The prevalence of pulmonary silicosis among underground coal-mine workers in Quang Ninh province

The prevalence of pulmonary silicosis was investigated among 387 randomly selected underground coal-mine workers. Out of these, 37 cases diagnosed with pulmonary silicosis (9.6%). Diggers appeared to be at higher risk of developing silicosis than others, with prevalence rate ratio of 3.3 (95% CI, 1.38 - 7.92). There was a significant relationship between length of exposure and risk of pulmonary silicosis (Chi square for trend, p = 0.001). Underground coal-mine workers with more than years of exposure were found to have increased rates of silicosis than those with less than years (prevalence rate ratio = 4.0) (95% CI: 1.88-8.53). The rate of silicosis among smokers was significantly higher than among non-smokers, prevalence rate ratio = 7.9 (95% CI: 3.7 - 17). Free silica content in the coal dust was found to be high (range from 11.2 to 39.2%). This study has highlighted the problem that free silica does exist in the coalmines of ViÖt Nam and the workers, especially the diggers, are at risk of developing pulmonary silicosis. More comprehensive medical surveillance should be carried out in the future with the participation of the different ministries and coal corporations

Study on the allergic potential and proliferative effect of Polysan cream used in the treatment of wound, burn on experimental animal

Polysan cream has antibacterial effect, including gram negative one. It also has antifungal action, especially on Candida albicans. Polysan has a good homeostatic effect and high biocompatibility due to activation of newly generated cells. Polysan cream treated a lot of patients with partial and full-thickness burn wounds at National Institute of Burns, Saint Paul hospital in Hanoi and other hospitals in Vietnam. The good therapeutic efficacy was expressed in all cases. Both Polysaccharide material and Polysan cream have been licensed and patented by Vietnam Ministry of Health as the registrated material (R.Nr.NC1-HO1-98) and pharmaceutical product (R.Nr.NC2-HO1-98) respectively

Some aspects of occupational health in fishery at Khanh Hoa 1996-1997, suggestions for improvement

Khanh Hoa fishery has not paid much attention on supporting and training of working safety, navigate safety and rescurity. Some dead accidents happening on the sea would have been cured by that problem. We have made some practical recommendations for prevention of working accidents and health protection for fishermen

Study on actions of PDP (a nutritional substance) influencing on some physiological criteria in organism of experimental animals

PDP extracted and modified from natural material was administrated by oral on chickens, white mice, white rats and rabbits. The effect of PDP on biological behavior, body weight, some organ weights such as liver, spleen, kidney and heart; rate between above organ weight and their body weight; histology of the organs, the studied animals was investigated. It was found that the biological behavior of the experimental animals has not been affected by DPD. No any change of central nervous activation or inhibition has been seen. The body weight, the weight of liver, spleen, kidney and the rate between them were not changed, too. Using PDP for long time with planned doses did not cause any toxic effect to the animals, even it also improved the resistance to disease when they were fed by PDP

Trend of occupational lung disease in Viet Nam

Occupational lung disease (silicosis) in Viet Nam occupied the highest rate among occupational diseases and have an increasingly trend in a near future. The most important branches are coal mines, heavy industry, rock exploitation, construction, etc. Studies on prevalence and estimating the number of cases are important to set - up the prevention strategies for control and elimination of silicosis in Viet Nam.