Exposure to methyl methacrylate and its subjective symptoms among dental technicians, Tehran, Iran.

Exposure to methyl methacrylate (MMA), total dust and health symptoms were investigated in 20 dental laboratories located in Tehran, Iran. Time-weighted average (TWA) of MMA and peak concentrations were determined, using XAD-2 tubes followed by GC-FID analysis. Total dusts were evaluated gravimetrically. Health symptoms were asked using a questionnaire. TWA for technicians with direct and indirect exposure to MMA were 327.28 +/- 79.42 and 282.9 +/- 41.84 mg/m3, respectively. Peak concentration of MMA for those technicians were 337.0 +/- 36.81 and 328.88 +/- 45.40 mg/m3, respectively. There were no significant differences between TWA of MMA and peak concentration in different weekly workdays; however, within-day variations were observed (P < .05). TWA of MMA and peak concentration correlation with the laboratory volume were 0.61-0.65. Dust exposure of technicians was 2.35 +/- 2.70 mg/m3. Cough and skin dryness were the common health symptoms. Smoking and asbestos exposure history were factors influencing cough prevalence (p < .05). It is concluded that the current Short-Term Exposure Limit (STEL) is not low enough to protect technicians against the adverse effects caused by MMA.     

Diphenylmethane diisocyanate self-polymerization: Thermal hazard evaluation and proof of runaway reaction in gram scale

Thermal analysis by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis mass spectrometry, adiabatic calorimetry, a gram-scale heating test, and infrared spectroscopy were performed to evaluate the thermal hazards of diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and prove the occurrence of a runaway reaction. The self-polymerization of MDI was found to occur at about 340 °C under rapid heating conditions. Carbon dioxide was eliminated and heat was generated to allow polymerization. Under adiabatic and closed conditions, the runaway reaction of MDI can begin at least from 220 °C. Besides it is highly probable that the runaway reaction of MDI can begin from a lower temperature in an actual process scale. More heat was generated than in the previous case and the pressure rose rapidly. A closed 2-mm-thick glass vessel exploded because of the runaway reaction of MDI even if the temperature was lower than 300 °C. Therefore, MDI could cause fatal runaway reactions below 300 °C, where MDI had been assumed to self-polymerize by eliminating carbon dioxide previously.     

铅与噪声对蓄电池制造作业工人健康影响的联合作用

探讨铅与噪声对蓄电池制造作业工人的联合作用,为职业危害联合作用健康管理提供科学依据。依据蓄电池厂作业工人的职业史调查、环境检测和生物检测资料,将研究对象分为铅与噪声联合暴露组、单纯铅暴露组、正常组,分析比较3组作业工人的听力损伤、神经系统和消化系统症状、贫血结果。结果显示在4 000 Hz和6 000 Hz频率段,联合组听力异常率及听阈均值高于单纯铅暴露组和正常组(P0.05),与单纯铅暴露组和正常组比较,联合组的神经系统和消化系统症状率明显增多(P0.05)。表明铅和噪声联合作用可增加作业者的听觉系统、神经系统和消化系统症状患病,并提出相应管理对策。     

茶叶及其主要成分防暑效果的研究

实验表明，饮用全茶水者的平均心率增加值明显低于饮用咖啡碱者和白开水者，其平均体温升高值小于饮用茶多酚者和白开水者，其失水量均低于饮用茶多酚者、咖啡碱者和白开水者；而饮用全茶水、茶多酚、咖啡碱或白开水，对手操纵功能无明显影响。     

Combined Effects of Physical Demands and Shift Working on Low Back Disorders Among Nursing Personnel

The aim of this study was to investigate the synergistic effects of physical demands and shift working on low back disorders (LBDs) among nursing personnel. The study used 2 questionnaires: a self-administered questionnaire composed of parts of Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire to assess LBDs and job content questionnaire to assess physical demands. The participants were divided into 4 groups: from group 1 (low physical demands day workers) to group 4 (high physical demands shift workers). In regression analysis, high physical demands were associated with the prevalence of LBDs independently (OR 4.4, 95% CI [2.40, 8.00] and p < .05), but there was no association between shift working and LBDs (p > .05). Odds ratio in high physical demands shift workers was 9.33 compared to the reference group (p < .001). Calculated synergistic index was 7.37. Simultaneous impacts of shift working and high physical demands may increase the prevalence of LBDs among nursing personnel.     

Board task performance: An exploration of micro‐ and macro‐level determinants of board effectiveness

This paper addresses recent calls to narrow the micro–macro gap in management research (Bamberger, 2008), by incorporating a macro‐level context variable (country) in exploring micro‐level determinants of board effectiveness. Following the integrated model proposed by Forbes and Milliken (1999), we identify three board processes as micro‐level determinants of board effectiveness. Specifically, we focus on effort norms, cognitive conflicts and the use of knowledge and skills as determinants of board control and advisory task performance. Further, we consider how two different institutional settings influence board tasks, and how the context moderates the relationship between processes and tasks. Our hypotheses are tested on a survey‐based dataset of 535 medium‐sized and large industrial firms in Italy and Norway, which are considered to substantially differ along legal and cultural dimensions. The findings show that: (i) Board processes have a larger potential than demographic variables to explain board task performance; (ii) board task performance differs significantly between boards operating in different contexts; and (iii) national context moderates the relationships between board processes and board task performance. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Driving while impaired (DWI) by alcohol convictions among alcohol, cocaine, and cannabis clients in treatment

OBJECTIVE: Although studies have demonstrated that clients in treatment for alcohol abuse are more at risk of driving while impaired (DWI) by alcohol than normal licensed drivers from the general population, no research was found on DWI convictions among those in treatment for abusing cannabis or cocaine. The purpose of this article is to compare DWI convictions among clients in treatment for alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, or various combinations of these substances, compared to a matched population control group. METHOD: A stratified random sample of driver records was drawn from seven client groups who sought treatment in 1994 for alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, or any combination of these substances (n = 445). A random sample of drivers, frequency matched by age and sex (n = 566), served as control subjects. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis, controlling for sex and age, was conducted to assess whether DWI convictions were elevated for each of the client groups, compared to controls. Two sets of analyses were conducted, before treatment (from 1985 to 1993) and after treatment (from 1995 to 2000). In the time period before treatment, every drug group except the "cannabis only" group had significantly more DWI convictions than controls (p < .05). In the period after treatment, the "alcohol only," "cocaine only," "alcohol and cocaine," and the "cocaine and cannabis" groups still had significantly more DWI convictions than controls (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The results show that DWI convictions are elevated among those who abused cocaine but not among those who abused cannabis. The results suggest that cross-addiction of alcohol and cocaine is common, and problematic drinking among cocaine clients can go undetected when clients are being diagnosed for treatment.     

基于S变换的微地震监测中多源信号特征分析

为了提高微地震信号分析的精度,对模拟振动信号进行了试验,得到了时窗因子对ST(S-Transform)时频分辨率的影响,基于ST的良好时窗自适应性和高时频分辨率,进一步将其应用于泸沽铁矿巷道微地震监测数据的处理。结果表明:ST能准确提取信号属性用以构造特征向量,实现了矿山微地震监测中多源信号的量化分类,并为矿山微地震信号的自动识别与分析提出了新思路。     

Pulmonary Functions of Welders in Gas Transmission Pipelines in Iran

This study evaluated the influence of welding on pulmonary functions in welders. Spirometry tests were performed before and after work shift in 91 welders and 25 clerks (control group). We examined forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio and forced expiratory flow 25%-75% (FEF 25–75). Significant differences were found for FVC and FEV1/FVC between welders and the control group in pre- and post-shift measurements (p < .001). In welders, smoking and nonsmoking habit had no significant effects on any pulmonary indices before or after shift. Work experience and fume concentrations also had no significant effects on the majority of spirometric indices (p > .05). Most welders had at least 1 of the respiratory symptoms. Significant differences were found between pre- and post-shift indices (as percentage of predicted values calculated with spirometer) and between the welders engaged in some welding tasks and the control group before work shift. This study documented work-related changes in pulmonary functions in the welders and marked drops in these functions without symptoms in some welders.     

Lower health risk with increased job control among white collar workers

Associations between increased job control and health status were tested with questionnaire data from a random sample of full-time workers (n = 8504) from the national Swedish white collar labor federation, TCO (representing 25 per cent of the Swedish work force). Of these subjects, 1937 had undergone a company-initiated job reorganization during the previous several years. Workers in the job reorganization group who had influence in the reorganization process and obtained increased task control as a result had lower levels of illness symptoms on 11 of 12 health indicators controlling for age and sex (11 of 12 associations significant for males, four of 12 associations significant for females). A previously validated measure of coronary heart disease was significantly lower in circumstances of increased job control for males (8.6 per cent symptom frequency with decreased control versus 3.4 per cent with increased control; p = 0.05). Absenteeism was lower: 10.7 per cent versus 5.0 per cent (0.01). Depression was lower 27.8 per cent to 13.7 per cent (0.001). However, smoking was significantly higher for women 11.0 per cent versus 23.5 per cent (0.01). All illness indicators showed that the process of job reorganization itself was associated with significantly higher symptoms (‘change stress’). However for males (only) symptoms levels when reorganization was accompanied by increased control were often as low or lower than symptom levels for no reorganization at all. Unfortunately, job reorganizations involving employee influence and increased task control were less frequent than job reorganizations involving reduced influence and no increased control, especially for women and older workers.     

直通导叶式微型旋流管组分离效率实验

在矿井井下工作面等粉尘浓度较大的作业场所,直通导叶式微型旋流管组除尘器可满足受空间限制作业场所的初效除尘要求。为研究直通导叶式微型旋流管组的除尘性能,在不同粉尘浓度和抽气率条件下,对直通导叶式微型旋流管组的分离效率进行实验,并对其进气口、排尘口和气流出口的粉尘粒径、形貌进行测试分析。结果表明:直通导叶式微型旋流管组对d50大于14.34 μm的粉尘分离效果较好;当粉尘浓度在200~600 mg/m3、抽气率在0%~5%,直通导叶式微型旋流管组分离效率随着抽气率的增加而逐渐增加;粉尘浓度在600~1 200 mg/m3时,直通导叶式微型旋流管组在抽气率为5%时分离效率可达94%。     

Interlocks for first offenders: effective?

OBJECTIVE: Vehicle interlocks have been shown to effectively reduce the recidivism of multiple driving-while-impaired (DWI) offenders; however, the evidence for their effectiveness with first offenders has been mixed. Two Canadian studies found that the installation of an interlock reduced first DWI recidivism, but U.S. studies in West Virginia and California failed to find a significant reduction in recidivism for first DWI offenders in interlock programs. The objective of this study was to determine the extent to which such devices were effective with first offenders in New Mexico. METHODS: This study compared 1,461 first offenders, who installed interlocks in New Mexico between January 1, 2003, and December 1, 2005, with 17,562 first offenders convicted during the same period who did not install the units. Cox multivariate proportional hazards regression (CMVPHR) was used to compare recidivism rates during three periods: while the interlock was on the vehicles of offenders who installed them, after those offenders removed the units until the end of the study period (approximately 2 years), and for the combined period (both while the interlock was installed and after it was removed). RESULTS: While the device was on the vehicles of the interlock group, their recidivism rate, 2.6% per year of exposure, was significantly less than the 7.1% per year rate of the comparison group (CMVPHR hazard ratio = 0.39, p < 0.0001). After the device was removed, the annualized recidivism rate of the interlock group increased to 4.9% per year of exposure, which was less than the 6.7% rate of the comparison group, but the hazard ratio was not statistically significant (CMVPHR hazard ratio = 0.82, p = 0.16). When the combined periods (interlock on and off) were considered, the interlock group had a recidivism rate of 3.9% per year, which again was significantly lower than the 6.8% rate for the comparison group (CMVPHR hazard ratio = 0.61, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The study provides evidence that interlocks are as effective with first offenders (approximately 60% reduction in recidivism when on the vehicle) as they are for multiple offenders. In addition, the benefits of requiring an interlock for first offenders exceed the costs by a factor of three.     

Effectiveness of a cooling jacket with reference to physiological responses in iron foundry workers

Personal cooling garments (PCGs) have gained increased attention in recent years due to heat stress and strain in the working environment. The present study was conducted in hot environments of an iron foundry to evaluate the efficacy of a battery-operated PCG. Twenty-four workers were exposed to climatic conditions of 35.89?±?1.25?°C, 35% relative humidity during 90-min work with PCG and habitual clothing (HC). Mean weighted skin temperature was significantly lower by 4.84?±?1.05?°C compared with HC 0.38?±?1.02?°C (p?p?相似文献   

The effects of breath alcohol concentration on postural control

Background: Two of the 3 standardized field sobriety tests that U.S. law enforcement uses at roadside checks have a postural equilibrium component to them. Those tests have been validated to detect impairment caused by blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of 0.08 g/dL or above. Many medical and traffic safety associations support a lower limit, and one state, Utah, has passed a law to lower the limit to 0.05 g/dL. Many studies have examined the effects of alcohol on postural control (of which postural equilibrium is a component), with a consensus emerging that impairment is usually found at BACs greater than 0.06 g/dL. Most of these studies, however, had a relatively small number of subjects, usually between 10 and 30. The current study collected data from a much larger sample.

Objective: The objective of this study was to provide additional evidence that posture control is negatively affected at BACs greater than 0.06 g/dL or breath alcohol concentrations (BrACs) of 0.06 g/210 L.

Method: This was a between-subjects study, with BrAC group as the independent variable (5 levels: 0.00, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, and 0.10 g/210 L); 4 measures of postural control as the dependent variables; and age, height, and weight as the covariates. Posture control was measured with a force-sensing platform connected to a computer. The feet's center of pressure (CoP) on the platform was recorded and the corresponding movement of the body in the anterior–posterior and lateral planes was derived. Participants (N = 96) were randomly assigned to one of the BrAC groups. Positive BrAC groups were compared to the zero BrAC group. Data were examined with hierarchical multiple regression.

Results: Adjusted for age, height, and weight, the main effect of lateral CoP with eyes open was not statistically significant. There was a statistically significant main effect of alcohol on anterior–posterior CoP excursion with eyes open and with eyes closed and lateral CoP excursion with eyes closed. For all 3 of those variables, only BrACs of 0.08 and 0.10 g/210 L produced differences against zero BrAC. Although the main effect of alcohol on Lateral CoP Excursion with eyes open was not statistically significant, the contrasts between 0 and 0.08 and 0 and 0.10 g/210L BrAC were in the hypothesized direction.

Conclusion: The current study did not directly address the issue of whether the sobriety tests are sensitive to BrACs of 0.05 g/210 L or above; rather, it provides additional evidence that postural control, one of the components of those tests, is relatively unaffected by BrACs lower than 0.08 g/210 L. Additional research is needed on the diagnostic characteristics of the sobriety tests at BrACs lower than 0.08 g/210 L.     

Bicycle helmet effectiveness is not overstated

Objective: The objective of this study was to discuss the challenges in estimating bicycle helmet effectiveness from case–control studies of injured cyclists and to estimate helmet effectiveness from cases and available exposure data.

Methods: Data were extracted from studies of cyclists in Seattle; Victoria and New South Wales, Australia; and The Netherlands. Estimates of helmet use were used as exposure to compute relative risks for Seattle and Victorian data. Cycling distance data are routinely collected in The Netherlands; however, these data cannot be disaggregated by helmet use, which makes it unsuitable for estimating helmet effectiveness. Alternative controls were identified from larger cohorts for the Seattle and New South Wales cases.

Results: Estimates of helmet effectiveness were similar from odds ratios (ORs) using hospital controls or from relative risks (RRs) using helmet use estimates (Seattle: OR = 0.339, RR = 0.444; Victoria: OR = 0.500, RR = 0.353). Additionally, the odds ratios using hospital controls were similar when controls were taken from a larger cohort for head injury of any severity (Seattle: OR = 0.250, alt OR = 0.257; NSW: OR = 0.446, alt OR = 0.411) and for serious head injury (Seattle: OR = 0.135, alt OR = 0.139; NSW: OR = 0.335, alt OR = 0.308). Although relevant exposure data were unavailable for The Netherlands, the odds ratio for helmet effectiveness of those using racing, mountain, or hybrid bikes was similar to other estimates (OR = 0.371).

Conclusions: Despite potential weaknesses with case–control study designs, the best available evidence suggests that helmet use is an effective measure of reducing cycling head injury.     

盐度胁迫对云纹石斑鱼鳃离子调节酶及渗透压的影响

为探讨云纹石斑鱼鳃离子调节酶活力及血清渗透压对盐度骤降的响应,设置4个盐度梯度(27、21、15和9)对云纹石斑鱼进行盐度骤降胁迫试验,在0、1 d、2 d、3 d和7 d时取样,测定其鳃中Na+/K+-ATP(NKA)酶、Ca~(2+)-ATP酶(Ca~(2+)-ATPase)、琥珀酸脱氢酶(SDH)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活力及血清渗透压。结果表明,盐度21组与15组NKA及Ca~(2+)-ATPase活力在第1 d大幅上升,显著高于对照组(p0.05),随后下降趋于稳定,而盐度9组NKA及Ga2+-ATPase活力一直呈下降趋势;血清渗透压呈先下降后上升的变化趋势(p0.05);SDH活力变化与离子酶一致(p0.05);LDH活力变化与离子酶相反(p0.05)。研究表明,在盐度骤降的情况下,云纹石斑鱼鳃进行渗透压调节分为两个阶段,一是应激反应阶段,此时NKA及Ca~(2+)-ATPase迅速升高,血清渗透压降低;二是适应阶段,离子酶活力下降趋于稳定,血清渗透压升高恢复至正常水平,而且SDH与LDH酶活力也相应变化,为渗透压调节提供能量。     

A review of uses,environmental hazards and recovery/recycle technologies of perfluorocarbons (PFCs) emissions from the semiconductor manufacturing processes

Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) are being used as etching/cleaning gases in microelectronic or semiconductor manufacturing processes. These compounds under industrial uses mainly include CF₄ (tetrafluorocarbon), C₂F₆ (hexafluoroethane), C₃F₈ (octafluoropropane), and cyclo-C₄F₈ or c-C₄F₈ (octafluorocyclobutane). From the globally environmental issues and regulatory points of view, it is urgent to control the emissions of these significant greenhouse gases from the industrial processes. This article reviews these PFCs in terms of physiochemical properties, industrial uses, and environmental hazards (e.g. global warming, and toxicity and exposure hazards). Further, it addresses some available recovery/recycle technologies (i.e. cryogenic condensation/distillation, pressure swing adsorption, and membrane separation) of process exhaust gases containing PFCs from semiconductor manufacturing processes in this review paper.     

基于锥形量热仪的几种防火布燃烧性能研究

生产企业常在电缆或者贵重高危机器处设置防火布来保护生产设备设施的消防安全,选取五种常用的防火布:石棉纤维防火布、陶瓷纤维防火布、硅胶防火布、涂胶防火布、碳素纤维防火布,通过锥形量热仪实验研究不同辐射强度对防火布燃烧性能的影响。结果表明:点燃时间的均方根倒数与辐射强度之间呈现线性关系;在35 kW/m~2辐射强度工况下,碳素纤维防火布的热释放速率最大,达到272.59 kW/m~2,有效燃烧热的峰值也最大,达到529.52 kJ/g;综合比较各样品的燃烧性能,防火能力强弱顺序为:硅胶防火布石棉纤维防火布陶瓷纤维防火布碳素纤维防火布涂胶防火布。     

Job level risk assessment using task level ACGIH hand activity level TLV scores: a pilot study.

Existing upper extremity musculoskeletal disorder analytical tools are primarily intended for single or mono-task jobs. However, many jobs contain more than 1 task and some include job rotation. This case/control study investigates methods of modifying an existing tool, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Hand Activity Level (HAL) Threshold Limit Value (TLV), to assess the upper extremity risk of multi-task jobs. Various methods of combining the task differences and ratios into a job level assessment were explored. Two methods returned significant odds ratios, (p < .05) of 18.0 (95% CI 1.8-172) and 12.0 (95% CI 1.2-120). These results indicate that a modified ACGIH HAL TLV may provide insight into the work-related risk of multi-task jobs. Further research is needed to optimize this process.     

Exposure to Methyl Methacrylate and Its Subjective Symptoms Among Dental Technicians,Tehran, Iran

Exposure to methyl methacrylate (MMA), total dust and health symptoms were investigated in 20 dental laboratories located in Tehran, Iran. Time-weighted average (TWA) of MMA and peak concentrations were determined, using XAD-2 tubes followed by GC-ID analysis. Total dusts were evaluated gravimetrically. Health symptoms were asked using a questionnaire. TWA for technicians with direct and indirect exposure to MMA were 327.28 ± 79.42 and 282.9 ± 41.84 mg/m³ , respectively. Peak concentration of MMA for those technicians were 337.0 ± 36.81 and 328.88 ± 45.40 mg/m³, respectively.

There were no significant differences between TWA of MMA and peak concentration in different weekly workdays; however, within-day variations were observed (P < .05).

TWA of MMA and peak concentration correlation with the laboratory volume were 0.61-0.65. Dust exposure of technicians was 2.35 ± 2.70 mg/m³. Cough and skin dryness were the common health symptoms. Smoking and asbestos exposure history were factors influencing cough prevalence (p < .05).

It is concluded that the current Short-Term Exposure Limit (STEL) is not low enough to protect technicians against the adverse effects caused by MMA.