Spatial distribution, ecological and health risk assessment of organophosphorus pesticides identified in the water of Naseri artificial wetland, Iran.

Agricultural development is inevitable to meet the growing need for food. But along with this development, there are unintended and undesirable consequences for human life and the environment that need, found a solution and corrected. One of the most important adverse consequences of agricultural development is the pollution of surface and groundwater resources, which results from various factors such as soil erosion and improper use of different pesticides. This study aimed to conduct an environmental monitoring program in Naseri wetland to determine the concentrations of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) in water samples and also to evaluate the potential risks (ecological and health risk assessment) of these pesticides. The salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extraction method was used to extract pesticides. The residual concentrations of OPPs evaluated by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In this study, the ecological risk of OPPs calculated for wetland ecosystem, based on the acute risk quotient (RQi) formula with maximum (RQmax), mean (RQmean), and mixture (RQmix) concentrations of organophosphorus pesticides in the wetland water. Also, to assess the health risk of consuming contaminated fish with organophosphate pesticides, the potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were determined by the hazard quotient (Index) (HQ, HI) and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) indices, respectively. The mean ± SD concentration of OPPs (Chlorpyrifos, Malathion, Ethion, Dichlorvos, Trifluralin and Diazinon) in samples of wetland water ranged from 0.14 ± 0.08 to 0.35 ± 0.12 and 0.054 ± 0.06 to 0.2 ± 0.1 (µg/L) in summer and autumn, respectively. The mean ± SD of OPPs in fish varied from 0.68 ± 0.86 to 3.94 ± 2.7 (µg/kg). Overall, the concentrations of pesticides in all water and fish samples were below the maximum residue limit (30 µg/kg) during the study period, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The results of acute risk quotient were in summer (RQmax = 3.49E-4 to 0.067, RQmean = 5.8E-5 to 0.029, RQmix = 0.139-0.026, 0.018-3.42E-3) and autumn (RQmax = 8E-4 to 0.051, RQmean = 7.74E-6 to 0.018 RQmix = 0.1-0.013, 6E-3- 1.5E-3). The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk indexes due to fish consumption for adults and children were (HQ = 0.026-4.68E-4, HI = 0.041, ILCR = 1.7E-7) and (HQ = 1.85E-3-1.3E-5, HI = 0.041, ILCR = 5.55E-8), respectively. The risk of OPPs was generally low. But cumulative risk (pesticide mixtures), should not be ignored.

Spatial distribution, ecological and health risk assessment and source identification of atrazine in Shadegan international wetland, Iran.

Recently, atrazine has been increasingly used to control weeds in the corn and sugarcane farms, which affects the water resources and aquatic organisms. In this study, atrazine residual concentrations in water and fish samples of the Shadegan wetland (Iran) were investigated. Furthermore, the health and ecological risk assessment were calculated. A total of fifty water samples were collected from the wetland during three periods with a four-month time interval. Also, ten samples of ten different fish species were analyzed at the same time. The estimation of acceptable daily intake and comparison with international standards indicates danger to adjacent residential areas of wetland. Non-carcinogenic risk analysis showed that total hazard quotient (HQing + HQderm) were below the acceptable limit and there is no danger to the residents of the area. Atrazine concentration in the water and fish samples ranged between 0 and 2175.8 µg/L, and 0 to 35.58 µg/L, respectively. Results showed that 88% of the water samples were higher than EPA and WHO guidelines for drinking water in summer. The concentrations of atrazine in fish samples in summer were more than other seasons. Analysis of ecological risk assessment also showed that considering the average atrazine concentration in three seasons, the risk exposure was very high. This study will be beneficial to the both residents and government officials in management of Shadegan wetland pollution in term of toxic compounds.

The relationship between iron deficiency anemia and sexual function and satisfaction among reproductive-aged Iranian women.

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common micronutrient deficiency worldwide, and an important health problem especially in women of reproductive age. This study aimed to determine the relationship between IDA and sexual satisfaction and function among reproductive-aged Iranian women. In this study, 129 women (52 with IDA and 77 non-IDA) with age 18-45 in Mahshahr, Iran were recruited. Data was gathered by a demographic questionnaire, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Larson Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using an independent t-test, Mann-Whitney test, Chi-square, and correlation coefficient test. The results of this study showed that the means of hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT), serum iron and ferritin were significantly lower in the IDA group than those in the non-IDA group (p<0.01). All dimensions of sexual function and satisfaction were significantly lower in women with IDA compared to the healthy women (p<0.001). Also, all blood indices for IDA had a significant relationship with all sexual function components and sexual satisfaction (p = 0.01) except for pain with Hb and ferritin. Health care providers should provide screening, education, and counseling about anemia and sexual function in reproductive age women.