Background: This study presents a comprehensive thermal comfort atlas for Iran based on the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI). Utilizing 30 years of meteorological data from 49 stations across the country, the study analyzed seasonal and regional variations in thermal comfort. Methods: De Martonne’s climate classification was used to categorize Iran’s climate, and the UTCI was calculated for different seasons. Kriging interpolation was used to create zoning maps, providing spatial representations of thermal comfort conditions. Results: The results indicate significant regional disparities in thermal comfort. Arid climates experience severe heat stress, particularly in summer, while Mediterranean climates generally offer more favorable conditions. Seasonal variations are also pronounced, with autumn and spring being more comfortable seasons overall. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for urban planning and building design to address thermal comfort challenges, particularly in areas prone to extreme heat or cold. Future research should consider additional thermal comfort indices and expand the analysis to include more recent data and a wider range of climate zones

Background: Turbidity in surface water has been effectively reduced through the use of synthetic coagulants. However, despite their advantages, these synthetic options can result in significant environmental pollution and often come with high costs that may be prohibitive for many users. The present study investigated the coagulant potential of the grounded seeds of cactus and moringa as cost-effective, innovative, and eco-friendly alternatives in the water treatment industry. Methods: Experimental research was used to investigate the efficiency of a combined moringa and cactus powder in removing turbidity from the water samples. The moringa to cactus percentage ratios: 50:50, 75:25, and 25:75; settling time: 30, 40, and 50 minutes; stirring speeds: 30, 40, and 60 rpm; and pH levels: 5, 7, and 9 were used to examine the turbidity removal efficiency of the blended coagulants. The Central Composite Design (CCD) from Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the treatment conditions. Results: A coagulant ratio (g) of 3:1 (75% moringa: 25% Cactus), settling time of 40 min, stirring speed of 50 rpm, and pH 7 are the optimum conditions to achieve the highest removal efficiency. Conclusion: The study clearly indicated that combining powdered Cactus and moringa seeds improves turbidity reduction efficiency. The blend coagulant is a promising, eco-friendly alternative coagulant to conventional coagulants used in water treatment.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of an anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) system in dye detoxification, decolorization, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal. Methods: Herein, synthetic textile (Remazol blue RSP) wastewater (50, 100, and 150 mg/L) and real honey wastewater were anaerobically co-digested using an anaerobic up-flow reactor at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 24 h and a C:N ratio of 5:1. Total alkalinity (TA) and volatile fatty acid (VFA) were measured using spectrophotometric method, while color removal was monitored at λ max 595 nm. COD removal was measured using the closed reflux titrimetric method. The phytotoxicity test was conducted based on germination percentage, relative toxicity, and Phaseolus vulgaris plumule length. Results: COD removal at 50, 100, and 150 mg/L dye concentrations was relatively similar, as 76.69±1.33%, 75.91±2.1%, and 75.77±2.83%, respectively. The decolorization rate decreased with the increase in dye concentration from 97.37±2.18% to 92.22±0.51% and 90.12±0.49%. VFA/(TA) ratio markedly increased with increasing dye concentration, from 0.05 to 0.32 and 0.35, indicating system instability. Additionally, the phytotoxicity test revealed that the AcoD system improved the effluent quality and reduced dye wastewater toxicity. Conclusion: The findings suggest that AcoD of textile and honey wastewater can effectively remove pollutants (COD), detoxify, and decolorize Remazol Blue RSP-containing synthetic wastewater. Upon increasing dye concentration, a decrease in decolorization rate and system instability were observed, reflecting the effect of dye toxicity on the anaerobic system.

Background: Indoor plants that are used for decorative purposes can remove pollutants that are harmful to humans. This study aimed to compile information to give a broad picture of how indoor plants enhance indoor air quality. Methods: The information sources for this study were Science Direct, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The eligibility criteria included studies with (i) interventions using any indoor plant, (ii) comparators included within the same experimental treatment, (iii) results that included air quality effects objectively measured using any instrument, (iv) research using a controlled study design, and (v) articles published in English. A total of 17 research articles reporting quantitative empirical research published between 2011 to 2022 were selected. The reviewed articles were compiled according to (i) Inferences, (ii) intervention, (iii) plant name, (iv) type of pollutant, (v) experimental setup, (vi) research environment. Results: The effects of indoor plants on air quality were reduced pollutant levels (particularly volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, Toluene, and ethylbenzene), followed by smoke particles, Nitrogen dioxide, Carbon dioxide, and Carbon monoxide. Conclusion: This study showed that indoor plants have a significant potential to reduce indoor air pollutants and improve indoor occupant comfort, and overall improve public health.

Background: Food waste significantly impacts global economic and environmental systems and poses health risks. Addressing both the accumulation of waste and the demand for eco-friendly products, this study investigated the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from food waste, integrating sustainable waste management with biopolymer manufacturing. Methods: Lactobacillus casei was cultured in MRS broth supplemented with seven different carbon-rich food wastes, including whey, grape peel, and orange rind. The cultures were incubated at 37°C, with growth and biomass monitored over 48 hours. PHAs were extracted using sodium hypochlorite-chloroform dispersion and chloroform methods, followed by quantitative analysis and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Results: The highest PHA yield was observed from grape peel, generating 1.21 and 0.98 mg/L with sodium hypochlorite-chloroform and chloroform methods, respectively. Orange rind also produced significant yields. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of essential functional groups, verifying the molecular integrity of the PHAs and their suitability for bioplastic applications. Conclusion: The study demonstrates the efficacy of using L. casei to convert food waste into PHAs, varying by substrate. This approach not only provides a method to reduce food waste but also produces biodegradable plastics, contributing to a circular economy. Further optimization of substrate conditions could enhance PHA yields, increasing the economic and environmental benefits of this technology.

Background: Removing dyes from wastewater is crucial for environmental protection and public health. Dyes used in various industries can be toxic and persistent, posing threats to aquatic ecosystems and human health. Methods: This study examined the efficiency of beech wood-derived activated carbon (BW-AC) in removing Acid Red 18 (AR18) and Methylene Blue (MB) dyes. A batch adsorption procedure was used to investigate the impacts of various operational variables, including pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage, and initial dye concentration. Results: Changes in pH did not significantly affect removal efficiency. However, increasing contact time and adsorbent dosage notably enhanced removal rates, achieving nearly complete removal after 180 minutes. Various statistical metrics were used to identify the best-fitting model, including the corrected Akaike information criterion (AICc ) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC). The general order kinetic model provided the best fit to the experimental data based on its AICc values (range: -45.42 to 12.435) and BIC values (range: -48.16 to 6.67) for AR18. For MB dye, the ranges were -5.81 to 7.057 for AICc and -9.58 to 3.282 for BIC. Regarding the adsorption isotherms, the correlation capabilities of the models, as assessed by AICc and BIC, were ranked as follows for AR18: Freundlich, Liu, and Langmuir; while for MB dye, the ranking was Langmuir, Liu, and Freundlich. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that BW-AC is a highly promising adsorbent for dye removal from aqueous solutions, offering a sustainable, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective solution for water and industrial wastewater treatment.

Background: With the growth of industries and advancing civilization, controlling air pollution from both human and natural sources has become a major concern. Styrene, a volatile organic compound (VOC), is recognized as a hazardous and toxic atmospheric contaminant. Methods: In this study, the removal of Styrene vapors using ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles coated on activated carbon (AC) was investigated and the styrene removal capacity of AC-ZnO and AC-TiO2 catalysts was compared. The coated adsorbents were characterized using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), and the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method. All laboratory-scale experiments were conducted at ambient temperatures. Styrene concentrations of 50, 100, and 300 ppm were tested at an input flow rate of 0.03, and 0.06 m3 /h. Results: The AC-TiO2 catalyst had a styrene removal efficiency (RE) of 81%, as compared to 74% efficiency for the AC-ZnO catalyst, this is at a flow rate of 0.06 m3 /h and a concentration of 50 ppm. The results indicated that increasing styrene concentrations reduced breakthrough time but increased adsorption capacity. Also, by increasing the inflow rate, the adsorption capacity decreased. At all concentrations and flow rates, the adsorption capacity of the AC-TiO2 catalyst was higher than the AC-ZnO catalyst. Conclusion: According to the results, it can be concluded that the AC-TiO2 catalyst is more effective in the removal of Styrene vapor from the air as compared to the AC-ZnO catalyst.

Background: The escalating production and utilization of plastics, driven by their distinctive properties, have significantly contributed to environmental pollution. One of these pollutants is microplastic (MP), which is present in many food products, such as tea bags. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the presence and characteristics of MPs in tea bags from five different brands in Iran. Methods: For this study, 30 tea bags from five different brands in Iran were selected for sampling. The unaltered tea bags (with tea) were placed in 100 mL of ultrapure water at a temperature of 95 °C for 5 minutes, representing an alternative approach involving tea bag sampling with tea and without rinsing. Subsequently, the samples were subjected to quantitative analysis using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and qualitative analysis using a micro-Raman spectrometer. Results: All brands exhibited MP contamination, with an average abundance of 518 459 items per individual tea bag. Fibers were the predominant form of MPs, primarily falling within the 10–50 µm size range. Polymer analysis identified cellulose acetate (CA), nylon, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyethylene (PE) as the prevalent types, with CA and nylon as the most frequent ones. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of MPs was calculated at approximately 17,282 items/kg-BW/day for children consuming 100 ml of tea daily and 14,813 items/kg-BW/day for adults consuming 400 mL of tea daily. Conclusion: This study underscores tea bag consumption as a significant route of MP exposure for humans and the environment, posing potential risks and implications.

Background: Inappropriate management of textile wastewater results in environmental pollution. To counter this, biofilters or biofilm systems serve as alternatives. Biofilters work like a filter, with a media stack that aids in the filtration process. In this study, pozzolan and sawdust were used as media. The present study aimed to identify the difference in average color content, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and chromium of textile wastewater after passing through a single biofilter versus a combination biofilter. Methods: This study employs a post-test with a control design experimental research design. The research population is the total textile wastewater produced by the X industry located in Cimahi city, Indonesia. The grab sampling technique was employed to collect 30 L of textile wastewater for each treatment using both the single biofilter (composed solely of sawdust) and the combination biofilter (mixture of sawdust and pozzolan). Results: There are significant differences in color, COD, and chromium content averages between single and combined biofilter treatments, supported by P values of 0.012, 0.004, and 0.010. The single biofilter exhibited higher percentage reductions in color and chromium (14.25% and 90.83%, respectively) compared to the combination biofilter. In contrast, the combination biofilter achieved a remarkable COD reduction of up to 79.45%compared to the single biofilter. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that the single biofilter had a higher capacity to remove color and chromium compared to the combination biofilter. Meanwhile, the combination biofilter was found to be more effective in removing COD compared to the single biofilter.

Background: Leachate, containing challenging-to-degrade organic substances and persistent toxins, poses significant environmental concerns. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have emerged as a promising solution for effective leachate treatment. This research provides a comprehensive review of the impact of various AOPs in leachate treatment. Methods: This systematic review was conducted, encompassing commonly used AOPs such as ozone, peroxone, O3 /catalyst, Fenton, photo-Fenton, UV/TiO2 , photolytic persulfate, O3 /UV, and O3 /H2 O2 / UV. Extensive searches were performed using reputable databases, including EBSCO, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Specific keywords and inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied. Data regarding leachate treatment parameters were meticulously summarized and analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. Results: The efficiency of AOPs in removing leachate organic matter varied, with chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal ranging from 41% to 83% in treatment systems. The order of effectiveness was found to be: O3 /UV/H2 O2>photo-Fenton>UV/TiO2>Fenton>persulfate (PS)>O3 /UV>O3 /H2 O2>O3 / catalyst>ozonation (O3 ). The highest COD removal efficiency of 83.75% was achieved using the O3 /UV/ H2 O2 AOP approach. The removal efficiency of color also varied, ranging from 32% to 100%, depending on the leachate’s characteristics, concentration, and specific treatment process utilized. Conclusion: AOPs, particularly the hybrid approach using O3 /UV/H2 O2 , significantly enhance waste leachate treatment by effectively degrading persistent organic compounds through the generation of hydroxyl radicals. Further research is required to optimize AOPs and improve their efficiency in waste leachate treatment.