فهرست مطالب

Occupational and Environmental Medicine - Volume:3 Issue: 4, Oct 2012

International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Volume:3 Issue: 4, Oct 2012

  • تاریخ انتشار: 1391/08/14
  • تعداد عناوین: 8
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  • L. Mbuagbaw, Sg Noorduyn Page 157
    The palm wine trade is an important economic activity for many tropical rural areas worldwide. In West Africa, palm wine holds high sociocultural and traditional values. Wine tappers often climb very tall trees with rudimentary equipment to harvest palm sap and risk severe injuries in the event of a fall. Furthermore, the wine quickly ferments beyond the desired taste and alcohol content, reducing the market power of these tappers. Therefore, to maximize benefits or to enhance shelf life, a variety of components are added to the palm tree sap, introducing the possibility of deadly contaminants. This paper highlights the public health implications of uncontrolled palm wine production and the relative neglect of the wine tapper. We draw from the limited published literature and use Cameroon as a case study. The palm wine trade can be more productive and safe if tappers work in cooperatives to improve their market power. Public health authorities need to monitor the quality of this cheap and common source of alcohol and enact regulations to protect wine tappers from the current level of occupational hazards. There are varying levels of progress to control quality and ensure safety in different parts of the world. Legislation and collaboration with traditional structures may offer a framework for change.
  • P. Salameh, J. Salame, G. Khayat, A. Akhdar, C. Ziadeh, S. Azizi, F. Khoury, Z. Akiki, Z. Nasser, L. Abou Abbass, D. Saadeh, M. Waked Page 165
    Background
    Although Lebanon is a highly polluted country, so far no study has specifically been designed to assess the association between outdoor air pollution and chronic bronchitis in this country.
    Objective
    To assess the association between exposure to outdoor air pollution and chronic bronchitis in Lebanon.
    Methods
    A pilot case-control study was conducted in two tertiary care hospitals. Cases consisted of patients diagnosed with chronic bronchitis by a pulmonologist and those epidemiologically confirmed. Controls included individuals free of any respiratory signs or symptoms. After obtaining informed consent, a standardized questionnaire was administered.
    Results
    Bivariate, stratified (over smoking status and gender) and multivariate analyses revealed that passive smoking at home (ORa: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.73–3.80) and at work (ORa: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.13–3.17); older age (ORa: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.55–2.39); lower education (ORa: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.21–1.72); living close to a busy road (ORa: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.31– 2.89) and to a local power plant (ORa: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.07–2.45); and heating home by hot air conditioning (ORa: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.00–3.43) were moderately associated with chronic bronchitis; an inverse association was found with heating home electrically (ORa: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.39–0.85). A positive dose-effect relationship was observed in those living close to a busy road and to a local diesel exhaust source.
    Conclusion
    Chronic bronchitis is associated with outdoor air pollution.
  • An Nwibo, Ei Ugwuja, No Nwambeke, Of Emelumadu, Lu Ogbonnaya Page 178
    Background
    Respiratory problem is one of the major health hazards in dust-exposed workers; it is a major cause of morbidity and mortality all over the world.
    Objective
    To determine the prevalence of respiratory problems and lung function impairment among quarry workers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
    Methods
    Respiratory problems and lung function were studied in 403 quarry workers aged 10–60 years. Respiratory problems were investigated with a questionnaire based on international models adapted for the study population. Lung function was assessed by spirometry and chest roentgenography.
    Results
    The respiratory problems found were chest pain (47.6%), occasional cough (40.7%), occasional shortness of breath (6.5%) and wheezing (5.2%). The mean±SD FEV1 and FVC values were significantly decreased with length of exposure—respectively, 3.52±0.77 and 3.91±0.72 L for <5 years; 2.79±0.68 and 3.09±0.87 L for 5–10 years; and 2.03±0.92 and 2.86±0.83 L for >10 years of exposure. Moreover, the mean±SD FEV1 and FVC values of smoker (3.37±0.81 and 3.56±1.02 L, respectively) were significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of non-smokers (3.68±1.02 and 3.89±0.99 L, respectively) working in the quarry site.
    Conclusion
    Chronic exposure to dust due to stone quarrying may increase the risk of respiratory problems and impaired lung function—cigarette smokers are at higher risk.
  • Gm Abdel Rasoul, Ma Al Batanony, Oa Mahrous, Me Abo, Salem, Hm Gabr Page 186
    Background
    Lead still remains an important problem for poor, inner-city, ethnic minority children, with a particular emphasis on lead paint and dust. In Egypt, there is no national survey about the prevalence of elevated blood lead level among children.
    Objective
    To assess the environmental lead level as well as to determine blood lead level among primary school children and find out its relationship with their intelligent quotient (IQ), hemoglobin level, hearing impairment and school performance.
    Methods
    190 primary school children from rural and urban areas were selected and their blood lead levels (BLL), hemoglobin concentrations, IQ, hearing threshold and school performance were measured. Also, environmental lead level was measured in the school and home.
    Results
    The mean value of environmental lead (μg/m3) in urban schools air was significantly higher than that in rural areas. BLL had a significant negative correlation with hemoglobin level and IQ; it was positively correlated with the hearing threshold. With increasing BLL, the school performance of children decreased significantly.
    Conclusion
    Exposure to lead would deteriorate IQ, school performance and hearing level of school children. Even in the absence of overt clinical manifestations of lead toxicity, lead intoxication should be among differential diagnosis in children presenting anemia, intellectual impairment, poor academic performance and hearing impairment.
  • R. Sultana, Kj Ferdous, M. Hossain, Msh Zahid, Ln Islam Page 195
    Background
    Occupational exposure to cotton dust, fibers, metal fumes and different chemicals used in the apparel manufacturing industries cause a wide range of physical and psychological health problems in the garment workers that may also affect their immune function.
    Objective
    To assess the immune system function in garment workers.
    Methods
    A total of 45 workers of a garment factory, and 41 control subjects, not exposed to the garment working environment were enrolled in this study. In the study subjects, the complement system function was assessed as bactericidal activity on Escherichia coli DH5α cells using the standard plate count method. Serum complement components C3 and C4 were measured by immunoprecipitation, and IgG was measured by immunonephelometry.
    Results
    The bactericidal activity of serum complement in the garment workers (range: 93.5%–99.9%) was significantly (p<0.01) lower than that in the controls (range: 98.6%–100%). The heat-inactivated serum of the workers showed a significantly enhanced bactericidal activity. In the garment workers, the mean levels of complement C3, and C4 were 1.75 and 0.26 g/L, respectively that were close to those of the controls. The mean IgG level in the garment workers was 13.5 g/L that was significantly (p<0.001) higher than that in the controls.
    Conclusion
    Working in a garment factory may affect the immune system.
  • Ai Amouei, Ah Mahvi, Aa Mohammadi, Ha Asgharnia, Sh Fallah, Aa Khafajeh Page 201
    Long-term exposure to high concentrations of fluoride is associated with several adverse effects on human including dental and skeletal fluorosis. We studied all the groundwater wells located in rural areas of Khaf city, Razavi Province, northeastern Iran between 2009 and 2010. Fluoride concentration of water samples was measured by SPADNS method. We found that in rural areas the fluoride concentration ranged from 0.11 to 3.59 ppm—the level was less than the permissible limit in 31% of studied samples, higher than the permissible limit in 4% of the samples, and within the optimum limit of 1 to 1.5 ppm in 65% of water samples.
  • Ek Elumalai, E. David, J. Hemachandran Page 204
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