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Russian Journal of Occupational Health and Industrial Ecology

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No 3 (2019)
View or download the full issue PDF (Russian)
https://doi.org/10.31089/1026-9428-2019-3

ORIGINAL ARTICLES

132-141 842
Abstract
Introduction. In increased requirements to occupational and personal qualities of workers engaged into or applying for dangerous professions, effi ciency of occupational selection considerably depends on choice of methodic approaches adequate to the study objectives. Objective. To study psychophysiologic approaches to evaluation of social psychologic reliability and occupational fi tness of individuals with dangerous professions, for revealing prognostic facilities of new methods and for improving occupational selection for military and police offi cers. Materials and methods. Psychophysiologic studies used eye-tracker SMI-RED–250 and polygraph “Diana” and covered 201 candidates for service in various divisions of RF Investigating Committ ee. Major part of the examinees consisted of individuals aged under 30 years (134 males and 67 females). All the candidates had normal vision or corrected to normal one. Evoked brain potentials study covered 114 candidates for military service (2 females and 112 males) aged 17 to 52 years. According to polygraph study, 51.8% of the examinees demonstrated a risk factor of “drug use”. Results. Th e authors presented results of psychophysiologic studies of occupational fi tness in candidates for military and police service. Nowadays, polygraph study remains a reliable method to reveal reactions proving presence of concealed information. Using evoked brain potentials for disclosing individuals who conceal drug usage is an important procedure in security maintenance. Within a standard polygraph procedure, videooculography (eye-tracker) seems the most interesting. Th e studies covered possible use of evoked EEG potentials and eye-tracker along with polygraph study for personnel checkups. Conclusions. Occupational selection in individuals with dangerous professions obtained experimental data indicating high effi ciency of combined use of eye-tracking and polygraph, for diagnosis of social psychologic reliability one can use soft ware of evoked brain potentials with demonstration of drugs-associated slides.
142-148 863
Abstract

Introduction. Noise is a common occupational hazard in metallurgic production. Objective. To evaluate occupational risk caused by exposure to noise in 18 occupational groups in subunits under modernization in an enterprise producing titanium alloys, using methodology of N.F. Izmerov Occupational Medicine Research Institute. Materials and methods. A priori risk evaluation by noise measurements was performed according to criteria of Manuals R 2.2.2006–05, R 2.2.1766–03 and hygienic models, a posteriori one — by analysis of occupational morbidity over 30 years, transitory disablement morbidity and chronic diseases prevalence according to medical examinations data over 5 years. Total of 58758 sick-leave certifi cates was analyzed. Comparison covered morbidity in individuals exposed to noise (3501 individuals) and non-exposed individuals (9138 ones). Results. Findings are that a risk level by hygienic criteria in the studied occupations was assigned to low to high category (work conditions classes 3.1–3.3), by occupational morbidity criterion — from low to high (index of occupational diseases from 0 to 0.25). Occupational neurosensory deafness was registered in blacksmiths, turners, vertical lathe operators. Noise appeared to be a trigger for diseases of ears, eyes, skin, locomotory system, nervous system, urinary tract, respiratory system, for mental disorders, increased blood pressure, hyperglycemia, leukocytosis, with 1.1–1.7 times reliably increased their risk in general over the production, and up to 3.7 times in certain occupations (p<0.05). Prevalence of the health disorders appeared to increase with growing noise levels. Conclusions. Industrial modernization is associated with decrease of occupational morbidity caused by exposure to noise to single cases and increase of age and length of service at noise conditions to diagnosis. Considerable health improvement was seen in blacksmiths, aft er hammer equipment was changed to the press one, in lathe operators — aft er lathe changed to processing centers with numerical control.

149-154 764
Abstract

Introduction. Coal heat power stations are characterized by severe hazardous eff ect of occupational environment on workers. Objective. To analyze chromosomal disorders in workers of thermal power plant working on coal from Kuznetsk coal fi eld (West Siberia). Materials and methods. Th e authors studied level and specter of chromosomal aberrations in blood lymphocytes of 185 workers of Kemerovo thermal power plant and 218 inhabitants of the same location, not working on industrial enterprises (Kemerovo, Russia). For every individual, average number of 200 metaphase plates of high quality was analyzed. Results. Findings are that the workers of thermal power plant have levels of chromosomal aberrations signifi cantly higher than those of reference group (3,01±0,13% vs. 1,45±0,08%; р<0,00001). With that, increased frequency is seen both for chromatid aberrations and for chromosomal ones — that indicates complex exposure to chemical and radiation factors. Conclusions. Th e results obtained necessitate elaboration of measures to decrease genotoxic hazards in the occupational environment.

155-161 2008
Abstract

Introduction. Multiple studies of health state of workers in various economic branches of Russia revealed that peripheral nervous system diseases are among the most prevalent disorders. Th eir prevalence varies from 32.3 to 58 diseases per 100 examined workers, and they occupy usually fi rst place in the morbidity structure. Th ey are leaders among occupational diseases also. Objective. To determine features of occupational morbidity with peripheral nervous system diseases and its structure among workers in various economic branches of Bashkortostan Republic. Materials and methods. Th orough analysis covered occupational morbidity with peripheral nervous system diseases by separate branches, workers who are directly exposed to occupational hazards. Specifi c levels of the morbidity are defi ned by occupations, length of service in each economic branch. Results. Over 100 cases of occupational diseases are annually registered in Bashkortostan Republic. Over a half of them (54%) are diseases of peripheral nervous system. Th eir share among all occupational diseases tends to increase. Th e most prevalent type of peripheral nervous system diseases are radiculopathy (0.29 cases) and vibration disease (0.14 cases per 10,000 workers). Nearly all occupational diseases of peripheral nervous system are diagnosed in machinery building, metallurgic, mining, oil extracting industries, agriculture and building industry. In these economic branches, average of 16.59 cases per 10,000 workers exposed to occupational hazards is assigned to occupational peripheral nervous system diseases. Occupational diseases of peripheral nervous system diagnosed at average length of service of 23,3±3,4 years. Th e study results helped to determine specifi c economic branches associated with peripheral nervous system disorders development. At the highest risk of peripheral nervous system disorders are workers of mining (20,8‰0) and metallurgic (10,6‰0) industries. Conclusions. Peripheral nervous system diseases are the main causes of occupational morbidity, detailed according to specifi c economic branches and occupational groups, should be a basis of particular measures on lower impact of occupational risk factors, on prevention, health preservation, occupational and medical rehabilitation of the diseased.

162-166 539
Abstract
Introduction. Polyesters of terephthalic acids are major products of organic synthesis, widely used in various industries: for packing materials production, including those for foods and medicaments. Polyesters of terephthalic acids are stable chemicals and highly toxic with cumulative eff ects. Phthalates production requires further studies. Objective. To determine hygienic and clinical functional aspects of workers’ health formation in phthalates production. Materials and methods. Special clinical functional study covered workers who first started work activity in production of terephthalic acids, purified terephthalic acid and polyethylene terephthalate over 5 years of JSC “POLYEF” exploitation. Hematologic, cytochemical, biochemical and immunologic studies covered workers with primary 5-year service in the production. Hygienic evaluation covered work conditions of workers engaged into production of terephthalic acid polyesters. Results. Th e work conditions are characterized by increased level of terephthalic acids from 1.5 to 2.8 MACs. By 5 years of service, most the workers demonstrate anemia, reticulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, lymphocytosis, lower enzymatic activity. Investigations also covered the most marked and early changes in cardiovascular, nervous systems, ENT organs, locomotory system and connective tissue. Major factors infl uencing the stated disorders are acting concentrations of terephthalic acid, exceeding MAC 1.5–2.8 times; character of infl uence caused by complex of chemicals with acute and unidirectional action; occupational noise exceeding MAL of 5–21 dBA. Conclusions. General principles of occupational factors action: anemic syndrome; polymorphic regulatory disorders of metabolism; sensitization, allergization; formation of secondary immune defi ciency of cytopenia type; vegetative vascular disorders — the most fr equent and early syndrome of clinical and structural health disorders; locomotory disorders caused probably by phthalates toxicity; upper respiratory tract disorders (summarized eff ects of chemical irritants); specifi c changes associated with increased noise parameters (vegetative disorders, hypertension, neurosensory deafness, etc.).

LITERATURE REVIEW

167-173 554
Abstract

Cancer is increasing worldwide. Th e Russian Federation is no exception in this regard with an increase of the total number of new cases predicted to rise from 529,062 in 2018 to 587,622 in 2040. Th e present high burden and increase in incident cases at the same time increases the pressure on healthcare infrastructure and related costs. Th us, primary and secondary prevention of cancer becomes essential. Occupational cancers related to exposure at the workplace are among the preventable cancer burden, due to the modifi ability of the risk through minimisation of occupational exposures and adequate worker protection. For the Russian Federation, some 20,000 cancers each year may be att ributable to occupation, but systematic recording is currently lacking. As information is also lacking on the absolute eff ect of various occupational carcinogens in the Russian workforce due to lack of large-scale epidemiological studies and because for many suspected occupational carcinogens the evidence may become stronger, the true burden may in fact be higher. Th e Russian Federation appears particularly suitable for research into occupational cancer given the sizable workforce, the heavy industrialisation as well as the good documentation and workplace s urveillance over time, so that results are both informative for the situation in the Russian Federation and on a global scale. Five challenging but not unfeasible steps of nationwide population-based cancer registration, development of a legal framework for record linkage of registries and data collections, recording of occupational cancers, large scale epidemiological occupational cancer research and rigorous implementation of worker protection on known carcinogens, lead the way to a continuously updated cancer control plan that includes the elimination of occupational cancer in the Russian Federation.

BRIEF REPORTS

174-177 477
Abstract
Th e authors detected association of G-class antibodies specifi c to chemical carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (IgG-Bp) with lung cancer in healthy men not working at coal mines. Objective — to reveal possibilities of immunoassay of IgG-Bp in evaluating risk of lung cancer in coal mine workers. Th e study covered serum IgG-Bp in 501 miners aged under 60 (161 healthy, not working in mine; 239 miners; 101 patients with lung cancer), by means of non-concurrent immune-enzyme analysis using benzo[a]pyrene conjugates with bovine serum albumin as an antigen. Findings are that increased levels of IgG-Bp in lung cancer patients are more frequent (50.5%) than in healthy men not working in mine (37.2%, p=0.047, OR=1.7) and in miners (30.5%, p=0.0008, OR=2.3). Length of service in mines did not infl uence serum levels of IgG-Bp in coal industry workers. In the miners, with age adjustment consideration, OR for lung cancer equaled 2.0 (p=0.01), and with adjustment for smoking OR=2.3 (p=0.001). Occupational (work in mine), lifestyle (smoking) and endogenous (age) factors do not have signifi cant infl uence on intensity of individual specifi c reaction to benzo[a]pyrene in males. Immunoassay of IgG-Bp is recommended for lung canc er diagnosis in coal mine workers.
178-182 493
Abstract

Th e article covers results of comparative analysis of prevalence and motivation for tobacco smoking, and its consequences for health state in medical and teaching staff ers, in occupations of high risk due to occupational psychoemotional burnout and stress. Polling covered 601 staff ers of governmental medical institutions managed by Health care Department of Moscow and 300 teachers of governmental educational institutions managed by Education Department of Moscow. All the examinees were tested for individual att itude to tobacco smoking (presence or absence of tobacco smoking; for smokers — number of cigarett es smoked daily; att itude to tobacco smoking among the colleagues; personal participation in preventive activities of anti-smoking organizations). Findings are that prevalence of tobacco smoking in medical staff ers in higher than among teachers. Th e authors determined priority directions of anti-smoking activities among medical and teaching staff ers.

183-187 701
Abstract
Professional drivers during their work are constantly subjected to toxic influence of chemical elements in automobile exhaust gases that cause excessive accumulation of lipid peroxidation products. The study covered 182 male inhabitants (aged 32,6±6,2 years) of Hanty-Mansiysk autonomous district: 94 drivers and 88 clerks. The drivers, when compared to the clerks, demonstrated reliably higher values of lipid peroxidation: lipids hydroperoxide (p = 0.026), active derivatives of thiobarbituric acid (p = 0.003), coefficient of oxidative stress (p = 0.002) with lower parameters of antioxidant system: general antioxidant activity (p<0.001), thiolic state (p = 0.002). After 3 months of correction by means of natural antioxidant dihydroquercetin (75 mg daily), the drivers demonstrated not only statistically significant decrease of lipid peroxidation parameters: lipids hydroperoxide, coefficient of oxidative stress (p = 0.007) and increased values of antioxidant system: general antioxidant activity (p = 0.003), thiolic state (p = 0.05), but also considerable improvement of general state and performance.
188-190 586
Abstract
All countries are faced with the problem of the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCD): implement prevention strategies eff ectively, keep up the momentum with long term benefi ts at the individual and the population level, at the same time tackling hea lth inequalities. Th e aff ordability of therapy and care including innovative therapies is going to be one of the key public health priorities in the years to come. Germany has taken in the prevention and control of NCDs. Germany’s health system has a long history of guaranteeing access to high-quality treatment through universal health care coverage. Th r ough their membership people are entitled to prevention and care services maintaining and restoring their health as well as long term follow-up. Like in many other countries general life expectancy has been increasing steadily in Germany. Currently, the average life expectancy is 83 and 79 years in women and men, respectively. Th e other side of the coin is that population aging is strongly associated with a growing burden of disease from NCDs. Already over 70 percent of all deaths in Germany are caused by four disease entities: cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes. Th ese diseases all share four common risk factors: smoking, alcohol abuse, lack of physical activity and overweight. At the same time, more and more people become long term survivors of disease due to improved therapy and care. Th e German Government and public health decision makers are aware of the need for action and have responded by initiating and implementing a wide spectrum of activities. One instrument by strengthening primary prevention is the Prevention Health Care Act. Its overarching aim is to prevent NCDs before they can manifest themselves by strengthening primary prevention and health promotion in diff erent sett ings. One of the main emphasis of the Prevention Health Care Act is the occupational health promotion at the workplace.

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ISSN 1026-9428 (Print)
ISSN 2618-8945 (Online)