The Effect of Various Hot Environments on Physiological Responses and Information Processing Performance Following Firefighting Activities in a Smoke-Diving Room

BACKGROUND: Fire service workers often implement multiple duties in the emergency conditions, with such duties being mostly conducted in various ambient temperatures. METHODS: The aim of the current study was to assess the firefighters' physiological responses, information processing, and working memory prior to and following simulated firefighting activities in three different hot environments. Seventeen healthy male firefighters performed simulated firefighting tasks in three separate conditions, namely (1) low heat (LH; 29–31°C, 55–60% relative humidity), (2) moderate heat (MH; 32–34°C, 55–60% relative humidity), and (3) severe heat (SH; 35–37°C, 55–60% relative humidity). It took about 45–50 minutes for each firefighter to finish all defined firefighting activities and the paced auditory serial addition test (PASAT). RESULTS: At the end of all the three experimental conditions, heart rate (HR) and tympanic temperature (TT) increased, while PASAT scores as a measure of information processing performance decreased relative to baseline. HR and TT were significantly higher at the end of the experiment in the SH (159.41 ± 4.25 beats/min; 38.22 ± 0.10°C) compared with the MH (156.59 ± 3.77 beats/min; 38.20 ± 0.10°C) and LH (154.24 ± 4.67 beats/min; 38.17 ± 0.10°C) conditions (p 0.05). Nonetheless, there was a measurable difference in PASAT scores between LH and SH (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These consequences demonstrate that ambient temperature is effective in raising the physiological responses following firefighting activities. It is therefore argued that further increase of ambient temperature can impact firefighters' information processing and working memory during firefighting activity.

Individual Fit Testing of Hearing Protection Devices Based on Microphone in Real Ear

BACKGROUND: Labeled noise reduction (NR) data presented by manufacturers are considered one of the main challenging issues for occupational experts in employing hearing protection devices (HPDs). This study aimed to determine the actual NR data of typical HPDs using the objective fit testing method with a microphone in real ear (MIRE) method. METHODS: Five available commercially earmuff protectors were investigated in 30 workers exposed to reference noise source according to the standard method, ISO 11904-1. Personal attenuation rating (PAR) of the earmuffs was measured based on the MIRE method using a noise dosimeter (SVANTEK, model SV 102). RESULTS: The results showed that means of PAR of the earmuffs are from 49% to 86% of the nominal NR rating. The PAR values of earmuffs when a typical eyewear was worn differed statistically (p 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study could provide local individual fit data. Ergonomic aspects of the earmuffs and different levels of users experience and awareness can be considered the main factors affecting individual fitting compared with the laboratory condition for acquiring the labeled NR data. Based on the obtained fit testing results, the field application of MIRE can be employed for complementary studies in real workstations while workers perform their regular work duties.

Comparative analysis of lighting characteristics and ultraviolet emissions from commercial compact fluorescent and incandescent lamps

Background: Some characteristics of lighting sources such as color properties and ultraviolet emissions have important roles on visual and non-visual health effects of lighting

This study aimed to investigate the light emissions of some compact fluorescent lamps [CFLs] and incandescent lamps commercially available to the Iranian consumers

Methods: Sixty lamps included 48 single envelope CFLs, and 12 incandescent lamps available in the electrical devices markets [in the west of Iran] were randomly selected from famous manufacturers between 2014 and 2015. Lighting characteristics and ultraviolet [UV] emissions were measured using spectroradiometer and calibrated radiometer, respectively. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 16 software

Results: Color-rendering indexes of the studied lamps were above 80, which showed good color properties

The daylight CFLs had more desirable and natural color temperature [near to 5000 °k] compared with the other types of the studied lamps. Occupational exposures for periods up 8 h to UVB from the studied lamps at distances up to 0.25 m were more than the recommended limits. Moreover, public exposures for periods up 16 h to UVB from the studied lamps at any distances up to 2 m were more than the recommended limits

Conclusions: Warm white lamps are suitable for homes usage, while daylight lamps can be used for offices rooms. Occupational exposure to single envelope CFLs near the body at distances of less than 25 cm can result in overexposure to actinic UV. Moreover, CFLs must be used at distances greater than 200 cm for public exposure

Development of a noise prediction model based on advanced fuzzy approaches in typical industrial workrooms

Noise prediction is considered to be the best method for evaluating cost-preventative noise controls in industrial workrooms. One of the most important issues is the development of accurate models for analysis of the complex relationships among acoustic features affecting noise level in workrooms. In this study, advanced fuzzy approaches were employed to develop relatively accurate models for predicting noise in noisy industrial workrooms. The data were collected from 60 industrial embroidery workrooms in the Khorasan Province, East of Iran. The main acoustic and embroidery process features that influence the noise were used to develop prediction models using MATLAB software. Multiple regression technique was also employed and its results were compared with those of fuzzy approaches. Prediction errors of all prediction models based on fuzzy approaches were within the acceptable level [lower than one dB]. However, Neuro-fuzzy model [RMSE=0.53dB and R[2]=0.88] could slightly improve the accuracy of noise prediction compared with generate fuzzy model. Moreover, fuzzy approaches provided more accurate predictions than did regression technique. The developed models based on fuzzy approaches as useful prediction tools give professionals the opportunity to have an optimum decision about the effectiveness of acoustic treatment scenarios in embroidery workrooms

intervention for noise control of blast furnace in steel industry

Noise pollution is currently a major health risk factor for workers in industries. The aim of this study was to investigate noise pollution and implement a control intervention plan for blast furnace in a steel industry. The measurement of sound pressure level [SPL] along with frequency analysis was done with the sound-level-meter Cell-450. Personal noise exposure was performed using dosimeter TES-1345 calibrated with CEL-282. Before planning noise controls, acoustic insulation properties of the furnace control unit and workers' rest room were assessed. Control room and workers' rest room were redesigned in order to improve acoustical condition. The SPL before intervention around the Blast Furnace was 90.3 dB [L] and its dominant frequency was 4000 Hz. Besides, noise transmission loss of the control and rest rooms were 10.3 dB and 4.2 dB, respectively. After intervention, noise reduction rates in the control and rest rooms were 27.4 dB and 27.7 dB, respectively. The workers' noise dose before and after the intervention was 240% and less than 100%, respectively. Improvement the workroom acoustic conditions through noise insulation can be considered effective method for preventing workers exposure to harmful noise

Mapping the obesity in Iran by bayesian spatial model

One of the methods used in the analysis of data related to diseases, and their underlying reasons is drawing geographical map. Mapping diseases is a valuable tool to determine the regions of high rate of infliction requiring therapeutic interventions. The objective of this study was to investigate obesity pattern in Iran by drawing geographical maps based on Bayesian spatial model to recognize the pattern of the understudy symptom more carefully. The data of this study consisted of the number of obese people in provinces of Iran in terms of sex based on the reports of non-contagious disease's risks in 30 provinces by the Iran MSRT disease center in 2007. The analysis of data was carried out by software R and Open BUGS. In addition, the data required for the adjacency matrix were produced by Geo bugs software. The greatest percentage of obese people in all age ranges [15-64] is 17.8 for men in Mazandaran and the lowest is 4.9 in Sistan and Baluchestan. For women the highest and lowest are 29.9 and 11.9 in Mazandaran and Hormozgan, respectively. Mazandaran was considered the province of the greatest odds ratio of obesity for men and women. Recognizing the geographical distribution and the regions of high risk of obesity is the prerequisite of decision making in management and planning for health system of the country. The results can be applied in allocating correct resources between different regions of Iran