Risk Assessment of Drinking Water Supply System of Talesh Based on World Health Organization Water Safety Plan in 2021: A Case Study

Water safety plan (WSP) is a new way to ensure the safety of drinking water by risk assessment and systematic prevention approach. The purpose of this study was to assess the risk and identify hazards from the production source to the point of use and plan to reduce or eliminate these hazards to provide safe drinking water. This study was conducted on the water supply system of Talesh city in 2021. The WSP has 12 stages and the third stage is risk assessment and hazard identification. This stage scored 69 points out of a total of 100 raw points, which indicates 69% coordination with the WSP. Based on the analysis, 47 hazards were identified in production sources, transmission lines, distribution network, and point of use. The presence of domestic sewage wells near the source of supply, undesirable chlorine concentration, and old pipes in the distribution network, as well as the failure of the check valve at the point of consumption are the most important risks. With the implementation of different phases of WSP, especially the stage of identification and assessment of microbial contamination risk in the distribution network, has been decreased to 0% and the desired residual chlorine concentration has been increased to 100%. Currently, water supply system of Talesh has a moderate level of safety

Simple method for extracting gold from electrical and electronic wastes using hydrometallurgical process

Background: This research studied the feasibility of a simple method for extracting gold from central processing units (CPUs) of computer circuit boards without solvent. Methods: Ceramic and composite CPUs of computer circuit boards were used. Gold was extracted using a hydrometallurgical method in six stages: grinding of CPUs, leaching in nitric acid, leaching in aqua regia, removing the excess nitric acid, extracting the gold, washing and purifying the gold deposits. Measurements of extracted precious metals were carried out by inductively coupled plasma (ICP). Results: The results indicated that mean concentrations of gold in the first and second stages of leaching were 0.138 and 31.16 mg/L, respectively. Following the washing stage, the concentration of gold in the final deposit was 25 mg/L. The purity rate of the final deposit was 83.9%, and the final gold recovery yielded 82.3%. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated there is a potential for extracting a high percentage of precious metals from e-wastes without solvent. Keywords: E-waste, Gold extraction, Hydrometallurgical metho

Mobility and Dispersion Optimization of Nano Zerovalent Iron (nZVI) in Disinfection of Urban Wastewater with Pneumatic Nitrogen Gas Injection

Zero iron nanoparticle is considered as a universal enhancement agent. Its stabilization in aqueous environments with different coatings, reduces the efficiency of nanoparticles to a great extent. This study aimed to optimize the mobility and dispersion of nanoparticles to increase the inactivation efficiency of heterotrophic bacteria in urban sewage effluents. The experiment was carried out on Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Central Composite Design (CCD) using Design Expert 10 software. Iron nanoparticles were synthesized in two types of carboxymethyl cellulose-coated and simple type. B-nZVI  was introduced into the effluent with by pneumatic injection of nitrogen gas. CMC-nZVI was also mixed with a mixer in the effluent. Comparison of the results was done with two HPC and cellular molecular techniques (Genetic sequencing of 16s rRNA bacteria). The highest inactivation efficiency (90%) was observed in minute 23 for pneumonic injection of B-nZVI at a flow rate of 10 L / min.  Finally, with the improvement of gas pressure and flow rate, the inactivation efficiency was recorded at 95.6% at 32 minutes. Final model obtained from this process agreed with the quadratic equation. General forecasting of the model was expressed by the correlation coefficient (R2=0.9447) that made good fitness for the response data. The statistical significance was determined using Fisher's statistics (F-value=13.29). For optimal use of nZVI in the inactivation of urban wastewater heterotrophic bacteria, nZVI can be injected into the wastewater by pneumatic injection in two steps with an inert gas such as nitrogen. In the nZVI pneumatic injection, the efficiency of deactivating bacteria in urban wastewater treatment plants was about 17% to 39% better than that of the coated-nZVI such as CMCs

Investigation of nitrate and nitrite concentration and other physicochemical parameters of drinking water sources in Saveh city during the year of 2018

Abstract   Background and Purpose:Qualitative parameters of drinking water such as concentration of nitrate, nitrite, sulfate, total soluble solids, sodium, magnesium, fluoride, total hardness and electrical conductivity can play an important role in groundwater resources and are mainly related to agriculture, waste disposal areas and sewage. The aim of this study was to determine these parameters in drinking groundwater resource of Saveh city using Geographic Information System during the year of 2018 and investigation of contaminant’s in the region’s aquifer. Materials and Methods:This research is a descriptive-analytic study. 120 samples of water from 12 drinking water wells were prepared in spring and two times in the morning and afternoon in different parts of the city of Saveh. The quality parameters of drinking water, including concentration of nitrate, nitrite, sulfate, total soluble solids, sodium, magnesium, fluoride, total hardness and electrical conductivity were entered into the GIS software and stored in a database and then processed by the information system software, color mapping was prepared and geographical maps (GIS) were mapped to qualitative status. Also, reverse interpolation was used to estimate the conditions of the whole region. Findings:The average concentration of chlorine, sulfate, electrical conductivity, total soluble solids, total hardness and sodium exceeds the permissible limits, and the non-qualitative water conditions are quite evident. Also, the amount of two magnesium and sulfate ions was above the standard 1053. It should be kept in mind that the high levels of these two ions can interfere with the digestive system. Fluoride and nitrate levels were also acceptable range in all areas. Conclusion:The highest deviation level from 1053 standard was for total soluble solids, sodium, magnesium, and sulfate. It is better to consider a comprehensive program to solve the problem, including use of nanotechnology, filtering or ion exchange

Tracking of chloramphenicol, erythromycin, and sulfamethoxazole antibiotic-resistant bacteria from untreated wastewater effluents to receiving river

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and type of bacteria resistant to chloramphenicol (CHL), erythromycin (E), and sulfamethoxazole (SXT) antibiotics from untreated wastewater effluents to receiving river. Methods: In total, 32 samples were taken from eight sites located in the raw wastewater to the downstream of the receiving Ghotor river in Khoy city. Resistant microorganisms were studied through modified HPC method and CLSI standards. Different and specific colonies were selected and re-cultured in R2A culture medium and enough colonies were used for DNA extraction. Bacterial 16sr RNA target gene was amplified and sequenced. Pseudomonas sp., Comamonas sp., and Thiobacillus sp. were predominant bacterial species identified in water samples. Also, antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) including sul1, ermB, and cmlA1 were tracked by PCR. Results: The average total number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) increased in the downstream (2.4×102 to 2.6×104 CFU/100 mL). The comparison of the results related to the river’s upstream and downstream also indicated a significant difference between ARB and ARGs contents (P<0.05). The average number of bacteria resistant to SXT, E, and CHL antibiotics was obtained to be 2.3×104, 2.3×104, and 3.4×104 CFU/mL, respectively. Finally, the evaluation of water revealed that only the aeration lagoon was able to decline the number of CHL-resistant bacteria (88.9%) while this process increased the number of SXT- (51%) and E- (16%) resistant bacteria. The lowest and highest percentages of the identified genes were related to ermB (12.5%) and sul1 (81.25%), respectively. Conclusion: According to the results, wastewaters play an important role in releasing ARB and their antibiotic resistance genes to downstream of Ghotor rivers in Khoy city. Keywords: Heterotrophic bacteria, Sulfamethoxazole, Chloramphenicol, Erythromycin, Polymerase chain reaction, Wastewater, River

Global burden of chronic respiratory diseases and risk factors, 1990–2019: an update from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background: Updated data on chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) are vital in their prevention, control, and treatment in the path to achieving the third UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a one-third reduction in premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by 2030. We provided global, regional, and national estimates of the burden of CRDs and their attributable risks from 1990 to 2019. Methods: Using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, we estimated mortality, years lived with disability, years of life lost, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), prevalence, and incidence of CRDs, i.e. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pneumoconiosis, interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis, and other CRDs, from 1990 to 2019 by sex, age, region, and Socio-demographic Index (SDI) in 204 countries and territories. Deaths and DALYs from CRDs attributable to each risk factor were estimated according to relative risks, risk exposure, and the theoretical minimum risk exposure level input. Findings: In 2019, CRDs were the third leading cause of death responsible for 4.0 million deaths (95% uncertainty interval 3.6–4.3) with a prevalence of 454.6 million cases (417.4–499.1) globally. While the total deaths and prevalence of CRDs have increased by 28.5% and 39.8%, the age-standardised rates have dropped by 41.7% and 16.9% from 1990 to 2019, respectively. COPD, with 212.3 million (200.4–225.1) prevalent cases, was the primary cause of deaths from CRDs, accounting for 3.3 million (2.9–3.6) deaths. With 262.4 million (224.1–309.5) prevalent cases, asthma had the highest prevalence among CRDs. The age-standardised rates of all burden measures of COPD, asthma, and pneumoconiosis have reduced globally from 1990 to 2019. Nevertheless, the age-standardised rates of incidence and prevalence of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis have increased throughout this period. Low- and low-middle SDI countries had the highest age-standardised death and DALYs rates while the high SDI quintile had the highest prevalence rate of CRDs. The highest deaths and DALYs from CRDs were attributed to smoking globally, followed by air pollution and occupational risks. Non-optimal temperature and high body-mass index were additional risk factors for COPD and asthma, respectively. Interpretation: Albeit the age-standardised prevalence, death, and DALYs rates of CRDs have decreased, they still cause a substantial burden and deaths worldwide. The high death and DALYs rates in low and low-middle SDI countries highlights the urgent need for improved preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic measures. Global strategies for tobacco control, enhancing air quality, reducing occupational hazards, and fostering clean cooking fuels are crucial steps in reducing the burden of CRDs, especially in low- and lower-middle income countries

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010-19 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. Methods The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk-outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. Findings Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4.45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4.01-4.94) deaths and 105 million (95.0-116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44.4% (41.3-48.4) of all cancer deaths and 42.0% (39.1-45.6) of all DALYs. There were 2.88 million (2.60-3.18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50.6% [47.8-54.1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1.58 million (1.36-1.84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36.3% [32.5-41.3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20.4% (12.6-28.4) and DALYs by 16.8% (8.8-25.0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34.7% [27.9-42.8] and 33.3% [25.8-42.0]). Interpretation The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden. Copyright (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.Peer reviewe