Chemical characterization and quality assessment of some bottled water brands from the Kohgiluyeh-va-Boyer Ahmad province market,SW Iran

Recently, bottled water consumption has been increased in Iran, because of the priority change from tap water to bottled water usage; therefore, conducting studies on quality control of the bottled drinking waters seems very necessary. In this study, a comparison between the amounts of mineral elements present in 10 bottled water brands from the Kohgiluyeh-va-Boyer Ahmad Province market, SW Iran, and recommended limits by national and international standards and guidelines for drinking water was carried out, with the aim to assess the quality of bottled waters as an outdoor supply source for drinking water. The chosen bottled water brands were analyzed for more than 50 physicochemical parameters, using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), ionic chromatography (IC), hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy (HGAAS), spectrophotometry, titration, and conductometry standard methods. The comparison between obtained results and Iranian, United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and World Health Organization (WHO) standards and guidelines showed that all levels of analyzed parameters do not exceed the permitted limits, indicating that the bottled waters have safe quality for drinking use. Results revealed that bottled waters are a valid substitute of tap water, especially for outdoor drinking purpose. Nevertheless, the mineral elements such as Ca, Mg, Na, and K are not provided by the bottled waters in sufficient levels needed daily by human body.     

Determination of parathion, aldicarb, and thiobencarb in tap water and bottled mineral water in Mashhad, Iran

Water is a necessity for life. Currently, because of different contaminations in tap water, most people prefer using bottled mineral waters. Pesticides (e.g., organophophorous, carbamates, etc.) are among the most dangerous chemicals that may be found in drinking waters, which can cause long- and short-term complications. Because all people consume at least 2?L of water per day, water-quality monitoring is vital. In this study, we determined the concentration of three pesticides (aldicarb, parathion, and thiobencarb) in 13 tap-water samples collected from 13 different urban areas and 10 samples of bottled mineral water in Mashhad, a major city in northeast Iran. Samples were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with a pulsed flame photometric detector after solid-phase extraction. Results showed that 2 of 13 tap-water samples and 2 of 10 bottled mineral water trademarks were contaminated either by parathion or by thiobencarb or both, with concentrations ranging between 0.6 and 0.8 ppb. According to the defined guideline values, determined concentrations of pesticides are below the permissible World Health Organization level for these toxic agents, and it is considered that drinking these tap waters and bottled mineral waters are safe for human consumption.     

Non-carcinogenic risk assessment induced by heavy metals content of the bottled water in Iran

Recently, the exposure to heavy metals from bottled waters raised huge concerns. In this context, for the first time the risk of non-carcinogenic exposure by the heavy metals in Iranian drinking water was assessed. Therefore, by using the obtained data in our previous published study, the target hazard quotient (THQ) and total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) by considering to the sexuality of consumers were calculated. THQ in females were determined as significantly higher (p??Pb?>?Hg?>?Cd?>?Cu, respectively. The minimum and maximum of THQ for the males were observed in age groups of?+65 and 1–3?years, respectively. The minimum and maximum of THQ for females were noted in age groups of 11–14 and 1–3?years, respectively. Since TTHQ for all ages were less than 1 (p?相似文献   

Investigation of health risk assessment sevoflurane on indoor air quality in the operation room in Ahvaz city,Iran

One of the important wards in educational hospital due to special conditions of patients is operating rooms (ORs). Anesthetic gases sevoflurane among air anesthetic pollutant is very dangerous for health care worker (HCW) and patients. The aim of this study was to associate the concentration of anesthetic toxic sevoflurane gases (ppm) indoor air in Emam, Razi and Golestan teaching hospitals OR during 2016. In the current study, portable pump SKC equipped with sorbent Tube Tenax TA 250?mg was used to sampling and measurements of sevoflurane gases concentration in the ORs. Three detection places were selected for sampling volatile anesthetic gases sevoflurane. In this study, health risks produced by non-cancer causing agents are quantified by calculating the hazard index (HI). Based on result this study, the Emam and Golestan had the lowest and the highest sevoflurane concentrations. According to the results from the current study, level of sevoflurane on indoor air quality in the operation room in Emam, Razi and Golestan hospitals were 2.058, 2.201 and 2.289?ppm, respectively. According result this study HI was under 1.0 and it amount showed that no significant risk of adverse health effects related to exposure to concentration of sevoflurane in Emam, Razi and Golestan teaching hospitals OR during 2016. Result showed that the average concentration of sevoflurane in studied hospitals were more than the standard level (2?ppm) and exposure to this concentration of sevoflurane could be threaten for HCW. Based on result our study, the average level of sevoflurane was significantly higher than that of ORs without standard ventilation in comparison with ORs with standard ventilation system. Performed active for decreasing anesthetic gases can cause decrease health endpoint in OR HCWs and costs. While OR management in ambient air can cause disorders in staffs and causing more spiritual and material costs.     

Networking and rheology of concentrated clay suspensions “matured” in mineral medicinal water

This work studied the influence of “maturation” conditions (time and agitation) on aggregation states, gel structure and rheological behaviour of a special kind of pharmaceutical semisolid products made of concentrated clay suspensions in mineral medicinal water. Maturation of the samples was carried out in distilled and sulphated mineral medicinal water, both in static conditions (without agitation) and with manual stirring once a week, during a maximum period of three months. At the measured pH interval (7.5–8.0), three-dimensional band-type networks resulting from face/face contacts were predominant in the laminar (disc-like) clay suspensions, whereas the fibrous (rod-like) particles formed micro-aggregates by van der Waals attractions. The high concentration of solids in the studied systems greatly determined their behaviour. Rod-like sepiolite particles tend to align the major axis in aggregates promoted by low shearing maturation, whereas aggregates of disc-like smectite particles did not have a preferential orientation and their complete swelling required long maturation time, being independent of stirring. Maturation of both kinds of suspensions resulted in improved rheological properties. Laminar clay suspensions became more structured with time, independently from static or dynamic maturation conditions, whereas for fibrous clay periodic agitation was also required. Rheological properties of the studied systems have been related to aggregation states and networking mechanisms, depending on the type of clay minerals constituents. Physical stability of the suspensions was not impaired by the specific composition of the Graena medicinal water.     

Health risk assessment induced by chloroform content of the drinking water in Iran: systematic review

Long-term intake of water with high content of trihalomethanes (THMs) such as chloroform (CHCl₃) is hazardous for human health. Some studies have shown that clinical effects of THMs in drinking water may be yet observed to doses lower to standard limit. In our study, we performed a meta-analysis to assess both the mean concentration of CHCl₃ in Iranian drinking water and the relative health effects by long-term exposure to safe dose of CHCl₃ in the male and female age groups and in female categories. We applied the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) for the evaluation of the noncarcinogenic risk of CHCl₃. Meta-analysis (14 studies) showed that the average concentration of CHCl₃ was 24?µg/l (95%CI:18.1–30.1?µg/l), I²?=?99.88, p?3 was related to Mashhad (3.5?±?0.5?µg/l) and Mazandaran (57.3?±?13.1?µg/l) province, respectively. The average concentration of CHCl₃ in the all studied provinces was lower than USEPA (70?µg/l) and national standard limits (200?µg/l). The minimum and maximum THQ was related to?<0.5 and 15–19?years age groups in both the males and females. The rank order of THQ in the female categories was females aging 15–44 (0.074)>?non-pregnant and non-lactating females age 4–15 (0.071)?>?pregnant (0.071)?>?lactating (0.043). The THQ in the females was higher than males, non-significantly (p?>.05). Except Mazandaran province, in other provinces both males and females, for all age groups, were not exposed to significant risks by non-carcinogenic exposure of CHCl₃ in drinking water (THQ <1).     

Association of anesthetic toxic isoflurane gases of the indoor air of operating room,Ahvaz, Iran during 2016

Operating rooms (ORs) in hospital wards are very important because of special conditions of patients. The hazards of contact with low concentrations of anesthetic gases (AG) are undeniable. Nowadays AG isoflurane is one of the important pollutants which is in the air of ORs and used in anesthesia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of anesthetic toxic isoflurane gases of the indoor air of Razi, Golestan and Emam educational hospitals ORs, using active sampling system during 2016. In this study, in order to sampling and detection of isoflurane concentration (ppm), a portable pump (SKC pump) and tubes (Sorbent Tube Tenax TA 250?mg) were utilized. The sampling was done in three different points of the ORs. According to this study, the “Razi” and “Emam” hospitals had the highest and the lowest isoflurane concentrations. According to the results of this study, isoflurane concentrations in three main educational hospital ORs affiliated to the Ahvaz Jundishapur University of medical sciences were 2.342, 2.15 and 2.04?ppm, respectively. According to this study, the average concentration of isoflurane in three main educational hospitals was more than recommended scales by international organizations (2?ppm) and it sounds that exposure to this amount of gas would be the cause of health disorders for staff. The results showed that the mean of isoflurane concentration in different parts of ORs with standard ventilation system was significantly lower than those ORs in which they did not have standard ventilation. While environmental health management and AG contamination in ORs have been ignored, they can cause disorders in ORs’ staffs and causing more spiritual and material costs.     

Association of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons of the outdoor air in Ahvaz,southwest Iran during warm-cold season

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are one of the main components of urban air pollution. The level of concentration PAHs and effects are depended on seasonal variations and amount of exposure to PAHs. Nowadays, PAHs are one of the important pollutants that threat the public health. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons of the outdoor air in Ahvaz, southwest Iran using active sampling system during the warm and cold seasons of 2016. Data collection was performed daily during the study period in three stations in Ahvaz citizens at industrial, high traffic and residential areas. Omni sampler and equipped with PTFE filters (8*10) were utilized for sampling in this study. Gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) were utilized for detection of PAHs concentration (ngm^?3). Statistical SPSS software (SPSS version 16) was used to determine the effects of PAHs during warm and cold season. According to result this study, the industrial and residential areas had the highest and the lowest PAHs concentrations. Based on result this study, PAHs concentrations in three main areas at industrial, high traffic and residential were 7.021?±?3.45, 5.162?±?2.63 and 4.187?±?1.76 ngm^?3, respectively. The results showed that the average concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in three main areas outdoor air in Ahvaz were more than recommended scales by international organizations. According to this study, the mean of PAHs concentration in different areas was significantly higher than standard. Results showed that the short-term exposure to PAHs during cold season were higher than the levels of exposure during warm season. The levels of exposure to PAHs can increased risk of health endpoint and the oxidative stress.     

Specific growth rate of bacterioplankton,determined at constant temperature,as an indicator of deterioration in water quality

The specific growth rate (SGR) of natural populations of bacterioplankton, from three lowland watercourses in the northeastern part of England, was measured at intervals over 15 months using a batch-culture method. SGR of the bacteria from one watercourse showed seasonal periodicity with notably low values (<0.01 h⁻¹) in winter which coincided with acid conditions. SGR of bacteria from the other two watercourses, which were permanently circumneutral, showed irregular periodicity and notably low values were never recorded. Thus, SGR is an easily determined indicator which may be used to recognize the inhibition of bacterioplankton, which is brought about by adverse water quality, and which potentially leads to reduction in biopurification capacity. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Environ Toxicol 14: 309–312, 1999     

Assessment of zearalenone contamination in processed cereal-based foods in Shahrekord,Iran

Zearalenone (ZEA) is a known mycotoxin with estrogenic, immunologic, teratogenic and carcinogenic effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of ZEA in 80 samples of processed cereal-based foods including chips, cheese puffs, biscuits and cakes, collected from supermarkets in Shahrekord, Iran between April and September, 2015. The samples were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that 83.7% of the samples contained ZEA in the range of 0.25–8.02?μg/kg and the contamination average was 1.69?±?1.46?μg/kg. None of the samples were found ZEA more than the allowed limit of the European Union. Due to the effects of ZEA in the etiology of early puberty in children, control of ZEA is recommended in cereal-based foods in Iran.     

国内外监管机构对制药用水质量控制的要点分析

制药用水广泛用于药品生产过程和药物制剂的制备,同时也被用作溶剂、冲洗剂等。制药用水的质量直接影响药品的质量,与药品的安全息息相关。概述分析了中国、美国和欧盟制药用水的管理、质量控制要求及其差异,同时探讨了制药用水分类、注射用水制法及制药用水微生物控制,为国内制药用水相关技术标准建设及科学监管提供参考。     

EMA与我国不同用途制药用水质要求的对比分析

欧洲药品管理局（EMA）于2018年11月发布了"制药用水质量指导原则（草案）"，详细介绍了在人用、兽用制剂和原料药生产时，不同情况下注射用水的选择。介绍EMA该文件中对不同用途的水质要求，并与国内的相关要求进行对比，期望引起有关各方关注和思考，保障我国制药用水的质量，进而保证药品质量，保护用药者安全。     

Prevalence and Correlates of Lifetime Alcohol Use among Adult Urban Populations in Iran: A Knowledge,Attitude, and Practice Study

ABSTRACT

Globally, alcohol use is one of the leading contributors to the burden of disease. The aim of this study was to provide data on prevalence and correlates of lifetime alcohol use among Iranian adults living in urban areas. This cross-sectional study investigated knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of Iranian adults towards drug and alcohol use. Participants were recruited from the capital cities of five provinces—Tehran, West Azerbaijan, Markazi, Kerman, and Khorasan Razavi—in 2015. We used multivariate logistic regression models to conduct data analysis. Completing the questionnaire were 2,065 participants (44.06% female). Prevalence of lifetime alcohol use was 28% (95% CI: 25–29%). Lifetime alcohol use was significantly associated with male gender (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.74, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.26– 2.39), positive attitude towards alcohol (OR = 2.15, CI: 1.60–4.34), lifetime stimulants use (OR = 5.73, CI: 3.56– 9.23), and lifetime opioids use (OR = 4.47, CI: 3.12– 6.39). Estimated lifetime prevalence of alcohol use in our study was higher than the regional average. Primary alcohol prevention programs need to target sub- populations who are at risk for alcohol use and provide services that impede the development of positive attitudes towards alcohol.     

Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of pharmacists to adverse drug reaction reporting in Iran

Objective Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are a major cause of patient morbidity and mortality. Spontaneous reporting of ADRs remains the cornerstone of pharmacovigilance and is important in maintaining patient safety. In order to determine whether our pharmacovigilance system could be improved, and identify reasons for under-reporting, a study to investigate the role of pharmacists in ADR reporting was performed in Shiraz. Setting: The pharmacies in Shiraz, capital of Fars province in Iran. Methods A questionnaire was prepared to investigate knowledge and attitude of pharmacists regarding ADR reporting. The questionnaire was given to 200 pharmacists who participated in a pharmacist association meeting. Main outcomes measured: The knowledge of pharmacovigilance practice, reasons for not reporting ADR, and perceptions of the Iranian pharmacists on pharmacovigilance practice were evaluated Results The response rate was 55% (n = 110). 29% of the respondents were not aware of the Iranian Pharmacovigilance Center. More than half of those responding felt that ADR reporting should be voluntary, while 26% felt it was a professional obligation. As for the purposes of ADR reporting scheme, 60% of the pharmacists falsely believed that monitoring ADR spontaneous reports aims at measuring the incidence of ADR. 42% of the pharmacists indicated that they have suspected an ADR without reporting it. Doubt about causality was the major reason for not reporting an ADR. Although our ADR center states that all suspected reactions to any drug on the market must be reported, only 17% of the respondents seemed to be aware of this responsibility. Conclusion Our pharmacists have little knowledge regarding the operation, purposes, and usefulness of ADR spontaneous reporting system. However, education and training will be important in maintaining and increasing ADR reports from pharmacists.     

Early childhood experiences, parenting and the process of drug dependency among young people in Tehran, Iran

Introduction and Aims. Substance abuse has become a major public health problem in Iran. The process of developing an addiction is complex and multifaceted. Early childhood experiences are thought to be one of the important determinants of addictive behaviour. The aim of this qualitative study is to explore the early childhood experiences, especially the experiences within the immediate family, of current substance‐using young adults in Iran. Design and Methods. The study is qualitative in nature. In‐depth interviews were conducted with 15 young men and women who were either in treatment for their addiction or were active drug users at the time of the interviews. Moreover, four interviews have been conducted with family members of participants. Results. The majority of the participants experienced traumatic events during childhood and came from dysfunctional families. There appears to be a significant disconnect between these individuals and their families. An obedience‐instilling parenting style and parents' knowledge and attitude toward drug using and prevention were also identified as important determinants of substance use. Discussion and Conclusions. The results of this research point out the need for early interventions for at‐risk families as well as at‐risk individuals.[Mirlashari J, Demirkol A, Salsali M, Rafiey H, Jahanbani J. Early childhood experiences, parenting and the process of drug dependency among young people in Tehran, Iran. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:461–468]     

Mercury levels in selected tissues of three kingfisher species; Ceryle rudis, Alcedo atthis, and Halcyon smyrnensi, from Shadegan Marshes of Iran

This study presents concentrations of mercury in tissues (feather, kidney, liver, and muscle) of three kingfisher species from Shadegan Marshes located in the Khuzestan province in the lowlands of southwestern Iran at the head of the Persian Gulf. The order of mercury concentrations in tissues of all the kingfishers such as pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis), common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) and white-breasted kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) was as follows: feather > kidney > liver > muscle. No significant difference was detected in mercury tissue levels between species of birds. Liver mercury concentration was positively correlated with kidney mercury levels in all of the three species of kingfishers. Although, the average levels of mercury we observed in these birds were below levels known to be associated with adverse behavioral or reproductive effects, mercury levels in some individual birds exceeded adverse effect level.     

Assessment of heavy metal content in refined and unrefined salts obtained from Urmia,Iran

A heavy metal is any relatively dense metal that may be potentially toxic in a variety of foods. Heavy metals pollute and contaminate foods. These metals are usually toxic to human body. Heavy metals are the most important toxic metals which may cause health risks following the consumption of contaminated foods. The edible salt (NaCl) is a substance that has been used as a food additive since ancient times. Twenty samples of refined and unrefined edible salts produced in Iran were analyzed using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) method for the presence of toxic heavy metals. The precision of the analysis was assured through the repeated analysis of the samples. The mean (±standard deviation) concentrations of toxic metals in dried samples of rock salt were as follows: Ni (1.870?±?0.850), Cd (0.328?±?0.143), Mn (0.184?±?0.230) and Co (3.124?±?0.880) mg/kg and in dry weights of samples obtained from Urmia market: Ni (1.982?±?0.021), Cd (2.461?±?0.036), Mn (0.192?±?0.028) and Co (8.450?±?0.025) mg/kg. There was a significant difference between the toxic metal concentrations and their guideline values. Therefore, it was important to assess the public health risks posed by the presence of toxic contaminants.     

Study of ground-level ozone and its health risk assessment in residents in Ahvaz City,Iran during 2013

Ozone is a highly oxidative compound and is one of the important pollutants present in the atmosphere and at ground level. Concentration of ground-level ozone (GLO) pollutant depends on different factors such as the amount of VOC and NO_X, heat and location in the atmosphere. Ozone can cause health effects such as problems to breathe deeply and vigorously, inflame and damage the airways, bronchitis, reduced lung function in children and adults, emphysema and increase the frequency of asthma attacks. In this work, we focused on the determination of number of hospital admissions associated with ozone in Ahvaz with population of 1?000?000, during 2013. In this study, ozone data collections were through Iranian Environmental Protection Agency (Iranian EPA) and Meteorological Organization. Ozone data and meteorological parameters were used in Excel software to prepare input file of AirQ model. After running model, outputs presented in term of hospital admissions of ozone exposure were calculated. According to this study, “Havashenasi” and “Naderi” had the lowest and the highest ozone concentrations. Results of this study showed that if ozone concentrations were more than 20?μg/m³, approximately 12% hospital admissions were attributed by this pollutant. The results showed that the concentration of ozone was related to Ahvaz with an annual average of 223?μg/m³. Ozone concentration in Ahvaz was higher than standard. Mitigation measures in industries and transportation system in Ahvaz metropolitan is recommending to reduce the level of ozone in the ambient air. Changing the fuel process and using upgraded vehicles could be possibly very effective to diminish the impact of this pollutants on citizens.