Environmental health
Occupational health
Safety
Ergonomic
27
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Application of the thermoelectric cooling system in making a cooling belt: A case of heat stress control measure device Ali Sahraneshin Samani, Leila Ibrahimi Ghavamabadi, Behzad Fouladi Dehaghi Work, 2024 BACKGROUND: Climate change and global warming are emerging as new challenges worldwide. The World Meteorological Organization has reported that the temperature is expected to rise by an average of 1.2°C between 2021–2025. This increase in temperature will expose more and more workers to extreme heat. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the possibility of using thermoelectric coolers for cooling the water circulation circuit of a cooling belt, which can be used for extended periods in high-temperature environments. METHODS: A cooling belt was designed using thermoelectric coolers (TEC) and two blowers. The TECs were equipped with heat sinks and heat exchange block made of aluminum at hot and cold sides to exchange heat effectively. RESULTS: The experiment was conducted under actual environmental temperature conditions during three different time periods, with mean temperatures of 31, 48, and 41°C. The mean temperature of the belt section was recorded as 20.73, 24.52, and 21.38°C, respectively. The maximum average difference between the inlet air temperature and the inside cooling belt temperature was 40.45°C. CONCLUSION: The experiment revealed that the cooling performance of the designed prototype remained within an acceptable range (18°C) despite the increase in ambient temperature. Moreover, the cooling system can be utilized in high-heat environments to reduce thermal stress.
The Impact of Electromagnetic Field Exposure on Diabetes: A Narrative Review Behzad Fouladi Dehaghi, Masoomeh Vahabi Shekarloo, Ameneh Golbaghi, Leila Ibrahimi Ghavamabadi Journal of Environmental Health and Sustainable Development, 2024 Introduction: This literature review investigates the complex relationship between electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and diabetes, highlighting both therapeutic potentials and associated health risks. Emerging evidence suggests that exposure to specific types of EMFs, particularly pulsed EMFs (PEMF), may enhance insulin sensitivity and promote healing in diabetic patients.Materials and Methods: Studies have indicated significant improvements in microvascular blood flow and pancreatic function, suggesting a potential role for EMF therapy in diabetes management. Conversely, prolonged exposure to high-frequency EMFs, such as those that cell phones emanate and wireless devices, raises concerns regarding their impact on glucose metabolism.Results: A correlation was observed between chronic EMF exposure and increased insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and disruptions in hormonal balance, which can exacerbate hyperglycemia. Mechanistic insights reveal that elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and alterations in cortisol and glucagon levels may contribute to these adverse effects.Conclusion: Despite the promising therapeutic applications of certain EMFs, the existing literature presents significant variability in methodologies, limiting the generalizability of findings. Future research should focus on large-scale, longitudinal studies that encompass diverse populations to clarify the long-term effects of EMF exposure on diabetes. This review underscores the need for a balanced approach to EMF exposure, recognizing both its potential benefits and risks for individuals with diabetes, thereby informing clinical practices and public health policies.
Compliance with health protocols in the banking sector facing Covid-19 Leila Ibrahimi Ghavamabadi, Mitra Shabab, Behzad Fouladi Dehaghi, Farkhondeh Hoveizi Frontiers in Public Health, 2023 BackgroundThe spread of the coronavirus has become one of the current challenges in the world. Implementing health protocols in the workplace along with informing people who face them, has become a vital issue.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine the level of compliance with health protocols and measure the level of awareness, attitude and performance of bank employees while facing Covid-19.Materials and methodsThe data collection tool included a checklist and two questionnaires (demographic information and the other on the awareness, attitude and performance of bank staff) regarding the coronavirus.ResultsA total of 199 bank employees from 25 bank branches participated in the study. The results showed that in 24% of the bank branches, the staff did not use face masks. And 100% of the studied bank branches lacked proper ventilation. The mean awareness scores of female employees (94.3) were significantly higher than those of male employees (87.7). Also, the performance of female employees (93.2) was significantly better than male employees (87.2).ConclusionThe results showed that to achieve proper performance in controlling and reducing the covid-19 disease among bank employees and other workers, these items are noteworthy: (1) Providing and training the correct use of protective equipment including face masks. (2) Monitoring for strict implementation of health protocols. Therefore, it is necessary to keep training and information up-to-date due to the new phenomena of this disease.
Modification of Noise Reduction by SiO2 Nanocomposite: The Case of Earplugs Romanian Journal of Acoustics and Vibration, 2022
Assessing the effect of BTEX on blood and spirometry parameters staff in a petroleum refinery Samad Jalilian, Sima Sabzalipour, Maryam Mohammadi Rouzbahani, Ebrahim Rajabzadeh Ghatrami, Leila Ibrahimy Ghavamabadi Frontiers in Public Health, 2022 This study aimed to investigate the impact of BTEX compound on blood and spirometry parameters of staff in the Abadan petroleum refinery (Iran). In 80 staff was examined in terms of BTEX exposure (40 exposed and 40 non-exposed). In this study, the air sampling was carried out according to the NIOSH 1,501 method and an automated hematology analyzer was used to analyze all blood samples to evaluate blood parameters and using a Micro Direct automated computerized spirometer. Spss20 software was used to interpret the performance. According to the obtained results, total BTEX concentrations with the recommended standard level showed that, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes, concentrations in Abadan Oil Refining Company Workers' breathing zone were lower than the TLV-TWA recommended by ACGIH. However, the average concentration of benzene was higher than the allowable limit. Therefore, in this study the effect of benzene on the blood and respiratory parameters of the workers was evaluated, the comparison of the blood and respiratory parameters between the groups of exposed and unexposed workers did not reveal any statistical difference between the groups (p > 0.001). The results showed no statistically significant connection between mean blood and spirometry parameters and benzene exposure. Also, based on results the effect of benzene problems needs to be prevented in employees with adequate engineering and management controls and periodic inspection.
Survey of the health, safety and environment climate and its effects on occupational accidents Behzad Fouladi Dehaghi, Gholamheidar Teimori-Boghsani, Davood Rahmani, Leila Ibrahimi Ghavamabadi, Sajad Zare Work, 2022 BACKGROUND: Preserving and protecting the human resources is considered as the most important capital in any economic section by industrial development. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the health, safety and environment (HSE) climate and its effects on occupational accidents in a petrochemical industry. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was performed on 354 male workers in a petrochemical industry (10 different categories of site operators). Data was collected through a questionnaire, which its validity and reliability were standardized with Cronbach’s alpha at 0.85. In this questionnaire the safety condition, workplace environment, disease symptoms were investigated in five, four and three dimensions, respectively. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 23 and LISREL version 8.8. RESULTS: According to the model values, there were significant correlation between safety condition and workplace environment r = 0.66, also between work safety condition and disease symptoms. The three hidden variables of work safety condition, work mental environment and physical workplace had significant effects on disease symptoms. Therefore, safety condition was the most effective variable on disease symptoms. Two significant predictors were work safety condition and physical workplace for work mental environment with coefficients γ= 2.29, β= –0.1, respectively. CONCLUSION: HSE condition indicators, working environment and disease symptoms reflect workers’ views on HSE issues in the workplace. It can be beneficial in rooting the factors affecting occupational accidents and performance evaluation in the organization HSE management system.
Cognitive functions and anxiety among blue-collar workers in hospitals during COVID-19 pandemic Abbas Mohammadi, Leila Ibrahimi Ghavamabadi, Maryam Silavi, Behzad Fouladi Dehaghi Frontiers in Public Health, 2022 BackgroundThe rapid spread of COVID-19 poses a major threat to public health worldwide. Hospital blue-collar workers, like other health care workers, may be under severe physical and psychological stress. This psychological distress is mainly described as symptoms of anxiety and depression, stress and cognitive function. This study aimed to investigate the effects of anxiety on cognitive function among laundry and sterilization center workers in 4 hospitals during COVID-19 pandemic.MethodThis study has a cross-sectional design and it was conducted among health service workers who were occupied in health facilities (laundry and sterilization center) in 4 hospitals. In the present study, two questionnaires and a test were used to collect the data included a general health questionnaire (GHQ-28), a health anxiety index questionnaire (HAI-18) and a cognitive function test. Descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation coefficient by SPSS version 19 were used.ResultsThe results showed that the overall score of coronavirus anxiety in male and female workers was 38.72 ± 5.94 and 40.92 ± 4.11, respectively. The correlation between auditory attention and coronavirus anxiety is moderate and has a negative trend (P = 0.050, n = 50, and r = −0.315). Workers with higher anxiety expressed lower auditory attention. Also, correlation between visual attention and coronavirus anxiety was weak and negative (P = 0.032, n = 50, and r = −0.179).ConclusionThis study revealed that cognitive and psychological aspects of mental health can be affected by COVID-19 exposure and its due anxiety in blue-collar workers in hospitals. These findings indicate that purposeful supportive interventions should be implemented to promote workers' health and cognitive function.
Effectiveness of a training program on the low back pain and functional disability in industrial workers Leila Ibrahimi Ghavamabadi, Abbas Mohammadi, Ali Behzadi, Behzad Fouladi Dehaghi International Journal of Health Promotion and Education, 2022 Low back pain (LBP) as a common musculoskeletal disorder is a well-known complaint of industrial workers. This study was performed to determine the effect of back school training program on quality of life in workers with chronic low back pain. Two hundred and fifty workers with chronic LBP (identified through interviews in a factory), were randomly divided into two groups of control and intervention and then the intervention group received the back school training course. In this study, Back School was a multi-purpose, multi-dimensional, patient-centred team training program in which the participants received the necessary training in five groups of 25 workers with 4 training sessions. Data were collected at two intervals before and after the intervention by using the SF-36 questionnaire, LBP visual analogue scale and the Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). Statistics analysis such as descriptive statistics, t-test and analysis of variance were used to analyse the data. The results showed that the psychological component and the physical component of quality of life after intervention were significantly different between the two groups. In addition, after the intervention, a decrease in the functional disability and LBP scores were observed in the intervention group. The results showed that a structurally strong and well-organized training schedule such as back school program could be practically useful for reducing and relieving pain and also improving functional ability in workers of industrial settings.
Health Risk Assessment of Occupational Exposure of Refinery Unit Site Workers to BTEX in an Oil Refinery Company Samad Jalilian, Sima Sabzalipour, Maryam Mohammadi Rouzbahani, Ebrahim Rajabzadeh Ghatrami, Leila Ibrahimi Ghavamabadi Journal of Health Sciences and Surveillance System, 2022 Background: Specific improvements in the risk assessment of chemicals have been recently considered by many national and international expert groups. This study aimed to identify the highest occupational exposure levels in Abadan Oil Refining Company, Iran, to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) in 2020. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study carried out in several units (ten units) in Abadan Oil Refining Company. Air sampling and BTEX analysis were conducted according to NIOSH method number 1501. To determine the risk of exposure to BTEX pollutants, we used the method proposed by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health of Malaysia. Then, the hazard rate, exposure rate, and health risk level caused by exposure to chemicals were determined. Spss20 software was used to analyze the data. Results: The results showed the employees studied in this research were exposed to the pollutants of BTEX during their work. Comparing total BTEX concentrations with the recommended standard level showed that BTEX concentrations in Abadan Oil Refining Company Workers’ breathing zone were lower than the TLV-TWA recommended by ACGIH; also, the findings of this risk assessment study showed benzene had the highest risk ranking in seven operating units and a low risk ranking in three other units. Moreover, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene had a very low risk in all operating units. Conclusion: Corrective and preventive measures should be taken to eliminate or minimize the exposure rate due to the significant effects of benzene exposure.
Climate change and its effects on farm workers Mastaneh Amini, Leila Ibrahimi Ghavamabadi, Hossinali Rangkooy, Behzad Fouladi Dehaghi Environmental Health Engineering and Management, 2021
Public eye toward covid-19: A systematic review Behzad Fouladi Dehaghi, Gholamheidar Teimori-Boghsani, Leila Ibrahimi Ghavamabadi, Abbas Mohammadi Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences, 2020
Face masks vs. COVID-19: A systematic review Behzad Fouladi Dehaghi, Abbas Ghodrati-Torbati, Gholamheidar Teimori, Leila Ibrahimi Ghavamabadi, Amir Jamshidnezhad Investigacion Y Educacion En Enfermeria, 2020
Combined effect of noise exposure and smoking on hearing thresholds in workers in a petrochemical plant Pakistan Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, 2018
Comparison between pure-tone audiometry and otoacoustic emissions methods in workers’ hearing loss Asian Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2018
The relationship between occupational accidents risk perception of gas stations workers in Ahvaz City with the HSE management performance in fueling stations in 2016 Iran Occupational Health, 2018
Identification and classification of industrial solid and liquid wastes in chemical industries by UNEP method (study case: Montazerieh industrial state of Isfahan) Advances in Environmental Biology, 2014
Heat stress and physical capacity: A case study of semi-profes-sional footballers Iranian Journal of Public Health, 2014
The effect of noise on human performance: A clinical trial International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2013
Solid phase extraction for 1-hydroxypyrene as a biomarker of occupational exposure to PAHs prior to high performance liquid chromatography Iranian Journal of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, 2007
Optimization of sample preparation for 1-hydroxypyrene as a major biomarker of exposure to PAHs prior to HPLC Iranian Journal of Public Health, 2006
