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PubMed1998

Experiment of intranasal synthetic filter for prevention of suspended particulated matter: rhinomanometric evaluation.

The experimental study of intranasal synthetic filter with stent was tried to decrease suspended particulate matter for human respiratory tract. Facial mask or surgical mask were evaluated. Nasal vestibular size in Thai adults was estimated. Different kinds of stents and filters were used. Standard anterior rhinomanometry was the proper objective method to test nasal air flow resistant of stent and filter. Nasal obstructive symptom correlated well with rhinomanometric results. One layer of outer and inner face mask at each end of the cylindrical silicone stent was the suitable device. There were no complications or side effects. This personal protective device was cheap and available. The filtration efficacy should be tested in a general population during a highly air-polluted period.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1977

Protection against photic damage in retinitis pigmentosa.

Experiments on photic damage to the retinas of rats with hereditary retinal dystrophy and some tentative clinical evidence on human patients suggest that, in human retinitis pigmentosa, one could try to protect the retina and especially the rods from bright light in an attempt to delay the retinal degeneration and to prolong the period of useful vision. Several theoretical criteria have been proposed for protection of RP patients from possible photic retinal damage. Observing these criteria, Adrian developed a brownish ophthalmic filter which absorbs the short wavelengths preferentially, thus protecting the rods primarily. Whether or not use of these filters will be efficacious has yet to be determined and will require careful experimentation and the accumulation of clinical experience. Several brown ophthalmic filters also have been tested against the criteria for a protective device. The NoIR Amber 7% plastic glasses satisfy these criteria quite well and thus can be considered as a substitute for the Adrian lens. The characteristics of the two types of filters are compared. Experience with different methods of protection may show whether it is better to attempt to delay degeneration of both retinas simultaneously by decreasing their illuminations with filters or to exclude light completely from one eye in an attempt to preserve it while the other eye degenerates in the usual course of the disease. In any event, given the present state of knowledge, it seems to be appropriate, especially in the early stages of the disease, to suggest that RP patients protect their retinas from excessive light.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

The otolaryngologist and hearing protectors.

There is increasing evidence that hearing conservation programs based on hearing protective devices can be and are effective. Hearing conservation requires effort and all successful programs seem to be based on a mixture of engineering, monitoring, and personal protection.

Audiometry, Pure-Tone↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Beliefs and attitudes among Swedish workers regarding the risk of hearing loss.

The beliefs and attitudes regarding the risk of hearing loss and their impact on hearing protector use were investigated among Swedish workers. A questionnaire, developed by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), was used. The study objective was to assess workers' attitudes towards using hearing protection devices (HPDs) and to enhance the ability of workers to protect themselves from occupational hearing loss. Ninety-five per cent of the respondents were aware that loud noise could damage their hearing, 90% considered that a hearing loss would be a serious problem, and 85% believed that HPDs could protect their hearing. However, lower percentages of workers always used the HPDs when they were noise-exposed. Fifty-five per cent of the workers indicated that they could not hear warning signals when using HPDs, and 45% of the workers indicated that they considered HPDs to be uncomfortable. These issues must be addressed to make HPD use more effective.

Ear Protective Devices↗
PubMed2001

Balancing speech intelligibility versus sound exposure in selection of personal hearing protection equipment for Chinook aircrews.

BACKGROUND: Aircrews are often exposed to high ambient sound levels, especially in military aviation. Since long-term exposure to such noise may cause hearing damage, selection of adequate hearing protective devices is crucial. Such devices also affect speech intelligibility. When speech intelligibility and hearing protection lead to conflicting requirements, a compromise must be reached. The selection of personal equipment for RNLAF Chinook aircrews is taken as an example of this process. METHODS: Sound attenuation offered by aircrew helmets and ear plugs was measured using a standardized method. Sound attenuation results were used to calculate sound exposure. Objective predictions of speech intelligibility were calculated using the Speech Transmission Index (STI) method. Subjective preference was investigated through a survey among 28 experienced aircrew members. RESULTS: The use of ear plugs in addition to a (RNLAF standard) helmet may lead to a significant reduction of sound exposure. Using ear plugs that offer high sound attenuation, instead of using a less attenuating type, gives a little additional reduction of sound exposure, at the expense of a large reduction in speech intelligibility. Hence, it is better to use 'light' ear plugs. Better performance still is offered by Communications Earplugs, ear plugs featuring integrated miniature earphones. Results from the user preference survey correspond well with objective measurement results. CONCLUSIONS: In the case of the RNLAF Chinook, the best solution is using Communications EarPlugs in combination with a standard helmet. The Chinook case clearly illustrates that hearing protection and speech intelligibility should be treated as connected issues.

Aerospace Medicine↗
PubMed1987

Protective value of powered dust respirator helmet for farmers with farmer's lung.

Seventeen victims of farmer's lung were monitored during two indoor feeding seasons for cattle. The victims, who had all recovered from the acute phase of the disease before entering the experiment, used powered helmets for respiratory protection (Air-Stream) equipped with Type P2 filters. Filters were changed once a week. The lung function of each subject was investigated at the beginning and towards the end of the indoor feeding season. Each subject kept a diary about the use of dust respirators, changing of filters, inconvenience related to the use of respirators, and symptoms experienced during the follow-up. None of the subjects reported symptoms they related to farmer's lung, and mean values for the lung function parameters (PEF, FEV1, FVC, DLCO, and KCO) did not decrease during the two follow-up periods. In contrast, mean DLCO and KCO increased slightly. At the very end of the both indoor feeding seasons, after the actual follow-up periods, one subject developed mild recurrences of the disease without deterioration detectable by radiology. The patient asserted that he had used the protective helmet properly. The results indicate that powered respirator helmets have protective value in farmer's lung and are appropriate for long-term use. A possibility remains, however, that the disease may recur in highly sensitized individuals, despite the use of efficient protective devices. Other measures for preventing or decreasing mould exposure are equally important.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

The protective influence of logger's safety equipment.

The effects of loggers' personal protectors and the safety equipment of chain saws were investigated with a postal questionnaire. The sample included 1,200 loggers. The main purpose of the inquiry was to collect data on accidents and near-accidents; special attention was paid to the role and behavior of protective devices in both accident and near-accident situations. Twenty-seven percent of power saw operators reported incidents (near-accidents) which had occurred within the last year and in which some personal protector or piece of safety equipment had prevented harmful mechanical contact. The workers estimated that the average absence from work due to these reported near-accidents would have been 15 workdays if the injury had not been prevented. Sixty percent of the near-accidents occurred during limbing operations, and 30% during falling. The protective equipment which most often prevented injuries was safety boots, which were followed by the safety helmet and leg protectors. The chain of the saw was stopped by the safety padding of the protective equipment in every other near-accident involving chain saws. The chain was blocked by padding material in every sixth situation . In 10% of the near-accidents, the chain perforated the protective equipment.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2002

A review of assigned protection factors of various types and classes of respiratory protective equipment with reference to their measured breathing resistances.

The British Standards Institution 'Guide to implementing an effective respiratory protective device programme' (BS 4275) lists assigned protection factors (APFs) for various types of respiratory protective equipment (RPE). The APFs were allocated either on the basis of available workplace studies data which met set criteria or on the basis of professional judgement that there is equivalence between its operation and that of a device for which an APF is derived from workplace data. However, in many cases no workplace study information exists to support this professional judgement. As an interim measure, pending information based on workplace measurements, the breathing resistance of a range of tight-fitting RPE from negative pressure filtering devices through to self-contained positive pressure breathing apparatus was measured at various breathing rates. The relative inhalation resistances were then compared on the assumption that similar breathing resistance performance is likely to give similar inward leakage on a facepiece and hence similar protection if all other factors, such as fit, etc., are equal. This work indicates that for most devices the allocation of APFs by analogy to other devices seems to be acceptable. However, there appears to be no justification for the allocation of an APF value of 100 to continuous flow compressed air line breathing apparatus. It is recommended that it should be lowered to 40 until there is valid workplace study data to support the current APF of 100. The work provides an informative insight into the relative performance of devices.

Humans↗
PubMed2002

[In vitro and in vivo studies of the "VITA" device].

Many in vitro and in vivo experiments using contemporary methods supported safety and efficiency of "VITA" device protecting humans and living beings from electromagnetic fields. Therefore, bioenergetic safety device "VITA" is advisable for use.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Use of protective equipment in a cohort of rugby players.

PURPOSE: To describe the level of usage of protective devices and equipment in a cohort of New Zealand rugby players. METHODS: Male and female players (N = 327) from a range of competitive grades were followed over the course of the season. Participants were interviewed weekly about their participation in rugby and use of protective equipment. The main outcome measure was percentage of all player-weeks of follow-up for which each equipment item was used. RESULTS: Mouthguards, the most commonly used equipment item, were worn for 64.9% of player-weeks. Mouthguard usage ranged from 55.0% of player-weeks in Schoolgirls grade to 72.9% of player-weeks in Senior A competition. The next most common item was taping of body joints (23.7% of player-weeks). The sites most commonly taped were the ankle, knee, and hand. Overall usage for the other protective equipment items studied (shin guards, padded headgear, head tape, support sleeves, and grease) was below 15%. In general, forwards had higher usage of protective equipment than backs, and male players had higher usage than female players. The most common self-reported reasons for using protective equipment were to prevent injury and because of a past injury. Players exhibited considerable week-to-week variation in their usage of protective equipment. CONCLUSIONS: In general, equipment usage was highest in those at greatest risk of injury, namely, forwards, male players, and the senior grades. The high voluntary use of mouthguards is encouraging and indicative of a base of player support for their role in this sport.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Hazard zones and eye protection requirements for a frosted surgical probe used with an Nd:YAG laser.

Detailed radiometric analyses are reported on selected frosted-style laser surgical probes that are in use in laser surgical procedures. These measurements were performed in order to determine their nominal hazard zone (NHZ) and the requirement for protective eyewear. All measurements were conducted under worst-case conditions using a 30-W Nd:YAG laser. The results show that for the style of probe tested, the NHZ can be considered a spherical volume of 1.3 m and will require eye protection devices having a maximum optical density rating of 4.3 at 1.06 microns for all personnel who may come within that range.

Eye Protective Devices↗
PubMed1983

Hearing protectors: a review of recent observations.

Hearing protectors are the most widely used means of protecting hearing from the harmful effects of noise. Economic considerations make it unlikely that noise can be reduced at the source to acceptable levels in the immediate future and isolation of workers in sound-attenuating enclosures or reduction of an individual's exposure time is not always practical. Personal hearing protective devices are affordable and readily available. Despite many years of use, a number of theoretical and practical questions remain about their utility.

Ear Protective Devices↗
PubMed1993

A practical guide for protecting personnel, pregnant personnel, and patients during diagnostic radiography and fluoroscopy.

The following article presents a comprehensive overview of the practical aspects of radiation protection for diagnostic radiology. The topics discussed include background radiation levels, typical exposure levels for radiologic technologists, risk estimates, the relationship between dose and effect, dose limits, personnel monitoring, protective devices, gonadal shielding, and the immobilization of patients. Special attention has been given to the concerns of pregnant personnel and pregnant patients.

Female↗
PubMed1979

The physiological consequences of wearing industrial respirators: a review.

The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and American Conference of Govermental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Respiratory Protective Devices Manual, published in 1963, has as its primary source of physiological background the work of Silverman and co-workers performed during World War II. The adoption of permanent OSHA standards governing work tasks requiring workers to use respirators has created a need for further evaluation of the physiological effects of wearing a respirator. This review was undertaken to meet the need of an in-depth evaluation of the currently available psychophysiological data. It was concluded that it was of the utmost importance to develop a physiological and psychological medical screening examination to determine the capability of the worker to use a respirator.

Body Temperature Regulation↗
PubMed1989

Effects of pressure-demand respirator wear on physiological and perceptual variables during progressive exercise to maximal levels.

Current regulations governing the certification of respiratory protective devices are based on data published in the early 1950s. The limited data base of this early work and documented increases in the average height of the population underscore the need for additional information concerning the parameters of certification. In the present study, a protocol using an inclined treadmill (0.5% grade every 12 sec) was used to test a heterogeneous population (n = 38). Through submaximal up to and including maximal exercise levels with and without respirator wear, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was significantly greater (p less than 0.01) with the respirator (44.11 +/- 1.3 mL/kg.min) than without the respirator (42.18 +/- 1.4 mL/kg.min) while maximal ventilation volumes (VEmax) were not significantly different (with = 118.7 +/- 4 L/min; without 119.6 +/- 5 L/min). While peak inspired flows (PFI) with the respirator (268 +/- 7 L/min) were less than without the respirator (281 +/- 9 L/min), p greater than 0.05, the lower peak expired flow (PFE) with the respirator (289 +/- 12 L/min) than without the respirator (324 +/- 13 L/min), p less than 0.01, indicated a significant blunting effect of the respiratory flows by the expired resistance during exercise to maximal levels. Peak inspired pressures (PPi) with and without the respirator were not significantly different (p greater than 0.05). The negative values obtained within the facepiece of the respirator (-7.65 +/- 0.8 cmH2O), however, indicate that the positive pressure within the facepiece was lost, and respiratory protection may be compromised. Peak expired pressure with the respirator (13.05 +/- 0.7 cmH2O) was significantly greater than without the respirator (10.7 +/- 0.5 cmH2O) indicating that, despite a lower PFE, greater force was required to overcome the resistances of the respirator on expiration. The dyspnea index, an index of physiological effort; suggests that the subjects were working at a higher percentage of their respiratory reserve with the respirator (p less than 0.05) than without. Perceptually, subjects also felt that breathing with the respirator was more difficult (p less than 0.05). The maximum heart rate and the ratings of perceived exertion were not significantly different between the two tests at maximal exercise levels. Maximum oxygen uptake was considered reached when subjects attained a respiratory exchange ratio of at least 1.15, when a heart rate response at or greater than age-predicted maximum was achieved, when ratings of perceived exertion indicated exhaustion, and/or when the measure of VO2 had plateaued during the final minute of exercise.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Equipment Design↗
PubMed1989

An acoustic head simulator for hearing protector evaluation. II: Measurements in steady-state and impulse noise environments.

The attenuation characteristics of hearing protection devices (HPDs) were measured using a modular acoustic head simulator. The effect in changes in the head configuration was assessed in a steady-state diffuse sound field. The use of artificial circumaural skin had a relatively small influence on the insertion loss of earmuffs (max. 6-7 dB at low frequencies). This contrasts to the very large effects found for the artificial intraaural skin on the insertion loss of earplugs (in excess of 40 dB at low frequencies for some devices). Results were also compared with real-ear attenuation at threshold (REAT) data (ANSI S3.19-1974). In general, there is good agreement between the two methods, especially for earmuffs. Design improvements are proposed for earplugs. The result of an exploratory study aimed at measuring the complex (amplitude and phase) insertion loss of HPDs using an impulse noise source are also reported.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed2005

Assessment of short-term outcomes for protected carotid angioplasty with stents using recent evidence.

BACKGROUND: Carotid artery stenosis is an important risk factor and etiology of stroke. Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is the gold standard for the treatment of carotid artery stenosis; however, there are potential benefits to adopting the use of carotid artery stenting (CAS) with protection devices. A number of large protected CAS (PCAS) trials are underway, but final results are still several years away. In the interim, numerous PCAS studies have recently been published, and the aim of this study was to combine the published results and examine the outcomes and safety of PCAS. METHODS: Electronic, manual, and bibliographic searches of PubMed and PreMedline were conducted. Proportion differences were calculated for the periprocedural (30-day) outcomes of any stroke and any stroke or death. RESULTS: More than 400 articles were identified. Only 26 studies met the inclusion criteria, resulting in the inclusion of 2,992 patients treated with PCAS. Within this patient group, the pooled perioperative PCAS rate of any type of stroke was 2.4% +/- 0.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]). The 30-day minor stroke rate was 1.1% +/- 0.2% (95% CI), and the 30-day major stroke rate was 0.6% +/- 0.2% (95% CI). The 30-day mortality rate was 0.9% +/- 0.4% (95% CI). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates relatively low rates of reported perioperative adverse events in PCAS. Selective use of PCAS to treat carotid artery stenosis in those at highest risk for surgical complications is appropriate until the randomized trials of CEA vs PCAS provide concurrent short- and long-term outcome data.

Angioplasty↗