Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
M.T. Islam; M. Islam; A.A. Nayeem; A.K. Majumder
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Air pollution and its associated health impacts have become a major concern worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Anthropogenic activities were significantly reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing for the opportunity for source reduction of air pollutants. ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Air pollution and its associated health impacts have become a major concern worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Anthropogenic activities were significantly reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing for the opportunity for source reduction of air pollutants. A number of studies have been conducted in Dhaka, but most of them are concentrated on a single ground-monitoring station, making it impossible to draw a comprehensive pollution scenario for the entire city. In contrast, this study evaluated the spatio-temporal changes of urban Particulate Matters (PM) in 70 locations from five different land use categories. Hence, this study investigated the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on PM1 (aerodynamic diameter ≤1 µm), PM2.5 (aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 µm) and PM10 (aerodynamic diameter ≤10 µm) concentration during three specific time frames: November 2019 (Pre-lockdown), April 2020 (During lockdown), and November 2020 (Post-lockdown).METHODS: The data were collected through portable air quality meter (AEROQUAL 500) during lockdown (April 2020) and post-lockdown (November 2020) period. Data set of pre-lockdowns (November 2019) was collected from Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS). The Tukey’s Post Hoc Multiple Comparison Test was conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSSv26) to address the significant changes in air quality between the periods. Additionally, the GIS (Geographical Information System) platform was used to see the spatial and temporal variations of PMs over the city.FINDINGS: The study found that average ground level PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 concentration reduced by 75.1, 75.4, 69.6% and 41.1, 32.6, 29.2% respectively during lockdown compared to pre-lockdown and post-lockdown periods. Moreover, the reduction during lockdown was significant at α=0.05 level. The highest reduction was seen in residential areas from the pre-lockdown to lockdown period, whereas in the lockdown to post-lockdown phase that was found in the industrial areas. Interestingly, the northern part of Dhaka city was less polluted than the southern part in all three studied periods. Besides, the Dhaka city dwellers enjoyed comparatively good quality air in lockdown.CONCLUSION: This study suggested that land use-based source apportionment is required to eliminate the particulate concentration from Dhaka city. Besides, 24 hours continuous data is also important to understand the interaction between particulate concentration and climatic forces. Promoting cleaner transportation options, such as electric vehicles and public transportation is recommended as a means of reducing vehicle emissions. Furthermore, governments could consider implementing emissions regulations, setting limits on emissions, or mandating the use of cleaner fuels and technologies to reduce industrial pollution.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
R. Oguntayo; S. F. Agberotimi; P. O. Ajao; O. T. Oladele; A. O. Olaseni; O. D. Ajibewa
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Environmental worry involve primarily the thoughts of some hazardous immediate and long-run side effects of degradation that happened to our ecological system. Despite the side effects of this phenomenon, psychometrics measuring environmental worry from the African context ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Environmental worry involve primarily the thoughts of some hazardous immediate and long-run side effects of degradation that happened to our ecological system. Despite the side effects of this phenomenon, psychometrics measuring environmental worry from the African context are insufficient. Therefore, the Environmental Worry Index (EWI-11) was developed to assess proximal and personal experiences of worry about climate change and environmental degradation. METHODS: This study used a qualitative method among environmental professionals and students (between the ages of 18 to 65) in a university to generate the themes and the pool of items that were used to determine the Environmental Worry Index (EWI-11). Thereafter, 925 participants were purposively selected and assessed from Ibadan city through a cross-sectional survey to ascertain the validity and reliability of this new scale. The participants were selected in Ibadan city, Nigeria. The software of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (Version 26.0) was used for all analyses.FINDINGS: Using exploratory factor analysis, the construct validity and Varimax rotation showed that the scale has two components (KMO = 0.892, df=91, p.00), thus showing a strong validity. The reliability dimensions and subscales have meritorious reliability (Proximal, α =.894, and Personal experience of worry, α =.671). The overall Cronbach’s Alpha was 0.894.CONCLUSION: The EWI-11 is adequate for measuring environmental worry and could be useful for experts in mental and environmental research and practice. EWI-11 is therefore recommended as a reliable and valid screening tool for environmental worry and may be acceptable across Africa and other countries as well.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
S.S. Ahmadi Dehrashid; H.R. Jafari; A. Amjadi
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Road traffic noise is a matter of challenge for both people and policymakers. For instance, the price of lands/houses which are close to road traffic noise is reduced. The key objective of this study is to propose a conceptual model to illustrate details of a road traffic noise ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Road traffic noise is a matter of challenge for both people and policymakers. For instance, the price of lands/houses which are close to road traffic noise is reduced. The key objective of this study is to propose a conceptual model to illustrate details of a road traffic noise model, along with its policy and societal relevance. The second objective is to consider the honking of horns in such a conceptual model, as honking is a remarkable traffic noise factor, however, it has been neglected in some noise abatement policies. METHODS: By the use of previously proposed traffic noise models, some attempts were made to figure out how the models were applicable in minimizing road noise and how they would be helpful for environmentalists in conducting Environmental Impact Assessment. The proposed models were used to design a conceptual model explaining how policymakers and people in the urban areas may implement the traffic noise models. FINDINGS: 5 groups of policymakers including roadway engineers, acoustical engineers, acoustic specialists, expert witnesses, and traffic engineers; and 5 groups in the society comprising drivers, people, health practitioners, property owners, and ecosystem may benefit from the traffic noise models. Finally, a conceptual model entailing 3 actors of a traffic noise model (meteorological, traffic, and infrastructure factors) and its 2 outputs i.e. equivalent and maximum noise levels were obtained. CONCLUSION: Given the conceptual model derived from the road traffic noise models, one is capable of understanding their policy and societal relevance. It is recommended dynamic road noise maps of urban areas be obtained using the models during various times of day and night so that number of inhabitants in different noise spectrums of the map to be specified. Such a noise map is beneficial for both people and policymakers.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
C. Karani; E. Gido; H. Bett
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Whereas management of waste in urban areas across the globe is essentially a public service, there is dearth of knowledge on waste management efforts at the household level in developing countries. The study aimed to avail crucial information on the largely informal management ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Whereas management of waste in urban areas across the globe is essentially a public service, there is dearth of knowledge on waste management efforts at the household level in developing countries. The study aimed to avail crucial information on the largely informal management of agro-food waste that is practiced in low- and lower middle-income countries. Insights of safety measures adopted in the utilization of agro-food wasteamong urban agro-producers were explored empirically.METHODOLOGY: An electronically-structured questionnaire was administered on a sample of 456 urban agro-producer households for data collection.Descriptive as well asMultivariate Probit models were employed for analysis.FINDINGS: The results indicated significant disparities in management options and safety risk management practices between the participating and non-participating livestock and mixed producers. Waste reduction (86%), utilization (86%), segregation (63%) and composting (58%) were the most preferred waste management practices. Waste disposal (18%) and mixing with salt/dry feeds (24%) were lowly preferred methods. Whereas the regression models showed disparities in the contextual factors influencing management options and safety risk measures, the knowledge variables (waste sorting and urban agriculture knowledge) had greater influence across these agro-food waste aspects. This implies that implementation of education programs in agro-food waste management and safety risk management practices among urban agro-producer households by urban authorities would enhance sustainable food safety in urban food supply chains.CONCLUSION: The findings could inform self-management efforts of agro-food waste in small-urban agribusinesses thus increasing economic benefits and improving environmental wellbeing.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
G. Aladekoyi; A. Akinnusotu
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Disinterred manures from dumpsites in the cities are believed to be readily available source for soil nutrient for backyard farming. Health hazards posed on human due to labile metals contaminants are not considered or evaluated before consumption. Three major municipal dumpsites ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Disinterred manures from dumpsites in the cities are believed to be readily available source for soil nutrient for backyard farming. Health hazards posed on human due to labile metals contaminants are not considered or evaluated before consumption. Three major municipal dumpsites from Okitipupa (Waste Management (OKA), Igodan (OKB), and Okitipupa Oil Mill Road (OKC)) were analyzed for the concentrations, forms of labile metals in the soil and also concentration in green vegetables from the sites. The objectives of the research were to investigate the labile metal concentration, forms of the labile metals in the soil and their accumulation in plants from these major urban dumpsites. METHODS: Dried and digestedSoil and vegetable samples from the sites were analyzed for total concentration of labile metals and their forms through speciation in the soil were equally quantified. Concentrations from sample solutions were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. FINDING: Labile metals concentrations from the soilof Waste Management Dumpsite (OKA), IgodanDumpsite (OKB) and Okitipupa Oil Mill Road Dumpsite (OKC) indicated that Cadmium (Cd) values range from87.453mg/kg -106.500mg/kg). Copper (Cu) in the three samples ranged between 3.100-5.510mg/kg, which are significantly low and beyond the toxicity level as well as cobalt (Co). Chromium (Cr) was higher in OKA (22.980mg/kg) and OKC (10.560mg/kg) and least in OKB (2.900mg/kg).Iron was the most abundant ranging from 3690.000-6780.000mg/kg, followed by zinc ranging from385.000-2880.000mg/kg. Speciation of the labile metal indicate that the metal exist mostly in the inert fraction and easily absorbed by plant. CONCLUSION: The concentrations of the most labile metals in soil samples were high and majorly exist in inert fraction after speciation. Also, the concentrations in the plants were almost half of the concentration in the soil which indicated that they are not desirable for human consumption due to their toxicity level.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
S. Arsalan; A. Imran; A. Khawar; F. Imran; Z. Faiz; S.E. Razzaq; S.S. Razzaq
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: As the population grows on the earth, transport and industrial sector have become the main parameters whose emissions increase pollutants like greenhouse gasses that have a snowballing impact on urban air quality and life in the area. This study aims to analyze the emission ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: As the population grows on the earth, transport and industrial sector have become the main parameters whose emissions increase pollutants like greenhouse gasses that have a snowballing impact on urban air quality and life in the area. This study aims to analyze the emission of greenhouse gases in the highly urbanized city of Karachi through Geographic information technique. METHODS: This study used the Inverse distance weighted technique of Geographic information system to highlight the emission of greenhouse gases in ten different sites of Karachi, Pakistan. Target areas include Baloch colony, Clifton, Civic center, Garden police headquarters, II Chundrigar, Karimabad, Korangi, Nazimabad, SITE area and SUPARCO. FINDING: Results showed that Baloch colony, Korangi, Nazimabad, SITE area and Garden police headquarter lies in the highly polluted areas among these ten sites of Karachi city. Karimabad with moderate pollution, II Chundriger and SUPARCO with low pollution rate and Clifton had very low pollution. CONCLUSION: As all of the observed ten sites of the city have dense populations with heavy traffic and industrial pollution, there is a need to take serious steps towards areas indicated in this study to safeguard the people from the effects of GHG emission. With the help of this study the general population and all concerned authorities with highly polluted areas, can be familiarized so that efficient and different ways to overcome the pollution, like plantation, can be applied.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
A.A. Nayeem; A.K. Majumder; W.S. Carter
Volume 5, Issue 3 , July 2020, , Pages 207-216
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Bangladesh government declared a general holiday beginning on March 26, 2020 aimed to combat coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess the impacts of the general holiday on air quality in Dhaka city area of Bangladesh. METHODS: Hourly PM2.5 (aerodynamic ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Bangladesh government declared a general holiday beginning on March 26, 2020 aimed to combat coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess the impacts of the general holiday on air quality in Dhaka city area of Bangladesh. METHODS: Hourly PM2.5 (aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 µm) data was collected from publicly available World's Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index Project from March 1 to May 16 for the five years 2016 to 2020. Tukey Multiple Comparison test was conducted to address the observable level of air quality changes between the years. Additionally, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer using the Aerosol Optical Depth with 550nm wavelength was analyzed during the same time period. FINDING: This Study found that, between April 7 and May 16, the mean daily reading of PM2.5 was less in 2020 when compared to previous years. The mean hourly reported PM2.5 during working hours of 6AM and 8 PM for 2020 was statistically lower (at α= 0.01 level) than all other years 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016. The mean hourly reported PM2.5 for 2019 was statistically higher (at α = 0.01 level) than all other years 2020, 2018, 2017, and 2016. The Bus Rapid Transit and Mass Rapid Transit Construction in 2019 contributed between 24.2% and 38.6% of the PM2.5 dust during this period. The elimination of diesel bus traffic during working hours in 2020 reduced the dust levels between 15.9% and 36.3% compared to the previous four years. A declining trend of AOD550 values was observed from April 7 to May 16, 2020 compared to previous four years (2016-2019). CONCLUSION: During the general holiday period in Dhaka, the daily and working hour PM2.5 as well as daily Aerosol Optical Depth were reduced compared to previous four years (2016-2019). Government action is recommended to reduce dust created during major construction projects. It is recommended the government authorize the replacement of buses with less polluting vehicles.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
M. Yarmohammadi; F. Razavian
Abstract
Construction projects are one of the most important economic sectors in the world. At the same time, these projects are one of the hazardous industries that cause many accidents resulting from injuries and deaths, occupational diseases, delay in time, environmental problems and other direct and indirect ...
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Construction projects are one of the most important economic sectors in the world. At the same time, these projects are one of the hazardous industries that cause many accidents resulting from injuries and deaths, occupational diseases, delay in time, environmental problems and other direct and indirect damages. While in many industries, the issue of health, safety and environment is meticulously planned as an important and structured topic, in construction projects this is not taken seriously. Therefore, the vital role of the Health, Safety and Environment staff would be meaningless without sufficient power. The current study examined the status of Health, Safety and Environment authorities in construction projects and their impact on the performance indicators of this sector. Eight indicators were identified in relation to the main research question and the relationship between Health, Safety and Environment authority delegation and the eight performance indicators. Out of these significant relationships, authority delegation had the maximum correlation (0.690) with environmental health status and the least correlation was observed with per capita disease (-0.513). The results of the data analysis showed that the terms of discretion of the Health, Safety and Environment authorities in construction projects are inadequate. Managers of this field trust authorities with higher academic degrees and give them more authority.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
A. Opayemi; R. Oguntayo; A. Popoola; A. Alabi
Abstract
This study investigated psychosocial factors as determinants of littering prevention behavior among residents of Ilorin, Kwara state, Nigeria. The independent variables are; personality traits, gender, Residential characteristics, Educational level, Age and Organizational factors while dependent ...
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This study investigated psychosocial factors as determinants of littering prevention behavior among residents of Ilorin, Kwara state, Nigeria. The independent variables are; personality traits, gender, Residential characteristics, Educational level, Age and Organizational factors while dependent variable is littering prevention behavior. Descriptive survey was utilized for research design and accidental sampling technique to collect data from a total of 601 participants. The sample comprised of 263(43.8%) males and 338(56.2%) female respondents. Ten Item Personality Inventory (TIPI) was used to measure personality traits while Littering Prevention Behavior Scale (LPBS) was used to assess littering prevention behavior of respondents. The results revealed that there is significant positive relationship between littering prevention behavior and personality traits (extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, openness, conscientiousness) [R= (.260; P<.01), (R=.200; P<.01), R=(.144; P<.01), (R=.248; P<0.1), (R=168 P<.01). Also, female participants scored significantly higher on littering prevention behavior than males [t (599) =-3.429; p<.01). It further shows that personality factors predicted about % significant joint influence on littering prevention behavior {R= .327; R2=.107; F (5,595) =820.56; P<.05}. It was recommended that government should attract recycling companies to explore the country utilizing the rampant litters in our environs by monetizing the submission of litters to those companies to encourage the conformists; there should be public enlightenment on how to manage one’s personality to prevent littering behavior also, government should engage law enforcement agents to implement specific policies guiding and restricting littering behaviors.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
V. Parth; S. Mukherjee
Abstract
Present study was undertaken to examine the extent of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) contamination in neighbourhood lithospheric environment of landfill site situated in eastern outer edge of Kolkata metropolitan city in West Bengal, India, along with its sources identification, spatial distribution ...
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Present study was undertaken to examine the extent of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) contamination in neighbourhood lithospheric environment of landfill site situated in eastern outer edge of Kolkata metropolitan city in West Bengal, India, along with its sources identification, spatial distribution and probabilistic cancer risks to residents. The collection and analytical tests were performed for all prevailing seasons in local geographical condition. The concentration of sum of 16PAHs (Σ16PAHs) in soil ranged from 8561μg/kg to 20268μg/kg and the average concentration is 14459μg/kg. On the basis of experimental information, the likelihood of cancer manifestation through contact to place-linked PAHs was quantitatively estimated. benzo(a)pyrene, Benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, dibenzo(a)anthracene, indeno (1,2,3-c,d) pyrene and chrysene, among 16PAHs are ascertained to provoke cancer in the residents. Carcinogenic risk due to oral intake and dermal contact is computed as 1.21E-05 and 4.02E-06 respectively. Progressive lifetime cancer risk to resident is set up as 1.61E-05. Source identification of PAHs indicates that it mainly originated from incomplete combustion of solid waste. Atmospheric diffusion and deposition led to PAHs input to soil all around waste disposal site, resulting in a consistent pyrogenic supply pattern in soil. This risk appraisal grants a realistic tool for resolution at corporation level to take up risk management policy at contaminated location.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
W.O. Omollo
Abstract
This study investigates the underlying factors elucidating why solid waste management in Eldoret Town, Kenya, has up to now remained inadequate notwithstanding the existing legal framework that mandates the County Government of Uasin Gishu to ensure that all residents have access to a ...
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This study investigates the underlying factors elucidating why solid waste management in Eldoret Town, Kenya, has up to now remained inadequate notwithstanding the existing legal framework that mandates the County Government of Uasin Gishu to ensure that all residents have access to a clean and healthy environment. The study adopted a descriptive research design. While, primary data were collected through field photography and a questionnaire administered to the Director of Environment and Enforcement, secondary data was obtained from the County Government publications and reports. The study findings indicated that the reasons why the County Government of Uasin Gishu was not successfully discharging its statutory mandate included understaffing, low education level of technical staff, lack of an adequate number of receptacles, irregular solid waste collection, inadequate number of transportation vehicles, limited prioritization in the funding of solid waste management and a scarcity in the engagement of stakeholders. Key recommendations included preparing a comprehensive staff establishment policy that includes succession planning, prioritizing solid waste management within the annual development planning, regular solid waste collection, incorporating system approach to solid waste management, and adoption of smart waste management through the integration of Geographic Information Systems and remote sensing. This paper contributes to the international debate on urban management by critically investigating the institutional barriers towards solid waste management.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
S. Najafnezhad Asl; Y. Mohammadi Moghadam; S.M. Poormoosavi
Abstract
The main objective of this research is to determine the role of passive defense in urban crisis management from the perspectives of experts and urban managers Municipality of Tehran- District, 5. In order to carry out the study, an analytical-applied research method and a combination of documentary, ...
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The main objective of this research is to determine the role of passive defense in urban crisis management from the perspectives of experts and urban managers Municipality of Tehran- District, 5. In order to carry out the study, an analytical-applied research method and a combination of documentary, descriptive, analytical and case study methods are used. All managers and experts of Tehran’s municipality in the District (n=950) at all divisions and departments constitute the population of this study. 274 samples are selected using simple random sampling method. A researcher-made questionnaire is used as research tool whose validity and reliability are tested based on the views of the research supervisor, advisor, experts and managers of the municipality, and Cronbach's alpha test (a= 0787), respectively. Then, data analysis is performed using SPSS software (v21). According to the research findings, passive defense is effective in reducing damages to cities and application risk, and developing a proper pattern for urban sustainability using experts and managers perspective (p<0.05).
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
B. Azmoudeh Amlashi
Abstract
Constructing new urban facilities requires precise study of the proper sitting in different parts of a city. The first point for the accurate allocation of urban facilities, is to select the optimal site regarding different conditions and it matters when it comes to important factors such as saving lives ...
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Constructing new urban facilities requires precise study of the proper sitting in different parts of a city. The first point for the accurate allocation of urban facilities, is to select the optimal site regarding different conditions and it matters when it comes to important factors such as saving lives and safety of the people. Therefore, the optimal site selection of fire stations is essential because of the importance of the people who are in danger of fire and hazards. This research is applied in terms of purpose and in terms of method, is descriptive and in terms of data collection is a survey research. For this purpose, using the Analytic hierarchy process analysis in GIS, the results were analyzed by questionnaire. Using the overlapping method, the weighted criteria were combined and the optimal sites for the constructing of fire stations are specified. Results determined areas that have a higher priority and better conditions for the constructing of fire stations. The areas which have the most suitable conditions because of their proximity to the road, residential areas, the existence of health centers, as well as commercial centers, along with the existence of worn out structures, were in the first priority for the construction of new stations. However, other parts of the district are well-suited for construction of new stations that are compatible and in fact confirm the current situation and the status.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
M. Sayevand; A. Mohammadi; F. Moattar; V. Babaei
Abstract
As a communication link between suburban and urban roads, terminals prevent buses from entering the cities, thus, they play an important role in improving traffic flow, reducing urban environmental pollution. Clearly, proximity of te rminals to cities will bring about environmental pollution in different ...
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As a communication link between suburban and urban roads, terminals prevent buses from entering the cities, thus, they play an important role in improving traffic flow, reducing urban environmental pollution. Clearly, proximity of te rminals to cities will bring about environmental pollution in different forms (soil, water, air and wastewater). The current study tries to investigate the environmental management solutions for Tehran West Terminal. For this purpose, all the environmental aspects of bus terminals, including air, water, soil and traffic were investigated. Then, with respect to the primary assessments, a questionnaire was prepared and distributed among drivers and terminal staff. According to the obtained results, a SWOT matrix was designed and implemented after completing the Analytic Hierarchy Process. The results of soil sampling showed that pollutants like heavy metals and volatile organic matters (Benzene and Toluene) were above the standards set by the Iran Department of the Environment. In terms of air pollutants, all the gases and particles were above the standards set forth by Iran Department of the Environment. According to SWOT analysis, the aggressive scenario strategies obtained the highest scores. They included periodic trainings for the managers, drivers and other terminal staff (5.31), constant monitoring by Iran Department of the Environment (4.72), establishing internal environmental regulations (4.44), forbidding unauthorized car repairs especially oil Chang outside the repair shops (3.93), and supervision of cooperative managers on controlling vehicles and their drivers (3.73), were selected as superior strategies, respectively.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
H. Bahmanpour; M. Ehsani
Abstract
Quantitative and qualitative monitoring and evaluation of risk management programs will play an important role in the development of Tehran metropolitan railway transport. Considering the tectonic studies, seismic zones, land degradation and faults in north and south of Tehran, the development of underground ...
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Quantitative and qualitative monitoring and evaluation of risk management programs will play an important role in the development of Tehran metropolitan railway transport. Considering the tectonic studies, seismic zones, land degradation and faults in north and south of Tehran, the development of underground railway lines, the assessment of the vulnerability of subway stations and the escalation of the crisis with the destruction of urban exhausted earthquakes is very important with the occurrence of earthquake and flood. This study, focusing on the issue of risk assessment and vulnerability of the development of the rail transport network and the approach to physical and aerospace hazard monitoring of metro stations. For this purpose, three selected metro stations in Tehran were studied. In the research, a combined method based on library studies, review of records and records, Delphi technique, AHP method, and overlaying of layers have been used. The results of the vulnerability assessment indicate that each of Tajirish, Nawab and Darvazeh Shemiran, with a risk number of 5.10, 5.76, and 5.79, are in the risk limit range, respectively. In fact, all stations need to adopt smart measures and management and executive solutions to reduce potential damage.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
B. Prabal; R. Syed Hafizur
Abstract
Climate displaced persons generally follow the same trails as other migrants, but climate-induced displacement is adding to the pace and scale of human mobility. The prime aim of the study was to investigate the rural to urban migration of climate induced displacement in coastal area of Bangladesh addressing ...
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Climate displaced persons generally follow the same trails as other migrants, but climate-induced displacement is adding to the pace and scale of human mobility. The prime aim of the study was to investigate the rural to urban migration of climate induced displacement in coastal area of Bangladesh addressing to risks and opportunities. The study mainly based on primary data and secondary data was used for validation. The study reveals that after displacement nearly 89% displaced people migrated from rural (Kutubdia Island) to Cox’s Bazar urban area. Consequently, meantime their monthly income, occupational status, housing and sanitation condition, source of drinking water and health care facilities were changed positively but in most cases they are dissatisfied. Because they lost their traditional and indigenous occupations system and their housing pattern and conditions become worsen. Availability of water and sanitation facility and healthcare seeking behavior changed positively in the urban area. Finally, the study revealed that there is risk and opportunity for climate displaced people in urban migration. However, planned/fair migration of climate displaced people can reduce the risk factors in the urban setting.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
M.H. Rahimi; N. Kalantari; M. Sharifidoost; A. Gashtasebi
Abstract
Nowadays, it is vital to pay attention more seriously to the urban environmental risks because of its effects on citizens' lives. One of these problems is groundwater pollution which threatens much valuable water resources. Drinking water in Qom City is provided from different resources, such as watersheds ...
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Nowadays, it is vital to pay attention more seriously to the urban environmental risks because of its effects on citizens' lives. One of these problems is groundwater pollution which threatens much valuable water resources. Drinking water in Qom City is provided from different resources, such as watersheds and water wells which are located within the city. Although there is a shortage of water supply, according to the extreme water demand, these wells are used to provide city drinking water. Unfortunately, Sewage collection network in this city has not been completed yet and only a small amount of municipal wastewater is collected by the sewer network. As a result the city aquifer has been contaminated by the wastewater infiltration through the septic tanks scattered across the city. In order to assess the amount of contamination in water wells in urban areas of Qom City, sampling and testing of 24 deep wells which are scattered in the city was performed on December 2013. The meseared qualitative parameters consist of color, T, TU, TSS, pH, EC, TDS, DO, BOD5, COD, Total Alkalinity, CO3, HCO3, Total Hardness, Ca, Mg, SO4, Cl, Na, K, NH4, NO2, NO3, PO4, Br, I, TC, FC, FS, HPC, Fe, Hg, Pb, Co, Cd, Ni, As, Zn, B, Cu, Mn, Sn, Ba, and Sr. In this study, the drinking water physical, chemical and microbiological specifications guidelines of Iranian Standards and Industrial Research and the World Health Organization standards were used to evaluate the amount of the aquifer pollution. The results indicate that the aquifer in Qom is polluted widely by B, NO3, TC, FC and HPC.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
V.G. Gawaikar; A.G. Bhole; R.R. Lakhe
Abstract
The case study is based on ISO 14001 and compares the validation with other certified industries. In view of the above, response has been collected to have further improvements through developed model which was prepared based on the factorization of various input and output variables which is linked ...
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The case study is based on ISO 14001 and compares the validation with other certified industries. In view of the above, response has been collected to have further improvements through developed model which was prepared based on the factorization of various input and output variables which is linked to the clauses of ISO 14001. The developed model has represented almost all the clauses of ISO 14001 considering main content of the all the clauses. Response is collected from the industries where input and output variables were sent earlier and also those involved in the implementation of the system. Evidences arrived out of case study suggests that the model questionnaire improves the environmental performance of an organization and bringing effectiveness in the system. This study will give better results after implementation of the model in any sector. Due to the implementation of model, the study has brought the improvements in ISO 14001and surrounding environment as well. The study on validation stated that by implementing the model, the industries where survey took place have achieved almost 30% improvement in environmental performance.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
M. Eshghizadeh
Abstract
Integrating a geographic information system and multi-criteria decision making methods have been lead to provide spatial multi-criteria decision making methods. In this study, the spatial potential of flooding was determined based on analytic network process and analytic hierarchy process. At first, ...
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Integrating a geographic information system and multi-criteria decision making methods have been lead to provide spatial multi-criteria decision making methods. In this study, the spatial potential of flooding was determined based on analytic network process and analytic hierarchy process. At first, six factors of flooding were determined as criteria. The criteria were the slope, hill-slope aspect, curve number, snow, and rainfall on snow and land use. Also, 25 sub-criteria were determined for them. Then, the criteria and their sub-criteria were weighted based on the analytic network process and the analytic hierarchy process methods. In the next stage, were integrated the weights of the criteria and sub-criteria on their layers in the IlWIS 3 and were calculated the relative weighted average of flooding as the spatial potential of flooding. The results showed that analytic network process and the analytic hierarchy process methods have a high capability to estimate the potential of flooding. The analytic hierarchy process method had calculated the relative weighted average of flooding in the control and sample sub-catchments 26 and 23 percent, respectively. Also, the analytic network process method had calculated it 25 and 21 percent. Based on the results, the both methods have the same capability to estimate the potential of flooding, but for comparison of sub-catchments, the analytic hierarchy process method is recommended, whereas the analytic network process method is recommended for studying one sub-catchment and spatial variations of flooding. Moreover, the analytic hierarchy process method is simpler than analytic network process method to estimate the potential of flooding.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
A. Rahaman; Md. R. Hosen; M. A. Hena; U. H. B. Naher; M. Moniruzzaman
Abstract
This study illustrates the process of removal of chromium from chrome tanning waste-water by fly ash which was drive from chrome shaving dust. This experiment was carried out in a batch process with laboratory prepared adsorbent samples and chrome tanning water collected from local tanneries. The influence ...
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This study illustrates the process of removal of chromium from chrome tanning waste-water by fly ash which was drive from chrome shaving dust. This experiment was carried out in a batch process with laboratory prepared adsorbent samples and chrome tanning water collected from local tanneries. The influence of various factors likes adsorbent doses, contact time, and initial concentration of chromium on the removal of chromium from effluent was investigated. FTIR analysis was done to identify the functional groups presents in the fly ash. The maximum removal of chromium and absorption capacity was found to be 97.86%. And 23.11 mg/g at chromium concentration of 1000.3mg/l and 1291 mg/l respectively. Total dissolve solid, turbidity, and conductivity were reduced significantly. Waste water samples containing several interfering ions like Na, Fe, Ca, Zn, Mn etc. The langmuir absorption isotherm was also used to explain the nature of adsorption. This result indicates that chrome shaving dust ash can be successfully used to treat chrome tanning wastewater.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
M. Memarianfard; A. Mostafa Hatami; M. Memarianfard; M. Ajam
Abstract
In many industrialized areas, the highest concentration of particulate matter, as a major concern on public health, is being felt worldwide problem. Since the air pollution assessment and its evaluation with considering spatial dispersion analysis because of various factors are complex, in this paper, ...
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In many industrialized areas, the highest concentration of particulate matter, as a major concern on public health, is being felt worldwide problem. Since the air pollution assessment and its evaluation with considering spatial dispersion analysis because of various factors are complex, in this paper, GIS-based modeling approach was utilized to zoning PM2.5 dispersion over Tehran, during one year, from 21 March 2014 to 20 March 2015. The RBF method was applied to obtain the zoning maps and determining the highest concentration of PM2.5 in the 22 Tehran’s regions for each season. The RMSEmin values according to the number of neighbors and types of functions in the radial basis function method, including completely regularized spline, Spline with tension, Multiquadric function, Inverse multiquadric function, and Thin-plate spline for each month have been assessed. By performing analysis on the errors, the numbers of neighbors were estimated. The numbers of neighbors in the model for each function were varied from 2 to 30. The results indicate that the models with 3 and 4 neighbors have the best performance with the lowest RMSE values with using RBF method. The highest PM2.5 concentrations have been occurred in the summer and winter especially at the center, south, and in some cases at northeast of the city.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
A. Chaichi; Sh. Bakand; R. Yarahmadi
Abstract
Municipality of Tehran with huge number of employees and with the aim to reduce stress and promote the work efficiency, seriously wants to achieve suitable and utilizable studies. Osipow's job stress test is one of the best tools to reach this aim. Data population includes securities building of municipality ...
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Municipality of Tehran with huge number of employees and with the aim to reduce stress and promote the work efficiency, seriously wants to achieve suitable and utilizable studies. Osipow's job stress test is one of the best tools to reach this aim. Data population includes securities building of municipality of Tehran (88 persons from region 18 and 72 persons from region 20), who were randomly chosen to be participated in the current survey. For this purpose three types of working hours schedule such as full time shift ( 24 hrs work, 24 hrs rest ), day-shift and night-shift workers, were selected. Data were analyzed by SPSS software and processed by a professional test, MANOVA. Difference of scores in workload role and insufficiency role in subjects with considering of age groups in confidence 95% was valuable (p<0.05). Differences of scores in job stress and subscales of insufficiency role, ambiguity role with considering of work shifts in confidence 95% were statistically significant (p<0.05). At the end, differences of scores in subscales of role rang and responsibility with considering of job regions in confidence 95% were statistically significant (p<0.05).This survey determined that stress decreased with increasing the age. Also work shift had important role in the amount of stress. Therefore, the lowest level of stress was among night-shift workers and the highest stress level was among day-shift workers and 24-24 group was between them. Of course region of workers was related with job stress.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
Z. Yaghoubpour; S. Givehchi; M.A. Tabrizi; F. Masoudi; L. Nourian
Abstract
This study focused on the public transport risk assessment in District one of Tehran through Fault Tree Analysis involving the three criteria of human, vehicle and road in Haddon matrix. In fact, it examined the factors contributing to the occurrence of road accidents at several urban black spots ...
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This study focused on the public transport risk assessment in District one of Tehran through Fault Tree Analysis involving the three criteria of human, vehicle and road in Haddon matrix. In fact, it examined the factors contributing to the occurrence of road accidents at several urban black spots within District 1. Relying on road safety checklists and survey of experts, this study made an effort to help urban managers to assess the risks in the public transport and prevent road accidents. Finally, the risk identification and assessment of public transport in District one yielded several results to answer the research questions. The hypotheses analysis suggested that safety issues involved in public transport are concerned by urban managers. The key reactive measures are investigation of accidents, identification of causes and correction of black spots. In addition to high costs, however, the reactive measures give rise to multiple operational problems such as traffic navigation and guaranteeing user safety in every operation. The case study highlighted the same fact. The macro-level management in the metropolis of Tehran is critical. The urban road casualties and losses can be curtailed by preventive measures such as continuous assessment of road safety.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
B. Akbari Neisiani; S.M. Seyedan; E. Radfar
Abstract
The city is alive with dynamic systems, where parks and urban green spaces have high strategic importance which help to improve living conditions. Urban parks are used as visual landscape with so many benefits such as reducing stress, reducing air pollution and producing oxygen, creating opportunities ...
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The city is alive with dynamic systems, where parks and urban green spaces have high strategic importance which help to improve living conditions. Urban parks are used as visual landscape with so many benefits such as reducing stress, reducing air pollution and producing oxygen, creating opportunities for people to participate in physical activities, optimal environment for children and decreasing noise pollution. The importance of parks is such extent that are discussed as an indicator of urban development. Hereupon the design and maintenance of urban green spaces requires integrated management system based on international standards of health, safety and the environment. In this study, Nezami Ganjavi Park (District 6 of Tehran) with the approach to integrated management systems have been analyzed. In order to identify the status of the park in terms of the requirements of the management system based on previous studies and all Tehran Municipality’s considerations, a check list has been prepared and completed by park survey and interview with green space experts. The results showed that the utility of health indicators were 92.33 % (the highest) and environmental and safety indicators were 72 %, 84 % respectively. According to SWOT analysis in Nezami Ganjavi Park some of strength points are fire extinguishers, first aid box, annual testing of drinking water and important weakness is using unseparated trash bins also as an opportunities, there are some interesting factors for children and parents to spend free times. Finally, the most important threat is unsuitable park facilities for disabled.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
A.R. Karbassi; M. Shahpasand; A.A. Rajabi; H.A. Ghafari
Abstract
Today many of wide scope and famous organizations design and develop HSE models to achieve a more suitable HSE management system for their own purposes. To implement such models some requirements should be considered in line with defined goals and missions. The present study was carried out in order ...
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Today many of wide scope and famous organizations design and develop HSE models to achieve a more suitable HSE management system for their own purposes. To implement such models some requirements should be considered in line with defined goals and missions. The present study was carried out in order to achieve the HSE management system for children and adolescents in education and training centers. This study was conducted in two phases, namely identification and assessment/ documentation. The study was carried out in districts one, four, six, seven and eight of Tehran municipality during eighteen months. The employer was Tehran Shahr-e-salem Company (Healthy City) and the contractor was the faculty of environment, University of Tehran. As the final result of study, based on initial data and by holding brainstorming meetings, the final citizenship HSE model was constructed in five panels: Management responsibility and commitment, Infrastructures and resources management and documentation, Planning, HSE operations management and Monitoring, analysis and improvement. This model was designed by consideration of existing capacities and with the goal of being responsive to all stakeholders (service provider, recipients of services and others).
