HIV/AIDS awareness and attitude among factory workers in Shiraz, Iran

HIV has been introduced as a causative agent for AIDS which is still considered as a major health problem for the country and a burden on the health care system. Raising awareness and knowledge plays a critical role in controlling HIV infection in all social groups. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the awareness and attitudes of factory workers regarding HIV/AIDS infection in Shiraz, Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 92 factory workers in Shiraz, selected via the random sampling technique. A standard researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect data. Around 84% of participants were male and 65.2% had 30 years of age or more. The majority of responders considered shared syringe as the main transmission route in Iran. The awareness level of the general aspects of HIV infections and possible transmission modes were high. A large proportion of responders believed that patients should be supported by the governments and that they have the right to lead a normal life, meanwhile they were scared for their children having an infected classmate. It can be concluded that the public programs to increase awareness had a positive effect on factory workers' knowledge. However, some misconceptions toward HIV patients were identified that need to be corrected. In addition, further studies should be conducted in other cities to reach an accurate estimate of HIV/AIDS awareness among factory workers as a big part of our society. 

Estimation of Short-term Mortality and Morbidity Attributed to Fine Particulate Matter in the Ambient Air of Eight Iranian Cities

Amongst the various pollutants in the air, particulate matters (PM) have significant adverse effects on human health. The current research is based on existing epidemiological literature for quantitative estimation of the current health impacts related to particulate matters in some selected principal Iranian megacities. In order to find the influence of air pollution on human health, we used the AirQ software tool presented by the World Health Organization (WHO) European Centre for Environment and Health (ECEH), Bilthoven Division. The adverse health outcomes used in the study consist of mortality (all causes excluding accidental causes), due to cardiovascular (CVD) and respiratory (RES) diseases, and morbidity (hospital admissions for CVD and RES causes). For this purpose, hourly PM10 data were taken from the monitoring stations in eight study cities during 2011 and 2012. Results showed annual average concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 in all megacities exceeded national and international air quality standards and even reached levels nearly ten times higher than WHO guidelines in some cities. Considering the short-term effects, PM2.5 had the maximum effects on the health of the 19,048,000 residents of the eight Iranian cities, causing total mortality of 5,670 out of 87,907 during a one-year time-period. Hence, reducing concentrations and controlling air pollution, particularly the presence of particles, is urgent in these metropolises

Spatial and Temporal Variations of PM2.5 Concentration and Air Quality in Isfahan City in 2016

Introduction: Particular Mineral (PM) less than 2.5 (PM2.5) is considered as one of the most important pollutants with major health effects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate spatial and temporal variations of PM2.5 concentrate and air quality in Isfahan city in 2016. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, spatial and temporal changes in PM2.5 concentrations were evaluated. The concentrations of PM2.5 in 6 stations in Isfahan were measured. Data were analyzed using Excel and SPSS software. Results: The results of the study showed that PM2.5 concentrations were higher in warm months than in cold months, and also in the early days of the week's PM2.5 concentrations were higher than the weekends. The total average of concentration of PM2.5 in Isfahan was 29.87 ± 10.9 μg/m3. City of Isfahan was healthy for 296 days and was in an unhealthy condition for 70 days. Furthermore, concentration of PM2.5 was higher in the central parts of Isfahan. Conclusion: The present study showed that in most days and months of the year, the concentration of PM2.5 in Isfahan was higher than the standard limit of World Health Organization (25 μg/m3), and PM2.5 concentrations mean in the cold season was higher than the  hot season. It seems that the growth, control and the management of this pollutant is essential for citizens' health and reduction of unhealthy effects

Enhancing anaerobic digestion of automotive paint sludge through biochar addition

The reduction of traditional fuel sources and the unpredictability of the global economy have led to a push for renewable energy alternatives. Waste recycling can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In this study, the effects of different proportions of biochar on the efficiency of mesophilic anaerobic digestion of automotive paint sludge were investigated over a period of one month. A combination of paint sludge and anaerobic sludge in a ratio of three to one was used, and biochar was added to the anaerobic digestion reactor in two different amounts of 10 and 26 g/l, with a control sample without biochar. The cumulative volume of biogas produced at the end of the one-month experiment was recorded for three samples: the control sample (without biochar), the second sample (with 2 g of biochar), and the third sample (with 5.2 g of biochar). The volumes of biogas produced were 300, 380, and 530 ml, respectively. Additionally, the COD reduction rates were 25%, 33%, and 48%, and the VS decrement rates were 21%, 27%, and 43%, respectively. The findings showed that adding biochar to the anaerobic digestion reactor containing automotive paint sludge increased biogas production. Additionally, gas chromatography results for an optimal sample of biogas extracted from the anaerobic digestion reactor indicated the presence of about 50% methane gas. These results highlight the potential for utilizing biochar in anaerobic digestion processes to improve renewable energy production and waste management

بررسی غلظت PM2.5 و PM10 در هوای تسهیلات مدیریت پسماند آرادکوه تهران و مناطق مجاور در سال ۱۳۹۹

Background and Aims: Waste management is one of the ways to reduce the environmental and health effects of human activities, however sometimes it causes environmental and health problems. Therefore, knowing the quality and quantity of pollutants released from waste management facilities will make its remedial solutions more effective. In this study, the air concentration of particulate matter (PM) in Aradkooh waste management facility of Tehran and its surrounding area was investigated. Methods and material: In this cross-sectional study, PM2.5 and PM10 were measured with a portable analyzer and samples were taken from 5 points inside and 3 points outside the waste management facility. The sampling was in the summer of 2020 in two consecutive weeks. Ethical considerations were observed in all stages of the study. Results: The mean values of PM2.5 were significantly different by sampling site (p value <0.05). The mean values of PM2.5 and PM10 in processing unit were higher than other points and were 405 and 1048 µg/m3, respectively. The mean values of PM2.5 in Shurabad and Mahdiabad were 25 and 35 µg/m3, respectively. The mean values of PM in most cases violated the standard of ambient air quality in Iran. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it was not possible to determine the specific origin of PM, but it seemed that in addition to waste management operations, other factors such as traffic, local dust and unknown sources affected the concentration of PM. The results showed that the environmental protection measures inside and around the waste management facility is essential to reduce air pollution, especially PM.زمینه و اهداف: مدیریت پسماند اگرچه خود از روش‌های کاهش اثرات زیست محیطی و بهداشتی فعالیت‌های انسانی است اما گاهی موجب معضلات محیط زیستی و بهداشتی می‌شود. بنابراین آگاهی از کیفیت و کمیت آلاینده‌های منتشره از مدیریت پسماند، راهکارهای اصلاحی آن را موثرتر خواهد کرد. در این مطالعه غلظت ذرات معلق در هوای مجتمع آرادکوه و محدوده اطراف آن بررسی شده است. مواد و روش‌ها: در این مطالعه توصیفی مقطعی، ذرات معلق PM2.5 و PM10 با دستگاه داست آنالیزر اندازه‌گیری و نمونه برداری از ۵ نقطه داخل و ۳ نقطه خارج از مجتمع انجام شد. زمان نمونه‌برداری تابستان ۱۳۹۹ و در ۷ روز از دو هفته متوالی بود. ملاحظات اخلاقی در تمام مراحل اجرای مطالعه رعایت شد. یافته‌ها: آزمون آماری بین مقادیر میانگین ذرات معلق PM2.5 در محل‌های نمونه‌برداری اختلاف معنی‌دار نشان داد (05/0>p). میانگین ذرات معلق در پردازش بیشتر از بقیه نقاط و به‌ترتیب برای PM2.5 و PM10 برابر ۴۰۵ و ۱۰۴۸µg/m3 بود. میانگین ذرات PM2.5 در شورآباد و مهدی‌آباد به‌ترتیب 25 و ۳۵µg/m3 بود. میانگین ذرات معلق در بیشتر موارد از استاندارد هوای پاک ایران تخطی داشته است. نتیجه‌گیری: نتایج نشان دهنده مقادیر بالای ذرات معلق در مجتمع آرادکوه و محدوده اطراف است. باتوجه به نتایج این مطالعه نمی‌توان منشاءیابی مشخصی برای ذرات قائل بود؛ ولی به‌نظر می‌رسد علاوه بر عملیات مدیریت پسماند، عواملی همچون فعالیت‌های ترافیکی، گردوغبار محلی و منابع ناشناخته بر میزان غلظت ذرات معلق تاثیر می‌گذارد. اقدام محیط زیستی داخل مجتمع و محدوده اطراف آن جهت کاهش آلودگی هوا به‌ویژه ذرات معلق ضروری است

Estimation of the residential radon levels and the annual effective dose in dwellings of Shiraz, Iran, in 2015

Introduction: Radon is the second most important cause of lung cancer after smoking. Thus, the determination of indoor radon concentrations in dwellings and workplaces is an important public health concern. The purpose of this research was to measure the concentration of radon gas in residential homes and public places in the city of Shiraz and its relationship with the type and age of the buildings as well as the type of materials used to construct the building (brick, block). We also determined the radon dosages that occupants of the building would receive. Methods: The present study is a descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional research that was conducted on the building’s indoor air in the city of Shiraz in 2015. Using geographic information system (GIS) software and a spatial sampling cell with an area of 25 square kilometers, 200 points were selected. In this study, we used passive diffusive samplers as Solid State Nuclear Track Detector (SSNTD) CR-39 polycarbonate films for three months in the winter. Sampling was conducted in accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s protocol. We determined the concentrations of radon gas at the time of sampling, and calibration factors were determined. The data were analyzed by IBM-SPSS, version 20, descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann– Whitney tests. Results: This study showed that the average radon concentration was 57.6 ± 33.06 Bq/m3 in residential dwellings. The average effective dose was 1.45 mSv/y. The concentration of radon in 5.4% of the houses was found to be greater than 100 Bq/m3 , which is above the level allowed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Conclusion: Since radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, it seems necessary to increase the public’s awareness of this issue and to take action to reduce radon in homes when the concentrations are above the WHO’s guidelin

Assessing Emissions of Volatile Organic Componds from Landfills Gas

Background: Biogas is obtained by anaerobic decomposition of organic wastes buried materials used to produce electricity, heat and biofuels. Biogas is at the second place for power generation after hydropower and in 2000 about 6% of the world power generation was allocated to biogas. Biogas is composed of 40–45 vol% CO2, 55–65 vol% CH4, and about 1% non-methaneVOCs, and non-methane volatile organic compounds. Emission rates are used to evaluate the compliance with landfill gas emission regulations by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). BTEX comounds affect the air quality and may be harmful to human health. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene isomers that are generally called BTEX compounds are the most abundant VOCs in biogas. Methods: Sampling of VOCs in biogas vents was operated passively or with Tedlar bags. 20 samples were collected from 40 wells of old and new biogas sites of Shiraz’ landfill. Immediately after sampling, the samples were transferred to the laboratory. Analysis of the samples was performed with GC-MS. Results: The results showed that in the collection of the old and new biogas sites, the highest concentration of VOCs was observed in toluene (0.85ppm) followed by benzene (0.81ppm), ethylbenzene (0.13ppm) and xylene (0.08ppm). Conclusion: The results of the study showed that in all samples, most available compounds in biogas vents were aromatic hydrocarbon compounds.These compounds’ constituents originate from household hazardous waste materials deposited in the landfill or from biological/chemical decomposition processes within the landfill