Journal of Advances in Environmental Health Research
Volume:12 Issue: 1, Winter 2024

This study aimed to determine the maximum concentration of lead in the water and sediments of Hawizeh Swamp during 2020-2021. The ECOFATE model was employed to calculate ecological risk parameters (RQ) along with total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), and total organic carbon (TOC) at four stations during summer and winter. Using the framework of environmental fate model of ECOFATE, comprehensive data on hydrological sections, input chemical quantities, chemical characteristics, and ecosystem attributes were measured. The findings indicated that lead concentrations were at the highest level in both sediment and water samples of the wetland across three-dimensional space during summer and winter. TSS, TOC and TDS values were estimated, of which the TDS was used to measure ecological risk due to its higher values. The RQ values of lead indicated high and medium risk within the sedimentary and aquatic environments of the wetland ecosystem, respectively. Statistical calculations further revealed that this wetland was at risk of environmental pollution, posing potential hazards to humans through the food chain. The increase in the biological pollution of this wetland is due to the increase in the population and urban sewage. Therefore, it is imperative to raise public awareness regarding the significance of the wetland and advocate for its regular monitoring.

This research investigated the ability of Tetraselmis microalgae to remove nitrates from aquaculture centers’ wastewater. Specifically, this study aimed to investigate the amount of nitrogen reduction by Tetraselmis microalgae under laboratory conditions. Therefore, algal density, chlorophyll a, specific growth rate, nitrate, and ammonia levels were investigated. Tetraselmis microalgae was planted under laboratory conditions with constant density of 2000 mL including 1900 mL of distilled water and 100 mL of stock to investigate the refining effects for 15 days. Along to the test steps, the concentration of the mentioned factors was determined using standard methods and ultraviolet spectrophotometer. The results showed that algal density, chlorophyll concentration, and specific growth rate performed better than others in the pilot plants containing wastewater. Also, use of the studied algae caused a 50% reduction in ammonia and 80% in nitrate from aquaculture center wastewater. The data modeling showed that the above- entioned microalgae were effective in reduction of nitrogen from aquaculture center wastewater as much as 75%. The results showed that the species can reduce organic substances in the wastewater of aquaculture center and their discharge into the environment.

The control of environmental noise pollution has been hampered by lack of sufficient knowledge of its effect on human. Noise pollution is associated with several health conditions and affects both health and behavior. This study evaluated the noise pollution level in selected market and motor parks in local government areas in Delta State. The physical parameters were measured using a digital sound level meter and a mobilebased global positioning system (GPS), in September 2021. To determine noise pollution all over the city, the noise measurements were collected in the morning and evening. The selected areas of the study were market places, road junctions/busy roads and passenger loading parks. The noise pollution levels were measured in Ogwashi-Uku Market, Ogwashi-Uku Motor Park, Nwasi Motor Park, Ibusa Market, Central Motor Park Asaba, Delta Line Park Asaba, Onitsha Park and Oko Market Asaba. The results showed that the average pollution level in the morning hours were 89.33, 90.1, 90.3, 91.72, 86.59, 90.11, 92.15 and 90.3 dB in Ogwashi-Uku Market, Ogwashi-Uku Motor Park, Nwasi Motor Park, Ibusa Market, Central Motor Park Asaba, Delta Line Park Asaba, Onitsha Park and Oko market Asaba, respectively. In the evening, the corresponding measured values were 83.65, 74.90, 90.04, 90.90, 85.07, 83.44 and 91.79 dB respectively. These values were higher than the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) and World Health Organization (WHO) standard limits for outdoor environment. The people who are working and living in the areas under study may be at risk of noise related health hazard due to continuous daily exposure.

In regions with heightened pollutant concentrations, especially in industrial and urban areas, dust plays a crucial role in carrying complex metal components, posing environmental challenges and health risks. This study utilized pollution indicators and geographic information system (GIS) to delineate the spatial distribution of heavy metals in the Arak plain. Dust samples from 30 stations across the Arak plain were systematically collected through random sampling. Analysis using inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP-OES) allowed the calculation of pollution indices (PI) and the Nemerow Integrated Pollution Index (NIPI) for lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and iron (Fe). GIS generated spatial distribution maps depicting metal pollution. The average concentrations were 45.5 mg/kg for Pb, 10.7 mg/kg for Zn, 0.47 mg/kg for Cu, 30.8 mg/kg for Ni, and 0.206 mg/kg for Fe. Analysis of PI, NIPI, and spatial distribution maps revealed heightened pollution in the northeast, center, south, and southwest areas of the Arak plain, attributed to human activities like heavy vehicle traffic, high population density, concentrated agriculture, and specific industrial operations. The study recommends mitigation strategies, including biological methods like phytoremediation, promotion of public transportation, mandatory environmental standards for industries, and encouragement of green practices. These initiatives aim to address and reduce environmental pollution in the Arak plain.

The plants can introduce a wide range of phytochemical components which are considered as secondary metabolites. As antioxidants, phytochemicals prevent cell damages which are usually caused by free radicals especially those which are associated with heart disease and cancer. Neem seed has high potential of phytochemicals which is used as traditional medicinal. This study aimed to evaluate bioactive and phytochemical extract of Neem seed. The antimicrobial activities and bioactive compounds of Neem seed extracted with distilled water were investigated in this study. Bioactive components of Neem seed were examined by agar well diffusion method. Tannins, quinones and phenols were the highest phytochemical in Neem seed bioactive extract. Anthocyanin, terpenoids, saponins and glycosides were in medium levels. Also, alkaloids and flavonoids were in low level. At the lowest concentration of bioactive (10 mg/mL), Bacillus subtilis (G + ) was the best controllable compared to others. The optimum concentration of the selected pathogenic species was 55 mg/mL at which the Salmonella typhimurium (G-) was highly controllable. Staphylococcus aureus (G + ), Bacillus subtilis (G + ), and Escherichia coli (G-) were 40 mm, 38 mm and 34 mm, respectively. Tannin and phenol were the highest phytochemical concentration in the Neem seed. In general the Neem seed extract seems to be antioxidants and antimicrobials with effective control area.

The aim of risk assessment is to use a rational method to analyze risks and to identify the possible hazards and outcomes for people, equipment, materials, and the environment. The criteria and indices for assessing the environmental, health, and safety risks of the hydrocracker unit were determined by a Delphi questionnaire in this study. Then, an Environmental Failure Mode and Effects Analysis was applied to evaluate, score, and rank the risks based on their probability of occurrence, severity, probability of detection, extent of pollution, and potential of recycling. According to the results of the Delphi process, 19 out of the 22 items were identified as the main criteria in the environmental, health, and safety risk evaluation of the hydrocracker unit at the Abadan Oil Refinery. However, the results indicated that 67% of the risks associated with the life cycle operation were low while 33% of them were high in terms of intensity. In contrast, 75% of the risks associated with control room operators were low and 25% were high in terms of intensity. On the other hand, 64, 7, and 29% of the risks associated with the activities of site employees were low, moderate, and high in terms of intensity, respectively, while the corresponding figures were 14, 29, and 57% in the case of risks associated with repairs. Based on the results of techniques of environmental failure modes and effects analysis (EFMEA) and Delphi, appropriate methods can be used to identify and reduce risks in similar industries.

The increase in population growth, industries and living standards have caused an increasing need for drinking water in many countries. The reuse of treated water and wastewater is one of the most important options to deal with water shortage. To ensure the correctness of this work, it is necessary that the health risk assessment be reassessed during use so that consumers do not face serious problems. In this regard, the assessment of health risks assessment for the water recovered from the backwashing wastewater of the Saveh water treatment plant was investigated.

To reuse the backwash wastewater from the Saveh water treatment plant, the processes of primary sedimentation and coagulation (in the form of a test jar) were investigated. Metals and heavy metals like iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), lead (Pb), Arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) were examined to evaluate health risks. The initial settling time was 1 hour, the coagulant used was FeCl3 made in Iran, and heavy metal contents were also measured with an Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) device.

The value of HRIs for Al, Fe, As, Pb and Cd in the treated spent filter backwash water (SFBW) with primary sedimentation and coagulation was less than “1” and indicates the absence of risk.

The treated backwash wastewater treated with primary sedimentation and coagulation processes as well as raw water of the Saveh have no harmful effects in terms of heavy metals, and its reuse will not pose a risk to the health of the consumer.

Air pollution stands as a significant environmental threat impacting human health across the globe, encompassing both developed and developing nations. This study aimed to survey the temporal variations of PM2.5 and gauge its potential health effects in the city of Mashhad over the period of 2010-2018. This cross-sectional study was carried out among the residents of Mashhad city. PM2.5 concentration data spanning the years 2008-2019 were collected and subjected to analysis using Excel and AirQ software. The results indicate that the highest concentration of PM2.5 was associated with the year 2010, while the lowest concentration was observed in 2015. The analytical findings demonstrated that for each 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 concentrations, the relative risk for total mortality increased by 10.47%. Furthermore, based on the Air Quality Index (AQI) results, 2010 exhibited the most adverse condition in terms of PM2.5 concentrations in Mashhad city. In general, long-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 significantly contributed to mortality in the megacity of Mashhad. As air pollution is a modifiable risk factor, it is advisable to implement sustainable control policies to protect public health.