ABSTRACT
Particular importance of hazardous wastes is due to having characteristics such as toxicity, flammability, corrosively and reactivity. Some of the chemical wastes due to having hazardous materials must be collected and managed in a proper manner, since they are potentially harmful to the environment. Owing to the fact that educational centers have important roles in developing countries, so the main objective of the present study was to investigate, hazardous waste management in chemistry laboratories of Ministry of Science universities, in Tehran, Iran. Study area of this research includes all chemistry laboratories in Tehran universities which were covered by Ministry of Science. To obtain the number of samples, based on Scientific Principles and identification formula, 64 samples were calculated. In addition, sampling was done by Stratified sampling. Validated checklists were used for data gathering. Data analysis were done by Descriptive statistics [mean, frequency and etc.] and inferential statistics [kruskal-wallis test]. results obtained in this study indicate that Sharif University by obtaining the mean score of 60.5 and Tehran University by obtaining the mean score of 4.5-6 are placed in best and worst rank, respectively. Beheshty, Alzahra and Tarbiat Moallem univesities by acquiring the mean score of 20-28.5 have a same position in ranking table. Results show that most of the studied laboratories do not have any collection program and only 26.5 percent of them have acceptable programs.The separation and storing program observed in about 12.5 percent. Hazardous wastes* management in chemistry laboratory of Tehran Universities was not in good status. And from the standpoint of management, only 12.5 percent of studied cases are in good status, while 75 percent was in undesirable status
ABSTRACT
In order to assess the risk for mercury poisoning in dentists, urine specimens were collected and analysed from 250 dentists [190 male, 60 female]. Subject data and pertinent health symptoms were asked via a questionnaire. The results indicate that the mean and standard deviation of mercury values were 51.3 +/- 38.0 micro g/L, while 27.2% of dentists had levels within normal limits [0-19 micro g/L]. The results also showed that values for general practitioners tended to be higher, but was not significant for the specialists. The data demonstrated that there is an association between health symptoms pertinent to mercury poisoning and urine mercury values above 50 micro g/L