en بهداشت محیط زیست Environmental Health پژوهشي Original Article <p>Background and purpose: Disposing sludge from industrial wastewater treatment plants (IWWTPs) is a serious issue because it can affect human and animals health, and also environmental quality. In this study, sludge from an IWWTP was analyzed regarding its physicochemical characteristics and disposal options. Materials and Methods: Grab sampling was used to collect 12 sludge samples biweekly (May-October 2012). One sample T-test was applied to analyze the obtained data. Canadian Soil Quality Guidelines (CSQG) and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Soil Cleanup Criteria (NJDEPSCC) were used to discuss the generated sludge disposal fate. Results: The results show that the order of the studied metals in the sludge was as: Fe>Al>Zn>Cr>Pb>Ni>Cd>Co>Cu>Mn>As>Hg. It was found that the generated sludge compared with CSQG is not suitable for residential/parkland, agricultural, commercial and industrial applications. But compared with NJDEPSCC, the studied sludge was suitable for residential and non-residential applications. Conclusion: According to NJDEPSCC, the studied sludge has the potential to be used for residential and non-residential purposes.</p> Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge, Sludge Characterization, Sludge Disposal, Sludge Reuse 10 18 http://jhs.mazums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-343-3&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Mehdi Ahmadi 10031947532846003732 10031947532846003732 No Environmental Technology Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Nikoo Bayati 10031947532846003733 10031947532846003733 No Department of Environmental Sciences, Ahvaz Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Ali Akbar Babaei 10031947532846003734 10031947532846003734 No Environmental Technology Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Pari Teymouri Pari.Teymouri@yahoo.com 10031947532846003735 10031947532846003735 Yes Kurdistan Environmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran