Wolters Kluwer - Medknow Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd. International Journal of Environmental Health Engineering (IJEHE) AWAITED 2024 August 2024 08 01 Harnessing Data-mining Algorithms to Model and Evaluate Factors Influencing Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission Variations in a Mining Industry 1 7 32851 10.4103/ijehe.ijehe_20_24 EN Sajad Zare Department of Occupational Health Engineering and Safety at Work, Faculty of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Reza Esmaeili Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, Student Research Committee, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Mojtaba Nakhaei Pour Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, Student Research Committee, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Journal Article 2025 04 30 Aim: The aim of this study was to gauge the condition of otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) in workers, followed by modeling and estimating the weight of factors affecting changes in their emissions. Methods: The present study comprises two main phases. In the first phase, the OAEs were assessed using the distortion product OAEs (DPOAEs) test. Furthermore, the occupational factors influencing fluctuations in OAEs, including sound exposure, frequency, age, work experience, and exposure time, were measured. In the second phase, the weight of the factors affecting OAEs was investigated using deep learning (DL) and support vector machine (SVM) algorithms. Results: The results of both algorithms showed that sound exposure had the greatest effect (weighting between 36% and 45%) on the changes in OAEs. Frequency, with a weight ranging from 19% to 25%, was recognized as the second factor impacting the changes in DPOAEs. Conversely, age had the slightest effect on OAEs (weighing between 6% and 11%). The results also showed that the DL algorithm had higher accuracy compared to the SVM algorithm. Conclusions: As a result of determining the weight of factors causing variations in OAEs, the allocation of resources for control measures and effective reduction will be accomplished more efficiently and accurately.

https://ijehe.mui.ac.ir/article_32851_5de7a22a52cdc12c0725ff2d2df5bf41.pdf

Wolters Kluwer - Medknow Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd. International Journal of Environmental Health Engineering (IJEHE) AWAITED 2024 August 2024 08 01 Determination and Prioritizing of the Factors Affecting the Tolerance to Shift Work Using Techniques of the Delphi and Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchical Process 1 6 32852 10.4103/ijehe.ijehe_24_24 EN Mahnaz Shakerian Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Saeid Yazdanirad Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran Amir Hossein Khoshakhlagh Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran Seyed Mahdi Mousavi Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, Student Research Committee, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Journal Article 2025 04 30 Aim: This study aimed to identify, classify, and prioritize the factors affecting tolerance to shift work using Delphi and fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) techniques. Methods: This descriptive analytical study was conducted in 2023. First, the literature review and Delphi technique identified the factors affecting tolerance to shift work. Then, these factors were grouped into five categories. The FAHP was used to prioritize the factors. Finally, the data were analyzed using MATLAB software (version 2019a). Results: Thirty-two factors were identified and grouped into five categories. Based on the results of FAHP, the relative weights of individual factors, working conditions, working hours, family and living conditions, and social conditions were computed as 0.231, 0.211, 0.187, 0.186, and 0.182, respectively. Conclusion: These results highlight the significance of factors influencing tolerance to shift work and can aid in planning preventive measures for the decrease of shiftwork disorders.

https://ijehe.mui.ac.ir/article_32852_a730bf57002ababb7d6c15f3846c19e3.pdf

Wolters Kluwer - Medknow Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd. International Journal of Environmental Health Engineering (IJEHE) AWAITED 2024 August 2024 08 01 The Effect of Exposure to Noise and Vibration and Ergonomic Factors on Sleep Quality and Musculoskeletal Disorders in Bus Drivers in Iran 1 7 32853 10.4103/ijehe.ijehe_28_24 EN Somayeh Rahimimoghadam Workplace Health Research Center, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran Narges Khanjani Department of Medical Education, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX, USA Mahdi Jalali Workplace Health Research Center, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran Fatemeh Khorashadizadeh Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran Ayda Shahmohammadi Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Student Research Committee, School of Health, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran Journal Article 2025 04 30 Aim: City bus drivers are exposed to various harmful factors such as noise and vibration, which may cause adverse health effects. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the impact of exposure to noise, vibration, and ergonomic factors on the quality of sleep and the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among city bus drivers in Neyshabur, Iran. Methods: Sixty-two city bus drivers from Neyshabur, Iran, participated in this study. Their level of exposure to noise was measured according to the ISO 5128:1980 standard, and the level of exposure to vibration was measured according to the ISO 2631 standard. Sleep quality (SQual) was evaluated with the Pittsburgh SQual Index, and the prevalence of MSDs was surveyed with the Nordic questionnaire. Data were analyzed with R version 4.3.2. Results: The average ± standard deviation (SD) exposure to noise was 83.25 ± 4.12 dB, and the average ± SD exposure to vibration was 0.14 ± 0.04 m/s2. The SQual of 46.77% of drivers was bad, and 69.35% of drivers suffered from MSDs in at least one of their body parts. The results of this study showed as drivers’ age increased, the chance of having good SQual decreased (odds ratio [OR]: 0.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.81–0.99). Sleep disorders were more common among drivers whose buses had spring seats (OR =3.17, 95% CI: 1.07–9.40). Conclusion: Almost half of the drivers had unfavorable SQual and suffered from MSDs. The type and quality of the seats, the age of the bus driver, and the bus type were among the most important factors affecting the quality of sleep and the presence of MSDs.

https://ijehe.mui.ac.ir/article_32853_5b79a09c2372d338f24228a80e9c62b9.pdf

Wolters Kluwer - Medknow Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd. International Journal of Environmental Health Engineering (IJEHE) AWAITED 2024 August 2024 08 01 Effects of Ceramic Membrane Composed of Clay and a Mixture of Rice Husks, Sawdust, Coconut Shell Charcoal, and Coffee Grounds on Reducing Total Coliforms in Well Water 1 5 32854 10.4103/ijehe.ijehe_2_24 EN Wiwit Aditama Department of Environmental Health, Health Polytechnic of the Ministry of Health of Aceh, Banda Aceh, Aceh Besar, Indonesia Zulfikar Zulfikar Department of Environmental Health, Health Polytechnic of the Ministry of Health of Aceh, Banda Aceh, Aceh Besar, Indonesia Sofia Sofia Department of Environmental Health, Health Polytechnic of the Ministry of Health of Aceh, Banda Aceh, Aceh Besar, Indonesia Journal Article 2025 04 30 Aim: The study was conducted to determine the effects of a ceramic membrane composed of clay and a mixture of rice husks, sawdust, coconut shell charcoal, and coffee grounds on reducing total coliforms in well water. Methods: The materials used were clay and a mixture of materials including rice husks, sawdust, coconut shell charcoal, and coffee grounds. These materials were mixed, molded, dried, and burnt. Total coliforms in well water were measured as the observed parameter, and the different material compositions were compared. Coliforms were assessed with the membrane filter method, while data were analyzed with a one-way analysis of variance. Results: The results showed that the greatest reduction in total coliforms was found on the ceramic membrane of clay and coffee grounds with a value of 105.8 CFU, while the lowest was observed in a mixture of clay and coconut shell charcoal at 92.8 CFU. The percentage decline rate in total coliforms caused by ceramic membrane with a mixture of land clay and coffee grounds reached 91.3%. Conclusion: Although there was no significant difference in the reduction of total coliforms among the various membrane compositions, the combination of clay and coffee grounds caused a reduction reaching >90%.

https://ijehe.mui.ac.ir/article_32854_0acecb86d3b3fab2fea045403bedfb1f.pdf

Wolters Kluwer - Medknow Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd. International Journal of Environmental Health Engineering (IJEHE) AWAITED 2024 August 2024 08 01 Using the ELMERI Observation Method to Investigate and Compare Laboratories at Isfahan Public Health School in Terms of Occupational Health and Safety 1 7 32855 10.4103/ijehe.ijehe_30_24 EN Ehsanollah Habibi Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran 0000-0003-2738-7498 Sayed Mahdi Mousavi Student Research Committee, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Hossein Ebrahimi Student Research Committee, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran 0000-0002-1191-9819 Mojtaba Nakhaei Pour Student Research Committee, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Journal Article 2025 04 30 Aims: The present study aims to investigate laboratory safety situations using the ELMERI observation method. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 in the Faculty of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences laboratory. The survey data were applied with the ELMERI observation method, and the laboratories’ safety indicators were evaluated. Results: The findings provide important insights into the current state of laboratory safety. The average ELMERI index score for the laboratories was 69.32, indicating that overall health and safety performance is at an average level. Laboratories in five dimensions of building safety, safety of devices and equipment, personal safety, safety of chemicals, and waste management were at a good level. However, in three dimensions of electrical safety, fire safety, and safety management and the dimension of emergency response management, there is room for improvement. Conclusion: The general safety situation in the laboratories is at an average level, highlighting the need for better planning at the university and faculty levels. Enhanced planning is essential for improving safety management, particularly in emergency response and can have a significant impact on occupational health and safety in laboratories.

https://ijehe.mui.ac.ir/article_32855_dca7e2d34a20f3a5b128c69253599a1b.pdf

Wolters Kluwer - Medknow Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd. International Journal of Environmental Health Engineering (IJEHE) AWAITED 2024 August 2024 08 01 Identification of Infectious Bacteria in Dental Units 1 5 32856 10.4103/ijehe.ijehe_37_20 EN Maryam Moradnia Student Research Committee, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Student Research Committee, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran Shaghayegh Mousavi Student Research Committee, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran Mohammad Darvishmotevalli Research Center for Health, Safety and Environment (RCHSE), Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran Hossein Karimi Student Research Committee, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Fatemeh Fotoohi Qazvini Student Research Committee, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran Journal Article 2025 04 30 Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the bacterial contamination of surfaces and water of dental units of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on the surgery and periodontal units at the Faculty of Dentistry, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in 2017. Totally, 108 samples were collected from different parts of the dental units. Total Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Legionella pneumophila, and Escherichia coli were counted before and after disinfection by deconex. Results: The results of this study showed that before and after disinfection, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and Coliforms were the most frequent bacteria in periodontal (100%, 100%, and 100%, respectively) and surgery wards (100%, 100%, and >83%, respectively). There was no significant relationship between pre and postdisinfection in terms of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa for other parts of the surgery and periodontics units (p >0.05). Furthermore, the statistical results indicated that all parts of the surgery and periodontics surfaces were statically significant pre and postdisinfection in term of Coliforms (p < 0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that the rate of microbial pollution in water lines and surfaces of the dental units is high. Furthermore, since a significant number of bacteria were identified after disinfection, it indicates the improper use of disinfectants.

https://ijehe.mui.ac.ir/article_32856_f630930295f2102fb56edc9f88de45fb.pdf

Wolters Kluwer - Medknow Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd. International Journal of Environmental Health Engineering (IJEHE) AWAITED 2024 August 2024 08 01 Assessing the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Households in Darmian City with Regard to Municipal Solid Waste Management 1 5 32857 10.4103/ijehe.ijehe_3_20 EN Fatemeh Sahlabadi Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, and Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran Social Determinants of Health Research Center, and Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran Mitra Moodi Social Determinants of Health Research Center, and Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran Mohsen Sadani Department of Environmental Health Engineering, and Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Sakineh Gerayllo Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran Ahmah Mahmoodiyan Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran Hasan Mehran Pour Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran Journal Article 2025 04 30 Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of households living in Darmian city, South Khorasan, Iran, with regard to municipal solid waste (MSW) management. Methods: The quota sampling method was used based on Darmian city zoning. The questionnaire was included questions about knowledge, attitude, and practice in the MSW management domain. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 18 (SPSS Inc, Chicago) using descriptive statistics and appropriate nonparametric statistical tests. Results: The findings showed that the mean score of knowledge was 8.53 ± 2.46, of attitude was 16.60 ± 2.70, and of practice was 3.02 ± 1.10. It was found that the implementation of management plans could improve health and environmental aspects. Conclusion: According to the findings, the scores of knowledge and practice were higher among urban residents than rural ones. Therefore, proper planning for improving the cultural level of rural residents in this regard should be considered. To increase participation in waste separation and recycling practices, educational campaigns and mass media can be the used as one of the effective educational strategies.

https://ijehe.mui.ac.ir/article_32857_85e9b5dce4f9484f6731b0d778f8cc2e.pdf

Wolters Kluwer - Medknow Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd. International Journal of Environmental Health Engineering (IJEHE) AWAITED 2024 August 2024 08 01 A Survey and Comparison the Amount of Important Pollutants in the Exhaust of Light Gasoline Vehicles Referring to the Technical Inspection Centers in Urban Areas: A Case Study in Iran 1 12 32858 10.4103/ijehe.ijehe_47_23 EN Abbas Khodabakhshi Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran Moluk Hadi Alijanvand Modeling in Health Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Health, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran Fazel Mohammadi-Moghadam Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran Abdullah Mutauligalleh Kolaie Management of the Union of Public Transport Organizations and Executive Affairs of Technical Inspection of Cars in Iran Soghra Ebrahimi Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran Journal Article 2025 04 30 Aims: Traffic congestion and the increase in the number of vehicles lead to an increase in vehicle emissions, consequently causing, a decrease in ambient air quality. The objective of this study is to investigate and compare the concentrations of exhaust gases, namely carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC), and oxygen (O2), emitted by cars tested at the Technical Inspection Centers in Shahrekord and Rasht. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, primary data from 82,316 cars examined at the technical centers in Shahrekord and Rasht were collected and subjected to statistical analysis. The car frequencies considered were 1000 and above. Overall, 16 types of Iranian and foreign cars were assessed, with 51,919 cars from Rasht and 30,397 cars from Shahrekord. The statistical analysis employed a six-way multivariate analysis of variance. Results: The proportion of carbureted cars that were rejected exceeded that of injection cars, while the percentage of cars rejected due to CO2 emissions was lower than that of authorized cars (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the likelihood of these associations occurring in Shahrekord city was higher than in Rasht city, with a chance ratio and confidence interval (CI) of 95. The odds ratios (ORs) (95% CI) were 1.936 (1.829–2.050) and 3.036 (2.924–3.151), respectively. Moreover, the rejection rates were higher (P < 0.05) for cars manufactured in Iran compared to foreign-made cars, private vehicles compared to public vehicles, and cars with CO pollution compared to licensed cars. The likelihood of these associations transpiring in Shahrekord city, in comparison to Rasht city, were as follows: OR (95% CI) of 0.793 (0.755–0.834), 0.667 (0.743–0.598), and 0.018 (0.016–0.020), respectively. The audit analysis, which involved a linear combination of O2, CO, CO2, HC, and vehicle age, successfully differentiated between cars in Shahrekord and Rasht, yielding a correct prediction rate of 81.3% (Wilks’ Lambda statistic = 0.687, Eigen value = 0.455, Canonical correlation value = 0.60 with a P < 0.0001). Conclusion: The findings of this study offer a practical approach to address the complexities arising from the emission of polluting gases, contributing to the global warming phenomenon.

https://ijehe.mui.ac.ir/article_32858_8edc69aa76b7aac408ba3c248aa8d7d4.pdf

Wolters Kluwer - Medknow Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd. International Journal of Environmental Health Engineering (IJEHE) AWAITED 2024 August 2024 08 01 Investigating the Effect of Ear Canal Length on Improving Earplugs and Earmuffs Performance at 400 and 500 Hz Frequencies 1 6 32859 10.4103/ijehe.ijehe_8_24 EN Hossein Ebrahimi Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran 0000-0002-1191-9819 Farhad Forouharmajd Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran 0000-0002-9389-0684 Siamak Pourabdian Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran 0000-0002-2455-8274 Kamyar Nazaryan Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Journal Article 2025 04 30 Aim: The aim of this study was noise reduction at 400 Hz and 500 Hz frequencies using earplugs and earmuffs, by varying the length of a simulated ear canal. Methods: This descriptive, analytical, and cross-sectional study was conducted in a laboratory environment using a simulated human hearing system based on the anatomical characteristics of the ear. Two types of earplugs and two types of earmuffs were tested. Using LABVIEW software, sound at 400 Hz and 500 Hz frequencies was generated by an ev-av150e sound generator at an 80 dB sound pressure level (weight A) with pink noise through a desktop speaker. A measurement microphone (1/2”, B and K brand) placed at the end of the ear canal, acting as the tympanic membrane, transmitted the received waves to a Data AcQuisition (DAQ) processing center system. Measurements were conducted for ear canal lengths of 20, 25, and 35 mm to assess the noise reduction capabilities of the hearing protection devices at these lengths. The data, reflecting sound attenuation across different lengths and devices, were evaluated and analyzed using SPSS version 26 for comparison under variable conditions. Results: There was a significant relationship between changes in the length of the external ear canal and the amount of noise reduction at 400 Hz and 500 Hz frequencies when using earplugs and earmuffs (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The results indicated that the performance of earplugs and earmuffs differed at these frequencies. Specifically, the effectiveness of earplugs increased with longer ear canal lengths, whereas the effectiveness of earmuffs decreased with longer ear canal lengths.

https://ijehe.mui.ac.ir/article_32859_ce0f8c54d0364e112b25e06db7c59b46.pdf