Moral Reasons for Atheism

Richard Dawkins (Dawkins, 2007.) , Russ Shafer – Landau (Shafer – Landau, 2007.), David Dennett (Dennett, 2009.) samo su neki od filozofa sadašnjice koji se dugi niz godina bave pitanjem morala i njegove neovisnosti od Boga. Naime, gledajući na moral kao fenomen neovisan od Boga i Njegova postojanja, dovelo je do pobune od strane teistički nastrojenih filozofa koji zagovaraju Teoriju Božje zapovijedi i nužnosti Božjeg postojanja za postojanje morala. Svaki od gore navedenih autora pokušava nam u svojim djelima ukazati na jednu bitnu stavku - bez religije se može živjeti moralan i sretan život jer moral ne ovisi o Bogu, koji po njima sudeći ne postoji, već je moral naša prirodna adaptacija za život u društvu. Takva sociološka adaptacija, nužna je, naime, iz razloga da se izbjegnu neredi i nesklad među ljudima, a zakoni su tu da nas štite i reguliraju naše ponašanje ukoliko postoje oni „moralno hendikepirani“. Činjenicom koja prožima kroz sve teističke argumentacije, a to je da je Bog vrhovni zakonodavac koji nam određuje što je dobro, a što loše, pokušava se objasniti nužnost vjere u Boga ukoliko želimo najveću nagradu – Raj. Pokušavajući dovesti „vodu na svoj mlin“, teisti se služe raznim i lažnim argumentima

Zdravstveni nadzor nad osobama profesionalno izloženima niskim koncentracijama benzena

The paper presents the results of an investigation of haematotoxicity in workers exposed to low benzene concentrations. Forty-seven female workers in the shoemaking industry, exposed to solvent mixture and twenty-seven non-exposed controls were examined. Benzene concentrations in the working atmosphere ranged from 1.9 to 14.8 ppm. Significant differences in the levels of benzene in blood and phenols in pre- and post-shift urine between the exposed and control groups confirmed benzene exposure. Haemoglobin level and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were significantly lower, and mean corpuscular volume was higher in the shoemaking workers than in controls. In the subgroup of shoemaking workers exposed to benzene concentrations of 5 ppm or lower, no differences in haematological parameters were found. In conclusion, exposure to a benzene concentration lower than 5 ppm does not appear to produce an increased level of abnormal haematological outcomes detectable in routine medical surveillance. The results of the study corroborate the present maximum permissible concentrations (5 ppm) as a protective limit preventing the onset of haematotoxic non-leukemogenic effects of chronic benzene exposure.U zaštiti zdravlja osoba profesionalno izloženih benzenu nuždan je zdravstveni nadzor kojim je moguće otkriti rane pokazatelje oštećenja krvotvornog sustava. U članku su prikazani rezultati ispitivanja krvotvornog sustava u radnica izloženih niskim koncentracijama benzena. U istraživanje je bilo uključeno 47 radnica obućarske industrije i 27 zdravih ženskih osoba. Benzen u zraku radnih prostora iznosio je 1,9-14,8 ppm. Izloženost benzenu potvrđena je značajno višim koncentracijama benzena u krvi i fenola u mokraći prije i poslije radne smjene u radnica obućarske industrije. U njih je nađen niži hemoglobin i srednja koncentracija hemoglobina u eritrocitu te viši srednji volumen eritrocita u usporedbi s osobama poredbene skupine. Međutim, ova odstupanja nisu potvrđena i u skupini radnica obućarske industrije izloženih benzenu ispod 5 ppm. Prema ovim rezultatima, izloženost benzenu koncentracije 5 ppm i niže ne uzrokuje odstupanja koja je moguće utvrditi rutinskim krvnim testovima. To potvrđuje maksimalno dopustivu koncentraciju od 5 ppm benzena kao zaštitnu granicu za sprječavanje hematotoksičnih neleukemogenih učiinaka benzena

Oštećenje vida za boje u radnica izvrgnutih niskim razinama toluena

Colour vision was examined by the Lanthony-D-15 desaturated test in 41 women exposed to toluene and in 29 non-exposed referents. Toluene exposure was evaluated by methods ot environmental and biological monitoring. In the exposed group the median value of toluene in air was 35 ppm (range 11.2-49.9 ppm). Quantitative colour vision impairment was expressed as colour confusion index and colour confusion index corrected for alcohol intake. Qualitative impairment was expressed as normal, yellow-blue, red-green range or complex impairment. Statistical analysis showed the index values to be significantly correlated with age in both groups. In the exposed group they were significantly higher than in the non-exposed group. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of impairment in the blue-yellow range between the examined groups, although the prevalence of impairment in the exposed group was higher than in the non-exposed one. Results suggest that exposure to low toluene concentrations may induce colour vision impairment in women.Desaturacijskim testom Lanthony D-15 ispitivan je vid za boje u 41 radnice izvrgnute prosječnoj koncentraciji toluena u zraku od 35 ppm (raspon 11,2-49,9 ppm) i u 29 radnica kontrolne skupine. Kvalitativni vid za boje izražen je kao indeks pogreške i kao indeks pogreške korigiran za utjecaj alkohola, a kvalitativni vid kao normalan, s oštećenjern u plavo-žutom dijelu spektra ili kao složeno oštećenje. Rezultati su statistički analizirani t-testom i Mann-Whitneyevim U-testom. U obje su ispitivane skupine vrijednosti indeksa pogreške i indeksa pogreške korigiranog za utjecaj alkohola bile značajno povezane s dobi ispitanika. U skupini izloženoj toluenu njihove su vrijednosti bile statistički značajno više (P) nego u kontrolnoj skupini. Nije bilo statistički značajno učestalijeg oštećenja vida u žuto-plavom dijelu spektra. Rezultati upućuju na zaključak da u radnica izvrgnutih niskim koncentracijama toluena indeks pogreške značajno odstupa od očekivanoga, ali da kvalitativno oštećenje vida za boje nije učestalije nego u poredbenoj skupini

STRAIN ANALYSIS IN CROATIAN COMPANIES OVER A TWO-YEAR PERIOD

SAŽETAK: U Hrvatskom zavodu za medicinu rada analizirani su podaci o naporima koji mogu uzrokovati profesionalne bolesti i bolesti vezane uz rad, ovisno o broju zaposlenih u pojedinoj tvrtki i privrednoj grani. Tvrtkama u Republici Hrvatskoj tijekom 2005. i 2006. godine upućen je upitnik o broju zaposlenih, prisutnosti statodinamičkih i psihofizioloških napora u radnim procesima i broju radnika izloženih tim naporima. Specijalisti medicine rada u svojim su izvješćima o pobolu radnika u pojedinim gospodarskim i drugim granama naveli udio radnika oboljelih od bolesti sustava za kretanje u tim istim gospodarskim granama. Za klasificiranje napora na radu korištena je klasifikacija izrađena u Hrvatskom zavodu za medicinu rada koja je u skladu s klasifikacijama radnih opasnosti koje se koriste u Europi, a za analizu pobola deseta revizija Međunarodne klasifikacije bolesti i sličnih stanja. Rezultati rada ukazuju da je čak 81,1% radnika u velikim i 62,5% radnika u malim poduzećima izloženo statodinamičkim naporima. Statičkim naporima izloženo je 53,2% radnika u velikim i 40,2% radnika u malim poduzećima, a dinamičkim 28,9% radnika u velikim i 20,9% radnika u malim poduzećima. Čak je 82,8% svih radnika izloženo psihofiziološkim naporima, od toga 83,8% u velikim i 61,1% u malim poduzećima. Statodinamičkim naporima najčešće su izloženi radnici u građevinarstvu, prerađivačkoj industriji i rudarstvu. Učestalost bolesti sustava za kretanje najčešća je u radnika zaposlenih u poljoprivredi i šumarstvu te građevinarstvu.Croatian Institute of Occupational Medicine has made an analysis of the strains that may cause occupational diseases and job-related diseases. The figures included show the total number of employees in a company and in a branch of economy and the number of employees suffering from a disease. In 2005 and 2006 Croatian companies received a questionnaire containing questions on the number of employees, statodynamic and psycho-physiological strains in the work processes, and the number of employees exposed to these strains. Occupational medicine specialists stated in their reports the incidence of illness among employees in different branches of the economy and the number of employees suffering from locomotor disorders in these branches. The classification of strains at work used here was developed by the Croatian Institute of Occupational Medicine, which is the classification of occupational hazards used elsewhere in Europe. The analysis of diseases was guided by the revised version of the International Classification of Diseases and Conditions. The results show that in large companies 81.1% employees and in small companies 62.5% employees are exposed to statodynamic strain. In large companies 53.2% employees and in small companies 40.2% employees are exposed to static strain, whereas 28.9% employees in large companies and 20.9% employees in small companies are exposed to dynamic strain. As many as 82.8% of all employees are exposed to psycho-physiological strain, of which 83.8% in large and 61.1% in small companies. The incidence of statodynamic strain is highest in construction work, processing industry and in mining. The incidence of locomotor diseases is highest in agriculture and forestry, and in construction work

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH PROTECTION IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA – CURRENT STATUS AND PERSPECTIVES

U radu je prikazano stanje u zaštiti zdravlja na radu u Republici Hrvatskoj i uspoređeno sa stanjem u zemljama Europske unije. Dane su smjernice po kojima, sukladno europskim standardima, Republika Hrvatska usklađuje svoje zakonodavstvo s europskim direktivama i konvencijama Međunarodne organizacije rada, kojih je potpisnica, te načini osiguravanja njihova provođenja. Na temelju vlastite klasifikacije radnih opasnosti i upitnika dobivenih od 624 poslovnih subjekata utvrđena je prisutnost opasnosti, štetnosti i napora u pojedinim gospodarstvenim granama i broj radnika izloženih tim opasnim radnim uvjetima. U Republici Hrvatskoj najvećem broju opasnosti izloženi su radnici zaposleni u rudarstvu i vađenju (7,8 opasnosti po radniku), građevinarstvu (5,7) i prerađivačkoj industriji (4,6). Radna populacija Republike Hrvatske izložena je psihofiziološkim naporima (78% radnika), statodinamičkim naporima (75%), mehaničkim opasnostima (68%), padovima i rušenjima (53%), nepovoljnim klimatskim i mikroklimatskim uvjetima (34%), kemijskim štetnostima (22%), opasnostima od električne struje (20%) i buke (19%).Presented is the state of occupational safety and health protection in the Republic of Croatia as compared to the European Union countries. Guidelines are offered for the Republic of Croatia on how to harmonise its legislature with the European standards as outlined in the European Directives and Conventions of the International Labour Organisation (Croatia is a signatory of these conventions), and the methods for their implementation. Based on Croatia\u27s classification of work hazards and questionnaires received from 624 businesses, hazards, risks and strains in the individual branches of economy are presented, along with the number of workers exposed to these harmful working conditions. In the Republic of Croatia, the greatest number of hazards plagues the workers in mining and extraction (7.8 hazards per worker), construction (5.7), and the processing industry (4.6). The working population in the Republic of Croatia is exposed to psycho-physiological strain (78% workers), statodynamic strain (75%), mechanical hazards (68%), falls and collapses (53%), adverse climatic and microclimatic conditions (34%), harmful chemicals (22%), electric power risks (20%) and noise (19%)

Criteria for acknowledgement of occupational asbestosis of the lung parenchyma and pleura

Kriteriji za priznavanje prolesionalne azbestoze plućnog parenhima navedeni su u Listi profesionalnih bolesti iz 1983. g. Unatoč tome, invalidske komisije bolest priznaju samo ako zadovoljava nikada ozakonjene Kriterije preporučene u zaključcima radnih sastanaka o azbestozi održavanih u bivšoj Jugoslaviji. Po njima azbestoza se priznaje tek pri prožetosti parenhima supkategorije 2/1 i više, ili najmanje supkategorije 1/1 uz istodobno obostrano vidljive pleuralne plakove i/ili kalcifikate. U Odjelu medicine rada Institute za medicinska istraživanja i medicinu rada, Zagreb, učinjene su, i po preporukama Međunarodne organizacije rada iz 1980. g očitane, rendgenske snimke pluća 350 radnika profesionalno izloženih azbestu. U 15% pregledanih radnika isključena je fibroza pluća. a u 70% rendgenske snimke opisane su kao »jasno vidljiva fibroza«. Prema Kriterijima, na temelju prožetosti parenhima, azbestoza pluća bila bi obvezno priznata u 4% pregledanih, u 9% samo uz istodobno obostrano vidljive plakove ili kalcifikacije pleure. Nasuprot tome, prema Listi profesionalnih bolesti tek 15% ispitanika nema temelja za priznavanje profesionalne plućne azbestoze, a u 15% potrebno je drugim metodama azbestozu ili isključiti ili potvrditi. Azbestoza pluća je bolest sui generis i treba je, uz pozitivnu radnu anamnezu, priznati profesionalnom kada je fibroza jasno vidljiva i kada je isključena druga etiologija neosporno dokazane fibroze parenhima.The criteria for acknowledgement of occupational parenchymal asbestosis were set out in the List of Occupational Diseases of 1983, under paragraph 26. In spite of this, some occupational health specialists and invalidity committees acknowledge Ihe disease only when it meets the criteria recommended in the Conclusions of a Workshop on Asbestosis, held in former Yugoslavia, although such criteria were never legally implemented. According to these criteria asbestosis of the lung is recognized only when parenchymal profusion is subcategory 2/1 and higher, or at least subcategory 1/1 with visible pleural plaques and/or bilateral calcifications. In the Department of Occupational Health of the Institute for Medicai Research and Occupational Health in Zagreb chest X-rays were taken and examined in 350 workers occupationally exposed to asbestos. In 51 (15%) of the workers lung fibrosis was excluded (profusion of the parenchyma was subcategory 0/-) and in 53 (15%) fibrosis of the parenchyma could not be excluded or confirmed on the basis of the X-rays. In the remaining 245 (70%) the X-rays demonstrated "clearly visible fibrosis" and, depending on the parenchymal profusion, the finding was classified as subcategory 0/1 - 2/1 and higher, i.e. in 9% of the workers subcategory 1/1 was accompanied by visible bilateral pleuial plaques. According to the Criteria from the Conclusions ol a Workshop, on the basis of parenchymal profusion, asbestosis of the lungs would have to be acknowledged in 4% of those examined, while in 9% of the workers with parenchymal profusion of subcategory 1/1 or 1/2 asbestosis could be acknowledged only if visible bilateral plaques or pleural calcifications were present. On the other hand, according to the List of Occupational Diseases, only 15% of the examined workers offered no ground for acknowledging occupational parenchymal asbestosis. In another 15% of the workers additional confirmation would be necessary, based on computerized tomography or histopathological examination, by which parenchymal asbestosis could be confirmed or excluded. Asbestosis of the lungs is a disease sui generis which should, with a positive work history, always be recognized as an occupational disease, after other etiology of the parenchymal fibrosis has been excluded. The extent of parenchymal profusion, other asbestos-related diseases and/or impaired ventilatory or diffusive function of the lungs are not decisive

Melanom srednje očne ovojnice: kliničke osobitosti i dijagnostičke metode

Uveal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults and the eye is the second most common site for primary melanoma after the skin. Early recognition is important in protecting visual acuity, saving the eye and preventing metastasis. Signs for early detection of uveal melanoma when it simulates a nevus include thickness >2 mm, presence of subretinal fluid, symptoms, orange pigment, margin of the tumour near the optic disc, acoustic hollowness, surrounding halo, and the absence of drusen. This is essential considering that each millimetre increase in melanoma thickness imparts a 5% increased risk for metastatic disease. Delays or inability to make an accurate and early diagnosis may have grave consequences. Methods of diagnosis have substantially improved, although clinical diagnosis remains the standard method in the eyes with clear media. In eyes with opaque media ultrasound is the most useful ancillary diagnostic technique. Newer imaging modalities such as optical coherence tomography and fundus autofl ouroscence facilitate in detection of subretinal fluid and orange pigment. Additional molecular biomarkers and cytological features which can predict the clinical behaviour of a small melanocytic lesion have been identifi ed. Although the role of a good clinical evaluation cannot be underestimated, it is advisable to assess the various radiological, molecular and cytological features in order to enhance the accuracy of early diagnosis and improvement in the patients’ prognosis.Melanom srednje očne ovojnice najčešća je primarna zloćudna bolest oka u osoba odrasle dobi, a oko je drugo po učestalosti najčešće sijelo primarnog melanoma nakon kože. Kasna ili pogrešno postavljena dijagnoza može imati ozbiljne posljedice. Rano otkrivanje melanoma srednje očne ovojnice ključno je u prevenciji gubitka vidne oštrine, spašavanju oka i sprečavanju razvoja metastaza. Čimbenici koji omogućuju rano otkrivanje malih melanoma srednje očne ovojnice koji se mogu zamijeniti s nevusom su debljina tumora > 2 mm, prisutnost subretinalne tekućine, nazočnost simptoma, narančasti pigment, rub tumora u blizini optičkog diska, određene ultrazvučne karakteristike tumora te odsutnost druza. Rano otkrivanje tumora je vrlo važno obzirom da povećanje debljine melanoma za 1 mm povećava rizik metastatske bolest za 5%. Dijagnostičke metode posljednjih su godina znatno unaprijeđene, no klinička dijagnoza i dalje ostaje standardna metoda kod očiju s prozirnim optičkim medijima. Ultrazvuk predstavlja najkorisniju pomoćnu dijagnostičku metodu, osobito u slučaju zamućenja optičkih medija oka. Novije dijagnostičke metode poput optičke koherentne tomografije i autoflouroscencije fundusa olakšavaju otkrivanje subretinalne tekućine i narančastog pigmenta. Također postoje određeni molekularni biomarkeri i citološke značajke tumorskih stanica koje mogu pomoći u predviđanju kliničkog ponašanja male melanocitne lezije. Iako je uloga dobre kliničke procjene važna i ne smije se podcijeniti, preporuča se i primjena dodatnih dijagnostičkih metoda, te određivanje molekularnih i citoloških značajki tumorskih stanica kako bi se omogućila točna rana dijagnoza i time poboljšala prognoza bolesnika