Iranian Journal of

Background and Objective: Attention to on-farm food safety is the first step in achieving food safety and production of healthy crops. However, practices related to on-farm food safety are not sufficiently considered by farmers due to the lack of proper understanding. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the attitude of farmers about sources of contamination and explaining factors of on-farm food safety practices.
Materials and Methods: This study is a non-experimental and descriptive research in terms of extent of variables control; a filed research according to data collection method; and a survey research in terms of generalizability of findings. The statistical population of the study was 732 lettuce producers in Alborz province of which a sample size of 230 was selected using a stratified sampling method with proportional allocation (counties as strata). Data was collected through research-made questionnaire. Appearance and content validity of the questionnaire was assessed by the experts in the field and its reliability was confirmed based on calculated Cronbach Alpha coefficient for three constructs including on-farm food safety practices (0.728), sources of contamination in the pre-harvest stage (0.821) and sources of contamination in the post-harvest stage (0.801). Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 20.
Results: The results revealed that the most important sources of contamination were the usage of pesticides and toxins on the farm and in the irrigation water (in the pre-harvest stage), locations of crop storage and warehouse and high humidity during crop transfer (in the post-harvest stage). Furthermore, the results of the factor analysis using Varimax rotation indicated that underlying the variables of on-farm food safety practices may be summarized and categorized in five factors: practices related to workers’ education and health; public health; irrigation; monitoring and control; and control of livestock and wildlife. These covered about 64.314% of total variances. Among the five factors mentioned, practices related to workers’ education and health explaining 18.1% of the total variances was the most important factor in comparison with other one.
Conclusion: According to the contamination sources in the pre and post-harvest stages and the probability of different contamination in lettuce crop, it is essential to provide necessary conditions for encouraging and directing producers to perform on-farm food safety practices, particularly by educating them on the identification of contamination sources and informing them about essential health and safety practices.
 

Background and Objective: Surface water and underground water quality in countries that facing dehydration have increased the interest of the community to use Household Water Treatment devices. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the quality of drinking water of Household Water Treatment devices and general distribution network in Garmsar, which is under the control of the water safety plan.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study administered in 6 regions and 41 cities of Garmsar city in spring and summer seasons in 2018. Chemical tests performed according to the standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, general measurements were performed using the multi-tube fermentation method and counting of heterotrophic bacteria by pour plate method. The results analyzed by using Excel and SPSS software.
Results: The average values during two seasons were reported as: EC= 1507 (μS/cm), TDS= 786.8 (mg/L), F= 0.048 (mg/L), residual free chlorine= 0.67 (mg/L), pH=7.9, total coliform= 0.16 (MPN/100 mL), fecal coliform= 0.14 (MPN/100 mL) and HPC= 112 (CFU/mL). No significant difference found between the chemical and microbial parameters in the general distribution network and the output of the Household Water Treatment devices during the two seasons.
Conclusion: Household water treatment devices did not affect the microbial burden but caused a change in the amounts of some chemical parameters. Drinking water from the distribution network, with the proper application of the water safety plan, is of good quality.
 

Background and Objective: pesticides are essential to protect plants from pests and diseases. Extensive and unsafe use of pesticides by farmers pose various risks to human health and the environment. Therefore, the present study evaluates farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding pesticides use and the health problems associated with their use.
Materials and Methods: In this human-research survey the target population consisted of 6170 farmers and fruit growers in Galogah County, Mazandaran province, were included. Multi-stage cluster sampling was used to select samples within 2 sub-districts and 13 villages, and the information was collected through 379 questionnaires. Statistical tests such as Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis H, Spearman Correlation and Linear Regression were used to analyze the obtained data.
Results: The respondents have no sufficient knowledge regarding the safe use of pesticides. Respondents' attitudes toward the impacts of pesticide use were positive. The safety measures were less considered by majority of respondents. Moreover, the results revealed that personal protective equipment (mask, gloves and, goggles) and safe disposal of pesticide residues are not fully taken into consideration. The dizziness, skin problems, headache and vomiting were the most common symptoms of pesticide-related illnesses. The findings of regression analysis showed that wide range of knowledge and proper attitudes about the safe use of pesticides are beneficial and can act as the promoting factor in farmers' safety behavior regarding pesticides use.
Conclusion:  In conclusion, providing pesticide users with sufficient knowledge, safety information and effective personal equipment such as wearing masks, goggles and gloves should be given highest priorities.

Background and Objective: The Pesticides used in agriculture have caused great concern due to their adverse effects on human health. In this study, the effect of rinsing, crushing, filtering, clarifying with bentonite and pasteurization on the reduction of diazinon, ethion and phosalone during Asari grape juice was investigated.
Materials and Methods: Vineyard was sprayed during three growth stages before flowering, sour grape (ghooreh) and during grape ripening with phosalone, diazinon, ethion and in doses of 525, 600, 750 g of active substance per hectare, respectively. Twenty-four hours after the last spraying step, the grape sample was harvested and exposed to the process of rinsing (20-30 s), crushing, filtering, clarifying and pasteurizing. Then, the pesticides residue concentration was determined after each step by GC-MS/MS.
Results: The initial concentrations of diazinon, ethion and phosalone in unprocessed grape samples were 0.640, 0.716 and 0.550 mg/kg, respectively. The reduction values of diazinon during the juicing processes of rinsing, crushing, filtering, clarifying with bentonite and pasteurization, in comparison with the concentration of unprocessed grapes, were 25.72, 41.96, 74.54, 90.21 and 100% (not found), respectively; while these values were 9.78, 28.50, 69.45, 89.38 and 96.74% for ethion and 17.32, 28.47, 46.40, 80.25, 93.28% for phosalone, respectively. All processes significantly reduced insecticides residue.
Conclusion: Findings showed that the processes of grape juice production could significantly decrease the diazinon, ethion and phosalone residues.

Background and Objective: Considering the significant number of injured people in spas, the main goal of this research is to provide a model for measuring and managing risk in spas.
Materials and Methods: To prepare the conceptual model of risk, four steps were taken, which include determining the general outline of the model, identifying the parameters, evaluating and scoring the parameters based on the questionnaire, using the hierarchical analysis method, and evaluating and determining the final risk of the pools. According to the allowed standard range of each parameter, five ranges for each parameter were obtained based on the obtained weights, health, safety and environmental risk classes. Finally, by summing up these parameters, the final score of the risk of using each pool is obtained. In order to evaluate the presented model, the risk value of hot mineral water pools in Ardabil province was obtained with the innovative method of this research.
Results: According to the results, according to the risk score, Gutursoi and Gamish-Goli spas have an unacceptable risk level, while Qainarjeh, Shabil, Barjelo and Sablan spas are at a high-risk level.
Conclusion: The presented model was validated with the evidence of forensic events. According to the results of the conceptual model of risk and the score obtained for each component and sub-components, appropriate solutions were presented, including the need to modify the current standards in each spa.

Background and Objective: One of the main ways of transmitting diseases is drinking water, so the safety of drinking water is an important issue for consumers, water suppliers, operators, and health officials. This study was conducted to identify and semi-quantitative evaluation and prioritization of risks in the drinking water supply system of Bostan Abad city.
Materials and Methods: In order to evaluate and document the key elements of WSP and identify the steps that need improvement, the quality assurance tool of the water safety plan (WSP-QA TOOL software) was used, and then based on the guide of the water safety plan from the WHO and the International Association Water safety, WSP team formed. Then the water supply system of Bostan Abad city from the farthest point of the basin to the last consumption point was inspected and described.
Results: The results showed that the highest number of risks are in the water supply sources, distribution network, and point of consumption, respectively. Also, the most vulnerable part of the system was identified as the disinfection unit and storage tanks due to biological and chemical contamination caused by equipment failure and improper preparation of chlorine solution.
Conclusion: In summary, it can be said that carrying out the necessary reforms can play an effective role in reducing the risk potential in times of crisis, which should be given serious attention by water industry officials.
 

Background and Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the difference in knowledge, attitude, and performance in terms of food hygiene and safety between people with and without a history of Covid-19.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 712 people from August to September 2021 using a standard online questionnaire. The questionnaire had four sections, the first section includes demographic information, the second section includes seven questions related to participants' knowledge about food hygiene and safety, the third section includes ten questions about participants' attitudes, and the fourth section contains 10 questions related to participants' health performance. Multiple regression models were used to investigate the main predictors of knowledge, attitude, and performance. The significance level was considered as p < 0.05.
Results: There were 271 (43%) people with a history of infection and 361 (57%) without infection. Demographic factors were not significantly different between people with and without a history of infection. The results of the present study showed that knowledge (p=0.05) and people's performance (p=0.002)  about food hygiene and safety have a significant relationship with the history of corona infection. However, people's attitude was not affected by the corona infection (p=0.17). Attitude was the major predictor of performance (p <0.001).
Conclusion: It can be claimed that contracting Corona has increased people's knowledge and improved performance regarding food hygiene and safety during the Covid-19 pandemic and has improved health conditions.
 

Background and Objective: Compliance with the principles of food safety and hygiene is very important in the entire chain of production, storage, transportation and supply of food to ensure the safety and suitability of food to ensure the health of consumers. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine the status of indicators and prerequisite programs for health and food safety in the fruit and vegetable fields of Tehran in 2022.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive-analytical study on 67 fruit and vegetable centers in Tehran city regarding the status of indicators and prerequisite programs for food safety and hygiene, such as the condition of buildings and facilities, employee training, employee health, food quality control, control of environmental pests, waste disposal and work environment hygiene were done. First, a questionnaire was prepared and its validity was confirmed by the opinion of five experts, as well as its reliability tool with Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.87, then the questionnaire was completed and the necessary data was recorded. The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS software.
Results: The results showed that the favorable condition of buildings and facilities, employee education, employee health, food quality control, environmental pest control, waste disposal and workplace hygiene were 67.16%, 26.85%, 50.20%,67.91%, 43.65%, 58.39% and 63.11%, respectively. So the indicators of building and facilities, food quality control, food consumption and work environment with an average of more than a percentage are acceptable. However, the indicators of care education and combating environmental chastity have been evaluated as unfavorable
Conclusion: Knowing the status of indicators and prerequisite programs for food safety and hygiene in the fruit and vegetable fields of Tehran city can help to improve food safety and health. Also, the desirability of indicators of buildings and facilities, food quality control, waste disposal and workplace hygiene affect the supply and distribution of healthy food. It is also recommended to pay more attention to raising the level of education in the care and methods of environmental pest control in fruit and vegetable fields.