Cardiovascular disorders and exposure to chemical pollutants.

Introduction: Exposure with some chemical can cause cardiovascular disorders. Occupational exposures with chemicals are modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. The Objective of this study was the determination of cardiovascular disorders in industries with occupational exposures. Materials and methods: Study was a cross-sectional method and was done on workers of related industries. The study was done with a physical examination and checklist by getting health and illness history and clinical tests about the risk factors and cardiovascular disorders. According to exposures the population of the study was divided into 3 groups. Data were analyzed with SPSS 16, by considering p < 0.05 as significant. Results: The frequency of unstable angina and stable angina were the most in group 1. The relative risk for unstable angina was 1.55 (1.46-1.61) in group 1 and for stable angina was 1.54 (1.47-1.62) in this group. The risk of thrombophlebitis was 8.48 (7.07-10.17) in group 2. Conclusions: Workers in industry with chemical pollutants had cardiovascular disorders. The occupational exposures, especially chemical agents are effective on cardiovascular system.

Carrying Load and Related Health Disorders and Disability.

Introduction: If carrying loads is not done correctly, it may cause many disorders and diseases, such as musculoskeletal disorders, which are considered the first cause of disability. The aim of the study is a comparison between two methods of calculating load limits and determining the health effects and disorders of carrying loads. Methods: Two methods were used to examine and calculate the maximum permissible load weight. The first method was introduced by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the second was introduced by the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA). The researcher used both methods to determine the maximum load weight and to compare the responses. Health effects were listed in the checklist. The study was descriptive, evaluated, and analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Findings: In the first method, recommended weight lifted (RWL) and lifting index were calculated, and in the second method, the maximum allowable load was calculated. The weight obtained by the first method was smaller than the weight obtained by the second method. Carrying heavy loads resulted in low back pain, discopathy, herniation, high ocular pressure, and osteoarthritis. Conclusion: The first method is suitable for determining the permissible load limits. In this way, the pressure on the spine is less likely to occur. In general, health disorders and related disabilities were less likely to happen in this situation.

Electrocardiographic changes and exposure to solvents.

BACKGROUND: Occupational exposures can cause cardiovascular disorders. Some exposures may be harmful, and exposures to chemicals such as metal welding fumes, gases, and pesticides, and stress related to physical and occupational hazard, which results in cardiovascular disorders such as arrhythmia, could be prevented. The objective of this study was to determine the electrocardiographic changes in occupational exposure to organic solvents. METHODS: It was a historical cohort study and was carried out on workers of industries. The study was carried out with flexible interview, physical examination, checklist for obtaining clinical history, and electrophysiology test. Group 1 included the workers in the production line of solvent and paint, group 2 included administrative personnel, and group 3 included workers from other industries who did not have solvent exposure. A number of participants in group 1, group 2, and group 3 were 500, 498, and 501, respectively. Electrocardiographic changes were recorded in health issues. RESULTS: The frequency of arrhythmia, P wave, and QRS complex changes were highest in group 1. The risk of arrhythmia was 1.15 (1.08-1.49), P wave change was 1.02 (1.01-2.28) which was significant and considered as highest risk,, and QRS complex change was highest in group 1, whose relative risk was 1.53 (1.46-1.61). ST segment and T wave changes (depression or elevation) were highest in group 1 and had no significant differences (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Working in solvent industry is a risk of developing arrhythmia. Exposure to chemical especially solvent agents mostly affects the cardiovascular system and is effective on electrocardiography, which must be prevented.

What are the effects of psychological stress and physical work on blood lipid profiles?

Blood lipids disorders are prevalent in the world. Some of their risk factors are modifiable such as mental and physical stress which existed in some places such as work environment.Objective of this study was to determine the effects of psychological and physical stress on the lipid profiles. It was a historical cohort study. The people who were employed as general worker were participated. The study was conducted with flexible interview for getting history, lipid profile examination, and a checklist including occupational and nonoccupational risk factors and using the health issues. According to the type of stress exposures, the study population was divided into 5 groups. Groups were followed for lipid profiles. These groups were exposed to psychological stress, physical stress or both of them; mild psychological stress (group 1), mild physical work without psychological stress (group 2), mild psychological stress and mild physical work (group 3), moderate physical work without psychological stress (group 4), and heavy physical work without psychological stress (group 5). Data were analyzed with SPSS 16. ANOVA, χ, and exact test were calculated with considering P < .05 as significant level. Relative risks were calculated with confidence interval 95%. The means of lipid profiles were in normal ranges. The relative risks for triglycerides more than 200 mg/dL was 1.57 (1.02-2.42) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) more than 130 mg/dL was 14.54 (3.54-59.65) in group 1. The relative risks for high density lipoprotein (HDL) less than 45 mg/dL was 14.61 (8.31-25.68) in group 1 and 16.00 (8.30-30.83) in group 3. After multinomial logistic regression they had significant differences. Psychological stress was a risk factor for lipid disorders, and suitable physical activity was protective in this situation.

Is a long term work in automotive industry a risk factor for renal dysfunction?

BACKGROUND: Disorders of renal system can cause renal failure; therefore screening is necessary especially in workers who are exposed to harmful materials. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hazardous exposures are non-occupational and occupational risk factors for renal diseases. AIM: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of working in automotive industry on renal function in Iran. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In a historical cohort study, workers of automotive industry who worked in production and had low exposure to metal fumes were selected and divided to three groups with 5-10, 11-20, and 21-30 years work duration. risk factors for renal diseases were collected and analyzed with SPSS using one-way ANOVA, correlation coefficient and with P < 0.05 and relative risk with a confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: The means of work duration in Groups (A), (B) and (C) were 9.8 (0.6), 13.8 (2.0), 22.3 (1.6) years respectively with ANOVA (F) =187.864 and P < 0.01. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was 59.75 (0.70), 59.16 (1.52) and 59.10 (2.23) in Groups (A), (B), and (C) respectfully The relative risk of creatinine clearance, uric acid and mean blood pressure were the highest in Group (B); 1.970 - CI, 0.541-7.169, 1.571 95% CI: 0.198-12.470, and 1.519 95% CI: 0.425-5.426, but the differences were not significant. CONCLUSION: GFRs were decreased with work duration, but the differences were not significant. Working in automotive Industry with low exposure to toxic metals and solvents has no significant effect on GFR, creatinine clearance, uric acid, and mean blood pressure.

Risk of early menopausal symptoms in clinical workers.

BACKGROUND: Workplace exposures as in clinical work can cause disorders. Some organ systems are at risk. This work may be a risk factor for early symptoms of menopause. The objective of this study was to compare the early symptoms of menopause between hospital personnel who work in clinical and office settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a historical cohort study conducted on clinical and office workers of hospitals. The study was conducted using a flexible interview conducted with a questionnaire among personnel of age 40 years and above. According to their menopausal status, they were divided into three phases: premenopause, perimenopause, and postmenopause. Symptoms in 10 items were assessed and scored from 1 to 10, and were compared. Data were analyzed with SPSS 16, t-test, and Chi-square tests and were calculated considering P < 0.05 as the significant level. Odds ratios were calculated along with 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: Frequency of menopausal symptoms was higher in the clinical group than in the office group. In the clinical group, the odds ratio for menopausal symptoms like flashing and sweating was 1.879 (1.457-2.423) and in the office personnel, it was 0.192 (0.030-1.238). In the clinical group, the odds ratio for anxiety and irritability was 2.029 (1.660-2.481) and in the office personnel, it was 0.116 (0.017-0.779). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical personnel had higher risk for early menopausal symptoms such as flashing, sweating, anxiety, and irritability. Assessing the health of these personnel may help to improve their reproductive health. The person with reproductive risk factors is not suitable for clinical work.

Is Being a Health-care Worker a Risk Factor for Women's Reproductive System?

BACKGROUND: Occupational exposures to workplace hazards in health-care workers can affect on their health including the reproductive system. Some exposures cause reproductive system disorders. Objective of this study was to compare reproductive system disorders between hospital personnel who work in clinical and administrative setting. METHODS: This is a historical cohort study on clinical and administrative workers of hospitals. The study tool was flexible interview and questionnaire. Pregnant personnel had been followed until the end of pregnancy. Frequency of reproductive disorders was compared between two groups. Data were analyzed with SPSS 16, t-test, and χ(2) were calculated considering P < 0.05 as significant level. Odds ratio had been calculated with a confidence interval 95%. RESULTS: Frequency of menses disorders in clinical personnel especially, personnel of emergency departments were the highest and showed a significant difference between two groups (P = 0.042). The odds ratio for menses disorders in clinical personnel was 1.362 (1.008-1.84) and in administrative personnel was 0.653 (0.368-1.159). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical personnel are at higher risk for menses disorders compared with administrative personnel. Assessing the health of these personnel may help to improve future generation's health.

Cardiovascular disorders risk factors in different industries of iran.

BACKGROUND: Disorders of cardiovascular system can cause disability or death, screening is necessary specially in workers who maybe had risk factors. Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, smoking, genetic, exposure to chemicals, fumes, solvents, coldness are non occupational and occupational risk factors. Objective was comparison of cardiovascular disorders risk factors between workers in different industries of Iran. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, workers of automobile, food industries and light works had been selected and cardiovascular disorders risk factors had been gathered then data analyzed in SPSS with one-way ANOVA, Chi-2 and multi nominal logistic regression with P < 0.05. RESULTS: 875 workers had been participated in the study, all of the cardiovascular disorders risk factors were in the normal range. Mean of high density lipoprotein (HDL) in food industry workers was 63.83 ± 17.42 mg/dl and it was protective, but in workers who work in automobile industry was 38.97 ± 11.08 mg/dl and the lowest, Also hypertension and hypertriglyceridemia were more prominent in this industry and after regression with P < 0.05, the differences were significant. CONCLUSIONS: Screening of cardiovascular disorders risk factors were important and helpful in industries specially automobile industry, that might be preventive method for these disorders in the future.

Comparison of sensory-Neural Hearing between Firefighters and Office Workers.

BACKGROUND: Rescuer systems personnel such as firefighters have importance in health assessment. Because of stressful situation, chemicals, metals, gases and noises, they need many physical and paraclinic examination such as audiometry in periodic examinations. Comparison of sensory - neural hearing between firefighters and office workers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study had been done on firefighters and office workers with use of the clinical - health issues. Data had been analyzed in SPSS 11.5 by T-test and Chi-2 with significance level of P<0.05. RESULTS: Mean of hearing threshold in firefighters' right ear in 4000, 6000, 8000 Hz was 16.05±8.66 dB and in office workers was 15.20±6.47 dB with t=0.786 and P=0.433 had no significant difference, this mean in firefighters' left ear was 16.17±8.12 dB and in office workers was 15.52±6.67 dB with t=0.617 and P=0.538 had no significant difference too. Mean of hearing threshold in firefighters' right ear in age 40 or less than it in 4000 Hz was 20.51±10.11 dB and in office workers was 17.50±5.28 dB with t=2.153 and P=0.033 had significant difference. CONCLUSION: Mean of hearing threshold in firefighters in all frequencies was normal, except 4000 frequency. It showed the early effect of occupational exposure on hearing.