Results of Finnish national survey on EU legislation concerning computer work.

The European Directive on computer work (VDU 90/270/EEC) is implemented in the Finnish Government Decree. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the legislation and its applications in practice. The quantitative method used an online questionnaire. The respondents were employers (N=934), employees (N=1872) and occupational health care (OHC) units (N=289). The majority of all these three groups considered the provisions clear and easy to understand, comprehensive, and easy to comply with. The provisions had a great impact on preventing mental overloading, arranging sight tests at the employer's cost, and on the refunding of eyeglasses for computer work. Most employers felt they did not need any more specific provisions, whereas half of the employees and OHC professionals would have liked the provisions to be more detailed. More explicit and specific regulations were also needed for practice applications in particular, as well as for the refunding of the costs of special eyeglasses for computer work. A total of 59% of the employers reported that costs of glasses are refunded, whereas the figure for employees was clearly lower (37%). OHC professionals reported that the costs of glasses were refunded in 82% of their customer workplaces. The practical conclusion is that employees' sight examinations and compensation for eyeglasses should be promoted in computer work. Moreover, ergonomic applications are best carried out in co-operation with OHC personnel.

History of physical work exposures and clinically diagnosed sciatica among working and nonworking Finns aged 30 to 64.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study with retrospectively assessed work determinants. OBJECTIVE: To study the association between the history of physically demanding work and sciatica, among the occupationally active, and among persons of working age who are not occupationally active. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Few studies have examined the association of physically loading work with sciatica, and studies concerning women are scarce. METHODS: A nationally representative sample of The Health 2000 survey comprised 4811 Finns aged 30 to 64, which we further stratified into 2 groups based on working status during the preceding 12 months. The diagnosis of sciatica was based on characteristic symptoms and a standardized clinical examination by physicians trained for the purpose. Life-long exposure to physically demanding work tasks was assessed retrospectively by interview. RESULTS: A total of 3.8% of working subjects and 7.9% of nonworking subjects had sciatica; men more often than women. In the multivariable logistic regression models, a history of physically demanding work in general was associated with sciatica among men. The risk increased with the length of exposure for the first 20 years (OR: 1.85; 95% CI: 1.17-2.91 for 1-10 years and 2.67; 1.61-4.43 for 11-20 years of exposure), but decreased thereafter. When analyzing manual handling of heavy objects, bending, and kneeling separately, odds ratios for these factors were high for both working and nonworking men. However, they remained at the borderline of statistical significance among working men. None of the physical work exposures were associated with sciatica among working women, whereas a long history of handling heavy objects and bending were related to sciatica among nonworking women. CONCLUSION: Physically demanding work in general is a risk factor for sciatica among men. Sciatica may be a significant cause of premature health-related selection out of the heavy work among both genders.

Chromosomal aberrations in railroad transit workers: effect of genetic polymorphisms.

Complex chemical mixtures are transported by train from Russia to Finland for further shipment. Here, we studied if exposure to genotoxic components among these substances could affect chromosomal aberrations (CAs) in peripheral lymphocytes of workers handling the tank cars. An initial survey among 48 railroad workers and 39 referents (male smokers and nonsmokers) showed an elevation of CAs. A campaign was started to reduce exposures through preventive measures. Five years later, 51 tank car workers and 40 age-matched referents (all nonsmoking men) were studied for CAs and genetic polymorphisms of xenobiotic metabolism (EPHX1, GSTM1, GSTP1, GSTT1, NAT1, NAT2), DNA repair (ERCC2, ERCC5, XPA, XPC, XRCC1, XRCC3), and folate metabolism (MTHFR, MTR). No increase in CAs was seen in the exposed group, suggesting that the preventive measures had been successful. However, a positive association existed between exposure duration and CA level among the exposed subjects. The level of chromosome-type breaks was actually lower in the exposed workers than the referents, particularly among MTHFR wild-type homozygotes or XRCC3 codon 241 variant allele carriers, suggesting modulation of CA frequency by folate metabolism and DNA repair. An interaction was observed between the occupational exposure and MTHFR, EPHX1, and MTR genotypes in determining CA level. The NAT2, ERCC2 exon 10, and XRCC1 codon 194 polymorphisms also affected CA frequency. Our findings suggest that handling of tank cars containing complex chemical mixtures poses a genotoxic risk, which may be reduced by preventive measures. Several genetic polymorphisms seem to modify the genotoxic effect or baseline CA level.

Alcohol dependence in relation to burnout among the Finnish working population.

AIMS: To investigate the relationship of burnout to alcohol dependence and high alcohol consumption. DESIGN: A cross-sectional population-based multi-disciplinary 'Health 2000 Study'. The analyses were performed separately for the women and the men and adjusted for socio-demographic factors. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: In Finland, 3276 active employees (1637 women and 1639 men), aged 30-64 years, from a representative population sample. MEASUREMENTS: The diagnosis of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders version IV (DSM-IV) alcohol dependence was based on the standardized Munich Composite International Diagnostic Interview (M-CIDI). The assessment of high alcohol consumption was based on self-reported alcohol use. Burnout was assessed with the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS). FINDINGS: The 12-month prevalence of alcohol dependence was associated with burnout among both men and women. Each one-point increase in burnout score was associated with an 80% increase in the incidence for alcohol dependence among women and a 51% increase among men. These associations persisted when socio-demographic factors were adjusted. The associations between burnout and high alcohol consumption were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: There is an association between burnout and alcohol dependence among both genders. Among both women and men, attention to alcohol-related behaviour is warranted in the clinical context when burnout and other problems related to work are encountered. Interventions which include assessment of work conditions and management of work-related stress should be targeted at employees with alcohol dependence in addition to traditional treatment.

The association between burnout and physical illness in the general population--results from the Finnish Health 2000 Study.

OBJECTIVE: The association between burnout and physical diseases has been studied very little. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between burnout and physical illness in a representative nationwide population health study. METHODS: As a part of the "Health 2000 Study" in Finland, 3368 employees aged 30-64 years were studied. Burnout was assessed with the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey. Physical diseases were diagnosed in a comprehensive health examination by research physicians. RESULTS: Physical illness was more common among subjects with burnout than others (64% vs. 54%, P<.0001), and the prevalence of diseases increased with the severity of burnout (P<.0001). Burnout was an important correlate of cardiovascular diseases among men (OR=1.35; 95% CI, 1.13-1.61) and musculoskeletal disorders among women (OR=1.22, 95% CI, 1.07-1.38) when adjusted for age, marital status, education, socioeconomic status, physical strenuousness of work, smoking, physical activity, alcohol consumption, body mass index, and depressive symptoms. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and cardiovascular diseases increased with the severity of all three dimensions of burnout, that is, exhaustion (P<.0001 and P<.001, respectively), cynicism (P=.0001 and P<.001, respectively), and lack of professional efficacy (P<.01 and P<.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Burnout is associated with musculoskeletal diseases among women and with cardiovascular diseases among men. These associations are not explained by sociodemographic factors, health behavior, or depression. Physical illnesses are associated with all three dimensions of burnout and not only with the exhaustion dimension. In the future, the causal relationships between burnout and physical diseases need to be investigated in prospective studies.

Road pavers' occupational exposure to asphalt containing waste plastic and tall oil pitch.

Waste plastic (WP) and tall oil pitch (T), which are organic recycled industrial by-products, have been used as a binder with bitumen in stone mastic asphalt (SMA) and asphalt concrete (AC). We compared the exposure over one workday in 16 road pavers participating in a survey at four paving sites, using mixes of conventional asphalt (SMA, AC) or mixes containing waste material (SMA-WPT, AC-WPT). The concentrations of 11 aldehydes in air were 515 and 902 microg m(-3) at the SMA-WPT and AC-WPT worksites, being 3 and 13 times greater than at the corresponding worksites laying conventional asphalt. Resin acids (2-42 microg m(-3)), which are known sensitizers, were detected only during laying of AC-WPT. The emission levels (microg m(-3)) of total particulates (300-500), bitumen fumes (60-160), bitumen vapour (80-1120), naphthalene (0.59-1.2), phenanthrene (0.21-0.32), pyrene (<0.015-0.20), benzo(a)pyrene (<0.01) and the sum of 16 PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 1.28-2.00) were similar for conventional and WPT asphalts. The dermal deposition of 16 PAHs on exposure pads (on workers' wrist) was low in all pavers (0.7-3.5 ng cm(-2)). Eight OH-PAH biomarkers of naphthalene, phenanthrene and pyrene exposures were quantified in pre- and post-shift urine specimens. The post-shift concentrations (mean +/- SD, micromol mol(-1) creatinine) of 1- plus 2-naphthol; 1-,2-,3-,4- plus 9-phenanthrol; and 1-hydroxypyrene were, respectively, for asphalt workers: 18.1+/- 8.0, 2.41 +/- 0.71 and 0.66+/- 0.58 (smokers); 6.0+/- 2.3, 1.70+/- 0.72 and 0.27+/- 0.15 (non-smokers); WPT asphalt workers: 22.0+/- 9.2, 2.82+/- 1.11 and 0.76+/- 0.18 (smokers); 6.8+/- 2.6, 2.35+/- 0.69 and 0.46+/- 0.13 (non-smokers). The work-related uptake of PAHs was low in all pavers, although it was significantly greater in smokers than in non-smokers. The WPT asphalt workers complained of eye irritation and sore throat more than the pavers who had a much lower exposure to aldehydes and resin acids.

Burnout in the general population. Results from the Finnish Health 2000 Study.

BACKGROUND: Burnout is a chronic stress syndrome which develops gradually as a consequence of prolonged stress situation. Socio-demographic factors related to job-related burnout have not been studied in the whole population. We investigated the relative differences in the level of burnout between groups based on various socio-demographic factors in the population-based Finnish sample. METHODS: The nationally representative sample comprised 3,424 employees aged 30-64 years. Burnout was assessed with the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey. The socio-demographic factors of interest were gender, age, education, type of employment, work experience, socio-economic status (SES), working time, and marital status. RESULTS: Only small differences in burnout were found between the different population groups. As a three-dimensional syndrome, burnout was associated with age. In contrast to what has been consistently reported so far, mostly among human service work and in non-representative studies, burnout seemed to increase somewhat with age. Among women, burnout was also related to education, SES, and work experience, and among men, to marital status. CONCLUSIONS: Burnout can evolve in all kinds of vocational groups. It seems that age does not generally protect against burnout. A low education level and low social status carry a possible risk of burnout for women, and being single, divorced, or widowed carry a possible risk of burnout for men.

The relationship between job-related burnout and depressive disorders--results from the Finnish Health 2000 Study.

BACKGROUND: Depression and burnout are common health problems in working populations today. They appear to be interrelated, and the need for their differential diagnosis has been highlighted in many reviews. We analysed the overlap of job-related burnout and depressive disorders, i.e., major depressive disorder, dysthymia, and minor depressive disorder. METHODS: We used the population-based 'Health 2000 Study' in Finland. Our nationally representative sample comprised 3276 employees aged 30-64 years. Burnout was assessed with the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey. Diagnoses of depressive disorders were based on the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. RESULTS: Burnout and depressive disorders were clearly related. The risk of depressive disorders, especially major depressive disorder (12-month prevalence), was greater when burnout was severe. Half of the participants with severe burnout had some depressive disorder. Those with a current major depressive episode suffered from serious burnout more often than those who had suffered a major depressive episode earlier. LIMITATIONS: This study was cross-sectional. CONCLUSIONS: The concepts of burnout and depression complement each other and cover partly overlapping phenomena. Depressive disorders are related to job-related burnout, particularly when it is severe. A current major depressive episode is likely to be associated with the experience of burnout. When encountering working patients, it is recommended to assess both the occurrence of burnout and of depressive disorders.

Organizational practices, work demands and the well-being of employees: a follow-up study in the metal industry and retail trade.

BACKGROUND: Rapid technological change and increased international competition have changed working life and work organizations. These changes may not be considered when researching employee work ability and well-being. AIM: This study investigates the impact of organizational practices, work demands and individual factors on work ability, organizational commitment and mental well-being of employees in the metal industry and retail trade. METHOD: A follow-up study was conducted to examine these connections among 1389 employees (mean age 42 years at baseline) in 91 organizations. The first survey was conducted in 1998 and was repeated in 2000. RESULTS: Changes in organizational practices and the demands of work were strongly associated with changes in employee well-being. Work ability, organizational commitment and the mental well-being of employees were increased most if the opportunities for development and influence and the promotion of employee well-being were increased and if the supervisory support and organization of work were improved. Well-being also improved with less uncertainty at work and with decreasing mental and physical work demands. In addition physical exercise and affluence also had favourable effects. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm that several features of organizational practices are strongly associated with employees' well-being. Organizational development is an important method of improving employees' work ability, commitment and well-being.

Occupational exposure to bitumen during road paving.

The exposure of road pavers to total particulates, bitumen fumes, semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), low-molecular-weight amines, styrene, and 1,3-butadiene was studied at 13 paving sites where 11 different asphalt mixtures were laid. Researchers analyzed 1-hydroxypyrene in the workers' pre- and postshift urine samples. The arithmetic mean concentrations of total particulates, bitumen fumes, SVOCs, and PAHs in the breathing zone of road pavers were 0.6 mg/m3, 0.29 mg/m3, 5.6 mg/m3, and 5.03 microg/m3, respectively. The highest bitumen fume concentrations (2.65 mg/m3) were measured in manual mastic laying, that is, when the paving temperature was highest. More than 90% of air impurities measured were in the vapor phase. Workers laying surface dressing were exposed to the highest SVOC concentrations (27.8 mg/m3). The paving temperature and the concentrations of bitumen fume correlated positively, but the weather conditions significantly affected the workers' exposure; for example, increased wind velocity resulted in lower concentrations of SVOCs and PAHs. Job title was not found to be a significant determinant of exposure, but exposure to bitumen fume and greater than or equal to four-ring PAHs among manual mastic pavers, and that to SVOCs and total PAHs among surface dressing workers, were significantly higher than among other pavers. Exposure during road paving operations was, on average, more than 10-fold higher to PAHs than was the exposure of a traffic controller (0.34 microg/m3) caused by automobile exhausts from background traffic. The PAHs were comprised mainly of two- and three-ring compounds. The concentrations of amines, and impurities from polymer modified bitumens, styrene, and 1,3-butadiene were below detection limits. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations were higher among road pavers than among office workers serving as referents.