Urinary 1-Hydroxypyrene Levels in Workers Exposed to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon from Rubber Wood Burning

BACKGROUND: Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) was selected as a biomarker of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to explore the accumulation level in the bodies of workers at rubber smoke sheet factories in southern Thailand. METHODS: Spot urine samples were taken from four groups of workers from June 2006 to November 2007. The nonexposure or control groups included habitual cigarette smokers and nonsmokers. The other two groups were workers exposed to particle-bound PAHs from rubber wood smoke and they were nonsmokers. All spot urine samples were analyzed for 1-OHP and creatinine levels. RESULTS: The mean +/- standard deviation urinary 1-OHP in the control group of habitual smokers and the nonsmokers was 0.24 +/- 0.16 mumol/mol creatinine and not-detected to 0.14 mumol/mol creatinine, respectively. In the workers, the 1-OHP levels on workdays had no significant difference from the 1-OHP levels on the days off. The yearly average 1-OHP level was 0.76 +/- 0.41 mumol/mol creatinine whereas the average 1-OHP level during 10 consecutive workdays was 1.06 +/- 0.29 mumol/mol creatinine (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The urinary 1-OHP levels of workers exposed to PAHs were high. The accumulation of 1-OHP in the body was not clear although the workers had long working hours with few days off during their working experience. Therefore, a regular day off schedule and rotation shift work during high productive RSS should be set for RSS workers.

Noise Exposure Assessment in a Dental School

OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study was performed in the Dental School of Prince of Songkla University to ascertain noise exposure of dentists, dental assistants, and laboratory technicians. A noise spectral analysis was taken to illustrate the spectra of dental devices. METHODS: A noise evaluation was performed to measure the noise level at dental clinics and one dental laboratory from May to December 2010. Noise spectral data of dental devices were taken during dental practices at the dental services clinic and at the dental laboratory. A noise dosimeter was set following the Occupational Safety and Health Administration criteria and then attached to the subjects' collar to record personal noise dose exposure during working periods. RESULTS: The peaks of the noise spectrum of dental instruments were at 1,000, 4,000, and 8,000 Hz which depended on the type of instrument. The differences in working areas and job positions had an influence on the level of noise exposure (p < 0.01). Noise measurement in the personal hearing zone found that the laboratory technicians were exposed to the highest impulsive noise levels (137.1 dBC). The dentists and dental assistants who worked at a pedodontic clinic had the highest percent noise dose (4.60 +/- 3.59%). In the working areas, the 8-hour time-weighted average of noise levels ranged between 49.7-58.1 dBA while the noisiest working area was the dental laboratory. CONCLUSION: Dental personnel are exposed to noise intensities lower than occupational exposure limits. Therefore, these dental personnel may not experience a noise-induced hearing loss.

Factors related to the Utilization of Pap smear Screening Service among Women in Rattaphum District, Songkla Province

The present study aimed to describe how the women perceived knowledge on cervical cancer and its screening, including determining factors on utilization of the screening service in Rattaphum district, Songkla Province. 810 married women aged 20-34 years and all women aged 35-60 years were recruited using clusters sampling technique and interviewed with the questionnaires. Among 810 women, 55.8% have experienced cervical cancer screening; 87.2% have heard about cervical cancer; and 89.7% knew about Pap smear screening. Regarding knowledge, most women neither knew that cervical cancer at early stage showed no symptoms nor did they know of its etiology. Only 17.8% perceived cervical cancer correctly as asymptomatic. The reason for having the screening included as a compulsory postpartum service (41.2%), recommended service in annual check-up program (22.6%) and being motivated by village health volunteers (20.6%). Whereas the reason for not having Pap smear were not having any symptoms (61.8%) and not considering oneself at risk (55.3%). The places of choice for screening were community hospitals (83.9%). The health personnel of choice were physicians (96.3%). Religion showed significant association with screening practice. About 5.5% of Muslim women refrained from screening due to religion preach compared to 0.6% among Buddhist women. Both Buddhist and Muslim women preferred female providers to perform screening especially when they were not in their neighborhood. The cervical cancer screening program should focus on building perception and knowledge that the early stage of cervical cancer is asymptomatic, but could be detected by regularly screening. In addition, the screening program should consider female providers.