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PubMed1993

[Hygienic research on new soap preparations for intensive laundry use].

The purpose of the study is to establish hygienic properties of the new preparations for intensive washing and their effect on the skin of man. Examinations are performed on 5 new washing preparations from firm "Verila": "Linda" (from the producer and from the trade network from the country--Ruse, Blagoevgrad, Stara Zagora, Pleven, Cherven Bryag, Plovdiv and Dobrich), recipe No 1, 2, 3 and 4. Sanitary and chemical examinations are carried out: organoleptic indices, nonionogenic surface active substances, total content of surface active substances, content of carbamide, sodium carbonate, ammonium nitrate, formaldehyde and free alkali. Investigations are made on 125 volunteers for skin irritative and allergenic effect, with epicutaneous test before and after 30-day washing--respectively with 0.5% and 2% and with 5% and 20% of the washing preparations. The results point out the absence of ammonium nitrate and formaldehyde and compliance with the content of the composition of the declared expenditure norms (except of "Linda" from the trade network of the country). There are no reactions of skin irritation and allergy in neither of the subjects with all washing preparations. Recommendations are given to the producer for observing the technological discipline and requirements to the packings.

Bulgaria↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Patient clothing. Personal laundry: an essential part of patient care.

Caring for a person's clothes while they are in hospital or any other care setting is a fundamental part of ensuring that his or her needs are met. This paper discusses the issues involved, concentrating on the independent sector, but the importance of the subject for nurses in all sectors is also looked at.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Allergic contact dermatitis to detergents: a multicenter study to assess prevalence.

BACKGROUND: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to optical brighteners and enzymes in laundry detergents was the focus of numerous reports in the early 1970s. Subsequently, there has been little published on the incidence of allergic reactions to chemicals in laundry detergents. Nonetheless, consumers and physicians continue to ascribe allergic contact reactions to laundry detergents. OBJECTIVE: This article reports the findings of a multicenter study on the prevalence of patch test reactions to a liquid and a granular laundry detergent provided by Procter & Gamble Company (Cincinnati, Ohio). METHODS: Patients referred to members of the North American Contact Dermatitis Group for evaluation of potential ACD were invited to participate in the study, which involved the placement of 2 patch tests (a 0.1% aqueous dilution of a granular laundry detergent and a 0.1% aqueous dilution of a liquid laundry detergent). Whether the patients had atopic dermatitis and whether they or their physicians felt that their dermatitis might be related to laundry detergents were noted. Reactions to the laundry detergents were correlated with allergic reactions to the following screening chemicals: fragrances, nickel, and potassium dichromate. Patients who experienced a reaction to at least one of the laundry detergents could enter phase II of the study, which involved testing to varying dilutions of the laundry detergents, to 0.1% sodium lauryl sulfate (as an irritant control), and to laundered patches of cotton. Patients positive in phase II could enter phase III, which involved wearing a garment laundered with the detergent. Phases II and III were double blinded. RESULTS: Of the 3120 patients seen by members of the North American Contact Dermatitis Group during the 2 years of this study, 738 patients volunteered to enroll. Enrollment was not statistically randomized. Of these 738, 5 (0.7%) had positive patch test reactions to granular laundry detergent (0.1%, aqueous); 3 of these 5 also had positive reactions to the liquid laundry detergent (0.1%, aqueous). In 4 of the 5 patients, the reaction to detergent was thought to have present relevance to their dermatitis; in 1 of the 5, the reaction was deemed to have past relevance. One of these 5 patients had allergy to fragrances. None of the patients was positive to nickel or chromate. Two of the 5 entered phases II and III. Of these 2 patients, 1 had essentially negative repeat dilutional patch testing and "use testing" suggesting that the earlier reaction patterns may have been irritant. The remaining patient had positive dilutional reactions to both the liquid and granular laundry detergent; however, she also had a positive reaction to sodium lauryl sulfate and to a swatch from a T-shirt laundered without detergent. Upon "use testing" in phase III, this latter patient experienced diffuse dermatitis under both the half of the T-shirt laundered with detergent and that laundered without detergent. CONCLUSION: Laundry detergents appear to be a rare cause of ACD. Among 738 patients with dermatitis, 5 (0.7%) reacted to a 0.1% aqueous dilution of a laundry detergent. Only 2 of these 5 patients could be evaluated in greater detail to differentiate allergic from irritant patch test reactions to detergents. Upon further testing in 2 patients, the reaction in 1 of 2 could not be reduplicated and the reaction in the other was invoked both by the detergents and the controls. Thus, whether our study patients were truly allergic and, if so, what the allergenic material(s) in detergents might be, remains unknown. Therefore the reported incidence rate for detergent-induced allergy of 0.7% in dermatitic patients may be too high, possibly because of false-positive irritant reactions.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Design features to enhance external hip protector adherence in the nursing home setting.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the preferences for external hip protector (EHP) design features of both certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and nursing home laundry personnel, and to test the durability of favored model features. DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive study of CNAs' and laundry personnels' preferences and a prospective experimental study of EHP fastener durability under institutional laundry conditions. SETTING: Three urban nursing homes and a hospital-based laundry service. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-seven CNAs, 4 laundry service supervisors. INTERVENTION: Five focus groups with CNAs and a survey of laundry supervisors were conducted to elicit preferences of EHP design features with an emphasis on convenience and durability. A laundry test of 20 EHPs was conducted to compare these design features. RESULTS: There was wide agreement among CNAs and laundry personnel that EHPs with soft pads in garments of light neutral colors, and cotton-blend fabrics were most preferred. CNAs preferred sewn-in pads to removeable ones, but laundry personnel had no consensus on this issue. For dependent residents, wraparound (front opening) garments using Velcro were preferred by CNAs, whereas laundry supervisors preferred snap closures. When EHP underwent repeated washing in the laundry test, Velcro and snaps were functionally comparable at 52 cycles. Garments constructed of heavyweight cotton blends, polyester, or cotton with spandex maintained elasticity at 52 weeks, whereas the lightweight cotton blend stretched significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Based on CNAs' preferences, laundry personnels' input, and a laundry test, EHP design features that could enhance both caregiver efficiency and resident comfort include soft pads sewn into a light-colored (but non-white) heavier weight cotton-blend garment, with the availability of both a pull-up style and a wraparound style using Velcro fasteners. Snaps did not demonstrate superior durability in the laundry test, but further comparison with Velcro under clinical conditions is indicated. Education and inclusion of CNAs in EHP decision making are important ways to improve EHP adherence.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2002

A skin sensitization safety assessment of a new bleach activator technology in detergent applications.

A new chemical called nonanoyl amido caproylacid oxybenzenesulphonate (NACAOBS) is being developed for use as a bleach activator in laundry detergents. Bleach activators, like NACAOBS, are typically used at levels between 2% and 6% in laundry detergents. NACAOBS is stable in aqueous solutions, but undergoes rapid perhydrolysis when combined with water and peroxygen bleach in laundry detergents. Animal testing demonstrated that NACAOBS, as a raw material, is a weak skin sensitizer. Clinical testing, including extended simulated laundry pretreatment, human repeat insult patch testing and home use testing was then undertaken, following sufficient reassurance of 1) the weak sensitization potential of the substance, 2) its rapid degradation in laundry wash solutions and, consequently, 3) low-to-negligible consumer dermal exposures to the native substance. Results confirmed the skin sensitization safety profile of laundry detergents containing NACAOBS, namely the absence of any reaction suggestive of contact sensitization (even under exaggerated dermal exposure conditions in a detergent matrix), and a skin compatibility profile comparable to that of current detergents. Further confirmation of the skin safety profile was obtained from a successful 12-month market test of a granular detergent containing 3.6% of the new substance, during which not a single adverse skin reaction was reported. In addition, NOBS (an oxybenzenesulphonate structural analogue to NACAOBS) has similar toxicological properties and has been safely marketed in detergents at similar levels for many years. It can be concluded that the likelihood of NACAOBS to induce skin sensitization or even elicit allergic reactions in consumer detergent use scenarios is negligible.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Spontaneous abortion in dry cleaning workers potentially exposed to perchloroethylene.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between spontaneous abortion and work within dry cleaning units in the United Kingdom where the solvent perchloroethylene is used. METHODS: A retrospective occupational study of reproductive outcome in 7305 women aged 16 and 45 years, who were currently or previously employed in dry cleaning or laundry units in the United Kingdom. Data on workplace exposures and reproductive outcome were obtained by postal survey. A sample of reported spontaneous abortions was validated from medical records. Machine operator versus non-operator was used as a surrogate for exposure to perchloroethylene in dry cleaning units as no data on individual doses were available for women in this study. RESULTS: The response rate was higher for current workers of dry cleaning units (78%), than for past workers of dry cleaning units (46%). Similarly, the response for current laundry workers (65%) was higher than that for past laundry workers (40%). Overall, the reproductive characteristics of the respondents were similar to expectation. Examination of exposure at the time of pregnancy, however, showed that the rate of spontaneous abortion varied according to the type of work the women did during the pregnancy or in the three months before conception: being lowest for pregnancies not exposed to either dry cleaning or laundry work (10.9%), higher for those exposed to laundry work (13.4%), and higher still for those exposed to dry cleaning work (14.8%). Within the group of pregnancies exposed to dry cleaning, the proportion was higher if the woman reported that she worked as an operator at the time of the pregnancy (17.1%) rather than as a non-operator (11.6%). Adjusted odds ratios for the period 1980-95 showed that the risk was over 50% higher in operators than non-operators (p = 0.04). The physical demands of the two jobs are likely to be similar. A higher risk was found when work as a dry cleaning operator was compared with no work in either dry cleaning or laundry units during pregnancy. Exposure to dry cleaning as a non-operator was not associated with any excess risk. CONCLUSIONS: Women who worked in dry cleaning shops at the time of their pregnancy or in the three months before who described themselves as operators were about half as likely again to report that their pregnancy ended in a spontaneous abortion than women who described themselves as non-operators.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1984

It pays to share services.

It may not be a new concept but more and more hospitals today are realizing that shared services is one of the most efficient and cost effective ways to operate. For some, it is the only way. Although it can be applied to pharmacy, food service, certain medical procedures and diagnostic services, the department which probably derives the greatest benefits from a shared or central service is the laundry. Two recently completed western facilities, Hospital Laundry Services of Regina and Calgary Hospitals Regional Laundry, mark a new era in laundry service. Using state of the art technology, modern energy conservation systems and equipment, efficient operating measures and sophisticated building design, plants such as these are quickly replacing outdated hospital facilities and equipment. And despite some dissatisfaction among hospital employees and occasionally patients, the cost savings alone prove that the future of shared laundry services is imminent.

Alberta↗
PubMed1991

A study of the effect of perchloroethylene exposure on semen quality in dry cleaning workers.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of perchloroethylene (PCE) exposure on human semen quality. We compared the semen quality of 34 dry cleaners with that of 48 laundry workers. We examined the relationships of 17 semen parameters to expired air levels of PCE and to an index of exposure based on job tasks in the last three months. The average sperm concentration was over 80 million for both dry cleaners and laundry workers, but approximately one-quarter of each group was oligospermic. The overall percentage of abnormal forms was similar for the two groups; however, sperm of dry cleaners were significantly more likely to be round (t = -3.29, p = 0.002) and less likely to be narrow (t = 2.35, p = 0.02) than the sperm of laundry workers. These effects were dose-related to expired air levels and to the exposure index after controlling for potential confounders (e.g., heat exposure). The average percent motile sperm for both groups was slightly over 60%; however, sperm of dry cleaners tended to swim with greater amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) than those of laundry workers (t = -1.73, p = 0.09), and level of PCE in expired air was a significant predictor of ALH in the multiple regression model (t = 2.00, p = 0.05). In addition, exposure index was a significant negative predictor of the sperm linearity parameter (t = -2.57, p = 0.01). These results suggest that occupational exposures to PCE can have subtle effects on sperm quality. Additional analyses are required to determine whether these effects are associated with changes in fertility.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Exposure to antineoplastic drugs outside the hospital environment.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives were (i) to identify occupational populations outside hospitals working with antineoplastic drugs, (ii) to determine the size of the populations 'at risk', (iii) to identify major determinants and routes of exposure outside hospitals and (iv) to estimate exposure levels and frequencies relative to levels found in hospitals. METHODS: The survey consisted of two phases; (i) identification of activities with potential exposure to antineoplastic drugs by literature review, interviews, questionnaires and workplace visits, (ii) exploratory measurements of exposure and surface contamination in selected sectors. RESULTS: Eight sectors were identified with potential exposure to antineoplastic drugs: pharmaceutical industry, pharmacies, universities, veterinary medicine, nursing homes, home care, laundry facilities, and waste treatment. Four sectors were of primary concern: veterinary medicine, home care, nursing homes and industrial laundries. The populations potentially exposed in these sectors vary considerably (from several tens to thousands of workers), as do their levels of exposure. Exposure measurements collected in the veterinary medicine sector showed that workers are indeed exposed to antineoplastic drugs and, in some cases (on gloves after administration), levels were 15 times higher than levels measured during administration in hospitals. Workers sorting contaminated hospital laundry in industrial laundry facilities were exposed to antineoplastic drugs through inhalation. For the home care and nursing homes sectors the highest exposure levels were found when cleaning toilets and washing treated patients. These two sectors are expected to have the largest exposed population (5,000-10,000 individuals). CONCLUSIONS: This study has resulted in a comprehensive overview of populations with potential exposure to antineoplastic drugs. Exposure levels can potentially be high compared with the hospital environment, because exposure routes are complex and awareness of the hazard (and therefore use of protective measures) is low. The number of individuals outside hospitals in The Netherlands exposed to antineoplastic drugs is estimated to be between 5,000 and 15,000.

Antineoplastic Agents↗