Caracterização do perfil auditivo de frentistas de postos de combustível / Characterization of hearing profile of gas station attendants

RESUMO Introdução Pesquisas voltadas para as populações com baixas exposições a solventes, ou exposições dentro dos níveis de tolerância permitidos em âmbito ocupacional ainda são restritas. Objetivo Caracterizar o perfil auditivo de frentistas de postos de combustíveis. Métodos Estudo transversal, constituído por dois grupos, pareados por gênero e idade: Grupo Controle - 23 indivíduos sem exposição a ruído ou agentes químicos; Grupo Experimental - 21 frentistas de postos de combustíveis. Foi realizada avaliação audiológica, composta por audiometria tonal liminar, logoaudiometria e medidas de imitância acústica. A análise estatística utilizou cálculo de média, desvio padrão, valor mínimo e máximo, teste Qui-quadrado e coeficiente de correlação de Pearson. O nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. Resultados Foram verificadas alterações auditivas nos frentistas, caracterizadas por comprometimento no sistema auditivo periférico, sugerindo ação tóxica da exposição a combustíveis. Houve correlação entre idade e tempo de exposição a solvente. Na comparação entre os grupos, o reflexo acústico demonstrou maior número de alterações no grupo experimental, com diferença para os reflexos acústicos ipsilaterais da orelha direita e contralaterais da orelha esquerda. Conclusão Não houve diferença entre os grupos para os limiares auditivos, porém, a diferença verificada nos reflexos acústicos ipsilaterais e contralaterais no grupo experimental sugere comprometimento retrococlear. Diante das evidências observadas neste estudo, considera-se relevante incluir a pesquisa do reflexo acústico na avaliação auditiva dos frentistas, bem como a integração desta categoria profissional aos programas de prevenção de perda auditiva.

ABSTRACT Introduction Researches into populations with low solvent exposures, or exposures within tolerance levels allowed in the occupational field are still restricted. Purpose To characterize the hearing profile of gas station attendants. Methods Cross-sectional study, constituted of two groups, matched by gender and age: Control Group - 23 subjects without exposure to noise or chemicals; Experimental Group - 21 gas station attendants. An audiological evaluation was performed, composed by pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry and acoustic impedance tests. The statistical analysis used average calculation, standard deviation, minimum and maximum value; Chi-square Test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The significance level was 5%. Results Hearing loss was verified in gas station attendants characterized by impairment of the peripheral auditory system, suggesting toxic effects of exposure to fuels. There was a correlation between age and solvent exposure time. Comparing the groups, the acoustic reflex showed more alterations in the experimental group, with a difference for the ipsilateral acoustic reflexes of the right ear and contralateral ones of the left ear. Conclusion There was no difference between the groups for the hearing thresholds; however, the difference observed in the ipsilateral and contralateral acoustic reflexes in the experimental group suggests retrocochlear impairment. Due to the evidence observed in this study, it is considered relevant to include the acoustic reflex research in the auditory evaluation of the gas station attendants, as well as the integration of this professional category into hearing loss prevention programs.

Blood lead level among fuel station workers

This study aims to determine the level of lead in blood of fuel station workers and in a group of people not occupationally exposed to lead 53 control subjects with low risk lead exposure and 45 fuel station workers comprising the study group were included in this study in a period from September 2008 to December 2009. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for each subject by Lead Care Blood Testing System. The average blood lead levels of each group were compared using the independent sample [Mann-Whitney U] test. The median [range] 14.1 [7.5-56] micro g/dl concentration of lead in the blood of fuel stations workers was significantly higher than the median [range] 6.5 [4.0-1.6] micro g/dl concentration of lead in the blood of the control group [p<0.001].The results obtained also showed that the values of blood lead levels in many workers were higher than action and upper limits acceptable for adults. In fuel station workers, the duration of exposure to leaded fuel was significantly correlated with the blood lead level. Occupational exposure to lead is prevalent among many fuel station workers in Basrah. A policy action to improve working conditions and to phase out the use of leaded gasoline is recommended

Hydrocarbon pneumonitis following diesel siphonage.

In our country, siphoning of diesel/petrol from fuel tanks is a common practice. We describe a 50-year-old farmer, who accidentally aspirated fuel while siphoning from his tractor. A diagnosis of diesel induced aspiration pneumonitis was confirmed by the presence of foam cells on bronchial biopsy. The patient showed gradual recovery with the symptomatic therapy. However two weeks later, he developed sudden chest pain and irregularly irregular pulse that proved fatal. Diesel aspiration leading to bilateral pneumonitis is yet to be reported in our country.

Determining lead sources in Mexico using the lead isotope ratio

OBJECTIVE: Lead poisoning can, in some cases, be traced to a specific route or source of exposure on the basis of the individual's blood lead isotope ratio. To assess the major source of lead exposure among women residing in Mexico City, we compared blood, ceramic, and gasoline lead isotope ratios. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study population, randomly selected from participants of a large trial, (1/1996-12/1996) comprised of 16 women whose lead levels exceeded 10 æg/dl and who reported using lead-glazed ceramics. Lead isotope ratios were performed on a Perkin Elmer 5000 Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) interfaced with a Perkin Elmer HGA-600MS Electrothermal Vaporization System (ETV). RESULTS: The isotope ratios (206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, and 208Pb/204Pb) of both the blood specimens and their corresponding ceramic specimens were highly correlated, with r=0.9979, r²=0.9958, r=0.9957, r²=0.9915 and r=0.9945, r²=0.9890 values for the three isotope ratios, respectively, suggesting that the lead exposure most likely resulted from the use of these ceramic. Measurements of lead isotope ratios from leaded gasoline in use at the time of blood sampling, differed from those in blood and ceramics. CONCLUSIONS: Determining lead isotope ratios can be an efficient tool to identify a major source of lead exposure and to support the implementation of public health prevention and control measures.

Tendencia de los niveles de plomo en la atmósfera de la zona metropolitana de la Ciudad de México: 1988-1998 / Trends in atmospheric concentrations of lead in the Metropolitan Area of Mexico City: 1988-1998

OBJETIVO: Describir las tendencias del plomo atmosférico asociadas a la eliminación paulatina del plomo de la gasolina y el uso de convertidores catalíticos en el auto transporte de la Ciudad de México, de 1988 a 1998. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio de series de tiempo que incluye las mediciones atmosféricas de plomo que se obtuvieron, entre 1988 y 1998, de nueve estaciones de la red manual de monitoreo atmosférico de la Ciudad de México. Las intervenciones evaluadas fueron la introducción de gasolina Magnasin, el uso de convertidores catalíticos y el descenso en la concentración de plomo hasta su eliminación total de la gasolina utilizada en los auto transportes. Se describen las tendencias de plomo por monitor, por zona geográfica, utilizando un modelo de regresión que incorpora una estructura de auto-correlación. RESULTADOS: La introducción de gasolina sin plomo y de los convertidores catalíticos se asoció con un descenso en la concentración de plomo atmosférico en 23 por ciento, la reducción paulatina del plomo en la gasolina ocasionó una reducción acumulada de 89 por ciento en todas las zonas estudiadas. CONCLUSIONES: La introducción de la gasolina sin plomo ha logrado abatir las concentraciones ambientales de este contaminante de una manera importante.

Consequência do uso do metanol em mistura combustível com etanol e gasolina sobre o homem e o meio ambiente: informe técnico / Consequences of methanol use in fuels with ethanol and gasoline over man and environment: technical report

Este relatório responde à solicitaçäo da Coordenadoria de Inquéritos e Assuntos Especiais do Ministério Público do Trabalho - uma pesquisa sobre as consequências ao homem e ao meio ambiente do uso do metanol em mistura combustível com álcool e gasolina

Exposición a plomo orgánico en surtidores de gasolina: la Victoria, Estado Aragua, 1989 / Organic plumb exposure in gas station: la Victoria Aragua State, 1989

En el presente trabajo se trata de describir una situación de riesgo laboral que consiste en la exposición a compuestos orgánicos del plomo presentes en la gasolina, a los que estan sometidos los surtidores de dicha sustancia en los países subdesarrollados incluyendo al nuestro, puesto que los países desarrollados practicamente dejaron de usar estos compuestos hace ya varios años, lo cual explica la poca literatura existente sobre el tema. Para ello, se realizó una encuesta, seguida de evaluación clínica y la determinación de los niveles de plomo orgánico en orina así como los de plomo inorgánico en sangre, a un grupo de empleados de estaciones de servicio en un área geográfica determinada. Encontramos que el 91.5% de los surtidores no cumplían con las normas de higiene personal según las normas COVENIN y el 72.3% de dichos surtidores no disponen de medidas adecuadas en sus respectivos ambientes de trabajo