Aim: Excessive exposure of drivers to traffic noise and the resulting hearing loss could affect safe driving. This study aimed to investigate the hearing status of heavy vehicle drivers and its correlation with traffic accidents. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 187 drivers of heavy vehicles (trucks and buses) in Tehran province during 2018. The hearing status of drivers was investigated by the audiometric test method, ISO 6189 (1983). A safety questionnaire and checklist of drivers' demographic variables were used to gather information on accident status and personal characteristics of drivers. SPSS version 24 software was used for the statistical analysis of data. The statistical tests used are Chi-square, Spearman's correlation, paired t-test, and odds ratio. Results: Examining the hearing status of drivers showed that 51.5% were normal and 48.5% of drivers had hearing loss. The highest mean hearing threshold was at a frequency of 4000 Hz. The mean (standard deviation) for the right and left ears was 27.82 ± 15.92 and 18 ± 27.32 dB, respectively. The results of the analysis on drivers' hearing status and accidents showed a significant correlation between the frequency of accidents and the classification of drivers' hearing loss. Thus, a significant relationship with the correlation coefficient of 0.123 and 0.307, respectively, was obtained between the average hearing loss of drivers and having one or five accidents. Conclusion: The findings of the study showed hearing loss in drivers in the left ear, especially at high frequencies. There is also a significant relationship between the number of accidents and the rate of hearing loss of drivers. Hearing loss caused by noise interferes with activities such as driving and negatively affects the safety of drivers and emphasizes the importance of preventing accidents by controlling traffic noise.

Aims: The steady development of human communities and the spread of industrial activities are major contributors to environmental pollution, especially the contamination of water resources. Population growth and thus the acceleration of municipal, industrial, and agricultural wastewater release have adversely affected these inestimable resources and restricted their accessibility. This work attempts to identify the ecogeomorphological condition of rivers in drainage basins emphasizing the Siminehrood River in Northwestern Iran. The purpose is to study all nonpoint source (PS) and PS pollutions and circumstances that weaken and intensify the pollution rate and self-purification capacity of rivers, especially in the Siminehrood River. Materials and Methods: All data and statistics were collected and their seasonal average was calculated. Maps and variables associated with the physical properties of drainage basins were then extracted through ArcGIS. The Schuler diagram was plotted through Chemistry software for all stations and each season to assess the type and chemical quality of the river's drinking water. HEC-RAS model, HEC-GEORAS extension, and ArcGIS were employed for simulation of river flow and calculation and determination of water surface profiles and other hydraulic characteristics of flow including water depth, water flow rate, stream shear stress, and stream power. Results: According to the analyses and results, the improper ecogeomorphological condition of rivers and their low self-purification capacity are directly correlated with the mean river water depth, water flow rate, slope of the river basin, and environmental differences. Conclusions: Within the study area, the highest environmental instability and the least self-purification capacity were observed downstream of the sub-basin in which the mean and maximum depth of water were, respectively, 3.10 m and 8.803 m. Insignificant water flow rate (0.86 m/s on average) and slope of <4% in the area have stagnated water flow in most areas and consequently declined the content of dissolved oxygen and the quality of water. Conclusively, this sub-basin can be reported as a region with an improper ecogeomorphological condition.

Aim: One of the most harmful agents in construction sites is heat exposure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of new evaporative cooling vests in construction workers. Materials and Methods: This case–control study was implemented on 60 construction workers in hot conditions (air temperature 49.0°, relative humidity 5.5%) in the summer of 2019. In this study, 30 people with cooling vests (case group) and 30 people without cooling vests (control group) were working for 120 min in a hot environment. In both groups, heart rate oral temperature and wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) index were measured. Moreover, the Perceptual Strain Index (PeSI) and Heat Strain Score Index (HSSI) questionnaires were completed by the workers. Data were analyzed after inter to SPSS16 software. Results: All of the WBGT values were higher than occupational exposure limit. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of the work heart rate in the case and control groups, was equal to 111.1 ± 7.6 beats per minute (bpm) and 114.3 ± 7.9 bpm respectively (P < 0.05). Also the average and SD of the oral temperature in the case and control groups, respectively, was equal to 36.36 ± 0.41 and 36.37 ± 0.55. There was no statistically significant difference. Mean and SD of Physiological Strain Index (PSI), in case and control groups, were 2.53 ± 0.66 and 3.64 ± 0.81, respectively. The mean and SD of the PeSI and the HSSI in the case group were 4.64 ± 0.79 and 10.12 ± 1.71, respectively, and in the control group, 6.41 ± 0.85 and 15.88 ± 0.1.43. Statistically, the difference between PSI, PeSI, and HSSI means was significant. Conclusions: This study results showed that hot environmental conditions were stressful for construction workers and also Iranian evaporative cooling vests (Hifitcool brand) were able to reduce perceptual and physiological heat strain in construction workers in the hot conditions.

The advancement of telecommunication technology is vital for our wireless connectivity and networking across the world, but not at the expense of the lives of other organisms because their extinction follows us. This review article highlighted the various communication systems and technologies implemented and their implications. The relevant keywords used for this review, including fifth generation (5G), electromagnetic radiation (EMR), telephone tower, 5G impacts on lives, 5G impacts on human health, animals, and birds, were used for inclusive search on trustworthy citation databases listed in Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar from 1993 to 2022. The findings revealed that the radiations range between radio frequency and electromagnetic frequency is causing detrimental effects on different species including their fertility and fetus development. Experts reported that birds use the earth's EMR to navigate in their flight, but when they are exposed to weak or microwave radiation from the telecommunication towers, they deviate from their path, confused, and even die from telephone tower collisions. The new movement in protecting the bird population from EMR is creating an awareness of "air as a habitat" for birds, and research reports show that it is experimentally proven, that such radiations affect the birds' lives in many ways. Authors believe that these critical surveillance data would create awareness among the readers and researchers about the consequences to human health due to the extensive use of new generation telecommunication and networking technologies. The World Health Organization mentioned the harmful effects of EMR in their report. It shows that a diffuse collection of symptoms such as headaches, anxiety, suicide and depression, nausea, fatigue, and loss of libido may be caused due to low levels of exposure to EMR at home.

Aim: In this study, the levels of urinary metabolites of toluene and xylene isomers in pregnant women in Isfahan and Khansar cities and their associations with air quality index (AQI) and demographic factors were investigated. Materials and Methods: Depending on the population, 55 pregnant women from Isfahan and 15 pregnant women from Khansar, a total of 70 people were enrolled in the study and 140 urine samples were collected during their 1^st and 3^rd trimesters of pregnancy (autumn and spring). Urinary metabolites of hippuric acid (HA), ortho-, meta-, and para-methyl HA (o-m-p-MHA) were extracted by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method, derivatized and analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometer. The results were statistically correlated with AQI level and demographic factors using appropriate statistical methods. Results: Mean urinary concentrations of HA, o-m-p-MHA in the 1^st trimester of pregnancy were 371.2, 1.14, 2.48, and 1.97 mg/g cr, and those in the 3^rd trimester were 582.1, 3.54, 6.93, and 2.43 mg/g cr, respectively. In the 1^st trimester, the mean urinary level of ortho-MHA was significantly associated with the outdoor exposure time on workdays and fragrances use (P < 0.05). In the 3^rd trimester, the mean concentration of HA was significantly correlated to age and outdoor exposure time on workdays (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The mean urinary concentrations of HA and MHA isomers in the 1^st trimester of pregnancy in Isfahan were more than those in Khansar. Because the level of air pollution in Isfahan was higher than Khansar and that in autumn was higher than spring. In the 3^rd trimester of pregnancy, the mean levels of MHA isomers in Isfahan were more than those in Khansar. Only the amount of p-MHA was significantly associated with AQI in the 1^st trimester of pregnancy. Thus, women who lived in high-traffic urban areas with high AQI were more exposed to toluene and xylene compounds.

Aim: Currently, recycling of secondary effluent can be used sustainably as a new water source to minimize the water consumption in areas which are exposed to water crisis. Hence, it is necessary to appraise hybrid advanced treatment technologies performance and to determine the best alternative for reusing secondary effluent of industrial park in full-scale. Materials and Methods: The secondary effluent (biological-treated) of the centralized industrial park wastewater treatment plant (Aq Qala, Golestan province, Iran) is introduced into combined systems such as (1) sand filter (SF) and membrane bioreactor (MBR), (2) SF, MBR and granular activated carbon (GAC) (3) SF and GAC (4) SF, MBR, GAC, and reverse osmosis (RO), as the hybrid advanced scenarios. Results: The effluent of SF/MBR/GAC/RO showed the highest quality (>99% removal efficiency). In this scenario, pH, silica, manganese, iron, total suspended solids, turbidity, total coliform, and chemical oxygen demand (COD), alkalinity, hardness, total dissolved solids (TDS), chloride, and sulfate were determined 6.93 ± 0.19, 1.4 ± 0.6 mg/L, not detectable (ND), ND, <2 ± 0.2 mg/L, <1 Nephelometric Turbidity unit (NTU), ND and <2 ± 0.2 mg/L, 54.8 ± 1 2.5 mg/L, 50 ± 17 mg/L, 100 ± 14.89 mg/L, 68 ± 10.9 mg/L, and 44 ± 3.67 mg/L were observed in the range of product water standard for sensitive industries. Also, the maximum of efficiency of SF/MBR, SF/MBR/GAC, and SF/GAC systems was obtained 97.75% (as total coliforms), 62.65% (as COD), and 55.8% (as COD), respectively. Other parameters removed slight about 2% to 40%. However, hardness, alkalinity, and manganese concentrations not reduced after these systems (0% efficiency). Conclusions: The hybrid system of SF/MBR/GAC/RO was produced a clean and suitable water supply for the sensitive industries (e.g., intermediate-pressure boilers, cooling water, textile, etc.) of Aq Qala industrial park according to the environmental protection agency standards.

Aim: This article evaluates the health risk of occupational exposure to BTEX compounds, cancer risk, and noncancer risk analysis among gas station workers. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional research evaluates pollutants rank of risk released at Ahvaz stations in Iran. We have collected 96 samples of workers exposed to BTEX and eight samples for control in the ambient air. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommended BTEX method numbers 1500 and 1501 for sampling and analysis. To evaluate the risk assessment of pollutants, we utilized a semi-quantitative method offered by Singapore's Occupational Safety and Health Division. Results: The average benzene concentration in the operators' breathing zone (1.202 0.83 ppm) was greater than the threshold limit values-time weighted average (TLVs-TWA) (P < 0.05). Other contaminants had concentrations that were lower than the ACGIH's TLV-TWA (P < 0.05). In gas stations, benzene has a very high danger ranking among chemical compounds. Toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene in the employees' breathing zone posed a modest risk. The average cancer risk for benzene-exposed operators, head shift workers, and supervisors was calculated to be 4.46 × 10⁻³, 2.90 × 10⁻³, and 2.08 × 10⁻³, respectively. The risk of cancer is projected to be higher than the tolerable level of 10-6. Conclusion: In unique, long-term exposure to benzene has been linked to an increased risk of cancer and toxic effects, and a health-risk assessment can provide useful information about current workplace contaminants.

Aim: A reliable model for wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is essential to provide a tool for predicting their performance and to form a basis for controlling the operation of the process also; this would minimize the operation costs. In recent years, computer-based methods have been applied to many areas of environmental issues. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) and genetic algorithm (GA) techniques could be applied for modeling WWTP processes, owing to their high accuracy, adequacy, and quite promising applications in engineering. Materials and Methods: This study applied multilayer feed forward back propagation neural network and GA to predict and optimize the performance of the second phase of the Isfahan North WWTP. Experimental results, which demonstrated the performance of the plant over 6 years were applied for modeling. Results: A three-layer neural network was developed as a predictive model and the network was trained with Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm. The chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), total kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), and total phosphorus (TP) were introduced as the model input and output. Neural network performance was evaluated with correlation coefficient ® and least mean square error. Proposed model demonstrated the high consistency of the results of modeling and experiments. GA achieved the best value of input parameters as 324.36, 457.37, 359.11, 60.09, and 14.15 mg/l for BOD, COD, TSS, TKN, TP, respectively. Conclusion: ANN and GA combination provides powerful analysis tool for modeling and optimization of nonlinear relationships between the parameters in WWTPs and could be used for proper design and operation of the WWTPs.

Aim: Protection against nuclear radiation is one of the most important issues in nuclear technology and industries that use this technology. Among the types of radiation emitted from radioactive sources, neutron and gamma rays are among the most dangerous radiations due to lack of electrical charge and serious damage to living tissues. The principal challenge in radiation protection is the proper design of a shield against neutron and gamma radiations. Hence, this study has investigated the improvement of the protection against these radiations. Materials and Methods: This study is of applied-developmental and quantitative type. Calculations have been performed using the MCNPX code in this study, which is one of the strongest nuclear calculation codes. The data were analyzed using quantitative statistics and ORIGIN software (OriginLab company, 1992, Northampton, Massachusetts, USA). Results: Based on the results, utilizing the spherical geometry had a better performance to increase the neutron fluxes in comparison with the cylindrical and cubic geometries. Moreover, polyethylene with high density was selected as the best moderator. Ultimately, it was dealt with the comparison and selection of the best protection to minimize the produced gamma rays due to the absorption of neutrons in different materials used by the source and neutrons that run away from the outer surface of the source configuration. Conclusion: Using the composite sphere of paraffin and polyethylene with high density up to a radius of 12 cm and tungsten with a thickness of 1 cm was suggested as the final configuration for the aim of this study. In comparison to the no-protection mode, this protection is effective to 74% in reducing the neuron dosage and 55% in reducing the primary gamma-ray, while the mentioned protection is about 72%–73% effective in reducing the general dose.

Aim: Hydatid cyst is the Echinococcus granulosus larvae stage and is responsible for echinococcosis. Anticancer effects of hydatid cyst have been shown in human population, experimental animals, and in vitro works. However, the mechanisms of this anticancer activity are not clarified. Hence, in this work, the effect of antisera raised against hydatid cyst antigens on the growth of breast cancer cells has been investigated. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the various hydatid cyst antigens were prepared. To raise antisera, each of the hydatid cyst antigens (hydatid cyst fluid, germinal and laminated, protoscolex, and excretory-secretory [ES]) and toxoplasma trophozoite were injections to rabbits. The production of specific antibodies in rabbits determinate by enzyme-linked immunoassay, and then, the rabbit's blood was taken, and their sera isolated under the hood in sterile conditions. Before use, all antisera were inactivated at 56°C for half an hour and also placed under ultraviolet light for 20 min to disinfect. Breast cancer cells in the culture medium were purchased from the Pasteur Institute of Iran and growth in CO2 incubator in the Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) medium. After appropriate, the cells were counted and divided equally in eight-cell culture flasks and treated with different antisera of hydatid cyst. After 32-h incubation, the number of live cells was counted by trypan blue methods and compared with control groups. Results: Based on the results of this research, the difference between the number of live cells after treatment with antisera against hydatid cyst fluid, toxoplasma trophozoite, and ES antigen was significantly different from number of cells in flask treated with normal rabbit serum. Conclusion: In conclusion, due to the presence of common antigens between parasites and cancer, probably antibodies produced against hydatid cyst antigens may affect the growth of cells in the culture media.

Aim: Safe driving is influenced by various factors, including the driver's level of cognitive performance and thermal comfort. The aim of this study was to investigate temperature indicators, thermal comfort, and mental function parameters among taxi drivers in winter. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 30 taxi drivers in the morning and evening (8–9AM, 4–6PM). In this study, temperature parameters, including dry-bulb temperature and relative humidity, thermal comfort indices, demographic parameters and cognitive performance parameters, including accuracy, work speed, attention, number of errors, mental fatigue, concentration skills, and auditory short-term memory, were measured. Statistical analyzes were performed using SPSS version 26. Results: The average dry-bulb temperature and relative humidity inside the cabin in the morning and evening were 23.2%, 22.1%, 22.3%, and 21.3%, respectively. The results showed that the drivers' dissatisfaction with the temperature in the morning and evening shifts was 6% and 5.6%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the measured parameters in the morning and evening shifts (P > 0.05). The results showed that there was a significant relationship between age and some cognitive function parameters (P < 0.05). Conclusion: More than 90% of drivers feel comfortable when the average dry bulb temperature of 22%–23% can be used to adjust the optimal temperature of the cabin vehicle in winter. Age is an effective factor in the cognitive performance of drivers and the cognitive performance of the drivers was not in a favorable condition, which requires further study to investigate the causes of this issue.

Aim: A high error rate among laboratory staff leads to accidents. This study aimed to investigate the effect of gender, work experience, age, and job stress on the number of errors and work speed in laboratory employees. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 32 laboratory staff via census method. The instruments used in this study were the General Health Questionnaire Mental Health Questionnaire, demographic questionnaire capturing age, gender, work experience, and level of education, and Health and Safety Executive Job Stress Questionnaire in England. A precision targeting vibrometer was used to measure the speed and number of errors. Independent t-test and Mann–Whitney U-test as well as Pearson's and Spearman's correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the relationship between the parameters using SPSS software version 26. Results: The mean and standard deviation of age, work experience, and job stress were 43.56 ± 7.80 years, 205.68 ± 107.43 months, and 132.59 ± 12.55, respectively. Furthermore, the mean and standard deviation of the number of errors and work speed were 4.90 ± 4.09 and 14.27 ± 5.84, respectively. A significant positive correlation was found between age and the number of errors. Conclusion: The results indicated that gender, work experience, and job stress do not affect the number of errors and work speed in laboratory staff, but age affects the number of errors in employees, and the number of errors increases with age. Explaining the factors affecting the accuracy and speed of staff in the laboratory can lead to use of appropriate manpower and ultimately enhance productivity and reduce accidents in laboratories.

Alkaline electrolyzed water (AEW) usually has a pH value ranging from of 8 to 10, and is postulated to produce many health benefits. Alkaline water consumption still invites a lot of controversy among health professionals and researchers. There were no comprehensive large-scale studies till date that compared the effects of AEW across various disease states targeting multiple system changes as outcomes. The present literature review was carried out to collate all the available clinical research works on Alkaline Water or AEW in improving disease state or promoting health. Search in various databases and search engines brought out 19 articles, of which nine met the eligibility criteria and were included for the analysis in the present study. The risk of bias and quality for every study included in the study were assessed. For all the randomized trials included in the study bias assessment was carried out using the Cochrane Risk-of-bias tool, and nonrandomized trials were assessed using nonrandomized studies of interventions tool. Reviewed studies have reported effects of AEW on oxidative stress, gastric cancer, blood sugar levels, exercise performance, blood viscosity, and gastrointestinal symptoms. AEW has shown considerable positive health effects in small-scale clinical studies. However, presently available evidence from the research works are not sufficient enough for recommendation to the mass in general or for use as a therapeutic intervention. Research works with larger study samples and among population of different demography are required.

Environmental health issues and epidemic pandemic aspects including infection spread during managing dead bodies revealed that infectious diseases and the associated mortality were often caused by infectious pathogens due to mismanagement of dead bodies. Dead body management is one of the main environmental health challenges during and after disasters and emergencies, especially following epidemic. This systematic review aimed to investigate the dead body management of epidemic victims. This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. In this study, electronic databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Pro Quest, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library, were searched from March 1, 1970, to September 30, 2021. A comprehensive literature search was performed using scientific databases and gray literature. A thematic synthesis approach was used to analyze the data. In total, 2764 articles were identified, 11 of which met the inclusion criteria for entering the process of final synthesis. The findings showed three main sections, including (1) dead body management in the hospital and transfer of epidemic victims, (2) mortuary, shrouding, funeral, and burial of epidemic victims, and (3) management of families and risk communication. Implementation of the standards and protocols during dead body management of epidemic victims is essential with the aim of saving the lives of service providers and participants in ceremonial washing and burial.

Aim: The present study aims to design, manufacture, and evaluate the performance of an active liquid cooling vest (ALCV) to control the heat strain in hot laboratory conditions. Materials and Methods: An ALCV was designed with a cold liquid circulation system in tubes embedded inside the vest. A performance of ALCV in the hot laboratory conditions with an average temperature of 38.5°C and relative humidity of 40% was done with ALCV and none-ALCV (NALCV). Parameters such as heart rate, oral temperature (OT), thermal sensation (TS), perceived exertion (PE), and chest temperature (CT), forehead temperature (FT), and scapula temperature (ST) were measured. Paired t-test was used to compare the average of the data. Results: The results illustrated that the difference between the average temperature of the ST and CT with ALCV and NALCV, it was 2°C ± 0.5°C. There was a statistically significant difference between the average PE and TS in two testing conditions (P < 0.05). Paired t-test showed that there is no significant difference between the average FT and OT in the two testing conditions (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Due to the positive effects of the designed ALCV in reducing skin temperature, heat sensation, and PE, this cooling vest can be used as a useful and cost-effective solution to reduce the level of heat strain in hot environments.

A rise in the COVID-19 pandemic has led to increase in biomedical waste (BMW) all over the globe that leads to the perilous situation. Hence, this review has made an attempt to gather all the guidelines for appropriate BMW management in dental practice during COVID-19 pandemic. The keywords such as Biomedical waste management guidelines, COVID-19, dental waste management, and India were used in the literature search engines such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar along with the various guidelines provided by international, national agencies and verified government websites with a focus on the BMW management in dentistry during COVID-19. The result enumerated that Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016, categorizes the bio-medical waste generated from the health-care facility into four categories based on the segregation pathway and color code. These guidelines were reshaped in 2018, 2019, and in 2020 for COVID-19 pandemic. Collection and segregation of biomedical waste separately before handling it to the Common Bio-medical Waste Treatment and Disposal Facility was highly recommended that should be labeled with “COVID-19” both in medical and dental waste management guidelines. This review revealed that BMW management guidelines should be followed by all the health-care fraternities including oral health professionals as they are at a heightened risk of COVID-19, it is vital that they are informed of the most up-to-date protocols for BMW disposal in this pandemic.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and attitude of the staff of a university of medical sciences about housing health in Kermanshah, Iran. Materials and Methods: For this cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study, based on Morgan Table 100 people were randomly selected and knowledge and attitudes about housing health were assessed based on a researcher-made questionnaire in 2017. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS software version 18 and paired t-test on Likert scale. Results: A total of 100 employees were studied, more than half of them (60%) were female and more in the group of 20–29 years. The mean scores of knowledge and attitude of the target group regarding housing health were 18.35 and 78.00, respectively. The mean score of knowledge in men and women is significantly different (P < 0.001). However, the attitude scores of the two groups were not statistically significant (P = 0.15). Although knowledge of housing quality was reasonable among respondents, the method of disposing of sanitary waste and housing maintenance was poor. The highest score of women's attitude was related to the groups with diploma and/or associate degree and the highest score of knowledge and attitude in men was related to the groups with bachelor's degree or higher. Conclusion: This study showed that people with higher education have better knowledge and attitudes about housing health than people with lower education. However, more research is needed to fully understand the link between housing and adverse health outcomes.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the medical staff's burnout level and its related factors at Daran Shahid Rajaee Hospital. Materials and Methods: The total number of participants was 145 medical staff who participated in this cross-sectional study. Data were collected employing such various instruments as demographic information questionnaires, general health questionnaires, job satisfaction (JS), and Maslach burnout inventory. Then, the researcher analyzed the data with correlation, t-tests, and variance by using the SPSS software version 26. Results: The findings indicated that 79% of the medical staff suffer from high burnout level. The results showed that the correlation between burnout levels and JS was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Moreover, the correlation of depersonalization levels with marital status, age, work experience, and type of employment was significant (P < 0.001) as well. Conclusion: The results indicated that, during the pandemic of COVID-19, the medical staff's burnout was at a high level. Interestingly, on the emotional exhaustion scale, the medical staff burnout was more than other burnout levels requiring organizational interventions to lessen medical staff burnout.

Aim: The purpose of this article is to analyze subjective self-evaluation of thermal and respiratory discomfort experienced by workers in the foundry industry. Materials and Methods: One hundred and sixty-one workers aged 18–55 years participated in this study. Discomfort due to high temperatures, hot work, skin rashes, cramps, fatigue, weakness, respiratory problems, and inhalation was subjectively evaluated by the questionnaire survey. The questionnaire is validated, and Cronbach's alpha test and Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin's test are applied to ensure data reliability and adequacy. Results: The results indicated that the highest and lowest percentage of workers experiencing at least one discomfort is 86% and 4%, respectively. Furthermore, 11 out of 19 discomfort factors scored above the average thermal and respiratory discomfort score of 2.5 on the scale of 5. Conclusion: According to this study outcome, more exploration is needed on the relationship among thermal and respiratory discomfort and its effect on the workers in the foundry environment.

Aim: Today, low back pain (LBP) is one of the major challenges among occupational health professionals in various jobs. The objective of this study was to investigate the relation between work limitation and functional disability with LBP in Iranian nurses. Materials and Methods: Overall, 400 subjects were examined systematic random sampling in this cross-sectional-comparative study. Participants were divided into the case (195 persons with LBP) and control (205 persons without LBP) groups. Data were collected using a comprehensive questionnaire including demographic information form, Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, Oswestry Disability Questionnaire, and Work Limitation Questionnaire. The collected data analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 20. Results: Findings showed that age, marital status, and family history were significantly associated with LBP (P < 0.001). The most common cause of back pain among nurses was work-related LBP (56.9%) and genetics (heredity) (30.2%). Furthermore, the mean score of functional disability and work limitation in the case group was higher than the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Although, based on statistical analyzes, the frequency distribution and mean score of functional disability, work limitation, and all subscales in the group with LBP were higher than the group without LBP, it seems that back pain does not put nurses in working functional disruptive conditions.

Aim: In dental clinic environment, dental staff and patients are daily exposed to many types of infectious agents transported by aerosols and droplets, promoting an increased risk of cross infection. The aim of this study was to assess the level of bacterial contamination of air and surfaces in different wards of the educational clinic in Arak University of Medical Sciences. Materials and Methods: Samples were obtained from the air and surfaces of five active wards of the dental school clinic. Air sampling was performed actively at ½ and 2 m distances from two random units in each ward. Sampling from surfaces was conducted using a wet sterile swab from the washing sink and handpiece after disinfection. Grown colonies were counted and bacterial phenotyping was based primarily on morphology, Gram-staining, endospore formation, catalase activity, and cytochrome oxidase presence. For statistical analysis, the Kruskal–Wallis test was used at a significance level of P < 0.05. Results: Bacterial contamination was detected in all of 80 samples taken from the surfaces of different sections. Regarding the total number of colonies growing from surface samples, there was no significant difference between the studied wards (P > 0.05). The mean concentration of airborne bacteria in the pediatric ward (488 CFU/m³) at a distance of 0.5 m and the surgical ward (339 CFU/m³) at a distance of 2 m had the highest value compared to other wards. In general, there was no statistically significant difference between the total density of airborne bacteria at distances of 0.5 and 2 m (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Bacterial contamination in the environment of the dentistry clinic increases during the treatment process. The clinic's space, the types of the ward and treatment process, and distance from the unit are among the factors affecting the type and diffusion extent of microbial aerosols.