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Background & objectives: Inappropriate management of hospital solid wastes is a major issue in Iran that could have negative effects on human health and the environment. The purpose of this study was to assess the hospital wastes management in Yazd educational hospitals by identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and to provide strategic management plans using SWOT method. Methods: This work is an applied-developmental research based on the research goals and its research methodology is a mixed (survey and descriptive- analytical) method. The research was performed by completion of a checklist, field inspection, and interviews with the health professionals and administrators of the educational hospitals of Yazd city from October 2012 to March 2013. Internal and external matrices were used for analysis and SWOT method for codification of strategies. Results: To improve waste management in the hospitals based on SWOT matrix SO, ST, WO and WT guidelines should be put in the priority. Hospital wastes strategic management plans (HWSMP) related to the SO strategy emphasize on paying special attention to: all the provisions of hospital wastes management regulation, environmental standards, allocation of adequate fund for recycling process, applicable research in the field of solid waste, short term monitoring to ensure the accuracy of wastes management performance, and regular training courses on the methods of hospital wastes management. Conclusion: The findings of this research showed that the SO strategy with focusing on maximization of the internal strengths and utilization of external opportunities should be set as a top priority for hospital wastes management in Yazd city to improve the quality of health services.

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Background & objectives: Work-related illnesses account for a large number of social problems. According to occupational therapists, occupational diseases are considered as life-threatening factors for workers. The aim of this study was to measure air pollution to suspended particles and to assess the health risk of PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ exposure in the textile industry.
Methods: This analytical-cross-sectional research was carried out in the spinning, knitting, and printing workshops of a textile factory. Samples were taken by using the Particle Mass Counter Model TES 5200 to measure mass density and number of environmental particles. Health Risk Assessment of skin, digestive and inhalation exposure to PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ was carried out according to EPA proposed method.
Results: The results showed that the highest particle mass density was measured in the Spinning-Weaving hall and the highest number density was detected in the Stanter-Printed hall. In both halls, the average mass density of total particles was determined lower than the occupational exposure limit of total suspended particles. In addition, the results detected that with increasing the dust diameter, the mass density of particles increased and subsequently their number density decreased. The risk index for non-cancer risk exposure to PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ was less than 1 and the cancer risk was less than 10^-6.
Conclusion:  Although, the cancerous and non-cancerous exposures to PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ were considered acceptable in the production line halls, but these particles may have adverse health effects on the employees, due to their chemical nature.
 

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Background & objectives: Air pollution is considered as an ultrastructural element in urban transportation systems and as an important indicator of human health. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the PM₁₀ pollution range of two main highways of Ardakan city and determine the contribution of these highways in health risk of their surrounding residents due to exposure to these pollutants by modeling methods.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted on two highways of Meybod Ardakan and Ardakan Nain. IVE and AERMOD models were used for estimation of emission rate of PM₁₀ in four seasons of the year, and also dispersion and exposure rates to PM₁₀.The information required to run the models was collected by observational statistics, information from the police research center and the meteorological research center of Yazd province. By identifying six PM₁₀ exposure groups in the pollution range of these two highways, health risk assessment was performed using the proposed USEPA relationships.
Results: In four seasons of the year, the mean and maximum concentration of PM₁₀ of Meybod Ardakan highway were predicted more than Ardakan Nain highway. Although the minimum dispersion concentration of PM₁₀ of Ardakan Nain Highway was lower than that of Meybod Ardakan, the pollutant limit of this highway (1, 24 hours and annually) was more predicted. Among the six groups exposed to PM₁₀ in all time intervals, the highest exposure rate was belonged to Ardakan Nain road police station and the least to residents of Torkabad Village (1 hour) and Shahid Paydar Park (8, 24 hours and annually). Cancer and non-cancerous risk exposure to PM₁₀ was estimated in acceptable range in all age groups and categories.
Conclusion: With the modeling method used, the contribution of the two investigated highways in predicting the health risk of surrounding residents was within the acceptable range.