International Journal of Environmental Health Engineering
Volume:1 Issue: 5, Dec 2012

 In this study, the amount, composition, and energy content of waste in Isfahan, Iran, were examined. 

 A time series model was used to predict the amount of waste generation in the future. The past waste changes was the basis for predicting how and to what extent the components will chnage. The energy content of mixed waste was calculated by the common heating value of each component and Dulonge's formula. 

 The estimation of the amount of waste generated in Isfahan showed that the amount of organic materials would reduce to 59.1% and plastic materials would increase to 24.44%. Heating values of mixed waste, coarse, and fine reject based on dry weight were estimated in the first method as 3230, 1911, and 370 MWh per day, respectively, and as 2656, 1160, and 329 MWh per day, respectively, using Dulong's formula for the year 2019. 

 The results showed that by separating the combustible part of the waste and incinerating it, a remarkable amount of energy would be produced from waste in Isfahan resulting in the reduction of required landfill space and greenhouse gas emissions.

 This study was conducted for degradation of 4-chlorophenol by microwave (MW) radiations alone and in combination with hydrogen peroxide from aqueous solution. 

 A modified domestic microwave oven was used alone and in combination with hydrogen peroxide for removing 4-chlorophenol. Furthermore, the influences of pH value, irradiation time, the power of MW radiations, and the initial concentration of 4-chlorophenol were studied. 

 It was shown that 4-chlorophenol removal efficiency extremely depend on the concentration of hydrogen peroxide, pH value, MW irradiation power and initial 4-chlorophenol concentration. The optimum conditions obtained for the best degradation rate were pH = 10.5, H 2 O 2 concentration of about 0.1 mol/l, and MW irradiation power of about 600 W. Other result shows that the best degradation rate of 4-chlorophenol was obtained when initial 4-chlorophenol concentration was 50 mg/l. Also the amount of the specific energy consumption in this method was 17460 kwh/kg of the removed organic compound. 

 This result shows that MW irradiation in the presence of hydrogen peroxide can greatly enhance the degradation of 4-chlorophenol. However, the high consumption of energy for this method must be taken into consideration.

 The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioaerosols level in the various parts of three educational hospitals of Isfahan, Iran. 

 The collection of bioaerosols (including bacterial and fungal microorganisms) was carried out with one-stage Anderson sampler. The sampling was carried out at the height of 1.5 m from the floor of various hospitals wards (infectious, surgery, urology wards, and operating room). The volume of each sample was determined based on pre-tests carried and was about 50 L. After sampling, the samples were incubated and analyzed. The effect of various environmental conditions including humidity, temperature, and outdoor bioaerosol levels was also investigated. 

 The lowest numbers of fungal and bacterial concentration were obtained in operating rooms of the hospitals and the highest concentration was observed in infectious disease wards of hospital 1 and 2 and surgery ward of hospital 3. The bacterial concentration was observed to be higher in hospital wards than outdoor, except hospitals' operating rooms. 

 The findings showed that the bioaerosols level in the hospitals was relatively high. The higher levels of indoor bacteria than outdoor might be associated with the presence of patients, their activity, unsuitable ventilation, and disinfection. Therefore, environmental monitoring and control measures are required to improve hospital environmental quality especially in the wards with immune deficiency patients.

 This study was undertaken to determine the microbial quality and the prevalence of Salmonella and Listeria in table eggs in Isfahan, Iran. 

 A total of 525 samples were randomly collected from various shops in Isfahan, Iran. Microbial quality of eggs evaluated by coliform count and total bacterial viable counts. Also, detection of Listeria and Salmonella in egg contents and on eggs shells was performed. 

 The mean of total viable bacteria and coliform counts in the egg contents were 3.95 × 10 4 CFU/g and 4.94 × 10 3 CFU/g, respectively. Salmonella and Listeria were not found on the shell or content of eggs. Enterobacteriaceae families were found in 357 of 525 (68.28%) and 276 of 525 (52.44%) of egg shell and egg content samples, respectively. Moreover, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from 175 (33.41%) and 144 (25.37%) of egg shell and egg content, respectively. The isolated Enterobacteriaceae were included: Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Buttiauxella agrestis, Cedecea lapagei, Cedecea davisae and Erwinia herbicola. 

 The findings of the present study indicate although Salmonella and Listeria were not found in egg samples; however, there is an urgent need to improve the hygienic level of consumed eggs.

 The aim of this study was the optimization of the SBR system for enhanced biological phosphorus and nitrogen removal. 

 A lab-scale SBR consisting filling, pre-anoxic, anerobic, anoxic, aerobic, settling, decanting, and idle phases was proposed for simultaneous enhanced biological phosphorus and nitrogen removal (SEBPNR) from wastewater. Synthetic wastewater was used in this research. Glucose was used as a carbon source. The SBR was seeded with sludge from a local municipal wastewater treatment plant. 

 The results indicates that the lab-scale SBR was capable to remove soluble phosphorus (SP), SCOD, TCOD, and ammonia, with efficiencies of around 92%, 95%, 80%, and 85%, respectively. Optimized lab-scale SBR operational condition for SEBPNR consists of a fill (15 min), pre-anoxic (30 min), anerobic (90 min), 1st aerobic (210 min), 2nd anoxic (55 min), 2nd aerobic (10 min), settling (90 min), decant (10 min), and idle (10 min) phases. 

 This study concludes that effective biological removal of phosphorus and nitrogen from wastewater using SBR occurs in sufficient HRT in the anaerobic and aerobic stages, adequate COD/TP ratios (up to 35). This system is suitable for high removal of P and N in both municipal and industrial wastewater.

 This study aims to compare the parameters in filtration unit of the plant with international guidelines. The results of this study would determine the necessity for replacing or renewing the anthracite and sand filter beds in phase I of IWTP. 

 In this field study, a total of 11 samples with a mass of 5 kg sand and anthracite media were analyzed. The media samples were evaluated in view of uniformity coefficient and effective size according to international soil classification. Data obtained were statistically analyzed using t-test at significance level (P < 0.05). 

 Results of this study showed that the uniformity coefficients of anthracite and sand media were 3.6 ± 0.4 and 1.93 ± 0.11 mm, respectively. Also, the effective sizes of anthracite and sand media were 0.68 ± 0.08 and 0.63 ± 0.05 mm, respectively. These values exceeded the international guidelines and had a significance difference with them (P-value < 0.05). 

 The results were shown that the uniformity coefficient and effective size of sand and anthracite media in the filters used in phase I of IWTP exceeded the guidelines and they need to be replaced with new media. Finally, based on the current study, filter beds were renewed.

 The main aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the amount of noise pollution and traffic rates in Khojir National park and regarding that finding a suitable distance for installing fencing according to the standard level of noise pollution. 

 Eight stations located exactly above channels have been selected. In each station, three different substations including near the road, 25, and 50 m from the road were chosen. For determining the essentiality of soundproof installation, noise levels were measured at the opening and in the middle of the channel. Traffic rates have been measured daily from 6 AM to 6 PM for two continuous weeks and noise levels were then determined in three different days according to the traffic peak. 

 Results obtained showed a significant relationship between traffic rates and noise levels in near-road stations (R 2 linear = 0.341). The relationship between interval and noise level was also significant (R 2 quadratic = 0.701, P < 0.05). Furthermore, a distance with 55 dB (A) (i.e., 50 m in this study) was achieved as a proper site for fencing. 

 Although the amount of noise levels in the middle of channels were less than the standard level, this amount in some channel throats were higher and need to be considered for soundproof installation as well. In addition to finding an area for fencing, using solution(s) for reducing either noise pollution or its impact at this area should be taken into consideration.

 The trihalomethanes (THMs) concentration was investigated in some of rural water treatment plants in Khuzestan. 

 Fifteen of the water treatment plants with the same drinking water source (Karoon river) were selected for analysis of THMs to assess the levels and the relationship between THMs and total organic carbon (TOC), pH, temperature, chlorination dose, and free chlorine residue. 

 THMs ranged from 1.8 to 219 mg/l in winter and 1.7 to 98 in summer, where the level in some treatment plants is higher than the Maximum Concentration Level (MCL). The ratio of total THMs levels was significantly correlated with temperature, pH, chlorination dose, and free chlorine residue, but negative correlation with TOC. 

 Epidemiological studies using total THMs levels should be considered in the analysis of water treatment plant's results, and regulatory check of this parameter with drinking water guidelines.

 The main goal of this study was to present a reference model for the Health, Safety, Environment and Ergonomic HSEE performance measurement system. 

 This study was done in a petrochemical unit in Iran during the year 2009. In first step, the existing information systems and their effect on personals were evaluated. Then the HSEE performance indicators were determined. The number of indicators were 244. After designing and implementing of the continuous monitoring system, the mentioned indicators were measured and controlled, continually. 

 In cases that the indicators showed deviation from defined criteria, corrective actions can be done with forecasting and introducing some suitable techniques for hazard identification and problem solving. With implementation of the integrated performance measuring system unsafe behavior, musculoskeletal disorder and suitability of HSEE committee discussions were improved 12%, 7.3% and 22.6%, respectively. 

 The findings of this study emphasis on the need to conduct further research on the continuous monitoring of mentioned system in future years and performing necessary corrections. To improve the system performance, the continuous correction of indicators and related decision criteria, regular training of personal and implementation of award system are suggested.