Kurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34784320160701Using geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) in zoning nitrate concentration in the groundwater of Birjand, Iran1291344220610.22102/jaehr.2016.42206ENReza Ali FallahzadehDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, IranHamid Reza AzimzadehDepartment of Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Resources and Desert Studies, Yazd University, Yazd, IranRasoul KhosraviDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, IranSeyed Ali AlmodaresiDepartment of Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing, School of Engineering, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, IranMaryam KhodadadiSocial Determinants of Health Research Center AND Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, IranHadi EslamiDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, IranZahra DerakhshanDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, IranShahram SadeghiEnvironmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran0000-0002-6119-721XRoya Peirovi-MinaeeDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, IranJournal Article20160522Previous studies have shown that the presence of nitrate in drinking water can cause several diseases especially in the infants, such as cancer and blue baby. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has since adopted the 50 mg/l standard as the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for nitrate for regulated public water systems. This study aimed to evaluate the concentration of nitrate in the drinking water wells of Birjand, Iran, using inverse distance weighting (IDW) model and also using remote sensing (ENVI software) for studying the vegetation area. In this study, the average annual nitrate level in 2015 was measured from 19 wells around Birjand that were used as rural water supplies. For the zoning of nitrate concentration in the groundwater of Birjand, we used Arc GIS software by using IDW interpolation methods, and for studying the vegetation area and its effect on the groundwater quality we used Landsat Archive image (L4-5 TM sensor) and ENVI 4.7 software. The mean concentration of nitrate was 25.89 ± 12.33 mg/l in the groundwater. Nitrate concentration was more than the standard range (50 mg/l) according to the National Standard of Iran (No. 1053) in one well in the studied zone. Based on the information obtained from remote sensing, agricultural activities were an effective factor in increasing the concentrations of nitrate in the groundwater of the studied area. https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_42206_e2fc8e67b695572dc2e6a27916c40525.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34784320160701A survey of heterotrophic bacteria and coliforms in the water of old and new distribution networks1351414294110.22102/jaehr.2016.42941ENAtefeh JaleilzadehStudent Research Committee, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and
Paramedicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, IranMarzyeh GhaesariStudent Research Committee, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and
Paramedicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, IranMahdi ToosiStudent Research Committee, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and
Paramedicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, IranMohammad SafariStudent Research Committee, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and
Paramedicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, IranZahra SoleimaniDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Paramedicine, Semnan
University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, IranJournal Article20160206Controlling the microbiological quality of water is important for its uses. Microbiological requirements of drinking water ensure the absence of coliforms, but may indicate the potential presence of other potentially pathogenic microorganisms and viruses of fecal origin. A total of 36 water samples, representing the drinking water of the whole city of Aradan, Semnan, Iran, were randomly collected from the old and new distribution systems of Aradan from December 2014 to June 2015.The hetroterophic plate count (HPC), coliform, residual chlorine, and pH of the samples were measured. Heterotrophic bacteria were measure using R2A and nutrients agar culture media, and the spread plate count method was used to determine HPC. Average concentration of total coliform in the old distribution network ( 13⁄84 100 ml ) was more than the new distribution network ( 9⁄42 100 ml ). The results of studying microbial load in the old and new distribution network showed that there is a significant difference between total coliforms in the two networks (P = 0.002). Moreover, the average concentration of heterotrophic bacteria in the old distribution network (1917.33 number/100 ml) was more than that in the new distribution network (14.57 number/100 ml). There was a significant difference between the average concentration of heterotrophic bacteria in the old and new distribution networks (P = 0.003). The effects of seasons and the age of the water network on coliform bacteria and heterotrophic bacteria were also studied. The concentrations of heterotrophic bacteria, total coliform, and fecal coliforms were higher in the old distribution network in comparison to that in the new distribution network.https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_42941_9c0547e30775aa25cc66355840a2bc97.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34784320160701Adherence patterns of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli strains isolated from children with gastrointestinal diarrhea and matched controls in a Hep-2 cell adhesion assay1421454222210.22102/jaehr.2016.42222ENZohreh KhodaeiDietary Supplements and Probiotic Research Center AND Department of Biochemistry, Genetic, and
Nutrition, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, IranEnayatollah KalantarDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, IranMahbobeh MehrabaniDietary Supplements and Probiotic Research Center AND Department of Biochemistry, Genetic, and
Nutrition, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, IranParisa DarabiDietary Supplements and Probiotic Research Center Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, IranAfshin MalekiEnvironmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran0000-0001-8261-8717Journal Article20160122In the present study, carbon species including organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) concentration in PM2.5 were assessed at an urban site of Tehran, Iran during March to June 2014. The PM2.5 samples were collected using an frmOMNITM Ambient Air Sampler. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to analyze OC and EC. The results showed that PM2.5 concentrations varied from 14.32 to 74.45 μg/m3 with an average value of 41.39 μg/m3. The results also showed that carbon species varied from 5.52 to 23.21 (15.35 ± 6.05) μg/m3 for OC and 1.03 to 4.16 (2.25 ± 0.65) μg/m3 for EC. As the findings indicated, the mean PM2.5 level in the sampling area was higher than the annual average determined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the ambient air quality standard. On average, carbon species (OC, EC, and WSOC) account for almost 60% of PM2.5 mass in the atmospheric outflow from a downwind site. OC and EC concentrations in atmospheric PM2.5 collected at the sampling site were lower than the values reported for other urban areas with high or medium vehicular traffic and/or industrial sources. Moreover, the results obtained in this research can provide a valuable data base for health risk evaluation of the local residents and prioritization of control actions. https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_42222_d46cfa49dab380f303ae1d7ce6d7ef02.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34784320160701Increasing efficiency of thickener operation in concentrate plant of iron ore mine using coagulation-flocculation1461544222310.22102/jaehr.2016.42223ENSeyed Morteza MoosaviradDepartment of Mining Engineering, Higher Education Complex of Zarand, Zarand, Iran0000-0002-9647-6681Journal Article20160622Thickener is a main and fundamental step in modern mining separation processes. In this research, the effect<br />of flocculant consumption rate and feed solid concentration of settling rate of layers was studied with different<br />concentrations in iron ore mine of Jalalabad, Zarand, Kerman, Iran. The experiments were performed in two<br />1000 ml graduated cylinders (61 and 62 mm diagonal and heights of 339 and 349 mm) while the average of<br />feed solid concentration was 12 percent. Additional tests were performed with feed solid concentration of 8,<br />10, 12, 14, and 16 percent solid weight and dosage rate of flocculant was 10, 14, 18, 22, and 26 g/t<br />respectively. Results depicted that with increasing the flocculant dosage to 22 g/ton, settling rate increased<br />from 0.3 to 0.9 cm/s reaching maximum, and with increasing from 22 to 26 g/ton, settling rate was decrease<br />slowly and reached from 0.9 to 0.7 cm/s.<br /><br />https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_42223_d6d4e3a30e08f31ec6035e5f952b1142.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34784320160701Distribution of groundwater nitrate in Dehloran, Iran: A case study using GIS1551604221810.22102/jaehr.2016.42218ENAli AlmasiDepartment of Environmental Engineering, School of Public Health, Social Development and Health Promotion Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Science, Kermanshah Iran0000-0002-1506-7289Rouhollah ShokriDepartment of Environmental Engineering, Abadan School of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran0000-0003-2808-7307Rasool MomenzadehDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranShima RezaeiEnvironmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran0000-0001-6449-8395Ali JamshidiWater Treatment Plant, Water and Wastewater Company, Ilam, IranRazieh YazdizadehDepartment of Environmental Pollution, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, IranJournal Article20160322Nitrate has been the most common chemical contaminant in water resource. This ion is introduced into the water via different ways, but more items of nitrate pollution was connected with farming-based drainage and sewage effluent. In this descriptive-analytical study, groundwater nitrate and nitrite concentrations of 8 wells on Dehloran, Ilam, Iran, were analyzed in 2015 to determine the causes and zonation of pollutant. Results were compared with national standards and analyzed by SPSS and Arcview GIS 9.3 software. The highest and lowest nitrate concentration were related to Dashte Akbar No. 3 with an average of 11.1 ppm and Bareh bijeh well No. 3 with an average of 8.58 mg/l, respectively. Nitrite level of wells water was measured as zero milligrams per liter. There was no significant difference between nitrate concentrations and depth of wells because of approximately the same depth of wells. There was no significant relationship between the monthly average nitrate concentrations with each well. Likewise, no significant associations were found between the average nitrate concentrations of different wells per month. The nitrate concentration in 100% of the analyzed samples were less than 20 mg/l, thus water wells placed in slightly contaminated water. Given the great distance between residential areas with wells and the existing sewage collection network in Dehloran whereas high density agricultural activity, this amount of nitrate and nitrite was attributed to the widespread use of fertilizers. Therefore, proper management in the use of fertilizers and determining health policy regarding wells should be done. https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_42218_8db19101c4187d72543a2c1d4f124d59.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34784320160701Synthesis and characterization of acrylic acid grafted gum tragacanth and its effect in Fe2+ removal1611684221910.22102/jaehr.2016.42219ENZohreh DidarDepartment of Food Sciences and Technology, Neyshabur Branch, Islamic Azad University, Neyshabur, IranJournal Article20160222In this paper, grafting of acrylic acid monomer on Gum tragacanth was performed. Variable of experiment included concentration of initiators and monomer, time, and temperature. Grafting efficiency was measured in the term of percentage of grafting (%G) and percentage of grafting efficiency (%E). Effectiveness of grafted gum in ferrous ion removal at different condition was assessed. According to this study, grafting was influenced by different concentration of initiators. The best result obtained at 5 × 10<sup>-3</sup> mol/dm-3 [Fe<sup>2+</sup>], 1.35 × 10<sup>-3</sup> mol/dm<sup>3</sup> [H<sup>+</sup>], 4 × 10<sup>-3</sup> mol/dm<sup>3</sup> potassium monopersulfate and monomer concentration = 5 × 10<sup>-2</sup> mol/dm<sup>3</sup>. Amount of added gum was restricted to 0.25 g, addition of more gum resulted to abrupt decrease of both parameters. Time and temperature affected grafting reaction and the best condition for grafting was 25 ºC, 90 min. Finally, the ability of resultant grafted gum for removal of ferrous ion from aqueous media was assessed. The maximum removal of ferrous ion took place at pH = 6, grafted gum = 150 mg and contact time 60 min. https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_42219_2ebcb4e80ec36863d485c570acd9f943.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34784320160701Fabrication of ultrathin graphene oxide-coated membrane with hydrophilic properties for arsenate removal from water1691754222010.22102/jaehr.2016.42220ENReza RezaeeEnvironmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, IranSimin NasseriCenter for Water Quality Research (CWQR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranAmir Hossein MahviDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranAli JafariDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran0000-0001-8761-6323Mahdi SafariEnvironmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran0000-0003-0347-9283Behzad ShahmoradiEnvironmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran0000-0002-2120-4518Mahmood AlimohammadiDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran0000-0003-0850-154XMohammad KhazaeiResearch Center for Environmental Pollutants, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, IranMohammad MaroosiDepartment of Public Health, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, IranJournal Article20160222Terms and conditions of current drinking water quality standards, including reducing the maximum arsenic concentration from 50 μgl-1 to 10 μgl-1 and predicted stricter standards in future, reveals the necessity for development of new technologies. This study aimed to prepare and evaluate a new nanocomposite membrane using graphene oxide (GO) thin layer to remove arsenic (v) from water. To fabricate the membrane, initially GO was prepared using the modified Hummers' method and then to gain a narrow-dispersed GO dispersion, several times centrifugation and sonication were performed. Then resultant dispersed GO was coated on a microporous flat-sheet polyethersulfone support by coating/deposition and vacuum filtration process. Performance of the synthesized membrane was assessed using a dead end filtration system. The results showed that pure water flux decreased as the coated GO thickness increased. Among the three prepared membranes, the greatest flux was attributed to M1 membrane with the value of 398.5 lm-2h-1 and the minimum flux was for M3 with a value of 131.3 lm-2h-1 at 4 bar of pressure. Furthermore, by increasing the coated GO, rejection of arsenate ions increased significantly. With initial concentration of 1000 ± 20 μgl-1, percentage of arsenate rejection for M1, M2 and M3 membranes were 41.8%, 73.5% and 86.7%, respectively. Relatively high removal by this novel membrane can be due to the exceptional properties of GO nanostructure and the presence of hydrophilic functional groups. https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_42220_0f2e8174bf4b509a37563a69697ffc16.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34784320160701Survey of fungal flora in the water of old and new distribution System in Aradan city1761814222410.22102/jaehr.2016.42224ENMahdi ToosiStudent Research Committee, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Paramedical, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, IranMarzyeh GhaesariStudent Research Committee, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Paramedical, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, IranAtefeh JaleilzadehStudent Research Committee, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Paramedical, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, IranMohammad SafariStudent Research Committee, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Paramedical, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, IranZahra SoleimaniDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Paramedical, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan AND Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranJournal Article20160322One of the great concerns of potable water consumers regarding its quality is the pollution of potable water with pathogenic microorganisms. Fungi in drinking water are responsible for changing the taste and odor of water. Health problems are possible, originating from mycotoxins, animal pathogens and allergies. Water samples were collected between December 2014 and June 2015 from different sites of municipal water supply system of Aradan, Iran. In this descriptive study, a volume of 100 ml of tap drinking water samples (n = 60) were collected in sterile bottles. All water samples passed through sterile 0.45 micrometer filters. The filters were placed directly on Sabouraud dextrose agar and incubated at 20°C for 4-7 days. Routine mycological techniques were applied to identify the grown fungi. Three dominant fungi genera in water were Cladosporium, Aspergillus and Penicillium, the concentrations [Colony forming unit (CFU)/100 ml] of which were higher in old and new water distribution system. Among Aspergillus species, A. flavus had the highest frequency; from 555 fungal colonies, 11 different fungal genera were identified. Various fungi were present in the tap water. Present study showed that average concentration of fungi increased in old water distribution.https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_42224_dfac871e5be3c503e41c16fe2d8d3235.pdf