Archives Of Occupational Health
Volume:5 Issue: 1, Jan 2021

The mining and quarrying industry is considered a hazardous work sector due to occupational exposure to quarry dust and particulate matter which can result in respiratory illnesses to workers. These occupational respiratory illnesses tend to have a long latency period before a diagnosis is made, and therefore early detection of respiratory symptoms is crucial to prevent the development of chronic irreversible respiratory conditions. This study aimed to assess quarry workers’ self-reported respiratory symptoms and their health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in Brunei.

A descriptive study using convenient sampling method was involving 23 quarry workers from three quarry companies in Brunei. Data was collected using adapted St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) which was self-administered to all participants. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Cough was the commonest reported symptom (26.1%), followed by cough with phlegm (8.6%), shortness of breath (4.3%) and chest discomfort (4.3%) among quarry workers. The mean total SGRQ score was 7.51 (±11.70), while the sub-domain scores for Symptoms, Activity and Impact were 10.60 (±12.37), 6.30 (±11.43) and 7.35 (±15.87), respectively.

The key findings revealed that there was low prevalence of respiratory symptoms in quarry workers. Smoking was associated with quarry workers (p=0.011). Prevalence of respiratory symptoms was higher among workers who were smokers, those working in areas with exposure to quarry materials, and those who had been employed longer. The study’s findings can be utilized by health professionals to plan, implement and evaluate preventative measures for mining and quarrying work settings.

This study aims to evaluate the thermal conditions of periodic local markets and determine the thermal comfort and sensation of sellers, as well as the prevalence of heat-related diseases in the hot and dry climate of Iran.

In this study, thermal comfort and sensation of 330 sellers from periodic markets in Qom city, a dry and hot climate in Iran, were evaluated. Measurements were performed for 15 days, from July 16 to August 1. To assess environmental thermal condition, wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) index and discomfort index (DI) were determined, and participantschr('39') tympanic temperature was determined to consistency assessment with thermal indices. Finally, the effects of environmental, personal, and working conditions on the prevalence of heat-related diseases among sellers were determined.

The environmental indices, including DI and WBGT index, had the most association with heat-related illnesses and tympanic temperature (P<0.05). The sellers perceived the environmental conditions as warm to hot after 1:00 pm. Besides, they expressed an uncomfortable or very uncomfortable situation after 12:00 pm. The findings showed that environmental parameters play a more important role in the prevalence of heat-related diseases and heat strain than individual and occupational factors.

The sellers may be at risk of heat stress in outdoor markets in nearly half of the workday in the summer months. Therefore, it is very important that these people receive the necessary training in the prevention of heat illness in order to take appropriate protective measures in accordance with local conditions.

The aimed of this study was to identify and ranking noise control solutions by using fuzzy Delphi approach and FAHP-fuzzy vikor method in an oil refinery.

This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in the catalytic conversion unit in an oil refinery. First, noise measurement was performed based on the standard to identify the sources of noise generating factors. Second, the criteria and initial solutions were identified by reviewing the texts and conducting interviews with experts and the most significant criteria and solutions for noise control were selected using the fuzzy Delphi method. Then, the criteria were weighed using the fuzzy analytic hierarchy method.  Finally, the control solutions were prioritized using fuzzy Vikor method.

The results of FAHP method indicated that cost with final weight (0.2796) had the highest weight and non-interference in the process with final weight (0.1107) had the lowest weight among the identified criteria. The ranking of noise control solutions with fuzzy Vickor method indicated that the construction of an acoustic room for workers exposed to weights (Q = 0) as the most appropriate solution for noise control and the method of modifying or changing the work process with the final weight (Q = 1) is the last noise control solution among the solutions identified in the studied refinery.

The use of multi-criteria decision-making methods in selecting the appropriate solution for noise control can overcome the uncertainties in making an appropriate decision for selecting the best solution for noise control. In this study, a decision model was introduced for selecting the most appropriate noise control solution based on different criteria and this model can be used in other industries which should select a noise control solution.

Drivers of public vehicles, especially in highly polluted and crowded areas, are exposed to high air pollutants, especially particulate matter less than ten microns (PM10). The purpose of this study was to measure and evaluate the level of exposure of city bus drivers to PM10 particles in Bojnurd, Iran.

This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in Bojnurd, Iran. A sampling of particulate matter was taken through bus driverschr('39') respiratory area in two routes from the main routes of the city using the Haz-Dust device. This device has been designed and manufactured based on the NIOSH-500 method. Using an impactor 10, the amount of particulate matter less than ten microns was read from the device.  Particle sampling was performed in both round-trip buses in three shifts in the morning, noon, and evening for one year. The results of the measurements were statistically analyzed by descriptive statistics and mean statistical indices, independent t-test, Mann-Whitney test and One-way ANOVA test at 95% significance level by SPSS software version 24.

A total of 420 times, PM10 particles were measured in the driverschr('39') respiratory area.  Approximately 21% of the measurement days had a concentration of more than 150 micrograms per cubic meter of air (or µg/m3). Measurements show that among 140 days of measurement, the highest concentration was on May 21 (with 380.66 µg/m3 of air), and the lowest concentration was on August 9 (with 35.33 µg/m3 of air). The average daily exposure of drivers in this one-year was 151.29 µg/m3 of air.

The exposure of city bus drivers to PM10 particles in Bojnurd was much higher than recommended by the World Health Organization (50 µg/m3 of air) and slightly higher than the US Environmental Protection Agency standard (150 µg/m3 of air), which predisposes them to cardiovascular disease in the future. The active buses on these two routes did not use the air conditioning system, which allowed suspended particles to penetrate the bus from the outside. It is suggested that in order to reduce the driverschr('39') exposure, effective control measures should be adopted and implemented as soon as possible, such as launching an air conditioning system equipped with a HEPA filter.

Styrene is one of the chemicals used in industries, especially the petrochemical industry, which affects health. Singaporean methods and the WHO use different parameters to assess the carcinogenic risk of the substance. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the level of carcinogenic risk due to exposure to styrene using the Singapore Department of Occupational Health with the risk levels provided using the WHO to achieve high-reliability results.

In this study, 150 air samples were collected from the respiratory area of 50 employees by NIOSH1501 method, after identification of styrene emission units and preparation of identical exposure groups. The samples were analyzed by Varian-cp3800 gas chromatograph. Finally, the risk of styrenechr('39')s health effects on petrochemical staff was calculated using the method of the Singapore Department of Occupational Health, and the results were compared with the risk levels of styrene presented by WHO.

The carcinogenicity of styrene was higher in polybutadiene latex (PBL) (2.3 ) and the fire department (1.3 ) in comparison with the other units. The World Health Organization-defined risk levels predicted 22% of staff to be a "definitive" carcinogenic risk. While the Singapore Department of Occupational Health approached a "low" risk rating.

A "low" risk rating was obtained through the Singapore Department of Occupational Health. But the WHO method for 30 years of exposure to styrene predicted "probable risk" and "definitive risk." This showed a high difference in the results of the two semi-quantitative methods used.

Sound is an inevitable part of everyday life these days. Hypertension is the most significant preventible risk of immature death all around the world. The main purpose of this study is to answer this question: Does aircraft noise affect blood pressure and heart rate?

To achieve this objective, 100 personnel from the airport were selected. Additionally, 100 personnel were selected for the control group. In this case-control study the B&K dosimeter  model 4444 was used to record noise in a long time duration (8 hours) Blood pressure and heart rates were measured before and after their shift and during their work shift by connecting a dosimeter device to their body and recording noise exposure. SPSS V.22 software was used for statistical analysis.

Analyses showed that the average noise intensity in the experimental group was 87.84 ± 2.76, and in the control group, it was 70.01 ± 4.01chr('39')s. Compared with the control group, mean differences between systolic (P <0/001) and diastolic blood pressure (P=0.047) was significant, while the mean differences in heart rate after the shift not have a significant (P> 0.05).

research indicates that unacceptable noise could be a hazardous agent for hypertension. It is suggested that monitoring blood pressure, training workers, and periodic examination to be practiced to decrease blood pressure.

Work-related accidents are one of the most important factors in the loss of human lives. With technology and industrial progress, the consequences of accidents due to hazards become more severe and may even stop the work of power plants. This study aimed to identify and assess the risk of hazards in a combined cycle power plant.

The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the risk of a combined cycle power plant using the FMEA method. Having studied various documentation and records, holding different meetings, and brainstorming, the risk priority number was calculated and corrective suggestions have been presented.

Out of a total of 74 identified risks, 34 (45.94%) were at high risk, and 40 (54.05%) were of medium risk. 85% of the risks had the highest severity levels that could cause explosions and fires, injuries, and burns.

It can be mentioned that the risks associated with industries such as power plants were high and preventive measures in such places are very important. Identifying hazards and risk assessments with a standard method such as FMEA was a useful way to prevent accidents and human and financial losses.

The study of the production and emission of greenhouse gases, including CO2 in the atmosphere, is one of the most important environmental issues and concerns of the international community. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of temperature and furnace fuel concentration changes on CO2 and CO production.

In this study, using HSC Chemistry 6 software, the existing reactions for fuels used in the furnace, including CaCO3, MgCO3, Fe2O3, and Fe3O4, were simulated. The concentrations of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide produced at different temperatures were investigated.

In the CaCO3 reaction, the temperature has a direct effect on carbon dioxide production but no effect on carbon monoxide production. In the MgCO3 reaction, the temperature has little effect on the production of both, and for the rest of the reactions, the effect of temperature depends on the molar composition and reaction conditions.

In general, the results show that temperature affects the production of carbon dioxide and monoxide, so the emission of these gases to the environment can be reduced by adjusting the temperature of the furnace reactors.