Amir Bohlori hajjar; Fatemeh Mohammadzadeh; Hosein Alidadi; Roya Peirovi
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Hospital air contains bioaerosols that are potential infection sources for patients and staff. This study focused on identifying and quantifying bacterial bioaerosols in Montaserieh Hospital, Mashhad, in 2021.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study collected ...
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Background and Purpose: Hospital air contains bioaerosols that are potential infection sources for patients and staff. This study focused on identifying and quantifying bacterial bioaerosols in Montaserieh Hospital, Mashhad, in 2021.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study collected 96 air samples from operating rooms and wards using a sampling pump with a flow rate of 28.3 L/min and a single-stage Anderson impactor by NIOSH0800 guidelines. The samples were cultured, and bacterial colonies were quantified as colony-forming units per cubic meter (cfu/m³). Data analysis was performed using SPSS software.Results: Predominant bacterial bioaerosols identified included Micrococcus lotus, Coccoriacristina, and Staphylococcus hominis. The mean density of bioaerosols was 57.81 cfu/m³ (standard deviation = 42.44), aligning with World Health Organization guidelines. The intensive care unit exhibited the highest average density at 101.08 cfu/m³ (standard deviation = 48.93), whereas the bone marrow transplant ward had the lowest at 5.25 cfu/m³ (standard deviation = 7.96). Conclusion: The study revealed varying densities of bacterial bioaerosols across different hospital wards, though the types of bacteria were consistent. Variations in bioaerosol density likely relate to the number of patients and staff per room, the quality of ventilation, and environmental sanitation standards. 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/
Pezhman Gheitasian; Seyed Mohammad Tabatabaee; Anooshiravan Mohseni Band-pay; Mohammad Reza Massoudinejad; Mohsen Farhadi; Elham Shariatmadari; Mehdi Kamari; Maryam Meserghani
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Bioaerosols are airborne particles that include living organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, and their related metabolites, including endotoxins. This study aimed to investigate the exposure of individuals to bacterial bioaerosols in indoor air and explore the factors influencing ...
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Background and Purpose: Bioaerosols are airborne particles that include living organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, and their related metabolites, including endotoxins. This study aimed to investigate the exposure of individuals to bacterial bioaerosols in indoor air and explore the factors influencing their concentration.Materials and Methods: This research was conducted across 11 wards of the Camp Collection to assess indoor air quality. A total of 224 samples were analyzed. The resulting bacterial colonies were counted, and bacterial density was expressed as colony-forming units per cubic meter (CFU/m³). The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS, ANOVA.Results: The mean bacterial concentration was 721 CFU/m³. The most prevalent bacteria identified in the air samples were Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis.Conclusion: In some environments, the bioaerosol concentration in indoor air exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, posing health risks and increasing the likelihood of respiratory diseases. To mitigate these risks, it is recommended to control individual traffic, modify disinfectant types and application procedures on ward surfaces, and establish the standard and suitable ventilation systems. 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/
Hosna Pour Abbasi; Khoshnaz Payanadeh; Mehrnoosh Tadayouni
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Although many studies have been conducted on the importance of heavy metals listed among common pollutants for human health, no study has been conducted in West Islamabad and Sanandaj soils. This present research goes ahead to assess the levels of pollution and the potential risks ...
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Background and Purpose: Although many studies have been conducted on the importance of heavy metals listed among common pollutants for human health, no study has been conducted in West Islamabad and Sanandaj soils. This present research goes ahead to assess the levels of pollution and the potential risks the pollutants pose to the ecology, as well ashuman health in general.Materials and Methods: Here is the method: 5 stations were selected in the course of study of the cities of Islamabad and Sanandaj, and from each station, 5 soil samples were taken with 3 replications from 3 different points in a depth from surface soil up to 12 cm and 30 cm in it. Several180 soil samples were gathered by casual systematic sampling. In the current research, the contents of heavy metals were measured by the Varian Company ICP-OES model Varian 710-ES. Health risk assessment by heavy metals was determined based on the US Environmental Protection Agency's method of health risk assessment, and heavy metal geological risk assessment based on Hakanson's method.Results: The content of cadmium metal was significantly the lowest among the studied heavy metals (P=0.997). Index values in the pattern of risk potential assessment of heavy metals in the soils of Islamabad region as mercury 19.24> cadmium 12.74> nickel 1.62> manganese 0.77> arsenic 0.40> copper 0.26> lead 0.207> zinc 0.14 and in soils Sanandaj was in the pattern of mercury 12.33> cadmium 10.44> nickel 0.77> arsenic 0.65> manganese 0.63> copper 0.39> zinc 0.13> lead 0.117. The highest risk index of soil heavy metals in Islamabad and Sanandaj region was obtained for children through skin absorption of 2.53 and 3.3×10-10 for aluminum and cadmium metal, respectively.Conclusion: The enrichment of iron metaland manganese is very high in this research.The high enrichment factorfor aluminium, mercury, and cadmium, while nickel, copper, and arsenic are moderately enriched in the Islamabad region. It might, therefore, be concluded that soils in Islamabad and Sanandaj regions are influenced by heavy metals arising from the region's artificial resources. 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/
Sadaf Moeini; Seyed Masoud Monavari; Fariba Zamani Hargolani
Abstract
Background and Purpose: With rapid population growth, particularly in Middle Eastern countries, waste generation is increasing at an unprecedented rate. Relatively primitive techniques and poorly managed integrated waste management centres exacerbate air and water pollution through secondary pollutants. ...
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Background and Purpose: With rapid population growth, particularly in Middle Eastern countries, waste generation is increasing at an unprecedented rate. Relatively primitive techniques and poorly managed integrated waste management centres exacerbate air and water pollution through secondary pollutants. Inadequate occupational health measures expose informal waste workers to various pollutants, injuries, respiratory and skin problems, infections, and other serious health issues.Materials and Methods: This research is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. Sampling was performed randomly. To examine the variations in environmental pollution parameters (Chemical Oxygen Demand )COD(, Biochemical Oxygen Demand )BOD(, Dissolved Oxygen )DO(, Total Dissolved Solids )TDS(, Nitrogen Dioxide )NO₂(, pH, Sulfur Dioxide )SO₂(, Carbon Monoxide )CO(, Particulate Matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 µm )PM2.5(, Particulate Matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 µm )PM10(, moisture percentage, carbon, ash, odor) in leachate, air, and waste across seasonal and spatial scales, three designated stations were utilized during the years 2021-2022. The results from the statistical analysis of pollutant distribution were mapped, tabulated, and charted using ArcGIS software with the Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation function.Results: The average concentration of all pollutants, except carbon and ash, was higher within a 0-300-meter radius than other study stations. The highest levels of pollutants in leachate (BOD, COD, TDS), waste characteristics (moisture percentage), and air (SO₂, NO₂) were recorded in winter. The lowest pollution at recycling centres was observed in summer (CO, NO₂). The results indicated ten of the 15 parameters were within permissible limits (66.66%).Conclusion: Integrated waste management centres play a crucial role in reducing pollution at the initial stages of recycling. Incorporating modern separation technologies could reduce pollution and operational costs while improving the quality of processed materials. 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/
Fahimeh Javadi; Amin Alizadeh; Mehri Rezayi
Abstract
Background and Purpose: This study aims to explore the application of the Delphi method in ranking health, safety, and environmental (HSE) management indicators at the municipal waste landfill in Mashhad.Materials and Methods: Initially, relevant criteria and indicators were identified using the Delphi ...
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Background and Purpose: This study aims to explore the application of the Delphi method in ranking health, safety, and environmental (HSE) management indicators at the municipal waste landfill in Mashhad.Materials and Methods: Initially, relevant criteria and indicators were identified using the Delphi method and a survey of experts, who assigned scores ranging from 1 to 9. Subsequently, the criteria and indicators were prioritized by employing the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and based on the opinions of 15 experts through pairwise comparisons. The analysis and synthesis of indicators were facilitated using statistical software, such as Expert Choice. Results: The highest scores across all three categories pertained to the safety of the burial process, integrity of burial cells, management and treatment of sanitary sewage, leachate collection systems, soil contamination via leachate, control of traffic noise and operations, and adherence to slope guidelines. Conversely, the lowest scores across all categories were associated with the safety of facilities, training, safety of equipment, warning signs, gas collection, and extraction wells, prohibition of entry and animal presence, daily spraying operations aligned with wind direction, landfill gas management, gas collection systems, effluent management parameters, control of traffic noise, levels of odors, and the impact on the greenhouse effect.Conclusion: This research indicates that the HSE conditions at the Mashhad landfill are suboptimal. Environmental and safety indicators, in particular, have been largely overlooked in landfill management practices. Establishing a dedicated HSE system within the waste management framework of Mashhad's municipal administration could significantly enhance these indicators. 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/
Laleh Roomiani; Mohammad Velayatzadeh
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Potentially toxic elements represent significant threats to aquatic ecosystems. This study aimed to assess environmental pollution indicators and analyze potentially toxic elements present in the water and surface sediments of the Karkheh River in 2020.Materials and Methods: A ...
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Background and Purpose: Potentially toxic elements represent significant threats to aquatic ecosystems. This study aimed to assess environmental pollution indicators and analyze potentially toxic elements present in the water and surface sediments of the Karkheh River in 2020.Materials and Methods: A total of 180 samples of water and sediments from three designated stations along the Karkheh River were collected and prepared following ASTM guidelines. The analysis of the target elements utilized atomic absorption spectroscopy coupled with a graphite and hydride furnace system facilitated by a Perkin Elmer 4100 device.Results: The highest concentrations of the studied elements in the water of the Karkheh River were recorded for cadmium at 8.01 mg/liter, while in sediments, nickel exhibited the highest concentration at 13.02 mg/kg. Comparative analysis revealed that concentrations of cadmium, arsenic, and nickel in the river water exceeded the World Health Organization's standard limits (P<0.05) across all three stations. Conversely, arsenic and nickel levels in sediments fell below the standard set by the National Environmental Organization of Iran (P<0.05). Cadmium concentrations in sediments at the first (P value=0.0) and second (P value=0.255) stations were below the national standard, whereas at the third station, they exceeded it (P value = 0.459).Conclusion: The assessment of water pollution indicators suggests that the Karkheh River exhibits minor pollution concerning potentially toxic elements such as cadmium, arsenic, and nickel, which pose risks to aquatic organisms. Sediment analysis indicates elevated cadmium, arsenic, and nickel concentrations, likely influenced by agricultural and industrial activities along the river. The findings underscore the impact of geological and anthropogenic factors on the Karkheh River ecosystem, highlighting the need for comprehensive management strategies. 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/
Niusha Ketabi; Mojtaba Dadkhah Tehrani; Ali Moridi; Reza Khalili
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Surface water pollution has been recognized as a severe threat to human health and the environment in recent decades, underscoring the importance of investigating water quality conditions.Materials and Methods: This study aims to assess the water quality of the Tajan River employing ...
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Background and Purpose: Surface water pollution has been recognized as a severe threat to human health and the environment in recent decades, underscoring the importance of investigating water quality conditions.Materials and Methods: This study aims to assess the water quality of the Tajan River employing the National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index (NSFWQI) and the Iranian Surface Water Quality Index (IRWQI-SC). Twelve water quality parameters, including pH, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Turbidity (NTU), Nitrate, Phosphate, Ammonia, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Water Temperature, and Total Coliforms, were measured at three stations across four distinct seasons.Results: According to the IRWQI-SC index, the poorest water quality was observed at the downstream station during the winter season, registering a value of 38, while the highest index value occurred at the upstream station during the spring season, reaching 84.6. Additionally, based on the NSFWQI index, the upstream station during the spring season displayed the most favorable water quality with an index value of 80.7, whereas the lowest water quality condition was noted at the downstream station in the winter season, with a value of 46.9. Both water quality indices categorized the upstream station as exhibiting good water quality suitable for various purposes. Nevertheless, water quality degradation was evident along the river course owing to the influx of agricultural and sewage effluents, with more pronounced alterations observed during winter.Conclusion: The water quality of the Tajan River has undergone significant changes due to the influx of agricultural effluents and sewage, posing a threat to human health and environmental well-being. Addressing this issue necessitates effective wastewater management and the preservation of the Tajan River as a vital freshwater resource. 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/
Bahareh Nowruzi
Abstract
Background and Purpose: The manufacturing process of petroleum-derived goods poses a significant environmental hazard, with the emission of toxic compounds like greenhouse gases posing risks to humans, flora, and fauna. Notably, cyanobacteria emerge as crucial entities due to their potential as sources ...
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Background and Purpose: The manufacturing process of petroleum-derived goods poses a significant environmental hazard, with the emission of toxic compounds like greenhouse gases posing risks to humans, flora, and fauna. Notably, cyanobacteria emerge as crucial entities due to their potential as sources for degradable plastics and biofuels. Cyanobacteria can harness and assimilate atmospheric nitrogen and carbon dioxide, utilizing them for growth even in inhospitable environments such as barren soils and saline waters. This adaptability renders them promising candidates for producing biodegradable plastics and biofuels. Nevertheless, the full spectrum of their capabilities remains incompletely understood. Hence, this review aims to explore the potential of cyanobacteria in producing degradable plastics, along with strategies for enhancing their production and subsequent commercialization.Materials and Methods: This review synthesized relevant articles published between 2020 and 2023 from databases including Springer, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and John Wiley to procure the latest insights into the cyanobacteria's potential in degradable product synthesis. Employing appropriate keywords from the MeSH site, we identified thirty new review and research articles pertinent to the subject matter.Results: Analysis revealed that cyanobacteria exhibit variable capacities for polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) production, with the highest (77%) and lowest (less than 0.005%) yields observed in Alusira fertilisima CCC444 and Anabaena cylindric, respectively. Moreover, genetic manipulations have yielded promising results, with PHB biosynthesis increasing by up to 35% in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. Cyanobacterial strains like Synechocystis consortia, Spirulina platensis, Anabaena circinalis, and Nostoc muscorum exhibit metabolic traits conducive to the economical and sustainable production of biopolymers such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and PHB, among other copolymers.Conclusion: Augmenting culture mediums with supplements like carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), dicyclohexyl carbodiimide (DCCD), monofluoroacetate, L-methionine-DL-sulfoximine (MSX), and azaserine has been shown to enhance PHB production by nearly 20%. Furthermore, the natural synthesis of plastics from biodegradable sources mitigates reliance on fossil fuels, rendering the process environmentally sustainable. However, the commercialization of degradable products derived from cyanobacteria faces challenges due to the comparatively lower volume of biological products and their reduced accumulation compared to heterotrophic bacteria. 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/