Study of respiratory impairment among pesticide sprayers in Mango plantations

Pulmonary function studies were conducted on 489 pesticide workers engaged in spraying operations on mango plantations. These workers were exposed to a variety of organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides. A reference group consisting of 208 controls, belonging to the same socioeconomic stratum, was taken from the same area for purposes of comparison. The results of the study showed 36.5 and 41.5% prevalence of respiratory impairment in the exposed workers and in the controls, respectively. The most common pulmonary impairment among the exposed subjects (18.8%) and controls (16.9%) was of the restrictive type, followed by mixed ventilatory defect. Bronchial obstruction affected 2.5 and 3.7% of the exposed and control populations, respectively. In a comparison of the prevalence of total respiratory impairment in the pesticide workers and the controls, the nonsmokers did not show any significant difference in this study. The prevalence rate of respiratory impairment showed an increasing trend in different exposure groups (p less than 0.05), thereby clearly indicating a dose effect. The study revealed that occupational exposure to pesticides had a direct bearing on the respiratory impairment identified in the exposed workers.     

Polyvinyl chloride pyrolysis products. A potential cause for respiratory impairment.

A limited investigation of respiratory and other symptom prevalence, plus before and after shift ventilatory capacity was conducted among a group of 17 meat wrappers exposed to pyrolysis products of polyvinyl chloride and a group of 21 control subjects. Exposed meat wrappers showed a higher prevalence of cough, phlegm, hay fever, and asthma than did the control group. The exposed group also demonstrated relative decreases in forced expiratory volume, one second (FEV1.0) and forced expiratory flow 50% (FEF50) after one shift of work; whereas, the controls showed an opposite tendency. These findings suggest that meat wrappers exposed to pyrolysis products of polyvinyl chloride might be adversely affected. The results, while suggestive, are not totally conclusive owing to the fact that there was not ideal matching of the exposed and control groups in regard to age, height, race, sex, and smoking status.     

Simultaneous exposure to airborne flour particles and thermal load as cause of respiratory impairment

Summary In order to estimate whether only simultaneous exposure to both airborne flour particles and unfavorable thermal environment alone cause the development of nonspecific respiratory disease or whether sole exposure to flour aerosols is likely to cause impairment of the respiratory system, a group of 80 millers and 130 bakers, all nonsmokers, were examined. Both millers and bakers were exposed to approximately the same concentration of airborne flour particles but the latter worked under considerable thermal load. It was found that between millers and bakers the difference in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms was not statistically significant. Although the differences between the mean measured and the mean predicted ventilatory function parameters (FVC, FEV₁, PEF, MEF 50%, MEF 75%) were significant both in millers and bakers, they did not differ significantly between these two groups. This finding suggests that exposure to flour dust may cause the development of chronic nonspecific respiratory disease and a reduction of ventilatory lung capacity irrespective of simultaneous heat load.     

Risk of gastric cancer in pneumoconiotic coal miners and the effect of respiratory impairment.

OBJECTIVES--This study was carried out to investigate the mortality patterns in a group of 3790 coal miners. The study population had abnormal chest x ray films at a routine medical examination that was performed in the 1950s. METHODS--The total group of 3790 coal miners were followed up for mortality up to 1 January 1992. Causes of death, determined and coded at time of death, were traced with help from the Central Bureau of Statistics. RESULTS--Total mortality in this group of coal miners with abnormal chest x ray films was significantly higher than expected (SMR 127.1, 95% CI 122.5-131.6), mainly a reflection of the increase in mortality from non-malignant respiratory disease (SMR 411.0, 95% CI 382.3-441.3). Mortality from gastric cancer was also significantly increased (SMR 147.5, 95% CI 122.3-176.3). This risk of mortality from gastric cancer was confined to workers with no pneumoconiosis or only a mild form. Despite the strong relation to duration of employment and pneumoconiosis the group of workers with more severe manifestations of pneumoconiosis did not experience an excess in mortality from gastric cancer. CONCLUSION--This study confirms the earlier reported risk of gastric cancer in coal miners. Also it confirms the hypothesis that this risk of gastric cancer is limited to workers with a mild degree of pneumoconiosis or none. In workers with severe forms of pneumoconiosis the pulmonary clearance system is impaired in such a way that the inhaled coal dust does not reach the digestive tract.     

Evaluation of occupational allergic diseases of the respiratory tract

The paper presents the basic etiological and pathogenetic aspects of occupational allergic diseases of the respiratory tract, discusses the clinical course, diagnosis, and priorities of the prevention of allergic diseases of the upper airways and bronchopulmonary apparatus from the action of industrial allergens.     

Exposure to vehicular pollution and respiratory impairment of traffic policemen in Jalgaon City, India

The ambient air quality monitoring was carried during the May 2003 to April 2004 along the (NH-6) passing through Jalgaon city. The average concentration of SOx 64 microg/m3, NOx 58 microg/ m3, particulates (> 10 micro) 515 microg/m3 and respirable dust particulates 224 microg/m3 was reported at Prabhat during the study period (May 2003-April 2004). This location represents the major highway crossings (four) in the study area. The present investigations are on the survey of health status and lung function of traffic policemen exposed to the inferior air quality as observed on the highway crossings. The spirometric analysis of traffic policemen shows significant variation in Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC). The parameters were significantly affected in the traffic policemen as against the control group of population. It reveals significant respiratory impairment in the traffic policemen due to exposure to vehicular pollution. The study suggest the compulsory use of personal protective equipment (nose mask) by the traffic policemen during duty hours will help for the protection from vehicular pollution. The regular periodic health checkup is required to understand the impact of vehicular pollution on the health of traffic policemen.     

Nutritional depletion and its relationship to respiratory impairment in patients with chronic respiratory failure due to COPD or restrictive thoracic diseases

OBJECTIVE: While malnutrition, especially fat-free mass index (FFMI), is a predictor for mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), less information on prevalence and mechanisms is available in patients with chronic respiratory failure (CRF) due to restrictive thoracic diseases (RTD). DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study of patients consecutively admitted to an in-patient primary pulmonary centre. SUBJECTS: One hundred and thirty-two patients (30% RTD; 70% COPD) with CRF and intermittent non-invasive positive pressure ventilation. INTERVENTIONS: Malnutrition was quantified by bioelectrical impedance analysis or body mass index (BMI), and its relationship to laboratory, lung function, inspiratory muscle and blood gas parameters and 6-min walking distance (6-MWD) was assessed. RESULTS: Malnutrition in terms of BMI<20 kg/m(2) occurred in 16.1% of patients with COPD but none of those with RTD. FFMI<17.4 (<15.0 in female patients) kg/m(2) was found in 35.4 and 30.7%, respectively. FFMI was correlated with airway obstruction (sR(aw), r = -0.50; FEV(1)/VC, r = -0.28; P< or = 0.01 each) and lung hyperinflation (intrathoracic gas volume, r = -0.41; total lung capacity (TLC), r = -0.50; P< or = 0.001 each) in COPD, and with lung restriction in RTD (TLC, r=0.40; P=0.011). Furthermore, malnourished patients showed a higher inspiratory load (P (0.1)) and reduced 6-MWD in both groups. In COPD, only hyperinflation and P (0.1) were independently related to FFMI. CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition as indicated by low FFMI was similarly prevalent in patients with CRF and COPD or RTD, but inadequately represented by BMI. The correlations between lung function impairments specific for the disease and FFMI emphasized the link between malnutrition and respiratory mechanical load irrespective of its aetiology.     

The relation of thirteen-year mortality to ventilatory impairment and other respiratory symptoms: the Cracow Study

The relation of mortality to ventilatory function and some respiratory symptoms detected during interview has been studied in 3047 men and women followed-up for 13 years. The analysis was performed for all natural causes of death, and separately for deaths due to circulatory diseases and neoplasms. The results confirm the strong predictive power of ventilatory impairment for overall and circulatory mortality, even after adjustment for age, cigarette smoking and other factors in logistic regression models. The risk of cancer death in men increased with decrease of FEV1. However, chronic cough, mucus hypersecretion or asthmatic syndrome were not related to subsequent mortality. A strong predictor of overall and circulatory 'mortality' in men was also self-assessed health status. This was independent of other factors.     

北京市东城区预防呼吸道传染病宣传月效果评价

目的对东城区预防呼吸道传染病宣传月的效果进行评价。方法在宣传月开始和结束时对社区居民流感、禽流感预防知识、态度、行为进行调查。结果宣传月后,居民对流感、禽流感传播途径、预防方法和消毒方法及对政府处置流感、禽流感流行的能力的认识等有显著提高。结论东城区预防呼吸道传染病宣传月取得了显著的成果。     

Evaluation of dermal and respiratory chloroform exposure in humans.

Chloroform is a known contaminant of chlorinated drinking water and of swimming pool water disinfected with chlorine or one of its derivatives. Few data exist regarding the importance of dermal and inhalation exposure routes to the chloroform body burden resulting from domestic and recreational use of chlorinated water. In our experimental study involving 11 male swimmers, we quantified the body burden resulting from exposure to various concentrations of chloroform in water and air of an indoor swimming pool, during a daily 55-min exercise period. From the first to the sixth exercise period, CHCl3 mean concentration in water was increased from 159 micrograms/l to 553 micrograms/l. Corresponding mean air CHCl3 level ranged from 597 ppb to 1630 ppb. To dissociate the dermal exposure route from that of inhalation, swimmers used scuba tanks during an additional exercise period. Chloroform concentrations were measured in alveolar air before and after each exercise period, as well as after 35 min of physical activity. Chloroform levels in water and air were measured every 10 min. We examined the relationship between alveolar air concentration (a measure of body burden) at 35 and 55 min and environmental chloroform concentrations by using multiple regression models. The natural logarithm of alveolar air concentration was strongly correlated with aqueous chloroform concentration both at 35 (p2 < 0.001, r2 = 0.75) and 55 min (p < 0.001, r2 = 0.86). The relationship with air concentrations was also statistically significant (35 min: p < 0.001, r2 = 0.58, 55 min: p < 0.001, r2 = 0.63).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Evaluation of pneumococcal urinary antigen testing for respiratory tract infection investigations

ObjectiveThe pneumococcal urinary antigen test enables rapid bacteriological diagnosis in respiratory tract infections. The objective was to identify factors associated with a positive pneumococcal urinary antigen test result.Patients and methodsThis seven-year retrospective monocentric study was performed on consecutive patients presenting with respiratory tract infections reported as pneumococcal-positive. Epidemiological, biological, and radiological factors were analyzed, and severity scores were calculated.ResultsA total of 223 patients were included. Significant associations were observed between positive test results and age over 65 years (P = 0.01), positive test results and immunosuppression factors (blood disease [25% Ag+ group vs. 4% Ag− group, P = 0.001], immunosuppressive therapy [10% Ag+ group vs. 0% Ag− group, P = 0.02]). Clinically, fever (64% Ag+ group vs. 42% Ag− group, P = 0.01) and cough (46% Ag+ group vs. 19% Ag− group, P < 0.01) were associated with a positive result, as were radiological alveolar opacities (67% Ag+ group vs. 44% Ag− group, P = 0.01). High PSI score was associated with the Ag+ group (79% vs. 56% Ag− group, P = 0.001).ConclusionAge, immunosuppressive factors, typical pneumococcal symptoms, and PSI scores were associated with a positive pneumococcal urinary antigen result.     

Evaluation of a respiratory health program for farmers and their families

Occupational exposures to organic dusts, gases, welding fumes and agricultural chemicals result in farmers' increased risk of respiratory health problems compared to other workers. The Respiratory Health Program for Saskatchewan farmers addresses the difficulties of delivering an occupational health program to a sparsely distributed population on the Prairies. We summarized their pulmonary function and respiratory health by spirometry and questionnaire respectively. The necessity of the program was demonstrated by the frequency of lower than predicted pulmonary function tests and referrals to family physicians (1996 through 1999). Age, years in farming, usual cough, wheezing on most days and nights, bringing up phlegm from the chest, breathlessness, and cigarette smoking were associated significantly with pulmonary function results. We evaluated the Respiratory Health Program (1994 through 2000) with respect to acceptability, accessibility, appropriateness, continuity, effectiveness, efficiency, and risk/safety by using questionnaires and evaluations by farm families.     

长春新碱诱发的人淋巴细胞遗传损伤的体外试验方法评价

目的 用3个遗传终点来评价人外周血淋巴细胞暴露于不同剂量长春新碱（VCR）后的遗传损伤。方法 外周血来自男女2名助血员，用终浓度为0．00（溶剂对照）、0．01、0．02、0．04、0．08μg／ml的VCR染毒24h，再用微核试验、彗星试验和hprt基因突变试验检测淋巴细胞的遗传损伤。微核试验以微核率、微核细胞率、核芽、核质桥、核分裂指数和凋亡细胞作为染色体损伤指标；彗星试验以平均尾长和平均尾相作为DNA损伤的指标；hprt基因突变试验以基因突变率作为评价指标。结果 3种试验均呈阳性。hprt基因突变率和凋亡细胞数从0．02μg／ml剂量开始与对照的差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05或P〈0．01），其余指标从最低剂量组开始就明显高于对照组，差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．01或P〈0．05），并存在剂量一效应关系。结论 VCR在体外可通过不同机制诱发人淋巴细胞的遗传损伤。