Effects of lead exposure on blood pressure in 665 lead workers / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To investigate the effect of lead exposure on blood pressure of lead workers. Methods A total of 665 lead workers from some lead-acid battery enterprises in Wuhan were selected as the lead exposure group, and 708 ordinary workers without lead exposure were selected as the control group. The blood pressure in the workers of both groups was measured. The blood lead concentrations were measured in the lead-exposed group. The independent samples t-test was used to compare the blood pressure between the two groups. Linear regression model was used to analyze the relationship between the blood lead concentration and the blood pressure in the lead-exposed group. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between the risk of hypertension and blood lead concentration in lead-exposed group. Results The mean values of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and pulse in the lead exposure group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P0.05). Linear regression analysis revealed that blood lead concentrations were significantly correlated with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the lead exposure group. For each increase of 1μg/L of blood lead concentration in the lead exposure group, the systolic blood pressure of lead workers increased by 0.011 mmHg, and the diastolic blood pressure increased by 0.007 mmHg. Logistic regression analysis found that men in the lead-exposed group had a higher risk of hypertension than women. The older the age and the higher the blood lead concentration, the higher the risk of development of hypertension. Conclusion There is a positive correlation between the blood lead concentration and the systolic and diastolic blood pressure in lead workers. The older the lead worker, the higher the risk of developing high blood pressure. The higher the lead concentration in lead workers, the higher the risk of developing high blood pressure.

Serum bilirubin in workers exposed to tobacco dust and noise / 环境与职业医学

Background Exposure to tobacco dust or noise is associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease in workers, but there are few studies on their effects on workers' serum bilirubin levels. Objective To analyze the effects of combined exposure to tobacco dust and noise on workers' serum bilirubin levels. Methods We selected 824 employees from a large cigarette factory in Wuhan. According to the status of occupational hazards on site, we divided the participants into a control group (n=149), a tobacco dust exposure group (n=198), a noise exposure group (n=299), and a tobacco dust and noise combined exposure group (n=178). We collected general information of the participants. We collected blood samples and measured serum bilirubin. We used chi-square test to compare between-group categorical indicators. We used analysis of variance to compare measurement data. Taking the control group as the reference category, we used generalized linear regression model to analyze serum bilirubin concentration across the three exposure groups and the control group. Results The abnormal rates of serum indirect bilirubin concentrations in the control group, the tobacco dust exposure group, the noise exposure group, and the tobacco dust and noise combined exposure group were 6.04% (9/149), 12.63% (25/198), 13.38% (40/299), and 17.42% (31/178), respectively, showing a clear increasing trend (P<0.05). The mean concentrations of indirect bilirubin in the tobacco dust and noise combined exposure group were significantly higher than that in the tobacco dust and the noise groups (P<0.05). The serum indirect bilirubin concentrations in the tobacco dust exposure group, the noise exposure group, and the tobacco dust and noise combined exposure group were 1.833, 1.774, and 1.634 times higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Occupational exposure to tobacco dust or noise may associate with elevated serum total bilirubin concentration in cigarette factory workers, mainly indirect bilirubin concentration. Serum indirect bilirubin anomaly is higher among workers simultaneously exposed to tobacco dust and noise.

Effects of the interaction between occupational noise exposure and arterial stiffness on blood glucose / 预防医学

Objective@#To investigate the effects of the interaction between occupational noise exposure and arterial stiffness on blood glucose, so as to provide insights into for early prevention of diabetes among workers exposed to occupational noise.@*Methods@#A total of 518 noise workers were selected from a tobacco plant in Wuhan City. Participants' gender, age and work duration were collected using questionnaire surveys, and participants' height and weight were measured. Blood glucose and arterial stiffness were detected, and the noise intensity was measured in working environments with a personal noise dosimeter. The effects of occupational noise exposure, arterial stiffness and their interactions on blood glucose were examined using a multiple linear regression model.@*Results@#A total of 518 workers were included, with 398 males (76.83%), a mean age of (40.85±10.68) years, a mean working age of (19.50±12.69) years, a mean body mass index of (23.66±3.31) kg/m2, and a mean blood glucose level of (5.15±0.99) mmol/L. There were 247 workers with occupational noise exposure (47.68%) and 175 workers with arterial stiffness (33.78%). Multiple linear regression analysis showed significant associations of noise (β'=0.112) and arterial stiffness (β'=0.168) with blood glucose, and there was an additive interaction between noise and arterial stiffness on blood glucose (β'=0.314).@*Conclusion@#The interaction between occupational noise and arterial stiffness affects blood glucose.

The effects of occupational noise exposure on glycated hemoglobin and prediabetes / 中国职业医学

Objective To investigate the relationship between occupational noise exposure and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, as well as prediabetes diagnosed by HbA1c. Methods A total of 1 181 workers from a cigarette factory were selected as the research subjects using a judgment sampling method. Workers were divided into control, low-level noise exposure and high-level noise exposure groups, consisting of 236, 359, and 586 individuals, respectively. The blood sample was collected for HbA1c test and occupation noise exposure intensity in workplace was detected by an area-sampling method. Results There were no statistical significant differences in HbA1c levels and prediabetes prevalence among the three groups of workers (all P>0.05). After adjusting for potential confounding factors such as years of service, gender, smoking, pack-years of smoking, alcohol consumption, and body mass index, multiple linear regression analysis showed that the high-level noise exposure group had higher HbA1c level than the control group (P<0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis results showed that the high-level noise exposure group had higher risk of prediabetes compared with the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Occupational noise exposure could be a risk factor for the increased HbA1c levels and prediabetes incidence among the occupational population. More attention should be paid to the effects of occupational noise exposure on the HbA1c level in occupational health surveillance.

Analysis on the detection of occupational contraindications in pre-employment occupational health examination of a vehicle manufacturing enterprise / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To analyze the detection level and distribution characteristics of occupational contraindications in pre-employment occupational health examination, and to provide a reference for relevant management departments to strengthen the control of personnel exposed to occupational hazards. Methods The data of pre-employment occupational health examination of 2 626 workers in a vehicle manufacturing enterprise from September 2018 to December 2020 were collected. The detection rate of occupational contraindications was calculated according to the judgement standard, and the distribution of occupational contraindications in different gender, length of service and age was analyzed. Results The detection rate of occupational contraindications was 13.71%, and there was no significant difference between the genders. The detection rate in the 40-45 years old group was the highest (31.75%), and the difference among the different age groups was statistically significant (χ2=30.16, P2=30.20, P<0.01). Conclusion Relevant departments should strengthen the occupational health supervision and management of vehicle manufacturing enterprises and urge enterprises to pay attention to the pre-job occupational health examination as well as the health of workers.

Investigation on lead exposure level of workers in lead-acid battery enterprises in Wuhan / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To investigate the lead pollution status in the workplaces of enterprises in the lead-acid battery industry in Wuhan, to analyze the correlation between lead level in the workplace and blood lead concentration in exposed workers, and to provide some advice on occupational health problems for companies. Methods Lead fume and lead dust in the workplaces were monitored from the workplaces of four lead-acid battery companies in Wuhan, and the blood lead levels of lead exposed workers were tested. Results The exceeding standard rate of lead concentration in the workplace was 34.95%, and the exceeding rate of blood lead was 1.74% among 1 435 workers. As the age of exposure increased, the average blood lead concentration of workers increased, and the difference in blood lead concentration among workers in each enterprise was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion The lead concentration in the workplaces of the lead-acid battery industry in Wuhan seriously exceeded the standard. There were significant differences in blood lead concentrations among lead-exposed workers in different enterprises. Relevant departments and employees should take corresponding measures to reduce the harm.

Study on the Preparation of Brucine Bilayer Polymer Soluble Microneedle and Its in vitro Transdermal Perme- ability under Different Drug Loading Modes / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE：To prepare Brucine （shorted for “Bru”）bilayer polymer soluble microneedles ，and to investigate their in vitro transdermal permeation characteristics under different drug loading modes. METHODS ：Taking the degree of difficulty of microneedle film uncovering ，array integrity ，bubble amount ，needle shape ，tip hardness and backing toughness as the indexes ， tip and backing materials were screened. The swelling method and drying method of matrix were screened using the morphology of microneedles as index. The double-layer polymer soluble microneedle was prepared by two-step method ，then it was characterized and evaluated in the safety. The in vitro transdermal permeation characteristics of tip-loaded ，backing-loaded and full-loaded Bru bilayer polymer soluble microneedles were investigated by Franz diffusion cell. The in vitro skin penetration curve was drawn ，and the cumulative permeability amount （Q）and cumulative permeability rate were calculated. RESULTS ：The optimal preparation technology of bilayer polymer soluble microneedles included chondroitin sulfate （CS）and polyvinylpyrrolidone K 30（PVP K 30） （1∶1，m/m）as tip materials ，15％ polyvinyl alcohol （PVA）as backing material ，matrix swelling in the refrigerator at 4 ℃ for 1 h，and drying at room temperature for 24 h in dryer. Prepared microneedle array was complete and had good mechanical properties，and could successfully puncture aluminum foil and rat skin. After microneedle treatment ，the skin could return to its original state within 6 h. The results of in vitro transdermal test showed that microneedle drug delivery could greatly increase the cumulative transdermal permeability amount of GNYL Bru，and the tip material could dissolve and release the drug within 10 min； the tip-loaded microneedle was basically released within 8 h，Q8h was 102.185 μg/cm2 and the cumulative permeability rate reached 94.05％ ； the drug cumulativepermeability rate of backing-loaded and full-loaded microneedlesexceeded 50％ within 8 h and exceeded 90％ within 48 h；Q48h were 840.77 and 1 156.73 μg/cm2，showing sustained-release characteristics. CONCLUSIONS ：Bru bilayer polymer soluble microneedles with hard tip and tough backing material are successfully prepared to achieve effective transdermal delivery and sustained release through full-loaded mode.

Comparison of three semi-quantitative methods for assessing occupational health risk in a mechanic processing enterprise / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To compare the applicability of three semi-quantitative methods for risk assessment for occupational health in a mechanic processing enterprise. METHODS: The judgment sampling method was used to select a mechanic processing enterprise as the study subject. The occupational health risk was evaluated using contact ratio, exponential and comprehensive exponential analyzing method, and the results of different methods were compared. RESULTS: The occupational health risk level of all the posts in sandblasting, sawing, welding, grinding and painting in the mechanic processing enterprises were of moderate risk or above. The consistency of evaluation results of the contact ratio, exponential and comprehensive exponential methods was poor(weighted Kappa=0.30, P>0.05). The consistency of exponential and comprehensive exponential methods was excellent(weighted Kappa=1.00, P<0.01). When the contact concentration(E)/occupational exposure limits(OEL) is <0.50, the contact ratio method is less than or equal to the exponential method and the comprehensive exponential method. When 0.50 ≤E/OEL<2.00, the results of these three methods are consistent. When the E/OEL ≥2.00, the evaluation result of the contact ratio method is equal to or higher than the exponential method and the comprehensive exponential method.CONCLUSION: The contact ratio method is easy to obtain, simple and convenient. The exponential method is suitable for occupational disease risk factors in the workplace without OELs or unable to obtain test data, and it is more practical. The comprehensive exponential method is considered comprehensive and suitable for occupational health risk assessment in the workplace.

Investigation of neck and shoulder pain among workers in an automobile plant / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of neck and shoulder pain (NSP) among automobile manufacturing workers and to provide a theoretical basis for prevention of NSP.@*Methods@#From November 5 to November 19, 2017, a total 446 works who had worked for more than one year were recruited from an automobile plant by cluster sampling method. Chi square test and unconditional logistic regression were used to exam the relation between influencing factors and NSP.@*Results@#The annual prevalence rate of NSP was 34.8%. Multifactor regression analysis showed that age、work fatigue、department staff shortages、lifting heavy objects in awkward positions、neck flexion foreword and prolong sitting position work were the risk factors of NSP (OR=2.18, 95%CI:1.49~3.18; OR=4.52, 95%CI:1.27~16.00; OR=1.66, 95%CI:1.04~26.68; OR=2.10, 95%CI:1.16~3.81; OR=2.25, 95%CI:1.39~3.66; OR=2.42, 95%CI:1.06~5.56) and work break was the benefit factors of NSP (OR=0.58, 95%CI:0.36~0.94) .@*Conclusion@#The annual prevalence rate of NSP among automobile manufacturing workers was high. Lifing heavy objects、awkward working positions and unreasonable work arrangement were the major risk factors of NSP, and work break can effectively reduce the risk of NSP. Effective ergonomic intervention should be carried out to prevent the occurrence of NSP.

Influencing factors for reproductive health of female workers in petrochemical industry / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To investigate the reproductive health status of female workers in petrochemical industry, and to provide a reference for improving reproductive health status and developing preventive and control measures for female workers in petrochemical industry.@*Methods@#A face-to-face questionnaire survey was performed from January to October, 2016. The Questionnaire on Women's Reproductive Health was used to investigate the reproductive health of female workers in petrochemical industry. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify the influencing factors for reproductive health of female workers in petrochemical industry.@*Results@#Among the 7485 female workers, 1 268 (40.9%) had abnormal menstrual period, 1 437 (46.4%) had abnormal menstrual volume, 177 (28.5%) had hyperplasia of mammary glands, and 1 807 (24.6%) had gynecological inflammation. The reproductive system diseases in female workers in petrochemical industry were associated with the factors including age, marital status, education level, unhealthy living habits, abortion, overtime work, work shift, workload, video operation, occupational exposure, positive events, and negative events, and among these factors, negative events (odds ratio[OR]= 1.856) , unhealthy living habits (OR=1.542) , and positive events (OR=1.516) had greater impact on reproductive system diseases.@*Conclusion@#Many chemical substances in the occupational environment of petrochemical industry can cause damage to the reproductive system, which not only affects the health of the female workers, but also poses potential threats to the health of their offspring. Occupational exposure, unhealthy living habits, overtime work, and work shift have great influence on reproductive system diseases in female workers.

Investigation on the influencing factors of low back pain in automobile factory workers / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of low back pain in workers in automobile manufacturing plants. METHODS: A judgment sampling method was used to select 394 workers with working length ≥1 year in an automobile manufacturing plant as study subjects. A questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the prevalence of low back pain in these workers using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of low back pain in these study subjects was 28. 9%( 114/394). The multivariate logistic regression analysis results showed that the relative risk ranked from high to low is as follow: uncomfortable working posture [Odds ratio( OR) =7. 31,95% confidence interval( 95% CI) = 2. 92-18. 28],feeling tired after work( OR = 5. 34,95% CI = 1. 22-23. 32],the commu time more than 30 minutes( OR = 2. 76,95% CI = 1. 38-5. 52),insufficient operating space( OR = 2. 22,95% CI = 1. 28-3. 83),hand or arm frequently used at work( OR = 2. 08,95% CI = 1. 14-3. 78) and age( OR = 2. 00,95% CI = 1. 19-3. 35),that were all risk factors of low back pain( P < 0. 05). CONCLUSION: The frequent use of hand or arm at work,insufficient operating space,uncomfortable working posture,feeling tired after work,and long commute time are the main influencing factors affecting the low back pain of automobile manufacturing workers.

Comparative study on application of different occupational health risk assessment methods in lead-acid battery production industry / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To compare the applicability of three risk assessment methods on occupational health risk assessment of chemical harmful factors in lead-acid battery manufacturers. METHODS: The convenient sampling method was used to select six lead-acid battery enterprises as research subjects. The occupational health risks of jobs with lead smoke,lead dust and sulfuric acid were determined by contact ratio method,comprehensive index method( both are semiquantitative evaluation method) and qualitative risk assessment method. The assessment was carried out,and the obtained risk level was standardized as the risk ratio. The evaluation results of these three methods were compared. RESULTS: For occupational health risk levels of lead smoke,lead dust and sulfuric acid,the contact ratio assessment method were 2-4,and the comprehensive index method were 2-3. The risk ratios after standardization were consistent with the risk level of that before standardization. The result of the qualitative risk assessment method was 2-3,and the standardized risk ratio was 3-4. The risk ratio of each post after standardization increased by one level compared with the risk level before standardization. When( Exposure limit concentration,E)/( Occupational exposure limit,OEL) ≥ 2,the occupational health risk levels of lead smoke,lead dust of qualitative risk assessment method and the contact ratio method were completely consistent,both of which were high risk,which were higher than the medium risk result of the comprehensive index method. When E/OEL < 2,Kappa analysis results showed that the contact ratio method and the comprehensive index method were in good agreement( Kappa = 0. 84,P < 0. 01). The qualitative risk assessment method were inconsistent with the contact ratio method and the comprehensive index method( Kappa value were -0. 22 and -0. 24). CONCLUSION: For occupational health risk assessment of chemical harmful factors in lead-acid battery manufacturers,the comprehensive index method could be used to evaluate the comprehensive results of occupational disease hazard factors and OEL in workplace. A qualitative risk assessment method can be used for assessment without test method or OEL of occupational hazard factor.