Iranian Journal of

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Background and Objectives: Atmospheric transport is a key mode of microbial dispersal and the transmission of airborne microbe can have significant impacts on human health. The main objective of this study was to determine the concentrations of airborne bacteria in a children.s hospital.
Materials and methods: Three sampling points were selected. Airborne bacteria were collected with 6 days interval at each location using Quick take 30® sampler at an sampling rate of 28.3 l min-1 from November 2007 to March2008.
Results: The results showed that the highest indoor density of bacteria was 429 CFU/m3 that founded in oncology ward. Bacteria identified were representative of normal flora of the skin, respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts.
Conclusion:Our analysis revealed that colony of bacteria in 14% in patient room exceeded available guideline value for indoor air quality. That 11% cases was found in the oncology ward.

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Background and Objectives :Microorganisms including Fungi, are among air-transmitted infectious agents at hospitals and patient care settings, which in addition to patients, can afflict Health Care Workers (HCWs) and visitors, and may results in extravagant economic burden and impact on human health. Use of nanotechnology and especially nanosilver particles is one of the methods which are used in infection control. This article is the result of a research project investigating nanosilver painting effect on bioburden of indoor hospital air.
Materials and Methods: The study was aimed to assess antifungal effects of nanosilver painting. Three rooms were selected at the infectious diseases ward of Imam Khomeini hospital complex. Two of the rooms were painted with two brands of nanosilver paints provided from two separate companies (as cases), and the third room with non-nanosilver paint brand(as control).
Results: Air sampling was carried out using a portable air pump (Quick Take 30) at pre-planned schedule Each Sampling was done in two minutes with the rate of 28.3 Liter per minute. Samples were transferred on Sabourauds Dextrose Agar culture, to count the colonies of fungal based on Colony Forming Unite (CFU/m3). Results were analyzed by ANOVA method.
Conclusion: Active sampling method was not able to show statistically significant reduction in the total fungal bioburden between the control and case rooms. In evaluating the time trend of the nanosilver paints effect, sampling measures revealed that nanosilver paints had statistically significant effect in fungal bioburden reduction in the first third( i.e. first month) of the study period.

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Backgrounds and Objectives : Heavy metals in dust can enter to the human body through ingestion andinhalation. They can pollute the water and soil resources via atmospheric precipitation and accumulate in the plants tissue and enter human body by water and food. The aim of this study was measurement of the heavy metals in wet and dry atmospheric precipitation and effects of pollution sources at the ground surface on the concentration of heavy metals in the atmospheric precipitations.
Materials and Methods: In this study the zanjan city was divided into 5 zones and wet and dry precipitations were collected in autumn, winter and spring (2008- 2009) from zones. The concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr and Zn the collected precipitations were determined by Atomic Absorption spectroscopy method.
Results: The averages of concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr and Zn were 0.082, 0.286, 0.018, and 0.009 (mg/m 2.d)respectively. The correlation coefficients between Pb-Zn was 0.8 (P<0.01) and for Cr-Cd, Cd-Pb, and Cr-Pb were 0.89, 0.58 and 0.61 respectively.
Conclusion: The results showed that the industrial sources of heavy metals play the main role in concentration of heavy metals in wet and dry atmospheric precipitation in Zanjan.The correlation coefficients showed that the lead and zinc result from a common source. This source can be the lead and zinc factories locating around the city. The measurement of heavy metals in atmospheric precipitation shows the effects of anthropogenic sources in air quality. The heavy metals concentration in atmospheric precipitation can be use as air pollution index.

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Backgrounds and Objectives: Mercury is a heavy metal that is widespread in the environment and has many toxic effects. At present, MeHg exposure on women remain an important issues for researching, especially those of continuous uptake in high-fish consumption.MeHg can be transferred to infant through breast milk. The objective of this study was to characterize the risk of Hg exposure in mothers in south of the Caspian Sea.
Materials and Methods: In this study mercury in hair of 70 breast-feeding women (17-36 years old) and influencing factor on it, were assessed. Mothers lives in nur, nowshahr and chamestan cities and villages of Nur and Nowshahr. In order to researching on influencing factors, mothers fill questionnaires. Hair samples (about 1 gr) were obtained from mothers. The mercury was measured by LECOAMA254AdvancedMercuryAnalyzer (USA) according toASTM, standard NO.D-6722.
Results: Total mean mercury concentration in mothers hair obtained 0.19±0.09 ( &mug gr^-1). Tukey test show that the influence of the variables place of live (p=0.02), fish and sea food consumption of mother (P=0.00) were significantly affected on hair mercury concentration of mothers. The other factors (age and number of dental amalgam filling ) had no significant effect on mercury levels in hair of mothers.
Conclusion: Total mean mercury concentration in mothers hair were lesser than normal dose recommended byWHO (2&mug g^-1) and EPA reference (5 &mug g^-1). Analysis of questionnaires showed that three kinds of fish including carp, golden mulle and kutum. Although were often used in this study, mercury concentration in fish was not determined, but in according to significate relation between fish consumption and mercury concentration in mother#s hair, pollution with mercury in the fish can be the main factor of mercury exposure in this study.

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Backgrounds and Objectives:Arsenic is one of the most toxic and dangerous elements in drinking  water that with increase in its application in agriculture, development of applications in agriculture, livestock, medicine, industry and other cases its entry to water resources and environment is much easier.Arsenic is a poisonous, cumulative substance and inhibitor of SH group enzymes and various studies revealed a significant correlation between high concentrations of arsenic in drinking water and liver cancer, nasal cavity cancer, lungs, skin, bladder and kidney cancer in men and women and prostate and liver in men. The aim of this was survey of arsenic removed from water using dissolved air floatation mechanism.
Materials and Methods: At present study in first step for determination best conditions of arsenic removal by dissolved air floatation method, optimum amount of coagulants determined and then synthetic solution of arsenic (50, 100 and 200 µg/L) prepared using sodium arsenate. In third step arsenic removal efficiency under various variables such as arsenic concentration, flocculation and floatation time and saturation pressure were analyzed. Finally residual arsenic concentration was determined by the silver diethyl dithiocarbamate method.
Results:Effect of optimum condition on arsenic removal efficiency at various initial concentration 50, 100 and 200 µg/Lshowed that the best coagulant for removal of arsenic is polyaluminumchloride. Also maximum efficiency (99.4%) was obtained in initial concentration equal 200 µg/L.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that dissolved air floatation method with poly aluminum chloride as coagulant have high efficiency for arsenic removal even at high concentrations and therefore this method can be used for removal of arsenic from water as a suitable and safe option.

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Background and Objectives: Wet air oxidation (WAO) is One of the advanced oxidation process which reduce organic matter concentration from industrial wastewater, toxic and non biodegradable substances and, solid waste leachate,etc. In this study the efficiency of wet air oxidation method in leachate treatment generating from Esfahan Composting factory was Evaluated.
Material and Methods: The experiment was carried out by adding 1.5 Lit of pretreated leachate sample the steel reactor with the volume of 3L. The reactor then underwent10 bar pressure at different temperature (100, 200 and 300 °C) and various retention time (30, 60 and 90 min). Leachate sample in 18 stages from composting factory in Isfahan in the volume of 20 Lit was taken and the WAO method, was used for pre-treatments. Removal efficiency of COD, BOD, NH4-N, NO3 and TSS were examined.
Results: The results showed that the removal efficiency was more than 35% for COD, 38% for BOD, and 85% for TSS within one hour of reaction. The Maximum removal efficiency obtained in this study were 53.3% for NH4-N and 73.9 % forNO3-N.
Conclusion: the results indicate that the reaction temperatures are the most important factors affecting degradation of organic matter. COD and BOD5 removal efficiency by WAO process increased as the time of reaction went up. In addition, BOD5/COD ratios of the effluents, which are generally regarded as an important index of biodegradability of leachate sample, were determined and improved grately as it reached to 84%. TheWAO process presented in this paper is considered an efficient process for pretreatment of leachate, as the COD, BOD5 and NO3 reduction observed in leachate samples.

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Bachgrounds and Objectives: Oil, gas and petrochemical are known as important sources of air pollutants and emission of green house gases. About 99 percent of sulfur dioxide in the air is produced from human resources. Although several samples have been taken from industries and refineries' output by environmental experts and private companies, but accurate assessment is not available based on pollutant emissions on product levels (emission coefficients) and on the total amount of the annual emission which, can be used as basic modeling of air pollution and planning.
Materials and Methods: This study was cross sectional and the output of the chimney measured with Testo 350 XL system. Performance standard was determined based on ASTM D6522 EPACTMO30-41. The amounts of sulfur dioxide were measured from Tehran oil refinery's outlet from the beginning of the march 2007 till the year 2008 for 20 months. Sampling was carried out on averaged range (9 am to 14 pm).
Results: The results showed that Northern Distillation unit produced pollutants' concentration more than 3 times in the southern Distillation unit. An emission of pollutants from Northern unit was, 2.8 times higher than the Southern unit. The northern emission factor was 5.6 times higher than the value obtained from southern unit. The Concentration, emissions and coefficient of sulfur dioxide in North catalyst convert unit were more than 2 times in comparison with the same South unit. These three factors in northern concentration breakers unit were 3, 2.6 and 2.6 times higher than the Southern concentration breakers unit‚ respectively.
Discussion: Emission rate in all northern units is 2 to 3 times more than similar southern units. The production volumes in northern units are higher than the southern units and the southern units designed properly to remove more pollutants .The use of new technologies in production processes and application of the latest scientific resources can play a major role on pollutants' reduction.

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BackgroundsandObjectives: Environmental activitiesunknownprice and value caused establishing of some unique characteristics for mentioned commodities. One of these characteristics was existing gap between private and social cost and benefit. For assessing these activities different approaches include travel cost, willingness to pay and hedonic price had been suggested. According to Tehran's air pollution problem, in this study Hedonic approach had was used for the assessment of healthy air on Tehran's residential house price.
Materials and Method : Hedonic approach is one of the methods that are used for evolution environmental goods. In this method, each good's price is estimated as a functions of that good`s properties. To gather this study information 300 questionnaires has been collected by random sampling from different area of Tehran.
Result: Results revealed that activities in order to reduce air pollutions, in addition to environmental value have economical value form the point of view of consumers. Also, results show that willingness to pay of every Tehran's citizens for every square meter of house located in region with less pollution is between 1120 to 1350 thousands Rials.
Conclusion: According to the obtained results can be said that, clean air as an environmental good from the viewpoint of consumers has economic value that can be calculated this value using methods such as Hedonic.

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Backgrounds and Objectives: Wet air oxidation (WAO) is one of the advanced oxidation process which is mostly used to reduce organic matter concentration from industrial wastewater, toxic and non biodegradable substance and solid waste leachate.The objective of this paper is comparisons of three advance oxidation in organic matter removal in different conditions from Esfahan composing factory leachate
Material and Methods: The experiment was carried out by adding 1.5 Lit pretreated leachate sample to 3Lit autoclave reactor and adding 10 bar pressure at temperature of 100, 200 and 300 °C and pressure (10 bars) with retention time of 30, 60 and 90 min. leachate sample in 18 stages from composting factory in Isfahan in the volume of 20 lit was taken and the three methodsWAO, WPO, and a combination of WAO/GAC were used for pre-treatments. Pure oxygen and 30% hydrogen peroxide was used as oxidation agent.
Results: The result shows significant improvement on the removal rate of COD (7.8-33.3%), BOD5 (14.7-50.6%)by WAO process.The removal efficiency of 4.6-34% COD, 24-50% BOD, was observed in the reactor.Adding theGACto the reactor improved removal efficiency of all parameters.Combination Process (WAO/GAC) removed 48% of COD, 31-43.6% of BOD.Combination process demonstrated higher efficiency than two other previous methods as BOD5/COD ratio of 90% achieved.
Conclusion: The WAO process presented in this paper is efficient for pretreatment of leachate, And the modified WPO process remove organic materials and ammonia moreover WAO/GAC can be considered as an excellent alternative treatment for removing reluctant organic matter (COD, BOD5) and organic nitrogen compounds, which found in leachate.

 

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Background and Objectives: Industrial processes are the major sources of environmental pollutants. Oil & gas processing are one of the industries which emitting several air pollution matters in to the atmosphere. The obtained results of CO₂ emission in one of the Gas Sweetening unit of Iranian south oil company based on the field and deskwork calculations is presented in this paper.
Materials and Methods: Fuel analysis method is the best method for CO₂ estimation from combustion sources. In this paper, CO₂ emission factor for gas sweetening plants is estimated based on this method.
Results: The obtained results showed that  total CO₂ emission in selected unit is about 922212/97 (kg/d) and CO₂ emissions for the separate parts of this unit are 579661/75, 12921/93 and 329629/29 for acid gas flare, gas flare and boilers respectively.
Conclusion: comparison between the separated parts of the studied units showed that emission of acid gas flare is higher than other sources (i.e about 63% of total CO₂ emission), and by using the EPA default CO₂ emission factors the CO₂ emitted 1/2 % lower than the actual emission in the mentioned unit.

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Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background and Objectives:Benzene, toluene and Xylenes (BTX) are organic pollutants, which are mainly associated with oil and its derivatives. BTX is environmental contaminants and considered harmful to human health. Application of surface absorbents such as zeolite is one of several methods for the removal of these compounds. In this study, BTX compounds' removal efficiencies were investigated and compared by using clinoptilolite type zeolite and zeolite with copper oxide nanoparticles.
Materials and Methods: In this study, the modified zeolite by hydrochloric acid in the grain size 1-2 mm and modified zeolite with nano particle of copper oxide were used.  Artificially- Contaminated Air flow was used continuously .To determine BTX concentrations, samplings were done by charcoal tube in current input and output. The concentrations of contaminants were determined by gas chromatography with FID detector.
Results: Removal efficiency of benzene, toluene, p-xylene, m-xylene and o-xylene by clinoptilolite were 78.3%, 62.1%, 32.2% 32.15% and 18.8%, respectively. For the clinoptilolite containing copper oxide nano particles efficiency were 25.42%, 35.65%, 36.33%, 33.24% and 29.39%, respectively. Average removal efficiency of BTX compounds observed when the zeolite without nanoparticles used (43.31%) was more than zeolite with nanoparticles (32%). The results showed that the concentration of CO₂ in the outlet air of the zeolite-containing nanoparticle (550 ppm) was more than the zeolite without nanoparticle (525 ppm).
Conclusion: Results showed that adding nanoparticles to the zeolite, although the removal efficiency of benzene and toluene can be reduced. The results showed that adding nanoparticles to the zeolite, although can be reduced removal efficiency of benzene and toluene, which may be due to occupying or blocking of the pollution absorption sites by the nanoparticles on the zeolite, but It cause promote more catalytic effect of zeolite in the decomposition process of contaminants by breaking the molecules of pollutants and their further degradation progress is done for conversion to carbon dioxide

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MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background and Objectives: Wind-induced particulate air pollution from iron ore piles can causes environmental and economic problems for steel industries. In this experimental study, the effectiveness of various additives in reducing particulate air pollution from iron ore piles was investigated in a laboratory wind tunnel.
Materials and Methods:  The experimental set up consisted of a prismatic pile and a wind tunnel. Four different wind speeds of 4.3, 5, 7 and 11 m/s was used in the study  Municipal water, quick lime (2%), seawater, treated industrial wastewater and Polylatice (0.25%) were used as additives to stabilize the upper layer of the pile.
Results: Emission factors for non-stabilized (without additive) piles at 4.3, 5, 7 and 11 m /s wind speeds were 46.7, 73.2, 1025.4 and 13768.7 g/m², respectively. Stabilized piles with 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.7 and 2.8 percent additive (moisture content of the upper layer of the pile) for municipal water, Polylattice (0.25%), treated industrial wastewater, seawater and quick lime (2%) indicated a decrease of 99.4%, 100%, 99.3%, 99.5% and 99.5% particulate emission reduction, respectively.
Conclusions: Proper selection and use of additives on iron piles has the potential for decreasing  more than 99% of the wind-induced particulate emissions. Operational factors such as covered area, spray frequency, pile geometry, seasonal adjustments related to ambient temperature and humidity, wind speed and operator training need to be an integral part of the pollutant reduction program.              

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Background and Objectives: Air pollution and its effects on human health had become a major concern of many healthcare centers decision makers. In this study, air pollution effect on variation of Glycosylated Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) level in diabetic patients was evaluated, which is a unique study in Iran and Middle East region.
Materials and Methods: During November-January 2010-11, Tehran, capital of Iran, was exposed with high levels of air pollution. A retrospective cohort study was carried out on 330 patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus for at least 12 months referring to 3 endocrinal care clinics. A questionnaire in two demographic and diabetic related sections was prepared. The patients' HbA1C level recorded on November-January 2009-10 was compared with November-January 2010-11. Descriptive analysis and paired t-test were carried out using SPSS 18 software.
Results: The patients investigated were divided into two groups. The first group was composed of 108 patients (53.7% female and 46.3% male) with diabetes mellitus type I (Insulin Dependent), age mean of 17.22, and SD of 11.57. The second group was composed of 222 patients (58.6% female and 41.4% male) with diabetes mellitus type II (Noninsulin Dependent), age mean of 53.91, and SD of 12.12. The change of HbAIC level in both groups wa not statistically significant in first group, HbA1C level increased from 7.71 to 7.75 mg / 100 ml (P =0.828) and in second group, it increased from 7.06 to 7.08 mg / 100 ml (P = 0.798).
Conclusion: According to the results obtained, it can be concluded that relation of air pollution and HbA1C mean variation in diabetic patients was insignificant.

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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/PM_2.5 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 PM_2.5 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.

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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.

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Background and Objectives: Exceeding the standard level in most cases, Tehran air pollution has become a national environmental challenge. Therefore, it is crucial to analyze Tehran air-pollution data set during 2000-2009 for trend analysis.
Materials and Methods: In this study, we collected the hourly data of Tehran air pollution during 2000-2009 recorded by monitoring station of Tehran Air Pollution Control Company and statistical methods was used to determine the trend of the five pollutants, including: CO, PM10, SO2, NO2 and O3.
Results: The results indicate that average annual concentration of PM10, CO, NO₂, SO₂ and O₃ has changed from 91, 11.18, 102.6, 46.8, and 22.1 at monitoring station in 2000 to 88 µg/m3, 3.64 ppm, 66.1 ppb, 21.4 ppb, and 83 ppb in 2009 respectively.
Conclusion: Our findings revealed that although the air quality in Tehran has improved in term of particulate matter, SO2 and NO2 during this decade as a result of government's recent program in air pollution control, ozone concentration has increased.

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Background and Objectives: Weather pollution, caused by Ozone (O3) in metropolitans, is one of the major components of pollutants, which damage the environment and hurt all living organisms. Therefore, this study attempts to provide a model for the estimation of O3 concentration in Tabriz at two pollution monitoring stations: Abresan and Rastekuche.
Materials and Methods: In this research, Artificial neural networks (ANNs) were used to consider the impact of the meteorological and weather pollution parameters upon O3 concentration, and weight matrix of ANNs with Garson equation were used for sensitivity analysis of the input parameters to ANNs.
 Results: The results indicate that the O3 concentration is simultaneously affected by the meteorological and the weather pollution parameters. Among the meteorological parameters used by ANNs, maximum temperature and among the air pollution parameters, carbon monoxide had the maximum effect.
Conclusion: The results are representative of the acceptable performance of ANNs to predict O3 concentration. In addition, the parameters used in the modeling process could assess variations of the ozone concentration at the investigated stations.

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Background and Objectives: Transmission of pathogenic micro-organisms through the air is very dangerous for the society health. It is one of the most important issues that currently has faced the majority of hospitals with increasing nosocomial infections. Bio-aerosols are linked with a wide range of health effects including communicable diseases, acute toxic effects, and allergies and nosocomial infections, which can threaten health of personals, patients, and their companions admitted in hospitals. . Given that hospital infection rates has a direct relationship with the density and type of bioaerosols,, therefore, the distribution and abundance of micro-organisms, which wasthe main objective of the study becomes important. Materials and Methodes: This was a descriptive-analytic study in which seven wards of Valiasr hospital were selected randomly. The wards selected were Internal, laboratory, infants and children, CCU, Men surgery, women and labors. Operating rooms and outside the hospital environment were also studied. Air samples were taken according to the NIOSH standard instructions and Anderson procedure with a flow rate of 3.28 L per 2 minutes on mannitol salt agar, nutrient agar, EMB agar, blood agar, and sabarose dextrose agar media. Out of 240 samples taken, 200 samples showed growth. Then, the samples were transported to laboratory immediately and were incubated for 48 h at 37˚C and the experiment temperature was 22-27˚C, and afterwards each sample was counted andtested. At the end, the microorganisms density was determined in term of CFU/M3. Results: The highest average concentration of pollution occurred in Infectious Ward (238.51 CFU/ M3 in spring and 167.02 CFU/M3 in autumn) and the lowest one was related to the CCU, where showed no fungi growth during both seasons. Despite the environment sterilization, the highest percentage of fungi (Aspergillus Niger) and yeast observed in the hospital air was 42.45 percent in spring and 44.26 percent in autumn respectively. Moreover, Staphillus Epidermithis (25.93 percent)and gram-positive bacillus were the highest percentage of bacteria identified in air samples. Conclusion: From the findings of this study, it can be concluded that the concentration of bio-aerosols in different hospital wards expect in CCU was more than recommended and similar studies and in terms of species was similar to other studies. Therefore, the hospital authority is recommended to reduce the amount of the pathogenic and environmental bio-aerosols through controlling individual traffic, changing the disinfectants and their applying procedure on the wards surface, establishing standard and suitable ventilation systems.

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Background and Objectives: Development of cosmetics industry has increased the affinity to use these products by people especially women for makeup and toilet. Due to the presence of metals such as lead and cadmium as preservative and colored element in these products, concentrations of these metals in sunscreen cosmetics, lipstick and hair color were determined. Materials and Methods: Different brands of cosmetics were analyzed to determine Cd and Pb concentration (in µg/kg dry weight) using graphite furnace atomic absorption (AA-670). Results: We found that generally mean concentration of Cd was lower than Pb. There was no significant difference of Cd level between different brands of sunscreen and lipstick (p>0.05), whereas, a significant difference of Pb between the brands studied was observed (p<0.05). No significant difference was obtained between concentration of Cd and Pb in various brands of hair color (p>0.05). Conclusion: Though levels of Pb and Cd in selected brands of cosmetics were lower than standard limits, their low concentration in compared with the results of previous research works could induce serious hazards on human health and the possibility of occurrence or exacerbation of disease including allergy, inflammation, skin diseases, cancer and so on. Hence, preparation and use of these products must be done according to current standards.

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Background and Objectives: In this experimental study, we used Analytical Hierarchy Process method to determine the best wastewater treatment process for dairy products factories. That is a multi-criteria decision making techniques and is based on expert knowledge. Materials and Methods: First, we formed the hierarchical structure and defined the main criteria and indicators. Then, we investigated the current situation of the treatment process through field observations and conducting influent-effluent analysis. Later, we converted the results obtained into quantitative indices. Then we weighted the main criteria, and their related sub criteria, depending on existing conditions we performed the experiments required and considered the experts ideas. Finally, Evaluation and prioritization of the options was conducted using Expert choice software. Then the sensitivity analysis was performed for main criteria and we evaluated the influence of the parameters weight change on the options. Results: In comparison with the main criteria, environmental criteria were more important followed by engineering criteria, economic and management criteria. Conclusions: Due to the influence of various parameters in choosing optimal wastewater treatment, Multi-criteria decision-making methods are necessary. Finally, “UASB + Aeration” was found to be the first priority followed by “Anaerobic filter + Aeration”, “Anaerobic lagoon + Aeration (2) + Sedimentation (2)”,” Anaerobic filter + Aeration (2) + Sedimentation (2)”. “Septic tank + Trickling filter + Aeration” system was found to be less preferable than other options.