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The current outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has led to creating a public health emergency conditions since 2019. COVID-19, which is caused by SARS-CoV-2, is spread via human-to-human transmission by direct contact or droplets. Through conducting this study, we were looking for detecting SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater produced in Iran country (Ardabil, Nir, Khalkhal, and Kowsar) (wastewater collection network, wastewater treatment plant, and hospital wastewater). In this research, samples (n=76) were collected from influent and effluent of municipal and hospital wastewater treatment plants, and some samples were also collected from Ardabil municipal wastewater manholes. The sampling duration included the white (lower risk of COVID-19) and red (high risk of COVID-19) conditions. Samples were stored at -20 °C for further diagnostic tests. The specific primer and probe real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) targeting ORF1ab and N genes (nucleoprotein gene) were applied to detect viral genomes of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the wastewater samples. Out of 76 samples, a total of 15 samples (19.73%) collected from wastewater in Ardabil province (Ardabil, Nir, Khalkhal, and Kowsar), were positive in terms of SARS-CoV-2. Wastewater epidemiology can facilitate detection of the incidence of pathogens through metropolises, measurement of population prevalence without direct testing, and provision of information to the public health system about the efficiency of intervening efforts. Graphical abstract.

The objective of this paper was to select the best infectious waste treatment alternative by Sustainability Assessment of Technologies (SAT) methodology. This study was carried in four educational hospitals of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences. The average waste produced in hospitals was 4.7 kg/bed/day. The average of common waste, infectious waste, sharp waste, and chemical and pharmaceutical waste was 2.18, 2.42, 0.04, and 0.05 kg/bed/day, respectively. In detailed assessment, a weighted sum matrix method was used to rank the different technologies of infectious wastes treatment. Finally, the highest score was found for Autoclave with a shredder (64.53), and hydroclave (63.32), autoclave (60.61), central incineration (55.12) and chemical treatment (54.25) were ranked second to fifth, respectively. Most participants emphasized the need for an autoclave with a shredder in the treatment of infectious hospital waste in Ardabil. However, the environmental and economic criteria and other aspects of treatment infectious hospital waste should be considered.

Background: Population growth and increased human activities in urban communities lead to large volumes of waste. This waste volume causes problems for human health and environmental pollution. Recently, a living environment assessment has been developed to improve the situation. The purpose of this study is to compare the environmental impacts of four urban waste disposal scenarios in Rasht city. Methods: In this research, the amount of waste and the data required for logging were first determined and then the four life cycle assessment stages were performed in relation to each of the defined scenarios. Finally, the results were analyzed using the IWM1 model it placed. Results: The results of this study indicate that by disposing of some of the waste in the organic fertilizer plant by composting and landfilling, part of it in the district of sanitary and energy extraction and increasing the recovery rate, we can see a significant reduction in the emission of pollutants was environmental. The ecological index was the best scenario is -2.10E+6 And for the most devastating scenario +2.39E+07 was obtained. Conclusion: According to the environmental assessment and comparison of the results of the life cycle logbook, the first scenario (collection; compost; recycling; landfill) with an ecological index plays an important role in reducing pollution and energy consumption and the title has been chosen as the top management option and has been made available to experts and decision-makers.

Background and objectives: The transmission of infection from the equipment and the environment to patients is widely carried out through contact. The aim of this study was to determine the health status of medical equipment and pseudo-homogeneous environmental levels in hospitals in Ardebil, in observational and microbiological hospitals in year 1396. Methods: in this descriptive cross-sectional study, 17 levels of hospitalization in Imam Khomeini Hospital (RA) were evaluated in a two month observational stage (by completing the checklist) and microbial. Data analysis was done by using SPSS software and by comparing it with British standards. Results: This study showed that the rate of contamination in different parts of the hospital was microbial 75.75% and 29.15%, respectively. According to statistical analyzes in the microbial method, the most infected ventilators were among the most polluted medical equipment and among the peripheral levels of the most infectious patient ward. At the observation station, among the medical equipment levels, the cliché was the most contaminated case, and among the pseudo-environmental environmental levels, the most infected fridge was determined. The most contaminated part in terms of cardiothoracic microbial monitoring was determined in terms of male in-patient observation. Conclusion: Therefore, it is suggested that by systematically planning and applying appropriate and preventive methods, implementing disinfection programs, developing guidelines for cleaning and disinfection, training and continuous monitoring of the standard methods of contamination will be minimized.

Background and Objectives: Environmental pollution from waste is one of the main problems of municipal waste management. Since evaluation of the recycling and recovery process is one of the most important stages in municipal waste management, this study aimed to determine the optimal strategies for recycling and recycling Ardabil municipal waste by SWOT analysis and QSPM matrix in 2017. Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, basic information was obtained through library studies and review of texts, observations, field visits, specialized interviews, and completion of a questionnaire from 80 experts in this field. Finally, was used analytical method SWOT and QSPM Matrix. Results: The final score of the internal factors 2.03 and the external factors were 3.05. According to the IE matrix, the current status of the process was located in the WO status. In the QSPM matrix, among strategies based on the charm score, the option of supporting recycling capabilities (composting, extracting energy, producing quality products), and recovery waste for the construction of related factories and the creation of a job market for unemployed youth proportional to The conditions of the status with a score of 11.57 were introduced as the first priority. Conclusion: Considering the current status of Ardabil municipal waste recycling and recycling process, which is in accordance with the IE matrix in the region of change, it is necessary to take advantage of opportunities in order to compensate for the weaknesses of the process.

In present study, degradation of sulfacetamide from a synthetic wastewater by sonofenton process using zero valent iron nanoparticles was investigated. The synthesized iron nanoparticles were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-visible and X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD). The effect of various parameters, such as pH, nZVI dose, H2 O2 concentration and contact time was studied with batch experiments. The removal efficiency of sulfacetamide by US/nZVI/H2 Of process was about 91 for reaction time of 60 min, but less than 27 of chemical oxygen demand (COD) was removed. Kinetics studies showed that the degradation of sulfacetamide fitted well to the pseudo-second-order model. Using the LC/MS device, five intermediate from degradation of sulfacetamide were detected. The toxicity test, using micro toxicity study also showed that the effluent from the sono-Fenton reactor has a lower toxicity than sulfacetamide antibacterial. © 2019 Desalination Publications. All rights reserved.

Background & Objectives: Waste processing is one of the most important elements responsible for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). The present study aimed to investigate the characteristics of Tabriz urban solid waste and, finally, assess the environmental impacts of proposed scenarios for the management of MSW in Tabriz in 2017. Methods: In this descriptive study, the required data were collected from field observations, collecting library data, physical analysis with 4 sampling steps in 4 seasons in accordance with ASTM standard method. 4 scenarios (energy generation and composting, energy generation, composting, current status) were proposed and environmental impact assessment of proposed scenarios with Iranian leopold matrix. Results: An average of 1438 tons per day of MSW is collected from the city of Tabriz and the average per capita waste production for this city is 0.804 kg per person per day.. The average thermal energy generated from the total waste of Tabriz city is 7965 Kj/Kg. The results of the evaluation using the Leopold matrix showed that Scenario 1 (energy generation and composting) with a score of 171 was considered as the best scenario and scenario 4 (current status) with 212 points was the worst management scenario. Conclusion: In the present situation, planning and adopting appropriate measures to reduce negative environmental impacts, composing and energy generation can be appropriate for the management of MSW in Tabriz.

The prevalent respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 probably persist for a long time on fomites and environmental surfaces. Some recent studies have detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA on the surface of cell phones, door handles and other items in the inhabited sites of confirmed cases. For the aim of this study, a total of 50 environmental surface samples of SARS-CoV-2 was collected from Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ardabil. Forty-one environmental surface samples were proved negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA while nine surface samples were positive. Our findings regarding surfaces contaminated with the virus are consistent with the results of recent similar researches as it was revealed that a number of different samples taken from hospital surfaces such as handles, cupboards, light switches, and door handles were positive for the presence of SARS-Cov-2., Graphical abstract Image 1

Background: Among various food products, milk is among the most basic nutrient foods. Studies demonstrated that consumption of milk and its products are low in Iranian families. This study was conducted to investigate the type and amount of milk consumption in Ardabil city in 2015-2016. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted among 300 people (199 female and 101 male), who referred to health centers of Ardabil. The participants were selected from both genders of healthy people with no diseases aged ≥18 years. Some questioners were applied to measure milk consumption. Results: Of 300 studied people, 51.67% consumed pasteurized milk, 40.67% consumed fresh (Bulk) milk, and 4.67% used both of them, while 3% did not use any type of milk. Among the milk company brands, Mihan was the first choice and had the highest consumption rate; 87% of people paid attention to the quality of milk in choosing one brand. Most people used Teflon cookware for boiling milk and many of them used a glass bottle for storing it. Conclusion: Posturized milk has the highest consumption rate. A few people did not consume milk in Ardabil and the quality of milk was the most important factor for its consumption. A significant association was found between the type of consumed milk and the individuals' educational level, age, and the household head's educational status. More extensive studies at the national level should be conducted to investigate the causes and effective factors in solving the current problems with regard to milk consumption.

Background & Objectives: Groundwater is exposed to environmental pollution. The leachate produced by wastes in transfer station or municipal solid waste landfill is one of the sources of pollution. In this view, present study was carried out to evaluate the groundwater quality around of municipal solid waste transfer station in Ardabil at 2017. Materials and methods: In this cross sectional study, 6 wells (one control well in the upstream and 5 wells in the downstream) around the ardabil municipal solid waste transfer station were selected according to the existing criteria, and the quality parameters of the samples (Turbidity, pH, EC, TDS, BOD5, COD, Nitrate, Heavy Metals, Coliform and Fecal Coliform and ...) were analyzed according to the standard methods. Also, particle-size analysis of soil was carried out in sampling area and data analysis was performed using Excel software and compared with existing standards, guidelines and standards. Results: In all samples, except for lead (0.07-1 mg/l), Coliform (0-28 MPN/100ml) and Fecal Coliform(0-4 MPN/100ml), other parameters were lower than recommended limit by the criteria and available standards. Also, the amount of sulfate (593.6 mg/l) in well 4 and total Hardness (530 mg/l) in well 3 were higher than the standards recommended for drinking and agricultural purposes. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that the Municipal Solid Waste Transfer Station in Ardabil had no significant effect on the groundwater quality in the surrounding area. &nbsp

One of the simplest and most effective individual measures is to wear a mask to prevent the spread of respiratory droplets from carriers to healthy people and patients admitted to corona wards and their staff. This research aimed to investigate the contamination of internal and external surfaces of various masks used by patients and staff with SARS coronavirus, as well as the possibility of airborne transmission in Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ardabil. For this purpose, twenty-five staff members and ten patients participated voluntarily in this cross-sectional study. Sampling was performed using swaps on both sides (inside and outside) of various surgical masks, N-95, and filtering face piece FFP2 through standard methods in compliance with the relevant conditions and from a surface of at least 5 cm2. Next, the collected samples were immediately transferred to a laboratory and analyzed by real-time PCR method to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus after viral genome extraction. Based on the obtained results, from a total of 30 collected samples (25 of personnel masks plus 5 samples of hospitalized patients’ masks). A total of 60 masks were sampled. For every collected sample, the researchers studied both inside and outside of the mask. Upon analyzing the data, it was showed that 6 mask samples were positive for the presence of coronavirus. Nonetheless, all samples taken from both inside and outside of the personnel masks (N-95 and FFP2 types of masks) were negative. Among the 6 positive samples, four cases were related to the internal part, one case to the outer part of the three-layer surgical masks, and one to the outer part of the N-95 masks in hospitalized patients. As masks reduce the concentration of virus particles, they can play an important role in creating immunity., Graphical abstract Image 1