ABSTRACT
To determine the musculoskeletal complaints associated with using computer and its ergonomic risks for office workers of a medical sciences university in Tehran. In this cross-sectional study, a background questionnaire was used to determine individuals and computer use habits' characteristics. A total number of 164 office workers of AJA University of Medical Sciences participated in this study. Musculoskeletal complaints were assessed using standardized Nordic questionnaire, and ergonomic risk assessment was done using rapid office strain assessment [ROSA] checklist. All data were analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences [SPSS] software version 17. A number of 123 participants filled the questionnaires. The average age of participants was 33.40 +/- 6.51 years old. The most frequently reported musculoskeletal complaints were related to neck [58.53%] and lower back [58.53%] for men and knee [66.66%], lower back [64.61%] and neck [61.53%] for women. Based on risk assessment results, 46.34% of office workstations were high risk. The mean ROSA final score was 5.18 +/- 1.23 [high risk]. The prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints was significantly more among office workers who worked in a high risk environment. The pains were considerable in the neck [74.54%] and lower back [80%]. Prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among office workers of AJA University of Medical Sciences is high. Ergonomic interventions such as computer workstation redesign and office ergonomics training should be considered to prevent the related health problems, especially for high risk workstations
ABSTRACT
Exposure to mercury [Hg] as a heavy metal can cause health effects. The objective of this study was to assess occupational exposure to Hg in a chlor-alkali petrochemical industry in Iran by determining of Hg concentrations in air, blood and urine samples. The study was performed on 50 exposed subjects and 50 unexposed controls. Air samples were collected in the breathing zone of exposed subjects, using hopcalite sorbents. Analysis was performed using a cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometer [CV-AAS] according to NIOSH analytical method 6009. For all participants, blood and urine samples were collected and then transferred into sterile glass tubes. After micro-extraction with ionic liquid and back extraction with nitric acid, Hg concentrations in blood and urine samples were determined by CV-AAS. The mean concentration of air Hg was 0.042 +/- 0.003 mg/m[3]. The mean concentrations of Hg in blood and urine samples of exposed subjects were significantly higher than unexposed controls [22.41 +/- 12.58 versus 1.19 +/- 0.95 micro g/l and 30.61 +/- 10.86 versus 1.99 +/- 1.34 micro g/g creatinine, respectively]. Correlation of air Hg with blood Hg, urine Hg and blood Hg-urine Hg ratio were significant statistically [P< 0.05]. The values of Hg in blood and urine samples of chlor-alkali workers were considerably high. Correlation coefficients showed that blood Hg and blood Hg-urine Hg ratio are better indicators than urine Hg for assessing occupationally exposed workers in terms of current exposure assessment