Archives of Hygiene Sciences
Volume:3 Issue: 1, Winter 2014

Textile wastewaters are very various in chemical qualities. In other words, these industries are one of the largest producing dyes compounds; therefore their treatment is so complex and difficult. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential removal of Reactive Red 198 and Blue Reactive 19 from synthetic solution by Acaciatortilis shuck as a naturally absorbent. The dyes samples with concentration (10, 50 and 500 mg/L) was prepared in laboratory. Next step was to determination of optimum pH among (pH solutions of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10) and optimum adsorbate dosage with mesh 30-60 and 60-100 among (0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4 g/L).Sampling in times 10, 20, 40 and 80 minute was done from the supernatant and was filtered (through 0.45 µm); finally the dye concentration was obtained by Spectrophotometer device. Adsorption isotherms of dyes Acaciatortilis shuck can were determined and correlated with common isotherm equations such as Langmuir and Freundlich models. The highest efficiency of dye removal from dyes solutions in pH 4, 10 min contact time and 2 g/L adsorbate dosage and using mesh 60-100 was for both Reactive Red 198 and Blue 19. Also the adsorption rate of reactive dyes was increased by increasing of initial dye concentration. The efficiencies for Reactive Red 198 and Blue 19 were 77.54% and 77% respectively. Adsorption isotherms was examined by Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm that finally showed the Freundlich multe-layer isotherm has better accordance with dates. The results illustrate Acaciatortilis shuck is effective adsorbent and can be used as an available and inexpensive adsorbent to removal of textile dyes from effluent.

Coagulation is an essential process for the removal of fine particulate matter in water treatment. Polyaluminium ferric chloride (PAFC) is a composite inorganic polymer of Aluminium and ferric salt. This study was conducted to find out the optimum coagulation conditions for the removal of turbidity, color and organic matter (UV absorbance) in low to medium turbid water. For evaluation of the coagulation procedure, conventional Jar Test apparatus was used. Low to medium synthetic turbid water (10 to 60 NTU) was prepared by kaolin and river bed soli. Then all samples were analyzed for residual turbidity, true color, UV absorbance, residual Aluminium (Al3+), Iron (Fe2+), and residual heavy metals like Arsenic, Lead, Nickel and Chromium. Optimum dose of PAFC for first, second, third and fourth sample with initial turbidity of 10, 20, 40 and 60 NTU was 7, 10, 11 and 11 mg/L respectively. After coagulation with optimum dose, residual turbidity in treated water was 0.4, 0.34, 0.28 and 0.3 NTU respectively. Also color removal efficiency for mentioned samples was 97%, 98%, 99% and 99% respectively at optimum dose PAFC. Optimum pH for maximum removal with PAFC was 7.8 (pH range 7.5 to 8). Polyaluminium ferric chloride has a good efficiency for removal of turbidity, color and organic matter. It can be select as a new coagulant for water treatment plants. Also residual Aluminium, Iron and some heavy metals (chromium, lead, cadmium and nickel) in treated water was investigated. Their concentration in treated water didn’t have any adverse effect on consumer health according to their standards in EPA.

Nitrate is one of the most important pollutants that its reduced form, nitrite, can cause serious problems for human health and environment. Adsorption with cheap sorbents such as Zeolite is the best way for removal of this pollutant. So this study aimed to apply modified Clinoptilolite Zeolite for nitrate removal. Firstly, Clinoptilolite zeolite was screened by 1-2 mm sieves for monolithic of it. Then zeolite was boiled in HCL 20% for 3 hours for removal of Carbonate and impurities present in zeolite structure and increase of porosity and purity of zeolite. Finally, the zeolite was dried in temperature of 300°C to evaporate the water present in zeolite structure and increase the absorbability. After the modification of the Zeolite, the effects of pH, time, strings speed, optimum amount of adsorbent in Nitrate removal were investigated and optimized by one factor at the time method. Also reaction kinetics and isotherms were determined. This study indicated that the optimum condition for Nitrate removal by means of modified zeolite as adsorbent is pH=5, contact time of 180 minutes and adsorbent amount of 16 g/l. The investigation of isotherm and kinetic equations indicated that Nitrate adsorption follows Langmuir and pseudo first order, respectively. The zeolite modified by HCL and heat has a higher efficiency in Nitrate removal compared to simple zeolite, because of losing its hydroscopic water and having larger sites, although in total it doesn’t have sufficient efficiency for Nitrate removal.

Hospital infectious is one of the major causes of mortality among the hospitalized cases. The interior environment status of hospitals has the important rule in microbial transmission. Translocation of the infectious agents may be essentially due to contacts between patients and contaminated interior environment. This work was performed to assess the hygienic circumstances of Shahid-Beheshti Hospital located in Kashan. This cross-sectional study was carried out during 10 weeks which was based on two approaches including environmental observations relied on a checklist and a sampling program. The samples were taken to determine the ACC, staining, catalase, coagulase, menthol fermentation (MSA) and DNase. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 18 with McNamara nonparametric approach. Based upon the observation checklist, 184 cases (92%) among the pre-cleaned objects were reported as “contaminated”. Also, 160 cases (80%) from post-cleaned objects were reported as “contaminated”. Whereas, the findings obtained from microbial tests reported that, 169(84.5%) and 138(69%).14.5 sampling points were contaminated with Staphylococcus aurous, respectively. Results revealed that the hygienic status of the hospital objects and surfaces was improved by cleaning program. The effectiveness of cleaning program was verified both via visual (P<0.001) and microbial method (P<0.001). Despite of high levels of microbial counts and some observed dirty which were remained after the cleaning program; it seems that routine cleaning programs are useful approaches for surface cleaning. Applying the standard protocol for cleaning practices and implementing a precise monitoring system can be useful to reduce the infection transmission risk and cross contamination. The Hospital Infection Control Council (HICC) has the major rule to achieve the mentioned hygienic targets.

Environment health of schools that is described briefly in section four of schools health implementation program of Iran, is one of the primary determinants of students’ health. Undoubtedly, physical environment has a very important role on the education efficiency of children in the schools and nobody can neglect the importance. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate conditions of environment health in schools of Khaf city. This cross sectional survey was performed in all schools of Khaf city by use a census. The data were collected by means of a questionnaire. A face to face interview method was used to obtain data. Finally, data were statistically processed by means of Excel and SPSS version 13. The results of the present study showed that most of schools had good building conditions. But only 4 (9.5%) schools were equipped with health care services. Also, 13 (31%) schools out of the 42 schools had no good green space. Parameters of physical environment in all school were good. But about healthy water foundations, 19 (45.2%) schools had no good conditions. The findings of the present survey suggest that poor conditions of healthful environment especially problems regarding safe water supply, can be attributed to lack of authorities knowledge about environment health regulations. In most cases qualitative educational aspects were considered and little attention was paid on qualitative items.