Study of some health changes among workers exposed to carbon monoxide

This study included 93 workers occupationally exposed to CO in Misr Chemical Industries Company which is located at west district in Alexandria City, 54 of whom were smokers and 46 control subjects 17 of whom were smokers. Each subject was interviewed for his personal, occupational, medical histories and history of smoking habits, drug intake as well as parasitic infections. This was followed by medical examination, measurement of height, weight, blood pressure, performance of ECG as well as measurement of pulmonary function. Fasting blood samples were collected for the assessment of carboxyhemoglobin [COHb], serum thiocyanate, some liver function tests such as AST, ALT, GGT and LDH, the lipid profile including total lipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol, cholesterol content of HDL and LDL, hematological examination and trace elements including Cu, Zn, Fe, Mg, Ca, Na and K. Smoking when accompanied by CO exposure led to increased levels of COHb, the prevalence of significant symptoms and signs and sinus bradycardia and decrease in the heart rate and lipid metabolism was found to be affected specially total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. Exposure to CO led to increased levels of AST and ALT, affected the lipid metabolism especially total lipids, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol and hematological parameters such as decrease in bleeding time and increase in platelets count and prothrombin time as well as decrease in the levels of Zn, Cu and Ca

Nutritional status and food habits of cement workers in United Arab Emirates

A sample of 304 cement workers was selected randomly from factories in the United Arab Emirates to study nutritional status and food habits of those workers. The mean age of the workers was 38.5 years and most of them were Indians [88%]. Based on body mass index, BMI [weight [kg]/height [m][2]], the prevalence of overweight and obesity was relatively high [33.2%], while 60.2% of workers were normal and only 6.6% were underweight. Marital status and monthly income were significantly associated with nutritional status [P<0.0001 and P<0.005, respectively]. Data on meal patterns of workers indicates low intake of milk and milk products and to some extent meat, chicken and fish. Fruits vegetables and tea were highly consumed. This pattern was mainly due to the traditions and religious factors of the workers, as many of them were vegetarians. Most of the workers [86.6%] ate breakfast daily and only 3.9% skipped breakfast. Lunch, the main meal, was mainly consumed at work-place [71.8%]. The low intake of animal products may suggest a deficiency of some essential nutrients. In depth investigations on the relationship between food habits and nutritional status of workers in this region is highly recommended for any nutrition intervention programme

Study of the cause-effect relationship of industrial accidents in United Arab Emirates

The present study was conducted to investigate the accidents cause and their effects among different industries which happened in Dubai and Northern Emirates during the year 1992. The data were collected and tabulated to explain the cause effect relationship of industrial accidents, student t-test and Z-test were used as deemed necessary

Cardiovascular disorders and neurotic traits among bus drivers of Alexandria general transportation agency

The present study was conducted aiming to determine the prevalence of cardiovascular disorders and its relationship with the nature of neurotic traits among bus drivers of Alexandria General Transportation Agency. This study included 75 bus drivers and 61 control subjects. each bus driver and control subject was interviewed for his personal, socioeconomic, occupational, medical histories with special emphasis on the history of cardiovascular diseases as well as history of personal habits and car accidents. Each subject was further subjected for clinical examination, measurement of height, weight, blood pressure, ECG and psychometric test to determine the neurotic traits; and urine samples were also collected for complete urine analysis. the study revealed a significant difference in the increase in the prevalence of hypertension among bus drivers. This might be attributed to the presence of occupational stressors facing the driver during his daily work. It has been concluded that buss driving is a occupation which might increase the prevalence of hypertension among drivers

Study of health status among rice millers

The present study was conducted aiming to evaluate the health status of rice millers with special emphasis on the respiratory conditions. This study included 30 exposed workers in rice mill located in Alexandria and 28 control subjects. Each worker and control subject was interviewed for his personal, occupational, social, and medical histories and history of smoking habit as well as history of allergy. This was followed by physical examination and measurement of height, weight, blood pressure, as well as pulmonary function measurements included FEV1 and FVC. Air was sampled to determine the respirable dust levels in all various sections of the rice mill. The study revealed an increase in the prevalence of significant difference of respiratory conditions such as chronic cough, chronic bronchitis, dyspnea and wheezing as well as eye irritation, nasal catarrh, palpitation and dyspepsia; and reduction in pulmonary function measurements of significant difference included FEV1 and percentages predicted of FEV1% and FVC%. These findings might be attributed to the exposure to rice husk dust. Environmental evaluation revealed that the mean dust exposure levels ranged from 1-2 mg/m 3. It has been concluded that exposure to rice dust seems to be of paramount factor in the increase of health complaints specially respiratory conditions

Hematological changes among workers of combined chemical exposure

The present study had been conducted in two plants, the first was manufacturing artificial fibers and the second plant was manufacturing lead batteries, both located in Alexandria and its surroundings. The objective of this study is to elucidate the effect of combined exposure to Cs [2]and pb on some hematological parameters of exposed workers. Examined subjects included: rayon spinners [n=118], spinning tank welders [n=90] and workers of lead batteries [n=88], and a control group [n=91]. Each worker [and control subject] was intereviewed for his personal, occupational, past and present histories with special emphasis on liver, blood disease, parasitic infections and drug intake. This was followed by through clinical examination. Fasting blood samples were collected from hematological investigations and for determination of lead in blood; spot urine samples were collected both before and after shift for the evaluation of Cs[2] metabolites by the modified iodine azide test. The present study revealed that combined exposure to Cs[2] and pb yielded the following types of effects: additive for RBCs, WBCs and MCHC; antagonistic for hemoglobin, eosinophils and bleeding time and independent for the rest of the hematological parameters. It can be concluded that when CS[2] and pb are combined, they behave in a different manner from that they do separately; however, further investigations are needed to clarify the mechanism of such interaction.

impact of work stress among industrial workers

The present study was conducted to elucidate the impact of the Stressful working conditions on the prevalence of health disorders and injuries among industrial workers. This study included% exposed workers working in three chemical manufacturing industries in Alexandria and divided into two groups: stressful group [n=64] and non-stressful group [n=140]; and control subjects [n=8l]. Each worker and control subject was interviewed for his personal, social, occupational, medical histories and history of in dustrial injuries as well as smoking habit. The NIOSH conflict/ stress questionnaire with some modification was used to assess the presence of the stressful working conditions for each subject. worker was further subjected for measurement of height, weight, blood pressure and pulse rate. The study revealed increase in the prevalence of significant difference of hypertensive difference of hypertensive diseases gastrointestinal disorders, chest conditions, eye diseases, derma tological and urinary tract conditions and industrial injuries of upper and lower limbs specially burns among stressfully exposed workers when compared to either non-stressfully exposed workers or control subjects. These findings might be attributed to the significantly. higher difference in shift work and to the presence of different kinds of environmental stressors. It has been concluded that work stress seems to be a paramount factor in the increase prevalence of health disorders and injuries among industrial workers

Reference hemogram among workers of different nationalities in Kuwait

2166 hemograms of selective sample of apparently healthy workers of different nationalities in Shaiba industrial area in Kuwait were investigated during the years 1988 and 1989. The aims were study of normal and pathological picture with reporting reference hemogram among the workers of different nationalities; and to high-light onto the importance of complete blood picture [automatic blood cells count and blood cells slide study under microscope] as a tool for early detection of blood cells hazards in industry. Mean hemoglobin concentration is significantly lower among Kuwaiti; Pakistani; Taylandi; and Jordanian nationalities. Leucocytes means were significantly lower among Egyptian and Kuwaiti workers. High percent of leucopenia was diagnosed among Egyptian and Kuwaiti workers [3.6 and 4.08%, respectively]. Anemia was reported among 820 workers investigated during 1988 in a percent of 0.73%. Monocytopenia was diagnosed among all nationalities and that was interpreted by the physical stress factor [high temperature], that workers were exposed to in Kuwait. Microscopic examination of blood is important relative to the automatic one in Occupational Medicine

Copper metabolism and its relation to neurotoxic manifestations among workers manufacturing viscose fibers

Copper is one of the essential trace elements and is involved in several enzymes of key importance in metabolism. Moreover, it plays a critical function in maintaining the integrity of the central nervous system. Therefore, the objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of CS[2] exposure on copper metabolism and its reflection on the functions of the nervous system among spinners in a factory manufacturing viscose fibres. The study comprised 80 spinners and 30 control subjects. Each was interviewed for his personal and occupational histories, history of neuropsychological complaints and medical examination of the nervous system. Fasting blood samples were collected for the determination of serum copper, serum ceruloplasmin, SOD and MAO activities, Spot urine samples were also collected for the biological assessment of CS[2] exposure by the iodine azide test. The study revealed significant higher prevalence of neuropsychological complaints, tremors, peripheral neuropathy, decrease in serum copper levels, enhancement of SOD activity and inhibition of MAO among exposed workers when compared to controls. These findings confirm the involvement of copper metabolism disturbances in the onset of the neurotoxic manifestations caused by CS[2] exposure

Study of impact of occupational exposure to pesticides among bilharzial infected workers

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of pesticides exposure on some biochemical parameters and health changes among bilharzia infected workers. This work included 305 workers exposed to pesticides in a pesticides manufacturing plant, 117 of whom were bilharziatic and 52 control subjects 19 of whom were bilharziatic and 52 control subjects 19 of whom were bilharziatic. Each subject was interviewed for his personal, occupational medical histories and history of bilharziasis. Fasting blood samples were collected for the assessment of some liver function tests as SGOT, SGPT and GGT; some blood constituents as fasting blood sugar, triglycerides, cholesterol and urea; hematological examination and cholinesterase activity determination. Bilharziasis, when accompanied by pesticides exposure led to decrease in cholinesterase activity, increase in GGT activity, decrease in fasting blood sugar levels, decrease in cholesterol levels together with an inverse in the prevalence of health disorders. Most of these effects have been attributed to liver disturbances. It has been concluded that the combined effect of pesticides exposure and bilharzia infection seems to be of the additive type of synergism, and more attention must be paid to the liver functions of such workers

Changes of lipid metabolism among bilharziatic workers occupationally exposed to carbon disulfide

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of bilharzia infection on the lipid metabolism among workers exposed to E/ +E/ +E/ +E/ +E/ +CS2. This work included 118 workers exposed to CS2 in Misr Rayon Manufacturing Company, Kafr El-Dawar, 84 of whom were bilharziatic and 91 controls. 46 of whom were bilharziatic. Each subject has been interviewed for his personal, occupational and medical history and history of bilharziasis. Determination of CS2 concentrations in air has been carried out in different departments of the plant. Fasting blood samples were obtained for assessment of fasting blood sugar, GGT activity and serum creatinine levels, the lipid profile including total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids, the cholesterol and phospholipid content of HDL and LDL and the lipoprotein pattern including the levels of LDL, VLDL and HDL. Bilharziasis, when accompanied by CS2 exposure led to increased GGT activity, cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, LDL and LDLPh levels with decreased HLD and HDLCh levels. These effects were fond to be of the potentiative type of synergism and has been attributed to liver damage. It has been recommended to introduce the assessment of lipid metabolism in the periodic medical examination of these workers