Dermal exposure and changes in skin barrier function of base metal refinery workers co-exposed to cobalt and nickel

Refinery workers are exposed to many metals; including cobalt and nickel; both of which are skin sensitisers; causing allergic contact dermatitis. Dermal exposure; and changes in skin barrier function [skin hydration; transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin surface pH] from start to end of shift; of base metal refi nery workers co-exposed to cobalt and nickel; were assessed. Changes in SH were inconsistent; while TEWL generally increased and SS-pH decreased. The decrease in SS-pH is most likely due to direct skin contact with sulphuric acid. Dermal exposure was variable even though workers wore personal protective gloves; highlighting the limitations of personal protective clothing in controlling exposure. None of the workers presented with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). The small sample size of this study limits the interpretation of the absence of ACD; but the healthy worker effect and ethnic differences in skin structure and function may be contributing factors

Risk Factors of Poor Anthropometric Status in Children Under Five Years of Age Living In Rural Districts of the Eastern Cape and Kwazulu-Natal Provinces; South Africa

Objectives: Factors associated with children's anthropometric status were determined. Design: Secondary analysis was done using data from a cross-sectional survey including children under five years of age (n = 2 485) and their mothers in rural districts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces; South Africa. Methods: Data generated by questionnaire and anthropometric indices were used to construct a logistic regression model; taking into account hierarchical relationships of risk factors to determine the odds of a child being stunted; underweight or overweight. Statistical significance was set at p 0.05. Results: Factors associated with stunting were child of male gender (odds ratio (OR)

Risk Factors of Poor Anthropometric Status in Children Under Five Years of Age Living In Rural Districts of the Eastern Cape and Kwazulu-Natal Provinces; South Africa

Objectives: Factors associated with children's anthropometric status were determined. Design: Secondary analysis was done using data from a cross-sectional survey including children under five years of age (n = 2 485) and their mothers in rural districts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces; South Africa. Methods: Data generated by questionnaire and anthropometric indices were used to construct a logistic regression model; taking into account hierarchical relationships of risk factors to determine the odds of a child being stunted; underweight or overweight. Statistical significance was set at p 0.05. Results: Factors associated with stunting were child of male gender (odds ratio (OR)

Asthma Control Limitations in Selected Primary Health Care Clinics

Primary health care services worldwide are currently experiencing many quality-related problems. Efforts to improve these services appear to be sporadic and unsatisfactory. Investigations have revealed (Sharma et Sharma 2007) that one of the main causes for this state of affairs can be identif ed as neglected or inadequate documentation of patient/case history. The health care provider (HCP) should be equipped to improve the quality of health care and to take the lead in assuaging the predicament. The present study was undertaken to assess the correlation between asthma control and patient-related case history notes as recorded via the HCP. The data were obtained retrospectively from the patient notes of all asthmatic patients (including children and pregnant women) who attended six selected clinics in the North West Province of South Africa (Dr Kenneth Kaunda Municipal District). The analysis of the data collected from the patient clinic books confirmed the suspicion of poor quality of documentation; although the documentation in certain categories rendered some positive results. When compared to the GINAr guidelines; none of the patients had been controlled properly and only a small number (18.4) had been controlled partly (GINA 2008). Asthma control may be enhanced when a standard template is developed for completion by the HCP. It is envisaged that this will ensure that vital information regarding asthma control is documented in order to contribute to satisfactory chronic disease control

Dermal exposure sampling methods: an overview

Although a total of 174 and 117 substances have been listed with a skin (Sk) notation in the Regulations for Hazardous Chemical Substances and Regulation 22.9 of the Mine Health and Safety Act respectively; dermal sampling is not used frequently to assess exposure to these substances. A variety of measurement methods and strategies have been developed during the past forty years to assess dermal exposure. These methods include interception methods (also referred to as surrogate skin methods); removal of contaminant (substance) methods and in situ detection methods (also referred to as fluorescent tracer methods). The aim of this paper is to give an overview of the different dermal sampling methods. Furthermore; the applicability of each method for sampling different hazardous chemical substances will be highlighted in order to assist Occupational Hygienists in choosing the correct dermal sampling method