International archives of occupational and environmental health
-
Int Arch Occup Environ Health · Mar 1999
Characteristics of pain drawings in the neck-shoulder region among the working population.
The aim was to study the characteristics of pain drawings in the neck, shoulders, and upper-back regions among the general working population. ⋯ Pain drawings of neck and shoulder symptoms among the middle-aged general working population most usually focused on the neck-shoulder angles with a symmetrical left-right distribution. The number of separate symptom loci and their total area, left-right distribution, and symmetry were characteristics associated with symptom chronicity and severity or signs of tenderness in the neck-trapezius region.
-
Int Arch Occup Environ Health · Jan 1999
Environmental contamination and human exposure to manganese--contribution of methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl in unleaded gasoline.
The organomanganese compound MMT (methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl), an antiknock additive in unleaded gasoline, has been used in Canada since 1976. Indeed, Canada is the only country where MMT is almost exclusively used. In October 1995, by court decision the Environmental protection Agency (EPA) granted Ethyl's waiver for the use of MMT in the United States. ⋯ As well, some specific groups of the population could have a higher level of exposure to Mn. Nevertheless, the levels of exposure remain below international guide values. Further studies and further characterization of dose-response relationships are thus needed to provide successful implementation of evidence-based risk-assessment approaches.
-
Int Arch Occup Environ Health · Mar 1998
Longitudinal changes in inflammatory markers in nasal lavage of cotton workers. Relation to endotoxin exposure and lung function changes.
The aim of this study was to evaluate time-related changes in inflammatory markers in nasal lavage (NAL) in relation to endotoxin exposure and lung function changes. ⋯ The data suggest that inflammatory markers in NAL are associated with repeated airborne endotoxin exposure.
-
Int Arch Occup Environ Health · Feb 1998
Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialVibration sense in the upper limb in patients with repetitive strain injury and a group of at-risk office workers.
To investigate in patients with repetitive strain injury (RSI) and in office workers using computer keyboard equipment (a) whether the vibration threshold in the hand was altered, (b) the immediate effects of keyboard use on vibration thresholds and (c) whether the tolerance of suprathreshold vibration was normal. ⋯ Patients may have a minor polyneuropathy, whereas the office workers demonstrate early signs of the condition. Quantitative measurement of vibration perception may prove useful in patient assessment and for detection of the early onset of RSI in the work environment.
-
Int Arch Occup Environ Health · Jan 1997
Occupational exposure to sevoflurane and nitrous oxide in operating room personnel.
To quantify the exposure of operating room personnel to sevoflurane and nitrous oxide. ⋯ To keep exposure low, sevoflurane and N2O were used in a modern working environment: a low-leakage anaesthesia machine, high room ventilation rates, scavenging system, no intermittent mask ventilation, low to medium concentrations of sevoflurane, and strict control of the cuff pressure. Nevertheless, exposure could not be kept under NIOSH threshold values in all cases.