[Evaluation of noise pollution in crowded areas in Yasuj in 2006]

Human exposure to environmental noise increases day to day and noise is currently a very important stressful factor. One of the common sources of noise is transportation vehicles. Undesirable impacts of traffic persuaded governments to set rules for the problem and when civil planners and road engineers decide to construct highways, they must be sure that the related standards and rules have been met. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of noise pollution in crowded areas of Yasuj. Noise measuring was done by using B and K Sound Level Meter [model 2230]. Noise descriptors [Leq, Max, Min] were measured for 10 minutes of any hour during daytime and night in selected areas [11 stations]. One station was also selected as reference point and noise measurement was carried out for the whole week in this station. Leq was found to be 72 +/- 4.4 dB [Max] and 65.4 +/- 7 dB [Min]. Recorded maximum and minimum noise was 99.7 dB [at 17-18 o'clock] and 34 dB [at 4-5 o'clock], respectively. Comparing the findings of this study with standard scales indicates that Yasuj is experiencing high noise pollution

[Solid wastes management of Yasuj hospitals, Iran 2006]

Unhygienic methods of colleting, storage, transportation and disposal of the hospital wastes results in serious hazards that can endanger the health and environment. These materials are classified as dangerous, and have to be collected and disposed based on special rules. In the present study we aimed to evaluate the quality of management of hospital wastes and to estimate the waste constituents in Yasuj hospitals. Density, constituents, methods of collecting, transportation and disposal of hospital wastes were evaluated in 3 consecutive days of every months of the year 2006. Study showed that the daily production of solid wastes was 5.5 Kg per hospital bed and infected solid wastes were estimated to be 1.5 Kg per hospital bed. The total solid waste production was 1350 Kg per day which included 27.2 percent as infected solid wastes. Solid waste density was 160.7 Kg per cubic meter and its constituents were food wastes [19.753%], rubber [47.02%], paper [12.05%], glass [5.211%], metals [3.41%] and bandages, gases, clothes, etc [12.556%].The findings suggest that the solid waste management of the studied hospitals is not satisfying and more attention must be paid to the critical issues, such as plans for reducing solid wastes, isolating infected solid wastes at the production site and using safe and updated methods of disposal of solid wastes