Iranian Journal of

Background and Objectives: Exceeding the standard level in most cases, Tehran air pollution has become a national environmental challenge. Therefore, it is crucial to analyze Tehran air-pollution data set during 2000-2009 for trend analysis.
Materials and Methods: In this study, we collected the hourly data of Tehran air pollution during 2000-2009 recorded by monitoring station of Tehran Air Pollution Control Company and statistical methods was used to determine the trend of the five pollutants, including: CO, PM10, SO2, NO2 and O3.
Results: The results indicate that average annual concentration of PM10, CO, NO₂, SO₂ and O₃ has changed from 91, 11.18, 102.6, 46.8, and 22.1 at monitoring station in 2000 to 88 µg/m3, 3.64 ppm, 66.1 ppb, 21.4 ppb, and 83 ppb in 2009 respectively.
Conclusion: Our findings revealed that although the air quality in Tehran has improved in term of particulate matter, SO2 and NO2 during this decade as a result of government's recent program in air pollution control, ozone concentration has increased.

Background and aim: Traditional cheese has a special place in the diets of our community because of cultural, favorite taste, odor and its nutritional values as an important protein source. However, its pathogenic infection can endanger the human being health and cause serious economic losses. The aim of this study was measurement and determination of microbial infection in traditional cheese distributed in Markazi province in 2010. Material and methods: Markazi Province was divided into 10 districts eight sample were chosen from each district at summer, 2011. Samples were transferred to the laboratory under sterile conditions and were analyzed by microbiological tests. The data were analyzed statistically by T-test using SAS software. Results: The results indicated that all of samples had coliform, staphylococcus aurous, mold, and yeast contamination greater than Iranian standards (P<0.001). It was found that 34 percent of the samples had E.coli contamination moreover, 24 and 8 percent of samples had Coagulase-positive staphylococcal and salmonella contamination respectively. Conclusion: These results indicate a notable contamination of traditional cheese with microbial infection in Markazi province.

Background and Objectives: Heavy metals are seriously dangerous for the human body and their accumulation in the body can cause pathological changes in the organs and this can result in cardiovascular, liver and bone diseases, and even cancer. Human is exposed daily to these pollutants via consumption of food and water.

Materials and Methods: Considering the cumulative properties of these metals in plant organs, the amount of Cr, Mn, and Fe in soil and leaf, stem, and root tissues of cabbage, lettuce, spinach, and onions in Karaj City were investigated. For this purpose, 15 samples were randomly collected from each part of the plants, and then, the density of heavy metals was measured via atomic absorption spectrometer after cleansing, grinding, drying, and acid digestion. The data were then analyzed using SPSS software.

Results: It was found that leaves of spinach, cabbage, lettuce, and onion have higher concentrations of Cr, Mn, and Fe rather than their stems and roots. The roots of plants contain the least densities of metals. Moreover, concentrations of Fe, Cr, and Mn in soil were 11.87, 3.99 and 17.78 mg/kg, respectively. This was due to the high transportation of these metals to air-related parts of the plant like leaves. This research also showed that the densities of Cr, Mn, and Fe in leaves of studied spinach, onion, cabbage, and lettuce exceeded the FAO/WHO standard limitations (0.15, 0.3, and 0.3 mg/kg for Cr, Fe and Mn, respectively).

Conclusion: Due to the high concentrations of Cr, Mn, and Fe in studied vegetables in Karaj City, the consumption of these kinds of vegetables by citizens must be taken into consideration by regulatory agencies.