Background: The study concerned workplace mobbing, a phenomenon affecting about 3-20% of the Polish population. The aim of the article is to distinguish the manifestations of mobbing, to study the coexistence of mobbing manifestations, and to search for the relationships between the symptoms of mobbing, reactions to mobbing and methods of dealing with mobbing used by victims.
Material and methods: Information on the above variables was obtained using a questionnaire on mobbing, risk factors, and responses to mobbing. The questionnaire was completed by 781 people (women: 66%, men: 34%). The average age of the respondents was 29 years. The current statistical analysis included: distinguishing the manifestations of mobbing by means of a confirmatory factor analysis, studying the coexistence of mobbing manifestations by means of a cluster analysis, and detecting the relationships between mobbing manifestations, reactions to mobbing and ways of dealing with it based on the system of structural equations.
Results: The results of the research revealed 3 categories of relationships: a co-occurrence of mobbing manifestations, a relationship of mobbing manifestations with reactions to mobbing, and a relationship of mobbing reactions with methods of dealing with mobbing.
Conclusions: Mobbing was found in 22% of the examined group. The study revealed the existence of 5 clusters of mobbing manifestations (i.e., subgroups of respondents characterized by experiencing at least 1 of the mobbing manifestations). In the most numerous clusters in which the symptoms of mobbing were diagnosed, unfriendly working conditions prevailed. In the context of mobbing, people were found to more often react with passivity or with using interpersonal coping methods. However, they rarely turned to institutions for help or used aggression against the mobber. Med Pr. 2022;73(1):1-12.
Background: Lead aprons, as a type of individual radiological shields, are designed to protect the body against the negative effects of ionizing radiation. In order for the individual shields to fulfill their task, the weakening of the X-ray beam should be as high as possible. Previous reports have indicated the possibility of significant defects even among newly purchased aprons. The aim of the study was to analyze the influence of storage conditions and usage time on the permeability of lead aprons.
Material and methods: The analysis covered 11 lead aprons used by the staff and patients of the Department of Radiodiagnostics and Interventional Radiology of the Central Clinical Hospital in Katowice, Poland. The dependent variable was the average pixel value, and the grouping variables included the storage method, age and thickness of the apron, and the type of its user.
Results: Statistically significant differences were found between the weakening value of the X-ray beam of individual aprons, and their storage conditions and age.
Conclusions: Aprons stored in a hanging position show a greater degree of weakening of the X-ray beam, and thus a higher degree of worker protection, compared to aprons stored otherwise. The age of the apron affects its protective properties. Med Pr. 2022;73(1):13-7.
Work-related diseases of the musculoskeletal and the peripheral nervous system are classified as overload cumulative microtrauma diseases, resulting from chronic overload and/or damage of specific neuromusculoskeletal structures. Occupational activities which predispose to them are characterised by monotypy (repetition of movements during a significant part of the working shift). Authors described 4 cases of women with musculoskeletal and peripheral nervous system disorders qualified as occupational background just in the 2nd instance of medical certification. Detailed analysis of occupational exposure and medical interview with individual diagnostic approach allowed to determine the occupational etiology of diseases, regardless of non-occupational risk factors in some cases, even if the workstation was not common. Difficulties in estimating the probability of disease process induction on the background of occupational exposure are caused by frequent coexistence of non-occupational risk factors. The 2-tier system of certification provides an independent evaluation of medical history and occupational exposure. Med Pr. 2022;73(1):71-8.
Background: Phenyl(2-naphthyl)amine (FNA) is a flammable solid with a characteristic odor. FNA is used, among others, in the production of paints and dyes, and as an antioxidant in rubber processing, lubricant for automobile engines, in brake fluids, oils, etc. In the European Union, FNA is classified as a category 2 carcinogen. In Poland, the value of the maximum admissible concentration (MAC) for FNA is 0.02 mg/m3. The aim of this study was to develop a new method for the determination of FNA, which will allow for the determination of this substance in the working environment within the concentration range of 0.1-2 of MAC value.
Material and methods: The method is based on the retention of FNA on a cellulose filter, recovery of the substance with methanol and analysis of the solution thus obtained using a high-performance liquid chromatograph with a fluorescence detector.
Results: The developed method enables the determination of FNA in the concentration range 2-40 μg/m3. The limit of detection (LOD) is 0.23 ng/l and the limit of quantification (LOQ) is 0.69 ng/l.
Conclusions: The method complies with the requirements of the European Standard PN-EN 482 and can be used to determine FNA concentrations in the workplaces air. Med Pr. 2022;73(1):25-31.
The aim of this work is to analyze the health hazards of enflurane exposure and to analyze the occupational exposure limits (OEL). The method of obtaining evidence based on a review of online databases of scientific journals was used. Enflurane is an inhalation anesthetic. Malignant hyperthermia, seizures, arrhythmias, respiratory depression and hypotension have been observed in patients. Occupational exposure to enflurane may occur in healthcare professionals. The target organ for enflurane is the central nervous system with a critical consequence of deterioration in psychomotor performance. In studies on volunteers recruited from the medical staff of operating rooms exposed to enflurane, a significant deterioration in the results of the Simple Reaction Time Test was shown. World experts' groups assume that the LOAEC (lowest observed adverse effect concentration) value for the deterioration of psychomotor test results is 5-10% of the MAC value (minimal anesthetic concentration), i.e., 6342-12 684 mg/m3. Assessment of the nephrotoxic potential of enflurane has shown that it is unlikely to occur because biotransformation of enflurane in humans results in a low peak serum fluoride concentration of 15 μmol/l. Early reports about liver damage in patients were not be supported. Occupational exposure epidemiological studies have raised concerns about the effects of anesthetic gas mixtures on the abortion rate or on fetal development and birth defects in children, but none of these studies specifically determined the type and concentration of anesthetic gases used. The carcinogenicity and mutagenicity studies were negative. Occupational exposure to enflurane is not monitored in Poland, as no standard value has been established for it in the air of the working environment. It is necessary to quickly introduce this anesthetic along with the applicable limit value to the OEL list. Med Pr. 2022;73(1):51-69.
The issue of the regulations amending the Regulation of the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy on the maximum admissible concentrations and intensities of agents harmful to health in the working environment resulted from the requirement to implement into national law the provisions of Commission Directive (EU) 2019/1831 of 24 October 2019 establishing a fifth list of indicative occupational exposure limit values pursuant to Council Directive 98/24/EC, and amending Commission Directive 2000/39/EC, the provisions of which Member States had to introduce by 20 May August 2021. The Regulation takes into account 3 motions submitted by the Interdepartmental Commission for Maximum Admissible Concentrations and Intensities for Agents Harmful to Health in the Working Environment to the minister of labour in the years 2017-2020. The Commission was appointed by the Regulation of the Prime Minister of December 15, 2008 (Journal of Laws of 2015, item 1772, with amendments), and its tasks include submitting to the minister of labour motions on the value of the maximum admissible concentrations and intensities for agents harmful to health in the working environment. Med Pr. 2022;73(1):43-50.
Singers, classified as "vocal performers" are at an increased risk of developing voice disorders. The area of contemporary commercial singing has not been studied as extensively as classical singing. Non-classical singing is generally considered detrimental to vocal health and thus the information on challenges contemporary commercial singers (CCS) pose to otolaryngologists and other healthcare professionals is scarce. The authors present an overview of contemporary commercial singing styles in comparison to classical singing, discuss the notion of non-classical style being harmful to vocal health, present major risk factors associated with developing voice disorders in contemporary commercial singers, and outline the diagnostic process of vocal health assessment in this group of occupational voice users. Given that contemporary commercial singers constitute a unique and vast group of elite vocal performers, the authors stress the importance of raising awareness among healthcare professionals of the fact that these patients require special considerations for voice evaluation and treatment in the occupational health and safety framework. Med Pr. 2022;73(1):33-41.
Background: In 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were a number of factors affecting employees, employers, and consequently, both directly and indirectly, the occupational health service (OHS). The purpose of this publication is to analyze the activity of physicians and OHS units in this period in Poland.
Material and methods: The analysis of the number of physicians, OHS units and their activities was performed on the basis of the MZ-35 and MZ-35A statistical forms, which represent obligatory medical reporting.
Results: There were 6349 occupational medicine physicians in Poland, who are entitled to conduct prophylactic examinations of employees and provide preventive health care, necessary due to working conditions (less by 248 [3.8%] compared to 2019). At the same time, the number of OHS basic units decreased to 5784 (by 3.2%). In 2020, occupational health physicians reported 4 314 520 prophylactic examinations of employees and job applicants, what is over 1 million 231 thousand (22.2%) less than in the year preceding the pandemic. In addition, they reported the performance of 255 887 prophylactic examinations related to the practical vocational training of pupils, students, participants in qualification vocational training and Ph.D. candidates (less by 157 220 [38.1%]). In 2020, they performed 1 933 355 preliminary examinations (23.9% less), 1 924 929 periodic examinations (25.1% less) and 456 236 follow-up examinations (5.1% more). In 2020, there was also a significant decrease in the number of visits to entire workplaces (from 6437 to 3625) and individual positions (from 46 197 to 26 389) carried out by OHS units. Also in 2020, an almost threefold increase (to 2183) in the number of suspected occupational diseases was reported by OHS physicians. In 2019, the duty to submit an annual report regarding prophylactic activities on the MZ-35A form has been obeyed by only 3607 (56.8%) obliged physicians.
Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected preventive activities carried out by occupational physicians. Med Pr. 2022;73(1):19-24.
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