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Background & Aims of the Study: Solid waste management is one of the most daunting environmental challenges. The present study aimed to investigate the awareness and practice of people about household waste management in Kermanshah, Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was carried out on 150 Kermanshah citizens in 2017. Cluster sampling was performed and the data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire, including awareness, practice, and resources of education for waste management. Finally, the data were analyzed in SPSS software (version18) using ANOVA and t-test at α = 0.05. Results: Citizens' awareness of waste-related diseases and the impact of waste on the environment, the benefits of recycling and reduction in origin were assessed as moderate up to favorable. Nonetheless, the public's performance in relation to the Recycling Agency and the municipality was not favorable. Citizens demonstrated poor practice in terms of household waste management. Conclusion: From the results of the present study, it can be concluded that conducting training courses, increasing the level of general knowledge and culture in the field of household waste management can improve public awareness and practice.

Background & Aims of the Study: In this study three types of starch such as wheat, corn and potato were used as natural coagulants for turbidity removal of wastewater in stone cutting industry using jar test and their performance was compared with that of alum. Materials & Methods: This study is an analytical-applied. Natural wastewater from stone industry was used. The conventional jar test apparatus was utilized in all the coagulation-flocculation experiments. To evaluate the effect of gelatinized starch, the solution was prepared in both autoclaved and non-autoclaved forms. The effect of pH and coagulant doses were investigated in this study. Results: It was found that with regard to the effect of control sample from autoclaved starches, potato starch with a pH of 6 had the highest removal rate with 4.78% and among non-autoclaved starches, wheat starch with a pH of 7 had the maximum turbidity removal rate with 9.53%. Conclusions: The results showed that the non-autoclaved wheat starch has more efficiency in turbidity removal from wastewater in stone cutting industry than other starches.

Background & Aims of the Study: Methylene blue (MB) is a risk for human and environment. Adsorption process is one of the removal mechanisms of MB. The purpose of this research was the evaluation of low cost adsorbent of walnut bark granule for MB dye removal from aqueous environments. Materials & Methods: In this experimental research, the effect of various operating parameters such as dose of dye (100-500 mg/L), contact time (10-50 min), adsorbent dosage (1-5 g/L) and pH (3-8) was investigated. Color concentration was measured by spectrophotometer (Shimadzu Model UV-120-02) at 663 nm wavelength and pH was analyzed through pH meter (Digimed model DM-20, Digicron AnaliticaLtda, Sao Paulo, Brazil). Results: The findings of this research were showed that the walnut bark granule was able to remove up to 41% of MB dye (100 mg/L) from solutions at initial pH 7. Removal efficiency was increased by adsorbent dosage and contact time. MB concentration has a reverse effect on removal. Also, the equilibrium data were also fitted to the Freundlich equilibrium isotherm model (R2=0.95). Conclusions: Present study showed that use of walnut bark granule, as an absorbent, could be utilized in methylene blue removal. Therefore, considering the production wastes of this compound, utilization the essence of this substance as inexpensive absorbent with inexpensive and available raw material is clear.

Background & Aims of the Study: The quality of the edible oils is made with chemical compositions and percentage of the degree of unsaturation fatty acids. The peroxide value (PV) always measures the extent of primary oxidation (rancidification) of oils. Oils Rancidity can produce potentially toxic compounds associated with health effects such as heart and neurological disorders. In order to investigate initial oxidative rancidity of the oils, PV will be measured. The aim of this paper is determination of PV and the acid number taking place in oils during frying process and its relationship with demographic characteristics and environmental conditions. Materials &Methods: In this study, the statistical populations are sandwich and fast food shops of Qom city, Iran. Samples were conducted, using cluster sampling. For data collection, a questionnaire and chemical tests were used. Samples were transferred in the laboratory under cool conditions for PV and acid number (AN) examination. A hundred fifty different sample of oil were collected. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS. The ANOVA, T-test and Pearson coefficient were used for data analysis. Results: From the points of view of PV, 80% of oils were consumable and 20% were not. The lowest and the highest number of PV were 0.6 to 16.5, respectively. The minimum and the maximum number of AN were 0.028 to 0.2, respectively. With the assumption of equal variances (p>0.05), a significant relationship between the increase after the age of the chefs and the lack of obtaining a health card was shown. The small correlation between the temperature of the oils and PV, r(150)=-0.21, p=0.009 is shown. There wasn’t seen any relation between the type of oils with PV and AN. Discussion: Antioxidants, oil saturation and the reduction of temperature can reduce the production of peroxide; thus, PV was reduced. Due to the results, temperature increasing lead to increases the peroxide content. In this case, 3.3% of the edible oil samples were in rancidity conditions. Conclusion: This study has indicated that PV in almost sample was lower than the standard amount. However, removing the oil absorbed into the food leads to reducing the peroxide content and other hazardous compounds by fast-food consumers. This survey indicated that some cookers are not completely aware of government regulation and control procedures for PV and AN of frying oils.

Background & Aims of the Study: The safe drinking water providing is one of the most crucial objections in these centenaries. Bacterial water contamination and high rate of morbidity and mortality is crucial health threat. Efficiency of potassium persulfat (KPS) associated solar disinfection as a novel water disinfection technology was evaluated in batch scale experiments, using Ent. faecalis (ATTCC 29212). Material and Methods: This research is a descriptive and experimental study which done on Tehran city, Iran. Ent. faecalis (ATTCC 29212) was provided in standard form from reference laboratory. Desired bacterial density in water was prepared by Mc Farland method. Water specimens were exhibited with solar radiations from 10 a.m to 16 p.m of Tehran local time. All experiments were conducted into 1.5 L volume of Damavand bottled water. Non-injured bacteria cells were detected by plating onto Bile Esculin azide agar media. Turbid water samples were provided by spiking of sterile slurry. Contact time (1-6 h), turbidity (30-200 NTU), KPS concentration (0.1, 0.7, 1.5 and 2 mMol/l), Ent. faecalis density(1000 and 1500 cell/ml) and UV intensity were independent and disinfection efficiency was a dependent variable, respectively. Results: Intensity of UVA solar irradiation varied from 3770 to 6263.3 µW/Cm2, with the highest value was measured on 13.30 p.m. In single SODIS and 1 hour contact time, increasing of bacterial closeness from 1000 to 1500 cell/ml implied disinfection performance decreasing in which, the vital bacteria was 10 and 20 cell/ml, respectively; but beyond of this contact time, a complete disinfection was occurred. Disinfection of Ent. faecalis was achieved within 2 h with single solar irradiation but KPS associated solar disinfection with applied dosage of KPS provide completely disinfection in 1 h in which the process efficiency was not influenced by increasing of bacterial density and turbidity up to 200 NTU. Conclusion: Association of KPS with SODIS enhancing water disinfection which can be used in remote area and emergency status.

Background & Aims of the Study: Lung is directly exposed to surrounding air and existing pollutants to perform its natural task. In this paper, COPD cases attributed to NO2, O3, and SO2 were studied based on assessed data in Ahvaz city of Iran during 2014-2015. Materials and Methods: Data were processed by Excel through steps including temperature and pressure correction, programming, processing (average) and filtering. Results: The results indicated that number of COPD cases was estimated to 15 members in accordance with the central relative risk, so, each 10µg increase in NO2 concentration would lead to 0.38% increase in COPD risk. Each 10µg/m3 increase in Ozone concentration causes 0.58% increase in disease attributed to this pollutant. Number of cumulative cases of this disease has been equal to 35 members during 2014-2015. Estimated cumulative number of obstructive pulmonary caused by sulfur dioxide has been estimated to 20 members during 2014-2015. Obviously, each 10µg/m3 increase in SO2 concentration would lead to 0.44% increase in risk of the considered disease. Conclusion: In conclusion, O3 as a pollutant has the most effect on COPD compared to the other two pollutants in Ahvaz city of Iran during 2014-2015. This might be because of more days with high concentration of this pollutant compared to other two pollutants in Ahvaz. If emission of this pollutant is not prevented, number of people who are suffering from COPD will increase to 55 members in 2016 and it will be reduced to 13 members in case of control.

Background & Aims of the Study: The most important compounds in hospital wastewater are antibiotics, disinfectants, anesthetics, radioactive elements, static cytotoxic agents, other chemicals and hazardous materials that caused to be different domestic sewage. The purpose of this study was the evaluation of performance of extended aeration biological system in pollutants removal from Razi Hospital wastewater treatment plant (WTP), Ahvaz city of Iran. Materials and Methods: The hospital wastewater disposal and treatment in Razi hospital have been studied in this cross-sectional research. Total of 12 samples from effluents of wastewater treatment plants were collected and tested for pH, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Suspended Solid (TSS) and Total Coliform (TC). EPA standard method was used for conducted trials. Finally, the relationship between results at different months and stations was done, using SPSS18 and descriptive statistics. Results: Results shown that parameters average in effluent was pH=7.46، BOD= 48.58 mg/l, COD=99.25 mg/l, TSS=54 mg/l, NH3=5.65mg/l, Turbidity=29.57 NTU. Also total coliform and fecal coliform of effluent were 46.19 MPN/100 ml and 36.65 MPN/100 ml, respectively. According to results, the percentage of BOD, COD, TSS and TC removal in WTP were 85.21, 82.46, 86 and 90.15. Conclusion: Based on these findings, Razi hospital effluent wastewater treatment plant was mitted at Iran environmental standards for discharge to recipient wasters. Based on the result of our study, Extended Aeration Biological System is a comparatively suitable process for BOD, COD, TSS and TC removal from hospital wastewater.

Background & Aims of the Study: In this study, we evaluate the respiratory deaths which were caused by exposure to PM10 in Ahwaz, Bushehr and Kermanshah cities of Iran during 2015 by Air model Q2.2.3. Materials and Methods: The required data gathered from the department of environment and meteorological organization in three study areas. Data were analyzed, using Excel software at the next stage with implementation of pressure and temperature correction, programming, processing (average) and filtering. Results: The results showed that approximately 17% of respiratory deaths in Kermanshah are attributed to over 30 µg/m3 concentration of PM10, 19% of respiratory deaths in Bushehr city are attributed to concentrations over 20 µg/m3 and 25% of respiratory deaths in Ahwaz are attributed to concentrations over 120 µg/m3. The higher percentage of death due to this implication might be because of higher average of PM10 or duration of days with high concentration in Ahwaz city which were caused by recent dosage of dust in this city compared to two other cities. In accordance with the comparison of total respiratory death which is attributed to PM10 at three study areas in 2015 indicated that Ahwaz had the most respiratory mortalities while Kermanshah had the lowest one and the risk of respiratory deaths would increase by 1/2% with 10 µg/m3 increase in PM10 concentration. The total lost years of life attributed to PM10 during last 10 years have been 348874 years, 43839 and 11660 in Ahwaz, Kermanshah and Bushehr, respectively. Conclusion: Results shown Ahwaz has the largest number of lost years of life and Kermanshah had the fewest number of lost years of life.

Background & Aims of the Study: Heavy metals contaminate drinking water, air and soils. It is very harmful for humans and other live organisms. Phytoremediation is one of the direct bio-remediation methods for heavy metal removal from polluted water and soils. This method is accepted environmentally, economically and aesthetically. The purpose of this study was to assess Tamarix hispida capacity for heavy metals (lead and Cadmium) removal from Temby (Karon) river of Ahvaz, Iran. Materials and Methods: This study was performed in summer season. Water samples took from upstream (before municipal wastewater discharge point) and downstream (after municipal wastewater discharge point). Samples of Tamarix hispida tree leaf took from those grown in downstream (after municipal sewage discharge place). In this study, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) was used for analysis. Results: Results of this study showed that lead and cadmium mean in summer were 0.5 and 0.077 mg/l in upstream; and they were 0.66 and 0.12 in downstream, respectively. According to the result, absorption rate of lead and cadmium by Tamarix hispida was 0.03 and 0.013 mg/l, respectively. Conclusion: Results showed that Temby river water was polluted with Lead and Cadmium. Also,Tamarix hispida tree was effective for lead and cadmium removal. Lead was more uptake than Cadmium.

Background & Aims of the Study: Corrosion and scaling play undesirable effects on transmission and distribution system of drinking water. The aim of this study was to assess the corrosion and scaling potential of drinking water resources in Babol city, Iran. Materials and Methods: Totally, 54 water samples were collected from 27 wells in spring and autumn. Calcium hardness, pH, total alkalinity, total dissolved solids, and temperature were measured, using standard methods. The Langelier, Rayzner, Puckhorius, Larson and aggressive indices were calculated and data were analyzed by SPSS 19. To compare the mean values of each index, the results were analyzed using t-test. Results: The range of temperature, pH, TDS, total alkalinity and calcium hardness were 16-24°c; 6.8-7.89; 445-1331 mg/l; 322.9-396 mg/l and 250.50-490 mg/l, respectively. The mean of Langelier and Ryznar indices in drinking water samples in spring and autumn was 0.14, 0.15; 7.28 and 7.35, respectively. The mean of Puckhorius and Larson indices in these seasons was 11.9, 11.95 and 0.95 and 0.93, respectively. The mean of aggressive index was 6.17 and 6.27, respectively. Overall, 82.2%, 100%, 94.6%, 100% and 85.7% of water samples were corrosive based on the Langelier, Ryznar, Puckhorius, Larson and aggressive indices, respectively. Conclusion: According to these results, drinking water of Babol city has corrosion potential. Therefore, the water quality should be controlled based on pH, alkalinity and hardness parameters, along with the use of corrosion resisting materials and pipes in drinking water distribution systems.