Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine最新文献

Background: Women roll beedis from a young age and expose continuously to unburnt tobacco dust for many years. Due to poverty, ignorance, and lack of literacy, women and young individuals engage in less profitable occupation. The study was conducted in a large sample to know the occupational health morbidities in rural women.

Materials and methods: Women beedi rollers and nonbeedi rollers living in villages of Jagitial and Nizamabad districts were selected for the study. Individuals who signed consent are interviewed about their health profile using a predesigned standard questionnaire.

Result: A high frequency of general health problems was observed in the present study. Hypertension, body pains, and headache are the most prevalent health issues observed in more than half of beedi rollers.

Conclusion: Awareness programs must be implemented to decrease the health hazards and provide alternate job opportunities for better health.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new 10-year cardiovascular risk prediction recommendation known as the WHO Cardiovascular Risk Chart 2019 (WHO CRC). However, there is currently no assessment available regarding the relationship between ASCVD classic and occupational profiles to WHO CRC, specifically in occupational settings and in the context of the Indonesian Heart Association's (IHA) adjusted version of the WHO CRC for South-East Asia (WHO CRC-INA). This study aims to fill this gap by examining the relationship between classic (Atherosclerosis Cardiovascular Disease) ASCVD and occupational profiles within the oil and gas industry, specifically the WHO CRC-INA. This study is analytical cross-sectional research data were analyzed using the Chi-square test and logistic regression, with a significance level of P < 0.05. The research using total sampling method amounted to 240 workers from January to May 2022 of Medical Check Up (MCU) in a major oil and gas company. The ASCVD risk measurement instrument uses the final score of the WHO CRC-INA, grouped into low- and medium-high risk. Analysis showed that occupational profiles had a relationship with WHO CRC-INA medium-high risk, as seen in the bivariate analysis for shift work and work type (P = 0.018; OR = 2,045) had a relationship with WHO CRC-INA medium-high risk.

Background: This study seeks to define the pulmonary function of a considerably large group in one of the largest automotive companies in Iran. The aim of this study was to compare the two groups of spot-welding (exposed) and assembly line (unexposed) workers in terms of pulmonary function and conclude the probable impacts of metal fumes on pulmonary function in the two groups.

Methods: A total of 1,798 spot-welding personnel and 2,160 assembly line personnel were compared in terms of pulmonary function. Moreover, 120 breathing zone samples were collected from the welders' metal fumes and were analyzed. The parameters of age, anthropometric indices, smoking, and pulmonary symptoms were also compared with across the two groups.

Results: Results revealed the FEV₁ mean of the total population to be 3.9 ± 0.5 liters and FVC to have been 4.9 ± 0.7 liters. Besides, predicted FEV₁ and FVC percentages across the whole population were close to 100%, suggesting the better condition of the studied population compared with normal individuals in the society. All the parameters of age, weight, height, and smoking status were similar in the two groups, and no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of pulmonary functions.

Conclusion: Implementation of professional health and health improvement programs, running screening programs, and hiring personnel with no history of mild pulmonary disorders, and healthy workers effect at the recruitment stage could be the reasons behind the lack of significant difference between the two exposed and unexposed groups to metal fumes in the automotive industry in terms of pulmonary function.

Context: Low light in mines can cause ocular problems such as binocular vision impairment and poor hand-eye coordination. These eye diseases must be monitored.

Aims: To evaluate the binocular vision status of coal mine workers.

Settings and design: This was a prospective cross-sectional study of the coal mining industry in Digwadih, Jharkhand.

Methods and material: In the present study, 134 coal miners underwent a thorough, comprehensive ocular examination and binocular vision evaluation; seventy were excluded because of ocular disorders. After discussing the goals of the study, the subjects provided signed informed consent. For statistical analysis, descriptive statistics were analyzed using Microsoft Excel. The normality of the data was then verified using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test.

Results: All participants were male and aged between 25 and 35 years. Nonstrabismus binocular vision dysfunctions (NSBVDs) were observed in coal miners. Convergence insufficiency was the most prevalent factor. Apart from the NSBVD, many coal miners have a chalazion with the highest percentile of 11.2.

Conclusions: Poor mine lighting causes NSBVD, which affects miners' vision. Binocular vision defects may reduce productivity if not detected or treated.

Purpose: The mining sector plays a pivotal role in meeting global resource demands, necessitating the extensive use of heavy earth-moving machinery (HEMM). Among these, load-haul-dump (LHD) mining vehicles are vital but expose operators to whole-body vibration (WBV) and shocks during their duties. Research indicates potential health risks associated with occupational WBV exposure, including musculoskeletal disorders. Evaluating these risks typically employs ISO 2631-1:1997, which, however, has limitations in addressing long-term exposure and shock effects.

Methods: This study quantifies the health risks of LHD operators in Indian underground coal mines using ISO 2631-5:2018 and compares it to ISO 2631-1:1997. The methods for risk quantification from WBV vary between the two standards, leading to a comprehensive comparison. In addition, a cross-sectional study was undertaken to assess self-reported musculoskeletal pain among LHD operators.

Results: The results were compared in accordance with frequency-weighted root mean square (RMS) values, vibration dose values (VDV), daily compressive dose (S_d ^A), and the risk of injury (R^A) factor. The assessment using A(8), VDV, S_d ^A, and R^A produced diverse evaluations, influencing varying perspectives on occupational health despite significant risks. ISO 2631-5:2018 consistently suggested a lower health risk for LHD operators as opposed to ISO 2631-1:1997. Seat effective amplitude transmissibility (SEAT) values showed amplification of vibration in the range of 4-8 Hz. Self-reported musculoskeletal pain indicated the prevalence of discomfort among operators.

Conclusion: The study emphasizes a cautious approach when interpreting results and shaping guidelines to ensure sustainable development through the well-being of mining industry workers.

Background: Sustainable development goals (SDGs) 3.9.1 and 11.6.2 call for a reduction in deaths and illnesses from air pollution, improving the air quality of cities. The above goals motivate us to organize workshops to improve the health of traffic police, who bear the brunt of air pollution. The paper examines the effect of workshops on the health-seeking behavior of the traffic police in Bhubaneswar city.

Methods: The study conducted two workshops as a quasi-experimental, single-group study at an academic institution in Bhubaneswar. It included 20 traffic police officers (11 male and 9 female). The Kirkpatrick 4-level model was used to assess the effectiveness of the workshops. A paired t-test was used to compare pre- and postworkshop scores.

Results: Thirteen traffic police officers rated the workshop sessions as excellent. The score before the workshop ranged from zero to three, with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) of 2.81 (1.0). The postworkshop score had a minimum to maximum score of three to five with a mean (SD) of 4.41 (0.7) (P < 0.005). The effect size d_cohen (confidence interval [CI]) was 1.87 (3.27-4.71). The mean (SD) of absolute and relative gain was 1.6 (1.0) and 0.93 (1.02), respectively. All 20 traffic police officers showed improvement in health-seeking behavior. The significant lifestyle changes after the workshops ranged between 5% and 75%.

Conclusion: The test scores indicated statistically significant improvement as the P value recorded was smaller than 0.05. This concludes that the improvement in understanding of the session was statistically significant because of the training imparted.

Background: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants classified as endocrine disruptors related to prediabetes and diabetes. Polybrominated biphenyls are similar in structure to PCBs and are used as flame retardants. Due to the increased worldwide prevalence of diabetes, there is increased interest in understanding the role of environmental and occupational pollutants in its development. The study aims to assess the relation between PCBs and PBBs in the serum of electronic workers and glycated hemoglobin level as an early indicator of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus among occupationally exposed workers.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 152 workers to assess PCBs (by GCMS), random blood sugar (RBS), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Participants were classified into two groups according to the presence or absence of PCBs in their serum and were compared for RBS and HbA1c levels.

Results: Only two participants had detectable PCB derivate in their serum by GCMS, PCB 1 with methyl and benzole side chains. Regarding PBBs, 18 participants (12%) had detectable PBBs in their serum by GCMS. All participants had RBS and HbA1c levels within the normal range. No statistically significant difference was found between mean levels of RBS and HbA1c between participants with detected biphenyls and those without.

Conclusion: The banning of PCB use in industry and modern automated techniques have prevented exposure to PCBs among electronics workers. However, exposure to PBBs continues in electronic industries, but it has no association with diabetes or prediabetes.

This study aims to investigate the pulmonary functions and respiratory symptoms of workers in the neem oil extraction industry in Tamil Nadu, India, who are exposed to neem oil dust and chemicalsin their occupational environment. Fifty male workers from the exposed group and 50 male workers from the non-exposed group to neem dust and chemicals were investigated for this study. A modified respiratory assessment questionnaire based on the American Thoracic Society (ATS) standard and portable hand-held spirometry were used to assess their respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function. Respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and, nasal irritation are found to be higher in the exposed groups than in the controlled groups. The pulmonary function of exposed workers had doubled respiratory problems than the controlled groups, which indicates the impacts of dust and chemicals generated during neem oil extraction on workers' health. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁)/forced vital capacity FVC)% was noted regarding the duration of exposure to neem oil dust (P < 0.001). Also, there was a high difference between the heavily exposed and the lightly exposed (P < 0.001). Hence, to mitigate these problems, the oil mill workers should be cautious and wear personal protection equipment during working hours, and it is recommended to have an exhaust ventilation system.

Background: Sculpting is a common occupation in India. However, there have been no studies from India on sculpting-related silicosis.

Aims: The aims of this study were to evaluate- 1. awareness of disease related to sculpting. 2. Clinical, radiological, and physiological parameters in "sculpting workers" suffering from silicosis.

Settings and design: This was a retrospective evaluation of data collected during compensation visits for silicosis in workers of the sculpting industries.

Methods and material: The data were collected between January 2021 to April 2023. A total of 114 patients were evaluated. All patients underwent clinical evaluation including awareness about the disease, chest radiography, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan of the chest, and spirometry.

Results: The majority of patients (109) (95%) did not use any personal protective equipment while at work and did not have any awareness regarding preventive measures. On chest radiography, small opacities (rounded or irregular) and large opacities were seen in 84 (73.7%) and 26 (22.8%) patients, respectively. The size of large opacities was significantly proportionate with duration of job (P = 0.019). HRCT chest was more sensitive compared to chest radiographs. 94 (82.4%) patients were having abnormal spirometric findings.

Conclusions: The benefits of prevention of silica dust exposure and patient education considerably outweigh the benefits of early detection and treatment of silicosis, as there was an increase in the size of lesions with increasing duration of exposure. There should be a national health program on silicosis to protect worker's health.