Search

This study was performed among coal miners in the remote location Svea, Spitsbergen. The shift schedule used to be 7 d on and 7 d off. The aim of this study was to investigate possible changes in health after a voluntary implementation of a new shift schedule, with periods of 14 d on and 14 d off, for 74 percent of the workers in 2007. A questionnaire was distributed to all employees before and two times after the new shift schedule, comprising questions on type of work, shift schedule, pain, sleep, stress and coping. Ninety nine percent of the employees responded; 274 in 2006, 307 in 2007 and 312 in 2008. Work neither in the 14/14 shift nor 7/7 shift was related to any change in the health after these two years. The coping index for workers in the 14/14 shift improved.

Background: After an explosion and fire in two tanks containing contaminated oil and sulphur products in a Norwegian industrial harbour in 2007, the surrounding area was polluted. This caused an intense smell, lasting until the waste was removed two years later. The present study reports examinations of tear film break up time among the population. The examinations were carried out because many of the people in the area complained of sore eyes. The purpose of the study was to assess the relationship between living or working close to the polluted area and tear film stability one and a half years after the explosion. Methods: All persons working or living in an area less than six kilometres from the explosion site were invited to take part in the study together with a similar number of persons matched for age and gender living more than 20 kilometres away. Three groups were established: workers in the explosion area and inhabitants near the explosion area (but not working there) were considered to have been exposed, and inhabitants far away (who did not work in the explosion area) were considered to be unexposed. A total of 734 people were examined, and the response rate was 76 percent. Tear film stability was studied by assessing non-invasive break-up time (NIBUT) using ocular microscopy. In addition Self-reported Break Up Time (SBUT) was assessed by recording the time the subject could keep his or hers eyes open without blinking when watching a fixed point on a wall. Background information was obtained using a questionnaire. Non-parametric Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney-tests with exact p-values and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: Both NIBUT and SBUT were shorter among the male exposed workers than among the inhabitants both near and far away from the explosion area. This was also found for SBUT among males in a multiple logistic regression analysis, adjusting for age and smoking. © 2011 Moen et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

The objective of this study was to examine lung function and chronic respiratory symptoms among sisal workers in Tanzania and compare the results with a control group.A cross-sectional study on chronic respiratory symptoms and lung function was conducted in 2006 among male Tanzanian sisal processing workers from six sisal estates. Participants included 86 workers in decortication departments, 68 workers in brushing departments and 30 low exposed security guards. The response rate was 97%. Chronic respiratory symptoms and background information were obtained by structured interview. Forced ventilatory capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) were estimated before and after a work shift, and FEV(1)/FVC ratio calculated.Workers were aged 19-85, with the oldest in the brushing and security departments. Chronic cough and chest tightness were experienced by 38% and 68% of workers in brushing departments, 20% and 6% of workers in decortication and 7% and 0% of security workers, respectively. A reduced FEV(1)/FVC ratio related to years of work was found among workers in brushing departments when adjusting for age, smoking, previous respiratory illnesses and body mass index, using regression analyses. Work in decortication departments was not related to reduced lung function parameters. The prevalence of FEV(1)/FVC70 was above 50 for all three groups. Lung function parameters were similar before and after work shifts, except that peak expiratory flow increased among workers in brushing departments after work shifts.The results indicate a relationship between work in sisal brushing departments and the development of obstructive lung disorders.

Background Coffee processing causes organic dust exposure which may lead to development of respiratory symptoms. Previous studies have mainly focused on workers involved in roasting coffee in importing countries. This study was carried out to determine total dust exposure and respiratory health of workers in Tanzanian primary coffee-processing factories. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted among 79 workers in two coffee factories, and among 73 control workers in a beverage factory. Personal samples of total dust (n = 45 from the coffee factories and n = 19 from the control factory) were collected throughout the working shift from the breathing zone of the workers. A questionnaire with modified questions from the American Thoracic Society questionnaire was used to assess chronic respiratory symptoms. Differences between groups were tested by using independent t-tests and Chi square tests. Poisson Regression Model was used to estimate prevalence ratio, adjusting for age, smoking, presence of previous lung diseases and years worked in dusty factories. Results All participants were male. The coffee workers had a mean age of 40 years and were older than the controls (31 years). Personal total dust exposure in the coffee factories were significantly higher than in the control factory (geometric mean (GM) 1.23 mg/m3, geometric standard deviation (GSD) (0.8) vs. 0.21(2.4) mg/m3). Coffee workers had significantly higher prevalence than controls for cough with sputum (23% vs. 10%; Prevalence ratio (PR); 2.5, 95% CI 1.0 - 5.9) and chest tightness (27% vs. 13%; PR; 2.4, 95% CI 1.1 - 5.2). The prevalence of morning cough, cough with and without sputum for 4 days or more in a week was also higher among coffee workers than among controls. However, these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion Workers exposed to coffee dust reported more respiratory symptoms than did the controls. This might relate to their exposure to coffee dust. Interventions for reduction of dust levels and provision of respiratory protective equipment are recommended.

Objectives Examine sleepiness in three different shift work schedules (within-subject design) in the offshore oil industry. Methods Sleepiness was measured in 19 oil rig workers, using subjective (Karolinska Sleepiness Scale; Accumulated Time with Sleepiness) and objective measures (reaction time). The work schedule consisted of two weeks of 12 h day work (day shifts), two weeks of 12 h night work (night shifts), and two weeks of swing shift work (one week of night work followed by one week of day work). Results Sleepiness was highest during the first days of night and swing shifts, and also in the middle of the swing shift work period, but gradually decreased as the days on the night shift progressed. While at home following the two-week work period, the workers reported more subjective sleepiness after night shift than after day or swing shifts. Reaction time tests during the work period showed no significant differences between the shift schedules. There was a significant shorter reaction time the last day compared to the beginning or middle of the work period. Conclusions Subjective sleepiness was higher during the first days of night work compared to day work, and also when the swing shift workers changed from night work to day work in the middle of the two-week work period. Subjective sleepiness was increased at home following night shifts compared to after day and swing shifts, suggesting that swing shift workers adapted their circadian rhythm during their second period of work, during the day shift week, offshore.

Purpose: Characterize ethylbenzene and xylene air concentrations, and explore the biological exposure markers (urinary t,t-muconic acid (t,t-MA) and unmetabolized toluene) among petroleum workers offshore. Offshore workers have increased health risks due to simultaneous exposures to several hydrocarbons present in crude oil. We discuss the pooled benzene exposure results from our previous and current studies and possible co-exposure interactions. Methods: BTEX air concentrations were measured during three consecutive 12-h work shifts among 10 tank workers, 15 process operators, and 18 controls. Biological samples were collected pre-shift on the first day of study and post-shift on the third day of the study. Results: The geometric mean exposure over the three work shifts were 0.02ppm benzene, 0.05ppm toluene, 0.03ppm ethylbenzene, and 0.06ppm xylene. Benzene in air was significantly correlated with unmetabolized benzene in blood (r=0.69, p

Background Few studies have been carried out on acute effects of cement dust exposure. This study is conducted to investigate the associations between current "total" dust exposure and acute respiratory symptoms and respiratory function among cement factory workers. Methods A combined cross-sectional and cross-shift study was conducted in Dire Dawa cement factory in Ethiopia. 40 exposed production workers from the crusher and packing sections and 20 controls from the guards were included. Personal "total" dust was measured in the workers' breathing zone and peak expiratory flow (PEF) was measured for all selected workers before and after the shift. When the day shift ended, the acute respiratory symptoms experienced were scored and recorded on a five-point Likert scale using a modified respiratory symptom score questionnaire. Results The highest geometric mean dust exposure was found in the crusher section (38.6 mg/m3) followed by the packing section (18.5 mg/m3) and the guards (0.4 mg/m3). The highest prevalence of respiratory symptoms for the high exposed workers was stuffy nose (85%) followed by shortness of breath (47%) and "sneezing" (45%). PEF decreased significantly across the shift in the high exposed group. Multiple linear regression showed a significant negative association between the percentage cross-shift change in PEF and total dust exposure. The number of years of work in high-exposure sections and current smoking were also associated with cross-shift decrease in PEF. Conclusions Total cement dust exposure was related to acute respiratory symptoms and acute ventilatory effects. Implementing measures to control dust and providing adequate personal respiratory protective equipment for the production workers are highly recommended.

Epidemiological studies related to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) have mainly used crude proxies for exposure, such as job titles, distance to, or use of different equipment emitting RF EMF. The Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN) has measured RF field emitted from high-frequency antennas and radars on several spots where the crew would most likely be located aboard fast patrol boats (FPB). These boats are small, with short distance between the crew and the equipment emitting RF field. We have described the measured RF exposure aboard FPB and suggested different methods for calculations of total exposure and annual dose. Linear and spatial average in addition to percentage of ICNIRP and squared deviation of ICNIRP has been used. The methods will form the basis of a job exposure matrix where relative differences in exposure between groups of crew members can be used in further epidemiological studies of reproductive health.

This study investigated how workload and performance in high-speed ship navigation was affected by sleep deprivation using methods based on either paper charts or electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS). In two separate weeks, five navigators sailed 10 routes in high-fidelity simulators while undergoing progressive sleep deprivation for up to 60 h. Results showed that navigation performance was better using ECDIS, but was largely unaffected by sleep deprivation in both. There was significant interaction between speed, sleep deprivation and navigation method, indicating that navigators using ECDIS reduced their speed more while sleepy. Secondary task performance was reduced by sleep deprivation, but was equally affected in both conditions. Workload was higher in the ECDIS condition, as indicated by subjective ratings and heart rate variability. No significant differences in sleepiness were found, but electroencephalographic recordings indicated more frequent microsleep episodes in the ECDIS condition. This may be influenced by lower overall arousal while navigating with ECDIS.

Objectives To investigate cancer risk, particularly oesophageal cancer, among male upstream petroleum workers offshore potentially exposed to various carcinogenic agents. Methods Using the Norwegian Registry of Employers and Employees, 24765 male offshore workers registered from 1981 to 2003 was compared with 283002 male referents from the general working population matched by age and community of residence. The historical cohort was linked to the Cancer Registry of Norway and the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry. Results Male offshore workers had excess risk of oesophageal cancer (RR 2.6, 95% CI 1.4 to 4.8) compared with the reference population. Only the adenocarcinoma type had a significantly increased risk (RR 2.7, 95% CI 1.0 to 7.0), mainly because of an increased risk among upstream operators (RR 4.3, 95% CI 1.3 to 14.5). Upstream operators did not have significant excess of respiratory system or colon cancer or mortality from any other lifestyle-related diseases investigated. Conclusion We found a fourfold excess risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma among male workers assumed to have had the most extensive contact with crude oil. Due to the small number of cases, and a lack of detailed data on occupational exposure and lifestyle factors associated with oesophageal adenocarcinoma, the results must be interpreted with caution. Nevertheless, given the low risk of lifestyle-related cancers and causes of death in this working group, the results add to the observations in other low-powered studies on oesophageal cancer, further suggesting that factors related to the petroleum stream or carcinogenic agents used in the production process might be associated with risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

SUMMARYThe P300 component of the auditory event-related brain potential was examined in a group of 11workers exposed to low levels of organic solvents in a paint factory and 11 unexposed controls beforeand after 3 weeks of summer vacation. The P300 latency time was found to be prolonged among theexposed workers compared to the reference group before the summer vacation, and to be significantlylonger before the vacation than after in the exposed group.The P300 component was also examined in a group of 85 seamen from chemical tankers, experiencingpeak exposures to organic solvents. They were compared to a reference group of unexposedseamen. Comparing these two groups, no difference was found in the P300 latency time. No relationshipbetween the P300 latency time and exposure was found in a multiple regression analysis, includingthe variables age, alcohol consumption, smoking and cerebral concussions.The study indicates the occurrence of an acute biological effect in the nervous system related toorganic solvent exposure, expressed by prolonged P300 latency time. This was found at very lowexposure levels and should be studied further.

Objectives The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between occupation and sleep duration, sleepiness, insufficient sleep, and insomnia in day and shift workers (including night work and watches). Methods The study was population-based and cross-sectional, and relied on self-administered questionnaires. It was conducted as part of the 1997–1999 Hordaland Health Study in collaboration with the Norwegian National Health Screening Service. Aged 40–45 years, 7782 participants answered a sleep questionnaire, reporting their occupation and whether or not they were employed in shift work. Results Our study found differences in sleep duration during the working week between occupational groups; in both shift and day workers. Craft workers, plant operators, and drivers slept less than leaders, and non-personal and personal service workers. Within some occupations (leaders, personal service workers, and plant operators), shift workers slept less than day workers. The mean sleep duration of shift workers was 15 minutes shorter than that of day workers. Rise times, but not bedtimes, were earlier in craft-and construction workers, plant operators, and drivers than in leaders and non-personal and personal service workers, particularly day workers. When adjusted for shift work and working hours – compared to leaders – craft workers, plant operators, and drivers had an increased risk of daytime sleepiness (odds ratio 1.5, 1.8, and 1.8 respectively) and of falling asleep at work (odds ratio 1.6, 2.1 and 2.0 respectively). Shift workers had an increased risk of falling asleep at work and insomnia. Conclusions Occupation has separate effects on sleep duration and sleep-related problems, independent of the effects of shift work.

SHIFT WORK, ESPECIALLY NIGHT SHIFT, DISRUPTS THE SLEEP-WAKE CYCLE AND ITS SYNCHRONY WITH THE BODY'S NATURAL BIOLOGICAL RHYTHMS.1 SLEEP disturbances, impairment of work performance, disruptions in social and family life, stress, cardiovascular diseases, and gastrointestinal problems are all well documented to be related to shift work.2 However, these problems are not uniform among shift workers, and there is limited knowledge why some individuals seem to tolerate shift work and others do not.3 The mechanisms behind the association between shift work and poor health are complex and related to several biological, psychological, and social factors.4 Night workers are required to be active when their bodily rhythms are preparing them for inactivity and sleep, and to sleep when their bodily rhythms are preparing them for activity and wakefulness.5 The organization of the shift cycle, the coping strategies of the individual and the psychological demands and control over the work situation make important contributions to both social and health consequences of shift work.4 Some workers tolerate shift work well; others do not.6 Shift work disorder (SWD)7 represents a severe form of sleep disturbance observed with shift work, but there are few data available on this subject.8 SWD is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder that is due to a work schedule which overlaps with the individual's habitual sleep period. The shift work schedule interrupts the normal sleeping pattern, causing sleep problems or lack of restorative sleep in vulnerable individuals. Symptoms include excessive sleepiness at night (the wake period) and insomnia during the day (the sleep period).9 The diagnosis of SWD, defined by the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD-2),7 is based on 4 criteria: (1) Complaint of insomnia or excessive sleepiness temporally associated with a recurring work schedule that overlaps the usual time for sleep, (2) symptoms must be associated with the shift work schedule over the course of at least one month, (3) circadian and sleep-time misalignment as demonstrated by sleep log or actigraphic monitoring for ≥ 7 days, and finally (4) sleep disturbance is not explainable by another sleep disorder, a medical or neurological disorder, mental disorder, medication use or substance use disorder. Although many studies on shift work and its consequences have been carried out, studies on SWD as a specific disorder and of its prevalence and correlates are still sparse. It has been emphasized that it is important to make a distinction between shift workers with a sleep disorder independent of their shift work status and those in whom shift work is the essential component of their sleep disturbance.9 The most commonly cited paper on SWD, reporting a prevalence rate of 10%, by Drake et al. did not specifically ask whether the workers had insomnia or excessive sleepiness associated to the work schedule. Instead Drake et al. compared the prevalence of insomnia and sleepiness in night workers to day workers, and calculated a differential prevalence, that is, the prevalence of insomnia/sleepiness in night workers minus the prevalence among day workers.9 In the Norwegian offshore oil industry the workers live on sea-based oil platforms continuously during their work period, normally lasting for 14 days. Thus, during this period their sleep and adaptation to shift work is not disturbed by home and social obligations. This makes this shift work population especially interesting to study. The petroleum industry on oil platforms has a continuous production, and this creates a need of shift patterns including all hours. The most frequently used shift schedule in the offshore oil industry consists of 2 weeks of work followed by 4 weeks off work. The shift systems vary between “fixed” shift with either 12-h day shifts or 12-h night shifts during the 2-week work period or a “rollover” pattern, which means one week of night shift followed immediately by one week of day shift (also called swing shifts). The use of swing shifts has been debated in the oil industry, and is of particular interest, since during a 2-week work period the shift workers in the swing shift system adjust their sleep-wake rhythm twice, first at the beginning of the work period (getting adjusted to night work) and then in the middle of the work period (adjusting to day work). The aim of the present study was to examine SWD among swing shift workers in the North Sea. The instrument used in this study was specifically designed to diagnose individuals with SWD in accordance with the criteria stated in the ICSD-2.7 We also wanted to study whether individuals with SWD had sleep and health complaints during the non-work period, and whether there were differences in coping and/or psychological demands and control.

BACKGROUND: The metal mining industry employs approximately 15% of formally employed workers in Zambia, but there is little information about the magnitude of occupational injuries among the miners. AIM: To determine the frequency rates of occupational injuries and fatalities among copper miners in Zambia. METHODS: A retrospective study of occupational injuries and fatalities at one of the largest copper mining companies in Zambia was undertaken for the period January 2005 to May 2007. Information on injuries and fatalities was obtained from the electronic accident survey database of the company. Analysis was restricted to fatalities and those injuries that had prompted medical attention and at least 1 day of absence from work. Annual injury and fatality frequency rates (injuries per 1000 employee years and fatalities per 100 000 employee years, respectively) were calculated. RESULTS: In the selected period, 165 injuries and 20 fatalities were recorded. The underground department had the highest frequency rates of fatalities (111/100 000 employee years) and injuries (5.5/1000 employee years). The most common cause of fatal injuries was fall of rock in the underground mines. The most frequent mechanism of injury was handling of tools and materials, and the most commonly injured body parts were the hands and fingers. CONCLUSION: The fatality rate is high compared to reported values from the metalliferous mining industry in developed countries, strongly suggesting that measures should be taken to reduce risks, particularly at underground sites. Language: en

The aim of this article is to describe possible risk factors in the work environment that can affect the health of staff of the Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN). The article presents the main results from a subproject related to a major surveillance of the health and work environment in this population. The project was performed as a response to general concerns regarding harmful work environment and negative health effects for these employees.In 2002, a questionnaire was sent out to all the employees in RNoN, and they answered during a period of three months. The overall response rate was 58% (n=2265), 2001 men and 250 women (14 unknown sex). 1581 military employees and 580 civilians participated (104 unknown). Mean age was 38 (range 18-70). Questions about years at work, exposure to chemical, physical and ergonomic hazards were developed for this particular study. Questions about allergy, asthma, hand eczema, hearing loss, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and cancer were asked. Musculoskeletal disorders were obtained by a standardized instrument.Exposure to noise, heavy lifting, twisted work positions and work close to antennas and communication equipment occurred often in this population. The most commonly reported diseases that might be work related were hand eczema, hearing loss and low back pain.The results indicate the presence of several possible risk factors to health related to the work environment in this population. The project gives a basis for further action regarding the Health Safety and Environment work within RNoN.

Allergic sensitization among workers exposed to sisal is scarcely documented. We examined whether sisal processing is associated with IgE sensitization and its relationship to the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among Tanzanian processors.138 sisal exposed workers and 78 non-exposed controls were skin prick tested (SPT) using dry sisal extract and fresh sisal sap. Sera from a subset of 43 participants were analyzed for total and sisal specific IgE. SPT wheal size, prevalence of positive SPTs and adjusted relative risk (RR) for sisal sensitization were determined and compared between exposed and controls. Prevalences for respiratory symptoms were compared between sensitized and non-sensitized sisal workers.Significantly higher prevalence of positive SPTs to sisal was found among 74 % of sisal workers compared to 17 % among controls. Compared to controls, the RR of sensitization to sisal was 4 times higher (95 % CI; 2.4-6.7) among exposed workers. All exposed workers had elevated IgE levels (100 kU/l) and 27 % of tested sera had elevated sisal specific IgE. A high prevalence of respiratory symptoms was found in both sensitized and non-sensitized sisal workers.Sisal processing is associated with increased risk of IgE sensitization, but its clinical implication is not obvious.

To compare differences in pre- and post-shift urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1OHP) levels as a measure of internal dose of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) between two groups of oil production workers offshore assumed to be exposed to PAH, and to compare the exposed group to an unexposed control group. Participants’ (n = 42) urine samples, collected over a study period of three consecutive 12-h work days (pre-shift on the first day and post-shift on the third day), were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. Analysis of covariance was used in the statistical models. (1) Post-shift 1OHP levels were significantly higher in the exposed workers compared to the controls. (2) Tank workers and process operators did not show statistically significant different post-shift 1OHP levels. Altogether, this study indicates the presence of a low level PAH exposure among offshore oil production workers.

Objectives The aim of this study was to examine the effects of extended work hours (10 h on, 14 h off for 21 days) on sleep and sleepiness in an extreme and isolated environment in the far north (Spitsbergen, 78 degrees north). We wanted to examine whether sleep duration, sleepiness and other parameters changed over the 3-week working period and whether the parameters differed between day and night shifts. Methods The work consisted of tunnel construction in Svea, Spitsbergen. The participants worked alternate fixed day shift (06:00–16:00) or fixed night shift (18:00–04:00) for a 21-day work period in a counterbalanced, crossover design. The participants were 25 male workers (age 24–60 years). We used subjective and objective measures of sleep (diary and actigraphy) and a subjective daytime sleepiness and function questionnaire. Results The workers had a high sleep efficiency measured both subjectively and objectively. This did not change across days or between day and night shifts. Total sleep time was significantly shorter (about ½ to 1 h) during the day shift period than during the night shift period, as measured both subjectively and objectively, but did not differ across days. Subjective ratings of sleepiness did not differ between shifts. Conclusions There were few differences between the day and night shift periods and across the 21-day working period, as measured both subjectively and objectively. The subjects experienced few problems and seemed to adapt easily to their work schedule. This contrasts with what is usually the case in more conventional shift work situations, where workers do not adapt well, as measured by sleepiness and various sleep parameters.

Background Dental assistants help the dentist in preparing material for filling teeth. Amalgam was the filling material mostly commonly used in Norway before 1980, and declined to about 5% of all fillings in 2005. Amalgam is usually an alloy of silver, copper, tin and mercury. Copper amalgam, giving particularly high exposure to mercury was used in Norway until 1994. Metallic mercury is neurotoxic. Few studies of the health of dental assistants exist, despite their exposure to mercury. There are questions about the existence of possible chronic neurological symptoms today within this working group, due to this exposure. The aim of this study was to compare the occurrence of neurological symptoms among dental assistants likely to be exposed to mercury from work with dental filling material, compared to similar health personnel with no such exposure. Methods All dental assistants still at work and born before 1970 registered in the archives of a trade union in Hordaland county of Norway were invited to participate (response rate 68%, n = 41), as well as a similar number of randomly selected assistant nurses (response rate 87%, n = 64) in the same age group. The participants completed a self-administered, mailed questionnaire, with questions about demographic variables, life-style factors, musculoskeletal, neurological and psychosomatic symptoms (Euroquest). Results The dental assistants reported significant higher occurrence of neurological symptoms; psychosomatic symptoms, problems with memory, concentration, fatigue and sleep disturbance, but not for mood. This was found by analyses of variance, adjusting for age, education, alcohol consumption, smoking and personality traits. For each specific neurological symptom, adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed, showing that these symptoms were mainly from arms, hands, legs and balance organs. Conclusion There is a possibility that the higher occurrence of neurological symptoms among the dental assistants may be related to their previous work exposure to mercury amalgam fillings. This should be studied further to assess the clinical importance of the reported symptoms.

Eighty-five seamen exposed to a variety of organic solvents and hydrocarbon compounds during their work on chemical tankers were compared with 59 unexposed seamen. Visual memory, auditory memory and visual abstraction were examined 14 days or more after the last solvent exposure. Multivariate analyses were performed to control the effects of confounding factors such as age, alcohol consumption, smoking, cerebral concussions and educational level. Significant correlations were found between increasing solvent exposure and poor results in tests of auditory memory and visual abstraction. These results indicate adverse psychological effects caused by chronic organic solvent exposure. Language: en

A cohort of 1,687 captains and mates from different types of ships were followed for recording of disability pension from 1970 to 1986. 199 cases were found. At date of diagnosis each case was age-matched to 4 randomly selected seamen within the rest of the cohort at risk. A strong relationship between disability pension due to neuropsychiatric diagnoses and work on tankers was found, especially when restricted to work as a mate on the tankers. These mates experience the highest exposure to organic solvents within the investigated group. The findings indicate an occurrence of chronic nervous system disorders due to long-term exposure to organic solvents.

The health-related quality of life of Royal Norwegian Navy officers was compared with that of the general population and the association between health-related quality of life and the rank of the officers was estimated in a cross-sectional survey of 1,316 male officers, 25 to 62 years of age, in September 2002. Standardized scores for the SF-36 Health Survey were used for the comparison with the general population, and the mean raw scores for the eight SF-36 subscales were used for the association within the Navy study population. The health-related quality of life of the Navy officers was similar to that of the general population of Norway when adjusted for age, gender, having a job, and educational level. Higher military rank among male Navy officers was associated with better health-related quality of life when adjusted for age but not when adjusted for other sociodemographic variables and lifestyle factors. Physical activity seemed to be the most important positive lifestyle factor.

Background Despite considerable knowledge about musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and physical, psychosocial and individual risk factors there is limited knowledge about physical activity as a factor in preventing MSD. In addition, studies of physical activity are often limited to either leisure activity or physical activity at work. Studies among military personnel on the association between physical activity at work and at leisure and MSD are lacking. This study was conducted to find the prevalence of MSD among personnel in the Royal Norwegian Navy and to assess the association between physical activity at work and at leisure and MSD. Methods A questionnaire about musculoskeletal disorders, physical activity and background data (employment status, age, gender, body mass index, smoking, education and physical stressors) was completed by 2265 workers (58%) 18 to 70 years old in the Royal Norwegian Navy. Multiple logistic regression with 95% confidence intervals was used to assess the relationship between physical activity and musculoskeletal disorders. Results A total of 32% of the workers reported musculoskeletal disorders often or very often in one or more parts of the body in the past year. The most common musculoskeletal disorders were in the lower back (15% often or very often), shoulders (12% often or very often) and neck (11% often or very often). After adjustment for confounders, physical activity was inversely associated with musculoskeletal disorders for all body sites except elbows, knees and feet. Conclusion The one-year prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among workers in the Royal Norwegian Navy was rather low. A physically active lifestyle both at work and at leisure was associated with fewer musculoskeletal disorders among personnel in the Royal Norwegian Navy. Prospective studies are necessary to confirm the cause and effect in this association.

This study characterized the exposure of crude oil process operators to benzene and related aromatics during ordinary activity and investigated whether the operators take up benzene at this level of exposure. We performed the study on a fixed, integrated oil and gas production facility on Norway's continental shelf. The study population included 12 operators and 9 referents. We measured personal exposure to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene during three consecutive 12-h work shifts using organic vapour passive dosimeter badges. We sampled blood and urine before departure to the production facility (pre-shift), immediately after the work shift on Day 13 of the work period (post-shift) and immediately before the following work shift (pre-next shift). We also measured the exposure to hydrocarbons during short-term tasks by active sampling using Tenax tubes. The arithmetic mean exposure over the 3 days was 0.042 ppm for benzene (range

To assess gender differences in self-reported symptoms, psychosocial, subjective, and objective physical environments.Staff (N=173) in four university buildings were investigated by questionnaires, blood samples, and objective assessment of indoor environment (temperature, air velocity, relative humidity, CO2, and dust [PM 10]). Analyses were performed by linear and logistic regressions.Women reported health symptoms more often than did men and complained more about physical but not psychosocial factors. Men's symptoms and complaints were more specifically associated to air velocity and humidity. For both genders, symptoms were related to both strain (P=0.02) and perceived physical environments (P=0.01). Lower relative humidity in the range of 15% to 35% was associated with perception of too low temperature and dry air.Gender, psychosocial, and physical environment factors were related to symptoms and perceived indoor climate.

This study examines mental workload and performance in simulated high-speed ship navigation. Two navigation methods were compared based on an electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) and a conventional system using paper charts. Twenty naval cadets navigated in high-fidelity simulators through a 50 nautical mile course with varying levels of difficulty. Results showed that ECDIS navigation significantly improved course-keeping performance, but reduced the total amount of communication on the bridge. No differences were observed in subjective workload between groups. Heart rate variability and skin conductance measurements indicated higher workload in conventional navigation, but the differences between groups were not significant.

Background Few studies of miners have been carried out in African countries; most are from South Africa, where the working conditions are assumed to be better than in the rest of Africa. Several studies have focused on respiratory disorders among miners, but development workers responsible for creating underground road ways have not been studied explicitly. This is the first study assessing the associations between exposure to dust and quartz and respiratory symptoms among coal mine workers in a manually operated coal mine in Tanzania, focusing on development workers, as they have the highest exposure to coal dust. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out among 250 production workers from a coal mine. Interviews were performed using modified standardized questionnaires to elicit information on occupational history, demographics, smoking habits and acute and chronic respiratory symptoms. The relationships between current dust exposure as well as cumulative respirable dust and quartz and symptoms were studied by group comparisons as well as logistic regression. Results Workers from the development group had the highest dust exposure, with arithmetic mean of 10.3 mg/m3 for current respirable dust and 1.268 mg/m3 for quartz. Analogous exposure results for mine workers were 0.66 mg/m3 and 0.03 mg/m3, respectively; and for other development workers were 0.88 mg/m3 and 0.10 mg/m3, respectively. The workers from the development section had significantly higher prevalence of the acute symptoms of dry cough (45.7%), breathlessness (34.8%) and blocked nose (23.9%). In addition, development workers had significantly more chronic symptoms of breathlessness (17.0%) than the mine workers (6.4%) and the other production workers (2.4%). The highest decile of cumulative exposure to respirable dust was significantly associated with cough (OR = 2.91, 95% CI 1.06, 7.97) as were cumulative exposure to quartz and cough (OR = 2.87, CI 1.05, 7.88), compared with the reference consisting of the group of workers with the lowest quartile of the respective cumulative exposure. Conclusion The development workers in a coal mine had more acute and chronic respiratory symptoms than the mine and the other production workers. In addition, there was an association between high cumulative coal dust and respiratory symptoms.

Objectives: To evaluate the reliability of an expert team assessing exposure to carcinogens in the offshore petroleum industry and to study how the information provided influenced the agreement among raters. Methods: Eight experts individually assessed the likelihood of exposure for combinations of 17 carcinogens, 27 job categories and four time periods (1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999 and 2000–2005). Each rater assessed 1836 combinations based on summary documents on carcinogenic agents, which included descriptions of sources of exposure and products, descriptions of work processes carried out within the different job categories, and monitoring data. Inter-rater agreement was calculated using Cohen’s kappa index and single and average score intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) (ICC (2,1) and ICC (2,8) , respectively). Differences in inter-rater agreement for time periods, raters, International Agency for Research on Cancer groups and the amount of information provided were consequently studied. Results: Overall, 18% of the combinations were denoted as possible exposure, and 14% scored probable exposure. Stratified by the 17 carcinogenic agents, the probable exposure prevalence ranged from 3.8% for refractory ceramic fibres to 30% for crude oil. Overall mean kappa was 0.42 (ICC (2,1) = 0.62 and ICC (2,8) = 0.93). Providing limited quantitative measurement data was associated with less agreement than for equally well described carcinogens without sampling data. Conclusion: The overall κ and single-score ICC indicate that the raters agree on exposure estimates well above the chance level. The levels of inter-rater agreement were higher than in other comparable studies. The average score ICC indicates reliable mean estimates and implies that sufficient raters were involved. The raters seemed to have enough documentation on which to base their estimates, but provision of limited monitoring data leads to more incongruence among raters. Having real exposure data, with the inherent variability of such data, apparently makes estimating exposure in a rigid semiquantitative manner more difficult.

Background Since 1992, physicians have reported work-related diseases among workers in Norway's offshore petroleum industry to the Petroleum Safety Authority, as required by law. Aims To analyse the number of reported work-related musculoskeletal disorders and risk factors (occupation and reported exposure) from 1992 to 2003. Methods Data from the Petroleum Safety Authority's registry of work-related diseases were analysed. Results During the 12 years, 3131 new work-related musculoskeletal disorders were reported and this was the category of work-related disease most frequently reported (47%). The number of work-related musculoskeletal disorders varied substantially from year to year. Disorders of the upper limb accounted for 53% and back disorders for 20% of all work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Lower limb disorders accounted for 16%, of which knee disorders dominated (12% of all cases). The dominant occupational categories were maintenance work (40%) and catering (21%). Frequently reported types of exposure were high physical workload, repetitive work and walking on hard surfaces/climbing stairs and ladders. Conclusion Strategies for preventing musculoskeletal disorders should be carried out to reduce the burden of high physical workload and repetitive work, especially in maintenance work and catering. Further research is recommended on the association between walking on hard surfaces/climbing stairs and ladders and knee disorders. Reporting routines need to be improved to monitor trends over time and to assess the effects of interventions.

Several studies indicate health problems among hairdressers to be related to their chemical exposure at work. The purpose of this study was to describe the exposure of chemical compounds in the air of Spanish hairdresser salons, and to study differences between salons in central and suburban areas. Ten hairdresser salons were examined for two days, by recording number and type of customers, ventilation and size of salon. Both stationary and personal borne samples for organic compounds were collected, as well as stationary samples of ammonia. TVOC was calculated. Air temperature, relative humidity, CO and CO2 were logged for 48 h in each salon. Fifty-six personal and 28 stationary samples were analysed for organic compounds. Thirty-five different air-borne compounds were found in the working environment of the hairdressers. All levels were well below the limit values in Spain and USA, both for ammonia and organic compounds. TVOC ranged from 48.37 mg/m3 to 237.60 mg/m3, meaning that many salons had levels above suggested comfort values of 25. There were only minor differences in exposure between central and suburban salons. No salons had ventilation systems, and the CO2 was increasing during the day. The exposure was higher for several chemical compounds when hair dying was performed. Hairdressers were exposed to low air levels of a large number of chemical substances mostly related to work related to hair dying. There were no differences between exposure levels in salons in central and suburban areas. Instituto de la Mujer (Ministerio de Igualdad); Conselleria de Empresa, Universidad y Ciencia (Generalitat Valenciana).

Prior research shows that work on board vessels of the Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN) is associated with noise exposure levels above recommended standards. Further, noise exposure has been found to impair cognitive performance in environmental, occupational, and experimental settings, although prior research in naval and maritime settings is sparse. The aim of this study was to evaluate cognitive performance after exposure to noise among personnel working on board vessels in the RNoN. Altogether 87 Navy personnel (80 men, 7 women; 31 ± 9 years) from 24 RNoN vessels were included. Noise exposure was recorded by personal noise dosimeters at a minimum of 4 h prior to testing, and categorized into 4 groups for the analysis: 85.2 dB(A). The participants performed a visual attention test based on the Posner cue-target paradigm. Multivariable general linear model (GLM) analyses were performed to analyze whether noise exposure was associated with response time (RT) when adjusting for the covariates age, alertness, workload, noise exposure in test location, sleep the night before testing, use of hearing protection device (HPD), and percentage of errors. When adjusting for covariates, RT was significantly increased among personnel exposed to >85.2 dB(A) and 77.1-85.2 dB(A) compared to personnel exposed to

We investigated associations between benzene exposure and alterations of proteins and cells of the immune system among workers maintaining cargo tanks containing crude oil residues. Individual exposure to benzene, benzene in blood and urine, peripheral blood lymphocytes (total lymphocytes, lymphocytes in subpopulations CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD56 and CD4/CD8 ratio), complement factors C3 and C4 and serum concentration of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE) were analysed among 13 tank workers and nine unexposed referents (catering section). Benzene exposure was measured during three consecutive 12-h work days. Blood and urine samples were collected pre-shift on the first day (baseline), post-shift on the third day, and pre-next shift on the following morning. The time spent in the cargo tank was logged. The individual geometric mean benzene exposure in the breathing zone of tank workers over 3 days was 0.15 p.p.m. (range 0.01-0.62 p.p.m.) (n = 26). The geometric mean benzene concentration in blood post-shift was 12.3 nmol/l among tank workers versus 0.7 nmol/l among the referents. Tank workers showed a decline (versus referents) in IgM from baseline to post-shift (t-test, P = 0.04) and IgA from baseline to pre-next shift (t-test, P = 0.01). They also showed a decline in CD4 T cells from baseline to post-shift (t-test, P = 0.04). Suppression correlated with benzene exposure, benzene concentrations in blood and urine and time spent in the tank. The groups did not differ significantly in the change in other immune parameters. The clinical significance is unknown and warrants further studies.

Objectives: To identify and describe the exposure to selected known and suspected carcinogenic agents, mixtures and exposure circumstances for defined job categories in Norway’s offshore petroleum industry from 1970 to 2005, in order to provide exposure information for a planned cohort study on cancer. Methods: Background information on possible exposure was obtained through company visits, including interviewing key personnel (n = 83) and collecting monitoring reports (n = 118) and other relevant documents (n = 329). On the basis of a previous questionnaire administered to present and former offshore employees in 1998, 27 job categories were defined. Results: This study indicated possible exposure to 18 known and suspected carcinogenic agents, mixtures or exposure circumstances. Monitoring reports were obtained on seven agents (benzene, mineral oil mist and vapour, respirable and total dust, asbestos fibres, refractory ceramic fibres, formaldehyde and tetrachloroethylene). The mean exposure level of 367 personal samples of benzene was 0.037 ppm (range: less than the limit of detection to 2.6 ppm). Asbestos fibres were detected (0.03 fibres/cm 3 ) when asbestos-containing brake bands were used in drilling draw work in 1988. Personal samples of formaldehyde in the process area ranged from 0.06 to 0.29 mg/m 3 . Descriptions of products containing known and suspected carcinogens, exposure sources and processes were extracted from the collected documentation and the interviews of key personnel. Conclusions: This study described exposure to 18 known and suspected carcinogenic agents, mixtures and exposure circumstances for 27 job categories in Norway’s offshore petroleum industry. For a planned cohort study on cancer, quantitative estimates of exposure to benzene, and mineral oil mist and vapour might be developed. For the other agents, information in the present study can be used for further assessment of exposure, for instance, by expert judgement. More systematic exposure surveillance is needed in this industry. For future studies, new monitoring programmes need to be implemented.

This study aims at estimating variability in exposure to respirable dust and assessing whether the a priori grouping by job team is appropriate for an exposure-response study on respiratory effects among workers in a manually operated coal mine in Tanzania. Furthermore, estimated exposure levels were used to calculate cumulative exposure. Full-shift personal respirable dust samples (n = 204) were collected from 141 randomly chosen workers at underground and surface work sites. The geometric mean exposure for respirable dust varied from 0.07 mg m(-3) for office workers to 1.96 mg m(-3) for the development team. The analogous range of respirable quartz exposure was 0.006-0.073 mg m(-3). Variance components were estimated using random effect models. For most job teams the within-worker variance component was considerably higher than the between-worker variance component. For respirable dust the estimated attenuation of the linear exposure-response relationship was low (5.9%) when grouping by job team. Grouping by job team was considered appropriate for studying the association between current dust exposure and respiratory effects. Based on the estimated worker-specific mean exposure in the job teams, the arithmetic mean cumulative exposure for the 299 workers who participated in the epidemiological part of the study was 38.1 mg* yr m(-3) for respirable dust and 2.0 mg* yr m(-3) for quartz.

We investigated the association between the individual concentrations of benzene in the breathing zone and the concentrations of benzene in the blood and urine among workers maintaining crude oil cargo tanks. Benzene exposure was measured during three consecutive 12h work days among 13 tank workers and 9 unexposed referents (catering section). Blood and urine samples were collected pre-shift on the first day, post-shift on the third day, and pre-next shift on the following morning. The workers used half-mask air-purifying respirators, but not all workers used these systematically. The individual geometric mean benzene exposure in the breathing zone of tank workers over 3 days was 0.15 ppm (range 0.01-0.62 ppm). The tank workers' post-shift geometric mean benzene concentrations were 12.3 nmol/l in blood and 27.0 nmol/l in urine versus 0.7 nmol/l for both blood and urine among the referents. Benzene in the work atmosphere was highly correlated with the internal concentration of benzene both in post-shift blood (r=0.87, P

To describe the relationship between cumulative respirable dust and quartz exposure and lung functioning among workers in a labour-intensive coal mine.The study population comprised 299 men working at a coal mine in Tanzania. Lung function was assessed using a Vitalograph alpha III spirometer in accordance with American Thoracic Society recommendations. Multiple linear regression models were developed to study the relationship between forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV(1)/FVC and the cumulative dust or quartz exposure while adjusting for age, height and ever smoking. To evaluate trends for dose response, cumulative exposure concentrations for respirable dust and quartz were ranked and categorized in quartiles and the highest decile, with the first quartile as the reference group. Logistic regression models were used to determine odds ratios for FEV(1)/FVC0.7 and FEV(1)%80 for categories of cumulative dust or quartz exposure.The prevalence of FEV(1)/FVC0.7 among the workers was 17.3%. Workers in the development team (20.5%) had the highest prevalence of FEV(1)%80%. The estimates of the effects of cumulative exposure on FEV(1)/FVC were -0.015% per mg years m(-3) for respirable dust and -0.3% per mg years m(-3) for respirable quartz. In logistic regression models, the odds ratios for airway limitation (FEV(1)/FVC0.7) for the workers in the highest decile of cumulative dust and quartz exposure versus the referents were 4.36 (95% confidence interval: 1.06, 17.96) and 3.49 (0.92, 13.21), respectively. The upper 10% of workers by cumulative dust and quartz exposure also had higher odds ratios for predicted FEV(1)%80% than the reference group odds ratio: 10.38 (1.38, 78.13) and 14.18 (1.72, 116.59), respectively. The results must be interpreted with caution due to a possible healthy worker effect and selection bias.Exposure to respirable coal mine dust was associated with airway limitation as measured by FEV(1)/FVC and predicted FEV(1)%.

In a cross-sectional study, we sent a self-administered questionnaire to all the women's shelters in Norway to describe health-related quality of life among women who had experienced violence from an intimate partner. Every woman who could understand Norwegian and was staying at a women's shelter in Norway for more than 1 week from October 2002 to May 2003 was asked to participate. We described violence by intimate partners by using the Severity of Violence against Women Scale and the Psychological Maltreatment of Women Index. We used the SF-36 Health Survey to measure health-related quality of life. These women experienced a multitude of threats and actual physical and psychological violence during their partnership. Their health-related quality of life was low and significantly (p

Background: In the 1990s, congenital anomalies were reported among children whose fathers had served aboard a Norwegian missile torpedo boat (MTB). The Royal Norwegian Navy asked the University of Bergen to look into this problem as one part of a general health and work environment surveillance. Aims: To estimate any increased risk of having children with congenital anomalies and having stillborn children among the offspring of workers that had served aboard the MTB and to investigate possible differences in exposure and other risk factors between these groups. Methods: Data from a cross-sectional study among all current employees of the Norwegian Navy (n = 2265, response rate 58%) were analysed. Results: The prevalence ratio of having a child with congenital malformations associated with working on the ship was 4.0 (95% CI 1.9 to 8.6). The prevalence ratio of having a child who was stillborn or died within one week was 4.1 (95% CI 1.7 to 9.9). Conclusion: Service aboard the MTB was associated with an increased risk of having children with congenital birth defects and having children that were stillborn. The causes of these findings are unknown.

Objectives: The aim was to describe the personal exposure to benzene on a typical crude oil production vessel and to identify factors influencing the exposure level. Methods: The study population included process operators, deck workers, mechanics and contractors on a production vessel in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea. The personal exposure to benzene during ordinary activity, during a short shutdown and during tank work was monitored using organic vapour passive dosimeter badges (3M� 3500). Information on the tasks performed on the day of sampling was recorded. Exposure was assessed by grouping the measurements according to job category, mode of operation and the tasks performed on the sampling day. Univariate analysis of variance was used to test the differences between the groups. Results:Forty-two workers participatedinthe exposure assessment,comprisingatotal of139 measurements. The arithmetic and geometric mean of benzene exposure for all measurements was 0.43 and 0.02 p.p.m.,respectively. Twenty-five measurements (18%) were below the limit of detection (0.001 p.p.m.), while ten samples (7%) exceeded the occupational exposure limit of 0.6 p.p.m. The geometric mean exposure was 0.004 p.p.m. (95% CI 0.003‐0.006) during ordinary activity, 0.01 p.p.m. (95% CI 0.005‐0.02) during shutdown and 0.28 p.p.m. (95% CI 0.16‐ 0.49) during tank work. Workers performing annual cleaning and maintenance of tanks containing crude oil or residues of crude oil had higher levels of exposure than workers performing other tasks, including work near open hydrocarbon-transport systems (all P < 0.001). However, because of the mandatory use of respirators, the actual personal benzene exposure was lower. The job categories explained only 5% of the variance in exposure, whereas grouping by mode of operation explained 54% of the variance and grouping by task 68%. Conclusion: The results show that, although benzene exposure during ordinary and high activity seems to be low in the processing area on the production vessel, cleaning of tanks and performing maintenance work in a cleaned tank have a potential for high exposure.

Objectives This study assessed chronic respiratory symptoms and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among workers exposed to cement dust at a Tanzanian cement factory. Methods A total of 120 exposed workers and 107 controls participated in this cross-sectional investigation. Information on demographics, occupational history, chronic respiratory symptoms, smoking habits, and use of respiratory protection equipment was collected by questionnaire. Ventilatory function testing and measurement of personal total dust exposure were also carried out. COPD was diagnosed for workers with chronic bronchitis who also had spirometric airflow obstruction. Chronic respiratory symptoms and COPD were correlated with cumulative total dust exposure and adjusted for age, pack-years, and education. Results The exposed workers had more chronic cough [odds ratio (OR) 4.5, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.9–10.4], chronic sputum production (OR 10.8, 95% CI 4.4–26.4.), dyspnea (OR 5.3, 95% CI 1.9–15.2), work-related shortness of breath (OR 4.8, 95% CI 1.6–14.2), and chronic bronchitis (OR 5.5, 95% CI 2.0–15.3) than the controls. Chronic cough, chronic sputum production, dyspnea, work-related shortness of breath, and chronic bronchitis were significantly related to cumulative dust exposure of 20.0–99.9 and ⩾100.0 versus 3 -years. The prevalence of COPD was higher for the exposed group (18.8%) than for the controls (4.8%). The odds ratio for COPD was significantly increased for cumulative dust exposure, >or=100.0 versus 3 -years (OR 11.2, 95% CI 2.2–56.0). Conclusions Cement workers seem to be at high risk of developing chronic respiratory symptoms and COPD, probably caused by cumulative total dust exposure independent of smoking habits. Reproduced with permission from the Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health ( www.sjweh.fi ).

Labour-intensive mines are numerous in several developing countries, but dust exposure in such mines has not been adequately characterized. The aim of this study was to identify and quantify the determinants of respirable dust and quartz exposure among underground coal mine workers in Tanzania. Personal respirable dust samples (n = 134) were collected from 90 underground workers in June-August 2003 and July-August 2004. The development team had higher exposure to respirable dust and quartz (geometric means 1.80 and 0.073 mg m(-3), respectively) than the mining team (0.47 and 0.013 mg m(-3)), the underground transport team (0.14 and 0.006 mg m(-3)) and the underground maintenance team (0.58 and 0.016 mg m(-3)). The percentages of samples above the threshold limit values (TLVs) of 0.9 mg m(-3) for respirable bituminous coal dust and 0.05 mg m(-3) for respirable quartz, respectively, were higher in the development team (55 and 47%) than in the mining team (20 and 9%). No sample for the underground transport team exceeded the TLV. Drilling in the development was the work task associated with the highest exposure to respirable dust and quartz (17.37 and 0.611 mg m(-3), respectively). Exposure models were constructed using multiple regression model analysis, with log-transformed data on either respirable dust or quartz as the dependent variable and tasks performed as the independent variables. The models for the development section showed that blasting and pneumatic drilling times were major determinants of respirable dust and quartz, explaining 45.2 and 40.7% of the variance, respectively. In the mining team, only blasting significantly determined respirable dust. Immediate actions for improvements are suggested to include implementing effective dust control together with improved training and education programmes for the workers. Dust and quartz in this underground mine should be controlled by giving priority to workers performing drilling and blasting in the development sections of the mine.

Objectives: To describe personal exposure to airborne hydrocarbon contaminants (oil mist and oil vapour) from 1979 to 2004 in the mud-handling areas of offshore drilling facilities operating on the Norwegian continental shelf when drilling with oil-based muds. Methods: Qualitative and quantitative information was gathered during visits to companies involved in offshore oil and gas production in Norway. Monitoring reports on oil mist and oil vapour exposure covered 37 drilling facilities. Exposure data were analysed using descriptive statistics and by constructing linear mixed-effects models. Results: Samples had been taken during the use of three generations of hydrocarbon base oils, namely diesel oils (1979–1984), low-aromatic mineral oils (1985–1997) and non-aromatic mineral oils (1998–2004). Sampling done before 1984 showed high exposure to diesel vapour (arithmetic mean, AM = 1217 mg m 3 ). When low-aromatic mineral oils were used, the exposure to oil mist and oil vapour was 4.3 and 36 mg m 3 , and the respective AMs for non-aromatic mineral oils were reduced to 0.54 and 16 mg m 3 . Downward time trends were indicated for both oil mist (6% per year) and oil vapour (8% per year) when the year of monitoring was introduced as a fixed effect in a linear mixed-effects model analysis. Rig type, technical control measures and mud temperature significantly determined exposure to oil mist. Rig type, type of base oil, viscosity of the base oil, work area, mud temperature and season significantly determined exposure to oil vapour. Major decreases in variability were found for the between-rig components. Conclusions: Exposure to oil mist and oil vapour declined over time in the mud-handling areas of offshore drilling facilities. Exposure levels were associated with rig type, mud temperature, technical control measures, base oil, viscosity of the base oil, work area and season.

Dust exposure levels were studied in a cement factory in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, as part of an epidemiological study assessing chronic respiratory health effects. One hundred and twenty personal 'total' dust samples were collected from 80 randomly selected workers from eight a priori occupational groups (OGs) based on work areas using a 37 mm Millipore sampler. The between-group, within-group and within-worker variances were determined to assess the contrast in exposure level between the OGs and to estimate the attenuation and standard error of the theoretical exposure-response slope. Using mixed-effect model estimates, the probability of overexposure relative to the occupational exposure limit (OEL) was assessed for each OG. The geometric means of total dust exposure were higher in the cranes (38.64 mg m(-3)), packing (21.30 mg m(-3)) and crusher (13.48 mg m(-3)) than in the cement mill (3.23 mg m(-3)), kiln (2.87 mg m(-3)), raw mill (1.85 mg m(-3)), maintenance (1.16 mg m(-3)) and administration (0.29 mg m(-3)). The a priori grouping scheme seems to be an efficient scheme because of the high contrast in exposure level between the OGs (0.78) and minimal attenuation of the theoretical exposure-response slope (1.0%). When using the reduced mixed-effect model, the probabilities of overexposure () relative to the OEL of 10 mg m(-3) for total cement dust were higher in the crane (96%), packing (88%) and crusher (73%) than in the cement mill (16%), kiln (14%), raw mill (5%), maintenance (2%) and administration (0.01%).

Aim To test the strain/iso-strain, interaction and buffer hypotheses of the Job Demand-Control-Support model in relation to anxiety and depression. Methods Five thousand five hundred and sixty-two workers with valid Demand-Control-Support Questionnaire (DCSQ) scores were examined with the sub-scales of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale as outcomes. Multiple statistical methods were applied. Results The strain and iso-strain hypotheses were confirmed. Generally, additive and non-interaction effects were found between psychological demands, control and social support. The buffer hypotheses were refuted. Results from analyses testing different interaction operationalizations were complementary. Conclusions High demands, low control and low support individually, but particularly combined, are risk factors for anxiety and depression. Support is the DCSQ index most strongly associated with anxiety and depression in women. Assessment of psychosocial work environment may identify workers at risk, and serve as a basis for job-redesign.

According to Norway's Internal Control Regulation, all companies are required to have an occupational health and safety (HS) management system. This study investigated the effects of implementing or improving occupational HS management on the work environment, HS-related behaviour and musculoskeletal health of workers in small and medium-sized companies. A one-year prospective cohort study, using self-administered questionnaires, was performed among the managers and blue-collar workers in 226 motor vehicle repair garages. Out of 1559 workers that responded at baseline 721 workers could be identified at follow-up. These 721 workers were included in the study. The workers in companies with improved HS management from baseline to follow-up reported increased satisfaction with the HS activities at the garage; improved support from management and colleagues; improved health-related support and control; and increased participation in HS activities.

Norway has been an oil-producing nation for more than thirty years and a large number of Norwegians have been or are working on oil rigs. There are several chemical substances present on the oil platforms, and these factors may influence workers' health.The international literature on offshore chemical exposure and health is summarised.The most important groups of chemical substances used on oil rigs are described: crude oil, production chemicals, asbestos and drilling chemicals. Different types of exposure during maintenance work are described as well. Very few exposure data are published. Acute, irritative health effects from chemical exposure are described, as well as chronic health effects like skin disorders and cancer. These workers seem to have a higher risk, that may be related to benzene exposure, of developing acute myelogenous leukemia.Physicians who are treating patients working in the oil industry are advised to be aware of possible adverse health effects from the work environment on the rigs. Further exposure studies and research in this area are highly recommended, as the literature is scarce.