Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Occupations”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Comparative studies of airborne asbestos in occupational and non-occupational environments using optical and electron microscope techniques.

We have compared asbestos fibre and general fibre counts from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with fibre counts from phase-contrast optical microscope (PCOM) methods. Three different types of sample have been evaluated: laboratory-prepared samples of different fibre types; chrysotile asbestos textile factory samples; and non-occupational and environmental samples from sites where asbestos might be found. TEM produced total fibre number assessments which were greater than those found with SEM which, in turn, produced fibre counts greater than those obtained with the PCOM. However, when fibres longer than 5 microns were alone counted, the two electron microscope (EM) methods provided similar results. This indicates that TEM is advantageous in comparison with SEM when counting or sizing short fibres and has no advantage for fibres longer than 5 microns. For fibres longer than 5 microns in both the laboratory-prepared and asbestos factory samples, the EM asbestos counts were higher than the PCOM fibre counts, the ratios depending on the fibre type in the case of the former. The PCOM fibre counts in samples from the non-occupational situations were shown to be poor predictors of airborne asbestos fibre concentrations determined by EM. This was mainly due to the presence of high and variable proportions of non-asbestos fibres in these samples. It is concluded that, in order to convert EM asbestos fibre concentrations (greater than 5 microns) to equivalent PCOM asbestos concentrations, they should be divided by 4.0 for chrysotile and 1.7 for amphibole asbestos.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1985

Clinical decision analysis in occupational medicine. Choosing the optimal FEV1 criterion for diagnosing occupational asthma.

Clinical decision analysis techniques may be particularly valuable in occupational medicine. A simple decision analysis model for choosing the "best" criterion for change in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) for diagnosing occupational asthma is presented. Unlike the traditional statistical approach to selecting criterion values, it considers more of the factors that affect clinical decision making, including the value of possible outcomes. This also illustrates the effect of alternate administrative goals such as maximizing benefit to the individual, minimizing cost, or optimizing the cost-benefit ratio.

Asthma↗
PubMed1995

The Occupational Health Partnership Program: a new paradigm for occupational health services.

For a variety of reasons, occupational health services at Army Material Command installations became severely strained during the 1980s. The Occupational Health Partnership Program, developed to improve this support, describes control, responsibility, and cost sharing between Army Materiel Command and Army Medical Command. This innovative approach is finding new solutions to challenging problems. The authors describe the history, principles, status, and possible future of the partnership program.

Health Plan Implementation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Biotransformation in occupational medicine: the role of hepatic cytochrome P-450 in the mechanism of action and the biological monitoring of occupational toxic compounds].

Biotransformation is an important step in the investigation of occupational toxic chemicals. This is because the knowledge of the metabolic pathways and the enzymes involved in the activation and/or detoxication of xenobiotics may help in understanding the mechanism of toxicity and to rationalize the biological monitoring of exposed subjects. The largest enzymatic system involved in the biotransformation of industrial chemicals is cytochrome P-450, a family of haemoproteins capable of metabolizing a vast number of lipophilic, structurally different compounds. The study of the various metabolic reactions of this peculiar group of enzymes has greatly contributed to a) the clarification of the mode of action of several classes of occupational toxic and/or carcinogenic compounds, such as aromatic amines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated alkanes, benzene compounds and others, and b) the improvement of risk assessment in the biological monitoring of the exposed subjects, by allowing the toxicological significance (activation/detoxication) of single metabolites to be better understood.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

A case series of 71 patients referred to a hospital-based occupational and environmental medicine clinic for occupational asthma.

In a ten-year period at the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program (OEMP) of the University of Washington in Seattle, 71 patients were determined by attending physicians to have work-related asthma. In this cross-sectional descriptive study, we describe these patients. Data were obtained from a database maintained by the OEMP and from chart reviews. We found that the three most common specific agents causing asthma were isocyanates, red cedar, and crabs. At least one pulmonary function study was available for all patients and was positive in 56 patients (79%). Among the 71 asthma cases reported in this article, 18 (25%) were attributed to reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS); 19 (27%) to exacerbation of pre-existing asthma; 27 (38%) to sensitization; and 7 (10%) had undetermined causes. We conclude that occupational asthma presents as a result of diverse exposures in multiple work settings and with an array of characteristics. Prevention efforts need to recognize this diversity.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[The French system of occupation medicine. II. Evolution of the French system of occupational medicine].

The author presents a discussion on the format of French occupational health system during the eighties. The discussion responded to challenges of civilization changes and new ideas presented by international organization. Exchange of view between supporters and opponents of the existing system produced its new shape based on two fundamental principles: a multidisciplinary character of workers' health care and a greater involvement of doctors in adapting occupational environment to needs of employees.

France↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The toxicology and prevention of the risks of occupational exposure to aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons. I. Guide lines for the prevention of the risks of occupational exposure to aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons. Società Italiana Valori di Riferimento and Cattedra di Medicina del Lavoro, Università di Brescia].

These guidelines mainly deal with prevention of carcinogenic effects following occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). After some toxicological remarks, the guidelines define a possible method to demonstrate and evaluate occupational exposure to PAH. In particular, it is illustrated the strategy of environmental monitoring and indicated which PAH should be measured, with suggestion about the most appropriate analytical techniques. As regards biological monitoring, the 1-OH-pyreneseems to be currently the most useful indicator since it reflects the recent and global exposure to PAH. The guidelines also give elements to interpret monitoring data, taking into account environmental and biological reference and limit values suggested by some authors, Associations, or current regulations. The most important health effects are carcinogenic and excess risks have been described mainly for lung, bladder and skin cancer in some PAH exposed workers. The studies on cytogenetic effects showed contradictory results. On the basis of such information and current regulations, the guidelines show how to perform health surveillance in preventive and periodical examinations and how to proceed for the information and formation of exposed workers. It is not advisable, on the basis of the current scientific data, to screen asymptomatic PAH exposed workers for early diagnosis of lung or bladder cancer, nor it is opportune the use of tumor markers for health surveillance nor is genetic screening applicable for individual susceptibility evaluation outside research programs.

Carcinogens↗
PubMed1996

Controlling occupational exposure to hazardous drugs. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Guidelines on the safe management of hazardous drugs (HDs) in the workplace are presented. OSHA published guidelines for the safe management of cytotoxic (antineoplastic) drugs in the workplace in 1986. Those guidelines have been revised in this document to reflect the latest scientific knowledge and expanded to include other potentially hazardous drugs. The guidelines (1) provide criteria for classifying drugs as hazardous, (2) summarize the evidence supporting the management of HDs as an occupational hazard, (3) discuss the equipment and worker education recommended, as well as the legal requirements of standards for the protection of workers exposed and potentially exposed to HDs, (4) update the important aspects of medical surveillance, and (5) list some common HDs currently in use. Revised and expanded work-practice guidelines intended to limit the exposure of workers to HDs are described.

Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions↗
PubMed2001

Occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens; needlestick and other sharps injuries; final rule. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Department of Labor. Final rule; request for comment on the Information Collection (Paperwork) Requirements.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is revising the Bloodborne Pathogens standard in conformance with the requirements of the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act. This Act directs OSHA to revise the Bloodborne Pathogens standard to include new examples in the definition of engineering controls along with two new definitions; to require that Exposure Control Plans reflect how employers implement new developments in control technology; to require employers to solicit input from employees responsible for direct patient care in the identification, evaluation, and selection of engineering and work practice controls; and to require certain employers to establish and maintain a log of percutaneous injuries from contaminated sharps.

Blood-Borne Pathogens↗
PubMed2004

[On methods for unambiguous assessment of occupational environmental factors in occupational medicine].

Suggested system to formalize hygienic information is designed for definite and unambiguous assessment of varied totality of occupational environmental parameters in specific object of sanitary supervision; for study and analysis of physiologic, hygienic and clinical dependencies of workers' health state on the work conditions; for further specification of scientifically based prophylactic measures and social economic protection of workers.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1979

Occupational therapy and occupational medicine-a merger.

A working model for occupational therapy intervention in an industrial setting is presented. The model addresses both preventive and problem-solving aspects of practice. An overview of relevant industrial sociology, a discussion of the model, and implications for the therapist are given as well as the viability and benefits of a merger despite the disparate value systems associated with industry and the health services.

Humans↗
PubMed1994

New trends in occupational and environmental diseases: the role of the occupational hygienist in recognizing lung diseases.

This review deals with some of the emerging events that are assuming increasing relevance as work-related respiratory diseases (indoor air pollution and sick building syndrome, respiratory toxicity of formaldehyde, pollutant-induced asthma, dental technician lung diseases, lung cancer from diesel exhaust, environmental silicosis). The industrial hygienist's role in recognition, evaluation, and control of health hazards is stressed as an essential contribution to both prevention and diagnosis of occupational lung disease.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed2002

[Recommendations for non-occupational postexposure HIV prophylaxis. Spanish Working Group on Non-Occupational Postexposure HIV Prophylaxis of the Catalonian Center for Epidemiological Studies on AIDS and the AIDS Study Group].

Evidence is lacking on the possible efficacy and effectiveness of non-occupational postexposure prophylaxis (PEP). However, because of its biological plausibility, the use of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to prevent the development of infection in certain cases of accidental or sporadic exposure has begun to be considered as common clinical practice. Previous studies performed in Spain have demonstrated both the demand and the prescription of ARV as PEP and especially the diversity and inconsistency in the criteria used. In this context, in April of 2000 the Centre for Epidemiological Studies on AIDS of Catalonia (CEESCAT) (Department of Health and Social Security of the Autonomous Government of Catalonia), in collaboration with the National AIDS Plan and the AIDS Study Group (GESIDA), promoted the creation of a working group for the drafting of recommendations for PEP against HIV outside the occupational health context. The recommendations have been made bearing in mind the exceptional character of the exposure, the time elapsed since exposure, as well as evaluation of the risk of infection according to the type of exposure and the information available on the source of infection. In addition, the recommendations include the immediate measures necessary, as well as the preventive measures and clinical follow-up required both for HIV and for other infectious agents. All PEP regimens should be started within 72 hours of exposure and appropriate daily doses of two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and a protease inhibitor (PI), or two NRTIs and a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTIs), should be administered for four weeks, bearing in mind the pharmacological and clinical situation of the source person. These recommendations should be updated periodically.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[The influence of chemical occupational environmental factors on reproduction in women in various occupations].

This review is a survey of the literature on reproductive health effects to female workers exposed to chemicals in different occupations. Epidemiological studies on fertility, spontaneous abortions, congenital malformations, preterm birth, and perinatal death is discussed. The article describes the possible reproductive hazards in occupations with exposure to pesticides, solvents, pharmaceutical products, textile colours, antineoplastic plastic drugs, anaesthetic gases, plastfumes, and metals. Finally the importance of prevention and further research in this area is stated.

Congenital Abnormalities↗
PubMed1982

Classical syndromes in occupational medicine: Phosphorus necrosis--a classical occupational disease.

A disease nearly extinct in occupational health history is phosphorus necrosis, previously seen in near-epidemic proportions among workers making phosphorus-containing matches. Similar destructive lesions were encountered early in the 20th century among personnel fabricating fireworks. Through the diligent efforts of an economist and a supportive congressman, legislation was passed in 1912 placing a tax on phosphorus matches, and because of the fiscal burden resulting, a nontoxic substitute for elemental phosphorus was adopted by all manufacturers. Today phosphorus necrosis is extremely rare, but the former presence of the disease points up both apathy and courage in the identification and eradication of a remarkably disfiguring work-caused disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Evidence-based clinical occupational medicine: updating the ACOEM occupational medicine practice guidelines.

In this article, we review the evolution and application of evidence based medicine and the results of the literature reviews and syntheses incorporated in the second edition of the guidelines. Our intent is to disseminate this information to practitioners treating injured workers and those managing and financing such care and disability management. Use of proven diagnostic, causality, testing,and treatment methods should markedly improve the quality of occupational medical care and make that care more cost effective.

Evidence-Based Medicine↗
PubMed1999

[Occupational protection in biological waste treatment plants from the occupational medicine viewpoint].

Composting of biogenous waste matter constitutes an important segment in the Federal Republic of Germany's developing waste and recycling management. The processes used in compost production entail exposure to bio-aerosols, gases, dust, microorganisms and their toxins, additionally noise, fluctuating climatic conditions and various accident dangers. A study carried out was task with elaborating a specific profile of strains on compost workers in comparison with a control group. 42 composting plants were visited in 1996 and 1997. In the plants, spread out over seven federal states, 184 compost workers participated in 1996 and 178 in 1997. The control group comprised 66 (1996) and 63 (1997) employees of a senior state authority with office and laboratory jobs. About 400 mainly humanly relevant air measurements for meso-phile/thermo-phile actinomycetins or mould fungi provided emissions data for the purpose of estimating biological risks. Jeopardy analysis of jobs for chemical and physical jeopardy factors was based on the checklist method supported by GC-MS screening as well as measurements of noise level, light density and dust concentrations. On-site medical examination of all 491 employees comprised detailed industrial-medical anamnesis, internistic-clinical physical examination, recording of static-dynamic pulmonary function parameters as well as haematological-immuno-serological screening. From the results, it can be concluded that ailments of the respiratory tract and the lungs as well as chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma and exogenous allergic alveolitis are not found with significantly greater frequency in compost workers than they were in the control group. The same is likewise true for allergies, diseases of the locomotor system and the skin. ODTS did not occur. During the study period, there was one case of occupational disease in a compost worker with an hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by Aspergillus fumigatus. Efforts are necessary for a better filter technique and the reduction of noise and carbon dioxide hazards.

Environmental Monitoring↗