Iranian Journal of health, safety andenvironment

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.

5

Authors: Ahmad Reza Yazdanbakhsh, Hasti Daraei, Masomeh Davoodabadi

Phenol is one of the serious pollutants from the chemical and petrochemical industries. This pollutant due to its convoluted structure is resistant to biodegradation. One of the methods that are useful to remove this pollutant is advanced oxidation (AOP). A laboratory scale study was done on a synthetic wastewater containing phenol. All experiments were done in batch conditions and effect of variables pH, amount of hydrogen peroxide, iron dosage, contact time and an initial concentration on the phenol removal were tested. The remaining phenol concentration was evaluated using the DR-5000 device. In order to effect of these parameters, the experiment was performance at pH 2 to 6, 5 to 45 ml/ml of peroxide, and time of 5 to 60 minutes with 2 to 15 g/ml iron (Fe˚). The optimum pH, the ratio of hydrogen, Fe˚and time were 3, 15 ml, 8g and 5 minutes respectively. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) index was chosen as the parameter for evaluation in this study. Result showed that mineralization of phenol was not complete. The COD removal efficiency was obtained 71%. According to the results of this study, Fenton-like process can be used for conversion organic resistant compounds to other compounds with lower toxicity

5

Authors: Ghorbanali Mohammadi

Although Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) represents a common occupational problem, few epidemiological studies have investigated MSDs among industrial workers. MSDs are a common industrial health problem throughout the world and a serious cause of disability among the industrial workers.The goal of the study was to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (ache, pain, or discomfort) among rubber workers in Iran, using the standard Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ). The study population consisted of 100 males with mean age 31.73. Out of every 10 workers, in the last work week, seven reported complaints in the lower legs. The results are also indicated age and experience were significantly associated with musculoskeletal symptoms in the different body regions.

8

Authors: Mohsen Janghorbani, Masoumeh Faraji, Javad Ramazanpour, Reza Fadaei

The objective of this study was to assess the relative efficacy and tolerability of topical MJ1 compared to routine care in the treatment of histologically proven CL. A total of 150 patients with 297 lesions were randomly allocated to receive either topical MJ1 agent as a paste to applied to the lesions without cover three times a day for 20 days or routine care (intramuscular injection of meglumine antimonate 20 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks or intralesional 0.5-1CC for a total of four injection with one week interval). The primary end point of this study was the clinical cure of the lesion. Response to treatment was assessed at 1, 2, 3 and 8 weeks after start of therapy. Of the 132 lesions treated with MJ1, the mean size of lesions decreased from 423.9 to 30.4 mm2, 111 (84.1%) were reduced in size and 21 (15.9%) not responded. Correspondingly, in the 165 lesions treated with routine care, the mean size of lesions slightly increased from 295.8 to 330.5 mm2, 82 (49.7%) were reduced in size and 83 (50.3%) not responded. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.001). No sever adverse effect occurred. The findings highlight that topical treatment with MJ1 agent was much more effective than routine care and is safe and well tolerated.

348-354

Authors: Abooalfazl Azhdarpoor, Zahra Mohammadi, Mansoureh Dehghani

Wastewater sludge typically contains large amounts of water and organic materials; therefore, its stabilization and dewatering is of particular importance. In this study, Fenton oxidation process is used for stabilization and dewatering of sludge in the output of a wastewater treatment plant. To evaluate the sludge stabilization and dewatering, specific resistance to filtration (SRF), volatile organic compounds (VSS), total suspended solids (TSS), soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) and heterotrophic bacteria were measured. During the experiment, the optimal values of various parameters such as pH (2-9), hydrogen peroxide (0.015- 0.18mol/L), Fe2+ (0.008- 0.1mol/L) and time (5 - 60 minutes) for optimum sludge dewatering and stabilization were investigated. The results showed that the highest percentages of SRF reduction and removal rates of SCOD, VSS and TSS were 99.48, 61, 42, and 41 percent respectively. These results were obtained in optimum pH 5, 0.05 mol/l Fe2+, 0.12 mol/l hydrogen peroxide, and the retention time of 15 minutes. The removal rate of heterotrophic bacteria increased with increasing dose of hydrogen peroxide, so that a removal rate of 84 percent was observed at a dose of 0.18 mol/l. In general, Fenton process can reduce volatile organic materials and chemical oxygen demand of the sludge resulting in its significant stabilization and dewatering. In general, Fenton process can reduce volatile organic materials and chemical oxygen demand of the sludge resulting in its significant stabilization and dewatering.

366-373

Authors: Malek Hassanpour

Numerous small recycling units of plastic wastes have been currently constructed heedless to study of economic indices in Iran. Pay attention to the prominent performance of the industrial sector for economic development and its priority for fortifying other sectors to implement job opportunities, survey of the economic indices beckon the stakeholders and industries owners. The main objective of this study was a survey of economic indices in small recycling unit of plastic wastes. Therefore, the practice of computing the economic indices was performed using empirical equations, professional experiences and observations in site of the industry in terms of sustainability performance. Current study had shown the indices values such as value-added percent, profit, annual income, breakeven point, value-added, output value, data value, variable cost of good unit and production costs were found 62%, $ 366558, $ 364292.6, $ 100.34, $ 423451.25, $ 255335.75, $ 678787, $ 389.65 and $ 314494.4 respectively. The breakeven point about 15.93%, the time of return on investment about 1.12 (13.7 months) were represented that this industry slightly needs long time to afford the employed capital and starts making a profit.

380-384

Authors: Ayoub Ghanbary sartang, Ehsanollah Habibi, Arezou Abbaspoor Darbandy

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are the most prevalent work-related disorders and injuries and being the main cause of disability. This study was conducted to assessment of the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in worker company household appliances production. Posture analysis was evaluated by OWAS method and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders by Nordic questionnaire. With evaluating musculoskeletal disorders among company household appliances production can intervention action to reduce musculoskeletal disorders was carried out. This cross-sectional study was performed on 100 workers of the appliance manufacturing industry. These Individuals were included 15 persons from foam injection workshop, 17 persons from molding workshop, 17 operators of presses, 17 persons from packaging, 17 person from cutting unit and 17 operators of rivet. The Nordic questionnaire was completed by Individuals for the organs of arm, back, leg and wrist and Posture analysis was performed by OWAS method. The data were analyzed using Spss software version 18 and descriptive statistics and Anova test. Nordic questionnaire results revealed that highest disorders were observed in the arm (25%), back (22%) and leg (21%). Also Anova test showed that was observed a significant correlation respectively between age and work experience with the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (p<0.02) (p<0.01). The results showed based on the level of risk OWAS for each job respectively, the highest level of risk associated with foam injection unit, packaging and cutting unit (risk level 4) and the lowest level of risk associated with molding workshop unit (risk level 2).The results of this study showed that household appliances Manufacturing workers due to the nature of their jobs are at risk of musculoskeletal disorders and Ergonomic interventions to do such as workstation redesign, reduced working hours, cycle of rest-work development.