Practical pointers are given regarding hospital inspections carried out by the Public Health Service. Specific points deserving attention are recorded by means of check lists. Inspections should not only take functional and structural factors into account but also problems of organisation and prophylaxis of nosocomial infections in diagnosis, therapy, and care.

Germany↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Hygiene problems with mineral and table waters].

The article describes the definitions of mineral water, water from natural sources, and table water as laid down by Federal German legislation. The microbiological limit or guiding values are discussed and compared with the results obtained by the Land Bureau of Medical Testing in Baden-Württemberg. Results of the examinations show not only the chemical hazards but also the microbiological ones to which mineral water sources are exposed--which, by the way, are not surrounded by protected areas (a few rare cases excepted) and are thus greatly in danger of noxious contamination. To this are added microbiological contaminations due to inadequate hygiene during recovery and filling. The weak points are pinpointed. The problems facing the controlling authorities are pointed out, and so are instances where limit values have been exceeded. Attention is drawn to the urgent need for protecting natural mineral water sources.

Beverages↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Experiences and results of checkup examinations of major populations in Baden-Württemberg].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Is a generalized amalgam ban justified? Studies of mothers and their newborn infants].

To measure the Hg-contamination from amalgam as well as other exposures to mothers and their newborns 185 women with tooth filling surfaces from 0 to 780 mm2 were examined. The Hg-values of mother and child at a time showed a highly significant correlation with a median value from 0.4 resp. 0.5 microgram/Hg/l. Obviously, the placenta has a retention capability with up to 10 times higher Hg-values and a low positive correlation to the amalgam surfaces. There was no relationship between the blood values of the women and the children and the size of the surfaces of the amalgam fillings. Opposite to this a high consumption of fish led to higher Hg-values in the umbilical cord blood, this even in children with mothers without amalgam fillings. Other exposures through working conditions (i.e. dental assistant) or living environment did not lead to higher values. Symptoms of diseases such as headaches, allergies, eczemas appeared with those patients who had amalgam fillings as well as those in the group without amalgam fillings. All women gave birth to healthy children. With all necessary caution concerning contamination with heavy metals during pregnancy some of today's panic inducing portrayals do not seem justified.

DMF Index↗