Pesticides residues determination and probabilistic health risk assessment in the soil and cantaloupe by Monte Carlo simulation: A case study in Kashan and Aran-Bidgol, Iran.

Cantaloupe is a popular agricultural product in the hot season of Iran. On the other hand, the frequent use of pesticides in cantaloupe fields is the most important threat to the health of farmers and consumers. Therefore, the present study aims to measure the concentration of diazinon (DZN), chlorpyrifos (CPF), and malathion (MLT) in cantaloupe cultivated in Kashan and Aran-Bidgol (Iran) and to estimate the possible oral and dermal risk of these pesticides by Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). 36 cantaloupe samples, 18 samples before, and 18 samples after the latent period were collected from different places of cantaloupe cultivation from April to May 2021. After measuring the pesticides using the QuEChERS approach, oral and dermal risk assessments were calculated.The mean and standard deviation of the concentrations of chlorpyrifos, malathion, and diazinon in 18 cantaloupe samples, after the latent period, were (30.39 ± 13.85), (18.361 ± 1.8), and (21.97 ± 0.86) µg kg-1, respectively. Concentration of Malathion, diazinon, and Chlorpyrifos in the soil were 0.22, 0.25, and 0.3 mg kg-1, respectively, and pesticide cumulative risk assessment in soil was obtained 0.011 for Malathion, 0.05 for diazinon and 0.03 for Chlorpyrifos. Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) according to the cantaloupe consumption and dermal exposure in children and adults, was safe range. Although non-cancerous dermal and oral risk of cantaloupe is low, constant exposure can be harmful. Therefore, the findings of this study play an important role in increasing the understanding of the negative health consequences of pesticide contamination in cantaloupe for consumers, especially local residents, and can help by adopting remedial strategies to reduce environmental concerns.

Dispersion of NO2 and SO2 pollutants in the rolling industry with AERMOD model: a case study to assess human health risk.

Steel and rolling industry are the most important industries polluting the environment. Therefore, aim of this study is to make an emission model for SO2 and NO2 pollutants released from the rolling industry of Sepid-Farab Kavir Steel (SKS) complex using the AERMOD model and health risk assessment. Sampling pollutants released from SKS complex was performed in January 2017 at 10 different sites. Distribution of these pollutants was investigated by AERMOD model, domain site of AERMOD was designed for area around the factory with a radius of 30 km, and also SO2 and NO2 modeling was performed for both natural gas and liquid fuel. Human health risk assessment was also studied. The results of this study demonstrated the emission of SO2 and NO2 from this complex is less than the maximum allowable, when used natural gas as the main fuel. The hourly concentration of SO2 reached about 324 µg/m3, which in higher than the standard value for 1 h. Considering the findings, the urban gas is considered as a clean source in terms of furnace air output and the concentration of emitted pollutants. Also, it has no side effects on workers' health.