Biomedical subjects

A Al-Khatib

Publications and source records attributed to A Al-Khatib.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Prevalence of neuropsychiatric and mucous membrane irritation complaints among Palestinian shoe factory workers exposed to organic solvents and plastic compounds.

BACKGROUND: Long-term exposure to organic solvents is associated with neuropsychiatric and mucus membrane irritation. In developing countries, efforts to secure a good working environment are inadequate and protection against chemical exposures is often neglected. METHODS: In a cross-sectional survey, the prevalence of self-reported health complaints and the association with long-term exposure to solvents and plastic materials in the work environment was studied among 167 shoe-factory workers. Prevalences and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR)were calculated in Cox regression. 95% confidence intervals were estimated for PRs of adverse health effects. RESULTS: Overall, the workers reported high prevalences of neuropsychiatric and mucus membrane complaints: headache (65%), mental irritability (53%), tingling of limbs (46%), and sore eyes (43%). Cleaning work was associated with tingling of limbs (PR = 1.8, 1.0-3.2), sore eyes (PR = 1.9, 1.1-3.3), and breathing difficulty (PR = 2.0, 1.0-3.9); plastic work was associated with tingling of limbs (PR = 1.8, 1.2-2.9)and sore eyes (PR = 1.7, 1.1-2.7); and varnishing was associated with breathing difficulty (PR = 1.9, 1.1-3.5). CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of self-reported health complaints and the exposure-outcome association could be due to volatile organic solvents (dichloromethane, n-hexane)and plastic compounds (isocyanates and polyvinyl chloride). Absence of a satisfactory work environment is likely to contribute to high exposure levels.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1982

[The delayed split-skin coverage--use and advantages].

In 119 patients a "delayed skin flap transplantation" was carried out after excision of malignant melanomas. The skin graft can be stored in a refrigerator at 4 degrees C up to two weeks without damage to the transplant. The transplantation may be accomplished at any time, but is usually due 3 to 4 days postoperatively. Advantages of this method are decreased risk of local infection, early mobilisation of the patient and generally good cosmetic results.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Solvent exposures at shoe factories and workshops in Hebron City, West Bank.

Exposure to organic solvents has been reported to increase the risks for acute and chronic health effects among shoe industry workers. In developing countries, protection against chemical exposures is often not provided. The study was conducted to identify working conditions and estimate the concentrations of organic solvents used in shoe factories and workshops in Hebron City. Personal interviews containing questions related to personal protective equipment (PPE) were used to identify working conditions, and samples collected from factories and workshops were analyzed using gas chromatography. Geometric means (GMs) were calculated for the solvents. Six major organic solvents were detected in the factories. Acetone (GM = 51.5 mg/m3, GSD = 3.82) was common in gluing tasks. Dichloromethane (GM = 47 mg/m3, GSD = 2.62) was common in cleaning tasks. Heptane, methylethyl ketone, n-hexane, and toluene were common in gluing tasks. Four major organic solvents were detected in the workshops: acetone (GM = 32.3 mg/m:3, GSD = 6.33), toluene (GM = 70.3 mg/m3, GSD = 3.06), n-hexane (GM = 19.4 mg/m3:, GSD = 2.65), and methylethyl ketone (GM = 130 mg/mM3, GSD = 1.5). 81% of the factory workers had never used respiratory protective equipment, and 92% had never used work clothes. 97% of the workers in the workshops had never used respiratory protective equipment, 94% had never worn gloves, and 90% had never used work clothes. Exposures to solvents in the absence of personal Protective equipment, tasks barriers, and mechanical ventilation can adversely affect health.

Acetone↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Work injuries in building construction, metal shaping, and food production sectors in Jericho District in the Palestinian territory].

Work injuries and accidents have a considerable impact on public and community health. This study targeted three work sectors: metal shaping, food production and building construction. Work injuries that occurred in these sectors were compared for the years 1999 and 2000 in Jericho District in the West Bank of Palestine. One hundred three injuries were examined and information recorded about the nature of the injury, site of injury in the body, direct cause of injury and some personal information about the injured worker. The most vulnerable group were young people in their twenties, and mostly those working in the metal shaping and building construction sectors. The kinds and sites of injuries varied. The data were compared with data from 1997, 1998 and 2001-2003, although only loosley as the available data about work injuries for these years were limited and inaccurate.

Accidents, Occupational↗