Iranian Journal of health, safety andenvironment

1158-1166

Authors: Maryam Feiz-Arefi, Farshid Ghorbani-Shahna, Abdulrahman Bahrami, Hossein Ebrahimi, Alireza Mahjub

Methyl benzene, which has carcinogenic effects, is a volatile organic compound that is widely used in various industries. Nano composites of Mno2/Al203/Fe203, which is a new photocatalyst, have not been applied to remove contaminants from air streams. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the photocatalytic removal of ethyl benzene by using this nano composite activated by visible light. Morphological characteristics of the synthesized Nano composite in a sol-gel method are determined through XRD, FTIR, and SEM. Through the photocatalyst process and by the use of visible light radiation, the synthesized Nano composite is used to degrade ethyl benzene in the gas phase. In order to estimate the main effects and interaction ones and to optimize the experiment numbers, the response surface method was used. Operational parameters investigated in the study are the initial concentration of contaminants, relative humidity, and the residence time, which were considered in three levels; further, the experiments were designed by Design Expert version 9 software. The results show the Nano composite particle sizes were less than 82 nanometers. The findings also indicate that relative humidity and residence time were effective parameters in removal efficiency of ethyl benzene. This Nano composite, at the optimal conditions, was capable of removing 98.72% of the pollutants, with an initial content of 300 ppm. MnO2/Al2O3/Fe2O3 Nano composite is a suitable catalyst to remove ethyl benzene from air streams. Among the features of the Nano composite are reaction at room temperature and lower production dangerous byproducts, which are the main advantages of this Nano composite as compared with other nano composites.

1175-1189

Authors: Morteza Cheraghi, Meysam Shahrabi-Farahani, Seyyed Ali Moussavi-Najarkola

One of the prevalent injurious factors and disabilities is work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). The aim of this study is to evaluate the risks of ergonomic factors inducing musculoskeletal disorders consequent from industrial construction by means of PATH (Posture, Activity, Tools and Handling) risk evaluation and MMH (Manual Material Handling). A cross-sectional study was conducted on 357 construction workers working in 21 different jobs of construction industry in Parand New City, south-west of Tehran, Iran. Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ) was used to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. PATH was served to assess different body part postures such as back, feet, hands, also weight of tools and equipment and catching by hand (hand-catch). Most prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was around back (30.5%) and knee (28.9%), and in opposed side elbow (4.2%) respectively. The results of Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ) showed that there is meaningful relation through pain of neck, wrist, hand, back and knee with workers age and working experience (P<0.05). Also through the different jobs under study in PATH method, there is different significant statistical results (P<0.05) in the postures of back, feet and hands, tools & Equipment weight and hand-catch (grabbing or taking by hand). The non-neutral postures were observed in some parts such as back (more than 30%), feet (more than 40%) and hands (more than 15%). PATH can be referred as a sensitive and efficient risk evaluation technique in construction industry, as well as MMH is a complementary method for more precision assessment of manual material handling risks in jobs involved in PATH high scores.

1198-1205

Authors: Exposure to Whole Body Vibration (WBV) is one of the most important risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which drivers are likely to report non-specific health complaints. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between whole body vibrations with musculoskeletal disorders among intercity mini-buses drivers. 80 intercity mini-bus drivers were participated in this study. The values of the frequency-weighted Root Mean Square (RMS), Vibration Dose Values (VDV) and Crest Factor (CF) was measured using the SVAN-958 and the SV39A/L accelerometer, in accordance with ISO 2631-1. ANOVA, Post-hoc analysis, and correlation tests were used to analyze the obtained data using SPSS 23. This study show that the overall equivalent acceleration A_eq (T) difference in various studied models of minibuses was significant (P<0.01), so that the mini-buses model 2011 have the lowest acceleration (0.88 m/s2), whereas the 2009 model have the highest value (0.96 m/s2). POST hoc analysis and Bonferroni method show that there was a significant difference between three models of the mini-buses (P<0.01-F=4.90). Also, there was a significant correlation between pain in different areas of the body with values of exposure daily vibration, expressed in terms of 8-h, respectively (P<0.001). There was sufficient evidence to prove the relationships of whole body vibration with MSDs. In addition, the lifetime of minibuses production is introduced as one of the effective factors in transmitting vibration to drivers.

Exposure to Whole Body Vibration (WBV) is one of the most important risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which drivers are likely to report non-specific health complaints. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between whole body vibrations with musculoskeletal disorders among intercity mini-buses drivers. 80 intercity mini-bus drivers were participated in this study. The values of the frequency-weighted Root Mean Square (RMS), Vibration Dose Values (VDV) and Crest Factor (CF) was measured using the SVAN-958 and the SV39A/L accelerometer, in accordance with ISO 2631-1. ANOVA, Post-hoc analysis, and correlation tests were used to analyze the obtained data using SPSS 23. This study show that the overall equivalent acceleration A_eq (T) difference in various studied models of minibuses was significant (P<0.01), so that the mini-buses model 2011 have the lowest acceleration (0.88 m/s2), whereas the 2009 model have the highest value (0.96 m/s2). POST hoc analysis and Bonferroni method show that there was a significant difference between three models of the mini-buses (P<0.01-F=4.90). Also, there was a significant correlation between pain in different areas of the body with values of exposure daily vibration, expressed in terms of 8-h, respectively (P<0.001). There was sufficient evidence to prove the relationships of whole body vibration with MSDs. In addition, the lifetime of minibuses production is introduced as one of the effective factors in transmitting vibration to drivers.

1213-1220

Authors: Ahmad Ahmadi Teymourlouy, Hesam Seyyedin, Reza Fadaye-vatan, Amir Omrani

Iran, like many other countries, is experiencing a growing elderly population. In 2016 census in Iran, out of a population of 79,926,270 people, more than 6 million people (8.2% of the population) were 60 years and over. This can be a major challenge for both healthcare providers and senior patients. This study assesses the suitability of the design, safety, physical environment and systems of Iranian hospitals based on age-friendly design principles. In this descriptive research, 26 hospitals in Tehran were selected and examined. Data were collected using a valid and reliable checklist with 50 items assessing the physical environment, accessibility, service delivery, and management systems of the hospitals. The results showed that 96 % of hospitals have wide corridors, 88% have suitable lighting, 85% have ramps for wheelchair users and railings for staircases, but 58% do not have an alarm in each toilet. It can be said that the majority of the hospitals were in a relatively good condition in terms of safety of the physical environment, but resource management and special programs and healthcare systems for the elderly were in a poor condition. Given the rising elderly population in developing countries such as Iran, it is imperative to create elder-friendly environments and programs. The increasing demand for hospital beds necessitates special care be given to elder-friendly principles in the design and construction of new hospitals as well as the renewal of existing ones. It is also vital to carefully consider the health, safety and special needs of older patients in design and construction of new hospitals as well as the renewal of existing ones and developing health policies at the macro, meso and micro level, especially as they relate to inpatient and outpatient services.