Alborz University of Medical Sciences Journal of Environmental Health Engineering 2383-3211 2588-4239 11 3 2024 5 1 Assessing the Efficacy of the Combined Carbon Quantum Dots - Persulfate Process for the Removal of Amoxicillin from Aqueous Solutions 256 267 FA Kiomars Sharfi Research Center for Environmental determinants of Health, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran kio.sharafi@gmail.com N 0000-0002-8256-8104 Nazir Fattahi Research Center for Environmental determinants of Health, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran nazirfatahi@yahoo.com N 0000-0002-6750-7004 Masoud Moradi Research Center for Environmental determinants of Health, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran mahfooz60@gmail.com Y 0000-0003-2036-5333 10.61186/jehe.11.3.256 Background: Antibiotics are increasingly recognized as emerging pollutants, posing significant environmental concerns upon entering ecosystems. Consequently, this study aimed to investigate the oxidation of the antibiotic amoxicillin using the carbon quantum dots/persulfate process. Methods: All experiments were conducted in a 250 mL glass container. The effects of various operating parameters, including reaction time, pH, amoxicillin concentration, persulfate concentration, and catalyst dose, were investigated under optimal conditions to assess their influence on the removal efficiency. Results: The results demonstrate that the carbon quantum dots/persulfate process exhibited the highest decomposition rate (kobs) of amoxicillin, with a rate constant of 0.0127 min-1. The optimal conditions for maximum antibiotic removal were found to be pH 5, a persulfate dose of 2 mM, and an amoxicillin concentration of 12.5 mg/L, resulting in a removal rate of 89% within 75 minutes. Furthermore, the mineralization rate was observed to be 33%. Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate the efficacy of the carbon quantum dot/persulfate process in oxidizing amoxicillin. Amoxicillin, Carbon Quantum Dot, Persulfate, Advanced Oxidation Process http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1047-en.html http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1047-en.pdf

Alborz University of Medical Sciences Journal of Environmental Health Engineering 2383-3211 2588-4239 11 3 2024 5 1 Prioritization of the Effectiveness Factors on the Safety Education for Employees of the Fardis Fire Protection Organization Using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Model 268 286 FA Homan Valizadeh M.Sc. in Health, Safety & Environmental Engineering, Department of Environmental Science, College of Basic Sciences and Modern Technologies, Electronic Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran hooman.valizadeh1371@gmail.com N Soheil Sobhanardakani Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Professor in Environmental Science, Department of the Environment, College of Basic Sciences, Hamedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran. s_sobhan@iauh.ac.ir Y 0000-0002-6038-0514 Nargess Kargari Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Assistant Professor in Environmental Science, Department of the Environment, College of Agriculture, Takestan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Takestan, Iran. nkargari@gmail.com N 10.61186/jehe.11.3.268 Background: Safety training programs play an important role in the success of organizations and reducing occupational injuries. The effectiveness of such programs not only provides employees with new opportunities to improve their safety skills, but also can be leading to greater productivity and improvement of safety culture. Therefore, this study was conducted to prioritize the factors affecting the effectiveness of safety training for employees of Fardis Fire Protection Organization using multi-criteria decision-making model. Methods: : In the current study, the criteria (including the quality and quantity of education and development policies and measures) and sub-criteria were identified from the similar studies and their screened using the Delphi technique. Then the criteria and sub-criteria of each criterion were subjected to pair wise comparisons and weighting. The internal relationships between the criteria were determined using DEMATEL technique; also, the final prioritization and weighting of the results were done using ANP and DEMATEL via the Super Decisions software. In so doing, 10 experts of Fardis Fire Protection Organization were selected in a non-probabilistic way to respond. Results: Based on the results obtained, "quality of education" criterion with a final weight of 0.515 had the first priority among the other criteria. Also, the "development policies and measures" criterion had the most effectiveness. Besides, "quantity of education" criterion had the highest level of influence and interaction. Meanwhile, "continuous presence of selected learners and teachers in the courses" sub-criterion with a final weight of 0.104 had the first priority among the others. Conclusion: In conclusion, it can be argued that don't continuously and adequately paid attention to the employee's training could be leading to reduced effectiveness of safety training. Therefore, in order to maintain the effectiveness of the training programs, it is recommended to design the safety training courses in line with the organization policies. Effectiveness factors, Firefighter, Safety training, Multi-criteria decision making, Iran http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1042-en.html http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1042-en.pdf

Alborz University of Medical Sciences Journal of Environmental Health Engineering 2383-3211 2588-4239 11 3 2024 5 1 Effect of intercropping on the Cd accumulation in soil and rice plants: A review 287 301 FA Sajjad Shaker Expert, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Rice Research Institute, Rasht, Iran Sajjadshaker53@gmail.com Y 0000-0003-4432-2725 Mohammad Rabiee Researcher, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Rice Research Institute, Rasht, Iran rabiee_md@yahoo.co.uk N 0000-0003-1344-7779 10.61186/jehe.11.3.287 Background: A high cadmium (Cd) concentration in the paddy soil and translocation to the rice grain and the food chain is a serious environmental problem. Hence, it is essential to develop strategies for reducing Cd accumulation in rice and maintaining food safety. Phytoremediation is a cost-effective technique used to extract or remove Cd from contaminated sites. Intercropping is regarded as an effective technique for enhancing the Cd phytoremediation efficiency. According to this, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of intercropping on the Cd accumulation in soil and rice plants. Methods: Data for the present study was collected through searching articles in databases, including Google Scholar, Springer, ScienceDirect, ProQuest, PubMed, ResearchGate, Scopus and Elsevier. In the initial search, a total of 62 articles were found in the period 2003 to 2022, and was reduced after removing duplicates to 45 articles. Then, in the screening stage, the title and abstract of the articles were reviewed and at the end, 29 articles remained. The full text of the screened articles was studied and finally, 19 articles were used in this study. Results: The results showed that intercropping of the high-Cd and the low-Cd rice cultivars is an advantageous practice for Cd remediation in paddy soils. So that intercropping with the high-Cd rice cultivar decreased grain Cd content, and improved the yield of the low-Cd rice cultivar. Also, intercropping of rice with Water spinach, Sesbania cannabina, Alligator flag, Sphagneticola calendulacea, Canna indica and Pontederia cordata, can function as an effective way for Cd remediation and guarantee rice grain safety. Conclusion: Intercropping with hyperaccumulator plants is ideal to achieve safe rice production and phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated soil. Cadmium, Hyperaccumulator, Intercropping, Phytoremediation, Rice http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1041-en.html http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1041-en.pdf

Alborz University of Medical Sciences Journal of Environmental Health Engineering 2383-3211 2588-4239 11 3 2024 5 1 The survey of Ultrasound/Ferrate Process efficiency towards Beta-Estradiol 17 (E2) Oxidation in Aqueous Solutions: Investigating Chloroform Formation as a Disinfection Byproduct 302 314 FA Nazir Fattahi Research Center for Environmental determinants of Health, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran nazirfatahi@yahoo.com N 0000-0002-6750-7004 Kiomars Sharfi Research Center for Environmental determinants of Health, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran kio.sharafi@gmail.com N 0000-0002-8256-8104 Masoud Moradi Research Center for Environmental determinants of Health, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran mahfooz60@gmail.com Y 0000-0003-2036-5333 10.61186/jehe.11.3.302 Background: Hormones are chemical substances that can disrupt the processes and functions of the endocrine system in both humans and animals. The objective of this study is to examine the degradation of beta-estradiol 17 (E2) hormone through the ultrasound/ferrate process in aqueous solutions and the possibility of chloroform formation as a disinfection byproduct. Methods: The experiments were conducted using a 250 mL glass container. An ultrasound device operating at frequencies between 24 kHz and 80 kHz, with a maximum power of 200 W, was used as the ultrasound source. Potassium ferrate was employed as the oxidizing agent. The effects of various operating parameters, including reaction time, pH, E2 hormone concentration, ferrate concentration, and ultrasound intensity, were evaluated. After the oxidation process, the sample underwent ultraviolet/chlorine radiation to examine the potential formation of chloroform as a disinfection byproduct. Results: The results indicate that the ferrate-ultrasound system exhibited the highest pollutant removal efficiency, followed by ultrasound and ferrate individually. Specifically, the rates of removal were 0.123 min-1 for the ferrate-ultrasound system, 0.103 min-1 for ultrasound, and 0.0076 min-1 for ferrate. Furthermore, the optimal conditions for E2 hormone removal were found to be pH 3, a ferrate dose of 200 mg/L, an ultrasound frequency intensity of 80 kHz, and an E2 hormone concentration of 100 mg/L, resulting in 100% removal. The study also found that the highest amount of chloroform formed was associated with the ultrasound, ferrate, and ferrate-ultrasound systems, respectively. Additionally, the potential for chloroform formation was higher in ultraviolet/chlorine conditions compared to chlorine alone. Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate the efficacy of the ultrasound-ferrate method in oxidizing E2 hormones and its potential to mitigate the formation of disinfection byproducts. Beta-estradiol 17 (E2) hormone, ultrasound - ferrate, advanced oxidation http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1046-en.html http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1046-en.pdf

Alborz University of Medical Sciences Journal of Environmental Health Engineering 2383-3211 2588-4239 11 3 2024 5 1 Presenting a sustainable health assessment model for employees of Kermanshah health centers using health index criteria 315 328 FA mona Balagbari M.Sc. in Health, Safety & Environmental Engineering, Department of Environmental Science, College of Basic Sciences and Modern Technologies, Electronic Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran balagabri.monq74@gmail.com N 0009-0008-7417-3453 sahar Rezaian Department of Environment, College of Engineering, Shahrood Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrood, Iran s_rezaian@yahoo.com Y 0000-0003-0014-8956 Sohail Sobhan Ardakani Department of the Environment, College of Basic Sciences, Hamedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran soheil_sobhan@yahoo.com N 0000-0002-6038-0514 10.61186/jehe.11.3.315 Background: Today, the health of health center employees is essential as one of the most effective environments for inducing a sense of security and peace of mind for citizens. This research was conducted to evaluate and present a model around the factors affecting the sustainable health assessment of the employees of health centers in Kermanshah using health index criteria. Methods: An expert questionnaire was distributed among 15 experts from Kermanshah health centers. By reviewing related studies, environmental, pathogenic, biological, and organizational factors were selected as the main research criteria. Data processing was done using the ANP-DEMATEL approach. Results: The "pathogenic and biological factors" criterion with a final weight of 0.518 is the most effective criterion, and on the other hand, the "organizational factors" criterion with an impact rate of 20.551 is the most effective criterion and interacts most with different criteria. Also, the sub-criterion " Workplace health standards " with a final weight of 0.1247 took priority. Conclusion: To achieve stable health for employees of health centers in Kermanshah city, it is necessary to control the most important factors affecting health, namely infectious diseases and pathogenic and biological agents. For this purpose, two methods of training employees and creating preventive rules and guidelines should be used. sustainable health, health index, health centers http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1034-en.html http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1034-en.pdf

Alborz University of Medical Sciences Journal of Environmental Health Engineering 2383-3211 2588-4239 11 3 2024 5 1 Evaluation of employee incentive and punishment systems in compliance with safety principles and accident reduction in industries (case study: Gorzin Qeshm Gas Refinery) 329 346 FA Ali Baba Ahmadi Department of Industrial Safety, Tabnak Institute of Higher Education, Lamard, Fars, Iran ali.babaahmadi2024@yahoo.com N 0009-0003-0653-3350 Sina Davazdah Emami Department of Industrial Safety, Tabnak Institute of Higher Education, Lamard, Fars, Iran hse12de@gmail.com Y 0000-0001-9862-4177 mohammad velayatzadeh Department of Industrial Safety, Caspian Institute of Higher Education, Qazvin, Iran mv.5908@gmail.com N 0000-0002-8981-4646 10.61186/jehe.11.3.329 Background: Occupational accidents are one of the most important problems in developing countries. To control these incidents and their consequences, compliance with safety principles based on safe behavior can be effective. Since safe behavior occurs as a result of encouraging or punishing the target group, this study was conducted with the aim of investigating the relationship between the systems of encouraging and punishing employees with compliance with safety principles and reducing accidents in Gorzin Gas Refinery, Qeshm. Methods: The statistical population included all the employees of Gorzin Qeshm Gas Refinery (300 people). From among them, 169 were selected through Cochran's sample size formula by stratified random method, and the desired questionnaires were given to them to answer, and 109 people completed the questionnaire. The variables of encouragement and punishment were determined as independent variables and the variable of organizational relations, including compliance with safety principles and reduction of accidents, were determined as dependent variables. Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire or SPSRQ (Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire) was used to carry out the field research. Results: According to the Pearson correlation test, no significant correlation was observed between compliance with safety principles and reduction of accidents (organizational relations) and encouragement (r = 0.018, n = 106, P = 0.854). There is also a correlation between compliance with safety principles and reduction of accidents (organizational relations) and punishment (r = 0.605, n = 106, P = 0). According to ANOVA variance analysis, the F value of the regression model is 60.122 and its significance probability is zero, so the regression model with the punishment variable is significant. Conclusion: The two principles of safety and reduction (organizational relations) and communication with inter-organizational communication and punishment are positive and punishment significantly predicts organizational relations. Encouragement and Punishment, Safety principles, Accident reduction, Safe behavior, Organizational relations http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1035-en.html http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1035-en.pdf

Alborz University of Medical Sciences Journal of Environmental Health Engineering 2383-3211 2588-4239 11 3 2024 5 1 Feasibility of Using Solar Power Plants in Iran (Opportunities and Challenges) 347 365 FA Anis Haaj-Ghani Environmental Health Engineering Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran-Environmental Health Engineering Department, Faculty of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran anishajghani81@gmail.com N Saeedeh Morad-Alizadeh Environmental Health Engineering Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran-. Environmental Health Engineering Department, Faculty of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran saeideh.moradalizadeh71@gmail.com Y 0000-0002-4544-1358 Mahdi Rezaei Environmental Health Engineering Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran-. Environmental Health Engineering Department, Faculty of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran mahdirezaei1274@gmail.com N 0000-0002-6939-1455 10.61186/jehe.11.3.347 Background: In the face of international sanctions imposed on Iran’s oil economy, solar energy in this country has special capabilities; so that Iran can become the main supplier of the Mediterranean solar power production chain by 2050. Considering Iran’s ability to access this clean energy, the aim of the present study is to investigate the possibility of establishing and using solar power plants in Iran for electricity production, considering some completed projects, as well as examining the opportunities and challenges of developing these power plants. Methods: For the current study, the keywords “Solar power plants, Solar energy in Iran, Renewable energy, Solar potentials and challenges” were searched in the databases “Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, SID, Magiran, ResearchGate” from 2005 to 2024. After that, a total of 320 articles were found, which after screening and full review of the articles, finally 23 articles were registered and used in the study. The criterion for the entry of articles was their relevance of the content to the subject matter. Results: To investigate the possibility of using solar power plants in Iran, quantitative and qualitative data from studies related to geographical capacities, production capacity, and challenges facing the establishment of power plants were used. Iran’s experience in establishing concentrated solar energy dates back to the power plants in Shiraz and Yazd city, which, despite the successful operation of these power plants, no new solar power plant has been announced since then. In this regard, the lack of feasibility studies in this country is quite evident. Conclusion: Despite the not-significant development of solar power plants in Iran and the lack of public demand for clean energy; high solar radiation, existing desert lands in Iran, and the prevention of pollutant gas emissions by solar power plants are the main factors encouraging the development of these power plants for the production of thermal and electrical energy. Therefore, the use of these power plants can provide many opportunities for Iran. Solar energy, Feasibility Studies, Iran, Solar power plants. http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1036-en.html http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1036-en.pdf

Alborz University of Medical Sciences Journal of Environmental Health Engineering 2383-3211 2588-4239 11 3 2024 5 1 Application of response surface methodology in modeling and optimization of ceftriaxone decomposition with activated persulfate through zero valence zinc nanoparticles/ultrasonic waves 366 379 FA Zohreh Berizi Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran N Mohammad Reza Zare Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran N 0000-0003-3482-5388 Leila rezaei Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Emam reza hospital, Larestan university of medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran N Ali Parvizimehr Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran N salehe salehnia Ferdows school of paramedical and health, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran N Mohsen Rezaei Department of Environmental Health, Torbat Jam faculty of Medical Sciences, Torbat Jam, Iran N Nezamaddin Mengelizadeh Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran Y 0000-0003-1974-2314 10.61186/jehe.11.3.366 Background: The poor degradability of antibiotics in conventional wastewater treatment processes has recently encouraged researchers to use advanced oxidation processes based on persulfate (PS) activation. Therefore, the aim of our study was to remove ceftriaxone through the activation of persulfate with zero valence zinc/ultrasonic waves (Zn0/US). Methods: In this laboratory study, the sample containing the antibiotic ceftriaxone was subjected to persulfate activation through an ultrasonic probe with a frequency of 40 kHz. Optimization of operational parameters such as initial pH, catalyst dose, initial ceftriaxone concentration, reaction time and persulfate concentration was done through response surface methodology (RSM). In optimal conditions, synergistic effect, changes in wavelength scanning, mineralization rate and radical scavenger effect were studied. Finally, ceftriaxone concentration, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) were measured through diagnostic devices. Results: Based on RSM analysis of variance, the maximum removal of antibiotic (94.54%), COD (66%) and TOC (54%) in laboratory conditions including pH equal to 3, 0.75 mg/L persulfate and catalyst concentration, 15 mg/L ceftriaxone and 45 minutes of reaction time were obtained. The presence of tert-butyl alcohol and ethanol as scavengers of hydroxyl and sulfate radicals decreased the efficiency rate of the process to 79% and 45% in the reaction time of 45 minutes and emphasized that the active species participate in ceftriaxone degradation. Conclusion: Based on the results, the process of Zn0/US/PS can be considered as a pretreatment process for the effective removal of ceftriaxone from water environments. Ceftriaxone, persulfate activation, response surface methodology, mineralization rate, optimization http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-843-en.html http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-843-en.pdf