Showing 182 results for Ali
Ali Almasi, Meghdad Pirsaheb, Abdollah Dargahi,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (6 2012)
Abstract
MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
Background and Objectives: Phenol is one of the
aromatic compounds, which due to its high toxicity and its presence in the
industrial effluents, should be removed and prevented it, to the receiving water resources.
The natural biological plant has been accepted as one of the most feasible,
eco-friendly and cost-effective options for the treatment of pollutants such as
Phenol.
The aim of this study is efficiency evaluation of the anaerobic stabilization
pond performance in removing phenol and other organic compounds from Kermanshah oil refinery wastewater.
Materials and Methods: The method of study
was experimental and analytical, a laboratory scale anaerobic stabilization pond,
with dimensions of 1 × 1 × 0/2 m, using fiberglass sheet with a thickness of 6
mm was designed and built up. In this study The hydraulic retention time and
hydraulic loading rate were expected 2 days and 95 liters per day respectively.
Organic loading rate for anaerobic pond was 100 g/m
3. After
starting, seeding and biological stability, samples were taken. Initial phenol
concentration was added about of 100 mg/l to pilot input, then the parameters
such as NH
3, PO
4 and Phenol were measured by Varian
spectrophotometer model UV-120-02 in the wavelength 425, 690, 500 nm
respectively. TCOD, SCOD, TBOD, SBOD, pH
and ORP were measured according to the standard methods of water and
wastewater.
Results: The results showed that the removal efficiency of NH
3,
PO
4, phenol, TCOD, SCOD, TBOD, SBOD in the anaerobic pond were
obtained 91.51%, 64.34%, 89.82% 74.99 % 73.34% 71.75%, 68.9% respectively.
Conclusion: The results showed that the ability for phenol and other organic compounds
removal in anaerobic pond using petroleum refinery wastewater is higher than
the other systems which are expensive and complex.
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Ramin Nabizadeh, Masoud Binesh Brahmand, Kazem Naddefi, Ali Reza Mesdaghiniya,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (6 2012)
Abstract
MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
Background and Objectives: Guilan province, with unique
environmental values of the Caspian Sea is located in
the southwest of Caspian Sea. Disposal of
untreated domestic sewage, industrial and agricultural surface water cause
pollution of the Caspian Sea region and
endanger the health of swimmers. This study performed to determine the
microbial contamination of coastal water in Guilan.
Materials and Methods: In this work, 21 sampling point
in the Caspian Sea littoral provinces of
Guilan were selected and microbial contaminations were assessed using microbial indicators of fecal and total
coliform. Parameters such as pH, temperature, and turbidity also monitored
during the year. In this study, 122 samples were taken and then analyzed by
statistical software.
Results: The results showed that the average values of total
coliform and fecal coliform were 234.8 and
60 MPN per 100 ml, respectively. The fecal pollution appeared to be high
in some stations. Also significant relationship between temperature, turbidity
and microbial contamination was observed (P< 0.05).
Conclusion: The results revealed high total coliform in the two
stations. The average fecal coliform of six stations were higher than the local
standards.
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Ali Khavanin, Ramezan Mirzaee, Maryam Safari, Ardalan Soleimanian,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (13 2012)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: city bus drivers, during driving, are always exposed to the whole body
vibration. This can lead to central- neural, musculoskeletal, and blood
circulation disorders and develop occupational diseases due to vibration. The
objective of this descriptive- analytic study is to investigate Tehran bus drivers&apos
exposure to the whole body vibration.
Materials and Methods: We measured parameters related to the whole body vibration, such as
acceleration of the frequency weighted root sum of squares, the overall
equivalent acceleration, vibration dose value, and crest factor were measured
separately at three directions (X, Y, Z) in 80 buses in 5 different types,
which were selected randomly. The results obtained were compared with ISO 2631:
1997 Standard, and finally permitted driving time was calculated for different
buses.
Results: Acceleration
of the frequency weighted root mean of squares at X, Y axes in all of the buses
was below the district of health warning and at Z axis, it was in the district
of health warning, while the overall equivalent acceleration in Icarus buses
was above the district of health warning and in other buses it was in the
district of health warning according to standard ISO 2631: 1997. Vibration dose
value (VDV) was less than 8.5 and crest factor was less than 9 and in all of
the buses, it was less than the suggested permitted limits of ISO 2631: 1997 standard.
Moreover, permitted driving time was estimated less than 8 hours per day and
Icarus buses had the most and Man buses had the least vibration acceleration,
crest factor, and vibration dose value respectively.
Conclusion: According
to the results obtained, there is the possibility of developing potential
health risks in bus drivers therefore, it is recommended that the health and
safe managers consider decrease of working hours and increase of rest time
while purchasing new buses.
Mahmood Alimohamadi, Ebrahim Molaee Aghaee, Ramin Nabizadeh Nodehi, Gholam Reza Jahed, Sasan Rezaee, Akbar Goldasteh, Shahrokh Nazmara, Hassan Aslani,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (13 2012)
Abstract
MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
Background and Objectives: Heavy metals including antimony and cobalt as two
contaminant factors leach from polyethylene terephthalate packages into water
under some conditions. Therefore, their detection was concerned at different
storage conditions.
Materials and Methods: Five time-temperature treatments were carried out for 5 water samples. Storage
conditions were defined as following: at outdoor and sunlight ambient
temperature, room temperature, and at 40˚C at different intervals for 8 weeks,
at 65˚C for 6 weeks and 80˚C for 7 days. Detection was performed by ICP-AES
method and the data analysis was processed by SPSS software.
Results: Antimony
concentration increased by storage time at all temperatures and for all
samples, however enhancing proportion was different in samples. At outdoor,
40˚C and room temperature, concentration increase was below the MCL by the end
of storage period. But at 65˚C and 85˚C, antimony concentration exceeded MCL by
study time and the difference between samples 4 and 5, for example, was
significant (p≤0.05). Cobalt concentration at the beginning and during the
study was also too less and lower than the detection limit.
Conclusion: By
increasing temperature and time, leaching of antimony into water increases.
Moreover, sunlight has effect but not noticeable at the temperature of present
study. In this study, blue or clear packaging had no significant effect on
antimony leakage (P>0.05).
Kazem Naddafi, Mehran Mohammadian Fazli, Ali Reza Mesdaghinia, Simin Nasseri, Mahnaz Mazaheri Assadi, Masoud Yunesian,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (13 2012)
Abstract
MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
Background and Objectives: Environmental pollution and health risks of dyestuffs
extensively are caused by many industries. Nonbiodegradability of dyes is
important so that different methods are studied for removing them. The use of
white rot fungi is promising technique in this regard. Therefore, objective of
this work is to investigate Rimazol Brilliant Blue Royal decolorization by
immobilized Ganoderma sp. in sodium alginate from aqueous solution.
Material and Methods: This is an experimental study. First, the nutritional, environmental, and
operational conditions of decolorization process were optimized. Then,
efficiency of immobilized fungal cells was investigated. Experimental designs
were provided using fractional factorial methods and quadratic model was fitted
on decolorization data by MiniTab software.
Results: Our findings
showed that type and concentration of carbon source, temperature, and pH were
the most important factors affecting decolorization and statistically
significant. Optimal conditions to 95.3 percent color removal were: glycerol as
carbon source at 19.14 g/L temperature, 27 oC and initial pH, 6.26. Moreover,
decolorization efficiency increased from 75 percent up to 95 percent by improving
process and fungal immobilization.
Conclusion: Ganoderma
fungus has suitable potential to decolorization. Besides, optimization and cell
immobilization can improve its capability. Application of experimental design
to research methodology is important because of decreasing in experiments and
saving resources. It is suggested to use these potentials in environmental
pollution control.
Emad Dehghani Fard, Ahmad Jonidi Jafari, Roshanak Rezae Kalantari, Mitra Gholami, Ali Esrafili,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (13 2012)
Abstract
MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
Background and Objectives: Aniline has been used in different processes of chemical
industries, however due to its side effects on the environment, several methods
have been considered for its removal. In this study, we evaluated the
performance of photocatalytic process using ZnO nanoparticles (nZnO) and
ultraviolet (UV) irradiation for removal of Aniline from a synthetic effluent.
Materials and Methods: A 5L photocatalytic reactor made from Plexiglas, which the UV lamp (20w)
installed in the center of that (inside a quartz jacket), was designed and nZnO
(0.2-0.5 g/l) was being added into synthetic effluent with Aniline concentration
of 250 ppm. After retention times of 30, 60, and 90 min, samples were
centrifuged and supernatant was filtered using a 0.2 µ PTFE filter. The
liquid-liquid method and Gas Chromatography instrument was used for extraction
and analysis respectively.
Results: Results
showed that the photocatalytic process of nZnO+UV could effectively remove
Aniline from effluent. Increasing trend in the removal efficiency of Aniline
using nZnO = 0.5 g/l was slower in comparison with other nZnO concentrations
and the ANOVA analysis shows no significant difference between removal
efficiency of Aniline in different concentrations of nZnO. The most removal
efficiency of Aniline (76.3%) was observed in alkaline pH, retention time of 90
min and nZnO of 0.5 g/l.
Conclusion: It could be concluded that the
photocatalytic process of nZnO+UV could be suitable technique for Aniline
removal from effluents.
Amir Bagheri, Gholamreza Moussavi, Ali Khavanin,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (13 2012)
Abstract
MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
Background and Objectives: Formaldehyde is a toxic substance and harmful to human
beings and the environmental health. Therefore, the effluents containing
formaldehyde have to be efficiently treated before discharging into the
environment. This study was aimed at investigating the efficiency of
Electro-Fenton (EF) Process in pre-treating industrial wastewater containing
high concentrations of formaldehyde.
Materials and Methods: The effect of the important operational variables including pH, current
density, H
2O
2 dosage, and reaction time were evaluated on the degradation of
7500 mg/L formaldehyde using batch tests. The EFP batch reactor was consisted
of a cylindrical glass column with 5.20 cm in internal diameter and 34.50 cm in
height. Working volume of the reactor was 500 mL.
Results: The maximum
formaldehyde removal was obtained at alkaline pH of 10, H
2O
2 concentration of
10 mM/min, current intensity 8.5 mA/cm2, and the reaction time of 6 minute.
Furthermore, aerating the EFP cell could enhance the formaldehyde removal.
Complete removal of formaldehyde was obtained under the abovementioned
operational conditions.
Conclusion: This study
demonstrated that the EFP is capable of reducing high concentration of
formaldehyde (7500 mg/l) to the level suitable for biological post-treatment.
Mohammad Ali Hosseinpour Feizi, Mohammad Mosaferi, Saeed Dastgiri, Maasumeh Mehdipour, Ahmad Kusha,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (21 2012)
Abstract
MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
Background and Objectives: Intake of high concentrations of fluoride in drinking
water can cause dental fluorosis. In this study, the prevalence of dental
fluorosis in rural communities of East
Azerbaijan Province
was studied.
Materials and Methods: 3 villages of Bashsizkooh, Bostanabad (fluoride concentration in drinking water
= 0.12 mg/L), Nagharehkub, Ahar (current
water resource = 0.6 mg/L, old water resource = 1.1-1.2 mg/L), and Gharehbolaq,
Jolfa (current water resource = 0.35 mg/L and old water resource = 2.4 mg/L old
source) were selected as low, medium, and high exposure to fluoride
respectively. All village residents above 6 years old were visited by
physician. Quality of water resources was determined by referring to the
records archived and through conducting new analysis.
Results: Dental
fluorosis was observed in 62.7 % of the people visited. In 31.5% of
participants, fluorosis Grade 1 in 22.4 % of participants, fluorosis grade 2
in 7.7 % of participants, fluorosis grade 3 and finally fluorosis grade 4 was
observed in 4 patients. Different levels of fluorosis were observed in
residents of the villages of Gharebolaq, Nagharehkub, and Bashsizkooh (83.3%,
70.5 %, and 32.5 % respectively). There was a significant difference in
prevalence of fluorosis between villages (P < 0.001). Fluorosis was observed
in both permanent and temporary teeth. Mean cumulative fluoride index (MCFI) in
people with and without fluorosis was 22660.2 and 4743.2 mg, respectively.
There was a correlation between this index and fluorosis (R =0.413).
Conclusion: In all
three villages studied, even Bashsizkooh, different grades of fluorosis were
endemic. It is recommended that the responsible authorities take a new measure and approach for the intake of fluoride from drinking
water.
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Omol Banin Naeej, Anoushiravan Mohseni Bandpi, Ahmad Jonidi Jafari, Ali Esrafili, Roshanak Rezaei Kalantary,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (21 2012)
Abstract
MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
Background and Objectives: Nitrate is one of the most groundwater pollutants in world.
Reduction of nitrate to nitrite by microorganisms cause serious health hazards.
Nitrate can be eliminated using either adsorbtion or reduction. In this study,
we investigated the adsorption of nitate on zeolite and the feasibility of
removal improvement using supported zero
valent nano iron on zeolite via the reduction process.
Materials and Methods: The study was done in two phases investigation the
zeolite and modified zeolite with zero valent nano iron in nitrate removal from
water. First, we determined the optimum pH and time then the effect of
adsorbent and nitrate concentration was investigated in one factor at the time.
The adsorption isotherm was calculated according to the optimum condition. The
physical characteristics of adsorbents were determined using SEM and TEM.
Results: The morphology investigation of adsorbent showed that the
particle size of supported zero valent nano iron on zeolite was approximately
30-50 nm in diameter. The best conditions were pH 5, contact time of 120 min
and 15 g/L for zeolite, while pH 3, contact time of 50 min and 7.5 g/L for
supported zero valent nano iron on
zeolite. The isotherm equations revealed that nitrate adsorption follows
Langmiur in both cases.
Conclusion: The supported zero
valent nano iron on zeolite could be considered as a high potential adsorbent
for nitrate because it has several adsorbent sites, and Fe
0 as a
function for nitrate reduction.
Edris Hoseinzadeh, Mohammad Reza Samargandi, Mohammad Yosef Alikhani, Ghodratollah Roshanaei, Ghorban Asgari,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (21 2012)
Abstract
MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
Background and Objectives: Along with the rapid development of human life,
controlling harmful effects of
microorganisms would be unavoidable. The objective of this study was to
evaluate antibacterial efficacy of zinc oxide nanoparticles on different
microbial strains.
Material and Methods:
This experimental study was done using gram negative and gram positive bacteria
in nutrient media. Nanoparticle characterization was determined using X-ray
diffraction (XRD), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM).
Bacterial sensitivity to nanoparticles was tested using a disk diffusion test
and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Time-kill studies and other tests
were carried out using 108 CFU/mL of bacteria at baseline. A point of zero
charge, pHzpc, of nanoparticle was investigated using the batch equilibration
method. Obtained data were managed by SPSS Ver.16 and were analyzed through the
Pearson, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student's independent t-tests. 0.05
was selected as significant level for all tests.
Results:
Characterization results from XRD, SEM, and TEM showed that particles are in
nano range and they do not contain any discernible crystalline impurity. The
average ZnO nanoparticles diameter was 20 nm. The pHZPC for ZnO was found to be
7.51. The P. aeruginosa strain exhibited larger diameter inhibition zone (DIZ)
to ZnO nanoparticle compared with other strains. Population of P.aeroginosa for
2 x MIC concentration was reduced to zero in the presence of nano ZnO within
150 min. The bacterial CFU had significant difference with contact time,
nanoparticles loading, and bacterial strain (P<0.001).
Conclusion: This study
demonstrated that antibacterial activity of ZnO can be a candidates for the
elimination of gram negative and gram positive bacteria, particularly in
nasocomial infection agent control.
Ehsan Olyaie, Hossein Banejad, Ali Reza Rahmani, Abbas Afkhami, Javad Khodaveisi,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (21 2012)
Abstract
MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
Background and Objectives: Arsenic is one of the most toxically contaminants in groundwater and
soils. Due to the ability of bio-accumulation of arsenic III in plants through
irrigation with contaminated water and its entrance to the food chain,
irreparable hazards would be caused. The aim of this research is the
feasibility study of arsenic III removal from polluted water using calcium
peroxide nanoparticles synthesized and also studying the effective parameters.
Moreover, the adding effect of nanoparticles on the important parameters of
irrigation would be assessed.
Materials and Methods:
In this research, we first synthesized CaO
2 nanoparticles through
chemical precipitation and then studied the arsenic removal efficiency from
contaminated water samples. Nevertheless, the impact of the effective
parameters including pH, initial arsenic III concentration, and CaO2
nanoparticles concentration were investigated. Finally, relevant results to
nanoparticles effect on the important irrigation water quality parameters were
presented.
Results: Our results
showed that synthesized particles were in the range of 25-50 nanometers. In
addition, the efficiency of the CaO
2 nanoparticles in arsenic III
removal was 88 percent under following conditions: irrigation pH range 6.5-8.5, nanoparticles
dosage 40 mg/L, arsenic initial concentration 400 µg/L, and 30 minuts retention
time. Moreover, the nanoparticles synthesized did not have any undesirable
impact on significant parameters in irrigation water.
Conclusion: Generally,
it can be concluded that CaO
2 nanoparticles based on the in situ
chemical oxidation had significant effect on the reduction of arsenic III until
lower than recommended standards for irrigation water. High rate of process and
relatively short reaction time, and having no negative effects on the
significant parameters of irrigation indicate that CaO
2 nanoparticles
have significant potential in removal of arsenic III from contaminated water.
Mohammad Reza Mehrasbi, Sorur Safa, Amir Hossein Mahvi, Ali Assadi, Hamed Mohammadi,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (21 2012)
Abstract
Backgrounds and Objectives: The base structure of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH)
is made of hydrogen and carbon. Widespread use, improper disposal and
accidental spills of this compounds lead to long term remaining of
contaminations such as organic solvents and poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
in the soil and groundwater resources, resulting in critical environmental
issues. In this study, an oil-contaminated soil was washed using Tween 80
surfactant and the application of photo-Fenton process (UV/Fe2+/H2O2)
for treatment of the produced wastewater was evaluated.
Materials and Methods: Tween 80 is a yellow liquid with high viscosity and soluble in water. In order
to determine of the photo-Fenton process efficiency, we studied effective
variables including Fe concentration, pH, H2O2 concentration, and irradiation time. The UV irradiation source was a
medium-pressure mercury vapor lamp (400 w) vertically immersed in the solution
within 2L volume glass cylindrical reactor.
Results: The results
showed that efficiency of COD removal depends on the initial Fe concentration, pH,
H2O2 concentration and irradiation time.
Under optimum conditions, (Fe: 0.1mM, H2O2:
0.43 mM, pH: 3 and UV light irradiation time: 2 hours) the removal efficiency
of COD was 67.3%. pH plays a crucial role in the photo-Fenton process such that
the removal efficiency increased with decreasing of pH.
Conclusion: According
to the results of this study, under acidic condition, this process is an
efficient method for COD removal from the wastewater studied.
Ali Reza Rahmani, Ghorban Asgari, Mehrdad Farrokhi, Mahdi Shirzad Siboni,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (15 2013)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Dyes are one of the main environmental pollutants in the industrial effluents including textile industries, which are harmful for human health and environment. The purpose of this research was to investigate removal efficiency of Reactive Black 5 (RB5) dye using adsorption onto strongly basic anion exchange resin as an appropriate adsorbent.
Materials and Methods: After preparing materials and equipment required, removal efficiency of Reactive Black 5 (RB5) dye using adsorption onto strongly basic anion exchange resin was investigated with respect to the variation of pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage, and initial RB5 dye concentration in batch system. Then results were analyzed using Excel software.
Results: Our results showed that removal efficiency was decreased by increasing pH and initial RB5 dye concentration. Moreover, we found that the removal efficiency was increased by increasing adsorbent dosage and contact time. The kinetics and equilibriums data were explained acceptably by Langmuir isotherms and pseudo-second-order kinetics models respectively.
Conclusion: Overall, our findings revealed that removal of RB5 dye from aqueous solution using adsorption onto strongly basic anion exchange resin can be considered as an effective and quick method.
Mansur Zarrabi, Ali Reaza Rahmani, Mohammad Reza Samarghandi, Fatemeh Barjasteh Askary,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (15 2013)
Abstract
A
MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
Background and Objectives: Colored wastewaters are known as one of the most important
sources of environmental pollutants. Having toxic chemicals and aesthetic
problems has made treatment of these wastewaters very crucial. So far a number
of methods such as electrochemical treatment, coagulation and flocculation, and
adsorption have been used for treatment of textile industries wastewater.
Hence, the efficiency of zero-valent
iron powder in the presence of UV light and hydrogen peroxide to remove Acid
Orange 7 and Reactive Black 5 from the synthetic solutions was investigated.
Materials and Methods: Conducting all experiments in a batch reactor, we examined different parameters
including initial concentration of the color (25, 50, 75 mg/L), contact time
(30, 60, 120 min), pH (3, 7, 11), the
amount of iron powder (0.6, 1.3, 2 g/l), and hydrogen peroxide concentration
(10, 15, 20 ml/l).
Result: The results
showed that dye removal efficiency was increased by increasing contact time,
the amount of iron powder and hydrogen peroxide concentration. On the other
hand, with the increasing pH and initial concentration of dye, removal
efficiency decreased in both AO7and RB5 dyes.
Conclusion: We found
that the integrated ZVI/UV/H
2O
2 method has high efficiency in removing azo dyes Acid
Orange 7 and Reactive Black 5.
Maasoumeh Ravanipour, Roshanak Rezaei Kalantary, Mahdi Farzadkia, Samireh Hashemi-Najafabadi, Ali Esrafily,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (15 2013)
Abstract
MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
Background and Objectives:The poor accessibility of microorganisms to PAHs in soil has limited success in the process of
bioremediation as an effective method for removing pollutants from soils.
Different physicochemical factors are effective on the rate of biodegradation.
The main objective of this study is to assess effects of nutrient and salinity
on phenanthrene removal from polluted soils.
Materials and Methods:The
soil having no organic and microbial pollution was first artificially polluted
with phenanthrene then nutrients and salinity solution in two concentrations
were added to it in order to have the proportion of 10% w:v (soil: water).
After that a microbial mixture enable to degrade phenanthrene was added to the
slurry and was aerated. Finally, the residual concentration of Phenanthrene in
the soil was extracted by ultrasonic and was analyzed using GC. We measured the
microbial populationusing MPN test. This study was conducted based on the two
level full factorial design of experiment.
Results: MPN test
showed that the trend of microbial growth has experienced a lag growth. The
full factorial design indicated that nutrient had the maximum effect on
bioremediation the rate of phenanthrene removal in the maximum nutrients -
minimum salinity solution was 75.14%.
Conclusion: This study
revealed that the more nutrient concentration increases, the more degradation
will be happened by microorganisms in the soils. However, salinity in the
concentration used had no effect on inhabitation or promoting on the
Phenanthrene removal.
Mahran Mohammadian Fazli , Jalil Nassiri , Ramin Nabizadeh, Mohammad Reza Mehrasbi,
Volume 6, Issue 1 (5-2013)
Abstract
Backgrounds and Objectives: Medical waste management is one of the important issues in solid waste managment in each community. This research was carried out to study the quantity, quality and the management practices of solid wastes of hospitals in Zanjan City in 2011.
Materials and Methods: In the present study, the hospital wastes were categoried and weighted into four main categories. Waste management pattern was studied based on a checklist extracted from national guidelines. Then, hospitals were ranked from very poor to excellent classes. For data analysis, Excel soft ware was used.
Results: Waste generation rate was on average 2.402± 0.163 Kg/bed.day in the studied hospitals. The generation rate of domestic waste, infectious waste, sharp wastes, and chemical - pharmacological waste was 1.432±0.059, 0.926±0.096, 0.029±0.0055, and 0.015±0.002 kg/day.bed respectively. The status of the waste management practices was determined as average.
Conclusion: Waste generation rate in the hospitals of Zanjan was lower compared with the expected average value in other cities (e.g. 2.71 Kg/bed.day in Tehran). The percentage of medical waste in Zanjan hospitals was 34, which is higher than W.H.O. recommendations. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to reform and monitor certain solid waste management practices in order to reduce health and environmental issues.
Mahdi Jahangiri, Masoud Neghab, Vahid Kahdemain, Reza Rostami, Ali Karimi, Mandana Aghabeigi, Abasali Kasayee Nasab,
Volume 6, Issue 1 (5-2013)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Wastewater contains various pathogens including viruses, bacteria, fungi, etc. These microorganisms can easily become airborne during normal operations of wastewater treatment plant and contaminate the neighborhood environment. The aim of this study was to investigate the type and density of bioaerosols in a petrochemical wastewater treatment plant in Iran.
Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study, bioaerosols density was measured in different units of a petrochemical wastewater treatment plant according to the NIOSH 0800 method and the values measured were compared with background level (control area). For this purpose, air samples were collected on blood agar and dextro agar in Andersen single-stage sampler with air flow of 28.3 l/min for 10 minutes. Samples collected were shipped to the laboratory immediately and were incubated for 48 hours. Then, incubated samples were counted for colonies concentration.
Results: Average concentration of bacteria and fungi bioaerosols measured were 731.70±185.49 and 28.43±10.58 (M±SD) CFU/m3 respectively throughout the wastewater treatment plant units. These values were 35 and 1.45 times higher than background level (Control area). The differences between average concentrations of bacteria in all units of wastewater treatment plant with control area were statistically significant.
Conclusions: Generally, it was found that the density of bioaerosols, especially bacteria was much higher than the background level. The maximum density was measured at aeration chamber, where the emission of bioaerosols could be reduced through replacing nozzle diffused aeration system.
Soheila Rezaei, Kazem Naddafi, Hossain Jabbari, Masoud Yonesian, Arsalan Jamshidi, Abdolmohamad Sadat, Alireza Raygan Shirazinejad,
Volume 6, Issue 1 (5-2013)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: In recent years exposure to fine airborne particles has been identified as an important factor affecting human health. Epidemiological studies have showed that the aerosol laden air can be an agent for microorganisms’ dispersion. Ignoring internal sources, ambient air quality significantly affects indoor air quality. Since people spend most of their times in the indoor spaces and little data are available on the general understanding of the indoor air quality, therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the particulate matter concentrations in indoor and ambient air of Tehran Children Medical Center Hospital.
Materials and Method: PM10/PM2.5 samples were collected in the indoor environment of the Tehran Children Medical Center Hospital and its adjacent outdoor environment by a portable GRIMM dust monitor model 1.108 from November 26 to March 10, 2007. The places of sampling for indoor and ambient air were in the patient room and the roof of the hospital respectively.
Results: The results showed that indoor PM10 level was higher than WHO standards in 80% cases in patient room, whereas, for indoor PM2.5 level, this value was 42 and 64% more than the EPA standards and WHO standards respectively. The relationship between outdoor and indoor particulate matters was examined by linear regression analysis. The indoor particulate matter levels were correlated with the corresponding ambient air ones.
Conclusion: Our analysis revealed that infiltration of ambient air could substantially increased indoor pollutants and thereby influences the indoor air quality.
Gholamreza Goudarzi, Mohamadjavad Mohammadi, Kambiz Ahmadi Angali, Basir Mohammadi, Zahra Soleimani, Aliakbar Babaei, Abdolkazem Neisi, Sahar Geravandi,
Volume 6, Issue 1 (5-2013)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: According to the WHO estimates, air pollution is accounted for about 800000 premature death of cardiovascular and respiratory disease and lung cancer resulted from air pollution throughout the world approximately 150000 cases of those deaths occur in south Asia. The studies conducting on short-term and long-term effects are reported in terms of admission rate, consulting with a physician, number of a particular disease, death, and years of the lost life (YOLL). We used Air Q2.2.3 (Air Quality Health Impact Assessment) Model to evaluate adverse health effects caused by NO2 exposure in Ahvaz City during 2009. NO2 reacts with ammonia, moisture, and other compounds to form small particles. These small particles penetrate deeply into sensitive parts of the lungs and can cause or worsen respiratory disease, such as emphysema and bronchitis, and can aggravate existing heart disease, leading to increased hospital admissions and premature death.
Materials and Methods: First the data required was collected from Ahvaz Environment Organization and Meteorological Organization. Then, this data were processed by Excel software through correcting temperature and pressure, coding, averaging and filtering. Finally, the data processed were entered to Air Q model. This model is a valid and reliable WHO-proved tool to estimate the potential short term effects of air pollution. This model includes four screen inputs (Supplier, AQ data, Location, Parameter) and two output screens (Table and Graph).
Results: It was found that the Meteorological and Environment Organization stations have had the maximum and minimum NO2 concentration respectively. Moreover, the annual, summer, and winter average and 98cile of this pollutant was 27, 6, 43, and 115 µg/m3 respectively. The cumulative number of myocardial infarction resulted from NO2 exposure was estimated to be nine persons per year. This value for the cardiovascular death was found to be 19 cases. Finally, the COPD cases was estimated to be seven per year.
Conclusion: Air Q software calculated relative risks, attributable proportion, and baseline incidence using data processed by Excel and presents the output as the cause specific deaths. It is noteworthy that there is no model that can estimate all of the pollutants health effects simultaneously. Cumulative number of persons for acute MI attributed to NO2 exposure was 9 in 2009. Moreover, 51% of this number occurred in the days with concentrations lower than 60 µg/m3. It should be noted that 72% of this value are corresponded to the days with concentrations below 90 µg/m3. The total cumulative number of cardiovascular death attributed to exposure with NO2 during one year of monitoring was 19 persons. 60% of these cases have occurred in days with NO2 levels not exceeding 90 µg/m3. Cumulative number of hospital admission of COPD attributed to exposure with NO2 during one year of monitoring was 7 persons.87 % of these cases have occurred in days with NO2 levels not exceeding 110 µg/m3.
Roohollah Noori, Gholamali Hoshyaripour, Khosro Ashrafi, Omran Rasti,
Volume 6, Issue 1 (5-2013)
Abstract
Backgrounds and Objectives: Precise air pollutants prediction, as the first step in facing air pollution problem, could provide helpful information for authorities in order to have appropriate actions toward this challenge. Regarding the importance of carbon monoxide (CO) in Tehran atmosphere, this study aims to introduce a suitable model for predicting this pollutant.
Materials and Method: We used the air pollutants and meteorological data of Gholhak station located in the north of Tehran these data provided 12 variables as inputs for predicting the average CO concentration of the next day. First, support vector machine (SVM) model was used for forecasting CO daily average concentration. Then, we reduced the SVM inputs to seven variables using forward selection (FS) method. Finally, the hybrid model, FS-SVM, was developed for CO daily average concentration forecasting.
Result: In the research, we used correlation coefficient to evaluate the accuracy of both SVM and FS-SVM models. Findings indicated that correlation coefficient for both models in testing step was equal (R~0.88). It means that both models have proper accuracy for predicting CO concentration. However, it is noteworthy that FS-SVM model charged fewer amounts of computational and economical costs due to fewer inputs than SVM model.
Conclusion: Results showed that although both models have relatively equal accuracy in predicting CO concentration, FS-SVM model is the superior model due to its less number of inputs and therefore, less computational burden.
