Irtiqa Imini Pishgiri Masdumiyat (Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention)

The iron and steel industries, due to their specific working conditions and environmental factors, pose multiple physical and psychological challenges for workers. Examining workers physical and mental health and identifying the factors affecting them can play a significant role in improving their well-being. This study aimed to investigate the impact of mental workload and the mediating role of job burnout on safety behavior among workers at an iron and steel factory in Yazd Province (2024). A descriptive-analytical study involving 150 workers, who were well-informed about the investigation process, and from whom verbal consent was taken, revealed a significant positive relationship between mental workload and job burnout, with both factors inversely related to safety behavior. Structural equation modeling results indicated that job burnout partially mediates the relationship between mental workload and safety behavior, suggesting that mental workload affects safety behaviors both directly and indirectly through increased job burnout.

Please cite this article as:

Hooshmand M, Hatami H, Gholamnia R, Olazadeh K, Salehi Sahlabadi A. Role of Mental Workload and Occupational Burnout in improving Safety Behaviors of Iron and Steel Industry Workers. Irtiqa Imini Pishgiri Masdumiyat .2025;13(1):1-5. https://doi.org/10.22037/iipm.v11i3.50632

Occupational cancers are rising in Iran, driven by industrial expansion and exposure to carcinogens, yet national prevention efforts are hampered by fragmented data, inconsistent standards, and weak causal evidence. To address this, we propose the establishment of a national ontology—a structured, shared framework that integrates disparate occupational health data from hospitals, occupational health centers, and insurance systems. This ontology enables accurate data retrieval, interoperability across information systems, and paves the way for AI-driven early detection and reliable job–exposure matrices. We recommend four immediate policy actions: (1) legally mandate ontology-based data reporting; (2) support development of domain-specific ontologies for high-risk carcinogens; (3) launch a national ontology-driven data infrastructure; and (4) deploy ontology-powered decision-support tools for professionals and workers. Far beyond a technical tool, this ontology represents a strategic investment to protect Iran’s workforce, reduce the socioeconomic burden of occupational cancer, and position the country as a regional leader in occupational health.

Please cite this article as:

Khadiv E, Hosseini Beheshti MS, Sheikhshoaei F, Farhang Dehghan S, Danaiee Z, Khazei P, Mohammadi M, Vaziri MH, Zendehdel R, Davari MH, Hamidi F. Intelligent Management of Occupational Cancer: The Imperative of Establishing a National Ontology for Workforce Protection. Irtiqa Imini Pishgiri Masdumiyat .2026;13(1):6-13. https://doi.org/10.22037/iipm.v11i3.50510

Edible oils, particularly cold-pressed oils, are susceptible to oxidative changes and quality deterioration during storage and distribution. This comparative study evaluated sunflower, sesame, and canola oils produced by cold-pressing and industrial methods, assessing physicochemical indices, including Refractive index, Acid value, Iodine value, Saponification value, Peroxide value, Anisidine value, and total oxidation (TOTOX) index, as well as the concentrations of lead, iron, arsenic, and copper. Results indicated that industrially produced oils exhibited greater stability over time, with TOTOX values below 10, corresponding to fresh and high-quality oils. In contrast, some cold-pressed oil samples showed higher primary and secondary oxidation indices, reflecting greater susceptibility to spoilage and reduced shelf life. Heavy metal concentrations were within the standard limits for most samples, although one industrial sunflower oil sample exceeded the permissible arsenic level. The findings underscore the importance of continuous quality monitoring, control of oilseed sources, and awareness-raising among producers and consumers.

Please cite this article as:

Abtahi M, Manavipur E, Eslami A, Shahsavani A, Alahabadi A, Saeedi S, Shokri Dariyan F. Industrial or Cold-Pressed Oils? A Comparison of Physicochemical Properties in the Sabzevar Market. Irtiqa Imini Pishgiri Masdumiyat .2026;13(1):14-20. https://doi.org/10.22037/iipm.v11i3.50627

Microplastics, as emerging contaminants, are widely present in wastewater and pose potential risks to both environmental and human health. These particles disrupt the functioning of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, infiltrate the food chain, and threaten public health. The present article is based on the findings of an applied research study titled “Investigation of agricultural soil contamination around southern Tehran wastewater treatment plant to microplastics and heavy metal”, which also includes the determination of heavy metal concentrations within microplastic particles. The study aims to analyze and elucidate the necessity of revising standards for the use of urban wastewater and the quality of soil resources, in light of the increasing contamination of soil, water resources, and wastewater by microplastic particles.

Innovative strategies are proposed to address the complex environmental and health challenges posed by microplastic pollution. The results of the study indicate the presence of microplastics in surface soil (up to a depth of 15 cm) at a concentration of 439.5 ± 5.42 particles per kilogram.

Current standards predominantly focus on chemical parameters and pathogenic agents, while microplastic particles (less than 5 mm in size) are systematically excluded from these regulations. Existing agricultural soil and soil quality standards lack defined thresholds for permissible microplastic concentrations. Meanwhile, studies estimate that approximately 123,000 to 430,000 tons of microplastics are annually introduced into agricultural soils via organic fertilizers and wastewater.

Therefore, it is imperative to update existing standards to incorporate limitations and criteria for the presence and control of microplastics in wastewater, ensuring safer agricultural and other applications. The inclusion of new criteria in urban sewage and agricultural soil standards must be designed to enable effective monitoring and control at both laboratory and field levels.

Please cite this article as:

Eslami A, Rafee M, Mozaffar Ghadirli M, Hashemi M. Hidden Soil Contamination with Microplastics: Urgent Revision of Standards Recommended for Environmental Protection and Food Security. Irtiqa Imini Pishgiri Masdumiyat .2026;13(1):19-25. https://doi.org/10.22037/iipm.v11i3.50641

Telemedicine, as an essential technological solution, holds considerable potential for improving equity in access to primary health care, particularly by reducing disparities in rural and remote areas and for enhancing the efficiency of the Family Physician Program. Findings from this qualitative study indicate that, despite its strong potential to expand access, especially for specialist consultations, treatment follow-up, and chronic disease management and to reduce costs and save time, telemedicine implementation faces structural and systemic barriers. These include the lack of reliable communication infrastructure in rural areas and significant ambiguities in governance, legal, and financial frameworks. To enable a successful transition, three key policy recommendations are proposed: 1) Establishing a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework, including clinical guidelines, reimbursement regulations, and privacy protections; 2) Strategic investment in communication infrastructure and a national telemedicine platform; and 3) Simultaneous empowerment of providers and patients through targeted training. Adopting this three-pillar strategy is an urgent policy priority to prevent resource waste and to realize health .system equity

Please cite this article as:

Taghioghli Sh, Zarei E. Developing a Governance, Infrastructure, and Empowerment Framework: A National Strategy for Implementing Telemedicine in Iran’s Family Physician Program. Irtiqa Imini Pishgiri Masdumiyat .2026;13(1):26-30. https://doi.org/10.22037/iipm.v11i3.50538

Social resilience refers to the capacity of individuals, groups, and communities to effectively adapt to crises, hazards, and adverse conditions. It is recognized as one of the key determinants of safety promotion and harm reduction within societies. Beyond mere resistance to stressors, social resilience encompasses the ability to recover, rebuild, and maintain optimal functioning following disruptive events. Communities with higher levels of social resilience are better equipped to preserve social cohesion, mental well-being, and organizational performance when confronted with challenges such as wars, natural disasters, pandemics, economic difficulties, and other crises.

Enhancing social resilience can be achieved through strengthening self-efficacy, problem-solving skills, emotional regulation, social connectedness, organizational support systems, and attention to both physical and mental health. This approach can play a significant role in mitigating the consequences of injuries, improving individual and community safety, and enhancing overall quality of life. Ultimately, investing in the development of social resilience as a preventive strategy can improve community preparedness for future crises and contribute to sustainable development.