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PubMed2006

Tear secretion dysfunction among women workers engaged in light-on tests in the TFT-LCD industry.

BACKGROUND: The TFT-LCD (thin film transistor liquid crystal display) industry is rapidly growing in Taiwan and many other countries. A large number of workers, mainly women, are employed in the light-on test process to detect the defects of products. At the light-on test workstation, the operator is generally exposed to low humidity (in the clean room environment), flashing light, and low ambient illumination for long working hours. Many workers complained about eye discomfort, and therefore we conducted a study to evaluate the tear secretion function of light-on test workers of a TFT-LCD company. METHODS: We recruited workers engaged in light-on tests in the company during their periodical health examination. In addition to a questionnaire survey of demographic characteristics and ophthalmic symptoms, we evaluated the tear secretion function of both eyes of each participant using the Schirmer's lacrimal basal secretion test with anaesthesia. A participant with one or both eyes yielding abnormal test results was defined as a case of tear secretion dysfunction. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 371 light-on test workers received the health examination at the clinic of the park, and 52 of them were excluded due to having ophthalmic diseases and other systemic diseases that may affect ophthalmic function. All the remaining 319 qualified workers agreed to participate in this study, and they were all females working by 4-shift rotations. The average age was 24.2 years old (standard deviation [SD] = 3.8), and the average employment duration was 13.6 months (SD = 5.7). Among the 11 ophthalmic symptoms evaluated, eye dryness was the most prevalent (prevalence = 43.3%). In addition, the prevalence of tear secretion dysfunction in at least one eye was 40.1% (128 cases), and contact lens users had an odds ratio of 1.73 (95% confidence interval = 1.02-2.94) in comparison with non-contact lens users. Comparing the Schirmer's test results of those who also participated in the screening in the previous year, we found 40 of the 156 participants (17.2%) with normal test results in the previous year turned abnormal in 2001. In contrast, only 21 of the 76 participants (9.1%) with abnormal test results in the previous year turned normal, and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.02 for McNemar's test). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of tear secretion dysfunction in woman workers engaged in light-on tests is high and increases with a one-year duration of employment. The use of contact lens may further increase the risk.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Low back pain and widespread pain predict sickness absence among industrial workers.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in the aluminium industry is high, and there is a considerable work-related fraction. More knowledge about the predictors of sickness absence from MSD in this industry will be valuable in determining strategies for prevention. The aim of this study was to analyse the relative impact of body parts, psychosocial and individual factors as predictors for short- and long-term sickness absence from MSD among industrial workers. METHODS: A follow-up study was conducted among all the workers at eight aluminium plants in Norway. A questionnaire was completed by 5654 workers at baseline in 1998. A total of 3320 of these participated in the follow-up study in 2000. Cox regression analysis was applied to investigate the relative impact of MSD in various parts of the body and of psychosocial and individual factors reported in 1998 on short-term and long-term sickness absence from MSD reported in 2000. RESULTS: MSD accounted for 45% of all working days lost the year prior to follow-up in 2000. Blue-collar workers had significantly higher risk than white-collar workers for both short- and long-term sickness absence from MSD (long-term sickness absence: RR = 3.04, 95% CI 2.08-4.45). Widespread and low back pain in 1998 significantly predicted both short- and long-term sickness absence in 2000. In addition, shoulder pain predicted long-term sickness absence. Low social support predicted short-term sickness absence (RR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.11-1.49). CONCLUSIONS: Reducing sickness absence from MSD among industrial workers requires focusing on the working conditions of blue-collar workers and risk factors for low back pain and widespread pain. Increasing social support in the work environment may have effects in reducing short-term sickness absence from MSD.

Absenteeism↗
PubMed2000

Evaluation of a peer education programme for female sex workers in Bali, Indonesia.

The objective of this paper is to evaluate a peer education programme for female sex workers in Bali, Indonesia. Sex workers participated in face-to-face interviews and STD exams in August-September 1998. In October 1998 one woman from each of 30 clusters was selected to be a peer educator and received a 2-day training on AIDS, STDs, condom use, and condom negotiation. After training, the peer educators were visited twice a week by field workers to answer questions and offer support. All sex workers received group education every 2 months. In January-February 1999, the sex workers again participated in face-to-face interviews and examinations. One month after peer education training, only 50% of the peer educators were still working in the clusters where they were trained. To evaluate the impact of the peer educators, sex workers in clusters where a peer educator continued to work were compared with sex workers in clusters where women did not continue to work (n=189). In clusters where women continued to work, there were higher levels of AIDS knowledge (P < 0.05), STD knowledge (P < 0.05) and condom use (82 vs 73%, P=0.15). The prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection was also lower in clusters with a peer educator (39% vs 55%, P=0.05) than in clusters without a peer educator.

Female↗
PubMed2002

Sister chromatid exchanges and micronuclei in peripheral lymphocytes of shoe factory workers exposed to solvents.

We examined sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and micronuclei (MN; cytokinesis-block method) in cultured peripheral lymphocytes from 52 female workers of two shoe factories and from 36 unexposed age- and sex-matched referents. The factory workers showed an elevated level of urinary hippuric acid, a biomarker of toluene exposure, and workplace air contained high concentrations of various organic solvents such as toluene, gasoline, acetone, and (in one of the plants only) ethylacetate and methylenediphenyl diisocyanate. The shoe factory workers showed a statistically significant higher frequency of micronucleated binucleate lymphocytes in comparison with the referents. This finding agreed with three preliminary MN determinations (each comprising 27-32 shoe workers and 16-20 controls) performed in one of the plants 2-5 years earlier. The shoe factory workers also had a lower average level of blood hemoglobin than the referents. In contrast, no difference was found between the groups in SCE analysis. Smokers showed significantly higher mean frequencies of SCEs per cell and high frequency cells (HFC) than nonsmokers. Aging was associated with increased MN rates and reduced cell proliferation. Polymorphism of the glutathione S-transferase M1 gene (GSTM1) did not affect the individual level of SCEs; but in smoking shoe workers an effect of the occupational exposure on the frequency of micronucleated cells could be seen only in GSTM1 null subjects. The low prevalence of the glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) null genotype precluded the evaluation of the influence of GSTT1 polymorphism. Our results show that the shoe factory workers have experienced genotoxic exposure, which is manifest as an increase in the frequency of MN, but not of SCEs, in peripheral lymphocytes. The exposures responsible for the MN induction could not be identified with certainty, but exposure to benzene in gasoline and methylenediphenyl diisocyanate may explain some of the findings.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Clinical features of hematopoietic malignancies and related disorders among benzene-exposed workers in China. Benzene Study Group.

Previous occupational cohort studies of benzene-exposed workers have for the most part used only death certificates to validate diagnoses of workers developing leukemia and other hematopoietic and lymphoproliferative malignancies and related disorders (HLD). In a follow-up study of 74,828 benzene-exposed workers and a comparison group of 35,805 nonexposed workers from 12 cities in China, we sought to characterized clinicopathologically and to confirm diagnoses of all cases of HLD. Using medical records, laboratory hematology results, and histopathology, U.S. and Chinese expert hematopathologists, blinded to exposure status, carried out a detailed review using standardized evaluation forms. Key among the findings were a notable diversity of malignant and nonneoplastic hematopoietic and lymphoproliferative disorders, documentation of excess myelodysplastic syndromes among benzene workers, and widespread dyspoiesis involving all hematopoietic cell lines. As sophisticated clinicopathologic characterization and corresponding classification schemes for HLD become increasingly widespread, it is recommended that future epidemiologic investigations of benzene workers incorporate similarly detailed morphologic evaluation. In extending follow-up of this cohort of young workers, we will continue to use all available clinical, laboratory hematology, and pathology data as well as cytogenetic and biochemical markers to characterized various HLD outcomes. These careful surveillance mechanisms should also provide additional insight into carcinogenic mechanisms of benzene and allow comparison of the molecular pathogenesis of HLD induced by benzene versus chemotherapy, radiation, or other exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Former poison gas workers and cancer: incidence and inhibition of tumor formation by treatment with biological response modifier N-CWS.

Mustard gas is known to have mutagenic and carcinogenic effects on animal and human cells. In this report, 1,632 male Japanese who worked in poison gas factories at some time between the years 1927 and 1945 were studied to determine comparative risk for development of cancer, the reference population being data on Japanese males overall. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for lung cancer in workers directly and indirectly involved in the production of mustard gas was significantly elevated. In addition, SMR for lung cancer in worker who had worked for more than 5 years was also significantly elevated. Thus, poison gas workers who had engaged in the production of mustard gas or related work for more than 5 years are a high-risk group for lung cancer. Under the cancer preventive program, Nocardia rubra cell-wall skeleton (N-CWS) was administered to 146 former poison gas workers. During a 4.5 year observation period, development of cancers was found in 7 treated workers and 17 untreated controls. After elimination of the influence of smoking level, a significant suppression of development of cancers was noted in the N-CWS-treated workers as compared to the untreated controls. Although the molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis in former poison gas workers remains unclear, our study proposes the possible effect of biological response modifiers in the prevention of cancer development in high-risk human subjects.

Arsenicals↗
PubMed2001

Male sex workers in three Australian cities: socio-demographic and sex work characteristics.

This article describes the socio-demographic and sex work characteristics of sex workers in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. A total of 185 male sex workers completed the questionnaire component of the study. The results of this study serve to debunk many of the myths surrounding the popular view of the male sex worker (MSW). The respondents in this study were on average 27 years old, and the majority had completed secondary education, with 30% having gained some form of tertiary qualification. Interestingly, those MSWs who had not completed secondary education were mostly street workers and were generally aged under 25 years. The majority of sex workers lived in rented accommodation, with only 6% reporting to be homeless. Half of all respondents identified as being "gay," 31% as "bisexual" and 5.5% as "straight." More than half of the respondents were in a permanent relationship. Only 7.3% of this group reported using heroin daily, although the majority consumed alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and ecstasy. The majority of sex workers had been in the profession for less than six months, although some had been working in the industry for more than ten years. Most of the sex workers reported having taken an HIV test and a preference to offer safer sex. The article highlights ways in which the work context of MSW can be better understood and supported by education and public policy programs.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Longitudinal pulmonary function losses in Vermont granite workers. A reevaluation.

Previous studies have suggested that excessive losses of FVC and FEV1 were occurring in Vermont granite workers despite the fact that mean quartz levels existing in the industry were below the current OSHA standard of 100 micrograms/m3. We reexamined these losses in granite workers over an 8-year period, testing the workforce biennially from 1979 to 1987. All workers, including stone shed, quarry, and office, were offered forced spirometry using a 10-L water-sealed spirometer (Collins). In the peak year of participation (1983), 887 workers out of a total of approximately 1,400 were tested. Estimates of longitudinal loss were based on 711 workers who participated in at least three of the surveys. The mean age of this group was 42.9 years, and the mean years employed was 19.3 years; 21.4 percent were non-smokers (NS), 34.2 percent were ex-smokers (ES), and 44.4 percent were current smokers (CS). Average annual losses of FVC were 0.018 (SD = 0.056) L (CS, 0.025 L; NS, 0.006 L: and ES, 0.016 L). Average annual losses of FEV1 were 0.030 (SD = 0.041) L (CS, 0.038 L; NS, 0.020 L; and ES, 0.027 L). Analysis of covariance indicated that losses were related to the initial values for FVC or FEV1, height, age, and smoking status. After adjusting for these variables, the losses of both FVC and FEV1 were not correlated with years employed in the granite industry. No significant differences existed in the loss of FVC or FEV1 in categories of workers exposed to different levels of granite dust, eg, office, quarry, and stone shed workers. The annual losses of pulmonary function were significantly smaller than those estimated previously, which were 0.070 to .080 L in FVC, and 0.050-0.070 L in FEV1. We conclude that dust levels in the Vermont granite industry, which have been in conformance with OSHA permissible exposure limits, do not accelerate pulmonary function loss.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Cough in hot pepper workers.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is an effect on the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, an alteration in lung function, or an increase in the cough threshold to capsaicin among workers chronically exposed to hot chili (Capsicum) peppers. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of responses to a structured questionnaire, lung function assessed by spirometry and cough threshold to inhalation of capsaicin aerosol in a group of occupationally-exposed Capsicum workers as compared to non-exposed employees of the same work site. SETTING: Spice manufacturing facility. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-two Capsicum-exposed and 19 nonexposed workers. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: When evaluated by questionnaire, 13 (59 percent) of the Capsicum-exposed workers reported cough as compared to 4 (21 percent) of the nonexposed workers (p less than 0.05). Baseline FEV1 and FVC did not differ between the two groups. Cough threshold, as assessed by the lowest concentration of inhaled capsaicin eliciting cough, was related to workplace exposure (p = 0.05), displaying a bimodal pattern of higher and lower cough thresholds among the Capsicum workers as compared to a unimodal distribution among the nonexposed workers. Within the exposed group, a higher cough threshold was significantly related to male gender (p = 0.03) and was associated to a lesser extent with dietary preference for hot food (p = 0.09) and cumulative cigarette smoking (p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: Chronic occupational exposure to chili peppers is associated with complaints of cough but does not alone lead to decreased responsiveness of capsaicin-sensitive nerves when assessed by cough threshold. The cough response to capsaicin inhalation may be modified by the effects of multiple, potentially interactive factors.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Worker substance use, workplace problems and the risk of occupational injury: a matched case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the tendency toward problem behavior as an explanation for the relationship between problem substance use and occupational injury. METHOD: The authors used a matched case-control study nested in a cohort of 26,413 workers, in which cases (n = 3,994) were workers suffering an occupational injury. Five controls per case (n = 19,970) were selected from the cohort of workers active on the day of the injury and matched on job type. Conditional logistic regression modeled the association of problem substance use with occupational injury, controlling for problem behaviors and worker characteristics. Problem substance use was indicated indirectly if any of the following were alcohol/drug-involved during the comparison period: Employee Assistance Program visit, excused absence or disciplinary action. Discipline records identified minor (absenteeism) and serious (dishonesty, theft, assault, harassment, disrespect) problem behaviors during the comparison period. RESULTS: The odds of injury among workers with an indicator of problem substance use was 1.35 (p = .015) times greater than the odds among workers without an indicator, controlling for job type and demographics as well as adjusting for exposure. This ratio declined to 1.21 (p = .138) when problem behaviors were also controlled for. Minor and serious problem behaviors were significantly associated with occupational injury (odds ratio [OR] = 1.73, p < .001, and OR = 2.19, p < .001, respectively), controlling for demographics and substance use. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship of problem substance use with occupational injury was weak when problem behaviors were controlled for, suggesting that this relationship, observed in previous studies, may be explained by a workers tendency toward problem behaviors. Workplace injury prevention programs should address the expression of problem behaviors as a complement to drug and alcohol deterrent programs.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2004

Changes in health habits of female shift workers.

This paper examines the effects of shift work on the lifestyles of female factory workers. As an indicator of healthy lifestyle habits, we used a scoring system (referred to below as the 'health score') based on Lester Breslow's health habits. The 'health score' of the women was higher than that of the men, but the shift workers' score was lower than that of the non-shift workers (p<0.01). In addition, the score of workers who had changed from non-shift work to double-shift work was remarkably low (p<0.01). These results suggest that, while the female shift workers manage to maintain relatively healthy lifestyles in comparison with the males, they have more difficulty maintaining these habits than do female workers who do not perform shift work. It can be concluded that, in addition to heightening women's consciousness of their own health, surrounding entities such as the work environment, the home, and the community in general need to pay due care to Japan's female shift workers.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Correlates of occupational injuries for various jobs in railway workers: a case-control study.

Few studies have simultaneously addressed the role of occupational factors, individual characteristics and living conditions in occupational injuries, and to the best of our knowledge none on railway workers. This survey assessed the roles of these factors in various types of injuries and for various jobs in French railway workers. This case-control study was conducted on 1,305 male workers with an occupational injury during a one-year period and 1,305 male controls. A standardized questionnaire was administrated by an occupational physician. Data were analyzed by the logistic regression method. The significant factors found for all the injuries combined were: young age (<30 yr) (adjusted odds ratio 1.47, 95% CI 1.01-2.14), 5 yr or less in present job (1.43, 1.15-1.78), sleep disorders (1.30, 1.08-1.57), current smoker (1.27, 1.08-1.50), and no do-it-yourself or gardening activity (1.23, 1.02-1.48). Young age, sleep disorders, and smoking were common for several types of injuries. The role of these factors differed between various job categories. Among injured workers sick leaves of eight days or over were more frequent in current smokers and overweight subjects. In conclusion, young age, lack of experience, job dissatisfaction, sleep disorders, smoking, and lack of physical activity increase the risk of occupational injuries. The risks induced were related with jobs. Preventive measures concerning work conditions and these factors could be conducted in railway workers generally, and especially in workers most at risk. The occupational physician could make workers more sensitive to these risks and help them to improve their living conditions during medical examinations.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2004

Investigations of vitamin D receptor polymorphism affecting workers' susceptibility to lead.

Gene polymorphism is an important factor that affects human susceptibility to toxins. For example, previous studies suggested that the ALAD genotype is an important factor affecting workers' susceptibility to lead toxic effects, including hemopoietic and nervous system. But we have had few researches in Taiwan, though there are thousands of workers involved in lead-related industries. On the other hand, although it is well known that lead deposits in the bone mineral component and interacts with calcium, vitamin D receptor may therefore be an important factor in the metabolism of lead. Some studies suggested that different vitamin D receptor genotypes have various kinds of receptor activity. The goal of this study was to investigate the polymorphism affecting workers' susceptibility to lead. Three allelic variants of the VDR gene were defined by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and three restriction enzymes (ApaI, BsmI, and TaqI). We determined the relationships of different VDR genotypes (AA, Aa, aa, BB, Bb, bb, TT, Tt, and tt) to blood lead and the index of cumulative blood lead levels (ICL). Altogether we analyzed 544 workers' VDR genotypes (BsmI, TaqI, and ApaI) and compared to their blood lead levels and ICL in the VDR genotypes. The results showed that workers had higher blood lead levels and ICL in the Apa I- aa genotypes, but this is not statistically significant when adjusted for potential confounding factors. Other characteristics, such as exposure status, smoking and alcohol drinking, were significantly associated with ICL and time-weighted ICL. Regression analyses suggested that exposure status and personal habits (smoking and alcohol drinking) are still the major effects on blood lead parameters for lead workers rather than genotypes. In conclusion, VDR genotypes did not significantly affect the long term blood lead parameters after adjustment for all factors, but industrial hygiene improvement, including engineering control and health education, are the most important ways to protect workers' health.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Hand arm vibration syndrome among quarry workers in Vietnam.

Few studies have focused on the health effects of vibrating tools on workers in the tropical area. Work conditions and health effects related to rock drill operation were studied in 102 quarry workers, including 73 rock drill operators in Vietnam. We aimed to clarify (1) risk of vibration exposure, (2) occurrence of vibration-induced white finger (VWF), and (3) characteristics of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). Total weighted r.m.s. acceleration of the Chinese -or Russian-made rock drills, was 45-55 m/s(2). According to work observation studies, daily exposure time to vibration was 160-210 min. ISO5349 predicted that this exposure level would be associated with a high risk of HAVS in workers. We found no clear evidence of VWF. There may be several reasons why no worker exhibited VWF: (1) warmer work conditions, (2) younger and less experienced workers, (3) seasonal changes in work operations, and (4) healthy worker effect. On the other hand, 5-10% of rock drill operators might be suffering from moderate HAVS which was sensori-neural type dominant. There may be some characteristic features of HAVS among quarry workers in the tropical area.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding organic solvents among printing workers in Hong Kong.

To find out the prevalence of good knowledge, appropriate attitude and safe practice among printing workers exposed to organic solvents in Hong Kong, and to see if safe practice was influenced by the knowledge of and the attitude towards the harmful effects of organic solvents as well as other factors. The survey was conducted in a sample of 501 male printing workers from 28 factories in Hong Kong. The knowledge of and attitude towards the harmful effects of organic solvents, as well as the good practices adopted by the workers when handling solvents were explored using a questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the major factors that influenced the knowledge, attitude and practice of workers. The prevalence of good knowledge, appropriate attitude and safe practice was low, being 20.4%, 38.4% and 22.0% respectively. Good knowledge was positively associated with awareness of the relevant legislation and past drinking behavior and negatively associated with current smoking. Appropriate attitude depended on having good knowledge and younger age. Safe practice did not depend on knowledge and attitude, but was positively associated with being informed of safety precautions and being supplied with chemical information by supervisors. The majority of workers believed that their employers, the Government and other statutory bodies should be responsible for providing information on chemicals, but very few of them actually obtained information from these sources. More workers preferred publications and talks rather than television as the means of obtaining further knowledge on chemicals. Front line supervisors have a pivotal role to play in improving safe practices of workers by informing them of the necessary precautions and supplying the relevant chemical information.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Occupational morbidities and their association with nutrition and environmental factors among textile workers of desert areas of Rajasthan, India.

In Rajasthan 21,000 workers are engaged in hand processing textile industries (process gray/raw cotton cloth). They are exposed to hazards of the textile industries besides the harsh conditions of the desert which contributes to adverse effects on their health. To explore the occupational health problems of the desert textile workers and their association with nutrition and environmental factors, investigations were carried-out in two districts, Jodhpur and Pali. Data on occupational disease conditions, environmental factors, nutritional deficiency signs and anemia were collected for a total of 1,240 individuals out of which 845 were textile workers and 395 were comparative group workers of the same age groups. The main disease conditions, i.e. aches (19.4%), respiratory (12.1%) and fever (7.7%), were higher in textile workers than the comparative group. Dyeing group workers suffered the most (25.5%) from aches, significantly higher than the comparative group (11.6%), may be due to a higher percentage of severe anemia, besides physical labour. Printing and bleaching group workers suffered from respiratory problems (15.5%) almost twice as much as the comparative group, possibly due to exposure to fumes of acids and use of chemical dyes. Housing conditions, personal hygiene and education showed negative associations with disease conditions but positive associations with anemia. The study revealed that in the textile industry, disease conditions vary with the categorization of work. The findings suggest the need for implementation of safety measures according to the type of work in textile industries, besides extension of health and nutrition education and welfare programs.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Factors related to the prevalence of respiratory symptoms in workers in a petrochemical complex.

This study was performed to evaluate the prevalence of respiratory symptoms in workers in a petrochemical complex and to elucidate the relationship between the prevalence and work-related factors. A questionnaire was distributed to 5,983 male workers working in a petrochemical complex. As for the respiratory symptoms, cough was present in 2.4%, phlegm in 8.1%, wheezing in 2.8% and shortness of breath in 4.7% of the workers. The factors significantly related to respiratory symptoms were smoking history, wearing of protective devices, handling of substances toxic to the respiratory system, and history of atopy or respiratory disease (p<0.05). The substances toxic to the respiratory system were divided into 4 types, ie., dusts, solvents, metals, and vapors. When the analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of exposure to substance type on respiratory symptoms, the odds ratio of cough was 1.96 times higher in those workers exposed to dusts compared with those not exposed, 2.28 times for exposure to metals, 1.52 times for solvents, and 1.55 times for vapors, all showing significant differences (p<0.05). For phlegm, the odds ratio was 1.08 times higher in those workers exposed to dusts compared with those not exposed, 1.94 times for exposure to metals, 1.70 times for organic solvents, and 1.85 for vapors (p<0.05). For wheezing, the odds ratio was 2.38 times for exposure to dusts; for shortness of breath, it was 2.42 times for exposure to dusts, 2.89 times for metals, 2.10 times for organic solvents, and 2.14 times for vapors, all showing significant differences (p<0.05). In conclusion, work-related factors significantly affected the respiratory symptoms in workers working in the petrochemical complex. Especially, these respiratory symptoms were significantly related to exposure to toxic substances and the wearing of protective devices. Thus, safety education and management are needed for these workers.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Using urine specific gravity to evaluate the hydration status of workers working in an ultra-low humidity environment.

In environments with ultra-low humidity, workers may have excessive body water loss due to evaporation through the skin, which can lead to dehydration. Before the development of clinical symptoms and signs, concentrated urine may be applied as an early indicator of dehydration. We used urine specific gravity (USG) as a biomarker to evaluate the hydration status of workers working in such an environment. We collected the urine samples from workers at a lithium battery plant during their annual health examination, and the relative humidity of some working areas called "dry rooms" in the plant was 1.5 +/- 1%. We recruited workers in those dry rooms as the exposure group (N=50) and defined the remaining workers, including administration office workers, as the comparison group (N=122). The prevalence of abnormally concentrated urine (USG>1.030) and related factors were compared between these two groups. While the exposure group were younger and had shorter employment durations compared to the comparison group (p<0.05), they had a higher prevalence of abnormally concentrated urine (p<0.01). After adjusting for age, gender, employment duration, and body surface area, we found that working in the dry rooms was associated with an odds ratio of 11.9 (95% confidence interval: 2.5 to 56.9) of having abnormally concentrated urine. Therefore, USG is a good biomarker for evaluating the hydration status of workers working in ultra-low humidity environments, who need proper protection and adequate fluid supply to prevent excess water loss and its adverse health effects.

Adult↗