Neurobehavioral performance among workers at water-based paints factory

Water-based paints have beneficial effects towards occupational and environmental health when compared to traditional paints that contain large amounts of organic solvents. Paint manufacturers have reduced the amount of volatile solvents by switching to water-based paints. However, most still contain a proportion of volatile solvents, thus retaining the potential to affect the central nervous system with special emphasis on the neurobehavioral performance of the exposed workers. To assess neurobehavioral performance among workers occupationally exposed to water-based paints. This study was conducted at small scale water-based paints factory in Egypt. Sixty-eight workers [mean duration of exposure was 6.5 years] were selected as an exposed group. Control group [n = 68] was recruited among workers' relatives who never worked with any type of paints. Neurobehavioral test battery was administered to all participants. The battery included tests of Similarities, Letter Cancellation, Trail-making part A and B, Digit Span, Symbol Digit and Spielberger's State-Trait Personality Inventory [STPI]. Ambient air samples were collected during regular working hours and analyzed for detection of toxic chemicals. After adjustment for potential confounders, exposed workers showed lower performance in all administered tests as compared to the control group. However, significant differences were found only in Symbol Digit, Trailmaking B and Spielberger's State-Trait Personality Inventory [STPI]. Ambient air monitoring showed presence of acrylates [1.8 mg/m[3]], formaldehyde [0.5 mg/m[3]] and ammonia [0.04 mg/m[3]]. Neurobehavioral assessment can be used as a valid, easily administered, non-expensive tool for early detection of neurotoxic effects of different exposures including water based paints. Health disorders in this industry can be reduced by replacing some toxic compounds with less toxic alternatives and by proper hygienic and ventilation measures

Study of urinary iodine as an indicator of iodine deficiency and associated clinical signs and symptoms in a sample of basic school children in Menouf district Menufiya governorate

Iodine deficiency is a major public health problem, particularly for pregnant women and young children, and is the commonest cause of preventable mental retardation as well as endemic goitre. especially in developing countries. The aim of the study was to measure the urinary iodine concentration among a sample of basic school children to detect the magnitude of the problem of iodine deficiency, detect the prevalence of goitre among the studied sample and study of relevant symptoms and signs in those diagnosed to have iodine deficiency. The study was carried out on 421 students selected from Menofiya governmental basic school children with age range 6-14 years. All the students were subjected to full history taking, general medical examination, local examination of the neck and laboratory investigations including determination of urinary iodine and measuring of total T3 and T4 thyroid hormones for [40 students] with iodine deficiency. and [10] students who had normal urinary iodine concentration. The study showed that the majority [51.1%] of the studied group had mild iodine deficiency. [18.5%] had moderate deficiency, [7.8%] had severe deficiency, and only [22.6%] had normal urinary iodine concentration using WHO recommended cut off values. A significant difference between the two goitre grades [grade 0 and grade 1] regarding the mean value of urinary iodine concentration level [P <0.001]. a significant difference between different patterns of iodine deficiency as regard the mean value of T4 thyroid hormone [P<0.05]. but not with T3 [P>0.05]. Children not suffering from iodine deficiency showed normal values of T4 but lower values were found in those suffering from iodine deficiency. Easy fatigability. pallor and constipation were more prevalent among those students with severe iodine deficiency compared to those suffering from mild and moderate deficiency and those having normal urinary iodine [P<0.05]. It could be concluded that urinary iodine concentration was decreased in all goitrous children, so we recommend routine urinary examination for iodine concentration for school children at school entry to detect those with moderate and severe iodine deficiency to be subjected with their families to health education program about the health hazards of iodine deficiency and the importance of the usage of iodine

Respiratory hazards among workers in acrylic textile industry

For this study, ninety two exposed and thirty control workers were chosen randomly from Queisna Menoutex Factory. Each worker was examined using a special questionnaire for respiratory symptoms, personal data, history of exposure, and clinical examination. Spiromelric measurements were done using a compact spirometer. Environmental study revealed levels of acrylic fibres and acrylonitrile vapours lower than their threshold limit values. The results revealed that chronic bronchitis was significantly more prevalent among exposed than the control workers. A significant decrease in mean pre shift spiromelric measurements was found in exposed when compared with control workers. There was a significant association between the time intensity factor [for acrylic fibres and acrylonitrile vapours] and either of the prevalence of other respiratory symptoms or the changes in spirometric measurements for the non smoking exposed workers. Significant increase in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and a significant decrease in mean pre shift spirometric measurements were found among smoking than among the non smoking exposed workers. The mean post-shift spirometric measurement was significantly lower than that of the pre-shift measurement for all the exposed workers