The aim of this study is to determine the level of pollution with heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) and their potential sources in dust samples collected from schools in Ramadi City, Iraq. The dust samples were collected from 40 primary schools and two kindergartens and analyzed by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The heavy metal concentrations were found to follow the order Cr > Cu > Pb > Ni > Zn > Cd. The results indicated that the concentrations of Cd, Cu, and Pb exceeded the permitted background values. The pollution level was assessed using the geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and pollution load index (PLI). The classification of dust samples according to Igeo values showed that they ranged from unpolluted for Cu, Cr, Ni, and Zn, to moderately polluted for Pb, and heavily polluted for Cd. The PLI values indicated no to moderate pollution load. The results of the comparisons of heavy metal concentrations with the background values, as well as the multivariate statistical analysis, indicated three groups of heavy metals with different sources or origins: (1) Cd and Cu (anthropogenic source: vehicle emissions); (2) Pb (mixed source); and (3) Cr, Ni, and Zn (Geogenic source). This study is the first attempt in Iraq to investigate the concentrations of heavy metals in the dust of indoor environments. This study provides the environmental protection managers and decision-makers with important information about the concentrations of heavy metals and their sources in indoor environments.
Background: Menopause can bring oral health problems and also associated with significant adverse changes in the orofacial complex. After menopause, women become more susceptible to periodontal disease due to deficiency of estrogen hormone. Current study aimed to evaluate the periodontal health status in relation to salivary constituent including pH, flow rate and some elements (Magnesium, Calcium and inorganic phosphorus) of pre and post-menopause women. Materials and Methods: Periodontal health status of 52 women aged 48-50 years old (26 pre-menopause and 26 post-menopause) were examined including (gingival index, plaque index, calculus index, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level). Salivary sample was collected for two women
... Show MoreThe present work aimed to study the efficiency of nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) process for water recovery from electroplating wastewater and study the factors affecting the performance of two membrane processes. Nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes are made from polyamide as spiral wound module. The inorganic materials ZnCl2, CuCl2.2H2O, NiCl2.6H2O and CrCl3.6H2O were used as feed solutions. The operating parameters studied were: operating time, feed concentrations for heavy metal ions, operating pressure, feed flow rate, feed temperature and feed pH. The experimental results showed, the permeate concentration increased and water flux decreased with increase in time from 0 to 70 min. The permeate concentrations incre
... Show MoreEnvironmental pollution is experiencing an alarming surge within the global ecosystem, warranting urgent attention. Among the significant challenges that demand immediate resolution, effective treatment of industrial pollutants stands out prominently, which for decades has been the focus of most researchers for sustainable industrial development aiming to remove those pollutants and recover some of them. The liquid membrane (LM) method, specifically electromembrane extraction (EME), offers promise. EME deploys an electric field, reducing extraction time and energy use while staying eco-friendly. However, there's a crucial knowledge gap. Despite strides in understanding and applying EME, optimizing it for diverse industrial pollutant
... Show MoreThe present work aimed to study the efficiency of nanofiltration (NF) and reverseosmosis (RO) process for water recovery from electroplating wastewater and study the factors affecting the performance of two membrane processes. Nanofiltration and reverse osmosismembranes are made from polyamide as spiral wound module. The inorganic materials ZnCl 2 CuCl2 .2H2O, NiCl.2.6H2O and CrCl3.6H2O were used as feed solutions. The operating parametersstudied were: operating time, feed concentrations for heavy metal ions, operating pressure, feed flow rate, feed temperature and feed pH. The experimental results showed, the permeateconcentration increased and water flux decreased with increase in time from 0 to 70 min. Thepermeate concentrations incre
... Show MoreThe current study aims to determine the prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis and Candida spp., and also to identify Candida parapsilosis and some virulence genes. It was conducted in Bint Al-Hoda Hospital of Maternity and Children in Thi-Qar province, south of Iraq for the period from the beginning of January to the end of December 2020. Two hundred and fifty samples were collected from the female genital tract for women whose age ranged between 17-50 years. Microscopic, traditional and molecular tests were used in the sample examination. The results recorded 12 (4.8%) samples infected with T. vaginalis parasite, whereas 130 (52%) samples showed Candida yeast distributed as follows: 75 (30 %) <
... Show MoreBackground: Dental caries is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases of people worldwide that lead to the pain and disability across all age groups and still consider as a major cause of tooth loss. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and severity of dental caries and treatment needs among school children in Heet city. Materiales and methods: The sample included all school children at age of (12 years old) males and females from urban areas in Heet city. Diagnosis and recording of dental caries and treatment needs were done according to the criteria of WHO. Results: The prevalence of dental caries was (90.2%). The DMFS/dmfs values were (5.85±0.168, 1.57±0.146) respectively for the total sample. Females were foun
... Show MoreThe study investigates the anion and cation concentrations and their distribution in the Dammam aquifer to assess the groundwater suitability for irrigation and livestock in Sayed Al-Shuhadaa, Karbala, central Iraq. It lies between longitudes 43º 29' 00'' – 43º 40' 00'' E and latitudes (32º 17' 00'' – 32º22' 00'') N. The physicochemical properties, cations and anions were measured in 14 active wells distributed in the study area. The assessment was conducted based on the sodium adsorption rate (SAR), sodium percentage (Na%), electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), and Hydrogen number (pH). Groundwater in the study area is very good for livestock and characterised b
... Show MoreBackground: The present study was conducted to highlight the importance of environmental pollution and its negative impacts on aquatic, plants and animals lives, especially in industrial areas.
Objective: This research involved studying the hydrogeochemistry of the groundwater and assessing its quality for irrigation and domestic purposes using quality parameters. In this study, 33 groundwater samples were collected from wells during May 2013 and were analyzed for major ions and TDS.
Results: The hydrogeochemical facies of groundwater were identified using the Gibbs model and Chloro – alkaline indices. The results of the Gibbs graph suggest that groundwater
... Show MoreThe phenomena of Dust storm take place in barren and dry regions all over the world. It may cause by intense ground winds which excite the dust and sand from soft, arid land surfaces resulting it to rise up in the air. These phenomena may cause harmful influences upon health, climate, infrastructure, and transportation. GIS and remote sensing have played a key role in studying dust detection. This study was conducted in Iraq with the objective of validating dust detection. These techniques have been used to derive dust indices using Normalized Difference Dust Index (NDDI) and Middle East Dust Index (MEDI), which are based on images from MODIS and in-situ observation based on hourly wi