Evaluation of seasonal and spatial variations of air quality index and ambient air pollutants in Isfahan using geographic information system

Introduction: Due to more than 1.7 million population, many vehicles and large industries around Isfahan, it has become one of the most polluted cities in Iran. The aim of this study was a spatial analysis of the concentrations of air pollutants and the air quality index [AQI]

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive and evaluative study, the air quality data of 7 monitoring stations in 2012 were taken from the Isfahan Department of Environment. The calculation of AQI was done as per the EPA guidelines. The zoning pollutant concentrations and AQI in the study area was determined with the use of the Arc map software, version 10.1

Results: The results showed that the highest concentrations of pollutants and the AQI were related to the Ahmadabad station. Moreover, the air quality in Isfahan in 2012 was 4.38% [4 days] in good conditions, 12.7% [47 days] in moderate conditions, 42.56% [156 days] in unhealthy conditions for sensitive groups, 39.49% [144 day] in unhealthy conditions, 2.8% [10 days] in a very unhealthy and 1.2% [4 days] in dangerous conditions, respectively

Conclusion: It was found that particulate matter was the main cause of Isfahan air pollution while Ahmadabad is the most polluted point in Isfahan. According to the calculations, during 314 days of the year 2012, the air quality of Isfahan was in unhealthy conditions and only 4 days was in good conditions. This is one of the biggest health challenges in this city

Assessment of airborne asbestos fibers concentration in Yazd city in summer 2015

Introduction: Today, have been approved scientifically relationship between presence of asbestos fibers in the human respiratory area and malignant diseases such as lung advanced fibrosis [Asbestosis], gastrointestinal, lung and Laryngeal cancers. The aim of this study was the determination of asbestos fibers concentration in Yazd city's air in the summer of 2015

Methods: This is a descriptive cross sectional study in which 13 high-traffic points of Yazd city were selected for asbestos sampling. Sampling was conducted in the summer in two stages using SKC pump. In total was collected 26 samples from the high traffic points of Yazd city. Also for the counting of asbestos fibers was used scanning electron microscopy [SEM]

Results: In the current research, the highest and the lowest concentration of asbestos fibers were related to Shohadaye mehrab square [0.02131 fiber/ml] and Azad Shahr [0.00112 fiber/ml] respectively. Qualitative analysis of asbestos fibers by SEM showed that 75% of the samples were asbestos fibers and the other was non-asbestos fibers

Conclusion: The present study showed that the average of asbestos fibers concentration in total sampling stations [0.0848 fiber/ml] was higher than WHO guidelines [2.2x10[-3] fiber/ml]. The main reason for the presence of these fibers in the air of Yazd city can be attributed to brake pad, clutch and automobile gasket adhesive