study of non-auditory effects of industrial noise

This work was designed to show the relation between occupational noise exposure and some IHD risk factors. The study included workers from noisy industrial plant [leq 89 dBA] as exposed group and control group of workers proved not to be occupationally exposed to any known or suspected source of work noise. Each subject was submitted to a standardized medical and work history questionnaire, general clinical examination, B.P. measurement and electrocardiographic [ECG] recoreding. The mean age was 32.71 +/- 12.67 and 34.56 +/- 10.01 for the exposed group and controls respectively B.P level was significantly higher among the exposed workers compared with the controls. The proportion of hypertensives among the exposed group was not significantly higher by longer duration of exposure. The effect of smoking on B.p. level and the prevalence of respiratory symptoms was investigated. Cardiovascular symptoms were significantly higher among the exposed workers compared with the controls. The effect of dietary pattern on B.P. level was studied. Difference in ECG changes namely ischemic heart diseases and arrhythmias were significantly higher among the exposed group than the controls. Results are tabulated, discussed and some recommendations are mentioned

Immunological effect of lead

A study on twenty six male lead workers was done to evaluate the effect of lead on thier immunoglobulins. IgA, IgM and IgG were measured. A positive correlation was found between PbB and Serum IgA while no significant difference exists in IgM concentration. A high significant level of IgG was attributed to some kind of subclinical infection and/or parasitic infestation. This subject needs further investigations on a larger scale and among other lead- exposed groups of workers

Effect of lead on glutathione reductase and some trace elements with reference to some clinical manifestations among printers

A study was carried out on 26 male printers to reveal the effect of lead on glutathione reductase [GSH] and some trace elements, with reference to some clinical manifestations of lead exposure. Laboratory tests including lead in blood [Pb-B], urinary amino- levulonic acid [UALA], delta-amino levulonic acid [d ALA], amino- luvulinic acid dehydratase [ALA-D], haemoglobin [Hb], GSH, serum proteins and serum zinc, iron copper were done. An atmospheric measurement for lead in different locations of workplace was also carried out. It was found that the gastrointestinal and neuropsychiatric manifestations were predominant among the exposed workers. The most sensitive parameter was the inhibition of ALA-D. Reduced Hb and increased d-ALA were also observed. There was a decreased in the albumin-globulin [A/G] ratio and GSH. Serum iron was increased while serum zinc [Zn] and copper [Cu] were decreased. These were attributed to some disturbance in their metabolism. In view of the results of our study, some recommendations were suggested

Hearing loss and systolic blood pressure level among a sample of agricultural workers

High noise levels are a feature of several work environments.The least of these work environments is the agricultural one. In this study, a random sample of 58 male agricultural workers exposed to railway traffic noise were examined and compared with another 23 male agricultural workers as controls.Theexposedgroupshowed significant differences in hearing and systolic blood pressure levels from the control group. These differences were attributed to noise exposure as the two groups of workers were similar in relevant factors otherwise. The results of the study including audiometry were analyzed and discussed and some recommendations were also mentioned

impact of aircraft noise on residents around Cairo international airport

This work presented a pilot survey for studying the impact of aircraft noise in two selected sites around Cairo International Airport on residents as expressed by their degree of annoyance. Along with this subjective response, measurements of the heart rate and the arterial blood pressure were carried out. These parameters were compared in the aircraft noise exposed residents and a control group.The relationbetween noise level and the proportion of residents expressing annoyance was also studied

Work-related symptoms among workers in the printing industry

This study was carried out among a representable sample of 85 male printers and 49 unexposed controls. An interview method was applied to get information about job history, personal data, general health and work related symptoms. The two groups of the study were similar in mean age and duration of employment and had similar smoking habits. The general symptoms including headache, skin irritation and symptoms of anemia did not differ significantly between the exposed printer and the control workers.However,theexposedgroup experienced more airway symptoms than the controls. Findings were in agreement with some previous investigators and disagree with others. The results were analyzed and discussed and recommendations for the reduction of pollution in the investigated printing industry were mentioned

mid-expiratory flow in cable workers exposed to lead

Lead particles and vapors have become among the most significant environmental pollutants. Cable workers are among industrial workers exposed to hazards of lead.This study included 83 male industrial workers, 43 of them were cable workers exposed to lead particles and vapors.The rest [40 workers] were unexposed and taken as controls. Both groups were interviewed and medically examined by a single investigator. The ventilatory function was assessed using the [Garthur Vitalograph]. The mean values of the forced mid-expiratory flow [FMF] for the different age groups of both the exposed and the control groups were determined. Medical examination revealed no detectable respiratoryabnormalities.However,therewas a significant percentage reduction in FMF of the exposed compared with the control group.The results of this effect were discussed and practical recommendations to protect cable workers against this hazard were outlined

Mental health problems of a sample of Egyptian workers in Industry

This study comprised examination of 53 cases records of male patients referred to Khanka Mental Hospital in 1976. Forty one of these are workers in the Public Transport Corporation and 11 are workers in the National Co. for Metalic Industries, both groups are 20 to 59 years of age. The mental disorders represented in this work included schizophrenia, depression, addiction and others. There was no significant difference between the proportions of the prevailing mental disorders in the groups of patients studied. There was a difference in the age incidence of the illnesses in the two groups of our study. Another finding was that a statistically significant difference between the relative frequency of mental illness in our sample of industrial workers and that for the general population

Medical students attitudes towards smoking

Two hundred and Eighty male University medical students were randomly selected for a study of the student's smoking heabits and attitudes towards smoking. Questionnaires dealt with personal data, current smoking habits and attitudes towards smoking. Data about parents were also included. It was found that 57.1% of the students were cigarette smokers for an average 5 to 10 years duration. Seventhly per cent of them smoked more than 20 cigarettes per day. Imitation to parents or friends was the commonest cause of starting to smoke [75%]. The various risk factors studied were analysed and were found to confirm similar studied carried out in other countries before. The importance of developing effective antismoking programs to combat this epidemic of smoking among students was discussed