Noise and low-frequency sound levels due to aerial fireworks and prediction of the occupational exposure of pyrotechnicians to noise.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the actual situation of noise and low-frequency sounds in firework events and their impact on pyrotechnicians. METHODS: Data on firework noise and low-frequency sounds were obtained at a point located approximately 100 m away from the launch site of a firework display held in "A" City in 2013. We obtained the data by continuously measuring and analyzing the equivalent continuous sound level (Leq) and the one-third octave band of the noise and low-frequency sounds emanating from the major firework detonations, and predicted sound levels at the original launch site. RESULTS: Sound levels of 100-115 dB and low-frequency sounds of 100-125 dB were observed at night. The maximum and mean Leq values were 97 and 95 dB, respectively. The launching noise level predicted from the sounds (85 dB) at the noise measurement point was 133 dB. Occupational exposure to noise for pyrotechnicians at the remote operation point (located 20-30 m away from the launch site) was estimated to be below 100 dB. CONCLUSIONS: Pyrotechnicians are exposed to very loud noise (>100 dB) at the launch point. We believe that it is necessary to implement measures such as fixing earplugs or earmuffs, posting a warning at the workplace, and executing a remote launching operation to prevent hearing loss caused by occupational exposure of pyrotechnicians to noise. It is predicted that both sound levels and low-frequency sounds would be reduced by approximately 35 dB at the remote operation site.

Prospective cohort study of body mass index in adolescence and death from stomach cancer in Japan.

We investigated the association between body mass index (BMI) values and the risk of death from stomach cancer later in life. From 1992 to 2000, 28 443 participants (13 211 men and 15 232 women) were followed, and 129 deaths from stomach cancer (86 men and 43 women) occurred. BMI (BMI at the baseline) and BMI(20y) (BMI at age 20 years) were obtained by questionnaire at the beginning of the study. Men in the middle and highest tertiles of BMI(20y) had a higher risk of death from stomach cancer than those in the lowest tertile (after controlling for covariates, hazard ratio [HR] = 2.73 with 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-5.89 for the middle tertile; HR = 2.15 with 95% CI 0.97-4.73 for the highest tertile), although there was no significant trend (P = 0.30). Likewise, women in the middle and highest tertiles of BMI(20y) had an increased risk of death from stomach cancer (HR = 5.17 with 95% CI 1.50-17.87 for the middle tertile; HR = 4.22 with 95% CI 1.18-15.05 for the highest tertile; P for trend = 0.05). The analysis of BMI at the baseline did not show a significant relationship with the risk of death from stomach cancer. These results suggest that a high BMI(20y) is associated with an increased risk of death from stomach cancer.

Views of old age and death held by working-age men and women and their relationship to health-related behavior.

BACKGROUND: Many working-age people have poor health habits. The aim of this study was to investigate their views of old age and death and the relationship of those views to their health habits. METHODS: A structured interview about views on old age and death, self-rated health, satisfaction with life (life satisfaction) and health habits was conducted on a random sample of 1,200 men and women aged 30-59 years in the southern part of Gifu Prefecture, Japan. The response rate was 78%. RESULTS: Less than half as many respondents expected to live past 80 years than expected to live past 70 years. A greater percentage of men than women had no plan for old age, while the percentage of women who expected to live with friends and family was higher than that for men. For men, fewer symptoms, life satisfaction, valuing health, and anxiety about health status during solitary old age, and for women, occupation, fewer symptoms, life satisfaction, valuing health, expecting social participation during old age, expecting to live with her spouse during old age and considering one's own death were positively associated with health habits. Experience of presence at a deathbed was not related to health habits. CONCLUSIONS: Results of our survey suggest that men have a poor outlook toward old age and death and suggest the possibility that helping men prepare for an inevitable death may help them live fuller lives.