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PubMed2006

Queen pheromones affecting the production of queen-like secretion in workers.

The honeybee queen pheromones promote both worker sterility and worker-like pheromone composition; in their absence workers become fertile and express the queen pheromones. Which of the queen pheromones regulate worker pheromone expression and how, is still elusive. Here we investigated how two queen pheromones, the mandibular and Dufour's, singly or combined, affect worker ovarian activation and occurrence of queen-like Dufour's esters. Although queen mandibular pheromone (QMP) alone, or combined with Dufour's secretion, inhibited to some extent worker reproduction, neither was as effective as the queen. The effect of the queen pheromones on worker pheromone expression was limited to workers with developed ovaries. Here too, QMP and Dufour's combined had the greatest inhibitory effect. In contrast, treatment with Dufour's alone resulted in augmentation of esters in the workers. This is another demonstration that a pheromone emitted by one individual affects the rates of its production in another individual. Ester production was tightly coupled to ovarian development. However fertile workers from queenright or QMP-treated colonies had significantly higher amounts of esters in their Dufour's gland than untreated queenless colonies. The fact that the queen or QMP exert greater suppression on signal production than on ovary activation, suggests disparate regulatory pathways, and presents a challenging ultimate as well as proximate questions.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Prevalence and incidence of Lyme borreliosis among Slovene forestry workers during the period of tick activity.

OBJECTIVES: To establish the prevalence and incidence of symptomatic and asymptomatic infection with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato during the period of tick activity, to compare the risk of infection with B. burgdorferi s.l. for forestry workers and indoor workers in Slovenia, and to compare the outcome of an in-house immunofluorescent assay (IFA) and a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). METHODS: The study included 122 forestry workers; the control group consisted of 93 indoor workers. All participants were examined twice in 2002: before the beginning of tick activity (March) and at the end of tick activity (November). At each examination, principal demographic and epidemiological data were collected and a blood sample taken for serological analysis. Specific IgM and IgG antibodies against B. burgdorferi s.l. in the paired sera were determined with an in-house IFA and a commercially available ELISA flagellin test (DAKO). RESULTS: 9.8% of the forestry workers and 4.3% of the indoor workers tested positive for IgG with the IFA (p = 0.26); 23.8% of the forestry workers and 9.7% of the indoor workers tested positive for IgG with the ELISA (p = 0.02). During the study period the incidence of symptomatic Lyme borreliosis was 2.3% and the rate of IgG and/or IgM seroconversion of 10.2% was the same with both tests. CONCLUSIONS: The seroprevalence of antibodies against B. burgdorferi s.l. among the Slovene forestry workers was greater than among the indoor workers, but the difference between the two groups was not significant when the IFA was used. The incidence of Lyme borreliosis during the period of tick activity was lower than we expected, with a large proportion of seroconversions being asymptomatic.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Elevated dioxin blood levels in Russian chemical workers and their children following maternal exposure.

Elevated dioxin levels in children of female workers with elevated dioxin body burden following workplace exposure has not been previously reported. We previously reported elevation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, particularly 2,3,7,8-TCDD, in Russia male and female chemical production workers' blood. Exposure is thought to have occurred in the early 1960s and blood was drawn in 1991. Among those with elevated dioxin levels were women with grown children. Since dioxins can be transferred transplacentally and by nursing, it was decided to see if a relationship existed between blood dioxin levels in mothers and their children. Individual samples were obtained from factory office workers, production workers and their now adult offspring. A pooled blood sample (n = 100) from adult Ufa residents was obtained for comparison. Samples were analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (CoPCBs). Office workers, production workers and workers' children 2,3,7,8-TCDD (TCDD) blood levels ranged from 11 to 273 parts per trillion (ppt) on a lipid basis, while the pooled blood sample (n = 100) from adult Ufa residents had a TCDD level of 12 ppt. Elevated TCDD was detected in all adult children of female production workers tested while two adult children of a male production worker had dioxin levels similar to the general population of Ufa. All children of workers had been nursed by their mothers for the first year of life and none have worked at a chemical plant. The data suggest that relatively large amounts of TCDD were transferred from mother to child approximately 18 to 28 years prior to blood collection. A sample of 2,4,-D amine salt produced at this factory was also analyzed to determine if its dioxin congeners might be contributing to dioxin contamination. 2,3,7,8-TCDD was not detected in the 2,4-D (detection limit of 0.02 ppb), although other dioxins were present, including some with 2,3,7,8- chlorine substitution.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Genetic monitoring of aluminum workers exposed to coal tar pitch volatiles.

A group of 50 workers exposed to coal tar pitch volatiles (CTPV) in an aluminum reduction plant and a group of 50 non-exposed workers were selected to evaluate the genotoxic effects of CTPV exposure. A battery of tests was performed on 3 different body fluids; urine, blood and semen. Urine samples were evaluated for mutagenic constituents using the Ames/Salmonella assay. Cultured lymphocytes from blood samples were used to perform cytogenetic analysis. Semen samples were used to measure sperm count, percent abnormal sperm morphology and frequency of sperm carrying double fluorescent bodies (2-F). 14 of 28 (50%) exposed workers and 7 of 36 (19.4%) non-exposed workers had mutagenic urine. This difference was significant (p less than 0.01). Among the non-smokers a significantly higher percentage of workers who were exposed had positive urine (36%) compared to the non-exposed workers (5%) (p less than 0.05). Among the exposed group, more mechanics had mutagenic urine than did other types of workers. Overall chromosome aberration rates were similar in both exposed and non-exposed workers. Among exposed workers a significant inverse correlation (p less than 0.05) between age and chromatid aberration rate was observed. Results of semen analysis failed to detect differences between exposed and non-exposed workers. Results of these tests lend support to a battery approach to genetic monitoring and suggest a link between exposure to CTPV and genotoxic effects. Detection of exposure to mutagens at an early time offers an opportunity for disease prevention by the reduction of exposure.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Chromosomal aberrations and sister-chromatid exchanges in tool and die workers.

Because tool and die workers are exposed to a number of potentially genotoxic agents, including mutagenic metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and nitrosamines, and may be at increased cancer risk, the present study was undertaken to test whether chromosomal damage in peripheral blood cells is associated with work in the tool and die industry. Lymphocyte cultures were established from 27 tool and die fabrication workers from one manufacturing plant who had worked in the trade for more than 15 years. 15 of these workers also had some form of malignancy at the time of the study, but had not been treated with radiation or chemotherapies that could themselves induce chromosomal damage. The frequencies of chromosomal aberrations and sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) were measured in workers and the data compared with those of a control group consisting of 7 non-fabrication workers from the same plant and 8 age-matched community controls. In addition, the relative rates of lymphocyte proliferation were estimated for each group by analyzing the percentages of first-, second- and third-division mitotic cells after 72 h of culture. The results of the chromosomal studies show that tool and die workers have significantly increased frequencies of aberrations whether engaged in fabrication work or not, compared to control subjects. The frequency of SCEs and the frequencies of 1st, 2nd and 3rd division figures are not different among the study groups. Among workers who are engaged in fabrication, including those who are cancer patients, the frequency of more complex aberrations (i.e., interstitial deletions and small acentric fragments) is increased. In a five-year follow-up of these workers, 2 of the 13 workers with these aberrations developed some form of colon cancer. Whether the presence of interstitial deletions and small acentric fragments is related to the occupation of these workers, or is tangentially related to the development of cancer, is presently under consideration.

Cell Division↗
PubMed2006

Sleep-disordered breathing and blood pressure levels among shift and day workers.

BACKGROUND: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) can be one of the major determinants of high blood pressure (BP), but there has been no study on SDB with an emphasis on shift workers. The objective of this study was to examine whether a relationship between SDB and blood pressure/hypertension is more evident among shift workers than among day workers. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we measured BP levels and oxygen desaturation index (by nocturnal pulse oximetry) among 253 male shift workers and 206 male day workers aged 30 to 62 years at nuclear power plants in Japan. RESULTS: The prevalence of SDB (3% oxygen desaturation index >or=10 and >or=15 per hour) in all subjects was 11.3% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 8.4-14.2) and 6.1% (95% CI 3.9-8.3), respectively, with no statistical difference between shift and day workers. Systolic and diastolic BP levels were correlated with 3% oxygen desaturation index in all subjects after adjustment for potential confounding variables. This association was primarily observed among workers aged >or=40 years, more specifically older shift workers. CONCLUSIONS: A correlation between SDB severity and diastolic BP levels among shift workers aged >or=40 years suggests the importance of screening for SDB among shift workers for BP control.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Diminished cellular and humoral immunity in workers occupationally exposed to low levels of ionizing radiation.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that subgroups of T-lymphocytes are affected at different levels and different cell groups of immune system give different responses in individuals exposed to long-term ionizing radiation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of occupational exposure to low levels of ionizing radiation in selected indices of cellular and humoral immunity in radiology workers. METHODS: Level of subgroups of peripheral blood lymphocytes, complements (C(3), C(4)), and total immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM) were analyzed in 50 radiology workers occupationally exposed to low levels of ionizing radiation and 35 age-matched healthy controls. RESULTS: CD4(+) T lymphocyte (T-helper) levels were determined as significantly low in radiology workers exposed to ionizing radiation compared with controls (p <0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in groups in terms of other subgroups of lymphocytes (p >0.05). In addition, levels of serum total IgG, IgA, IgM, C(3,) and C(4) were determined as significantly lower in workers exposed to ionizing radiation compared with controls (p <0.001). Total IgA and IgM levels in radiology workers who were smokers were determined as significantly lower compared with non-smoking radiology workers (p >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Levels of CD4(+) T lymphocytes and humoral immune response (total immunoglobulins and complements) were determined as weaker in workers exposed to low levels of ionizing radiation compared with controls, indicating the importance of taking appropriate measures to protect radiology workers from exposure to ionizing radiation and for these workers to avoid smoking. Further studies are needed for determining the appropriateness of periodic check-ups of immune functions and the most efficient and cost-effective ways of monitoring immune functions in radiology workers for detecting early changes in the immune system.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Presence and HRCT quantification of bronchiectasis in coal workers.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of bronchiectasis in coal workers with or without coal worker pneumoconiosis (CWP) and to assess the extent of bronchiectasis, severity of bronchial wall dilatation and thickening by high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The retrospective study consisted of HRCT archieves of 93 coal workers. The coal workers with previous diagnosis of COPD (six), asthma (one) and tuberculosis (three) were excluded. Five coal workers with progressive massive fibrosis were not included into the study. The resulting patient group consisted of 78 patients (43 CWP; 35 non-CWP). Pneumoconiosis profusions of CWP workers were between p0/1 and p2/2 according to ILO 1980 chest X-ray classification. HRCT examinations of all subjects were evaluated for the presence, extent, dilatation and thickness of bronchiectasis. Analysis of extent, dilatation and thickness were performed according to established criteria. RESULTS: The diagnosis of bronchiectasis was put on 19 of 43 CWP (44.1%) and 7 of 35 non-CWP workers (20.0%). There were statistically significant differences between bronchiectasis positive and negative coal workers with CWP concerning age and exposure duration (P = 0.012 and 0.009, respectively). Then, multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to define exact risk factors. Exposure duration was only found to be related with presence of bronchiectasis [(odds ratio) OR = 1.494, 95% confidence interval 1.168-1.912]. CONCLUSIONS: The data from the present study shows that bronchiectasis is frequent and severe in CWP workers than without. Bronchiectasis is influenced by coal dust exposure. Thus, coal dust protection measures must be controlled efficiently to prevent bronchiectasis in coal workers.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Health problems lead to considerable productivity loss at work among workers with high physical load jobs.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and validity of two instruments for the measurement of health-related productivity loss at work. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two occupational populations with a high prevalence of health problems: industrial workers (n=388) and construction workers (n=182). We collected information on self-reported productivity during the previous 2 weeks and during the last work day with the Health and Labor Questionnaire (HLQ) and the Quantity and Quality instrument (QQ), with added data on job characteristics, general health, presence of musculoskeletal complaints, sick leave, and health-care consumption. For construction workers, we validated self-reported productivity with objective information on daily work output from 19 work site observations. RESULTS: About half the workers with health problems on the last working day reported reduced work productivity (QQ), or 10.7% of all industrial workers and 11.8% of all construction workers, resulting in a mean loss of 2.0 hr/day per worker with reduced work productivity. The proportion of workers with reduced productivity was significantly lower on the HLQ: 5.3% of industrial workers and 6.5% of construction workers. Reduced work productivity on the HLQ and the QQ was significantly associated with musculoskeletal complaints, worse physical, mental and general health, and recent absenteeism. The QQ and HLQ questionnaires demonstrated poor agreement on the reporting of reduced productivity. Self-reported productivity on the QQ correlated significantly with objective work output (r=.48). CONCLUSION: Health problems may lead to considerable sickness presenteeism. The QQ measurement instrument is better understandable, and more feasible for jobs with low opportunities for catching up on backlogs.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Evaluating the genotoxic effects of workers exposed to lead using micronucleus assay, comet assay and TCR gene mutation test.

To evaluate the genotoxic effects of lead (Pb) exposure, 25 workers in a workplace producing storage battery were monitored for three genetic end-points using micronucleus (MN) assay, comet assay and TCR gene mutation test. Twenty-five controls were matched with workers according to age, gender and smoking. The air Pb concentration in the workplace was 1.26 mg/m(3). All subjects were measured for Pb concentration of blood by atom absorption spectrophotometry. The mean Pb concentration of blood in workers (0.32 mg/l) was significantly higher than that in controls (0.02 mg/l). The results of MN test showed that the mean micronuclei rate (MNR) and mean micronucleated cells rate (MCR) in workers were 9.04+/-1.51 per thousand and 7.76+/-1.23 per thousand, respectively, which were significantly higher than those (2.36+/-0.42 per thousand and 1.92+/-0.31 per thousand) in controls (P<0.01). It was found in the comet assay that the mean tail length (MTL) of 25 workers and 25 controls were 2.42+/-0.09 and 1.02+/-0.08 microm, respectively, there was significant difference between workers and controls for MTL (P<0.01), also the difference of the mean tail moment (MTM) between workers (0.85+/-0.05) and controls (0.30+/-0.09) was very significant (P<0.01). However, in TCR gene mutation assay Mfs-TCR of workers and controls were 1.69+/-0.15 x 10(-4) and 1.74+/-0.17 x 10(-4), respectively, there was no significant difference between workers and controls (P>0.05). The results of our study indicated that the genetic damage was detectable in 25 workers occupationally exposed to lead.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Risk factors of tuberculosis among health care workers in Sabah, Malaysia.

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the main public health problems in Sabah; 30% of the total number of TB cases reported in Malaysia every year occur in Sabah. The average incidence of TB among health care workers over the past 5 years is 280.4 per 100,000 population (1, Annual Report of Sabah State TB Control Programme, 1998). At present, there are no specific measures for the prevention of TB transmission in health care facilities. A case-control study was conducted among health care workers in Sabah in 2000-2001. Cases were health care workers with TB diagnosed between January 1990 and June 2000. Controls were health care workers without TB and working in the same facility as cases during the disease episode. The study attempted to identify risk factors for TB among the study population. Data were collected through structured interviews and review of patients' records. The notification rate of TB among health care workers was significantly higher than that to the general population (Z=4.893, p<0.01). The average notification rate of TB among health care workers over the last 5 years was two times higher than in the general population (280.4/100,000 compared to 153.9/100,000). Regression results showed that ethnicity, designation, family contact and TB related knowledge did not significantly contribute to the risk of contracting TB in this study. However, after controlling for the above factors, age, gender, history of TB contact outside the workplace (other than family contact), duration of service and failure to use respiratory protection when performing high-risk procedures, were the main risk factors of TB among health care workers. This study succeeded in identifying some of the risk factors of TB among health care workers. We managed to include the large ratio of controls to case (3:1) and those cases spanned over a period of 10 years. However, the findings from the study have to be applied with caution due to the limitations of this study, which include recall bias, dropouts, and small sample size. Based on the study findings, we recommend that health care workers in the first 10 years of service should take extra precautions, such as using respiratory protection when performing procedures that are considered to be of high risk with respect to TB infection. They should also undergo TB screening at least once every 2 years and, if symptomatic, offered prophylactic treatment. The Respiratory Protection Programme should be fully implemented to help reduce the risk of TB among health care workers in Sabah.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1988

Immunological and respiratory findings in spice-factory workers.

Immunological and respiratory findings were studied in a group of 45 female spice-factory workers (mean age: 39 years; mean exposure: 17 years). In addition a group of 45 female control workers matched by sex, age, and smoking habit were also studied. Intradermal skin testing with mixed spice dust allergen demonstrated positive skin reactions in 73.3% of exposed and in 33.3% of control workers (P less than 0.001). Increased IgE serum levels were found in 36.8% of exposed and in 9.7% of the control workers (P less than 0.01). The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms was significantly higher in the exposed workers than in the control workers (P less than 0.01). There was, however, no consistent correlation between skin reactivity and chronic respiratory symptoms. There was a high prevalence of acute symptoms during the work shift. These complaints were more frequent in workers with positive skin tests for the symptoms of cough, chest tightness, and irritated and dry throat. Ventilatory capacity was measured by recording maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves. There were statistically significant mean reductions during the work shift for all measured lung function parameters in workers with positive skin reactions. In those workers with negative skin reactions only FEF50 and FEF25 reached statistical significance. Aqueous extracts of different spices (chilli pepper, paprika, caraway, coriander leaves, coriander seeds, cinnamon, ginger, onion, curry, and parsley) caused a dose-related contractile response of isolated guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle. These data suggest that immunologic reactions to spices are frequent in spice workers and may be related to acute symptoms and lung function changes, but not to chronic changes. The data further suggest that, in addition to any immunologic response these spices may produce in vivo, they probably also provoke direct irritant reactions in the airways as suggested by in vitro data.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Reproductive and worker castes in the primitively eusocial wasp Belonogaster petiolata (DeGeer) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae): evidence for pre-imaginal differentiation.

Until recently, morphological differences between castes in independent-founding polistine wasps were considered absent. This paper investigates the extent of morphological and physiological differences between reproductive (foundress and gyne) and worker castes of Belonogaster petiolata, and tests the hypothesis that caste differentiation in this species occurs pre-imaginally.Foundresses were significantly larger than workers, to the extent that foundress/worker ratios were comparable with those between queens and workers in some swarm-founding Polistinae. Early emerging workers were small, but body size increased over the colony cycle such that late-season workers were similar in size to gynes. In proportion to body size, workers possessed broader heads while foundresses and gynes had broader thoraces and gasters. All queens, 98% of subordinate foundresses, and 95% of over-wintering gynes were inseminated. Workers were never inseminated and lacked mature ovaries in colonies with active queens. However, in the absence of the queen (and other foundresses), 11% of workers developed mature ovaries. Ovarian size and fat content of foundresses and gynes was significantly greater than that of workers. The differences in external morphology and reproductive physiology between castes support the hypothesis that differentiation occurs pre-imaginally. However, imaginal factors, in particular social dominance of the queen, maintain the reproductive subordinance of workers.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Brain tyramine and reproductive states of workers in honeybees.

To explore the role of tyramine in the transformation of reproductive states of honeybee workers, brain levels of tyramine and N-acetyltyramine were measured in both normal and queenless workers. Queenless workers had higher tyramine levels and lower N-acetyltyramine levels than normal workers did. Intermediate reproductive workers that were transferred into a normal colony from a queenless colony had intermediate levels of tyramine and N-acetyltyramine. Elevation of tyramine in the queenless workers occurred at an earlier adult stage than elevation of dopamine. Tyramine levels in intermediate reproductive workers returned to the levels seen in normal workers, but dopamine levels in intermediate reproductive workers remained elevated at the same level as in queenless workers. Thus, brain tyramine may be regulated by the colony condition with or without a queen. Injection of an amine uptake inhibitor, reserpine, depleted tyramine and elevated N-acetyltyramine. Distributions of tyramine and dopamine within the brain were distinctively different, whereas distributions of N-acetyltyramine and N-acetyldopamine were similar, suggesting that each functional amine is stored in specific neurosecretory cells and released to the relevant receptor sites but that metabolism into each N-acetylmetabolite is determined by diffusion.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Perceived safety climate, job demands, and coworker support among union and nonunion injured construction workers.

PROBLEM: This study evaluated injured construction workers' perceptions of workplace safety climate, psychological job demands, decision latitude, and coworker support, and the relationship of these variables to the injury severity sustained by the workers. METHODS: Injury severity was assessed using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), which evaluates functional limitations. Worker perceptions of workplace variables were determined by two instruments: (a) the Safety Climate Measure for Construction Sites and (b) the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ). RESULTS: The overall model explained 23% of the variance in injury severity, with unique contributions provided by union status, the Safety Climate Score, and Psychological Job Demands. A positive significant correlation was found between injury severity and the Safety Climate Scores (r = .183, P = .003), and between the Safety Climate Scores and union status (r = .225, P < .001). DISCUSSION: There were statistically significant differences between union and nonunion workers' responses regarding perceived safety climate on 5 of the 10 safety climate items. Union workers were more likely than nonunion workers to: (a) perceive their supervisors as caring about their safety; (b) be made aware of dangerous work practices; (c) have received safety instructions when hired; (d) have regular job safety meetings; and (e) perceive that taking risks was not a part of their job. However, with regard to the 49-item JCQ, which includes Coworker Support, the responses between union and nonunion workers were very similar, indicating an overall high degree of job satisfaction. However, workers who experienced their workplace as more safe also perceived the level of management (r = -.55, P < .001) and coworker (r = -.31, P < .001) support as being higher. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: The findings of this study underscore the critical need for construction managers to alert workers to dangerous work practices and conditions more frequently, and express concern and praise workers for safe work in a manner that is culturally acceptable in this industry. Workplace interventions that decrease the incidence and severity of injuries, but that are flexible enough to meet a variety of potentially competing imperatives, such as production deadlines and client demands, need to be identified.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed1998

Prevalence of and factors related to pneumoconiosis among foundry workers in central Taiwan.

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of and factors related to pneumoconiosis in foundry workers. Seven hundred and eighteen workers from 50 foundries in central Taiwan were interviewed using a constructed questionnaire. A full-sized PA chest radiograph was used to diagnose pneumoconiosis, according to ILO criteria. Overall, pneumoconiosis was found in 7.5% of the workers. The highest prevalence was found among furnace workers (15.9%) and molding workers (8.40%). All foundry workers except those in administrative positions had a significantly increased risk of developing pneumoconiosis. Using a multiple logistic regression, compared to administrative workers, furnace workers had the highest risk (10.63 times), followed by post-treatment workers (6.63 times), and molding workers (5.41 times). In conclusion, the prevalence of pneumoconiosis was significantly related to high concentrations of dust, especially with a high proportion of free silica, however, smoking and length of exposure were also contributing factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Clinical and immunologic studies among egg-processing workers with occupational asthma.

Twenty-five workers in an egg-processing factory were evaluated for respiratory sensitization to inhaled egg proteins by a physician evaluation, serial peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) measurements for a 1-week period, and immunologic tests. Immunologic studies included skin prick tests, serum-specific IgE (RAST), and specific IgG (ELISA) to solutions prepared from commercial food allergens: factory-powdered egg white and yolk products and purified egg white fractions, including ovalbumin, ovomucoid, lysozyme, and conalbumin. Six workers had significant daily PEFR lability (greater than 20%) of whom five had associated cutaneous reactivity to at least one egg allergen. A diagnosis of "definite asthma" was established in five workers suspected by the physician of having asthma. These five workers exhibited significant decrements in daily PEFR that were accompanied by bronchial symptoms. Occupational asthma was diagnosed by the physician in four of the five latter workers. Definite asthma was significantly associated with both cutaneous reactivity to egg allergens (p less than 0.01) and RAST binding (p less than 0.01). Of eight workers with cutaneous reactivity to at least one egg reagent, four workers (50%) were positive to only purified egg white fractions. The highest levels of RAST binding were detected in four workers, and the best binding activity was to ovomucoid and ovalbumin fractions. Elevated specific IgG responses were significantly higher in egg-factory workers to whole egg (p less than 0.005), lysozyme (p less than 0.002), and conalbumin (p less than 0.002) allergens compared to responses of nonexposed control subjects. However, no differences in specific IgG were detected between symptomatic and asymptomatic workers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Pesticide application practices in agricultural workers].

OBJECTIVE: We describe the sociodemographic characteristics and determinants of pesticide exposure in agricultural workers applying pesticides. METHODS: The workers selected were included in a case-control study carried out in the Autonomous Community of Valencia in Spain. Contact was made by telephone and individuals who had been involved in agricultural work during the relevant period of exposure were interviewed face-to-face to gain information on the following determinants of pesticide exposure: crops and periods worked, mixing of products, treatment equipment, participation in the washing of equipment, use of personal protection during the treatments and knowledge of the risks of pesticide exposure. RESULTS: Eighty-nine workers, aged between 16 and 46 years old, were included. Most of the interviewees had primary education or less. Pesticide treatments were mostly applied on high crops (82%), with manual equipment (61%) and throughout the year (45%). Workers frequently performed tasks involving additional exposure to pesticides (mixing chemicals, 66%, or washing equipment, 60%). Sixty-five percent of the workers used no personal protection or used it defectively. No differences were found in personal protection use according to age, family income or education. Most of the workers (90%) reported knowledge of the health risks of pesticide exposure and 21% of them rated the risk as null. CONCLUSIONS: Workers involved in pesticide application use personal protection measures very defectively. There is a clear need to develop specific prevention programs for these workers. The determinants of pesticide exposure in agricultural workers described in this study should be properly assessed in epidemiological studies of the health effects of pesticides on agricultural workers.

Adolescent↗