Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences Journal of Advances in Environmental Health Research 2676-3478 11 3 2023 09 20 Investigation of Environmental Pollution in Residential Areas From Littered Wastes 189 193 179530 10.34172/jaehr.1331 EN Marziye Moradgholi Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran 0000-0001-9052-602X Najme Masihi Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 0000-0002-7790-1814 Maryam Zare Bidoki Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 0000-0001-6547-6411 Farogh Kazembeigi Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran Student Research Committee, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran 0000-0002-9497-6260 Journal Article 2023 02 27 <strong>Background</strong>: The problem of waste littering in urban areas is a widespread issue in most cities and represents a significant challenge in waste management. Hence, this study aimed to assess the level of environmental pollution in urban areas in terms of litter density.<br /><strong>Methods</strong>: The quantity of littered wastes (LWs) was examined across six residential areas, with observations and waste counting conducted over a two-month period on both working days and weekends. The LWs were categorized into four groups, and their on-site density was calculated.<br /><strong>Results</strong>: The results indicated that the average waste density in the locations studied was 5.08 number/m2. The lowest recorded LW number was 19.49 number/100 m, while the highest was 30.49 number/100 m. The categories of plastic and tobacco wastes comprised 13.25% and 82.64% of the total LWs, respectively. On average, 0.71 number/100 m of paper were observed in the areas studied, accounting for 2.8% of the total LWs. The presence of suitable waste bins in the areas surveyed underscores the significant influence of individual behavior on urban pollution.<br /><strong>Conclusion</strong>: Therefore, there is a pressing need to raise awareness among citizens regarding the consequences of littering and to implement more effective urban cleanup methods. https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_179530_9410537643fe2e223d7b4ade9bcfbf6f.pdf