Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Automobiles”

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 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Daytime sleepiness and automobile accidents in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

We evaluated the rate of automobile accidents and daytime sleepiness using the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) in 44 patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). We defined the automobile accident score as a sum of two points for every one automobile accident and one point for every near-miss accident. Automobile accidents and near-misses were found in 54.5% and 50.0% in patients with OSAS. Automobile accident score was significantly correlated with the ESS score (r=0.56, P < 0.01). Our findings suggest that ESS score may be useful in detecting patients with the potential risk of automobile accidents associated with daytime sleepiness.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2000

Habitually sleepy drivers have a high frequency of automobile crashes associated with respiratory disorders during sleep.

Sleepiness is a common cause of traffic crashes with a cost of billions of dollars per year. A recent study has found that 2 to 3% of drivers are habitually sleepy while driving. However, there has not been a controlled study to define the characteristics, driving performance, or automobile crash rate of habitually sleepy drivers. The prevalence of respiratory disorders during sleep, and whether these respiratory disorders contribute to the increased automobile crash frequency, is unknown in habitually sleepy drivers. We interviewed 4,002 randomly selected drivers to define the prevalence of drivers who are habitually sleepy while driving. We studied the habitually sleepy drivers and an age- and sex-matched control group of drivers. These studies included reporting of daytime sleepiness, automobile crashes, driving performance and sleep studies. Of the 4, 002 drivers interviewed, 145 (3.6%, confidence interval [CI] = 3.1 to 4.3) were habitually sleepy while driving. The habitually sleepy drivers reported a significantly higher frequency of auto crashes than control subjects (the adjusted odds ratio [OR] was 13.3, CI = 4. 1 to 43). The habitually sleepy drivers had a significantly higher prevalence of respiratory sleep disorders than control subjects. For a total respiratory events index (apneas, hypopneas, and other respiratory effort-related arousals) >/= 15 the adjusted OR was 6.0, CI = 1.1 to 32. In the habitually sleepy drivers group, the frequency of sleep apnea (apnea-hypopnea index) between subjects with or without auto crashes was not statistically different. However, if we consider total respiratory events index, this frequency of respiratory sleep disorders was significantly higher in subjects with automobile crashes (the adjusted OR for a total respiratory event index >/= 15 was 8.5, CI = 1.2 to 59). Habitually sleepy drivers are a large group of drivers (1 of 30 drivers) who are involved in several fold more automobile crashes than control subjects. As these excess auto crashes can be explained in part by the presence of respiratory disorders during sleep, which are treatable, many automobile crashes in these sleepy drivers may be preventable. Our findings suggest that asking about excessive sleepiness while driving may better predict which subjects with breathing disorders during sleep have crashes than asking about overall sleepiness.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2006

Chrysotile asbestos exposure associated with removal of automobile exhaust systems (ca. 1945-1975) by mechanics: results of a simulation study.

For decades, asbestos-containing gaskets were used in virtually every system that involved the transport of fluids or gases. Prior to the mid-1970s, some automobile exhaust systems contained asbestos gaskets either at flanges along the exhaust pipes or at the exhaust manifolds of the engine. A limited number of automobile mufflers were lined with asbestos paper. This paper describes a simulation study that characterized personal and bystander exposures to asbestos during the removal of automobile exhaust systems (ca. 1945-1975) containing asbestos gaskets. A total of 16 pre-1974 vehicles with old or original exhaust systems were studied. Of the 16 vehicles, 12 contained asbestos gaskets in the exhaust system and two vehicles had asbestos lining inside the muffler. A total of 82 samples (23 personal, 38 bystander, and 21 indoor background) were analyzed by Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) and 88 samples (25 personal, 41 bystander, and 22 indoor background) by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Only seven of 25 worker samples analyzed by TEM detected asbestos fibers and 18 were below the analytical sensitivity limit (mean 0.013 f/cc, range 0.001-0.074 f/cc). Applying the ratio of asbestos fibers:total fibers (including non-asbestos) as determined by TEM to the PCM results showed an average (1 h) adjusted PCM worker exposure of 0.018 f/cc (0.002-0.04 f/cc). The average (1 h) adjusted PCM airborne concentration for bystanders was 0.008 f/cc (range 0.0008-0.015 f/cc). Assuming a mechanic can replace four automobile single exhaust systems in 1 workday, the estimated 8-h time-weighted average (TWA) for a mechanic performing this work was 0.01 f/cc. Under a scenario where a mechanic might repeatedly conduct exhaust work, these results suggest that exposures to asbestos from work with automobile exhaust systems during the 1950s through the 1970s containing asbestos gaskets were substantially below 0.1 f/cc, the current PEL for chrysotile asbestos, and quite often were not detectable.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Impact of scarcity of automobile fuel on attendance at a referral centre for tuberculosis in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis in its pulmonary and extra-pulmonary form is still a common finding in the developing world. This study was to investigate the impact of a period of scarcity of automobile fuel in the Niger-Delta area of Nigeria on attendance at a Tuberculosis Referral Centre in Igbogene, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. METHODS: Data was collected on attendance before, during and after the scarcity. This Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Centre is run by a German non-governmental organization. (NGO), and the State's Ministry of Health. No user fee is charged. RESULTS: During the period of scarcity of automobile fuel, the total 12-months attendance of males decreased to 25.1% of that before the advent of scarcity. Attendance rose in the post-scarcity period, but reached only 78.5% of the pre-scarcity level. For females, the 12 months attendance during the scarcity period reduced to 75.3% of the pre-scarcity level. The 12-months attendance by females rose in the post-scarcity period to 109.2% above the pre-scarcity level. There was no evidence of an increase in attendance over the course of the period of automobile fuel scarcity among either males or females. CONCLUSION: The scarcity of automobile fuel which usually translated to an increase in cost of transportation probably increased the number of untreated tuberculosis patients in the population with potential serious long term health implications. The provision of vehicles as well as facility for storage of automobile fuel to this referral Centre by either the NGO or the Ministry of Health is suggested. This would allow the Centre carry out domiciliary service to these patients.

Automobile Driving↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Exposure to emissions from gasoline within automobile cabins.

Gasoline is emitted from automobiles as uncombusted fuel and via evaporation. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) from gasoline are at higher levels in roadway air than in the surrounding ambient atmosphere and penetrate into automobile cabins, thereby exposing commuters to higher levels than they would experience in other microenvironments. Measurements of VOC concentrations and carbon monoxide were made within automobiles during idling, while driving on a suburban route in New Jersey, and on a commute to New York City. Concentrations of VOC from gasoline were determined to be elevated above the ambient background levels in all microenvironments while VOC without a gasoline source were not. The variability of VOC concentrations with location within the automobile was determined to be smaller than inter-day variability during idling studies. VOC and carbon monoxide levels within the automobile cabin differed among the different routes examined. The levels were related to traffic density and were inversely related to driving speed and wind speed. Overall, daily VOC exposure for gasoline-derived compounds during winter commuting in New Jersey was estimated to range between 5 and 20% and constituted between 15 and 40% of an individual's daily exposure based on comparison to urban and suburban settings, respectively. VOC exposure during commuting in Southern California was estimated to range between 15 and 60%.

Air↗
PubMed1985

Physician knowledge and clinical behavior regarding automobile safety for children.

A mail survey was conducted in May 1983 of pediatricians and family and general practitioners in San Antonio, TX, to assess their influence on automobile safety of patients. Information on sociodemographic data and personal and professional behavior with respect to automobile safety for children was elicited. A 17-item knowledge index was significantly correlated with physician's own use of seat belts, number of children less than 5 years old, exposure to use of child restraints during residency, clinical behavior (asking about use of child restraints during the first and subsequent well-child visits, instructing parents about automobile safety for children, dispensing literature in the office), being a pediatrician, and being Board certified. Knowledge was inversely correlated with physician's age. Education of parents by physicians about automobile safety for children was infrequent. Only 29% of physicians always or usually ask at the first well-child visit if child restraints are being used. Only 8% of physicians received training during their residencies; this points to a need for educating physicians in automobile safety for children.

Accident Prevention↗
PubMed1983

Automobile accidents in Illinois veterinarians.

Interviews to solicit information on total automobile or truck travel, occupation related travel and automobile accidents were completed on 1082 non-military veterinarians in Illinois in 1969. Most had driven between 10,000 and 19,999 miles the previous year. Of the 1082 veterinarians interviewed, 313 had been in a total of 416 automobile accidents; of which 228 had been in only 1 accident, 69 in 2 accidents, 14 in 3 accidents and 2 veterinarians had 4 accidents each. the frequency of automobile accidents correlated directly with the number of work-related miles driven. Large animal, general practice and government employed were the three practice types with most miles traveled and greatest percent of miles traveled which were occupationally related. Veterinarians who had been in one or more automobile accidents differed from the total veterinary population in that fewer were married, veterans, smokers, had consulted a physician concerning their health the last six months or had been sick following insecticide use. Searches of death certificates indicated that 14 Illinois veterinarians had died as a result of vehicular accidents between 1950 and 1973, a figure similar to the rate in Illinois white males.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Luminescent determination of automobile petrol in hexane solutions.

The work deals with the problem of determination of automobile petrol of various octane numbers and petroleum contamination of some objects on the basis of analysis of photoluminescence spectra of automobile petrol samples. For this purpose steady state luminescence properties of samples of automobile petrol of different types being in sale were measured. Samples of automobile petrol diluted in hexane were prepared and their luminescence spectra were measured at room and liquid nitrogen temperatures of samples. We constructed concentration dependences of luminescence intensity of both wide band luminescence of liquid solutions obtained at room temperature and peak intensities of luminescence lines of quasi linear spectra of solutions frozen at 77 K. Possibility to use luminescence method for analysis of petrol pollutions on some objects is illustrated by results of investigation of pine-wood pieces contaminated by automobile petrol.

Gasoline↗
PubMed1983

On the contribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to the carcinogenic impact of automobile exhaust condensate evaluated by local application onto mouse skin.

The objective of this investigation was to identify the substances chiefly responsible for the carcinogenicity of automobile exhaust condensate using topical application onto the skin of mice. This was performed by comparing the carcinogenic effect of various fractions with that of an unseparated sample of automobile exhaust condensate, tested in 3 different doses. The probit and Weibull analysis of the result shows: (a) The condensate, emitted from a gasoline-driven automobile provokes local tumors after long-term application to the dorsal skin of mice. The tumor incidence demonstrates a clear cut dose-response relationship. (b) The fraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) containing more than 3 rings accounts for about 84-91% of the total carcinogenicity of automobile exhaust condensate. This fraction represents only about 3.5% by wt of the condensate. (c) The content of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) (0.414 mg/g) accounts for 6-7.6% of the total carcinogenicity of automobile exhaust condensate, 15 selected PAHs for about 41%. (d) Regarding the minor effect of the PAH-free fraction (about 83% by wt), no hints for a cocarcinogenic activity were observed.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Evaluation of biological monitoring markers using genomic and proteomic analysis for automobile emission inspectors and waste incinerating workers exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or 2,3,7,8,-tetracholrodedibenzo-p-dioxins.

In this study, we investigated the effects of PAHs and dioxin on mRNA and plasma protein expression using genomic and proteomic analysis for automobile emission inspectors and waste incineration workers. About 54 workers from automobile emission inspection offices, 31 workers from waste incinerating company and 84 unexposed healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. Urine and air samples were collected and analyzed by HPLC and GC/MS. Comet assays were carried out to evaluate any DNA damage in mononuclear and polynuclear cells. A significant difference in Olive tail moments in mononuclear cells was observed between exposed and control subjects (P < 0.0001). To examine the differences of the gene expression profile in automobile emission inspectors and waste incineration workers, radioactive complementary DNA microarrays were used to evaluate changes in the expression of 1,152 total genes. The gene expression profiles showed that 11 genes were up-regulated and 4 genes were down-regulated in waste incinerating workers as compared with controls. Plasma proteins were analyzed by 2-dimentional electrophoresis with pH 3-10 NL IPG Dry strip. The protein expression profiles showed that 8 proteins were up- regulated and 1 protein, haptoglobin, was down- regulated in automobile emission inspectors and waste incineration workers. Serum paraoxonase/ arylesterase was found only in the plasma of waste incineration workers. The expression of genes and proteins involved in oxidative stress were up-regulated in both automobile emission inspectors and waste incineration workers. Several proteins, such as transthyrethin, sarcolectin and haptoglobin, that were highly up- or down-regulated, could serve as biological monitoring markers for future study.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Automobile accidents in patients with sleep apnea syndrome. An epidemiological and mechanistic study.

To investigate the association between sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) and automobile accidents, and to evaluate potential underlying mechanisms, we prospectively recruited 60 consecutive patients with SAS (apnea-hypopnea index, 58 +/- 3 h-1) and 60 healthy control subjects, matched for sex and age. The number of automobile accidents during the past 3 yr was obtained from participants and insurance companies. We quantified the degree of daytime sleepiness (Epworth scale), anxiety and depression (Beck tests), and we assessed the level of vigilance (PVT 192) and driving performance (Steer-Clear). Patients had more accidents than control subjects (OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 0.97 to 5.33) and were more likely to have had more than one accident (OR: 5.2; 95% CI: 1.07 to 25.29, p < 0.05). These differences persisted after stratification for km/yr, age, and alcohol consumption. Patients were more somnolent, anxious, and depressed than control subjects (p < 0.01), and they had a lower level of vigilance and poorer driving performance (p < 0.01). Yet, we did not find any correlation between the degree of daytime sleepiness, anxiety, depression, the number of respiratory events, nocturnal hypoxemia, level of vigilance, or driving simulator performance and the risk of automobile accidents among SAS patients. In conclusion, patients with SAS have an increased risk of automobile accidents. None of the clinical or physiological markers commonly used to define disease severity appear able to discriminate those patients at higher risk of having an automobile accident.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1986

Automobile safety restraints for pregnant women and children.

Automobile safety restraints were introduced into the United States over 20 years ago but continue to be utilized by a minimum number of automobile passengers. Universal usage could reduce highway crash fatalities by an estimated 9,000-15,000 lives per year. Although women generally utilize automobile safety restraints more than do men, there is a dramatic diminution during pregnancy, when usage rates approximate those of men. In pregnant women the largest single cause of maternal death is automobile crashes. In infants and small children the restraint efficiency approaches 90% protection. Health care providers should become actively involved in seeing that automobile safety restraints are properly utilized on pregnant women, infants and children.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2007

The inadequate effect of automobile seating on foot posture and callus development.

Driver posture is an important factor to be considered in the ergonomics design process of automobiles. Most decisions during automobile design and manufacture are informed by studying the intricate biomechanical components of human musculoskeletal systems to ensure maximum comfort, safety and well-being during driving. A case study is presented that confirms inappropriate foot position as a causative factor for the development of abnormal lateral/plantar heel callosities when driving a 4 x 4-style vehicle. The driver's foot position was influenced by the seat geometry of the vehicle. Cessation of driving the 4 x 4-style vehicle and driving of an alternative automobile while on holiday for a period of 4 weeks resolved the condition. On return to the 4 x 4-style vehicle, however, the abnormal callus patterns redeveloped while using the same footwear and no change in any other parameters. It is therefore suggested that seat and consequent foot position is an important ergonomic factor that should be addressed in the future design of automobile seating.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Effect of aftermarket automobile window tinting films on driver vision.

This study was conducted to determine the level of automobile window tint that causes a significant reduction of vision for automobile drivers. Contrast sensitivity was measured on 20 participants, of whom 10 were age 20 to 29 years and 10 were age 60 to 69 years, through a stock automobile window (control) and two windows darkened with plastic film. For the younger drivers, a car window with 37% transmittance did not significantly reduce contrast sensitivity, but a darker tint of 18% transmittance reduced contrast sensitivity at higher spatial frequencies. For the older drivers, a tint of 37% transmittance significantly reduced mid-to- high spatial frequency contrast sensitivity. The typical state standard (no tint with less than 35% transmittance) would thus seem to be appropriate for younger drivers; however, further examination of the standard may be necessary in regard to older drivers. Actual or potential applications of this research include guidelines and regulations regarding tinting of automobile windows.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Concentrations of volatile organic compounds in the passenger side and the back seat of automobiles.

The in-vehicle volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations during commutes have previously been measured in only one single interior sampling location, considering a sample collected in the single interior location as representative of overall VOC concentrations within an automobile. The present study evaluated if the potential differences in VOC concentrations occur in the automobiles' interior during idling and commuting under different driving conditions associated with the use of air cleaning devices (ACDs) and interior fan. The experiments were conducted under the low ventilation condition with the windows and the vent closed and the fan off. The difference of VOC concentrations between passenger side and back seat during idling was small. The variability of VOC concentrations with location inside automobiles while commuting was not significant at p < 0.05, regardless of the use of ACDs and/or the interior fan, while inter-vehicle variability was significant at p < 0.05. In addition, currently available ACDs equipped with activated carbon filters in Korea were ineffective at removing VOCs from the interior of automobiles. The concentrations of the two lightest ones of the target compounds, benzene and toluene, were significantly higher inside two vehicles than in the roadway air at p < 0.05, while the in-vehicle and roadway concentrations of the other target compounds did not differ significantly at p < 0.05 for both vehicles. The concentrations of all target VOCs, except benzene, were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the interior of older car than of newer car. Median in-vehicle concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, p-xylene, m-xylene, and o-xylene were 38.3, 107, 9.2, 7.8, 16.9, and 10.7 micrograms/m3, respectively.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Analysis of possible lower lumbar strains caused by the structural properties of automobile seats: a review of some recent technical literature.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies on low back pain (LBP) persistently point to a strong correlation with whole-body vibration from motor vehicle driving. Vehicle vibration enters the driver's body through the seat. Therefore, the analysis of the vibrational properties of automobile seats is a necessary prerequisite to understanding the correlation between LBP and driving. OBJECTIVE: To examine structural properties of automobile seats that might be a source of LBP for the passenger, to modify the seat design accordingly, and to have it tested by drivers who have LBP. DATA SOURCES: Recent studies of the vibrational properties of automobile seats published in automotive technical journals not readily accessible to a medical audience are summarized and further analyzed from a biomechanical point of view. CONCLUSION: Because of the strong coupling between the seat backrest and the vehicle floor, a differential motion between backrest and seat cushion occurs when one is driving. It inevitably induces continuous strains in the lower lumbar spine of the seat occupant and is therefore a possible source of LBP. Vibrational measurements performed on a prototype automobile seat with a vertically moving backrest show that, compared with a standard seat with fixed backrest, the differential motion is strongly reduced. The resulting relief of LBP is confirmed by drivers who used this type of seat.

Automobile Driving↗
PubMed2005

Attendance at a hospital emergency department by drivers involved in automobile accidents in Italy.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the profile of drivers involved in automobile accidents attending a hospital emergency department (ED) in Catanzaro (Italy). METHODS: Car drivers involved in automobile accidents who were registered for emergency care between May 2003 and February 2004 were included in the study. Demographics and details of the accident were collected immediately after admittance, before examination by the medical staff. For each patient, the medical staff completed a form including diagnostic investigations and medical/surgical examination in the ED. RESULTS: Of a total of 424 drivers included in the study 27.4% had conditions that were definitely non-urgent problems. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the use of the ED as a source of non-urgent care was significantly higher among patients who were driving at a lower speed when the accident occurred, among those who presented to the ED before the implementation of the new Italian traffic code, and among those who underwent fewer diagnostic investigations and medical/surgical examinations in the ED. Most of the automobile related lesions occurred in the neck (43.9%) followed by multiple body regions (12.5%) and the upper extremities (10.4%). According to the nature of the injury a third were contusions (34%), followed by pain without physical signs and symptoms (28.8%), and dislocation, sprains, and strains (22.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Development of health promotion and education campaigns is required to prevent the use of the ED as a source of non-urgent care by those involved in automobile accidents.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1989

Pedal error and misperceived centerline in eight different automobiles.

The hypothesis that misperception of an automobile's centerline is related to pedal error was tested in eight late-model automobiles. Pedal error is described as hitting the accelerator pedal when instructed to depress the brake pedal. One hundred twenty-nine subjects participated in an experiment in which pedal errors and perceived centerline were measured in all eight automobiles. The results indicate that subjects misperceive the centerline of the automobile to be to the right of the actual centerline. Although 26 pedal errors were recorded, no relationship between pedal errors and misperceived centerline was found.

Automobile Driving↗