Background: Scorpions are one of the most important venomous animals in Iran. Their sting has more prevalence in the south and southwest areas. The aim of this study was to introduce their sting agent species in the country. Methods: Data were extracted by a mini review on scorpion stinging articles in Iran until early 2018 and then the sting agent species in each area were studied. Geographical and provincial distribution of each species also was provided. Results:  Twelve scorpion species are causative agents of sting. According to their deadly rate and clinical symptoms, some of them are considered the most dangerous venomous animals in Iran. Some death cases have been reported be­cause of the sting of 3 species of Hemiscorpius lepturus, H. acanthocercus and Androctonus crassicauda. Remaining species have not deadly sting but because of their frequency, they encounter the individuals and cause the stinging. Conclusion: The highest number of sting agents is in Khuzestan, however Gilan and Mazandaran have the lowest fre­quency. Because of the high prevalence of sting agent species in that province, the necessity of providing control and prevention programs is very important.

Considering the importance of fungal genera in producing compost from piling organic matter or biodegradable waste, this study aimed to identify the fungal species and their negative effect on human health during the compost production by windrow method. In this descriptive study, 99 compost samples were collected from the composting research site at Kashan University of medical sciences within 63 days from Oct 3 to Dec 4, 2010. Sixty-six samples were cultured to determine the fungal species and 33 samples were transferred to the laboratory to determine the physical and chemical parameters. Twenty-five fungal species were identified during the compost process including 15 saprophytes, 8 dermatophites, 1 opportunistic and 1 yeast fungi. Identified fungal species during the compost process according to their frequencies were Aspergillus spp (34.45%), Microsporium spp (18.89%), Trichophyton spp (8.89%), Yeast sp (6.67%), Mucor sp (5.56%), Penicillium sp (4.45%), Rhizopus sp (4.45%), Fusarium sp (3.34%), Cladosporium sp (3.34%), Curvularia sp (3.34%) and also other fungal species (6.62%), respectively. Considering the presence of various pathogenic fungi during the composting process, the employees of the compost factory should use individual protective devices and also due to the presence of 11 fungal species in the mature compost and their pathogenic effect, preventive measures should be taken by persons involved in the production of compost especially farmers, in order to prevent successive inhalation of spores.

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BACKGROUND: Outdoor workers are exposed to heat caused by atmospheric conditions and solar radiation. More specifically, those working in palm groves are more in danger of heat stresses since they harvest their crops in hot seasons. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at investigating heat stresses and strains in date harvesting workers in groves around Jiroft, Southeastern Iran. METHODS: This study was a descriptive-analytical one of cross-sectional type. In this study, three environmental indices including Wet Bulb Globe Temperature index (WBGT), Environmental Stress Index (ESI) and Discomfort Index (DI), the physiological strain index (PSI) as well as perceptual strain index (PeSI) were analyzed to investigate stresses and strains in workers. For this purpose, 59 date harvesting workers (36 men and 23 women) in palm groves in Jiroft were analyzed. With accordance to date harvesting season, data collection was carried out from August to September, 2017. RESULTS: In this research, the means of environmental indices including WBGT, ESI and DI were 32.77 • C, 30.39 • C and 33.22 • C, respectively and they all revealed direct and significant correlation. Moreover, Time-Weighted Average for Wet Bulb Globe Temperature index (WBGT.TWA) was significantly different from Threshold Limit Values for Wet Bulb Globe Temperature index (WBGT.TLV). The scores of the PSI and PeSI were 2.28 and 6.61, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicated that date picking workers were exposed to heat stress more than the reference value of WBGT recommended by American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). In addition, workers suffered a low degree of physiological strain and a moderate degree of perceptual strain caused by heat stress in palm groves in Jiroft.