Respiratory and haematological health hazards among waste incineration workers at the open dump in Mansoura city

A major aspect of the process of waste incineration is the potential risk to human health that might result from the emission of pollutants generated by waste incineration process. So, the present study was undertaken to determine some of occupational health hazards among waste incineration workers and to detect some of waste incineration emissions. The study comprised 44 workers exposed to waste incineration emissions and 25 controls who were not exposed to waste incineration emissions. All participants were examined using a questionnaire sheet, clinical examinations, laboratory and instrumental investigations. Environmental measurements of some of the waste incineration emissions were carried out at the open dump of the compost fertilizer plant. The study revealed high average emission concentration of particulate matter and lead in the waste emissions at the open dump exceeding their TLVs. There were statistically significant differences between incineration workers and the controls regarding respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function tests, blood lead level, liver and kidney functions, parameters of lipogram, HB, MCHC and immunoglobulin profile. The study recommended; the reduction of the volume of the waste subjected to incineration by encouraging waste recycling, the limitation of open dumps and prevention of open burning of waste and the implementation of the effective preventive and control measures for waste incineration workers

Prevalence of hepatitis C in patients with bleeding oesophageal varices: clinical significance and impact on the outcome of sclerotherapy

The aim of the work was to find out the prevalence of hepatitis C in patients with bleeding varices and its clinical significance. 200 patients with bleeding esophageal varices were included. Viral markers for hepatitis B and for hepatitis C were done by ELISA and confirmed by RIBA test for all patients with Anti-HCV positive ELISA. Endoscopic sclerotherapy is done for all patients every week until complete eradication then every 3 months for one year. The prevalence of anti-HCV was 55% and HBsAg 8%, both viruses 5.5%. There was a significant number of patients positive to hepatitis markers categorized under child B and C than in patients negative to hepatitis markers. Moreover, most patients positive to both markers were child B and C mainly. Re-bleeding from esophageal varices was more in patients positive to viral markers when compared to negative patients. Patients with both viruses had the highest rate of re-bleeding