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Copyright of Journal of Occupational Hygiene Engineering is the property of Journal of Occupational Hygiene Engineering and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) at oil transfer stations are high and the primary pollutants of concern from a health perspective include benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) BTEX. This exploratory study investigated personal exposure to BTEX through environmental air samples collected from 50 workers (tanker loading workers, tank-gauging workers, drivers, firefighters, and office workers) at a major oil distribution company in Iran. Airborne BTEX exposures were evaluated over 8-hour periods during work-shift by using personal passive samplers. Measured mean values for workers at four sites were, respectively, 2437, 992, 584, and 2788 μ/m³ for benzene; 4415, 2830, 1289, and 9407 μ/m³ for toluene; 781, 522, 187, and 533 μ/m³ for ethylbenzene; and 1134, 678, 322, and 525 μ/m³ for xylene. Exposure across job type was similarly stratified across all personal exposures to BTEX measured in air samples with maximum concentrations found for tanker loading work. The statistical assessment revealed that the chronic BTEX exposure threatens the health of populations for all oil product distribution company workers with different exposure levels. The results are expected to facilitate personal protection for environmental regulation and pollution control in Iranian oil distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to evaluate risk level of total rice husk dust among rice mill workers. Gravimetric method recommended by the US National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health was used to determine the rice husk dust concentrations in the workers' breathing zone and the risk level of dust was evaluated using a semi quantitative method. Mean workers exposure to rice husk dust was 5.1±9.6 mg m-3 and the risk of workers exposure to dust was in medium level. 14 of 40 workers have exposure higher than Threshold Limit Value and Occupational Exposure Limit recommended for grain dust. Mean husk rice dust concentrations within the workers' breathing zone among workers in drier worksites in the semi-mechanized operating rice mills was considerably higher than those working in storage and feeding worksites. We found that the risk of the rice husk dust among all rice mill workers was in medium level. Therefore, it is necessary to control workers exposure to dust using engineering control systems and workers' training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Occupational stress and employee's health status can affect their productiveness and quality of services. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the effective factors in this regard. This study was conducted in order to evaluate the relation between psychological health and occupational stress among midwives employed at the governmental and private hospitals of Neyshabur, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional (descriptive and analytical) study conducted in 2015, all of the employed midwives in the governmental and private hospitals of Neyshabur (78 people) were enrolled. Data was gathered through the Goldberg General Health and the Altmaier's Occupational Stress Questionnaire. Data analysis was done with SPSS 20. Results: This research showed that only 14% of the midwives were psychologically healthy, and 86% had some degrees of psychological disorders. Also 54% of them were averagely stressed and 46% suffered from severe stress. The results of this research showed an opposite and significant association between psychological health and occupational stress in midwives (p=0.049). Conclusion: This study showed that most midwives working in these hospitals suffered from psychological disorders. Probably occupational stress was involved in deteriorating their psychological health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals working with benzene, and especially those exposed to it over a long period of time, are at risk for developing benzene-related illnesses, which range from anemia to leukemia. The current study evaluates the health risks of exposure to benzene vapor in gas station refueling workers. A real-time monitor was used to measure workers' exposure to benzene and evaluate the risk level. The mean personal exposure of 18 refueling workers in 3 gas stations in Juybar (Iran) was 1.35±1.15 ppm, indicative of a significant health risk. The refueling workers in gas stations in Juybar city center experienced the highest benzene vapor exposures and their health risk level was considered very high. From all metereological parameters measured, only wind speed during the monitoring was a predictor of worker's exposure to benzene vapor as it contributed to dilute benzene vapor in the workers' breathing zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the potential of natural pumice (NP) and iron-coated pumice stone (Fe-CP) as novel low-cost adsorbents to remove ethidium bromide (EtBr) from aqueous solutions was investigated. The operational parameters affecting removal efficiency and adsorption capacity such as adsorbent dose, initial EtBr concentration, pH, and contact time were studied in order to maximize EtBr removal. The maximum amount of adsorbed EtBr (qm) using NP and Fe-CP was 40.25 and 45.08 mg g‒1, respectively. It was found that EtBr adsorption followed the Freundlich isotherm model and fitted the pseudo-second-order kinetics equation for both adsorbents. In addition, the experimental system could be easily modeled by artificial neural network calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemiological studies show that long-term exposure to NO2/NOX is associated with an increased risk of cancer. The mortality and morbidity rates due to NO2 in the Tabriz city was determined considering the relative risk and baseline incidence provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) / European Center for Environment Health, Bilthoven Division using the AirQ2 2.3 software to analyze the data. The results of this study showed that 0.85% (CI 95% 0.36 - 0.96) of acute myocardial infarction, 0.47% (CI 95% 0 - 0.94) of cardiovascular mortality and 9.28% (CI 95% 0.1 - 2.19) of hospital admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be attributed to NO2 concentrations over 10 |ig/m³. According to this model, cases of cardiovascular deaths and acute myocardial infarction caused by NO2 in Tabriz were about 0.23 and 0.10% of the total mortalities, respectively. In addition, about 0.9% of the total hospital admissions related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HA COPD) was caused by NO2. Therefore, due to this pollution, preventive measures and effective strategies for implementing policies related to reduce air pollution should be undertaken in Tabriz city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning is one of the most common causes of death in Iran. The present study investigated the indoor and outdoor CO concentrations at hospitals under the supervision of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in Sari, Iran. Indoor and outdoor measured CO were conducted over a period of one month during the 2012 winter season in 4 hospital kitchens using a direct measurement device specialized for CO. The average concentrations of CO gas through gas measuring stations were considered at three stations both in and out of the kitchens. The highest and the lowest average concentrations of outdoor CO in Fatemeh Zahra Hospital (about 2 ppm) and Zare Hospital (about 0.33 ppm) were measured respectively. Besides, the highest and the lowest average concentrations of indoor CO were detected in Imam Hospital (as 9.66 ppm) and BuAli Hospital (as7.66 ppm). The highest ratios of I/O (approximately 10 ppm) have been conducted between 8:00 and 9:00a.m. The lowest median concentrations of CO (approximately 8 ppm) between 11:00 and 12:00 a.m. have been measured. Concentrations of CO in all hospitals in this study were significant. This fact shows poorly ventilation of kitchen due to lack of ventilation design engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to determine the distribution of particles in classrooms in primary schools located in the centre of the city of Sari, Iran and identify the relationship between indoor classroom particle levels and outdoor PM2.5 concentrations. Outdoor PM2.5 and indoor PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 were monitored using a real-time Micro Dust Pro monitor and a GRIMM monitor, respectively. Both monitors were calibrated by gravimetric method using filters. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test showed that all indoor and outdoor data fitted normal distribution. Mean indoor PM1, PM2.5, PM10 and outdoor PM2.5 concentrations for all of the classrooms were 17.6 μg m-3, 46.6 μg m-3, 400.9 μg m-3, and 36.9 μg m-3, respectively. The highest levels of indoor and outdoor PM2.5 concentrations were measured at the Shahed Boys School (69.1 μg m-3 and 115.8 μg m-3, respectively). The Kazemi school had the lowest levels of indoor and outdoor PM2.5 (29.1 μg m-3 and 15.5 μg m-3, respectively). In schools located near both main and small roads, the association between indoor fine particle (PM2.5 and PM1) and outdoor PM2.5 levels was stronger than that between indoor PM10 and outdoor PM2.5 levels. Mean indoor PM2.5 and PM10 and outdoor PM2.5 were higher than the standards for PM2.5 and PM10, and there was a good correlation between indoor and outdoor fine particle concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Workers' exposure to respirable silica particles especially free crystalline silica in workplace could result in some dangerous diseases such as silicosis or lung fibrosis. This study was carried out to evaluate the workers' exposure to free crystalline silica particles in some industries using the infrared spectrophotometery method. Materials and methods: In this cross sectional study respirable silica dust was collected from workers' breathing zone using personal sampling device and a cyclone separator with a PVC filter. Then samples containing silica were analyzed by infrared spectrophotometery method based on NIOSH method 7602. Results: The mean of exposure to respirable silica particles within the workers' breathing zone in four industries was considerably higher than the threshold limit value recommended by ACGIH. Workers' exposure to crystalline silica particles ranged from 0.03 mgm-3 to 0.57 mgm-3 and there was a significant difference between the mean of respirable particle concentrations within the workers' breathing zone. Conclusion: Individuals working in asphalt production, foundry, sand and gravel mining and brick manufacturing are exposed to crystalline silica particle more than the standard level. Hence, in order to prevent silica related diseases more emphasize on health and safety issues are of great importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to evaluate tobacco dust concentration and also designing a suitable ventilation system for reduction of tobacco dust concentration in a tobacco processing factory in the north of Iran. Gravimetric method was used to determine the tobacco dust concentrations in the emission sources an also indoor workplace. A local exhaust ventilation system was designed according to the velocity pressure method recommended by ACGIH. Mean tobacco dust concentrations (ranged from 23.56 to 432.59 μgm-3) were higher than TLV-TWA in the proximity of all indoor emission sources where some individuals were working. However, mean indoor and outdoor tobacco dust concentrations (7.71and 0.04 μgm-3 respectively) were lower than TLV-TWA. Totally 5 separated ventilation systems and 5 centrifugal fans were designed and selected to pull the air through 46 different hoods. Some downward slot hoods similar to VS-708 type were designed for the work-tables in tipping unit and some upward slot hoods that are similar to VS-903 type recommended by ACGIH's industrial ventilation committee were also selected for tipping manipulation unit. Some enclosing hoods were designed for feeders. Duct velocity of 1060 mmin-1 has been selected for all systems. Total air flow rates ranged from 240-369 m³min-1. A very high efficient bag house containing several bag filters was used to collect dust. In conclusion, because of a high concentration of tobacco dust in the proximity of sources and risk of workers exposure to tobacco dust, a suitable local exhaust ventilation system was designed to reduce particulate air pollution concentrations in a tobacco processing factory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to determine the distribution of particles in classrooms in primary schools located in the centre of the city of Sari, Iran and identify the relationship between indoor classroom particle levels and outdoor PM2.5 concentrations. Outdoor PM2.5 and indoor PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 were monitored using a real-time Micro Dust Pro monitor and a GRIMM monitor, respectively. Both monitors were calibrated by gravimetric method using filters. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test showed that all indoor and outdoor data fitted normal distribution. Mean indoor PM1, PM2.5, PM10 and outdoor PM2.5 concentrations for all of the classrooms were 17.6 μg m(-3), 46.6 μg m(-3), 400.9 μg m(-3), and 36.9 μg m(-3), respectively. The highest levels of indoor and outdoor PM2.5 concentrations were measured at the Shahed Boys School (69.1 μg m(-3) and 115.8 μg m(-3), respectively). The Kazemi school had the lowest levels of indoor and outdoor PM2.5 (29.1 μg m(-3) and 15.5 μg m(-3), respectively). In schools located near both main and small roads, the association between indoor fine particle (PM2.5 and PM1) and outdoor PM2.5 levels was stronger than that between indoor PM10 and outdoor PM2.5 levels. Mean indoor PM2.5 and PM10 and outdoor PM2.5 were higher than the standards for PM2.5 and PM10, and there was a good correlation between indoor and outdoor fine particle concentrations.

This study investigated occupational exposure to silica dust of 48 workers in stone cutting, glass making, ceramic, and sand blasting plants in the north of Iran. Samples were collected from the breathing zone using a personal sampling pump and a size-selective cyclone. Sample filters and blanks were analysed using infrared spectroscopy. The mean sampling period was 4.83 h. Mean exposure of workers to crystalline silica dust in glass making, ceramic, sand blasting, and stone cutting was 0.129 mg m-3, 0.169 mg m-3, 0.313 mg m-3 and 0.318 mg m-3, respectively. As exposure at each of the workplaces is three to 12 times higher than the current national and international thresholds, these workers run a greater risk of lung cancer and mortality. Our findings call for specific ventilation design and personal protection improvements in the four plants as well as stricter enforcement of the existing regulations by the authorities.