Journal of Air Pollution and Health

7-14

Authors: Kazem. Naddafi, Mohammad Hoseini, Ramin Nabizadeh, Yousef Mahdavi, Gholam Hossein Safari, Mohammad Shirmardi, Jalil Jaafari

Introduction: Air pollution in closed environments like underground subway stations has many severe effects on human health. This study was performed to investigate the concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 in the air of platforms, office areas, and adjacent outdoor air of two stations in Tehran subway system. Materials and methods: Sampling was conducted in April to September 2011 using a portable GRIMM dust monitor. Samples were taken from indoor air at each station from platform and ticket office area also from adjacent outdoor air of each station. Results: The concentrations of PM10 ranged from 33 μg/m3 at the office area of Imam Khomeini station to 160 μg/m3 at the outdoor air of Sadeghiye station. The PM2.5 concentrations varied from 10.9 to 97.7 μg/m3. Based on results of regression analysis the PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations at the platform of Sadegiye station are strongly associated with adjacent outdoor levels (R2 =0.77 and 0.67 respectively), while PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in the platform of Imam Khomeini are less influenced by adjacent outdoor levels (R2 =0.36 and 0.4 respectively). Spearman’s correlations were high for both platform PM2.5 and PM10, since the outdoor/indoor coefficient of PM2.5 was 0.58, whereas PM10outdoor/ PM10indoor coefficient was 0.62, indicating an important influence of outdoor particles introduced through the ventilation systems and by passengers. Conclusions: Results showed that there was a strong correlation between PM concentrations at platform of Sadegiye station (surface station) and outdoor air representing air quality in the platform of this station influenced by outdoor air.

21-26

Authors: Reza Ahmadkhaniha, Masud Yunesian, Maryam Zare Jeddi, Noushin Rastkari

Introduction: Concerns about indoor air quality have drawn researcher’s attention in the last years. This becomes more important with knowledge of that 90% of people’s daily times are spent inside the home and workplaces. Solvents are an example of prevalent hazard chemical, which are less-studied comparing pesticides or metals. Chlorinated solvents such as carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and dichloromethane constitute an important class of solvent, which applies for a variety of consumer and industrial cleaning purposes especially in the laboratory. Mentioned components represent various side effects and carcinogenic implication that could adversely affect workers exposed to solvents. Materials and methods: In the present study the excretion of urinary carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and dichloromethane were evaluated as biomarkers of exposure to chlorinated solvents. With this aim, forty chemistry laboratory technicians from several universities in Tehran and forty occupationally non-exposed persons were investigated. Spot urine samples were obtained prior to and at the end of the work shift from each subject. The urinary levels of chlorinated solvents were determined by using headspace gas chromatography and mass spectrometry detection. Results: The mean concentrations of chloroform and dichloromethane in chemistry laboratory technicians were significantly greater than the control groups. Although the mean levels of carbon tetrachloride before the work shift in technicians were higher than the occupationally non-exposed group, a statistically significant difference could not be observed (Pvalue= 0.324). Conclusion: The results showed that the laboratory technicians are one of the most exposed groups among occupationally exposed people with the main route of exposure through inhalation.

35-42

Authors: Mehdi Ahmadi, Maedeh Roz Khosh, Nemat Jaafarzadeh

Introduction: Iran is located in the seventh rank in terms of CO2 emissions resulting from the combustion of fuel in the world. Asmari gas compressor station due to the several sources of contaminants are causing the release of large amounts of CO2 and CH4, which will cause damage to the environment and a change in the weather conditions. This study was aimed to assess the extent of the greenhouse emissions (CO2 and CH4) in a selected Asmari gas compressor station at National Iranian South Oil Company. Materials and methods: In this study, the emission factor method, provided by various organizations, was used for determining emissions of CO2 and CH4 from sources. Results: According to the results, the total amount of CO2 emissions in selected units is equal to 1825.533 tons/day and the total emissions of CH4, is equal to 2.473 tons/day. Among the sources of pollutants in the fixed combustion sources, turbines have the highest amount of CO2 emissions, and among the exit gas source (repair and maintenance activities), the highest emissions of CH4 belongs to the compressors. Conclusions: The amount of CO2 emissions from indirect sources (electrical equipment) from natural gas are more than fuel oils for burning, and CH4 gas from volatile sources in the gas compressors have the highest emissions compared to other sources.