Assessment of ambient noise levels in the intensive care unit of a university hospital.

BACKGROUND: Noise is recognized as a source of hazard to the patient's environment. Studies have also shown that it has a direct impact on mortality and morbidity as a result of sleep deprivation which affects the immunity of critically ill patients. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to measure levels of environmental noise in a six- bed, open-plan general medical intensive care unit (MICU). METHODS: Levels of exposure to environmental noise were assessed in the intensive care unit of King Fahad Hospital of the University (KFHU) where measurements of environmental noise were taken using calibrated sound level meter during shifts of working days and weekends. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed that there were no significant differences between noise levels in the morning, evening and night shifts of working days and weekends in the ICU of KFHU (p value =0.155, 0.53 and 0.711) respectively. There was no significant difference between overall level of exposure to noise in the working days and weekends as well (p-value=0.71). However, the assessed levels of exposures to noise were still higher than stipulated international standards. CONCLUSION: Some sources of environmental noise, such as the use of oxygen, suction equipment or respirators are unavoidable. Nevertheless, hospital ICUs should have measures to minimize the level of exposure to noise in the ICU. Further research in this area might focus on the noise level and other modifiable environmental stress factors in the ICU that affect patients as well as the staff.

Chronic occupational exposure to lead and its impact on oral health.

Chronic Lead exposure favours the formation of cheilitis, fissures, ulcers and epithelial desquamation of the tongue, palate and other parts of the oral mucous membranes. The tissues of oral cavity may be affected by toxic agents either by direct action as in exposure to sulfuric acid fumes or through systemic exposure as in poisoning with heavy metals e.g. lead.. The Present study aimed to investigate the oral health condition of industrial workers exposed to lead in Alexandria governorate. The samples included all workers chronically exposed to lead fumes or dust in a storage battery plant (400 workers) and working in seven departments where lead exposure was present. These departments were evaluated environmentally for lead in air and their workers for lead in blood. Oral medical examinations were carried out according to the items of WHO sheet designed for oral health survey with some modifications. Results of the present study revealed that chronic exposure to lead significantly affects oral health condition among exposed workers and strongly correlates with increasing level of blood lead among them. It can be concluded that the most common adverse effects of lead on dental health of exposed workers were the significant increase in the prevalence of periodontal diseases (gingivitis and periodontitis expressed as PI) and in the prevalence of decay (caries), missed and filled teeth (expressed as DMFT index) and dental abrasions. Moreover,these findings were found to be related to lead concentration in air in the studied departments and to blood lead level. On the other hand, exposure to lead was found to have insignificant effect on calculus formation (expressed as CI-S) or oral debris (expressed as (DI-S)or both together expressed as (OHI-S).

Biochemical changes and environmental factors in manual and semiautomatic bakeries.

The bread-making industry involves a combination of hazardous exposures. A biochemical and environmental study was conducted on manual and semi-automatic bakeries. The aim of this study was to investigate different biochemical changes and environmental factors among bakery workers. Blood samples were collected from 25 exposed workers and 25 age and sex matched control subjects, determination of circulating IgE (immunoglobulin E), carbonic anhydrase and catalase enzyme were analyzed in the blood Environmental measurements (respirable dust, total suspended particulate TSP). Heat stress, noise and relative humidity were analyzed in manual and semi automatic bakeries. A significant increase in the level of IgE catalase and carbonic anhydrase were significantly higher among exposed workers in comparison with control group either in manual and semi-automatic bakeries Environmental factors were significantly higher especially in manual bakeries Where higher contaminates and heat stress exposure than automatic ones due to nature of work type of fuel. age of oven etc and most of contaminants exceeded the TLV Attention should be paid to the health of the bakery workers and it has been recommended to completely mechanize manual bakeries.

Biomonitoring of genotoxic risks and haematological changes in workers in rubber industry.

Several substances used in rubber processing are known to be of genotoxins and haematotoxins. Such as benzene, phenols, amines amides, naphthalene and benzo(a)pyrene. Twenty-five exposed workers from a rubber factory were compared with twenty-five controls working as administrative staff in the same factory. An elevated level of urinary thioether (mercapturic acid derivatives) a significant elevation in the level of DNA SSB was found among exposed workers in comparison with control group (p < 0.01). A significant increase in the absolute numbers of peripheral leukocytes and in erthrocyte mean cell volume was observed among exposed workers in comparison with controls (p < 0.01), while a significant decrease in the percentage of lymphocytes and eosinophils was found among exposed workers in comparison with controls. However, the percentage of monocytes was not altered. The reported results have justified the use of genotoxic biomarkers in assessing levels of genotoxic exposure in human population groups and as a screening biomarkers in periodic medical examination as a protective measure.