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Iranian Journal of health, Safety and environment

Iran University of Medical Sciences, Research center for environmental health technology, Dept. of environmental health engineering, school of public health, Department Member

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IRANIAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT IJHSE is Quarterly and peer-reviewed journal that publishes, Research Articles, high quality Review Articles, Short Report , and Letters to the Editor. The Ijhse is a Member of Committee on publication Ethics (COPE) IJHSE is indexed and listed in: NLM (pubmed), Google Scholar, Index Copernicus (ICV=87.53), DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals ), HINARI, Research bible, Citefactor (AcademicScientific Journals), Directory of Research Journals Indexing (DRJI), J-Gate, Ulrich's, OAJI, SIS ( Scientific Indexing Service, Electronic Journals library (EZB), Berlin Social science center (WZB), OAIstar, Civilica, Magiran, World cat, Universal Impact Factor, CABI, InfoBase index (IBI factor 2015: 3.3), IFSIJ,BASE-Bielefeld academic search engine, Barakat Knowledge network system (Barakatkns) , Electronic Journals Index (SJSU), GIF (impact factor: 0.454), IFSIG, SHERPA/ROMEO, Road (Directory of Open Access Scholary Resources), MIAR p-ISSN:2345-3206E-ISSN:2345-5535

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Nikola Hudakova

Andrea Militello

Aalto University

Frank De Gruijl

Mats-Olof Mattsson

Strömstad Akademi

Nathalie Hirt-Burri

Heriot-Watt University

Ecaterina Fugulyan

UMF Targu Mures

Alois Schmalwieser

Andrea Militello

INAIL - Ricerca

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Papers by Iranian Journal of health, Safety and environment

Exposure to Solar Ultra Violet among Taxi Drivers in Damghan Area in 2016: A Cross-Sectional Study

Iranian journal of health, safety and environment, 2018

Ultraviolet emission from sun considered as a hazardous parts of optical waves. This study aimed ... more Ultraviolet emission from sun considered as a hazardous parts of optical waves. This study aimed at determining exposure to ultraviolet radiation among taxi drivers in Damghan. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a sample of taxi drivers. Individual exposure to solar ultraviolet-A was assessed during day light working hours. Exposure was determined on the basis of radiation intensity and biologically cumulated standard erythema dose. Our findings showed that exposure was varied in terms of time and geographical sites. The exposure intensity ranged from 0.01 to 15.36W/m2 and from 1.42 to 28.7W/m2 inside and outside the vehicles, respectively. Drivers had the highest exposure from June till August (17.54W/m2). Results showed lower exposure in April, May, and September (12.34W/m2). Cumulative exposure based on erythema dose showed the highest value (41.0 SED) inside vehicle at 9-10 am intervals. Taxi drivers are exposed to significant ultraviolet radiation. Geographical situation...

Pb(II) adsorption onto a magnetic composite of activated carbon and superparamagnetic Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles: Experimental and modeling study

CLEAN - Soil, Air, Water, 2015

ABSTRACT

Hospital Safety Climate Assessment toward Attitude's Nurses Based on Sammer's Model Case study: An academic General and A specialized Hospital in Tehran (Iran

article, 2020

Safety climate has become an important issue in organizational safety management of health system... more Safety climate has become an important issue in organizational safety management of health systems. The aim of this applied study was assessment safety climate in general and specialized academic hospitals based on Sammer's model, to introduce a model with the specific framework to assess climate safety in Iranian hospitals, moreover, to reduce medical errors and incidents, also to increase patient safety. This model consists of seven dimensions: leadership, teamwork, evidence-based practices, communication, learning, justice and patient-centeredness. So a descriptive-comparative study was undertaken through a methodology including 3 phases. Data were collected by a modified questionnaire based on the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC) from 217 nurses and an In-depth interview with 52 nurses in both hospitals. According to the results in the general hospital, leadership, patient-centeredness and learning was recognized as the most effective factors, however, in the specialized hospital, the most important factors were patient-centeredness and justice. Seven dimensions of Sammer's model are effective in safety climate assessment, but they are not enough to assess safety climate Iranian hospitals. Adding other factors such as safety and standardized hospital building space, the safety of equipment, physical factors in the workplace, Social and culture factors and terms and conditions governing the hospital settings can help to complete the model and provide an integrated and more consistent one to take an effective step in assessing overall hospital safety climate.

The Diabetes Mellitus-Related Problems among Diabetic Elderly

article, 2020

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the main cause of death and disability in the elderly. We aimed ... more Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the main cause of death and disability in the elderly. We aimed to evaluate the diabetes mellitus-related problems in elderly participants attended the diabetes clinic of Ardabil. In a cross-sectional analytical study, 91 elderly participants were randomly enrolled. Standard Problem Area in Diabetes scale was used. Data were obtained through interview and analyzed using SPSS version 22 by descriptive and analytical methods. The mean and standard deviation of the Total Problems Related to Diabetes Mellitus was 31.51 ± 15.37. There were significant relationships between Total Problems Related to DM and marital status (P=0.02), the score of depression-related problems and gender (P=0.04) and the score of treatment barriers with the family composition (P=0.009) and marital status (P=0.005). Elderly with further chronic illness have had additional treatment barriers (P=0.02). Most of the elderly are suffering from various DM-associated problems. They needed to be taken into account in promotion planning sex, family composition, and numbers of chronic diseases.

Fire Risk Assessment and Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Fire Protection Actions in a Combined-Cycle Power Plant

article, 2020

The increasing abundance of fires in industrial buildings has led to the growth of fire risk asse... more The increasing abundance of fires in industrial buildings has led to the growth of fire risk assessment and protection methods. However, few studies have been performed on the practical application of these risk assessment methods in industrial structures. This study aimed at assessing fire risk and determining the effectiveness of fire control measures to reduce fire-related injuries and fatalities to occupants at a combined-cycle power plant in the northeast of Iran. In the present study, firstly, the fire risk level of the real condition for the occupants, building and contents, and activities were measured using the Fire Risk Assessment Method for Engineering (FRAME). Then, taking into account the fire control measures, the fire risk was recalculated and compared with the acceptable risk level. The results indicated that the occupants' fire risk level was 1.26 that was above the acceptable level. Furthermore, in the case of a fire, the expected destruction of the control room will be approximately 20%. Assuming a constant fire load modulation via building construction by non-burning materials or up to 10% burning materials, the occupants' fire risk level will be decreased by 8% compared to the current situation. Also, in the state of designing standard emergency exit routes and using the fire alarm system, the fire risk level will be decreased by 50% and 52%, respectively, compared to the current condition. This study indicated that applying quantitative engineering methods for fire risk assessment can help to find practical solutions to minimize losses and fire-related injuries to industrial building occupants.

Prediction of Highway Noise Pollution Level by Model FHWA -TNM (Case Study: Vakilabad Highway in Mashhad-Iran

article, 2020

This study aimed to model the noise pollution level in 9th and 11th districts of Mashhad municipa... more This study aimed to model the noise pollution level in 9th and 11th districts of Mashhad municipality (Vakilabad highway) by using Traffic Noise Model (TNM 2.5). To this end, the equivalent sound level measurement of the 25 high-traffic stations selected along the Vakilabad highway in Mashhad was carried out by the TES-1358 sound level meter, for 6 months and each month for 1 working day in the year's 2017. Traffic volume data was also measured to level the day by the wood line method and then the total data was introduced to model the traffic noise volume in the area. The assessment of the traffic noise of the study area in the model showed that the average equivalent sound level calculated by the model for the stations measured at Vakilabad highway is 6.51 dB less than the recorded values by the sound meter in the real environment by the average of 78 dB. In addition, the results of this study indicated that the TNM could provide a reasonable prediction of traffic volume and its distribution on the Vakilabad highway in Mashhad, due to providing a similar ranking of areas with low or high noise pollution and also displaying acceptable values of Leq calculated as compared to recorded sound values in the real environment.

Investigation of Dust Chemical Compounds Emitted by Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) with a reuse perspective

article, 2020

In the process of steel production by electric arc furnace (EAF), it is found that 10 to 20 kg of... more In the process of steel production by electric arc furnace (EAF), it is found that 10 to 20 kg of dust was emitted per every ton of produced steel. Concerning the pollution potential of emitted dust and its reuse ability, the present study was aimed to determine the chemical composition of the electric arc furnace dust with a reuse perspective. This study was done in a steel factory equipped with EAF. Local exhaust ventilation system is installed on the furnace and equipped with cyclone and venturi scrubber. To analysis of dust compounds were gathered in a cyclone and those left the system, the samples were taken from the cyclone hopper and exhaust fan outlet. Finally, the samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). According to the results, the trapped dust in the cyclone and scrubber were 226.86 and 44.81 kg/hr, respectively. The results obtained from XRD analysis also showed that about 50% of the dust was formed by Fe2O3. The quotient of other compounds such as CaO, MgO, SiO2, and Zn was more than 30%. Conclusion: the results of this study showed that EAF dust composed of a range of elements with different concentrations. Given the high weight of these compounds, reusing some of these elements can be having a positive impact on health and the economy.

Semi-Quantitative Dermal Exposure Assessment of Lead with DREAM Model in a Lead Mine in Iran

article, 2020

Occupational exposure to toxic substances occurs in a variety of ways. The DREAM model is suggest... more Occupational exposure to toxic substances occurs in a variety of ways. The DREAM model is suggested for assessing skin exposure using preset values. The purpose of this study is to investigate the exposure of lead in workers at a mine lead using the DREAM model. This research was done in several steps. First, collect information about people and the work environment. Then design the model in Excel2016 by the authors. This research was descriptive-analytic research and included 46 miners. The DREAM model has a total of 33 variables included. In the DREAM model, exposure assessment was performed for 9 body parts at task level 2. The DREAM model was completed for 5 jobs. Jobs were in the lab, tunnel-74, tunnel-34, entrance to the tunnel and flotation workshop. The results were calculated for each of the 9 parts of the site for propagation, transfer, deposition, and potential and actual exposures, and eventually total exposures. The DREAM model, in comparison with similar methods, estimates the skin exposure level in a semi-quantitative fashion. This method has been used to estimate skin exposure in a variety of industries. This method was used to assess the skin exposure of workers in a mine, which resulted in training workers and providing personal protective equipment appropriate to the environment.

Body Measurements (Anthropometry): A Case Study of Male Students in Qom University of Technology

The existence of ergonomic training tools and devices improves the educational quality and conven... more The existence of ergonomic training tools and devices improves the educational quality and convenience of students. Non-ergonomic training tools also cause musculoskeletal disorders in students and as a result, they will be less efficient. The purpose of this study was to examine the suitability of the seats available with the body dimensions of the male undergraduate and master's students of Qom University of Technology. In this research, 60 male undergraduate and master's male students of Qom University of Technology were selected randomly and 18 physical dimensions of them were measured by an anthropometric calliper with an accuracy of 0.1, 0.05 meter, and also seven important parts of the seat affecting on the body's posture were measured by the meter. Also, feeling or not feeling pain in the 8 parts of the bodies of these students and their feelings about the cause of the pain were asked by questionnaires and for data analysis, was used the SPSS version 22. The height of the seating area was almost appropriate. The length and width of the seat area and the width of backing was smaller than the optimal sizes. The height of the chair elbow was shorter than the optimal amount. The length of chair elbow was suitable, and the backing height from the seat area was not suitable. Only the height of the seat area and the length of chair elbow are somewhat appropriate and the rest of the seat parts are not proportionate to the students' physical sizes. There was a significant difference between the parameters of undergraduate students and the master's students.

A Comprehensive Review on Risk Factors Affecting the Crash Severity

paper, 2019

As a matter of growing machinery life, traffic crashes are considered an inevitable source of inj... more As a matter of growing machinery life, traffic crashes are considered an inevitable source of injuries and costs around the world. Regarding to increasing traffic accident outcomes, controlling the current status is necessary. In this way, identifying risk factors affecting the crash severity is an essential step toward initiating a convincing solution. The core objective of this study was to categorize the risk factors affecting the severity of crashes. Data needed for this study were gathered through searching Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Science Direct databases using the keywords included fatal and crash, injuries and crash, fatal and traffic accident, and injuries and traffic accident. Based on 83 selected studies for review, factors affecting the crash severity divided into five factors and forty-seven sub-factors. The most prevalent sub-factors were age, sex, safety belts, alcohol and drug use, speed, weather conditions, lighting conditions, time of the day and week, vehicle kind, road condition, collision type and crash location. Many risk factors affect crash severity and determination of the most important ones can be a prelude in reducing the effects. Therefore, the conclusion of this review can assist to traffic safety experts, police and contribute to distinguishing and monitoring the risk factors affecting crash severity transportation agencies.

A Novel Approach Based on DEMATEL Method for Causal Modeling an Effective Factors in Falling from Height Accidents in Construction Projects

Falling from height known as one of the most important factors that leads to fatal accidents in t... more Falling from height known as one of the most important factors that leads to fatal accidents in the construction industry. The purpose of this study was to investigate and identify the effective factors in the occurrence of falling from height accidents in the construction projects and determine the causal relationships between organizational, individual and environmental factors. In this research, the surveyed population was the workers of five construction projects of a gas refinery in south of Iran from 2011 to 2015. Using the Integrated Management System (IMS) information, factors and sub-factors affecting the occurrence of falling from height accidents in the construction projects were determined. Then, a semi-comparative questionnaire based on the DEMATEL technique was designed and distributed among 10 experts at two different periods. Based on the expert's opinions, the identified factors and sub-factors were classified into three main factors and fourteen sub-factors, respectively. Then, the causal relationships between each the effective factor were identified, using DEMATEL technique. The results of DEMATEL technique revealed that the individual factors were considered to be the most important criteria, as it has acquired the maximum ( + ) value, i.e., 36.689 whereas, organizational factors had scored the least, i.e., 35.180. Accordingly, organizational factors and their sub-factors had a substantial effect on the falling from height accidents and were considered as causal variables (D-R>0), while, the indices of individual and environmental factors were the effect variables (D-R<0). So that, mutual understanding was an organizational sub-factor that had the highest impact on the occurrence of falling from height and has been identified as a causal variable. Generally, it is necessary to consider specific plans such as stress management and safety culture programs in order to reduce unsafe conditions in the construction projects.

A Novel Approach Based on DEMATEL Method for Causal Modeling an Effective Factors in Falling from Height Accidents in Construction Projects

paper, 2019

Falling from height known as one of the most important factors that leads to fatal accidents in t... more Falling from height known as one of the most important factors that leads to fatal accidents in the construction industry. The purpose of this study was to investigate and identify the effective factors in the occurrence of falling from height accidents in the construction projects and determine the causal relationships between organizational, individual and environmental factors. In this research, the surveyed population was the workers of five construction projects of a gas refinery in south of Iran from 2011 to 2015. Using the Integrated Management System (IMS) information, factors and sub-factors affecting the occurrence of falling from height accidents in the construction projects were determined. Then, a semi-comparative questionnaire based on the DEMATEL technique was designed and distributed among 10 experts at two different periods. Based on the expert's opinions, the identified factors and sub-factors were classified into three main factors and fourteen sub-factors, respectively. Then, the causal relationships between each the effective factor were identified, using DEMATEL technique. The results of DEMATEL technique revealed that the individual factors were considered to be the most important criteria, as it has acquired the maximum (+) value, i.e., 36.689 whereas, organizational factors had scored the least, i.e., 35.180. Accordingly, organizational factors and their sub-factors had a substantial effect on the falling from height accidents and were considered as causal variables (D-R>0), while, the indices of individual and environmental factors were the effect variables (D-R<0). So that, mutual understanding was an organizational sub-factor that had the highest impact on the occurrence of falling from height and has been identified as a causal variable. Generally, it is necessary to consider specific plans such as stress management and safety culture programs in order to reduce unsafe conditions in the construction projects.

Grip and Pinch Strengths in Young Adults Residing in Tehran (2017): Development of Prediction Models

paper, 2019

Hand strength is necessary for many daily, working and leisure activities. The aim of this study ... more Hand strength is necessary for many daily, working and leisure activities. The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of handgrip and pinch strengths among Iranian young adults. A cross-sectional study was designed in which 716 young adults (354 males, 24.1 years ± 3.2; 362 females, 23.1 years ± 3.6) participated. Demographic characteristics, as well as the length of the hand, palm and forearm, the palm width, and the circumference of wrist and forearm, were measured. A tape meter (± 0.1cm), and a digital Caliper (± 0.1 mm) were used to measure anthropometric dimensions. Jamar hydraulic dynamometer and pinch gauge were used to measure Hand Grip Strength (HGS) as well as Tip (TP), Key (KP) and Palmar (PP) pinch strengths. Mean values of HGS, TP, KP and PP varied from 25.6 to 80, 4.1 to 8.7, 6.4 to 14.7 and 5.4 to 12.7Kg in men and from 14 to 39, 3.2 to 6.0, 4.7 to 8.1 and 3.4 to 9.3Kg in women, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis showed gender, age, height and BMI as the best predictors of hand strengths. The values of hand strengths are easily predictable using a few readily available individual attributes. Results may serve as a benchmark for job selection.

Evaluation of Microbiological Water Quality and Coastal Waters Quality Index of Persian Gulf in Bandar Abbas Coastal City, Iran

paper, 2019

The goals of this study were to assess the microbiological quality and coastal water quality inde... more The goals of this study were to assess the microbiological quality and coastal water quality index (CWQI) in the Persian Gulf alongshore of Bandar Abbas city. Water samples were collected from five different coastal sites in spring and summer seasons. To assess the microbiological quality: Total Coliforms, Fecal Coliforms, Fecal Streptococci and Clostridium perfringens were measured. Also, eight physicochemical parameters (DO, BOD, TSS, Turbidity, Temperature, pH, Nitrate, Phosphate) were examined for calculating the CWQI. The mean for microbiological indicators was respectively, 3667, 1055, 50, 211 MPN/100ml. for physicochemical parameters, the average of water temperature was 32 °C, electrical conductivity was 57mmho/cm, the turbidity was 70.7 NTU, pH 8.1, and also the average concentration of phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium was 180, 18.2, 4.9, 12.16μmol/L, and the mean of concentration BOD, COD and DO were 4.89, 11 and 6.8mg/L, respectively. In addition, the water quality index for all months and at selected stations was 65. The results showed that in the most samples the levels of microbiological indicators were exceeded the national standard and guideline values. Also, the computed CWQI showed that quality of water was weak. All the extracted results are closely related to the inlets connected to the sea. These inlets except the Ghadir station will affect the rest of the stations. In general, in low tide, the Bactria index was more than high tide.

Empirical Study of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards to Radiation Health Hazards of Cell Phone: a Case Study on Medical Science Students

paper, 2019

The cell phone has become an essential part of life, however, in developing countries, knowledge ... more The cell phone has become an essential part of life, however, in developing countries, knowledge and awareness of users about its adverse health effects have not enough increased. This study aimed to develop a questionnaire to investigate knowledge, attitude and practice regarding health hazards of the cell phone among college students. In this cross-sectional study, 230 graduate students of University of medical sciences located in Hamadan (western province of Iran) were participated, randomly. A developed self-administered questionnaire was completed by each participant to assess knowledge, attitude and practice regarding health hazards of the cell phone. The data was analyzed using SPSS 21. The results showed that the content validity ratio and the content validity index of the developed questionnaire were 0.915, 0.79, respectively. Cronbach (alpha), as a criterion of the reliability of the developed questionnaire, was also equal to 0.85. The scores of knowledge, attitudes and practice among the students were 7.95±2.5, 74.78±8.8, and 28.91±9.0, respectively. Relative to the maximum achievable scores, the acquired scores of attitudes was more acceptable than the others. Moreover, the acquired scores of the knowledge were more than the practice. The scientific controversy about health risks of the cell phones aggravated the public concerns about not well-known effects and consequently, it supported and motivated good attitude among student users. Moreover, it seems that the lack of proper knowledge about cell phone health hazards and protection principles can influence adequate practices. As low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) principle should be adopted for uses of the cell phone, while a major effort is done for monitoring of its new potential health impacts.

Comparison of the Efficiency of Fenton and Photo-Fenton Processes for the Removal of Reactive Red 198 Dye from the Aqueous Solution

article, 2019

The textile industry produces a large amount of polluted effluents discharged into the environmen... more The textile industry produces a large amount of polluted effluents discharged into the environment. Therefore, this research was carried out to compare the efficiency of removal of Reactive red 198 (RR-198) dye by fenton and photo-fenton processes and determine the optimal conditions for maximum removal. This study was conducted on a laboratory scale. The effect of influential parameters, including pH (3-9), Fe(II) concentration (10-200mg/L), H2O2 concentration (25-150mg/L), dye concentration (50-200mg/L) and reaction time (15-90min.) on dye removal was investigated and the optimal conditions were determined according to the maximum dye removal efficiency. The results indicated that the dye removal rate increased as the pH and Fe(II) concentration decreased. The optimal conditions for RR-198 removals from the aqueous solution are pH of 3, Fe (II) concentration of 10mg/L, H2O2 concentration of 50mg/L, the initial dye concentration of 50mg/L, and the reaction time of 15min.. The maximum dye removal efficiency under optimal conditions was 98.82%. The results of this study revealed that the photo-fenton process was superior to the removal of dye compared to fenton process.

Studying Psychological and Organizational Factors' Roles on Occupational Accidents among Nurses and Nursing Aids in Qom, Iran

article, 2019

It is clear that safety in healthcare centres in both fields of staffs and patients is under infl... more It is clear that safety in healthcare centres in both fields of staffs and patients is under influence of various factors and needs considering organizational and psychological variables. This study aimed to find the effects of organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB), patient safety climate (PSC) and fatalism on occupational accidents among nurses and nursing aids in one of the non-governmental hospitals in Qom, 2017. Two hundred people from the study population were selected by simple random sampling method and entered the study. A researcher-made demographics questionnaire, Williamson et al. questionnaire for fatalism and valid questionnaires for PSC and OCB were tools to gather data. The relationship between the variables was analyzed using ANOVA and T-test through SPSS V20 and structural equation was done by AMOS V8.8. One hundred and seventy-seven questionnaires out of 200 ones were entered into the analysis phase. Women with 104 (58.8%) were the most frequent and 71.8% of participants were married. Participants had an average age of 34.2(±9.37) years. Reliability of the questionnaires was acceptable. Analysis depicted effects of fatalism on occupational accidents (β=0.15), the patient safety climate on OCB (β=0.13), and OCB on occupational accidents (β=-0.13) (p<0.05). Observations illustrated that the studied subjects were in a relatively moderate level in all three factors. The Psycho-sprit factor of fatalism and organizational factor of OCB was related with occupational accidents, and PSC also with OCB.

Comparing of Four Ergonomic Risk Assessment Methods of HAL-TLV, Strain Index, OCRA Checklist, and ART for Repetitive Work Tasks

article, 2019

This study is aimed to compare the results obtained from four risk assessment methods, videlicet ... more This study is aimed to compare the results obtained from four risk assessment methods, videlicet HAL-TLV, Strain index, OCRA checklist, and ART. These musculoskeletal disorders assessment tools are generally used in the studies as well as in the field of occupational health. In this study, the data was collected via assessments of 30 tasks by 9 raters in poultry slaughter, assembly, and container production industries using four methods of upper limb musculoskeletal disorder risk assessment. In order to determine the level of agreement between the risk assessment methods, the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and Cohen's weighted kappa were used, according to which the highest agreement and correlation were found between ART and OCRA checklist methods, while the HAL-TLV and OCRA checklist exhibited the lowest agreement and correlation. The difference between the risk classification results of the studied methods could be due to the difference of definitions of the risk variables; therefore, selecting the assessment tools for assessing the task risks in the working environment must be in accordance with the assessment objectives and complexity of the work tasks.

Alternative Method for the Analysis of Water-Based Metalworking Fluids Using Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy

article, 2019

Mists of water-based metalworking fluids (MWFs) as a kind of lubricants mineral oil are reported ... more Mists of water-based metalworking fluids (MWFs) as a kind of lubricants mineral oil are reported as a respiratory irritant with having carcinogenic compounds such as formaldehyde. Due to the widespread exposure of Iranian metal machining workers to water-based MWFs and limitations of advanced analytical balance in Iran, which is required by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conventional method No5524, the purpose of this study was set to develop a new analytical method using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry instead. In this study, the spiked standards in the range of 0.96 to 960 µg/sample were dried and extracted with carbon tetrachloride and scanned by FTIR in the range of 2700 to 3200cm-1 for the best absorption. FTIR and Gas chromatography analysis of formaldehyde as a toxic ingredient of MWFs was examined and its presence was confirmed. For establishing the validation, the merits of the analysis of the FTIR and NIOSH method No.5524, such as precision, accuracy, LOD, LOQ, and bias were obtained that were 1.49%, 103%, 0.0004, 0.0014 µg/sample,-3%, and 10.87%, 111%, 14.9, 49.1µg/sample and 11% respectively. Regression coefficients (r 2) of the calibration line with the spiked standards (0.96-960µg/sample) were in the range of 0.997 to 0.999. Since the merits of the analysis of the FT-IR method for water-based MWFs were comparable to the respective NIOSH method, the developed method could be very useful in monitoring lathe workers, especially in developing countries. However, collaborative examination for full validation of the method is recommended.

Effect of Smoking and Noise Exposure on Hearing Threshold Levels in Industrial Workers in West of Iran

artcle, 2019

Cigarette smoking had many adverse effects on health, also exposure to industrial noise is known ... more Cigarette smoking had many adverse effects on health, also exposure to industrial noise is known as a health risk factor in the workplaces. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between industrial noise exposure and smoking on the hearing threshold levels in workers. In the study, 200 male workers in the two groups (100 smokers and 100 nonsmokers with noise exposure) were involved. To assess noise exposure used calibrated noise dosimeter. Demographic, smoking habits and health status information was obtained via questionnaire. The results showed a significant difference between noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in two ears and total NIHL in smokers and non-smokers with less than 10 years and more 10 years of noise exposure duration. From the outcome of this investigation it is possible to conclude a positive effect between cigarette smoking and noise exposure on hearing loss and it can be suggested that hearing protection programs should train workers about the increased risk of developing NIHL from smoking and exposure to high occupational noise levels.

Exposure to Solar Ultra Violet among Taxi Drivers in Damghan Area in 2016: A Cross-Sectional Study

Iranian journal of health, safety and environment, 2018

Ultraviolet emission from sun considered as a hazardous parts of optical waves. This study aimed ... more Ultraviolet emission from sun considered as a hazardous parts of optical waves. This study aimed at determining exposure to ultraviolet radiation among taxi drivers in Damghan. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a sample of taxi drivers. Individual exposure to solar ultraviolet-A was assessed during day light working hours. Exposure was determined on the basis of radiation intensity and biologically cumulated standard erythema dose. Our findings showed that exposure was varied in terms of time and geographical sites. The exposure intensity ranged from 0.01 to 15.36W/m2 and from 1.42 to 28.7W/m2 inside and outside the vehicles, respectively. Drivers had the highest exposure from June till August (17.54W/m2). Results showed lower exposure in April, May, and September (12.34W/m2). Cumulative exposure based on erythema dose showed the highest value (41.0 SED) inside vehicle at 9-10 am intervals. Taxi drivers are exposed to significant ultraviolet radiation. Geographical situation...

Pb(II) adsorption onto a magnetic composite of activated carbon and superparamagnetic Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles: Experimental and modeling study

CLEAN - Soil, Air, Water, 2015

ABSTRACT

Hospital Safety Climate Assessment toward Attitude's Nurses Based on Sammer's Model Case study: An academic General and A specialized Hospital in Tehran (Iran

article, 2020

Safety climate has become an important issue in organizational safety management of health system... more Safety climate has become an important issue in organizational safety management of health systems. The aim of this applied study was assessment safety climate in general and specialized academic hospitals based on Sammer's model, to introduce a model with the specific framework to assess climate safety in Iranian hospitals, moreover, to reduce medical errors and incidents, also to increase patient safety. This model consists of seven dimensions: leadership, teamwork, evidence-based practices, communication, learning, justice and patient-centeredness. So a descriptive-comparative study was undertaken through a methodology including 3 phases. Data were collected by a modified questionnaire based on the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC) from 217 nurses and an In-depth interview with 52 nurses in both hospitals. According to the results in the general hospital, leadership, patient-centeredness and learning was recognized as the most effective factors, however, in the specialized hospital, the most important factors were patient-centeredness and justice. Seven dimensions of Sammer's model are effective in safety climate assessment, but they are not enough to assess safety climate Iranian hospitals. Adding other factors such as safety and standardized hospital building space, the safety of equipment, physical factors in the workplace, Social and culture factors and terms and conditions governing the hospital settings can help to complete the model and provide an integrated and more consistent one to take an effective step in assessing overall hospital safety climate.

The Diabetes Mellitus-Related Problems among Diabetic Elderly

article, 2020

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the main cause of death and disability in the elderly. We aimed ... more Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the main cause of death and disability in the elderly. We aimed to evaluate the diabetes mellitus-related problems in elderly participants attended the diabetes clinic of Ardabil. In a cross-sectional analytical study, 91 elderly participants were randomly enrolled. Standard Problem Area in Diabetes scale was used. Data were obtained through interview and analyzed using SPSS version 22 by descriptive and analytical methods. The mean and standard deviation of the Total Problems Related to Diabetes Mellitus was 31.51 ± 15.37. There were significant relationships between Total Problems Related to DM and marital status (P=0.02), the score of depression-related problems and gender (P=0.04) and the score of treatment barriers with the family composition (P=0.009) and marital status (P=0.005). Elderly with further chronic illness have had additional treatment barriers (P=0.02). Most of the elderly are suffering from various DM-associated problems. They needed to be taken into account in promotion planning sex, family composition, and numbers of chronic diseases.

Fire Risk Assessment and Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Fire Protection Actions in a Combined-Cycle Power Plant

article, 2020

The increasing abundance of fires in industrial buildings has led to the growth of fire risk asse... more The increasing abundance of fires in industrial buildings has led to the growth of fire risk assessment and protection methods. However, few studies have been performed on the practical application of these risk assessment methods in industrial structures. This study aimed at assessing fire risk and determining the effectiveness of fire control measures to reduce fire-related injuries and fatalities to occupants at a combined-cycle power plant in the northeast of Iran. In the present study, firstly, the fire risk level of the real condition for the occupants, building and contents, and activities were measured using the Fire Risk Assessment Method for Engineering (FRAME). Then, taking into account the fire control measures, the fire risk was recalculated and compared with the acceptable risk level. The results indicated that the occupants' fire risk level was 1.26 that was above the acceptable level. Furthermore, in the case of a fire, the expected destruction of the control room will be approximately 20%. Assuming a constant fire load modulation via building construction by non-burning materials or up to 10% burning materials, the occupants' fire risk level will be decreased by 8% compared to the current situation. Also, in the state of designing standard emergency exit routes and using the fire alarm system, the fire risk level will be decreased by 50% and 52%, respectively, compared to the current condition. This study indicated that applying quantitative engineering methods for fire risk assessment can help to find practical solutions to minimize losses and fire-related injuries to industrial building occupants.

Prediction of Highway Noise Pollution Level by Model FHWA -TNM (Case Study: Vakilabad Highway in Mashhad-Iran

article, 2020

This study aimed to model the noise pollution level in 9th and 11th districts of Mashhad municipa... more This study aimed to model the noise pollution level in 9th and 11th districts of Mashhad municipality (Vakilabad highway) by using Traffic Noise Model (TNM 2.5). To this end, the equivalent sound level measurement of the 25 high-traffic stations selected along the Vakilabad highway in Mashhad was carried out by the TES-1358 sound level meter, for 6 months and each month for 1 working day in the year's 2017. Traffic volume data was also measured to level the day by the wood line method and then the total data was introduced to model the traffic noise volume in the area. The assessment of the traffic noise of the study area in the model showed that the average equivalent sound level calculated by the model for the stations measured at Vakilabad highway is 6.51 dB less than the recorded values by the sound meter in the real environment by the average of 78 dB. In addition, the results of this study indicated that the TNM could provide a reasonable prediction of traffic volume and its distribution on the Vakilabad highway in Mashhad, due to providing a similar ranking of areas with low or high noise pollution and also displaying acceptable values of Leq calculated as compared to recorded sound values in the real environment.

Investigation of Dust Chemical Compounds Emitted by Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) with a reuse perspective

article, 2020

In the process of steel production by electric arc furnace (EAF), it is found that 10 to 20 kg of... more In the process of steel production by electric arc furnace (EAF), it is found that 10 to 20 kg of dust was emitted per every ton of produced steel. Concerning the pollution potential of emitted dust and its reuse ability, the present study was aimed to determine the chemical composition of the electric arc furnace dust with a reuse perspective. This study was done in a steel factory equipped with EAF. Local exhaust ventilation system is installed on the furnace and equipped with cyclone and venturi scrubber. To analysis of dust compounds were gathered in a cyclone and those left the system, the samples were taken from the cyclone hopper and exhaust fan outlet. Finally, the samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). According to the results, the trapped dust in the cyclone and scrubber were 226.86 and 44.81 kg/hr, respectively. The results obtained from XRD analysis also showed that about 50% of the dust was formed by Fe2O3. The quotient of other compounds such as CaO, MgO, SiO2, and Zn was more than 30%. Conclusion: the results of this study showed that EAF dust composed of a range of elements with different concentrations. Given the high weight of these compounds, reusing some of these elements can be having a positive impact on health and the economy.

Semi-Quantitative Dermal Exposure Assessment of Lead with DREAM Model in a Lead Mine in Iran

article, 2020

Occupational exposure to toxic substances occurs in a variety of ways. The DREAM model is suggest... more Occupational exposure to toxic substances occurs in a variety of ways. The DREAM model is suggested for assessing skin exposure using preset values. The purpose of this study is to investigate the exposure of lead in workers at a mine lead using the DREAM model. This research was done in several steps. First, collect information about people and the work environment. Then design the model in Excel2016 by the authors. This research was descriptive-analytic research and included 46 miners. The DREAM model has a total of 33 variables included. In the DREAM model, exposure assessment was performed for 9 body parts at task level 2. The DREAM model was completed for 5 jobs. Jobs were in the lab, tunnel-74, tunnel-34, entrance to the tunnel and flotation workshop. The results were calculated for each of the 9 parts of the site for propagation, transfer, deposition, and potential and actual exposures, and eventually total exposures. The DREAM model, in comparison with similar methods, estimates the skin exposure level in a semi-quantitative fashion. This method has been used to estimate skin exposure in a variety of industries. This method was used to assess the skin exposure of workers in a mine, which resulted in training workers and providing personal protective equipment appropriate to the environment.

Body Measurements (Anthropometry): A Case Study of Male Students in Qom University of Technology

The existence of ergonomic training tools and devices improves the educational quality and conven... more The existence of ergonomic training tools and devices improves the educational quality and convenience of students. Non-ergonomic training tools also cause musculoskeletal disorders in students and as a result, they will be less efficient. The purpose of this study was to examine the suitability of the seats available with the body dimensions of the male undergraduate and master's students of Qom University of Technology. In this research, 60 male undergraduate and master's male students of Qom University of Technology were selected randomly and 18 physical dimensions of them were measured by an anthropometric calliper with an accuracy of 0.1, 0.05 meter, and also seven important parts of the seat affecting on the body's posture were measured by the meter. Also, feeling or not feeling pain in the 8 parts of the bodies of these students and their feelings about the cause of the pain were asked by questionnaires and for data analysis, was used the SPSS version 22. The height of the seating area was almost appropriate. The length and width of the seat area and the width of backing was smaller than the optimal sizes. The height of the chair elbow was shorter than the optimal amount. The length of chair elbow was suitable, and the backing height from the seat area was not suitable. Only the height of the seat area and the length of chair elbow are somewhat appropriate and the rest of the seat parts are not proportionate to the students' physical sizes. There was a significant difference between the parameters of undergraduate students and the master's students.

A Comprehensive Review on Risk Factors Affecting the Crash Severity

paper, 2019

As a matter of growing machinery life, traffic crashes are considered an inevitable source of inj... more As a matter of growing machinery life, traffic crashes are considered an inevitable source of injuries and costs around the world. Regarding to increasing traffic accident outcomes, controlling the current status is necessary. In this way, identifying risk factors affecting the crash severity is an essential step toward initiating a convincing solution. The core objective of this study was to categorize the risk factors affecting the severity of crashes. Data needed for this study were gathered through searching Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Science Direct databases using the keywords included fatal and crash, injuries and crash, fatal and traffic accident, and injuries and traffic accident. Based on 83 selected studies for review, factors affecting the crash severity divided into five factors and forty-seven sub-factors. The most prevalent sub-factors were age, sex, safety belts, alcohol and drug use, speed, weather conditions, lighting conditions, time of the day and week, vehicle kind, road condition, collision type and crash location. Many risk factors affect crash severity and determination of the most important ones can be a prelude in reducing the effects. Therefore, the conclusion of this review can assist to traffic safety experts, police and contribute to distinguishing and monitoring the risk factors affecting crash severity transportation agencies.

A Novel Approach Based on DEMATEL Method for Causal Modeling an Effective Factors in Falling from Height Accidents in Construction Projects

Falling from height known as one of the most important factors that leads to fatal accidents in t... more Falling from height known as one of the most important factors that leads to fatal accidents in the construction industry. The purpose of this study was to investigate and identify the effective factors in the occurrence of falling from height accidents in the construction projects and determine the causal relationships between organizational, individual and environmental factors. In this research, the surveyed population was the workers of five construction projects of a gas refinery in south of Iran from 2011 to 2015. Using the Integrated Management System (IMS) information, factors and sub-factors affecting the occurrence of falling from height accidents in the construction projects were determined. Then, a semi-comparative questionnaire based on the DEMATEL technique was designed and distributed among 10 experts at two different periods. Based on the expert's opinions, the identified factors and sub-factors were classified into three main factors and fourteen sub-factors, respectively. Then, the causal relationships between each the effective factor were identified, using DEMATEL technique. The results of DEMATEL technique revealed that the individual factors were considered to be the most important criteria, as it has acquired the maximum ( + ) value, i.e., 36.689 whereas, organizational factors had scored the least, i.e., 35.180. Accordingly, organizational factors and their sub-factors had a substantial effect on the falling from height accidents and were considered as causal variables (D-R>0), while, the indices of individual and environmental factors were the effect variables (D-R<0). So that, mutual understanding was an organizational sub-factor that had the highest impact on the occurrence of falling from height and has been identified as a causal variable. Generally, it is necessary to consider specific plans such as stress management and safety culture programs in order to reduce unsafe conditions in the construction projects.

A Novel Approach Based on DEMATEL Method for Causal Modeling an Effective Factors in Falling from Height Accidents in Construction Projects

paper, 2019

Falling from height known as one of the most important factors that leads to fatal accidents in t... more Falling from height known as one of the most important factors that leads to fatal accidents in the construction industry. The purpose of this study was to investigate and identify the effective factors in the occurrence of falling from height accidents in the construction projects and determine the causal relationships between organizational, individual and environmental factors. In this research, the surveyed population was the workers of five construction projects of a gas refinery in south of Iran from 2011 to 2015. Using the Integrated Management System (IMS) information, factors and sub-factors affecting the occurrence of falling from height accidents in the construction projects were determined. Then, a semi-comparative questionnaire based on the DEMATEL technique was designed and distributed among 10 experts at two different periods. Based on the expert's opinions, the identified factors and sub-factors were classified into three main factors and fourteen sub-factors, respectively. Then, the causal relationships between each the effective factor were identified, using DEMATEL technique. The results of DEMATEL technique revealed that the individual factors were considered to be the most important criteria, as it has acquired the maximum (+) value, i.e., 36.689 whereas, organizational factors had scored the least, i.e., 35.180. Accordingly, organizational factors and their sub-factors had a substantial effect on the falling from height accidents and were considered as causal variables (D-R>0), while, the indices of individual and environmental factors were the effect variables (D-R<0). So that, mutual understanding was an organizational sub-factor that had the highest impact on the occurrence of falling from height and has been identified as a causal variable. Generally, it is necessary to consider specific plans such as stress management and safety culture programs in order to reduce unsafe conditions in the construction projects.

Grip and Pinch Strengths in Young Adults Residing in Tehran (2017): Development of Prediction Models

paper, 2019

Hand strength is necessary for many daily, working and leisure activities. The aim of this study ... more Hand strength is necessary for many daily, working and leisure activities. The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of handgrip and pinch strengths among Iranian young adults. A cross-sectional study was designed in which 716 young adults (354 males, 24.1 years ± 3.2; 362 females, 23.1 years ± 3.6) participated. Demographic characteristics, as well as the length of the hand, palm and forearm, the palm width, and the circumference of wrist and forearm, were measured. A tape meter (± 0.1cm), and a digital Caliper (± 0.1 mm) were used to measure anthropometric dimensions. Jamar hydraulic dynamometer and pinch gauge were used to measure Hand Grip Strength (HGS) as well as Tip (TP), Key (KP) and Palmar (PP) pinch strengths. Mean values of HGS, TP, KP and PP varied from 25.6 to 80, 4.1 to 8.7, 6.4 to 14.7 and 5.4 to 12.7Kg in men and from 14 to 39, 3.2 to 6.0, 4.7 to 8.1 and 3.4 to 9.3Kg in women, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis showed gender, age, height and BMI as the best predictors of hand strengths. The values of hand strengths are easily predictable using a few readily available individual attributes. Results may serve as a benchmark for job selection.

Evaluation of Microbiological Water Quality and Coastal Waters Quality Index of Persian Gulf in Bandar Abbas Coastal City, Iran

paper, 2019

The goals of this study were to assess the microbiological quality and coastal water quality inde... more The goals of this study were to assess the microbiological quality and coastal water quality index (CWQI) in the Persian Gulf alongshore of Bandar Abbas city. Water samples were collected from five different coastal sites in spring and summer seasons. To assess the microbiological quality: Total Coliforms, Fecal Coliforms, Fecal Streptococci and Clostridium perfringens were measured. Also, eight physicochemical parameters (DO, BOD, TSS, Turbidity, Temperature, pH, Nitrate, Phosphate) were examined for calculating the CWQI. The mean for microbiological indicators was respectively, 3667, 1055, 50, 211 MPN/100ml. for physicochemical parameters, the average of water temperature was 32 °C, electrical conductivity was 57mmho/cm, the turbidity was 70.7 NTU, pH 8.1, and also the average concentration of phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium was 180, 18.2, 4.9, 12.16μmol/L, and the mean of concentration BOD, COD and DO were 4.89, 11 and 6.8mg/L, respectively. In addition, the water quality index for all months and at selected stations was 65. The results showed that in the most samples the levels of microbiological indicators were exceeded the national standard and guideline values. Also, the computed CWQI showed that quality of water was weak. All the extracted results are closely related to the inlets connected to the sea. These inlets except the Ghadir station will affect the rest of the stations. In general, in low tide, the Bactria index was more than high tide.

Empirical Study of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards to Radiation Health Hazards of Cell Phone: a Case Study on Medical Science Students

paper, 2019

The cell phone has become an essential part of life, however, in developing countries, knowledge ... more The cell phone has become an essential part of life, however, in developing countries, knowledge and awareness of users about its adverse health effects have not enough increased. This study aimed to develop a questionnaire to investigate knowledge, attitude and practice regarding health hazards of the cell phone among college students. In this cross-sectional study, 230 graduate students of University of medical sciences located in Hamadan (western province of Iran) were participated, randomly. A developed self-administered questionnaire was completed by each participant to assess knowledge, attitude and practice regarding health hazards of the cell phone. The data was analyzed using SPSS 21. The results showed that the content validity ratio and the content validity index of the developed questionnaire were 0.915, 0.79, respectively. Cronbach (alpha), as a criterion of the reliability of the developed questionnaire, was also equal to 0.85. The scores of knowledge, attitudes and practice among the students were 7.95±2.5, 74.78±8.8, and 28.91±9.0, respectively. Relative to the maximum achievable scores, the acquired scores of attitudes was more acceptable than the others. Moreover, the acquired scores of the knowledge were more than the practice. The scientific controversy about health risks of the cell phones aggravated the public concerns about not well-known effects and consequently, it supported and motivated good attitude among student users. Moreover, it seems that the lack of proper knowledge about cell phone health hazards and protection principles can influence adequate practices. As low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) principle should be adopted for uses of the cell phone, while a major effort is done for monitoring of its new potential health impacts.

Comparison of the Efficiency of Fenton and Photo-Fenton Processes for the Removal of Reactive Red 198 Dye from the Aqueous Solution

article, 2019

The textile industry produces a large amount of polluted effluents discharged into the environmen... more The textile industry produces a large amount of polluted effluents discharged into the environment. Therefore, this research was carried out to compare the efficiency of removal of Reactive red 198 (RR-198) dye by fenton and photo-fenton processes and determine the optimal conditions for maximum removal. This study was conducted on a laboratory scale. The effect of influential parameters, including pH (3-9), Fe(II) concentration (10-200mg/L), H2O2 concentration (25-150mg/L), dye concentration (50-200mg/L) and reaction time (15-90min.) on dye removal was investigated and the optimal conditions were determined according to the maximum dye removal efficiency. The results indicated that the dye removal rate increased as the pH and Fe(II) concentration decreased. The optimal conditions for RR-198 removals from the aqueous solution are pH of 3, Fe (II) concentration of 10mg/L, H2O2 concentration of 50mg/L, the initial dye concentration of 50mg/L, and the reaction time of 15min.. The maximum dye removal efficiency under optimal conditions was 98.82%. The results of this study revealed that the photo-fenton process was superior to the removal of dye compared to fenton process.

Studying Psychological and Organizational Factors' Roles on Occupational Accidents among Nurses and Nursing Aids in Qom, Iran

article, 2019

It is clear that safety in healthcare centres in both fields of staffs and patients is under infl... more It is clear that safety in healthcare centres in both fields of staffs and patients is under influence of various factors and needs considering organizational and psychological variables. This study aimed to find the effects of organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB), patient safety climate (PSC) and fatalism on occupational accidents among nurses and nursing aids in one of the non-governmental hospitals in Qom, 2017. Two hundred people from the study population were selected by simple random sampling method and entered the study. A researcher-made demographics questionnaire, Williamson et al. questionnaire for fatalism and valid questionnaires for PSC and OCB were tools to gather data. The relationship between the variables was analyzed using ANOVA and T-test through SPSS V20 and structural equation was done by AMOS V8.8. One hundred and seventy-seven questionnaires out of 200 ones were entered into the analysis phase. Women with 104 (58.8%) were the most frequent and 71.8% of participants were married. Participants had an average age of 34.2(±9.37) years. Reliability of the questionnaires was acceptable. Analysis depicted effects of fatalism on occupational accidents (β=0.15), the patient safety climate on OCB (β=0.13), and OCB on occupational accidents (β=-0.13) (p<0.05). Observations illustrated that the studied subjects were in a relatively moderate level in all three factors. The Psycho-sprit factor of fatalism and organizational factor of OCB was related with occupational accidents, and PSC also with OCB.

Comparing of Four Ergonomic Risk Assessment Methods of HAL-TLV, Strain Index, OCRA Checklist, and ART for Repetitive Work Tasks

article, 2019

This study is aimed to compare the results obtained from four risk assessment methods, videlicet ... more This study is aimed to compare the results obtained from four risk assessment methods, videlicet HAL-TLV, Strain index, OCRA checklist, and ART. These musculoskeletal disorders assessment tools are generally used in the studies as well as in the field of occupational health. In this study, the data was collected via assessments of 30 tasks by 9 raters in poultry slaughter, assembly, and container production industries using four methods of upper limb musculoskeletal disorder risk assessment. In order to determine the level of agreement between the risk assessment methods, the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and Cohen's weighted kappa were used, according to which the highest agreement and correlation were found between ART and OCRA checklist methods, while the HAL-TLV and OCRA checklist exhibited the lowest agreement and correlation. The difference between the risk classification results of the studied methods could be due to the difference of definitions of the risk variables; therefore, selecting the assessment tools for assessing the task risks in the working environment must be in accordance with the assessment objectives and complexity of the work tasks.

Alternative Method for the Analysis of Water-Based Metalworking Fluids Using Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy

article, 2019

Mists of water-based metalworking fluids (MWFs) as a kind of lubricants mineral oil are reported ... more Mists of water-based metalworking fluids (MWFs) as a kind of lubricants mineral oil are reported as a respiratory irritant with having carcinogenic compounds such as formaldehyde. Due to the widespread exposure of Iranian metal machining workers to water-based MWFs and limitations of advanced analytical balance in Iran, which is required by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conventional method No5524, the purpose of this study was set to develop a new analytical method using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry instead. In this study, the spiked standards in the range of 0.96 to 960 µg/sample were dried and extracted with carbon tetrachloride and scanned by FTIR in the range of 2700 to 3200cm-1 for the best absorption. FTIR and Gas chromatography analysis of formaldehyde as a toxic ingredient of MWFs was examined and its presence was confirmed. For establishing the validation, the merits of the analysis of the FTIR and NIOSH method No.5524, such as precision, accuracy, LOD, LOQ, and bias were obtained that were 1.49%, 103%, 0.0004, 0.0014 µg/sample,-3%, and 10.87%, 111%, 14.9, 49.1µg/sample and 11% respectively. Regression coefficients (r 2) of the calibration line with the spiked standards (0.96-960µg/sample) were in the range of 0.997 to 0.999. Since the merits of the analysis of the FT-IR method for water-based MWFs were comparable to the respective NIOSH method, the developed method could be very useful in monitoring lathe workers, especially in developing countries. However, collaborative examination for full validation of the method is recommended.

Effect of Smoking and Noise Exposure on Hearing Threshold Levels in Industrial Workers in West of Iran

artcle, 2019

Cigarette smoking had many adverse effects on health, also exposure to industrial noise is known ... more Cigarette smoking had many adverse effects on health, also exposure to industrial noise is known as a health risk factor in the workplaces. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between industrial noise exposure and smoking on the hearing threshold levels in workers. In the study, 200 male workers in the two groups (100 smokers and 100 nonsmokers with noise exposure) were involved. To assess noise exposure used calibrated noise dosimeter. Demographic, smoking habits and health status information was obtained via questionnaire. The results showed a significant difference between noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in two ears and total NIHL in smokers and non-smokers with less than 10 years and more 10 years of noise exposure duration. From the outcome of this investigation it is possible to conclude a positive effect between cigarette smoking and noise exposure on hearing loss and it can be suggested that hearing protection programs should train workers about the increased risk of developing NIHL from smoking and exposure to high occupational noise levels.