Investigating the influence of urban land use on asbestos concentration and identifying the most vulnerable areas in Shiraz, Iran

Abstract This study investigated asbestos fiber concentrations and associated health risks in Shiraz over a period of one year and examined their relationship with various land use factors. Samples were analyzed using phase-contrast microscopy (PCM), and health effects were assessed using the EPA’s...

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Main Authors: Samira Norzaee, Siamak Darvishali, Mahdi Farzadkia, Ahmad Jonidi Jafari, Mitra Gholami, Abbas Shahsavani, Majid Kermani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-12330-x
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author Samira Norzaee
Siamak Darvishali
Mahdi Farzadkia
Ahmad Jonidi Jafari
Mitra Gholami
Abbas Shahsavani
Majid Kermani
author_facet Samira Norzaee
Siamak Darvishali
Mahdi Farzadkia
Ahmad Jonidi Jafari
Mitra Gholami
Abbas Shahsavani
Majid Kermani
author_sort Samira Norzaee
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study investigated asbestos fiber concentrations and associated health risks in Shiraz over a period of one year and examined their relationship with various land use factors. Samples were analyzed using phase-contrast microscopy (PCM), and health effects were assessed using the EPA’s IRIS method. We examined the relationship between asbestos fiber concentrations and road network density, population, number of bus stations, and green space. The results showed that 10% of the sampling sites in Shiraz had low asbestos fiber concentrations, 20% had medium concentrations, 60% had high concentrations, and 10% had very high concentrations. The mean ELCR for asbestos inhalation was 1.44 × 10−4, indicating a cancer risk for 1.44 out of every 10,000 people. The highest ELCR values were found in the west, near the Shiraz Ring expressway, and in the southeast, near high-traffic areas. Additionally, no positive correlation was found between asbestos concentrations and population, bus stations, or green space, but there was a significant positive correlation with road network density. Motor vehicle traffic is the primary source of asbestos pollution, posing a significant health risk. Traffic control measures and replacing asbestos in brake pads with alternative materials are necessary to reduce pollution in Shiraz.
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spelling doaj-art-b7d7f27cd33b4cf8bdcbd29b39968dad2025-08-20T03:04:39ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-12330-xInvestigating the influence of urban land use on asbestos concentration and identifying the most vulnerable areas in Shiraz, IranSamira Norzaee0Siamak Darvishali1Mahdi Farzadkia2Ahmad Jonidi Jafari3Mitra Gholami4Abbas Shahsavani5Majid Kermani6Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical SciencesResearch Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical SciencesResearch Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical SciencesResearch Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical SciencesAir Quality and Climate Change Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesResearch Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical SciencesAbstract This study investigated asbestos fiber concentrations and associated health risks in Shiraz over a period of one year and examined their relationship with various land use factors. Samples were analyzed using phase-contrast microscopy (PCM), and health effects were assessed using the EPA’s IRIS method. We examined the relationship between asbestos fiber concentrations and road network density, population, number of bus stations, and green space. The results showed that 10% of the sampling sites in Shiraz had low asbestos fiber concentrations, 20% had medium concentrations, 60% had high concentrations, and 10% had very high concentrations. The mean ELCR for asbestos inhalation was 1.44 × 10−4, indicating a cancer risk for 1.44 out of every 10,000 people. The highest ELCR values were found in the west, near the Shiraz Ring expressway, and in the southeast, near high-traffic areas. Additionally, no positive correlation was found between asbestos concentrations and population, bus stations, or green space, but there was a significant positive correlation with road network density. Motor vehicle traffic is the primary source of asbestos pollution, posing a significant health risk. Traffic control measures and replacing asbestos in brake pads with alternative materials are necessary to reduce pollution in Shiraz.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-12330-xAirborne asbestosLand useRisk assessmentShiraz
spellingShingle Samira Norzaee
Siamak Darvishali
Mahdi Farzadkia
Ahmad Jonidi Jafari
Mitra Gholami
Abbas Shahsavani
Majid Kermani
Investigating the influence of urban land use on asbestos concentration and identifying the most vulnerable areas in Shiraz, Iran
Scientific Reports
Airborne asbestos
Land use
Risk assessment
Shiraz
title Investigating the influence of urban land use on asbestos concentration and identifying the most vulnerable areas in Shiraz, Iran
title_full Investigating the influence of urban land use on asbestos concentration and identifying the most vulnerable areas in Shiraz, Iran
title_fullStr Investigating the influence of urban land use on asbestos concentration and identifying the most vulnerable areas in Shiraz, Iran
title_full_unstemmed Investigating the influence of urban land use on asbestos concentration and identifying the most vulnerable areas in Shiraz, Iran
title_short Investigating the influence of urban land use on asbestos concentration and identifying the most vulnerable areas in Shiraz, Iran
title_sort investigating the influence of urban land use on asbestos concentration and identifying the most vulnerable areas in shiraz iran
topic Airborne asbestos
Land use
Risk assessment
Shiraz
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-12330-x
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