Noise pollution evaluation in residential and residential-commercial areas in Tabriz-Iran

Over the last three decades environmental pollutions became a more noticeable problem in all around of the world. In many countries, noise pollution as a basic problem has a great importance.Development of the city, increasing of industrial centers, increasing vehicles, other annoying noise resources and also little information about the noise pollution of Tabriz city, has led to the doing of this research. Sampling and measuring of noise pressure levels was done 180 times According to the EPA standards, measuring was done simultaneously in two stations [commercial-residential areas], three times a day [morning 7:30 -9:30 am, midday 12:30-14:30 pm and night 19:00-21:00 pm] and 30 days in month. Sound pressure level in both stations was higher than the standards and the highest average level with 71.4 db was recorded in Raste-koche station at midday. Also lowest calculated average value with 68.5 db was measured in Golbad station at the morning time that is 8.5 db higher than the standards. Average measured sound pressure level in two stations was higher than the standards. The results show that Tabriz has a noise pollution in commercial and residential - commercial areas. It is suggested that other noise pollution resources identified and the proper management actions for its reduction be done

[Heterotrophic bacteria in drinking water in Tabriz, Iran]

Recently the use of heterotrophic plate count [HPC] has received much attention as a supplementary indicator of the MPN test in water quality control. The US Environmental Protection Agency [USEPA] has declared 500 cfu/mL as the maximum acceptable level for heterotrophic bacteria in distribution networks. Currently the HPC determination is not among the routine control items in Tabriz city and there is no published information on the presence of heterotrophic bacteria in that city's potable water. In this study the presence of HPC in potable water main was determined in Tabriz city, Iran. A total of 50 water samples, representing drinking water of the whole city of Tabriz, were taken randomly from different districts of Tabriz city and their HPC, coliform, residual chlorine, turbidity, temperature, and pH were measured. For the heterotrophic bacteria the R2A and Nutrients Agar culture media were used, while the spread plate count method was used for the HPC test. The statistical tests used for data analysis were the t-test and regression. In 50% of the samples heterotrophic bacteria were present. In 6 districts the HPC was higher than 500 cfu/mL. Based on Nutrient Agar and R2A, the HPC indicator in Tabriz drinking water was 184 +/- 340 and 154 +/- 315 cfu/mL, respectively, the growth rate being higher in the former medium. There was a significant correlation between the HPC and residual chlorine in both media [for Nutrients Agar, p<0.05; R= -0.347, and for R2A, p<0.05; R= -0.312]. Also, there was a significant positive correlation between the HPC and pH [p<0.05]. Further analysis of the data showed that the correlation between HPC values in both media was also significant [p<0.95, R= 0.95]. The presence of heterotrophic bacteria in 50% of the water samples tested indicates that drinking water contamination with these bacteria is a public health problem in Tabriz city. As a result, monitoring of HPC at least once every 6 or, at least, 12 months, together with coliform bacteria, and the comparison of the results over time can help to better determine water quality in the distribution system, as well as boost the system operation and ensure drinking water with a high quality

[Microbiological and chemical quality of water in food industries with low content of water]

In the production of some high-consumed food products like cake, biscuit, chocolate and spaghetti water is used in the preparing of primary material and in the kneading processes. At the present study microbiological and chemical quality of consumed water in food industries of East Azerbaijan Province were studied. Eleven factories with different products were selected. Water samples were collected and analyzed regarding the microbiological contamination and chemical parameters, and heavy metals. In addition, condition of water quality in selected industry was surveyed during the summer. According to the results, monitoring of water quality in the studied industries is not suitable. The chemical characteristics of consumed water in those industries had major differences. Ni, Cr, Zn, Fe and Mn were present in all analyzed water but in lower concentration than national Maximum Contaminant Level [MCL]. Pb was measured in higher concentration than MCL in spaghetti factory no. 2 and close to MCL in wiener and frankfurter and sugar industries. Cd was close to MCL in spaghetti factory no. 2 and wiener and frankfurter industries. It was concluded that for the safety and health of food products the food industries should use the public water supply system as water source at least in food processing units or in the units of preparing of primary materials. Also for the preventing of chemical pollution of food products it is necessary, pay more attention to the subject of water quality control according to the special water standard of food industries, and using less volume of water in some food industry isn.t acceptable reason for neglecting of water quality monitoring and assessing. In addition it is required to analyze heavy metals in the final products of those industries

[Study of arsenic presence in drinking water sources: a case study]

Conducted studies about arsenic have shown that consumption of water contaminated with arsenic can causes different adverse health effects in consumers. World Health Organization [WHO] has enacted 10mg/L arsenic in drinking water as a guideline value. Regarding some reports about arsenic presence in a village of Hashtrood county and related health effects and also considering this fact that determination of arsenic as a poisoning chemical is not included in routine monitoring of water by responsible organizations, in present study all of drinking water sources in Hashtrood county in East Azerbaijan province were studied for arsenic presence. Water supply and its sanitation situation were studied in all of cities and residential villages [200 villages] by field visiting. Arsenic content of water samples were determined using Ez arsenic test kit, a product of Hach Company. For assurance of the kit results, 20 water samples with different concentration of arsenic were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma [ICP] method and then achieved results was compared together. Arsenic was present in drinking water of 50 villages that in 9 villages its level was higher than Iranian standard [50mg/L]. During the study totally 11087 persons [21.96% of rural areas population] in Hashtrood county were exposed to different levels of arsenic via drinking water. Correlation between kit and ICP results was significant [R2 = 0.9715]. Studied region in present study is a polluted area to arsenic by geogenic sources. It is necessary to replace water source of villages with higher level than national standard with safe drinking water. Annually measurement of arsenic in drinking water of all villages spatially polluted villages should be considered by responsible organization e.g. Health Network and Rural Water and Wastewater Company. Used kit in our study is recommendable for this purpose

[Contamination of drinking water with arsenic and its various health effect in the village of Ghopuz]

Arsenicosis is a serious environmental disease caused by chronic exposure to arsenic- usually from drinking water. Signs and symptoms of chronic arsenic poisoning include hyperkeratosis, hyper- or hypopigmentation, and ulcers. Also, the incidence of cancer is increased in the exposed population. There is some evidence of high arsenic levels in drinking water in the village of Ghopuz, located in Hashtrud District, East Azerbaijan province. We evaluated the genetic and health effects of chronic arsenic exposure in the residents of Ghopuz. In this cross-sectional study we determined the prevalence of hyperkeratosis, hyperpigmentation and hypertension in Ghopuz village. The study involved 101 individuals in Ghopuz and 107 in the adjacent village of Mayan, who were all visited by a trained physician. A total of 46 blood samples were collected for kariotyping. The level of heavy metals in water was determined by the Inductively Coupled Plasma [ICP] method. We detected high arsenic levels in the drinking water at Ghopuz [mean concentration in water = 1.03 mg/L]. There were chromosomal defects in the exposed group. Mean systolic blood pressure at Ghopuz [137mmHg, 95% CI: 132-142] was significantly higher than in Mayan [107, 95% CI: 99.9-114]. Also, mean diastolic blood pressure at Ghopuz [82, 95% CI: 79-85] was significantly higher than in Mayan [71, 95% CI: 66-75]. Hyperkeratosis was 34 times more frequent in the exposed population [OR = 34, P< 0.001]. Also, hyperpigmentation was significantly more frequent in the exposed population [OR = 2.4, P < 0.007]. Water arsenic and nitrate levels at Ghopuz were higher than the maximum permissible levels. The prevalence of skin lesions and hypertension is increased at Ghopuz village due to arsenic exposure. There is also some evidence of chromosomal defects in the exposed group. Affected people need appropriate medical care, and safe drinking water should be provided to reduce arsenic exposure

Importance of water quality control in food safety, case study: drinking, dairy and caning industries of east Azerbaijan

In order to achieve to food safety and promoting health protection, water used in food and drinking industries should be in compliance with quality requirements. Presence of any chemical and microbial contamination in water has potential of transmission to final food products. So quality control of water in order to compliance with legislative standards is important. At present study to address the existing condition and to present the suitable and applicable quality control method, the main drinking, dairy and caning industries in the East Azerbaijan province were investigated as a representative sample of all kind of mentioned industries. Considering the frequency of industries, number of labors and production capacity, 9 industrial units with variety of products such as fruit juice, dairy products, lemonade, beverage, tomato derivatives, jams, was selected. To collection of required information, a questionnaire was designed and filed out by direct surveillance and interview. After analyzing and interpretation of data, the results showed that there are many critical points without having any quality control plan which may led to water pollution and it's transforming to the products matrix among these industries. The majority of factories did not have acceptable program for sampling of consumed water and chemical and microbial analyzing and only water of boilers was controlled for hardness and alkalinity levels. Unfortunately occurrence of heavy metals and pesticides in water was not being investigated. Most of authorities had not adequate awareness and specialty about water pollution and water quality control. At 45% of studied industries, there was not acceptable control program for water quality. Application of HACCP program as an effective tool for food safety was not practically implicated. Control of chemical and microbiological quality of water at studied industries was not satisf5ting. For protection of consumers health and achieving food safety, the necessity of application of water quality plan and control system with all educated personnel and facilities is extremely undeniable

Correlation between Arsenic concentration in drinking water and human hair

Exposure to inorganic arsenic mainly occurs via drinking water, however because of potential changing of water sources during time, there is not consensus over the best route for assessment of past exposures to arsenic. At present study, we compared three potential sources of data in this regard. Thirty nine human hair samples were taken from persons residing in three villages of Bijar city in Kurdistan province of Iran with different drinking water sources and different levels of arsenic. All the subjects were female and at least one gram of scalp hair was gathered from the distal part of participants hair. Samples were analyzed using Neutron Activation Analysis method. Arsenic concentration of water samples were measured using Silver Diethyl Ditiocarbomate Method [SDDC] and the total intake of arsenic through drinking water were calculated for each participant. According to results, arsenic content of drinking water ranged from 0 to 0.455 mg/I [average: 0.18]. The figures for arsenic concentration in hair were from 0.012 to 3.41 mg/kg [average: of 0.53] and for calculated total intake from 0 to 8.9g [average: 2.02]. A close relationship between calculated total intake via drinking water and arsenic concentration in hair [R.711, P<0.001] was obtained and also relationship between current arsenic content of drinking water and arsenic concentration in hair [It= 0.662, p<0.001]. Using age as a co-variate did not alter the results