Journal of Environmental Health and Sustainable Development

Is Vermicomposting the Best Option for Eliminating Antibiotic Resistance Genes (ARGs)?

Farnaz Ghandehari Yazdi — 2024-06-23

The Article Abstract is not Available.

Optimizing Microalgae Cultivation for Wastewater Phytoremediation and Biodiesel Production

Behnam Hatami — 2024-06-23

The Article Abstract is not Available.

Spatial Distribution and Health Risk Assessment of Nitrate in Drinking Water: A Case Study in the Central Plateau of Iran

Reza Ali Fallahzadeh — 2024-06-23

Introduction: This study aimed to determine nitrate levels in water wells supplying drinking water in Taft city, Iran, and assess the associated health risks using the method proposed by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Materials and methods: In 2021, the average annual nitrate levels were determined in 48 drinking water wells which were located in Zone 39 (Taft city). Health risk assessment and sensitivity analysis were conducted to identify the most influential variables.

Results: The mean nitrate content in the water wells under study was 32.88 ± 18 mg/L. Out of the 48 examined water wells, 10 had nitrate levels higher than the standard value (50 mg/L) established by the Iranian Institute of Standardization (Standard No. 1053) and WHO. The calculated Hazard Quotient (HQ) for children and adolescents was greater than 1, while it was less than 1 for adults. Nitrate concentration in drinking water was found to be the most important influencing variable in the calculated HQ for children and adolescents.

Conclusion: The results indicated that children and adolescents’ health in the studied area is at risk, and appropriate measures must be implemented to avoid and control the exposure of these vulnerable groups; they can be continuous monitoring of nitrate levels using on-site treatment methods where nitrate concentrations exceed the standard level, and decommissioning wells with high nitrate levels.

Comparing Optimized Sound Absorption Coefficient of Aluminum Foam with Local Search Algorithm, Genetic Algorithm, and Particle Swarm Optimization

Rohollah Fallah Madvari — 2024-06-23

Introduction: The principle of passive sound control is based on the phenomenon of sound absorption by absorbers. The factors affecting sound absorption include porosity, pore size, pore opening size, thickness, and air flow resistance.

Materials and methods: In this study, the authors compared the optimization results of the effective parameters on sound absorption coefficient (AC) using the three optimization methods: Guided Local Search (GLS), Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). The programming was done in MATLAB software. Thicknesses of 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 mm were chosen for optimization at frequencies of 500 to 3000 Hz.

Results: In frequencies above 2 kHz (thickness 5 to 40 mm), the three optimal methods had the same performance and estimated AC of 1. At low frequencies of 2 kHz and thicknesses of 30 and 40 mm, GA and PSO methods obtained an AC of 1.

Conclusion: It seems that the GA and PSO optimization algorithm are suitable methods to optimize the AC of metal foam in low and high frequencies.

Removal of Fexofenadine and Montelukast Drugs from Aquatic Environment Using a Rhodotron Accelerator

Omid Abouee Mehrizi — 2024-06-23

Introduction: Nowadays, the management of drug effluents, as emerging pollutants, has attracted great attention due to human health and ecological adverse effects. During the COVID-19 pandemic, two drugs, Fexofenadine and Montelukast, have been used in large quantities for patients with lung involvement. The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of removing Fexofenadine and Montelukast and determine the removal kinetics.

Material and methods: In this study, we used Rhodotron accelerator to determine kinetic coefficients for the removal of drugs. Our research focused on studying the kinetics of E-Beam radiation reactions and the generation of significant amounts of free radicals during these processes. We employed first-order and second-order kinetic models under laboratory conditions, taking into account various influencing factors to establish the rate of removal.

Results: The results showed that the decomposition of Fexofenadine and Montelukast drugs by high-energy E-Beam bending process is a pseudo-first-order reaction with a coefficient of more than 0.9105 and 0.998, respectively. The results showed that the reaction rate constant depended significantly on the initial concentration of Fexofenadine and Montelukast drugs and their molecular structure.

Conclusion: Using a Rhodotron accelerator is important for removing Fexofenadine and Montelukast from the aquatic environment.

The Relationship between Pesticide Exposure and Liver and Renal Enzyme Disorders in Adults Aged 35-70: The Results of the First Phase of the Shahedieh Cohort Study

Kosar Zardosht — 2024-06-23

Introduction: Liver and kidney are known as important organs in detoxification of the body and may be exposed to pesticide damage. This study aims to investigate the relationship between pesticide exposure and disorders of liver and renal enzymes.

Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 5637 Iranian adults aged 35-70 from the first phase of Shahedieh Cohort Study. The investigated variables included age, sex, BMI, smoking, liver enzymes (SGPT, SGOT, ALP, GGT), renal enzymes (Urea, Creatinine), and the information related to exposure to pesticides in the yard, home, and agricultural land during the last 12 months. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 24.

Results: The findings showed that 8% of the people were exposed to pesticides/ insecticides on agricultural land, 2% in yard, and 59.6% at home. The mean of liver and renal enzymes in people exposed to pesticides in agricultural land was higher than in non-exposed individuals. This relationship was significant for all the enzymes except GGT. People exposed to pesticides in the yard had significantly higher levels of renal enzymes than non-exposed individuals. People exposed to pesticides at home had significantly higher levels of liver enzymes and renal enzymes than the non-exposed ones. Moreover, the mean of liver and renal enzymes were lower in people who used personal protective equipment.

Conclusion: This study suggests that exposure to pesticides may impact liver and kidney functions, and taking precautions like using personal protective equipment can help minimize potential health risks.

Economic Efficiency and Effectiveness of Salix acmophylla in Reducing Wastewater Characteristics : A Case study in Varzaneh Wastewater Treatment Plant, Isfahan, Iran.

Abdoreza Ahaki Varzaneh — 2024-06-23

Introduction: Phytoremediation is a sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly process that utilizes plants and microorganisms for purification of the polluted land. In this study, the fast-growing species Salix acmophylla from the Salicaceae family was selected for phytoremediation purposes.

Materials and methods: With the aim of exploring the potential of Salix acmophylla in wastewater purification, a research initiative was launched in 2020, Following initial land preparation on a 5-hectare site next to a wastewater treatment plant, 60,000 Salix acmophylla cuttings were planted. By 2022, the trees had matured to a height of 3-4 meters. Wastewater samples were then collected and analyzed for pollutant levels both before entering the planted area and after passing through drainage channels built among the trees. This allowed researchers to calculate the average efficiency of Salix acmophylla in reducing wastewater pollutants.

Results: The results regarding the impact of Salix acmophylla trees on the reduction of wastewater Characteristics in the cultivation area were the following: COD, BOD5, TSS, TDS, EC, and turbidity exhibited reductions of 38%, 42%, 17.5%, 79%, 52.2%, and 45.6%, respectively. Additionally, the estimated income from the cultivation of these trees was approximately $49,000.

Conclusion: Planting Salix acmophylla trees significantly contributes to the reduction of wastewater pollutant parameters, suggesting the recommendation of this species for similar climates.

The Effects of Environmental Values on Pro-Environmental Behavior and Attitude of Housewives in Rafsanjan, Southeast Area of Iran

Hadi Eslami — 2024-06-23

Introduction: Indiscriminate consumption of energy, environmental pollution, and destruction of natural resources are among the most important issues related to pro-environmental behavior of people in society, and environmental values play an important role in shaping internal motivations of people about environmental issues. This study was conducted to determine the effects of environmental values on pro-environmental behavior and attitude of housewives in Rafsanjan, southeast area of Iran.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 housewives who were selected as random in health-care centers in Rafsanjan city. The data collection was done by a validated questionnaire regarding environmental values, attitude, and behavior. Pearson correlation, independent t-test, and ANOVA statistical tests were used to analyze data in SPSS.V22 software.

Results: The mean score of environmental values was 3.37 ± 26.76 (89.2%), which was significant according to the level of education (p = 0.016). The mean score of attitude and environmental values was 6.88 ± 40.65 (81.3%) and 40.22 ± 5.66 (80.44%), respectively. Also, there was a significant relationship between the score of pro-environmental behaviors and the level of education (p = 0.012). Pearson's correlation showed that there was a positive and significant relationship between environmental values and attitudes (r = 0.239, p = 0.01) and pro-environmental behaviors (r = 0.146, p = 0.01).

Conclusion: Based on the results, educated housewives believe more value for the environment, and have more appropriate pro-environmental behavior; thus, planning to sensitize society members, especially housewives, regarding the values of environmental protection through religious and cultural-based environmental education programs and increasing the level of education are recommended.