bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Method for Evaluating Exposure to Nitrous Oxides by Application of Lognormal Distribution
Authors: Borjanovic Srdjan S. , Djordjevic Srdjan V. , Vukovic‐Pal Marianne Dj.
Published: February 2008

A Method for Evaluating Exposure to Nitrous Oxides by Application of Lognormal Distribution: S.S. Borjanovic, et al. Department of Work Physiology, Institute of Occupational Health “Dr Dragomir Karajovic”—A lognormal distribution adequately describes exposure to nitrous oxides in a work environment. The aim of this paper was to assign to the measured data a certain degree of variability which defines the interval in which real concentrations can be found with a given probability. Exposures may be evaluated by using estimates of the geometric mean (GM) and the geometric standard deviation (GSD), i.e. central value and dispersion index, to calculate the confidence interval (Cl) around the mean exposure and compare this interval to the occupational exposure limit. The concentration of nitrous oxides (114 random temporal measurements covering all three shifts, during 6 consecutive days) on coated electrode welding in a car manufacturing plant, was determined with colourimetric direct reading method. Statistical analysis (chi‐square and Kolmogorov‐Smirnov goodness of fit tests, lognormal and Gaussian distribution fitting and Q‐G plots) was performed. The distribution of the nitrous oxides concentration in the work environment studied closely resembled that of lognormal distribution. The geometric mean was 4.098 mg/m3, median 4.00 mg/m3, geometric standard deviation 1.829 and 95% confidence interval 3.66‐4.58 mg/m3. It is possible to apply the computed GSD for evaluation of exposure limits to nitrous oxides in any other work environment, even with only a few measurements.
Subchronic Oral Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) Exposure in Male Sprague‐Dawley Rats and Effects on Health of MTBE Exposed Workers*
Authors: Zhou Wei , Ye Shun‐hua
Published: February 2008

Subchronic Oral Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) Exposure in Male Sprague‐Dawley Rats and Effects on Health of MTBE Exposed Workers: Wei Zhou, et al. Department of Environmental Health, Shanghai Medical University—Methyl tertiary‐butyl ether (MTBE) is used to reduce carbon monoxide and ozone in urban air and to boost fuel octane. There are yet no data on the toxicity and health effects of MTBE in China. To evaluate the possible toxicity of domestic MTBE, 40 male, 8‐week‐old Sprague‐Dawley rats, weighing 180‐200 g, were gavaged with different concentrations of MTBE. MTBE, dissolved in soybean oil, was administered at doses of 1000, 600 or 200 mg/kg b.w., and a control group with soybean oil, once daily, five days per week, for 90 days. There were no marked differences in body weight growth and food intake among the 4 groups. The results showed that MTBE significantly increased the weights of liver and kidneys, but the levels of serum enzymes and proteins were not greatly changed. No apparent pathological changes in the main organs (liver, kidneys, testes, and lungs) were found by light microscopy, but electron microscopy analysis showed significant changes in liver cells of all treatment groups, including cell nuclear condensation, fat drops and lysosomes in cells, and smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) dispersion. The effects on the health of 96 MTBE occupationally exposed workers and 102 controls were also investigated by a questionnaire, and we found that workers who reported health complaints in MTBE exposed group (62 cases, 64.6%) were significantly more numerous (Pc.001) than those in the control group (16 cases, 16.7%), and the OR value was 9.80 (95% C.l. is 4.74‐20.53). The most frequently reported symptoms in the exposed group were eye irritation (19.8%), dizziness (18.8%), burning sensation in the nose or throat (17.7%), insomnia (13.5%), nausea or vomiting (13.5%), headache (12.5%), fatigue (12.5%), poor memory (12.5%), irritability (6.3%) and skin irritation or redness (5.2%). The data suggested that MTBE may be toxic to male SD rats at high doses, and MTBE may have harmful effects on exposed workers.
Toxic Effects of Low Level Lead on the Blood‐Brain Barrier in Rats
Authors: Ruan Su‐yun , Gu Zu‐wei
Published: February 2008

Toxic Effects of Low Level Lead on the Blood‐Brain Barrier in Rats: Su‐yun Ruan, et al. Shanghai institute of Labour Hygiene and Occupational Diseases—This study was designed to investigate damage to the permeability and ultrastructure of the blood‐brain barrier caused by low level lead by using Lanthanum nitrate tracing and to explore the blood and the brain lead threshold level which induced such damage. The results showed that there was no obvious damage to the blood‐brain barrier in the 10 mg/L lead exposure group when the blood lead level reached 1.67 times as high as that in the control group, and the brain lead level was not much higher than that in the control group. But in the 30 mg/ L lead exposure group, when the blood and brain lead levels reached 2.46 and 1.34 times that in the control group, respectively, lanthanum granules seeped into the base membrane and pericytes through the space between neighbouring endotheliocytes. The results suggested that the damage in close junctions between endotheliocytes was an early and easily observable brain marker of exposure to low level lead. In animal experimentals the lanthanum nitrate tracing technique with cardiac flush fixation is a sensitive and effective method for revealing changes in the permeability of the blood‐brain barrier. It can be used in experiments on lead or other toxic environmental pollutants affecting the blood‐brain barrier, and also in observing the effects of new preventive and therapeutic medicaments.
Program of Exercise Training as Total Health Promotion Plan and its Evaluation
Authors: Fukahori Masaru , Aono Hiroshi , Saito Isao , Ikebe Toshiko , Ozawa Hideki
Published: February 2008

Program of Exercise Training as Total Health Promotion Plan and its Evaluation: Masaru Fukahori, et al. Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Oita Medical University—As part of a Total Health Promotion Plan (THP) at the workplace, quantitative exercise on the basis of the maximum heart rate (HRmax) on a treadmill was continued for six months and the possible relationship with lipid metabolism was evaluated. Subjects were 108 male workers selected from among 1,300 employees of a petroleum complex, having two or more risk factors for circulatory disorders including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity and hyperglycemia confirmed by annual health checkups at the workplace in 1996 and being able to take exercise. They were randomly assigned to one exercise group (54 men) and one control group (54 men). The exercise group was instructed to take 20 minutes' walking exercise on a treadmill, three times a week for six months. The speed of the treadmill was set so that the heart rate while walking would be maintained within the range 70‐75% of the HRmax. After six months' exercise, decreases in the waist‐hip ratio (WHR) and significant increases in HDL‐ and HDL2 cholesterol (HDL2C) were seen in the exercise group. The HDL2C/HDL3 cholesterol ratio increased in the exercise group, and decreased in the control group, but no effect in improving total cholesterol was observed, Furthermore, in the exercise group an increase was noted in the adaptive walking speed at which the walking in the 70‐75% HRmax range could be continued. In the present study a 6‐month exercise program with the heart rate as an index was proposed as a part of THP. As a result, the exercise group were found to have increases in HDLC and HDL2C, which are known to have an anti‐arteriosclerotic action. In addition to these effects on serum lipids, the exercise program proved to be effective in increasing adaptive walking speed and in lowering WHR.
Recent Trends in Homepages of Occupational Health Journals on the Internet
Authors: Kamibeppu Yuki , Takahashi Ken , Gotoh Yoshiaki , Higashi Toshiaki
Published: February 2008

Recent Trends in Homepages of Occupational Health Journals on the Internet: Yuki Kamibeppu, et al. Department of Public and Occupational Health Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health—The usefulness of homepages (HP) of twelve occupational health journals including the Journal of Occupational Health was assessed by using the HP of the British Medical Journal as the “gold standard”. There was a wide range of available information and functions for the HP of the ten occupational health journals with URL addresses. Basic information such as instruction to authors and table of contents was provided in most journals, but few journals provided innovative functions such as access to full texts. There is room for improvement in HPs of most occupational health journals to serve as a convenient tool and source of information for the relevant professionals.
Toxicokinetic Modeling of the Combined Exposure to Toluene and n‐Hexane in Rats and Humans
Authors: Ali Nabeel , Tardif Robert
Published: February 2008

Toxicokinetic Modeling of the Combined Exposure to Toluene and n‐Hexane in Rats and Humans: Nabeel Ali, et al. Département de médecine du travail et d'hygiène du milieu, Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal—We studied the toxicokinetic fate of toluene (TOL) and n‐hexane (HEX) in rats exposed to mixtures of these solvents by inhalation during 4 hours. We developed and validated a physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) model for this binary mixture in the rat, which after proper scaling, was used to predict the impact of combined exposure to TOL and HEX in humans. Simultaneous exposure to TOL (125‐300 ppm) did not affect the kinetics of HEX (100 or 800 ppm) in blood in rats. Coexposure to HEX, however, increased the concentration of TOL in blood. Coexposure strongly reduced the urinary excretion of 2,5‐hexanedione (HD) (up to 75% reduction for TOL 300 ppm + HEX 100 ppm) whereas the urinary excretion of HA and o‐CR were reduced to a lesser extent (up to 28% reduction for TOL 200 ppm + HEX 100 ppm). Simulations of exposure to various TOL‐HEX mixtures with the human PBTK model suggested that at concentration corresponding to their respective exposure limit values (TOL: 50 ppm; HEX: 50 ppm) coexposure during 7 hours would result in only slight effects on their respective kinetics. This study showed 1) that exposure indicators such as the blood concentration of unchanged TOL and HEX or the amount of their respective urinary metabolite(s) are not equally sensitive to the occurrence of a metabolic interaction and, 2) that such difference of sensitivity can be predicted a priori using a PBTK modeling approach.
The Incidence of Hyperuricemia and Correlated Factors in Middle‐Aged Japanese Men
Authors: Nakanishi Noriyuki , Nakamura Koji , Suzuki Kenji , Tatara Kozo
Published: February 2008

The Incidence of Hyperuricemia and Correlated Factors in Middle‐Aged Japanese Men: Noriyuki Nakanishi,et al. Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Course of Social Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine F2—To identify the factors responsible for increases in serum uric acid (SUA), 1,346 hyperuricemia‐free (less than 7.5 mg/d/of SUA and no medication for hyperuricemia or hypertension) Japanese male office workers aged 30 to 53 yr were followed up for seven successive years with annual examinations, with an average period of observation of 6.4 yr with a standard deviation of 1.6 yr. Subjects who were found to have become hyperuricemic (SUA levels of 7.5 mg/d/ or more) or who started medication for hyperuricemia during repeat survey were defined as incidence cases. An analysis by means of the Kaplan‐Meier method showed that the incidence of hyperuricemia increased significantly with increases in the body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride level, SUA level, total protein level, white blood cell level, and alcohol intake. From the age‐adjusted analysis with the Cox proportional hazards model, the total cholesterol level and hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c) level emerged as significant positive and negative factors for the incidence of hyperuricemia, respectively. Multivariate analysis, excluding the SUA level as a factor in the Cox proportional hazards model, indicated that the BMI, Log triglyceride level, white blood cell level, and alcohol intake were significantly positively associated with the incidence of hyperuricemia. On the other hand, age and the HbA1clevel were significantly inversely associated with the incidence of hyperuricemia. When the SUA level was included as a factor in the model, BMI and alcohol intake remained as independent factors. Furthermore, the white blood cell level was identified as marginally significant for the incidence of hyperuricemia (p=0.064). In conclusion, obesity and alcohol intake were determined to be independent predictors for the development of hyperuricemia. In addition, the white blood cell level may be a contributory factor.
Use of Urinary PAH Metabolites to Assess PAH Exposure Intervention among Coke Oven Workers
Authors: Cho Soo‐Hun , Kang Daehee , Kang Jong‐Won , Ju Yeong‐Su , Sung Joohon , Lee Cheol‐Koo , Lee Song‐Kwon , Lee Young‐Sei , Strickland Paul T.
Published: February 2008

Use of Urinary PAH Metabolites to Assess PAH Exposure Intervention among Coke Oven Workers: Soo‐Hun Cho, et al. Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Institute of Environmental Medicine, SNUMRC—To assess the effectiveness of protective skin coveralls in reducing skin contamination among coke‐oven workers, 1‐hydroxypyrene glucuronide (1‐OHPG) was used as an internal dose marker of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure. Twenty coke‐oven workers at a steel plant in South Korea provided their first morning void urine samples before beginning work, as well as postshift urine samples after working for five days with regular skin protection. Pre‐ and postshift urine samples from the same workers were collected after new skin coveralls made from Tyvek® had been worn during the week following regular skin protection. Urine samples were quantitated for 1‐OHPG by immunoaffinity purification and HPLC with a fluorescence detector. The benzene‐soluble fraction (BSF) of coke oven emissions (COE) in personal air samples from the 20 workers was also quantitated. To obtain information relating to smoking, job history, dietary habits, drug use, past medical history, and the use of personal protective equipment, a self‐administered questionnaire was used. The mean age of study participants was 39.7 yr and the average length of employment was 12 yr (11 months ‐18 yr). In 20 workers, there was a statistically significant correlation between ambient COE and urinary 1 ‐OHPG levels during the period of regular skin protection (r=0.50, p<0.05). The difference in 1‐OHPG levels between post‐ and preshift urine samples using regular skin protection was higher than when the new skin coveralls were worn. Although this was not statistically significant, there was a statistically significant difference in 1‐OHPG among topside workers (p<0.05). These results indicate that the introduction of the new skin coverall resulted in significant reductions of urinary PAH metabolites among workers exposed to higher levels of PAHs. The measurement of PAH metabolites in human urine appears to be ideally suited to biomonitoring in the workplace and testing the effectiveness of attempts to reduce PAH exposure.
Industrial Health Service Scheme in Korea
Authors: Goung Yun Im
Published: February 2008

Industrial Health Service Scheme in Korea: Yun Im Goung, Korean Industrial Health Association—The industrial health service scheme was officially started with the passing of the Industrial Safety and Health Act (1981), even though the Labour Standard Law was enforced at 1954. On the other hand, the health service for workers had been carried out from 1963 at the civilian level led by medical doctors who were interested in the health of workers in Korea. During the period from 1954 to 1981 before the establishment of this act(1981), the Labour Standard Law and Industrial Accident Compensation and Insurance Act(1963) had mainly covered such benefits as medical and disability care for industrial accidents and occupational diseases. Thereafter, the enforcement of this act (1981) placed the responsibility for health services for workers on employers of more than 5 workers, and also the industrial health service scheme was considerably revised in 1990 and has been in force to the present. There are now 46 provincial offices under the Ministry of Labour and these offices designate the institutes of special health examination, which have the ability to confirm occupational diseases, do industrial environmental monitoring and perform vicarious health management. There are now 94 institutes for special health examination, and industrial environmental monitoring, and 71 vicarious health management institutes.
Realization of Workers' Health Promotion Services under the Umbrella of the National Health Promotion System of Korea
Authors: Yum Yong‐Tae
Published: February 2008

Realization of Workers' Health Promotion Services under the Umbrella of the National Health Promotion System of Korea: Yong‐Tae Yum, Institute for Environmental Health, Korea University—Since the Ottawa Charter (1986), Health Promotion (H.P.) activities have spread worldwide. The Republic of Korea is not exceptional. In 1995, the H.P. Law was launched and service activities were started. However, H.P. at worksites in terms of occupational health services has been operating since 1960. The backbone of the national H.P. System in Korea was not very different from that of Japan and other countries. It included out‐door exercise, periodic health check‐ups, indoor exercise, gymnastic exercise, fitness programs, nutritional education, drinking cessation, smoking cessation, and other health counseling. For worksite H.P., special concern was given to periodic check‐ups which comprised of both common and occupational diseases. In addition, periodic inspections of work environments were another major task of H.P. for workers. The last area of H.P. can be categorized as counseling and education collectively. Counseling and education activity for workers of medium and small scale enterprises where the number of workers is less than 300 is carried out by the Health Care Supporting Agency (HCSA) which is composed of 12 occupational health centers belonging to the Korean Industrial Health Association and other private agents. Strategies of health care supporting services of HCSA should be adopted in the future national plan of workers' health promotion in Korea. HP copied from THP of Japan is not suitable for Korea at all.
Bio‐Psycho‐Socio‐Ecological Risk Factors for Legionella Infection among Japanese 24‐Hour Hot Water Bath Users and Non‐Users
Authors: Irie Masahiro , Miyamoto Hiroshi , Nagata Shoji , Ikeda Masato , Yoshida Shin‐ichi
Published: February 2008

Bio‐Psycho‐Socio‐Ecological Risk Factors for Legionella Infection among Japanese 24‐Hour Hot Water Bath Users and Non‐Users: Masahiro Irie, et al. Department of Mental Health, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health—The purpose of this study was to examine the risk of Legionella pneumophila (Lp) infection due to the use of a 24‐h hot water bath (24HHWB), which is popular for bathing in Japan because of its water conservation through the use of recycled bath water, and to investigate other possible factors that may be associated with Legionella infection. The risk of anti‐Lp serum antibody formation associated with the 24HHWB use and various bio‐psycho‐socio‐ecological factors was estimated based on the logistic model among 204 employees (161 men, 43 women) who were either 24HHWB users or non‐users. There was a significantly higher rate of anti ‐Legionella antibody titers (≧ 8) in the 24HHWB users than in the non‐users, particularly against Lp serogroup (SG) 5 (odds ratio, 16.3; 95% Cl, 2.1‐126.5; p<0.01) and Lp SG 6 (odds ratio, 2.9; 95% Cl, 1.3‐6.5; p<0.01). However, most of the titers were <64, and no clinical cases of Legionnaires' disease among the 24HHWB users were found. No significant correlations were observed between the duration of the 24HHWB use and the increased antibody titers. The impossibility of relieving stress, a decrease in age, the use of artificial marble bathtubs, and a decrease in the bathing frequency per week were also related to the increased antibody titers against Lp SG 6 (odds ratio, 5.9; 95% Cl, 1.6‐22.1; p<0.01), Lp SG 3 (odds ratio, 0.9; 95% Cl, 0.8‐1.0; p <0.01:odds ratio, 10.5; 95% Cl, 1.4‐76.9; p<0.05), and Lp SG 1 (odds ratio, 1.9; 95% Cl, 1.2‐3.2; p<0.05), respectively. The anti‐Legionella antibodies were considered to be IgM dominant, because most of the antibodies were sensitive to 2‐mercaptoethanol treatment. In conclusion, the use of a 24HHWB was associated with Legionella sensitization, but not with clinically apparent legionellosis. Psychological, environmental, and lifestyle factors also seemed to have causal relations to antibody formation.
The Effect of Silica Dust on Ventilatory Function of Foundry Workers
Authors: Koo Jung Wan , Chung Chee Kyung , Park Chung Yill , Lee Se‐Hoon , Lee Kang‐Sook , Roh Young‐Man , Yim Hyeon Woo
Published: February 2008

The Effect of Silica Dust on Ventilatory Function of Foundry Workers: Jung Wan Koo, et al. Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea—In order to study the exposure level of silica dust and the effects of silica dust on ventilatory function, respirable dust samples were collected with personal air samplers by means of NIOSH method 0500 in selected foundry operations, and ventilatory function tests were performed on 209 male foundry workers and 239 male control subjects. The average quartz concentrations of respirable dust were the highest in melting (0.079 mg/m3) and followed by molding (0.051 mg/m3), finishing (0.041 mg/m3) and coremaking (0.023 mg/m3) in descending order. No significant differences in mean values for all ventilatory indices expressed as a percentage of the predicted value were demonstrated between smokers and nonsmokers in foundry workers and control subjects. Mean values for all ventilatory indices except FVC in foundry workers were significantly lower than those in control subjects. Mean values for FEV1%, MMF, FEF25, FEF50 and FEF75 expressed as a percentage of the predicted value tended to decrease with increasing cumulative dust exposure. In foundry workers, proportions of workers with low MMF, FEF50 and FEF75 were noticeably higher than those for other indices, and were significantly increased with increasing cumulative dust exposure. With the above considerations in mind, it suggested that increasing exposure to silica dust be associated with progressive deterioration in ventilatory function of an obstructive nature and that MMF, FEF50 and FEF75 be sensitive indices in the detection of early obstructive changes in air flow of workers exposed to silica dust.
Effects of Mercury Vapour Exposure at Low Concentrations on Urinary Activity of N‐Acetyl‐Beta‐D‐Glucosaminidase
Authors: Ishihara Nobuo
Published: February 2008

Effects of Mercury Vapour Exposure at Low Concentrations on Urinary Activity of N‐Acetyl‐Beta‐D‐Glucosaminidase: Nobuo Ishihara. Research Centre for Occupational Disease, Tohoku Rosai Hospital—Effects of exposure to mercury vapour less than 0.02 mg Hg/m3 on urinary N‐Acetyl‐beta‐D‐glucosaminidase (NAG) activity were studied in seven Japanese workers from 1991 to 1997. According to the record of periodical medical examinations they have been engaged in mercury work since 1987 at the latest. Mercury concentrations in urine, plasma, erythrocytes, and hair and the urinary protein concentration did not change significantly during the course of the study. Urinary NAG activity, however, increased significantly in 1996 notwithstanding the absence of the significant correlations between NAG activity and mercury concentrations in urine and plasma, and the increased NAG level was maintained up to 1997. All of the present subjects were less than 57 years old in 1997. The effect of aging on urinary NAG activity was therefore excluded, and the increase in urinary NAG activity should be due to the occupational mercury vapour exposure. As in the case of mercury concentrations in blood, urinary NAG activity also should be one of the useful indicators of renal effects of mercury so long as data for before work and/ or just after the start of mercury work are available.
Log‐Normality of Air Contaminants and Its Hidden Characteristics Useful for Industrial Hygiene Technology
Authors: Koizumi Akio , Katahtra Masayuki , Sekiguchi Takeshi , Shiota Yasunobu
Published: February 2008

Log‐Normality of Air Contaminants and Its Hidden Characteristics Useful for Industrial Hygiene Technology: Akio Koizumi, et al. Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, Kyoto University—It is well known that concentrations of contaminants in the air fluctuate log‐normally, but there has been no mathematical model that can describe the stochastic nature of this. In the present study we constructed a stochastic model that can describe log‐normal distribution of the air contaminantion in workplaces. The so‐called Ito‐process can describe the log‐normality of the stochastic nature of the air contaminants by using two parameters: ventilation performance and random release of contaminants from the source. We also derived a theorem from the model. It indicates that splitting the source into small independent compartments decreases randomness and thereby reduces exposure intensity. The reduction of randomness of contaminant release is considered to be as effective as improvement of ventilation performance in reducing workers' exposure.
Biological Monitoring of Benzene in Residents Living near Petrochemical Industrial Areas in Korea
Authors: Choi Yoonho , Shin Dongchun , Park Seongeun , Chung Yong , Kim Myungsoo
Published: February 2008

Biological Monitoring of Benzene in Residents living near Petrochemical Industrial Areas: Yoonho Choi, et al. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Yonsei University, Korea—Residents who live near petrochemical industrial areas risk exposure to a variety of petrochemicals, including benzene and benzene‐containing liquids. It is a serious concern because benzene is a human carcinogen naturally present in petroleum and gasoline. The aim of this study was to assess the exposure to benzene, measured by personal/indoor/outdoor air sampling, and to estimate the relationship between the air samples and biological monitoring data. Through biological monitoring, we investigated s‐phenylmercapturic acid (s‐PMA), minor urinary metabolites of benzene, and benzene in blood. The external benzene exposure of 115 subjects was measured with passive dosimeters and urinary s‐PMA and blood‐benzene were determined by GC/MS. The mean concentration of benzene in the breathing zone of residents was 6.3 μg/m3, slightly higher than indoor or outdoor concentrations. Personal, indoor and outdoor concentrations of benzene were significantly correlated to each other. s‐PMA was affected by personal exposure (p<0.05) and was differed according to age (p<0.01) and residence time (p<0.05). Blood benzene was not affected by external benzene during these periods.
Strength and Perceived Exertion in Isometric and Dynamic Lifting with Three Different Hand Locations
Authors: Ando Shoko , Ono Yuichiro , Shimaoka Midori , Hiruta Shuichi , Hattort Yoji , Hori Fumiko , Imaeda Toshihiko , Takeuchi Yasuhiro
Published: February 2008

Strength and Perceived Exertion in Isometric and Dynamic Lifting with Three Different Hand Locations: Shoko Ando, et al. Nagoya University School of Health Sciences—The dynamic and isometric strength and physical stress in symmetric and asymmetric lifting were measured with some common pairs of hand locations and a pair of clearly defined foot positions. In the experiment, eleven healthy male students were required to lift a small box attached to the arm of a dynamometer. The size of the box was 29 cm long, 24.5 cm wide and 23 cm high, and it weighed 10 kg. Both hands were located at three different positions on the box; the two handles near the upper edges of the box gripped with the hands (Handle type), the bottom on either side (Bottom type), and the left lower proximal corner and the right upper distal corner (Oblique type). The dynamic and isometric forces at the three hand locations were significantly different, and the least values were observed in the Oblique type irrespective of the lifting angle. Perceived exertions on the category scale (CR‐10) for the left arm were very high in Oblique type lifting with any combination of height and symmetry during dynamic lifting. Therefore the burden of Oblique type lifting was thought to be greater than in the other two types of lifting, if workers are ordered to handle a box in otherwise identical conditions. In dynamic lifting Handle type lifting was thought to be the best among the three types.
A Linear Pharmacokinetic Model Predicts Usefulness of N‐Methyl‐2‐Pyrrolidone (NMP) in Plasma or Urine as a Biomarker for Biological Monitoring for NMP Exposure
Authors: E Xiaofei , Wada Yasuhiko , Nozaki Jun‐ichi , Miyauchi Hiroyuki , Tanaka Shigeru , Seki Yukio , Koizumi Akio
Published: February 2008

A Linear Pharmacokinetic Model Predicts Usefulness of N‐Methyl‐2‐Pyrrolidone (NMP) in Plasma or Urine as a Biomarker for Biological Monitoring for NMP Exposure: Xiaofei E, et al. Department of Hygiene, Akita University School of Medicine—N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP: C5H9NO:CAS number 872‐50‐4) is an increasingly used solvent due to the lack of ozone depleting activity. The aim of this study is to construct a simple pharmacokinetic model for NMP. In factory A, four workers who were exposed to NMP at 0.09‐0.69 ppm for 12 h by time weighted average (TWA) were followed up for an entire workweek. Their NMP concentrations in plasma and urine were monitored during the observation period. Five volunteers were exposed to NMP during the observation of workers in the factory A for eight hours. NMP kinetics in plasma and urine were monitored for 2 d after exposure. Concentrations of NMP in plasma and urine as standardized by creatinine concentrations were used to construct a one compartment pharmacokinetic model. The model successfully simulated the kinetics in four workers and five volunteers. In the next step, the model was applied to eight workers in another factory: they were exposed to NMP for 12 h at 0.04 to 0.59 ppm by TWA. The model could successfully predict kinetics of NMP levels in plasma and urine at the end of work. The model was then applied to experimental exposure cases in the literature. The model successfully predicted the concentrations of NMP in plasma and urine at the exposure intensity level of 12 ppm x 8 h. These results imply that metabolic saturation does not occur up to the exposure intensity of 12 ppm x 8 h and demonstrate the usefulness of determinations of NMP in plasma and urine for biological monitoring.
Neurophysiological Changes in Rats Subchronically Treated with Styrene or Its Metabolites
Authors: Misumi Junichi , Nagano Megumi , Zhao Wenyuan , Aoki Kazuo
Published: February 2008

Neurophysiological Changes in Rats Subchronically Treated with Styrene or Its Metabolites: Junichi Misumi, et al. Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Oita Medical University—The purpose of this study was to clarify the causative agent(s) in the peripheral neuropathy induced by styrene. Styrene 600 or 300, and its metabolites; hippuric acid 600 or 300; mandelic acid 300; styrene oxide 100; mg/kg were subcutaneously injected into rats for 10 to 12 wk. The changes in maximum sensory conduction velocity (SCV), maximum motor conduction velocity (MCV), and motor distal latency (DL) in the rat's tail nerve were tested. Compared with the control group, decreases in MCV, SCV, and an increase in DL were observed in the rats injected with styrene 600, styrene oxide 100 and mandelic acid 300 mg/kg. No significant changes were found in the rats treated with hippuric acid 300 or 600 mg/kg. The MCV and SCV values in the styrene oxide 100 and mandelic acid 300 mg/kg groups were significantly lower, and DL values were significantly longer than those in the styrene 600 mg/kg group. It is presumed that the neuropathy caused by styrene is related to the neurotoxicity of its intermediate metabolites, namely mandelic acid and styrene oxide. It appears that the neurotoxicity of mandelic acid needs to be further evaluated in styrene‐produced neuropathy.
Prevalence of Skin Damage in Health Care Workers
Authors: Kralj Nenad , Michaelis Martina , Hofmann Friedrich
Published: February 2008

Prevalence of Skin Damage in Health Care Workers: Nenad Kralj, et al. Department of Occupational Physiology, Occupational Medicine and Infection Prevention, University of Wuppertal, Faculty of Occupational Security—Occupational skin disease (OSD) is the most common occupational hazard in industrial countries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate skin damage prevalence in health care workers (HCWs) obtained in two surveys (1988 and 1995). Employees of Freiburg University Hospital (Germany, 1,900 beds, 7,000 staff members; study S1: 1988, n=3899; study S2: 1995, n=4013) answered our self‐administered questionnaire during the regular yearly medical examination. 409 persons were included in both study populations. Skin problems were found in 507 (13%) persons in S1 and 485 (12.1%) in S2, respectively. The skin damage prevalence in employees examined in both studies was 15.6% (S1) and 14.9% (S2), respectively. The prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers did not differ significantly between persons with and without OSD.
Study of the Career Factors Determining the Research Results of Enterprise Researchers: Comparison of Two Career Stages
Authors: Nishimura Junichi , Sato Yuriko , Suzuki Shosuke
Published: February 2008

Study of the Career Factors Determining the Research Results of Enterprise Researchers: Comparison of Two Career Stages: Junichi Nishimura, et al. Department of Psychology and Education, Tokyo Kasei University—The purpose of this study is to discuss the types of results of studies conducted by enterprise researchers and their differences according to generation as well as to divide the subjects into two groups, one group less than 40 years old (younger group) and the other 40 or more years old (elder group), comparing the career factors which determine the research results of both groups. For this purpose, we mailed a questionnaire to a total of 3,485 researchers from 83 companies selected by enterprise size from the Japanese pharmaceutical companies list. Among them, 1,067 people from 37 companies answered. We obtained the following results by analyzing the achievements in the last three years of 669 males who had been working for four or more years in the same company. (1) The factor analysis revealed that the research results could be divided into two types: the product development performance (PDP) and the research performance (RP). The two types of results showed a weak correlation with each other. (2) In PDP there was no difference according to generation. RP increased from the twenties to the forties, and thereafter it was stable. (3) The multiple regression analysis indicated that the promotional effect of “interaction with people from different industries “ on PDP was developed in both the younger and elder groups. On the other hand, the encouragement effect of “expectation from the company” was only observed in the elder group. (4) The encouragement effect of “doctoral degrees”, “number of academic society memberships” and “presence of company research reports” on RP was observed in both groups. On the other hand, whereas the promotional effect of “communication with other societies' members” was only observed in the younger group, that of “personal networks not possessed by others”, “expertise not possessed by others” and “current occupational satisfaction” was only detected in the elder group.
Ventilatory Response to Carbon Dioxide during Moderate Exercise
Authors: Takahashi Masayoshi , Mano Yoshihiro , Shibayama Masaharu , Yamami Nobuo
Published: February 2008

Ventilatory Response to Carbon Dioxide during Moderate Exercise: Masayoshi Takahashi, et al. National Institute for Resources and Environment—Elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration is one of the most important physiological stressors with closed‐circuit breathing‐apparatus (CCBA). We determined the ventilatory response to CO2 during moderate exercise by measuring the relationship between VE and PETCO2. Based on our findings, it is recommended that the permissible inhaled CO2 limit for CCBA in the Japan Industrial Standard (JIS) be lowered from 3% to 2%, and that the members of a rescue or fire fighter team who use CCBA be selected on the basis of their ventilatory sensitivity to CO2.
Utilization of Laboratory Tests of a Gingival Crevicular Sample in an Occupational Periodontal Care System: A Pilot Study
Authors: Hanioka Takashi , Kishimoto Mikako , Takaya Keiko , Tanaka Muneo , Matsumori Yukiko , Matsuse Ryoichi , Iwata Kiyoharu , Shizukuishi Satoshi
Published: February 2008

Utilization of Laboratory Tests of a Gingival Crevicular Sample in an Occupational Periodontal Care System: A Pilot Study: Takashi Hanioka, et al. Department of Preventive Dentistry, Osaka University Faculty of Dentistry—Periodontal disease leads to tooth loss in workers during their later life. Workers tend not only to be unaware of the disease but also pay transient attention to their periodontal health. Therefore a variety of information on periodontal health is requested for an occupational health promotion systems, in addition to the conventional screening approaches for periodontal disease. Subgingival plaque and gingival crevicular fluid include biological materials that pose a microbial challenge and affect the host response. The aims of this pilot study were to examine whether the gingival crevicular samples obtained from workers could be tested in bulk at a laboratory, and whether the biological markers in the samples could provide information in addition to a conventional screening approach. A total of 182 periodontal sites were assessed in 96 workers by means of the Community Periodontal Index and 10 laboratory tests. Significant relationships were found between the periodontal variables and the parameters of the laboratory test. Principal component analysis revealed four components of the laboratory tests apart from conventional periodontal variables. Explanations given for the components were serum exudate and bleeding, neutrophil, periodontal pathogen and tissue destruction. These findings indicated that laboratory tests of gingival crevicular samples offer information in addition to that obtained by means of the conventional screening approach.
Mortality and Causes of Death among Japanese School Personnel between 1992 and 1996
Authors: Tanaka Hideo , Nishio Nobuhiro , Murakami Eiki , Mukai Mikio , Kinoshita Noriko , Mori Ippei
Published: February 2008

Mortality and Causes of Death among Japanese School Personnel between 1992 and 1996: Hideo Tanaka, et al . Department of Cancer Control and Statistics, Osaka Medical Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases—To examine mortality among Japanese school personnel working at primary and secondary schools, we studied mortality among members of the Mutual Aid Association of Public School Teachers (MAPST) aged 20 to 59 yr working at a primary or secondary school in six prefectures in Japan in 1992‐1996 (membership, approximately 180,000/yr). The observed number of deaths during the study period was obtained from the file of deceased members kept at the MAPST. The cause of death was determined by examining the death benefit application submitted by bereaved families. The sex‐ and‐cause‐specific mortality was examined by using age‐adjusted standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) in comparison with the general population, all workers, or professional and technical workers (peer group). During the study period, 719 deaths occurred. The male school personnel had a significantly lower risk of mortality from all causes than the general population [SMR: 0.45,95% confidence interval (95%CI)=0.41‐0.49], all workers (SMR: 0.61, 95%CI=0.56‐0.67), and the peer group (SMR: 0.70, 95%CI=0.64‐0.77). The female school personnel had a significantly lower risk of mortality from all causes than the general population (SMR: 0.46, 95%C 1=0.40‐0.53), and all workers (SMR: 0.81, 95%CI=0.71‐0.93), but the difference from the peer group was not statistically significant (SMR: 0.93, 95%CI=0.82‐1.07). Lower mortality in school personnel compared with the three populations was observed from all cancers (SMR: male,0.54‐0.68; female, 0.54‐0.93), heart diseases (SMR: male, 0.60‐0.94; female, 0.30‐0.90), cerebrovascular diseases (SMR: male, 0.33‐0.50; female, 0.31‐0.61), and suicide (SMR: male, 0.36‐0.68; female, 0.42‐0.91). These findings indicate that Japanese school personnel working at a primary or secondary school had only half the mortality of the general population in both sexes. The causes of the low mortality among school personnel, including lifestyle factors and work environment, need to be studied to develop health promotion activities for other occupational employees in Japan.
Night‐Shift Work Related Problems in Young Female Nurses in Japan
Authors: Ohida Takashi , Kamal AMM , Sone Tomofumi , Ishii Toshihiro , Uchiyama Makoto , Minowa Masumi , Nozaki Sadahiko
Published: February 2008

Night‐Shift Work Related Problems in Young Female Nurses in Japan: Takashi Ohida, et al . Department of Public Health Administration, National Institute of Public Health—Background: The relationship of night‐shift work to sleep problems and work performance was examined in young female nurses in 11 hospitals in Japan. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted by means of anonymous self‐administered questionnaires, carried out in July 1999. Subjects were 620 female nurses (Average age: 23.9) who started their careers in April 1997 and continued working in the same hospitals for two years and three months until the time of the survey. A questionnaire consisting mainly of items concerning sleep disorders from the Japanese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was distributed to the subjects. Results: Significant associations were observed between working on night shift and the use of alcoholic beverages to help induce sleep, and between working on night shift and daytime drowsiness. Significant differences were also observed between two and three‐shift systems with regard to subjective sleep quality. Moreover, average hours of sleep were significantly associated with three related sleep items: subjective sleep quality, difficulty in getting to sleep, and daytime drowsiness. Conclusion: Results suggest that in Japanese shift‐work systems, sufficient sleep hours are needed for nurses who work night shift to ensure good quality of sleep and consequently better services for patients.
An Investigation of Symptoms in Ethylene Oxide Sterilization Workers in Hospitals
Authors: Yahata Katsuya , Fujishiro Kazuya , Hort Hajime , Higashi Toshiaki
Published: February 2008

An Investigation of Symptoms In Ethylene Oxide Sterilization Workers in Hospitals: Katsuya Yahata,et al. The Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, The University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan—We investigated the frequency of particular symptoms reported during daily sterilization work with ethylene oxide (EO). By means of a self‐administered questionnaire we received 287 replies from 66 institutions where sterilization work was performed, (148 used EO, and 139 used other substances). In these two groups, complaints such as stiff shoulders (19.2%), low back pain (13.9%), and skin burning (13.2%) were frequently reported. When we compared the EO sterilization workers with other workers by means of Fisher's exact test, significant differences were observed among the cases of diarrhea, headache, dullness, sore throat and eye irritation. We also investigated some safety and health management factors that suggested correlations with the manifestation of these symptoms.
Natural Killer Cell Activity and its Related Psychological Factor, Sense of Coherence in Male Smokers
Authors: Nakamura Hiroyuki , Ogawa Yukie , Nagase Hirofumi , Nakajima Madoka , Kodama Norio , Ogino Keiki , Ooshita Yoshiko
Published: February 2008

Natural Killer Cell Activity and its Related Psychological Factor, Sense of Coherence in Male Smokers: Hiroyuki Nakamura, et al. Department of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University—Sense of Coherence (SOC), a candidate for a mediating stress factor, is studied in the framework of Antonovsky's salutogenesis paradigm, which emphasizes the origin of health. Emotional stress is associated with a decrease in cellular immune function including natural killer cell activity (NKCA). The purpose of this study was to clarify the involvement of SOC and smoking behavior in cellular immunity including NKCA. The author performed a psychological questionnaire and examined NKCA and NK cell subsets in 125 men (45.1 ± 7.88 yr, mean ± SD) engaged in office work. The psychosocial factors included SOC and health locus of control (HLC) as well as perceived life stress and life style. SOC and smoking status was recognized to affect NKCA as well as CD57+CD16+. A higher SOC and never smoking significantly contributed to a higher level of NKCA. In subjects with a higher SOC, NKCA in never and ex‐smokers were significantly higher than those in present smokers, whereas in subjects with a lower SOC, NKCA only in never smokers was significantly higher than that in present smokers. There were no significant differences in the stress index, alcohol obesity, or HLC among smoking status. SOC showed a moderately negative relationship with life stress. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that SOC and smoking were significantly correlated to NKCA and CD57+CD16+, independently of other psychosocial variables, suggesting salutogenic contributions of SOC. SOC may be an important psychological modifier in determining the relationship between cellular immunity and smoking cessation. The reduced NKCA with lower SOC in present smokers, whose association seems to be produced not through daily life stress, must be dealt with as an occupational mental health problem.