Iranian Journal of health, safety andenvironment

506-512

Authors: Mohammad Khandan, Alireza Koohpaei*

Nowadays, in order to attain safety at workplaces, we must consider two factors: ethical adolescence and emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence helps people to learn about regulations, experiences and revelation of emotions. This study aimed to survey the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) with occupational accident in a publication industry, in 2014. In a cross-sectional study, all operational employees (n=98) working at a publication industry were included. Demographics, Bradberry-Greaves questionnaires were tools for gathering data. Occupational accidents were self-reported and then checked against documents in the organization. Statistical analysis such as T-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation was used for data evaluation by SPSS V20. All workers were men and range of age was reported to be 24-61 with Mean 122.13±15.68. Also, 21.2% of personnel have experienced occupational accidents (0-5 cases). Also, Mean EI test score was calculated to be 122.13±15.68. There was no significant relationship between emotional intelligence scores among workers with and without accidents (p>0.05).Conditions in the view of emotional intelligence were suitable, but continuous improvement for total consideration and circumstances would be vital. Training program preparation free from workers of different educational levels is recommended. The company must provide a program that can afford workers the opportunity to review errors and gain cognitive systems in order to work with the improved conditions.

528-534

Authors: Rita Motidost Komleh, Agha Fatemeh Hosseini, Ladan Fata, Fakhrossadat Mirhosseini, Shoaleh Bigdeli *

Intensive use of the internet can be associated with negative psychological consequences and behavioral changes. These consequences affect different aspects of life including physical, mental and spiritual health and academic performance of the students as users. In this regard, this study is an attempt to determine the rate of internet addiction and its relationship to academic achievement among medical students of basic sciences studying at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. In this cross-sectional study, a sample size of 417 participants had been selected by stratified random sampling. To collect data a demographic questionnaire and a Farsi version of Young Internet Addiction Test was used. Descriptive statistics (frequency distribution, frequency Percent, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation test, chi-square and t-test) were used to analyze data. 57 out of 417 participants of the study (15.2%) had internet addiction. There was a significant relationship between time spent on the internet (p≤0.001) and number of failed credits in the semester prior to the study (P≤0.02 and r=-0.136). Internet addiction was not significantly associated with sex, age, age of the first internet use, parental education and academic achievement. By medical students of basic sciences internet addiction had no significant relationship with academic achievement; however, to study the effects of Internet addiction on other aspects of medical students' life is suggested.

540-546

Authors: Krishan Kant Upadhyay, Anish Chandra Pandey

The objective of the study was to assess the health risk factors and awareness of Occupational safety and health of workers in cloth dyeing industry of Jaipur. A pretested questionnaire was used to evaluate the health problems and awareness of occupational safety and health among workers. The majority of these workers were suffering from eye irritation, back pain, allergies, general weakness, with most workers having three to five of these health problems. Back pain was found in 20%, 14.4%, 40.4%, of the workers in the age group of 20-35, 36-50, 51-65 years respectively, during the study period. Occupational contact dermatitis reaction was observed in 51.1%, 26.5%, 51.0%, of the workers in the age group of 20-35, 36-50, 51-65, years respectively. A large number of diseases in different age groups are an indication that this industry exposes workers to many health hazards and lack of awareness and non availability of PPE in this industry is aggravating the health problems of the workers.

600-606

Authors: Amirreza Talaiekhozani, Sanaz Alaee, Gholam Reza Ziaei, Masoud Mir, Mehdi Yazdan, Mahmood Sadeghi Ataabadi

With technological developments, creation of new industries and changing lifestyles, infertility risk factors (IRF) increased. Therefore creation of suitable solutions in society is crucial for the prevention of infertility. Since prevention of infertility in a society is directly related to awareness about infertility, in the present study the awareness of people about infertility risk factors was assessed. In this study, a survey questionnaire containing 24 factors related to IRF was developed and 170 persons (62 men and 108 women) from Fooladshahr, Najafabad and Mobarakeh participated and data were extracted from these questionnaires and were statistically analyzed. Our study showed that average infertility awareness for men and women is 38% and 49% respectively. Also overall awareness was 44%. Also results showed that women’s awareness about mobile radiation and fast foods is significantly higher than men. On the other hand men have significantly higher awareness about adverse effects of chlorine in swimming pool on fertility. Higher women awareness may be related to their higher sensitivity for fertility. Also, generally a higher level of awareness was observed relating to mobile, air pollution, stress, fast foods, smoking and alcohol. Women have a higher level of awareness about infertility risk factors. Higher awareness about some IRFs may be results from widespread media coverage.

621-625

Authors: Ali Salehi, Gholamreza Jahed Khaniki, Kaveh Shoghi, Daryoush Sanaei, Ehsan Haghi

Food-borne pathogens are the most important thing cause of illness and death in developing countries. Food safety is essential for central university kitchens because of the high number of meals served every day. These central university kitchen systems are of special interest as students are at relatively high-risk of developing serious complications from exposure to food bacterial contamination hazards. A total of 144 samples of cooked foods, collected in winter and summer 2015 from the restaurants of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, were studied to determine the microbiological quality of these products. Results were analyzed through SPSS 22.0 and t-test. According to coliform count, the highest rate of contamination was in Kebab (1.17×102 CFU/g) and lowest was in fish (0.8×102 CFU/g) and also the highest rate of contamination of Escherichia coli (E.coli) was in Kebab (6 samples), and the lowest contamination level was in fish and in this regard no sample was reported to be positive. According to staphylococcus aureus, the highest contamination rate was in rice (0.97×102 CFU/g) and lowest was in fish (0.63×102 CFU/g). Kebab had the highest contamination of ‎coliforms and staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in summer. None of the tested samples was confirmed with respect to salmonella, clostridium perfringens and staphylococcus aureus. Among the foods served in the university restaurants, Kebab had the highest bacterial contamination and fishes the lowest. Improved methods of cooking and food processing, prevention of secondary bacterial contamination, continuous monitoring and surveillance of food processing are the most important measures to prevent food contamination.

633-637

Authors: T Askaripoor, GA. Shirali, R. Yarahmadi, Elahe Kazemi

In accordance with national building regulations, human safety and health should not be compromised in any way by the structures. Noncompliance with existing standards can increase the risk of fire in buildings. This study aimed to assess the impact of national building regulations on the reduction of the fire risk level in an industrial structure. In this study, the fire risk level of the building and contents, occupants, and activities were calculated in a power plant control room using Fire Risk Assessment Method for Engineering (FRAME). In the following, by assessing the existing situation, the effect of the implementation of national building regulations was determined on the reduction of fire risk level. The result showed that the fire risk level for occupants (20.64), building and content (1.02) that are above the acceptable level and corrective measures and design changes should be applied to reduce the risk level. Also, in case of application of the third chapter of Iranian National Building Regulations in power plant construction, the fire risk level will be reduced by 11.7% compared to the existing situation This study showed that the implementation of national building standards and regulation can provide the occupants life safety by correctly predicting escape routes. Fire Risk Assessment Method for Engineering (FRAME) is a very effective tool for selecting the best control strategies for fire safety of industrial structures.

555-564

Authors: Usen P. Udoh

The study assessed the conditions of rural housing and the extent to which housing conditions related to household socio-economic characteristics of an oil-rich Nigerian State of Akwa Ibom. The study design was based on household cross-sectional survey. Direct observation and questionnaire administration were employed to collect both socio-economic and housing data from 540 randomly sampled households spread across 90 rural communities. Housing condition was evaluated using five broad indicators: safety/security, indoor temperature/ventilation, building condition, hygiene/sanitation and environmental quality, while socio-economic characteristics were examined using income, educational attainment, occupation, household size and crowding. Alongside descriptive statistics, the multiple correlation technique was used to analyze the relationship between housing conditions and socio-economic variables. Results showed an overwhelmingly poor condition of housing among the rural households. Majority of households were found deficient in facilities necessary to encourage safety, security, comfort, hygiene, sanitation, and environmental quality. The study also found households’ socio-economic characteristics to be highly correlated with housing conditions and therefore provides the basis for massive rural empowerment and development drive as a means to counter rural housing decay.

565-572

Authors: Hadi Baseri, Hamid Reza Nassehinia, Gholamreza Ghainy

The insulation is one of the emphasized methods in recent years to reduce energy consumption in buildings. As an insulator, thatch has the advantages such as the accessibility of the site, the least energy consumption in its construction (low cost), recyclability and compatible with the nature and the environment. The aim of this study is determining of the heat transfer coefficient and thatch mechanical properties So that due to its advantages it used as insulation and thereby reducing energy consumption in buildings considered and used. In this study, the heat transfer process in a cylindrical turn of thatch was studied. In the conducted experiments the temperature changes inside a cylinder turn were determined for different values of the ratio of the Straw to the used soil and then the obtained results were simulated using the version 2.4 of the COMSOL software. The compressive strength and mechanical properties of thatch were tested. By increasing the consumed Straw weight of 50 to 90 kg per 1 cubic meter of soil, the heat conductivity coefficient from about 1.1 decreased to about 0.3 (W/m K), the contraction percentage decreased and the porous, the compressive strength and the thatch deformability increased in the failure. Thermal insulation and the mechanical properties of the thatch were improved by the mixing of appropriate ratio of straw to soil in the construction of thatch. It can be used in the plaster of the walls and the internal and external ceilings of the building.

578-581

Authors: Ehsanollah Habibi , Zahra Mohammadi, Ayoub Ghanbary Sartang, Mohammad Zeinodini

Biorhythm is one of the newest subjects in the field of cognition of mental ergonomics which can be very effective in reduction of work-related accidents or mistakes with no apparent reason. With evaluating Biorhythm individuals can intervention action to reduce job accidents carried out. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship Biorhythm and work-related accidents in the metal industry. This research is a cross-sectional and analytical-descriptive in the metal industrial Isfahan city of 120 work-related accidents during 2015. The required information was collected from available documents in HSE unit of the company biorhythm charts were drawn based on a date of accidents and participants birthdays, using natural Biorhythm Software V3.02 Conduct. Finally، the data were analyzed using spss version 20 and descriptive statistics.This study showed that the frequency of accidents in critical days and negative section of physical cycle was more than expected. Also the frequency of accidents in critical days and negative section of emotional and intellectual cycles was less than expected. Most type of injury, including cuts to 35.8 percent and the lowest type of injury was torsion with 5 percent. Most limb injury, hands and fingers with 51.7 percent and the lowest limb injury were back at 2.5 percent. Accidents outbreak in physical cycles was 38.3 percent. These 120 accidents in additionally were causing 120 loss of working days in effect accident. Most percent of loss of working days were for 20 to 30 days with of 39.2 percent. Most percent of loss of working days were for 20 to 30 days with of 39.2 percent. Due to the physical nature of the work activities in the metal industry can be stated that the study showed that in physical work activities, frequency of accidents in critical days and negative section of physical cycle in which the person is not physically ready to do the job was more than expected. Therefore, by training and increasing the knowledge of workers regarding biological cycle and its effects on mental, emotional and physical status, each person effects can make some changes to their work plans during days that they do not feel well, physically or mentally, in order to prevent the likely accidents.

412-420

Authors: Zahra Razavi, Mojtaba Jokar, Alireza Allafchian, Zahra Hossinpour, Leila Berenjani, Vahid Shayegan Nejad

Lead (Pb) is one of the most likely toxicants that could be potentially a risk factor in the development of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) through changes in the immune system. The purpose of the study was to describe the clinical features of MS in general and for sub-groups stratified for gender, age, residence, disease duration, disability degree, clinical diagnosis in Isfahan, Iran and also, to elucidate the relationship between the blood Pb level and the development of MS. Blood samples of 48 patients (20 to 57 years) were selected from the department of neurology of the Kashani hospital in Isfahan, Iran and were analyzed for Pb using anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV). The clinical and demographic characteristics in our study were similar to those in other reports. The blood Pb level in 70.83% of the total population was <20 μg/l. No statistically significant difference was observed between the Pb level and some patient characteristics. These findings did not support the assumption that Pb could be a pathogenetic factor in MS. However, the exposure to a large amount of Pb can increase the risk of developing MS. Obviously; more investigation is needed to investigate the contribution of Pb to the development of MS.

428-433

Authors: Seyed Mohammad Daryanoosh, Gholamreza Goudarzi, Yusef Omidi Khaniabadi, Houshang Armin, Hassan Bassiri, Fatemeh Omidi Khaniabadi

Particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10μm (PM10) has the great adverse endpoints on human health. The aim of this study was to assess the hospital admissions (HA) due to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) attributed to PM10 among people living in the cities of Ahvaz, Khorramabad and Ilam, during 2014. In this study, Air Quality Health Impact Assessment (AirQ2.2.3) software proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to assess of health impacts of atmospheric pollutants was used. To evaluate human exposure and health outcome of PM10, 24-hour data was taken from the Departments of Environment of Ahvaz, Khorramabad and Ilam. We acquired an input file for the software from raw data and quantified PM10 by the AirQ2.2.3 model. The annual averages in three study areas illustrated that PM10 concentration in Ahvaz and Ilam with values of 534.77 and 60.45μg/m3, were the highest and lowest in 2014, respectively. The number of excess cases for HA due to CVD in Ahvaz, Khorramabad, and Ilam was estimated 508, 144 and 66 persons, respectively. The most percentage of person-days was attributable to the concentration interval of 130-139µg/m3 of PM10, whereas this was for Khorramabad and Ilam 60-69 and 40-49µg/m3, respectively. The comparison of PM10 concentrations with NAAQS standard was revealed the annual average of particulate matter concentrations in Ahvaz was higher than standard. Therefore, the efforts should be conducted in the governmental scale to prevent pollution and reduce PM10 emission from various sources, such as transport and industries and also control dust entering the country by spreading mulch and development of green space.

441-444

Authors: Afsane Chavoshani, Fateme Akbari

In this paper a heat recovery system from oil heater as a water heater is proposed and analyzed. The potential of heat recovery is studied technically and economically. A model was built and experiments on it are discussed. Recovery of waste heat from the oil heater stack and its application in building is proven to be economically beneficial. The most part of this apparatus was a double-walled tanks and oil heater stack act as firebox for water heater. This tank with 200 liters volume was made of galvanized iron sheets and painted with black color for adsorption of solar radiation. The tank of water heater was filled with 12-15○C water. Sampling was performed at 8 in the morning to 8 at night during one week. The analysis results show that the heat recovery system is recognized as a well option for the examined residential building from both economic and environmental points of view. With the operation considering optimal economic benefits, cost is reduced by about 50%. With maximizing the environmental advantages, CO2 emissions are decreased.

5

Authors: Mohammad Hassan Nassir- Kashani, Mashallah Aghilinejad, Amir Bahrami-Ahmadi, Mohammad Kazem Nouri, Behzad Biglari, Elaheh Kabir Mokamelkhah

Work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are considered as the main cause of occupational complications and disability in developing countries. In Iranian steel companies, workers commonly are directly involved in the production process and physical activities such as manual material handling and awkward postures. Present study was performed for assessment of neck and back pain prevalence among workers of four Iranian steel industries. Study participants in our cross sectional study, were randomly selected from workers of four Iranian steel industries. Data of neck and back pain were gathered by Nordic questionnaire. Logistic regression was used for controlling confounding variables and determining independent predictors of neck and back pain among study workers. Among study workers, prevalence of neck and back pain in a recent year were 18.40% and 13.90% respectively. Age (p≤0.02) and job experience (p≤0.00) had significant association with neck pain. Age, sex, BMI, and job duration were not known as an independent predictor of neck or back pain. Neck and back pain prevalence in steel industries were happened whit higher rate compared to most of other countries. Next studies will suggest for determining work related risk factors of WMSDs in workers and designing preventive strategies.

6

Authors: Mashallah Aghillinejad, Elaheh Kabir Mokamelkhah, Mohammad Nassiri-Kashani, Mohammad Kazem Nouri, Narges Noorian, Amir Bahrami-Ahmadi

Some factors such as stooping posture and frequent kneeling in miners can increase prevalence of their musculoskeletal disorders Present study was performed for assessment of MSDs prevalence among Iranian coal miners and finds its relationships with some their characters including age, work experience and body mass index. Participants in the persent cross sectional study, were 505 coal miners which selected among Iranian coal miners by simple random method. Data of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) gathered by Standardized Nordic self-reporting questionnaire. Demographic and work related data were collected into the check list. Findings of persent study showed that 56.1% and 66.5% of study miners claimed one of the MSDs co mplaints during last week and in the last year respectively. Lumbar, Knee(s) and Back had most common MSDs prevalence at last week and year. MSDs prevalence had significant association with age (P≤0.02) and non-significant association with BMI (P≥0.8) of workers. MSDs in Iranian coal miners were happened in high rate. Ergonomic interventions strategies in the workplaces must be focussed for elimination of environmental hazards such as apposition at the time of work, manual handling of heavy loads.

489-494

Authors: Elaheh Kabir-Mokamelkhah, Mashallah Aghilinejad, Amir Bahrami-Ahmadi, Soheila Abbaszadeh, Shahrbanou Moslemi, Narges Shahgholi, Mohammad Hassan Nassiri-Kashani

Farming as job, had some activities or work task such as strenuous physical tasks and high levels of manual labor in farming job, which can increase risk of MSDs among farmers. Present study with prospective design designed for assessment role of rice farming in developmental risk of MSDs among Iranian rice farmers. Present prospective study was performed on 75 rice farmers of Babol city in Iran and 75 participants without history of rice farming, during March 2013 until September 2013. At the beginning of the study, participants did not have any musculoskeletal complaints in each of their body parts. Study exposure in the present study was working in the rice farming workplace for one rice farming period which at least lasted for four months. Frequency of MSDs had been assessed by Nordic questionnaire at three follow-up points. We followed 75 rice farmers of Babol city as expose and compare them with 75 participants without history of rice farming. Within the six months follow-up, MSDs complaints in 38 (50.66%), 61 (81.33%) and 47 (63.51%) rice farmers had been reported respectively in upper limbs, spinal and lower limbs regions. In the present study, rice farming was reported as a risk factor for MSDs in the spinal region and lower limbs.