Health impact of environmental oxidants and particulate matter among manual metal ARC welders

Recent epidemiology studies have reported a statistically significant association between increases in air-borne respirable particulate matter and increased mortality and morbidity from respiratory diseases. Environmental assessment during metal arc welding process in our study revealed higher levels of oxidants [O[3] and NO[2]] and particulate matter [Zn, Cd, Ni. TSP] than the recommended threshold limits values. This study demonstrated higher prevalence of respiratory affection among welders, compared to the controls. Reduction of all ventilatory functions was observed among welders. Longer duration of exposure to welding fumes was found to add to the reduction of these functions. Because welders constitute an important proportion of the workforce, their specific health problems should he considered an important issue. We recommend improvement of environmental control measures to comply with the international standard and educational programs to raise the awareness for safe welding processes

relation between NYHA classification and cardiopulmonary exercise test in evaluating disability in workers with CHF

Evaluation of cardiac impairment is challenging since it involves an often difficult assessment of subjective complaints. We studied 25 workers with Chronic Heart Failure [CHF] to assess the degree of impairment and correlate our results with clinical findings, echocardiographic findings and resting ventilatory functions. Full medical history was taken and they were subjected to, physical examination, ECG, CBC, chest x-rays, echocardiography, resting ventilatory function tests and cardiopulmonary exercise test. This study showed that all the parameters of the resting ventilatory pulmonary function were reduced. The results of cardiopulmonary exercise tests showed lowered VO2max and oxygen pulse, more or less normal HRR and elevated VE/ VCO2 at rest and maximum exercise.Correlation coefficient between exercise parameters and both the grade of dyspnea according to NYHA classification and echocardiographic findings were not statistically significant. It is important to evaluate cardiopulmonary responses to exercise in workers with CHF besides NYHA classification and Echo grading for proper assessment of impairment and disability and follow-up of the treatment. Preoperative and postoperative cardiopulmonary exercise tests are recommended for all patients indicated for cardiac operation

Renal and immunological dysfunction in Nickel-Electroplating Workers

Electroplating processes result in the emission of aerosoles of soluble nickel compounds. In our work we investigated health hazards associated with such exposure in a nickel-electroplating workshop. We examined the results of 50 male workers exposed to soluble nickel compounds and the results were compared to those obtained from 14 matched controls. Serum urea, creatinine and retinol binding protein were statistically significantly higher in exposed workers compared to the controls. Low levels of IgA and high levels of IgE were reported among our exposed workers. Reduction of spirometric measurements but not to the level of significance, was also demonstrated. The concentration of nickel in urine of workers averaged [2.9 Ug/L] and in serum averaged [3.4 Ug/L]. Statistically significantly positive correlation was found between serum levels of urea, creatinine, retinol binding protein and IgE and serum and urinary nickel of exposed workers

Lead-associated health hazards and immunotoxic effects among plumbers

Although the toxicity of lead was recognized centuries ago, cencem was restricted to overt symptoms as colic, enchephalopathy, anemia or renal disease. Recently extensive investigations indicated that lead has a potential immunotoxicity. We studied chronic lead effect on both humoral immunoglobulins and urinary NAG as indicators of early lead toxicity. We observed a reduction of IgA, IgM, IgG levels among the exposed workers. This is negatively con-elated with blood lead levels. A positive correlation between renal function parameters [NAG, serum urea, creatinine] and blood lead levels was also demonstrated. We suggested monitoring the level of immunoglobulin and urinary NAG as indicators of lead toxicity

Effect of passive smoking on thyroid function in neonates

To evaluate the effect of passive smoking on thyroid function in infants. Cord serum Tri-iodothyronine [T3], Thyroxine [T4], Serum thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH], Thyroglobulin [Tg], and cord plasma thiocyanate [SCN] were measured at birth in 43 infants born to smoking fathers, and in 40 infants whose both parents were non-smokers. No significant differences were observed in cord serum concentrations of T3, T4 and TSH among the two groups. Tg and SCN concentrations were significantly higher in the study group than in controls [p<0.0001]. T3, T4, TSH were not correlated with SCN values, while there was strong [+ve] correlation between Tg and SCN [r=0.97]. Birth weight was significantly higher in controls than in the study group and, by regression, it was affected mainly by gestational age, and was not affected by SCN. Passive smoking during pregnancy may be responsible for elevated serum levels of thyroglobulin due to a direct effect of thiocyanate on the thyroid gland

Impact of rotatory shift work on cardiovascular system, serum cortisol and salivary IGA levels

The causality between shift work and cardiovascular dysfunction remains unknown. Accordingly we attempted an approach to explore such association. Electro-cardiographic, biochemical and physical data obtained from 61 shift and 18 day workers were assessed to clarify the impact of shift work on cardio-vascular system, serum cortisol and salivary IgA levels. Our results suggested an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and statistically significantly higher levels of serum cortisol and lower levels of salivary IgA, which are considered as potential biomarkers of stress, among rotatory shift workers compared to the control group. The duration of shift work showed a statistically significant negative correlation with salivary IgA level and a positive one with serum cortisol level

Inverted offspring sex ratio in specific occupations

Decline of the radio of boys to girls born in several industrialized countries corresponds with many environmental and occupational factors such as paternal exposure to pesticide, electromagnetic fields ... etc. Our aim was to study the offspring sex ratio variation in different occupations among Egyptian workers. The study revealed reduction in the sex ratio among occupational groups exposed to electromagnetic fields, anaesthetics, lead and in non-military pilots, compared to the normal sex ratio 0.515 reported world wide. The ratio was 0.63 and 0.52 in those exposed to combined mixture of pesticides and the welders respectively

Respiratory changes and sputum cytology in spray painters

Occupational exposure to paints affect several organ systems mainly central and peripheral nervous systems, liver, respiratory system.etc. The aim of this study was to investigate job-related respiratory troubles among spray painters. Two groups of population had been examined, 74 spray painters and 30 controls. Our results showed that job-related respiratory symptoms in the form of irritation of upper respiratory tract, dyspnea during work, chest oppression, cough and expectoration and bronchial asthma, were significantly increased among the exposed group when compared to the control group. Results of ventilatory function tests showed significant decrease in spirometric results among painters compared to the control subjects. The effect of duration of exposure on the pulmonary function tests revealed statistically significant decrease with increasing duration of exposure to paints. The group of mixers was the highly affected group. Cytological examination of the sputum of 24 exposed workers revealed the presence of polymorphnuclear leucocytes in 58.3%, plasma cell, histiocytes and lymphocytes in 75.0% and eosinophilia in 50.0%. No malignancy could be detected. We recommended periodic environmental monitoring for the work place and stressed health education programs for exposed workers

Health hazards among autopsy workers

Formaldehyde is a known irritant to the mucosal membranes including the eyes and upper respiratory tract. It is also a sensitizing agent capable of inducing asthma and allergic contact dermatitis Many studies were conducted to clarify the effect of long term exposure to formaldehyde on the pulmonary functions. It was mentioned that formaldehyde is a biologically plausible carcinogen as it is a reactive alkylating agent. This work was performed in Kasr El-Einy hospital for monitoring the health status of workers in both the autopsy section and laboratory of the pathology department as well as in the veterinary autopsy section. Cairo University. All studied groups were evidentaly exposed to formaldehyde for varying periods. The results of the health survey were compared to those of a control group of comparable age and socioccnomic status. The prevalence of health impairment in the form of respiratory system, cardiac hepatic and renal impairment was found to be significantly higher among the exposed workers

Locomotor disorders in printing industry

Low back pain, shoulder and neck pain and arthritis are the most common complaint among workers in printing industry. This study have been done among workers in printing industry in El-Ahram and Cairo University. A sheet have been taken, all workers are examined clinically and an X-ray was done for complaining ones. The total number of workers was 2850, 488 were complaing of locomotor disorders: 312 [low back pain], 54 [neck and shoulder pain], 183 [joint pain]. Locomotor disorders increase with age, duration of employment, increase in number of dependents, among skilled and unskilled workers, smokers and ex-smokers. Low back ain, and arthritis were more common among females. Low back pain was common among managers, accountants and unskilled workers