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Biomedical subjects

H U Wanner

Publications and source records attributed to H U Wanner.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

[Effect of ozone on physical performance capacity].

Twelve healthy women and twelve healthy men were tested on an exercise bicycle until exhaustion in a climate chamber at ozone levels of 0, 0.06 and 0.12 ppm. Under high ozone, a clear decrease of performance was seen at maximal efforts as well as a shift of the anaerobic threshold to somewhat lower performance values. These changes are probably caused by increasingly difficult breathing due to a reflex bronchial constriction. At high ozone concentrations, further symptoms were recognized: itching in throat and neck region, thirst, fatigue and itching eyes.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Extent and evaluation of air pollution in Switzerland].

The measurements of atmospheric pollution carried out in Switzerland during the last years revealed that high concentrations are not only found in city centers but in suburbs as well. The emission limits which should be respected in order to protect health and environment are very often exceeded. The pollution through nitrogen dioxide is specially crucial as well as that of sulfur dioxide during the winter months. Ozone concentrations are remarkably high in summer--ozone being formed by photochemical reactions of nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons--and can be transported far away, even in rural areas. It is urgent to take the necessary steps now to reduce the atmospheric pollution in order to protect the population against possible health damages.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed1985

[Teaching social and preventive medicine to pharmacy students].

The new Swiss reglementation for the final examination of students in pharmaceutics make social and preventive medicine a mandatory part of the curriculum. The number of hours attributed to the new subject differ markedly between the various schools of pharmacy. They are influenced by the attitude of the institutes and faculties (schools), professional societies but also by the students involved. The experiences of the first year are briefly discussed. Most important is to use the opportunity to improve the collaboration between the different partners in health care.

Curriculum↗
PubMed1982

[Annoyance due to street traffic and aircraft noise].

Annoyance is an important criterion to assess the health-impairing effects of noise. Affected are especially communications, due to speech interference, as well as relaxation and sleep. The extent of annoyance increases with rising noise load in the street traffic as well as in the air traffic. Air-traffic noise in residential areas should lie below NNI-values of 35; values of above 45 NNI result in a heavy noise load and require sound-protection measures. Street-traffic noise in residential areas should not surpass an Leq value of 60 dB(A) in daytime and 50 dB(A) at night; Leq values of more than 65 dB(A) are qualified as considerable annoyance and are thus critical. In recreation areas the threshold limits should be 5 dB(A) below these values, whereas for shops and offices at main thoroughfares values higher by 5 dB(A) can be tolerated. The noise load should first of all be diminished by stricter regulations for vehicles as well as by measures regarding traffic organization. Furthermore, noise-conscious driving is recommended. Very great traffic noise also requires sound protection measures.

Aircraft↗
PubMed1982

[Pollution of room air by building materials].

Due to better insulation and airtight windows and doors, the supply of fresh air is reduced. Therefore the pollutants which are continuously emitted from different materials into the room air are considerably increased. Measurements of the formaldehyde concentrations in new buildings have shown that after a year the admissible limits are still exceeded. Stricter regulations are necessary to limit the emissions of building- and insulation materials.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed1982

[Indoor air pollution produced by man (carbon dioxide, odors)].

Man contributes to indoor air pollution by the release of heat, humidity, carbon dioxide, particles, micro-organisms and body odours. The rise in temperature and the concentrations of the different pollutants depend on the number of persons in a room, the utilization of the room and the activities of the persons. Current parameters for the evaluation of man-made pollution in indoor air are carbon monoxide and odours. Experiments have been carried out in a test chamber under controlled conditions in order to determine the relations between carbon monoxide and odours, since these are two current parameters for the evaluation of man-made pollution in indoor air. In these experiments the variables were the number of persons in the room, the activity of the persons and the ventilation rate. For the measurement of odours a special method has been developed in which the undiluted air is tested by a test panel and compared with air containing two different pyridine concentrations. A significant relationship has been observed between the odour intensity and the carbon dioxide content of the air, and the correlation did not depend on the number of persons and the ventilation rate. At ventilation rates of 12 to 15 m3 per person and hour the carbon dioxide concentration was below 0.15% and the odour intensity was characterized as being only little annoying. Higher ventilation rates are necessary during physical activity and in rooms with tobacco smoke. The minimum ventilation rates as deduced from the laboratory experiments are compared to known standards.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1981

[Room air quality and ventilation].

In a test chamber of 30 m3 the air pollutants caused by man were measured. Variables were: number of persons and their activities and the rate of the air change. During test sessions of two hours the temperature, the relative humidity, the carbon dioxide and the intensity of odors were measured. There was a significant correlation between the odor intensities and the concentrations of carbon dioxide-independent of the number of persons and the air change rate. At air change rates of 12-15 m3 per person and per hour, the carbon dioxide concentration was not higher than 0.15% and the odor intensity was evaluated only as a slight annoyance. Further experiments were performed with physical activity and smoking.

Air↗
PubMed1980

[Air quality in residences and places of work].

The air quality inside of buildings depends on the contaminaton of the air outside as well as on the air pollution inside the room. The human being contaminates the air through carbon dioxide, odors, vapors and particulates. The most important sources of pollution are tobacco smoke (especially particulate matter, aldehydes and carbon monoxide), consumer materials (organic solvents), building materials and furniture fittings (Formaldehyd), as well as the use of gas for cooking and heating purposes (nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide). More importance has to be attributed to the injurious effects of the various contaminants because of the reduced ventilation rate in order to save energy. When estimating the possible health damages and annoyances, the long-term effects have to be considered, thereby the increased sensibility of children, of ill and old people have to be taken into account. The health aspects are therefore a decisive criterium for guidelines concerning construction and minimum ventilation rates.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1980

[Optimum utilization of the ventilation system to reduce airborne bacteria in operating rooms].

In 4 operating theatres with 4 different air-conditioning equipments, the number of bacteria per m3 circulating air in the neighbourhood of the open wound has been investigated. The testing has been performed on comparable aseptic operations. The worst results were obtained in 2 conventional theatres, equipped with a modern-up-to-date air-conditioning. The number of bacteria was ranging between 230 and 270 per m3. A much better results was obtained in a theatre, equipped with a so-called germ-stop-wall, dividing the theatre into 2 sections, separating the surgical team and the open wound completely from the anaesthesist and other staff. With this arrangement, 45 germs per m3 were found. The best result with no bacteria at all is present in a vertical flow-enclosure with an exchange rate of 32 per hour. According to our 10-year experience, for aseptic surgery sterile air techniques should be adopted to improve asepsis and to decrease the risk of postoperative infection.

Air Conditioning↗
PubMed1979

[Irtitation by smell in the neighborhood of a garbage burning plant].

Dilution threshold values were measured using sensory methods for an evaluation of odorous emissions of an incineration plant. The dispersion of odours was estimated based on recording of the local wind. The level of public annoyance in the neighbouring residential areas will be assessed by special questionnaires.

Refuse Disposal↗