Health outcomes attributed to PM10 due to dust storms in Ilam city, in Iran from 2012 to 2013

Background and Aim: In recent years, increasing dust storms originating from the Iran's neighbors in the west have led to social, economic, and health concerns. The aim of this study was to assess the acute health effects of dust and estimate the mortality rate associated with cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders, attributed to dust particles in Ilam city, by using WHO protocols. Material and Methods: In this study, concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 were measured from March 2012 to Feb 2013. The measurement was performed using the Grimm aerosol spectrometer model 1.108. Air Quality Health Impact Assessment software (Air Q 2.2.3) was used for quantification of health outcomes attributed to PM10 in Ilam, Iran. Results: Using the model, the number of cumulative excess mortality, mortality due to cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, and all admitted patients due to cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases attributed to PM10 in Ilam were 69.2, 42.5, 12.3, 80.3 and 208.7 cases respectively. The additional cases of disorders attributed to PM10 showed an increasing trend with concentrations of more than 100 µg/m3. This trend was more severe with concentrations of more than 200 µg/m3. Conclusion: The estimated rates of health outcomes attributed to PM10 associated with dust storms necessitate urgent regional measures to bring the problem of harmful particles under control. In addition, personal care and training are of great importance. © 2015, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Evaluation of dairy industry wastewater treatment and simultaneous bioelectricity generation in a catalyst-less and mediator-less membrane microbial fuel cell

Increased human activity and consumption of natural energy resources have led to decline in fossil fuel. These current methods of energy production are not compatible with the environment. In this study catalyst-less and mediator-less membrane microbial fuel cell (CAML-MMFC) represents a new method for simultaneous dairy industry wastewater treatment and bioelectricity generation. The CAML-MMFC used was designed as two chambered that included an anaerobic anode and aerobic cathode compartment and was separated from each other by a proton exchange membrane. The anode and cathode electrodes were made from graphite plate. Current intensity, power density and voltage produced from wastewater as fuel were measured and the effluent from the anode compartment was examined to evaluate pollutant decrease. The maximum current intensity and power density produced were respectively 3.74 mA and 621.13 mW/m2 on the anode surface, at OLR equal to 53.22 kgCOD/m3 d and at the external resistance of 1 k Ω. The maximum voltage produced was 0.856 V at OLR equal to 53.22 kgCOD/m3 d and at temperature 35oC. The maximum coulombic efficiency of 37.16 was achieved at OLR equal to 17.74 kgCOD/m3 d. The HRT was examined as a factor influencing the power generation and when it was 5 day, maximum voltage and power density were obtained. The maximum removal efficiency of COD, BOD5, NH3, NH4 +, dissolved phosphorus, phosphorus in suspended solids, SO4 2-, TSS, and VSS was respectively achieved at 90.46, 81.72, 73.22, 69.43, 31.18, 72.45, 39.43, 70.17 and 64.6. The results showed that generating bioelectricity and dairy industry wastewater treatment by CAML-MMFC are a good alternative for producing energy and treating wastewater at the same time. © 2014 King Saud University. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V

Analysis and comparison of used lubricants, regenerative technologies in the world

Used lubricants can be an important resource for oil-producing countries. Lubricants are categorized as hazardous wastes as they contain high levels of environmentally toxic organic compounds such as PCBs, PAHs and heavy metals. A growing trend of regeneration and reuse of used lubricants has been seen in the recent years to supplement the conventional sources of energy. Thus, governments have focused on developing these recovery processes on an industrial scale. Evaluation of the individual techniques indicated that acid/clay process has the lowest cost and the highest environmental risk in comparison to the other regeneration technologies. Acidic sludge, a toxic by product of the formerly mentioned process, can be used as a raw material for production of economically valuable bitumen. The conversion is not only cost-effective, but it also reduces the environmental risk to a large degree. Economic indices and the quality of the obtained product showed that this process supports sustainable development. © 2015 Elsevier B.V

Adsorption and magnetic separation of lead from synthetic wastewater using carbon/iron oxide nanoparticles composite

Background and purpose: Removal of lead as a toxic metal from contaminated water resources is necessary due to the dangerous effect of lead. One of the most effective methods of removal is the adsorption process. The aim of this study was adsorption and magnetic separation of lead from synthetic wastewater using iron oxide nanoparticles and carbon (ION/C) composite Material and Methods: In this study nanoparticles of iron oxide (ION) were used as a source of iron for magnetic separation of powder activated carbon from solution samples. The physical and surface properties of the adsorbent were studied along with influencing factors (pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage, initial lead concentration, and temperature) on the adsorption process. Kinetic equations and equilibrium isotherms studies were also conducted. Results: The size of ION and specific surface area of ION/C were found to be 30-80 nm and 671.2 m2/g, respectively. We observed that the adsorption process reached equilibrium at 60 min and pH=6and adsorption efficiency increased by increasing the amount of adsorbent and temperature. Maximum adsorption capacity based on Langmuir isotherms was obtained 67.1mg/g at 50 °C. Conclusion: According to this study it is believed that magnetized active carbon by keeping its physical and surface properties could be a suitable method to solve some related problems including separation and filtration

Effect of sunlight exposure and storage duration and temperature on release of heavy metals from polyethylene terephthalate drinking water bottles

Background and purpose: Bottled water is widely packaged and distributed in PolyethyleneTerphthalate (PET) bottles with plastic caps. Plastic materials in bottles, and other additives such as heavy metals, can leak into water during manufacturing or storage process in different ambient conditions. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of sunlight and environmental temperature on the release of heavy metals from PET bottles into water. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in six brands of bottled water (0.5 L) in five provinces of Iran, 2015. The levels of Pb, Ni, Cd and Sb were determined in bottled waters in different conditions including room-temperature of 27±2°C, sun exposure to 45±3°C, and with/without foil coating. Different temperatures (45°C, 60°C and 75°C) were also used in specified time ranges from 5 to 50 days. Measurement was done by ICP-AES and data was analyzed in Minitab. Results: Concentrations of Pb, Ni and Cd in bottled water did not show any significant changes in direct sunlight exposure and ambient temperature but Sb concentration was found to be higher in all samples when storage duration increased. In some samples, it even exceeded the maximum allowed value (5 ppb).Conclusion: Direct radiation exposure to sunlight, increasing the ambient temperature and storage duration, lead to increase in concentration of antimony in bottled water. © 2016, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Disaster risk assessment in health centers of Iran University of Medical Sciences in functional, non structural & structural components during 2015-2016

Background and aims: Disasters and events including natural and man-made disasters cause several harmful consequences in society. Health sector has an essential role in reducing deaths and injuries during disasters. Therefore, the present study was performed to study disaster safety and risk assessment in health facilities of Iran University of Medical Sciences in functional, non structural & structural components in 2015-2016. Methods: This study is cross-sectional. To conduct the study, we used Disaster Risk Assessment in Primary Health Care Facilities Guidelines and forms of recognition threatening risks, functional preparedness assessment tool, non-structural & structural vulnerability assessment tool in 214 health units covered by Iran University of Medical Sciences. After summing up the results of all centers, safety level, vulnerability and preparedness for centers were calculated as percentage. Results: Based on the results functional preparedness level in health centers for Iran University of Medical Sciences is 23, safety of non-structural, structural elements and total safety are 27, 20 and 22 , respectively. Also, safety level index in disaster 3 form 10 was estimated. Conclusion: According to the results current situation of disaster preparedness centers is far from the favorable level. This condition is caused by lack of coherent organization for disaster risk management, lack of sufficient funds and knowledge of this context. As a result, appropriate measures in disaster risk management, especially in increasing the understanding of disaster risk at the community and authorities level should be done. © 2018 Universiteit Gent. All rights reserved

Determination of metals and BTEX in different components of waterpipe: Charcoal, tobacco, smoke and water

Background: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of heavy metals and BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene) in smoke and water bowl of 5-most commonly used tobacco brand in waterpipe in Tehran, the capital of Iran. Methods: Five types of conventional tobacco in Tehran were investigated. Heavy metals and BTEX were analyzed in waterpipe smoke, tobacco, charcoal and water bowl prior to and after smoking by using ICP-OES and GC-MS, respectively. Results: Our results indicated that Khansar and Al Fakher brands had the maximum and minimum concentrations of metals among tobacco consumed, respectively. The results showed that there was a significant difference between content of heavy metals in burned and unburned tobacco. The highest and lowest concentrations of metals were related to Fe and Hg, respectively. Conclusion: Results showed that tobacco, charcoal and smoke of waterpipe contained significant contents of toxic metals and BTEX, and exposure to these components could be the main reason for the concerns about waterpipe smoking. © 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Industry solid waste management assessment of 10 large food industries in Tehran 2014

Background and aims: Inappropriate solid waste management industry in recent years has created a variety of risks. As a result, the health, safety and the human's environment is at risk for it. Main objective of this study is solid waste management assessment of 10 large food industries in Tehran. Methods: This study is descriptive and sectional based on field visits, questionnaires, preparation of the database and the analysis of the results. The selected units were categorized based on ISWMI scale. The questionnaire consisted of 47 questions related with key elements of industrial solid waste management. This question consists of 10 separate areas. 10 large industrial units of the food industry in Tehran were randomly selected. Results: The results showed that the index of selected industrial units based on ISWMI scale (based on100) is: 96 for J company (very good), 49 for A company (week), 85 for H and I company (very good), 72 for E, 77 for F and 80 for G (good), 57 for B, 63 for C and 64 for D company (moderate). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, industrial waste management situation in most of the selected units are above average. However it seems that factors such as a lack of senior management commitment and belief to implementation of the waste management system, the lack of requirement industrial units to employ an expert in environmental or environmental health and the lack of a comprehensive at the national level plan for waste management of the most effective factors to determine ISWMI values in industries

Exposure to nanoscale diesel exhaust particles: Oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, anxiety and depression on adult male mice

ABSTRACT Exposure to nanoscale diesel engines exhausted particles (DEPs) is a well-recognized risk factor for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Rodents as commonly used models for urban air pollution in health effect studies demonstrate constant stimulation of inflammatory responses in the main areas of the brain. Nevertheless, the primary effect of diesel exhaust particulate matter on some of the brain regions and relation by behavioral alterations still remains untouched. We evaluated the brain regional in flammatory responses to a nanosized subfraction of diesel engines exhaust particulate matter (DEPs < 200 nm) in an adult male mice brain. Adult male mice were exposed to DEPs for 3, 6, and 8 h per day, 12 weeks and five days per week. Degree of anxiety and the depression by elevated plus maze and Forced Swimming Test respectively (FST) did measurement. After behavior tests, the plasma and some of the brain regions such as olfactory bulb (OB) and hippocampus (HI) were analyzed for oxidative stress and in flammatory responses. The inflammation and oxidative stress changes in OB and HI, markedly coincides with the results of behavioral alterations. These responses corresponded with rapid induction of MDA and nitrite oxide (NO) in brain regions and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) mRNA followed by IL6, IL1 α , and TNF α in OB and HI. The different times of DEPs exposure, leads to oxidative stress and inflammatory in plasma and brain regions. That this cumulative transport of inhaled nanoscale DEPs into the brain and creating to inflammation responses of brain regions may cause problems of brain function and anxiety and depression. Keywords: Air pollution Nanoscale diesel exhaust particles Oxidative stress Nanotoxicology Anxiety Depressio

Photocatalytic oxidation of benzene by ZnO coated on glass plates under simulated sunlight

The photocatalytic oxidation of benzene by ZnO nanoparticles coated on glass plates was studied under simulated sunlight. ZnO nanoparticles were coated on three glass plates by heat attachment method. To evaluate the photocatalytic removal of benzene, coated plates were irradiated by metal halide lamp in a rectangular reactor in batch mode. The effect of initial pollutant concentration, temperature, relative humidity, irradiation time, concentration of zinc oxide suspension, were assessed. The surface morphology and structure of ZnO nanoparticles and ZnO coated on glass plates were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Sampling and analysis of benzene were performed according to NIOSH method. To analyze the concentration of benzene, gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) was used. Results indicated that photocatalytic process by ZnO under irradiation of metal halide lamp could remove benzene at optimum experimental conditions. Coating of glass plates by ZnO suspension, resulted in 57 removal of benzene as concentration of 50 ppm at 45 °C, and relative humidity of 40 after 240 min irradiation of metal halide lamp. Results indicated that photocatalytic oxidation process by ZnO nanoparticles can be used as a proper and environmentally friendly method for removing low concentrations of benzene from polluted air under simulated sunlight. © 2018, Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences