[Upgrading of the mono media filters in water treatment plants by changing filter media]

Dual media filters have two different layer beds consist of sand and Anthracite. Advantage of dual media filters is longer run duration and more filtration rate. The purpose of this study was to achieve a performable model to improve single media Filters in water treatment plants. In this cross-sectional study, two pilots; mono and dual media were made and in a 5 month period samples taking were done. Total samples taken from input and output of each pilot, was 40. The samples then introduced for the measurement of turbidity and total organic carbon. Meanwhile the filters head loss also quantified in 40 times head loss measurement was done. Average turbidity removal in mono and two layer pilots were 63 and 65 percent respectively. Average removal of Total Organic Carbon in mono and two media pilots were 40 and 66 percent respectively. Head loss in dual and single media pilots were 0 .68 and 1.15 m respectively. Although average torbidity removal disparity between two pilots was not significant the amount of total organic carbon removed was considerable. Average head loss in single media pilot was more than dual media type. Ratio of UFRV in dual media to mono media filter was 51:30 it shows that filtration rate capacity will be improved up to70 percent by changing media type

Microbial Quality of Hand-Made Fresh Fruit Juice in Bandar Abbas Shopping Centers, Iran

Fresh fruit juice is one of the best drinks which contains minerals and vitamins besides its appealing nature as a good source of water. Whoever does the microbial quality of fresh fruit juice not meet the standard level, it can play a large part in food transmission diseases. In this cross-sectional study, all of 58 fruit juice. The Samples were then tested for total Coliform, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, yeasts and molds. The results obtained showed that 142 case out of 146 samples were contaminated by microorganisims. All of Carrot and mango juices were contaminated, The mean contamination rate of Coliform bacteria, Mesophilic bacteria, Escherichia coli and yeasts in samples were detected as 86.2, 53.2, 57 and 56.6 percents respectively. 97.3 percents of samples did not have a good microbial quality for human consumption. If consumption of fresh fruit juices will cause the consumer at risk of food borne diseases, all the natural benefits of them in terms of richness in minerals and vitamins will waste.Therefore it can be concluded that the natural benefits of fresh fruit juice would be under question due to their low level microbial quality which move people to the high risk of food born diseases

[Quality analysis and management of health-care waste-products]

One of the most important environmental issues is solid waste produced in health-care centers with hazardous agents. The aim of this survey is quality analysis and management of Health-care waste in Bandar Abbas, Iran. In this cross sectional study, 29 medical offices, 29 dentistry offices, 19 clinics and 8 health centers were selected. Overall 340 samples [four from each location] were analyzed. Sampling was achieved in summer and winter. Samples were manually sorted into different four categories and measured using laboratory scale. Total annual waste produced in Bandar Abbas health-care centers was 46689.91 Kg. Clinics produce higher rate of medical wastes and health stations produce lower rate. Higher and lower rates in amount were potentially infectious domestic type wastes, and sharp wastes, respectively. Respect to higher rate of potentially infectious domestic type wastes, we suggest waste collection management and separation of wastes in the centers

Infection assessment in private dental clinics of Bandar Abbas in 2006

Implementing infection control programs in dental clinics is essential to prevent transmission of infectious agents among personnel and patients. The program usually starts by evaluation of risk factors and is completed by designing a suitable strategy to eliminate them. In this study, we have evaluated the infection control situation in private dental offices in Bandar Abbas, southern Iran, during year 2006. In a cross-sectional study, 60 dental offices were investigated in a period of 6 months. A standard questionnaire was used for data gathering [response rate was 82%]. The questionnaire contained 46 questions about demographic information, knowledge and practice of dentists related to infection control and hygienic condition of their clinics. Data was analyzed using t-test and pearson correlation coefficient by means of Excel and SPSS software. The vaccination rate against hepatitis B was 43.5% among dentists, while 75%of them were not sure about antibody production in their body. The rate of using personal protection equipments and mouth washing solution among dentists were 80% and 15%, respectively. Correct answer to questions on instruments sterilization, proper hand washing and subcutaneous infection control were 74%, 56% and 34%, respectively. Special containers were used for infectious disposal in 82% of clinics which is only 60% of them were labeled. Seventy four percent of dentists were confident about accurate sterilization of instruments, but 50% of them were not confident that instruments remained sterilized until operation. The average score of knowledge, practice, and hygienic clinics situation in female and male dentists were 10.1 +/- 1.73 and 11.1 +/- 1.79; 14.4 +/- 1.40 and 13.6 +/- 1.73; and 16.6 +/- 1.13 and 16 +/- 1.26, respectively. In our quality assessments, the knowledge and practice level of participated dentists were intermediate and environmental health situation of clinics was scored high. According to relationship between knowledge and practice, infection control rate will be promoted using appropriate educational programs