Iranian Journal of Health and Environment

Extraction and measurement of phthalate acid esters in milk using carbon nanotube magnetized with iron oxide and through GC-MS device

Mohammad Ahmadi

Background and Objective: Today with progress and improvement of knowledge of human in the food industry field, plastic coatings owing to their unique properties, is extensively applied for a package of beverages and food like water and milk. Phthalate esters (PAEs) are applied to increase e sustainability, efficiency and flexibility of materials. Chronic exposure to stated compounds has a role in the occurrence of several types of human illnesses and cancer. The purpose of this study is to investigate the presence and amount of phthalate esters in different types of milk supplied in Tehran city by using magnetized nanotube crane with magnetic iron oxide and through GC-MS device.
Materials and Methods: In this research, multi-walled magnetic carbon nanotubes were synthesized by applying iron oxide and then synthesized magnetic nanotubes were applied for absorption and extraction of PAEs from the matrix of milk samples. The number of samples is 60 and has been selected from Tehran, which has been repeated twice. After the preparation of sample, by using GC-MS, each PAEs concentration was assessed. SPSS software was used for data analysis (Kruskal-Wallis and Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests).
Results: The outcomes of this study indicated the mean of total phthalates and DEHP in all samples was 5.26 (ranged from 2.94-8.39) and 0.97 (ranged from nd-2.05) µg/L, which were lower than the existing standards (DEHP standard in water is equal to 6 µg/L).
Conclusion: According to the current results and with regard to the lower concentration of each PAEs compared with the standard levels in different types of Iranian consumed milk, it can be concluded that there is no hazardous effect for consumers.

Investigating the efficiency of disinfecting and encapsulating device for medical sharps waste

Amir Hossein Mahvi

Background and Objective: Due to the importance of managing medical sharps waste and the potential harm caused by these types of waste, the use of safe technologies that simultaneously encapsulate and reduce their volume is considered one of the essential needs for managing medical waste in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The main objective of this study was to investigate the efficiency of disinfecting and encapsulating device for medical sharps waste.
Materials and Methods: This device provides the process of containment and encapsulation of medical sharps waste by creating a stable protective foam without oxidation through inductive heat in a closed environment, preventing the dispersion and release of these wastes. Gas samples from the device's output were collected using the NIOSH 1501 method and analyzed using GC-MS. The performance efficiency of the device was evaluated based on the biological monitoring of the indicator bacterium Bacillus stearothermophilus.
Results: The results showed that the average concentration of BTEX gases (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes) and other volatile organic compounds in the device's output was within the permissible limit. The concentrations of Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene gases were 0.04, 0.033, 0.029, and 0.029 ppm, respectively. The results of biological monitoring showed that the reduction of the microbial load was 9999.99 (Log 6) and the decontamination process was acceptable.
Additionally, this device has the advantage of reducing the volume of sharp and plastic objects during the encapsulation process, which can be further used in plastic pyrolysis/recycling industries.
Conclusion: It is hoped that by using this innovative and domestic device in the decontamination units of hospitals across the country, we can take an effective step towards improving medical waste management, reducing waste production, reducing hospital costs, and preserving and enhancing the country's health.

Removal of tetracycline from aqueous solution using magnetite graphene oxide modified with β-cyclodextrin as a novel adsorbent: equilibrium and kinetic studies

Mehrdad Cheraghi

Background and Objective: Antibiotics are emerging pollutants that enter the human environment through pharmaceutical, hospital, and urban wastewater. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate of removal efficacy of tetracycline (TC) from aqueous solutions using GO@Fe₃O₄@β-CD.
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, GO@Fe₃O₄@β-CD was synthesized and then used as an adsorbent for the removal of TC from aqueous solution. GO@Fe₃O₄@β-CD was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) methods. Also, the influence of variables including pH (3-9), amount of adsorbent (0.003-0.050 g), contact time (0-100 min), and temperature (25-55 °C) so assessed on the efficacy of TC removal.
Results: The results of TGA analysis showed that GO@Fe₃O₄@β-CD nanoparticles were resistant to temperatures up to 400 °C. Also, the results indicated that β-cyclodextrin was uniformly dispersed on the surface of GO@Fe₃O₄.
The results indicated that removal efficiency increased up to 60 min contact time, 0.01 g of adsorbent, and decrease temperature to 25 °C. The optimum pH for TC removal was 7.0. Also, under these conditions, the adsorption process followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm with a correlation coefficient of 0.992 and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model with a correlation coefficient of 0.997, 0.999, and 0.998. The maximum adsorption capacity of the prepared adsorbent was 357 mg/g.
Conclusion: The GO@Fe₃O₄@β-CD could be an effective and efficient adsorbent for the removal of TC from industrial wastewater.

Efficiency of the electrokinetic process in copper recovery from the waste of the mine

Behnoosh Khataei

Background and Objective: Mining is one of the important economic activities all over the world. It causes the release of various emissions, especially heavy metals in the soil, due to the weak exploitation and improper disposal of mineral wastes. Different techniques are used for soil remediation and heavy metal extraction; including the electrokinetic method (so effective in fine-grained soils). In this research, the electrokinetic process was used to extract copper from the waste of the mine in Birjand.
Materials and Methods: In this research, a 24 cm long PVC reactor was used. The retention time was 2, 4, and 6 days and the voltage gradient was 1 V/cm. Graphite electrodes and electrolyte solutions of nitric acid and citric acid were investigated for copper extraction. The electrode polarity was alternately changed in order to pH control and improve the extraction process.
Results: According to the results, the highest removal efficiency (54%) was obtained after 6 days using 0.1 M citric acid and distilled water in the anode and cathode reservoir, respectively. Further, by 24-hour polarity reversing, the copper removal efficiency increased to about 60%.
Conclusion: The use of citric acid in anode was more effective than nitric acid, leading to more copper removal. In addition, by periodically polarity change and keeping the soil pH in the neutral range, further dissolution of the metal and reducing its sedimentation in the soil occurred. As a result, the rate of its transfer outside the treatment area and removal efficiency increased.

Evaluation of spatial changes of arsenic in underground water resources of Sirjan basin

Mohsen Pourkhosravani

Background and Objective: This research tries to analyze the spatial distribution and trend of arsenic level changes in the underground water resources of the Sirjan basin, and also to evaluate and analyze the factors affecting the concentration of this element in these water resources.
Materials and Methods: Sampling of underground water sources in the study area was done by systematic-random method and arsenic concentration was done by ICP-MS method in the laboratory. Also, to evaluate the factors affecting the concentration of arsenic in the underground water resources of Sirjan bathe sin, the method of land systems analysis was used.
Results: The results of the research show that the amount of arsenic in all samples is higher than the Guidelines provided by the World Health Organization so the amount of this element in the underground water sources of the study area varies between 30 and 390 µg/L. Samples No. 9, 13, and 16, which are located in the deepest parts of the basin, have the highest amount of arsenic. For this reason, the durability of water in this part of the basin increases. This reduces the intensity of the current. As a result, according to the cumulative effect law, this process can lead to an increase in arsenic concentration.
Conclusion: The evaluation of changes in the concentration of arsenic in the underground water resources of the study area indicates that the concentration of this element had a high increasing trend. According to the results, the location of the studied area in the center of hydrothermal and geothermal processes (copper mineralization belt in Iran), the cumulative effect, and the effect of pH on the absorption and desorption of arsenic are among the most important factors affecting the increase of arsenic in the underground water resources of Sirjan Basin.

Awareness, attitude, and performance of people in Mazandaran province regarding source separation of household waste in 2021

Samaneh Dehghan

Background and Objective: Nowadays, recycling is one of the ways to save mankind from the mass of waste it produces, and waste separation from the source is the first and most important link in the field of urban waste recycling. Since the necessity and basis of recycling is people's participation in separation plans from the source, the present study was conducted to investigate the awareness, attitude, and performance of the people of Mazandaran province regarding the source separation of household waste in 2021.
Materials and Methods: The present study was a descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study, and the tool used in it was a researcher-made questionnaire including three dimensions of knowledge, attitude, and performance, the link of which was provided online to qualified people. The qualitative content validity of this questionnaire was confirmed by 8 environmental health experts in the field of the research subject. The reliability of the tool was also estimated through the Retest Method. Furthermore, the values of Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the three dimensions of awareness, attitude, and performance were calculated. In the following, the samples were selected in virtual groups based on the available sampling method and through the distribution of the questionnaire link online. Analysis of variance was used to compare the mean scores in the levels of variables, Pearson's correlation test was used to examine the relationship between the scores of awareness, attitude, and performance dimensions, and linear regression was used to examine the effect of independent variables. Finally, the data was analyzed in SPSS software (version 22).
Results: For the entire study population (305 people), the range and mean score of awareness were 0-6, and 5.03±1.18 respectively, the range and mean score of attitude were 17-85 and 61.01± 9.45, and the range and mean score of performance were 6-30 and 11.43±5.19, respectively. Also, there was a significant correlation between the mean scores of the dimensions of awareness and attitude (correlation coefficient=0.70), awareness and performance (correlation coefficient=0.68), and attitude and performance (correlation coefficient=0.63).
Conclusion: The results of this study, which was conducted to measure the knowledge, attitude, and performance of the people of Mazandaran province regarding the separation of household waste from the source and waste recycling, and with a survey of 305 households in this province, showed that although the most of people have a piece of proper knowledge and attitude related to the importance of separation and recycling of solid waste, they have not participated much in the plans of waste separation from the source. Therefore, in order to increase the level of people's performance, it is recommended to develop incentive programs in the field of source separation, including awarding prizes or applying discounts on waste charges, as well as providing suitable containers for waste separation to households for free by the municipality to encourage waste separation.

Evaluation of workplace hazards and their effect on the physical-mental health of wastewater treatment plant workers in Mashhad

Hasan Jahed Taherani

Background and Objective: Employees of wastewater treatment plants are exposed to various harmful factors in the work environment that can threaten their health. In this research, the health status of the employees of Mashhad sewage treatment plants has been evaluated to help by implementing intervention programs to improve the health of employees.
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, (bioaerosols, UV rays, heat stress, and hydrogen disulfide gas) were measured in 5 treatment plants in Mashhad. All study variables, including health status, clinical tests, and job stress, were analyzed analytically in two operational and administrative employee groups. The standard HSE occupational stress questionnaire was used to investigate the state of occupational stress. All data were transferred to the computer and data analysis was done with the help of software SPSS20.
Results: The amount of pollutants except H₂S gas was lower than the national occupational exposure limit. The number of smokers, diabetics, knee pain, and hearing loss was higher among operational than administrative employees, and hypertension, increased cholesterol, back pain, and skin disease were also more common in office workers than operational workers, but there were no statistically significant differences. Obesity and overweight (p<0.009) and increased triglycerides (p<0.05) were more common in administrative than operational workers, which had statistically significant differences. The state of job stress in operational employees was statistically significant compared to administrative employees regarding role (p<0.018) and communication (p<0.002).
Conclusion: Appropriate occupational health interventions to reduce pollutants, implement ergonomic programs and improve nutrition and increase physical activity and stress management can play an effective role in improving the health of employees of these units.

Removal of methyl orange dye from aqueous solutions by SBA-16 nano mesopore and optimization of effective parameters using response surface method

Mohammad Hossein Fekri

Background and Objective: Due to the presence of industrial pollutants in water sources, it is necessary to treat wastewater, especially colored wastewater. This study aims to treat wastewater containing methyl orange dye using nano mesopore SBA-16.
Materials and Methods: In this study, the effect of different parameters (pH, concentration of methyl orange, amount of adsorbent, temperature, and contact time) on the absorption of methyl orange by nanocomposite prepared with the help of Design of Experiment 7 software and Response Surface Method (RSM) was investigated.
Results: The maximum amount of pollutant removal by the adsorbent was obtained under optimal conditions of pH = 4.07, temperature 50 °C, contact time 35 minutes, initial concentration of adsorbent 10 mg/L, and amount of adsorbent 0.04 g. Also, the findings showed that the absorption behavior is most consistent with the Langmuir isotherm and the absorption process is exothermic and spontaneous at low temperatures.
Conclusion: In optimal conditions, the SBA-16 adsorbent was able to remove 98.60 % of methyl orange from the aqueous solution and the maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) for the removal of methyl orange pollutant was 37.73 mg/g. Considering the high potential of nano mesopore SBA-16 in removing methyl orange pigment, it can be considered a suitable candidate for removing colored pollutants and treating wastewater from textile factories.

Effects of climatic parameters and air pollutants of Tehran city on the growth of Pinus eldarica in Chitgar forest park during time series (1975-2015)

Javad Torkaman

Background and Objective: Climate change and environmental pollutants affect the growth of plant species. These effects can be recognized in the tree growth rings. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the precipitation and temperature in four decades (1975-2015) and air pollutants in the last decade on the average growth of pine trees (Pinus eldarica).
Materials and Methods: The studied area is Chitgar Forest Park located in the northwest of Tehran city and the studied species is the forest pine (Pinus eldarica). The research method is descriptive, the required climatic information was obtained from Mehrabad meteorological station and sampling was done by disc cutting from 10 forest pine trees. After preparing the samples, the number and width of annual rings were counted and measured using binoculars and a measuring table. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used at a significance level of 5% to investigate the significant difference in growth width in four decades.
Results: The results show that there is no significant difference between average precipitation in four decades, while average temperature and average growth have significant differences (p < 0.05). The amount of growth based on the growth index has decreased during four decades, and this decrease is more significant and obvious in the fourth decade due to the increase of pollutants such as ozone (O₃) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂).
Conclusion: In general, the growth of forest pine trees has decreased during forty years with the increase of average annual temperature, which excessive decrease in the fourth decade is caused by pollutants such as ozone and nitrogen dioxide. It is suggested to do more research on sensitive species planted in urban areas to better understand the effect of pollutants on the growth and development of trees.

Challenges related to compost spreading in urban green space: microbial risk assessment of accidental ingestion by children

Mahnaz Nikaeen

Background and Objective: The presence of pathogenic microorganisms in compost of solid waste can threat public health. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the safety of produced composts before its land application as a soil conditioner. This study was conducted to investigate the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in municipal solid waste (MSW) compost and health risks associated with accidental ingestion of compost by children.
Materials and Methods: In this study, sampling was done from compost piles at different public parks of Isfahan city during the period of compost spreading. Presence and concentration of pathogenic microorganisms including salmonella, campylobacter, cryptosporidium and adenovirus were investigated by culture or real-time PCR methods.
Results: All pathogenic microorganisms were detected in MSW compost in a frequency from 11%-62% with the highest frequency for detection of adenovirus. The health risk assessment showed that the highest risk of daily infection was for Cryptosporidium (7.67 × 10^-4 pppy) and the lowest risk was related to adenovirus (8.27 × 10^-10 pppy). The annual infection risk from gastrointestinal disease was calculated above guideline infection risk (10^-3 pppy).
Conclusion: The results showed contamination of produced compost to pathogenic microorganisms and potential health risks from applying MSW compost in urban green spaces. Therefore, the relevant organizations should pay more attention to the composting process and its microbial quality and application in public access areas.

Evaluation of microbial characteristics of traditional butter made from cow and sheep milk in Ilam city, Iran

Moayed Adiban

Background and Objective: Butter is a known dairy product in the world and has an important role in human nutrition. Ignoring sanitary tips in this product leads to low quality of the product and outbreak. Therefore, this study aims to investigate bacterial pollution of local butter produced from cow and sheep milk in Ilam city.
Materials and Methods: In this analytical study, 150 samples of traditional cow and sheep butter were collected and studied for microbial contamination for 1 month from different production centers. SPSS version 23 software was used to analyze the collected data.
Results: From 75 samples of cow butter, 25.3% of the samples are polluted to S. aureus, 44% to S. epidermidis, 38.7% to Salmonella, 12% to Total coliform 10.7% to E. coli, and 12% do not have any pollution. From 75 samples of sheep local butter, 12% of the samples are polluted to S. aureus, 72% to S. epidermidis, 48% to Salmonella, 24% to Total coliform, and 17.3% to E. coli. A significant difference (P< 0.05) between pollution to S. aureus and S. epidermis in cow and sheep samples exists.
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that contamination of consumed local butter in Ilam city is considerably high; Therefore, it is important to pay attention to food hygiene in different stages from production to consumption.

Relationship between cadmium exposure and breast cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Ramezan Sadeghi

Background and Objective: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women worldwide. Cadmium is one of the most persistent and toxic heavy metals, exposure to which may lead to an increased risk of breast cancer. This study aims to quantitatively summarize the available evidence for the relationship between cadmium exposure and the risk of breast cancer using a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Materials and Methods: In this research, observational studies that investigated the relationship between cadmium and breast cancer until May 2022 and were published in international databases were searched and retrieved. To determine the heterogeneity, the statistical tests Chi² and I² were used, to determine the presence of publication bias Egger's and Begg's tests were used, and to detect the root of the heterogeneity, meta-regression, and sensitivity analysis were used.
Results: In this study, it was observed that compared to the base group, the relative risk of breast cancer in people exposed/exposed to a dose higher than the base level of cadmium is equal to 1.10 (95% CI: 1.06-1.14; p ≤ 0.001), therefore, a statistically significant relationship was observed between exposure to cadmium or exposure to levels exceeding the baseline and developing breast cancer. In investigating the possibility of publication bias, the result of Egger's test was equal to (p ≥ 0.001), and the result of Bagg's test was equal to (p = 0.099).
Conclusion: According to the available evidence, exposure to cadmium leads to an increase in the risk of breast cancer, and this increase in risk is statistically significant.