Iranian Journal of Health and Environment

Investigating the physicochemical characteristics in edible oils produced by cold press and industrial methods in Sabzevar city

Mehrnoosh Abtahi

Background and Objective: In today's society, preparing healthy food has become challenging due to the variety of food production methods. Oil is produced in several ways in our country. In the cold pressing method, there is insufficient monitoring of the manufactured product. The aim of the present study is to investigate the physicochemical characteristics and the levels of heavy metals of industrial oil compared to cold-pressed oil.
Materials and Methods: In this research, 54 samples of sunflower, sesame, and canola oil produced by both cold pressing and industrial refiningmethods were prepared. Their physicochemical characteristics, including refractive index, acid value, iodine value, saponification value, peroxide value, anisidine value, as well as the concentrations of lead, iron, arsenic and copper were determined. Additionally, the effect of storage time on these characteristics was investigated.
Results: The Iodine number showed the highest deviation from the standard (61%), with an average of 136.70 gI/100g for the cold-pressed oil and 134.48 gI/100g for industrially refined oiland. The average value of the physicochemical characteristics, except for the saponification value, were higher in the cold-pressed oil samples compared to the industrially refined oil samples, but the observed difference was not statistically significant. An investigation into the effect of storage time on physicochemical properties revealed a significant increase in peroxide value (p<0.01) and anisidine (p <0.05) in both oil groups over a two-month period. The average concentration of arsenic, lead, iron and copper in the studied oils was 0.03, 0.78, 0.05 and 0.05 mg/kgoil, respectively. A deviation from the standard was observed only in one sample of cold-pressed sunflower oil, with an arsenic concentration of 0.11 mg/kgoil).
Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, the refined industrial oils exhibited more favorable chemical characteristics and stability. It is suggested that cold-pressed oils should be consumed within a short period of time. For frying purposes, refined industrial oils are preferable.

Risk assessment of health and ecological some of heavy metals in lettuce, cabbage, and soil of Dezful, Ramhormoz, and Hamidiyeh farms

Khoshnaz Payandeh

Background and Objective: Heavy metals are dangerous pollutants in the environment that accumulate in food. This research was conducted with the aim of evaluating the health risks and contamination of some heavy metals in lettuce and cabbage in the cities of Hamidieh, Dezful and Ramhormoz in Khuzestan province.
Materials and Methods: The sampling was completely random, with three repetitions, and 15 samples of each of the lettuce and cabbage vegetables grown in each region were prepared. Heavy metals were measured using the Perkin Elmer 4100 atomic absorption device. Heavy metal risk assessment was conducted using soil pollution indicators and health risk assessment method.
Results: The highest amount of metal in cabbage is related to zinc (5.84±0.15 mg/kg), while the lowest amounts of chromium metal in lettuce (0.11±0.005 mg/kg) was achieved. Based on the daily absorption of heavy metals in lettuce and cabbage products, the results showed that the highest hazard index (HQ) values, related to lead metal in cabbage for children and adults, were 3.9376 and 3.4253, respectively, compared to other heavy metals. The highest value of the carcinogenicity index in children was 0.0133 for cabbage consumption. The carcinogenic index of chromium metal in lettuce and cabbage products had the lowest values (0.0003 and 0.0004). Regarding the metal enrichment factor, lead, chromium, copper and cobalt were higher in the agricultural soils of Ramhormoz compared to other regions, while nickel and zinc were higher in the soils of Hamidiyeh than in Dezful and Ramhormoz. The soil index of accumulation of chromium, zinc and copper in the soil of Dezful agricultural fields was higher, whereas lead and cobalt were higher in Hamidiyeh soils than in Dezful and Ramhormoz. Additionally, nickel was higher in Ramhormoz agricultural fields.
Conclusion: According to the soil pollution indicators, cobalt metal played an important role in the soil pollution in Dezful, Hamidiyeh and Ramhormoz, while the metals lead, nickel, chromium, copper and zinc showed minimal pollution levels in the soil of the studied areas. The health risk assessment of soil heavy metals showed that the risk index for lead, nickel, chromium, copper, zinc and cobalt was lower than 1. Additionally, the carcinogenicity index of heavy metals for both adults and children was less than 10^-4. The health risk assessment of heavy metals and their risk index showed that the consumption of lettuce and cabbage in these areas can lead to various health problems in people.

Synthesis of new photocatalyst based on modified organic-mineral polymers with mixed zinc and cobalt oxides and its application in sonophotocatalytic degradation of 2,4-dinitrophenol

Mahdi Farzadkia

Background and Objective: Phenol compounds are commonly applied as raw materials in the production of pesticides, herbicides, and dyes. These compounds are toxic to animals, plants, and microorganisms. In this study, the sonophotocatalytic degradation of 2,4-dinitrophenol in aqueous solutions was investigated using organic-mineral polymer catalysts containing Zink and Cobalt oxides under visible light and ultrasonic (US) irradiation.
Materials and Methods: The characteristics of the synthesized catalyst were determined using XRD, FTIR, and SEM techniques. The effect of several key parameters, including pH (3-9), catalyst dosage (0.3-1 g/L), time (0-90 min), US power (100-200 W/m²), and initial concentration of 2,4-dinitrophenol (20-100 mg/L), on the degradation efficiency was also investigated.
Results: After 75 minutes of sonophotocatalytic processing, complete degradation of 2,4-dinitrophenol (20mg/L) was achieved with catalyst dosage of 0.5 g/L, pH of 9.0, and US intensity of 200 W/m². Kinetic studies indicated that the sonophotocatalytic degradation process followed a first-order kinetic model. The results of radical scavenging experiments confirmed that HO° and O₂˚^- radicals are the main oxidative species involved in the degradation of 2,4-dinitrophenol. Furthermore, the reuse of the catalyst for five consecutive tests showed a slight decrease in removal efficiency.
Conclusion: The results demonstrate that the sonophotocatalytic process, using the modified organic-mineral polymers with mixed Zink and Cobalt oxides catalyst, can be an effective method for removing 2,4-dinitrophenol from aqueous media.

Evaluation of antibiotic residues in raw milk of Fars province by rapid method in 2018 and determining the amount of oxytetracycline, enrofloxacin and penicillin G in contaminated samples

Majid Hashemi

Background and Objective: Paying attention to antibiotic residues in milk is important due to its health effects on the occurrence of microbial resistance in consumers, as well as its harmful effects on the dairy industry. This study was carried out with the aim of determining the amount of oxytetracycline, enrofloxacin, and penicillin G in raw milk samples produced in Fars province, which were detected as contaminated during screening with a rapid kit.
Materials and Methods: The samples were first examined with a rapid commercial kit for the presence of antibiotic residues. Then the amount of oxytetracycline, enrofloxacin and penicillin G antibiotics in the positive samples belonging to the middle month of each season was determined using the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method.
Results: Antibiotic residues were found in 121 (7.7%) samples by the commercial Eclipse kit. Both season (p<0.001) and region (p<0.01) of sampling had a significant effect on antibiotic residues in raw milk. In the chromatographic method, antibiotic residues of oxytetracycline and enrofloxacin were detected in 6 (27.3%) samples, none of which exceeded the permissible limit determined by the Iranian Veterinary Organization.
Conclusion: Although the amount of antibiotics detected from raw milk from Fars province was much lower than the permissible limit, it is necessary to implement further executive, educational, and research measures to minimize these residues in raw milk due to the possibility of the presence of other antimicrobial substances.

Evaluation of the quality of unconventional water (wastewater treatment plant effluent) of Pakdasht city for Cucurbits irrigating in 2022

Mohammad Rafiee

Background and Objective: Identifying the quality of non-conventional waters and exploring their optimal utilization are fundamental measures for maintaining public health. This study aims to investigate the effluent quality of the irrigation canals in Pakdasht farms.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 120 samples were collected from 6 irrigation canals in Pakdasht fields over a period of 5 months. The physicochemical and microbial characteristics of the canal effluents were determined based on the standard methods of water and wastewater tests. The concentration of heavy metals was measured using an ICP device. To determine the possibility of using the effluent of Pakdasht canals for agricultural purposes, the Environmental Protection Organization of Iran and FAO standards were used.
Results: The average concentrations of COD, BOD₅, TSS, TDS, NO₃^-, SO₄^-2, PO₄^-3parameters were 259, 125, 105, 697, 4.5, 94.4, 13.5 mg/L. Additionally, the average number of total and fecal coliforms in the effluent of the canals exceeded the standard values set by IRNDOE and FAO. The mean pH was 6.97, the electrical conductivity (EC) was 1014 μm/cm, and the turbidity was 76.2 NTU. The detected concentrations of heavy metals were awithin the following ranges: Cr (0.025-0.045 mg/L), Cd (0.0006-0.001 mg/L), Pb (0.0006-0.001 mg/L), Co (0.038-0.059 mg/L), and Ni (0.05-0.06 mg/L), which were roughly lower than the suggested standards. However, both HEI and WWQI indices confirmed that the water was unsuitable for agricultural irrigation.
Conclusion: Based on the comparison of the results of the parameters measured in this study with the environmental and FAO standards, the effluent from the irrigation canals of Pakdasht city is deemed unsuitable for the irrigation of warm-season crops but suitable for fodder and industrial crops.

Assessment of the current status and integrated waste management at Azadi sports complex in Tehran: a case study

Akbar Eskandari

Background and Objective: Waste management as an inevitable byproduct is one of the most critical environmental issues in any society. Its management is essential for preventing environmental pollution. The aim of this research is to examine the management of production waste in the Azadi Sports Complex.
Materials and Methods: This research is a descriptive, cross-sectional, and empirical study that utilizies questionnaires, field visits, weight analysis, sampling, and determination of the physicochemical characteristics of waste. The questionnaire includes questions about the production rate, source reduction, separation, recycling, collection, storage location, transportation outside the complex, and final disposal of waste.
Results: The amount of waste generated from the Azadi Sports Complex was 449.87±4.83kg/day, with the highest waste production observed from the Wrestling Federation (95.37 kg/day) and the lowest from the Kung Fu Federation (12.75 kg/day) and the clinic (12 kg/day). The results of the physicochemical characteristics indicated that the average moisture content was 47%. Combustible materials accounted for 67% with a high calorific value of 12807 kcal/kg, and the ash content was 42%. The dry and wet wastes were collected daily, mixed together, and stored together in an enclosed area.
Conclusion: The results showed that the waste separation, recycling, and storage practices in the Azadi Sports Complex are unsatisfactory. Additionally, there is no existing program for waste reduction at the source or recycling. Therefore, the establishment of a proper waste management system to mitigate the waste volumes in this complex is necessary.

Identification of the landfill site of Bushehr city by using the combined method of DEMATEL and Network Analysis Process (DANP)

Bahareh Rahimipour

Background and Objective: Waste management is a crucial aspect of sustainable city development due to the increasing population, urbanization expansion, and changes in consumption patterns. The purpose of this study is to identify the waste landfill in Bushehr city by considering the relationships between various criteria using the DANP (DEMATEL-ANP) method.
Materials and Methods: 17 criteria were identified to identify the suitable landfill. The weighting of these criteria was done by DANP integrated multi-criteria decision-making technique. The internal relationships of the criteria and the causal relationships between the criteria were also determined. Then, these weights were multiplied in the spatial layer of each of the criteria in the environment of geographic information systems.
Results: The most crucial criterion for selecting a suitable location for urban landfill is land use, followed by the criteria of distance from residential areas, tourist places, and the road. The study identified and evaluated five locations in Bushehr city as potential landfills based on these criteria. The eastern and southeastern parts of Bushehr city emerged as the most suitable locations for landfill among the evaluated sites.
Conclusion: The DANP model proves highly effective in identifying landfills and offers a framework for addressing issues related to waste landfill selection. This research can serve as a valuable guide for planning and locating waste landfills, providing a basis for addressing both theoretical and practical challenges associated with landfill management.

Investigating the effect of micro aerobic process on the efficiency of anaerobic digester of sulfate-rich municipal sewage sludge

Gholamreza Nabi Bidhendi

Background and Objective: A high concentration of Hydrogen Sulfide in biogas is a major problem associated with anaerobic digestion of waste rich in sulfate. It disrupts the functional process and reduces the lifespan of biogas facilities. The micro-aerobic (MA) process is an alternative method for direct sulfurization.
Materials and Methods: The effect of sulfate loading (200, 500 and 700 mg/L) on H₂S in biogas were investigated. Subsequently, the effect of MA process (0.88, 1.04, 1.34 NL/day) on H₂S reduction in biogas production was evaluated. Additionally, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) and pH were measured. Finally, under optimal conditions, the biogas volume and the content of CH₄ and CO₂ in biogas were determined.
Results: The results indicated that there were no significant differences in biogas volume production between the reactor fed with 200 mg/L sulfate and the control. However, the biogas production in reactors with 500 and 700 mg/L sulfate decreased to 4103 and 3929 mL, respectively. The H₂S levels in control and reactors with 200, 500, 700 mg/L sulfate were 0.35, 0.46, 2.4, and 1.8%, respectively. In reactors with MA at rates of 0, 0.88, 1.04, 1.34 NL/day, the H₂S levels were 1.95%, 0.9%, 0.4% and 0.1% (V/V) in biogas, respectively. The pH in reactor varied between 2.7 and 4.7, and the ORP was measured between -281 and -291 mV. Statistical analysis shows that no significant difference was observed between the average daily production of biogas with MA process of 0.88 and 1.04 NL/day. However, MA with 1.34 NL/day resulted in a decrease in biogas production.
Conclusion: The results indicated MA at a rate of 1.04 NL/day is a favorable option for the treatment of sulfate-rich urban wastewater sludge due to its efficiency in H₂S removal.

Assessment of the potential environmental effects of newly deposited mine tailings from the Sungun Copper mine

Safieh Hassanzad

Background and Objective: One of the significant challenges in mining areas is the pollution of the environment by heavy metals. Therefore, it is crucial to assess the pollution risk associated with mining wastes and take action to mitigate their environmental impact. The current study assessed the risk potential of recently deposited tailings in the Songun copper mining area.
Materials and Methods: Based on the conditions of tailings, 26 samples were randomly selected from the recently deposited mine wastes. Twenty-two thin and thin polished sections were prepared for lithology and mineralogy studies. Inductively-Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) was employed to analyze all 26 samples, while X-ray diffraction method (XRD) was used to analyze a subset of 10 samples.
Results: Sulfide minerals, as the main source of environmental pollution, remain intact and unaffected in the tailings. However, the majority of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) exhibit higher concentrations in the waste composition than the standard levels, resulting in a total ecological risk index of 49.93. Geochemical indicators highlight significant pollution levels for elements such as lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and copper (Cu). The values of the non-carcinogenic risk index for children (except As and Fe) and adults are lower than 1, indicating a non-significant non-carcinogenic health risk. However, the carcinogenicity index also indicates a significant carcinogenic risk in the case of long exposure to wastes, particularly for children.
Conclusion: Therefore, wastes pose a significant environmental risk potential, and due to this risk, proper management of their storage is necessary to prevent the release of PTEs into the environment.

Investigating the role of green innovativeness on the formation of consumers' attitude towards environmentally friendly products

Hooshmand Bagheri Garbollagh

Background and Objective: The challenge of fostering healthier societies begins with considering the environment and promoting collective acceptance of environmentally friendly behaviors. Consumer choices regarding the environment impact the health and quality of life for current and future generations. Therefore, it is essential for academics and marketers to understand the concept and characteristics of green consumers. Consequently, the aim of the current research is to identify factors influencing consumers' attitudes toward environmentally friendly products, while also considering the moderating role of green innovation.
Materials and Methods: This study is applied in terms of purpose, descriptive and survey method. The statistical population comprises all consumers of green products in Shahin Dezh city. A sample size of 208 individuals was determined using Cochran's formula selected through simple random sampling. A standard questionnaire was used to collect information. To analyze the research data, structural equation modeling software Lisrel and Smart-Pls3 were used.
Results: The research findings indicated that environmental attitude (significance coefficient of 5.20), health consciousness (significance coefficient of 4.07), and environmental knowledge (significance coefficient of 3.30) positively influence consumers' attitude toward green products. Additionally, the study recognized and confirmed the significance of the green innovation variable as an important moderating factor in this relationship.
These relationships are statistically significant. Additionally, the study recognizes and confirms the green innovation variable as an important moderating variable in this relationship.
Conclusion: Our findings offer valuable insights for tailoring educational strategies targeted at diverse consumer groups to promote the adoption of environmentally friendly products. By fostering such consumer behavior, we aim to contribute to the creation of a healthier environment for both present and future generations.

Estimation of Methane gas emission rate from landfill using inverse dispersion modeling (case study of landfill in Alborz province)

Mazaher Moeinaddini

Background and Objective: One of the largest sources of methane emissions is landfills, and various models have been developed to predict landfill methane production and emissions. The main goal of this research is to utilize the inverse Gaussian model to estimate g methane greenhouse gas emissions and model it using field data. This study introduces a simple method to estimate the amount of methane emissions based on ambient methane concentrations.
Materials and Methods: In this research, the methane emission rates from landfill were estimated for warm (July) and cold (February) seasons using a sampling campaign from 27 stations and standard inverse Gaussian dispersion equations. Monte Carlo simulation was also employed. To determine the model, an optimization-based method, along with inverse scattering modeling, was utilized to process surface emission monitoring data.
Results: The model results indicated during the cold (February) and warm (July) seasons, the methane emission rates were estimated at 1696.99 and 16.53 g/s, respectively. These findings confirm that the methane production and emission during the cold season were lower than in the warm season, likely due to reduced temperature and bacterial activity.
Conclusion: The method used in this study, the inverse Gaussian dispersion model, can be applied to estimate methane gas emission rates from other landfills. However, it necessitates the permanent recording of data and the use of daily or weekly averages in calculations to mitigate potential errors and enhance the accuracy of modeling.

Investigating the amounts and risk assessment of lead in raw milk collected from farms in Tehran province in winter, 2022

Parisa Sadighara

Background and Objective: Given the crucial role of milk and its products in human diets, it is imperative to implement effective measures to ensure the safety of milk by minimizing the presence of hazardous pollutants. This study aims to assess the concentration and potential risks associated with lead in raw milk produced in Tehran province.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study involved the collection of raw milk samples from 24 diverse livestock farms in Tehran province during the winter season of 1401. The samples were analyzed for lead contamination using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Statistical tests were applied to compare the results with international standards, and subsequent risk assessment was conducted based on the average amounts.
Results: The study revealed that none of the samples exceeded the permissible limit for lead. The mean and standard deviation of lead concentration in the samples was 7 ± 5.8 (ppb), well below the international standard. There was no significant variation in lead levels among the tested livestock farms. The Hazard Quotient (HQ) values for both children and adults were calculated to be less than 1.
Conclusion: The concentration of lead in all samples remained below the permissible limits set by Codex and the Iran Standards Organization, indicating no non-carcinogenic risks associated with milk consumption in terms of lead contamination, as suggested by the calculated HQ values.