Background: SULFUR DIOXIDE is a colorless gas, released from burning of coal, high-SULFUR coal, and diesel fuel. SULFUR DIOXIDE harms human health by reacting with the moisture in the nose, nasal cavity and throat and this is the way by which it destroys the nerves in the respiratory system.Objectives: The aim of this study was to focus on identifying the effects associated with SULFUR DIOXIDE on health in Ahvaz, Iran.Materials and Methods: Data collections were performed by Ahvaz meteorological organization and the department of environment. Sampling was performed for 24 hours in four stations. Methods of sampling and analysis were according to US environmental protection agency (EPA) guideline. Afterwards, we processed the raw data including instruction set correction of averaging, coding and filtering by Excel software and then, the impact of meteorological parameters were converted as the input file to the AirQ model. Finally, we calculated the health effects of exposure to SULFUR DIOXIDE.Results: According to the findings, the concentration of SULFUR DIOXIDE in Ahvaz had an annual average of 51 mg/m3. Sum of the numbers of hospital admissions for respiratory diseases attributed to SULFUR DIOXIDE was 25 cases in 2012. Approximately, 5% of the total hospital admissions for respiratory disease and respiratory mortality happened when SULFUR DIOXIDE concentration was more than 10 mg/m3.Conclusions: According to the results of this study, this increase could be due to higher fuel consumption, usage of gasoline in vehicles, oil industry, and steel and heavy industries in Ahwaz. The risk of mortality and morbidity were detected at the current concentrations of air pollutants.

Background: Living in polluted areas could be considered a risk factor for preterm labor and low birth weight. Few studies examined the association between air pollution and abortion. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between ambient air pollutant and rate of spontaneous abortion.Methods: This study was a case-control research conducted on 148 cases of spontaneous abortion (case group) and 148 pregnant women (control group). Samples were collected randomly from 10 hospitals in Tehran in 2011. The correlation between spontaneous abortion and air pollution was investigated by the SPSS software using independent sample t-test, multiple and linear regression models and also Arc View geospatial information system (GIS) software using circular buffer.Results: The mean of environmental SULFUR DIOXIDE and nitrogen DIOXIDE concentration in case group (35.91±20.46, 49.62±19.87) was significantly higher than that of the control group (29.1±11.11, 45.67±13.2) (p=0.000, p=0.045). Also it was determined that the rate of abortion was higher in those living within 100 meters of the highways.Conclusion: According to the findings of this study it seems that air pollution and living near crowded areas threaten the health of pregnant women and fetus. Thus, it is suggested to present necessary training about the hazardous effects of air pollution on pregnancy of women residing in crowded areas of city and also to adopt ways to reduce these pollutions.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the effect of iron oxide nanoparticles on the adsorption of SULFUR DIOXIDE by modified zeolite with hydrochloric acid. In this investigation was used modified zeolite with HCl with and without iron oxide nanoparticles (Iron Oxide Nanoparticles@Clinoptilolite/HCl) as adsorbent. Materials and methods: Structural characteristics, chemical composition and specific surface area of adsorbent were determined using the FTIR, FESEM, EDX, Mapping, XRD, XRF and BET techniques. Glass cylinder filled with zeolite seeds and SO2 cylinder balanced with N2 gas was used for experiments. It was evaluated factors affecting SO2 uptake process including temperature and contact time, also thermodynamics and kinetics of adsorption. SULFUR DIOXIDE adsorption of real sample was taken with both adsorbents. Results: Adsorption efficiency of SO2 in the synthetic and actual sample were %82. 8± 5. 5 and %67. 2± 7. 21 respectively, by modified zeolite with HCl and iron oxide nanoparticles in the optimum conditions of temperature of 25 ° C and duration 28. 5 min. As well as, removal percentage average was obtained in the synthetic and actual sample %46. 1± 4. 34 and %35. 8± 5. 85 respectively, by modified zeolite with HCl without nanoparticles in optimum condition of temperature of 25 ° C and contact time of 20. 5 min. The results showed that SO2 adsorption is an exothermic and spontaneous process and adsorption kinetics of SULFUR DIOXIDE by both adsorbent is more consistent Pseudo-second order kinetics model. Conclusion: The use of iron oxide nanoparticles on the zeolite can increase SO2 removal efficiency from the gas phase.

One of the problems raised in the steel industry is various pollutants produced by chemical interactions during steel production. Toxic emission modeling used to analyze the effect of pollutants on the environment. In this study mathematical modeling of air pollutants and carbon DIOXIDE emission modeling was performed using software. Mass emission, specifications of exhausted smoke and chimney, meteorological data of topographic situation have been used as the main input of software. According to results the pollutants disperse more as the atmospheric stability decreases; as the wind speed is low the emission zone increases in different months of the year and in the same climate conditions due to lower mixing. Also the results showed that temperature and humidity has less effect than wind in pollutant dispersion. The highest pollutants were related to November and the lowest pollutants were related to December, January and June respectively.

In this work, new method for removal of SULFUR DIOXIDE from combustion gases was studied. Al2O3, Cu-Al2O3, and Mo-Al2O3 were examined as the catalysts for reduction of SULFUR DIOXIDE to elemental SULFUR with methane and their performances were compared in terms of SO2 conversion and selectivity. The effects of temperature, SO2/CH4 molar ratio, and reaction time on SO2 reduction were studied. The operating temperature range was 550– 800 ° C and it was observed that the reaction is strongly temperature dependent. Performance of the catalyst extremely enhanced when molybdenum and copper were added as promoters, and the Al2O3-Cu (10%) catalyst showed the best performance between of all the catalysts in terms of SO2 conversion and selectivity. For the Al2O3-Co(10%) as the best catalyst, the conversion of 99. 5% and selectivity more than 99. 5% were achieved at 750 ° C. Effect of molar feed ratio of SO2/CH4= 3-1 was studied and stoichiometric feed ratio showed the best performance. Also, investigation of reaction time for catalysts showed a good long-term stability for SO2 reduction with methane in 5 hours.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of coating grapes by spraying with different concentrations of zinc oxide nanoparticles (0.5 and 1 g/L) both before and after harvest compared to postharvest fumigation of grapes with SULFUR DIOXIDE (2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 g SULFUR per kg of grapes) on the physicochemical and sensory properties of raisins. The grapes were sun-dried and the resulting physicochemical properties of raisins, such as moisture content, pH, water activity (aw), acidity, free SULFUR DIOXIDE, total SULFUR DIOXIDE and sensory properties, were evaluated using a factorial design based on a completely randomized statistical model. The results showed that coating with zinc oxide at a concentration of 1 g/L before and after harvest and fumigation with SULFUR DIOXIDE after harvest affected the moisture and aw levels of the raisins, with moisture content increasing and aw decreasing compared to the control (p<0.05). No significant differnces was observed in pH of all the raisins coated with zinc oxide as compared to control (3.7) except for the sample coated with 0.5 g/L nano zinc oxide before harvest (3.45). By increasing the SULFUR concentrations up to 3.5 and 4.5 g/kg grape, the pH of all the raisins compared to control (3.7), increased (3.8), and decreased (3.45), respectively (p<0.05). Acidity of the all the SULFUR-treated samples increased (p<0.05), compared to the control (0.817 %). The concentration of free and total SULFUR DIOXIDE was significantly higher in the SULFUR-treated samples compared to other treatments and the control (p<0.05). Raisins from grapes coated with 0.5 g/L zinc oxide prior to harvest and raisins treated with 2.5 g/kg SULFUR DIOXIDE received the highest overall sensory acceptability ratings from panelists (p<0.05).

Background: Combustion of fossil fuels contributes to SULFUR DIOXIDE (SO2) emissions. To deal with this issue, the government of Iran has appointed the oil refineries to upgrade their installations and produce high quality fuels. Thus, this study investigated the status of SO2 emissions in Iran and the capability of advanced technologies to control SO2 emissions. Methods: The status of SO2 emissions was reviewed and discussed through national online reports. Meanwhile, the environmental impacts of SULFUR recovery and tail gas treatment (TGT) plant (STP) were assessed by applying rapid impact assessment matrix (RIAM) for implementation and nonimplementation alternatives in Tabriz Oil Refinery Company (TORC). Results: SO2 emissions have been increased by 2. 1 times during 2004-2014 in Iran. Power plants and transportation play a significant role in this regard and overall contribute 82% of emissions. Among the other fossil fuels, fuel oil and gasoil account for 95% of SO2 emissions. Based on the environmental impact assessments (EIAs), SULFUR recovery management and enhancing SULFUR removal efficiency from flue gas up to 99. 9% are two main positive environmental aspects of STP project that would enable TORC to prevent 87 600 tons of SO2 emissions, annually. Nevertheless, flue gas and sour gas streams which have been determined as probable pollution sources of process, should be managed through proper monitoring framework. Conclusion: The increasing trend of SO2 emissions and significant role of fuel oil and gasoil has required Iranian oil refineries to enhance the quality of fuels by employing clean and cost-effective technologies.

Introduction: Low birth weight as a result of premature labor or limited intrauterine growth is the most important measure of neonatal mortality. It has many causes of which air pollution has been recently gained attention. The Purpose of this historical cohort study was to determine the relationship between SULFUR DIOXIDE and low birth weight in term neonates of women referring to selected hospitals in Tehran in 2007.Materials and Methods: 225 women referring to selected hospitals and residing at 5-Km distance from stations for air pollution measurement were selected. An information form was used to collect data. Its validity and reliability were achieved by content and test-retest methods respectively. Women were divided into 2 groups of exposure (low and high) according to their contact with the pollutant. The groups were matched in terms of factors effective on low birth weight.Results: Findings showed a significant relationship between SULFUR DIOXIDE and low birth weight (P<0.5, RR=3.96, CI=1.74-8.92).Conclusion: With respect to the results, appropriate instructions should be provided for women residing at crowded areas of the city and necessary interventions carried out to decrease this pollutant.