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Janjani H, Rastkari N, Yousefian F, Aghaei M, Yunesian M. Biomonitoring and health risk assessment of exposure to phthalate esters in waste management workers. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 180:76-84. [PMID: 38547758 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2024.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Humans are at risk of exposure to phthalates due to the widespread use of plasticized plastics, and one of the major concerns is occupational exposure. The present study investigated occupational exposure to phthalates at one of the greatest solid waste management sites in the second-largest country in the Middle East. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks were assessed by human biomonitoring (HBM). The concentration of phthalate esters was determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and the daily intake (DI) of phthalate was calculated based on the adjusted urinary creatinine concentrations. Moreover, carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks were assessed. Monte Carlo simulations were performed for uncertainty and sensitivity analysis. The highest concentration recorded was 130.80 µg/g creatinine for mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP) among the composting group, while the lowest concentration was 0.49 µg/g creatinine for Monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) among the office group. All estimates of daily intake were below the reference concentration, and differences between the DI at site sections were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The non-carcinogenic risk level was negligible. The excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) values corresponding to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) exposure were 2.07E-04 among the composting group and 2.07E-04 among the processing group, posing a definite risk. The carcinogenic risk value among the office group was in a possible risk category with ELCR values of 9.75 E-05. The on-site workers of waste management sites can be highly exposed to phthalates, and their health risk is considerable. Appropriate measures and interventions should be considered to reduce occupational exposure to phthalates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hosna Janjani
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Noushin Rastkari
- Center for Air Pollution Research (CAPR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Yousefian
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Mina Aghaei
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masud Yunesian
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Research Methodology and Data Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Sales Junior SF, da Silva EO, Mannarino CF, Correia FV, Saggioro EM. A comprehensive overview on solid waste leachate effects on terrestrial organisms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 915:170083. [PMID: 38224881 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Leachate is a highly complex waste with high toxicological potential that poses a significant threat to the terrestrial environment. Determining leachate physicochemical parameters and identifying xenobiotics alone is, however, not enough to determine the real environmental impacts. In this context, the use of terrestrial model organisms has been highlighted as a tool in ecotoxicological leachate assessments and as a guiding principle in risk assessments. In this context, this review aimed to present the most current state of knowledge concerning leachate toxicity and the bioassays employed in this evaluation concerning terrestrial plants and animals. To this end, a literature search on leachate effects on terrestrial organisms was carried out using ten search terms, in 32 different combinations, at the Web of Science and Scopus databases. A total of 74 eligible articles were selected. The retrieved studies analyzed 42 different plant and animal species and employed nine endpoints, namely phytotoxicity, genotoxicity, bioaccumulation, antioxidant system, cytotoxicity, reproduction, physiological changes, behavior and lethality. A frequent association of toxic leachate effects with metals was observed, mainly Pb, Cd, Cr, Mg, Zn and Cr, which can cause antioxidant system alterations and cyto- and genotoxicity. These elements have also been associated to reproductive effects in earthworms and mice. Specifically concerning plants, most of the retrieved studies employed Allium cepa in toxicity assays, reporting phytotoxic effects frequently associated to metals and soil parameter changes. Animal studies, on the other hand, mostly employed mice and evaluated genotoxicity and antioxidant system effects. Even with the description of toxic leachate effects in both plants and animals, a lack of knowledge is still noted concerning reproductive, physiological, cytotoxic, and behavioral effects in terrestrial species. We, thus, suggest that further studies be carried out on other animals, advancing our understanding on potential environmental leachate effects, also allowing for human health risk assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidney Fernandes Sales Junior
- Post-graduation Program in Public Health and Environment, Sergio Arouca National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, 1480 Leopoldo Bulhões Ave, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21041-210, Brazil
| | - Evelyn Oliveira da Silva
- Post-graduation Program in Public Health and Environment, Sergio Arouca National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, 1480 Leopoldo Bulhões Ave, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21041-210, Brazil
| | - Camille Ferreira Mannarino
- Laboratory of Comparative and Environmental Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Fábio Veríssimo Correia
- Department of Natural Sciences, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), 458 Pasteur Ave., 22290-20 Urca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Enrico Mendes Saggioro
- Post-graduation Program in Public Health and Environment, Sergio Arouca National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, 1480 Leopoldo Bulhões Ave, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21041-210, Brazil; Environmental Health Evaluation and Promotion Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, 4365 Brazil Ave, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21045-900, Brazil.
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Zhao XY, An DZ, Liu ML, Ma JX, Ali W, Zhu H, Li M, Ai XJ, Nasir ZA, Alcega SG, Coulon F, Yan C. Bioaerosols emission characteristics from wastewater treatment aeration tanks and associated health risk exposure assessment during autumn and winter. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 851:158106. [PMID: 35987237 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Aeration tanks from activated sludge wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) can release a large amount of bioaerosols that can pose health risks. However, risk characterization of bioaerosols emissions form wastewater treatment plants is currently not systematically carried out and still in its infancy. Therefore, this study investigated emission characteristic of two indicator model bioaerosols Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, emitted from aeration tanks of a municipal WWTP. Monte Carlo simulation was then used to quantitatively assess microbial risk posed by different aeration modes under optimistic and conservative estimates. Further to this, two different exposure scenarios were considered during 3 days sampling campaign in autumn and winter. Results showed that the bioaerosol concentration from microporous aeration tank (20-262 CFU m-3) was one order of magnitude lower than rotating disc aeration tank. Average aerosolization rate was 7.5 times higher with mechanical aeration mode. Health risks of exposed populations were 0.4 and 9.6 times higher in winter than in autumn for E. coli and S. aureus bioaerosol, respectively. Health risks of staff members were 10 times higher than academic visitors. Interesting results were observed for academic visitors without personal protective equipment (PPE) respectively exposed to S. aureus and E. coli bioaerosol in autumn and winter: while the derived infection risk met the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) benchmark under optimistic estimation, the disease risk burden was over the World Health Organization (WHO) benchmark under conservative estimation. These revealed that only satisfying one of the two benchmarks didn't mean absolute acceptable health risk. This study could facilitate the development of better understanding of bioaerosol quantitative assessment of risk characterizations and corresponding appropriate risk control strategies for wastewater utilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Yan Zhao
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental Water Science in the Yangtze River Basin, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Dong-Zi An
- China Construction Eco-Environmental Group Co., Ltd., Beijing 100037, PR China
| | - Man-Li Liu
- Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Hubei Water Resources Technical College, Wuhan 430202, PR China
| | - Jia-Xin Ma
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Wajid Ali
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Hao Zhu
- POWERCHINA Hubei Electric Engineering Co., Ltd, Wuhan 430040, PR China
| | - Ming Li
- POWERCHINA Hubei Electric Engineering Co., Ltd, Wuhan 430040, PR China
| | - Xiao-Jun Ai
- POWERCHINA Hubei Electric Engineering Co., Ltd, Wuhan 430040, PR China
| | - Zaheer Ahmad Nasir
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Sonia Garcia Alcega
- School of Physical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK6 7AA, UK
| | - Frederic Coulon
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Cheng Yan
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental Water Science in the Yangtze River Basin, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China.
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Vyas S, Prajapati P, Shah AV, Varjani S. Municipal solid waste management: Dynamics, risk assessment, ecological influence, advancements, constraints and perspectives. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 814:152802. [PMID: 34982993 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Global energy consumption has been increasing in tandem with economic growth, putting pressure on the world's supply of renewable energy sources. Municipal Solid waste (MSW) has been reported contributing immensely to the improvement of a secure environment and renewable sources. Energy scarcity and conventional MSW disposal methods in developing countries lead towards many environmental and economic issues. Scientists have been able to experiment with various waste-to-energy conversion technologies in light of this situation. This communication highlights and reviews WtE technologies to convert MSW and other feedstocks into electricity, hydrogen gas, bioethanol along with other value added products like fertilizer(s), platform chemicals as an environmentally friendly products. This review comprehensively summarized the dynamics, risk assessment, ecological influence, advancements, constraints and perspectives altogether in field of municipal solid waste management and treatment. Stare-of-the-art information on ecological influence and risk assessment in handling and transportation of municipal solid waste has been provided. Advanced trends involved in remediation of emerging pollutants and resources obtained from municipal solid wastes have been uncovered. Lastly, this paper comprises constraints and perspectives for uncovering MSW based circular bioeconomy aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaili Vyas
- Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gandhinagar 382 010, Gujarat, India; Kadi Sarva Vishwavidyalaya, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382015, India
| | - Priya Prajapati
- Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gandhinagar 382 010, Gujarat, India; Kadi Sarva Vishwavidyalaya, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382015, India
| | - Anil V Shah
- Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gandhinagar 382 010, Gujarat, India
| | - Sunita Varjani
- Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gandhinagar 382 010, Gujarat, India.
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Papageorgiou CV, Savourdos P, Douna E, Georgakopoulou VE, Makrodimitri S, Dounias G. Respiratory Symptoms and Pulmonary Function of Workers in the Waste Management Industry. Cureus 2021; 13:e17027. [PMID: 34522508 PMCID: PMC8425493 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.17027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Waste handling workers are exposed to air pollutants and toxic compounds produced during waste management and processing that can cause respiratory symptoms and lung function impairment. This study aimed to evaluate the respiratory health of exposed workers in a waste management plant in Attica, Greece. Methods: 50 field workers exposed to outdoor pollutants (exposure group) and 32 office clerks with no exposure (control group) were evaluated. Upper and lower respiratory symptoms were documented and spirometry was performed. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the exposure and the control group in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)%, forced vital capacity (FVC)%, FEV1/FVC% predicted values. Workers had lower maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF)% predicted values compared to controls (82% vs 94%, p=0.019). No difference was observed regarding the respiratory symptoms between the two groups. Conclusion: Lower MMEF values were observed in the exposure group. Low MMEF can be indicative of small airway disease, thus smoking cessation, close follow-up, and the use of personal protective equipment are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Petros Savourdos
- Department of Occupational & Industrial Hygiene, National School of Public Health, Athens, GRC
| | - Eleni Douna
- Department of Occupational & Industrial Hygiene, National School of Public Health, Athens, GRC
| | | | | | - Georgios Dounias
- Department of Occupational & Industrial Hygiene, National School of Public Health, Athens, GRC
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Janjani H, Nabizadeh R, Kashani H, Shamsipour M, Aghaei M, Yunesian M. Spatiotemporal variability of exposure to secondhand smoke in Iran during 2009-2020: a systematic review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:46838-46851. [PMID: 34245414 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15273-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The present study aimed to provide a systematic review of studies on the prevalence of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in the Iran population as a serious indoor health hazard. A literature review of studies that considered SHS exposure, available in multiple electronic databases including Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus published 2009-2020 in English and two Persian databases (SID and Magiran), was carried out following the PRISMA recommendations. A total of 55 studies were included based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and the quality assessment. The results showed no specific decrease in the prevalence of exposure to secondhand smoke in Iran; however, it appeared that the exposure has been increasing. Distribution of studies in terms of age group revealed that most studies (38%) investigated adults (more than 18 years old), while 34% of the studies considered less than 18 years of age group and a single article considered infants (6-24 months). Based on the present study results, a large population of Iran was exposed to SHS. Moreover, based on Iran's STEPs 2016 (Stepwise Non-communicable Diseases Risk Factors Survey in Iran) study, the overall prevalence of SHS exposure at home (57.5%) was higher than in workplaces (49.2%). The results of the present study recommended that protection measures should be comprehensive in terms of exposure places, and since the exposure prevalence in some provinces was higher than the others, it is especially important to consider the local measures and cultural aspects in SHS control programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hosna Janjani
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ramin Nabizadeh
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Homa Kashani
- Department of Research Methodology and Data Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mansour Shamsipour
- Department of Research Methodology and Data Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mina Aghaei
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masud Yunesian
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Research Methodology and Data Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Nair AT. Bioaerosols in the landfill environment: an overview of microbial diversity and potential health hazards. AEROBIOLOGIA 2021; 37:185-203. [PMID: 33558785 PMCID: PMC7860158 DOI: 10.1007/s10453-021-09693-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Landfilling is one of the indispensable parts of solid waste management in various countries. Solid waste disposed of in landfill sites provides nutrients for the proliferation of pathogenic microbes which are aerosolized into the atmosphere due to the local meteorology and various waste disposal activities. Bioaerosols released from landfill sites can create health issues for employees and adjoining public. The present study offers an overview of the microbial diversity reported in the air samples collected from various landfill sites worldwide. This paper also discusses other aspects, including effect of meteorological conditions on the bioaerosol concentrations, sampling techniques, bioaerosol exposure and potential health impacts. Analysis of literature concluded that landfill air is dominated by microbial dust or various pathogenic microbes like Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Aspergillus fumigatus. The bioaerosols present in the landfill environment are of respirable sizes and can penetrate deep into lower respiratory systems and trigger respiratory symptoms and chronic pulmonary diseases. Most studies reported higher bioaerosol concentrations in spring and summer as higher temperature and relative humidity provide a favourable environment for survival and multiplication of microbes. Landfill workers involved in solid waste disposal activities are at the highest risk of exposure to these bioaerosols due to their proximity to solid waste and as they practise minimum personal safety and hygiene measures during working hours. Workers are recommended to use personal protective equipment and practise hygiene to reduce the impact of occupational exposure to bioaerosols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhilash T. Nair
- Department of Applied Sciences and Humanities, National Institute of Foundry and Forge Technology (NIFFT), Hatia, Ranchi, Jharkhand 834003 India
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Yousefian F, Hassanvand MS, Nodehi RN, Amini H, Rastkari N, Aghaei M, Yunesian M, Yaghmaeian K. The concentration of BTEX compounds and health risk assessment in municipal solid waste facilities and urban areas. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 191:110068. [PMID: 32846179 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In this study, human exposure to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes (BTEX), along with their respective risk assessment is studied in four major units (n = 14-point sources) of the largest municipal solid waste management facilities (MSWF) in Iran. The results were compared with four urban sites in Tehran, capital of Iran. Workers at the pre-processing unit are exposed to the highest total BTEX (151 μg m-3). In specific, they were exposed to benzene concentrations of 11 μg m-3. Moreover, the total BTEX (t-BTEX) concentrations measured over the conveyor belt was 198 μg m-3 at most, followed by trommel (104), and active landfills (43). The mean concentration of ambient t-BTEX in Tehran is 100 μg m-3. On average, xylenes and toluene have the highest concentrations in both on-site and urban environments, with mean values of 24 and 21, and 41 and 37 μg m-3, respectively. Even though the non-carcinogenic risk of occupational exposure is negligible, BTEX is likely to increase the chance of carcinogenic risks (1.7E-05) for workers at the pre-processing unit. A definite carcinogenic risk of 1.3E-04, and non-carcinogenic effect, of HI = 1.6 were observed in one urban site. With the exception of the pre-processing unit, the citizens of Tehran had higher exposure to BTEX. Overall, BTEX concentrations in the largest MSWF of Iran remains an issue of public health concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Yousefian
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Sadegh Hassanvand
- Center for Air Pollution Research (CAPR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ramin Nabizadeh Nodehi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Center for Air Pollution Research (CAPR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Heresh Amini
- Environmental Epidemiology Group, Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Noushin Rastkari
- Center for Air Pollution Research (CAPR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mina Aghaei
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masud Yunesian
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Research Methodology and Data Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Kamyar Yaghmaeian
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Center for Solid Waste Management (CSWM), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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