Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 4 de 4
Filter
1.
Bulletin of Alexandria Faculty of Medicine. 2008; 44 (4): 773-784
in English | IMEMR | ID: emr-99560

ABSTRACT

Noise induced hearing loss is one of the most common and expensive sources of compensated work related health problems in modern industrialized countries. This study was conducted to detect the combined effect of occupational exposure to noise and lead on hearing. An observational analytic comparative approach was selected for this study. The inference population comprised 208 production workers from the Egyptian Copper Works Company in Alexandria, of these workers 51 were exposed to both noise and lead, 54 workers were exposed to noise, 53 workers were exposed to lead, and the rest, 50 workers were not exposed to neither noise or lead. All workers were subjected to a detailed interview, physical examination, otological examination, and auditory evaluation through a pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry [Speech Reception Threshold [SRT] and Speech Discrimination Score [SDS]%], tympanometry, and auditory brain-stem response audiometry. Moreover, the blood lead level of workers, and workplace noise intensity were measured. Clinical evaluation of workers revealed a significant increase in mean systolic blood pressure among lead exposed and noise exposed workers. Neurological manifestations [tremors, tingling/numbness, reduced visual acuity and headache], urinary troubles, and oral manifestations gingivitis and bleeding gum], were significantly more encountered among lead exposed workers and workers with combined exposure. On assessing the workers' mean hearing threshold of the right ear, it was evident that at low frequencies [250 Hz and 500 Hz] the maximum significant drop was recorded among the workers with combined exposure [30.2 +/- 9.8 dB, 30.2 +/- 9.74 dB respectively], compared to lead exposed workers [29.15 +/- 8.42 dB, 28.49 +/- 6.97 dB respectively], and noise exposed workers [27.68 +/- 6.98 dB, 28.43 +/- 7.57 dB]. On the contrary, at higher frequencies [1 KHz - 8 KHz] the maximum drop was recorded by noise exposed worker. Regarding the left ear, the maximum impairment at low frequencies was observed among lead exposed workers [28.3 +/- 8.08 dB, 28.49 +/- 9.38 dB respectively], but at the higher frequencies a similar pattern to that observed at the right ear was obtained. Noise exposed workers had the most impaired mean SRT [31.48 +/- 8.22 dB], while workers with combined exposure recorded the worst mean SDS% [91.67 +/- 6.06%]. No significant delay was observed in the Auditory Brainstem Response [ABR] audiometry recorded at the latencies I, III, and V and inter-peak latencies; I-III, I-V, and III-V for the studied workers. On calculating the total hearing impairment percent, noise exposure imposed the worst effect on hearing, where both noise exposed workers and workers with combined exposure had the highest mean hearing impairment percent [15.25 +/- 13.61%, 13.22 +/- 13,49% respectively]. Among noise exposed workers, the significant predictors of hearing impairment were the duration of employment and smoking. While, blood lead level and aging were the significant predictors for hearing impairment among workers with combined exposure. Cochlear affection is the main site of lesion in noise and/or lead exposed workers, and the risk of combined exposure to noise and lead imposed on the auditory system sensitivity at the studied levels of exposure is nearly similar to that encountered by noise exposure alone


Subject(s)
Humans , Lead/adverse effects , Lead/blood , Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced/etiology , Audiometry/methods , Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem , Acoustic Impedance Tests/methods
2.
Bulletin of High Institute of Public Health [The]. 1997; 27 (Supp. 1): 131
in English | IMEMR | ID: emr-44264

ABSTRACT

Industrialization in most Arab countries has led to a relative increase in the income per capita, improvement in nutrition and raising of the cultural levels, all of which can be powerful factors in enhancing the health status of the population. However, the adjustment to a new pattern of living that requires a rapid accommodation to mechanization and new industrial processes is associated with social and physiological stresses both inside and outside the work place. Problems facing people dealing with environmental and occupational health risk evaluation and management are many most of them are shared between our countries. The most important of these problems are risk perception, limited resources and lack of prioritization. For implementation of any environmental and occupational health risk management programme, coordination and cooperation within and among different Arab countries are needed for harmonizing such activities. Research, education training and legislations could be of the first items to be considered


Subject(s)
Humans , Occupational Health , Certificate of Need
3.
Bulletin of High Institute of Public Health [The]. 1997; 27 (Supp. 1): 342-349
in English | IMEMR | ID: emr-44296

ABSTRACT

This cross sectinol study involved 400 male workers selected from one of the cotton textile factories in Alexandria in a trial to study the effects of exposure to cotton dust on the respiratory system of exposed diabetic workers. All the participants were subjected to a special questionnaire and comprehensive clinical examination with special emphasis on respiratory system. Laboratory investigations included fasting blood sugar and pulmonary function measurements for all subjects. The selected pulmonary function indices were forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume in the first second [FEV[1.0]] maximum mid expiratiory flow rate [MMFR[25-75]] and maximum voluntary ventilation [MVV]. Results denoted that diabetic workers showed significantly higher prevalence of some respiratory diseases e.g. byssinosis, chest infection, chronic bronchitis and TB than non diabetics. Moreover, diabetic workers showed lower values of the measured pulmonary function indices than non diabetics


Subject(s)
Respiration Disorders , Occupational Diseases , Cross-Sectional Studies , Occupational Health , Physical Examination , Textile Industry
SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL