Environmental Health Engineering and Management Journal
Volume:11 Issue: 1, Winter 2024

Knowing the root causes of air pollution in urban areas will determine the next actions to take. Analyzing the impact caused by air pollution will make it easier to determine the control efforts to be carried out. Determining control objectives makes the efforts more targeted. Air pollution can be controlled through abiotic, biotic, and cultural factors.

Primary data collection was carried out and used secondary data. This study aimed to find the causes of air pollution in urban areas using the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis method so that it can see what efforts are appropriate to do.

It was revealed that the government’s efforts to control air pollution have been carried out continuously and in multi-sectoral ways, but the socialization of the impact of air pollution has not been conveyed to the community continuously and has not been on target.

Noise and dust are still the main problems affecting air quality in urban areas. Another problem is in human behavior as an affected and interested party. The potential for controlling air pollution can be carried out by combining the strengths and opportunities that are owned optimally and multi-sectorally.

Inappropriate management of textile wastewater results in environmental pollution. To counter this, biofilters or biofilm systems serve as alternatives. Biofilters work like a filter, with a media stack that aids in the filtration process. In this study, pozzolan and sawdust were used as media. The present study aimed to identify the difference in average color content, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and chromium of textile wastewater after passing through a single biofilter versus a combination biofilter.

This study employs a post-test with a control design experimental research design. The research population is the total textile wastewater produced by the X industry located in Cimahi city, Indonesia. The grab sampling technique was employed to collect 30 L of textile wastewater for each treatment using both the single biofilter (composed solely of sawdust) and the combination biofilter (mixture of sawdust and pozzolan).

There are significant differences in color, COD, and chromium content averages between single and combined biofilter treatments, supported by P values of 0.012, 0.004, and 0.010. The single biofilter exhibited higher percentage reductions in color and chromium (14.25% and 90.83%, respectively) compared to the combination biofilter. In contrast, the combination biofilter achieved a remarkable COD reduction of up to 79.45%compared to the single biofilter.

The results of the present study showed that the single biofilter had a higher capacity to remove color and chromium compared to the combination biofilter. Meanwhile, the combination biofilter was found to be more effective in removing COD compared to the single biofilter.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between demographic, social, and ecological factors, as well as underlying diseases (diabetes, kidney, liver, and hypertension) with the COVID-19 mortality rate in the city of Kerman.

The present cross-sectional study was carried out on 200 COVID-19 survivors and 200 hospitalized deceased patients after infection to COVID-19 from March 2019 to March 2020. Logistic regression and Poisson regression were used to assess the relationship between demographic, social factors, underlying diseases, ecological parameters, and mortality rate.

The COVID-19 mortality rate in the affected population (n = 6966 people) was 19.5%. The affected people were over 60 years old, male, Iranian, and married in more than half of the cases. A significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of age (P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between hospitalized deceased patients and survivors in terms of social variables. Diabetes (OR = 1.79; 1.1 to 3.17), hypertension (OR = 1.6; 1.02 to 2.52), and liver disease (OR = 5.13; 1.05 to 24.99) had a significant effect on the mortality rate due to COVID-19 infection. The risk of COVID-19 death has significantly reached 0.96; in other words, decreased by 4% (P = 0.03), for a one-degree increase in the average rainfall during the studied period.

Finally, the prevalence of underlying diseases in the hospitalized deceased patients was more than that in the survivors. The results of the present study are expected to have preventive interventions and identify risk factors for mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and similar diseases.

Despite the detrimental environmental and distributional effects of economic activity in Iran, these effects are not uniform across provinces. Environmental degradation and income inequality are increasing in some provinces of Iran. This study aimed to determine the causal relationship between environmental degradation and income inequality in provinces. It investigates whether environmental degradation is a cause or consequence of income inequality.

Data were collected from official statistical publications in Iran. Then, two simultaneous regression models were estimated to investigate the causal relationship between environmental degradation and income inequality. Finally, Granger causality tests were performed to verify the results.

The results show a one-way causality from income inequality to environmental degradation, and environmental degradation is not the cause of income inequality. While income inequality leads to environmental degradation, other factors are at play in causing income inequality. Income inequality, per capita gross domestic product (GDP), and industrial structure increase environmental degradation. Energy intensity, education, and environmental government budget reduce environmental degradation. Environmental degradation, education, and per capita GDP negatively impact income inequality, while the environmental protection budget and taxation worsen income inequality.

To reduce environmental pollution and income inequality, policies should be adopted that aim to improve the level of education, increase per capita income, increase the budget for environmental protection, reduce polluting industrial structure, and reduce energy intensity. Also, attention should be paid to better management and improvement of the quality of life in different regions of the country to improve the compatibility of different parts of the society with the environment.

In recent years, the pollution of heavy metals in the beaches has been noticed due to the increase of human activities. This study aimed to evaluate heavy metal pollution, its ecological risk, and possible sources in the coastline of Dayer Port, Bushehr province.

The sediment samples were collected from 8 stations with different uses in 0-5 and 5-20 cm depths. The samples were evaluated to measure the concentration of Pb, Cu, Ni, and Mn after acid digestion by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Subsequently, the ecological risk index was used to evaluate the environmental risk potential caused by heavy metal pollution. The statistical analysis was used to determine the source of pollutants and their relationship.

The average concentration of Mn, Ni, Cu, and Pb were 218.59, 10.44, 11.78, and 7.81 μg g-1 in surface sediments and 278.05, 15.79, 12.74, and 10. 75 μg g-1 in deep sediments, respectively. The results of evaluating the ecological risk index caused by heavy metal pollution in the coastal sediments of the studied area showed that the environmental risk is low ( > 150). The results of multivariate statistical analyses showed that the investigated metals are of natural and anthropogenic origin mainly natural sources.

The presence of heavy metals in all collected sediment samples shows that heavy metals are common pollutants in the study area. As a result, regular monitoring of the area is important to control and reduce heavy metal pollution.

Heavy metals (HMs) are toxic pollutants whose concentrations in confined spaces might cause severe health impacts. This study aimed to determine the concentration and health risk of As, Cd, Co, Pb, Mn, Ni, and V in indoor household dust in Isfahan during 2022-2023.

Ninety dust samples were collected from 30 sampling homes. After preparation and acid digestion of the samples in the laboratory, the concentrations of the elements were determined using the ICP-OES method and analyzed statistically.

Except for Pb, the HMs’ mean concentrations were significantly lower than the permissible limit (P < 0.050). The maximum daily exposure through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact for children and adults were 66.1 and 79.1 mg/kg/d, respectively, with Pb as the relevant element in both groups. Furthermore, the maximum lifetime daily exposure doses of 8-10 × 26.1 mg/kg/d belonged to Pb. The maximum non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk values through direct ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact were 4.83 × 1-10 and 1.40 × 8-10 for children and 5.23 × 2-10 and 7.91 × 9-10 for adults, which were associated with Pb in both groups.

The results showed that the HMs content in indoor household dust in Isfahan followed a decreasing trend of Pb > Mn > Ni > V > As > Co > Cd. Moreover, direct ingestion followed by dermal contact and inhalation were the most important exposure pathways to the HMs-contaminated dust for both children and adults.

This study examined the effects of the Al-Rustumiya sewage treatment station on the heavy metals (Fe, Zn, and Mn) that pollute the Diyala River.

Samples of water, sediment, and aquatic vegetation were collected monthly from Diyala River at four locations between March 2022 and February 2023. The samples were collected using standard sampling methods and analyzed with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

The order of heavy metals in water was: Fe > Mn > Zn, both in the dissolved and particulate phases. The sediment was ordered in the exchangeable and residual phases: Fe > Mn > Zn, while in aquatic plants, the order in leaves was: Fe > Zn > Mn, and in roots: Zn > Fe > Mn. According to the findings, the particulate phase of water contained greater quantities of heavy metals than the dissolved phase. The sediment concentrations in the residual phase exceeded those in the exchangeable phase, while the roots of aquatic plants had higher concentrations than their leaves.

As Al-Rustumiya station’s streams flow into the river, the concentrations of heavy metals in the water increase. This has a deleterious effect on aquatic life and the agricultural area on both sides that rely on the river’s water for irrigation. This research concentrates on the destiny and processes of transmission in the lotic aquatic system for heavy metals (Fe, Zn, and Mn). As there is a cumulative effect from these metals, appropriate measures are necessary by the relevant agencies to address this problem.

Heavy metals are one of the most harmful groundwater contaminants due to their toxicity and persistence in the environment. This study aimed to assess the impacts of heavy metals on the quality of groundwater within the M’Zab Valley used for human consumption and irrigation and its potential impact on public health.

In this study, the samples taken from eight phreatic aquifer wells situated along the M’Zab Valley, from upstream to downstream, were analyzed, and chronic daily intake (CDI) of cadmium, hazard quotient (HQ), and target organ risk (TOR) for the kidney were computed for child, infant, and adult age groups.

It was revealed that the superficial aquifer water is of poor quality and frequently exceeds the drinking water standards, particularly for Cd, Cr, and Zn, which poses a health risk for inhabitants. The study found that the CDI values for Cd for each age group (infants, children, and adults) were below the safe limit established by the World Health Organization (WHO), but the data reveals that the concentration of the HQ is considerably greater in infants than in children and adult groups, considering that infants have the highest estimated daily intake of Cd and TOR for the kidney. Thus, infants may be exposed to a greater health risk associated with cadmium exposure.

According to the results of the present study, continuous monitoring of water quality and treatment measures to reduce elevated pollutant levels that harm human health are strongly advised to preserve and safeguard groundwater quality from various forms of pollution.

Industrialization and urbanization in developing countries are the major issues responsible for producing colossal amounts of waste (about 51.35 tons per day). Midnapore municipality as a class-I town (> 100 000 population) puts in a large amount of solid waste without any treatment facility in its districts. Thus, disposal as well as treatment is an area of concern. Waste that comes from different sources could have some beneficial effects along with potentially hazardous side effects. So, finding out the issues is important.

After selecting the study area, soil samples were collected from five different dumping sites. Different plant micronutrient and heavy metal content of soil samples have been done by spectrophotometric method and atomic absorption spectroscopic analysis. Soil pollution indices geoaccumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (Cf), ecological risk index (Er), pollution load index (PLI), and modified degree of contamination (MDC) were calculated by standard formulas.

This study shows the presence of a wide variety of elements that have bio-potential. This reveals that it can be used to promote soil fertility due to increases in parameters like soil nitrogen (0.165 ± 0.047%), phosphorus (63.558 ± 15.82 mg/kg), organic carbon (4.22 ± 1.838%), potassium (0.308 ± 0.078%), etc. Assessments of pollution indices showed moderate heavy metal contamination in the study areas.

According to the results of the present study, the soil fertility parameters in the dumping ground are high and can be reused as organic manure; the only issue is a low to moderate level of heavy metal contamination.

Despite the serious impacts of air pollution on human health, few studies have focused on the adverse effects of air pollution on pregnancy outcomes based on the geographic information system (GIS) approach. Therefore, adopting the GIS approach, this study aimed to determine the extent to which of overlap of air pollution hotspots overlap with gestational diabetes density in Ahvaz, an airpolluted metropolis in Iran.

Data from an ongoing population-based cohort study was used for gestational diabetes mapping. Three methods were used for air pollution assessment. The inverse distance weighting (IDW) technique was used for spatial interpolation. ArcGIS10.8 was used for preparing maps.

The lowest rate of gestational diabetes was estimated in District One (2.4%) while the highest rate was observed in Districts Six and Four (20.6% and 20.2%, respectively). As far as air pollution was concerned, 32.6% of mothers with gestational diabetes were residents in low-risk areas whereas 67.4% lived in high-risk areas. A higher density of gestational diabetes was estimated in high-risk air-polluted districts based on any method of air pollution assessment.

The density of gestational diabetes incidence increased with residence in air-polluted areas. Residence in more polluted areas is a higher risk factor for developing gestational diabetes and its complications. Providing preventive services in these areas is a priority.

Anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) of various wastes is a suitable method for the removal of contaminants and biogas production. The first aim of this study was to determine the optimal ratio of landfill leachate (LL) and sewage sludge (SS) for AcoD, and the second one was to evaluate the effect of
pre-ozonation of the mixture on AcoD.

The LL and SS samples were taken from landfill sites and municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWTPs), respectively. In the first step, five reactors were used and named R1 (100% SS), R2(100% LL), R3 (15% LL/85% SS), R4 (25% LL/75% SS), and R5 (45% LL/55% SS). Mesophilic anaerobic digestion (AD) was performed on the reactors and the optimal ratio was determined. In the second stage, the optimal mixtures were subjected to an ozonation process before AcoD.

The results of the first stage showed that the highest efficiency removal of the total solids (TS), volatile solids (VS), and chemical oxygen demand (COD), and the highest biogas production belonged to R3 digester, containing 15% LL and 85% SS. In the second stage, the results showed that the removal efficiency of COD and VS in the ozonated sample at the dosage of 7.6 gO3/h were 29.8% and 36.6% higher than the non-ozonated sample, respectively. Furthermore, in the ozonated sample, the biogas yield and the content of methane in the gas mixture were 27% and 9% higher respectively, compared to the non-ozonated sample.

According to the results, the appropriate ratio of LL to SS and pre-ozonation of LL/SS mixture have a great impact on the performance of AcoD.

Leachate, containing challenging-to-degrade organic substances and persistent toxins, poses significant environmental concerns. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have emerged as a promising solution for effective leachate treatment. This research provides a comprehensive review of the impact of various AOPs in leachate treatment.

This systematic review was conducted, encompassing commonly used AOPs such as ozone, peroxone, O3/catalyst, Fenton, photo-Fenton, UV/TiO2, photolytic persulfate, O3/UV, and O3/H2O2/ UV. Extensive searches were performed using reputable databases, including EBSCO, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Specific keywords and inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied. Data regarding leachate treatment parameters were meticulously summarized and analyzed using descriptive statistical methods.

The efficiency of AOPs in removing leachate organic matter varied, with chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal ranging from 41% to 83% in treatment systems. The order of effectiveness was found to be: O3/UV/H2O2 > photo-Fenton > UV/TiO2 > Fenton > persulfate (PS) > O3/UV > O3/H2O2 > O3/catalyst > ozonation (O3). The highest COD removal efficiency of 83.75% was achieved using the O3/UV/H2O2 AOP approach. The removal efficiency of color also varied, ranging from 32% to 100%, depending on the leachate’s characteristics, concentration, and specific treatment process utilized.

AOPs, particularly the hybrid approach using O3/UV/H2O2, significantly enhance waste leachate treatment by effectively degrading persistent organic compounds through the generation of hydroxyl radicals. Further research is required to optimize AOPs and improve their efficiency in waste leachate treatment.