Journal of Occupational Health
Online ISSN : 1348-9585
Print ISSN : 1341-9145
ISSN-L : 1341-9145
Volume 46, Issue 4
Displaying 1-12 of 12 articles from this issue
Original
  • Matteo Valentino, Venerando Rapisarda, Lorenzo Scalise, Nicola Paone, ...
    2004 Volume 46 Issue 4 Pages 253-259
    Published: 2004
    Released on J-STAGE: August 12, 2004
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    The haemodynamic effects, in terms of grip force and hand-transmitted accelerations, produced on the fingers of 10 healthy subjects by operation of a hydraulic breaker held with a low or a high grip were investigated with a new experimental set-up. A novel apparatus consisting of a capacitive sensor matrix and a laser Doppler vibrometer was used to measure the two parameters during breaker operation. Finger blood flow in basal conditions and after each test was evaluated in the four long fingers of both hands with a photoplethysmograph and superficial skin thermometry. The amplitude of the accelerations transmitted to the hand surface was greater during the test with the low grip. Photoplethysmographic and thermometric values were significantly lower than basal values after either test. The amplitude of photoplethysmographic values during the tests was significantly lower with the low than with the high grip in 6 subjects, in both index fingers, and in the right middle finger. The authors show that the level of grip force used for holding the breaker causes transmission of vibrations of wider amplitude, resulting in greater reduction in finger blood flow. In line with the literature, stimulus magnitude, frequency and duration affected finger blood flow, especially in the index finger.
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  • Hong Soon Choi, Jun Ho Park, Jae Seok Song, Yong Bong Cho
    2004 Volume 46 Issue 4 Pages 260-265
    Published: 2004
    Released on J-STAGE: August 12, 2004
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Alkyl cellosolves include ethylene glycol monomethylether, ethylene glycol monoethylether, ethylene glycol monobuthylether. And their urine metabolites are methoxyacetic acid, ethoxyacetic acid and butoxyacetic acid. The current analytical method for urinary alkoxyacetic acid is liquid-liquid phase extraction. But the liquid-liquid phase extraction method needs a more complex pre-treatment process and has a low recovery rate. We determined the appropriate extraction solvent and its flow rate. We also evaluated the non-absorptive rate and recovery rate according to particle size. Finally we developed a convenient solid phase extraction method for the analysis of urine cellosolve metabolites. As a result, the recovery rates for methoxyacetic acid, ethoxyacetic acid and butoxyacetic acid were 100.4 ± 1.6%, 100.2 ± 1.8% and 100.7 ± 10.0% respectively, when acetone was used as the extraction solution. The most appropriate flow rate was 0.1 ml/min. At a particle size of 140-200 mesh, non-absorption percentages for methoxyacetic acid, ethoxyacetic acid, butoxyacetic acid were 3.2 ± 0.3%, 1.0 ± 0.1% and 1.1 ± 0.1%, and the recovery rates according to particle size were similar. Further evaluation of the recovery rate and non-absorptive rate according to the mini column shape, stationary phase and recovery rate with various extracting solutions is required.
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  • Olli Huuskonen, Leena Kivisaari, Anders Zitting, Simo Kaleva, Tapio Ve ...
    2004 Volume 46 Issue 4 Pages 266-271
    Published: 2004
    Released on J-STAGE: August 12, 2004
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Asbestos fibers are known to cause lung fibrosis, but their role in emphysema is unclear. We wanted to evaluate the relationship between asbestos exposure and emphysema by using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Conventional and high resolution CT was performed on 600 smoking construction workers with an asbestos-related occupational disease. Emphysema subtypes (centrilobular, paraseptal, panlobular emphysema and bullae) were separately scored on a semiquantitative scale from 0 to 5, which scores were added up to yield the total emphysema score. Occupation, exposure duration, age, pack years and asbestosis diagnosis were analyzed in general linear models for possible associations with emphysema. The inter- (quadratic weighted kappa, κqw=0.46-0.72) and intraobserver (κqw=0.78-0.94) agreements for the subtype-scores and the reliability of the total score (Cronbach’s alpha=0.87) were good. Insulators had a significantly higher paraseptal, panlobular and total score than the other occupational groups when adjusted for age and smoking. An asbestosis diagnosis was also a significant independent predictor of a higher total score. Emphysema was more common when workers had asbestosis or were heavily exposed to asbestos (insulators), but due to confounding factors the causative role of asbestos in emphysema needs further study.
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  • Nearkasen Chau, Jean-Marie Mur, Christian Touron, Lahoucine Benamghar, ...
    2004 Volume 46 Issue 4 Pages 272-280
    Published: 2004
    Released on J-STAGE: August 12, 2004
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Few studies have simultaneously addressed the role of occupational factors, individual characteristics and living conditions in occupational injuries, and to the best of our knowledge none on railway workers. This survey assessed the roles of these factors in various types of injuries and for various jobs in French railway workers. This case-control study was conducted on 1,305 male workers with an occupational injury during a one-year period and 1,305 male controls. A standardized questionnaire was administrated by an occupational physician. Data were analyzed by the logistic regression method. The significant factors found for all the injuries combined were: young age (<30 yr) (adjusted odds ratio 1.47, 95% CI 1.01-2.14), 5 yr or less in present job (1.43, 1.15-1.78), sleep disorders (1.30, 1.08-1.57), current smoker (1.27, 1.08-1.50), and no do-it-yourself or gardening activity (1.23, 1.02-1.48). Young age, sleep disorders, and smoking were common for several types of injuries. The role of these factors differed between various job categories. Among injured workers sick leaves of eight days or over were more frequent in current smokers and overweight subjects. In conclusion, young age, lack of experience, job dissatisfaction, sleep disorders, smoking, and lack of physical activity increase the risk of occupational injuries. The risks induced were related with jobs. Preventive measures concerning work conditions and these factors could be conducted in railway workers generally, and especially in workers most at risk. The occupational physician could make workers more sensitive to these risks and help them to improve their living conditions during medical examinations.
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  • Peri Arbak, Ozlem Yavuz, Neslihan Bukan, Oner Balbay, Füsun Ulger ...
    2004 Volume 46 Issue 4 Pages 281-288
    Published: 2004
    Released on J-STAGE: August 12, 2004
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    It has been suggested that exposure to diesel exhaust may lead to adverse effects due to the generation of oxidants. To evaluate the end products of oxidative stress in DE exposure, toll collectors who are considered a high risk group in regard to occupational toxins were compared to controls who had office-based occupations in the same company in this cross sectional study. A total of 38 toll collectors constituted the study group. All subjects were male. The toll collectors and 29 controls were similar regarding age, smoking status and duration of work. All subjects underwent a clinical examination and an interviewer-administrated questionnaire regarding respiratory symptoms, past medical and occupational history, and pulmonary function tests were performed in all subjects. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrite+nitrate and vitamin E levels were measured. Toll collectors showed higher serum MDA (5.76 ± 2.15 μmol/L vs. 3.07 ± 0.76 μmol/L, p=0.0001) and nitrite+nitrate levels (96.50 ± 45.54 μmol/L vs. 19.32 ± 11.77 μmol/L, p=0.0001) than controls. Vitamin E levels were similar in toll collectors and controls (10.57 ± 3.44 mg/L and 9.72 ± 2.44 mg/L, respectively, p=0.267). There was no difference between groups in terms of the findings of clinical examinations and respiratory symptoms. In pulmonary function parameters, only peak expiratory flow (PEF) in toll collectors was significantly lower than that of controls (88.9% predicted and 104.2% predicted, respectively, p=0.012). In conclusion, we suggest that serum MDA and nitrite+nitrate levels may be used as biological markers of oxidative stress related to DE exposure, but prospective controlled clinical studies are necessary to clarify the possible association between concentrations of MDA and nitrite+nitrate and pulmonary diseases related to DE exposure.
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  • Murat Unalacak, Remzi Altin, Levent Kart, Meltem Tor, Tacettin Ör ...
    2004 Volume 46 Issue 4 Pages 289-295
    Published: 2004
    Released on J-STAGE: August 12, 2004
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    To assess the smoking status of coal workers, as coal dust exposure and concomitant cigarette smoking contribute to the increased prevalence of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other pulmonary diseases. A survey was conducted to determine the smoking prevalence, behaviour and nicotine addiction in coal workers. The target population consisted of 475 underground coal workers who lived in Zonguldak city of Turkey, and we reached 389 of them. Each subject completed a detailed smoking history questionnaire (included 56 question). Chest X-rays and pulmonary function tests were performed to evaluate patients' related diseases and complications. Smoking status of the workers was as follows; Sixty-nine never smokers (17.7%), 62 ex-smokers (15.9%) and 258 current smokers (66.3%). The mean age of starting smoking was similar among ex and current smokers (15.9 ± 4.2 versus 15.0 ± 4.0). The most common reason for starting smoking was smoking interest (50%) and friends' influence (15.5%). The most frequent reason stated for successful smoking cessation was experience of smoking-related symptoms or development of a medical condition (51%). The most important reason given by current smokers for smoking cessation attempts was increased chance of developing lung cancer, pneumoconiosis and other diseases (22.9%). Nicotine addiction was assessed by the Fagerstroem test. Mild (0-3 points), moderate (4-6) and severe (7 or more) addiction ratios were found to be 39.1%, 44.2% and 16.7% respectively. Ex-smokers had the highest prevalence of large and small airway obstruction on spirometry. Smoking prevalence is high in coal workers living in Zonguldak city of Turkey. Most of the smokers know that smoking is dangerous and want to quit smoking. A detailed smoking history during medical surveillance may help the occupational physician to develop a system in which such individuals can be referred to comprehensive smoking cessation programs.
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Short Communication
Field Study
  • Tetsuya Mizoue, Kjell Andersson, Kari Reijula, Cecilia Fedeli
    2004 Volume 46 Issue 4 Pages 303-309
    Published: 2004
    Released on J-STAGE: August 12, 2004
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Few epidemiological studies have examined the effects of season on symptoms typical of sick building syndrome (SBS). The present study aims to clarify seasonal variation in a perceived indoor environment and SBS symptoms in a temperate climate. A total of 116 workers were recruited from office buildings in southern Japan that presented no apparent serious indoor problems. A validated questionnaire was distributed four times, once at the end of each season. Seasonal effects on the perceived indoor environment and SBS symptoms were investigated with a parametric test for repeated measurement of categorical data. Logits were used as the response function, and were compared to overall logits to determine the relevant odds ratios (OR). The effect of season/building interaction was also evaluated. Significant seasonal variation in the perceived indoor environment was found for temperature, dryness, air stuffiness, and static electricity (p for season, <0.05), although the seasonal patterns for temperature and dryness differed according to the building (p for interaction, <0.05). Symptoms in the mucous membrane (eyes, nose, and throat) and skin increased considerably in the winter and spring (p for season, <0.05), whereas general symptoms varied little, but such seasonality of symptoms was not modified by the building factor. The associations between perception of indoor environments and mucous and skin symptoms became stronger during winter and spring. The present results suggest that perceived indoor environments, nonspecific symptoms and their associations are closely associated with the season among office workers in a temperate climate.
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  • Gabriella Mészáros, Gabriella Bognár, G. J. K&oum ...
    2004 Volume 46 Issue 4 Pages 310-315
    Published: 2004
    Released on J-STAGE: August 12, 2004
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Chromosome aberration analyses were performed on blood samples from 165 active underground uranium miners between 1981 and 1985. After decommissioning the mine in 1997 chromosome aberration analyses were also included in the medical laboratory investigations of health conditions of 141 subjects between 1998 and 2002 within the framework of a follow-up-study. The numerical data are presented as functions of the exposure categories expressed in working level month up to 600. In the active groups the dicentric level was 7 to 12 times higher than in the unexposed population, the acentrics also higher with more than an order of magnitude, the frequency of total aberrations-including dicentrics, acentrics, rings, deletions, minits and numerical aberrations, i.e. both chromatid and chromosome type of aberrations were also well above the control level. In the group of former uranium miners although there were slight decreases in the dicentrics after 8 to 25 yr, the values were not significantly different from the values of active miners. The frequency of deletions was also maintained in the post-mining period. The frequency of acentrics, however, decreased significantly, but even the lowest values remained 2-3 times higher than the values in the unexposed population.The possibility is suggested that for the long-term persistence of cytogenetic alterations the permanent production and presence of clastogenic factors might be responsible. The comparison of the two datasets suggest a long-term persistence of cytogenetic alterations above the population average values in a large fraction of persons investigated.
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  • Hung-Yi Chuang, Kuei-Ting Yu, Chi-Kung Ho, Ming-Tsang Wu, Gau-Tyan Lin ...
    2004 Volume 46 Issue 4 Pages 316-322
    Published: 2004
    Released on J-STAGE: August 12, 2004
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Gene polymorphism is an important factor that affects human susceptibility to toxins. For example, previous studies suggested that the ALAD genotype is an important factor affecting workers’ susceptibility to lead toxic effects, including hemopoietic and nervous system. But we have had few researches in Taiwan, though there are thousands of workers involved in lead-related industries. On the other hand, although it is well known that lead deposits in the bone mineral component and interacts with calcium, vitamin D receptor may therefore be an important factor in the metabolism of lead. Some studies suggested that different vitamin D receptor genotypes have various kinds of receptor activity. The goal of this study was to investigate the polymorphism affecting workers' susceptibility to lead. Three allelic variants of the VDR gene were defined by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and three restriction enzymes (ApaI, BsmI, and TaqI). We determined the relationships of different VDR genotypes (AA, Aa, aa, BB, Bb, bb, TT, Tt, and tt) to blood lead and the index of cumulative blood lead levels (ICL). Altogether we analyzed 544 workers' VDR genotypes (BsmI, TaqI, and ApaI) and compared to their blood lead levels and ICL in the VDR genotypes. The results showed that workers had higher blood lead levels and ICL in the Apa I- aa genotypes, but this is not statistically significant when adjusted for potential confounding factors. Other characteristics, such as exposure status, smoking and alcohol drinking, were significantly associated with ICL and time-weighted ICL. Regression analyses suggested that exposure status and personal habits (smoking and alcohol drinking) are still the major effects on blood lead parameters for lead workers rather than genotypes. In conclusion, VDR genotypes did not significantly affect the long term blood lead parameters after adjustment for all factors, but industrial hygiene improvement, including engineering control and health education, are the most important ways to protect workers’ health.
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Occupational Health/Safety in the World
  • Shakeel Zaidi, Natvarbhai Sathawara, Sunil Kumar, Sumitra Gandhi, Chim ...
    2004 Volume 46 Issue 4 Pages 323-328
    Published: 2004
    Released on J-STAGE: August 12, 2004
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Two (portable and mobile) local exhaust ventilation (LEV) units were developed in collaboration with the Rural Technology Institute, Gandhinagar, India. Basically, each unit consists of three parts comprising an electric motor, a blower and a fume hood. In both units the motor is fixed in a rectangular iron frame in a foot-mount position and equipped compactly with a blower, which in turn is connected to a fume hood through a flexible hosepipe. The portable unit is light in weight (50 kg) and has a cone shaped metallic fume hood. The mobile unit, on the other hand, differs from the portable model with respect to its weight (150 kg), size, RPM, voltage requirement, hood shape and size, and has a motor enclosure. The efficiency of the portable and mobile units on trial bases was tested by measuring the manganese concentration as a reference metal in welding fumes generated by electric arc welding. The concentration of manganese (mean ± SD) was 0.218 ± 0.06 μg/m3 in the general environment. In the workplace area where joining of metal objects by welding was done, the concentration of manganese was found to be 0.63 ± 0.09 and 3.75 ± 0.56 μg/m3 at a distance of 5 m and 2 m away from the site of operation, respectively. In the breathing zone it was 22.16 ± 20.90 μg/m3 which was reduced to 8.25 ± 4.5 μg /m3 after application of a portable LEV showing about 63% removal of the manganese concentration from the breathing zone of the welder. In another experiment conducted with a mobile LEV unit for heavy-duty work, the concentration of manganese in the breathing zone without operating the mobile LEV was 70.06 ± 37.38 μg /m3 but was lowered to 8.29 ± 1.76 μg /m3 after operating the mobile LEV. This indicated an average removal of manganese content by about 88% from the breathing zone of the welder. In both the experiments locations of sample collection were similar.
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