Kurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34784120160101The impact of visiting hours on indoor to outdoor ratio of fungi concentration at university hospitals in Ahvaz, Iran184021310.22102/jaehr.2016.40213ENGholamrezaGoudarziDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, Health faculty and Environmental Technologies Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz AND Radiation and Pollution Protection Research Center of Mamasani, Nourabad Mamasani, Iran0000-0001-5387-0761ZahraSoleimaniDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, Aradan School of Public Health and Paramedicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, IranBatoolSadeghinejadDepartment of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, IranMojganAlighardashiEnvironmental Health Specialist of Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, IranSeyed MahmoudLatifiDepartment of Statistic and Epidemiology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IranMahsaMoradiDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, Aradan School of Public Health and Paramedical, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, IranJournal Article20160213The majority of diseases caused by air pollution, such as asthma and allergies, are caused by pathogenic bacteria, which are transmitted through bioaerosols. Bacteria and fungi are the main sources of hospital infections causing the majority of diseases and cases of mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the ratio of indoor to outdoor fungi concentration, the effect of population density on fungi concentration, and the relationship between indoor and outdoor environments. In this study, 3 stations were assessed; the outdoor environment, general indoor environment, and intensive care units (ICUs) of a hospital affiliated to Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. These stations were used for the sampling of airborne fungi from October to December 2010. The samples were collected over a period of 2 minutes in a flow rate of 28.3 l/minute using a QuickTake 30 air sampling pump. The 3 dominant fungi genera in the sampling stations were Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Cladosporium. The average of total fungi concentration before visiting hours was 365.8 CFU/m which was reduced to 578 CFU/m after visiting hours. The indoor to outdoor ratios in the ICU and internal wards for fungi before visiting hours were 0.36 and 0.68, respectively. However, these ratios in the ICU and internal wards for fungi after visiting hours were 0.78 and 0.99, respectively. Following the visiting hours, the concentration of fungi available indoors was conspicuously higher (even in the wards in which no visitors were allowed (e.g., ICUs). Hence, the amount of indoor fungi was affected by the concentration of outdoor fungi and the number of visitors.https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_40213_fcb3c01797640c7ec6f32cb00764ba44.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34784120160101The study of an azo dye removal from liquid medium by modified clay9174021410.22102/jaehr.2016.40214ENYusefOmidi-KhaniabadiHealth and Care system of Karron, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IranAliJafariAssistant Professor, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran0000-0001-8761-6323MehdiJourvandDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, IranSedighehSaeediSama Technical and Vocational College, Izeh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Izah, IranHassanBasiriDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, IranHeshmatollahNourmoradiDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, IranGholamrezaGoudarziEnvironmental Technologies Research Center (ETRC), Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran0000-0001-5387-0761AliMirza-HeidariHealth and Care system of Karron, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IranSeyed MohammadDaryanooshDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, IranBahramKamareheiHealth Care System of Karoon, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IranShahramSadeghiEnvironmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran0000-0002-6119-721XMohammadJavad MohammadiAbadan School of Medical Sciences, Abadan, IranJournal Article20160601In this batch study, montmorillonite was modified by a cationic surfactant [hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA-MMT)] and used as sorbent to remove bromocresol green (BCG) from aqueous solutions. The effect of several factors such as surfactant loading rate onto the clay, contact time, pH, adsorbent dosage, dye concentration, and ion strength were investigated on the sorption. The equilibrium time for BCG sorption was reached at contact time of 20 minutes. Fitting the experimental data to different kinetic and isotherm models showed that the experimental data are well described by pseudo-second-order kinetic (R2 > 0.99) and Freundlich isotherm (R2 > 0.99) models. According to the results of this study, HDTMA-MMT can be considered as a low-cost, eco-friendly, and highly effective option for the sorption of BCG from aqueous solutions.https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_40214_fcc1ab387e9247cd26c69dec1ef956f1.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34784120160101Bioflocculant production by different microbial species and their potential application in dairy wastewater treatment18244021510.22102/jaehr.2016.40215ENZohrehDidarDepartment of Food Science, Islamic Azad University, Neyshabur Branch, Neyshabur, IranAminFerdosi-MakanDepartment of Statistics, University of Neyshabur, Neyshabur, IranJournal Article20160212The aim of this study was to characterize the bioflocculants secreted from Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), Aspergillus oryzae (A. oryzae) and Rhizopus oligosporus (R. oligosporus). For precise investigation of bioflocculants, fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was performed, and pH and temperature stability, and decolorization efficiency were evaluated. In addition, the effects of bioflocculants use on dairy wastewater properties, including chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total suspended solids (TSS), were assessed. The experiments showed that 5-day fermented B. subtilis, A. oryzae, and R. microsporus var. oligosporus were able to produce 2.51, 2.24, and 2.15 g/l of bioflocculants, respectively. The produced bioflocculants differed in terms of performance rate. The order of performance rate at 20-40°C was R. oligosporus > B. subtilis > A. oryzae. FTIR analysis revealed differences between the chemical structures of the three bioflocculants and the involvement of N-H bands, C-O group, and carboxylic acids and their derivatives in these bioflocculant structures. Thermostability analysis of bioflocculants indicated that R. oligosporus produced more stable bioflocculants than others. It was observed that the increasing of pH caused an increase in the flocculating activity of bioflocculants produced by B. subtilis and A. oryzae. In contrast, bioflocculants from R. oligosporus showed better flocculation performance in acidic conditions. In the case of dairy wastewater, the addition of all tested bioflocculants caused a significant decrease in COD, TSS, and dyes and the best results belonged to bioflocculants from R. oligosporus.https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_40215_4672a4597e331b354e95d558b9a63287.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34784120160101Ammonium removal in granular activated carbon up-flow submerged reactors containing native bacterial consortium25334021610.22102/jaehr.2016.40216ENSamanehKhademikiaYoung Researchers and Elite Club, Khorramabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khorramabad, IranHatamGodiniDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, IranJournal Article20160222Free ammonium in industries wastewater could be one of the worst toxic contaminants of aquatic life if diluted in water. Biological nitrogen removal (BNR) is the most common method for removing ammonium and nitrate from wastewater. Attached growth and suspended growth are the main BNR systems. The aim of the present work was to study the treatment of petrochemical wastewater (ammonium and nitrate removal) using native bacterial consortium isolated from Kermanshah Wastewater Treatment Plant, Iran, in two laboratory-scale high performance, granular activated carbon up-flow submerged reactors (GAC-USRs). The average maximum removal efficiency of NH4-N and NO3-N was 97.46% and 97.58% at the nitrification rate (NR) and denitrification rate (DR) of 2.44 kg NH4-N/m3.day and 2.31 kg NO3-N/m3.day, respectively. It was confirmed that the immobilized native bacterium on GAC could achieve a high ammonium and nitrate removal efficiency. The results of this study showed that the Bio-GAC-USRs can be an efficient method for complete ammonium and nitrate removal from wastewater. https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_40216_a8225fc412044a06c16cf142c105e33d.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34784120160101Prevalence of hospital-acquired infections in intensive care units in public hospitals in Tehran, Iran, in 2012-201434414021710.22102/jaehr.2016.40217ENMohammadRafieeEnvironmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center AND Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranRezaSaeediDepartment of Public Health, School of Health, Safety, and Environment, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranMehrnooshAbtahiEnvironmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center AND Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranSajadGhalamiDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranMahsaJahangiri-RadWater Purification Research Center, Islamic Azad University, Medical Sciences Branch, Tehran, Iran0000-0002-1626-4014Journal Article20160106Infection control and hospital-acquired infection (HAI) prevalence have recently attracted much attention especially in developing countries. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HAI in public hospitals in Tehran, Iran, more specifically, to determine the epidemiological status of nosocomial infections in intensive care units (ICUs) of 3 public hospitals. The study was conducted in 3 governmental hospitals and all patients who had been in the hospital for at least 48 hours and had a primary diagnosis of HAI were included in the study. The study was performed on 1470 patients who were admitted to the ICU from 2012-2014; among them, 200 cases were affected by infectious diseases. The data collected using the questionnaire included demographic characteristics, length of admission, and cause of hospital infection which were all verified by the Infection Control Center (ICC). The clinical signs and symptoms of patients were also controlled. The effects of seasonal variation on HAI were also investigated by analyzing the data obtained in various seasons. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. The chi-square (X2) test was used to compare categorical variables and a 2-sided P-value of less than 0.05 was considered as significant. The effect of season on HAI prevalence was analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis Test. The prevalence of nosocomial infections was 13.65% in the study. Urinary tract (40.9%) and surgical wounds (26.1%) were the most common types of infections. Bacteriological analysis suggested that Escherichia coli (35.6%) and Staphylococcus aureus (26%) were the most prevalent microorganisms related to the incidence of HAI. The results obtained showed that HAIs were more prevalent during spring. The prevalence of nosocomial infection observed in the present study seems quite high. The results showed that the length of hospitalization was positively associated with HAI. Statistical analysis showed that long length of hospitalization, age, and season are risk factors for the development of HAI during hospitalization. Furthermore, like similar studies, gram-negative bacteria were found to be the most common cause of nosocomial infections. https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_40217_b374d856eb3d8f78c56820a5eb29629d.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34784120160101Removal of p-chlorophenol from aqueous solution using ultraviolet/zerovalent-iron (UV/ZVI)/persulfate process42484021810.22102/jaehr.2016.40218ENZahraSharifiDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, IranMohammad TaghiSamadiDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, IranAbdolmotalebSeid-MohammadiSocial Determinants of Health Research Center (SDHRC) AND Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, IranGhorbanAsgariSocial Determinants of Health Research Center (SDHRC) AND Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran0000-0003-0127-9480Journal Article20160515In this study, degradation of p-chlorophenol (p-CP) was evaluated using persulfate (PS) activated zerovalent iron (ZVI) based ultraviolet (UV) in a bench scale photoreactor. The effect of operational parameters such as solution pH (3, 7, and 11), reaction time (0-60 minutes), ZVI dosage (0.15, 1.25, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mM), PS concentration (0.5, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, and 4 mM), and initial p-CP concentration (0.22, 0.44, 0.88, 1.32, and 1.76 mM) were examined on the degradation of p-CP in batch experiments. The experimental results indicated that the p-CP removal rate significantly depends on operational parameters. The highest p-CP removal rate was achieved after 45 minutes (> 0.99%) in pH = 3, ZVI = 1 mM, and PS = 3 mM, and with initial p-CP concentration = 0.44 mM. The results revealed that excess amount of PS and ZVI could reversely affect p-CP removal efficiency. In addition, an increase in p-CP initial concentration from 0.22 to 1.76 mM significantly decreased its removal rate. This study indicated that PS activated ZVI based UV process is practically feasible for the effective degradation of p-CP in aqueous solution. https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_40218_d77990419e2fbb54cb4aad96f09dcf76.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34784120160101Prevalence of antibiotic resistant genes in selected activated sludge processes in Isfahan Province, Iran49534021910.22102/jaehr.2016.40219ENRahimAaliDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Nursing and Health, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, IranJournal Article20160521Wastewater treatment plants are one of the main sources of dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) into the environment. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence and removal of ARGs in different wastewater treatment processes. A total of 36 samples from raw and final effluent of different activated sludge processes were collected and analyzed. Molecular analysis was conducted on the samples for the detection of encoding genes resistant to three groups of antibiotics (tetracycline, erythromycin, and sulfonamide). The results of this study showed that all ARGs were identified in activated sludge processes (average 70%). Comparison of different activated sludge processed showed that the removal percentage patterns were A-B process, conventional process, and extended aeration process, respectively. The results of this study showed that ARGs were present in relatively high levels in activated sludge process. The results also indicated that the activated sludge process did not contribute to effective reduction of ARGs. However, this revealed the major role of the activated sludge process in the distribution of ARGs in the environment. Thus, it seems that the improvement of the process is necessary for ARGs control in activated sludge process. https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_40219_7e57e1310f10c1a7fea50eb20669b057.pdfKurdistan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Advances in Environmental Health Research2676-34784120160101Comparison of technical and economic efficiency of extended aeration and sequencing batch reactors processes in hospital wastewater treatment54614022010.22102/jaehr.2016.40220ENArezooHeidariHealth Center of Gorgan, Gorgan, IranMahdiSadeghiDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, Environmental Health Research Center, School of Health AND Cereal Health Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, IranAbotalebBayEnvironmental Health Research Center, Golstan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, IranJalalKeihanpourHakim Jorjani Hospital, Gorgan, IranElhamOmidiManager of Falsafi Hospital, Gorgan, IranKhadijehBayHealth Center of Aq Qala, Golestan, IranMahmoudTbatabaeiPazhab Tadbir Consulting Engineers, Gorgan, IranJournal Article20160311Wastewater of hospitals can cause many risks to public health due to having a variety of pathogenic microorganisms, pharmaceutical substances, and other hazardous toxic substances. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical quality of effluents from wastewater treatment plant of Falsafi Hospital and Hakim Jorjani Hospital in Gorgan, Iran, and to compare them technically and economically. This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 64 samples of raw wastewater entrance and output effluent obtained from treatment plants using extended aeration process and sequencing batch reactors (SBR) in two hospitals in Gorgan. All experiments for determination of pH, free residual chlorine, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and total suspended solids (TSS) were performed using standard methods. Finally, the obtained data were analyzed using t-test and Mann-Whitney test in SPSS software. Based on the results, the removal efficiency of BOD, COD, and TSS of the extended aeration system was 91, 90.8, and 95.7 percent, respectively, while these values for the SBR system were found to be 91.7, 91.9, and 95.3 Percent, respectively. Moreover, in the output of the two hospitals, pH values were recorded as 6.69 ± 0.26 and 7.33 ± 0.2 and the average amount of free residual chlorine was 0.12 and 0.13 mg/l, respectively. This study demonstrates good performances of the extended aeration activated sludge system and the SBR system in terms of reduction of pollution load to its standard limits for agriculture and irrigation purposes. However, due to slightly better efficiency, lower cost of investment, and operation compared to other methods, the SBR system is recommended. https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_40220_640230229f8270b2d23ff0f572d7620d.pdf