Journal of Human, Environment, and Health Promotion

79-88

Authors: Zohre Farahmandkia, Faramarz Moattar*, Farid Zayeri, Mohammad Sadegh Sekhavatjou, Nabiollah Mansouri

Background: Sampling was conducted on particles smaller than ten microns (PM10) in a high-traffic urban region once a week for two years in which fifteen heavy metals were measured. Methods: positive matrix factorization (EPA-PMF5), was used for source apportionment and characterization of the collected PM10. Assessment of cancer risk resulting from metals including arsenic, cadmium, chromium, nickel and lead was conducted in three concentration ranges of maximum, average and minimum. Results: Results for children and adults living in the region indicated that cancer risk indexes at different concentration ranges of carcinogenic metals were between 10-4 to 10-6 for adults and children. Since EPA recommendations suggest that planning should be conducted if cancer risk is in the range of 10-4 to 10-6, using PMF5 model, source characterization of pollutants was implemented by all measured heavy metals. Conclusion: It was found that 41.5% of PM10 resulted from fuel and combustion, 12% from waste dump soil of lead and zinc industries, 35.7% from suspended open soil and 11% from industrial activities. It was also found that cadmium, nickel and, chromium have higher cancer risk than other metals and, suspended open soil, industrial activities and industrial fuel and combustion are the main sources of these metals respectively.

96-104

Authors: Fayegh Yousefi*, Shohreh Baharvand Ahmadi

Background: Emotional quotient is the ability to manage and control the anxiety, tension, hope and optimism in the face of obstacles on the way of achieving the purpose. The purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship between the emotional quotient and emotional maturity in the students of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences in 2016. Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study carried out on 396 students with mean age of (M = 22.14, SD = 21.14). Data was collected through two questionnaires including Bar-On Emotional quotient Inventory (EQ-i) and Emotional Maturity Scale (EMS). The results were analyzed using SPSS version 22 and linear regression and Pearson's correlation tests. Results: The results showed that there's a significant relationship (P≤0.001) between emotional quotient and emotional maturity, also, between the emotional maturity with the Interpersonal Component (P≤0.001), Intrapersonal Component (P≤0.001), Adaptability Component (P≤0.001), and Stress Management Component (P ≤0.001) And General Mood Component (P≤0.001). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it is proposed that researchers carry out greater studies in students, identify factors associated with emotional maturity and develop precise plans in order to strengthen these factors and increase the rate of emotional quotient in students.

112-117

Authors: Mohammad Ali Karimi, Shirazeh Arghami*, Ali Behroozi

Background: Rapid pace of the construction projects have led to safety negligence on the part of the contractors causing higher numbers of accidents in construction industry. Thus, over 2200 legal provisions have been established for the prevention of accidents on construction sites. Not only contractors are unable to implement all provisions, but also it is hard for regulatory bodies to implement all rules, but they are also hard to remember and attend to by regulatory forces. Therefore, identifying the set of codes with the highest effect on reducing accidents would be most beneficial. The aim of this study was to determine the most effective legal provisions in reducing accidents on construction sites in Zanjan city. Methods: In this study, 378 work-related accidents in construction sites in Zanjan city, already registered in the Labor Inspection Authority, were investigated .Then the codes that had not been respected in the construction industry accidents were identified. Effective codes were determined based on their frequency on Pareto chart. Results: Results indicated that out of 2200 legal matters, only 164 were broken in the accidents. Conclusion: Application of Pareto chart could raise safety professionals' awareness of the specific broken codes in accidents, thus draw higher attention to the codes.

125-135

Authors: Parisa Golbazi, Masoud Hejazi*, Korosh Amini

Background: This study aimed to compare mental health, life satisfaction and happiness of non-addicted men's wives and addicted men's wives in Zanjan. Methods: This study was a comparative study of ex post facto. Two groups including 192 wives of addicted men and 192 non-addicted men's wives were selected. The case Group was selected purposefully and from the patients admitted to addiction treatment centers. The people in the control group were randomly selected from the same areas. The groups were assimilated with respect to the inclusion criteria. Data were collected by using GHQ-28, Satisfaction with Life Scale by Denier and Oxford Happiness Questionnaire. To analyze the data, considering that data follow a normal distribution and by observing the test precondition, MANOVA and independent two-sample t-test were used in SPSS 22. Results: There was a significant difference between general health and its subscales in the two groups (P>0.05). There was a significant difference between both groups in terms of life satisfaction (P<0.05). Finally, there was a significant difference between happiness and its subscales in the case group and control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The Case group had a situation lower than the control group in terms of general health, life satisfaction and happiness.

9-19

Authors: Davoud Balarak, Yousef Mahdavi, Ferdos Kord Mostafapour, Ali Joghataei*

Background: Recently, there has been a great concern about the consumption of dyes because of their toxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and persistence in the aquatic environment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of using Lemna minor for Acid Blue 292 (AB292) dye removal from aqueous solution and to determine the optimal conditions. Methods: This experimental study was conducted in the batch systems to investigate the effects of parameters such as contact time, initial concentration of dye, pH and Lemna minor biomass dose. Isotherms and kinetic studies of dye adsorption were performed using equilibrium data. Results: According to the results, a maximum removal efficiency of 98.5% was obtained at pH of 3 and the contact time of 90 min; initial dye concentration 10 mg/L and adsorbent dose 3g/L. The adsorption data was best fitted to the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second order kinetic model. Conclusion: The results showed that Lemna minor could be used as a cost-effective adsorbent for removing AB292 dye from textile wastewater efficiently.

32-38

Authors: Farank Saghatchi*, Gholam Ali Jafari, Jafar Taran, Zohre Farahmandkia

Background: Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) play an important role in medical, health and environmental applications. All kinds of microorganisms were found to be able to synthesize GNPs. The optimization of laboratory conditions for achieving more economical benefits of mass production has been studied widely. Methods: This study assesses the enhancing effect of low-level X-rays on the biosynthesis of GNPs by Actinomycetals. The isolated Actinomycetes were grown aerobically in MGYP broth media. The harvested bacteria were suspended in 50 mL aqueous HAuCl4 in 12 Erlenmeyer flask. Each group contained4 flasks. 2 groups of samples were irradiated by 30 mGy and 5 mGy X-rays respectively. The third group as control remained without irradiation. The solutions were shake- incubated for 120 h. Results: After 5 days, the color of first group samples changed from milky to purple, while the color changing occurred after 10 days in the 2nd group samples and the control samples. The UV-vis absorption spectrometry of the irradiated aqueous medium by 30 mGy X-rays confirmed the formation of GNPs. Conclusion: The findings showed that 30 mGy X-rays stimulated the microorganism to form GNPs in a half time in comparison to other groups.

47-51

Authors: Khalilollah Moeinian, Mohammad Reza Mehrasbi, Hassan Hassanzadazar, Koorosh Kamali , Elaheh Rabiei*

Background: Fluoride is an essential nutrient for the human body. The major routes of fluoride intake include food and drinking water, though the absorption of fluoride from food is much easier. The aim of this study was to evaluate the amount of fluoride in the soil and tomato and onion crops on farms of Zanjan. Methods: Three farms of each crop (tomato and onion) were selected randomly. Each farm was divided into 10 sections, and one sample of soil and crop of each section was taken which means 120 samples in total. Fluoride concentrations in the soil and crops were measured using the Ion Selective Electrode (ISE) and repeated 3 times. Results: The mean concentration of fluoride in soil samples from studied farms in Zanjan was 0.83 ± 0.17 mg/kg. The mean concentrations of fluoride in tomatoes and onions of Zanjan were observed 2.10 ± 0.80 and 2.23 ± 0.64 mg/kg, respectively. Conclusion: There was no significant difference between fluoride concentration in tomatoes and onions, although there was a significant difference between the amount of fluoride in the soils of studied farms (Pv < 0.024). No significant correlation was observed between the fluoride levels of soils and the fluoride levels of tomatoes (R2 = 0.126) and onions (R2 = 0.008).

63- 68

Authors: Jaber Yeganeh, Saeid Nazemi*, Shima Mohammad Khani

Background: Providing Safe drinking water is a prime concerninany community. This analytical study was carried out to evaluate the microbial quality of drinking water in rural areas of northeastern Iran. Methods: The water microbial quality was determined in all villages (a population of 53047 people), in 3 rounds and based on 3 measurements, i.e. Total Coliform, Fecal Coliform, and Heterotrophic Plate Count. Census method was used for studying water distribution system too. Results: Results of heterotrophic plate counts of over 500 were positive in 19 (19.8%) of the villages. Total coliforms were also detected in 37 (38.5%) of the villages. Water in villages receiving the services of Water and Wastewater Company had significantly lower levels of total and fecal coliforms contamination (p<0.05) compared to villages deprived of these services. In 4.3% of the villages where the Company delivered services, the HPC≥ 500 results were positive, while this percentage rose to 24.7% in other villages ( p = 0.03). Conclusion: Comparison of the results of this study with guidelines published by WHO, regarding the microbial quality of water in 2006, indicated that the microbial quality of the drinking water in rural areas in Maraveh Tappeh is desirable but lower than the Iranian standard.

189-195

Authors: Fardin Assadi, Hamid Reza Amirmoghadami, Mojghan Shamseddin, Keivan Nedaei, Azam Heidari*

Background: In recent years, nanoparticles have been increasingly used in industries. However, there is a serious lack of information concerning their impact on human health and the environment. This study was investigated the effect of MoO3 NPs on thyroid hormones in female rats. Methods: In this study, 21 female Wistar rats were selected and divided into three groups of untreated control, sham and treatment group with seven rats in each group. During 28 days the sham group received normal saline and treatment group received 5 mg/kg (MoO3 NPs) in normal saline. After the final injection, blood samples were collected and serum levels of total thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured and groups were compared together. Results: The results showed that the serum levels of T4 decreased significantly in group of 5 mg (MoO3 NPs) in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). However, there was insignificant difference observed in T3 levels when compared with the control group (p>0.05). The serum levels of TSH increased significantly in group of 5 mg/kg (MoO3 NPs) when compared with the both groups of sham and control (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that MoO3 NPs exposure induces the risk of thyroid dysfunction.

202-212

Authors: Mazyar Peyda*, Mohammad Reza Mehrasbi, Masoud Naderi, Koorosh Kamali, Vahid Falah Abadi

Background: Contamination of water and soil through non-point sources such as road runoff causes environmental concern. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of Zanjan – Chavarzagh road on the total organic carbon (TOC) content of sediments in tributaries and the river that lead to Taham Lake. Methods: In tributaries and the river 69 soil and sediment samples were taken and the Total organic carbon (TOC) was measured according to Walkely-Black method. Also, Taham Dam Basin area and its hydrologic properties were calculated by Global Information System (GIS) software. Results: Results showed that, TOC concentration has a significant negative relationship with the distance from the lake. TOC in soil samples taken from hillside of the road had significantly lower mean and median concentration ( median= 3262 , mean = 4083 ± 3461 mg/kg) than the valley side ( median = 5324 , mean = 6178 ± 3980 mg/kg). The check dams across the tributaries and the river have not been effective in the reduction of TOC in sediments. Conclusion: Roads in the Taham Dam Basin, increases TOC content of soil and sediments in Taham dam basin. TOC moves toward Taham dam lake.

220-226

Authors: Nahid Moradi*, Sedighe Javadpour, Ahmad Zaheri

Background: Pollution of drinking water and ice is one of the most serious ways of water borne diseases spread. The purpose of this study was to investigate the bacterial contamination of the ice produced by ice factories in Bandar Abbas. Methods: In this descriptive ,cross-sectional study samples were collected from seven ice factories in Bandar Abbas. Sampling was done by standard method. Amount of the Contamination of ice and water to coliforms was investigated by the Multiple Tube method to determine the MPN, isolate bacteria and identify the microorganisms using conventional bacteriological techniques and counting the total count of bacteria by the Plate Count method on a nutrient agar medium. The data was analyzed by the SPSS software. Results: In this study, a total of 84 samples were investigated. Gram-positive bacteria (65.5%) and gram-negative bacteria(34.5%) were separated from each other. The MPN rate in samples and total count of bacteria were 0->1100 and 2×101×104 CFU/mL, respectively. Conclusion: The results suggest that necessary precautions be taken by environmental health specialists and other public health authorities in production, transportation and distribution of the ice blocks to reduce the rate of bacterial contamination.

237-245

Authors: Maryam Khazaee-Pool, Fatemeh Zarei*

Background: Methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) is an evidence-based approach for opiate addiction treatment. While its effectiveness in reducing opiate use has been evidently verified, unanswered questions with respect to the cultural scenarios for MMT programs remain unanswered. This study was conducted to explore understanding address MMT initiation among a women-recruited sample of persons who use Opiate. Methods: Qualitative in-depth interviews were used in purposeful and maximum variation sampling. All participants recruited for interview in 60-90 minutes were 17 women with opiate addiction experience from three MMT clinics in Sari capital city of Mazandaran, Iran. We applied a content analysis with a conventional approach for analyzing and finding addicted women perception towards MMT. Results: To answer the main concern of the research team about how Iranian Opiate- addicted women perceived the MMT. The results were categorized into six main themes including Service Providers’ Support, Stigma in Society, Fear of Rejection, Long waiting time, Family Support, and Methadone’ Side Effects. Conclusion: The results revealed that there are several perceived reasons beyond personal and psychological factors. The contextual experience acts as important cues that might encourage or deter drug users toward MMT.

130-137

Authors: Mohammad Reza Mehrasbi, Faranak Saghatchi*, Zahra Khodaei, Jose Luis Gutierrez-Villanueva, Koroosh Kamali

Background: Environmental gamma ray refers to the gamma radiation from terrestrial sources and building materials. In enclosed spaces radiation can become a health hazard leading to potential increase in the rates of lung cancer. The goal of this study is to assess the exposure to natural gamma radiation of children in the schools of Zanjan province. Method: The natural gamma radiation was assessed in 46 primary schools of Zanjan province. A total number of 75 classrooms were studied. The measurements were performed in classrooms and schoolyards using a Geiger–Muller detector (RDS-110). Alongside radiation measurements, all the data corresponding to the characteristics of each school building were collected. Results: The results showed that the outdoor dose rate ranged from 82 to 106nSv h-1 while gamma dose rate due to inside classrooms ranged from 106 to 137nSvh-1. The findings represented that the highest indoor gamma dose rate belonged to the buildings of more than 30 years and metal frame and brick (P<0.05). Conclusion: We concluded that the effective dose due to gamma radiation from terrestrial sources and building materials for students of primary schools in Zanjan province (0.83 mSv) was higher than worldwide average of the annual effective dose (0.48 mSv).

143-148

Authors: Tooran Yarahmadi, Hassan Hassanzadazar*, Sajad Chamandoost, Majid Aminzare

Background: Foods go through many changes from production to table and continuous control is necessary to maintain food safety and supply foods with good quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of some foods with high consumption in Zanjan city within 5 years from 2009 to 2013. Methods: In a case-control descriptive study with an annually- controlled program within 5 years from 2009 to 2014, some food samples including pasteurized milk, vegetable oils, flour, kebab, salt, confectionary products and a special cookie called nan-chay were collected and analyzed in food control laboratory of Zanjan university of medical sciences. Results: According to national standard of Iran, of Nan-chay, salt, vegetable oils, kebab, confectionary products, and pasteurized milk samples 68.4%, 46%, 24.3%, 10.4%, 9.3%, 5% were out of national standard limits and unacceptable, respectively. All flour samples had good standard quality. Mean± sd values of pH in Nan-chay samples were 7.5 and 1.19, respectively. Mean± sd values of the degree of purity in salt samples were 98.21 and 1.75, respectively. Conclusion: Results showed that among the 7 types of collected foods in Zanjan city, the most nonstandard cases were of Nan-chay samples and the best quality was seen in flour samples.

159-165

Authors: Shirazeh Arghami, Mojtaba Moshayedi*, Idin Rahim Ziad

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are among the most prevalent pains which could be ignited via material handling. Backpack wearers are among those who may carry heavy loads. Since MSDs mainly originate in school-aged children, students (as the largest group of backpack wearers) are considered more important. The purpose of this study is to design a backpack based on minimization of shearing force. Methods: At first the relevant patents were investigated at national and international levels. Then the appropriate ones were selected for optimization. The main selection criterion was based on reduction of pressure on the body. As an extra function we used a generator to produce electricity. The criterion for electricity generator selection was: 1) small dimension, 2) low weight, and 3) safe voltage. Results: A suspending system was used to eliminate shearing forces. Since a backpack wearing student is under the shearing force caused by walking, a spring system was used as a reducing device for shearing force. Physical spring calculation revealed that springs with stiffness coefficient equal to 588 were appropriate. Conclusion: In comparison with existing designs, suggested backpack design can reduce forces on upper limb during handling the backpack.

172-182

Authors: Ali Assadi*, Armita Soudavari, Mehran Mohammadian Fazli

Background: Conventional chemical coagulation is considered as an old method to dye and COD removal in textile effluent. Electrocoagulation (EC) process is a robust method to achieve maximum removal. Methods: This study was designed to compare the result of operational parameters including optimum pH and coagulant concentration for chemical coagulation with ferric chloride and alum also, voltage, electrolysis time, initial pH, and conductivity for EC with iron electrodes to remove reactive red 196 (RR 196). Results: The outcomes show that ferric chloride and alum at optimum concentration were capable of removing dye and COD by 79.63 % and 84.83% and 53% and 55%, respectively. In contrast, EC process removed the dye and COD by 99.98% and 90.4%, respectively. Conclusion: The highest treatment efficiency was obtained by increasing the voltage, electrolysis time, pH and conductivity. Increase initial dye concentration reduces removal efficiency. Ultimately, it could be concluded that EC technology is an efficient procedure for handling of colored industrial wastewaters.

75-79

Authors: Shirazeh Arghami, Reza Kalantari*, Elham Ahmadi Kionani, Ahmad Zanjirani Farahani, Mehrdad Kamrani

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) may involve all parts of the body, and have been a worldwide problem. Employed women are two to five times more likely to report such problems, and assembly lines suspected to induce more WMSDs because of high rate of repetitive motions. Methods:The aim of this study to determine the prevalence of WMSDs in women workers of an automobile manufacturing assembly line. In this cross-sectional survey, 50 women workers in an automobile manufacturing assembly line were studied. Data was collected based on Nordic questionnaire. The statistical analysis was performed by the SPSS 11 software. Results: The MSDs prevalence rate was 98%. The most reported complaint was related to the back (68%) and there was a significant relationship between prevalence and pain severity with age and working years. Moreover, the duration of feeling pain per day, and pain severity had a significant relationship with the capability of the person to continue working. Conclusion: Workstations ergonomically improvement and employing men instead of women would be effective to reduce the problems.

87-98

Authors: Negin Soleimani*, Mehran Mohammadian Fazli, Ali Ramazani, Mohammadreza Mehrasbi

Background: Various industries produce and discharge wastes containing different heavy metals into the environment. Apart from using living biomass, dead and dried biomasses have been introduced as a new field of biotreatment technology. Method: The cadmium (Cd) (II) removal characteristics of live (growing), dead (autoclaved), and oven-dried biomasses of Aspergillus versicolor were examined as a function of initial pH, contact time, and initial Cd concentration. Result: Maximum bioaccumulation of Cd for live biomass [11.63 (mg g−¹)] occurred at an optimal pH of 4 and incubation time of 4 days. Themaximum biosorption of 27.56 (mg g−¹) for dead biomass occurred at 1.5 h and at a pH of 4. The maximum biosorption [18.08 (mg g−¹)] with dried biomass was reached at an equilibrium time of 3 h at a pH of 6. Conclusion: The present study confirmed that heat treatment promoted the removal capacity of fungi. Cd removal was increased by decreasing the pH in live and dead-mode experiments. Inversely, Cd removal was increased with increasing pH for the dried biomass of A. versicolor. Varying responses to environmental conditions (pH and contact time) clearly proved the different removal mechanisms used by three biomasses of A. versicolor. Higher Cd concentration increased the removal ability of three types of biomasses. The results indicated that all biomasses of A. versicolor used in this study, particularly dead biomass, are a suitable biosorbent for the removal of Cd (II) ions from aqueous solution.

105-109

Authors: Hossein Masoumi-jahandizi*, Koroosh Kamali, Ali Mohammadi

Background: Reproduction is an important population concept throughout the world, and demographists consider it among four main life events. Given Iran's population growth policy, this study was conducted to assess the tendency to pregnancy in women in Zanjan. Method: From among health centers in five geographical districts in Zanjan (North, South, East, West, and Center), one was randomly selected from each district, and the study was conducted on a total of 400 people. Data were analyzed in SPSS-16 using descriptive and inferential tests including Chi-square, t-test (mean test) and variance analysis. Results: A total of 186 women (46.5%) desired pregnancy after marriage and 212 (53%) did not. Also, 209 husbands (52.2%) agreed with childbearing after marriage, and 186 (45.5%) disagreed. Conclusion: Childbearing can be encouraged among husbands agreeing with pregnancy of their spouse (more than half) and women attending pregnancy counseling and family planning centers.

118-124

Authors: Tooran Yarahmadi, Mazyar Peyda*, Mehran Mohammadian Fazli, Rezan Rezaeian, Negin Soleimani

Background Turbidity removal using inorganic coagulants such as iron and aluminum salts in water treatment processes causes environmental and human health concern. Historically, the use of natural coagulant to purify turbid water has been practiced for a long time. Recent research indicates that Descurainia Sophia seed can be effectively used as a natural coagulant to remove water turbidity. Method: In this work, turbidity removal efficiency of Descurainia Sophia seed extract was compared with Ferric chloride. Experiments were performed in laboratory scale. The coagulation experiments were done with kaolin as a model soil to produce turbidity in distilled water. The turbidity removal efficiency of Descurainia Sophia seed extract and Ferric chloride were conducted with jar test apparatus. In all experiments, initial turbidity was kept constant 100(NTU). Optimum combination of independent variables was used to compare two different types of coagulants. Result: The obtained results showed that Ferric chloride could remove 89.75% of the initial turbidity, while in case of Descurainia Sophia this value was 43.13%. The total organic carbon (TOC) analysis of the treated water using seed extract showed an increased concentration of TOC equal to 0.99 mg/L. Conclusions: This research has shown that Descurainia Sophia seed extract has an acceptable potential in the coagulation/flocculation process to treat turbid water.