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Investigating the amounts and risk assessment of lead in raw milk collected from farms in Tehran province in winter, 2022
Alireza Bakhtiyari, Behrouz Akbari-Adergani, Parisa Shavli-Gilani, Liela Karami, Najmeh Yazdanfar, Parisa Sadighara,
Volume 17, Issue 1 (6-2024)
Abstract
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.
 

Environmental assessment of iron ore extraction stage of Sirjan Goharzamin using the life cycle approach
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.
 

Investigating the concentration and health risks of particulate-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Isfahan’s ambient air
Soudabeh Ghodsi, Mina Sheikh, Farzaneh Mohammadi, Mahnaz Nikaeen,
Volume 17, Issue 3 (12-2024)
Abstract
Background and Objective: The adverse health effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have received significant attention in recent years. This study aimed to measure the concentration of PAHs associated with fine particles and assess the health risks posed by these compounds.
Materials and Methods: A total of 38 air samples were collected from the central part of Isfahan city using a particle sampler equipped with an inlet to capture particles smaller than 2.5 µm (PM2.5). The samples were analyzed using GC-MS, and molecular ratios were used to identify potential sources of PAHs. Additionally, a Monte Carlo simulation was employed to perform a probabilistic risk assessment of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects of PAHs for two groups:  children and adults.
Results: Out of the 16 priority PAH compounds, seven compounds were identified, with average concentrations ranging from 0.003 to 17.8 ng/m3. Molecular ratios indicated that pyrogenic sources were the main contributors to PAHs in the air. The median carcinogenic risk for children and adults was estimated to be 3.1×10-8 and 5.99×10-8, respectively. The median non-carcinogenic risk for PAH compounds was estimated at 3.08×10-1.
Conclusion: The probabilistic risk assessment revealed that the PAHs concentrations associated with fine particles do not pose a significant risk to exposed individuals. However, it is important to note that this study focused solely on the risk assessment of PAHs associated with fine particles. A comprehensive risk assessment of all PAHs present in the atmosphere is, therefore, recommended.
 

Developing a decision support system to provide environmentally and economically optimized scenarios for waste management: a case study application
Seyyed Shahram Naghibzadeh, Mazaher Moeinaddini, Mehdi Zafaranieh,
Volume 17, Issue 3 (12-2024)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Identiying the most optimal solution has long been an significant challenge for waste management decision-makers. This study aims to develop a decision support system to identify optimal environmental and economic scenarios for waste management.
Materials and Methods: This study presents the development and application of a decision support system that estimates the environmental burden and cost of waste using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Cost (LCC) tools. The system then identifies optimal environmental and economic scenarios for waste management through a linear programming model. Data from the Karaj waste management system were utilized to apply and validate the decision support system.
Results: The outputs of the linear programming model in this system included one scenario based on minimizing environmental impacts and two scenarios based on minimizing costs imposed on the Karaj waste management system (MSWS). In both the environmental and second economic scenarios, incineration contributed the most to waste management, whereas composting was the dominant method in the first economic scenario. Additionally, recycling the maximum possible amount of recyclable materials was a common feature in all three scenarios, due to its environmental and economic benefits.
Conclusion: The result of this study demonstrate that the current Decision Support System can provide optimal environmental and economic scenarios for waste management to the decision-makers in the field. This is achieved by considering the inherent differences in the types of waste produced, the technologies employed, and the processing costs associated with each waste management system.
 

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