Iranian Journal of

Background and Objective: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) constitute a large class of organic compounds that are composed of two or more fused aromatic rings. Due to their potential mutagenic, carcinogenic and teratogenic effects on human health, PAHs have attracted particular concern. Therefore, in this study it was attempted to measure the PAHs concentration in the study area to evaluate the health risk.
Materials and Methods: 36 samples were taken from the central district in Bandar Abbas county to investigate the degree of contamination, sources and health risk  of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Analysis of the samples was performed using gas chromatography.  خطای ترجمهAlso,  PMF Model was used to determine the possible sources.
Results: The total PAHs concentration had a mean value of 1.48 mg/kg in the soil samples. The total incremental life time cancer risk (ILCR) due to exposure to PAHs in soil is 1.06 × 10⁻⁶ for an adult and 4.95 × 10⁻⁶ for children. The results estimated for ILCR indicated that residents live in the central district of Bandar Abbas county are potentially exposed to cancer risk via both dust ingestion and dermal contact.
Conclusion: The ecological risk assessment of PAHs showed that the levels of all types of PAHs were lower than the lower value of effects range, except for dibenzo(a,h) antheracene and acenaphthene. The estimated results of ILCR indicated that Bandar Abbas county central district residents are potentially exposed to cancer risk via both ingestion and dermal contact. The PMF analysis identified four sources that were included fossil fuel combustion (14%), biomass combustion (13%), vehicular emissions (36%) and fossil fuel combustion/unburned petroleum (37%).
 

Background and Objective: Irrigation of agricultural lands with treated wastewater in the main part of the Varamin plain, the highly populated urban areas of the middle part of the plain, and the presence of industries have increased the actual risk of heavy metal contamination of groundwater. Therefore, the concentrations of heavy metals were investigated in this study in order to assess the risk of using groundwater of Varamin aquifer for drinking purposes.
Materials and Methods: A total of 78 groundwater samples were collected to measure the concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, Fe, Co, and Mn ions. The bivariate correlation analysis has been used to describe the correlation between hydrochemical parameters in the Varamin area. Heavy Metal Evaluation Index (HEI) and Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI) of the groundwater were determined to determine the feasibility of drinking supply in Varamin plain.
Results: The average concentrations of cadmium in dry and wet periods were 7.5 and 8 μg/L, respectively. In the wet period, the average concentration of lead in the groundwater of the Varamin plain was 12.5 μg/L. The concentrations of both heavy metals were more than the permissible amount for drinking. Pearson correlation analysis of qualitative data of the water samples of the Varamin plain showed a strong correlation between some heavy metals such as Pb and Co with Cd, Cu and Mn. This reflected a similar source of contamination of the groundwater, inter-correlations, and the same mobility behaviors in the aquifer media. The results obtained from HEI and HPI showed that the pollution of Varamin aquifer in most parts was not dangerous with respect to the heavy metals concentrations, but in some areas, significant variations in the concentrations of some metals can be observed.
Conclusion: It may be expected that the risk of groundwater contamination continues with respect to heavy metals due to the persistence of contamination sources in the Varamin plain. Hence, some measured should be taken with regards to the agricultural recycle water, dispose of domestic and industrial wastewater, and the quality of transferring treated effluent from Tehran to the plain.