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Determining the amount of pesticides and toxins in drinking and agricultural water resources and health risks assessment: a case study of Fasa city, Iran
Ehsan Aghayani, Azizallah Dehghan, Navid Alinejad, Malihe Amiri,
Volume 17, Issue 4 (3-2025)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Monitoring pesticide concentrations in drinking water resources is crucial for enhancing water quality and public health. Therefore, periodic assessments of pesticide levels in these resources are essential to safeguard consumer health.
Materials and Methods: This study aimed to assess the concentrations of six pesticides—malathion, diazinon, glyphosate, paraquat, deltamethrin, and cypermethrin—in agricultural water resources as well as in urban and rural water distribution networks in Fasa city in 2023. Pesticide levels were monitored in 25 drinking water samples and 6 agricultural water samples.
Results: The results show that pesticide concentrations are higher in agricultural water compared to drinking water and distribution networks. Specifically, the concentrations of malathion and diazinon in agricultural water resources are significantly higher than in drinking water, with levels potentially up to eight times greater. The total risk index for samples from agricultural water sources ranges from 0.89 to 1.36, indicating a comparable risk to that of drinking water.
Conclusion: The health risk assessment of malathion, diazinon, glyphosate, paraquat, deltamethrin, and cypermethrin in drinking water resources suggests no immediate threat to public health. However, due to the elevated pesticide levels in agricultural water resources, ongoing monitoring of water sources near agricultural areas is recommended.
 

Assessment of cancer and non-cancer health risks associated with exposure to black carbon particles in the ambient air of Tehran city
Somayeh Alizadeh Attar, Alireza Pardakhti, Khosrow Ashrafi, Mohammad Sadegh Hassanvand,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (5-2025)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Black carbon is a byproduct of the incomplete combustion of fossil and biomass fuels. Long-term exposure to black carbon has been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases. This study aims to evaluate the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks associated with black carbon exposure in the ambient air of Tehran.
Materials and Methods: Hourly black carbon concentrations were collected from the air quality monitoring stations operated by Tehran's Air Quality Control Company and averaged to calculate annual means for 2021, 2022, and 2023. The risk assessment for black carbon exposure in Tehran was conducted using the US EPA model.
Results: The findings reveal that in Tehran, the carcinogenic risk index (CR) due to black carbon exposure in ambient air is higher for adults than for children. The non-carcinogenic risk quotient (HQ) for both age groups remains below the threshold value of one, indicating a low and negligible non-carcinogenic risk. However, children demonstrate a higher HQ compared to adults. The lifetime cancer risk associated with black carbon exposure is calculated to be 1.4 × 10-3, while the annual cancer risk is estimated at 0.02 × 10-3.
Conclusion: The results indicate that the carcinogenic risks associated with black carbon exposure exceed acceptable levels for both adults and children. Adults face a cancer risk six times greater than children, though the non-carcinogenic risk is assessed as low. Reducing black carbon emissions is critical for improving public health in traffic-congested cities, and further research on this topic is strongly recommended.
 

Evaluation of environmental health status of Saveh confectionery workshops in the conditions of Corona epidemic
Farzane Shahbazi, Tayebeh Rasolevandi, Hossein Azarpira,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (5-2025)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Regular assessment of confectionery workshops and comparison of their conditions with health standards can enhance the sanitary quality of products. This study aimed to evaluate the environmental health status of confectionery workshops in Saveh in 2022.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional analytical study, the environmental hygiene status of all confectionery workshops in Saveh was evaluated using a researcher-designed, validated, and reliable checklist comprising 51 questions tailored for COVID-19 conditions, based on Step 2 guidelines for combating the virus. A total of 36 confectionery workshops were assessed, and responses to the questions were recorded as "Yes," "No," or "Not Applicable." Data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests and one-way ANOVA in SPSS software.
Results: The average health compliance in Saveh’s confectionery workshops was 61% for personal hygiene, 68% for food hygiene, 60% for tool and equipment hygiene, 55% for building hygiene, and 74% for hygiene education. Significant relationships were found between areas such as building hygiene, food hygiene, and hygiene education, and workshop characteristics such as building size, sales volume, production scale, and worker age and experience (p < 0.05). However, no significant relationship was observed between the number of refrigerators and the hygiene of tools and equipment (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the overall health status of confectionery workshops in Saveh was relatively favorable. However, the building hygiene variable (55%) had the lowest level of compliance among the investigated factors, highlighting an area that requires attention.
 

Study of heavy metals concentration in liver, gills and muscles tissues of Lutjanus ehrenbergii from the Hengam Island, Persian Gulf
Mohammad Hossein Ghaderi, Azad Teimori, Majid Askari Hesni,
Volume 18, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Given the negative effects of heavy metals and their transmission to humans through the food chain, the present study was conducted to assess the concentration of heavy metals—including Fe, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ba, Ni, Cu, V, and As—in the gill, liver, and muscle tissues of the commercial fish Lutjanus ehrenbergii.
Material and Methods: Thirty fish were collected from coral habitats around Hengam Island in 2022 using nets or hooks. After identification and bioassay, the liver, gill, and muscle tissues were dissected from each specimen and analyzed for heavy metal concentrations via ICP-MS.
Results: Biometric analysis showed the average standard length, total length, and weight of the studied fish to be 23.3 ± 1.4 cm, 27.8 ± 2.7 cm, and 470.3 ± 18.9 g, respectively. Among the studied elements, Fe had the highest mean concentration in the gill (327.41 µg/g) and liver (136.10 µg/g) tissues. In muscle tissue, Zn showed the highest mean concentration (2.68 µg/g), while Ni showed the lowest accumulation. The mean Pb concentrations detected in the gill, liver, and muscle tissues were 1.38, 1.35, and 0.46 µg/g, respectively.
Conclusion: The Pb concentration in the muscle, which is the main nutritional tissue, was 0.46 µg/g. This value is higher than the limits set by international standards such as the WHO. Therefore, from a health perspective, it is not recommended to consume commercial fish contaminated with heavy metals. While continuous monitoring can provide information on contamination status, the consumption of Lutjanus ehrenbergii caught around Hengam Island should be done with caution.
 

Investigating the operation and maintenance status of medical waste decontamination devices in Golestan province
Abdolrahman Gharanjic, Ramazan Ali Dianati Tilaki, Samaneh Dehghan, Abutaleb Bay, Fathollah Gholami-Borujeni,
Volume 18, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Proper operation and maintenance of hospital waste sterilization devices are crucial for preventing the spread of infections and hazardous diseases, as well as for safeguarding public health and the environment. This study aims to assess the operational and maintenance status of medical waste sterilization devices in public and private hospitals in Golestan Province.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 17 public and 6 private hospitals in Golestan Province, all of which were equipped with vacuum steam autoclaves (without shredders) for medical waste sterilization. Monthly microbiological sampling was performed by an accredited environmental laboratory. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires and personal interviews, with results analyzed using frequency distributions, percentages, and central tendency measures.
Results: The overall microbial sterilization performance of the devices was 97.07%, indicating high efficacy in waste treatment. When comparing hospital types, public hospitals demonstrated a 96.93% satisfactory sterilization rate, while private hospitals performed slightly better at 97.22%. Regarding preventive maintenance, compliance was suboptimal, with public hospitals adhering to maintenance protocols 68.62% of the time, compared to 77.77% in private hospitals. Additionally, the sanitary conditions of sterilization device locations met required standards in 94.11% of public hospitals but only 69.05% of private hospitals, suggesting variability in facility upkeep.
Conclusion: To ensure device effectiveness and minimize risks in hospital waste management, implementing preventive maintenance programs and providing continuous staff training on proper device use are essential.
 

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