Majid Kermani

The effect of traffic on levels, distribution and chemical partitioning of harmful metals in the street dust and surface soil from urban areas of Tehran, Iran

Due to the explosive industrialization and rapid expansion of the population in many parts of the world, heavy metals are released into the environment continuously and pose a great risk on human health. Street dust and surface soil samples from very heavy, heavy, medium and low traffic areas and a natural site in Tehran, Iran, were analyzed for some physicochemical features, total and chemical fractionating of selected metals (Zn, Al, Sr, Pb, Cu, Cr, Cd, Co, Ni and V) to investigate the influence of traffic on their mobility and accumulation in the environment. The pH, electrical conductivity (EC), carbonates and organic carbon contents were similar in soil and dust samples from the areas with same traffic. The traffic increases EC contents in dust/soil matrixes, but has no effect on concentrations of metals in soil samples. Rises in metal levels with traffic were found in dust samples. Moreover, the traffic increases the percentage of both acid-soluble and reducible fractions, which are related to Pb and Zn. The mobilization of Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr in dust samples was easier than in soil. The speciation of metals except Cd is mainly affected by physicochemical features in soil, though total metals affected the speciation in dust samples (except chromium and nickel).

The safety of non-incineration waste disposal devices in four hospitals of Tehran

Abstract Background: The safe management of hospital waste is a challenge in many developing countries. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions and the microbial disinfectant safety in non-incineration waste disposal devices. Methods: VOC emissions and microbial infections were measured in four non-incineration waste disposal devices including: autoclave with and without a shredder, dry heat system, and hydroclave. Using NIOSH and US EPA-TO14 guidelines, the concentration and potential risk of VOCs in emitted gases from four devices were assessed. ProSpore2 biological indicators were used to assess the microbial analysis of waste residue. Results: There was a significant difference in the type and concentration of VOCs and microbial infection of residues in the four devices. Emissions from the autoclave with a shredder had the highest concentration of benzene, ethyl benzene, xylene, and BTEX, and emissions from the hydroclave had the highest concentration of toluene. The highest level of microbial infection was observed in the residues of the autoclave without a shredder. Conclusions: There is an increased need for proper regulation and control of non-incinerator devices and for monitoring and proper handling of these devices in developing countries.

Estimation of the residential radon levels and the annual effective dose in dwellings of Shiraz, Iran, in 2015.

Introduction Radon is the second most important cause of lung cancer after smoking. Thus, the determination of indoor radon concentrations in dwellings and workplaces is an important public health concern. The purpose of this research was to measure the concentration of radon gas in residential homes and public places in the city of Shiraz and its relationship with the type and age of the buildings as well as the type of materials used to construct the building (brick, block). We also determined the radon dosages that occupants of the building would receive. Methods The present study is a descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional research that was conducted on the building’s indoor air in the city of Shiraz in 2015. Using geographic information system (GIS) software and a spatial sampling cell with an area of 25 square kilometers, 200 points were selected. In this study, we used passive diffusive samplers as Solid State Nuclear Track Detector (SSNTD) CR-39 polycarbonate films for three months in the winter. Sampling was conducted in accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s protocol. We determined the concentrations of radon gas at the time of sampling, and calibration factors were determined. The data were analyzed by IBM-SPSS, version 20, descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann–Whitney tests. Results This study showed that the average radon concentration was 57.6 ± 33.06 Bq/m3 in residential dwellings. The average effective dose was 1.45 mSv/y. The concentration of radon in 5.4% of the houses was found to be greater than 100 Bq/m3, which is above the level allowed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Conclusion Since radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, it seems necessary to increase the public’s awareness of this issue and to take action to reduce radon in homes when the concentrations are above the WHO’s guideline.

Application of modified magnetic nanoparticles with amine groups as an efficient solid sorbent for simultaneous removal of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid from aqueous solution: optimization and modeling

In the present work, functionalized magnetic nano-adsorbent with amine groups (Fe3O4@SiO2@NH2) was prepared for the simultaneous removal of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) from aqueous solution. Characterization such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, and scanning electron microscope confirmed that the magnetic nanoparticles structure of Fe3O4@SiO2 nano-adsorbent was successfully functionalized by amine groups. The impact of some influencing parameters such as contact time, pH, adsorbent dosage, 2,4-D and MCPA initials concentration and solution temperature were studied. The equilibrium data were analyzed by Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms and also two models kinetically of pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order. Findings of the present study showed that the synthesized amino-functionalized MNPs will be helpful in use as an effective recyclable adsorbent for the removal of phenoxy acid herbicides from aqueous solution due to its advantages such as facile and rapid separation of target molecules from solution.

Evaluation of cardiovascular and respiratory mortality attributed to atmospheric SO2 and CO using AirQ model

Background: Air pollutants have multiple adverse effects on human health. In this study, the health effects of exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) and SO2 in the air of 6 Iranian metropolises in 2011-2012 were examined. Methods: Raw data was collected from the Iranian Department of Environment and the Iran Meteorological Organization. After validation, the required statistical indices were calculated through programming and modifying temperature and pressure in Excel software. The output of Excel was given to the AirQ model, and the results were presented as the cases of death. Results: The annual mean concentrations of SO2 were 2.45, 1.55, 0.6, 0.55, 1.05, and 3.8 times higher than the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) (20 μg/m3) in Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz, and Urmia, respectively. The concentrations of CO did not exceed the standard limit in any of the studied cities. The cumulative numbers of total deaths attributed to SO2 were 744, 122, 132, 44, 37, and 107 in Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz, and Urmia, respectively. The highest mortality rate was found in Urmia at 2.9% followed by Tehran at 1.52%; the lowest rate of 0.46% was found in Tabriz. Conclusion: The results show that of the 6 metropolises, the highest CO mortality rate of about 2.15% belonged to Isfahan followed by Arak with about 1.38%, and the lowest rate of 0.68% belonged to Mashhad. Because of the growing trend of air pollution and its mortality rate and adverse effects, practical solutions for the control and reduction of air pollution in Iranian metropolises are necessary.

Photocatalytic degradation data of benzene and toluene by ZnO coated on glass plates under simulated sunlight

For this data article the photocatalytic oxidation of benzene and toluene by ZnO nanoparticles coated on glass plates were studied under simulated sunlight. ZnO nanoparticles were coated on three glass plates by heat attachment methods. To evaluate the photocatalytic removal of benzene and toluene, coated plates irradiated by metal halide lamp in a rectangular reactor in batch mode. The effect of initial pollutants concentration, temperature, relative humidity, irradiation time, concentration of zinc oxide suspension, were assessed. The surface morphology and structure of ZnO nanoparticles and ZnO coated on glass plates were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy. Sampling and analysis of pollutants were performed according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) method. To analyze the concentration of benzene and toluene, gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) was used. The data results indicated that photocatalytic process by ZnO under irradiation of metal halide lamp could remove benzene and toluene at optimum experimental conditions. Coating of glass surfaces by ZnO suspension, resulted in 46% and 57% removal of benzene and toluene as concentration of 50 ppm at 45 °C, and relative humidity of 40% after 240 min irradiation of metal halide lamp.

The concentration of heavy metals in water entering the dialysis machine Imam Ali Bojnurd in 2015

Background & Objectives: Chemical quality of water entering the dialysis machine in hemodialysis patients is of great importance especially in terms of heavy metals. The study was performed on the concentration of heavy metals (cadmium, copper, chromium, lead and zinc) in water of dialysis machine in Teaching Hospital of North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences in 1394. Material & Methods: Eighteen municipal water samples and 18 samples of effluent water from reverse osmosis systems of Imam Ali dialysis centers were analyzed. Association for the (advancement of medical instrumentation) AAMI and (Epidemiology and Public Health) EPH were compared. Results: The mean concentrations of cadmium, copper, chromium, lead, and zinc were 0.47± 0.19, 0.1 ± 0.03, 0.016 ± 0.012, 2.72 ± 0.4, 0.03± 0.01, respectively. Conclusion: The average concentration of heavy metals in the drinking water for Imam Ali hemodialysis machines comply with existing standards and therefore does not threaten the safety of dialysis patients.

A Study on the Comparative Investigation of Air Quality in Tehran Metropolis Over a Five-year Period Using Air Quality Index (AQI)

History Received: 2016/06/08 Accepted: 2016/10/18 Objectives: Investigating and determining the share of urban sources of air pollutants is an essential step in pollution control management. Studies indicate the main source of air pollution in Tehran is the indiscriminate use of energy, while vehicles produce more than 85% of air pollution. Thus vehicles have the most important role in Tehran’s air pollution.