Iranian Journal of Health, Safety and Environment (IJHSE)
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Advance in Bioaerosol Removal Technologies; A Review
Get PDFBioaerosols are air pollutants that affect human health in various routes. They are characteristically diverse; such as bacteria, viruses and fungi, that everyone has different characteristics and effects, various solutions and technologies are studied or applied for their removal and inactivation. Regarding to lack of specific and integrated publications about the different air quality guidelines for bioaerosols and the methods and technologies, attending to approach the standards, purpose of this study was set on the development of the issue.
The importance of presence of bioaerosols in breathing air and related standards and guidelines, also controlling technologies such as filtration, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, photo catalyst, temperature and electrostatic precipitators were surveyed in this study by using the scientific literature.Given the results, UV irradiation and photocatalytic methods are ineffective for allergens. In this way, filtration is unable for inactivation of the bioaerosols, then there is the threat that they can aerosolize again. Hence, these technologies individually cannot provide the air quality standards which have established for sensitive conditions such as operation rooms.
Regarding the discussions, application of the methods that include collection and inactivation of the bioaerosols simultaneously, such as electrostatic precipitators, could be more effective in the likewise environments
Lifetime Cancer Risk and Hazard Quotient of BTXs Compounds in Iranian Petrochemical and Petroleum Depot Workers
Get PDFExposing to the high-level of BTXs concentration can occur in the oil-dependent industries and may cause considerable adverse impacts on the health of employees. The main objective of the present study firstly is determining the exposure of petrochemical and oil depot workers to benzene, toluene, ortho and methyl xylenes, and p-xylene (BTXs), and secondly is estimating the lifetime cancer risk (LCR) and non-carcinogenic risk using the hazard quotient (HQ). This cross-sectional study is conducted on 85 workers at petrochemical (34 subjects) and oil depot (51 subjects) industries of Iran in 2016. In order to determine the exposure concentrations of BTXs, through inhaling way, individual sampling was carried out according to the NIOSH 1501 method. Then, estimating LCR of benzene, and non-carcinogenic risk of benzene, toluene, ortho and methyl xylenes, and p-xylene, using the HQ, has been conducted regards to criteria recommended by USEPA. The mean exposure concentration of benzene among the oil depot workers was higher than the petrochemical workers, but this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.162). The mean exposure concentration of benzene in the oil depot workers (2.1 ± 2.53 mg/m3) was higher than the occupational exposure limits provided by the American conference of governmental industrial hygienists (ACGIH_TLV = 1.67 mg/m3). The mean concentration of toluene in the exposed workers of the oil depot (46.81 ± 22.43 mg/m3) was higher than the exposed workers of petrochemical (41.83 ± 30.06 mg/m3), but this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.412). The results of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk assessment revealed high-risk exposure level in the both investigated groups. The mean LCR of benzene in the oil depot workers was higher than the petrochemical workers (1.681E-3 and 1.163E-3, for the oil depot and petrochemical, respectively). The LCR of benzene and HQ of BTXs in the both investigated groups were higher than the reference values. In order to reduce occupational exposure to BTXs in the investigated oil depot and petrochemical, control measures should be taken in the future, as soon as possible
Sludge quality in wastewater treatment plant in Shokohieh industrial Park of Qom province in Iran
Get PDFThe general attitude of the wastewater treatment process in our country is focus on the effluent quality and unfortunately waste sludge quality is rarely considered. Since multiple natural hazards and routes the contact with sludge requires a comprehensive approach to protect public health and the environment. The aim of this study is an assessment of sludge management and finding out the potential use of sludge for land application. The study was conducted in January to December 2014. samples were gathered in four seasons, winter, spring, summer and autumn from wastewater treatment plant in industrial park of Shokohieh of Qom province according to the instructions in standard method. Sampling was moments and composite. Numbers of Samples were 24 that 2 samples were captured in every month. Samples measured base on standard method for water wastewater examination references and then data was analyzed by SPSS and t-test. The results show that the Physical Parameters qualities and nutrients qualities in sludge are good. The Phosphate quality is not suitable. Based on t-test, the results show that levels of fecal coliform and total coliform in cold and warm seasons are different (
Analytical Decision Supports System for Urban Air Quality Management in Tehran: Meteorological and Photochemical models
Get PDFA new analytical air pollution modeling system is introduced in this paper to estimate concentrations of primary and secondary air pollutants and using it for further studies in order to improve the knowledge of pollutants emission and dispersion over Tehran, and developing a decision support system. For this purpose, WRF/CAMx modeling system was used to simulate the gas-phase pollutants concentrations including primary and secondary pollutants, over Tehran during a wintertime episode, which is characterized by very high concentrations of pollutants. Pollutants were triggered by meteorological conditions leading to a forced holiday imposed on citywide operations to protect the health of citizens. Based on calculated Values of NMB error, WRF performs acceptable in predicting temperature and wind speed. Generally, time series plots show that WRF performs acceptable in mild selected episode. Also, the daily trends of pollutant concentrations are greatly affected by changes in local meteorological conditions such as planetary boundary layer (PBL) height, temperature, wind, and relative humidity over the Tehran area. An underestimation in prediction of all pollutants concentrations episode at Poonak and Aghdasyeh sites show due to the insufficient emission data at the site position used for the simulation were seen. Results showed that WRF/CAMx modeling system proved to be a useful tool for analyzing urban environmental problems, investigating the impact of air quality control policies, and predicting critical conditions. However, there were weaknesses in input data and modeling system calibration that should be improved before using the system for further studies
Quantification of Health Impacts Related to PM10 and O3 Pollutants in Karaj City
Get PDFAlthough the numbers of death related to air pollution appear to be low, the incidence of related disease to air pollution would be too high that is because of exposure of the large population to air pollutants and also the existence of certain sensitive groups. The aim of this study was to quantification health impacts of two pollutants PM10 and O3 in Karaj city during 2012- 2013. In this study, the air quality data were obtained from Karaj Department of Environment Protection. Quantification the health impacts of air pollutants were assessed using AirQ2.2.3 model which is a proposed method for assessing the health impact of air pollutants by World Health Organization. The annual, warm, and cold average concentrations of PM10 were 77.48, 87.86, and 62µg/m3, respectively. O3 average concentration in the warm semester was 63.5µg/m3 and it is more than a cold season which was 60µg/m3. Total mortality rate related to PM10 and O3 were assessed 282 and 164, respectively, which are 3.9 and 1.53 percent of all deaths, respectively. The Average cases of obstructive lung disease related to O3 were 58 people and average cases of hospitalization due to cardiovascular diseases related to PM10 were 492 people. This study was the first attempt to reveal the health outcome of air pollutants on a human in Karaj as one of the crowded city of Iran. Totally we found that the average concentration of 8-hours O3 and 24-hours PM10 were higher than the national standard of Iran and WHO guideline
Health, Safety, and Environment Assessment in Schools Using a New Tool (HSE-S) Based on an Audit System
Get PDFThis study assessed the status of health, safety and environment (HSE) in all public schools (n=188) in Iran using a new tool (HSE-S) based on audit system.
The first part of HSE-S tool was about general specifications and environment conditions. The second consists of the physical conditions and school management. The HSE-S was validated using CVI and CVR, Cronbach's alpha and Kappa coefficient.
The CVI, CVR, Cronbach's alpha coefficient and Kappa index were 0.75,> 0.7, 0.99 and 0.736 respectively. Ten schools were ranked as one-star, 149 as two-star and 29 as three-star. The top priorities for achieving an acceptable HSE status in schools were establishing a HSE unit, improving ergonomics and having a risk management system in each school.
The HSE-S is an effective tool to evaluate and promote health, safety and environment in schools. Its application can help in implementing the “health promoting school” program of WHO
Short-term Effects of PM10 to Increase Rate of Hospital Admission Cardiovascular and Respiratory of Sanandaj, Iran During 2015
Get PDFSanandaj in the west of Iran is one of the main city that suffered from Arabic Dust Storm (ADS). As Sanandaj isn’t industrial city and located in the mountainous region, one of the main sources of air pollution which has adverse effects on citizens and environment is PM10 which comes from Arabic Dust Storm. In this way, the goal of this study was to the assessment of these adverse health effects. So the hourly data of concentration of PM10 (measured by Beta attenuation method) were taken from Kurdistan Environmental Protection Agency in 2015.
the 24-hour average concentration of particulate matter has exceeded about 182 times (days) more than the National Standards and WHO guideline values and the average annual concentration of PM10 were about 1.5 times more than the National Standard and WHO guideline values during the period of the exam.
By means of Air Q2,2,3 software the data analyzed and baseline incidence(BI), relative risk(RR) and attributable proportion(AP) were calculated. The results of this study showed that short-term health effect of PM10 could increase of total mortality except accidents and poisoning(4.13%), hospital admission cardiovascular(4.98%), cardiovascular mortality(4.45%), hospital admission respiratory(4.45%) and respiratory mortality(0.2%).
This study demonstrated that a high percentage of cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity and mortality rate increased due to the raising of the concentration of PM10. To reduce the emission of PM10 from main sources and relationship between the hospital and Kurdistan Environmental Protection Agency and whether organization and people to be alert are necessary
Investigation Effect of Shift Work on Job Burnout and Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale in Military Personnel
Get PDFShift work has been recognized as an important tool for organizing of work in developing countries. The disturbed depression, stress accident are the most common health‐related effects of shift work. The military personnel shift worker during work, are exposed to stress and psychological pressure that certainly affect the efficiency of their work. The aim of this study was to Investigation Effect of shift work on job burnout and Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale in military personnel. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 100 military personnel male in Southern Iran. Respondents were divided into two groups based on their working schedule (50 shift work personnel / 50 day work personnel). Data collection tools were a Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), demographic characteristics and Maslach job burnout questionnaire. Convenience sampling was used as sampling method. Finally, Data analysis was performed with SPSS (version 20), descriptive statistics, One Way Anova test, ANCOVA and t-independent test. The results of showed that shift work has an impact on burnout and DASS-21 and mean obtained score for DASS-21 and job burnout in shift workers are more day work individuals. Analysis of variance test showed significant difference between job burnout in day workers and shift workers and job burnout were more in shift workers. Also significant difference between DASS-21 in day workers and shift workers and DASS-21 was more in shift workers. This study showed that shift work has an impact on burnout and scale DASS-21 shall is taken to Intervention actions in shift works
A study of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Trace Elements in Ambient air PM2.5 in an Urban Site of Tehran, Iran
Get PDFThe concentrations of thirteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and six trace elements adsorbed to a fine fraction of particulate matter (PM ≤ 2.5 µm) were determined at an urban site in Tehran (Iran) during the spring period in 2013. The average concentration of PM2.5 was 41.19 µg/m3, which was 1.64 and 1.2 times higher than the annual average of WHO guidelines and EPA ambient air quality standards, respectively. The trace elements measured in the PM2.5 samples were Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, As and Zn with the mean concentrations of 38.05, 18.2, 4.24, 4.19, 1.34, and 69:92 ng/m3 respectively. Hg wasnot found in any sample in this study. Results from correlation tests between PM2.5 concentrations and different toxic metals; which were studied in various days of the week, including holidays, 1 day after the holidays, and the other days showed that the variability between groups were significant at the 0.05 level. Exception is Hg and Zn. The mean concentrations of PM2.5 and trace elements in 1 day after the holidays were higher compared other 2 groups. Total PAHs concentrations in PM2.5 were found to be 7.92 ng/m3.The most abundant PAHs found were high molecular weight homologues (4-6 ring PAHs) such as Inp, Bgp, Dba, Bkf and Bbf, which are contributing to constituents of vehicular emissions. In general, high molecular weight PAHs are more correlated than low molecular weight PAHs. Moreover a moderate correlation was observed between total PAH concentration and PM2.5 mass
Anaerobic Baffled Reactor and Hybrid Anaerobic Baffled Reactor Performances Evaluation in Municipal Wastewater Treatment
Get PDFThis work investigated the performance of an anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) and a hybrid ABR (HABR) for the treatment of municipal wastewater (MWW) under ambient conditions and compared the ability of the two systems to meet effluent discharge standards.
The reactors were studied under hydraulic retention times (HRTs) of 48, 36, and 24 hours and effluent recycling (ER) rates of 0.25-1. The startup success was determined by the COD removal efficiency. The startup lasted for 107 days. In steady state COD removal efficiency decreased from 91.4% using a 48-hour HRT to 83.5% using a 24-hour HRT in the ABR, while the COD removal efficiencies of the HABR were 2.2% greater than those of the ABR at all HRTs. The HABR met COD and BOD5 effluent discharge standards using a 36-hour HRT, while the ABR achieved these standards only with a 48-hour HRT. Using a 36-hour HRT, the HABR total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) removal efficiencies were 14.9% and 26.6%, while those of the ABR were 1.3% and 1% lower, respectively. The ABR and HABR met both the TSS and TP effluent standards using 48- and 36-hour HRTs, respectively, but neither met the TN effluent standard. ER did not have a positive effect on the total efficiency of either reactor. The HABR was found to be suitable for conventional MWW treatment, particularly in small cities and on-site treatment facilities