Journal of School of Public Health and

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There is a need for simple and inexpensive water supply systems in small communities, mainly because of high costs and water resource shortages. Ceramic filters used as a Point-of-Use (POU) system could serve as a safe and inexpensive means for supplying water. In this research we looked at the possibility of using Iranian traditional ceramics as filters for drinking water, bearing in mind the importance of ceramic filters as a POU system. A number of parameters relating to water quality were measured before and after filtration through a ceramic pipe wall. We used ceramic pipes made of clay (with 90% purity). It turned out that ceramic filters are capable of eliminating indicator microorganisms and turbidity to a considerable degree. They can also remove 70% of the water's color. But this system could not eliminate Dissolved Solids, Electrical Conductivity, Hardness and the Nitrate ion content of water. Using Mann-Withney U Test and T- Test, it is confirmed that increasing the thickness and number of ceramic pipes is not effective for improving some water parameters. This research showed ceramic filters can be useful for household water treatment in places where there is microbial pollution or high turbidity.

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Background and Aim: Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) is an oxygenated additive chemical added to gasoline, which is as a substitute for tetra ethyl lead, to reduce discharge of pollutants from automobile exhausts. This organic chemical is present in water samples collected from areas where gasoline wastes are abundant. The objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of MTBE removal from drinking water at the point of use (POU) by using an Iranian granulated active carbon (GAC) bed.
Materials and Methods: Adsorption of MTBE from drinking water at POU was studied by using an Iranian GAC bed. The water samples treated by this filter adsorber were prepared synthetically at two concentrations (50 ppb and 100 ppb). In addition, the effects of residual chlorine at concentrations of 0.2 and 0.5 mg/L and of chloroform at a concentration of 100 ppb on removal of MTBE were determined.
Results: It was found that this filter adsorber could treat 375 liters of water containing 50 ppb MTBE, 100 ppb chloroform and 0.2 ppm residual chorine. If the residual chlorine content was increased to 0.5 ppb, the volume of water treated would be 335 liters. The filter could t eat 195 liters of water containing 100 ppb MTBE, 100 ppb chloroform and 0.2 ppm residual chlorine to acceptable levels for drinking, provided the amount of MTBE is below the respective standard.
Conclusion: Both residual chlorine and chloroform reduced the MTBE adsorption capacity on GAC due to occupation of adsorption sites. In addition, to the tendency of GAC to adsorb chloroform and chlorine was greater than that of MTBE.

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  Background and Aim: The community assessment is the basis of strategic policies for health professionals and managers. The aim of community assessment is collection of the data that relating to public health problems, data analysis and concludes about necessary capacities for providing the necessary resources to resolve problems.

  Materials and Methods: In this study the databases of Scientific Information Database, MagIran, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and IranMedex were searched up to April 2014 (farvardin1393). All papers of community assessment in the country according to our standard community assessment model were included in this study.

  Results: Overall 11 studies were evaluated and the common feature of all research is to identify problems of society and local problems. The drug addiction was classified in 3 of the studies as a main problem and in 7 of studies was classified in the ten major problems. Poverty and unemployment are allocated to the next priority, the second priority in 2 studies, the third priority in 3 studies and the fourth priority in 3 studies. Environmental health problems and socio-cultural problems were the next priorities.

  Conclusion: The proposed model can be used to suggest new health services with due consideration of community problems, as well as develop suitable, effective intervention strategies. This type of community study should not be conducted only once. Rather, it should be repeated periodically in any community, results compared and used for policy-making.