Journal of Advances in Environmental Health Research
Volume:8 Issue: 4, Autumn 2020

The present study aimed to investigate the biodegradability of the native species isolated from a site contaminated with crude oil (Karun Gas Oil Production Company, Iran). According to the findings, the species isolated from bacillus could grow at the concentrations of 1 and 3% of crude oil within the pH range of 3-5 and at various temperatures. Bacillus sonorensis had higher efficiency at the concentration of 1%, temperature of 30 °C, and near-neutral pH compared to the second species. Therefore, it could be used in biological remediation processes through the reduction of biosurfactant and surface tension to a certain extent (24.87 mN/m) compared to the control samples (59 mN/m). Furthermore, the chemical analysis showed that the bioremediation efficiency of chrysene, fluorene, naphthalene, dibenz(a, h)anthracene, and pyrene was 35.85, 39.56, 27.14, 28.45, and 27.5% within four days, respectively. With the reduction of the surface tension, aromatic compounds could be better decomposed compared to aliphatic compounds.

Dumpsites are an ideal breeding ground for disease vectors such as rats and mosquitoes, which may channel severe health issues to the nearby residents and dumpsite workers. The present study aimed to assess the effects of waste disposal at a dumpsite on the surrounding human settlements and health of the workers. In this descriptive study, data were collected from the households within the 0-3-kilometer radius to the dumpsite, as well as the dumpsite workers using structured questionnaires. In total, 150 respondents from the human settlements around the dumpsite participated in the study, including 61 dumpsite workers. Test of independence indicated a significant correlation between the perception of the dumpsite workers and community dwellers toward the dumpsite as a source of health-deteriorating agents (χ2 [1; n=211]=14.00; P=0.001). Dumpsite odor, insect and rodent infestation, and burning activities could predict the ill health status of the dumpsite workers with the final predictive model (ill health status=0.439 + [0.645*odor of dumpsite] + [0.106*insect and rodent infestation] + [-0.151*burning activities on dumpsite]; F[3,57]=21.70; P<0.05). According to the results, the human settlements in the vicinity of the dumpsite were discontented with the landfill and its adverse health effects (e.g., malaria, typhoid, skin infection). However, the dumpsite workers disagreed with the viewpoint regarding disease contraction from the dumpsite, stating that they were not dissatisfied with working on the dumpsite.

The present study aimed to plan the decision-making process and strategic management of ROP system for oil refinery wastewater treatment with the combined benefits of the AHP and SWOT techniques. The research was conducted at Abadan Oil Refinery in Iran during 2019-2020. The AHP approach was used for the pairwise comparison of the factors or criteria to divide their priorities using eigenvalues. We also used statistical analysis, Delphi questionnaires, validity and reliability assessment of the research, and extraction of the influential external and internal factors in the performance of the ROP unit of Abadan Oil Refinery. In addition, the Expert Choice 2000 software was applied to weigh the parameters, and Cronbach's alpha was estimated at 0.932. Based on the SWOT matrix and due to the significant multiplicity and role of the internal weaknesses and external threats affecting the refining performance, the consistent, prioritized strategic planning had defensive strategies from the first- to the third-rank model output. The systemic, maintenance, and efficiency issues of the refinery ROP system necessitate the prioritization of defensive strategic strategies due to the considerable multiplicity and role of the internal weaknesses and external threats affecting the refinery performance. Our findings indicated that currently, the strategic state of the refinery ROP system in entropy conditions is unstable, and the strategic orientation to improve the operational and environmental efficiency of the refinery should be based on the minimization of the external threats and reduction of the internal weaknesses.

Biofilm formation is a pathogenicity factor of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which causes inherent resistance to a wide range of antibiotics in the strains. The present study aimed to compare the inhibitory effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) extract, iron oxide nanoparticles, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus suspension on a biofilm composed of P. aeruginosa in various levels of glass, wood, and polysteel. This descriptive, cross-sectional study assessed the effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra extract, iron oxide nanoparticles, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus suspension on the standard biofilm of P. aeruginosa 1601PTCC on glass, steel, and wood surfaces. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were also calculated. The obtained results showed that each antimicrobial agent had different effects on P. aeruginosa, and the MIC and MBC exerted inhibitory properties. In addition, the largest inhibition zone diameter was 28 mL due to the effect of the Glycyrrhiza glabra extract on free bacteria in the volume of 180 microliters, and the highest inhibitory level was observed on the polysteel and glass surfaces with the inhibition zone diameter of 20-20.66 millimeters in the volume of 180 microliters. The highest inhibition in the bacterial biofilm was observed on the polysteel surface, and a significant difference was also denoted in this regard with the glass and wood surfaces (p <0.05). Therefore, it could be concluded that licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) had more significant antimicrobial properties compared to the iron oxide nanoparticles and Lactobacillus rhamnosus suspension.

This study aimed to investigate the air pollution caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with an emphasis on benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX). Due to surface evaporation from the storage tanks of the largest petroleum and chemical product terminal in the export port of the southwestern Iran, the field measurements of the emission sources were performed using the TANKs 4.0.9d software, and VOC emission modeling was performed using the PHAST software. Among 36 point sources (32 external floating roof tanks and four internal floating roof tanks), the emission rates of the VOCs of the storage tanks were determined using the TANKs 4.0.9d software in the area of 3.8 km2 during 12 months (March 2017-January 2018). The highest rate of VOC emissions from the tanks was observed in July, with the highest temperature and wind speed in the region. According to the results, the total emission rate of the VOCs from the storage tanks was 881.74 ton/year, and the highest emission rate was observed in the external floating roof tanks (865.7 ton/year; 98.18%). The contribution of the internal floating roof tanks was 16.04 ton/year (1.81%), and the highest and lowest VOC emission rates in the export port were observed in the light naphtha tank No. 67 and jet naphtha storage tank (56.73 and 4.18 ton/year), respectively. In addition, the highest and lowest BTEX emission rates from the storage tanks were observed in the gasoline tank No. 62 and jet naphtha tanks No. 93 and 94 (0.37 and 0.05 ton/year), respectively.

Since human beings are constantly exposed to environmentalionizing radiations, the measurement of natural background radiations is of utmost importance. This cross-sectional, descriptive study aimed to measure the annual effective dose of natural background radiation in 93 schools in two districts of Hamadan, Iran in the winter, spring, and autumn of 2015-2016. Among the public schools in Hamadan, the schools located in district one with 1.41±0.079 mSv and district two with 0.955±0.04 mSv had the highest and lowest mean equivalent annual dose caused by natural radiation (γ rays) in a closed space, respectively. The mean equivalent annual dose caused by natural radiation in the closed space of all the public schools in districts one and two of Hamadan was estimated at 1.20±0.07 mSv as separated by geographical directions. In addition, the highest mean dose caused by natural gamma rays in the closed space of the school buildings constructed for more and less than 40 years was 1.42±0.22 and 1.42±0.15 mSv, respectively, and the rate of the effective annual dose of the public schools in Hamadan was determined to be 0.83 mSv as separated by district. The equivalent effective annual dose and risk of gamma ray cancer in the lifespan of the public school students in Hamadan was higher than the global average.

Housing is considered as one of the components of sustainable development. Achieving sustainable development is not possible without having healthy people.The aim of this study was to investigate the healthy rural housing of Kurdistan province with a descriptive-analytical method. Total of 10 indicators that indicate the quantitative and qualitative dimensions of healthy housing were evaluated. In this study, rural housing in Kurdistan province have been compared with the regulations of the National Housing Regulation and also the average of rural housing indicators in the Country. Quantitative findings showed that 64% of the rural houses in Kurdistan province lack safe water, 55% had worn texture, and 65% had infrastructure area less than 100 meters. Kurdistan province villages are facing a shortage of 9560 housing units. Rural housing quality indicators were in poor condition in terms of lighting, materials used and tectonically. Therefore, in order to improve the indicators of healthy rural housing, it is necessary to provide a well-written and comprehensive plan by the Housing Foundation in which climatic comfort conditions and physical well-being of rural residents are guaranteed.

The management of dental solid wastes (DSWs) in Iran has become essential in recent decades due to population growth and the increased access to dental services. DSWs include hazardous components such as infectious, toxic, chemical, pharmaceutical, and sharp wastes, which could potentially cause severe damage to humans and the environment. This systematic review aimed to investigate the quantity, quality, and status of DSW management in Iran. By identifying the keywords and defining a search protocol, the review was performed in five databases, including one Persian database, to retrieve the related articles regarding DSW in Iran. All the articles containing data on DSW quantity and management in Iran were obtained from Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, and SID. In total, 17 articles were selected, and the final articles were selected based on specific criteria. The quantity, composition, storage, and management of DSW management were considered in Iran as a developing country.