Archives of Hygiene Sciences
Volume:6 Issue: 4, Autumn 2017

Background & Aims of the Study: The safe drinking water providing is one of the most crucial objections in these centenaries. Bacterial water contamination and high rate of morbidity and mortality is crucial health threat. Efficiency of potassium persulfat (KPS) associated solar disinfection as a novel water disinfection technology was evaluated in batch scale experiments, using Ent. faecalis (ATTCC 29212).
Material and This research is a descriptive and experimental study which done on Tehran city, Iran. Ent. faecalis (ATTCC 29212) was provided in standard form from reference laboratory. Desired bacterial density in water was prepared by Mc Farland method. Water specimens were exhibited with solar radiations from 10 a.m to 16 p.m of Tehran local time. All experiments were conducted into 1.5 L volume of Damavand bottled water. Non-injured bacteria cells were detected by plating onto Bile Esculin azide agar media. Turbid water samples were provided by spiking of sterile slurry. Contact time (1-6 h), turbidity (30-200 NTU), KPS concentration (0.1, 0.7, 1.5 and 2 mMol/l), Ent. faecalis density(1000 and 1500 cell/ml) and UV intensity were independent and disinfection efficiency was a dependent variable, respectively.
Intensity of UVA solar irradiation varied from 3770 to 6263.3 µW/Cm2, with the highest value was measured on 13.30 p.m. In single SODIS and 1 hour contact time, increasing of bacterial closeness from 1000 to 1500 cell/ml implied disinfection performance decreasing in which, the vital bacteria was 10 and 20 cell/ml, respectively; but beyond of this contact time, a complete disinfection was occurred. Disinfection of Ent. faecalis was achieved within 2 h with single solar irradiation but KPS associated solar disinfection with applied dosage of KPS provide completely disinfection in 1 h in which the process efficiency was not influenced by increasing of bacterial density and turbidity up to 200 NTU.
Association of KPS with SODIS enhancing water disinfection which can be used in remote area and emergency status.

Background & Aims of the Study: The main objectives of the current research were (1) to study the extent of soil pollution by heavy metals (Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Ba and Li) in sampling locations (2) to investigate the extent of heavy metal pollution and soil to plant transfer of these elements in wheat and barley (3) to study the health risk of heavy metals via consumption of wheat grains for adults and children.
The levels of heavy metals in 29 sampling locations in soil and different parts of wheat and grains of barley were quantified in Shahrood and Damghan of Iran by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Different statistical methods including ANOVA were used for the comparison of heavy metals in different soil groups and plant's tissues.
All of the bio concentration factors (BFs) were lower than one indicating the low level of accumulation in wheat and barley. The BFs were higher in aerial parts than that of grains showing the restricted translocation of these elements by wheat and barley. The highest accumulation was obtained for Zn, Ag and Cu.
Considering Hazard Quotients (HQs), there was not any detrimental effect due to the consumption of wheat grains in the study area. The HQs of all heavy metals for adults were higher than that of children. The highest and lowest HQs values were for Mn and Cr in both age groups, respectively. The Hazard Index (HI) associated with wheat grains for children and adults were 1.36 and 2.06, respectively which is indicated the adverse health effects due to the consumption of this staple crop.

Background & Aims of the Study: About a third of mortality in hospitals devoted to nosocomial infections. Nosocomial infection is an infection after the exposure of health- treatment services in unit's treatment. Lack of knowledge or ignorance of personnel to transmission methods and prevention of nosocomial infections are caused transmission of infectious diseases to staffs and patients. The aim of this research was the investigation of knowledge, attitude and practice of nurses from control methods of nosocomial infections.
This research is a cross- sectional study. 200 person of the nurses of working in teaching hospitals of Kermanshah university of Medical sciences were investigated, using questionnaire. The validity of questionnaire as context evaluated by expert individuals and their reliability evaluated by Cronbach's alpha 75%. Data analysis was carried out, using SPSS 16, chi–square test and exact fisher test.
Investigation results showed that 69.5% nurses had good knowledge, 61.5% mean attitude and 80% good practice have into nosocomial infections control. Access to disinfectant was caused practice better than knowledge and attitude. There was a significant difference between knowledge, attitude and practice. Also, a significant difference was observed between education and attitude.
Most of nurses have good knowledge and practice into nosocomial infections control. As regards to the important role of nurses in prevention of nosocomial infections, education of them is need for increase of prevention behaviors.

Background & Aims of the Study: The Horizontal roughing filters (HRF) are generally formed with three layers. The size of the course at the beginning of the flow path is large and at the end is small. This kind of layering increases absorption capacity while the solids entering the bed–depth gradually separate because of the decline in the holes’ diameters. This study aimed to examine the efficiency of HRFs in removing total suspended solids (TSS) from effluent of a waste stabilization pond.
This experimental study was conducted in 2013. The pilot project was transferred to the Karaj wastewater treatment plant (waste stabilization pond), Alborz province of Iran. Then, the installation, equipping and start-up of the system began, using an effluent treatment plant. Sampling was done from March to August in 3 rates of 0.5, 1 and 1.5 m/h, which was included simultaneous sampling from inlet and outlet HRF to determine the concentrations of TSS.
The results showed that at filtration rates of 0.5, 1, and 1.5 m/h, the average of TSS removal was equaled to 42.46, 56.65 and 33.22%, respectively. The removal efficiency of TSS at the rate of 1m/h was more than 0.5 and 1.5 m/h rate (p According to the results of this study, the HRF function was approximately adequate in TSS removal and can be a suitable option for improving the quality of stabilization ponds effluent.

Background & Aims of the Study: Phenolic compounds have been extensively used in industries for applications such as petrochemical, oil refineries, papers, plastics, steel, pharmaceuticals, textiles, coal conversion, and so on. Specified amounts of Phenolic compounds are lost in the process of their manufacturing and utilization and often cause environmental pollution problems. So, removal these compounds of industrial wastewaters are necessary. The aim of this paper, is the photo-degradation environmental pollutant 2-Chlorophenol (2-CP) using photo-Fenton process which was used a photo reactor for photo-catalytic degradation of 2-CP in aqueous solution.
This is an experimental study on a laboratory scale. Fe2 ions as a homogeneous catalyst applied for the degradation of 2-CP in aqueous solution. The study was performed on synthetic wastewaters that contain 2-CP pollutant. The effect of operational parameters such as: pH, initial concentration Fe2, H2O2 concentration and temperature were studied. The effect of UV irradiation, UV/H2O2 and UV/Fe2ﱽ on photo-catalytic degradation of 2-CP were studied. The reaction kinetic was studied. In this paper, optimum conditions were determined for the photo-catalytic degradation of 2-CP using a factor at the time method.
The optimal conditions for this reaction were obtained at pH of 6, initial concentration Fe2 at 20 ppm, H2O2 concentration at 14 ppm and temperature at 45 °C. A first order reaction with rate constant (k=0.0375 min−1) was observed for the photo-catalytic degradation reaction. These experiments demonstrated that UV radiation, Fe2 ions and H2O2 oxidation process were needed for the effective degradation of 2-CP.
The results showed that the photo-Fenton process can be suitable alternative to removal phenolic compounds from wastewaters.

Background & Aims of the Study: Lung is directly exposed to surrounding air and existing pollutants to perform its natural task. In this paper, COPD cases attributed to NO2, O3, and SO2 were studied based on assessed data in Ahvaz city of Iran during 2014-2015.
Data were processed by Excel through steps including temperature and pressure correction, programming, processing (average) and filtering.
The results indicated that number of COPD cases was estimated to 15 members in accordance with the central relative risk, so, each 10µg increase in NO2 concentration would lead to 0.38% increase in COPD risk. Each 10µg/m3 increase in Ozone concentration causes 0.58% increase in disease attributed to this pollutant. Number of cumulative cases of this disease has been equal to 35 members during 2014-2015. Estimated cumulative number of obstructive pulmonary caused by sulfur dioxide has been estimated to 20 members during 2014-2015. Obviously, each 10µg/m3 increase in SO2 concentration would lead to 0.44% increase in risk of the considered disease.
In conclusion, O3 as a pollutant has the most effect on COPD compared to the other two pollutants in Ahvaz city of Iran during 2014-2015. This might be because of more days with high concentration of this pollutant compared to other two pollutants in Ahvaz. If emission of this pollutant is not prevented, number of people who are suffering from COPD will increase to 55 members in 2016 and it will be reduced to 13 members in case of control.

Background & Aims of the Study: Among different kinds of air pollutants, Particle matters due to their proved destructive impacts on human health and their various sources like transportation attract wide attention. The objective of this work is determining the real value of particle matters in one of the important and busy roads in Iran (Sari- Qaemshahr road).
In this study, measurement and field analysis of particle matter (PM) pollution of Sari-Qaemshahr road (Iran), with high load of traffic, has been done during a 6 years period (2010-2015) and the results have been investigated by means of AQI and Iranian clean air standard indexes. Furthermore, the effect of pollutants on human health is discussed.
The results showed that particle matter pollution in study stations has an increasing upward trend. Comparison of measured particles with clean air standard expresses that the amount of particles is under the clean air standard limitation and it could not considered as a danger. However, comparison of PM with AQI index showed that the amount of the PM, except 2010, is in the range of very unhealthy and it shows a very poor condition. Considering its effects on human health, the increasing trend of these particles could become a concern for the society.
This research reveals that the Iranian clean air standard needs a meticulous review in order to administer the emission of PM, using the results which are obtained from this study.

Background & Aims of the Study: One of the toxic pollutants in the wastewater of petrochemical industries is Terphetalic acid. In this study, the degradation and mineralization of Terphetalic acid in aqueous environment were studied by Ozonation and O3/ZnO processes in a semi batch reactor.
This study is an experimental research on a laboratory scale. The study executed on synthetic wastewater having Terphetalic acid. The impact of operational factors such as pH, initial concentration of ZnO and Terphetalic acid was also studied.
Different amounts of variables were optimized for the removal of Terphetalic acid in O3/ZnO process. The optimum conditions were achieved as follows: the [ZnO]=1.20 g/l, pH at 9, and [TPA]=70 mg/l.
The results exhibited that at the predicted optimum conditions and after 30 min of reaction, the removal of Terphetalic acid and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) was 96.9 and 44.3%, respectively. The O3/ZnO process was powerful in the removal of TPA, but it can remove the TOC to some extent.

Background & Aims of the Study: Welder’s exposure to welding fumes can cause occupational diseases. The current study sought to examine exposure to welding fumes among welders who work in the repair shop of Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex and design a local exhaust ventilation system to control exposure to welding fumes.
This applied analytical study was conducted in the summer of 2016 among welders working in the repair shop of Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex. The study comprised three phases; in the first one, welders’ exposure to welding fumes was assessed at the beginning of the study. After that, a local exhaust ventilation system was designed and installed in the aforementioned repair shop. In the final stage, welders’ exposure to welding fumes was assessed again after installation of the ventilation system. The procedure recommended by NIOSH (method number 7300) was used for individual sampling of welders.
Based on the obtained findings, before installing the ventilation system, welding technicians were exposed to 0.3 mg/m3 of copper fumes and 0.04 mg/m3 of chromium fumes. Journeyman welders were also exposed to 2.16 mg/m3 of manganese fumes, while stellar welders were exposed to 6.9 mg/m3 of iron fumes. In the light of these measurements, a local exhaust ventilation system was designed and installed. Subsequently, measurement of exposure to welding fumes showed a significant reduction. That is, welding technicians were exposed to 0.17 mg/m3 and 0.015 mg/m3 of copper and chromium fumes respectively. Additionally, journeyman welders were exposed to 0.86 mg/m3 of manganese fumes, whereas stellar welders were exposed to 4.3 mg/m3 of iron fumes.
A comparison of standard limits of exposure to welding fumes and the results obtained from measurements in sampling stations before and after the installation of the local exhaust ventilation system reveals that this controlling measure was very effective in the repair shop of Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex.

Background & Aims of the Study: A most part of children time is spent in a school environment. Important part of the basic mission of schools is promoting the health and safety. So assessing the existing conditions is an important factor in promotion and this study conducted to investigate the environmental health and safety status of Paveh city schools in Kermanshah province.
This is a descriptive-cross sectional study and has performed in Paveh city of Kermanshah province. The study population consisted of primary, secondary and high schools of Paveh city. Data has been collated by referring to schools, direct observation and completion of environmental health and safety checklist. Schools conditions were determined according to the environmental health and safety checklist in desirable, semi-desirable and undesirable. The collected data were analyzed using Excel software, and data means and frequencies sign in tables and were drawn by charts.
From the 28 schools have visited 35.6% of school building is old and 63.7% of school building is new built. In the study of all schools in 8% of schools environmental health status were undesirable and in 21% semi-desirable and in 71% were desirable, also safety status in 4% of all schools were undesirable and in 21% semi-desirable and in 75% were desirable. Undesirable safety conditions related to adjacent to waste accumulation areas, brick buildings without footing beam, inappropriate distance of first row bench from the boards, lack of green spaces
Given the importance of safety in schools, more attention should be paid to this issue. It is essential to compliance with the principles of health and safety in schools, also any consideration and action in this field can be effective in reducing the risk of many related health problems.

Background & Aims of the Study: The presence of antibiotics in the environment, especially in aquatic environments is a major concern for health and the environment. The advanced oxidation process due to the ease of use, economical advantages and high performance have attracted a lot of attention. The purpose of this study was Evaluating of the photocatalytic role of zinc oxide on synthetic activated carbon to remove antibiotic from aquatic environment.
This experimental study was done in batch reactor that has a 1 L volume. In this study effect of parameters such as initial pH (3-9), initial concentration of cefazolin (20-200 mg/L), modified photocatalyst concentration (20-100 mg/L) and reaction time (10-60 min) was investigated. In this study a low-pressure mercury lamp with the power of 55 watts in stainless case has been used. The cefazolin concentrations in different steps were measured using UV-Vis spectrophotometer in Wavelength of 262 nm.
The results showed that the highest removal efficiency (96%) of cefazolin was at the pH=3, 0.1 mg/L of modified photocatalyst, retention time of 60 min and cefazolin concentrations of 100 mg/L. In the case of changing any of the above mentioned values, process efficiency was decreased.
The results showed that the photocatalytic process of zinc oxide nanoparticles on synthetic activated carbon can be used as an advanced oxidation process to effectively remove pollutants like cefazolin and other similar pollutants.

Background & Aims of the Study: Nitrate is one of the most important contaminants in aquatic environments that can leached to water resources from various sources such as sewage, fertilizers and decomposition of organic waste. Reduction of nitrate to nitrite in infant’s blood stream can cause “blue baby” disease in infants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nitrate removal from aqueous solutions using modified almond charcoal with zinc chloride.
This study is an experimental survey. At the first charcoal almond skins were prepared in 5500C and then modified with ZnCl2. Morphologies and characterization of almond shell charcoal were evaluated by using FTIR, EDX, BET and FESEM. Adsorption experiments were conducted with 500 ml sample in Becker. The nitrate concentration removal, contact time, pH and charcoal dosage were investigated. The central composite design method was used to optimizing the nitrate removal process. The results analyzed with ANOVA test.
The best condition founded in 48 min, 1250 ppm, 125 mg/l and 3 for retention time, primary nitrate concentration, charcoal dosage and pH respectively. The results showed that the nitrate removal decreases with increasing pH. Modification of skin charcoal is show increasing of nitrate removal from aquatic solution.
In this study, the maximum nitrate removal efficiency for raw charcoal and modified charcoal was determined 15.47% and 62.78%, respectively. The results showed that this method can be used as an effective method for removing nitrate from aqueous solutions.