[Assessment of occupational exposure to total dust and crystalline silica in construction workers of metro, Tehran]

Exposure to crystalline silica in the construction workers such as miners and diggers are widespread. Exposure to respirable silica [quartz] can results in silicosis. The goal of this study was to determine the contribution of each workers and component task to total dust and respirable quartz exposure in the tunnel of metro. The assessment of crystalline silica and total dust was performed according to standard procedure [NIOSH 7601]. Both total dust and quartz levels were high. The results of total dust in the digging process [37.63 +/- 0.76 mg/m[3]] were higher than in the cement work [9.88 +/- 0.80 mg/m[3]]. The maximum 8 h time-weight average concentration for quartz was found among the digging workers [0.407 +/- 0.006 mg/m[3]], followed by the barbed workers [0.11 +/- 0.008 mg/m[3]]. It can be concluded that the total dust contains high amounts of crystalline silica and it is responsible for the occupational exposure to quartz in construction workers. Thus, it is to be expected that the construction workers will suffer negative health effects due to exposure to the quartz dust

Awareness and practice of Kerman dentists about B Hepatitis, 2004

Many research studies regarding dental occupational dangers were performed and conflicted results have been obtained. The aim of this study was to determine the awareness and practice of active dentists practicing in their offices in Kerman city. The present study was a descriptive and cross-sectional one. A questionnaire was prepared, which after determining the validity and reliability was distributed among 140 dentists. One hundred and three dentists participated in this study. Data was analyzed by SPSS software. Results showed that dentists had good awareness about hepatitis B [HBV]. Mean score of awareness was 5.44 [out of 7]. Seventy-eight percent of all awareness questions were answered correctly. Regarding dental practice, 90.2% had complete vaccination against HBV, however, antibody titer measurement was performed by only 43.9% of them. Meanwhile, dentists who had more than 40 years old and 10 years experience of dental practice and more than 30 hours practice per week had better practice regarding antibody titer measurement [p<0.05]. General practitioners had more complete vaccination against HBV than specialists in dentistry [p<0.05]. This study showed that the knowledge of dentists was good. Older dentists had better practice and general practitioners had better vaccination in comparison with dental specialists