BackgroundHoney contains a complex mixture of carbohydrates and other minor substances. Elements are minor constituents of honey that may threaten the human health in excess concentrations. So, determining the metals in honey helps its quality control as a food product. The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of some metals in Iranian honey.MethodsThis study was performed in four regions of Ardabil, a province of Iran. Honey samples (n = 25) were digested in microwave oven by nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide, then analyzed using inductively coupled plasma– optic emission spectrophotometry (ICP-OES).ResultsNo significant differences were observed in cadmium, zinc, nickel, and chromium levels between regions (P > 0.05). Zinc was the most abundant metal in honey samples (1481.64 μg/kg). Some metals had higher concentrations in the East region because of existence more industries there. The highest mean of lead level was 935.48 μg/kg in the East and the lowest was 205.4 μg/kg in the South region. The concentrations of metals were compared with recommended limits for foods. Some of them were higher than standard levels (lead) and some were lower than those (cadmium).ConclusionsMetals are released into the environment through their use in industrial processes and enter the food chain from uptake by plants from contaminated soil or water. Metals concentration in various places depends on many variables, leading to their different concentrations in honey. Some control measures like the quality control of food products, monitoring the soil in agricultural regions and limiting the use of fertilizers are recommended.

BackgroundOccupational accidents are unplanned events that cause damage. The socio-economic impacts and human costs of accidents are tremendous around the world. Many fatalities happen every year in workplaces such as electricity distribution companies. Some electrical injuries are electrocution, electric shock, and burns. This study was conducted in an electricity distribution company (with rotational 12-hour shift work) in Iran during an 8-year period to survey descriptive factors of injuries.MethodsVariables collected included accident time, age of injured worker, employment type, work experience, injury cause, educational background, and other information about accidents.ResultsResults indicated that most of the accidents occurred in summer, and 51.3% were during shift work. Worker negligence (malpractice) was the cause of 75% of deaths. Type of employment had a significant relationship with type of injuries (p < 0.05). Most injuries were electrical burns.ConclusionHigh rate of accidents in summer may be due to the warm weather or insufficient professional skills in seasonal workers. Shift workers are at risk of sleep complaints leading to a high rate of work injuries. Acquiring knowledge about safety was related to job experiences. Temporary workers have no chance to work all year like permanent workers, therefore impressive experiences may be less in them. Because the lack of protective equipment and negligence are main causes of accidents, periodical inspections in workshops are necessary.

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Cognitive symptoms and health-related quality of life were not related to the measures of welding fume exposure and further research should be performed to find other influencing factors.

Here, the magnetic Fe3O4@SiO2/PAEDTC@MIL-101 (Fe) with a new core-shell structure was synthesized, and its sonophotocatalytic properties were evaluated for acid red 14 (AR14) degradation. Particle characterizations were determined by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM), and the analysis results offered an excellent synthesis of mesoporous particles. Fe3O4@SiO2/PAEDTC@MIL-101 (Fe)/UV/US showed high degradation kinetics rate (0.0327 min−1) compared to sonocatalytic processes (0.0181 min−1), photocatalytic (0218 min−1), sonolysis (0.008 min−1), and photolysis (0.005 min−1). Maximum removal efficiencies of AR14 (100%) and total organic carbon (69.96%) were obtained at pH of 5, catalyst mass of 0.5 g/L, initial AR14 concentration of 50 mg/L, and ultrasound power of 36 W. Evaluation of BOD5/COD ratio during dye treatment confirmed that the sonophotocatalysis process can be useful for converting major contaminant molecules into biodegradable compounds. After recycling eight times, the prepared composite still has sonophotocatalytic degradation stability above 90% for AR14. Scavenging tests confirmed that holes (h+) and hydroxyl (•OH) were the pivotal agents in the decomposition system. Based on the results, the synthesized sample can be suggested as an excellent and promising sonophotocatalyst for the degradation of AR14 dye and its conversion into biodegradable compounds.