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PubMed2001

Blood concentration of essential trace elements and heavy metals in workers exposed to lead and cadmium.

The aim of the study was to determine blood concentration of essential trace elements (Se, Zn, Cu) and toxic metals (Pb, Cd), markers of antioxidant (activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxidase dismutase and ceruloplasmin) and prooxidant processes (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)) in workers exposed to Pb and Cd. Forty three male workers of the lead-acid batteries department, aged 25-52 years, and twenty two workers, including 15 women, aged 36-51 years, exposed to Cd in the alkaline batteries department were examined. The reference group consisted of 52 healthy inhabitants of the same region. It was found that Se concentration and GPx activity in both erythrocytes and plasma of Cd exposed workers were significantly lower (p < 0.001) than in the reference group. We found an inverse linear correlation between blood Se and Cd concentrations in the workers exposed to Cd (r = -0.449; p < 0.01). Moreover, the activity of erythrocyte and plasma GPx was shown to be significantly lower in the study group of workers (p < 0.001). It was observed that TBARS concentration in plasma was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the lead exposed workers than in the group without contact with Pb. Our results indicate that exposure to Pb and Cd affects the antioxidant potential of blood in workers exposed to heavy metals.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Evaluation to the exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, toluene and xylenes in workers in a power plant fueled with heavy oil].

Occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been demonstrated in many industrial sectors. However, up to date there are few studies in the literature on PAH exposure in thermoelectric power plants. The study was aimed at the evaluation of personal exposure to PAHs in workers of a power plant fueled with heavy oil. Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and to benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTX) was evaluated on power plant workers exposed to heavy fuel oil; the control group consisted of office workers of the same power plant. Altogether 39 subjects were studied, for a total of 84 days of monitoring. Personal environmental exposure, cutaneous exposure and urinary concentrations of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP), trans,trans-muconic acid (TTMA) and nicotine were measured. Personal environmental exposure to PAHs was very low; only maintenance workers showed exposure to total carcinogenic PAHs significantly higher than controls (median levels 3.05 and 0.88 ng/m3 respectively). All workers showed very low levels of dermal exposure to PAHs (less than 1 ng). The median 1-OHP urinary concentrations were 0.16, 0.11 and 0.08 mumol/mol creatinine in the groups of exposed workers and 0.08 mumol/mol creatinine in the control group. Neither the exposed workers nor the controls showed a significant increase in 1-OHP urinary concentrations across the shift. The regression analysis showed a significant effect of cigarette smoking on urinary 1-OHP, while no association was observed between occupational exposure and diet. Personal environmental exposure levels to BTX were very low. TTMA urinary concentrations of the exposed subjects were similar to those of the controls. No significant increase in the TTMA urinary concentrations was observed across the shift and, as expected, smokers showed higher values than non-smokers. The study did not show a measurable intake of PAHs and BTX in power plant workers that could be ascribed to occupational exposure, thus confirming the efficacy of the protective measures in force.

Benzene↗
PubMed1999

[A study on the relationship between lymphocyte micronucleus rates and blood plasma benzo(a)pyrene levels in coking workers].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between lymphocyte micronucleus rates and blood plasma levels of benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P] in coking workers. METHODS: One hundred coking workers and 100 unexposed workers were selected, and their lymphocyte micronucleus rates and plasma levels, as well as workplace air concentrations, of B(a)P were determined. RESULTS: It showed that there was significant difference in plasma B(a)P level between coking workers and unexposed workers, and it correlated with air concentration of B(a)P in the workplace. Positive rates of micronucleus and rates of micronucleus lymphocyte were 60% and 1.79per thousand in coking workers and 29% and 1.10per thousand in controls, respectively, with very significantly statistical difference. It also showed that positive micronucleus rate correlated with plasma level of B(a)P in dose-effect pattern. Multivariate analysis showed that factors contributing to positive micronucleus rate ranked in such an order: plasma level of B(a)P, economic status, regularity of their lifestyle and smoking status of the coking workers. CONCLUSION: Accumulation of B(a)P in blood plasma played a major role in the formation of lymphocyte micronucleus. Results of micronucleus test in coking workers could reflect preliminary damage to their health caused by it.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Studies on the Ras p21 levels in workers exposed to coal tar pitch and coke oven volatiles].

To study the effects of serum p21 levels on the health of coal tar pitch(CTP) and coke oven volatiles (COV) workers recognized as the high risk population of pulmonary carcinoma, serum p21 levels among 24 cases of CTP workers, 25 cases of COV workers and 12 cases of normal control were detected with the method of Western Blotting. The results showed that the mean serum p21 level in exposed group was significantly higher than that in the normal control (366.8 vs 1270.7, P < 0.001). In the COV workers, serum p21 level in coke furnace workers was remarkably higher than that in the workers with other types of work. There were no differences for p21 among workers with different work years and between workers with or without smoking history. It indicates that CTP and COV can cause the p21 protein level increase in the occupational population.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Military medicine: establishing a more comprehensive strategy for improved worker health.

In an era of decreased resources, optimizing worker safety and health has become increasingly challenging. Data obtained from the Army and Navy Safety Centers suggest that current strategies for managing worker safety and health can be improved. In the past, work safety management practices placed sole responsibility for safety upon the worker. More recently, safety and health practices have recognized that organizational climate and structure influence worker safety and health. Furthermore, although worker safety and health, work site health promotion, and risk management efforts have been managed autonomously, all three components are interrelated and dependent on one another to achieve greater worker safety and health. The intent of this article is to increase awareness and marketing among military medicine staff members of the crucial components of an improved health and safety program. This article explains common organizational barriers to achieving worker safety and health, provides an understanding of the interconnectedness of occupational safety and health, health promotion, and risk management, and suggests strategies for optimizing worker safety and health.

Health Promotion↗
PubMed2001

[Study on the working noise in BYPC and the effects caused by working noise on the workers' vestibular and auditory function].

OBJECTIVE: In order to observe the kinds and intensity of the working noise of Yansan Petrochemical Co. and the effects caused by the working noise on the workers' vestibular and auditory function. METHOD: The intensity and frequency of the working noise were recorded by exactolnoisemeter in the workshop. One hundred and seventeen workers were tested in routine pure-tone tested method. The SPVN and ABR were tested within fifty-one workers of all. RESULT: The working noise of Yansan Petrochemical Co. belongs to the broad band and steady noise. The intensity of the working noise were during 85.7-104.0 dB(A) and the main frequency were during 1-8 kHz. About 59 percent workers who exposed to the working noise had hearing loss. The most hearing-loss were in the high frequency. The hearing-loss of speech frequency were slight. Workers who have more six years standing have obviously increased hearing-loss than the workers who have less five years standing. There were significant differences the ABR thresholds and wave-interval between the tested and controlled groups. The SPVN and CP were abnormal in more than 17.4 percent workers with hearing loss. CONCLUSION: The working noise of Yansan Petrochemical Co. belongs to the broad band and steady noise. Working noise can lead to workers' hearing loss of certain degrees who exposed in the noise for a long time. Obvious correlation was not defined between the hearing-loss and the abnormal vestibular response group.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Pattern and cost of medical care for workers with schistosomiasis.

This study describes the pattern of medical care provided to workers with schistosomiasis, estimate the total medical cost and to identify the proportional rates of sickness retirement attributed to schistosomiasis. The observational approach was adopted for this study 170 schistosomiasis workers and a similar number of controls were included in this study. An interviewing schedule and a special format were designed for collecting personal, medical and early retirement data. The results revealed that the mean total cost in the outpatient clinics was significantly higher for schistosomiasis workers than their controls (320.2 " 330.11 versus 210.8 " 260.01 L.E). The hospital cost was also higher for schistosomiasis workers compared with their controls (265.9 " 674.47 vs 195.8 " 629.72 L.E) but this differencewas not statistically significant. More than 80% of the total hospital cost was spent on bed cost. The average operative cost/worker was significantly higher among the schistosomiasis workers than the control workers (7.08 " 22.07 vs 2.35 " 5.2 L.E). The total medical cost (outpatient and hospital) was significantly higher for workers with schistosomiasis compared with their controls (586.02" 845.77 vs 406.57 " 694.34). The total number of workers who retired because of sickness disability other than schistosomiasis increased from 1994 to 1998 with a ratio of 2.54 while those who retired because of schistosomiasis and its complications increased with a ratio of 3.64.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Biomarkers in Czech workers exposed to 1,3-butadiene: a transitional epidemiologic study.

A multiinstitutional, transitional epidemiologic study was conducted with a worker population in the Czech Republic to evaluate the utility of a continuum of non-disease biological responses as biomarkers of exposure to 1,3-butadiene (BD)* in an industrial setting. The study site included two BD facilities in the Czech Republic. Institutions that collaborated in the study were the University of Vermont (Burlington, Vermont, USA); the Laboratory of Genetic Ecotoxicology (Prague, the Czech Republic); Shell International Chemicals, BV (Amsterdam, The Netherlands); the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA); University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (Galveston, Texas, USA); Leiden University (Leiden, The Netherlands); and the Health and Safety Laboratory (Sheffield, United Kingdom). Male volunteer workers (83) participated in the study: 24 were engaged in BD monomer production, 34 in polymerization activities, and 25 plant administrative workers served as unexposed control subjects. The BD concentrations experienced by each exposed worker were measured by personal monitor on approximately ten separate occasions for 8-hour workshifts over a 60-day exposure assessment period before biological samples were collected. Coexposures to styrene, benzene, and toluene were also measured. The administrative control workers were considered to be a homogeneous, unexposed group for whom a series of 28 random BD measurements were taken during the exposure assessment period. Questionnaires were administered in Czech to all participants. At the end of the exposure assessment period, blood and urine samples were collected at the plant; samples were. fractionated, cryopreserved, and kept frozen in Prague until they were shipped to the appropriate laboratories for specific biomarker analysis. The following biomarkers were analyzed: * polymorphisms in genes involved in BD metabolism (Prague and Burlington); * urinary concentrations of 1-hydroxy-2-(N-acetylcysteinyl)-3-butene and 2-hydroxy-1-(N-acetylcysteinyl)-3-butene (M2 [refers to an isomeric mixture of both forms]) (Amsterdam); * urinary concentrations of 1,2-dihydroxy-4-(N-acetylcysteinyl)-butane (M1) (Amsterdam); * concentrations of the hemoglobin (Hb) adducts N-(1-[hydroxymethyl]-2-propenyl)valine and N-(2-hydroxy-3-butenyl)valine (HBVal [refers to an isomeric mixture of both forms]) (Amsterdam); * concentrations of the Hb adduct N-(2,3,4-trihydroxybutyl)valine (THBVal) (Chapel Hill); * T cell mutations in the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) gene (autoradiographic assay in Galveston with slide review in Burlington; cloning assay in Leiden with mutational spectra determined in Burlington); and * chromosomal aberrations by the conventional method and by fluorescence in situ hybridization [FISH]), and cytogenetic changes (sister chromatid exchanges [SCEs] (Prague). All assay analysts were blinded to worker and sample identity and remained so until all work in that laboratory had been completed and reported. Assay results were sent to the Biometry Facility in Burlington for statistical analyses. Analysis of questionnaire data revealed that the three exposure groups were balanced with respect to age and years of residence in the district, but the control group had significantly more education than the other two groups and included fewer smokers. Group average BD exposures were 0.023 mg/m3 (0.010 ppm) for the control group, 0.642 mg/m3 (0.290 ppm) for the monomer group, and 1.794 mg/m3 (0.812 ppm) for the polymer group; exposure levels showed considerable variability between and within individuals. Styrene exposures were significantly higher in the polymer group than in the other two groups. We found no statistically significant differences in the distributions of metabolic genotypes over the three exposure groups; genotype frequencies were consistent with those previously reported for this ethnic and national population. Although some specific genotypes were associated with quantitative differences in urinary metabolite concentrations or Hb adduct dose-response characteristics, none indicated a heightened susceptibility to BD. Concentrations of both the M2 and M1 urinary metabolites and both the HBVal and THBVal Hb adducts were significantly correlated with group and individual mean BD exposure levels; the Hb adducts were more strongly correlated than the urinary metabolites. By contrast, no significant relations were observed between BD exposures and HPRT gene mutations (whether determined by the auto-radiographic or the cloning method) or any of the cytogenetic biomarkers (whether determined by the conventional method or FISH analysis). Neither the mutational nor the cytogenetic responses showed any association with genotypes. The molecular spectrum of HPRT mutations in BD-exposed workers showed a high frequency of deletions; but the same result was found in the unexposed control subjects, which suggests that these were not due to BD exposure. This lack of association between BD exposures and genetic effects persisted even when control subjects were excluded from the analyses or when we conducted regression analyses of individual workers exposed to different levels of BD.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

IgG subclass antibody against trimellitic anhydride in workers with and without immunologic lung diseases.

In a retrospective comparison of two worker cohorts with elevated total antibody against trimellitic anhydride (TMA) conjugated to human serum albumin (TM-HSA), IgG subclass antibodies against TMA were studied in 19 workers with and 12 workers without TMA-induced immunologic lung disease. The main outcome measures were ELISA index of IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4 against TM-HSA. There were no statistically significant differences in levels of any IgG subclass between these two groups. Neither were there any statistically significant differences when workers without lung disease were compared with subgroups of workers with lung disease, such as late respiratory systemic syndrome (n = 8), asthma/rhinitis (n = 6), or both (n = 5). In TMA workers with elevated total antibody against TM-HSA, IgG subclasses against TM-HSA in workers with TMA-induced immunologic lung disease were not different from workers without disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Evaluation of the quality of life of disabled workers based on the most frequently used type of health care].

An investigation was conducted among the dock workers from the port of Rijeka, where disabled workers made 13.1% of the total number of the employed. The most common causes of disablement were musculo-skeletal and connective tissue diseases (27%), injuries (20%) and diseases of the nervous and circulatory systems (13%). Chronic diseases in these workers whose mean age was 43.8 years were twice as frequent as in other workers (mean age 39.7 years). The average working span of disabled workers was 12.2 years, compared to 8.9 years of the rest of the working population. Analysis showed that in the year after disability assessment, workers with reduced working capacity visited their physicians 2.1 and specialists 1.7 times less often than the other workers. In general, the rate of absenteeism in the year following the assessment of disability was reduced 3.5 times. All the differences were very significant, (P < 0.01). Results lead to the conclusion that medical and social rehabilitation of disabled workers as well as their integration into the working environment were very successful, which undoubtedly had a positive impact on the quality of their life.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Medical findings in nickel-cadmium battery workers.

Thirty-eight workers from a factory producing nickel-cadmium and other types of batteries came to us for medical evaluation. They included 21 women and 17 men (seniority 2-20 years, age range 31-63 years), and represented a self-selected subset of 700-900 ever-employed and 200+ recently or currently employed workers in the factory. Thirty-four worked on the nickel-cadmium assembly line. Symptoms and signs included: headache in 34; weakness, fatigue and lassitude in 26; dizziness in 16; pruritus and skin eruptions in 37; gingivitis, teeth loss and caries in 34; nasal congestion, nosebleeds and anosmia in 30; cough, phlegm production, wheezing and shortness of breath in 26; "asthma" in 14; bone pain in 18; urinary frequency, beta 2 microglobulinuria and kidney stones in 17; and sterility or multiple abortions (33) in 8 of 21 women. One additional patient had died from an "amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-like syndrome", while CT scans in six workers revealed brain atrophy. One other worker had leukemia, and two had died from cancer (lung and pancreas). Those who had worked for more than 10 years had more symptoms and signs than shorter-term employees, especially neurological illness, bone pain and urinary tract problems, including beta 2 microglobulinuria. Past blood and urinary cadmium levels were in the range of 1.6-8.7 micrograms/dl and 8-306 micrograms/l, respectively. Our findings indicated that: a) health risks for workers were not confined to the nickel-cadmium assembly line or to older workers, b) hazardous exposures still existed and illness appeared in new workers after a clean-up and intervention program, and c) exposures involved increased risks for renal disease and cancers. Finally, there is a need to control exposures and determine health risks in the full cohort of those ever employed, in the workers' children, and in the surrounding environment (air, ground, water) due to the dumping of waste from the plant.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Can we consider medical residents as shift workers?

Although medical residents are characterized by long working hours, night shifts and high levels of work load, it is unclear if their work schedule can be classified as shift work, or if it has a similar impact on residents' well-being. The present paper compared the profile of complaints about sleep or daytime functioning of medical residents to that of rotating shift workers and day workers, of similar ages. Sixty-one residents (aged: 32.2 +/- 2.2 years), after 2 years of residency, participated in the study. The two control groups with a similar age range (26-40 years) were chosen, and included 94 rotating shift workers and 146 day workers. All subjects completed self-administered questionnaires on their sleep habits, and their sleep-wake cycle was monitored by a wrist-worn actigraph. Ten percent of the residents complained about difficulties falling asleep, 34% complained about morning tiredness, 14% complained about mid-sleep awakening, and 20% about prolonged fatigue. The residents slept significantly less than the day workers, and their sleep efficiency was significantly higher. When examining their subjective complaints profile, residents complained more than day workers and their answers were more similar to those of rotating shift workers, therefore they can be considered to be characterized as shift workers.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2002

[The relationship between glutathione S-transferase M1 genotypes and lipid peroxidation in asbestos workers].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) genotypes and lipid peroxidation of asbestos workers. METHODS: 94 asbestos workers and 51 controls were selected as subjects. The general information, occupational history and individual habits were collected by questionnaires in all participants. The venous blood was sampled and the plasma was separated for the detection of malondialdehyde (MDA) level and lymphocytes for DNA isolation and GSTM1 genotyping. RESULTS: MDA level was significantly higher in asbestos workers [(0.283 +/- 0.054) nmol/L] than that in controls [(0.163 +/- 0.053) nmol/L, P < 0.01], however, neither duration of exposure nor accumulated asbestos exposure dose was related to MDA levels; MDA levels in control workers with GSTM1 +/- genotype [(0.190 +/- 0.034) nmol/L] were significantly higher than that in control workers with GSTM1 +/+ genotype [(0.138 +/- 0.055) nmol/L, P < 0.01]. Among asbestos workers, the same trend could be found, but the differences was not significant(P > 0.05). When the workers were stratified by duration of exposure or accumulated asbestos exposure dose, MDA levels in individuals with GSTM1 -/- genotype were also higher than those with GSTM1 +/+ genotype, but the differences were also not significant(P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both exposure to asbestos and deficiency of GSTM1 genotype were related to lipid peroxidation in workers, but the role of the former may be more important than that of the latter.

Asbestos↗
PubMed1992

AIDS outreach workers: an exploratory study of job satisfactions/dissatisfactions.

AIDS outreach workers operate at the frontlines of the AIDS epidemic to provide information and education to high-risk individuals. Recent reports indicate that these workers have been effective in helping to reduce high-risk behaviors. However, a review of retention data for 62 outreach workers employed from 1986 to 1988 at a private nonprofit research institute indicated a high rate of turnover, especially among males. The literature provides little information regarding the demographic characteristics of outreach workers and their sources of job satisfaction and dissatisfaction. This exploratory investigation was undertaken to address these topics. Structured interviews were conducted with 20 currently active outreach workers. Results indicate that altruistic motives were most frequently cited as reasons why people became outreach workers and also provided the primary source of satisfaction. Stress was most frequently mentioned as a source of dissatisfaction and also as a reason previous workers had left outreach work. Conclusions focus on the outreach workers' suggestions for job improvements. These included: improvement in the terms of employment (e.g., salary, benefits); more education and training opportunities; and more support groups or help with recovery.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2003

[Prevalence of tobacco smoking among workers exposed to asbestos dust].

BACKGROUND: The aim of this work was to determine the prevalence of tobacco smoking among workers of an asbestos processing plant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of medical consultations and prophylactic examinations performed at the Outpatient Clinic of Occupational Diseases, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland, covering the period of over 40 years, were the source of information about 1353 workers (802 men and 551 women). The employment duration of the majority (85.6%) of workers was 10 years or more. RESULTS: In the study population, only about one third (33.7%) of workers declared themselves as non-smokers, 42.9% of workers were current smokers and 23.4% ex-smokers. Smoking was significantly more frequent among men (57.1% of current and 27.2% of ex-smokers) than among women (22.3% and 17.8%, respectively). The largest percentage of current smokers (79.7% of men and 60.3% of women) was found in the age group below 40 years. Comparison of standardized values of smoking parameters showed a larger proportion of smokers in the study group than in the general population in Poland (45.2% vs. 38.7%). However, the workers started smoking at somewhat older age (22.0 yr vs. 20.1 yr), smoked less cigarettes per day (15.2 vs. 20.7) and continued smoking for somewhat shorter period (20.8 yr vs. 23 yr). CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of tobacco smokers among workers of asbestos processing plant shows a low efficiency of anti-smoking programs carried out in this population. This highlights the need to take more effective measures in this group of workers who are already exposed to a very harmful agent.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Epidemiology of occupational infectious diseases in health care workers].

BACKGROUND: Despite continuous progress in medicine and improvement of quality of work, occupational diseases are still a serious problem. During the last few years, 5000 to 12,000 cases of occupational diseases were annually registered in Poland. Among them, infectious diseases still occupy the third place. The aim of the study was to carry out an epidemiological analysis of occupational infectious diseases identified in health care workers of the Wrocław region in 1990-2002. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Information included in occupational disease identification cards was used as a basis for the study group selection. The form provided data on workplaces with exposure to agents responsible for generation of occupational diseases. Decisions on identification of occupational diseases in workers employed in EKD sections (code 85) were also taken into account. RESULTS: During last years, 136-300 cases of occupational diseases in health care workers were annually diagnosed in the Wrocław region, and infectious diseases made 10-30% of this number. In this group of diseases, viral hepatitis and tuberculosis were most frequent (45-82%). In 1990-2000, viral hepatitis was identified as an occupational disease in 323 health care workers; nurses formed the major group (195) followed by doctors (39) and lab workers (30). Recently, epidemiological situation of occupational infectious diseases has improved. From 1989, the incidence of occupational viral hepatitis in health care workers is on the systematic decrease (only 17 cases in 1994). Undoubtedly, the introduction of obligatory vaccination against HBV among health care workers has greatly contributed to this improvement. CONCLUSIONS: It is found that hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the major factor responsible for infections in professional health care workers. The decrease in HBV infections correlates with a growing proportion of the vaccinated personnel. It should be stressed that infections with HCV are on the increase in this occupational group.

Communicable Diseases↗
PubMed2004

[A study on awareness of sexually-transmitted disease/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and related factors among migrant workers in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province of China].

OBJECTIVE: To understand awareness on transmission routes of sexually transmitted diseases and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (STD/AIDS) among migrant workers in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in migrant workers in Hangzhou with self-administered anonymous questionnaire to collect their demographic information and awareness on STD/AIDS. All the data were analyzed by SPSS 11.0 software. RESULTS: A total of 3 001 subjects were interviewed. Most of them have already had some knowledge about STD/AIDS, but not complete. There were 556 (18.8%) migrant workers did not understand that condom could prevent from STD, and 759 did not know if it could do. There were 357 (11.9%) workers did not know AIDS could be prevented, and 746 (24.9%) thought that AIDS could be cured. There were 637 workers did not know that correct use of condom could reduce occurrence of AIDS, and 725 of them thought AIDS could be infected by hands-shaking and hugging with patients of AIDS. There existed statistically significant difference in awareness on STD/AIDS between men and women, workers with varied marital status and education levels. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness on STD/AIDS in migrant workers was smattering, allowing of not optimistic. Community-based health education on knowledge about STD/AIDS should be strengthened among high-risk migrant workers with varied channels to improve their awareness.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Oxidative stress in station service workers].

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to identify an oxidative stress in service station workers. Previous studies verified an increased incidence of leukemia and myeloma, however other authors haven't verified it. There are reports of nasal, pharyngeal, laryngeal, and lung cancer in service station workers. Our study wants to evaluate the oxidative balance in the fuel workers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 44 subjects with gasoline exposure and 29 control subjects. We determined the blood concentrations of Glutathione reduced and oxidized, Protein sulfhydrylic (PSH) Vitamine E, Vitamine C, Malondialdehyde, Protein oxidized (OX-PROT) and beta carotene. The t test was performed to analyze the differences between the means, the Chi square was used to evaluate the statistical significance of associations between variable categorical (redox index). The Anova test excluded the confusing effect of age, smoke and alcohol habit. RESULTS: The mean age of the workers was 36.6 years, instead the control group was 38. In the workers Glutathione reduced, Vit. E and Beta carotene were lower than in the control subjects, this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01). The Malondialdehyde concentration was higher in the workers higher than in the control group, but this difference wasn't statistically significant. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrated Glutathione, Vit. E, and Beta carotene are useful to verify a reduction of the antioxidant activity. The only marker of the presence of oxidative injury that correlated to work exposure was the malondialdehyde. The redox index was surest marker. The limit of our study is the number of control group, it was little and lower than workers. Conclusively we believe it's useful to continue our studies and, if our results are going to be confirmed, we retain that stress oxidative determination would be verified in occupational medicine using these markers, especially to study exposure of the fuel workers who were investigated less and, in our opinion, would receive more attention.

Adult↗