Farshid Soleimani

Introduction: Concerns arises about smoking products waste, which can contain different hazardous pollutants such as toxic metals. This study aimed to survey the toxic metals content of fruit-flavored and traditional waterpipe bowl water. Methods: The traditional waterpipe bowl water samples were collected from the four most popular fruit-flavored tobacco brands (Al-Mahmoud, Al-Fakher, Nakhl, and Mazaya), as well as from four widely favored flavors (blueberry, Dosib, cream orange, and mint-gum). Additionally, 10 samples of traditional waterpipe bowl water were gathered. The concentrations of toxic metals in these bowl water samples were measured using ICP-MS analysis. Results: The mean concentration of toxic metals in waterpipe bowl water samples from Al-mahmoud, Al-Fakher, Nakhla, Mazaya, and traditional tobacco ranged from 0.37 (Cd) to 3.36 (Pb); 0.33 (Cd) to 3.27 (Pb); 0.34 (Cd) to 3.02 (Cr); 0.24 (Cd) to 3.09 (Cr), and 1.38 (Cd) to 6.24 (Pb) μg/L, respectively. The mean levels of all toxic metals (except As) in different fruit-flavored tobacco brands and traditional waterpipe bowl water samples were significantly different (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that toxic metal concentrations in waterpipe bowl water vary significantly among different tobacco brands and tobacco types. This highlights the need for monitoring and regulation of toxic metal content in waterpipe tobacco products to reduce potential health risks to users and environment.

This study conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of radionuclide concentrations of Cesium‐137 (Cs‐137), Cesium‐134 (Cs‐134), Iodine‐131 (I‐131), Lead‐210 (Pb‐210), and Potassium‐40 (K‐40) in milk worldwide, along with an assessment of human health risks, in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Pooled radionuclide concentrations were estimated using a random‐effects model, while excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) was calculated to evaluate carcinogenic effects using the Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) model. A comprehensive search of Scopus, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science identified 66 papers (200 data reports, 2000–2025) that cover milk samples from 32 countries. The global pooled mean concentrations (Bq/L) followed the order: K‐40: 57.494 > Cs‐137: 0.904 > I‐131: 0.301 > Pb‐210: 0.136 > Cs‐134: 0.032. Extreme concentrations were observed in the United Kingdom (Cs‐137: 288.000), Syria (I‐131: 76.000; K‐40: 243.500), and India (Pb‐210: 1.080), whereas Mali (Cs‐137: 0.003) and Algeria (K‐40: 2.349) showed the lowest levels. Probabilistic human health risk assessments revealed that the mean cancer risk (CR) for adults from Cs‐137 ingestion exceeded the acceptable limit (1E‐4) in the United Kingdom, Austria, South Korea, Serbia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Kazakhstan, and Iceland. For Cs‐134, the CR in Finland and France remained below the limit. The CR from K‐40 exceeded the limit in Spain, Syria, Bangladesh, Mali, Iraq, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Italy, and Turkey. For I‐131, the limit was exceeded in Syria, Romania, Greece, and Spain. The CR of Pb‐210 exceeded the limit in Tunisia, Slovenia, India, the Czech Republic, Italy, and Syria. These disparities reflect variations in environmental contamination, nuclear legacy, and regulatory standards. The results highlight the necessity for strict monitoring, especially in high‐risk areas, and promote enhanced agricultural practices and food safety policies to reduce radionuclide exposure through milk consumption.

Several researches have reported considerable levels of phnolic compounds (bisphenol A (BPA), benzophenones (BP-1, BP-3) and triclosan (TCS)) in cosmetic/beauty products. However, there is limited data regarding the exposure of female beauticians to harmful substances. The present research aimed to evaluate the exposure of female salon workers to these pollutants by quantifying their urinary levels. To achieve this, 50 female beauticians were selected as the exposed group (EG) and a control group (CG) consisting of 35 housewives. Urine specimens were collected and analyzed by chromatographic techniques to determine the pollutants content. It was found that all pollutants (BPA, BP-1, BP-3 and TCS) were frequently detected in the urine samples of female beauticians. It was also observed that the levels of these contaminants in the samples collected from this occupational group was significantly higher than housewives (P_value < 0. 05). The median of urinary BPA, BP-1, BP-3 and TCS concentrations for exposed subjects before the shift were 4.76, 2.57, 2.1 and 8.75 ng/mL, respectively. However, higher levels of these compounds were found in urine samples collected after the shift with medians of 5.25, 3.1, 2.65 and 11.96 ng/mL, respectively. For control group, these records were 1.66, 0.76, 0.22 and 2.12 ng/mL, respectively. Based on multiple linear regression (MLR) test, it was also showed that “cosmetic products usage” and “personal protective equipment (PPE)” are leadings factors contributing to the levels of BPA, BP-1, BP-3 and TCS detected in the urine of the female beauticians. These observations underscore the urgent necessity for more severe regulations and improved safety protocols to minimize exposure to hazardous chemicals in beauty salon settings.

This study aimed to investigate the pathophysiological changes of urban sanitation workers caused by potentially toxic element (PTE) exposure with a network analysis approach. Ninety urban sanitation workers from Bushehr Municipal Organization (exposed group) and 90 janitorial staff members from academic, administrative, and institutional settings (control group) were included. The PTE levels in serum samples were quantified using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS; Agilent 7500). Cytoscape software, version 3.10.3, was employed for network analysis and visualization. The concentration levels of PTEs in the exposed and control groups ranged from 0.65 (Co) to 1345 (Fe) and 0.23 (Cd) to 1287 (Fe) μg/L, respectively. The concentration levels of ∑PTEs in the exposed and control groups were 2986 ± 1655 and 2664 ± 1240 μg/L, respectively. The levels of some blood indices, such as white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HB), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), lymphocytes, and eosinophils, were statistically different between the exposed and control groups (p < 0.001). The direct and weighted network analysis to visualize interactions between PTEs and biomarkers showed that As, Cd, and Pb emerged as the most influential PTEs, affecting multiple biomarkers with robust connections. The network analysis showed that oxidative stress/inflammatory markers, particularly 8-OHdG and TNF-α, act as key triggers mediating the adverse effects of PTEs on liver function (ALT, AST) and other physiological systems. The elevated exposure to hazardous elements among solid waste collectors poses a clear public health concern, and a comprehensive approach combining engineering controls, personal protective equipment (PPE), health monitoring, education, and policy enforcement is essential to protect workers’ health.

Background and Aims: There is contradictory research evidence for the relationship between hookah smoking and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. The increasing popularity of hookah smoking and its effects on health has become a significant concern. This study aimed to explore the effect of hookah smoking on the risk of H. pylori infection in Bandar Abbas, Iran.Methods: The current case‐control study was conducted on 320 participants over 15 years of age (160 patients and 160 controls) between October 2023 and January 2024. The case group was found with a positive H. pylori test, and the control group with a negative test result. Then the status of hookah smoking and other variables was compared between these two groups. For data collection, a multi‐section researcher‐made checklist was used to explore demographic information, tobacco consumption, and physical examinations. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were run to determine the risk factors.Results: The mean ± SD of the case and control age groups were 38.18 ± 13.39, 35.70 ± 13.30, respectively. The results showed no statistically significant relationship between hookah smoking and the prevalence of H. pylori infection among the participants (OR: 1.49, p value: 0.170). Participants younger than 18 had 55% lower chances of the H. pylori (OR: 0.45, p value: 0.015). Compared to the single, the married had 72% lower chances of H. pylori infection (OR: 0.28, p value: 0.001). Those with a university degree had 61% lower chances of transmitting H. pylori than the illiterate or those with primary education (OR: 0.40, p value: 0.044).Conclusions: The present findings provide significant insights into the relationship between hookah smoking and H. pylori infection. As the findings showed, hookah smoking may not be a contributing factor in getting H. pylori infection. The results point to the complexity of factors influencing H. pylori incidence.

There is limited information regarding organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) residues in tobacco products found in the Iranian market, especially in various types of waterpipe tobacco. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the concentration of OCPs in various waterpipe tobacco—both fruit-flavored and regular—and compare it with cigarette tobacco. Additionally, by analyzing the OCPs levels in fresh tobacco compared to tobacco wastes, an estimate has been made for the quantity of pesticides released into smoke during consumption. Our results indicated that the average detection frequency (DF) of pesticide residues was 46% for fruit-flavored tobacco, 82% for regular tobacco, and 42% for cigarette tobacco. Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCHs) isomers were the predominant pesticides in all three types of tobacco with the mean of 43.11 ± 31.81, 89.63 ± 56.08, and 41.65 ± 35.37 ng/g for fruit-flavored tobacco, regular tobacco, and cigarette tobaccos, respectively. Both the levels and DF of pesticides in post-consumption wastes were significantly reduced compared to that in fresh tobacco (p < 0.05). For all tobacco types—fruit-flavored, regular, and cigarette—notable OCPs residues were released into the gas phase, with cigarette tobacco having the highest rate at approximately ~ 37% because of greater combustion temperatures. The research points out some limitations, particularly the disregard for bowl water and charcoal as elements of waterpipe waste, which could lead to an overestimation of pesticide levels in inhaled smoke. Further studies are needed on the environmental impact of tobacco wastes and promoting for better waste management practices as well as public awareness.