Showing 18 results for Heidari
Ms Hassanvand, R Nabizadeh, M Heidari,
Volume 1, Issue 1 (26 2008)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: In the recent years Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) has been one of the most important environmental concerns to throughout regions of Iran. Sound MSW management for any area needs to the reliable data in which present the actual MSW condition in that area. The aim of this study is express of integrated view of MSW in Iran.
Materials and Methods: In this study we collect the data from various municipal regions of Iran, to represent the roughly integrated view of MSW management situation in Iran. In this paper quantity, average generation rate, physical composition, and types of disposal methods in all of municipal regions of Iran also were investigated.
Results: Results from this study has shown that the amount of MSW generated in all of the municipal regions of Iran was 10370798 tons per year, and the average generation rate of MSW was 0.64 kg/capita/day. Results showed that only 6% of MSW was recycled, 10% was treated at organic waste (composting) plants, and about 84% was disposed of in landfill.
Conclusion: According to obtained results from this study and compare MSW composition of Iran to some countries, its found that MSW properties in Iran is near to MSW properties in Low-income countries. Since the most of MSW in Iran contain organic fraction, there is a high potential to develop of composting industry.
M Heidari, H Saffari Khouzani, M.m Amin, M Ghasemian, E Taherian, L Attari, A Hassanzadeh,
Volume 4, Issue 2 (9 2011)
Abstract
Background and Objectives:Antibiotics and hormones are excreted with other wastes following their influences on bodies.These substances can disturbed treatment process by their entery to the wastewater. In this study the inhibitory behavior of antibiotics Ofloxacin and Ciprofloxacin and hormone stradiol 17- valerat have been investigated on Specific Methanogenic Activity (SMA) of anaerobic biomass.
Materials and Methods: Twenty one SMA tests were done using 120-mLvials in batch mode. In each vial, substrate, biomass and biogas were occupied 66, 17, and 17 % (v/v), respectively. Each test longed in range of 15-30 days. Produced methane was measured by gas replacement with 2N KOH solution as CO2 absorbent.
Results: In this study, at the concentrations of 200, 500 and 1000 mg/L of antibiotic Ofloxacin, the methane production reduced to 45, 76 and 88 percent, respectively. Reduced methane production of 68, 81 and 88 percent was observed in Ciprofloxacin concentrations of 100, 200, and 500 mg/L, respectively. Cumulative methane at the concentrations of 0.1, 1, and 5 mg E2 /L was 66, 90, and 121 mL, respectively
Conclusion: Antibiotic Ciprofloxacin at concentrations similar to the antibiotic Ofloxacin have a greater inhibitory effect on specific methanogenic activity of anaerobic biomass. Also, the hormone E2 at lower concentrations showed more inhibitory effect than other two antibiotics Ciprofloxacin and Ofloxacin.
M.b Miranzadeh, M Sabahi Bidgoli, A.r Zarfeshani, M Heidari,
Volume 4, Issue 4 (2 2012)
Abstract
Background and Objectives Autoclaving is one of the methods which sterilizes infectious solid wastes. Since variety of parameters such as temperature, time, and pressure influence autoclave performance, this study was carried out to evaluate the parameters and set optimum condition for the autoclave apparatus applied in Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan.
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, the performance of subjected autoclave was surveyed based on biological index and through setting 144 tests. Variables were packaging type in two groups (open and wrapped), loading type in three groups (light, medium and heavy), and four temperature-time features in fixed pressure equal to 101 kpa. Biological index was ATCC 7953 which contained Stearotermophilus Geobacillus spores. Finally obtained results were analyzed by Chi-Square test.
Results: The results of statistical test showed that there isn't any meaningful relation between packaging type of waste, system loading, and efficiency of sterilization(P>0.05),while meaningful relation was found between system performance and variety states of temperature-time feature(P<0.05), illustrating temperature and time effects in fixed pressure on sterilization of solid waste.
Conclusion: Based on the results, the best autoclave operational condition for sterilizing infectious solid wastes are: temperature-time equal to 10 min-140°C and 15 min-134°C in fixed pressure of 101 kpa, respectively. It was also revealed that temperature-time condition suggested by manufactory, i.e. 20min-121°C, is not sufficient for complete sterilization of solid waste.
S. A. Mirzaee, M.m Amin, M Sarafraz, M Heidari, M.m Ahmad Moazzam,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (1-2015)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Disposal of pharmaceutical compounds to environment as an emerging pollutants cause concerns significantly and it is necessary to use new methods of sewage treatment for removal of these compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibition effects of metronidazole before and after using UV254/H2O2 process on specific methanogenic activity of.anaerobic biomass. Materials & Methods: Fourteen anaerobic digestion tests were carried out at batch scale before and after using UV254/H2O2 process in 500 ml reactors with 30% anaerobic biomass and 70% substrate. The liquid displacement method was used. Duration of each test was in the range of 10-17 days. Results: Cumulative Biomethane production in concentrations of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 mg/l metronidazole was 34.04, 95.12, 100.86, 3.28, 27.88, and 6.97 ml respectively. This production was 800.73, 243.54, and 10.66 ml in concentrations of 25, 50, and 80 mg/l respectively using UV254/H2O2 process as pretreatment at 60 min retention time. Biomethane production in concentrations of 80,120, and 150 mg/l was 377.2, 380.48, and 63.14 ml respectively at 90 min retention time. Conclusion: Different concentrations of metronidazole had an inhibition effect on anaerobic digestions and therefore the efficient pretreatment method is needed to reduce this inhibition effect. The UV254/H2O2 process is an effective method for degradation and conversion of metronidazole to more biodegradable compounds for anaerobic bacteria consumption and, in turn, to increase biogasproduction in anaerobic digestions.
A Heidari, R Nabizadeh, M Alimohammadi, M Gholami, A.h Mahvi,
Volume 8, Issue 1 (8-2015)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Reduction of released extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) during sludge dewatering is one of the main challenges in sludge treatment process. The aim of this study was to investigate the EPS quantity changes within sludge dewatering by continues ultrasonic – electrocoagulation (US – EC) reactor under different conditions and to determine the most efficient case for reducing these substances. Materials and Methods: In this study, the EPS quantity changes in supernatant were compared after undergoing different conditions of ultrasonic (frequency of 35 and 130 KHz, detention time of 3,5,10, and 30 min) and electrocoagulation (voltage of 20, 30, and 40 V, detention time of 10, 20, and 30 min) processes were compared. Results: The research found that the maximum efficiency of the US-EC reactor was achieved at a frequency of 35 KHz and detention time of 5 min for ultrasonic with voltage of 40 V and at detention time of 30 min for electrocoagulation process as under these conditions total EPS concentration reduced by 69%. Conclusion: According to the results achieved, US – EC reactor significantly reduced the released EPS in supernatant in addition to dewatering sludge.
S Khoshyomn, A Heidari, A R Heidari,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (5-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objective: The steel industry is the world's largest consumer of energy. A large amount of iron waste is produced annually, which its use in the steel industry can be economic. The purpose of this study was to investigate the environmental impacts of the steelmaking from iron scrap as a raw material using a life cycle assessment (LCA) method.
Materials and Methods: Simapro software and the ecoinvent database were used to conduct LCA. Data on the steel production process (raw materials, waste, and products) were collected by a questionnaire from a steel plant. Environmental burdens were quantified using ReCiPe, Cumulative Energy Demand (CED), IPCC) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) and water footprints methods.
Results: The results of the ReCiPe method showed that the terrestrial ecotoxicity with a value of 14392 kg 1,4-Dichlorobenzene (1,4-DCB) eq/ton of steel and global warming with 5289 kg CO2 eq/ton of steel, had the greatest environmental impact, respectively. The lowest environmental impact of this process was obtained for freshwater ecotoxicity and human carcinogenic toxicity. The carbon footprint resulting from steelmaking is 5.24 ton CO2 eq/ton of steel. The most important sector of the greenhouse gas producer is the consumption of electricity with a rate of 2900 of kg CO2 eq/ton of steel. The cumulative energy demand of one ton of steel ingot was 73393 MJ, which is three times the global equivalent. The total water footprint for one t of steel was 19.5 m3 of water, which is almost near to the equivalent in Europe.
Conclusion: the use of iron scrap as raw material in the process of steelmaking instead of iron ore has reduced the amount of human toxicity potential and mineral resource consumption.
Mazaher Moeinaddini, Seyed Hassan Mousavi, Zohreh Isakhanbeygi, Somayeh Heidari,
Volume 13, Issue 3 (11-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objective: One of the most important goals for urban environmental management system is the monitoring of air quality. Allocating optimum air quality monitoring stations (AQMS), is a key factor in establishing effective and accurate air quality monitoring program. The objective of this study was to determine optimal allocation for AQMS in Karaj.
Materials and Methods: Based on two stages approach, at first, the suitability map was obtained by WLC method. For AQMS implementation, municipal districts were ranked. The extracted alternatives were graded using TOPSIS. In the next stage, the position of preferred sites were investigated by site visiting and detailed criteria. Finally, the AQMS locations were introduced.
Results: Ten suitable stations were suggested based on population and number of municipal districts. During the first stage important criteria such as distance from roads and street cross-section were weighted and standardized. The distance from roads and green space were the lowest and highest important criteria, respectively. The lowest and highest ranks for AQMS implementation were Nos. 9 and 3 districts, respectively. During the first phase 30 alternatives were obtained. At the second stage, 10 best alternatives were selected following field observation and considering implementation criteria (eg. distance from trees, cross section and pollutants emission sources).
Conclusion: In this study, at the first stage the preferred alternatives were determined. In the next stage the best alternatives for AQMS implementation were selected considering reasonable time and effort. The suggested approach could be used to implement AQMS for other areas.
Zeinab Alizadeh, Kavoos Dindarloo, Mohsen Heidari,
Volume 14, Issue 3 (12-2021)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Heavy metal (HM) pollution of settled dust on the interior surfaces of elementary schools may affect the health of young students; hence, the health risk of such pollution should be assessed. Therefore, the aims of this study were to measure the content of heavy metals in the settled dust in the indoor of elementary schools in Bandar Abbas and to assess the attributed health risks.
Materials and Methods: In this study, dust samples were collected from the interior surfaces of elementary schools in Bandar Abbas. Settled dust samples were digested using aqua regia solution and then their metals contents were measured using ICP-OES. To assess the health risk attributed to this pollution, daily intake doses through ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption routes were estimated. Then, non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were calculated considering the daily intake doses and toxicity factors.
Results: The average concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, nickel and lead in settled dust were 5.45, 0.58, 11.44, 69.72, 83.95 and 66.72 mg/kg, respectively. The non-carcinogenic risk level for all metals was below threshold, while the carcinogenic risk level for arsenic (2.18×10-6) exceeded the threshold.
Conclusion: This study showed that the settled dust in elementary schools of Bandar Abbas is polluted with various levels of heavy metals. Health risk assessment showed that the exposure to dust containing heavy metals in the elementary schools of Bandar Abbas does not pose significant non-carcinogenic risk, but the carcinogenic risk of As exceeded the threshold limit and should be considered.
Sakine Shekoohiyan, Mobina Hadadian, Mohsen Heidari,
Volume 14, Issue 3 (12-2021)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Changes in the quantity and quality of waste produced as a result of compliance with health protocols are the result of the COVID-19 outbreak. The present study aimed to determine the quantity of personal protection equipment produced in Tehran and people’s knowledge of its management.
Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical study was carried out on 2560 participants in Tehran through an online survey in spring 2020. Based on the percentage of using masks and gloves, the amount of produced waste was calculated, and Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis statistical tests were run to explore the relationship between the variables.
Results: The overall Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.94, and the rate of mask and glove use was 90.7% and 65.7%, respectively. 70.3% and 52% of the population used two masks and one pair of gloves on a daily basis. The number of daily produced masks and pairs of gloves was 14530407 and 5262666, respectively. Mann-Whitney U-test showed a statistically significant difference between gender and marital status with people’s knowledge of waste management (p <0.05). Kruskal-Wallis test showed a significant difference between the economic status and people’s knowledge of separating the produced waste (p <0.05). People with an increasing income tended to separate the waste more.
Conclusion: Due to the high volume of personal protective wastes and the lacking knowledge of one-third of the participants about the transmission of the virus through contaminated waste, it is necessary to raise awareness of breaking the virus transmission chain.
Mohamad Mehdi Ghorbaninejad Fard Shirazi, Sakine Shekoohiyan, Gholamreza Moussavi, Mohsen Heidari,
Volume 15, Issue 1 (4-2022)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Among the emerging contaminants, microplastics threaten public health. This study aimed to determine microplastic and mesoplastics in soil of residential areas adjacent to Tehran Landfill and assess its ecological risk.
Materials and Methods: The present descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 20 shallow and deep soil samples from residential areas near the Tehran landfill in July 2021. The microplastics were floated in NaCl and ZnCl2 solutions, and the mesoplastics were separated manually. The identification of physical and chemical properties of polymers was performed by stereomicroscope and FTIR analysis, respectively.
Results: The average amount of micro-plastics in shallow and deep soils estimated 76±34.98 and 24.7±19.79 particles/kgsoil, respectively. The average amount of mesoplastics obtained 5.25±2.91 and 3.55±1.09 particles/kgsoil, in shallow and deep soils, respectively. Paired-samples T-test showed significant differences between shallow and deep soil in terms of plastic particles (p<0.001). The most abundant microplastic particles were the fragment-shaped with the particle size of 0.1-0.5 mm and LDPE polymer types with the percentage of 37.75, 44.64, and 46.15, respectively. Mesoplastic particles, the 0.5-1 cm film-shaped particles and LDPE polymer types with the percentage of 62.76, 61.46, and 50.7 were found as the most prevalent. Microplastics and mesoplastics' potential ecological risks value in all sampling points was less than 150, indicating low ecological risk.
Conclusion: Despite the low PERI of microplastics and soil mesoplastics in residential areas, the Eri index for LDPE was high. Thus, Ecological risk is probable if control measures are not taken against plastic pollution.
Gholamali Javedan, Hamid Reza Ghaffari, Zoha Heidarinejad, Nahid Zeraei, Somayeh Hoseinvandtabar, Fateme Pourramezani, Mehrdad Ahmadi,
Volume 15, Issue 1 (4-2022)
Abstract
Background and Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the concentration of potentially toxic elements (arsenic, lead, copper, cadmium and mercury) in black tea imported to southern Iran and to assess the risk of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic exposure to consumers.
Materials and Methods: For this purpose, 94 samples of black tea from 15 brands imported from India in 2021 were selected. Heavy metals concentrations were measured using an atomic absorption spectrometer (GBC model SAVANTAA). After determining the concentration of heavy metals in black tea samples, health risk assessment was determined using Montocarlo simulation technique.
Results: According to the results, the average concentrations of heavy metals namely arsenic, lead, copper, cadmium and mercury were 0.03±0.02, 0.02±0.16, 15.67±7.69, 0.02±0.01 and 0.006±0.005 mg/kg, respectively. The hazard quotient (HQ) of the heavy metals arsenic, lead, copper, cadmium and mercury were 1.07×10-2, 6.37×10-3, 3.45×10-5, 2.05×10-2 and 7.19×10-4, respectively.
Conclusion: Therefore, according to the findings, it can be concluded that the concentrations of potentially toxic elements (arsenic, lead, copper, mercury and cadmium) in black tea were consistent with the standard level of Iran and World Health Organization. Additionally, the average carcinogenic risk index for arsenic metal was 4.49×10-6, which is much lower than the acceptable level of carcinogenic risk (10-6). Therefore, the concentrations of five potentially toxic elements in the studied black tea did not show any significant risk for consumers.
Hengameh Tarviji, Sakineh Shekoohiyan, Gholamreza Moussavi, Mohsen Heidari,
Volume 15, Issue 2 (8-2022)
Abstract
Background and Objective: In some villages of Mazandaran, drinking water may be polluted with various pollutants, especially heavy metals (HMs), due to the shallow depth of drinking water sources and the proximity of these sources to farmlands. Therefore, this study aimed to measure the HM pollution level of drinking water in some villages of Mazandaran province and to assess the attributed health risks.
Materials and Methods: HMs content of drinking water in 30 villages with separate water sources in Mazandaran province was measured. Concerning the HMs concentration and toxicity, and exposure route through water drinking, carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks were assessed using a Monte-Carlo simulation-based method.
Results: The concentration values of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, nickel and lead in water were <1/0-4.26, < 0.05, <0.15-3.74, <0.3-10.89, and <0.8-4.68 µg/L, respectively. The hazard index (HI) values for non-carcinogenic risk due to the exposure to HMs through drinking of water in various age groups ranged from 3.04E-04 to 9.94E-04. Values of cumulative excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCRT) for As and Cr were 9.72E-08 and 6.13E-08, respectively.
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that, fortunately, the concentration of metals in drinking water in the studied area was much lower than the national standards and the attributed health risk. Therefore, the drinking water sources in the studied villages had acceptable quality. However, due to the existence of rice paddies in some villages of Mazandaran province, continuous monitoring of pollution levels in the drinking water sources of these areas is essential.
Fariba Ebrahimi Fini, Farzam Babaei Semiromi, Mohammad Reza Tabesh, Mahdi Jalili Ghazizade, Amir Hushang Heidari,
Volume 15, Issue 3 (12-2022)
Abstract
Background and Objective: The critical step of policymaking and planning for the local governments to select appropriate waste management methods, is comprehensive information on solid waste generation. Waste generation rate and composition may vary from year to year because many factors influence it. This research identified the most important factors influencing the future of household waste generation and composition in Tehran, and how these factors affect each other.
Materials and Methods: This research is based on future studies methods which are carried out using a combination of quantitative and qualitative models. Due to the nature of this research, structural analysis, Micmac software and Delphi survey were used.
Results: In this regard, after holding many meetings with 22 of the experts as the statistical population of the research, 14 effective factors were identified. The influential factors were then analyzed in the framework of the Cross-impact matrix in the Micmac software. The results showed that what can be understood from the state of the dispersion page of the variables indicated the system instability, with most of the variables dispersed around the diagonal axis of the screen.
Conclusion: Finally, considering the high scores received by direct and indirect influences, 10 key factors were identified. “Economic Growth”, “Digital Transformation and Technological Advances”, “Amendment of Existing laws, Enactment and Implementation of New and Specialized Laws”, and “Increased Awareness about waste and Attraction of Citizen Participation through Education and Provision of Information” were identified among these 10 factors as the driving forces influencing generation and composition, of household waste in Tehran in the Next Twenty Years.
Maryam Heidari Yeganeh, Soudabeh Ghodsi, Sajad Mazloomi,
Volume 15, Issue 4 (3-2023)
Abstract
Background and Objective: One of the basic strategies to reduce the prevalence of diseases among people in society, especially children and adolescents, during the epidemic of COVID-19 disease, is to observe hygiene and personal protection behaviors. The present study was conducted to determine the level of compliance with health protocols in primary schools of Ilam city during the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 in 1400-1401.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-cross-sectional study was conducted in primary schools of Ilam city with a statistical sample of 49 schools (25 girls' schools and 24 boys' schools). In this study, the 2019 new coronavirus disease care and control checklist was used in schools, which has 15 questions with a total score of 100. Data with Kolmogorov-Smirnov and T-Test statistical tests using SPSS software. V21 was analyzed.
Results: The results of this study showed that the highest and lowest scores are respectively related to the parameters of school health assessment before reopening (100 percent) and screening of people in terms of vaccination by PCR test (zero percent). The average score of compliance with the checklist was 74.3 in girls' schools and 74.38 in boys' schools. Also, the results of the T-Test showed that there is no significant relationship between the mean scores of girls' and boys' schools (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that the score obtained for compliance with the checklist parameters of all schools in Ilam city is less than 85 points, and the main reason for this is the non-compliance of the screening parameter of people in terms of vaccination/PCR test in schools.
Sara Ghayour, Abbas Rezaee, Mohsen Heidari,
Volume 16, Issue 1 (6-2023)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Agricultural lands around Tehran may become contaminated due to their proximity to pollution sources and such pollution should be investigated. Therefore, the main objectives of this study were to determine the pollution levels of some trace elements in the agricultural soils around Tehran and to assess the attributed health risks.
Materials and Methods: In this study, 43 soil samples were collected from agricultural lands around Tehran. The soil samples were prepared and acid-digested and the concentrations of Vanadium (V), Lithium (Li), Lanthanum (La), Molybdenum (Mo), and Antimony (Sb) were measured by ICP-OES. Based on the concentrations of the elements in soil, the pollution indices and non-carcinogenic risk (based on Monte Carlo simulation) were assessed.
Results: Among the studied elements, V had the highest concentration (131 mg/kg) followed by La > Li > Sb > Mo. The values of the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and enrichment factor (EF) were in the ranges of -1.9 to 0.8 and 0.5 to 3.1, respectively. The Nemerow integrated pollution index (NIPI) values were in the range of 1.3 to 2.0. The values of non-carcinogenic risk for Li, Mo, Sb, and V were negligible, but it exceeded the threshold limit for La.
Conclusion: This study showed that the agricultural lands around Tehran are contaminated with studied trace elements to a low to moderate extent. However, an unacceptable non-carcinogenic risk attributed to La was estimated. Therefore, it is essential to pay special attention to the La pollution of agricultural soils around Tehran.
Zahra Khodarahmi, Sakine Shekoohiyan, Mohsen Heidari,
Volume 16, Issue 4 (3-2024)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Given the concern about the presence of microplastics in the air and settled dust, and the lack of a standard approach for their detection, it is necessary to investigate the methods and techniques used to study this type of pollution in Iran. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically review the methods and techniques used for sampling, quantification, and characterization of microplastics in the air and settled dust in indoor and outdoor environments in Iran.
Materials and Methods: In this systematic review, the keywords Microplastic*, Air*, Atmosphere*, Dust, Indoor, Outdoor, Iran, and their corresponding Persian equivalents were searched until Dec 1, 2023, in Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Magiran, and SID databases. Obtained articles from the databases were analyzed in order to find the eligible ones.
Results: Overall, 175 articles were found in the initial search, and after removing the duplicates and nonrelevant, 13 eligible articles were included in the study. In most of the studies, the samples were digested with H2O2, and the microplastics were mainly analyzed using a variety of microscopes and µRaman spectroscopy. The abundance of microplastics in the indoor environment was much higher than in the outdoor environment.
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that there is the required equipment for the sampling and analysis of microplastics in air and settled dust in Iran, and these pollutants have been detected in both indoor and outdoor environments.
Faezeh Sadeghi, Sakine Shekoohiyan, Mohsen Heidari,
Volume 17, Issue 2 (9-2024)
Abstract
Background and Objective: The Goharzamin iron mine in Sirjan has the largest iron ore reserves in the Gol Gohar area. This study aimed to assess the life cycle of iron ore extraction from this mine using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method due to the extensive activities in the area and the lack of comprehensive studies.
Materials and Methods: The LCA evaluated the impacts of iron ore extraction from the Goharzamin mine on human health, ecosystem quality, and resource depletion. The boundary system included the drilling and blasting processes. Following the cradle-to-gate model and an attributional approach, the production of 1 ton of iron ore was considered a functional unit. Impact and damage assessment were conducted using SimaPro software and the ReCiPE method at mid and end-point levels.
Results: The findings revealed that transportation by trucks with a capacity exceeding 20 tons accounted for the highest environmental burden in all categories (51.1%), particularly in overburden removal. The detrimental impacts of transportation on ionizing radiation (human health), land use, and freshwater eutrophication potentials (ecosystem quality) exceeded 95%. Carbon-14 emissions, agricultural land occupation, and BOD5 and COD releases resulting from iron ore extraction were identified as the key pollutants in these impact categories. The average damage to human health, ecosystem quality, and resource depletion was found to be 89.8%, 5.5%, and 4.6%, respectively.
Conclusion: To mitigate the negative impacts of transportation, it is advisable to enhance environmental sustainability by utilizing trucks that adhere to Euro 5 standards or higher, as well as exploring the use of renewable energies.
Adel Sheykhan, Gholamreza Moussavi, Mohsen Heidari,
Volume 17, Issue 3 (12-2024)
Abstract
Background and Objective: The air quality index (AQI) does not account the interaction of multiple pollutants, meaning the high concentration and health risk of one pollutant may amplify the effects of others. The main aim of this study was to characterize the ambient air quality of Arak by assessing the combined effects and health risks associated with criteria air pollutants.
Materials and Methods: This study evaluated the ambient air quality of Arak for the year 1401 on the Persian Calendar, using the concentrations of criteria air pollutants averaged over appropriate timeframes. Additionally, the AQI, aggregate air quality index (AAQI), and health risk-based air quality index (HAQI) were calculated.
Results: Findings showed that the 1-hour concentrations of NO2, SO2, PM10, and PM2.5 exceeded national standards in 0.05%, 0.2%, 12.1%, and 35.5% of hours, respectively. The AQI, AAQI and HAQI values were above 100 in 54.4%, 77.3%, and 56.2% of hours, respectively. PM2.5 was the major pollutant in over 99% of cases.
Conclusion: The results indicated that AAQI and HAQI, in comparison to AQI, characterized the air quality as more polluted. This stricter assessment by AAQI and HAQI may encourage more precautionary measures by authorities and the public. Thus, it is recommended that the decision-makers in Iran’s air quality monitoring in consider adopting these indices.
