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Biomedical subjects

G Wieslander

Publications and source records attributed to G Wieslander.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Airway symptoms among house painters in relation to exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCS)--a longitudinal study.

The increased use of water-based paint (WBP) for indoor application during the last decade has drastically changed the exposure conditions for Swedish house painters. WBP has a lower emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than solvent-based paint (SBP), but contains more reactive compounds, such as biocides, glycol ethers, and other high molecular solvents. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of airway symptoms and self-reported asthma in house painters with a different degree of use of WBP and SBP. The incidence of seven general airway symptoms, and three work-related symptoms, was analysed by means of a self-administered questionnaire, in a cohort of 207 house painters followed from 1989 to 1992. Different airway symptoms were compared with clinical information obtained by a methacholine challenge test and dynamic spirometry in a selected subgroup of 44 painters. Information on the degree of use of SBP and WBP was used to estimate the total exposure to volatile organic compounds (TVOC) for each individual. In total, 175 men in the cohort worked as painters during the study period. No increase of asthma or respiratory symptoms was observed among those 50 painters with a pure exposure to WBP (estimated TVOC 1-3 mg m-3). Most painters (N = 125) had a mixed exposure to SBP and WBP, the main source of the TVOC being the limited use of SBP. WBP was perceived as less irritative than SBP, but complaints on airway irritation from WBP increased during the study period. The most pronounced increase of airway irritation in relation to both SBP and WBP, was observed among those 35 painters with the highest solvent exposure (estimated TVOC 100-380 mg m-3). An increase of respiratory symptom index and shortness of breath, in relation to estimated TVOC exposure was also observed. Selection effects were detected. Painters leaving their job during the study period had more non-specific hyper-reactivity symptoms, and more airway irritation from WBP, as compared to painters remaining at their occupation. Our study indicates that VOC emissions from SBPs may contribute to the development of respiratory symptoms and airway irritation. We found no increase of respiratory symptoms among painters exposed only to WBPs. There were, however, indications that VOC exposure from WBPs may cause airway irritation in some subjects. Because of selection effects, cross-sectional studies on respiratory symptoms in relation to occupational exposure to paint emissions may be inconclusive.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Nasal congestion in relation to low air exchange rate in schools. Evaluation by acoustic rhinometry.

Upper airway symptoms are common, but there is little information available on clinical findings in relation to indoor air pollution. This pilot study was conducted to test whether increased levels of indoor air pollutants in schools may correlate to a swelling of the nasal mucosa. The assumption was made that the degree of swelling could be related to the degree of decongestive effect of xylometazoline, and measured by acoustic rhinometry. The study was performed among 15 subjects in a school with low air exchange rate (0.6 air changes/h) and 12 subjects in a school with high air exchange rate (5.2 air changes/h). Hygienic measurements were performed in both schools. Acoustic rhinometry was performed for each individual under standardized forms. Cross-sectional areas and volumes of the nasal cavity were measured before and after decongestion with xylometazoline hydrochloride. Absolute values of the minimal cross-sectional area were lower in the school with poor ventilation. The decongestive effect of xylometazoline was significantly higher in the school with low air exchange, when correction for the influence of age was made. A diminished decongestive effect was seen with increasing age. The exposure measurements showed that indoor concentrations of volatile organic compounds, bacteria and moulds were higher in the school with low ventilation. In conclusion, raised levels of indoor air pollutants due to inadequate ventilation in schools may affect the upper airways and cause a swelling of the nasal mucosa, and acoustic rhinometry could be a useful objective method to measure human nasal reactions to the indoor environment.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1996

Local cold exposure of the hands from cryosectioning work in histopathological and toxicological laboratories: signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy and Raynaud's phenomenon.

OBJECTIVES: To study relations between cryosectioning work, skin temperature, early signs of neuropathy in the hands, and vasospastic and neurological symptoms. Microtome work is carried out at histological and toxicological laboratories all over the world. It implicates local cold exposure of -20 degrees C on the hands of exposed laboratory technicians. METHODS: Thirty nine laboratory technicians who use microtomes at the preclinical and clinical laboratories at the University of Uppsala, Sweden were studied. An equal number of nonexposed laboratory technicians served as controls, matched for workplace, sex, age, and smoking habits. Information on symptoms, type of work, and personal factors were assessed by means of a self administered questionnaire. Two point discrimination ability was tested, and vibration perception threshholds were measured for both hands by a bio-thesiometer. Also, skin temperature was measured during cryosectioning work in those 15 technicians performing cryosectioning work during the study period. RESULTS: Most laboratory technicians did not use any gloves during cryosectioning work, and direct contact with frozen materials sometimes occurred and resulted in a rapid cooling of the skin. In six of 15 exposed subjects (40%), the mean skin temperature during microtome work was below 20 degrees C. A later rise in skin temperature, due to a compensatory vasodilation, was found in two subjects. The group exposed to cold had signs of early neuropathy on the right hand, indicated both by vibrametry and two point discrimination test. Significant work related differences in clinical signs within the group exposed to cold was also found. No differences between exposed and nonexposed people were found for symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon, numbness, or musculosceletal complaints. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that cryosectioning laboratory work may cause adverse health effects--for example, peripheral neuropathy--and measures should be taken to protect the hands from the local cold exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Skin disease and contact sensitivity in house painters using water-based paints, glues and putties.

A dermatologic investigation of 202 construction painters included patch testing with the TRUE Test standard series and ingredients of water-based paints, glues and putties (painters' series). 32 painters had current eczema and 16 had a history of previous eczema. Of these, 16 and 9, respectively, had current and previous histories of hand eczema. Irritant reactions on the hands, characterized by dry, erythematous finely fissured skin, which healed within a few days of skin rest, were found in 18 painters. 8 painters presented dry, fissured finger tips and finger sides. The total group of painters had 25 allergic reactions to the TRUE Test standard series and 11 to the painters' series. 11 test reactions were found to be related to present or previous hand eczema: 4 cases reacted to nickel, cobalt, colophony or N-octyl-isothiazolinone; 2 each to p-tertbutylphenol-formaldehyde resin and benzisothiazolinone (BIT); and 3 to Cl + Me-isothiazolinone. 5 painters were sensitive to BIT without clinical symptoms of skin disease. Hand eczema is no more common among construction painters who work with water-based paints, glues and putties, than in an average population. There are, however, special risks of sensitization and eczema in a construction painter's work that should be considered on employment.

Adhesives↗
PubMed1994

Occupational exposure to water-based paints and self-reported asthma, lower airway symptoms, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and lung function.

The associations between occupational exposure to water-based paints and the prevalence of self-reported asthma, other lower airway symptoms, bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR), and lung function were studied in house painters. Symptom prevalences were obtained from a self-administered questionnaire sent to 415 male painters during 1989-1992. Clinical investigations were carried out in three selected groups: 23 painters with asthmatic symptoms, nine painters with other lower airway symptoms, and 12 painters without airway symptoms. The clinical studies included lung function test, methacholine provocation test, and occurrence of atopy, confirmed by skin prick test to common allergens. In addition, a group of 18 young male painters with no occupational exposure to solvent-based paints were followed with dynamic spirometry before and after a workshift, when only water-based paints were used. The prevalence of self-reported asthma (7%) was somewhat, but not statistically, increased compared to an industrial population without exposure to water-based paints or other airway irritants. A decrease in FEV1 and FVC during the workday was observed in the young painters. In the clinical studies the painters exhibited increased BHR compared to the referents and a decreased FEV1. The number of years working as a painter was related to a decrease in FEV1, which was most pronounced in subjects with atopy who also reported lower airway symptoms in relation to the degree of work with water-based paints, but not to the degree of use of solvent-based paints. Our results indicate that house painters have an increased risk of airway problems.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Occupational exposure to water based paint and symptoms from the skin and eyes.

Water based paints contain organic solvents and many additives, such as biocides, surfactants, pigments, binders, amines, and monomers. The chemical complexity may introduce new potential health hazards to house painters, in particular irritative and allergic disorders. This study was performed to compare how house painters experience work with water based paints or solvent based paints, and to evaluate whether exposure to water based paints increases mucous membrane and dermal symptoms among house painters. 255 male house painters aged 20 to 65 were invited to participate in the study. Controls were two industrial populations, in total 302 men, without exposure to water based paints. Self administered questionnaires were used to assess the painter's experiences of working with different types of paints and the occurrence of symptoms in the exposed and unexposed groups. Hygiene measurements were performed during normal working days when only water based paints and no solvent based paints were used. The painters were exposed to low concentrations of dust, metals, ammonia, formaldehyde, and volatile organic compounds. The work environment was considered better when working with water based paints than with solvent based paints. There were more complaints of frequent urination when working with water based paint. Taste or olfactory disturbances were less common. General as well as work related eye and skin irritation was more common among the exposed workers. For other symptoms no significant differences were found. The study indicates that the introduction of water based paints has improved the work environment for house painters. Water based paints cause less discomfort and airway irritation than the earlier solvent based paints. Adverse general health effects seem low. Some of the painters may have dermal symptoms caused by the components in water based paints.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and exposure to vibration, repetitive wrist movements, and heavy manual work: a case-referent study.

Possible connections between carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and exposure to vibrating handheld tools, repetitive wrist movements, and heavy manual work were examined in a case-referent study. The cases were 38 men operated on for CTS between 1974 and 1980. For each case, two referents were drawn from among other surgical cases (hospital referents) and two further referents from the population register and telephone directory, respectively (population referents). Thirty four of 38 cases (89%) and 143 of 152 referents (94%) were interviewed by telephone. An increased prevalence of obesity, rheumatoid disease, diabetes, or thyroid disease was observed among the cases but most did not suffer from any of these disorders. CTS was significantly correlated with exposure to vibration from handheld tools and to repetitive wrist movements but showed a weaker correlation with work producing a heavy load on the wrist. A cause-effect relation between CTS and exposures to handheld vibrating tools and to work causing repetitive movements of the wrist seems probable. Some differences between hospital and population referents indicate that a case-referent study of this type could be biased by inappropriate selection of referents.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

A search for discomfort-inducing factors in carbonless copying paper.

Connections between various types of carbonless copying paper and the occurrence of work-related symptoms of the skin and mucous membranes were studied. The analysis started from the exposure factor, i.e., from the carbonless copying papers and not from the exposed persons. In total, 276 paper samples were investigated. One hundred ninety samples were carbonless copying papers for which information was obtained concerning both the handling of the papers and the symptoms occurring among those handling the papers. To distinguish between carbonless copying papers of different makes, gas chromatography of paper extracts was performed, sometimes combined with thin-layer chromatography of the color formers. By coding the paper samples, the analyses of the papers and the interviews of the exposed persons could be performed "blindly." In the carbonless copying paper most frequently associated with complaints, mono-iso-propylbiphenyl (MIPB) was used as solvent for the color formers. It is probable, however, that the symptoms connected to this paper were induced by some component of the paper other than MIPB. A covariation between papers associated with skin symptoms and mucous membrane symptoms was observed. Exposure to carbonless copying papers treated with desensitizing ink (D-ink) covariated statistically with work-related skin irritation. The causative factor was probably two specific D-inks available on the Swedish market at the period of the investigation.

Biphenyl Compounds↗
PubMed1983

Buckwheat allergy: health food, an inhalation health risk.

Thirteen out of 28 persons (14 men and 14 women) employed in a company which imports, prepares and distributes plant products used in spices and as ingredients in so-called health food, had developed work-related symptoms in the form of rhinitis, conjunctivitis, asthma, itch or urticaria. The symptoms occurred in connection with specific work operations, especially in the grinding and packaging of buckwheat. Seven out of 25 examined persons (28%) had at least one positive allergy test (prick test or RAST) against buckwheat. Furthermore, one person had positive RAST against extract from castor-oil bean. The correlation between positive allergy tests and work-related symptoms is significant. Fourteen persons were also patch tested. All were negative except one person who had a positive patch test against nickel. The nickel allergy was diagnosed before this study was done and had no relation to the work. The levels of airborne dust in the breathing zones of the workers when they performed dust-forming work were around and below 5 mg/m3. When buckwheat flour was packaged, the airborne dust levels were about 1-2 mg/m3. Thus, exposure to comparatively low levels of buckwheat dust may induce a definite risk of rapidly ensuing allergy. It is also obvious that persons without atopic stigmata, such as an earlier history of allergy or the occurrence of allergic diseases in relatives, risk becoming allergic. A conclusion is that health food could be a danger, when it is inhaled.

Adolescent↗