Alborz University of Medical Sciences Journal of Environmental Health Engineering 2383-3211 2588-4239 11 4 2024 7 1 Effluent quality prediction of one of the municipal wastewater treatment plants using machine learning algorithms 380 393 FA Amin Bagheri Department of Health, Safety and Environment, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran N 0000-0001-6567-3693 Mohsen Sadani Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran N 0000-0002-2321-0866 Mohammadreza karimi MPH student School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran reza575261@gmail.com Y 0000-0002-6061-1175 10.61186/jehe.11.4.380 Background: Mathematical and statistical simulators can significantly reduce the management costs of wastewater treatment systems. This research aimed to predict the effluent quality of an urban wastewater treatment plant in Tehran using machine learning algorithms from 2017 to 2021. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study utilized monitoring data from the influent and effluent of the wastewater treatment plant, which were prepared for analysis. In the second stage, the data were refined, processed, and converted into dummy variables to facilitate entry into data mining algorithms. The Artificial Neural Network (ANN) algorithm and the M5 tree model were then evaluated to identify the best model for predicting the concentration of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) in the effluent. In this process, 70% of the data were allocated for training and 30% for validation using Python software. The best model was selected based on regression analysis, comparing the R² and RMSE indices. Results: The findings indicated that the ANN model, with a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.72, outperformed the M5 model, which had an R² of 0.68, in predicting the output COD concentration—an indicator of the treatment plant's efficiency. Additionally, regression analysis revealed that BOD₅ and TSS exhibited the highest correlation with COD_out. Conclusion: The results of the ANN and M5 models were within an acceptable range based on statistical indicators, demonstrating their potential for effectively estimating data in wastewater treatment plants Machine learning algorithms, artificial neural network, M5 model tree, regression, chemical oxygen demand http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1059-en.html http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1059-en.pdf

Alborz University of Medical Sciences Journal of Environmental Health Engineering 2383-3211 2588-4239 11 4 2024 7 1 Investigating the indicators of corrosiveness and sedimentation of drinking water in the villages of East Kakhk 394 405 FA Hojjat Nadimi Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran N 0000-0002-2469-3679 Ahmad Alahabadi Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran ahmad_health@yahoo.com N 0000-0002-7374-7637 Ahmad Zarei Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Infectious Diseases Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran N 0000-0002-1158-0114 Forough Riahimanesh Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran N 0000-0002-5335-1694 Mehdi Salari Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran msalari_22@yahoo.com Y 0000-0003-0391-0758 10.61186/jehe.11.4.394 Background: This study investigated the corrosive and scaling potential of drinking water in the rural areas of eastern Kakhk, southern Khorasan Razavi, Iran. Corrosion and scaling are critical issues that lead to the deterioration of water distribution infrastructure and decreased water quality. The analysis was conducted using indices such as the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI), Ryznar Stability Index (RSI), Puckorius Scaling Index (PSI), Larson-Skold Index (LS), and the Aggressiveness Index (AI). Materials and Methods: A total of 32 water samples were collected from 16 locations, including one city and 15 rural regions. Samples were drawn from springs, qanats, and distribution systems. Key physicochemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, and concentrations of calcium and magnesium were measured. Each sample was analyzed twice in accordance with APHA standards, and corrosion and scaling indices were calculated. Results: The LSI revealed that 100% of the samples had a tendency to form scale, while the RSI indicated that 68.75% were corrosive. Over 80% of the samples were confirmed to be corrosive by the Larson-Skold and Aggressiveness indices. However, the Puckorius Index showed that 62.5% of the samples were in a balanced state, without a strong inclination towards either corrosion or scaling. Conclusion: These results emphasize the need for continuous monitoring of water quality and the adoption of preventive measures to mitigate corrosion and scaling in rural water systems. The findings provide important insights for decision-makers to develop strategies aimed at preserving water infrastructure and ensuring long-term sustainability. water corrosion, water scaling, Langelier Saturation Index, rural drinking water, groundwater quality http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1067-en.html http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1067-en.pdf

Alborz University of Medical Sciences Journal of Environmental Health Engineering 2383-3211 2588-4239 11 4 2024 7 1 The Civil Liability of the Government Regarding Public Health and Citizen Well-being (Case Study: Dust Storms in Khuzestan Province) 406 421 FA Mohammad Abid Department of Law and Jurisprudence, Research Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies, Organization for the Study and Compilation of Humanities Books (SAMT), Tehran, Iran abidabid015@gmail.com Y 0000-0002-2324-2497 Nezam Armand Associate Professor of Biology, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran armandnezam@yahoo.com N 0000-0003-2458-4293 Mohammad Ejtehadi Master's Student in Private Law, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran N 0009-0003-3905-8234 Abdolhamid Pourjafar Master of Private Law, Retired Judge of the Courts of Appeal, Tabriz, Iran N 0009-0006-3514-1198 10.61186/jehe.11.4.406 Background: Dust storms in Khuzestan province and the threat they pose to the health of citizens have raised the issue of the government's civil liability in our legal system. Various grounds for holding the government accountable are discussed, including fault and causation. The aim of this paper is to introduce the theory of attribution as a basis for the government's liability in this regard. Materials and Methods: The research method in this article is descriptive-analytical, based on the analysis of legal and jurisprudential regulations. Results: Scientific research has shown that dust pollution, in addition to posing public health risks, leads to diseases such as sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma, allergies, and causes depression. The findings indicate that the theories proposed in the foundations of civil liability in Imami jurisprudence (destruction, causation) and statutory law (the Constitution, Civil Liability Law), the rule of causation, and the fault theory in the legal system, can well serve as the basis for the government's civil liability for damages caused by dust storms in Khuzestan province. Conclusion: The government can reduce damages related to dust storms through proper pre-incident management, such as managing critical dust storm hotspots, enhancing vegetation cover, applying mulch to dust storm-prone areas, utilizing water resources effectively, education, and post-incident crisis management. Therefore, the government bears civil liability, as the Constitution obligates it to ensure public health and safety. If no responsibility is imposed on the government, public health and citizens' well-being will be at risk, leading to adverse consequences. Key words: respiratory diseases, environmental health, Imami jurisprudence, subject law http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1025-en.html http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1025-en.pdf

Alborz University of Medical Sciences Journal of Environmental Health Engineering 2383-3211 2588-4239 11 4 2024 7 1 Identifying and Ranking of Critical Factors Affecting Fire Safety in High-Rise Buildings in the City of Karaj using the ANP-DEMATEL Integrated Approach 422 442 FA Seyed Hossein Mousavi M.Sc. in Health, Safety & Environment, Department of Environmental Science, College of Basic Sciences and Modern Technologies, Electronic Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran N 0009-0001-4237-8701 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 Seyed Ali Jozi Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Professor in Environmental Science, Department of the Environment, College of Marine Science and Technology, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. N 0000-0002-4486-1297 10.61186/jehe.11.4.422 Background: Since firefighting in high-rise buildings requires special equipment and expertise and is associated with many risks for residents and rescuers, the firefighting of these buildings has become one of the safety problems in megacities. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify and rank critical factors affecting fire safety in high-rise buildings in the city of Karaj using the ANP-DEMATEL integrated approach. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, six criteria including: 'firefighting regulations', 'fire safety training', 'policies and equipment management', 'review of previous incidents', 'attitudes of contractors in design and construction', as well as the 'speed of rescue operations' and 32 sub-criteria were identified from similar studies and screened using the Delphi technique. Then the criteria and sub-criteria of each criterion were subjected to pairwise comparisons and weighting. The internal relationships between the criteria were determined using the 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 from the Karaj Fire Protection Organization were selected in a non-probabilistic way to respond. Results: Based on the results obtained, the 'speed of rescue operations' criterion with a final weight of 0.222 was assigned the first priority among the others. On the other hand, the 'policies and equipment management' criterion, as the most influential criterion, had the most interaction with other criteria. Also, the 'attitudes of contractors in design and construction' criterion was recognized as the most effective criterion. This is despite the fact that the 'not using low-quality and cheap materials with the aim of more profit' sub-criterion, with a final weight of 0.061, had the first priority among the sub-criteria. Conclusion: In conclusion, it can be acknowledged that in order to increase the speed of operations, it is better to have enough fire stations in different parts of the city, and at the same time, special routes for traffic in crowded city centers should be considered for fire engines. At the same time, it is necessary to use the latest equipment and technologies in the world regarding the fire extinguishing of high-rise buildings and make sufficient investments in this regard. At the same time, there should be sufficient supervision in the construction stages, including the design and use of fire-resistant materials. Fire safety, High-rise buildings, Speed of rescue operations, MCDM approach, Iran http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1053-en.html http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1053-en.pdf

Alborz University of Medical Sciences Journal of Environmental Health Engineering 2383-3211 2588-4239 11 4 2024 7 1 Investigating the bioaccumulation of lead, cadmium and nickel in Soil and Beta vulgaris and Daucus Carota in the agricultural fields of Shush City 443 455 FA Sadegh Zeheyrifar Department of Environment, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran N 0009-0001-9988-3741 Maryam Mohammadi Rozbahani Department of Environment, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran Mmohammadiroozbahani@yahoo.com Y 0000-0002-0684-9932 10.61186/jehe.11.4.443 Background: Pb, Cd and Ni are toxic metals that can have dangerous and irreparable effects on humans. This study was conducted aim of investigation amount of bioaccumulation of Pb, Cd and Ni in the soil, Beta vulgaris and Daucus Carota of Shush city. Materials and Methods: In this research of descriptive-sectional, 4 farms of Beta vulgaris and 4 farms of Daucus Carota were randomly selected in Shush city. 60 samples were prepared from each farms of Beta vulgaris and Daucus Carota, as well as 40 soil composite samples. Sampling was done in the winter of 2019 and spring of 2020. EPA 3050 method was used to digest soil samples and the amount of Pb, Cd and Ni in the samples measured by ICP Plasma. Results: Concentration of Cd, Pb and Ni of Beta vulgaris was 2.06, 35.87 and 96.68 mg Kg-1 and of the Daucus Carota was 1.72, 14.82 and 39.52 mg Kg-1, respectively. Concentration of Cd, Pb and Ni in the soil of Beta vulgaris and Daucus Carota farms were 2.9, 63.62 and 3150.65 mg Kg-1 and 14.4, 225.27 and 3348.82 mg Kg-1, respectively. The mean of concentration of heavy metals in Beta vulgaris and Daucus Carota and the soil of the two studied plants were significantly different (P<0.05). The highest bioaccumulation index in Beta vulgaris and Daucus Carota was related to Cd, 0.74 and 0.125 and the lowest was related to Ni, 0.30 and 0.012, respectively. Conclusion: The bioaccumulation coefficient of Pb, Cd and Ni in Beta vulgaris and Daucus Carota was calculated to be lower than 1. The concentration of Pb, Cd and Ni in the soil and Beta vulgaris and Daucus Carota was higher than the standard limit of the WHO and FAO (Pb and Cd was 0.3 and 0.2 mg/kg, respectively). Considering the high consumption of vegetables and the potential risks of heavy metal accumulation, regular monitoring of the supplied products is recommended. heavy metals, bioaccumulation, beetroot, carrot, agricultural fields of Shush http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1049-en.html http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1049-en.pdf

Alborz University of Medical Sciences Journal of Environmental Health Engineering 2383-3211 2588-4239 11 4 2024 7 1 Evaluation of Resilience Criteria to Deal with Post-Earthquake Fire in City of Tehran Using Network Analysis Process 456 471 FA Hossein Bahmani Department of Environmental Science, College of Basic Sciences and Modern Technologies, Electronic Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran N 0009-0001-0745-8183 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 Sahar Rezaian Department of the Environment, College of Engineering, Shahrood Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrood, Iran N 0000-0003-0014-8956 10.61186/jehe.11.4.456 Background: The experiences gained from the occurrence of earthquakes in different countries of the world show that this phenomenon can be accompanied by fire, and in this situation, the resulting crisis management problems will increase. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate resilience criteria to deal with post-earthquake fires in the city of Tehran using an analytic network process. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, three criteria including 'management and resource', 'design and financial support' and the 'function of urban infrastructure' and 21 sub-criteria were identified from similar studies and screened using the Delphi technique. Then the criteria and sub-criteria of each criterion were subjected to pairwise 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 from the Tehran Fire Protection Organization were selected in a non-probabilistic way to respond. Results: Based on the results obtained, the 'management and resource' criterion with a final weight of 0.475 had the first priority among the other criteria and also had the most effectiveness and highest level of influence and interaction. Meanwhile, the 'design of earthquake-resistant and fireproof buildings' sub-criterion with a final weight of 0.095 had the first priority among the others. Conclusion: In conclusion, it can be argued that the formation of the disaster management headquarters will be necessary for proper management and allocating required resources for predicting new situations after the earthquake and proposing the best solution for each possible scenario. Also, we can say that all of these strategies should be practiced by maneuvers and necessary equipment and resources should be provided in different parts of the city. But there is a point here that we should be careful in constructing new buildings in different areas with regarding to the latest map of Tehran faults. And in this field, using novel technologies to strengthen buildings against earthquakes would be necessary. Resilience, Fire, Earthquake, Network analysis, Dematel http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1054-en.html http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1054-en.pdf

Alborz University of Medical Sciences Journal of Environmental Health Engineering 2383-3211 2588-4239 11 4 2024 7 1 Review study of microplastics Health and environmental Effects 472 485 FA Aliakbar Dehghan Department of Environmental Health Engineering, alborz University of Medical Sciences, karaj, Iran N 0000-0002-2535-7458 Mohammad Darvishmotevalli Research Center for Health, Safety and Environment (RCHSE), Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran N 0000-0003-4587-517X Mostafa Karimaei Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Damghan School of Health, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran mostafakarimaee@gmail.com Y 0000-0002-1930-3162 10.61186/jehe.11.4.472 Background: Recently microplastics are environmentally concerned in the world. Basically, microplastics refer to any synthetic insoluble solid particles with an even or uneven shape and with a diameter equal to or less than 5 mm. The main concern about microplastics is the unknown possible effects and hazards they can have on ecosystems and human health, which several uncertainties are related to these effects. So microplastics can cause different adverse effects such as mental and reproductive problems, intestinal damage, immune and neurotoxicity disorders. Also, chemicals and microorganisms accompanying with microplastics could impose unpredictable effects on human health. Materials and Methods: The current study is a comprehensive review with an environmental and human health attitude. This study intended to recognize and highlight the importance, origin, mechanism and effects of microplastics on different tissues of the human body and different parts of the environment for interested students and researchers in this field by using the review of the studies carried out and published in the period of 2000 to 2024 and in the various database such as Google Scholar, Elsevier, Scopus, ResearchGate, PubMed, ProQuest, Science Direct and Springer. Results: Based on various studies, the average intake of microplastics in humans is estimated to be around 39,000 to 52,000 particles per year based on food consumption and microplastics with different colors and sizes from 800 nm to 5 mm have been detected in several human samples including lung, breast milk, liver, spleen, placenta, blood, sputum, large intestine, saliva, semen, urine and testis. Conclusion: Despite several research carried out about microplastics, significant data gaps still exist about microplastics which must be fulfilled with new innovative and scientific studies. The preventative measures that are currently carried out in order to reduce microplastics are not sufficient, and more remarkable and efficient actions must be taken to significantly reduce the level of microplastics in the world. : Microplastics, Health Effects, Toxicology, Environmental Pollution http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1072-en.html http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1072-en.pdf

Alborz University of Medical Sciences Journal of Environmental Health Engineering 2383-3211 2588-4239 11 4 2024 7 1 Investigating the impact of organizational safety measures on health and safety performance of organization with emphasis on the role of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations and safety culture in industries (Case study: TaghBist Steel Structures Company) 486 499 FA Elham Alidost M.Sc. in Health, Safety & Environment, Department of Environmental Science, College of Basic Sciences and Modern Technologies, Electronic Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. N 0009-0007-1948-3339 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 Sahar Rezaian Ph.D. in Environmental Management, Associate Professor in Environmental Management, Department of the Environment, College of Engineering, Shahrood Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrood, Iran N 0000-0003-0014-8956 10.61186/jehe.11.4.486 Background: Nowadays, safety is one of the most important organizational issues, and without it, industrial organizations can't operate. Health and safety performance is affected by various individual and managerial variables, the of which evaluation depends on the organization under investigation and could be influenced by the background variables of the organization. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the impact of organizational safety measures on organizational safety and health performance, emphasizing the moderator role of internal and external motivation and safety culture in TaghBist Company. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, 110 workers whom employees at TaghBist Company were selected. Also, the validity and reliability of the questionnaires were confirmed according to the methods described by Zhang et al. (2022), Brborović et al. (2022), Li et al. (2022), Buck (2011) and Fey (2005). Also, all statistical analyses of the obtained data were performed using SPSS and Smart PLS-3 software. Results: Based on the results obtained, 'extrinsic motivation', 'intrinsic motivation' and 'safety culture' did not have a moderating role on the relationship between the organization's safety measures and TaghBist organizational safety and health performance, but the organization's safety measures, 'intrinsic motivation' and 'safety culture' directly and positively affected on organizational health and safety performance in TaghBist Company. Also, the effect of 'extrinsic motivation' on organizational health and safety performance was not significant. Conclusion: In general, it can be acknowledged that in TaghBist Company, it is possible to directly improve the organizational health and safety performance through the organization's safety measures, intrinsic motivation and safety culture. Organizational safety measures, Intrinsic motivation, Extrinsic motivation, Safety culture, TaghBist Company http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1058-en.html http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1058-en.pdf