Occupational asthma and irritant symptoms among endoscopy nurses exposed to glutaraldehyde

This cross-sectional study was done to investigate the nature and prevalence of respiratory and irritant symptoms experienced by a sample of hospital endoscopy nurses exposed to glutaraldehyde [GA] and whether they develop occupational asthma under current working conditions in endoscopy units. It included 30 exposed endoscopy nurses and 30 nurses not exposed to GA as a control group. The results showed a high prevalence of lower respiratory tract [L.R.T.] symptoms followed by work related symptoms [WRS's] of dermatitis then WRS's of nasal and eye irritation. Also, there were significant differences between both groups as regards these symptoms. There were significant differences between exposed and non-exposed groups in the mean values of FVC%P., FEV1%P and FEF25-75%P. Moreover, the ventilatory function parameters among the exposed group, were significantly lower in workers complaining from WRS's of L.R.T. Also, negative correlation was found between the duration of exposure and the ventilatory function parameters. Occupational peak flow diaries completed by exposed workers with WRS's of the L.R.T. showed six cases of bronchial asthma [20%]. There was no significant difference between exposed and non-exposed groups as regards non-specific IgE. Thus, it was obvious from this study that GA induces irritant effect on the upper and lower respiratory tract, skin and eyes. Also, it confirms that GA asthma does exist

Respiratory and dermatological hazards among workers in textile dyeing

This study was done to find out the prevalence of respiratory and dermatological disorders among workers exposed to textile dyes and to investigate the dyes most probably associated with respiratory and dermatological disorders among exposed workers. It was carried out on 200 workers in dye houses in the textile dyeing industry in Al-Mahalla Al-Koubra as a study group and 200 workers not exposed to dyes as a control group. The results of this study revealed that: there was no statistically significant difference between both groups as regards age. marital status, residence, social class and educational level. The prevalence of smoking in both groups was almost the same with no significant difference. Inquiry about chronic cough, chronic phlegm and chronic bronchitis showed high prevalence rates in both groups but there were no significant differences between them. On the other hand, chest tightness, dyspnea, asthma and conjunctivitis were found to be significantly higher among the exposed group than among the non exposed group. In the present work, the longer duration of work exposure was found to be related to higher prevalence rate of respiratory and irritant symptoms, the difference between the groups was significant. Regarding the relationship between smoking habit and the prevalence rate of chronic respiratory symptoms, the current study demonstrated that there was significant difference between the three groups of exposed workers [smokers, non- smokers, ex-smokers], as regards chronic cough, chronic phlegm, chronic bronchitis and asthma. On studying the ventilatory functions, significant differences between exposed and non exposed groups of workers were found in the mean values of FVC% predicted, FEV1% predicted. FEV1/FVC% and FEF 25-75% predicted. Further more, these parameters were significantly lower among smokers and when the duration of dye exposure was prolonged. Multiple regression analysis was done to prioritize the factors affecting the ventilatory function parameters among the exposed workers and it revealed that, although the exposure to dye had a powerfull effect, yet smoking [number of cigarettes smoked per day and duration of smoking] had the strongest effect. Eczema was observed among 10% of the exposed group, while no cases of eczema were detected among the control group. About 86% [18 workers] of the workers having eczema gave positive reactions to the dye allergens. The prevalence of positive patch test reaction was found to be higher to disperse dye than to the reactive dye in the current study. This study proves that textile dyeing workers suffer from high prevalence of respiratory and dermatological disorders and the prevalence of positive patch test reaction was found to be higher to disperse dye than to the reactive dye

Effect of passive smoking on thyroid function in neonates

To evaluate the effect of passive smoking on thyroid function in infants. Cord serum Tri-iodothyronine [T3], Thyroxine [T4], Serum thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH], Thyroglobulin [Tg], and cord plasma thiocyanate [SCN] were measured at birth in 43 infants born to smoking fathers, and in 40 infants whose both parents were non-smokers. No significant differences were observed in cord serum concentrations of T3, T4 and TSH among the two groups. Tg and SCN concentrations were significantly higher in the study group than in controls [p<0.0001]. T3, T4, TSH were not correlated with SCN values, while there was strong [+ve] correlation between Tg and SCN [r=0.97]. Birth weight was significantly higher in controls than in the study group and, by regression, it was affected mainly by gestational age, and was not affected by SCN. Passive smoking during pregnancy may be responsible for elevated serum levels of thyroglobulin due to a direct effect of thiocyanate on the thyroid gland