International archives of occupational and environmental health
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Int Arch Occup Environ Health · Oct 2006
Stress monitoring of ambulance personnel during work and leisure time.
The aim of the present study was to assess physiological and subjective stress markers during a 24-h ambulance work shift and during the next two work-free days, and relate these parameters to self-reported health complaints. ⋯ Subjective and physiological characteristics of ambulance personnel did not indicate distinctive stress during the 24-h work shift. Relationships between frequent health complaints and specific work-related factors require further prospective studies.
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Int Arch Occup Environ Health · Sep 2006
Randomized Controlled TrialCost-effectiveness of multidisciplinary treatment in sick-listed patients with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders: a randomized, controlled trial with one-year follow-up.
To determine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a return-to-work outpatient multidisciplinary treatment programme for sick-listed workers with non-specific upper extremity musculoskeletal complaints. ⋯ Multidisciplinary treatment affects individuals positively, but shows no significant difference in (cost-) effectiveness on the societal level as compared to usual care.
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Int Arch Occup Environ Health · Mar 2006
Exposure to particles and nitrogen dioxide among taxi, bus and lorry drivers.
The aims of this study have been to investigate the occurrence of systematic differences in the personal exposure to motor exhaust between different groups of taxi, bus and lorry drivers, and to study if these are influenced by the choice of exposure indicator. ⋯ Lorry drivers experienced the highest exposure and taxi drivers the lowest with bus drivers in an intermediate position, regardless of whether NO(2) or particles were used as exposure indicator. The levels of both NO(2) and particles were higher for bus drivers in the city than for them driving in the suburbs. Using diesel or petrol as a fuel for taxis had no influence on the exposure for the drivers, indicating that the taxi drivers' exposure mainly depends on exhaust from surrounding traffic.
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Int Arch Occup Environ Health · Jan 2006
Lung cancer and mesothelioma in towns with environmental exposure to asbestos in Eastern Anatolia.
Our previous study demonstrated the presence of environmental tremolite and chrysotile asbestos fiber exposure in Hekimhan town in Malatya located in eastern Turkey. The aim of this study was to investigate whether environmental asbestos exposure increases the incidence of lung cancer and mesothelioma. ⋯ The incidences of mesothelioma and lung carcinoma in Hekimhan were higher than those of the general population in Turkey, suggesting a role of environmental asbestos exposure in lung cancer and mesothelioma.
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Int Arch Occup Environ Health · Aug 2005
Hearing loss among operating engineers in American construction industry.
Occupational noise exposure and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) among construction workers has long been recognized as a problem in the United States, yet little is known about the prevalence of NIHL among American construction workers. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of hearing loss among operating engineers (OEs) who operate heavy construction machinery. ⋯ The study demonstrated a significant NIHL problem and low use of HPDs in OEs. An effective hearing conservation program, including a periodic audiometric testing and hearing protection intervention, for this study population should be in place.