Hassan Hashemi; Ehsan Gharehchahi; Mohammad Golaki; Amin Mohammadpour; Zohre Moeini
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral infection caused by SARS-CoV-2, first recognized in China and quickly became a global pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has been found to have positive and negative environmental impacts. Air, wastewater, and solid waste are some examples that show this pandemic’s ...
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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral infection caused by SARS-CoV-2, first recognized in China and quickly became a global pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has been found to have positive and negative environmental impacts. Air, wastewater, and solid waste are some examples that show this pandemic’s consequences. The current review summarizes the interactions between the COVID-19 pandemic with air, water, wastewater, and solid waste. During the COVID-19 outbreak, air pollution, ambient noise, fuel, and energy consumption, have been reduced. On the other hand, air pollution has been shown to increase the risk of COVID-19; thus, there is a positive correlation between air pollution and the number of COVID- 19 cases. Moreover, the researchers have detected the SARSCOV- 2 in feces and wastewater. Therefore, exposure to SARSCoV- 2 is possible by utilizing untreated effluent and wastewater in irrigation or aerosol generation during specific wastewater treatment processes. Furthermore, monitoring SARS-CoV-2 in the wastewater allows us to detect the virus before it spreads in the community take the necessary measures, and implement effective policies. Changes in the composition and quantity of municipal solid waste (MSW) are typical results of the COVID-19 pandemic, as plastic waste generation has increased globally due to the higher use of disposable single-use plastic bags and packaging. Mixing infectious virus-infected waste with domestic waste has led to the terminus of waste recycling in many parts of the world due to its hazardous potential. Developing effective strategies based on the sustainable development approach may reduce the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and similar outbreaks in the future.
Reza Moghadam; Seyed Ali Jozi; Rokhshad Hejazi; Mojgan Zaeimdar; Saeed Malmasi
Abstract
Background: Cities, as population centers, face increasingly diverse environmental problems. Hence, there is an urgent need for a healthy environment by eliminating the emission of various life-threatening air pollutants with different origins. The present study aimed to determine the air pollution zones ...
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Background: Cities, as population centers, face increasingly diverse environmental problems. Hence, there is an urgent need for a healthy environment by eliminating the emission of various life-threatening air pollutants with different origins. The present study aimed to determine the air pollution zones using the AERMOD model and provide a strategic management plan to reduce air pollution in District 2 of Tehran, Iran. Methods: In this study, the air pollutant dispersion was evaluated by the AERMOD model exploiting spatial analysis (interpolation) and field measurements. The samples were collected from 32 places in the North, South, Central, East and West of District 2 of Tehran. Air quality indices, including ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide were analyzed in the experiments. Zoning and mapping of dispersion maps and spatial analysis were performed by ArcGIS.10 software using inverse distance weighted interpolation methods in the study area. Results: According to the results, the highest concentrations of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and carbon monoxide pollutants were related to stations 28, 26, 15 and 15 with values of 10.9, 54.6, 32.8, and 31.9 ppb, corresponding to the southern, eastern, southern, and southwestern regions in Sharif, Punak, and Kuy-e Nasr neighborhoods, respectively. Conclusion: Based on the statistical tests of correlation coefficient, normalized mean error, and normalized mean bias, all the calculated results confirmed the accuracy of constructed model and that the modeling would not have sufficient accuracy and performance without the implementation of AERMAP
Alireza Abbasi; Saeed Yosefinejad; Shima Bahrami; Mohamad Hoseini
Abstract
Introduction: Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, tasteless, colorless, and nonirritating poisonous gas, recognized as the silent killer for the 21st century. It is produced during partial combustion of carbon-containing compounds. Improper ventilation and flue installation of vented gas space heaters ...
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Introduction: Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, tasteless, colorless, and nonirritating poisonous gas, recognized as the silent killer for the 21st century. It is produced during partial combustion of carbon-containing compounds. Improper ventilation and flue installation of vented gas space heaters cause carbon monoxide gas to penetrate the building, leading to many deaths annually. The catalytic oxidation of CO has received great attention due to its applications in different fields. In this study, alumina foam coated by CuMnOx catalyst was used to remove CO from the vented gas space heaters. Method: This is a full-scale experimental study on the outflow from vented gas space heaters. Alumina foam supported hopcalite (CuMnOx) catalyst was synthesized using a co-precipitation method for CO oxidation from THE vented gas space heaters. The XRD and SEM were used to characterize the synthesized catalyst. The concentration of CO was measured by IMR 1500 combustion gas analyzer. Result: The particle size of the catalyst was in the range of 200-600 nm. XRD showed different crystallizations, and the crystal size was in the range of 20 -120 nm. There was no significant CO removal in the case of using uncoated alumina foam. Results showed CuMnOx catalyst significantly increased the CO removal. The removal efficiencies were 83% and 89% in heating powers of 2300 and 3200 kcal/hr, respectively. The average CO conversation rate was approximately 60.45 µg/gr.min. Conclusion: CuMnOx coated on alumina has a significant effect on CO removal from the vented gas space heaters. The catalyst and outlet gas temperature were the most important factors affecting CO removal.
Abdorreza Zarei; Mehdi Jahangiri; Alireza Koohpaei; Ahmad Zolfaghari; Abolfazl Barkhordari; Morteza Mortezavi Mehrizi
Abstract
Background: Crystalline silica is one of the compounds used in different industries. One of the industries in which this compound is used is the tile industry that can cause disabling lung disease. The purpose of this study was to reduce and eliminate workplace air pollutants by Local Exhaust Ventilation ...
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Background: Crystalline silica is one of the compounds used in different industries. One of the industries in which this compound is used is the tile industry that can cause disabling lung disease. The purpose of this study was to reduce and eliminate workplace air pollutants by Local Exhaust Ventilation system (LEVs). Methods: In this interventional-practical study, designing LEVs is accomplished according to the velocity pressure method balanced system design of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) and is performed in spray dryer hall in a tile factory. The studied population consisted of 22 workers selected randomly. After implementation, the LEVs efficiency was evaluated, both in terms of occupational health and fluid mechanics. In order to evaluate the system from the point of view of occupational health, the measurement of Crystalline silica, inhalable and total dust was done before and after installation of LEVs by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 7601, 0600 and open face methods, respectively; also, to evaluate the system as to fluid mechanics, we measured the velocity and flow rate in some hoods and ducts. Results: Results showed that the obtained mean values of total, inhalable and silica dust after installation of LEVs had a statistically significant difference before the use of LEVs (p<0.05); also, the efficiency of removing the mentioned pollutants was 66, 94 and 96%, respectively. Conclusion: The performance of the ventilation system was in accordance with the values obtained in the design.
