Ergonomic Risk Factors Evaluation of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders by PATH and MMH in a Construction Industry

One of the prevalent injurious factors and disabilities is work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). The aim of this study is to evaluate the risks of ergonomic factors inducing musculoskeletal disorders consequent from industrial construction by means of PATH (Posture, Activity, Tools and Handling) risk evaluation and MMH (Manual Material Handling). A cross-sectional study was conducted on 357 construction workers working in 21 different jobs of construction industry in Parand New City, south-west of Tehran, Iran. Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ) was used to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. PATH was served to assess different body part postures such as back, feet, hands, also weight of tools and equipment and catching by hand (hand-catch). Most prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was around back (30.5%) and knee (28.9%), and in opposed side elbow (4.2%) respectively. The results of Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ) showed that there is meaningful relation through pain of neck, wrist, hand, back and knee with workers age and working experience (

Evaluation of Musculoskeletal Disorders Risk Factors by REBA and QEC Methods in an Aluminum Industry

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common problems in workplaces. The present study assessed the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and the level of risk for these disorders among workers of an aluminum industry in Tehran. Method: In this cross-sectional study, Nordic questionnaire was used in order to assess musculoskeletal disorders among all workers in production line of the mentioned industry (82 workers) and to determine musculoskeletal disorders risk levels, workers’ body posture was assessed by REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) and QEC (Quick Exposure Check) techniques. Statistical analysis was conducted using Chi-square test and through SPSS16 software. Results: According to the results, 83.9 percent of the subjects have complained from pain in at least one of ​​their body areas during the past year. The highest prevalence of disorders was respectively allocated to the low back (48.2%), knee (35.7%) and wrist/hand (33.9%). The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders showed significant correlation with age, job experience and BMI. But, REBA and QEC final scores had no significant correlations with the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. According to REBA and QEC, respectively 43.6 and 67.2 percent of postures were categorized in high and very high risk levels. Conclusion: High prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and levels of risk, prioritize the necessity of corrective actions. Higher percent of high risk level in QEC than REBA can be attributed to the capability of this tool in combined investigation of work posture, work related risk factors and mental disorders affecting the incidence of these disorders

Relation between Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature and Thermal Work Limit Indices with Body Core Temperature

Occupational exposure to heat stress in casting and smelting industries can cause adverse health effects on employees who working in such industries. The present study was set to assess the correlation and agreement of heat stress indices, including wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT), and thermal work limit (TWL), and the deep body temperature indices in workers of several casting and smelting industries located in the vicinity of Tehran, Iran. In This cross-sectional study 40 workers randomly selected and were examined. WBGT and TWL were the indices used for assessing heat stress, and the tympanic temperature and the oral temperature were measured as the heat strain indices. The correlation and agreement of indices were measured using SPSS vs.16. The results of the assessment of WBGT, TWL, the tympanic temperature, and oral temperature showed that 80, 17.5, 40, and 32.5 percent of workers exposed to heat stress higher than permissible limits proposed by standard bodies. Moreover, the present study showed that the significant correlation coefficient between heat stress and heat strain indices was in the range of 0.844- 0.869. Further, there was observed a good agreement between TWL and heat strain indices. The agreement between TWL and the oral temperature was 0.63 (P-value≤ 0.001) and between TWL and tympanic temperature was 0.612 (P-value≤ 0.001). However, the agreement between WBGT and heat strain indices was not satisfactory. These values were 0.154 (P-value ≥ 0.068) and 0.215 (P-value≥ 0.028) for the oral temperature and the tympanic temperature, respectively. The TWL index had a better agreement than WBGT with heat strain indices so TWL index is the better choice for assessing the heat stress in casting and metal smelting industries

The evaluation and determination of heavy metals pollution in edible vegetables, water and soil in the south of Tehran province by GIS

In this study, heavy metals pollutions in waters, soils and vegetables were investigated from farms, near oil refinery in south of Tehran city, Iran (Shahre Ray). The most important heavy metals in Iranian oil are vanadium, cobalt, nickel, arsenic and mercury (V, Co, Ni, As, Hg). In this region, the concentration of heavy metals in soils, well waters and leafy edible vegetables were evaluated in ten different points of farms. Geographic information systems (GIS) were used to estimate the levels of heavy metals concentration at unmeasured locations. After sample preparation, concentrations of heavy metals in vegetables, soils and waters were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Five different leafy edible vegetables from farms, i.e., Persian leek, dill, parsley, spinach and radish were sampled in spring, summer and autumn 2012. In vegetables and well water samples, the concentrations of V, Ni and Co were above the permissible limit of heavy metals as compared to WHO guidelines and the concentrations of these metals in agricultural soils were found to be lower in accordance to soil references. The industrial waste waters had high concentration of heavy metals in this area. In consequence, the results of this study indicate that industrial waste water can cause pollution in well waters and edible vegetables. So, this region is not suitable for cultivation and growing vegetables

An experimental study of the effects of combined exposure to microwave and heat on gene expression and sperm parameters in mice

Objectives: Separate exposure to microwaves (MWs) or heat had effects on expression levels of Bax and Bcl-2 and sperm parameters in studied group. Aims: The objectives of this research were to determine the effects of separate and combined exposure to 900-MHz MW (as representative of cell phone radiation) and heat on gene expression and spermogram of male mice. Settings and Design: This experimental animal study was conducted in the school of public health. Materials and Methods: The study was done on 12 male mice randomly divided into four groups (21–23 g): control, test group 1 with separate exposure to 900-MHz MW, test group 2 with separate exposure to hot and sultry climate, and test group 3 with simultaneous whole body exposures to 900-MHz MW and hot and sultry climate. In all studied groups, gene expression and sperm parameters were measured. Results: Tissue samples in all test groups showed integrity of the seminiferous tubule followed by all types of germ line cells. Significant increases in the number of dead sperms in mice with separate exposure to heat were observed in comparison with the other studied groups (P < 0.05). The ratio of Bax expression was elevated to 0.015 ± 0.006 in mice after combined exposures to 900-MHz MW and heat. Conclusion: Separate and combined exposure to 900-MHz MW and heat may induce adverse effects on sperm parameters and gene expression of studied male mice

Relation between Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature and Thermal Work Limit Indices with Body Core Temperature

Occupational exposure to heat stress in casting and smelting industries can cause adverse health effects on employees who working in such industries. The present study was set to assess the correlation and agreement of heat stress indices, including wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT), and thermal work limit (TWL), and the deep body temperature indices in workers of several casting and smelting industries located in the vicinity of Tehran, Iran. In This cross-sectional study 40 workers randomly selected and were examined. WBGT and TWL were the indices used for assessing heat stress, and the tympanic temperature and the oral temperature were measured as the heat strain indices. The correlation and agreement of indices were measured using SPSS vs.16. The results of the assessment of WBGT, TWL, the tympanic temperature, and oral temperature showed that 80, 17.5, 40, and 32.5 percent of workers exposed to heat stress higher than permissible limits proposed by standard bodies. Moreover, the present study showed that the significant correlation coefficient between heat stress and heat strain indices was in the range of 0.844- 0.869. Further, there was observed a good agreement between TWL and heat strain indices. The agreement between TWL and the oral temperature was 0.63 (P-value≤ 0.001) and between TWL and tympanic temperature was 0.612 (P-value≤ 0.001). However, the agreement between WBGT and heat strain indices was not satisfactory. These values were 0.154 (P-value ≥ 0.068) and 0.215 (P-value≥ 0.028) for the oral temperature and the tympanic temperature, respectively. The TWL index had a better agreement than WBGT with heat strain indices so TWL index is the better choice for assessing the heat stress in casting and metal smelting industries