Evaluating the Effects of Fertilizers on Bioavailable Metallic Pollution of soils, Case study of Sistan farms,

ABSTRACT: Present study determines not only the total amounts of metals (Cr, Cu and Pb) in superficial agricultural soil of Sistan area in Eastern Iran, but also the chemical partitioning of these elements in seven statistically selected cases. The analysis was run for local soil, soil treated by non-contaminated organic, compost and chemical fertilizers as well as soil treated by metal-contaminated fertilizers. The sampling campaign was done in Zabol University research farm in 2009. The grab samples were taken from seven different cases, the chemical partitioning analysis was performed and metallic concentrations were detected using FAAS. It may be concluded that the bioaccessibility of metals Cu and Cr would be increased in case of imposed contamination where the soil is treated with all three kinds of fertilizers. Although a relatively similar distribution pattern is seen between anthropogenic and geopogenic portions of bulk concentration in all three kinds of fertilizers, chemical fertilizer seems to manifest a more risky condition. According to the results achieved by cluster analysis, a close correlation exists between Cu and Cr behavior which may be attributed to the geological texture of the study area. In accordance with the results gained by partitioning analysis, I POLL index values also show contaminated chemical fertilizer as the most risky case for all three metals in comparison with others

Repurposing anthelmintic agents to eradicate resistant leukemia

Despite rapid progress in genomic profiling in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), identification of actionable targets and prediction of response to drugs remains challenging. To identify specific vulnerabilities in ALL, we performed a drug screen using primary human ALL samples cultured in a model of the bone marrow microenvironment combined with high content image analysis. Among the 2487 FDA-approved compounds tested, anthelmintic agents of the class of macrocyclic lactones exhibited potent anti-leukemia activity, similar to the already known anti-leukemia agents currently used in induction chemotherapy. Ex vivo validation in 55 primary ALL samples of both precursor B cell and T-ALL including refractory relapse cases confirmed strong anti-leukemia activity with IC50 values in the low micromolar range. Anthelmintic agents increased intracellular chloride levels in primary leukemia cells, inducing mitochondrial outer membrane depolarization and cell death. Supporting the notion that simultaneously targeting cell death machineries at different angles may enhance the cell death response, combination of anthelmintic agents with the BCL-2 antagonist navitoclax or with the chemotherapeutic agent dexamethasone showed synergistic activity in primary ALL. These data reveal anti-leukemia activity of anthelmintic agents and support exploiting drug repurposing strategies to identify so far unrecognized anti-cancer agents with potential to eradicate even refractory leukemia

Evaluating the Reduction of Hazardous Waste Contact in Tabriz Petrochemical Complex, Focusing on Personal Protective Equipment Method

Tabriz petrochemical complex is located in northwest of Iran and west of Tabriz oil refinery and mostly produces raw plastics. In this study the implementation of Reduction of Hazardous waste Contact in this Complex with special emphasis on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is discussed. Accordingly different hazards threatening personnel, indoor and outdoor environment were determined. In order to identify hazardous waste generated in different parts of the complex, national, European, environmental protection agency (EPA) and Basel convention standards were taken in to consideration. Considering general frame of risk classified pyramid containing engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE),a couple of practical recommendations has been suggested to promote the security level. Personal protective equipment, suggested in this study are all manifested according to the Iranian Petroleum Standard (IPS). Despite perfect implementation of PPE method, it is recommended that incident insurance be taken in to consideration as the last mitigation effort

A Survey of Municipal Solid Waste Generation in 22 Regions of Tehran With Solid Waste Reduction Approach

Introduction: Solid waste reduction is a key and fundamental factor in creating a sustainable society. Tehran Municipality has embarked on a series of positive measures in recent years in different areas of waste management such as source separation, mechanized waste collection, and constructing compost factories. However these measures have not only brought about any reduction in solid waste reduction but have also resulted in their increase. In this article, first we will describe the current situation of waste management in Tehran. Then since having an understanding of the type and amount of the generated solid waste is important in defining strategies and programs aiming at reduction of waste generation, we manage to have evaluation of the current situation of municipal waste generation in 22 regions of Tehran. Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional one conducted from 2010 to 2014. Relevant officials of the waste recovery in 22 regions of Tehran were approached in order to collect data about municipal solid waste generation through interviewing, filling out questionnaires, conducting field visits from Aradkooh Disposal and Processing Complex and collecting information on disposal and destiny of wastes. Then the data were compiled and analyzed. Results: Total solid waste generation in Tehran from 2010 to 2014 amounted to respectively 3389662, 3399344, 3449338 and 3245157 Metric Tons, categorized into three groups of municipal, companies and townships and hospital wastes. Most of the generated waste produced in Tehran was that of households and commercial (known as municipal waste) from 22 Regions of Tehran. Based on the surveys conducted, per capita solid waste generation of 11 regions of Tehran ranged from 550 to 1000 grams and in other 11 ones from 1000 to 1521 grams per capita per day. The lowest and highest waste generation rate belonged respectively to region 13 with 556 grams and region 12 with 1521 grams per capita per day in 2011. Conclusion: Comparing per capita generation of municipal solid waste in different municipal regions in Tehran with maximum acceptable capacity of waste generation indicates the deviation of waste generation of all Tehran regions from the standard acceptable amount. Therefore, not only is it necessary to plan and take strategic measures to reduce Tehran waste generation but also these programs and measures should be specific to each region considering its specifications and solid waste quality and quantity

Rural Solid Waste Management

The province of Bushehr is located in southern area of Iran and north of Persian Gulf. Solid waste management in Bushehr s villages was the aim of this research. For the sake of this study, 21 villages scattered all over the province were selected. Field studies showed that about 646 grams of residential solid waste per capita is generated in selected villages every day. There are 322 shops in chosen villages and total amount of commercial waste is about 3565 kilograms per day. The average amount of medical waste is about 7.8 kilograms per hygienic unit. Waste Composition in selected villages is: putrescible materials: 42.49%, construction and demolition: 11.7%, paper and cardboard: 8.77%, plastics: 8.24%, wood: 6.90%, metal: 6.08%, glass: 5.89%, rubber and leather: 5.1% and textile: 4.83%. According to this study, the main obstacle to recycling program is the unbiased collection of waste in rural area. It is recommended that for the first five year program, source separation includes degradable matter and dry wastes (paper, plastics and metals). Source separation of other components such as wood, rubber, glass and textile can be carried out in the second five year program. From the economical point of view, incineration with energy recovery can not be a good alternative for rural waste disposal in Bushehr province. Due to the low volume of degradable matter, land availabilitywith low cost and easy accesstolabor force in rural areas, low costtechnology composting is recommended. The quantity of waste generated in each village is not sufficient to be managed separately, thus a regional solid waste management must be defined to include adjacent villages

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN TABRIZPETROCHEMICAL COMPLEX

Tabriz petrochemical complex is located in the northwest of Iran. Major products of this industry include raw plastics like, polyethylene, polystyrene, acrylonitrile, butadiene, styrene, etc. Sources of waste generation include service units, health and cure units, water, power, steam and industrial processes units. In this study, different types of solid waste including hazardous and non hazardous solid wastes were investigated separately. The aim of the study was to focus on the management of the industrial wastes in order to minimize the adverse environmental impacts. In the first stage, locating map and dispersion limits were prepared. Then, the types and amounts of industrial waste generated in were evaluated by an inventory and inspection. Wastes were classified according to Environmental Protection Agency and Basel Standards and subsequently hazards of different types were investigated. The waste management of TPC is quite complex because of the different types of waste and their pollution. In some cases recycling/reuse of waste is the best option, but treatment and disposal are also necessary tools. In this study, using different sources and references, generally petrochemical sources, various solid waste management practices were investigated and the best options were selected. Some wastes should be treated before land filling and some of them should be reused or recycled. In the case of solid waste optimization, source reduction ways were recommended as well as prior incineration system was modified