Carbon load in airway macrophages, DNA damage and lung function in taxi drivers exposed to traffic-related air pollution.

To evaluate the potential applicability of carbon load in airway macrophages as a marker of exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) and its association with parameters of comet assay as a marker of DNA damage, and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in the group of taxi drivers in Iran. One hundred four male taxi drivers with at least 1-year job history were randomly selected from registered drivers in the taxi union. Airway macrophages were obtained via sputum induction, and then the area of airway macrophages occupied by carbon was measured.

Environmental extreme temperature and daily preterm birth in Sabzevar, Iran: a time-series analysis.

Objectives: Most of the studies on the effect of heat stress on preterm birth (PTB) are conducted in temperate climates. Evidence on this effect in hot and arid countries with low and middle income is limited. This paper describes the short-term effect of exposure to the hot and cold environment on a daily number of PTB in Iran.

Assessment of contrast perception of obstacles in a tunnel entrance.

The purpose of this study was to assess the contrast perception of obstacles in a tunnel entrance which was placed in Ilam Province, Iran. An obstacle with the reflection coefficient of 20% was mounted at the entrance of thetunnel and then, the car was placed near the tunnel entrance and the intrinsic luminance of the road (L) and obstacle (L) were measured inside the car using the luminance meter. Intrinsic luminance of obstacle and road at the entrance of the tunnel were measured as 41 and 17 cd/m, respectively.

Occupational exposure to particulate matters and telomere length.

Little is known about the possible association between occupational exposure to mineral particulate matters and change in leukocyte telomere length (LTL) as a hallmark of aging. The present study studied the relationship between occupational exposures to mineral dust and LTL in the exposed group of workers and compared to non-exposed workers. One hundred and ten male workers (80 exposed and 30 non-exposed) from different units of a ceramic factory were recruited in the study.

Mortality and morbidity due to exposure to ambient particulate matter.

The aim of this study was to investigate spatial variation and health risk of the exposure to PM (particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 µm or less) and PM (particulate matter with a diameter of 10 µm or less) in Sabzevar, Iran. PM and PM were measured during three campaigns from April to November 2017, in 26 sampling points.

Scientometric Study on Non-communicable Diseases in Iran: A Review Article.

Background: Non-Communicable disease (NCDs) is a killer of people that needs to urgent actions across the world. Scientific evidence is the critical arm for effective interventions. Therefore, we aimed to quantify the trend of four main NCDs' scientific publication in a 17-yr period, and reflect international collaboration.

Correction to: Environmental Noise Exposure and Neurodevelopmental and Mental Health Problems in Children: a Systematic Review.

The first author's name should should be "Fariba Zare Sakhvidi".

Environmental Noise Exposure and Neurodevelopmental and Mental Health Problems in Children: a Systematic Review.

Purpose Of Review: We systematically summarized and evaluated evidence on association between traffic noise exposure and indicators of neurodevelopmental and mental health problems.

Recent Findings: Twelve studies on 10 unique populations were reviewed. Different outcomes, mostly measured by the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and its subscales, were reported.

Association between noise exposure and diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The prevalence of diabetes is on rise worldwide and environmental factors are being increasingly recognized to be involved in this rise. An emerging body of evidence has evaluated the impact of long-term exposure to noise on diabetes mellitus, highlighting the need to synthesize this evidence.

Objectives: To systematically review and conduct meta-analysis of the available evidence on the association between long-term exposure to transport and occupational noise exposure and diabetes mellitus.

Using Work Ability Index and work-related stress to evaluate the physical and mental fitness of Iranian telecom tower climbers.

Background: Working at height has always been considered as one of the most dangerous industrial activities. Workers' fitness including their physical and psychological ability plays a key role in prevention of occupational accidents. This research was conducted to investigate the physical and mental fitness of telecommunication tower climbers as well as their job stress.

Relationship between serum levels of oxidative stress and metabolic syndrome components.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) with number of metabolic syndrome (Mets) components on the personnel working in Shahroud University of Medical Sciences.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 167 personnel aged 30-60 years old. ATP III criteria were used to diagnose patients with MetS.

Occupational health risk assessment of volatile organic compounds emitted from the coke production unit of a steel plant.

In this study, cancer and non-cancer risks of exposure to volatile organic compounds in the coke production unit of a steel plant were evaluated. To determine individual exposure to benzene, toluene, xylene and ethylbenzene, personal samples were taken from the breathing zone of workers according to National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) method 1501. Cancer and non-cancer risk assessment was performed, using US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) methods.

Pattern of some risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and liver enzymes among Iranian seafarers.

Little information is available on the trend in cardiovascular risk factors and hepatic enzymes in Iranian seafarers. The present study aimed at assessing the pattern of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, elevated serum glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) in Iranian seafarers during 2010 to 2014. Data on cardiovascular risk factors and hepatic enzymes were extracted from seafarers' annual health examination of National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) of 2010, 2012, and 2014.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with biomass fuel use in women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major and growing cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The global prevalence of COPD is growing faster in women than in men. Women are often exposed to indoor pollutants produced by biomass fuels burning during household activities.

A qualitative study on physical health threatening factors of Iranian seafarers working on ocean going tankers.

Background: Seafaring is a highly physically demanding profession in a risky environment due to exposure to unique job health related risk factors. The purpose of the study is to describe physical health threatening factors of Iranian seafarers working on tankers.

Materials And Methods: A qualitative content analysis with inductive approach was performed on 17 Iranian male seafarers in 2016.

Knowledge and perceptions of health and environmental risks related to artisanal gold mining by the artisanal miners in Burkina Faso: a cross-sectional survey.

Introduction: Artisanal gold mining is an activity ensuring the survival of about 700,000 families in Burkina Faso with a considerable contribution to the national economy. Techniques and chemicals used in the operation, have adverse impacts on health and the environment. Our study aims to evaluate the perceptions and knowledge of these different impacts among artisanal gold miners.

Pulmonary Functions and Health-Related Quality of Life among Silica-Exposed Workers.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the pulmonary functions of silica-exposed workers and their health-related quality of life in an insulator manufacturing industry.

Materials And Methods: In this cross-sectional study, participants selected from the manufacturing unit (n = 127) constituted the exposed group and those from the administrative department (n = 30) constituted the unexposed group. All subjects were evaluated using personal air sampling of crystalline silica, pulmonary function tests, and a quality of life questionnaire (36-item short form health survey [SF-36]).

Safety Evaluation of the Lighting at the Entrance of a Very Long Road Tunnel: A Case Study in Ilam.

Background: At the entrance of a tunnel, reflection of sunlight from the surrounding environment and a lack of adequate lighting usually cause some vision problems. The purpose of this study was to perform a safety evaluation of lighting on a very long road in Ilam, Iran.

Methods: The average luminance was measured using a luminance meter (model S3; Hagner, Solna, Sweden).

A comparative study of anaerobic fixed film baffled reactor and up-flow anaerobic fixed film fixed bed reactor for biological removal of diethyl phthalate from wastewater: a performance, kinetic, biogas, and metabolic pathway study.

Background: Phthalic acid esters, including diethyl phthalate (DEP), which are considered as top-priority and hazardous pollutants, have received significant attention over the last decades. It is vital for industries to select the best treatment technology, especially when the DEP concentration in wastewater is high. Meanwhile, anaerobic biofilm-based reactors are considered as a promising option.

Human Lung Carcinoma Reaction against Metabolic Serum Deficiency Stress.

Cancer treatment is still of the greatest challenges that health care providers and patients are facing. One of the unsolved problems in cancer treatment is cells' reaction to metabolic stress caused by harsh nutritional conditions around tumor. In order to be able to treat this disease properly, it is important to understand the true nature of the disease.

Perspectives of unemployed workers with mental health problems: barriers to and solutions for return to work.

Purpose: To evaluate the barriers to and solutions for return to work (RTW) from the perspective of unemployed workers who were sick-listed due to mental health problems.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 25 sick-listed unemployed workers with mental health problems. Qualitative data analysis was performed, using a process of identifying, coding, and categorising the patterns in data.

Validating the Heat Stress Indices for Using In Heavy Work Activities in Hot and Dry Climates.

Background: Necessity of evaluating heat stress in the workplace, require validation of indices and selection optimal index. The present study aimed to assess the precision and validity of some heat stress indices and select the optimum index for using in heavy work activities in hot and dry climates.

Methods: It carried out on 184 workers from 40 brick kilns workshops in the city of Qom, central Iran (as representative hot and dry climates).

Penicillin dust exposure and penicillin resistance among pharmaceutical workers in Tehran, Iran.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) adversely impacts the prevention and treatment of a wide range of infections and is considered as a serious threat to global public health. Occupational-related AMR is a neglected area of research.

Objective: To assess exposure to penicillin dust, penicillin active materials, and to report the frequency of penicillin resistance among pharmaceutical workers in Tehran, Iran.

Health, safety and environmental risk management in laboratory fields.

Background: Research project risks are uncertain contingent events or situations that, if transpire, will have positive or negative effects on objectives of a project. The Management of Health and Safety at Work (MHSW) Regulations 1999 require all employers and the self-employed persons to assess the risks from their work on anyone who may be affected by their activities. Risk assessment is the first step in risk-management procedure, and due to its importance, it has been deemed to be a vital process while having a unique place in the researchbased management systems.