Effects of noise pollution on Samen district residents in Mashhad city

Background: Noise pollution is one of the most important environmental pollutions that affects human health in different dimensions. The current study aimed to survey the effects of noise pollution on residents of the Samen district in Mashhad. Methods: To understand the psychological effects that noise pollution caused by vehicles has on people, 400 questionnaires designed to gather demographic data and information on attitudes about noise pollution, its effects on people’s activities, and noise source annoyance were randomly distributed among the people living in the Samen district of Mashhad city. SPSS software was used for statistical analysis. Results: According to the results of this study, the most important effects noise pollution had on the studied society were nervousness (29.1%), conversation problems (19.8%), amnesia (18.3%), and loss of concentration (12.8%). Furthermore, 54.8% of the respondents considered the environmental noises annoying, and 32.5% reported it very annoying. In this study, traffic noise was reported as the most important source of noise pollution. Conclusion: Generally, the results showed that noise pollution is a serious issue in the Samen district, and the necessary actions should be taken to control noise and prevent the effects of noise pollution. Keywords: Noise pollution, Psychological effects, Samen area, Mashhad cit

Evaluation of removal efficiency of phenol from synthetic aqueous solutions by Citrullus colocynthis seed ash

Background: Phenol is a prevalent pollutant found in many industrial wastewaters, and it is paid singular attention because of its special features like high toxicity, carcinogenic properties, and vital gathering ability that affects the health of humans and the environment. One of the most important technologies for the removal of phenol is the use of adsorbents. The current study investigated the removal of phenol from synthetic aqueous solutions using Citrullus colocynthis seed ash. Methods: This study is experimental and was conducted on a pilot scale. The efficiency of phenol removal by C. colocynthis seed ash was evaluated in a batch system, and different parameters such as initial concentration of phenol (10, 20, 50, and 80 mg/L), contact time (2, 5, 10, and 30 minutes), pH (2-12), adsorbent dose (0.5, 1, 3, 5, and 10 g/L), and temperature were studied. Excel software was used for data analysis. The adsorption process was modeled with Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms at controlled temperatures. Results: The results showed that the highest removal rate of phenol was obtained at a pH of 2 (83.4%), initial phenol concentration of 20 ppm (66.4%), adsorbent dose of 5 g/L (86.8%), and contact time of 10 minutes. The evaluation of correlation coefficients showed that the phenol adsorbed by C. colocynthis seed ash was in greater accordance with the Freundlich model than the Langmuir model. Conclusion: In general, the results of this study revealed that C. colocynthis seed ash has suitable potential for use in removing phenol from aqueous solutions on operation and practical scales due to its low cost and easy access. Keywords: Phenol, Adsorption, Citrullus colocynthi

Effects of noise pollution on Samen district residents in Mashhad city

Background: Noise pollution is one of the most important environmental pollutions that affects human health in different dimensions. The current study aimed to survey the effects of noise pollution on residents of the Samen district in Mashhad. Methods: To understand the psychological effects that noise pollution caused by vehicles has on people, 400 questionnaires designed to gather demographic data and information on attitudes about noise pollution, its effects on people’s activities, and noise source annoyance were randomly distributed among the people living in the Samen district of Mashhad city. SPSS software was used for statistical analysis. Results: According to the results of this study, the most important effects noise pollution had on the studied society were nervousness (29.1%), conversation problems (19.8%), amnesia (18.3%), and loss of concentration (12.8%). Furthermore, 54.8% of the respondents considered the environmental noises annoying, and 32.5% reported it very annoying. In this study, traffic noise was reported as the most important source of noise pollution. Conclusion: Generally, the results showed that noise pollution is a serious issue in the Samen district, and the necessary actions should be taken to control noise and prevent the effects of noise pollution

The Study of Citrullus colocynthis Shell Ash Efficiency in Phenol Removal from Synthetic Aqueous Solution

Introduction and purpose: Phenol is one of the common pollutants found in many industrial effluents , which affects the environment and human health due to its special features like high toxicity and carcinogenic properties. The use of adsorbents is one of the most effective strategies for the  removal of phenol. In this study, we investigated the efficiency of Citrullus colocynthis shell ash as a natural adsorbent in phenol removal from aqueous solutions. Methods: This was an experimental study, where the effect of different variables such as the initial phenol concentrations (i.e., 10, 20, 50, 80, and 100 ppm), contact time (i.e., 2, 5, 10, and 30 min), adsorbent dose (i.e., 0.5, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 g/L) and pH (2-12) were studied. Then, the  adsorption process was described with Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms at controlled temperatures. Excel software was used for data analysis. Results: The results revealed that the highest removal rate of phenol was obtained at pH of 2 (79.8%), primary phenol concentration of 20 ppm (66.4%), adsorbent dose of 5 g/l (86.8%), and contact time of 10 minutes. Also, the correlation coefficients of isotherms (Freundlich and Langmuir) showed that phenol adsorption by Citrullus colocynthis shell ash had more accordance with the Freundlich model than the Langmuir model. Conclusion: We found that Citrullus colocynthis shell ash can be used as a lowcost and accessible adsorbent for phenol removal from aqueous solutions

Evaluation of removal efficiency of phenol from synthetic aqueous solutions by Citrullus colocynthis seed ash

Background: Phenol is a prevalent pollutant found in many industrial wastewaters, and it is paid singular attention because of its special features like high toxicity, carcinogenic properties, and vital gathering ability that affects the health of humans and the environment. One of the most important technologies for the removal of phenol is the use of adsorbents. The current study investigated the removal of phenol from synthetic aqueous solutions using Citrullus colocynthis seed ash. Methods: This study is experimental and was conducted on a pilot scale. The efficiency of phenol removal by C. colocynthis seed ash was evaluated in a batch system, and different parameters such as initial concentration of phenol (10, 20, 50, and 80 mg/L), contact time (2, 5, 10, and 30 minutes), pH (2-12), adsorbent dose (0.5, 1, 3, 5, and 10 g/L), and temperature were studied. Excel software was used for data analysis. The adsorption process was modeled with Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms at controlled temperatures. Results: The results showed that the highest removal rate of phenol was obtained at a pH of 2 (83.4%), initial phenol concentration of 20 ppm (66.4%), adsorbent dose of 5 g/L (86.8%), and contact time of 10 minutes. The evaluation of correlation coefficients showed that the phenol adsorbed by C. colocynthis seed ash was in greater accordance with the Freundlich model than the Langmuir model. Conclusion: In general, the results of this study revealed that C. colocynthis seed ash has suitable potential for use in removing phenol from aqueous solutions on operation and practical scales due to its low cost and easy acces

Assessment of health care waste management in sajjadieh hospital in Torbat Jam and addressing the improving procedures

Aims: Health-care waste is one of the most crucial issues in solid waste management due to its adverse effects on human health and the environment. The aim of this study was to investigate the present situation of health-care waste management in Sajadieh Hospital in Torbat-e Jam to find the major challenges and offer the best practice regarding this issue. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Sajadieh hospital in Torbat-e Jam in 2017. The total amount of waste produced in hospital was measured for 3 months. Waste management pattern was carried out based on a checklist obtained from the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Iran. Excel software was employed for data analysis. Results: In total, the mean amount of wastes generated in studied hospital was 658.9 kg/day, including domestic waste (397.6 kg/day) and hazardous waste (261.4 kg/day). The highest amount of hazardous wastes was generated in operating room with 32.9 kg/day. Quantity analysis of total waste showed that food wastes (25%) comprise the highest fraction. Based on MOH checklist, the status of the waste management practices was determined as fair. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that despite the segregation of hospital wastes, the amount of hazardous wastes were higher than recommended guidelines. Therefore, more attention of the authorities and the correction of hospital waste management are required