Background The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted gaps in health surveillance systems, disease prevent... more Background The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted gaps in health surveillance systems, disease prevention, and treatment globally. Among the many factors that might have led to these gaps is the issue of the financing of national health systems, especially in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), as well as a robust global system for pandemic preparedness. We aimed to provide a comparative assessment of global health spending at the onset of the pandemic; characterise the amount of development assistance for pandemic preparedness and response disbursed in the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic; and examine expectations for future health spending and put into context the expected need for investment in pandemic preparedness. Methods In this analysis of global health spending between 1990 and 2021, and prediction from 2021 to 2026, we estimated four sources of health spending: development assistance for health (DAH), government spending, out-ofpocket spending, and prepaid private spending across 204 countries and territories. We used the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)'s Creditor Reporting System (CRS) and the WHO Global Health Expenditure Database (GHED) to estimate spending. We estimated development assistance for general health, COVID-19 response, and pandemic preparedness and response using a keyword search. Health spending estimates were combined with estimates of resources needed for pandemic prevention and preparedness to analyse future health spending patterns, relative to need. Findings In 2019, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, US$9•2 trillion (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 9•1-9•3) was spent on health worldwide. We found great disparities in the amount of resources devoted to health, with high-income countries spending $7•3 trillion (95% UI 7•2-7•4) in 2019; 293•7 times the $24•8 billion (95% UI 24•3-25•3) spent by low-income countries in 2019. That same year, $43•1 billion in development assistance was provided to maintain or improve health. The pandemic led to an unprecedented increase in development assistance targeted towards health; in 2020 and 2021, $1•8 billion in DAH contributions was provided towards pandemic preparedness in LMICs, and $37•8 billion was provided for the health-related COVID-19 response. Although the support for pandemic preparedness is 12•2% of the recommended target by the High-Level Independent Panel (HLIP), the support provided for the healthrelated COVID-19 response is 252•2% of the recommended target. Additionally, projected spending estimates suggest that between 2022 and 2026, governments in 17 (95% UI 11-21) of the 137 LMICs will observe an increase in national government health spending equivalent to an addition of 1% of GDP, as recommended by the HLIP. Interpretation There was an unprecedented scale-up in DAH in 2020 and 2021. We have a unique opportunity at this time to sustain funding for crucial global health functions, including pandemic preparedness. However, historical patterns of underfunding of pandemic preparedness suggest that deliberate effort must be made to ensure funding is maintained.
Background Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable ri... more Background Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. Methods The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk-outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. Findings Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4•45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4•01-4•94) deaths and 105 million (95•0-116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44•4% (41•3-48•4) of all cancer deaths and 42•0% (39•1-45•6) of all DALYs. There were 2•88 million (2•60-3•18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50•6% [47•8-54•1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1•58 million (1•36-1•84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36•3% [32•5-41•3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20•4% (12•6-28•4) and DALYs by 16•8% (8•8-25•0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34•7% [27•9-42•8] and 33•3% [25•8-42•0]). Interpretation The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Background The global burden of lower respiratory infections (LRIs) and corresponding risk factor... more Background The global burden of lower respiratory infections (LRIs) and corresponding risk factors in children older than 5 years and adults has not been studied as comprehensively as it has been in children younger than 5 years. We assessed the burden and trends of LRIs and risk factors across all age groups by sex, for 204 countries and territories. Methods In this analysis of data for the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, we used clinician-diagnosed pneumonia or bronchiolitis as our case definition for LRIs. We included International Classification of Diseases 9th edition codes 079.6, 466–469, 470.0, 480–482.8, 483.0–483.9, 484.1–484.2, 484.6–484.7, and 487–489 and International Classification of Diseases 10th edition codes A48.1, A70, B97.4–B97.6, J09–J15.8, J16–J16.9, J20–J21.9, J91.0, P23.0–P23.4, and U04–U04.9. We used the Cause of Death Ensemble modelling strategy to analyse 23 109 site-years of vital registration data, 825 site-years of sample vital registration data, 1766 site-years of verbal autopsy data, and 681 site-years of mortality surveillance data. We used DisMod-MR 2.1, a Bayesian meta-regression tool, to analyse age–sex-specific incidence and prevalence data identified via systematic reviews of the literature, population-based survey data, and claims and inpatient data. Additionally, we estimated age–sex-specific LRI mortality that is attributable to the independent effects of 14 risk factors. Findings Globally, in 2019, we estimated that there were 257 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 240–275) LRI incident episodes in males and 232 million (217–248) in females. In the same year, LRIs accounted for 1·30 million (95% UI 1·18–1·42) male deaths and 1·20 million (1·07–1·33) female deaths. Age-standardised incidence and mortality rates were 1·17 times (95% UI 1·16–1·18) and 1·31 times (95% UI 1·23–1·41) greater in males than in females in 2019. Between 1990 and 2019, LRI incidence and mortality rates declined at different rates across age groups and an increase in LRI episodes and deaths was estimated among all adult age groups, with males aged 70 years and older having the highest increase in LRI episodes (126·0% [95% UI 121·4–131·1]) and deaths (100·0% [83·4–115·9]). During the same period, LRI episodes and deaths in children younger than 15 years were estimated to have decreased, and the greatest decline was observed for LRI deaths in males younger than 5 years (–70·7% [–77·2 to –61·8]). The leading risk factors for LRI mortality varied across age groups and sex. More than half of global LRI deaths in children younger than 5 years were attributable to child wasting (population attributable fraction [PAF] 53·0% [95% UI 37·7–61·8] in males and 56·4% [40·7–65·1] in females), and more than a quarter of LRI deaths among those aged 5–14 years were attributable to household air pollution (PAF 26·0% [95% UI 16·6–35·5] for males and PAF 25·8% [16·3–35·4] for females). PAFs of male LRI deaths attributed to smoking were 20·4% (95% UI 15·4–25·2) in those aged 15–49 years, 30·5% (24·1–36·9) in those aged 50–69 years, and 21·9% (16·8–27·3) in those aged 70 years and older. PAFs of female LRI deaths attributed to household air pollution were 21·1% (95% UI 14·5–27·9) in those aged 15–49 years and 18·2% (12·5–24·5) in those aged 50–69 years. For females aged 70 years and older, the leading risk factor, ambient particulate matter, was responsible for 11·7% (95% UI 8·2–15·8) of LRI deaths. Interpretation The patterns and progress in reducing the burden of LRIs and key risk factors for mortality varied across age groups and sexes. The progress seen in children younger than 5 years was clearly a result of targeted interventions, such as vaccination and reduction of exposure to risk factors. Similar interventions for other age groups could contribute to the achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals targets, including promoting wellbeing at all ages and reducing health inequalities. Interventions, including addressing risk factors such as child wasting, smoking, ambient particulate matter pollution, and household air pollution, would prevent deaths and reduce health disparities.
Lifestyle is different in arid and semi-arid zones. However, where people are born and live have ... more Lifestyle is different in arid and semi-arid zones. However, where people are born and live have a lasting influence on their social and environmental exposure. This review focuses on the, various dimensions of environmental health imbalance inequality especially in significant environmental sources such as (ie, air, water, soil) among provinces that creates a big health gap in the center, East and the Southeast of Iran. Thus, the population of the arid and semi-arid zones of Iran is facing respiratory, cardiovascular, cancer and infection diseases linked to environmental problems such as chemical and microbial pollution due to air pollution and unsafe water sources, respectively. The prevalence of certain types of cancer such as skin, stomach, bladder, prostate and colorectal cancer together with some respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in arid and semiarid zones such as Kerman, Yazd, etc., has been reported in comparison with other provinces frequently. These impacts have effe...
The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of the using UV irradiation on Graphene ... more The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of the using UV irradiation on Graphene oxide (UV/GO) for the degradation of total organic carbon (TOC) from water. The experiments were carried out with various experimental conditions such as pH (3, 5 and 9), dosage of Graphene Oxide (GO)(0.2,0.4,0.6 and 0.8 g/L-1), concentration of Humic acid (HA)(0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 3 g/L), irradiation time (15, 30, 45 and 60 min) and UV intensity (4W and 8W) and optimized for the maximum removal of HA. The equilibrium adsorption data and the model parameters were evaluated. Based on the experimental data obtained in a lab-scale batch study, the theoretical efficiency of HA removal, under the optimum oxidation conditions (pH: 3, irradiation time: 45 min, catalyst dosage: 0.4g/L-1, UV: 8W and initial HA concentration: 3 g/L-1) was 71%. The isotherm study indicates that adsorption data fit well with the Langmuir model and Pseudo second-order kinetics. This study clearly indicated that GO/UV p...
Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, 2019
Background and purpose: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a toxic environmental pollutant that is released fro... more Background and purpose: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a toxic environmental pollutant that is released from different industries. The aim of this study was to investigate bisphenol A adsorption by activated carbon production from almond shell applying response surface methodology (RSM). Materials and methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, activated carbon production from almond shell was used as adsorbent which was prepared using standard methods. The variables were pH, initial concentration of BPA, and adsorbent dose. RSM was applied to optimize pH, initial concentration of BPA and adsorbent dose. Results: The adsorption efficiency increased (by 84%) in high dose adsorbent (1.5 g), BPA concentration ≤60mg/l, and pH 3. ANOVA test showed that the surface response model had a significant linear relationship in the case of activated carbon. Conclusion: Activated carbon produced from almond shell, as a low cost adsorbent, could significantly adsorb bisphenol A in aquatic environments.
Water scarcity is a critical issue in Caspian Sea regions of Iran. Thus, people may use polluted ... more Water scarcity is a critical issue in Caspian Sea regions of Iran. Thus, people may use polluted water or saline brackish groundwater, estuarine water or seawater. This paper deals with the application of Low-Pressure reverse osmosis (RO) for removing salt and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) in synthetic and Caspian Sea waters. The study aims to achieve optimization at different pressures (30, 50, 70, and 90 PSI) with synthetic seawater at initial salt concentrations (5, 25, and 35 g/L TDS) at various retention time intervals (15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes). The results showed that the low-pressure RO system was able to reject 95 %, 57 %, and 46 % of 5, 25, and 35 g/L of TDS from synthetic seawater. In addition, rejection efficiency was achieved at 86 % and 78 % for Caspian seawater and Tajan River, respectively. In addition, optimal conditions (pressure: 70 PSI, time: 120 min) for salt rejection included 16-23 %, 93-94, 52-56 %, 88-90, and 22 % for 35g/L TDS, Tajan River, 5g/L TDS,...
Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, 2018
Environmental health inequalities (EHIs) refer to general differences in environmental health con... more Environmental health inequalities (EHIs) refer to general differences in environmental health conditions. This research aimed at introducing the EHI indicators and providing general recommendations that could improve environmental health and reduce the inequalities observed.This research is the review of WHO reports in various regions. A set of 14 EHI indicators was developed and categorized into three inequality dimensions, including housing-related inequalities, group injury-related inequalities, and environment-related inequalities. The environment-related inequalities include four indicators such as lack of access to green/recreational areas, and noise exposure and second-hand smoke exposure at home or work. The housing-related inequalities include six indicators such as inadequate water supply, lack of a flush toilet, lack of a bath or shower, overcrowding, dampness in home, and inability to keep the home adequately warm. According to literature, EHIs exist in all countries, an...
Environmental Health Engineering and Management, 2019
Background: Constructed wetlands are systems designed based on the utilization of natural process... more Background: Constructed wetlands are systems designed based on the utilization of natural processes, including vegetation, soil, and their associated microbial assemblage to assist in treating different types of wastewater. Methods: Two local Appalachian plants (Louis latifolia and Phragmites australis) were planted into smallscale constructed wetlands to treat domestic wastewater in the North of Iran. The influent wastewater and the effluent from each wetland were sampled daily for 120 days. Experiments were conducted based on the mean ± standard deviation (SD) by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: It was found that nitrate, phosphate, fecal and total coliforms were reduced by 84.4%, 94.4%, 96.3%, 93.9% for P. australis and 73.3%, 64.0%, 94.4%, 92.1% for L. latifolia, respectively. Conclusion: According to the results, by using the HF-CW technology with L. latifolia and P. australis plants, the treated wastewater fully meets the wastewater discharge parameters of WHO standards.
Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy, 2019
The Caspian Sea is one of the largest water sources located in the north of Iran; so this researc... more The Caspian Sea is one of the largest water sources located in the north of Iran; so this research was carried out to investigate the new design of microbial desalination cell (MDC) (double layer) efficiency in water desalination and power generation of the enormous saline water source in the north of Iran. Actual (i.e., Caspian Sea) and artificial seawater with different initial salt concentrations (5, 25, and 35 g/L NaCl) and, different hydraulic retention times (24, 48, and 72 h) in batch and open circuit voltage (OCV) mode were examined. In addition, the oxidation and reduction processes during desalination of each stage were monitored at 10 min intervals for 60 min. According to the obtained experimental data, both the desalination efficiency and the power generation decreased from 65 ± 1% to 41 ± 1% and 80 ± 4.5 mW/cm2 to 51.20 ± 2.5 mW/cm2 by increasing the retention time from 24 to 72 h for Caspian Sea water and 5 g/L NaCl, respectively. Maximum and minimum desalination effi...
Background The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted gaps in health surveillance systems, disease prevent... more Background The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted gaps in health surveillance systems, disease prevention, and treatment globally. Among the many factors that might have led to these gaps is the issue of the financing of national health systems, especially in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), as well as a robust global system for pandemic preparedness. We aimed to provide a comparative assessment of global health spending at the onset of the pandemic; characterise the amount of development assistance for pandemic preparedness and response disbursed in the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic; and examine expectations for future health spending and put into context the expected need for investment in pandemic preparedness. Methods In this analysis of global health spending between 1990 and 2021, and prediction from 2021 to 2026, we estimated four sources of health spending: development assistance for health (DAH), government spending, out-ofpocket spending, and prepaid private spending across 204 countries and territories. We used the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)'s Creditor Reporting System (CRS) and the WHO Global Health Expenditure Database (GHED) to estimate spending. We estimated development assistance for general health, COVID-19 response, and pandemic preparedness and response using a keyword search. Health spending estimates were combined with estimates of resources needed for pandemic prevention and preparedness to analyse future health spending patterns, relative to need. Findings In 2019, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, US$9•2 trillion (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 9•1-9•3) was spent on health worldwide. We found great disparities in the amount of resources devoted to health, with high-income countries spending $7•3 trillion (95% UI 7•2-7•4) in 2019; 293•7 times the $24•8 billion (95% UI 24•3-25•3) spent by low-income countries in 2019. That same year, $43•1 billion in development assistance was provided to maintain or improve health. The pandemic led to an unprecedented increase in development assistance targeted towards health; in 2020 and 2021, $1•8 billion in DAH contributions was provided towards pandemic preparedness in LMICs, and $37•8 billion was provided for the health-related COVID-19 response. Although the support for pandemic preparedness is 12•2% of the recommended target by the High-Level Independent Panel (HLIP), the support provided for the healthrelated COVID-19 response is 252•2% of the recommended target. Additionally, projected spending estimates suggest that between 2022 and 2026, governments in 17 (95% UI 11-21) of the 137 LMICs will observe an increase in national government health spending equivalent to an addition of 1% of GDP, as recommended by the HLIP. Interpretation There was an unprecedented scale-up in DAH in 2020 and 2021. We have a unique opportunity at this time to sustain funding for crucial global health functions, including pandemic preparedness. However, historical patterns of underfunding of pandemic preparedness suggest that deliberate effort must be made to ensure funding is maintained.
Background Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable ri... more Background Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. Methods The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk-outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. Findings Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4•45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4•01-4•94) deaths and 105 million (95•0-116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44•4% (41•3-48•4) of all cancer deaths and 42•0% (39•1-45•6) of all DALYs. There were 2•88 million (2•60-3•18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50•6% [47•8-54•1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1•58 million (1•36-1•84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36•3% [32•5-41•3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20•4% (12•6-28•4) and DALYs by 16•8% (8•8-25•0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34•7% [27•9-42•8] and 33•3% [25•8-42•0]). Interpretation The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Background The global burden of lower respiratory infections (LRIs) and corresponding risk factor... more Background The global burden of lower respiratory infections (LRIs) and corresponding risk factors in children older than 5 years and adults has not been studied as comprehensively as it has been in children younger than 5 years. We assessed the burden and trends of LRIs and risk factors across all age groups by sex, for 204 countries and territories. Methods In this analysis of data for the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, we used clinician-diagnosed pneumonia or bronchiolitis as our case definition for LRIs. We included International Classification of Diseases 9th edition codes 079.6, 466–469, 470.0, 480–482.8, 483.0–483.9, 484.1–484.2, 484.6–484.7, and 487–489 and International Classification of Diseases 10th edition codes A48.1, A70, B97.4–B97.6, J09–J15.8, J16–J16.9, J20–J21.9, J91.0, P23.0–P23.4, and U04–U04.9. We used the Cause of Death Ensemble modelling strategy to analyse 23 109 site-years of vital registration data, 825 site-years of sample vital registration data, 1766 site-years of verbal autopsy data, and 681 site-years of mortality surveillance data. We used DisMod-MR 2.1, a Bayesian meta-regression tool, to analyse age–sex-specific incidence and prevalence data identified via systematic reviews of the literature, population-based survey data, and claims and inpatient data. Additionally, we estimated age–sex-specific LRI mortality that is attributable to the independent effects of 14 risk factors. Findings Globally, in 2019, we estimated that there were 257 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 240–275) LRI incident episodes in males and 232 million (217–248) in females. In the same year, LRIs accounted for 1·30 million (95% UI 1·18–1·42) male deaths and 1·20 million (1·07–1·33) female deaths. Age-standardised incidence and mortality rates were 1·17 times (95% UI 1·16–1·18) and 1·31 times (95% UI 1·23–1·41) greater in males than in females in 2019. Between 1990 and 2019, LRI incidence and mortality rates declined at different rates across age groups and an increase in LRI episodes and deaths was estimated among all adult age groups, with males aged 70 years and older having the highest increase in LRI episodes (126·0% [95% UI 121·4–131·1]) and deaths (100·0% [83·4–115·9]). During the same period, LRI episodes and deaths in children younger than 15 years were estimated to have decreased, and the greatest decline was observed for LRI deaths in males younger than 5 years (–70·7% [–77·2 to –61·8]). The leading risk factors for LRI mortality varied across age groups and sex. More than half of global LRI deaths in children younger than 5 years were attributable to child wasting (population attributable fraction [PAF] 53·0% [95% UI 37·7–61·8] in males and 56·4% [40·7–65·1] in females), and more than a quarter of LRI deaths among those aged 5–14 years were attributable to household air pollution (PAF 26·0% [95% UI 16·6–35·5] for males and PAF 25·8% [16·3–35·4] for females). PAFs of male LRI deaths attributed to smoking were 20·4% (95% UI 15·4–25·2) in those aged 15–49 years, 30·5% (24·1–36·9) in those aged 50–69 years, and 21·9% (16·8–27·3) in those aged 70 years and older. PAFs of female LRI deaths attributed to household air pollution were 21·1% (95% UI 14·5–27·9) in those aged 15–49 years and 18·2% (12·5–24·5) in those aged 50–69 years. For females aged 70 years and older, the leading risk factor, ambient particulate matter, was responsible for 11·7% (95% UI 8·2–15·8) of LRI deaths. Interpretation The patterns and progress in reducing the burden of LRIs and key risk factors for mortality varied across age groups and sexes. The progress seen in children younger than 5 years was clearly a result of targeted interventions, such as vaccination and reduction of exposure to risk factors. Similar interventions for other age groups could contribute to the achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals targets, including promoting wellbeing at all ages and reducing health inequalities. Interventions, including addressing risk factors such as child wasting, smoking, ambient particulate matter pollution, and household air pollution, would prevent deaths and reduce health disparities.
Lifestyle is different in arid and semi-arid zones. However, where people are born and live have ... more Lifestyle is different in arid and semi-arid zones. However, where people are born and live have a lasting influence on their social and environmental exposure. This review focuses on the, various dimensions of environmental health imbalance inequality especially in significant environmental sources such as (ie, air, water, soil) among provinces that creates a big health gap in the center, East and the Southeast of Iran. Thus, the population of the arid and semi-arid zones of Iran is facing respiratory, cardiovascular, cancer and infection diseases linked to environmental problems such as chemical and microbial pollution due to air pollution and unsafe water sources, respectively. The prevalence of certain types of cancer such as skin, stomach, bladder, prostate and colorectal cancer together with some respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in arid and semiarid zones such as Kerman, Yazd, etc., has been reported in comparison with other provinces frequently. These impacts have effe...
The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of the using UV irradiation on Graphene ... more The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of the using UV irradiation on Graphene oxide (UV/GO) for the degradation of total organic carbon (TOC) from water. The experiments were carried out with various experimental conditions such as pH (3, 5 and 9), dosage of Graphene Oxide (GO)(0.2,0.4,0.6 and 0.8 g/L-1), concentration of Humic acid (HA)(0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 3 g/L), irradiation time (15, 30, 45 and 60 min) and UV intensity (4W and 8W) and optimized for the maximum removal of HA. The equilibrium adsorption data and the model parameters were evaluated. Based on the experimental data obtained in a lab-scale batch study, the theoretical efficiency of HA removal, under the optimum oxidation conditions (pH: 3, irradiation time: 45 min, catalyst dosage: 0.4g/L-1, UV: 8W and initial HA concentration: 3 g/L-1) was 71%. The isotherm study indicates that adsorption data fit well with the Langmuir model and Pseudo second-order kinetics. This study clearly indicated that GO/UV p...
Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, 2019
Background and purpose: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a toxic environmental pollutant that is released fro... more Background and purpose: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a toxic environmental pollutant that is released from different industries. The aim of this study was to investigate bisphenol A adsorption by activated carbon production from almond shell applying response surface methodology (RSM). Materials and methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, activated carbon production from almond shell was used as adsorbent which was prepared using standard methods. The variables were pH, initial concentration of BPA, and adsorbent dose. RSM was applied to optimize pH, initial concentration of BPA and adsorbent dose. Results: The adsorption efficiency increased (by 84%) in high dose adsorbent (1.5 g), BPA concentration ≤60mg/l, and pH 3. ANOVA test showed that the surface response model had a significant linear relationship in the case of activated carbon. Conclusion: Activated carbon produced from almond shell, as a low cost adsorbent, could significantly adsorb bisphenol A in aquatic environments.
Water scarcity is a critical issue in Caspian Sea regions of Iran. Thus, people may use polluted ... more Water scarcity is a critical issue in Caspian Sea regions of Iran. Thus, people may use polluted water or saline brackish groundwater, estuarine water or seawater. This paper deals with the application of Low-Pressure reverse osmosis (RO) for removing salt and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) in synthetic and Caspian Sea waters. The study aims to achieve optimization at different pressures (30, 50, 70, and 90 PSI) with synthetic seawater at initial salt concentrations (5, 25, and 35 g/L TDS) at various retention time intervals (15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes). The results showed that the low-pressure RO system was able to reject 95 %, 57 %, and 46 % of 5, 25, and 35 g/L of TDS from synthetic seawater. In addition, rejection efficiency was achieved at 86 % and 78 % for Caspian seawater and Tajan River, respectively. In addition, optimal conditions (pressure: 70 PSI, time: 120 min) for salt rejection included 16-23 %, 93-94, 52-56 %, 88-90, and 22 % for 35g/L TDS, Tajan River, 5g/L TDS,...
Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, 2018
Environmental health inequalities (EHIs) refer to general differences in environmental health con... more Environmental health inequalities (EHIs) refer to general differences in environmental health conditions. This research aimed at introducing the EHI indicators and providing general recommendations that could improve environmental health and reduce the inequalities observed.This research is the review of WHO reports in various regions. A set of 14 EHI indicators was developed and categorized into three inequality dimensions, including housing-related inequalities, group injury-related inequalities, and environment-related inequalities. The environment-related inequalities include four indicators such as lack of access to green/recreational areas, and noise exposure and second-hand smoke exposure at home or work. The housing-related inequalities include six indicators such as inadequate water supply, lack of a flush toilet, lack of a bath or shower, overcrowding, dampness in home, and inability to keep the home adequately warm. According to literature, EHIs exist in all countries, an...
Environmental Health Engineering and Management, 2019
Background: Constructed wetlands are systems designed based on the utilization of natural process... more Background: Constructed wetlands are systems designed based on the utilization of natural processes, including vegetation, soil, and their associated microbial assemblage to assist in treating different types of wastewater. Methods: Two local Appalachian plants (Louis latifolia and Phragmites australis) were planted into smallscale constructed wetlands to treat domestic wastewater in the North of Iran. The influent wastewater and the effluent from each wetland were sampled daily for 120 days. Experiments were conducted based on the mean ± standard deviation (SD) by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: It was found that nitrate, phosphate, fecal and total coliforms were reduced by 84.4%, 94.4%, 96.3%, 93.9% for P. australis and 73.3%, 64.0%, 94.4%, 92.1% for L. latifolia, respectively. Conclusion: According to the results, by using the HF-CW technology with L. latifolia and P. australis plants, the treated wastewater fully meets the wastewater discharge parameters of WHO standards.
Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy, 2019
The Caspian Sea is one of the largest water sources located in the north of Iran; so this researc... more The Caspian Sea is one of the largest water sources located in the north of Iran; so this research was carried out to investigate the new design of microbial desalination cell (MDC) (double layer) efficiency in water desalination and power generation of the enormous saline water source in the north of Iran. Actual (i.e., Caspian Sea) and artificial seawater with different initial salt concentrations (5, 25, and 35 g/L NaCl) and, different hydraulic retention times (24, 48, and 72 h) in batch and open circuit voltage (OCV) mode were examined. In addition, the oxidation and reduction processes during desalination of each stage were monitored at 10 min intervals for 60 min. According to the obtained experimental data, both the desalination efficiency and the power generation decreased from 65 ± 1% to 41 ± 1% and 80 ± 4.5 mW/cm2 to 51.20 ± 2.5 mW/cm2 by increasing the retention time from 24 to 72 h for Caspian Sea water and 5 g/L NaCl, respectively. Maximum and minimum desalination effi...
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Papers by Laleh kalankesh