Active rests during the work process

Svaki rad, osobito profesionalni, stvara umor koji smanjuje radnu učinkovitost. Aktivni odmori s izabranim rekreacijskim aktivnostima ugrađeni u proces rada vrlo su djelotvorni u uklanjanju simptoma umora. Članak iznosi primjere i mehanizme bržeg urađivanja i oporavka, koji su povezani s programiranom tjelesnom aktivnosti na početku rada, u vrijeme redovitih i/ili dodatnih odmora sukladno utvrđenom kritičnom vremenu u tijeku osmosatne radne smjene.Every work, especially professional work, induces fatigue whteh diminishes work efficacy. Active rests with aim-oriented recreational activities implemented in the work process are very efficacious in removing fatigue symptoms, The paper discusses examples and mechanisms of making work and recovery faster and more successful by programming physical activity at the beginning of work and during regular and added rests in accordance with the established critical time during the eight-hour work shift

Chronic obstructive lung disease in exposure to organic aerosols

Ispitivana je skupina radnica eksponiranih aerosolima pamuka, konoplje, lana, začina, soje, čajeva, kave te krzna. Aerosoli konoplje i lana uzrokovali su najveću prevalenciju kroničnih respiratornih simptoma i bolesti kao i najveće promjene ventilacijske funkcije pluća. U cilju prevencije potrebna je kontrola aerozagađenja kao i provođenje preventivnih medicinskih pregleda.A group of female workers occupationally exposed to cotton, hemp, flax, spices, soy, tea, coffee and furs was included in the study. The highest prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and diseases and greatest changes in ventilatory capacity were due to exposure to hemp and flax aerosols. The development of respiratory impairment can be impeded by control of the working environment and preventive medical examinations

Varicose veins of lower extremities in workers with jobs requiring continuous standing or sitting position

Epidemiološka ispitivanje učestalosti varikoznih vena donjih ekstremiteta izvršeno je u 779 industrijskih radnika (434 muškarca i 345 žena). Ispitivana je učestalost varikoznih vena u odnosu na stojeći odnosno sjedeći položaj pri radu. Utvrđena je statistički značajna (p < 0,05) povezanost između varikoznih vena i duljine zaposlenja u svih radnika osim u žena sa sjedećim položajem. Učestalost varikoznih vena povećavala se do 19 godina, a nakon toga je registriran pad (vjerojatno kao posljedica selekcije). Nije dobivena značajna razlika u učestalosti varikoznih vena donjih ekstremiteta između stojećeg i sjedećeg položaja pri radu.An epidemiological study of the prevalence of varicose veins of lower extremities was carried out in an industrial population of 434 men and 345 women. A statistically significant (p < 0.05) association between the varicose disease and duration of work was found in all groups of workers, except for women sitting at work. Decrease in the prevalence of varicose veins after 20 years of employment may be explained at least partly, by the factor of selfselection in the industry. However, there was no difference in the prevalence of varicose veins between workers standing and those sitting at work

Ventilatory capacity and intradermal skin tests in cotton workers

Kronični respiratorni simptomi, respiratorne bolesti, ventilacijske funkcije i alergijski kožni testovi promatrani su u skupini od 112 radnika zaposlenih u preradi pamuka. Učestalost pojave kroničnih respiratornih simptoma i bolesti bila je veća u eksponiranih nego u radnika kontrolne skupine premda su razlike bile statistički značajne samo za kronični kašalj, katar nosa i bisinozu u žena te za kronični kašalj, kronični iskašljaj i bisinozu u muškaraca. Bisinoza je registrirana u sličnoj prevalenciji u žena (29,4%) i u muškaraca (29,5%). U ispitivanih tekstilnih radnika pretežno se radilo o bisinozi stupnja 1/2 (žene 22,1 %, muškarci 20,5%). Rezultati ventilacijskih testova pokazuju tijekom radne smjene statistički značajne akutne redukcije forsiranog vitalnog kapaciteta (FVK) i forsiranog ekspiratornog volumena u prvoj sekundi (FEV1). U muškaraca su utvrđene nešto niže izmjerene vrijednosti testova u odnosu na normalne očekivane vrijednosti. Mali broj radnika reagirao je na alergen pamuka (eksponirani 8,2%, kontrola 1,8%). Naši rezultati pokazuju da ekspozicija prašini pamuka može dovesti do pojave respiratornih simptoma i bolesti te do akutnih promjena funkcionalnih testova ventilacije, ali bez alergijske reakcije.Ventilatory capacity, chronic respiratory symptoms and respiratory diseases as well as intradermal skin tests were registered in a group of 112 cotton workers. The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and respiratory diseases was higher among the exposed than among control workers although the differences were statistically significant only for chronic cough, nasal catarrh and byssinosis in women and for chronic cough, chronic phlegm and byssinosis in men. A similar prevalence of byssinosis was noted in women (29.4%) and in men (29.5%). Among textile workers mostly byssinosis grade 1/2 was found (women 22.l %, men 20.5%). There were statistically significant acute reductions over work shift for forced vital capacity (FVC) and one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1). In men the values were somewhat lower than the expected normal values. A very small number of workers demonstrated positive intradermal skin tests to cotton allergen (exposed 8.2%, control 1.8%). Our data indicate that exposure to cotton dust may lead to the development of respiratory symptoms and diseases as well as to acute changes in ventilatory capacity but without an allergic reaction

Immunological status and ventilatory function in cotton workers

Imunološko ispitivanje provedeno je u 24 tekstilne radnice zaposlene na preradi pamuka i u 30 radnica kontrolne skupine. Kožni prick-testovi izvršeni su s alergenom prašine pamuka i sjemena pamuka. Pozitivni kožni testovi utvrđeni su u 33,3% radnica na preradi pamuka i povišeni IgE u 62,5% radnica na preradi pamuka s pozitivnim kožnim testom. Samo u dvije radnice s pozitivnim kožnim testovima utvrđeni su simptomi bisinozc među kontrolnim radnicama samo je 3,3% imalo pozitivne kožne testove, a nijedna radnica povišeni IgE. Ventilacijske funkcije pluća nisu se razlikovale između radnica s pozitivnim i onih s negativnim kožnim testovima, kao ni između onih s povišenim i onih s normalnim IgE. Djelovanje ekstrakta prašine pamuka na glatku muskulaturu izolirane traheje zamorčeta upućuje na to da prašina pamuka može djelovati direktno iritativno na respiratorni sustav uzrokujući konstrikciju dišnih putova tekstilnih radnica.Immunological testing was carried out in 24 cotton workers and in 30 control workers. Skin prick test was performed with allergens prepared from cotton dust and cotton seed. Skin tests were positive in 33.3% and IgE level was increased in 62.5% of the cotton workers. Only two cotton workers with positive skin tests had symptoms of byssinosis. Among control workers 3.3% had positive skin tests and none had increased IgE serum level. Ventilatory capacity in cotton workers with positive skin tests and those with negative skin tests was comparable. The same was true of the workers with increased and normal IgE levels. The effect of cotton dust extract on isolated tracheal smooth muscle of a guinea pig was an indication of a direct irritative action causing airway obstruction

Respiratory and immunological changes in tea workers

Respiratorna funkcija ispitivana je u 100 radnica zaposlenih u preradi čajeva (gruzijski, kadulja, šipak, indijski i kamilica) i u 84 radnice kontrolne skupine. Prevalencija većine kroničnih respiratornih simptoma bila je značajno viša u radnica pri preradi šipka, kadulje i gruzijskog čaja nego u radnica kontrolne skupine. Tijekom radne smjene utvrđene su statistički značajne srednje akutne redukcije za maksimalni ekspiratorni protok pri 50% i 25 % vitalnog kapaciteta na krivulji maksimalnog ekspiracijskog protoka i volumena (FEF50: 4,1-8,8%; FEF25: 7,8-21,8%) u svih osim u radnica izloženih kamilici. Akutne redukcije FEV1 bile su mnogo manje i uglavnom statistički neznačajne. Imunološki status ispitivan je u 26 radnica u preradi čajeva i u 17 radnica kontrolne skupine. Intradermalni testovi s alergenima čajeva pokazivali su najveći postotak pozitivnih kožnih reakcija na kadulju (45%), gruzijski čaj (40%) i šipak (10%). U kontrolnoj skupini radnica utvrđene su pozitivne kožne reakcije u 23 % na kadulju, 19 % na gruzijski čaj i 11 % na šipak i indijski čaj. Koncentracija IgE u serumu povišena je u 27% radnica u preradi čajeva i u 7% radnica kontrolne skupine.Respiratory function was examined in 100 female workers employed in the production of different types of tea (gruzyan, sage, dog rose, indian and chamomile) and in 84 female control workers. The prevalence of almost all chronic respiratory symptoms was significantly higher in workers processing dog rose, sage and gruzyan tea than in the control group. During work shift there were significant mean acute reductions in maximal expiratory flow rates at 50% and 25 % of the vital capacity on maximum expiratory flow-volume curves (FEF50: 4.l-8.8%;FEF25: 7.8-21.8%) except in workers exposed to chamomile. Acute reductions in FEY1 were considerably smaller and not significant. The immunological status was examined in 26 tea workers and in 17 control workers. Skin tests with tea allergens demonstrated the highest percentage of positive reaction to sage (45%), gruzyan tea (40%) and dog rose (10%). Among the control workers, 23% had a positive skin reaction to sage, 19 % to gruzyan tea and 11 % to dog rose and indian tea. Serum levels of total IgE were elevated in 27 % of the tea workers and in 17% of the control subjects

Immunological and respiratory changes in soy-bean workers

Imunološki status i respiratorna funkcija ispitivani su u skupini od 19 radnika na preradi soje i u 31 radnika kontrolne skupine. Svi radnici u preradi soje imali su pozitivne kožne reakcije na prašinu soje, 18 radnika na antigen soje nakon ekstrakcije ulja, tri na sojin lecitin i samo jedan na sojino ulje. U tri radnika na preradi soje utvrđeni su povišeni specifični imunoglobulini lgE. Među radnicima kontrolne skupine 19 je reagiralo pozitivnim kožnim testovima na alergen soje, 20 na soju nakon ekstrakcije ulja, a niti jedan na sojino ulje. U jednog radnika utvrđen je povišeni specifični IgE. Prevalencija kroničnih respiratornih simptoma bila je viša u eksponiranih nego u kontrolnih radnika (statistički značajno samo za dispneju, P<0,01). Radnici na preradi soje s povećanim IgE, kao i oni s pozitivnim kožnim testovima na kućnu prašinu nisu pokazivali veću prevalenciju kroničnih respiratornih simptoma nego oni s negativnim testovima. Snižene vrijednosti ventilacijskog kapaciteta utvrđene su u relativno velikog broja radnika. Radnici s pozitivnim kožnim testovima na kućnu prašinu imali su slične akutne redukcije kao i oni s negativnim kožnim testovima. Osim toga utvrđivali smo djelovanje ekstrakta soje na izoliranoj traheji zamorčeta, Rezultati su pokazali da je ekstrakt vrlo aktivan uzrokujući direktno konstrikciju glatke muskulature bronha. Rezultati upućuju na to da je senzibilizacija na soju vrlo česta, premda na temelju ovih podataka ne možemo zaključiti o ulozi atopije u razvoju respiratornih bolesti i promjena plućne funkcije.Immunological and respiratory findings were studied in a group of 19 male soy-bean workers. A group of 31 control workers were examined for the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and 20 control workers were included in the immunological study. All soy-bean workers had positive immediate skin reaction to soy-bean dust, IR to soy antigen after separation from oil, three to lecithin antigen and only one to soy oil. Only three soy-bean workers had increased levels of specific IgE. Among 20 control workers, 19 reacted to soy-bean dust, 20 to soy after separation of oil and none to soy oil. One demonstrated increased specific IgE. The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms was considerably higher in exposed than in control workers, being statistically different for dyspnea (P < 0.01). The statistically significant acute reductions in ventilatory capacity were particularly pronounced for FEF50 (- 4.7%) and FEF25 (- 9.4%). The mean ventilatory capacity values before shift on monday were significantly lower than those on the following Friday for FVC, FEF50 and FEF25. There was no difference in ventilatory capacity between soy-bean workers with positive and those with negative skin tests to house dust or between those with increased and those with normal IgE serum levels. A water soluble extract of soy-bean dust was also assayed in organ bath containing guinea pig trachea. This model showed the extract to be highly reactive causing a dose-related constriction of airway smooth muscle. Our data suggest that immunologic sensitization to soy-bean products is very frequent. In addition to possible humoral contribution to respiratory disorders, soy dust seems to directly affect airway smooth muscle

Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity in hemp workers

Prevalencija respiratornih simptoma i ventilacijski kapacitet pluća ispitivani su u 84 radnice (tvornice A i B) i u 27 radnika zaposlenih na preradi konoplje. Skupina neeksponiranih 49 radnica i 30 radnika ispitivana je kao kontrola. Značajno viša prevalencija gotovo svih kroničnih respiratornih simptoma utvrđena je u žena u usporedbi s radnicama kontrolne skupine. Za muškarce značajna razlika u odnosu na kontrolnu skupinu utvrđena je za katar nosa i sinusitis. Visoka prevalencija bisinoze utvrđena je u žena (A=47,8%, B=57,9%), kao i u muškaraca (66,7%). Statistički značajne akutne redukcije ventilacijskog kapaciteta tijekom radne smjene utvrđene su za sve testove u muškaraca i žena, varirajući od 7,1 % za FEV1 do 15,1 % za FEF50 (P 0.01) varying from 7.1 % for FEV1 to 15.1 % for FEF50. Measured Monday baseline values before the work shift were significantly lower than expected hemp workers being particularly reduced for FEF25 and FEF50. The data suggest that exposure to hemp dust is a major risk factor for the development of occupational lung disease

Immunological status and ventilatory capacity in furriers

Ispitivali smo 54 žene zaposlene u preradi krzna (srednja dob: 34 godine; srednja duljina ekspozicije: 11 godina). Skupina od 31 neeksponirane radnice ispitivana je kao kontrola. Najveća prevalencija pozitivnih kožnih reakcija utvrđena je za kunu (10%), zatim slijede lisica i janje (7%), mink (5%), kinesko janje, domaća lisica i kineski vezir (2%). Precipitirajuća antitijela utvrđena su za janje (17%), astrahan (14%), mink, domaću lisicu i tvora (J 2%), kinesko janje (10%) i kineskog vezira (7%). Povišeni nivo ukupnog IgE utvrđen je u 9,5°/o radnica u preradi krzna. Veća prevalencija kroničnih respiratornih simptoma utvrđena je u radnica na preradi krzna nego u radnika kontrolne skupine. Ti su simptomi bili češće zastupljeni u radnica s pozitivnim kožnim testovima i pozitivnim precipitinima nego u radnica s negativnim kožnim testovima. Visoka prevalencija akutnih simptoma utvrđena je u radnica na preradi krzna. Prevalencija tih simptoma bila je viša u radnica s pozitivnim precipitirajućim antitijelima nego u onih s negativnim precipitinima. Međutim, takvi rezultati nisu dobiveni u odnosu na kožne testove. Testiranje ventilacijske funkcije pluća pokazuje akutne redukcije tijekom radne smjene, s time da su akutne redukcije bile veće u radnika s pozitivnim precipitinima, ali ne i u onih s pozitivnim kožnim testovima. Naše ispitivanje upućuje na to da ekspozicija u preradi krzna može dovesti do razvoja kroničnih i akutnih respiratornih simptoma često povezanih sa specifičnim pokazateljima atopije. Radnike koji predstavljaju rizičnu skupinu treba ukloniti s takvih radnih mjesta.A group of 54 women employed in the fur processing industry and a control group of 31 non-furriers were examined. The highest prevalence of positive immediate skin reactions to antigen from animal hair was found for marten (10%), followed by fox and lamb (7%), mink (5%) and chinese lamb, domestic fox and chinese calf {2%). Precipitating antibodies were demonstrated for lamb (17%), astrakhan (14%), mink, domestic fox and for skunk (12%), chinese lamb (10%), and chinese calf (7%). Increased total IgE was found in 9.5% of the furriers. Chronic respiratory symptoms were more prevalent among workers with positive skin tests and positive precipitins than among chose with negative tests. The prevalence of the acute symptoms was higher among workers with precipitins than in those without them. There was no such relationship between the symptoms and the results of skin tests. Acute reductions of ventilatory capacity over the work shift occurred in workers with positive precipitins but not in those with positive skin tests. Our study suggests that furriers can develop acute and chronic respiratory difficulties frequently associated with specific indicators of atopy

Immunological reactions and ventilatory capacity in hemp workers

Odnos imunološkog statusa i respiratornih nalaza ispitivan je u 42 radnice profesionalno izložene prašini konoplje i u 49 radnica kontrolne skupine. Najviša prevalencija pozitivnih kožnih prick testova u radnica na preradi konoplje utvrđena je za mješavinu konoplje i lana (64% ), zatim za lan (48% ), konoplju s češljara (41%), konoplju s karda (38%), konoplju s predilica i tkalačkih strojeva (33%) i konoplju s omekšivača (20%). Prevalencija pozitivnih kožnih tekstova u radnica kontrolne skupine bila je znatno niža i varirala je od 21% do 5%. Povišen ukupni IgE utvrđen je u 35,7% radnica na preradi konoplje i u 4,1% radnica kontrolne skupine (P<0,05). U radnica na preradi konoplje s pozitivnim kožnim testovima utvrđena je značajno viša prevalencija kroničnih respirator-nih simptoma nego u onih s negativnim kožnim testovima. Akutne promjene ventilacijske funkcije pluća nisu se razlikovale prema imunološkom statusu. Vodeni ekstrakt prašine konoplje uzrokovao je kontrakciju glatke muskulature traheje u eksperimentu in vitro na nesenzibiliziranoj zamorčadi. Naši rezultati upućuju na to da prašina konoplje osim imunološkim mehanizmom može djelovati i iritativno na respiratorni sustav izloženih radnika.The relationship between immunological status and respiratory function was studied in 42 hemp workers and in 49 control workers. The highest prevalence of positive skin tests was recorded for a mixture of hemp and flax (64%), followed by flax (48%), hemp on a combing machine (41%), hemp on a carding machine (38% ), hemp on spinnin~ and weaving machines (33% ), and hemp on a softening machine (20%). The prevalence of positive skin tests in control workers was smaller and varied from 21 to 5%. Increased lgE was found in 35.7% of the hemp workers and in 5.0% of the controls (P<0.05). Hemp workers with positive skin tests had a significantly higher prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms than those with negative skin tests. Acute ventilatory capacity reductions did not differ in respect to the immunological status. An extract of hemp dust caused a constriction of an isolated guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle in vitro. Our data suggest that hemp dust as well as producing an immunological effect may exert an irritant effect on the respiratory system in exposed textile workers