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At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Representativeness of an automobile shredder residue sample for a verification analysis.

To apply a decision-making scheme using a statistical classification while conforming to the meaning of representativeness as defined by the US EPA, we propose an equation defining the representativeness of a sample. To utilize this equation, the batch must be homogenized. This requires analyzing the constitution and distribution heterogeneities. The equation relates the sample weight m(s) to its representativeness R either by a statistical approach or by a physical approach using the following equation: m(s) = {4/(1 - R)(2)}.[K + k(e)(1 - 2t(e))/t(e)]. In the equation, K and k(e) are the heterogeneity factors determined from a descriptive analysis. This equation is applicable to solid waste with majority constituents such as automobile shredder residue (ASR) and domestic waste. This analysis was applied to a sample of ASR in the framework of a verification for France. The results of the analysis showed that the sample weight must be at least 140 kg to have a representativeness of 90%.

Automobiles↗
PubMed2006

Assessment of airborne asbestos exposure during the servicing and handling of automobile asbestos-containing gaskets.

Five test sessions were conducted to assess asbestos exposure during the removal or installation of asbestos-containing gaskets on vehicles. All testing took place within an operative automotive repair facility involving passenger cars and a pickup truck ranging in vintage from late 1960s through 1970s. A professional mechanic performed all shop work including engine disassembly and reassembly, gasket manipulation and parts cleaning. Bulk sample analysis of removed gaskets through polarized light microscopy (PLM) revealed asbestos fiber concentrations ranging between 0 and 75%. Personal and area air samples were collected and analyzed using National Institute of Occupational Safety Health (NIOSH) methods 7400 [phase contrast microscopy (PCM)] and 7402 [transmission electron microscopy (TEM)]. Among all air samples collected, approximately 21% (n = 11) contained chrysotile fibers. The mean PCM and phase contrast microscopy equivalent (PCME) 8-h time weighted average (TWA) concentrations for these samples were 0.0031 fibers/cubic centimeters (f/cc) and 0.0017 f/cc, respectively. Based on these findings, automobile mechanics who worked with asbestos-containing gaskets may have been exposed to concentrations of airborne asbestos concentrations approximately 100 times lower than the current Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 0.1 f/cc.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed2001

Assessment of hospital and police ascertainment of automobile versus childhood pedestrian and bicyclist collisions.

Information about automobile versus pedestrian or bicyclist collisions differ according to the source of collision ascertainment. Hospital records and police reports focus on different characteristics of a collision, which reflects differences in case finding as well as information regarding risk factors. Pedestrians and bicyclists 0-14 years of age who were involved in a motor vehicle collision in the city of Long Beach, CA, between January 1, 1992 and June 30, 1995, were included in the study. Police reports and medical records were used to identify cases. Police reports were found for 1,015 cases, and medical records identified 474 cases; 379 cases were common to both sources. A capture-recapture model was used to evaluate the degree of overlap between the two sources and to derive "ascertainment corrected" injury rates. The injury rate from combined sources was 333.5/100,000 children per year, the pedestrian injury rate was 210.6/100,000 children per year and the bicyclist injury rate was 122.9/100,000 children per year. The "ascertainment corrected" injury rate overall was 381.3/100,000 children per year, 233.0/100,000 for pedestrians and 153.9/100,000 children per year for bicyclists. Eighty percent of hospital-reported cases were captured in the police database, whereas only 37% of police-reported cases were captured by the hospital database. We found that hospital sources identified younger children, fewer bicyclists, more Asian and Hispanic children, and fewer African-American children when compared to police sources. For more comprehensive surveillance resulting in more accurate incidence rates and more complete information, it is better to use multiple sources of data.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Differences between pickup truck and automobile driver-owners.

This study compares pickup truck driver-owners and drivers who owned only automobiles with respect to demographic factors, conditions of use, risk-taking driving behavior, prior driving history and attitudes towards motor vehicle laws. A telephone survey conducted in Riverside County, CA determined that 36% of the households had a pickup truck. Pickup truck owners were primarily male, aged 30-39 years, married, reported lower restraint use and more risky driving behaviors, and had more traffic citations. Differences in behaviors and attitudes were largely a function of age and gender. There is a need to design appropriate occupant safety interventions for those most likely to own pickup trucks.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Conditions for maintaining ageing operators at work--a case study conducted at an automobile manufacturing plant.

This is a case study on work/ageing relations in an automobile manufacturing company, where demographic trends and the work organisation determine the conditions under which ageing operators can work in repetitive tasks under tight time constraints. The methodology used is based on a comparison of different age operators at their regular workstation and in a new job, during the training process. The older workers appear to develop health-preserving strategies of work while achieving production goals. The possibility of setting up such strategies depends on the job characteristics. More generally, this case study allows us to better understand why some older workers are excluded from certain workstations, and thus why "polyvalency" or job rotation decreases with age.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Forearm muscular load and wrist angle among automobile assembly line workers in relation to symptoms.

Electromyographic activity (EMG) from m. flexor carpi radialis (FCR) and m. extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) of the right forearm was recorded together with wrist angles in the flexion/extension and radial/ulnar plane in 20 healthy automobile assembly line workers during work. Eleven of these were randomly recruited from assembly stations with a low prevalence of subjective wrist/forearm symptoms (LPS), while the rest came from stations with a high prevalence of symptoms (HPS). The main EMG finding was a clear difference in activation pattern between flexors and extensors. ECRL was activated more statically, while FCR had a more dynamic pattern with more pauses but also higher peak loads. The main wrist angle finding was a difference in angle distribution as well as absolute angular velocity in the radial/ulnar plane between LPS and HPS work stations. Workers in HPS stations worked longer times in a more ulnar deviated hand position and had higher absolute deviation angular velocity compared to LPS workers, indicating ulnar deviation as a risk factor. Generally, ulnar deviation from a neutral position was more frequent than angular displacement in the flexion/extension plane.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An analysis of human comfort when entering and exiting the rear seat of an automobile.

This paper describes a study of human motion and human comfort when entering and exiting the rear seat of an automobile. A simulator was used to test several possible door frame configurations, and various positions of the front and rear seats. Thirty-six human subjects were asked to enter and exit the simulator five times for each configuration and to answer a subjective questionnaire. The motion performed by each test subject was recorded by means of a VHS recorder and an ELITE motion measurement system. A statistical analysis was performed on the data from the questionnaires and comfort rankings were produced for the various configurations. The most influential design parameters were identified and iso-comfort surfaces were defined and fitted which provided a simple means of quantifying the effect of one of the main parameters.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Effect of fatigue on performance measured by a driving simulator in automobile drivers.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors of performance decrement in automobile drivers. METHODS: 114 drivers (age <30 years, n=57; age > or =30 years, n=57) who stopped at a rest stop area on a freeway were recruited for the study. They filled out a questionnaire on their journey, sleep/wake patterns and performed a 30-min test on a driving simulator. The test evaluates, by computerized analysis, the lateral deviation of a virtual car from an appropriate trajectory on a virtual road. A sex/age matched control group was recruited in the community. Control subjects were studied at the same time of day as the index case driver. Controls had normal sleep wake schedule, absence of long driving and performed the same driving test. RESULTS: Drivers performed significantly worse than controls on the driving test. Age and duration of driving were the main factors associated with decreased performance. CONCLUSION: Our driving simulator can identify fatigue generated by driving but results must be considered in relation with age of subjects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

A review of the effects of antihistamines on mental processes related to automobile driving.

The newer, second-generation H1-receptor antagonists have been shown to have potent antiallergic effects without inducing sleepiness. However, because traditional antihistamines may cause functional or cognitive impairment, the clinician still must consider warning patients about activities that could be hazardous. Because the effects of drugs on driving an automobile are difficult to measure directly, studies must use surrogate activities in a laboratory setting. Effects of antihistamines on the central nervous system are assessed with psychomotor tests, which are selected on the basis of their relativity to real-world activities, to develop a profile of mental processes that may be affected. This article reviews the psychomotor tests and study design used to characterize the intensity and duration of drug effects after single and multiple doses and in combination with other impairing agents such as ethanol. Several studies have been published that assess the effects of cetirizine, an H1-receptor blocker, on mental performance. In the study discussed here, diphenhydramine hydrochloride and hydroxyzine were used as positive controls to demonstrate that the period during which some traditional antihistamines impair performance is different than the period of reported drowsiness they induce. The results of this series of studies show that cetirizine induced minimal changes in mental performance tests and only following the highest (20 mg) dose studied.

Automobile Driving↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Accidental hypothermia: a potential life-threatening hazard of automobile platform lifts.

The wheelchair/scooter of a patient with a relapsing-remitting form of multiple sclerosis was immobilized after inadvertent slippage of the rear wheels of his scooter off an automobile platform lift during travel. While waiting 45 min for the rescue squad, he developed mild hypothermia that responded to passive external rewarming techniques. This potentially life-threatening injury could have been prevented by using a platform lift equipped with full inboard and outboard roll-stop barriers on the platform.

Automobiles↗
PubMed2002

Thermal valorisation of automobile shredder residue: injection in blast furnace.

Wastes with residual heating value, according to the trend of the world legislation, could be thermally reused. The present study is conducted to verify the possibility of thermal valorisation of a waste, denominated fluff, by injection in blast furnace. The fluff, arising from the automobile shredder operations, is a waste characterised by a high organic matrix and is potentially dangerous due to the heavy metals, oils filter and halogenated plastics content. The first step of the work is the chemical, physical and toxicological characterisation of this material. Then the fluff injection in a blast furnace tuyere is theoretically analysed with a mathematical model. Finally, experimental trials are conducted in a pilot plant, simulating the most important part of the blast furnace: the raceway, in order to analyse process and industrial aspects. In view of an industrial application a first economical evaluation is carried out on the basis of model and experimental results.

Automobiles↗
PubMed1998

The epidemiology of ocular injury in a major US automobile corporation.

PURPOSE: Although occupational eye injuries account for a large proportion of ocular injuries, few industry-specific data have been published. To address this problem, we examined the epidemiology of eye injuries in a large automobile corporation. METHODS: The study population included all hourly-paid persons employed between July 1989 and June 1992 at 33 plants of the UAW-Chrysler Corporation. Incident ocular injury data were obtained from an active surveillance system. Year-end employee censuses were used to estimate the population at risk. RESULTS: A total of 1983 work-related eye injuries occurred over the 3 year period, with an incidence rate of 14.9 per 1000 person-years. Workers aged 20-29 years had the highest incidence of eye injuries (28.2 per 1000 person-years). Men had a higher incidence of injury than women across all ages, with an age-adjusted incidence of 15.6 per 1000 person-years and age-adjusted relative risk of 1.5 (95% confidence interval: 1.4, 1.6). Superficial foreign bodies and corneal abrasions made up 86.7% of all injuries while open globe injury occurred in only 3 cases. Only 25% of workers had been using some form of eye protection at the time of injury. Almost one-third (32.3%) of ocular injuries resulted in the inability of workers to resume their normal duties for at least 1 day. CONCLUSION: Workplace eye injuries in the automotive industry account for significant avoidable morbidity and lost productivity.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2002

Effects of anti-odor automobile air-conditioning system products on adherence of Serratia marcescens to aluminum.

Sixteen commercial products for use in automobile air-conditioning systems (ACS), most designated for abatement of malodors presumably of microbial origin, were examined for their potential to inhibit attachment and to detach cells of the Gram-negative bacterium Serratia marcescens on aluminum sections. Numbers of attached cells were appreciably reduced (>60%) following immersion in three alcohol-type and two acrylic-coating-type products. Several products had essentially no effect on the attached cells. Most of the products indicated for alleviation of associated microbial odors from ACS provided only short-term effects. When products were coated onto aluminum prior to exposure to the cells, water-insoluble coatings appeared to provide more consistent inhibition of primary adherence of S. marcescens. The differences in degrees of primary adherence of a selected strain of S. marcescens to variously treated aluminum provided a rapid and reproducible assessment of potential antimicrobial efficacy of ACS products.

Air Conditioning↗
PubMed2003

The effects of airbag deployment on severe upper extremity injuries in frontal automobile crashes.

The purpose of this study was to investigate severe upper extremity injuries resulting from frontal automobile crashes and to determine the effects of frontal airbags. The National Automotive Sampling System database files from 1993 to 2000 were examined in a study that included 25,464 individual cases that occurred in the United States. An analysis of the cases indicated that occupants exposed to an airbag deployment were statistically more likely to sustain a severe upper extremity injury (2.7%) than those occupants not exposed to an airbag deployment (1.6%) (P =.01). In particular, 0.7% of occupants exposed to an airbag deployment sustained a severe upper extremity injury specifically from the airbag. In addition, when in crashes with an airbag deployment, older occupants were at a higher risk for severe upper extremity injury, as well as occupants in crashes with higher changes in velocity.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Air lead exposures and blood lead levels within a large automobile manufacturing workforce, 1980-1985.

Recent (1980-1985) trends in air lead (PbA) exposures and blood lead (PbB) levels experienced by approximately 10,000 workers employed in various stages of the automobile manufacturing process (i.e., auto assembly, lead-acid battery manufacture, foundry work, and "other" manufacturing-related operations) are described. Between 1980-1985, the mean PbB levels of assembly, battery, foundry, and "other" workers decreased by 28, 24, 3, and 27%, respectively, to 16.6, 23.6, 15.9, and 11.8 micrograms Pb/dl. Workers in the following job categories experienced the highest annual mean PbB levels: paste machine operators (battery plants), solder-grinders (assembly plants), and crane operators (foundries). During the same period, median 8-h Time Weighted Average PbA exposures (micrograms Pb/m3) in assembly plants, battery plants, and foundries decreased by 10, 12, and 20%, respectively, to 8.1, 13.6, and 10.9 micrograms/m3.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Magnetic field exposures in an automobile transmission plant.

Inconsistent findings from recent mortality studies of workers exposed to magnetic fields have led to calls for more detailed understanding of exposure distributions and metrics in various industries. The authors undertook personal monitoring at an automobile transmission plant to (a) learn if magnetic field exposure differences were present, (b) make assignments for a brain cancer study, and (c) compare two exposure indices. A wide range of average exposures occurred (i.e., 0.016-4.6 microtesla). Within-day variability was also large, and it reached 4 orders of magnitude for some workers. Unexpectedly, demagnetizers were found among the strong sources that contributed to elevated exposures. The authors used conventional summary measures to assign job groups to exposure categories, and they used a new index of exposure irregularity to make alternative assignments. These new assignments appeared to differ from the original ones with respect to work time in each exposure group (i.e., 54% of the work time fell into different exposure categories).

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2005

Digital vibration threshold testing and ergonomic stressors in automobile manufacturing workers: a cross-sectional assessment.

Upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UEMSDs) comprise a large proportion of work-related illnesses in the USA. Physical risk factors including manual force and segmental vibration have been associated with UEMSDs. Reduced sensitivity to vibration in the fingertips (a function of nerve integrity) has been found in those exposed to segmental vibration, to hand force, and in office workers. The objective of this study was to determine whether an association exists between digital vibration thresholds (VTs) and exposure to ergonomic stressors in automobile manufacturing. Interviews and physical examinations were conducted in a cross-sectional survey of workers (n = 1174). In multivariable robust regression modelling, associations with workers' estimates of ergonomic stressors stratified on tool use were determined. VTs were separately associated with hand force, vibration as felt through the floor (whole body vibration), and with an index of multiple exposures in both tool users and non-tool users. Additional associations with contact stress and awkward upper extremity postures were found in tool users. Segmental vibration was not associated with VTs. Further epidemiologic and laboratory studies are needed to confirm the associations found. The association with self-reported whole body vibration exposure suggests a possible sympathetic nervous system effect, which remains to be explored.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

CRT display visibility in automobiles.

Three experiments were carried out into aspects of CRT display in the context of driving automobiles. The first focused on the combination of colours which renders information 'easy-to-read', and determined the relationship between luminance contrast and chromaticity difference. In the second a background luminance which was not dazzling at night was expressed in a chromaticity diagram. In the third the amount of information which can be read 'at-a-glance' was investigated.

Automobiles↗