Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology

205-212

Authors: R Vazirinejad , P Khalili * , M Rezaeian , A Jamalizadeh , AH Puorkarami

Background: Gastrointestinal cancers are among the most common cancers in different communities. Gastrointestinal tract cancer is the most common cancer among Iranian men and the second common cancer among Iranian women. Due to the impact of environmental factors on the risk of gastrointestinal cancer and the increasing use of agricultural pesticides, this study aimed to investigate the effects of exposure to pesticides on gastrointestinal cancer among pistachio farmers, Rafsanjan, Iran Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 79 patients with gastrointestinal cancer (cases) and 143 healthy people (controls) were studied. For each case, two people were selected as controls for each case from their neighbors and relatives. Data were collected using the study checklist which included demographic information and specific items related to their exposure. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and logistic regression. Results: The risk of gastrointestinal cancer after controlling some confounding factors among individuals who were exposed to spraying pesticides for less than 10 days per year was 1.38 (CI: 0.70-2.71), and in individuals who were exposed to it for between 10 to 20 days per year was 1.71 (CI: 0.79-3.7). The difference was not statistically significant . However, for individuals who had this exposure for more than 20 days per year, the risk was increased to 8.53 (CI: 2.1-34.7) which was statistically significant (P = 0.004). Unexpected exposure to agricultural pesticides and living close to pistachio gardens, both significantly (P < 0.05) increased the risk of gastrointestinal cancers by 8.67 (CI: 1-75.71) and 2.7 (CI: 1.43-5.1), respectively. Among subjects who used protective equipment, the risk of gastrointestinal cancer was statistically lower (OR = 0.18, 95%CI: 0.042-0.85) than this risk among people who did not use this equipment (P = 0.03). Conclusions: Our findings showed that exposure to pesticides, in particular for long time, increased the risk of gastrointestinal cancer among pistachio farmers. Further studies in this area are recommended.

223-228

Authors: A Amiri * , Z Mirhoseiny

Background: Cadmium (Cd) is an extremely toxic metal and environmental exposure to Cd has been particularly problematic in the world. Oral exposure to Cd may result in adverse effects on a number of tissues, the immune system, and the cardiovascular system. Compounds containing Cd are also carcinogenic. The presence of Cd in drinking water resources in the southeastern region of Rafsanjan plain (Iran) at concentrations greater than acceptable limits may result in various adverse health effects. The aim of this research was to test the chelation potency of deferasirox (DFS or ICL670), a tridentate metal chelator, and deferiprone (L1), a bidentate metal chelator, in the mobilization of Cd in Cd-exposed rats as a biological model. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats were exposed to 40 mg/kg body weight of cadmium chloride in drinking water for 6 weeks, followed by treatment with DFS (100 mg/kg body weight, oral, once daily) and L1 (100 mg/kg body weight, oral, once daily), alone or in combination, for 7 consecutive days. After chelation therapy, the rats were anesthetized by ether vapor and immobilized by cervical dislocation. Then, their heart, liver, kidneys, intestine, and blood were sampled for clinical hematological variables and determination of Cd and Fe concentration by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The data were subjected to statistical analysis using Student’s t-test. All Ρ values of less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: The results show that both chelators (DFS and L1) increase the removal of Cd from the tissues. No effects of Cd or any of the two treatments (L1 or DFS) were observed on white blood cell (WBC) count, red blood cell (RBC) count, and hemoglobin‎ (Hb) level. Conclusions: The comparison of single and combined therapy showed that the combined chelation therapy (DFS + L1) was more effective in depleting Cd concentration in soft tissues.

241-251

Authors: A Movafagh , N Mansouri * , F Moattar , AR Vafaeinejad

Background: The present study investigated the impact of land use on health risks (cancerous and non-cancerous) of heavy metals in soil along the Hemmat Highway of Tehran, Iran. Materials and Methods: A total of 28 soil samples were collected in August 2014 from the roadside soil of the Hemmat Highway. The collected samples were air-dried and digested, and then, analyzed for heavy metals using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks were calculated for different land uses (green space, residential area, under construction, and natural) along the Hemmat Highway. Results: The hazard index (HI) of Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, and Ni was, respectively, 0.28, 0.19 × 10-2, 0.032, 0.043, 0.006 for children, and was 0.037, 0.24 × 10-3, 0.014, 0.012, 0.76 × 10-3 for adults. Carcinogenic risk of metals was analyzed for Cd, Cr, and Ni. The carcinogenic risk ‎of Pb, Ni, Zn, and Cd was 0.144 × 10-7, 0.427 × 10-6, and 9.41 × 10-2, respectively. Conclusions: The carcinogenic risk levels of the three studied metals were < 10-6 with higher values attributed to Cr‎. HIs for all metals were lower than their threshold values, indicating nil health hazards. The results of risk assessment showed that the highest risk value was related to ingestion of Pb.

260-265

Authors: Z Ghorashi *

Background: The global burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is noticeable and important. However, most STIs are curable and all of them are preventable. In this article, we reviewed and evaluated STI prevalence, current services, existing programs, and the challenges of control and management them in Iran. Materials and Methods: The author searched literature published from 2005 to 2015 in PubMed, MEDLINE, Google, Embase, and Cochran library databases, and by UNAIDS, , the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Health Ministry of Iran. A variety of Medical Subject Headings ‎(MeSH) terms were used to access the literature. Results: The present review revealed that the prevalence of contamination with hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Iran has decreased dramatically in recent years. The prevalence of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in the Iranian population did not exceed the estimated prevalence of these infections in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Although the condition of HIV epidemy is concentrated in Iran, its prevalence in the general population, based on literature, is extremely low. Centers of behavioral disease counseling, women centers, and positive clubs are three available centers in Iran helping in STI/AIDS prevalence reduction. The changing trend of HIV transmission pattern and lack of youth friendly services are the two main challenges of STI/AIDS prevention in Iran. Conclusions: The overall prevalence of STIs and HIV/AIDS is low in Iran. However, neglecting youth sexual activity and premarital sexual relationships could result in the failure of the STIs and HIV/AIDS prevention programs.