centers (towns and villages), distance from surface and groundwater sources are the most important indicators. Conclusion: By combining two methods of multivariate Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) and Analytical Hierarchy Process(AHP) model, the most priority areas were determined with concentration on distance from population centers (towns and villages), distance from surface and groundwater resources, . After extracting the criteria information layers from the maps and prioritizing the 4-storey location ranges, it became clear that the northern direction of Qorveh city with an area of 210 hectares is the most suitable area for sanitary landfill of solid wastes.

Background and Aim: Due to the increasing demands of the human population to groundwater, protection and prevention of these water resources from pollution are necessary. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the vulnerability of groundwater aquifer in Kuchesfahan-Astane plain located in Gilan province using DRASTIC method and nonparametric models. Materials and methods: In this study, seven layers were prepared for parameters in GIS software, and after weighting and combining standard ranks, the groundwater vulnerability maps for the study area were prepared. Nitrate data were used to validate the model in this region. Subsequently, by using the nonparametric models, Instance-Based Learning with parameter K (IBK) and the Tree Decision M5, the amount of nitrate was estimated. Meanwhile, Gamma test was conducted to find the best combination of input parameters. Results: The results revealed that the vulnerability of groundwater aquifer in this plain has 4 classes including 18. 56 % in low vulnerability, 51. 29 % in low to medium vulnerability, 28. 46% in medium to high vulnerability, and 1. 67% in high vulnerability classes. Also, the results showed that both of the nonparametric models have suitable estimates of the nitrate content, but the M5 decision tree model yielded the best results (R2=0. 98). Conclusion: The results showed that nonparametric models are efficient method to estimate the aquifer vulnerability and provide accurate results to estimate the potential of contamination in the study area. This demonstrates the superiority of the M5 model over other aquatic vulnerability assessment methods.

Background and Aim: Regardless of the positive economic effects, the adverse environmental impacts of mines make it necessary to assess environmental impacts. The purpose of this study was to determine the environmental impacts of granite and marble quarries in Khorasan Razavi province. Materials and methods: In this descriptive-analytical study after field visits, information was collected through a checklist and data analysis was performed using RIAM and Leopold matrices. Results: Analysis of mine information through the Leopold matrix showed that the average overall ranking in all environments including cultural, socioeconomic, biological and physical was-1. 46, which indicates poor negative consequences. Also, the most harmful consequences were in the biological environment. According to the results of the RIAM matrix, the most negative impacts of mining occur in the physical-chemical environment. Conclusion: Exploration activities of the granite and marble quarries in Khorasan Razavi with respect to the RIAM matrix generally have moderate to slight negative effects on the physico-chemical environment and with respect to the Leopold matrix have minor adverse effects on the biological and physico-chemical environments. The continuation of exploitation of the Khorasan Razavi stone mine along with environmental considerations can, in addition to realizing the national development goals, lead to the creation of job opportunities and the construction of infrastructural facilities.

Background and Aim: A big part of the municipal solid waste produced in Iran is composed of organic matter. Composting is the best option for management of such wastes. That’ s why a lot of compost industries have been built in the country. The quality of the produced composts as a fertilizer should meet the enacted standards to improve soil quality. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to study the physical, chemical and biological properties of the manure compost produced by compost industries in Mazandaran, Golestan and Guilan provinces in 2016 and compare their qualities with standards. Materials and methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, sampling and analyses of physical, chemical and biological parameters were conducted once a month during the three months of spring. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16 statistical software. Results: The results showed that pH, particulate matter, phosphorus, percentage of foreign matter and heavy metals in Babol, Rasht and Aq Qala samples were lower than the standards of Iran, WHO and Guttos theory. In terms of moisture and C/N properties, they were compost grade II. However, in terms of carbon dioxide, organic matter and nitrogen they were classified in grade I based on the standards of WHO, and were acceptable according to the standards of Iran and Gotthes theory. In addition, in terms of fecal coliforms and Salmonella they were in Class A, and according to the parasite eggs, they were in Class B. Conclusion: This study showed that the quality of the compost produced is grade II; therefore, in order to produce compost grade 1, it is need to highly consider some effective factors such as separation at source and more optimization of the composting processes.