Showing 57 results for Risk
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.
Abdulreza Mashroofeh, Alireza Riyahi Bakhtiari, Mohammad Pourkazemi,
Volume 6, Issue 3 (12-2013)
Abstract
Background and objective: Metal pollution has always been a major cause of contamination of environment and is considered as a major concern for food health. Worldwide, sturgeons are an important source of food and income. In this study, the human health risk due to consumption of caviar and muscle of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) were evaluated by measuring the concentrations of cadmium, nickel, vanadium and zinc in caviar and muscle samples.
Material and Methods: A total number of 24 samples of Persian sturgeon were collected from two important sturgeon fishery zones in Guilan and Mazandaran Provinces and were stored at −20°C until chemical analysis. About one gram of each sample dried was added to 10 ml of concentrated (65%) supra-pure HNO3 (Merck, Darmstadt, Germany) in a Teflon PTFE tube and then it was incubated for 1 h at 40 °C in a hot block digester, followed by heating at 140 °C for 3 h. The samples digested were diluted to a measured volume using double deionized water. Samples were filtered through Whatman No. 1 filter paper, and the filtrate was stored until metal determination.
Results: Mean Cd, Ni, V and Zn concentrations in muscle tissues were 0.005 ± 0.002, 0.06 ± 0.03, 0.13 ± 0.04 and 7.49 ± 3.07 µg/g wet weight basis respectively. The mean Cd, Ni, V and Zn concentrations in caviar samples were 0.007 ± 0.006, 0.09 ± 0.07, 0.12 ± 0.15 and 21.23 ± 5.75 µg/g wet weight basis respectively.
Conculation: The mean concentrations of Zn, Cd and V in caviar and muscle samples were less than the permissible limits proposed by the United Kingdom's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF 2000) and World Health Organization (W.H.O.). The guidelines for Cd, V and Zn are 0.2, 0.5 and 50 µg/g wet weight respectively. Therefore, the measured concentrations for these particular metals are below the published guidelines, and the levels would appear not to constitute any threat to the human population that may consume sturgeon or caviar obtained from these study locations.
Sa Jozi, N Jafarzadeh Haghighi Fard, N Afzali Behbahani,
Volume 7, Issue 1 (7-2014)
Abstract
Background: FMEA is one of the best known system safety techniques widely used as an identification tool. The purpose of this study was to apply FMEA method to identify and assess the risks posed by power lines in a residential area is Hasyrabad, Ahwaz. Materials and Methods: First, we identified the power line process and the equipment involved. Later, we determined the failure modes of equipment, which leads to the risk in the area studied. In order to measure the magnetic field lines, we used 3D EMF TESTER. Risks identified were scored based on the FMEA and for each case we calculated RPN. Then, with the help of SPSS software, we calculated level of risk and the cases identified were prioritized and analyzed based on the risk level. Results: The highest RPN values were associated with health risks and all risks involved in this group are at emergency conditions. It was revealed that wires (loss of privacy) and power transmission line (non-compliance with privacy standards) had highest value (RPN 360) and disconnect switch had lowest value (RPN 60). Conclusion: Due to the high risk in most cases, control measures were proposed based on the expertise in the safety-related equipment, training operators, and regulatory measures in order to reduce the level of risk.
Shaho Karami, Gholamreza Nabibidhendi, Hamidreza Jafari, Hassan Hoveidi, Amir Hedayati,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (10-2014)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Human environment is surrounded bychemicals that could directly or indirectly endanger human health. Some statistics of WHO is indicative of the fact that four million people are employed in the chemical industry throughout the world and one million people die or become disabled annually due to contact with chemicals. Moreover, 1-4 Millions chemical toxicity occur annually. The purpose of this study was to understand the risks involved in chemicals in the workplace, to assess the task risk, and to propose appropriate control measures in order to eliminate or reduce risk in the petrochemical industry. Materials & Methods: In this study, the chemicals were identified in Arak Petrochemical and features that are indicative of hazardous materials were identified and using TOPSIS, The hazard rate were determined. Then the job duties of employees and employee exposure rate with chemicals were calculated and finally, a risk rate for exposure to chemicals in job duties was determined. Results: It was found that chemicals do not have too high risk to employees however, but the high risky chemicals were five chemicals including naphtha, ammonia, acetic acid, chlorine, and methanol for operational staff and two chemicals, i.e. ammonia and chlorine for operation and maintenance staffs . Conclusion: It is better to have an alternative for the materials that their risk rang is high and very high, and their production is suggested to be avoided.
S. A. Jozi, S. J. Esmat Saatloo, Z. Javan,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (5-2014)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Chemical spillage of equipment is possible in petrochemical processes. Occurrence of such event can result in firing and explosion and consequently would bring about some risks to the environment affected. The aim of this study was to assess environmental risks in Olefin Plant, Arya Sasol Petrochemical Company in order to identify environmental risks at producing source. Methods: The basic data was gathered through using the results of monitoring and measurement of ambient air pollutants and stack exhaust gases, safety review method and field observation. For determination the effects of hydrocarbons leakage from equipment on the environment, measuring BTEX in ambient air was performed as per EPA0030 Standard method with using Gas Chromatography at 4 stations of the complex and a portable Testo 350 XL device was used for monitoring stack exhaust gases, from 9 stacks from May 2011 to April 2012. Assessment and risk management tool used in this study was the fault tree analysis method. The main part of the risk assessment in fault tree method is selecting a top event. According to the statistics of accidents and environmental aspects of ethane cracking operations, hydrocarbon leakage is detected as top event and then composition and relationship between risk factors is determined in the form of terminal event, intermediate event and the gate “and” and “or”. With qualitative and quantitative analysis of fault tree of this accident, the main causes of the accident and the likelihood of the top event was calculated for a year. Results: Comparing with other stations, it was found that benzene with concentration of 0.37 mg/m3 in autumn, toluene with concentration of 0.13 mg/m3 in spring, and ethyl benzene with concentration of 0.09 mg/m3 in autumn, and xylene with the concentration of 1.01 mg/m3 in autumn season had the highest concentration. The fault tree developed had 16 events (including final, intermediate, and initial), which were connected to each other with seven logic gates. The maximum error percentage in the terminal events was attributed to the hardware failures such as malfunction in equipment with 55.55 percent followed by human and administrative errors in the next ranking. The highest percentage (22.2%) of the terminal events was related to the gasket unsuitable material the main reason is due to the economic sanctions and the lack of effort to provide high quality products. Conclusion: Most likely occurrence of the final event was related to the gasket unsuitable material (2×10-2). Control action to prevent the occurrence of leakage could be supplying high quality gaskets and the failure is classified in the hardware failure category.
M Zare Jeddi, N Rastkari, R Ahmadkhaniha, M Alimohammadi, M Yunesian,
Volume 8, Issue 1 (8-2015)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Bottles for packaging drinking water represent one of the most popular uses of plastic and polymer additives. Recently, public concerns related to possibility of exposure to chemicals through the consumption of polyethylene terephthalate bottled water has caused great concern to consumers. Phthalate esters, as a class of these compounds, are often classified as endocrine disruptors and one of them is a possible carcinogen for human. The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of phthalates in bottled water and to calculate the health risk of phthalates intake via consumption of bottled waters. Materials and Method: After purchasing, samples were immediately stored according to the recommended conditions (25 ºC, dark place) given on the bottle label. Migration of phthalates was investigated in PET-bottled water at different time intervals using gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy. Therefore, a phthalate exposure assessment was performed to characterize their risk to the consumer’s health via a calculated hazard quotient (HQ). Results: It seems that the duration of storage affects phthalate migration. Total increases of DEHP (811.8%), DBP (2545.2%), and BBP (832%) were observed at 12 months over the initial level before storage (bottled water immediately after production) but the level of phthalates in bottled water was always very low (<EPA:6 μg/L). Non-carcinogenic risk assessment from exposure to phthalate via consumption of bottled water was negligible in all of the subject groups (HQ<1). Furthermore, a little excess cancer risk of 9.9×10-7 for bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was observed.Conclusion: The research showed that the concentration of phthalates in PET-bottled water was extremely low. Consequently, based on the risk assessment results, bottled waters regarding existence of safe for consumers and they phthalates are not considered as public health issue for consumers as phthalates does not have any risk exposure for the consumers.
Gh. Goudarzi, S Geravandi, S Saeidimehr, M.j. Mohammadi, M Vosoughi Niri, Sh. Salmanzadeh, K Ahmadi Angali, A.k. Neisi, A.a. Babaei,
Volume 8, Issue 1 (8-2015)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: According to the estimates of W.H.O., approximately 150000 persons are annually affected by early death of cardiovascular, respiratory disease, and lung cancer resulted from air pollution in south Asia. The short-term and long-term effects are reported as hospital admission, consulting with a physician, number of special disease, death and years of life lost (YOLL). The purpose of this paper is to discuss the effects of PM10 pollution on human health. AirQ 2.2.3 (Air Quality Health Impact Assessment) Model was used to evaluate adverse health effects caused by PM10 exposure in Ahvaz during 2009. Long-term exposure with suspended particulates are expressed as decreasing personal life. The prevalence of bronchitis and reduced lung function in children and adults, even at annual average concentrations of particulate matter below 20 µg/m3 (PM2.5) and 30 µg/m3 (PM10) have been observed. Major sources of emissions resulting from human intervention in particulate matter are road traffic (25-10%), stationary combustion (55-40%), and industrial processes (30-15%). Materials and Methods: First, PM10 data was collected from Ahvaz Environment Protection Organization and Meteorological Organization. Then, raw data were processed by Excel software.. Finally, data processed were inputted to AirQ model. This model proved to be a valid and reliable tool to estimate the potential short-term effects of air pollution. This software is provided by the World Health Organization and is used to quantify the health effects of air pollution. This model consists of four input screens (Supplier, AQ data, Location, Parameter) and two output screens (Table, Graph). Results: The highest and lowest PM10 concentration was reported for Headquarter and Naderi stations respectively. Moreover, the annual, summer, and winter means and 98 decimal of this pollutant in Ahvaz City was measured as 261, 376, 170, and 1268 µg/m3 respectively. Total death toll contributed to PM10 was estimated as 1165 cases in 2009. Conclusion: Using data processing in Excel, AirQ software calculates relative risks, attributable proportion, and baseline incidence and the final output would be displayed in the form of death toll. It is noteworthy that there is no model that can estimate the effect of all pollutants together and simultaneously. In addition, it was found that the annual PM10 emission mean, the summer mean, winter mean, and 98 percentile were 261, 376, 170, and 1268 µg/m3 in Ahvaz City. Cumulative number of persons for total number of deaths attributed to PM10 exposure was 1165 in 2009 Out of which, 44% has occurred in the days with concentrations lower than 250 µg/m3. It should be noted that 62% of this value is corresponded to the days with concentrations below 350 µg/m3. The total cumulative number of cardiovascular death attributed to the exposure with PM10 during one year of monitoring was 612 persons. On the other hand, 52% of these cases have occurred in days with PM10 levels not exceeding 300 µg/m3. Cumulative number of Hospital Admissions Respiratory Disease attributed to exposure with PM10 during one year of monitoring was 1551 persons Out of which, 36 % occurred in days with PM10 levels not exceeding 200 µg/m3.
M Zare Jeddi, M Yunesian, R Ahmadkhaniha, H Kashani, N Rastkari,
Volume 8, Issue 3 (12-2015)
Abstract
Background and Objective: One of the air pollutants is volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Benzene, as a part of petrol, is a VOC, known to be carcinogenic to human beings (Group 1) and it has widespread application in various industries and professions. Hence, the aim of the present study was semi-quantitative and quantitative health risk assessment of petrol bank workers exposure to benzene via inhalation in the Tehran, Iran.
Material and method: For these purpose, this descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in three stages. First stage consisted of measurement of benzene in two groups of participants: (1) petrol bank workers and (2) non-exposed people as control group. The second stage included the evaluation of worker's exposure to benzene and semi-quantitative risk assessment, and the third stage was estimating the lifetime cancer risk caused by exposure to benzene.
Results: Benzene mean concentration was near the threshold limit value (1600 µg/m3) and the mean benzene personal air level was 1527±246.4 µg/m3 in the petrol bank areas. With regard to semi-quantitative risk assessment method, benzene introduced as the most hazardous chemical with risk ratio of 4.5 has 5th rank in risk levels (Extremely dangerous). Lifetime cancer risk estimation showed that in petrol bank workers the excess lifetime cancer risk was 27.5 times higher than unexposed group and the chance of cancer was one in a 1000 petrol bank workers.
Conclusion: This study indicates that petrol bank workers in Tehran have a potentially high cancer risk through inhalation exposure. Thus, preventative actions regarding to this hazardous and carcinogenic chemical must be started as soon as possible.
F Khalili, A.h Mahvi, S Nasseri, M Yunesian, B Djahed, M Yaseri,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (6-2016)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Chemical hair color are one of the most widely used cosmetics. The presence of heavy metals in these products can affect the health of consumers. Unlike other cosmetics, no study has been conducted on the heavy metal levels in the synthetic chemical hair colors. This study determined the concentration of heavy metals in these products and the risk assessment of non-carcinogenic effects by these elements were calculated.
Material and Method: 32 samples of chemical hair color from eight brands (3 local and 5 imported ones) and four most used colors were collected from the markets in Tehran. The concentration of cadmium, lead, and barium was determined using ICP-MS. The information required to assess exposure risk was gathered through a questionnaire distributed among citizens of Tehran. The assessment of exposure was conducted using Mont Carlo method and non-carcinogenic risk was determined using the index of Hazard Quotient. .
Results: Barium concentration measured was 0.86 mg/kg and concentrations of Cadmium and Lead were 0.45 and 185.34 µg/kg respectively. Among the elements, Pb with Hazard Quotient equals to 7.46×10-4 had the most risk and cadmium with Hazard Quotient equals to 3.57×10-5 had the lowest risk. Moreover, the Iranian brand and blond had the highest risk among the samples.
Conclusion: Based on the index of Hazard Quotient, heavy metals in the studied samples had no risk for consumers of these products.
M Sabouhi , F Nejadkoorki, H.r Azimzadeh, M.s Ali Taleshi,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (6-2016)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The presence of industrial workshops has increased urban pollution. This study aimed to investigate the heavy metal pollutants of Yazd battery repairing workshops and to identify the ecological and environmental effects resulted.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in Yazd. In this regard, the city was divided into three parts on the basis of geographical features. Then, 30 workshops were selected from each part through stratified random sampling method. Heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn) in the floor were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The impacts assessment of heavy metals was evaluated using environmental potential risk index (RI), cumulative pollution index (IPI), pollution coefficient factor (Cf), and the degree of modified contamination (mCd) and Pearson’s correlation statistical test.
Results: The trend of heavy metals concentrations in floor dust particles of workshops was as Fe>Cu>Pb>Zn>Mn>Cr>Cd. Therefore, the average concentrations of Fe and Cd in the samples were 27011.52 ±4721.05 and 78.25±21.07 mg/kg respectively. The results of the RI showed that heavy metal of floor dust had very high danger (2816.29). The mCd value was as 63.35 indicating these workshops were at severe contamination class. The value of Cf was as 304.17 revealing that these workshops were at very severe contamination class.
Conclusions: This research showed that the high concentration of heavy metals in battery repairing workshops is due to the interaction of heavy metals of industrial wastes components, including electrical wastes and battery with the dust having mankind origin.
Ar Mesdaghinia, S Nasseri, M Hadi,
Volume 9, Issue 3 (12-2016)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Exposure to chemicals such as heavy metals can be occurred through the route of drinking water consumption. Chromium is an important pollutant because of its role in the appearance of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health effects in humans. In this study, we studied the carcinogenic risk and non-carcinogenic hazard of chromium due to the consumption of bottled drinking water distributed throughout Iran.
Materials and Methods: The Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) indices were calculated. Monte-Carlo simulation technique was adopted for simulating uncertainty in the estimation of HQ and ELCR based on the input variables namely the concentration of pollutant, per capita water consumption, body weight, reference dose, biological availability, and source contribution factors.
Results: The average concentration of chromium in bottled waters determined was 4.79 ± 2.32 µg/L. The amounts of HQ and ELCR for the age groups of lower than 2, 2 to 6, 6 to 16 and over 16 years old were 0.000354, 0.00292, 0.00236, 0.00147 and 4.04×10-11, 5.99×10-10, 8.61×10-10 and 2.34×10-9, respectively.
Conclusion: In regard to the concentration of chromium in bottled waters in Iran, the incidence probability and the possibility of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects by this pollutant due to the consumption of bottled water are considerably low and there is no health concern for any age groups.
Ar Khajeamiri, M Zare Jeddi, R Ahmadkhaniha, N Rastkari,
Volume 9, Issue 3 (12-2016)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Organochlorine pesticides are among the endocrine disrupting chemicals believed to produce a wide variety of adverse health outcomes such as cancers. Generally, fatty foods of animal origin are the major sources of human exposure to lipophilic contaminants such as DDTs and their metabolites. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate exposure of general population to DDTs via dietary milk consumption in Iran, and to assess the respective potential risks to health of people in terms of carcinogenic and none-carcinogenic effects.
Materials and Methods: The DDT residue levels were determined by GC/MS analysis in 60 milk samples of full fat pasteurized commercial types (3% fat). The assessment of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks was calculated through international standard methods.
Results: In all of the milk samples, DDT and its metabolites were detected in the range of 0.0015 to 0.28 µg/L with the mean of 0.05±0.03, 0.15±0.08, 0.09±0.05, 0.05±0.02 µg/L for o, p-DDE, p,p-DDE, p,p-DDT, p,p-DDD, respectively. The calculated estimated daily intake (0.00006-0.0002 mg/kg/day) for all categories and all compounds were lower than the Reference doses (RfDs). Consequently, the hazard quotients calculated in these groups for DDTs were less than 1. Hazard index obtained for all compounds in full fat pasteurized milk based on maximum DDT residue concentrations was higher than unity confirming health risk. From the carcinogenic point of view, there is no risk and it was within the acceptable threshold of EPA.
Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that the general population are exposing to DDT and its metabolites constantly. Therefore, it is recommended to biomonitoring and measuring these chemicals in all age groups especially in children.
Ghh Abdollahzadeh, M Sharif Sharifzadeh, Z Qadami Amraei,
Volume 9, Issue 4 (3-2017)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Chemical pesticides are considered a vital component of farming and play a substantial role in maintaining high agricultural productivity. Concerns regarding the health and environmental effects of the pesticides have been increased in recent years. Therefore, this research aimed to assess farmers’ awareness about the positive and negative impacts of pesticides and their health risk on human.
Materials and Methods: A survey study was carried out between two groups of farmers including chemical pesticide users (n= 126) and biological pesticide users (n = 98). The users were randomly selected from 20 villages. The studied villages were selected from two sub-districts by cluster sampling method. An expert-verified questionnaire that its design and contents were assessed by local professionals was used in this research. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed based on the calculated Cronbach Alpha Coefficient for two constructs of awareness: positive (0.75) and negative (0.83) impacts of pesticides.
Results: Results indicated that the farmers using biological control were well aware of the harmful impacts of pesticide and hence they used less pesticides than the chemical pesticide users. Although the two groups of the farmers highlighted the health impacts of chemical pesticides such as human and animal health threat, and pollution of surface and underground water, the users of biological control methods had more concerns in this regards. Most of the respondents stated that the pesticides caused serious health problems such as exhaustion, sweating, cough and headache, dizziness, skin inflammation and irritation, nausea and vomiting.
Conclusion: Even though the farmers were well aware of the impacts of pesticides use, they have less often used personal protective equipment. In order to promote farmers’ awareness of pesticide impacts, more efforts are needed to strengthen training programs and facilitate access to extension services.
N Pourang, F Esmaeili, M Ranjbarian,
Volume 10, Issue 1 (6-2017)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Identification of potential risks in laboratories and trying to create safe conditions for the staff is very important from different aspects. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the potential risks in the laboratories of three research centers affiliated to Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute.
Materials and Methods: In order to assess and classify risks associated with working in the laboratories (11 laboratories of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea Ecological Research Center, 9 laboratories of National Shrimp Research Center and 2 laboratories of National Aquatic Organisms Processing Center), the method of "Failure Mode Effects Analysis" (FMEA) as well as statistical methods (concerning compare means) were used.
Results: The risk levels in all the laboratories of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea Ecological Research Center, except for benthos laboratory, could be evaluated as moderate or high. Only in the case of the sample preparation laboratory, significant differences between the values of RPN before and after corrective action was observed. However, in this case the corrective actions have not been effective in decreasing the risk level. In most laboratories of National Shrimp Research Center, the corrective actions were effective in reducing the risk levels (with the exception of three laboratories). In both laboratories of National Aquatic Organisms Processing Center, after the corrective actions, the risk levels were sharply reduced.
Conclusion: Considering the high level of risk in many evaluated laboratories, appropriate corrective actions were proposed. But after the second-stage evaluation, it was realized that the proposed corrective measures in some laboratories (especially in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea Ecological Research Center) were notperformed sufficiently and hence the risk still was remained at critical or semi-critical level
H Godini, S Karimpour Roshan, Z Imanian, T Naji, B Mirza Hedayat,
Volume 10, Issue 3 (12-2017)
Abstract
Background and Objective: The failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) is one of risk assessment techniques. The aim of this study was to identify, assess and prioritize the risk associated with the process of medical waste management using the FMEA method and provide appropriate strategies and measures for controlling the risk of this process in the Children's Medical Center Hospital.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in this hospital during the first 6 months of 2016. For data collection, the standard worksheet of FMEA and object-oriented sampling were used. In this method, each error based on the severity, the occurrence rate and probability of finding an error is scored between 1 and 10, which the priority number of the risk is obtained from the product of these 3 indicators.
Results: In this study, a total of 33 potential risks associated with the management of medical wastes were identified using FMEA risk assessments. The highest priority number for non-washed waste containers is 360 and the lowest priority number is the risk of not having the Safety box for disposal of sharp waste in the wards, which is 30.
Conclusion: One of the most important sources of environmental pollution is medical wastes that have high costs in different stages of waste management in the hospital, thus, the use of the FMEA technique can reduce costs and increase the safety and health of the personnel. It also helps to preserve the environment.
A Nazarpour, N Ghanavati, T Babaenejad,
Volume 10, Issue 3 (12-2017)
Abstract
Background and Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the concentration, enrichment factor, Nemrow integrated pollution index, and potential ecological risk of heavy metals including (Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, V and Cr) in surface soils of Ahvaz oil filed.
Materials and Methods: For this purpose, 49 soil samples with a systematic scheme from Ahvaz oil field were analyzed by atomic absorption method.
Results: The mean concentration of heavy metals was as follow: Pb (251.20), Ni (94.6), Cu (75.80), Zn (132.84), Cd (0.69), V (4.97) and Cr (141.48) (mg/kg). The average value of enrichment factor in the soil samples decreased as Pb>Ni>Cu>Cr>Zn>Cd>V. Nemrow integrated pollution index (NIPI) indicated high level of pollution for the studied heavy metals except V. The Potential ecological risk of the studied heavy metals showed a low potential ecological risk for V, Cd, Zn and Cr; Cu showed a moderate risk and Ni and Pb indicated a considerable ecological risk. The mean value of the risk index indicated that 27 (55.10%) of the soil samples with a moderate risk, 21 (42.85%) with a considerable risk and one sample (2.05%) with a high ecological risk.
Conclusion: The obtained results from the enrichment factor, Potential ecological risk, and risk index indicated that the main source of heavy metals in the study area were anthropogenic sources such as oil drilling activities.
B Mohammad Moradi, S Sobhanardakani, M Cheraghi,
Volume 10, Issue 4 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Heavy metals are the most frequent pollutants of urban soils. In general, human health and especially children are directly at risk if the soil is being accidentally ingested orally or nasally. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess potential ecological risk index (RI) of Pb, Cd, Cr and Cu in surface soils of urban parks in Tehran City in 2016.
Materials and Methods: A total of 60 surface soil samples were collected from Mellat, Laleh, Velayat, Ekbatan and Pirouzi parks. The heavy metals contents in samples were determined using ICP-OES after acid digestion of soil samples. Also, RI of heavy metals was determined. All statistical analyses were performed according to the Shapiro-Wilk test, One-Way ANOVA, One Sample T-Test and Pearson Correlation Coefficient.
Results: The lowest and highest contents of the metals (mg/kg) with an average of 0.52 ± 0.25 and 153.81 ± 31.83 were related to Cd and Pb, respectively. Pb and Cu were higher than MPL. Also, the highest surface soil contamination was related to Velayat Park located at the south of Tehran. The value of RI was 99.16 and therefore the soil contamination was categorized in low ecological risk.
Conclusion: Although the value of RI categorized as low ecological risk, due to mean concentrations of Pb and Cu were higher than MPL, control of soil-contamination sources, periodic monitoring of surface soil in the urban parks where citizens spend most of their free time. Additionally, it should be avoided to construct urban parks close to the regions with high traffic intensity.
N Ghanavati,
Volume 11, Issue 1 (6-2018)
Abstract
Background and Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate risk of heavy metals on human health including (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, Cd, Ni, V, As and Co) in street dusts in Abadan.
Materials and Methods: 30 dust samples were collected from sidewalks of main streets of Abadan and analyzed by inductively coupled spectroscopy (ICP-OES) method.
Results: The mean concentration of the heavy metals was as follows: Pb (59.13), Zn (287.50), Cu (112.97), Cr (50.30), Cd (0.52), Ni (56.77), V (35.83), As (10.7) and Co (7.33) (mg/kg). The concentration of all of the heavy metals, except V, in the dust samples was several times higher than the field concentration (concentration in the earth's crust). The average value of the potential ecological risk of the heavy metals V, Cr, Zn, Ni, As, Cu and Pb was low and had a low potential ecological risk. Cd had a moderate potential ecological risk. Also, based on the average value of Risk Index, the samples were at medium risk. Cumulative non-carcinogenic hazard of all the heavy metals in the street dust was higher for children than adults. This indicates that children are more at risk for heavy metals than the adults. In both age groups, Cr had the highest risk of carcinogenicity and Pb had the lowest risk.
Conclusion: The results indicated that the main source of the heavy metals in the study area is anthropogenic sources such as traffic, industrial facilities and burning of fossil fuels.
H Tahsini, M Ahmadpour, Mh Sinkakarimi,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (9-2018)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Heavy metals as a main group of aquatic pollutants cause poisoning and concern in fish consumption. The aim of the present study was to assess cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) concentration in liver and muscle of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Additionally, the relationship between the heavy metals concentration with weight and length and the consumption risk of the species were assessed.
Materials and Methods: Thirty specimens of rainbow trout were obtained from a fish farming ponds that is located in Sanandaj City. After acidic digestion of the specimens, concentration of Cd and Pb were determined by using atomic adsorption spectrophotometer.
Results: The average concentration of Cd and Pb were 0.62 and 26.31 μg/g wet weight (ww) in liver and 0.16 and 23.65 μg/g ww in muscle, respectively. The amount of Pb was higher than the maximum acceptable level that is permitted by most international organizations. There was a significant correlation between Cd and Pb with length and total weight of liver. Also, a significant relationship was found between Cd and length and total weight of muscle (p < 0.01). The amount of THQ, Daily and weekly intake of Cd and Pb were lower than the allowable proposed dose. The maximum allowable consumption rate of Cd and Pb were 0.16 and 0.09 kg/day for adults and 0.01 and 0.002 kg/day for children, respectively.
Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that the amount of Cd and Pb in the rainbow trout is safe to consume and does not threaten the health of consumer with current consumption rate.
M Moradi Baseri, H Kamani, Sd Ashrafi, E Bazrafshan, F Kord Mostafapour,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (12-2018)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Street dust is an important factor in urban pollution which consists of soil, particulate matters and heavy metals. At present, over half of the world’s population lives in urban areas. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate health risks of heavy metals in street dusts in Zahedan.
Materials and Methods: The samples of street dust were collected in Zahedan. After preparation, the samples, were injected to ICP-MS for determination the amount of Hg and Cu. According to the measured concentrations, Hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) were calculated to evaluate the health risk assessment.
Results: Results showed that Hazard quotient for both Hg and Cu was less than 1 for children and adult. HQ for Hg and Cu was in order of HQingestion >HQdermal >HQinhalation> HQvapour for adults and HQvapour > HQingestion > HQdermal > HQinhalation for children. HI was also less than 1.
Conclusion: The value of HQ showed that inhalation of mercury vapor and ingestion were the main routes of exposure to Hg for children and adults. The non-carcinogenic risk was within the safe value (HI <1) in this study.
