Human health and ecological risk assessment of heavy metal(loid)s in agricultural soils of rural areas: A case study in Kurdistan Province, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Agricultural soils pollution with heavy metal (loid) s (HMs) can create significant ecological and health problems. The aims of present study were to characterize HMs pollution profile of dry farmland soils in rural areas of Kurdistan province in Iran and evaluate potential associated ecological and health risks. METHODS: Different indices of Geo-accumulation index (IGeo), Individual contamination factor (ICF), Nemerow composite pollution index (NCPI) and Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI) were employed to assess the bio-accumulation of the HMs and evaluate associated ecological risks. Human health risks estimated with total hazard index (THI) and total carcinogenic risk (TCR) indices based on ingestion, inhalation and dermal exposure pathways for children and adults. RESULTS: As, Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb exceeded the soil standards. The spatial maps of the IGeo showed that As pollution was at severe level in eastern part of the study region. According to the ICF results, the studied soils were extremely contaminated with As, Cd, Cr, Ni and Zn. Furthermore, based on the pollution indices, some of sampling sites were critically polluted by abovementioned HMs. For children and adults groups, the THI values in 13 and 97% of sampling sites were more than 1 and the TCR in 7 and 14% of sampling sites were more than 10-4, respectively. The farmland soil pollution of the study area by As and Cr were found to be quite serious and dangerous. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that further attention should be paid by decision-makers to control the HMs pollution in the agricultural soils of the study area.

Experimental design, modeling and mechanism of cationic dyes biosorption on to magnetic chitosan-lutaraldehyde composite.

Magnetic separation of toxic dyes has become a potential and effective method in wastewater treatments. In present research, a facile in situ one step co-precipitation synthetic approach is used to develop water-dispersible Fe3O4/Chitosan/Glutaraldehyde nanocomposites (MCS-GA) as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of Crystal Violet (CV) from aqueous solution. The physicochemical properties of the MCS-GA were investigated using FTIR, SEM, TEM, XRD, BET, and VSM techniques. 5-level and 3-factors central composite design (CCD) combined with the response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to investigate the statistical relationships between independent variables i.e. initial pH, adsorbent dosage, initial dye concentration and adsorption process as response. The optimal values of the parameters for the best efficiency (99.99%) were as follows: pH of 11, the initial dye concentration of 60 mg L-1 and MCS-GA dosage of 0.817 g L-1, respectively. The adsorption equilibrium and kinetic data were fitted with the Langmuir monolayer isotherm model (qmax: 105.467 mg g-1, R2: 0.996) and pseudo-second order kinetics (R2: 0.960). Thermodynamic parameters (R2 > 0.941, ΔH°: 690.609-896.006 kJ mol-1, ΔG°: -1.6849 to -13.4872 kJ mol-1, ΔS°: 0.168-0.232 kJ mol-1 K-1) also indicated CV adsorption is feasible, spontaneous and endothermic in nature. Overall, taking into account the excellent efficiency, good regeneration and acceptable performance in real terms, MCS-GA can be introduced as a promising absorbent for dyes removal from the textile wastewater.

Data on concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in roasted and fried chicken - A case study: Bushehr, Iran.

In the present data article, the presence and amount of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were surveyed in Iranian roasted and fried chicken in Bushehr restaurants. For data collection, 73 samples (including 36 Roasted chicken and 37 Fried chicken samples) were collected from local restaurants and various retail outlets of Bushehr, Iran. The concentrations of 16 PAHs were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results indicated that the total PAHs level was ranged from 4.20 to 32.29 mg/kg and 2.06-19.65 µg/kg in Roasted and Fried chicken, respectively. The differences in PAHs levels were observed among charcoal and gas-roasted samples as well as between chicken fried with different oil types. benzo[a] pyrene(BaP), an appropriate marker for occurrence and potential toxicity of PAHs food matrixes was found in all roasted samples ranged from 1.41-5.71 mg/kg and all fried samples in range of 0.9-3.32 µg/kg. Moreover, unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) and saturated fatty acid (SFA) ratios in the in the used vegetable oils had an important role in the generation of PAHs in fried chicken.

Data for efficiency comparison of raw pumice and manganese-modified pumice for removal phenol from aqueous environments-Application of response surface methodology.

Present deadest collection was aimed to evaluate the efficiency of raw pumice (RWP) and Mn-modified pumice (MMP). Response surface methodology (RSM) based on the central composite designs (CCD) was applied to evaluate the effects of independent variables including pH, adsorbents dosage, contact time and adsorbate concentration on the response function and the best response values were predicted. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the adsorbents. Based on acquired data, the maximum efficiency removal of phenol was obtained 89.14% and 100% for raw and Mn-modified pumice respectively. The obtained data showed pH was effective parameter on phenol removal among the different variables. Evaluation of data using isotherms and kinetics models showed the fitted with Langmuir isotherm and pseudo second order kinetic for both adsorbents. According to obtained data was observed that modification of pumice can improve the efficiency removal of phenol to meet the effluent standards.

The dataset on rural women's awareness and attitudes about residential constructions in accordance with the health standards A case study of Gilan-e-Gharb, Iran.

Residence can affect various aspects of one׳s physical, psychological and social health. Therefore, the present dataset aimed to assess the level of rural housewives' awareness and attitudes towards the importance of residence and its compliance with health standards. To collect the present dataset, four villages were selected from the Gilan-e-Gharb township using the randomized cluster sampling method, then 25 subjects were chosen from each village (totaling 100 altogether). Furthermore, the subjects' awareness and attitudes were measured using a researcher-made questionnaire, and the data were then analyzed using the SPSS Statistical Software Version 21.0. The obtained data demonstrated that rural housewives' awareness and attitudes towards the subject were significantly different in terms of education and age group (P< 0.05), but the opposite was true in terms of the variables of marital status and training by health practitioners (P> 0.05). Based on the obtained data, the awareness and attitudes of rural women towards the importance and necessity of health standards of residence were low and moderate, respectively. In addition, providing rural women with effective training in various ways to raise their awareness and attitudes is of prime significance.

Kinetic and modeling data on phenol removal by Iron-modified Scoria Powder (FSP) from aqueous solutions.

Phenol present in industrial effluents is a toxicant matter which causes pollution of environments aqueous. In this work, scoria was modified by iron in order to increasing of adsorbent efficiency and effective removing of phenol. Effects of independent variables including pH, adsorbents dosage, contact time and adsorbate concentration on removing of phenol were studied by response surface methodology (RSM) based on the central composite designs (CCD). The characterization of raw scoria powder (RSP) and Iron-modified Scoria Powder (FSP) was determined via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The obtained data showed modification by iron caused the growth of new crystalline of iron oxide on the surface of FSP. Evaluated data by RSM indicated the all variables especially pH are effective in removing of phenol (P-value < 0.001) and optimum condition was obtained at pH = 5, phenol concentration = 50 mg/l, adsorbent dosage = 1 g/l and contact time = 100 min to the value of 94.99% with desirability of 0.939. Results revealed that data were fitted by Langmuir isotherm (R2 = 0.9938) and pseudo second order kinetic (R2 = 0.9976). It was found that iron causes increasing the site active of scoria and let to significant removal of phenol.

A study of staff׳s awareness and attitudes towards the importance of household hazardous wastes (HHW) management (A Case Study of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran).

The present study aimed to assess the levels of staff׳s awareness and attitudes towards the importance of household hazardous wastes (HHW) management at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS), Kermanshah, Iran. The awareness and attitudes were measured using a researcher-made questionnaire, which was then completed by 200 personnel at KUMS with different responsibilities. Finally, the data were then analyzed using the SPSS Statistical Software Version 21.0. The results of the present study showed that the average of awareness for man and woman was obtained 19.59 ± 3.53 and 19.88 ± 3.33, respectively. While, the attitude for them was 58.66 ± 9.5 and 61.25 ± 9.8, respectively. In terms of variable "job type", the highest score about awareness and attitude was related to physician (20.45 ± 2.41) and nurse (61.8 ± 9.2) jobs respectively. The highest level of awareness was for those with a diploma degree, while in term of attitude the maximum score was obtained for those who were undergraduate and bachelor degree. Based on age group, minimum and maximum score of awareness were related to 44-53 and 44-53 years, respectively. While in term of attitude were 54-65 and 34-43 years, respectively. According to results, it is suggested that households be trained in separating, recycling, collecting, transporting and disposing of HHWs in accordance with health standards with the aim of providing, maintaining and improving the health of families, societies and environment. It should be noted that prevention of adverse environmental effects of hazardous waste is a priority, which can be realized through applying proper management methods.

Evaluation of indoor air quality and its symptoms in office building - A case study of Mashhad, Iran.

Air pollution sources in indoor area are one of the main factors for reducing indoor air quality of locations. In the current research, factors affecting indoor air quality and its symptoms are evaluate as case study in an office building in Mashhad (Iran). In order to conduct this descriptive-analytical study, gas pollutants affecting indoor air quality were determined using portable analysis systems. Alberta Indoor Air Quality Toolkit was used in order to study sick building syndrome. Findings indicated that 21% of staffs viewed labor environment conditions as inappropriate and they were mostly compliant about feeling of dusty air, fatigue and headache. In addition, findings showed that O3, VOC, PM10, PM2.5, CO, CO2 parameters, Formaldehyde, temperature, sound and humidity were at standard level. Indicators of indoor air quality, in addition to the stress and depression interference on employee performance and satisfaction were at acceptable level.

Knowledge, attitude and practices of farmers about pesticide use, risks, and wastes; a cross-sectional study (Kermanshah, Iran).

This study was aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and behavior of farmers about the pesticide use and wastes, and to determine the factors affecting the use of pesticides and their health effects, in agricultural lands located in Kermanshah province, western Iran. Three hundred eleven (311) farmers were included in this study, and filled a structured questionnaire containing questions about their basic information, their knowledge and attitude regarding pesticides, and their practices for pesticide disposal. In addition, the type and amount of pesticide consumption, and the health symptoms during the last year were recorded. Prevalence ratios and linear regression were used to evaluate the association between the different factors, and health symptoms and the amount of pesticide use, respectively. The majority of respondents had not been trained formally for the use of pesticides before. Approximately 10%, 45%, and 17% of pesticides contained highly hazardous, moderately hazardous, and slightly hazardous compounds, respectively. The farmers mainly had incorrect knowledge about pesticides and their risks, and used incorrect and high-risk methods for handling and application of pesticides and relevant wastes. Health symptoms were more associated with age ≥ 65, having no education, having income < 482 USD, not trained for pesticide use, and applying highly hazardous pesticides. In addition, the factors contributing to the amount of pesticide use included age, education level, and pesticide training. In order to reduce the amount of pesticide released to the environment, comprehensive training programs and implementing a waste management system could be effective.

Data for distribution of various species of fecal coliforms in urban, rural and private drinking water sources in ten years period - A case study: Kermanshah, Iran.

This study was aimed to investigate the distribution of various species of fecal coliform in urban, rural and private drinking water sources of Kermanshah, in the west of Iran. For this study, data of ten years period (2006-2016) assessments of microbial quality regarding various species of Fecal coliforms was taken from health centers associated with urban, rural and private resources of Kermanshah city. A total number of 8643 samples were taken, 1851 samples from rural, 365 from urban and 4834 from private resources. The results showed that Fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli (E. coli) had the widest distribution in all urban, rural and private water resources (22.3%, 45.9% and 34%, respectively). Moreover, E. coli (47.5%) and Klebsiella (0.4%) had, respectively, the highest and lowest distribution in all months considered. Based on the results, E.coli exists mostly in water resources; it is therefore of particular importance in the monitoring of water resources.

Dataset for effect comparison of irrigation by wastewater and ground water on amount of heavy metals in soil and vegetables: Accumulation, transfer factor and health risk assessment.

The irrigation source plays an important role in the amount of contaminates in soil and cultivated agricultural products. In this study, the concentration and human health risks of heavy metals (Zn, Mn, Cu, Cr, Cd and Pb) were evaluated in soil, water and vegetables collected from two sites (FGW: Farms irrigated with ground water, FWW: Farms irrigated with wastewater) of Bushehr, Iran. The trend of heavy metals concentration in vegetables from either site was in the following order: Mn ˃ Zn ˃ Cu ˃ Pb ˃ Cr ˃ Cd. Except Cd and Pb, the concentration of heavy metals was in the range of European Union (2006) permissible limit. THQ (Target hazard quotient) values were the highest in Mn followed by the Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn and Cr. Mn, Pb and Cd exceeded safe limit of THQ in several cases, while THQ of other heavy metals was in the range of safe limit. Based on the results, it can be concluded that heavy metals contamination in vegetables grown in Bushehr, especially in FWW site, may pose a great health risks to the local inhabitant through consumption of vegetables. Therefore, it is recommended that the discharge of industrial and municipal wastewater into water resources witch used for vegetable irrigation should be the first step in controlling the level of heavy metals in vegetables.

Data for comparison of chlorine dioxide and chlorine disinfection power in a real dairy wastewater effluent.

Disinfection of water refers to a special operation that is doing to kill or disable causative organisms (i.e. Pathogens) and in particular, intestinal bacteria. The aim of this pilot study is comparison of disinfection power of Chlorine dioxide and chlorine in a real dairy wastewater effluent. In this regard, firstly prepared two 220-l tanks made of polyethylene as reaction tanks and filled by effluent of a dairy wastewater treatment plant. Both tanks were equipped with mechanical stirrer. Then a Diaphragm dosing pumps with the maximum capacity of 3.9 l per hour were used for the chlorine dioxide and chlorine (Calcium hypochlorite) 0.5 up to 3 ppm injection. Residual level of Chlorine dioxide and Chlorine were measured by portable photometric method DT4B kit, Germany. Finally, the Multiple-Tube Fermentation, Brilliant Green Bile Broth (BGB) and Eosin methylene blue Agar (EMB) technique was used for microbial analysis and the results were reported as the most probable number index (MPN) respectively. The data showed that the residual of chlorine dioxide could stood more active than residual of chlorine in the aqueous environment significantly. Therefore, Use of chlorine dioxide is more effective than chlorine for removal fecal and total coliform from dairy wastewater effluent.

Speciation of As(ΙΙΙ)/As(V) and Total Inorganic Arsenic in Biological Fluids Using New Mode of Liquid-Phase Microextraction and Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry.

In this paper, a new extraction method based on countercurrent liquid-liquid microextraction (CLLME) has been developed for the extraction and preconcentration of inorganic arsenic (iAs) in plasma and urine samples prior to their analysis by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). In this method, firstly, 5 ml of water is added to the extraction vessel. Then 30.0 µl of the extracting solvent is added to it in order for the extracting solvent to be placed in the narrow-necked vessel. In total, 10 ml of a standard solution or a pretreated real sample is added to the sample container and it is connected to the extraction vessel via a connector. While opening the embedded valve at the bottom of the sample container and the one in the extraction vessel, the sample solution flows into the extracting solvent with the same flow rate, leading to the successful extraction of metal ligand into the extracting organic solvent. Under the optimum conditions, calibration curves are linear in the range of 0.1-50 µg l-1, and limit of detections (LODs) are in the range of 0.03-0.05 µg l-1. The enhancement factor and enrichment factor were in the range of 220-240 and 198-212, respectively. Repeatability (intra-day) and reproducibility (inter-day) of method based on seven replicate measurements of 5.0 µg l-1 of arsenic were in the range of 2.3-3.5% and 4.0-5.7%, respectively. The applicability of the proposed CLLME and ETAAS methods was demonstrated by analyzing the iAs in spiked urine and plasma samples. The obtained recoveries of the arsenic in the range of 92-107% indicated the excellent capability of the developed method for speciation of arsenic from plasma and urine samples. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Review on the Implementation of the Islamic Republic of Iran about Tobacco Control, Based on MPOWER, in the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control by the World Health Organization.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is the largest preventable cause of death in the world, killing nearly 6 million people annually. This article is an investigation of measures implemented laws in the Iran to study the proposed strategy of control and reduce tobacco use based on the monitor, protect, offer, warn, enforce and raise (MPOWER) policy. METHODS: All laws approved by the Parliament along with the instructions on tobacco control prepared by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade were collected and studied. Moreover, practical steps of Ministry of Health and other organizations were examined in this regard. FINDINGS: Iranian Parliament after the adoption of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) acts to create a comprehensive and systematic program for tobacco control legislation as a first step towards comprehensive national tobacco control and combat. In this law and its implementing guidelines and based on the strategy of MPOWER, specific implement is done to monitor tobacco use and prevention policies, protect people from tobacco smoke, offer help to quit tobacco use, warn about the dangers of tobacco, enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship and raise taxes on tobacco. However, the full objectives of the legislation have not achieved yet. CONCLUSION: According to Iran's membership in the FCTC and executive producer of tobacco control laws and regulations, necessary infrastructure is ready for a serious fight with tobacco use. In Iran, in comparison with developed countries, there is a huge gap between ratified laws and performing of laws.