فهرست مطالب ali abdolahnejad

Heavy metals in water can pose risks to human health. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor and measure metals to ensure the health of consumers.

This study aimed to measure heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, zinc, and mercury in water resources and urban water distribution networks in spring and summer of 2021 in Maragheh city. Accordingly, 25 samples were taken to investigate the presence of heavy metals. The presence of these metals in water sources was investigated using qualitative maps and finally, by evaluating the health risk caused by the presence of these metals, their effect on the health of consumers has been studied.

Examining the concentration of metals in water resources upstream of the dam shows a relatively high concentration of metals, especially arsenic (13.2 µg/L). Despite this, the amount of arsenic after the water treatment plant and in the distribution network is reduced to an insignificant level. On the other hand, the results show that the amount of zinc metal in the network is higher than in the reservoir of the dam, and its concentration in the dam is equal to zero and in the network, it reaches the highest value of 578 µg/L. Finally, the health risk assessment shows that the calculated THI values for all samples vary between 0.01 and 0.99.

Based on the calculated health risk, there is no threat to the health of consumers regarding heavy metals in Maragheh drinking water. Also, these results double the necessity of additional studies regarding the leakage of zinc metal from the pipes and accessories of the city's drinking water distribution network in the future.

Although various liquid, solid, and gaseous streams of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been analyzed in many studies for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA, no study was found to sample and detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA in screenings and grit samples separated from primary treatment units of WWTP. Hence, this study aims to provide an experimental protocol for sampling and extracting SARS-CoV-2 RNA from screenings and grits separated from WWTPs.

First, sampling was conducted to extract SARS-CoV-2 RNA from screenings and grit samples. After sample processing and viral RNA extraction, SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection was performed by one-step reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).

Based on the results, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was successfully extracted from screenings and grit samples of the studied WWTP with concentrations of (1.54 –3.9 × 104) and (0.8 – 2.3 × 104) genomic copies/L, respectively.

Considering the successfully isolation and detection of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA in solid phase samples of WWTP,  this method can be applied for extracting SARS-CoV-2 RNA and maybe other viruses from the screenings and grit samples of WWTPs in related studies.

In the 21st century, air pollution has become a global and environmental challenge. The increase in cases of illness and mortality due to air pollution is not hidden from anyone. Therefore, in this study, we estimated the mortality rate due to cause by air pollution agents (PM2.5) in the southernmost city of Khuzestan province (Abadan city) at 2018-2019.

To estimate the mortality duo to air pollution, data related to PM2.5 particles daily concentrations was received from the Abadan Environmental Protection Organization. The average 24-h concentrations of PM2.5 were calculated using Excel. Then, mortality data were obtained from the Vice Chancellor for Health, Abadan University of Medical Sciences. Finally, by AirQ+ software, each of the mortality in 2018-2019 in Abadan was estimated.

The obtained data indicated that the concentration of PM2.5 particles within the one-year period was higher than the value set by WHO guideline and EPA standard. Which caused the citizens of Abadan to be exposed to PM2.5 more than 8.23 times than the guidelines of the WHO and 5.34 times more than the standard of the EPA. The output of the model used in this study was as follows: natural mortality (462 cases, AP: 38.25%), mortality duo to LC (6 cases, AP: 32.18%), mortality duo to COPD (8 cases, AP: 26.64%), mortality duo to Stroke (86 cases, AP: 71.26%), mortality duo to IHD (183 cases, AP: 68.34%) and mortality duo to ALRI (2 cases, AP: 32.9%).

Planning appropriate strategies of air pollution control to reduce exposure and attributable mortalities is important and necessary

Microcystin (MC) is a hepatotoxic and carcinogenic toxin that is generated by cyanotoxins which can have adverse effects on the human health. Therefore, it is very important to remove it from the environment. This study was performed to investigate the efficiency of titanium dioxide (TiO2)/NaY zeolite (T/N-Z) nanocomposite for removal of MC-LR under ultraviolet light.

In the present study, T/N-Z nanocomposite was synthesized using the hydrothermal method. Specification of the photocatalysts was determined by the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectra. The response surface methodology (RSM) was used to survey the effects of operating variables such as pH, contact time, and catalyst dose on the removal of MC-LR. The MC-LR concentration was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

It was revealed that the increase of contact time and catalyst dose had a positive effect on enhancing the removal efficiency of MC-LR, but pH had a negative effect. Finally, the maximum MCLR removal efficiency was 97.63%, which occurred at pH = 5, contact time = 120 min, and catalyst dose = 1.2 g/L.

In general, T/N-Z composite in aqueous solutions under the UV light can easily decompose MC-LR and it can also be proposed as an efficient composite for removal of MC-LR from contaminated water.

This study aimed to assess a good protocol for the contamination indexes, concentration, spatial analysis, and source identification of toxic metals in top soils.

In the first step, samples were taken from top soil (30 cm) and the metals were extracted and detected with ICP-AES. In the second step, Enrichment Factor, Geoaccumulation Index, and Contamination Factor of metals were calculated to determine soil contamination degree. Furthermore, the principal component analysis and correlation between metals were conducted for source identification.

Spatial analysis, as an important section of the present protocol, was performed using Arc GIS, kriging, and Moranchr('39')s I models. As results of Moranchr('39')s I model showed, distribution pattern for Fe, As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were random (z-scores ranged from -1.17 to 1.09), indicatingthat these elements could be emitted from different potential sources. In Moranchr('39')s model, spatial autocorrelation of each pollutant could be measured based on its value and location.

The finding of this protocol can be used for extraction of contamination indexes, concentration, spatial analysis, and source identification of toxic metals in top soils.

Microcystin-leucine arginine (MC-LR) is a toxin with harmful effects on the liver, kidney, heart, and gastrointestinal tract. So, effective removal of MC-LR from water resources is of great importance. The aim of this study was to remove microcystin-LR (MC-LR) from aqueous solution by Titanium Dioxide (TiO2).

In the present study, TiO2, as a semiconductor, was used for photodegradation of MC-LR under ultraviolet light (UV). The Response Surface Methodology was applied to investigate the effects of operating variables such as pH (A), contact time (B), and catalyst dose (B) on the removal of MC-LR. The MC-LR concentration was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

The results showed that single variables such as A, B, and C had significant effects on MC-LR removal (pvalue < 0.05). In other words, increase of the contact time and catalyst dose had a positive effect on enhancing the removal efficiency of MC-LR, but the effect of pH was negative. The analysis of variance showed that BC, A2, and C2 variables had a significant effect on the MC-LR removal (pvalue < 0.05). Finally, the maximum removal efficiency of MC-LR was 95.1%, which occurred at pH = 5, contact time = 30 minutes, and catalyst dose = 1 g/l.

According to the findings, TiO2, as a photocatalyst, had an appropriate effect on degradation of the MC-LR.

This study aimed to evaluate exposure to PM10 related to traffic and drying Lake Urmia and its effects on human health in north-west of Iran.

Sampling and analysis was done during 2015 to 2016 using AirQ 2.2.3.

The annual mean of PM10 concentrations were 106 μg/m3, which was too higher than 20 μg/m3 recommended by WHO guideline. The maximum seasonal mean concentration of PM10 was observed in winter (138 μg/m3). Attributable proportion (AP) due to exposure to PM10 were estimated 5.487% (95%CI: 3.726-7.185%) of non-accidental mortality cases, 8.011% (95%CI; 4.615-11.174%) of cardiovascular mortality, and 11.174% (95%CI; 4.615-16.215%) of respiratory mortality, for Urmia inhabitants. With every 10 μg/m3 increase in PM10 concentrations, relative risk (RR) for total mortality increased by 0.6%.

The total cases numbers for hospital admission due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in central RR were 257 and 666 cases, respectively. Since incineration fossil fuel, the salty dust storms caused by climate change and drying Urmia Lake is natural, therefore, increasing green space and extensive activities such as desertification are need to control this phenomenon that is extremely challenging.

The high consumption of nitrogen-containing fertilizers in the agricultural lands of Freidan is resulted to increasing of the nitrate concentration in drinking water in some of the underground water wells even higher than allowed amount. Therefore, the aim of this study is survey and zoning of nitrate concentration in groundwater resources in Freidan using Geographic Information System (GIS). This study is analytical-cross sectional. In this research, nitrate concentration determination carried out by spectrophotometry according to standard method and compared with WHO guideline (50 mg/l). Then zoning of nitrate concentration in groundwater resources in Freidan was investigated using Arc GIS 10.1 by IDW and Kriging methods. Findings: The results of this study showed that in half of the wells in Freidan, nitrate concentration was higher than the WHO guideline. Also, nitrate concentration zoning using GIS in groundwater resources was showed that the wells including high nitrate were located in central and southern regions of Freidan. Improper irrigation methods and excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers by untrained farmers can increase nitrate in groundwater resources. So should consider arrangements for farmers Training related to reduction of these fertilizers consumption.

Background and Air pollution is one of the most important environmental issues and its impact on human health has been proven in the 20th century. Many air pollutants such as CO, NO2, SO2, O3, particulate matter (PM10), heavy metals, radon, etc. could have negative health effects. The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of PM10, lead, and radon in the air of Spahanshahr, Isfahan, Iran.
This study was conducted in the summer of 2015. Sampling was performed using fiberglass filters by High volume sampler. Analysis of PM10, lead, and radon was carried out by weight discrepancy, ICP device, and CR- 39 detector, respectively. Geographic information system v10 and Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) were used for interpolation and the spatial distribution of mean concentrations of pollutants in the stations. Data analysis was done in SPSS V16.
The mean concentrations of PM10, lead, and radon were 57.07±33.07 µg/m3, 0.41±0.23 µg/m3, and 466.78±86.92 (Bq/m3), respectively. The concentration of PM10, lead, and radon in most sampling stations were higher than the WHO and EPA recommendations. The highest concentration of PM10, lead, and radon was observed in the Southeast, West, and West of the study area.
This investigation showed that the high concentration of particulate matter in the Southeast of study area was mainly due to the vicinity of the confluence of two main highways in Isfahan and construction activities of the commercial center. But high concentrations of lead and radon in West Region and in stations near the lead mine could be due to the mining activities and the direction of the prevailing winds in summer (West-East).

Freidan County is located in the north west of Isfahan Province, Iran. This County has population about 84000 people, has cold weather, and is mountainous. Because of large area of agricultural lands, and excessive use of chemical fertilizers (especially nitrogen fertilizers) and drought, nitrate in drinking water in some parts of this county is higher than permissible limit. Through chemical, biological, and physical methods, nitrate can be removed from water. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reduce nitrate to permissible limit using dilution method.
In this was experimental study, the efficacy of dilution performance for nitrate reduction in Freidan County was evaluated. This method can be used as reliable and economical way for nitrate reduction in drinking water.
Findings: After dilution of collected samples from various wells in Freidan County, dilution tests were carried out, and it was found that the level of nitrate in final water was equal to the average of raw water samples, and less than the permitted level.
Nitrate removal by dilution method is effective and simple. Besides, the efficiency of this method depends on the volume of contaminated water, the volume of water with lower nitrate, and their mixing ratio.

The presence of air pollutants such as CO, NO2, SO2, O3, and PM in the ambient air mainly emitted from fossil fuels combustion has become a major health concern. The aims of this study were to estimate the attribution of NO2, SO2, and O3 in the premature deaths and prevalence of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in Isfahan in 2013–2014.
In this study, short‑term health effects (total mortality, cardiovascular and respiratory mortality, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and acute myocardial infarction) of exposure NO2, SO2, and O3 on the population of Isfahan were assessed using AirQ 2.2.3 software suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The result showed that from nonaccident total mortality in 2013–2014 in Isfahan, the attributable proportion related to NO2, SO2, and O3 were 1.03% (109 cases), 3.46% (365 cases), and 1.29% (136 cases), respectively. The percentage of days that people were exposed to the highest concentration of NO 2 (40–49 μg/m3), SO2 (60–69 μg/m3), and O3 (40–49 μg/m3) was 34.46%, 16.85%, and 42.74% of a year, respectively. Total mortality attributed to NO2, SO2, and O3 exposure was 0.36%, 0.79%, and 0.83%, respectively.
The concentrations of NO2 and SO2 were upper than the WHO guidelines. The Air‑Q software in spite of its limitations can provide useful information regarding the health outcome of the air pollutants. The results estimated in this study were considerable. This information can help the health authorities and policy makers to draw suitable strategies and fulfll effective emission control programs.

Nowadays, Interurban Buses play an important role in passengers transfer between the cities. Contaminated drinking water in Buses may threaten the health of travelers. This study investigated the microbial and chemical quality of drinking water supplied in the coaches transporting the passengers from/to Soffeh terminal in Isfahan.
In this study, 60 samples of potable water supplied in the coaches were randomly collected. Bacterial contamination of the samples was examined using multiple tube method, (MPN). Chemical parameters including EC, TDS, total hardness, chlorine, turbidity, pH and temperature were measured according to the standard methods. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.
Findings: The results showed that total coliform and fecal coliform were positive in 20% and 7% of the samples, respectively and so that all contamination was related to Water Dispenser. About 35% of the samples had EC levels more than the recommended standard (500 µmhos/cm2). The turbidity value in 11.6% of the samples was higher than 1 NTU and the residual chlorine in 98.3% of the samples was zero.
This study showed that most of potable water served to the passengers via chillers installed in the coaches was polluted to the fecal coliforms. Whereas, the pollution was not observed in the bottled potable water available inside the coaches. Thus, collection of the tap equipped-chillers and supplying only bottled potable water in all the coaches can prevent the passengers from intestinal diseases.

Due to a population of more than 1.7 million people, a lot of vehicles and large industries around the city in Isfahan, it has become one of the most polluted cities in Iran. The aim of this study was a spatial analysis of the concentrations of air pollutants and the air quality index (AQI).
In this descriptive and evaluative study, the air quality data of 7 monitoring stations in 2012 were taken from the Isfahan Department of Environment. The calculation of AQI was done as per the EPA guidelines. The zoning pollutant concentrations and AQI in the study area was determined with the use of the Arc map software, version 10.1.
The results showed that the highest concentrations of pollutants and the AQI were related to the Ahmadabad station. Also, the air quality in Isfahan in 2012 was 4.38% (4 days) in good condition, 12.7% (47 days) in moderate, 42.56% (156 days) in unhealthy condition for sensitive groups, 39.49% (144 day) in unhealthy conditions, 2.8% (10 days) in a very unhealthy and 1.2% (4 days) in dangerous conditions, respectively.
It was found that particulate matter was the main cause of Isfahan air pollution, while Ahmadabad is the most polluted point in Isfahan. According to the calculations, during 314 days of the year 2012, the air quality of Isfahan was in unhealthy conditions and only 4 days was in good condition. This is one of the biggest health challenges in this city.

Increased combustion of fossil fuel owing to the energy requirement is a main cause of air pollution throughout the world. Atmospheric precipitation is considered as a major water resource for indoor, municipal, industrial and agricultural uses. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of air pollution on chemical quality of rain and snow in Urmia, a city in northwest of Iran.
Sampling was performed during the wet seasons from October to March at six sampling stations in different locations of the city. Acidity, alkalinity, NO3- , SO42-, Cl- and pH contents of the collected samples were analyzed.
All samples showed a pH value of more than 6.8, and lower acidity than alkalinity, therefore, the precipitations were not acidic. Maximum concentrations of SO42- and NO3- in the samples were 5 and 8.8mg/L, respectively. Chloride was varied from 1 to 11.5 mg/L with the highest measures observing in autumn.
According to the results, concentrations of the analyzed parameters in wet precipitations in Urmia were within the natural ranges except chloride ions, which was higher than its common level in the atmosphere. This phenomenon may be the result of desert dusts which transfers by wind from the west border to Iran.

Among the various adverse pollutants in water, coliform bacteria and arsenic are very important. Drinking of arsenic-contaminated water has become a serious threat to public health and has affected millions of people across the world.
The aim of this study was to investigate the removal of arsenic and coliform bacteria from drinking water in small communities with the use of a conventional Slow Sand Filter (SSF) and modified filter by slag (SMF) and Zeolite (ZMF).
In this study, initial concentrations of arsenic were 0.073, 0.11, 0.171, 0.21, 0.24, and 0.33 mg/l and the initial number of coliform bacteria was 4*106 MPN/100 mL. Arsenic and coliform bacteria samples were taken every 24 and 48 hours, respectively. Concentration of arsenic was analyzed by Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and the total and fecal coliforms were measured by multiple probable number (MPN) 9-tubes method.
The results showed that the mean removal efficiency of arsenic (mean 0.189 mg/L) by SSF, SMF, and ZMF was 33.7%, 51.5%, and 66.2%, respectively. It was shown that the filter modified by zeolite had more efficiency in arsenic removal because of higher cation exchange capacity (CEC) than any other media. The removal efficiencies of coliform bacteria by SSF, SMF, and ZMF were 1.97, 1.98, and 1.99 log, respectively.
This treatment method can be used as a simple, cheap, and convenient technique for arsenic and coliform bacteria removal from small communities’ drinking water resources.

Air pollution is an important environmental issue due to its proven serious impacts on human health. The aim of this study was to estimate the attribution of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameters of ≤ 2.5 and 10 (PM2.5 and PM10) in the prevalence of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and premature deaths in Isfahan in 2013–2014.

This descriptive, ecological study was conducted to assess health impacts of PM2.5 and PM10 on the population using Air Q2.2.3 software, suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The results showed that the annual mean, winter mean, summer mean, and the 98 percentile of PM10 concentration in Isfahan were 108, 100, 116, and 264 μg/m3, respectively. The number of deaths per year related to PM2.5 was 670 and that for PM10 was 713 cases. The number of annual deaths due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases attributed to PM10 was 316 and 68 cases, respectively.

The results of this study revealed that about 44.3% of total annual death due to cardiovascular diseases and 9.55% of that due to respiratory diseases were attributed to PM10 exposure. In the other word, residents were exposed to PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations higher than the WHO guidelines which caused a notable increase in the rate of mortality.

Introduction and Long term exposure to air pollutants can result in the development and acceleration of various conditions, such as cardiac and respiratory problems, reduced lung function, chronic bronchitis, asthma, pulmonary cancer, and even death. Regarding this, the aim of the present study was to perform a spatial analysis of air pollution and mortality in Isfahan, Iran.
In this ecological study, the spatial analysis of particulate matter 10 μm (PM10), PM2.5, ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was performed using the geographic information system. Additionally, the evaluation of the premature deaths attributable to these pollutants was carried out through the AirQ software version 2.2.
According to the results of the spatial analysis, the eastern part of Isfahan had higher concentration of air pollutants, compared to other directions. There were 481, 493, 117, 102, and 54 mortality cases attributed to PM10, PM2.5, O3, SO2, and NO2, respectively. In addition, PM10 was found to have the highest health effects among other pollutants.
As the findings of this study indicated, PM10 had the highest concentration in Isfahan city. With respect to the fact that air pollutants accounted for almost 15.8% of the total mortality rate in this city, there is an argent need to adapt some strategies to reduce the emissions of air pollutants.

Today, have been approved scientifically relationship between presence of asbestos fibers in the human respiratory area and malignant diseases such as lung advanced fibrosis (Asbestosis), gastrointestinal, lung and Laryngeal cancers. The aim of this study was the determination of asbestos fibers concentration in Yazd city’s air in the summer of 2015.
This is a descriptive cross sectional study in which 13 high-traffic points of Yazd city were selected for asbestos sampling. Sampling was conducted in the summer in two stages using SKC pump. In total was collected 26 samples from the high traffic points of Yazd city. Also for the counting of asbestos fibers was used scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
In the current research, the highest and the lowest concentration of asbestos fibers were related to Shohadayemehrab square (0.02131fiber/ml) and AzadShahr (0.00112 fiber/ml) respectively. Qualitative analysis of asbestos fibers by SEM showed that 75% of the samples were asbestos fibers and the other was non-asbestos fibers.
The present study showed that the average of asbestos fibers concentration in total sampling stations (0.0848 fiber/ml) was higher than WHO guidelines (2.2×10-3 fiber/ml). The main reason for the presence of these fibers in the air of Yazd city can be attributed to brake pad, clutch and automobile gasket adhesive.

Mashhad is one of the largest city in Iran which heavy transport vehicles and industries is threaten air quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in air quality index (AQI) from 1391 to 1393 spring seasons and zoning with ArcGIS.
this study is descriptive, the spring of 1391 to 1393 PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO and O3 were evaluated for AQI index at four online stations in the city and then classified air quality into six group’s daily include good, moderate, unhealthy for sensitive people, unhealthy, very unhealthy. Zoning was done with ArcGIS.
The most average on days of air quality obtained in good condition and has been responsible for PM2.5 and NO2 emissions is these days. According to the zoning maps AQI values in 1391 to 1393 years gained in Sadaf station the northwest of Mashhad in good condition but center and south of Mashhad was more polluted. AQI index values between 1391 and 1392 from April to June, have improved but the air quality has dropped in 1393.
The air quality in Mashhad city in the crowded southern and center city is unhealthy in some spring days, so in next years for pollution control, traffic management, changes in fuel quality, management of home heating systems, use of electric transportation will be needed.

In the past two decades, epidemiological studies have shown that outdoor air pollution lead to increase in respiratory symptoms, cardiovascular diseases, chronic bronchitis and mortality. This study aimed to estimate AQI index and the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and premature mortality caused by PM10, PM2.5 and SO2 in Yazd, 2013-2014.

In this ecological-descriptive study the air quality was assessed using AQI index. The health impact assessment of PM10, PM2.5 and SO2 was obtained by AirQ software.

According to the results, PM10 was the main cause of hospital admissions (n=460) and premature death (n=283) while SO2 was observed as the least effective pollutant involving 0.29% hospitalization and 9 premature death. The days with unhealthy air quality (AQI >100) was estimated less than 10 percent per year. The highest values of AQI were observed in spring and summer. PM10 was responsible for high AQI in 11 months and O3 was only responsible in first week of April.

The AirQ showed high rates of premature death, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases associated with PM10 and PM2.5 in Yazd. Unhealthy air quality in some days could be due to fuel combustion, wind, dust, and air dryness.

 The aim of this study was to evaluate noise pollution levels (NPLs) in Isfahan, compare with guideline values and providing a zoning map. 

 This study was a descriptive cross-sectional type. Totally, 19 stations were selected from most congested areas throughout the city. In determination of these stations, the Isfahan information maps of the city traffic (obtained from Isfahan traffic and transportation organization) were used. Noise parameters L 10 , L 50 , L 90 , L 95 , L 99 , equivalent sound level (L eq ), sound exposure level, sound pressure level, L min , L max , and L peak were measured using a CEL-440 sound level meter for 3 months of winter 2010-2011. The NPL and traffic noise index were calculated by a mathematical formula. All measurements were carried out twice a day (morning [a.m.] and afternoon [p.m.]) with the time interval of 0.5 h. To prepare the zoning map of the measured L eq , ArcGIS software version 9.3 was used. 

 The mean and standard deviation of the measured L eq values in the a.m. and p.m. were 74.6 ΁ 2.78 and 72.6 ΁ 4.43 dB (A) , respectively. In comparison, there was a significant difference between the average L eq values of a.m. and p.m. (P < 0.001) and both were higher than the noise guidelines suggested by Iranian environmental protection organization. The zoning maps show that the maximum L eq in the a.m. (78.3 dB (A) ) was related to Ferdowsi bridge station and in the p.m. (79.6 dB (A) ) was dedicated to Jomhoori square station. 

 It can be concluded that as in the most cases the noise levels of Isfahan exceeded from the guideline values. This city is categorized in the noisy/crowded cities in Iran. Thus, noise pollution of Isfahan can be a serious problem and investigating its reasons is recommended.

Rural tourism by providing new opportunities to many villages as a means to rural communities gives renaissance, will because of development of these areas and Keep standing its settlements. On the other tourism development without planning cause social and environmental damage in rural settlements; so must according to the environmental characteristics and the terms of any place, used from a special kind or the combination of these approaches and strategies for the development of tourism in rural areas. in this article beginning used combined methods (survey methods and analytical method) at this stage according to further information available Paid to check attractions, tourist service facilities and tourism situation and its impact on community development study and then in later research, to analyze the information and provide strategies to expand rural tourism SWOT method has been used that early according to a survey conducted on the internal environment and the external environment area, a list of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats was identified and then by the opinions of people, tourists and responsible people and the weighting of each of these issues and then calculate and analyze them, priorities were identified and finally to overcome or minimize weaknesses and threats and strengthen and improve strengths opportunities in connection with the promotion of tourism in rural areas studied, appropriate strategies presented. The population studied in this research comprises three groups that using Cochran sampling for households (people) 170 and for tourists 140 and to authorities, 52 people for example, is selected.

 The aim of this study was to determine water softening behavior of Iranian natural zeolite and blast furnace slag (BFS) as materials of slow sand filters (SSFs) in small communities' water resources. 

 Three filters setups were prepared from the plexiglass tubes each by 9 cm inner diameter and 120 cm height. The used filter media were included conventional sand, BFS and Iranian natural zeolite. The filtration rate was adjusted between 0.1 and 0.24 m 3 /m 2 /h and hence that the flow rate of each filter was 1.5 L/h. Turbidity, total hardness and EC of water samples were analyzed before and after the treatment process according to standard methods. 

 The mean turbidity removal efficiencies in the studied filters were 98.82%, 98.98% and 98.97% for conventional SSF, slag modified filter (SMF) and zeolite modified filter (ZMF), respectively. The mean EC reduction efficiencies in SSF, SMF and ZMF also were similar and were 9.99%, 11.02% and 10.73%, respectively. The mean total hardness removal efficiencies in SSF, SMF and ZMF were 21.19%, 51.95% and 66.3%, respectively. 

 It is concluded from this study that modified filter media, SMF and ZMF, are very good options for total hardness and turbidity removals in communities that have some problem with this parameter.

The comfort of patients during their stay in the hospital is important, and noise pollution exceeding the permissible level could cause discomfort for the patients and intensify their disease. Moreover, increase in this factor affects the hospital staff and therefore has a negative effect on how they serve the patients. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the environmental noise pollution in Feiz Hospital wards and its adjacent area, and compare them with recommended standard values.

This cross-sectional study was carried out in 2011. To measure sound levels, the environmental noise parameters such as L10, L50, L90, L95, L99, Leq, SEL, SPL, Lmin, Lmax, were measured using the CEL-440 sound level meter. Measurements were conducted during 8-12 a.m. and 16-20 p.m. with half an hour interval.

The maximum equivalent sound level (Leq) in the clinical section in the morning, and in the official section of the hospital in the afternoon were 66.72 and 65.80 dB (A), respectively. The averages of Lmax, Leq, SEL, and L10 in the morning were 61.87, 58.17, 61.50, and 60.62 dB, respectively, and those of in the afternoon were 69.67, 62.06, 71.58, and 64.87 dB, respectively.

Statistical analyses showed a significant difference between measured values in the morning and the afternoon (P < 0.001). In other words, the mean index values in the afternoon were higher than in the morning. It can be concluded that Feiz Hospital has a high level of noise pollution, and in most cases the noise levels exceeded the levels recommended by the Iranian environmental protection agency.