集成电路芯片生产的职业病危害特点

目的 研究集成电路芯片制造中作业人员的操作特点、接触职业病危害种类以及事故类型。方法 对集成电路芯片制造的生产流程、职业病危害及接触状况的资料进行收集整理。结果 根据生产流程中使用的设备及芯片制造所用原辅材料，论述了生产过程中各设备和操作工序涉及的各类高度、中度毒性化学物质、工艺特殊气体以及电离辐射和非电离辐射等职业病危害因素、作业人员操作特点和易发事故种类。结论 集成电路芯片制造中职业病危害问题值得关注。     

大蒜对焦炉工生物膜损伤和细胞免疫保护作用初探

采用大蒜对焦炉工在不脱离生产情况下，进行为期半年的实验服用，观察其对生物膜损伤和细胞免疫功能的保护作用。结果表明：服用大蒜制剂后焦炉工的唾液酸（ＳＡ）和脂质过氧化（ＬＰＯ）比服用前降低（Ｐ＜０．０１），谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（ＧＳＨ－Ｐｘ）有所增高，但Ｐ＞０．０５，在细胞免疫方面，表现为酸性α－醋酸萘酯酶（ＡＮＡＥ）和活性Ｅ－花环％（Ｅａ）的增高（Ｐ＜０．０１）。对照组的细胞免疫功能及生物膜损伤情况均无改善，提示：大蒜对焦炉工的生物膜和细胞免疫均有一定的保护作用。     

Neurobehavioral effects among subjects exposed to high static and gradient magnetic fields from a 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging system--a case-crossover pilot study.

The interactive use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques is increasing in operating theaters. A study was performed on 17 male company volunteers to assess the neurobehavioral effects of exposure to magnetic fields from a 1.5 Tesla MRI system. The subjects' neurobehavioral performances on a neurobehavioral test battery were compared in four 1-hr sessions with and without exposure to magnetic fields, and with and without additional movements. Adverse effects were found for hand coordination (-4%, P < 0.05; Pursuit Aiming II) and near visual contrast sensitivity (-16% and -15%, P < 0.10; Vistech 6000). The results from the remaining tests were inconclusive due to a strong learning effect. No additional effect from gradient fields was detected. The results indicate that working near a 1.5 Tesla MRI system may lead to neurobehavioral effects. Further research is recommended, especially in members of operating teams using interactive MRI systems.     

Design and conduct of occupational epidemiology studies: I. Design aspects of cohort studies

Cohort and case-control studies are two standard approaches for investigating the etiology of occupational diseases. This paper, which is the first of a four-part series, contains a review of the design features of occupational cohort studies. Topics discussed include the basic features of prospective and historical cohort studies, options for defining the cohort, disease incidence ascertainment, and considerations involved in planning an occupational cohort study. Subsequent papers in this series will focus on data analysis of occupational cohort studies and the design and analysis of occupational case-control studies.     

Cutaneous allergy to mustard in a salad maker

A case of allergic contact dermatitis to mustard (Brassica nigra) in a salad maker is reported. The sources of skin contact included a commercial salad cream, a vinegrette, and various members of the mustard family, Cruciferae. The Cruciferae family includes many salad vegetables and condiments which contain allergenic isothiocyanates. The extent of skin contact among salad makers and other food handlers may be significant, and sensitization to isothiocyanates from this large family of vegetables may be an important cause of food contact allergy in these individuals.     

Cancer risk due to occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) demonstrate carcinogenic activity in animal models. Although some epidemiologic studies have implicated PAHs as risk factors for human cancer, the evidence reported to date has not been consistent. The purpose of this report is to describe the associations between occupational exposure to PAHs in the workplace and each of 14 types of cancer. A population-based, case-control study was carried out in Montreal to investigate associations between a large variety of environmental and occupational exposures on the one hand, and several types of cancer on the other. A detailed job history was obtained from each subject along with information on a number of potential confounders. Each job history was reviewed by a team of experts, who used this information to construct a corresponding history of occupational exposures. Among the PAH exposures considered were benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) and five categories of PAHs defined on the basis of the source material, namely, wood, petroleum, coal, other sources, and any source. Altogether, 3,730 cancer patients and 533 population controls were interviewed and their job exposure histories coded. For each of 14 types of cancer analyzed, three control groups were available: other cancer patients, population controls, and the pooled set of cancer and population controls. The associations between 14 cancer types and 6 PAH exposures were analyzed using logistic regression methods. For most types of cancer evaluated, there was no evidence of excess risk due to PAHs at the levels encountered in the occupations in which PAH exposure has been prevalent in the Montreal area. For a few cancer sites–the esophagus, the pancreas, and the prostate gland–there were suggestions of excess risk; these observations are noteworthy hypotheses for further investigation. For lung cancer, there appeared to be an increased risk due to PAHs among nonsmokers and light smokers, but not among heavy smokers.     

Communication between an occupational physician and other medical practitioners--an audit

Four hundred and seventy-two consecutive referral episodes relatingto 386 patients attending the Occupational Health Departmentof a general teaching hospital were analyzed to evaluate thefrequency, content and effect on management of communicationsbetween the occupational physician and other doctors. In all,250 episodes (53%) were associated with such a communication.The likelihood of a communication was strongly influenced byreason for referral, particularly in respect of long or shortterm sickness absence; univariate odds ratios (OR)=10.58, 95%Cl=8.13–27.08) and 2.65, 95% Cl=1.55–4.60) respectively;a medical diagnosis of psychiatric illness (OR=3.17, 95% Cl=1.69–5.97));and by number of consultations. Communication was also morelikely when the occupational outcome was ill health retirement,rehabilitation in work or modified work. Ninety-eight per centof specific requests for information or an opinion eliciteda reply. Information received from other doctors influencedthe occupational health physician's management in 52 referralepisodes (20%). Specific action by GPs as a result of communicationwas documented in 54 and by specialists in 37 episodes. Theimportance of communication between occupational health physicianand other doctors in the occupational health process is confirmed.     

Experiences and perceived roles of occupational therapists working with children with special learning needs during transition to school: A pilot study

Occupational therapists provide support to children with special learning needs and their families during the child's transition from early childhood to mainstream school. Little has been documented regarding the role and experiences of occupational therapists working with children, families and teachers during transition in an Australian context. Six paediatric occupational therapists from one geographical area in New South Wales were interviewed and asked to relay their role and experiences when providing a service to children with special learning needs during their transition to school. Participants described their role to include: preparing the child for school; working with school personnel; and providing parental support. Although participants described both positive and negative experiences, among the negative experiences were: limited time to provide a service; recommendations to school personnel not being followed; school personnel not being supportive; feeling uncomfortable in the classroom; and limited involvement in planning. Participants described a role which is consistent with current school-based occupational therapy practice; however, in the participants' experience, there was a gap between the ideal service and what participants were able to provide. This included limited collaboration with teachers.     

A longitudinal study of semen quality in pesticide spraying danish farmers

It was hypothesized that occupational exposure to pesticides during a spraying season causes changes in semen quality that might be detected in a longitudinal study. We analyzed the within-person changes in semen quality and reproductive hormones across a spraying season in groups of farmers using and not using pesticides. A total of 248 men collected two semen samples (participation rate: 32%). The median sperm concentration declined significantly from the first to the second sample in both groups, but there was no statistical difference in the decline between the two groups, unadjusted or adjusted. Only minor changes were found in sperm morphology, vitality, motility, sperm chromatin denaturation (SCSA), and reproductive hormones, and the differences in changes between the two groups were nonsignificant, or, in the opposite direction to the expected. There was no relation between the changes in sperm parameters in relation to pesticide exposure variables. In conclusion, use of pesticides by Danish farmers is not a likely cause of short-term effects on semen quality and reproductive hormones.