Archives of Hygiene Sciences
Volume:13 Issue: 2, Spring 2024

 Industrial wastewater containing persistent dyes is a serious environmental concern, threatening aquatic ecosystems and public health. Although numerous treatment technologies have been developed for the treatment of colored wastewater, many remain ineffective in degrading complex dye molecules. Usage of ZnO/Fe2O3 nanocomposites presents a promising approach by enhancement of ultraviolet (UV) absorption and photocatalytic efficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of zinc oxide/iron oxide (ZnO/Fe2O3) nanocomposites in the removal of methyl orange dye from wastewater with the goal of enhancement of ZnO’s photocatalytic properties through modification with Fe2O3.

In this experimental study, the ZnO/Fe2O3 nanocomposite was synthesized using a chemical co-precipitation method. A cylindrical UV reactor with a 1-liter outer volume and an internal UV lamp was used to evaluate photocatalytic efficiency. Effects of photocatalyst dosage, initial dye concentration, pH, and contact time on dye removal were investigated, with experiments conducted using a 500 mL working volume and 30 samples. The experiments were carried out at room temperature, and the initial pH was adjusted by using H2SO4. Descriptive analysis of the data and regression were conducted in Microsoft Excel software.

Under optimal conditions with a pH of 9, 0.25 mg/L nanocomposite dose, 2 mg/L dye concentration, and 90-minute contact time, the removal efficiency of methyl orange dye reached 89%. In comparison, UV treatment alone removed only 6% of the dye, and ZnO/Fe2O3 without UV achieved 56% removal.

The ZnO/Fe2O3 nanocomposites significantly enhance photocatalytic efficiency, owing to the synergistic effect of ZnO and Fe2O3 and improved UV absorption. These findings highlight the potential of ZnO/Fe2O3 nanocomposites as a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution for industrial wastewater treatment.

 Considering the importance of wheat and bread in the household food basket, and also due to the lack of records of necessary studies in Qom province, this research was conducted to investigate the concentration of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, chromium, mercury, and arsenic) in bread flour from both traditional and industrial bakeries supplied in Qom province. It also aimed to assess the health risks related to the consumption of bread containing heavy metals.

In this study, 42 traditional bakery units and 6 industrial bread production units were randomly selected, and flour samples were evaluated by observing the principles of sampling and completing the necessary forms. Chemical digestion (acidic) and atomic absorption analysis using a furnace method were employed to measure the levels of heavy metals in the flour samples.

The results of the analysis showed that the average levels of lead, cadmium, chromium, mercury, and arsenic in all samples were lower than the values specified by WHO/FAO and the national standard of Iran. The results of the risk assessment for exposure to heavy metals (lead, chromium, cadmium, and arsenic) in bread flour from both traditional and industrial bakeries showed that, given the current dietary patterns of bread consumption in the studied population and the levels of heavy metals in the flour samples from traditional and industrial units, there is no threat to health, particularly regarding carcinogenic risks for major bread consumers in the age groups studied.

Due to the importance of continuous monitoring of heavy metal residues in bread products and maintaining the health of consumers, it is necessary to control the situation of heavy metals in flour production and supply centers.Keywords: Ecological toxicity, Health, Heavy, Heavy Metal Poisoning, Mercury Poisoning, Metals, Nervous System, Poisoning.

 Mercury is one of the metal pollutants that enter the environment due to human industrial activities and subsequently enter the human body, causing poisoning and carcinogenesis. The present research was aimed to determine mercury pollution in water and sediments of the Dez and Karkheh rivers in Khuzestan province, Iran.

In this research, 30 water samples and 30 sediment samples were collected from each station, and a total of 120 samples from the Dez River and 180 samples from Karkhe River were collected from two stations. Mercury measurement was performed by atomic absorption method and hydride system with the help of Perkin Elmer 4100 device.

Analysis of variance showed that the amount of mercury in water (P=0.011) and sediments (P=0.023) exhibited a significant difference between the Dez River and Karkheh River (P<0.05). The highest Nimro index and pollution factor were observed at the second station of the Dez River, with values of 0.848 and 1.350, respectively, while the lowest values of these indices were found at the second station of the Karkhe River, at 0.092 and 0.012, respectively. The mercury in water quality index (MI), mercury pollution index (HPI), Contamination Factor (CF), and water pollution index (WPI) at the first station of the Dez River were higher than those at the other studied stations in both the Dez and Karkheh rivers. The highest and lowest values of the mercury metal risk index in water were 11.49 for children and 0.052 for adults, observed at the first and second stations of the Karkhe River, respectively.

The potential risk assessment indicated that there is a possibility of adverse effects on human health from exposure to mercury, even below the permissible limit for adult and child receptors. The pollution indicators suggested that mercury metal pollution in the sediments of the Dez and Karkheh rivers is low to moderate, indicating that the origin of mercury metal in these sediments is very low. However, the results of water pollution indicators revealed that the waters of the Dez and Karkheh rivers are polluted with mercury.

 The prevalence of diseases such as COVID-19 has significantly impacted citizens' lives. Understanding the dynamics and triggering factors of disease on a small spatial scale leads to the formulation of strategies that ultimately result in disease control and reduction.

This applied, descriptive-analytical research utilizes spatial analysis and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to examine the influence of environmental components on the prevalence of disease in the neighborhoods of the metropolitan area of Qom. The statistical population comprises individuals infected with COVID-19 from January 2020 to September 2021 (33,000 people) across 138 neighborhoods in Qom city. Hotspot analysis was employed to identify spatial patterns, and regression models were used to examine the impact of various indicators.

The results revealed that the spatial pattern of disease in Qom neighborhoods was not uniform, with hotspots of disease prevalence located in affluent neighborhoods and hotspots of mortality found in less affluent areas. Additionally, 40% of COVID-19 prevalence was influenced by three indicators: the rate of students, the rate of individuals with over ten years of unemployment, and the mixed residential-commercial per capita in urban neighborhoods.

Based on the research findings, it has been determined that COVID-19 prevalence in the neighborhoods of Qom City was not uniform, with hotspots of disease in neighborhoods such as Amin Boulevarden, Saheli, Mosalla, Zeynabiyeh, and Jahān Bini, located in the southwestern part of Qom city. Furthermore, assessing the impact of social, economic, physical, and demographic indicators on COVID-19 prevalence in Qom neighborhoods using Geographic Weighted Regression and Ordinary Least Squares regression showed that three variables—the mixed residential-commercial per capita land use, the rate of students, and the rate of unemployed individuals—accounted for 40% of COVID-19 prevalence in these neighborhoods. In fact, analyzing the effective factors in the spread of COVID-19 in the neighborhoods of Qom provided comprehensive insights that could be considered for preventive measures.

 wastewater from upstream oil industries, including crude oil desalination plants, is an important environmental and health challenge. The present research has been carried out to assess the life cycle (LCA) of the wastewater from the desalination process in a crude oil desalination plant in the southwest of Iran in 2023.

This descriptive-applied study investigated the LCA of the crude oil desalination process using Simapro9 software and the amount of wastewater flow in the process based on the ILCD 2011 Midpoint V1.03 method and its effects. Quantitative and qualitative parameters of wastewater, petroleum compounds (ASTM D 3921-96), heavy metals (Atomic Absorption- EM900), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PAHs (ISO 17993GC/MS), and other polluting factors related to desalination wastewater were analyzed. The boundaries of the system were determined, and the production of one barrel of crude oil was considered a functional unit.

The results showed that the values of total suspended solids (1654 mg/L), total dissolved solids (121650 mg/L), total sulfur (0.78%), chemical oxygen demand (752 mg/L), and Oil and Grease (63 mg/L) in the wastewater sample significantly exceeded the EPA wastewater treatment standards. The average amounts of magnesium, iron, nickel, and vanadium were estimated at 2.73, 2.52, 1.63, and 1.14 mg/L, respectively, and the total of PAHs was 47.41 mg/L. The results of the LCA showed that the effects of soil acidification at 22%, global warming at 20%, the effect of toxicity on humans and the environment at 17%, solid particles at 15%, and carcinogenicity and eutrophication at 9% were the most important environmental effects resulting from the desalination process of crude oil.

The results of this research showed the side effects of the desalination process in the production of  salty petroleum wastewater.. Therefore, the implementation of environmental management programs for the optimal treatment of wastewater and its reuse is an effective solution to reduce its effects.

 Leishmaniasis is one of the parasitic diseases prevalent in most countries, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. The present study aimed to evaluate the epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Isfahan province in Iran from 2007 to 2018.

The present study was a cross-sectional study. The patients' demographic variables were extracted separately from 2007 to 2018 from the epidemiological information system of leishmaniasis in Isfahan Health Center. The collected data were analyzed using the STATA14 software at a significance level of 5%.

Information on 27,046 patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis was registered at the Isfahan Health Center. Of these, 61.84% were male and 38.16% were female. The mean age of the infected individuals was 23.68 years, with a standard deviation of 18.63. Isfahan city had the highest incidence among all endemic and non-endemic areas of the province, with 71.4%. The predominant type was Leishmania major. Hands were the most vulnerable body parts, accounting for 36%.

According to the obtained results, the preventive interventions of the provincial health center have been effective and have led to a reduction in the incidence of the disease in the years following the implementation of these interventions. The sudden increase in disease cases in 2018 may serve as a warning sign of a potential shift in the disease and its spread in non-endemic areas of Isfahan Province. Additionally, considering the importance of leishmaniasis in this province, allocating a higher budget for public education, intensifying preventive measures, and conducting broader studies should be prioritized.