Iranian Journal Of Health Sciences

en Evaluation of Cadmium, Lead and Zinc Content of Compost Produced in Babol Composting Plant بهداشت محیط زیست Environmental Health پژوهشي Original Article Background and purpose: The most important parameter is heavy metal contents in compost production technology. These heavy metals residue from substances like soap, detergents, cosmetics, packaging, leather and butteries are existed in municipal solid waste. The heavy metals can produce toxin for animal, human and plant. The aim of this research was study of produced compost quality based on heavy metals (Pb, Cd and Zn) in Babol compost plant in 2012. Materials and Methods: The present research is a descriptive- cross sectional study in which was performed in six months. Total sample numbers (5 samples) were randomly provided from final compost of Babol plant and then after extraction and filtration, the concentration of heavy metals like cadmium, lead and zinc was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer PG- 999. Results: In analyzed samples the maximum, minimum and average of cadmium in the final compost were 7.25, 0.47 and 1.9 mg/kg. The maximum, minimum and mean of lead were 239.2, 31.9 and 67.1 mg/kg; in zinc were 972.7, 483.5 and 603.7 mg/kg respectively. Conclusion: The concentration of heavy metals in Babol compost samples was under Iranian national and World Health Organization standards and could be used for different species of plants. However, the usability of compost depends on other parameters such as carbon to nitrogen and other components like glass, plastics and textiles. Babol Compost Plant, Heavy Metals, Municipal Solid Waste, Compost 62 67 http://jhs.mazums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-350-2&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Fatemeh Asgharzadeh 10031947532846004102 10031947532846004102 No Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Para medicine & Health, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran Mohammad Taghy Ghaneian 10031947532846004103 10031947532846004103 No Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran Abdoliman Amouei iamouei1966@gmail.com 10031947532846004104 10031947532846004104 Yes Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Para medicine & Health, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran Reihaneh Barari 10031947532846004105 10031947532846004105 No Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Para Medicine & Health, Babol University of Medical