[Occupational exposure to prions due to contact with meat and bone meal (MBM)]. / Narazenie zawodowe na priony zwiazane z praca w kontakcie z maczka miesno-kostna.

Meat and bone meal (MBM) is free from conventional biological factors if it is not subjected to a secondary pollution, but it may be a potential source of prions. Prions are widely accepted as being the casual agents of a range of serious infectious diseases characterized by degenerative processes in the nervous system. These diseases occur in both humans and animals. The recommended method of producing MBM is now regarded by experts as optimal as it sufficiently eliminates prions, which may be present in the animal material used in MBM production. However, it has been stressed that neither this nor any other method used can guarantee that all prions are completely neutralized. Workers employed in utilizing plants, which produce MBM, plants producing fertilizers and animal fodder, power stations using MBM as an alternative fuel, MBM store-houses, as well as those dealing with MBM distribution and transport form occupational groups at a higher risk. In the opinion of experts, the risk of infection with prions among workers having contact with MBM is very low and it should be regarded as acceptable for this kind of exposure. It is worth noting that guidelines on how to prevent and reduce contacts with MBM has already been elaborated.

Microbiological contamination with moulds in work environment in libraries and archive storage facilities.

Microbiological contamination with fungi, including moulds, can pose a significant health hazard to those working in archives or museums. The species involved include Aspergillus, Penicillium, Geotrichum, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Mucor, Rhizopus, Trichoderma, Fusarium which are associated mostly with allergic response of different types. The aim of the study was to analyse, both in quantitative and qualitative terms, workplace air samples collected in a library and archive storage facilities. Occupational exposure and the related health hazard from microbiological contamination with moulds were assessed in three archive storage buildings and one library. Air samples (total 60) were collected via impact method before work and at hourly intervals during work performance. Surface samples from the artifacts were collected by pressing a counting (RODAC) plate filled with malt extract agar against the surface of the artifacts. The air sample and surface sample analyses yielded 36 different mould species, classified into 19 genera, of which Cladosporium and Penicillium were the most prevalent. Twelve species were regarded as potentially pathogenic for humans: 8 had allergic and 11 toxic properties, the latter including Aspergillus fumigatus. Quantitative analysis revealed air microbiological contamination with moulds at the level ranging from 1.8 x 10(2)-2.3 x 10(3) cfu/m(3). In surface samples from library and archive artifacts, 11 fungal species were distinguished; the number of species per artifact varying from 1-6 and colony count ranging from 4 x 10(1) to 8-10(1) cfu/100 cm(2). Higher contamination levels were found only for Cladosporium cladosporioides (1.48 x 10(3) cfu/100 cm(2)) and Paecillomyces varioti (1.2 x 10(2) cfu/100 cm(2)). At the workposts examined, although no clearly visible signs of mould contamination could be found, the study revealed abundant micromycetes, with the predominant species of Cladosporium and Penicillium. The detected species included also potentially pathogenic microorganisms which can cause allergic and toxic effects, such as Aspergillus fumigatus, that could be hazardous to workers' health. For some species, the concentration levels exceeded the values considered the proposed hygienic standards for total microscopical fungi in occupational settings. The findings of the study point to unsatisfactory hygienic conditions at the worksites examined, resulting in microbiological contamination with moulds, as well as the necessity for prompt remedial activities on the part of the employers.

[Harmful impact of biological agents released at metalworking]. / Szkodliwe dzialanie czynników biologicznych uwalnianych podczas procesów obróbki metali z uzyciem chlodziw.

In metalworking, the temperature of the cutting edge can reach 700 degrees C, which can adversely affect either the surface of the metal processed or the cutting edge itself. To reduce the heat and friction, the metalworking fluids and coolants are used. The most common are the oil-in-water emulsions, which are a mixture of concentrated mineral oils, different additives, and water. The presence of water and organic substrates generates conditions for microbial growth. Bacterial endotoxins can also be frequently detected in metalworking fluids. Rapid rotation of the metalworking tools makes various biological agents to be released as droplet bioaerosols that can be inhaled by the workers, thus producing adverse health effects, mainly on the respiratory system. More than 130 species of bacteria (including pathogens), moulds and yeasts have so far been found in the metalworking fluids and coolants. This paper summarizes the outcomes of projects on the impact of biological agents present in metalworking fluids. Exposure to oil mist, bacteria and endotoxins as well as the variety of health effects resulting from that exposure have been discussed. The findings indicate that the most frequent symptoms reported by the workers include cough with phlegm, wheezing breath, chest tightness and throat irritation. The most common among the diagnosed diseases are chronic allergic bronchitis, asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis and acute respiratory dysfunction indicated by decreased FEV1 values. The main skin diseases include oil acne, bacterial infections, dermatomycosis and allergic reactions. The review made the authors conclude that the problem of occupational exposure to biological agents released with coolants during metalworking has not been well recognized in Poland.

[Knowledge of the employees about biological agents in the work environment and the ways of health protection against occupational exposure to biological hazards. Part II]. / Wiedza wybranych grup zawodowych o rodzajach czynników biologicznych obecnych w srodowisku pracy oraz o sposobach ochrony przed ich szkodliwym wplywem. Czesc II.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of health protection of workers occupationally exposed to biological agents is equally influenced by the workers' knowledge about the risks related to biological agents and the ways they behave at work. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this paper, the authors continue to present the results of the study covering 150 workers employed in health services, forestry, and municipal services. They were interviewed on the basis of a specially designed questionnaire. RESULTS: The majority of the study population used personal protective devices in a proper way and followed the principles of occupational safety and hygiene. Only some of the workers informed occupational medicine physicians about their health problems, which they associated with occupational exposure to biological agents. CONCLUSION: The interviewed workers are actually able to sufficiently protect their health against biological hazards despite their generally low knowledge of risks related to occupational exposure to biological agents.

[Occupational exposure to biological agents and the protection of exposed workers according to the new legal regulations]. / Zawodowa ekspozycja na czynniki biologiczne i ochrona narazonych na nie pracowników w swietle nowych przepisów prawnych.

Directive 2000/54/EC deals thoroughly with issues referring to the protection of workers from risks related to occupational exposure to biological agents in the European Union. The ordinance of the Minister of Health on harmful biological agents at work and the protection of exposed workers implements its content into Polish legislation. This paper reviews essential records of the ordinance: definition of biological agents; classification of biological agents into four risk groups according to their level of risk of infection; employers' obligations concerning the protection of workers exposed to biological agents. The results of Phare project supporting implementation of the directive in Poland regarding distribution of information on occupational exposure to biological agents among State Sanitary Inspection and occupational medicine service staff and employers are also presented.

[Occupational exposure to hazardous agents in enterprises supervised by the State Sanitary Inspection]. / Narazenie zawodowe na czynniki szkodliwe w zakladach pracy nadzorowanych przez Panstwowa Inspekcje Sanitarna.

The presented data concern occupational exposure understood as work performed in working conditions with exceeded values of maximum allowable concentrations/intensities (MAC/MAI) of hazardous/noxious agents. In Poland, the State Sanitary Inspection (PIS) is responsible for the occupational hygiene surveillance in the work environment. Information on occupational exposure to various hazardous agents (chemical and physical, as well as industrial dust, lighting or microclimate) is collected by the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine every three years on the basis of routine statistics of sanitary inspectorates. Information on occupational exposure apply exclusively to workers employed in PIS-supervised enterprises. In 2000, the Polish enterprises, registered and supervised by PIS, employed 4 321 312 workers, including 505 638 (11.7%) workers employed in working conditions with exceeded MAC/MAI values. In 2000, both the proportion of workposts with exceeded MAC/MAI values and the proportion of workers employed in exposure decreased. The data show a general improvement in working conditions in Poland.

[Knowledge of selected occupational groups about biological agents in the environment and ways of health protection against occupational exposure to biological hazards]. / Wiedza wybranych grup zawodowych o rodzajach czynników biologicznych obecnych w srodowisku pracy oraz o sposobach ochrony przed ich szkodliwym wplywem.

BACKGROUND: Occupational, biological factors of microbial, plant and animal origin may become a health hazard to the exposed workers. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of biological agents present in the work environment, related health risks, and health protection against biological exposure at work among workers of certain occupational categories. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A population of 150 workers, employed in the health, forestry and municipal services, was interviewed using a specially developed questionnaire. Each occupational category comprised 50 workers. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The level of workers' knowledge of occupational, biological agents, their effect on human body, symptoms and diseases induced by occupational exposure to biological hazards is rather limited in the study groups. Personal protective measures, prophylactic vaccination and compliance with principles of personal hygiene are considered to be the most effective ways of health protection against occupational exposure to biological hazards.