Agrochemicals pose health risks to coffee factory workers in Githuguri (Kenya)

In this century, the use of pesticides and fertilizers (agrochemicals) is indispensable because they are seen as a panacea for protecting crops from insects and diseases. However, the manner in which these agrochemicals are handled poses significant health risks to manufacturers, transporters, vendors and farmers. In Kenya, for example, coffee factory workers (specifically storekeepers) apportion the agrochemicals and sell them to the coffee farmers. The process of apportioning and other factors expose these workers to health risks. In order to evaluate the extent of the problem, a pilot study was undertaken in the Githuguri location. The results showed that lack of use of protective clothing, poor handling of agrochemicals and poorly designed storage facilities were very common. As a result, 95% of the workers interviewed reported a variety of agrochemical health related problems. In conclusion, the government and the public role regarding possible preventive measures were proposed.     

Radiation doses deriving from patients undergoing 111In-DTPA-d-Phe-1-octreotide scintigraphy

The purpose of this study was to estimate the radiation doses to nursing staff, other patients, accompanying persons and family members deriving from patients undergoing ¹¹¹In-DTPA-d-Phe-1-octreotide (¹¹¹In-OCT) scintigraphy. Dose rates were measured from 16 patients who had received an intravenous injection of 140±40 MBq ¹¹¹In-OCT. The measurements were performed at three different distances (0.5, 1 and 2 m) at 10–20 min, 5–7 h and 24 h (and in some cases, up to 48 h) after administration of ¹¹¹In-OCT. The effective half-lives of the biexponential decrease of the dose rates were estimated to be 2.94±0.27 h (T ₁) and 65.17±0.58 h (T ₂). The calculated maximum dose to other persons in the waiting area was 27.2 μSv, to family members 61.5 μSv, to nursing staff in a ward 24.1 μSv and to neighbouring patients in the ward 69.5 μSv. Our results clearly demonstrate that the calculated maximum radiation exposure to accompanying persons, personnel, family members and other patients is well below the maximum annual dose limit for non-professionally exposed persons. Received 20 May and in revised form 9 July 1997     

周围剂量当量仪的研制

周围剂量当量仪研制是根据国际辐射单位和测量委员会（ＩＣＲＵ）３９号报告推荐的周围剂量当量而设计的一种数字化智能型辐射防护仪。方法采用能量补偿对探测器进行能响校正。结果补偿结果使得探测器在４７～２３０ｋｅＶ与ＩＳＯ推荐的Ｈ＊（１０）／Ｋａ值误差在５％以内。本文重点描述了周围剂量当量仪探测器部分的工艺结构和剂量学性能以及电子学测量部分的主要功能。结论通过实际应用我们初步获得的结论是由于该仪器可直接测量周围剂量当量，稳定性好且具有自动取平均值特点，它可做为实验室校准用测量仪器，又由于该仪器体积小，电池供电，读数面板又有背光功能，它也可以做为现场仪器用于辐射防护实践的现场测量     

肺结核线索调查中X线胸透的代价和效益试评

用热释光剂量计测试了受检者胸透体表照射量，结果表明受检者体表照射量符合对数正态分布，几何均值为０．１９ｍＣ·ｋｇ－１，高于一般体检胸透照射量水平。根据危险度系数，估算出由此造成的辐射诱发恶性肿瘤危险度，男女分别为３．５５×１０－６和４．０５×１０－６，后裔遗传疾患的危险度均为４．０×１０－８，由此估计该次实践造成的人均寿命缩短时间为０．５２ｈ·人－１。利用江苏省结核病的患病率、死亡率、化疗治愈率估算出由此次实践带来的人均寿命延长时间为４５．８ｈ·人－１。     

Assessment of exposure to arsenic among smelter workers: A five-year follow-up

In a group of 43 smelter workers exposed to inorganic arsenic dust for 13-45 years, nerve conduction velocities (NCVs) were significantly lower in two peripheral nerves as compared with matching referents. With multivariate data analysis, a significant negative correlation was found between cumulative absorption of arsenic and NCV in four examined nerves and the sural amplitude. Clinical symptoms of neuropathy and other symptoms related to arsenic exposure were moderate, though the difference between the groups was significant. The mean total absorption of arsenic was calculated to be less than 5 g, and the maximal absorption about 20 g. These data indicate that the adverse effect of arsenic on the peripheral nerves is dependent on long-term exposure rather than on short-term fluctuations in exposure levels. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

无机汞对男工内分泌和大鼠睾丸微量元素的影响

应用放射免疫分析法（ＲＩＡ）和流行病学调查，对４０名接触汞和４０名非接触汞男工进行了血清甲状腺激素、性激素水平和生殖功能的测定。结果表明，接触组男工的阳萎、早泄、性欲减退发生率和男工妻子的早产、自然流产发生率以及血清甲状腺激素（ＦＴ３和ＦＴ４）含量明显增多，每周性交次数和血清睾酮含量显著减少。上述各项与对照组比较差异非常显著。应用火焰光度法，对氯化汞染毒后大鼠睾丸组织的微量元素进行测定，实验组的锌值明显降低。结果提示氯化汞能够影响甲状腺激素、睾酮和锌元素水平。     

铸造粉尘对肺功能影响的研究

目的 探讨铸造粉尘对接尘工人和铸工尘肺患者肺功能的影响。方法 选择Ⅰ期铸工尘肺患者38例、0^ 者22例、有20a以上粉尘接触史而胸部X线改变无异常者85例，进行肺功能测定，并与65名对照进行比较。结果 铸工尘肺患者肺功能各项指标均低于对照组，肺功能损伤程度以轻、中度损伤为主；0^ 和接尘工人小气道功能各项指标低于对照组，肺功能损伤程度以轻度损伤为主。结论 铸造粉尘既可以导致铸工尘肺患者肺功能不同程度的损伤，也可使0^ 和接尘工人肺功能有一定程度的损伤。     

Rate of PSA rise predicts metastatic versus local recurrence after definitive radiotherapy

: A rising prostate specific antigen (PSA) following treatment for adenocarcinoma of the prostate indicates eventual clinical failure, but the rate of rise can be quite different from patient to patient, as can the pattern of clinical failure. We sought to determine whether the rate of PSA rise could differentiate future local versus metastatistic failure.

: Two thousand six hundred sixty-seven PSA values from 400 patients treated with radiotherapy for localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate were analyzed with respect to PSA patterns and clinical outcome. Patients had received no hormonal therapy or prostate surgey and had ?4 PSA values post-treatment PSA rate of rise, determined by the slope of the natural log, was classified as gradual (< 0.69 log (ng/ml)/year, or doubling time (DT) > 1 year), moderate (0.69-1.4 log (ng/ml)/year, or DT 6 months-1 year), or rapid [>1.4 log (ng/ml)/year, or DT < 6 months].

: SIxty-one percent of patients had non-rising PSA following treatment; 25% of patients with rising PSA developed clinical failure, and 93% of patients with clinical failure had rising PSA. The rate of rise discerned different clinical failure patterns. Local failure occurred in 23% of patients with moderate rate of rise versus 7% with gradual rise (p = 0.0001). Metastatic disease developed in 46% of those with rapid versus 8% with moderate rise (p < 0.0001). By multivariate analysis, in addition to rate of rise, PSA nadir and rate of decline predicted local failure; those with post-treatment nadir of 1–4 ng/ml were five times more likely to experience local failure than nadir < 1 ng/ml (p = 0.0002). Rapid rate of rise was the most significant independent predictor of metastastic failure.

: The rate of PSA rise following definitive radiotherapy can predict clinical failure patterns, with a rapidly rising PSA indicating metastatic recurrence and moderately rising PSA local recurrence. This information could potentially dirent therapy; if the rise predicts metastatic failure hormonal therapy could be cosidereed, while aggressive salvage therapy may benefit subclinical local recurrence identified by a moderate rate of PSA rise.     

The effect of radiation on the fracture repair process. A biomechanical evaluation of a closed fracture in a rat model

The effects of a single dose of irradiation on the biomechanical parameters of the fracture healing process were studied in a rat model. Intramedullary pinning was performed before production of a closed femoral midshaft fracture. The experimental group was exposed to 900 rad 3 days after fracture and was compared with a control group with a similar fracture that received no irradiation. Animals were killed at intervals ranging from 2-16 weeks after surgery and the bones were tested until failure in torsion. In the irradiated groups, a delay of 4 weeks was noted in the biomechanical parameters associated with fracture healing (torque to failure, torsional stiffness, angle to failure, and biomechanical stage). Despite this delay in the normal temporal progression, the staging and stiffness approached normal controls within an 8-week period. However, the torque to failure remained below normal levels at the conclusion of this study. These results differ from a previous study using an open fracture model.     

Occupational irritant contact dermatitis and fungal infection in construction workers

We have examined 6 construction workers who developed chronic skin diseases on their hands over a period of 15 years (1970–1985). 4 developed a Trichophyton rubrum infection, and the other 2 an irritant contact dermatitis. All of them carried out jobs which caused traumatization of the skin, due to the presence of ethylene glycol and mineral oils during operation of pneumatic hammers in winter. They also suffered other types of skin trauma during their work. Construction workers may be at risk of developing an occupational skin disease involving fungal infection.