ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Environmental health monitoring and its effects on health are very important in health systems. Relationship between environment and health can be done by simplifying data in understandable indicators for people and policy-makers. The present study presents the general framework for formulating environmental health quality index for Iran. METHODS: This study was implemented through expert panel at two levels: indicator domain determination and domain specific variables selection. Domain specific variables were selected based on the Driving force-Pressure-State-Exposure-Effect-Action (DPSEEA) framework from the list of national and international variables. RESULTS: Seven environmental health issues [air quality, drinking water, sewage disposal, food, radiation management and housing and human settlements] were determined, and three variables were selected for air quality, 8 variables for water quality, 5 variables for sanitation, 1 variable for food quality, 3 variables for housing and human settlements, 4 variables for solid waste management and 3 variables for radiation management. CONCLUSIONS: Environmental health indicators determination based on the causal effect model leads to a better understanding of the relationship between the environment and health by simplifying data in an understandable format for public and improves prioritization of policy-making in the environmental health. In this study, environmental health indicators for Iran were proposed.
ABSTRACT
The aim of data was to evaluate the efficiency of chitosan extracted from shrimp waste for Arsenic adsorption and optimization by response surface methodology (RSM) with central composite design (CCD). The data showed that, with increasing contact time, the amount of adsorption increased and the optimal contact time was about 60â¯min. With increasing pH decreased adsorption, although this reduction was not significant. The optimum pH was obtained at 4.41. The average amount of adsorbent capacity was also about 1.3â¯mg/g. Overall, chitosan extracted from shrimp waste could be considered as an efficient material for the adsorption of Arsenic from aqueous solution.
ABSTRACT
The aquatic ecosystems are continuously endangered due to variety of hazardous chemicals containing different toxic agents which can be emitted from anthropogenic sources. Besides the increasing of human population, various kinds of contaminants enter into the surface water resources. The aim of the present study was to investigate the abundance and diversity of macro invertebrates in two permanent streams located in the northern part of Tehran. The biological integrity of the streams was determined by manual sampling approach at five points. The distances between the sampling points were at least 2â¯km. The bio indicator organisms, organic pollution, and dissolved oxygen were measured. The different types of benthic invertebrates such as riffle beetle, midge and caddish fly larvae, dragon fly, may fly and stone fly nymph, riffle beetle adult, pyralid caterpillar, leech, and pouch snail were identified. It can be concluded that, the identified benthic macro invertebrates can be served as appropriate biological indicator in the studied area.
ABSTRACT
Introduction of fuel hydrocarbons and inorganic compounds (heavy metals) into the soil, resulting in a change of the soil quality, which is likely to affect use of the soil or endangering public health and ground water. This study aimed to determine a series of parameters to remediation of TPH and heavy metals contaminated soil by non-ionic surfactants- chelating agents washing process. In this experimental study, the effects of soil washing time, agitation speed, concentration of surfactant, chelating agent and pH on the removal efficiency were studied. The results showed that TPH removal by nonionic surfactants (Tween 80, Brij 35) in optimal condition were 70-80% and 60-65%, respectively. Addition of chelating agent (EDTA) significantly increases Cd and Pb removal. The washing of soil by non- ionic surfactants and EDTA was effective in remediation of TPH and heavy metals from contaminated soil, thus it can be recommended for remediation of contaminated soil.
