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BackgroundA new engineering intervention measure, an embracing air curtain device (EACD), was used to increase the capture efficiency of cooker hoods and reduce cooking oil fume (COF) exposure in Chinese restaurants.MethodsAn EACD was installed in six Chinese restaurants where the cooks complained of COF exposure. Before- and after-installation measurements were taken to compare changes in particulate matter (PM) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in kitchen air, and changes in levels of urinary 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA). The association between PM and PAHs in air and 8-OHdG and MDA in urine was evaluated by linear mixed-effects regression analysis.ResultsResults showed that geometric mean kitchen air levels of PM10, PM2.5, PM1.0and total particulate PAHs were significantly reduced after the EACDs were introduced. Urinary levels of 8-OHdG and MDA in cooks were also significantly lower after EACD instalment. PM2.5, PM1.0and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) levels were positively associated with urinary 8-OHdG levels after adjusting for key personal covariates. Urinary MDA levels in cooks were also positively associated with BaP levels after adjusting for key personal covariates.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that the EACD is effective for reducing COF and oxidative stress levels in cooks working in Chinese kitchens.

Background The association between working at a video display terminal (VDT) and development of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is not well-established. The study surveyed the prevalence of CTS symptoms, explored the risk factors and evaluated the clinical application of hand diagrams, physical tests and electrodiagnosis among male VDT workers. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed in an information and communication technology company. Three-forty questionnaires were completed and 82 volunteers participated in the physical examination and nerve conduction study. The personal and occupational risk factors for CTS were analyzed. Results The prevalence of CTS symptoms was 3.8% among 340 subjects, while prolonged median motor distal latency (>4.2 msec) was disclosed in 3.7% of a subgroup receiving examination. Classic/probable CTS symptoms was associated with high body mass index (>28 kg/m2, odds ratio = 4.1, P = 0.029) and moderate job seniority (3–5 years, odds ratio = 4.6, P = 0.023). Prolonged median motor distal latency was associated with older age (>35 years old). We did not observe correlation between CTS symptoms, abnormal NCS, positive Tinel's sign or Phalen's test. Conclusion The prevalence of CTS symptoms was not high among the group of male VDT workers studied. Job seniority, but not specific tasks, was associated with CTS symptoms. More reliable and valid methods to quantify the ergonomic exposure are needed to establish the association of VDT tasks and CTS. Am. J. Ind. Med. 50:1–7, 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of 3 different health promotion exercise programs for work-related shoulder and neck pain. Design: Comparative study design. Subjects: A total of 178 employees were recruited and grouped. Methods: Those in the “Self-exercise group” (n = 56) were given a lecture about the exercise program and then performed the program by themselves during their office break. “Team-exercise group I” (n = 69) performed the program once under the supervision of a physiotherapist after the lecture. “Team-exercise group II” (n = 14) performed the program twice; once under a physiotherapist’s supervision. A modified Nordic questionnaire, pain threshold and cervical range of motion were used to evaluate the effect of intervention. There were 39 subjects in the reference group. Results: When daily change of pain threshold (post-work – pre-work) was treated as an improvement index, the odds ratios for the self-exercise group, team-exercise group I and team-exercise group II were 1.39, 4.63 ( p < 0.05) and 7.06 ( p < 0.05), respectively, compared with the reference group. A dose-response effect of intervention intensity was demonstrated. Conclusion: An intensive team-exercise program is beneficial in reducing neck and shoulder symptoms in sedentary workers.

The aim of this study was to identify the health hazards and possible exposure surveillance markers of workers exposed to nanoparticles during manufacturing and application in comparison to a group of unexposed workers. For this longitudinal study, we recruited 158 nanomaterial-handling workers and 104 non-exposed workers from 14 manufacturing plants in Taiwan (baseline). Among them, 124 nanomaterial-handling workers and 77 unexposed workers were monitored 6 months later. We investigated pulmonary and cardiovascular disease markers, inflammation and oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzymes and genotoxicity markers. Antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase) and cardiovascular markers (vascular cell adhesion molecule, paraoxonase) were significantly associated with nanomaterial-handling during the 6-month follow-up period. In addition, the small airway damage marker (Clara cell protein 16) and lung function test parameters were also significantly associated with handling nanomaterials. The study markers and lung function tests are possible markers that could be useful for surveillance of nanomaterial-handling workers.

Background Shipbreaking workers are typically exposed to a wide range of hazardous chemicals. However, long-term follow-up studies of their mortality patterns are lacking. This study examined mortality among shipbreaking workers over a 24-year follow-up period. Methods A total of 4,962 shipbreaking workers were recruited from the database of the Kaohsiung Shipbreaking Workers Union. The data were then linked to the Taiwan National Death Registry from 1985 to 2008. The mortality ratios—standardized for age and calendar years—(SMRs) for various causes of deaths were calculated with reference to the general population of Taiwan. Results Among men workers, a statistically significant increased SMR was observed for all causes (SMR = 1.28), all cancers (SMR = 1.26; particularly noteworthy for lesions of oral and nasopharyngeal: SMR 2.03, liver: SMR 4.63, and lung: SMR 1.36), cirrhosis of the liver (SMR = 1.32), and accidents (SMR = 1.91). A statistically significant increase in mortality was observed for respiratory system cancer (SMR = 1.87) and lung cancer (SMR = 1.91) among workers with a longer duration of employment (≥7 years). The result also showed that among shipbreaking workers who were still alive, two people had mesothelioma and 10 people have asbestosis. Conclusions Those employed in shipbreaking industries experienced an increase in mortality from all causes. The increased SMR for lung cancer was probably related to asbestos, metals, and welding fume exposure. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:701–708, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Introduction This study aimed to investigate the impact of psychological symptoms on return to work (RTW) in workers after occupational injuries. Methods Our study candidates were injured workers who were hospitalized for 3 days or longer and received hospitalization benefits from the Labor Insurance. A self-reported questionnaire including Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS-50) and RTW was sent to workers at 12 weeks after injury. At 1 year, all participants were contacted again to determine whether or not they had RTW. Results A total of 2001 workers completed the questionnaire (response rate 45.5 %) at 12 weeks after injury, among them, 1,149 had returned to work. Among the 852 who were unable to return to work at 12 weeks after injury, 225 reportedly returned to work by 1 year. A proportional hazards regression indicated that after adjusting for all possible risk factors, higher scores in BSRS-50 and BSRS-5 at 12 weeks after injury were significant risk factors for not return to work (NRTW) at 1 year after injury. Other risk factors were gender, education level, length of hospitalization, affected physical appearance, and injury type. Among 10 psycho-physiological symptoms of BSRS-50, a proportional hazards regression indicated that high score in phobic-anxiety scale was a risk factor for NRTW. Conclusions After considering all other factors, psychological symptoms further predicted poorer probability of returning to work after occupational injury, and phobic-anxiety was the most significant symptom predicting poor RTW. Development of preventive measures among injured workers according to the risk factors identified in this study is warranted.

The aim of this study was to establish and identify the health effect markers of workers with potential exposure to nanoparticles (20–100 nm) during manufacturing and/or application of nanomaterials. For this cross-sectional study, we recruited 227 workers who handled nanomaterials and 137 workers for comparison who did not from 14 plants in Taiwan. A questionnaire was used to collect data on exposure status, demographics, and potential confounders. The health effect markers were measured in the medical laboratory. Control banding from the Nanotool Risk Level Matrix was used to categorize the exposure risk levels of the workers. The results showed that the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase (SOD) in risk level 1 (RL1) and risk level 2 (RL2) workers was significantly (p RL1 > RL2). Another antioxidant, glutathione peroxidase (GPX), was significantly lower only in RL1 workers than in the control workers. The cardiovascular markers, fibrinogen and ICAM (intercellular adhesion molecule), were significantly higher in RL2 workers than in controls and a significant dose–response with an increasing trend was found for these two cardiovascular markers. Another cardiovascular marker, interleukin-6, was significantly increased among RL1 workers, but not among RL2 workers. The accuracy rate for remembering 7-digits and reciting them backwards was significantly lower in RL2 workers (OR = 0.48) than in controls and a significantly reversed gradient was also found for the correct rate of backward memory (OR = 0.90 for RL1, OR = 0.48 for RL2, p < 0.05 in test for trend). Depression of antioxidant enzymes and increased expression of cardiovascular markers were found among workers handling nanomaterials. Antioxidant enzymes, such as SOD and GPX, and cardiovascular markers, such as fibrinogen, ICAM, and interluekin-6, are possible biomarkers for medical surveillance of workers handling engineered nanomaterials.

Introduction: After a traumatic event, a significant proportion of victims develop psychiatric disorders. Trauma has been an important ailment among workers. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychiatric disorders at three months after occupational injuries. Methods: Our study candidates were injured workers in Taiwan who were hospitalized for 3 days or longer and received hospitalization benefits from the Labor Insurance program. A two-staged survey study was conducted. A self-reported questionnaire including the Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS-50) and Post-traumatic Symptom Checklist (PTSC) was sent to workers at 3 months after injury. Those who met the criteria were recruited for the second stage phone interview with a psychiatrist using the Mini-international Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Results: A total of 2001 workers completed the questionnaire (response rate 45.5%). Among them, 357 (17.8%) fulfilled the criteria for the MINI interview and were invited. A total of 148 (41.5%) completed the phone interview. The estimated rates of PTSD, partial PTSD (PPTSD), major depression, comorbid PTSD/PPTSD and major depression, and either PTSD/PPTSD or major depression were 2.7%, 4.1%, 3.0%, 2.3%, and 7.5%, respectively. The estimated rates of either PTSD/PPTSD or major depression among workers who suffered from intracranial injury, fracture, burn, crushing injury, and open wound of upper limbs were 10.4%, 6.9%, 5.9%, 5.8% and 0%, respectively. Conclusions: At three months after occupational injuries, a significant proportion of workers suffered from psychiatric disorders. The rates of psychiatric disorders occurring after intracranial injuries were significantly higher than those occurring after non-intracranial injuries. Language: en

Background/Aims: After a traumatic event, a significant proportion of victims develop psychiatric disorders. This study aimed to determine the rates of chronic post-traumatic stress disorder and ot...

Background Work-related upper limb amputations account for a significant number of occupational injuries. This study analyzes the nationwide incidence of work-related amputations of upper limbs in Taiwan by using the workers' compensation database. Methods A total of 2,950 cases were retrieved and analyzed from the database of workers' compensatory disability claims between the years 1999 and 2001. Results The cases were workers with an average age of 39.1 years, of whom 23.0% were female, the highest percentage of cases was in the 30–49 age group, but the incidence based on insured population was the highest for those under 20 years old. About 96% of the cases involved finger amputation, and 85% of all amputations were related to common powered machines. The average annual incidence of disability claims due to occupational amputation of upper extremities was 12.5 per 100,000 workers. Claims were most prevalent among manufacturing workers and male workers. The male to female risk ratios ranged from 2.62 for manufacturing workers to 9.05 for transport, storage and communication workers by the Poisson regression analysis. Conclusions Young male manufacturing workers were at high risk of occupational amputation of upper extremities in Taiwan. These results provide an epidemiological base for developing a prevention strategy. Am. J. Ind. Med. 46:649–655, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Objectives Psychiatric diseases have been an important complication after occupational injuries. This study aimed to determine early factors predicting psychological health outcomes at twelve months after occupational injuries. Method The study candidates were workers who sustained occupational injuries and were hospitalised for 3 days or longer in 2009. A self-reported questionnaire was sent to them at three months after injury. The questionnaire inquired about demographics, severity of injury, working status, personal factors, as well as included a psychometric instrument Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS-50). At one year, all participants were invited again to complete a questionnaire including BSRS-50. Results A total of 853 workers completed the questionnaire at three months and 12 months after injury. Among them, 84 (9.3%) had general severity index (GSI) of 70 or higher at 12 months after injury, indicating poor psychological condition. Using multivariate logistic regression analysis for mutual adjustment, predictive factors for elevated GSI were found to include dismemberment or affected physical appearance (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.0–3.1), BSRS at 3 months after injury (OR 8.8, 95% CI 5.4–14.4), and having to leave original workplace (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4–4.3). The findings indicated that severity of injury, early psychological condition, and workplace accommodation to allow returning to original workplace are important factors for later psychological health after occupational injury. Conclusions Among workers sustaining occupational injuries, psychological condition could have been affected at 12 months after injury. Predictors of the psychological condition were identified, to allow for possibility of early intervention.

Objectives The workers exposed to a traumatic event may display significant psychiatric disorders that may hinder their capability to return to the workplace. This study aimed to investigate the impact of psychological symptoms on return-to-work (RTW) in workers after their sustaining occupational injuries. Methods A self-reported questionnaire including Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS-50), Post-traumatic Symptom Checklist (PTSC), and RTW was sent to workers at 3 months after injury. At 12 months, all participants were contacted again to determine whether or not they had RTW. Results A total of 2001 workers completed the questionnaire (response rate 45.5%) at 3 months after injury, among them, 1149 had returned to work. Among the 852 who were unable to return to work at 3 months after injury, 225 reportedly returned to work by 12 months. A proportional hazards regression indicated that, higher scores in BSRS-50 and PTSC at 3 months after injury were significant risk factors for not returning to work (NRTW), after adjusting for gender, age, education, length of hospitalisation, affected physical appearance, injury type, and loss of consciousness. Other factors affecting RTW were gender, education level, length of hospitalisation, affected physical appearance, and injury type. Among the 10 psycho-physiological symptoms of BSRS-50, phobic-anxiety was the most important risk factor for NRTW. Conclusions At 12 months after occupational injuries, a significant proportion of workers were still unable to return to work. Development of preventive measures among injured workers according to the risk factors identified in this study is warranted.