10℃冷水试验方法在评价振动职业危害中的应用研究

研究１０℃冷水试验方法在评价振动职业危害中的应用。「方法」对白指病人、接振工人及对照工人进行冷水试验检查,用热电偶温度计测量冷试前后手部皮肤温度。「结果」白指病人和对照工人比较,在冷试前后手部皮肤温度和各时间的复温率均明显降低,而接振组和对照组比较,在１５ｍｉｎ、２０ｍｉｎ、３０ｍｉｎ的皮肤温度降低,各时间的复温率均组。各组间恢复到冷试前的人数有显著性差异。「结论」１０℃的冷水试验方法能用于评价振     

手传振动作业工人手部温度分布的红外图像分析及其冷水负荷试 …

目的 研究手传振动作业工人手部温度分布及基冷水负荷试验的影响。方法 应用ＫＹ－３３３型远红外摄像仪,对５０名手传振动作业工人和２７名健康对照工人,在１０℃、１０ｍｉｎ冷水试验前后进行手部红外摄像。结果 白指病人、接振工人和对照工人在冷水试验前后不同手指之间及左右手相应手指之间皮肤温度比较,差异均无显著性。白且各手指皮温在冷水试验前后,除冷试后即刻外,无显著低于接振组和对照组,接振组各手指的皮温在冷     

局部振动对周围神经与血管机能影响的研究

目的 探讨局部振动对作业工人周围神经、周围血管功能的影响。方法 对振动作业工人进行正中神经传导速度、动作电位波幅的测试,并通过１０℃、１０ｍｉｎ的冷水试验对作业工人手部皮肤温度的恢复情况进行了研究。结果 白指组正中神经的感觉神经、运动神经传导速度明显低于对照组（Ｐ〈０．０１）;冷水试验前后白指组的手部温度均显著低于接振组和对照组（Ｐ〈０．０１）,冷水试验后白指组、接振组的复温率均显著低于对照组（Ｐ     

振动作业工人手部红外图像分析

目的研究振动作业人员手部红外摄像和冷水试验对手臂振动病周围循环功能的改变。方法通过对非接触振动的健康工人50名(对照组)、尚未发生振动性白指的振动作业工人50名(接振组),在冷水负荷前后,用KY-333型远红外摄像仪进行手部红外摄像,研究手部周围循环功能的变化。结果冷水试验前两组工人手部红外图像差异无显著性(P>0.05);冷水试验后5和10min接振组手指皮肤温度比对照组下降显著(P<0.05和P<0.01),两组冷水试验后5min平均皮温分别为:右手(21.5±1.7)和(23.5±1.8)℃,左手(20.5±1.1)和(24.0±1.6)℃;接振组复温时间延长。结论手部红外摄像结合冷水试验对振动作业工人周围循环功能障碍具有早期识别意义。     

振动作业工人手部红外图像分析

目的研究振动作业人员手部红外摄像和冷水试验对手臂振动病周围循环功能的改变。方法通过对非接触振动的健康工人50名（对照组）、尚无发生振动性白指的振动作业工人50名（接振组）,在冷水负荷前后,用KY-333型远红外摄像仪进行手部红外摄像,研究手部周围循环功能的变化。结果冷水试验前两组工人手部红外图像差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;冷水试验后5 min和10 min接触振动组手指皮肤温度比对照组下降显著（P〈0.05和P〈0.01）,两组冷水试验后5min平均皮温分别为：右手（21.5±1.7）℃和（23.5±1.8）℃,左手（20.5±1.1）℃和（24.0±1.6）℃;接振组复温时间延长。结论手部红外摄像结合冷水试验对振动作业工人周围循环功能障碍具有早期识别意义。     

手部红外图像和冷水试验在手传振动病健康监护中的应用

目的 通过手部红外摄像和冷水试验检查,确定手传振动对手部周围循环功能的影响。方法 通过对振动作业工人50名（接振组）,非接振健康工人50名（对照组）,在冷水负荷前后,用KY-333型远红外摄像仪进行手部红外摄像,对图像进行对比分析。结果 冷水试验前,两组工人手部红外图像差异无统计学意义;冷水试验后,手部红外图像变化显著,接振组手指5、10 min皮肤温度显著低于对照组（P〈0.01）,复温时间延长。结论 尚未发生振动性白指的接振工人中已经出现冷水试验的手部红外图像变化,表明手部红外图像分析对周围循环功能障碍具有早期识别和亚临床意义。     

手臂振动对手部红外图像影响的研究

对３７名手臂振动作业工人和３０名健康对照工人,在冷水试验和振动负荷试验前后,以ＫＹ－３３３型远红外摄像仪进行手都红外摄像,比较研究其图像变化。结果表明,试验前两组基础指温差异不显著;试验后接振组指温下降明显。复温时间延长,冷试后５ｍｉｎ、１０ｍｉｎ;振动负荷后即刻、５ｍｉｎ差异显著。红外图像的改变,有助于振动职业危害的亚临床研究。     

手部红外图像结合冷水试验对周围循环功能的评价

目的　研究手传振动对周围循环功能的影响及其评价方法。方法　振动作业工人３７ 名（ 接振组） ,非接振健康工人３０ 名（ 对照组） ,在冷水负荷前后,用ＫＹ３３３ 型远红外摄像仪进行手部红外摄像,对图像进行对比分析。结果　冷试前两组工人手部红外图像差异无显著性;冷水试验后手部红外图像变化显著,接振组手指皮肤温度下降,复温时间延长。结论　手部红外摄像结合冷水负荷试验可以评价周围循环机能障碍的早期变化     

局部振动职业危害手指皮温的测定及其评价

局部振动职业危害手指皮温的测定及其评价孙健娅，王慧深，东成一冷水复温试验是常用的局部振动病检查方法之一。我们对１６２名接振作业工人进行了局部振动病检查，其基础皮温和冷水复温试验结果如下。一、对象及方法１．受检对象：１６２名男性接振工人，分为白指组（指...     

红外摄像应用于局部振动病早期诊断的实验研究

为寻找早期发现局部振动对机体所造成损害的新方法,我们应用红外摄像法和热电偶温度计法对选取的22名从事接振作业的亚临床期工人和15名健康对照进行了冷水负荷复温试验,分析了两组手部温度的变化并对两种方法的结果作一比较,发现楼振组与对照组相比,冷水复温试验前手部温度差异无显著意义(P>0.05),但在施加冷水负荷后接振组手部温度明显较低,复温时间延长(P<0.05)。可见局部振动在亚临床期即已经对机体微循环造成一定程度的损害;两种方法均能准确地发现这种损害,但红外摄像法更加简便易行,在局部振动病的早期诊断中具有很高的应用价值。     

The human drama of genetics: 'hard' and 'soft' media representations of inherited breast cancer

This paper examines media coverage of 'breast cancer genetics', and explores its implications for public understanding. We present a content analysis of coverage in British newspapers and look at a variety of popular forms, including women's magazines, television soap opera and radio drama. Genetic/inherited risk receives a great deal of coverage across a wide range of media formats and outlets. Much of this attention has focused on individuals from 'high risk families' and dilemmas around prophylactic mastectomies. Through examining media coverage, combined with interviews with media personnel and their sources, we show why this story proved so attractive to the media and highlight the different production values which influence coverage. Finally, we introduce preliminary findings from focus group discussions to demonstrate how such 'human interest' framing has engaged audience attention and influenced public understandings. The paper concludes by highlighting the implications for analysing, predicting, and engaging with, media representations of science.     

Worker education in the primary prevention of occupational dermatoses

This paper reports the evaluation of a skin care education programmeconducted on a fine chemicals manufacturing site where over1,000 employees are located. Approximately 60% are involvedin chemical manufacture. Over a 12 month period production staffreceived training in prevention of occupational dermatoses linkedto a site-wide poster initiative. The incidence of new casesof occupational dermatoses fell from 0.055 (70 cases in 1,277employees) to 0.021 (27 cases in 1,277 employees) before andafter the intervention respectively (p<0.0001). After otherfactors such as chemicals handled, observer bias and changesin reporting related to socioeconomic climate were taken intoaccount it is concluded that this study demonstrates the importanceof worker education as a tool for primary prevention of disease.Training materials such as video and poster presentations maybe effectively used in the chemical manufacturing industry asan adjunct to prevention and control of exposure to substanceshazardous to the skin. Such methods may also be used in otherindustries where there are significant risks of dermatoses.     

Regional Variation in Travel-related Illness acquired in Africa,March 1997–May 2011

To understand geographic variation in travel-related illness acquired in distinct African regions, we used the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network database to analyze records for 16,893 ill travelers returning from Africa over a 14-year period. Travelers to northern Africa most commonly reported gastrointestinal illnesses and dog bites. Febrile illnesses were more common in travelers returning from sub-Saharan countries. Eleven travelers died, 9 of malaria; these deaths occurred mainly among male business travelers to sub-Saharan Africa. The profile of illness varied substantially by region: malaria predominated in travelers returning from Central and Western Africa; schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis, and dengue from Eastern and Western Africa; and loaisis from Central Africa. There were few reports of vaccine-preventable infections, HIV infection, and tuberculosis. Geographic profiling of illness acquired during travel to Africa guides targeted pretravel advice, expedites diagnosis in ill returning travelers, and may influence destination choices in tourism.     

The design of hazard risk assessment matrices for ranking occupational health risks and their application in mining and minerals processing

Two hazard risk assessment matrices for the ranking of occupational health risks are described. The qualitative matrix uses qualitative measures of probability and consequence to determine risk assessment codes for hazard-disease combinations. A walk-through survey of an underground metalliferous mine and concentrator is used to demonstrate how the qualitative matrix can be applied to determine priorities for the control of occupational health hazards. The semi-quantitative matrix uses attributable risk as a quantitative measure of probability and uses qualitative measures of consequence. A practical application of this matrix is the determination of occupational health priorities using existing epidemiological studies. Calculated attributable risks from epidemiological studies of hazard-disease combinations in mining and minerals processing are used as examples. These historic response data do not reflect the risks associated with current exposures. A method using current exposure data, known exposure-response relationships and the semi-quantitative matrix is proposed for more accurate and current risk rankings.     

Psychopathological features of a patient population of targets of workplace bullying

BACKGROUND: A strong association between workplace bullying and subsequent anxiety and depression, indicated by empirical research, suggests that bullying is an aetiological factor for mental health problems. AIMS: To evaluate levels of stress and anxiety-depression disorder developed by targets of workplace bullying together with outcome at 12 months and to characterize this population in terms of psychopathology and sociodemographic features. METHODS: Forty-eight patients (36 women and 12 men) meeting Leymann Inventory of Psychological Terror criteria for bullying were included in a prospective study. Evaluations were performed at first consultation and at 12 months using a standard clinical interview, a visual analogue scale of stress, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale, the Beech scale of stress in the workplace and a projective test (Picture-Frustration Study). RESULTS: At first consultation, 81% of patients showed high levels of perceived stress at work and 83 and 52% presented with anxiety or depression, respectively. At 12 months, only 19% of working patients expressed a feeling of stress at work. There was a significant change in symptoms of anxiety while there was no change in symptoms of depression. Stress at work and depression influenced significatively capacity to go back to work. At 12-month assessments, workers showed a significantly better score on the HAD scale than non-workers. Over half the targets presented a neuroticism-related predominant personality trait. CONCLUSION: Workplace bullying can have severe mental health repercussions, triggering serious and persistent underlying disorders.     

The rise and fall in incidence of malignant mesothelioma from a British Naval Dockyard, 1979-1999

BACKGROUND: The incidence of malignant mesothelioma in Britain is predicted to rise over the next 15-25 years because of past failure to protect the workforce against inhalation of asbestos. In British Naval dockyards, alternative insulation materials and respiratory protection were introduced from the mid-1960s. Aims This study was carried out to investigate the effects of these control measures on mesothelioma deaths in dockyard workers. METHODS: Cases of mesothelioma of the pleura and peritoneum between 1979 and 1999 in workers from the Devonport Naval Dockyard, south-west England, were sought from coroners' and medico-legal records. RESULTS: Three hundred and one cases were identified, 7% peritoneal. The peak incidence occurred in 1991 with 25 cases per annum (quadratic model fit R(2) = 74.2%, P < 0.001) and we predict that by 2003 the incidence will fall to fewer than five cases per annum. The mean time between first exposure and presentation was 48.5 years [95% confidence interval (CI) = 47.3-49.8], but this was significantly shorter in the more heavily exposed trades, when compared with the less heavily exposed (42 years, 95% CI = 39.0-45.0, versus 49.5 years, 95% CI = 48.2-50.9). Those with higher exposure were also at significantly greater risk of peritoneal disease (P < 0.023, Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSION: The reduction in incidence of mesothelioma is greater than can be accounted for by reduction in numbers of dockyard workers over the last 50 years. Changes in insulation materials and improved industrial hygiene measures introduced into the Devonport Dockyard from the mid-1960s have resulted in an earlier decline in the incidence of malignant mesothelioma than that predicted for the British workforce as a whole.     

Organophosphate toxicity and occupational exposure

The ubiquitous organophosphates present a continuing health hazard in agriculture, public health eradication programmes and as chemical warfare agents. Despite significant progress in understanding the potential mechanisms of toxicity far beyond the commonly accepted mechanism of cholinesterase inhibition in intentional exposures, the precise health effects following occupational exposures are yet to be completely defined. A much greater understanding exists of the clinical features of organophosphate poisoning. These are characterized by a triphasic response involving an initial acute cholinergic phase, an intermediate syndrome (both associated with high mortality) and a disabling but non-lethal delayed polyneuropathy. The delayed polyneuropathy may occur in the absence of the cholinergic or intermediate phases. However, progress is still required in order to improve the quantification and assessment of occupational exposures and the implementation of appropriate preventive measures. Finally, evidence-based guidelines for appropriate or optimal therapeutic interventions following poisoning are required urgently and collaborative work with colleagues in developing countries, where the occurrence of organophosphate exposures is more frequent, may provide the answers.     

Miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in underground miners

This report documents a case series of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in miners at a deep underground metalliferous mine in tropical arid Australia. During the summer months of February and March 1999, all cases of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in underground miners seen at the mine's medical centre were clinically examined and administered a questionnaire. Twenty-five patients were seen, an incidence of 56.4 cases per million man-hours. Miliaria rubra was most often located between the ankle and knee (88% of cases). Twenty-four percent had concurrent folliculitis and 20% had concurrent tinea. Thirty-two percent had a personal history of asthma. Walking through ground-water and splashing of the legs was common. Three to 4 weeks of sedentary duties in air conditioning was generally required to achieve resolution of miliaria rubra. The incidence of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs is 38% of the incidence of heat exhaustion at the same mine. The length of disablement is greater, however. Atopics may be at increased risk of miliaria rubra. Control measures are discussed.     

Planning research

The starting point for any research project should be a question.Once this has been defined and the relevant scientific literaturereviewed, a protocol should be drawn up. This will be used notonly as a guide to the conduct of the study and in the preparationof the final report, but also in seeking any financial supportand approvals that are required for the investigation. A protocolis normally arranged in sections covering the background tothe study, the question(s) that it will address, the methodsthat will be used for the collection and analysis of data, thestatistical power of the investigation (where relevant), anyethical considerations, and the financial input that will beneeded. A pilot study is often helpful where aspects of thestudy method are untried or of uncertainvalidity.     

Stress in the Norwegian police service

BACKGROUND: High levels of stress have been attributed to the conditions of police work, but there is little empirical evidence for this. AIMS: To develop a new instrument to measure job stress in the police; to assess the most severe and frequent police stressors; to compare levels of stress according to the demographic and organizational factors; and to study stress in relation to personality traits, work locus of control and coping strategies. METHODS: A comprehensive nationwide questionnaire survey of 3272 Norwegian police at all hierarchical levels, including the Norwegian Police Stress Survey (NPSS), the Job Stress Survey, the Basic Character Inventory, the Work Locus of Control Scale, and the Coping Strategies Scale. RESULTS: Work injuries were appraised as the most stressful but least frequent stressor and job pressure was reported the least severe but most frequent stressor. Females experienced job stressors less frequently, but appraised them as more severe than men did. Older police officers reported more job pressure severity and fewer work injuries. The police in districts where peer support was planned but not implemented, and who worked in districts with more than 50,000 inhabitants, perceived the lack of support more severely than others. The correlations between stress and personality traits, work locus of control, and coping were moderate. CONCLUSIONS: The NPSS captures police-specific stressors that are not adequately measured by global stress instruments. The study of stress in police work should preferably involve a nationwide use of police-specific stress instruments.