Hasil untuk "Industrial medicine. Industrial hygiene"

Fernando Benavides, José María Ramada

La carga de enfermedad atribuible al trabajo es enorme, tanto en términos de salud y bienestar de las personas que trabajan, como también en términos de su impacto sobre la riqueza del conjunto del país y el estado de bienestar. Para hacer frente a estos enormes y complejos retos necesitamos de sistemas de seguridad y salud en el trabajo que garanticen el derecho fundamental a un trabajo seguro y saludable, como ha sido recientemente reconocido por la Organización Internacional del Trabajo en 2022. La reforma de la Ley de Prevención de Riesgo Laborales, como norma central que afecta de pleno al derecho fundamental a una vida laboral longeva y saludable, ha de contemplar en su aplicación estas interacciones entre el sistema productivo y los sistemas de seguridad social, definido por la Ley General de Seguridad Social, y de salud, definido por la Ley general de Sanidad. En este sentido, y desde la complejidad que representan los retos ya señalados, y centrando el objetivo fundamental en la reducción de la carga de la enfermedad asociada al trabajo, parece oportuno crear una Agencia estatal con autonomía de gestión que disponga de las competencias adecuadas para avanzar en la consecución del objetivo 8, del trabajo decente y productivo, de la Agenda 2030 de Naciones Unidas.

Caroline Carlé, Delphine Boucher, Luisa Morelli et al.

Abstract Background Perinatal exposure to titanium dioxide (TiO2), as a foodborne particle, may influence the intestinal barrier function and the susceptibility to develop inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) later in life. Here, we investigate the impact of perinatal foodborne TiO2 exposure on the intestinal mucosal function and the susceptibility to develop IBD-associated colitis. Pregnant and lactating mother mice were exposed to TiO2 until pups weaning and the gut microbiota and intestinal barrier function of their offspring was assessed at day 30 post-birth (weaning) and at adult age (50 days). Epigenetic marks was studied by DNA methylation profile measuring the level of 5-methyl-2′-deoxycytosine (5-Me-dC) in DNA from colic epithelial cells. The susceptibility to develop IBD has been monitored using dextran-sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model. Germ-free mice were used to define whether microbial transfer influence the mucosal homeostasis and subsequent exacerbation of DSS-induced colitis. Results In pregnant and lactating mice, foodborne TiO2 was able to translocate across the host barriers including gut, placenta and mammary gland to reach embryos and pups, respectively. This passage modified the chemical element composition of foetus, and spleen and liver of mothers and their offspring. We showed that perinatal exposure to TiO2 early in life alters the gut microbiota composition, increases the intestinal epithelial permeability and enhances the colonic cytokines and myosin light chain kinase expression. Moreover, perinatal exposure to TiO2 also modifies the abilities of intestinal stem cells to survive, grow and generate a functional epithelium. Maternal TiO2 exposure increases the susceptibility of offspring mice to develop severe DSS-induced colitis later in life. Finally, transfer of TiO2-induced microbiota dysbiosis to pregnant germ-free mice affects the homeostasis of the intestinal mucosal barrier early in life and confers an increased susceptibility to develop colitis in adult offspring. Conclusions Our findings indicate that foodborne TiO2 consumption during the perinatal period has negative long-lasting consequences on the development of the intestinal mucosal barrier toward higher colitis susceptibility. This demonstrates to which extent environmental factors influence the microbial-host interplay and impact the long-term mucosal homeostasis.

Houda Elfane, Khadija Sahel, Sanaa El-Jamal et al.

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is a major health problem responsible for neonatal mortality and morbidity such as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Objective. This case-control study aims to compare data on the intake of energy, macro and micronutrient in two groups of pregnant women, who gave birth to low birth weight (LBW) babies named cases and those who gave birth to babies of normal weight (NW) called controls. Material and methods: The collection of information was done using an established questionnaire for 400 pregnant women, allowing the collection of data on socio-demographic and obstetrical factors. Nutritional intake was obtained by recording food consumption using the 24-hour recall method. Anthropometric measurements of parturient and fundal height (FH) were measured before delivery. Results: The mean FH of the cases was 25.69±0.13 and that of the controls was 31.83±0.06. The gestational age of the cases was on average 31.65±0.21 week of amenorrhea (WA) against 38.04±0.08 WA for the controls. 37% of LBW newborns had an Apgar score < 7 (p< 0.001) and 71% were hospitalized in neonatal intensive care (p<0.001). Micronutrient deficiency was raised and concerned calcium 34.02% vs 60.65%, folates 48.32% vs 68.01% and iron 50.85% vs 66% in cases and controls respectively. Newborns from NW had a weight of 3395.5±15.99 against 1957.25±30.72 for those from LBW. Conclusion: This study shows that the nutritional intake did not cover all the nutrient needs of the pregnant women studied and that newborns with LBW are associated with an altered anthropometric status. Improving the living conditions of mothers, good monitoring of pregnancy, and good nutritional education can significantly improve the nutritional status with the same food intake and should be integrated into the nutritional intervention strategies.

Bünyamin Cildir, Suna Tokgoz-Yilmaz, Meral Didem Türkyilmaz

Purpose: In this study, the development of a quantitative measurement method to predict long-term auditory adaptation through the stimuli that have been modulated according to different short-term modulation types was aimed to form a psychoacoustic test battery. It might be used in the evaluation process of individuals with hidden hearing loss. Methods: The individuals participating in our study were separated into two groups: high-risk group (n = 39) and low-risk group (n = 30) according to the noise-exposure score. To all participants, auditory brainstem response (ABR), dichotically digit test, Turkish matrix sentence test, otoacoustic emissions test, amplitude modulation detection test, and loudness adaptation test were applied. Stimuli, used in loudness adaptation tests, were provided in three different experiment pairs (experiment 1–2, experiment 3–4, and experiment 5–6). Results: The amplitude of wave I of ABR increased as the intensity level increased in the low-risk group, whereas the amplitude reduced as the intensity level increased in the high-risk group (P < 0.05). When different carrier frequency stimuli were used in amplitude modulation detection test, we found that loudness adaptation was highest at 1 kHz carrier frequency with background noise (P < 0.05). Conclusion: We observed that individuals assumed having hidden hearing loss had high adaptation scores. It was thought that this result might be related to auditory nerve fibers with low spontaneous rate and thus distortion in temporal coding skills might lead to abnormal loudness adaptation, especially with contralateral noise.

Teodora-Daniela Moț

After the establishment of the Romanian administration in the region of Banat, the sanitary and medical situation in Timisoara improved a lot. The sanitary reports of the time reflect this situation, but at the same time they also highlight the shortcomings that the city was still facing, such as the housing crisis, the malnutrition, the alcoholism which, along with other factors, led to an increase in the evolution of social diseases. The improvements made regarding the provision of an appropriate hygiene and sanitary care in the city on the shores of the Bega River, included: the start of the works for the installation of the public lavatories, the inauguration of the asylum for the poor, the popular bath from the Scudier Park, the steam baths, as well as the swimming pools and the private sport clubs. In addition to these, in the sanitary reports of the second quarter of the 20th century, was expressed the necessity for the establishment of an appropriate system of social housing for workers, in order to assure workers in different industries with the main sanitary-hygienic norms and provide them a minimum comfort and well-being, encouraging steps in this direction being already carried out with the awareness of these needs and the setting up of bathrooms with showers, sinks with faucet and changing rooms, as well as dining rooms in over 200 industrial units. Undeniable testimonies on the concerns regarding the provision of a proper hygiene and adequate medical care in Timisoara and not only, are provided by the documents from the archive of the State Hospital in Timisoara, located in the collection of the History Department of the National Museum of Banat, which contain numerous information regarding the activity of this medical institution, but also regarding the activity of Timisoara's Hygiene Laboratory. In Timisoara, many personalities and organizations of the time in the field of medicine were involved and fought to achieve goals that aimed at inscribing this city on the path of modernization and curative and therapeutic innovation specific to the 20th century.

Carolin Thiel, Cynthia Richter, Franziska-Antonia Zora Samos et al.

Abstract Background Treatment results achieved after fulfilling an inpatient psychosomatic rehabilitation are often not permanent. Additional participation in outpatient rehabilitation aftercare may reduce the risk of recurrent disorders and support a successful reentry to working life. A therapy diary should accompany the aftercare and bring about the self-reflection process of psychosomatic rehabilitates, which could reduce recurrent disease progressions and support the recovery process as a whole. The study focuses on the evaluation of the effectiveness and implementation potentialities of a therapy diary in outpatient rehabilitation aftercare. Methods In a qualitative study, seven therapists for outpatient rehabilitation aftercare in Central Germany and eleven outpatient psychosomatic rehabilitation patients were interrogated using partially standardized, guideline-based expert interviews. The data evaluation is based on the Qualitative Content Analysis according to Mayring. Results The results show that an accompanying use of a therapy diary during the outpatient rehabilitation aftercare enables an intense commitment through own thoughts and feelings. By writing down thoughts, emotions, dysfunctional behaviors in problematic situations, great successes are experienced. Through this initiated self-reflection process, the rehabilitant gains a better knowledge of one’s behavior in dealing with oneself and the environment and thereby, whenever necessary, learns to create new ways of acting. Conclusions The voluntary use of the therapy diary in the outpatient rehabilitation aftercare could assist the therapy process and henceforward the recovery of the rehabilitants, and also increase the prospect of successful occupational rehabilitation.

Erin Speiser, Genevieve Pinto Zipp, Deborah A. DeLuca et al.

Abstract Background In the United States, 88.3% of all 1,163,000 maids and housekeeping cleaners are female, and approximately half of them Latinas. Latinas are understudied and underrepresented in health research, particularly involving chemical exposure in cleaning practices, lack of job training, and inadequate access to personal protective equipment. The purpose of this study is twofold: 1) to examine the knowledge (via training experiences), attitudes and behaviors of a heterogeneous group of Latinas who clean occupationally and 2) to assess their cleaning practices at work and at home. Methods This mixed-method study consisted of two phases: 1) three focus groups to explore knowledge (via training experiences), attitudes, and behaviors regarding cleaning practices (N = 15) and 2) a 43-question cross-sectional survey. Focus group audio recordings were analyzed using descriptive and in vivo coding and then coded inductively to explore thematic analysis. Statistical analysis of the survey evaluated means, frequency and percentage for each of the responses. Results Participants (n = 9) were women (mean age = 48.78 and SD = 6.72) from South America (n = 5), Mexico (n = 1), El Salvador (n = 1) and Dominican Republic (n = 2). The mean length of time living in the US was 18.78 years and over half (55.6%) worked in the cleaning industry for 10 or more years. Findings from the three focus groups (n = 15) included that training in cleaning often occurred informally at a very young age at home. Participants reported cleaning in groups where tasks are rotated and/or shared. Most were the primary person cleaning at home, suggesting increased exposure. Gloves and masks were the most frequently used PPE, but use was not consistent. For participants who purchase their own products, driving factors included price, smell and efficacy. Some participants used products supplied or preferred by the employer. Conclusions Latinas in cleaning occupations face a range of social and health barriers including lack of safety and health training, inadequate PPE and low literacy. To address these issues, the development of an intervention is warranted to provide training and resources for this critical population of essential workers.

Maciej Jarota

Abstract Background Technological progress in the twenty-first century offers real chances for economic development of the European Union (EU). The purpose of this publication is to analyse risks and threats relating to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) considerations in the context of scientific and technological development. The article attempts the analysis of whether current legislation of the European Union enables good protection of workers’ health in the performance of their duties using robots, artificial intelligence (AI). A feature of robotisation and AI may be new challenges in OHS protection. The analysis performed aims to determine whether threats posted by working with Artificial Intelligence are serious enough for the EU Legislator to focus on implementation of new OHS regulations. Methods The analysis was carried out on the basis of current legal regulations related to the protection of employee’s health in the European Union. The study used literature related to robotisation with artificial intelligence and health and safety at work in the working environment. Results Given the new psychological and physical threats related to the use of AI robots, it is necessary to expand the EU legislation with general guidelines for the use of intelligent robots in the work environment. Indeed, such robots must be defined in the applicable legal framework. Employers should also define, as part of their internal regulations, the procedures for employee communication with artificial intelligence, and relevantly update their training in the OHS area. Conclusions The developments in AI-assisted robots come with inherent risks and threats to the working environment. New challenges create the need for adapting EU laws to changing reality. In order to structure European Union legislation on health and safety at work, these changes could be defined in a single piece of legislation covering robotics and AI after detailed analysis, dialogue, and debate.

Panida Navasumrit, Krittinee Chaisatra, Jeerawan Promvijit et al.

Following publication of the original article [1], the author reported that incorrect version of Tables 1, 3, 5 and 6 were published.

Lyda Pérez Acevedo

Este texto fue publicado originalmente en el Volumen 9 Nº 3 de 2002 de la Revista Ocupación Humana, se derivaba de la ponencia presentada por su autora, Lida Pérez Acevedo, en el XII Congreso Colombiano de Terapia Ocupacional, llevado a cabo en marzo del año 2001 en la ciudad de Santa Marta. Con su inclusión en este número, queremos rendir un homenaje a nuestra colega, reconocer su trabajo y su importante legado para la Terapia Ocupacional y para el Colegio Colombiano de Terapia Ocupacional. Desde finales del 2013 y hasta su muerte, Lida fue integrante del Comité Científico de la Revista Ocupación Humana.

Amir Hossein Khoshakhlagh, Saeid Yazdanirad, Vali Sarsangi

Background:&nbsp;Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a debilitating and irreversible disease and one of the ten most important occupational diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between individual risk factors and NIHL in textile workers. Methods:&nbsp;This cross-sectional study was carried out on 128 employees of one of the textile factories of Tehran Province in 2017. At first, data were collected using a demographic questionnaire including age, marital status, level of education, and work shift. Then, using an audiometer, the workers' threshold of hearing was measured in both ears for frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, and 8000 Hz, and data were analyzed by the SPSS version 18.Results:The mean age of the workers was 30.59 ( 3.5) years, their mean work experience 5.7 (2.76) years, and the mean environmental noise level at work 87.88 ( 6.13) dB. The findings showed that there was a significant relationship between the level of exposed noise and age, education level, work shift, and marital status. Conclusion:&nbsp;Increased age of population and level of environmental noise are two factors for increased hearing loss, which can be partly prevented by using engineering approaches such as using mufflers and silent rooms.

Hyun-Jin Kim, Jin-young Min, Yong-Seok Seo et al.

Abstract Background Ambient air pollution has a negative effect on many diseases, such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Recent studies have reported a relationship between air pollution and renal function, but the results were limited to exposure to particulate matter (PM). This study was to identify associations between various air pollutants and renal function among Korean adults. Methods Nationwide survey data for a total of 24,407 adults were analyzed. We calculated the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) for each individual to assess their renal function and used this to categorize those with chronic kidney disease (CKD). To evaluate exposure to ambient air pollution, we used the annual mean concentrations of four ambient air pollutants: PM with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 μm (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO). Results We identified significant inverse relationships between the air pollutants PM10 and NO2 and eGFR in all statistical adjustment models (all p < 0.05). In the full covariate model, interquartile range increases in the annual mean concentrations of PM10 and NO2 were associated with decreases in eGFR levels of 0.46 (95% CI = − 0.87, − 0.04) and 0.85 (95% CI = − 1.40, − 0.30), respectively. Three of the ambient air pollutants were significantly related to an increased risk of CKD in the unadjusted model (p < 0.0001), but all significant associations disappeared after adjusting for covariates (all p > 0.05). Conclusions Exposures to PM10 and NO2 were significantly associated with decreases in eGFR levels, but not CKD, in Korean adults.

Clara Duarte Cuervo, Diana Sofía Bravo Serrano

El trabajo es para los terapeutas ocupacionales un asunto de interés central. En Colombia el ejercicio profesional de Terapia Ocupacional en el sector laboral tiene sus inicios en los años setenta, con la introducción de la rehabilitación profesional; no obstante, ha trascendido este escenario alcanzando el de la salud y el bienestar de los trabajadores. La apertura del programa de Terapia Ocupacional de la Universidad Metropolitana de Barranquilla en 1996 da lugar a la formación y la proyección profesional en este campo en la región Caribe. Este estudio, de enfoque histórico, recurre a fuentes documentales y testimonios para contextualizar y relatar el devenir de la profesión en dicho sector en esta región, especialmente en el programa de la Universidad Metropolitana, haciendo énfasis en la década de 1990. Se identifican prácticas precursoras alrededor de la rehabilitación profesional y la salud en el trabajo, así como componentes de formación que han ocupado un renglón importante en el plan de estudios del programa a lo largo de sus veinte años de existencia. El estudio concluye que el análisis, la comprensión y la problematización de las realidades locales y del trabajo como ocupación humana son hoy desafíos para la Terapia Ocupacional en Barranquilla.

Patricia Cuéllar Sánchez

Se presenta un resumen de la investigación sobre la transición ocupacional de exguerrilleros: “De la reinserción al reencuentro: una mirada desde la Terapia Ocupacional”, propuesta académica de Terapia Ocupacional de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia para proyectarse como estrategia de paz una vez se firmen negociaciones entre fuerzas guerrilleras y el Gobierno Nacional. A partir de la pregunta: ¿cuáles son las fases de trabajo de un programa de Reorganización del Desempeño Ocupacional para exguerrilleros que reinicien su vida civil en Santa Fe de Bogotá?, se contextualiza el problema, luego se presenta un cuadro comparativo desde diferentes categorías de experiencias de reinserción, se muestra el modelo investigativo seguido y se finaliza con la presentación del programa y las conclusiones.

Bianca C. R. de Castro, Heraldo L Guida, Adriano L Roque et al.

It is poor in the literature the behavior of the geometric indices of heart rate variability (HRV) during the musical auditory stimulation. The objective is to investigate the acute effects of classic musical auditory stimulation on the geometric indexes of HRV in women in response to the postural change maneuver (PCM). We evaluated 11 healthy women between 18 and 25 years old. We analyzed the following indices: Triangular index, Triangular interpolation of RR intervals and Poincarι plot (standard deviation of the instantaneous variability of the beat-to beat heart rate [SD1], standard deviation of long-term continuous RR interval variability and Ratio between the short - and long-term variations of RR intervals [SD1/SD2] ratio). HRV was recorded at seated rest for 10 min. The women quickly stood up from a seated position in up to 3 s and remained standing still for 15 min. HRV was recorded at the following periods: Rest, 0-5 min, 5-10 min and 10-15 min during standing. In the second protocol, the subject was exposed to auditory musical stimulation (Pachelbel-Canon in D) for 10 min at seated position before standing position. Shapiro-Wilk to verify normality of data and ANOVA for repeated measures followed by the Bonferroni test for parametric variables and Friedman′s followed by the Dunn′s posttest for non-parametric distributions. In the first protocol, all indices were reduced at 10-15 min after the volunteers stood up. In the protocol musical auditory stimulation, the SD1 index was reduced at 5-10 min after the volunteers stood up compared with the music period. The SD1/SD2 ratio was decreased at control and music period compared with 5-10 min after the volunteers stood up. Musical auditory stimulation attenuates the cardiac autonomic responses to the PCM.

Aydin Denis, Feychting Maria, Schüz Joachim et al.

<p>Abstract</p> <p>The first case–control study on mobile phone use and brain tumour risk among children and adolescents (CEFALO study) has recently been published. In a commentary published in Environmental Health, Söderqvist and colleagues argued that CEFALO suggests an increased brain tumour risk in relation to wireless phone use. In this article, we respond and show why consistency checks of case–control study results with observed time trends of incidence rates are essential, given the well described limitations of case–control studies and the steep increase of mobile phone use among children and adolescents during the last decade. There is no plausible explanation of how a notably increased risk from use of wireless phones would correspond to the relatively stable incidence time trends for brain tumours among children and adolescents observed in the Nordic countries. Nevertheless, an increased risk restricted to heavy mobile phone use, to very early life exposure, or to rare subtypes of brain tumours may be compatible with stable incidence trends at this time and thus further monitoring of childhood brain tumour incidence rate time trends is warranted.</p>

S. Iavicoli, R. Biscioni, F. Carnevale et al.

Fiore Anna, Gattolin Massimo, Casula Alessandro et al.

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It is not clear whether environmental exposure to dioxin affects the general population. The aim of this research is to evaluate sarcoma risk in relation to the environmental pollution caused by dioxin emitted by waste incinerators and industrial sources of airborne dioxin. The study population lives in a part of the Province of Venice (Italy), where a population-based cancer registry (Veneto Tumour Registry – RTV) has been active since 1987.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Two hundred and five cases of visceral and extravisceral sarcoma, confirmed by microscopic examination, diagnosed from 01.01.1990 to 31.12.1996, were extracted from the RTV database. Diagnoses were revised using the actual pathology reports and clinical records. For each sarcoma case, three controls of the same age and sex were randomly selected from the population files of the Local Health Units (LHUs). The residential history of each subject, whether case or control, was reconstructed, address by address, from 1960 to the date of diagnosis. All waste incinerators and industrial sources of airborne dioxin in the Province of Venice were taken into account, as was one very large municipal waste incinerator outside the area but close to its boundaries. The Industrial Source Complex Model in Long Term mode, version 3 (ISCLT3), was used to assess the level of atmospheric dispersion. A specific value for exposure was calculated for each point (geo-referenced address) and for each calendar year; the exposure value for each subject is expressed as the average of specific time-weighted values. The analysis takes into account 172 cases and 405 controls, aged more than 14 years.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The risk of developing a sarcoma is 3.3 times higher (95% Confidence Interval – 95% CI: 1.24 – 8.76) among subjects, both sexes, with the longest exposure period and the highest exposure level ; a significant excess of risk was also observed in women (Odds Ratio OR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.04 – 5.59) and for cancers of the connective and other soft tissue (International Classification of Diseases, ninth Revision – ICD-IX 171), both sexes (OR = 3.27, 95% CI: 1.35 – 7.93).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our study supports the association between modelled dioxin exposure and sarcoma risk.</p>

José Carlos Mingote Adán, Pablo del Pino Cuadrado, Álvaro Huidobro et al.

A. Hamilton, I. Selikoff