Kurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34785420171101Prevalence of amoxicillin resistance by Enterococci found in the hospital wastewater1921955730810.22102/jaehr.2018.105383.1052ENEnayatollah KalantarDepartment of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, IranSara MohammadiDepartment of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, IranEmad DehghanifardDepartment of Environmental Health and Engineering, School of Health, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, IranRoya EbrahimiDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, Environmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran0000-0002-2949-4863Amir HatamiDiagnostic laboratory, Rajaei Hospital, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, IranFarzaneh KhodaeiDepartment of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IranJournal Article20171111Enterococci are found worldwide and are considered to be opportunistic pathogens. Antimicrobial resistance in these bacteria is increasing and is associated with their capability to sustain in the wastewater. We, therefore, aimed to determine the antimicrobial resistance of <em>Enterococcus </em>spp. that are isolated from the wastewater and clinical specimens. Isolation, identification, and determination of the antibiotic susceptibility patterns in the <em>Enterococcus</em> isolates were performed according to the standard procedures. The concentration of amoxicillin in the wastewater was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A total of 20 Enterococci were isolated and identified in this study. Of all the <em>Enterococcus </em>spp. isolates, 85 and 70% were resistant to tetracycline and ciprofloxacin, respectively. Surprisingly, the antimicrobial susceptibility tests revealed that the wastewater isolates had a higher rate of resistance than the clinical isolates. Amoxicillin concentrations in both the teaching hospitals were analyzed to be 8.6 and 6.8 ppm, respectively. The results of this study revealed that the hospital wastewater, which mixes with the environment, usually comprises resistant Enterococci. The use of HPLC allows the detection of amoxicillin concentrations in the wastewater samples of the teaching hospitals.https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_57308_75504cf9994ab3ab0dd01cadbd6dd068.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34785420171101Health impact assessment of exposure to PM10 in Ilam city using Air Q software1962045782110.22102/jaehr.2017.94719.1031ENShima TabasidehDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, Environmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, IranAtaallah VaisiIlam Department of Environment, Ilam, IranAli JafariDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health and Nutrition, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran0000-0001-8761-6323Reza RezaeeDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, Environmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran0000-0003-2314-6697Mahdi SafariDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, Environmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran0000-0003-0347-9283Gilas HosseiniRoya EbrahimiDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, Environmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran0000-0002-2949-4863Journal Article20170807<span>Air pollution is a major environmental issue in the world that can be harmful for human health. The aim of this study was to determine the health impacts of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤10μm (PM<sub>10</sub>) in Ilam in 2013 and 2014. The air pollution data were obtained from the Ilam Department of Environmental Protection. The data were analyzed by Excel software, and the annual mortality and morbidity due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases attributed to PM<sub>10</sub> exposure were estimated by AirQ software<span lang="AR-SA" dir="RTL">.</span><span class="shorttext">According to the results,</span> the average of annual, winter, and summer PM<sub>10</sub> concentration was 68.1, 46.7, and 89.3 μg/m<sup>3</sup>, respectively, in 2013. In 2014, the average annual, winter, and summer PM<sub>10 </sub>concentrations were 51.4, 40.3, and 62.6μg/m<sup>3</sup>, respectively. The total mortality, cardiovascular mortality, respiratory mortality, and hospital admissions due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in 2013 were estimated at 89, 47, 9, 46, and 119 cases, respectively, and in 2014 they were estimated at 64, 33, 6, 33 and 85 cases, respectively. <span class="shorttext">The results revealed</span> that 9.6% of total mortality in 2013 and 5.8% total mortality in 2014 were associated with concentrations of more than 20 μg/m<sup>3 </sup>PM<sub>10 </sub>concentration. Therefore, it is concluded that exposure to PM<sub>10</sub> can increase morbidity and mortality. Thus, urgent and substantial actions to deal with the adverse effects of particulate matters are found to be necessary.</span>https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_57821_f9412663fb58b62edfdba8c1a53a7571.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34785420171101Determination of arsenic concentration and physiochemical characteristics of water samples from Babagorgor fountain2052095788810.22102/jaehr.2017.97360.1034ENMohammad Ahmadi JebelliDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, Environmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, IranAfshin MalekiDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, Environmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran0000-0001-8261-8717Mohammad Ali AmoozegarExtremophiles Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Center of Excellence in Phylogeny of Living Organisms, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, IranEnayatollah KalantarDietary Supplement and Probiotic Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, IranBehzad ShahmoradiDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, Environmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran0000-0002-2120-4518Journal Article20170904Since Babagorgorfountain in the Ghorveh city of Kurdistan province is located in the arsenic belt of Iran, to raise awareness about the quality of drinking water from this fountain the concentration of arsenic and other heavy metals as well as other physicochemical parameters were investigated to protect the public health. In this study, water samples were collected from Babagorgorfountain. Arsenic in the water was measured by field and laboratory methods. Its concentration was estimated to be more than 500 ppb in a field method and 596 ppb in a SDDC method with absorbance measurements at 520 nm. The SDDC method can measure arsenic species separately and the concentration of arsenite and arsenate were found to be 239 and 357 ppb, respectively. Other physiochemicalparameters and heavy metals in the fountain water were evaluated according to standard methods. According to the World Health Organization guidelines the maximum safe level of arsenic in drinking water is 10 ppb. The concentration of arsenic in this fountain’s water is estimated at 60 times the limit and therefore its use is very dangerous for public health.https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_57888_0596972fb89b975906188c7c3ffe2a09.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34785420171101Coupling adsorption by NiO nanopowder with UV/H2O2 process for Cr(VI) removal2102195789510.22102/jaehr.2018.104101.1046ENMajid HashemiEnvironment Research Center and Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of health, Isfahan University of medical, Isfahan, IranDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Kerman University of medical, Kerman, Iran0000-0003-3254-2296Mohammad Mehdi AminEnvironment Research Center and Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of health, Isfahan University of medical, Isfahan, IranSepideh SadeghiEnvironment Research Center and Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of health, Isfahan University of medical, Isfahan, IranNezamadin MenglizadehEnvironment Research Center and Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of health, Isfahan University of medical, Isfahan, IranFarzaneh MohammadiEnvironment Research Center and Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of health, Isfahan University of medical, Isfahan, IranSaeed PatastarEnvironment Research Center and Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of health, Isfahan University of medical, Isfahan, IranAfsaneh ChavoshaniEnvironment Research Center and Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of health, Isfahan University of medical, Isfahan, IranShima RezaeiDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, Environmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran0000-0001-6449-8395Journal Article20171031Chromium enters surface and ground waters through the wastewater of electroplating, textile, metallurgical, dye production, and other industries, leading to numerous adverse health effects. The potential property of nanoparticle adsorption of nickel oxide (NiO) and the economic nature of ultraviolet/hydrogen peroxide (UV/H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>) process have eased the usage of these two processes for chromium removal. In this study, the parameters including chromium concentration, pH, and NiO dosage were examined by the adsorption process. Furthermore, following the separation of NiO nanoparticles by magnet and filtration, in UV/H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> reactor, the effects of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> concentration, radiation time, and pH were studied on the removal efficiency. In the reactor containing NiO, with an increased dose of NiO from 0.2 to 1 g, the removal efficiency increased from 26 to 76%. Moreover, at different pHs (3, 5, 7, and 11) and reaction times (10, 20, 30, and 40 min), the maximum efficiency of 79% was obtained at pH = 3 and reaction time of 40 min. The isotherm of the adsorption followed the Langmuir model. In the UV/H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> reactor, elevation of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> concentration from 20 to 100 µmol resulted in an elevated chromium removal efficiency at pH = 3 from 35 to 95%. In this process, pH = 3 was chosen as the optimum pH. The results indicated that the removal efficiency is highly influenced by pH, reaction time, dose of NiO nanoparticles, and H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>. By optimizing the effective parameters, this process can be used to remove chromium in aqueous solutions.https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_57895_99a893d3155119d3ff1f7d04473c6fac.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34785420171101Chromium bioremediation by Alcaligenes sp. strain newly isolated from chromite mine of Sabzevar2202325788910.22102/jaehr.2018.82265.1014ENMohsen Mesbahi-NowrouziDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, IranNasrin MollaniaDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, IranKhosro KhajehDepartment of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IranJournal Article20170416In this work, CKCr-6A strain was found to be highly resistant to some toxic heavy metals such as Cr<sup>+6</sup>, Cr<sup>+3</sup>, Cu<sup>+2</sup>, Co<sup>+2</sup>, Cd<sup>+2</sup>, Pb<sup>+2</sup>, Hg<sup>+2</sup>, U<sup>+6</sup>, tellurium, and selenite. Herein, high chromate tolerance of an isolated strain is reported with a high minimum inhibitory concentration value of 80,000 mg/L and the effective parameters (pH, temperature, shaking, and glucose concentration) were selected for Cr(VI) removal by this isolated strain. Cr(VI) elimination by the target strain increased with glucose addition to the culture medium. We optimized the possible parameters and their interactions using design experimental software. After optimization, this strain showed high efficiency in detoxifying chromate; this could reduce up to 100 mg/L of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) over 3 h. The CKCr-6A strain exhibited ability to <em>in vitro</em> reduction after 3 h and repeated removing of Cr(VI) without any amendment of nutrients, suggesting its possible application in continuous bioremediation.https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_57889_fc944c2a60e08624ac8ce4d0bdf1b412.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34785420171101Monitoring the air fungal contamination load in two educational hospitals in Sanandaj, Iran2332405865510.22102/jaehr.2018.84244.1019ENFarzad AalaDepartment of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, IranShadi KohzadiEnvironmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, IranAshkan FaridiDepartment of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, IranKhoroosh JavanDepartment of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, IranMozhdeh AmiriDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, IranDelnia AhmadnejadEnvironmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, IranJamshid KhoubiEnvironmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, IranDepartment of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, IranJournal Article20170506Opportunistic fungal pathogens are known to increase infection in the health care workers and patients with immune deficiency. This study aimed to investigate the qualitative and quantitative airborne fungal contamination load in two Sanandaj hospitals. In this cross-sectional study, 112 biological samples from 15 different hospital wards were collected for 6 months by using the single-stage Anderson sampler in Sabouraud’s dextrose agar. Data were analyzed for the descriptive and analytical tests using IBMSPSS V.21 software and the air fungal contamination load (AFCL) was calculated (cfu/m<sup>3</sup>). The average hospital AFCL in Besat and Tovhid was 21.13 and 14.51 cfu/m<sup>3</sup>, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed between AFCL and relative humidity (RH) in the two hospital samples (<em>p</em> = 0.495) according to independent t-test, whereas this difference in the average temperature in the hospital wards was significant (<em>p</em> < 0.001). Highest AFCL was observed in the surgical ward for females (AFCL = 35.34 cfu/m<sup>3</sup>) and the lowest was observed in the surgical and urology wards (AFCL = 2.2 cfu/m<sup>3</sup>) in the two hospitals. The frequency of <em>Penicillium</em> was the maximum with 77.6 and 65.25% in the Besat and Tovhid hospitals, respectively. In wards such as oncology, gynecological surgery, and operating room, further studies are needed to better control environmental conditions and fungal contamination. Thus, utilizing highly efficient air purification systems and regular monitoring of the biological risk for both patient and health care employees is recommended.https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_58655_94c27777928bbc7e45a9cdd364727505.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34785420171101Evaluating the Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, and Copper levels in certain imported tea samples consumed in Iran2412455968910.22102/jaehr.2018.102510.1045ENFariborz NasriDepartment of Chemistry, College of Science, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kurdistan, Iran0000-0001-6625-5864Nader AminiKurdistan Environmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, IranParham MohammadiDepartment of Chemistry, College of Science, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kurdistan, IranJournal Article20171031Seven majorly consumed brands of several teas (A1, A2, M1, M2, S, D, and C teas) were selected for the present study. In this study, the heavy metal contents including copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and lead (Pb) were assessed in the black tea samples consumed in Iran. The content of the heavy metals in the samples was analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Notably, the minimal amount of As (0.043 ± 0.006 ppm), Pb (0.040 ± 0.005 ppm), Cd (0.016 ± 0.001 ppm), and Cu (5.36 ± 0.49 ppm) concentrations were found in the M1, S, M2, and M2 teas, respectively; whereas, the maximal amount of As (0.287 ± 0.007 ppm), Pb (0.228 ± 0.002 ppm), Cd (0.101 ± 0.040 ppm), and Cu (37.4 ± 0.53 ppm) concentrations were found in the D, A1, M1, and D teas, respectively. Considering the present safety standards, the tea versions selected in this study were determined to be fit and safe for human consumption.https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_59689_1d97f883ba5bc7c1a95a345e5594eddf.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34785420171101Toxicological assessment of inorganic arsenic and zinc content in button mushrooms2462515789010.22102/jaehr.2018.83979.1017ENSoheil Sobhan ArdakaniDepartment of the Environment, College of Basic Sciences, Hamedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran0000-0002-6038-0514Amin JahangardYoung Researchers and Elite Club, Hamedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, IranJournal Article20170610Nowadays, discharge of toxic heavy metals into the environment is anincreasing global concern. In light of this and that the per capita consumption of mushrooms has increased in Iran, the current study was carried out to investigate the levels and health-risk assessment of elements arsenic (As) and zinc (Zn) through consumption of button mushrooms marketed in Kermanshah city in 2016.In this descriptive study, a total of 30 samples from 10 brands of edible mushrooms were collected from the market basket of Kermanshah city. After preparation and processing of the samples in the laboratory, the contents of the studied elements were determined using ICP-OES. Also, all statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS version 19 statistical package. Based on the results, the contents (mg/kg) of arsenic and zinc with an average of 65.23±13.57 and with an average of 66.23±2.80 respectively were higher than the maximum permissible limit (MPL). Also, the results showed that all the computed values of health risk index (HRI) of both elements in adults, but only Zn in children, were within safe limits (HRI<1).On the other hand, the HRI values of children with an average of 1.47 were more than the safe limit and led to a potential health risk under the current mushrooms consumption per capita for this age group. Therefore, serious attention to the discharge of chemicals into the environment and monitoring of the residue levels of pollutants, especially toxic heavy metals and pesticides in the foodstuffs, is recommended.https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_57890_189b62aa619c8e4870247d702ead0367.pdf