Introduction: The COVID-19 epidemic has polluted millions of people and has caused millions of deaths worldwide. Therefore, this study aims to review the effects of COVID-19 on global air pollution. Materials and Methods: In this narrative review, articles related to the objectives of the study were selected in reliable scientific databases such as Web of Science, Ovid, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus. A total of 294 browsing sources and ultimately 90 sources were selected. Results: In the COVID-19 pandemic, NO2 dropped from 53 to 11% in most countries, and PM2.5 and PM10 from 91 to 6% in some countries. CO dropped from 92 to 5% and SO2 had a decreasing trend from 77 to 7% in most countries, except for the largest cities in Britain, Poland, Taiwan, and Iran. Unlike other pollutants, O3 in most countries increased from 0.3 to 63%, but O3 decreased in some countries. Conclusion: In the lockdown period, the reduction of most air pollutants except O3 was observed in many countries. But after restarting, polluting activities have incresed again. Therefore, the rules implemented during lockdown time can be introduced as an appropriate option in emergencies to reduce air pollution.

Introduction: Heavy metals (HMs) are one of the most important and dangerous pollutants in water resources. This study aimed to determine the HMs concentrations in city water purifier devices or stations in Rafsanjan, Iran in 2022. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted descriptively and on a laboratory scale on the input and output of 16 city water purifier devices stations in Rafsanjan in the summer of 2022. Heavy metals and other metals including arsenic (As), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), and potassium (K) were tested by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrophotometry (ICP-MS). Also, t-test statistical analysis was used by SPSS software. Results: The mean concentrations of HMs in the output of city water purifier devices for As, Pb, Cr, Cu, and Zn were ≤ 1, 2.84 ± 0.71, 8.48 ± 1.51, 2.51 ± 1.55, and 18.58 ± 9.24 µg/L, respectively. The difference between the output of water purifier devices and standard values ​​for As, Cr, and Cu was significant (p ≤ 0.001). Other metals concentrations in the output of water purifier devices for Fe, Mg, Ca, Na, and K were 0.03 ± 0.008, 6.72 ± 0.92, 8.38 ± 1.71, 64.11 ± 2.56, and 2.34 ± 0.08 µg/L, respectively. The HMs removal efficiency of city water purifier devices for As, Cu, and Pb were ≥ 99%, 83.33%, and 56.33%, respectively. Conclusion: The HMs removal efficiency of city water purifier devices stations in Rafsanjan City was appropriate due to the use of filters containing alumina and iron hydroxide media.

Introduction: This study developed a strategic management plan for hospital waste in selected public hospitals using quantitative strategic planning matrix (QSPM) model. Materials and Methods: This research was conducted in three stages. First, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) matrix of waste management was extracted and scored in public hospitals in Yazd. Then, the matrix of internal and external factors along with the obtained strategies were developed using the SWOT model. Finally, using the QSPM model, the attractiveness table was prepared for weighting the prioritized strategies. Results: The final score of SWOT analysis showed that the studied hospitals were in a competitive position (WT strategy). According to the results, 14 prioritized strategies were proposed. According to the QSPM matrix, the strategy of "green management indicators improvement" was prioritized. Conclusion: The competitive position of the studied hospitals indicates a situation where hospitals should promote their strengths and reduce their weaknesses in order to take advantage of opportunities.

Introduction: Chronic exposure to Arsenic (As) can increase the risk of diabetes mellitus. This study aims to determine the relationship between exposure to the As by drinking water and the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in two urban populations of Rafsanjan and Kashkuyeh, Iran, in 2020.
 Materials and Methods: In this research, 120 participants from Rafsanjan and Kashkuyeh were recruited and divided into four groups. The first two groups have lived in Rafsanjan and Kashkuyeh for the past 10 years, and the second two groups have lived in these two cities for less than a year. Individuals with two episodes of fasting blood glucose (FBG) ≥ 126 mg/dl were considered to have diabetes.
 Results: As was found in high levels in all samples (10 samples) in Rafsanjan and 55% of samples (10 samples) in Kashkuyeh. The prevalence of diabetes was significantly higher in people with a residence duration of more than 10 years (p = 0.038). The analysis of Multiple Logistic Regression model demonstrated that the chance of developing diabetes in people who had lived in either city for more than 10 years was almost 5.7 times higher than others (OR = 5.79; P = 0.003). Also, the chance of developing diabetes was 91% higher in people who had lived in Rafsanjan compared with Kashkuyeh, and 91% higher in men than in women (OR = 1.915; P = 0.215).
 Conclusion: Chronic exposure (≥ 10 years) to high levels of As by drinking water can increase the risk of diabetes, and future research is needed in this regard.

Introduction: Drought is a slow-onset natural disasters and a gradual concern. Throughout the centuries, Iranians have applied various methods to preserve water resources and adjust themselves to the drought. This study was conducted with the aim of preserving water resources by households during a drought with the approach of indigenous knowledge.
 Material and Methods: The study was carried out from April 2017 to June 2018. A qualitative content analysis method was used to obtain insight into personal experiences. A purposive sampling method was used to select 15 participants. The research population consisted of native villagers who lived in rural areas near the three main plains of Yazd province (Yazd-Ardakan plain, Abarkouh plain, and Herat Va Marvast plain). Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.
 Results: The components related to indigenous knowledge were placed in 4 categories and 15 sub-categories. The main categories were personal hygiene, conservation of scarce resources, prediction of drought, and classification of water in terms of quality and its supply sources.
 Conclusion: Indigenous knowledge reflects several generations of experience. This knowledge is a valuable resource about how local communities interact with their ever-changing environments. We must pay attention to personal health behaviors and how our ancestors used and preserved scarce resources. It is necessary to identify and correct these behaviors and support them through proper management and financial resources at the community level. To preserve water resources in droughts, it is essential to use appropriate management and policy-making and motivational methods, and educate families.

Introduction: The probability of contamination is frequently elevated in scenarios where a well and pit latrine coexist, or in situations where heavy rain causes the overflow of open excreta dumps, which in turn flush into wells and surface water. Many possible negative health effects might arise from exposure to various ecological and biological agents in the environment. Therefore, there is a need to examine the risk of disease transmission in Ife North Local Government Area (LGA) of Osun state, using epidemiological, environmental, and ecological factors.
 Materials and Methods: Geostatistical analysis was used to examine the epidemiological risk, based on various environmental, biological, and ecological variables. The technique employed demonstrated the complexity and multiple parameters that raise the probability of an epidemic. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to determine whether or not the data were normally distributed. Fuzzy logic, correlation, and spline surface interpolation analysis were conducted using ArcGIS 10.3 and ENVI 5.0 software. Three levels of epidemic risk were used to construct the disease surveillance and projection maps.
 Results: According to the final susceptibility map, 8.08 km2 of 460.12 km2 of the research area were considered to be at very low risk for an epidemic, followed by 364.98km2 of low risk and 87.06km2 of moderate risk areas, with percentages of 1.75%, 79.32%, and 18.92%, respectively.
 Conclusion: A very substantial correlation was observed between biological and ecological components and water-borne diseases. It is, therefore, advised that all water sources be treated before consumption, and community involvement be encouraged in environmental sanitation programs.

Introduction: Monitoring and controlling water resources and using health risk assessment approaches for water pollutants are essential for health promotion programs. This study aims to determine the water quality status and its spatiotemporal variation across the Kan River Basin, explore the interrelationship between surface and groundwater quality indices, and assess the nitrate health risk in drinking water. Materials and Methods: The water quality index (WQI) was calculated based on the guideline of the Iran Environmental Protection Organization, and spatiotemporal distribution maps were prepared using ArcGIS in 2020. To determine the correlation between IRWQISC and IRWQIGC indices, Spearman's non-parametric test was applied. Furthermore, Hazard Quotient (HQ), Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR), and Monte-Carlo Simulation techniques were used to determine the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of nitrate in three age groups. Results: The water resources were classified into three groups of medium quality, relatively good, and good during the study period. All parameters complied with the Iranian water quality standards. Furthermore, the statistical analysis revealed no significant relationship between the surface and groundwater quality indices. The calculated HQ values for infants, children, and adults were 0.661, 0.620, and 0.236, respectively. The ELCR values for infants, children, and adults were 1.06 × 10-4, 0.99 × 10-4, and 0.38 × 10-4, respectively, which, for the infants' group, was higher than the guideline limit of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) (10-4). Conclusion: The water resources are suitable for drinking purposes. However, more attention is needed to prevent water contamination in the coming years.

Introduction: In recent years, the relationship between environment and psychological well-being has been paid attention among researchers. With the preceding emphasis on climate change, significant studies have been conducted to analyze the relationship between air pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO­­­­2), oxidants (OX), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM) of size ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5), and atmospheric factors like surrounding temperature, relative humidity, and their impact on health, especially mental health.
 Materials and Methods: This narrative review was conducted on the exposure-response relationship between environmental factors and air pollutants, and one type of mental health challenge, schizophrenia. Accordingly, the data analysis techniques applied to this problem were reviewed. The key research elements considered from existing studies included the relation between air quality and mental health, mathematical models, data sources, and areas that remain unexplored.
 Results: It was observed that most studies related to the environmental impact on schizophrenia have been limited to temperature and few pollutants.
 Conclusion: In the primary feasibility study, PM2.5, PM10, and temperature had a positive correlation and lag effect with the daily number of emergency admissions of schizophrenia.

Introduction: Electrospun nanomembranes have been used for effective air filtration due to their potential for active surface modification. This study aims to synthesize polyurethane (PU) nanofiber membrane incorporated with different amounts of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) to capture volatile organic compounds (VOCs) along with aerosol filtration from the air. Material and Methods: First, PU was synthesized by MDI method. A 10 wt% PU solution in DMF/MEK (1:1 wt) was prepared. Various amounts of β-CD powder (0, 1, 2, 3, and 5 wt% of PU) were dispersed in the prepared PU solution. Electrospining process was carried out under determined parameters (20 kV applied voltage, tip-to-collector distance of 10 cm, solution feed, and rate of 1 ml/h). The chemical structure and morphology of the produced samples were assessed by FTIR and SEM, respectively. Finally, air filtration and toluene adsorption of different electrospun membranes were measured. Results: The highest filtration performance was observed for PU with 1 wt% β-CD nanofiber. Due to increased efficiency (83.13%) and low-pressure drop (∆P = 19 pa), this sample had a considerable quality parameter. The results demonstrated that the membrane loaded with β-CD was able to adsorb hazardous and carcinogenic VOCs. It was confirmed that adding β-CD into PU improves the adsorption capacity due to forming a π complex and having a different tendency against capturing a variety of VOCs. Conclusion: The study results revealed that the PU nanofiber incorporated with β-CD, along with the ease of regeneration, can make them attractive for air filtration and VOCs adsorption.

Introduction: Accessibility to safe drinking water is an important human health issue, so water reuse and water resources management are critical in arid parts of developing regions. This study aimed to investigate the use of a combined simple designed solar geyser/photocell for drinking water disinfection.
 Materials and Methods: In this study, a solar geyser with a simple design was combined with a solar cell and its efficiency on the disinfection of contaminated water was investigated. This study was carried out with artificially polluted tap water by a solar geyser joined with a solar photovoltaic cell. The heated water (55°C) was kept for 2 hours using a solenoid valve. The pilot plant was operated and monitored for one year. The volume of the collected effluent was measured every 24 h. The most probably number (MPN) of total coliforms and fecal coliforms in 100 mL of 24-hour composed samples were measured.
 Results: The mean volume of disinfected water production was calculated as 2095.74 ± 270.28 mL/day. The strongest correlation was found between disinfected water and the maximum daily ambient air temperature with a linear model (R2 = 0.9937). The results showed that by increasing the sunny time, the volume of water outlet increased. Therefore, sunny time and UV radiation have direct effect on volume of disinfected water.
 Conclusion: The simple designed solar geyser for drinking water disinfection was efficient and recommended for tropical areas, emergency conditions, and farms for agricultural activities.