In search of occupational illness

Article Abstract:

The rate of job-related injuries and illnesses for workplaces employing 11 or more persons remained at 8 per 100 full-time workers between 1980 and 1987. There were six million occupational injuries and illnesses reported in 1987, and this increase over figures reported in previous years was attributed to more complete record keeping, rather than an actual increase in job-related injuries and illnesses. Because the federal government does not collect statistics from workplaces employing 10 persons or less, a substantial number of work-related injuries occurring at smaller business establishments are unreported. About 70 percent of new cases of job-related illness in private industry involved skin diseases and repeated trauma, such as disorders due to noise, repetitive motion, pressure, and vibrations. It is often difficult to define the injury in relation to the workplace. For example, long-term exposure to repetitive, low-intensity noise occurring in some occupations may cause hearing loss only at specific sound frequencies. Another example is work-related stress, which may be either an occupational injury or an illness resulting from some work-related factor such as noise. Determining the incidences of various occupational illnesses depends on the method of data collection. Poison control centers have a valuable role in identifying serious occupational diseases and educating health professionals about work-related hazards. A nationwide poison control center reporting system should be implemented to help determine the incidence of occupational injury and illness. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Usage, Injuries, Laws, regulations and rules, Reports, Work, Work (Labor), Poison control centers

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Lead poisoning: clinical, biochemical, and haematological aspects of a recent outbreak

Article Abstract:

The toxicity of inorganic lead has long been known to be a public health problem. Most cases are reported in children with pica, a fondness for eating everything in sight. Lead poisoning in adults is primarily an occupational disease, with characteristic hematologic effects such as anemia and decreased production of heme, the iron-containing nonprotein portion of hemoglobin. Four case histories are reported of men employed in the demolition industries, who used oxyacetylene cutting torches on metal painted with red lead based paint. In two of the patients, there were no clinical symptoms, while the other two experienced symptoms resembling those associated with lead poisoning: loss of appetite, vomiting, and abdominal pain and tenderness. Blood lead levels were elevated, as was the zinc protoporphyrin level (ZPP). Delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) levels were decreased. There is some suggestion that the metabolism of glucose may also be affected. Lead-poisoned patients should be detoxified by chelation or other chemical means. Patients should be followed to identify long-term side effects. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Diagnosis, Physiological aspects, Lead poisoning

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Self-assessment of tuberculin skin test reactions by New York City firefighters: reliability and cost-effectiveness in an occupational health care setting

Article Abstract:

Tuberculin screening can be effectively achieved through a two-choice self-assessment program in which participants read the results of their own tests. A total of 2,011 New York City firefighters received a tuberculin skin test and were taught how to read it. Two possible choices read by the participants were "flat," or negative for tuberculosis, and "not flat," or positive. The positive readings were returned by pre-addressed mail, fax or phone for further readings by professionals, counseling and treatment. Of the positive readings, 76.4% matched the professional readings. Cost effectiveness is a proven advantage of self-assessment skin test screening.

Methods, Evaluation, Medical screening, Health screening, Self-examination, Medical, Self examination (Medical), Tuberculin test

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