The implications of hazardous waste neutralization on employees health: a case study.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a lung disorder characterized by chronic inflammation of the respiratory tract after exposure to pollutants, causing the obstruction of small respiratory tracts and the destruction of lung parenchyma. These changes ultimately lead to a limitation of air flux. We investigate the association between professional exposure and the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This study presents the case of a non-smoker patient, aged 61, a mechanic locksmith by profession at a hospital in Mures County. He has been working with neutralization of medical waste for 13 years with exposure to pneumotropic and biological contaminants and to the overuse of osteoarticular apparatus, recently having been diagnosed with COPD after exposure to mixed powders and hospitalized at the occupational health clinic. Interruption of occupational exposure and establishment of treatment with topical corticotherapy has shown a significant improvement. Measurements of inhalable powder content in the work environment revealed that they exceed the allowed limit in case of neutralization of medical waste and there is an association between occupational exposure and increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Preventive methods should aim to reduce exposure at workplace.

Smoking generated PM 2.5 exposure among Transylvanian students.

UNLABELLED: A WHO project initiated in 2004, tries to identify and reduce the number of smoking third year university students attending medical training in Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmaceutical sciences as these participants can become role models that patients can look up to. AIM: We proposed to make a general view regarding smoking and exposure to smoke within our medical University, in contrast with the existing legislation regarding smoking within public institutions of the Universities. Along with the investigations held at our university we extended these to other tree, non medical universities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using an TSI Pack Aerosol Monitor unit to measure the total PM 2.5 we determined the air quality in several target locations of our University in holiday season and during full didactical periods. The average values were later compared and assessed in a series of statistical tests. RESULTS: Analyzing the holiday period our university head the most polluted air showing the P.M. 2.5 of 0.016 mg/m3. In the following there were analyzed the recordings from the didactic period where the registered values were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in comparison with the readings from the holiday season. From several points within the universities there were reading 7 times higher than in the holiday season. CONCLUSIONS: The results show two evident conclusion, that there is smoking within the buildings of the universities and within our university the non-smoking students are totally exposed to exhaled cigarette smoke.

Biological monitoring as proficient assessment method in chronic exposure to irritating gases and vapors.

UNLABELLED: Air pollution and its adverse health effect represent a global issue. Long term or permanent exposure at low doses of toxic material may increase the number of new appeared severe respiratory diseases and may aggravate most of the existing chronic cases. AIM OF STUDY: In the present study, the main toxic aerosols released by the greatest chemical factory in Transylvania were analyzed and their health impacts were measured. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have used in our trial biologic monitoring 1786 employees from a chemical factory in a transversal descriptive study. In the same time, we have noticed environmental determination of air quality and also, we have checked the health status and other 90 cases from a nonchemical factory. In this factory there are also pneumotrop harms. Results of our study give useful information regarding workers health status, with possibility to make pollution-medical condition association: there was no significant association between occurrence of decreased lung function tests and exposure of chemical irritants compared to the second investigated factory. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to pneumotrope hazards imposes safeguards to protect health and biological monitoring has proven absolutely necessary to do so. Last but not least, lifestyle monitoring is to be effective.

[Lichtenstein's hernioplasty]. / Lichtenstein mutéteinkrol.

In recent years in Hungary similarly to the worldwide trend the treatment of inguinal hernias has changed. New tension-free methods were developed and--after the introduction by the Department of Surgery, Medical Faculty, University of Pécs--Lichtenstein's method is widely used. Lichtenstein's method has become the gold standard at our department because of its highly favourable results: simple technique, minimal postoperative pain, recurrence rate below 1%, short hospital stay, very low complication rate and early return to physical activity.