https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/ Journal of Advances in Environmental Health Research en daily 1 Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0330 Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0330 https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_237208.html Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an escalating global health threat, with environmental reservoirs playing a substantial yet often under recognized role in its emergence and dissemination. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) enter the environment through various pathways, including anthropogenic activities, agricultural practices, and industrial processes. These contaminants infiltrate natural ecosystems such as soil, water, and air, where they may persist, proliferate, and transfer resistance genes to native microbial communities. Resistant microorganisms endanger both human and animal health and contribute to ecological and public health disturbances. This review focuses on how AMR spreads through the environment, emphasizing sources such as wastewater, soil, industry, and air. It also discusses current methods for detecting AMR in environmental matrices, encompassing traditional culture-based approaches, molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for rapid gene identification, metagenomics for comprehensive microbial community analysis, and biosensors for real-time, in situ detection. Furthermore, the review emphasizes the importance of environmental monitoring in identifying AMR hotspots, elucidating transmission pathways, assessing public health impacts, informing policy development, and guiding future research. The results indicate that environmental AMR noticeably drives the persistence and spread of resistance in both healthcare and community settings. Dealing with this issue requires strengthening monitoring systems through standardized protocols and advanced technologies. Governments and relevant stakeholders should prioritize the identification and control of AMR hotspots, such as wastewater treatment plants, agricultural runoff zones, and industrial discharge sites, to control the spread of resistance and safeguard public health. https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_237203.html Background: The decay of uranium and thorium is the primary source of radon emissions, a radioactive gas. The transfer and accumulation of this gas indoors pose serious health risks. Methods: This study investigated indoor radon concentrations in buildings located in areas with different geological characteristics. Thirty-six buildings were examined across three locations in Larijan, Iran, with samples collected from living rooms and bedrooms over a three-month period.Results: The average radon concentrations in bedrooms and living rooms were 114.40 Bq/m3 and 128.35 Bq/m3, respectively. Indoor radon levels in buildings near hot springs were 24.66% higher than those in buildings close to, and 45.31% higher than those in buildings far from, hot springs. Seasonal variation was also observed: the average concentration in winter was 112.05 Bq/m3, compared with 130.89 Bq/m³ in summer. These findings indicate that both climatic and geological conditions significantly influence indoor radon levels. Conclusion: Since radon concentrations in most buildings exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline of 100 Bq/m3, implementing exposure control programs in residential buildings is essential. https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_237204.html Background: Air pollution, especially in large cities, is one of the most pressing environmental challenges and is linked to numerous diseases, including cancer. The aim of this study was to estimate additional cancer cases caused by exposure to benzene and ethylbenzene in Tehran.Methods: The data of benzene and ethylbenzene concentration in a three-year period were obtained from the Tehran Meteorological Organization. Carcinogenic risk was calculated based on chronic daily intake (CDI) value. Also, the impact of air pollution control scenarios on risk reduction was estimated using the same approach.Results: The average three-year concentrations of benzene and ethylbenzene were 1.87 ppb and 3.75 ppb, respectively. Under these conditions, the combined carcinogenic risk attributed to these pollutants was 3.76 × 10-5. Depending on the control scenario, risk reduction ranged from 28% to 72%. To decrease carcinogenic risk below 1 × 10-6, benzene and ethylbenzene concentrations would need to be reduced to 0.121 ppb and 0.206 ppb, respectively. Conclusion: To reduce the excess cases of cancer attributed to benzene and ethylbenzene, it is necessary to improve gasoline quality, use modern vehicles, and reduce fossil fuel consumption by changes in urban travel patterns. https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_237210.html Background: Hospital wastewater is an important component of urban wastewater and exhibits distinct quality characteristics due to the variety of healthcare services provided. These properties have necessitated the installation of on-site treatment systems in most hospitals. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of such systems in Tehran hospitals with respect to Iranian national standards and to identify factors influencing their efficiency.Methods: Data on the quantity and quality of hospital wastewater were collected from six hospitals in western Tehran in 2024. Parameters including pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), nitrate, phosphate, and chloride were analyzed in both raw wastewater and treated effluent according to Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. Statistical analyses, including t-tests performed in Microsoft Excel, were used to interpret the results.Results: The average wastewater generation rate among the studied hospitals was 511 liters per bed per day. The highest and lowest pollutant removal efficiencies were recorded for TSS (94.6%) and chloride (26.1%), respectively. Half of the treatment plants achieved effluent quality compliant with national standards for BOD and COD, whereas nitrate concentrations exceeded permissible limits in 75% of facilities discharging effluent into wells.Conclusion: Although most effluent parameters met national standards, enhancing treatment capacity and optimizing operational conditions, through the installation of advanced treatment units and the employment of skilled operators, are essential steps toward improving hospital wastewater quality. https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_237205.html Background: Soil contamination by heavy metals represents a critical environmental issue that endangers both ecological balance and human well-being. This study investigates the ecological risks of arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) in the Alvand Mountain ecosystem over a 15-year monitoring period (2008–2022), emphasizing their sources, spatial distribution, and associated health risks.Methods: Systematic random sampling was performed across the Alvand region. Soil samples were analyzed for As and Cd using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Contamination and ecological risk levels were quantified using the Contamination Factor (Cf), Revised Contamination Degree Index (rCd), and Environmental Risk Potential Index (Eir). Geostatistical interpolation methods (Kriging and IDW) were applied to generate spatial distribution maps for 2008 and 2022, with model accuracy validated via Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Error (MAE).Results: In 2008, As concentrations were highest in the central and northeastern zones, while Cd pollution dominated the western and eastern borders. By 2022, As contamination expanded westward, and Cd became widespread throughout the region. Cd exhibited an Eir value exceeding 447, indicating a very high ecological risk according to the Hakanson classification.Conclusion: As contamination appears to stem from natural geogenic sources, whereas Cd accumulation is primarily anthropogenic, driven by agricultural activities. Continuous monitoring and stricter fertilizer management are essential to mitigate heavy metal pollution and safeguard the ecological integrity of mountainous ecosystems.  https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_237207.html Background: The growing use of electrical and electronic equipment in recent decades has generated a noticeable volume of electronic waste (e-waste), posing a major global environmental challenge. Therefore, the current study investigated household electronic waste management behaviors among citizens of Qom province, Iran.Methods: The data for this cross-sectional analytical study were collected via a validated questionnaire from 384 citizens visiting recycling centers in Qom. Subsequent analysis was performed using Excel and SPSS software.Results: The was found that only 37% of the respondents perceived the severe environmental consequences of e-waste. In contrast, the majority (93%) were aware of the direct economic benefits of recycling, while 41% recognized the indirect economic benefits. Regarding management behaviors, repair and reuse were the most common strategies (reported by 45% to 94% of the respondents), whereas delivering waste to official recycling centers was the least common (less than 5%)Conclusion: A lack of awareness regarding the environmental consequences of e-waste reduces its separation rate. Thus, decision-makers should incorporate the economic incentives that promote the sale and reuse of electronic equipment into e-waste management plans. https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_237206.html Background: Wastewater treatment from fish processing industries presents major environmental challenges because of high effluent volume, salinity, and complex organic compounds like fats, proteins, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Efficient treatment plant design requires advanced modeling and simulation to enhance pollutant removal and minimize operational costs.Methods: This study was conducted at the Bandar Abbas tuna canning factory. Wastewater quality data, treatment plant specifications, and previous studies were collected. The treatment process was simulated and optimized using GPS-X software based on the ASM2d biological model. The base model was calibrated and validated, and various operational scenarios, including adjustments to sludge return rate, waste activated sludge discharge, hydraulic retention time, and mixed liquor suspended solids concentration, were evaluated.Results: Simulation under optimized conditions markedly improved pollutant removal. COD, BOD5, and TSS decreased by 98.46, 99.25, and 98.52%, respectively, approaching national standards. Total nitrogen, ammonia, and phosphorus were reduced by 93, 97, and 80%. Sensitivity analysis revealed that sludge return rate, waste sludge discharge, hydraulic retention time, and activated sludge concentration most strongly influenced effluent quality.Conclusion: Dynamic simulation with GPS-X accurately predicted treatment plant behavior, optimized performance, and reduced energy and sludge production. Overall, the study demonstrates that mathematical modeling and scenario optimization are powerful tools for improving fish processing wastewater treatment efficiency and achieving environmental compliance. https://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_237209.html Background: Contaminated water remains a major cause of disease worldwide, emphasizing the need for regular safety evaluations of water sources in residential areas. This study aimed to assess the physicochemical properties, heavy metal concentrations, and microbial contamination of borehole water in Odogunyan-Ikorodu, Lagos. Methods: The water samples were collected from Ademotu, Three Brothers, Olafiku, Cammy, Leke Silas, Alaba, Opeloyeru, Sakajojo, AOJS, and Omeji streets and analyzed using standard procedures. The results for each parameter were compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline values. Also, the average daily intake (ADI) and hazard quotient (HQ) of the heavy metals were calculated to evaluate potential health risks. Results: Physicochemical analysis indicated that temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), and hardness were within permissible limits. However, concentrations of lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) exceeded the limits ( ≤ 0.01 mg/L for Pb and ≤ 0.006 mg/L for Hg) at all locations. Iron (Fe) levels were also above the permissible limit ( ≤ 0.3 mg/L) in samples from Ademotu, Three Brothers, Olafiku, Cammy, and Leke Silas, whereas zinc (Zn) and chromium (Cr) concentrations were within acceptable ranges. Although the ADI values for all heavy metals were within the threshold, the HQ exceeded the acceptable value ( ≤ 1) in all sampling sites. Microbiological analysis showed that all samples contained non-permissible levels of bacteria and coliforms. Conclusion: These findings indicate that the borehole water poses potential health risks. Regular monitoring and appropriate treatment are vital to protect public health in the community.