Showing 29 results for Car
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Volume 1, Issue 2 (3-2012)
Abstract
Introduction: Needlestick (NSI) is a known serious treat and occupational exposure among health care workers especially nurses. Since nurses are the biggest part of healthcare workers, and considerable percent of NSI are preventable, we decided to determine frequency of NSI and some related occupational factors among a group of them.
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Methods and Materials: This cross-sectional project was conducted among all the nurses (340 nurses with at least one year work experience) in Babol and Amirkola educational and private hospitals (in north of Iran). The data were gathered by means of a tailor-made data collection sheet including personal information and some occupational effective factors, during autumn and winter. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistical indexes and Chi-square test.
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Results: Our result showed that the relative frequency of NSI among the nurses group (the mean age of nurses was 33.8±7.7 years old and the mean work experience was 10.3±8 years) was 59.7 percent. Chi-square test result indicated that there were significant differences between NSI in different groups of some personal and occupational factors including age, years of experience, training condition, and needle recapping(p<0.05).
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Conclusion: According to positive effects of training and negative effects of incorrect working habits, repetition and completion of occupational education is necessary.
G Toori, A Mazloumi, M Hosseini,
Volume 3, Issue 1 (5-2013)
Abstract
Introduction: In the interaction between man and machine, the human behavior plays a key role in the accidents occurrence and the risks. Safety culture models can be a base to safety culture assessments and may lead scientists toward effective aspects of organization safety. The aim of present study was to develop and offer a specific questionnaire for safety culture assessment according to the customized model in an automotive industry.
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Material and Method: In this cross-sectional analytical study, a questionnaire including 16 items and 37 questions was developed based on management, individual, and organizational factors. Then, the reliability and validity of the developed questionnaire, it were studied among 30 employees of an automotive company.
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Result: Concerning the reliability of the questionnaire, the Cronbach’s alpha was 0.855. In the context of validity of the questionnaire, the simplicity and clarification of contents were investigated by means of Expert Analysis. Moreover, in terms of the integral components of culture, according to the factorial analysis, this evaluation regarded to have ten main components.
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Conclusion: So far, there was no exclusive tool for evaluating safety culture based on a customized model. The findings of the present study showed that evaluating safety culture using the administered questionnaire is valid and reliable in the understudied industry.
M. J. Jafari, R. Hokmabadi, H. Soori,
Volume 3, Issue 2 (8-2013)
Abstract
Introduction: In developing countries, promotion of road safety is of crucial importance. This paper presents the status of road safety in Iran during 2001 - 2006.
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Material and Method: The status of road safety in Iran was surveyed in this descriptive study using road safety indicators a in macro level. Firstly, 46 indicators were identified after studying almost all indicators related to the road safety. After consulting of views with road safety experts and considering the reliable existing data, 11 indicators were selected to study the safety status of the roads. Then, all essential data for determining each indicators were collected from related organizations and institutes. All indicators were determined and evaluated in the last step.
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Result: The results revealed that during the period of 6 years, death toll has been increased by 9 deaths per 100000 person of the population. Moreover, application of seat belt and safety helmet has been increased by 20% and 18%, respectively. It also indicated that the number of motorists and the length of paved roads have been increased by 20%, and 10%, respectively. The net income per capita has also grown from 5884 US$ to 7968 US$ and the life expectancy has gone up from 68.9 years to 70.9 years, the percentage of the literate population has grown by 2% (from 76% to 78%) and the human development index has increased from 0.721 to 0.759. The results of the present study showed that the increased level of death toll per 10000 vehicles and the increased level (%) of seat belt as well as helmet application, paved roads, urbanization, the net income per capita, life expectancy, literacy and human development index were statistically significant and R2 coefficient for this factors was 0.84, 0.9, 0.994, 0.9, 0.97, 0.82, 0.69 and 0.84 respectively.
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Conclusion: According to result of the present study, roads safety were not in an appropriate level. The roads safety status can be determined using road safety indicators to be applied for road safety promotion.
M. Ghasemkhani, M. Sheikh Alishahi, M. Asghari,
Volume 4, Issue 2 (7-2014)
Abstract
Introduction: IBioaerosols are usually defined as aerosols or particles with microbial, plant or animal origin. Textile industries are of the working environments in witch workers are exposed to bioaerosols. In textile industry, the highest contamination concentration is the belonged to carding step. Since, textile industry in iran is native and a large number of employers are working in this industry, this study was undertaken to assess bacterial bioaerosols concentration in a textile in industry in iran.
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Material and Method: In cross-sectional study was done in different units and also outdoor environment of a cotton textile plant. The concentration of bioaerosols were sampled and measured according 0800 method presented by NIOSH, during summer. Diagnosis of type of colonies and bactories, grown on blood agar, was done using gram staining.
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Result: The mean bioaerosols concentration obtained the highest and lowest values in outdoor environment (94±9.5 CFU/m3) and unit 2 (Ring site) (64±18.0 CFU/m3), respectively. The mean difference of bioaerosols concentration in unit 1 (Carding sites) and unit 2 (Ring site), was statistically significant in this study. The highest number of bioaerosols colony was for staphylococcus Epiderms (N=1743) and the lowest number was for streptococcus pneumonia (N=64) in the whole plant.
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Conclusion: Although the bioaerosols concentration obtained in the present study is lower than those reported in other studies, these values are above the threshold recommended.
E. Darvishi, A. Shafikhani, A. A Shafikhani,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (4-2015)
Abstract
Introduction: Manual material handling (MMH) is the most common cause of work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). Prevention of MSDs is highly critical. The aim of this study was to assess risk of carpets manual handling by retail workers, and to implement ergonomic interventions in order to reduce risk of MSDs.
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Material and Method: This interventional study was conducted among 36 workers in 19 retailer sites of a textile corporation. Ergonomics assessment of the retailers was done using the comprehensive risk assessment model of the British Carpet Foundation. Moreover, the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence of workers’ MSDs. Reassessment was conducted after implementation of the ergonomics interventions.
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Result: The mean age and work tenure of participants were 36.28 and 16.2 years, respectively. The results of Nordic Questionnaire before intervention showed that overall 37.8% of the workers had experienced pain at least once during the past year, with the highest frequency belonged to the lower back (75%), shoulder (61%), and neck and upper back (55%), respectively. After implementing the interventions, the prevalence of MSDs reduced to 23.5%. The results of risk assessment before and after the interventions showed that of the 19 retailer sites, six sites were improved from poor to average state, and one site showed improvement from average to good condition.
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Conclusion: By implementing ergonomics interventions in carpet delivery sites, the risk factors of MSDs, induced by manual carpet handling, were reduced and safety and ergonomic conditions of the retailers were improved, compared to the previous conditions.
F. Golbabaei, R. Moradi Rad, L. Omidi, S. Farhang Dehghan, S. Roshani,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (7-2015)
Abstract
Introduction: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are one of the most significant current environmental issues. Phenanthrene and naphthalene adsorption at activated carbon beds prevent the release of these compounds into the environment. The objective of this research was to compare the amounts of phenanthrene and naphthalene adsorption at activated carbon beds in the n-hexane solution.
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Material and Method: This discontinuous experimental study was conducted in the laboratory scale batch and in the n-hexane solution containing phenanthrene and naphthalene.PH values were adjusted by adding hydrochloric acidand 1 N NaOH. The initial and residual phenanthrene and naphthalene concentrations were spectrophotometrically measured at 270 and 266 nm, respectively.
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Results: Findings showed that the maximum adsorption of naphthalene was obtained at pH=5 and contact time of 8 hours (7.4 mg/gr). The maximum adsorption was reached at pH=7 and contact time of 11 hours for phenanthrene (8.34 mg/gr).Improvement in the adsorption capacity was happenedby the increases in contact time and initial phenanthrene and naphthalene concentrations. The adsorption kinetics of these two compounds followed pseudo-second-order and Freundlich isotherm model.
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Conclusion: Freundlich isotherm model showed a strong association with PAHs adsorption process. A weak correlationwas observed between Langmuir theory and the results of the adsorption at activated carbon beds in the organic n-hexane solution.
R. Abedinloo, S. J. Shahtaheri, R. Moradi, R. Divani, K. Azam,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (9-2015)
Abstract
Introduction: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) belong to one of the groups of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) which are the result of incomplete combustion of organic materials, volcanic eruptions and forest and agricultural fields’ fires in the environment. However, human factors are main source of these pollutions. Nowadays, these compounds are among the main concerns related to the pollutants which, can easily enter into the land and water systems. Absorption of aromatic hydrocarbons and poly-aromatic molecules on the surfaces of carbon nano-tubes (CNTs) have increased in recent years. In this study, absorption of phenanthrene (as a representative of aromatic hydrocarbons groups) on multi-walled carbon nano-tubes was investigated in organic environment.
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Material and Method: All experiments were performed in a laboratory environment with a temperature of 24±2.Different variables including the type of solvent, solvent volume, pH of the environment, the absorption time of optimal phenanthrene concentration, and the highest removal efficiency under optimized parameters were obtained. Samples were analyzed using HPLC.
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Result: Findings showed that methanol with the volume of 10 ml, and the absorption time of 1.5 hours and 1.3 ppm concentration had the maximum absorption efficiency. Environmental pH had no effect on the absorption efficiency.
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Conclusion: Multi-walled carbon nano-tubes have high absorption capacity for the absorption of phenanthrene. Moreover, in an organic environment, the level of phenanthrene absorption on multi-walled carbon nano-adsorbent was more than 90% and according to the material used was 92%. Day-to-day and within-day reproducibility confirmed the mentioned results.
S. Tarzimoghadam, S. A. Zakerian,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (12-2015)
Abstract
Introduction: The healthcare system is one of the largest sectors in most countries and is a socio-technical system in which people play a preponderant role. Nowadays medical work systems are facing three major challenges: 1) Healthcare costs, 2) Quality and patient demands and 3) complexity of healthcare. These problems show the necessity of applying ergonomic models in the healthcare sector. The aim of this study was to review the practical ergonomic models in healthcare system.
Material and method: For this review article, the authors searched through ScienceDirect, PubMed, ProQuest internet databases from 2005-2014 using the following keywords: Healthcare, Ergonomics, Human factors and model.
Result: Overall, 85 articles were reviewed. By evaluating articles' titles, 30 articles related to the study subject were chosen. Then, reviewing the abstracts resulted in 15 articles and in the final step 5 full-text articles were selected which described practical models of ergonomics in healthcare: 1) SEIPS, 2) DIAL-F, 3) Extended Patient-Staff-Machine-Interaction, 4) Adapted Medical-Task and 5) Recursive Hierarchical Task-Process-Task-Model.
Conclusion: Most of the published studies emphasize on application of ergonomic models in healthcare centers since these models may reduce their problems. These ergonomics approaches support patient-centered treatment processes, user-oriented design of medical environments, efficient utilization of resources and increase motivation of clinical staff.
M. Jafarizaveh, H. Shirkhanloo, F. Golbabaei, A. Tabrizi, K. Azam, M. Ghasemkhani,
Volume 6, Issue 1 (4-2016)
Abstract
Introduction: Volatile organic compounds such as xylene are one of the main air pollutants. Adsorption method are of the most common methods used in the control of volatile organic compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the xylene removal from air through nano activated carbon adsorbent in comparison with NIOSH approved carbon adsorbent.
Material and Method: Xylene adsorption tests on nano activated carbon and activated carbon in static mode (batch) were done in glass vials with volume of 10 ml. Gas chromatography with FID detector was used for analysis. Various variables including contact time, amount of adsorbent, concentration of xylene, and temperature were studied.
Results: Absorption capacity of xylene at ambient temperature (25° C) in static mode and duration of 10 minutes for activated carbon and nano activated carbon was obtained 349.8 and 435 mg/g, respectively. Results of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images of nano activated carbon showed particle size pf less than 100 nm. Furthermore, Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) pictures showed particle size of 30 nm. XRD images also showed cube structure of nano activated carbon adsorbent.
Conclusion: The results showed that adsorption capacity at constant humidity increased by raising in temperature and contact time. What is more, nano activated carbon absorbent showed greater absorption capacity for xylene removal compared to activated carbon absorbent
Akram Tabrizi, Farideh Golbabaei, Hamid Shirkhanloo, Mostafa Jafarizaveh, Kamal Azam, Rasoul Yarahmadi,
Volume 6, Issue 2 (6-2016)
Abstract
Introduction: Volatile organic compounds from industrial activities are one of the most important pollutants released into the air and have adverse effects on human and environment. Therefore, they should be removed before releasing into atmosphere. The aim of the study was to evaluate xylene removal from air by nano-grapheme and nano-graphene oxide in comparison with activated carbon adsorbent.
Material and Method: After preparing adsorbents of activated carbon, nano-graphene, and nano-graphene oxide, experiments adsorption capacity in static mode (Batch) were carried out in a glass vial. Some variables including contact time, the amount of adsorbent, the concentration of xylene, and the temperature were studied. Langmuir absorption isotherms were used in order to study the adsorption capacity of xylene on adsorbents. Moreover, sample analysis was done by gas chromatography with Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID).
Results: The adsorption capacities of activated carbon, nano-graphene oxide and nano-graphene for removal of xylene were obtained 349.8, 14.5, and 490 mg/g, respectively. The results of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) for nano-graphene and nano-graphene oxide showed particle size of less than 100 nm. While, the results of Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) showed particle size of 45nm for nano-graphene and 65 nm for nano-graphene oxide. Also, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) showed cube structure of nano-adsorbents.
Conclusion: In constant humidity, increase in exposure time and temperature caused an increase in the adsorption capacity. The results revealed greater adsorption capacity of xylene removal for nano-graphene compared to the activated carbon, and nano-graphene oxide.
Mohammad Beiruti, Hadi Daneshmandi , Seyed Abolfazl Zakerian, Mohammad Fararooei, Zahra Zamanian,
Volume 6, Issue 4 (12-2016)
Abstract
Introduction: Human error is considered as a crucial challenge in occupational settings. Health care system is amongst occupational environments with high rate of human errors. Numerous preceding studies noted that more than 2/3 of medical errors are preventable. Accordingly, different methods are suggested to evaluate human errors, especially in nuclear industries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the application and accuracy of HEART technique in medical health system.
Material and Method: This qualitative study was conducted in surgical intensive care units of a hospital in Shiraz city. All nurses recorded errors were categorized regarding the given tasks and then all tasks were ranked based on the number of errors. The probability of nurses’ tasks error was estimated through AHP-HEART method and the resultant ranking was compared with the recorded errors. Additionally, the prioritization of contributing factors to errors, determined by AHP and AHP-HEART methods, was compared employing Pearson statistical test.
Results: Based on the results, there was a concordance in the rate of nurses’ error determined by HEART method and the recorded errors. However, no significant correlation was between errors contributing factors determined by AHP and AHP-HEART methods.
Conclusion: This study suggested that although HEART technique was successful to rank the tasks considering the magnitude of error probability, but the coefficients of error producing conditions should be customized for nurses’ tasks in order to provide appropriate control measures.
Elham Rahmanzadeh, Farideh Golbabaei, Ali Faghihi Zarandi, Seyed Gholamreza Moussavi, Mohammadreza Baneshi,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (9-2017)
Abstract
Introduction: Hexavalent chromium (VI) is a very strong oxidizing agent that, despite its many uses in various industries, duration of the exposure can lead to lung cancer, deep wounds (in the hands, arm, tongue and palate), nasal septum perforation, burning and inflammation in the nose, lung and upper respiratory tract, asthma, contact dermatitis, damage to the kidneys and liver, and skin allergy. This study aimed to determine the activated carbon efficiency in chromium adsorption (VI) from air flow and its effective parameters.
Material and Method: In this experimental study, chromium mists were generated by a nebulizer (3A model, Italy). Performance of activated carbon in the Cr (VI) adsorption and its influencing factors such as air flow rate (1 and 3L/min), the initial Cr concentration (0.05, 0.15, 1 and 10 mg/m3) and bed depth (2.5, 5 and 10 cm) were investigated. Yoon-Nelson and Thomas models were used to predict performance of adsorbent column and correlation test was used to determine accordance between the model and actual data.
Result: Activated carbon adsorption capacity increased with increasing of bed depth but decreased with increasing of flow rate and inlet concentration. The results showed that the Yoon-Nelson and Thomas models with a correlation coefficient above 0.9953 matched with the experimental data.
Conclusion: The results indicated that activated carbon has a high efficiency in Cr (VI) adsorption, so that its efficiency at flow rate of 3 L/m, depth of 5 cm and concentration of 20 TLV and TLV was 85.42 and 71.83 percent respectively.
Asghar Ghahri, Farideh Golbabaei, Leila Vafajoo, Seyed Mohammad Mireskandari, Mehdi Yaseri, Seyed Jamaleddin Shahtaheri, Faranak Najarian,
Volume 8, Issue 2 (6-2018)
Abstract
Introduction: Anesthetic gases used in hospitals include N2O and halogenated hydrocarbons (such as sevoflurane) which can be released through leakages and uncontrolled exhalation by the patient into the ambient air of clinical staff. These gases have greenhouse effect and damage to the ozone layer and serious risks such as reproductive, preterm delivery and fetal abnormalities and increased spontaneous abortion on the health of operating room personnel. Therefore, removal of these gases from the workplaces is essential especially in the treatment centers. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the adsorption of sevoflurane from air by using activated Charcoal and also the effect of acid modification on its performance.
Material and Method: In this study, two adsorbents of unmodified and modified activated charcoal with nitric acid were used to remove sevoflurane. After preparation, the adsorbents were characterized using XRD, FT-IR, BET and FE-SEM methods. After characterization, the breakthrough and adsorption capacity of sevoflurane on both adsorbents were determined using the modified wheeler equation.
Result: The results of characterization showed that acid modification did not affect the crystalline structure of activated charcoal and increased the adsorption and microporous of acid-modified activated charcoal in comparison with unmodified activated charcoal. It also reduces surface functional groups of the activated carbon. The results of determination of adsorption capacity indicated that the adsorption capacity of modified activated charcoal was improved in comparison with unmodified activated charcoal.
Conclusion: The results demonstrated that both adsorbents have the ability to absorb sevoflurane and modified activated charcoal have a better performance in this process. This effect may be due to the surface area of adsorption and volume of micro pores more than the unmodified activated charcoal.
Fariborz Omidi, Reza Ali Fallahzadeh, Fateme Dehghani, Bahram Harati, Saied Barati Chamgordani, Vahid Gharibi,
Volume 8, Issue 3 (9-2018)
Abstract
Introduction: Workers in steel manufacturing companies are extensively exposed to the volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Considering the health effects of these compounds, the purpose of this study was to determine occupational exposure to the BTEX compounds and also evaluation of carcinogenic risk due to benzene and non- carcinogenic risk for BTEX compounds in a steel industry.
Material and Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the coke production unit of the steel making industry. After collecting personal samples from breathing zone of the workers and analyzing of the samples the levels of exposure to the BTEX were quantitatively determined using Gas chromatography equipped with Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID), according to the NIOSH 1501 standard method. Then, cancer risk due to benzene and non-cancer risks from BTEX compounds were calculated using Monte-Carlo technique.
Result: The analysis of personal samples indicated that benzene concentration in energy and biochemistry and benzol refinement sections of the plant were higher than occupational exposure limits (OELs). Among the studied sections, benzol refinement as the most polluted section had the highest concentration of BTEX compounds. Non-cancer risk due to BTEX compounds in all studied sections was lower than one. Benzene cancer risk in energy and biochemistry, benzol refinement and experimental furnace sections was higher than maximum recommended value by EPA.
Conclusion: Due to the high concentration of benzene in energy and biochemistry and benzene refinement sections as well as the resultant carcinogenic risk, improvement of existing control systems and the use of modern engineering systems are necessary to control occupational exposure.
Hamideh Pirami, Zahra Zamanian, Faezeh Abbasi Balouchkhaneh, Younes Mehrifar, Fatemeh Keshizadeh,
Volume 9, Issue 2 (6-2019)
Abstract
Introduction: Carpal tunnel syndrome is followed by pushing Median nerve in the carpal tunnel of the wrist. Occupational factors such as repetitive movements of the hands and fingers and frequent wrist disturbances affect the development of this syndrome. Quality of life is a multidimensional concept including physical and mental performance. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of CTS and its impact on the quality of life of typists in Tehran.
Material and Methods: This analytic descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in 1396 on 363 typists from 50 typing institutes in Tehran. Data were collected Demographic-Job Profile Questionnaire, Boston (BQ), quality of life (SF36) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Data were analyzed using SPSS-22 software and methods such as ANOVA and Pearson correlation tests.
Results: Among 363 participants, 215 of them were female (59.23%) and 148 were male (40.77%). The mean age was 37 ± 12.58 years. Among the typists, 51 (14.55%) had one-sided hand conflict, and 312 (85.95%) were two-sided hand conflicts. Results indicated that the prevalence of CTS symptoms among women was higher than that of men The value of Pearson correlation coefficient (range: 0.0613-0.783) showed that there was a moderate to strong correlation between the severity of symptoms scale (SSS), functional status scale (FSS) and visual analog scale (VAS) in the population under study (p< 0.05). There was also a strong and significant correlation between SSS and FSS among typists. In this study, CTS symptoms have a significant negative effect on the quality of life of the typists, but the psychological dimension quality of life is not to be affected by these symptoms.
Conclusion: Regarding the existence of CTS symptoms among typists who work most of a day with computers, there is also a statistically significant relationship between the incidence of CTS symptoms and the quality of life in this occupational group. Therefore, it is recommended that more attention should be paid to these individuals, appreciate tools be correctly designed, and further study be done.
Faranak Najarian, Farideh Golbabaei, Asghar Ghahri, Kamal Azam,
Volume 9, Issue 4 (12-2019)
Abstract
Introduction: Occupational exposure to sevoflurane as an anesthetic gases in hospitals, dental clinics and veterinary clinics has been reported in various studies. Considering the harmful effects of sevoflurane anesthetic gas on the health of exposed personnel such as reproductive, preterm delivery and fetal abnormalities and increased spontaneous abortion, it is necessary to remove them from the air of the work environment, especially the treatment centers, with inexpensive and optimal methods. This study was aimed to compare two oxide-titanium based on Activated Carbon/ Graphene Oxide Nanosheets in nano and non-nano scales.
Material and Methods: Titanium oxide particles and nanoparticles were coated on actived carbon/ Graphene Oxide Nanosheets adsorbents. The prepared sorbents were characterized by instrumental techniques such as BET, SEM, XRD, FTIR and SEM-EDS to determine their properties. After characterization, the breakthrough and adsorption capacity of sevoflurane on both adsorbents were determined using the modified wheeler equation. Finally, the software of Microsoft Office Excel 2016 and SPSS Statistic version 21 IBM were used for statistical analysis of data.
Results: the results of XRD, SEM-EDAX analysis confirmed the stabilization of titanium oxide particles and nanoparticles on the sorbents. Furthermore, the FTIR results determined the functional groups on the sorbents. The BET results also showed the coating of titanium oxide nanoparticles on composite decreased the specific surface area of adsorption in comparison to adsorption containing titanium oxide particles. The adsorption capacity of the activated carbon/ Graphene Oxide Nanosheets coated with titanium oxide nanoparticles and titanium oxide particles were 240.7 and 210.5 mg sevoflurane per gram of sorbent, respectively (p-value<0.001).
Conclusion: The results showed that composite of activated carbon/nano oxide graphene coated with titanium oxide nanoparticles has a higher adsorption capacity of sevoflurane than other composite coated with titanium oxide particle, under the same conditions. This increase can be as a result of changes in surface chemistry (increase of the functional groups) in composite.
Shiva Soury, Abdulrahman Bahrami, Saber Alizadeh, Farshid Ghorbani Shahna, Davood Nematollahi,
Volume 10, Issue 2 (5-2020)
Abstract
Introduction: In this study, Zn3(Btc)2 (metal organic framework) sorbent was introduced for sampling of Benzo[a]pyren from the air. The purpose of this study was to develop the sampling and analysis method by needle trap, with no sample preparation step.
Material and method: Zn3(Btc)2 sorbent was electrochemically synthesized and its properties were specified by FTIR, FE-SEM, and PXRD techniques. A glass chamber with a temperature of 120°C was used to make the certain concentration of Benzo[a]pyren. Factors affecting the efficiency of needle trap were evaluated and optimized using a response surface method considering a specific operating interval to achieve the highest efficiency. The performance of the proposed method was also investigated using the real samples.
Results: The highest desorption efficiency of Benzo[a]pyren was obtained when using the needle trap containing Zn3 (Btc)2 sorbent at 379°C and 9 min retention time. No significant reduction was observed in the analyte concentration by maintaining the sampler for 60 days. The limit of detection and limit of quantification of Benzo[a]pyren were obtained 0.01 and 0.03 mg/m3, respectively. The percentage of standard deviation of the measured values of Benzo[a]pyren in diesel exhaust was calculated 4.1%.
Conclusion: The highest desorption efficiency of Benzo[a]pyren was obtained when using the needle trap containing Zn3 (Btc)2 sorbent at 379°C and 9 min retention time. No significant reduction was observed in the analyte concentration by maintaining the sampler for 60 days. The limit of detection and limit of quantification of Benzo[a]pyren were obtained 0.01 and 0.03 mg/m3, respectively. The percentage of standard deviation of the measured values of Benzo[a]pyren in diesel exhaust was calculated 4.1%.
Mohsen Sadeghi Yarandi, Farideh Golbabaei, Ali Karimi, Ali Asghar Sajedian, Vahid Ahmadi,
Volume 10, Issue 3 (8-2020)
Abstract
Introduction: 1,3-Butadiene is a carcinogenic compound that can be emitted to the atmosphere from several sources like petrochemical industry. One way to determine the level of carcinogenic and health effects of respiratory exposure to pollutants in the workplace is to use risk assessment methods. The aim of this study was to comparative assessment of carcinogenic risk of respiratory exposure to 1,3-Butadiene in a petrochemical industry by the US Environmental Protection Agency and Singapore Health Department methods.
Material and method: This cross-sectional study was carried out in 2018 in a petrochemical industry that producing copolymer ABS (acrylonitrile, butadiene, styrene) in Iran. Occupational exposure to 1,3-Butadiene was measured according to the NIOSH 1024 method. Cancer risk assessment was done according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and Singapore semi-quantitative methods.
Results: The average occupational exposure to 1,3-Butadiene during work shift among all participants was 560.82 ± 811.36 µg.m-3 (0.253 ± 0.367 ppm) and in all cases was below the occupational exposure limit. The average lifetime cancer risk in USEPA method in the present study was 2.71 × 10-3, Also in this method 82.2% of all exposed workers were in the definite carcinogenic risk level and 17.8% were in the probable carcinogenic risk level. The results of the Singapore health department method showed that 91.2% of all subjects were in the probable carcinogenic risk level and 8.8% were in the definite risk level.
Conclusion: The findings of the present study showed that the results of the Singapore semi quantitative risk assessment method are not in good agreement with the results of the quantitative risk assessment method proposed by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Therefore, given the high accuracy and thoroughness of the US Environmental Protection Agency's risk assessment methodology as a worldwide reference method for assessing the carcinogenic and health risk of exposure to chemicals, it is recommended to use this method instead of the Singapore method in future studies.
Adel Mazloumi, Zeinab Kazemi, Saeed Abedzadeh, Abbas Rahimi Foroushani,
Volume 11, Issue 1 (3-2021)
Abstract
Introduction: Workers in car manufacturing industry are at risk of a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, especially low back pain. Therefore, in the present study aimed to design and fabricate a portable device to evaluate the low back kinematics and to compare these variables in workers with and without low back pain (LBP) in assembly lines of an automotive industry.
Material and Methods: In the present research workers postures were assessed using OWAS direct observational method. Moreover, simultaneously, prevalence and intensity of low back pain were evaluated by Dutch Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (DMQ) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). After fabricating motion analysis device, a field study was conducted using the designed device among 16 volunteers to investigate low back kinematic variables in two groups of workers: LBP and non-LBP.
Results: The results showed that 62.1 percent of all working postures were high risk with corrective action levels of 3 and 4. On average, 86.1 percent of workers experienced LBP in the previous 12 months. Regarding comparison of kinematic variable in the two groups of LBP and non-LBP, workers without LBP had higher degree and duration (in second) of movements (forward flexion, lateral bending, extension, and twisting), as compared to those with LBP. However, only movement range of forward flexion in non-LBP group (mean: 64.29 and SD: 8.41), was significantly higher than those with LBP (mean: 58.97 and SD: 11.34).
Conclusion: The device can be used as an effective tool in the ergonomics studies in the field of back pain, due to its potential to record the kinematics of the trunk, as well as its lightweight and non-interference with the task. Device’s validity was acceptable based on the comparison of the results of this device with those obtained from inclinometer.
Mohammad Ebrahimi, Mahmood Reza Azgahini, Jalil Nazari, Abdol Rasoul Safiyan,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (6-2021)
Abstract
Introduction: Carpet-weaving is one of the hard and harmful jobs, which affect the health of the workforce. Based on the previously conducted research, musculoskeletal disorders in the neck, shoulder, and lower back regions are common among carpet weavers. This study conducted to investigate the muscle activity of the shoulder and lower back regions in carpet weavers during work on traditional and ergonomic workstations by surface electromyography.
Material and Methods: 18 experienced male weavers with a mean age of 38 and mean weaving experience of 11.1 years participated in this study. Each weaver took part in two trails of 120 min. Surface EMG signal recordings were done during weaving for four muscles (bilaterally in trapezius and erector spine). The RMS and MPF values were extracted from the raw EMG signal to estimate muscle activity and fatigue.
Results: The results obtained from the 5-time intervals indicated the lowered MPF in the ergonomic workstation compared to the traditional one. The result of the mean RMS in most of the recorded times was lower in the ergonomic workstation than that in the traditional one.
Conclusion: According to the results of the study, the modified workstation was well-suited for trapezius muscles, and the traditional one had an advantage for the erector spine muscles.
