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OBJECTIVE: To analyze the occupational hazard factors and their critical control points in the process of construction of a large-scale construction project.METHODS: The engineering analysis, worksite survey occupational health and occupational hazard factor testing were conducted in a large-scale construction project, and the results were analyzed. RESULTS: During the process of construction of this large-scale construction project, there were many occupational hazard factors such as silicon dust, welding smoke, wood and other dusts, inorganic compounds of manganese, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, ozone, noise, high temperature, hand-transmitted vibration and ultraviolet irradiation, among them, silicon dust and noise were the most common ones. The over standard rates of exposure concentration of short term of total dust and respirable dust in the workplace were 68.2%(15/22) and 40.9%(9/22), and the over standard rates of exposure concentration of time weighted average were 54.5%(12/22) and 13.6%(3/22), respectively. The over standard rates of the noise intensity of area sampling and personal sampling in workplace were 69.2%(45/65) and 61.0%(25/41) respectively. The four hours energy equivalent frequency-weighted acceleration to vibration of three hand-transmitted vibration positions has been detected, and the result has surpassed the occupational exposure limit.The results of other occupational hazard factors such as high temperature, ultraviolet radiation, wood dust, welding smoke, other dust, manganese inorganic compounds, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen cyanide and ozone all met the occupational exposure limits. CONCLUSION: There are various occupational hazard factors in the process of construction of this large-scale construction project, among them, noise, dust and hand-transmitted vibration are the most prominent hazards.These hazards are the critical control points of this type of construction projects.
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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of warm needling therapy on the conduction of hand-arm motor nerve and sensory nerve in patients with occupational hand-arm vibration disease(HAVD). METHODS: Male occupational HAVD patients were divided into control group(39 cases) and experimental group(36 cases) by random number table method. The control group received routine therapy, while the experimental group was treated with routine therapy plus warm needling therapy five times a week for four consecutive weeks. The changes on the conduction of motor nerve and sensory nerve in these two groups before and after treatment were compared. RESULTS: Before treatment, the motor nerve conduction velocity(MCV), distal motor latency(DML), compound muscle action potential amplitude(CMAP), sensory nerve conduction velocity(SCV) and sensory nerve action potential amplitude(SNAP) of the median nerve and ulnar nerve in the two groups were compared, and there was no statistically significant difference(all P>0.05). After treatment, the MCV and SCV of median nerve and ulnar nerve in the experimental group were accelerated(all P<0.05), the DML of median nerve and ulnar nerve were shortened(all P<0.01), and the CMAP of median nerve increased compared with the control group(P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference in the CMAP of ulnar nerve and SNAP of median nerve and ulnar nerve(all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Warm needling therapy can improve the conduction of motor nerve and sensory nerve. Warm needling therapy might be able to promote the repair of injury in axons and myelin sheaths.
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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the application value of finger systolic blood pressure(FSBP) in the diagnosis of vibration-induced vascular injury. METHODS: Thirty patients with vibration-induced vascular injury [vibration-induced white finger(VWF)] were selected as the case group by a non-randomized concurrent controlled trial, and 30 hand-transmitted vibration workers without VWF were selected as the control group. The FSBP test was performed on the tested hands of all subjects, and the FSBP index of each Finger(F_( i)) was measured. RESULTS: The F_i of the index finger, middle finger, ring finger and tail finger of the tested hand in the case group were lower than that in the control group(all P<0.01). In the case group, the F_i of index finger was lower than ring finger and tail finger(all P<0.01). The abnormal rates of F_i on the index, middle and ring fingers in the case group were higher than those in the control group(86.7% vs 10.0%, 76.7% vs 13.3%, 43.3% vs 10.0%, all P<0.01). The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of the measured F_i of the index finger, middle finger, ring finger and tail finger were 0.884, 0.843, 0.764 and 0.687 respectively. The diagnostic cut off value of the F_i of index finger was 80.2%. The sensitivity and specificity were 86.7% and 90.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: FSBP test has a good application value in the diagnosis of vibration-induced vascular injuries. It is suggested that the F_i of index finger be the first choice as the diagnostic index, and the abnormal value can be set at 80.0%.
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OBJECTIVE: To analyze the stability of test results of fingertip thermotactile perception threshold(TPT) among healthy individuals and the influencing factors of the TPT test. METHODS: Fifty healthy young volunteers aged 20-25 were selected as the study subjects using the convenience sampling method. The HVLab thermal aesthesiometer was used to perform the fingertip TPT test under the standard condition. Right index, middle, ring, little, left index and little fingers were tested. According to the method of random number table, we selected 25 subjects to receive second test after the interval of two weeks. RESULTS: Intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC) for cold threshold of right little finger was bigger than 0.75, suggesting the test-retest reliability was excellent. The ICC for hot threshold of six test fingers, cold threshold of right and left index fingers, right middle and left little finges was in the range of 0.60-0.74, indicating the test-retest reliability was good. However, the ICC for cold threshold of right ring finger was less than 0.40, and the test-retest reliability was poor. The hot threshold of right middle, ring and little fingers, and the cold threshold of left little finger of males were higher than those of females(all P<0.05). The cold threshold of right index and little fingers were lower than those of left hand in males(all P<0.05). The cold threshold of right middle and ring fingers were lower than that of the right index finger in females(all P<0.05). The cold threshold of right little finger was lower than those of right index, middle and ring fingers in females(all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The stability of the fingertip TPT result is good in healthy young adults aged 20-25. The fingertip TPT test could be used for occupational health surveillance of workers exposed to hand-transmitted vibration. We should take into account the influence of gender, the right or left hand and different fingers when developing TPT reference values.
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OBJECTIVE: To test and analyze the vibration transmissivity of three common kinds of protective gloves, and to determine their actual protecting effect. METHODS: Three kinds of protective gloves were selected as test materials, and five healthy volunteers were selected as subjects using typical sampling methods. According to the ISO 10819:2013 Mechanical Vibration and Shock--Hand-arm Vibration--Measurement and Evaluation of the Vibration Transmissibility of Gloves at the Palm of the Hand(hereinafter referred to as ISO 10819:2013), investigation and measurement of basic parameters of protective gloves. The gloved vibration transmission(GVT) test system was used to test the vibration transmission of different protective gloves worn by the subjects, and the spectrum analysis of vibration reduction characteristics was carried out. RESULTS: The thickness of damping material of all the three kinds of protective gloves met the standard requirements. The mean value for the corrected frequency-weighted glove vibration transmissibility values at 25.0-200.0 Hz were 0.91, 0.75 and 0.94, and 1.05, 0.85 and 1.10 at 200.0-1 250.0 Hz, for the protective gloves A, B and C, respectively. The results of anti-vibration characteristic spectrum analysis show that there has no vibration reduction effect at the frequency of 25.0-200.0 Hz when wearing these three kinds of gloves. Wearing gloves A and B on part of the 200.0-1 250.0 Hz frequency vibration has an amplifying effect. Wearing glove C has a partial vibration reduction effect at the 200.0-1 250.0 Hz frequency, and the vibration reduction efficiency is the highest at the frequency of 1 250.0 Hz.CONCLUSION: According to the ISO 10819:2013 standard, the mean value of GVT measured when wearing the three kinds of protective gloves does not meet the relevant requirements, and the anti-vibration effect is poor. These gloves cannot be defined as anti-vibration gloves.
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Occupational hand-arm vibration diseases(HAVD) is a legitimate occupational disease in China, and the mechanism of its pathogenesis is vibration-induced vascular injury. Once HAVD occurs, it is difficult for the patients to recover and can cause great harm to workers exposed to hand-arm vibration. It is difficult to detect and evaluate the occurrence and progress of the disease at an early stage using existing technology, which is disadvantageous to the early prevention and treatment of the disease. Long noncoding RNAs(lncRNAs) play an important role in regulating the development, growth, and remodeling of blood vessels and other biological processes. This article reviews the role and mechanism of lncRNAs in vascular injury, and provides scientific theoretical basis for early diagnosis and treatment of HAVD.
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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the power-frequency electromagnetic field on antioxidant indexes in operation personnel. METHODS: By random sampling method,a total of 58 workers who work in 500 kV transformer substations for at least 5. 0 years were selected as the exposure group,and 60 administrative staffs in the same enterprise were included as the control group. The power frequency electromagnetic fields in the 2 groups were measured. The cumulative exposure dose of individual magnetic field was calculated. Peripheral venous blood was collected in these 2groups and was examined with the superoxide dismutase( SOD) activity,malondialdehyde( MDA) level and the relative gene expression level of manganese superoxide dismutase( MnSOD). RESULTS: There was no statistical significance in the SOD activity,MDA level and the relative gene expression level of MnSOD between the exposure group and the control group( P > 0. 05). The logistic regression analysis results indicated that cumulative exposure dose was not correlated with the SOD activity,MDA level and the relative gene expression level of MnSOD after adjusting confounding factors such as age,smoking,alcohol and tea drinking( P > 0. 05). CONCLUSION: Power-frequency electromagnetic field exposure has no significant effects on the SOD activity,MDA level and the relative gene expression level of MnSOD of operation workers.
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OBJECTIVE: To understand the general awareness of the residents around a newly built nuclear power,to evaluate the safety and the attitude on the construction of nuclear power. METHODS: By the stratified random sampling method,1 029 general publics and 260 representatives were selected for investigation. The participants were from 30 km range around the nuclear power plant,each 5 km was assigned as 1 layer and there were total 6 layers. RESULTS: 74. 9%( 965 /1 289) interviewees were not aware of nuclear power,3. 1%( 40 /1 289) interviewees were well or very-well understand nuclear power. The awareness score of the general publics was lower than that of the representatives( 1. 0 vs3. 0,P < 0. 01); male,younger people,higher educational level,higher family income,religious people and living close to the nuclear power plant had higher awareness( P < 0. 05). A total of 28. 4%( 366 /1 289) interviewees considered the nuclear power was very safe or safe. The evaluation of nuclear power safety of the general publics was inferior to the representatives( P < 0. 05). The representatives,older people and those living far away from the nuclear power have better evaluation on the nuclear power safety than the general publics( P < 0. 05). Only 13. 0%( 167 /1 289) interviewees supported building the nuclear power in their residence construction; male,people with family members working in nuclear power plant,people with high degree of awareness on nuclear power,considered highly safety of the nuclear power had higher support for the local nuclear power construction( P < 0. 05). The interviewees who mostly believe about nuclear energy sources were experts,government officials,plant management and domestic media. CONCLUSION: Residents around the nuclear power plant had low awareness of the knowledge about nuclear power. Therefore,it is necessary to enhance the awareness of residents on nuclear power and the trust on the government.
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OBJECTIVE: To study the occupational exposure characteristics of hand-transmitted vibration in hand-held workpiece polishing and to provide the basis for occupational hazard prevention and control technology research in this kind of job. METHODS: The questionnaire and on site occupational health investigation were used to study 4 typical enterprises of hand-held workpiece polishing. The study was conducted by filling forms by enterprise,personal interviews with administrative staffs and front-line workers,as well as on site visit. RESULTS: Among the 4 factories,there were 835workers( 22. 4%) engaged in the hand-held workpiece polishing assignment. The principal vibrating tools used in these 4factories were polishing machine,flint glazing machine and polishing wheel,and the workpiece polished by workers were button,toilet lid,thermos,mobile phone shell and golf head. The polishing workers were all equipped with noise reduction earplugs and anti-dust respirators, but they did not wear anti-vibration gloves. The hand-held workpiece polishing assignment has the characteristics including indirect and continuous vibration exposure and fine operation. Some workers used their knees and abdomens as the support to polish workpieces. The vibration exposure time was 6-11 h / d. The 4hours energy equivalent frequency-weighted acceleration to vibration [ahw( 4)]was 1. 9-19. 4 m/s~2,with the maximum which exceeded the occupational exposure limit( 5. 0 m / s~2),showing a wide range ahw( 4)in the same enterprise. CONCLUSION: Compared with the traditional vibrating tools,the hand-held workpiece polishing operation has different characteristics of hand-transmitted vibration such as more sophisticated machine structure,finer polishing ways,more influencing factors of vibration exposure level and more extensive body parts involved.
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OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of hand-transmitted vibration exposure on the finger vibratory and pain perception thresholds among drill workers in a gold mine. METHODS: By the judgement sampling method,134 male drill workers from a gold mine in the northern area of China were selected as the hand-transmitted vibration exposure group and102 fit-up workers without vibration exposure in the same mine were chosen as the control group. The finger vibratory perception thresholds,the pain perception thresholds and the occupational health examination were conducted and analyzed in these two groups. Based on the self-report with vibration-induced white finger( VWF),the workers of hand-transmitted vibration exposure group were divided into non-VWF subgroup( 105 workers) and VWF subgroup( 29 workers). RESULTS: The incidence of finger numbness,pain and self-reported white finger in the exposure group were significantly higher than those in the control group( P < 0. 05). Compared with the control group,the vibratory perception thresholds of the index finger,middle finger and ring finger of the right hand among the vibration exposure group workers were significantly higher( P < 0. 05),but there was no significant difference in the vibratory perception thresholds of the left ring finger between the two groups( P > 0. 05). The vibratory perception thresholds of both ring fingers,right index finger and right middle-finger in VWF subgroup were higher than those in control group( P < 0. 05). But no significant differences was found in the above 4 indexes in these two groups after compared to those of control group,respectively( P > 0. 05). The vibratory perception thresholds of left ring finger,right ring finger and right index finger in VWF subgroup were all higher than those in non-VWF subgroup( P < 0. 05),but the vibratory perception thresholds of right middle finger in these two groups showed no significant difference( P > 0. 05). The pain perception thresholds of index finger,middle finger and ring finger in both hands of the vibration exposure group workers were all higher than those in control group( P < 0. 05). The pain perception thresholds of middle finger and ring finger in both hands of the VWF subgroup and non-VWF subgroup were higher than those of control group( P < 0. 05). CONCLUSION: The hand-transmitted vibration can increase the thresholds of finger vibratory and pain perception in drill workers. The finger sensory perception examination could be used to assist the early detection of peripheral nerve damage induced by hand-transmitted vibration.