ABSTRACT
The ecological health of rivers has often been threatened in urbanized catchments due to the expansion of industrial activities and the population growth. Khorramabad River which flows through Khorramabad city, west of Iran, is an example of such settings. The river water is used for agricultural purposes downstream. In this study, the effect of Khorramabad city on heavy metal and metalloid (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr, and As) loads in Khorramabad River sediments was investigated. To evaluate sediment pollution and potential adverse biological effects, surface sediment samples were collected at selected locations along the river and were characterized for their geochemical properties. Contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), and ecological risk assessment (RI) were calculated. Also, sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) were used to screen contaminants of concern in the study area. The results showed that sediments were moderately polluted, with stations located in more densely populated areas showing higher pollution indicators. Copper, Zn, and Pb sources could be attributed to urban wastewater, whereas Ni, Cr, and As had both natural and anthropogenic sources. Moreover, ecological risk assessments showed that sediments could be classified in the category of low risk. The results of the present study showed the effect of anthropogenic activities on heavy metal loads of the river sediments and these findings can be used to mitigate potential impacts on the environment and human health.
Subject(s)
Environmental Monitoring , Geologic Sediments/chemistry , Metals, Heavy/analysis , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis , China , Cities , Ecology , Humans , Iran , Risk Assessment , Rivers/chemistry , Urbanization , WastewaterABSTRACT
This case-control study in Shiraz aimed to determine the relationship between parental smoking and childhood cancer. A questionnaire was completed by the mothers of 98 children newly diagnosed with cancer before the age of 14 years and 100 age- and sex-matched controls. Maternal smoking (prior to and during pregnancy and after the birth), and the numbers of maternal cigarettes smoked were not associated with an increased risk of childhood cancer. However, maternal exposure to passive smoke during pregnancy increased the risk of cancer childhood (OR = 3.6, 95% CI: 1.3-5.0). Father's smoking prior to (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.4-6.0) and during pregnancy (OR = 3.0, 95% CI 1.4-5.0) was significantly associated with an increased risk of cancer and this increased with heavy smoking. There were no relationship between an enhanced risk of childhood cancer and father's smoking after the child's birth.
Subject(s)
Neoplasms/chemically induced , Parents , Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/chemically induced , Smoking/adverse effects , Tobacco Smoke Pollution/adverse effects , Adolescent , Adult , Case-Control Studies , Chi-Square Distribution , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Interviews as Topic , Iran/epidemiology , Logistic Models , Male , Neoplasms/epidemiology , Pregnancy , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Smoking/epidemiology , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
This case-control study in Shiraz aimed to determine the relationship betwterl parental smoking and childhood cancer. A questionnaire was completed by the mothers of 98 children newly diagnosed with cancer before the age of 14 years and 100 age- and sex-matched controls. Maternal smoking [prior to and during pregnancy and after the birth], and the numbers of maternal cigarettes smoked were not associated with an increased risk of childhood cancer. However, maternal exposure to passive smoke during pregnancy increased the risk of cancer childhood [OR - 3.6, 95% Cl: 1.3-5.0]. Father's smoking prior to [OR - 1.8, 95% Cl: 1.4-6.0] and during pregnancy [OR - 3.0, 95% Cl: 1.4-5.0] was significantly associated with an increased risk of cancer and this increased with heavy smoking. There were no relationship between an enhanced risk of childhood cancer and father's smoking after the child's birth
