Polish journal of occupational medicine and environmental health最新文献

Exposure to nickel was evaluated on the base of nickel in urine concentration (Ni-U) in 649 persons both adults and pre-school and school children; 241 persons were occupationally exposed in steel-mill and rolling-mill. Environmentally exposed groups consisted of inhabitants of industrial and rural towns. The occupationally exposed groups showed Ni-U mean concentrations amounted to 25.7, 18.1, 15.9, and 15.7 micrograms/m3. In environmentally exposed groups of adults, Ni-U concentrations were almost equal to those in persons inhabiting industrial and rural areas-7.8 and 7.7.micrograms/dm3, respectively. Ni-U concentrations in children groups were more differentiated 8.5 and 9.2 micrograms/dm3 in rural area and 9.9 and 10.6 micrograms/dm3 in industrial area. The recommended mean group allowable Ni-U concentrations for occupational exposure amounts to 12 micrograms/dm3 and for environmental exposure 2.7 micrograms/dm3. In view of the above mentioned Ni-U allowable values it is evident that there exist significant occupational exposure and elevated environmental exposure in the defined percent of the investigated population.

Female rats were given by gavage every other day from days 8-20 of gestation an aqueous solution of dioxolane at daily doses equal to 0.025, 0.1 and 0.2 LD50 (first series--prenatal development) or from days 2-20 of gestation at daily doses equal to 0.025, 0.075 and 0.15 LD50 (second series--postnatal development). At doses toxic or subtoxic to maternal rats (0.1 and 0.2 LD50) dioxolane did not cause increased embryo or fetus intrauterine death rates or congenital defects, it did cause, however, dose-related delays in fetal development. Dioxolane does not cause impairment of physical development or behavioral disturbances. Exposure to higher doses of the compound (0.2 LD50) leads to increased perinatal death rates in the offspring, without causing, however, disturbances in the maternal instinct. The exposure of pregnant rats to dioxolane decreased haemoglobin levels in 5-week-old offspring. At a dose 1.15 g/kg (0.2 LD50) the chemical significantly increased exploratory motor activity of female offspring at the age of 8 weeks, but did not affect significantly locomotor activity of males and the active avoidance acquisition of adult offspring.

In a 16.5-year follow-up study of the steel industry we investigated the relation of chronic occupational exposure to the changes of ventilatory efficiency and to the frequency of chronic bronchitis (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease--COPD) in a group of 65 men working in the harmful environment of a Coking Plant (CP). The reference group comprised 34 employees of Cold Rolling Mill (CRM) working in favorable hygienic conditions. The faster decline of VC and FEV1 were noted in the group of CP in comparison to the control group. Also the frequency of pathologic values of RT was significantly higher (p < or = 0.001) in the exposed group. The incidence of COPD increased more in the group of CP than in the group of rollers. No differences in the annual decline of FEV1 and VC between smokers and nonsmokers from CP were noted, while in the group of men working in favorable environmental conditions the differences between smoking categories were significant. It suggests that the impact of occupational exposure is so powerful that it can mask the unfavorable influence of cigarette smoking on the ventilatory function of men working in a Coking Plant.

The magnitude of the emitted to the air dusts and gases, liquid and solid wastes disposal produced by chemical industry is presented. Impact of chemical industry on the environment is discussed. Some hazardous agents, occurring in the work environment, morbidity and sickness absenteeism rates, noted among employees in chemical industry, are considered.

The session traced the course of health hazards in livestock confinement from anticipation of an emerging health hazard in 1974 to its full recognition as a significant health hazard in 1992. The session documented the major health hazards including hydrogen sulfide toxicity, bronchitis, non-allergic asthma, organic dust toxic syndrome, and mucus membrane irritation. In regard to exposures, bioaerosols seem to be the most significant hazard, with endotoxin evident as at least one of the major specific atiologic agents. Other agents were suspected, as newly recognized agents, specifically 1,3 beta-glucan. Previous epidemiological studies have revealed mild decrements in pulmonary function, however symptoms have always been excessively prevalent relative to controls. Recent results of a longitudinal observation showed a 12% drop out of workers with profound decrement in pulmonary function. In summary, the health hazard of livestock confinement workers is now well substantiated in North America and Europe and further work regarding prevention is highly indicated.

The aim of the present study was to assess the significance of different types of loads to which working women are subjected in relation to reported chronic fatigue. The investigation involved 255 women workers from two different occupational groups. The first group was employed at knitting and the second at assembly lines. Their level of chronic fatigue was assessed. We also analysed the influence of 30 variables on fatigue level. These variables concerned: a) physical and psychological workload, b) organizational (social) climate of work, and c) demographic and family factors. It was found that the most important factor influencing chronic fatigue was "experiencing emotional tension" resulting from family problems. Other factors, having substantial significance for the development of increased fatigue level were also associated with emotional tension and resulted from the social climate in the workplace.

The effects of single i.p. injections of two cholinesterase inhibitors, chlorphenvinphos (CVP) and physostigmine, on hippocampal and cortical EEG and flash evoked potentials in occipital cortex were compared in rabbits and rats. A comprised method of spectral analysis was employed for evaluation of changes in EEG. The obtained results showed that in both species the changes in hippocampal and cortical EEG after administration of CVP were relatively small or negligible in comparison with those after physostigmine administered in doses resulting in comparable (or even lesser) inhibition of blood cholinesterase (ChE). Neither CVP nor physostigmine resulted in significant changes in the morphology of the flash evoked potentials. The data do not confirm the suggestion that brain electrical activity is the most sensitive index of neurotoxicity resulting from exposure to organophosphate ChE inhibitors.

Mordenite, a fibrous-granular type of zeolites, was examined in CFY rats in long term in vivo experiments. After single intratracheal treatment, the lungs, cervical and hilar lymph nodes of the animals were processed at the end of the 1st, 3rd and 6th month and also the 1st year by routine histology, enzyme histochemistry and electron microscopy. After observing the effect of mordenite, dust-storing macrophage foci developed in the interstitium, showing minimal fibrotic tendency by the end of the 1st year. Electron microscopic examinations showed that the dust introduced was stored in the macrophages without structural changes. Energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis indicated that in intracellularly stored dust, the ratio of the two main elements: aluminium and silicon changed in favour of aluminium as compared to the original dust sample. This phenomenon was assessed as an increase in intracellular aluminium concentration, which inhibited fibrosis, exerting an antagonistic effect on silicon.