Narges Atarodi; Mitra Mohammadi; Zahra Hajali oghli
Abstract
Background and Purpose: This study investigates and predicts the concentration of PM10 pollutant in Mashhad using simple statistical techniques and also the LSTM model with a focus on traffic restrictions before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.Materials and Methods: First, data related to the concentration ...
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Background and Purpose: This study investigates and predicts the concentration of PM10 pollutant in Mashhad using simple statistical techniques and also the LSTM model with a focus on traffic restrictions before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.Materials and Methods: First, data related to the concentration of PM10 pollutant were collected from air pollution monitoring stations in Mashhad. Then, using a paired t-test, the statistical changes in PM10 concentration before and during the quarantine period were investigated. Also, the LSTM machine learning model was used to predict the effect of quarantine on PM10 levels during this period, which included data processing, model training, and evaluation of prediction accuracy using various criteria. Results: The results of the paired t-test showed a 16% decrease in the average concentration of PM10 during the quarantine period, which is specified by a mean difference of 4.397 μg/m3. Although this decrease was not statistically significant, the relative improvement in air quality during this time period is remarkable. Also, in the study of the 210-day period before and after COVID-19, the results showed the significant impact of quarantine measures on air quality, and these changes did not occur randomly. In the next step, the LSTM machine learning model was used to predict the effect of quarantine on PM10 levels. The value of the coefficient of determination (0.8) indicates a strong correlation between the predictions and the actual concentration of PM10. Conclusion: The values of mean square error (3.01) and mean absolute error (2.56) also indicate the high accuracy of the LSTM model predictions and their proximity to the actual values. These results demonstrate that the LSTM model has been able to predict the concentration of PM10 pollutant with high accuracy and confirms its high efficiency in analyzing time series data. Open Access Policy: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. To view a copy of this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Soheyl Eskandari; Paria Miri; Mahsa Karimi Srazameleh; Saeed Aghebat-Bekheir; Bahare Mohamadi
Abstract
Background and Objective: It is important to investigate unnecessary heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, which can be harmful to humans even at low concentrations. The toxicity of these metals is influenced by factors such as concentration, exposure, and individual characteristics, and may lead to ...
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Background and Objective: It is important to investigate unnecessary heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, which can be harmful to humans even at low concentrations. The toxicity of these metals is influenced by factors such as concentration, exposure, and individual characteristics, and may lead to neurological, renal, hormonal, and cancer damage. Given the environmental and health concerns associated with heavy metals in polymer containers used in food packaging, it is crucial to investigate and determine the concentrations of these metals. This study aimed to measure the concentrations of lead and cadmium in 35 polymer container samples from 9 different brands.
Materials & Methods: Polymer containers were digested using food simulant solvents under controlled conditions, and heavy metals were extracted. The concentration of total heavy metals (lead and cadmium) after chemical digestion was measured with an atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS), and the data were analyzed with SPSS version 26.
Results: Statistical analysis of data obtained from the concentration of total lead and cadmium in samples of different polymer containers, where the concentration of total cadmium and lead metals in the samples varied between 0.013 and 0.9305 ppm. The lowest value was observed in two-layer polystyrene containers, and the highest value in single-layer polyethylene containers. The analysis method was validated with international guidelines, and the LOD and LOQ values were in the ranges of 0.0009–0.0176 and 0.0018–0.0582 μg/L, respectively.
Conclusion: The total concentration of cadmium and lead in all the samples was within the range of international standards. However, continuous monitoring and production by national standards are essential to reduce the risk of food contamination and ensure public health safety.
Open Access Policy: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. To view a copy of this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Zeinab Gholami; Maryam Mohammadi Rouzbahani; Khoshnaz Payanadeh; Sima Sabzalipour
Abstract
Background and Objective: Zea mays is one of the most widely cultivated cereals globally and is a significant dietary component. This study aimed to assess the human health risks associated with arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and chromium (Cr) contamination in corn grown in Iran.Material and Methods: A descriptive ...
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Background and Objective: Zea mays is one of the most widely cultivated cereals globally and is a significant dietary component. This study aimed to assess the human health risks associated with arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and chromium (Cr) contamination in corn grown in Iran.Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022, involving 60 soil and 60 corn samples collected from agricultural fields inShushtar and Andimeshkduring summer and autumn. Pb and Cr concentrations were measured using atomic absorption spectrometry (AA240Z).Results: Mean concentrations of Pb, As, and Cr in soils from Shushtar were 12.4, 4.05, and 74.9 mg/kg, respectively, and 13.27, 4.68, and 45.71 mg/kg in Andimeshk. One-way ANOVA revealed no significant seasonal differences for Cr and As in soil (p>0.05) or for Pb and Cr across locations (p>0.05). However, Pb and As levels significantly differed between regions (p<0.05). Pb concentrations in corn were significantly higher in Shushtar (p<0.05), while As and Cr showed no significant spatial or seasonal variation (p>0.05). No seasonal effect was observed in corn metal levels (p>0.05).Conclusion: Risk assessment indicated potential non-carcinogenic health risks from As and Pb exposure, particularly for vulnerable populations. Cr levels were within safe limits for both adults and children. The transfer factor analysis confirmed that corn can uptake and accumulate metal. Open Access Policy: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. To view a copy of this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Parvin Rezaei Bavandpour; Mohammad Akbarpour
Abstract
Background and Objective: Waste is the Most Important Issue that Affects All Social Groups, Cultures, Regions, and Races. In Comprehensive Waste Policy and Management, Waste Collection, Processing, and Disposal Methods are Managed in Interaction with each other in a Way that the Desired Environmental, ...
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Background and Objective: Waste is the Most Important Issue that Affects All Social Groups, Cultures, Regions, and Races. In Comprehensive Waste Policy and Management, Waste Collection, Processing, and Disposal Methods are Managed in Interaction with each other in a Way that the Desired Environmental, Social, and Economic Goals of the Region are Achieved. Accordingly, the Purpose of the Present Study is to Examine the Views of Local Managers on the Components of Waste Management Policy in Selected Rural Areas of the Central part of Kermanshah County.Materials and Methods: The Present Study is Applied in Terms of Purpose and is Descriptive-Analytical in Method. The Statistical Population of the Study is Local Managers of Villages in the Central Part of Kermanshah County, and the Full Census Method was Used to Determine Local Managers. The Data Collection Method in this Study is Library and Field. To Ensure the Face and Content Validity of the Questions, the Opinions of 12 Professors and Experts who were Specialized in this Field were Used. Inferential Statistical Analysis was Performed Using Spss Software.Results: Field Studies Showed that at the Level of the Studied Villages, Various Waste Management Policies have been Considered for Village Heads and Islamic Councils, Including Waste Management, Education and Awareness of Villagers, Optimization of Waste Collection Technology, Proper and Timely Role of Responsible Institutions, and Proper Implementation of Rules and Regulations, which was also Estimated at a Desirable Level. A review of Policies and Plans in the Field of Waste Management in the Target Villages in this Study Showed that there are Still Problems in the Areas of Identifying Appropriate Waste Collection Sites, Appropriate Mechanical Facilities, and Compliance with Sanitary Principles for Waste Management.Conclusion: The Findings Showed that Managers had Relatively Favorable Performance in the Five Components of Waste Management, Educating and Informing Villagers, Optimizing Waste Collection Technology, Playing the Correct and Timely Role of Responsible Institutions, and Correctly Implementing Rules and Regulations. of Course, these Components had little Relationship with their Individual Characteristics. Based on the Findings of this Study, it is Felt Necessary to Pay Attention to Training in the Field of Waste Management for Village heads and Councils in the Target Areas. Also, Implementing Policies based on Waste Management has led to Improvements in the Conditions of the Target Areas, and this Shows the Necessity of their Continuation and Development. Such a Goal will be Possible with the Establishment of a Dynamic Legislative and Policy-Making System with an Executive Guarantee. If we Move in this Direction, We can Hope that the Goals of Optimization and Increasing Productivity in Waste Management in the Studied Villages will be Achieved at both Micro and Macro Levels. Creating an Effective, Comprehensive Waste Disposal System Goes beyond Formulating Policies and Laws. Open Access Policy: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. To view a copy of this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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