[Investigating the efficiency of ultraviolet irradiation for inactivation of free living nematodes in water]

Free living nematodes due to their active movement and resistance to chlorination; don't remove in conventional water treatment processes thus can be entered to distribution systems and cause adverse health effects. UV irradiation can be used as a method of inactivating these organisms. This study is done to investigate the effect of ultraviolet lamp on inactivation of free living nematode [Rhabitidae] in water. The effects of duration of irradiation, turbidity, temperature, UV dose and pH are investigated in this study. Ultraviolet lamp used in this study was a 11 watt lamp with intensity of 24 micro w / cm[2]. Contact time required to achieve 100% efficiency for larvae nematodes and adults were 9 and 10 minutes, respectively. Increase of turbidity up to 25 NTU decreased inactivation efficiency of larvae and adult nematodes from 100% to 66% and 100% to 64%, respectively. Change in pH ranged from 6 to 9 did not affect the efficiency of inactivation. With increasing temperature inactivation rate increased. The results showed that there was a significant correlation between the increase in contact time, temperature rise and turbidity reduction with inactivation efficiency of lamp]p<0.001[. Also the effect of the lamp on inactivation of larvae nematode was more than the adults

Using ultraviolet irradiation for removal of malathion pesticide in water

Organophosphorus pesticides are one of the most consumable poisons. Such poisons can enter water sources by different routes. Since consuming some drinking water containing an amount of poison higher than the standard level, causes undesirable effects on human health. This research aimed to study the effectiveness of eliminating malathion from water by ultraviolet irradiation [UV] mercury lamp with a medium pressure. In this experimental- applied study, variants of initial pHs and initial concentrations and exposure times were investigated. Initial concentrations of malathion were 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/l. The samples were then exposed to UV irradiation interruptedly the time periods of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 minutes. The UV lamp used in the reactor was medium pressure [irradiation intensity= 200 W/m[2]]. The amounts of malathion were determined before and after the irradiation by HPLC instrument. Moreover, the results obtained from the study were analyzed using SPSS software and ANOVA and t-test statistical trials. The minimum reduction occurs at 10 min [%46] and the maximum reduction in 60 min [% 87.25] [P < 0.05]. In addition, the effectiveness of irradiation process decreases with increasing the poison concentration [P < 0.001]. However, the efficiency of the process increases with pH increase. The results show the most effectiveness were achieved at 60 min and 0.5 mg/l and pH= 9. Therefore, the application of UV reactors could be considered as an appropriate method

prevalence of unintended pregnancies and its related demographic factors in hospitals of Yazd city -2008

Unintended pregnancies include unwanted pregnancies at least for one of couples. Totally, 33% [about 75 millions] of pregnancies Worldwide are unintended. Unintended pregnancies are considered a major cause of about 14 million deaths in under-5-years-old children per year. Infectious abortion following unwanted pregnancy is also one of the five major leading causes of maternal mortality. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and demographic related factors of unintended pregnancy in pregnant women referring to hospitals in Yazd city. In this cross-sectional study, 330 pregnant women referring to hospitals of Yazd in September and October 2008 were studied. Data were collected by interview using a valid and reliable questionnaire. Data were computerized and analyzed by SPSS 16 software. The prevalence of unwanted pregnancies in the women admitted to hospitals living in Yazd city was 22.9% and in the non-resident women in was 28.9%. There was a significant relationship between unintended pregnancy whait age and educational level of the couples, number of children, economic satisfaction, history of unintended pregnancy and opinion of the husband about family planning methods. Among women who had unwanted pregnancies 41.3% had used the withdrawal method to prevent pregnancy and condoms and pills had been used 20%, 16.3% respectively. According to the logistic regression statistical model, the factors affecting unwanted pregnancies was husband Literacy, number of children and the history of unwanted pregnancies. Due to a high prevalence of unintended pregnancy in this study, further investigations are suggested in this field in eluding revision in family planning programs as well as improving the education of all women especially high risk women about family planning methods and proper use of them and focusing on the participation of men

Investigation of management status on medical wastes in public hospitals of Arak city

Not paying attention to management and control of medical wastes in different stages of production, keeping, gathering, transporting and finally eliminating them all have been creating various setbacks such that the environment and human's health are in danger with the relevant consequences. This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in Vali-e Asr, Amir Kabir, Taleghani, Amir Al-Momenin and Imam Khomeini hospitals of Arak city in 2009. In this research the current condition of gathering, maintaining, transportation and final elimination of hospital wastes of Arak city was investigated .Eventually an appropriate model was introduced. Solid wastes were separated, weighed and registered in two sequential intervals. In order to get acquaintance with the management procedure of medical solid w;astes in the hospitals studied, a questionnaire approved by W.H.O was used. The questions were then replied by the Managers and Hygiene Experts worked at hospitals and their responses were recorded. The investigations conducted in 5 hospitals reveal that the average per annual was2.9 Kg in 24 hours per active bed and 4.6 Kg for each patient. This volume consists of 60% for semi-home solid wastes, 39% for infectious solid wastes, 0.34% for sharp wastes, 0.28% for the pathologic and 0.38% for medicinal and chemical solid wastes. According to the results obtained in this study, in order to reduce pollution create in the hospitals, action should be taken to deal with pollutants at their source of generation. The staff members involved in waste collection and transportation should practice all the personal protection measures.finaly it also should be considered that, success in medical waste management wouldn't be achievable unless all groups of medical staff involved cooperate and participle

Removal of malathion insecticide from water by employing acoustical wave technology

Organophosphorus pesticides are one of the most prevalent usages for pest control in the country. Such pesticides enter into water sources by different routes. Since drinking of contaminated water at the higher doses than the standard level, may causes undesirable effects to human health and ecosystem. The object of this research was to investigate the effect of various parameters including time, power and concentration on sonodecomposition of malathion insecticide in the water. The sonochemical degradation of malathion was investigated using acoustic wave technology [AWT]. AWT with 130 kHz was used to study the decomposition of insecticide solution. Samples were analyzed using HPLC at different intervals times. Effectiveness of AWT at different times [20, 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120 minutes], concentrations of malathion at 2, 4 and 8 mg/L as well as powers of device [300W, 400W, 500W] are compared. These findings showed that the degradation of the malathion insecticide at lower concentrations was greater in comparison to higher concentrations. Also, there was positive correlation between power increasing and the ability to malathion degradation. The sonodegradation of malathion at different concentrations and powers was successfully achieved. It has been shown that acoustical wave technology can be used to reduce the concentration of dissolved insecticide using high frequency

[Investigating the efficiency of UV/H[2]O[2] process for removal of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate [LAS] in aqueous solutions]

Surfactants are one of the largest pollutants which exist in urban and industrial wastewaters. Large quantities of surfactants have entered to the environment since last decade due to increased use of synthetic detergent in industrial and home consumptions.In this study, the efficiency of UV/H[2]O[2] process in removal of linear alkylbenzane sulfonate [LAS] from aqueous solutions was investigated. In this study methylene blue active substane[MBAS]method and spectrometery were used to determine anion and residual surfactant respectively. In this study important variables were H[2]O[2] concentration, initial concentration of surfactant, pH and duration of UV radiation. The effect of UV/H[2]O[2] process on the degradation of LAS was analyzed statistically by using Multiple Linear Regression test. The resulted showed that after 20 minute, ultraviolet radiation solely removed 38.44 percent of Anionic detergent, Hydrogen peroxide showed no significant removal of detergent solution in the time course study. The efficiency of UV/H[2]O[2] process in 10, 20 and 30 minute were to 86.2, 90 and 96.5%, respectively. The results showed that the efficiency of ultraviolet radiation and hydrogen peroxide process in anionic detergent was not significant thoogh it was considerable in combination process [UV/H[2]O[2]]

[Removal of phosphate from aqueous solutions by Iron Nano Particle Resin Lewatit [FO36]]

Entrance of phosphorous into the lakes leads to algae growth and eutrophication the aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of iron nano particles as a new suitable and applicable method for removal of phosphorous. In this study Lewatit FO36 resin was covered with Fe [III] nano-particles, and it was used as a new way to eliminate phosphate. Column experiments were carried out in 11 stages in fixed bed columns with constant flow rate of 9 ml/min and the empty bed contact time [EBCT] of 2.1 min. phosphate solutions with concentrations of 1 to 16 mg produced at neutral PH were used in 6 steps of experiment NaOH and NaCl solutions were used for regeneration of resin. Then the effect of competing anions, chloride, sulfate, bicarbonate and their compounds on the efficiency of the resin was assessed. Finally the efficiency of the resin for removal of phosphate from water treatment plant sewage in Ghods suburb was studied. Data were analyzed by SPSS 13 soft ware. The capacities of adsorption of phosphate, with concentrations of 1 to 16 mg, by each gram of resin were 1.31, 1.35, 1.53, 1.64, 1.7 and 1.75. The capacity of regenerated resin for removal of phosphate with a concentration of 6 mg/l was 1.6 mg for each gram of resin which showed a 8.5% decrease. The result of this study showed increased adsorptive capacity of resin with increased concentration of phosphate. Chloride, sulfate, bicarbonate ions and the combined anions had no effect on phosphate removal

survey on the relation between satus of the environmental health and health of the carpet workers in rural of Mehriz-Yazd Iran [2007]

Carpet industry is one of the most important traditional handicraft in IRAN. Considering the long history of carpet industry in Iran and the existence of working a lot of men and women in the villages of Iran in this field, carpet industry as can be regarded a complementary industry for farming so paying attention to the health of worekers in the field can play an important role in socio economic development of our villages. This descriptive cross- sectional study was conducted on 2200 carpet handicrafters in Mehryz, Yazd, Iran, selected through census. The relevant questionnaire was filled out by occupational health specialists and intern students of medicine via inspection, clinical examination and interviewing. Results:44.4% of the target group were between 15-24 years of age. 78.5% of the married subjects had 5 children or lower and 85.2% of them had different levels of literacy. 14.7% had a history of psychologic disorders; 4.6% ophthalmologic disorders, 4.5% endocrine disorders and 19.8% had history of infectious diseases. Results: indicated that there was a significant relationship between different disorders of mind, skin, heart, muscle, and skeleton with temperature of the mind, handicrafters working environment [P<0.05]. As we expected pulmonary disease was less prevalent among the subjects who possessed a better and more appropriate ventilating system for their morking place after correlation analysis, of the data it was revealed that with increasing the working years, the subjects' visual capacity also decreased. In addition, the working hours decreased in relation to the subjects' increase in blood pressure. The result of the study showed that some diseases like pulmonary and ocular diseases is high in carpet workers.The diseases in the subjects with inappropriate working place was higher than others. So it is nesseary today more attention to health of the carpet workers and their working places

Application of acoustical processor reactors for degradation of diazinon from surface water

Since organophosphorus pesticides are widely used for industry and insect control in agricultural crops, their fate in the environment is very important. Pesticide contamination of surface water has been recognized as a major contaminant in world because of their potential toxicity towards human and animals. The objective of this research was to investigate the influence of various parameters including the iniluence oftime. power, and initial concentration on degradation of diazinon pesticide. The sonochemical degradation of diazinon was investigated using acoustical processor reactor. Acoustical processor reactor with 130 kHz was used to study the degradation of pesticide solution. Samples were analyzed using HPLC at different time intervals. Effectiveness of APR at different times [20, 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120 min], concentrations [2. 4 and 8 mg/L] and powers [300W, 400W, 500W] were compared. The degradation of the diazinon at lower concentrations was greater in comparison to higher concentrations. There was also direct correlation between power and diazinon degradation. In addition, when the power increased, the ability to degraded diazinon increased. The sonodegradation of diazinon pesticide at different concentrations and powers was successfully provided. It has been shown that APR can be used to reduce the concentration of dissolved pesticide using high frequency

[Survey of bacteriological quality of the drinking water in rural areas of Saqqez city]

Safe drinking water providing is one of the main purposes in the community. Development and improvement of community is related to the public health. In this study we studied the bacteriological quality of 116 villages under coverage of the water and wastewater companies in rural areas of Saqqez in.1386 Material and Drinking water of these rural areas have provided of deep, semi-depth- wells and spring water sources. Because in numerous rural areas both sources of drinking water and in some of them different sources of drinking water were used [old and new storage water source], in general, 359 samples were collected and transferred to the laboratory for testing to evaluate its quality. We also used linear Regression statistical analysis for collected data. results show that residual chlorine in drinking water in 33.88 percent of rural areas population were in range 0.2-1 mg/l. For 98.3 percent of the seqqez rural population, the turbidity was lower than the maximum permissible levels of drinking water standards of Iran [5 NTU]. There was no any E.coli contamination in 88 percent of drinking water in saqqez rural areas. Based on WHO guidelines concerning the microbial quality of water published in 2006 the average indicator for lack of E.coli in water of rural areas of seqqez was 88 percent and water is safe or good for drinking

Assessment of medical waste management in educational hospitals of Tehran University Medical Sciences

The management of medical waste is of great importance due to its potential environmental hazards and public health risks. In the past, medical waste was often mixed with municipal solid waste and disposed in residential waste landfills or improper treatment facilities in Iran. In recent years, many efforts have been made by environmental regulatory agencies and waste generators to better managing the wastes from healthcare facilities. This study was carried in 12 educational hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The goals of this study were to characterize solid wastes generated in healthcare hospitals, to report the current status of medical waste management and to provide a framework for the safe management of these wastes at the considered hospitals. The methodology was descriptive, cross-sectional and consisted of the use of surveys and interviews with the authorities of the healthcare facilities and with personnel involved in the management of the wastes. The results showed that medical wastes generated in hospitals were extremely heterogeneous in composition. 42% of wastes were collected in containers and plastic bags. In 75% of hospitals, the stay-time in storage sites was about 12-24h. 92% of medical wastes of hospitals were collected by covered-trucks. In 46% of hospitals, transferring of medical wastes to temporary stations was done manually. The average of waste generation rates in the hospitals was estimated to be 4.42kg/bed/day

[ evaluation of knowledge and practice rate of Shahid Sadughi University's students about leishmaniasis in Yazd province, 2005]

Leishmaniasis a spectrum of diseases ranging from the cutaneous, to visceral presents in diverse clinical forms caused by multiple species, with different reservoir hosts and insect vectors Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by the protozoa of the Leishmania species, which is transmitted by the bite of a female sandfly. The resrvoir hosts are males [anthroponotic cycle] and domestic or wild animals [zoonotic cycle]. In man the disease takes four main clinical forms: visceral, cutaneous, mucocutaneous and diffuse cutaneous. Leishmaniasis, which is now found in four continents, is endemic in 82 countries [21 in the New world and 61 in the old]. Annual incidence is estimated at some 600,000 new clinical cases, officially reported, with a global prevalence of 12 million cases and a population at risk of approximately 350 million. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of knowledge and practices of students about leishmaniasis. For this cross-sectional descrptive investigation, 230 students were selected. The initial data were collecteded through a face to face interview. The data were anlysed using chi-squaire test. The results of research revealed that 44.4% of the students had informations about visceral and cutaneous leishmaniose and 72% knew that sand flies are the vector of leishmania. 6.55% of them believed that covering the sore could prevent the this transmission of this disease to human. Regarding the research results overall, the knowledge and practice rate of the students are not enough at present. Therefore their information must be increased through more educational programs and also in the mass media