eng
The Egyptian Society of Industrial Medicine
Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine
1110-1881
2357-058X
2008-01-01
32
1
1
10
10.21608/ejom.2008.657
657
PATTERN OF INTOXICATION AMONG CHILDREN BELOW 14 YEARS ADMITTED TO A REFERRAL CENTER IN EGYPT
Arafa A.
1
Galal N.
2
Lecturer of Toxicology, Cairo University
Lecturer of Pediatrics, Cairo University
Accidental Poisoning remains among the leading health hazards in young children despite frantic efforts of prevention worldwide. In Egypt, decreased awareness still prevails in most rural and semi urban areas. This study aims at reviewing the pattern of poisoning in children for better planning of preventive strategies. Methods: A review of the interval between the year 2005 through 2006 was done Retrospectively for 500 consecutive children aged 14 years or below presenting with accidental poisoning to NECTR(national Egyptian center for toxicological research) to assess patternof intoxication among them . Our study included only subjects hospitalized at our center.Results: There was a Male preponderance of (60.6%)(n=303) . Cases presenting between 2 and 5 years of age constituted the majority of cases (56.6%) (n=283). Household products constituted (55.4%) (n=277), medicinal(therapeutic and non therapeutic)(55.4%) (n=277), medicinal(therapeutic and non therapeutic) drugs constituted (28.2%) (n=141), food poisoning constituted (7.6%) (n=38), animal bites or stings ( 2.8%) (n=14) and poisoning due to unknown substances constituted (6%)(n=30) .Conclusion: Accidental poisoning remains a significant problem to date in Egypt and needs spread of health awareness to minimize this preventable problem.
https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_657_87e8c4943b392701385fca4df66574f9.pdf
Acute poisoning
Toddlers and Children-Household exposures
eng
The Egyptian Society of Industrial Medicine
Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine
1110-1881
2357-058X
2008-01-01
32
1
11
27
10.21608/ejom.2008.658
658
LEAD-INDUCED NEUROTOXICITY AMONG OCCUPATIONALLY-EXPOSED WORKERS: MOLECULAR EFFECTS AND CLINICAL CORRELATES
Ahmed MH
1
El-Desouky NA
2
Rashed LA
3
Department of Industrial Medicine & Occupational Disease,Forensic Medicine & Toxicology
Department of Industrial Medicine & Occupational Disease,Forensic Medicine & Toxicology
Medical Biochemistry,Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University
Rationale and background: Lead [Pb(II)] affects the higher functions of the central nervous system and undermines brain growth, preventing the correct development of cognitive and behavioral functions at exceedingly low levels of exposure.Aim of the work: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible leadinduced neurological affections and their mechanism of occurrence. Subjects and methods: For this purpose, 42 subjects were included in this studyand classified into 2 groups: Group I: Included 20 employees working in the wet battery factory (not exposed to lead) and Group II: 22 workers in the same factory working in the wet battery paste. After history taking and full clinical examination about the possible lead-induced toxic effects, ten milliliters of venous blood were collectedfrom every subject, centrifuged and the serum was used for the estimation of blood lead level, serum tumor necrosis factor α (TNF α), serum interleukin1 (IL1), metalloproteinase- 9. Results: Cases had statistically significant higher TNF α, IL1 and metalloproteinase- 9 than controls. Conclusion and recommendation: Lead could produce its neurotoxic effects, presented in the current work by the statistically elevated TNF α, IL1 and metalloproteinase- 9, through altering the normal immune pattern of the nervous system. This study had provided important new insights into the molecular mechanisms of metal toxicity and had opened several exciting avenues of research.
https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_658_a2f6a2b949bfc87e4de5bb1581680e61.pdf
missed
eng
The Egyptian Society of Industrial Medicine
Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine
1110-1881
2357-058X
2008-01-01
32
1
29
58
10.21608/ejom.2008.659
659
CLARA CELL PROTEIN CC16 AS A BIOLOGICAL MARKER OF LUNG INJURY AMONG QUARRY WORKERS EXPOSED TO PM2.5
Gaballah F.
1
Rashed A.
2
Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Diseases,Cairo University
Department of Biochemistry,Faculty of Medicine,Cairo University
Objective: evaluation of the use of Clara cell protein (CC16) level in serum as an early indicator of the adverse respiratory health effects of particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure.Methods: Detailed assessment questionnaire was used for interviewing 54 individuals divided into workers exposed to particulates in the atmosphere of stone quarriesand a control group. The studied population was subjected to clinical examination and pulmonary function testing in order to diagnose airway diseases and lung irritation. Laboratory investigations were done in the form of Clara cell protein and immunoglobul in A (IgA) estimation in serum using the immunoassay technique. Results: According to the thorough occupational history and clinical examination,respiratory system affection was detected among the exposed population in the form of frequent asthmatic attacks, chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Pulmonary function tests demonstrated marked decrease in the expiratory flow rate 25-75% (FEF 25-75%) suggesting irritation and affection of the small airways correlating to duration of exposure more than smoking index. Estimation of the pneumoprotein CC16 which is produced by the epithelial cells in terminal bronchioles revealed marked elevation in serum of exposed group (149.61 ± 22.64 pg/mi) than among the control group (107.08 ± 12.18 pg/ml). Similarly, the humoral immune defense involving the secretory immunoglobulin A (slgA) predominant in mucosal secretions was markedly elevated among the exposed than the control groups with mean values of 372.41 ± 232.87 IU/ml and 143.76 ± 83.531U/ml, respectively. The serurn CC 16 and IgA were both significantly negatively correlated with flow rates.Worth-mentioning, is the increased CC 16 serum levels with ageing which influences the functionality of the lungs and immune systern as evidenced by the decline in lung volumes, lung capacity and flow rates and by decreased IgA in serum. Conclusion: The results suggest that damage of Clara cells in the small airways and the increased epithelial barrier permeability are ultimate consequences of exposure to particulates in air at the workplace. Accordingly, the elevated serum CC16 asa result of increased diffusion of this type of pneumoprotein into the circulation might be used as an early non-invasive biological indicator for lung affection. Aim of the Work: This study was designed to investigate the cellular and humoraldefense mechanisms of the respiratory tract in workers exposed to particulate air pollution in quarries in an attempt to evaluate the importance of using CC16 as a biologic marker for respiratory injury in comparison to pulmonary function tests.
https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_659_908cd91abf1e698ba37979b984dface9.pdf
ambient particulate air pollution
pneumoproteins
Clara cell protein
CC.16
Immunoglobulin A
Quarrying
pulmonaryfunction tests
eng
The Egyptian Society of Industrial Medicine
Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine
1110-1881
2357-058X
2008-01-01
32
1
63
87
10.21608/ejom.2008.660
660
MILK ALKALI SYNDROME:AN OCCUPATIONAL DISORDER FOR CONSIDERATION
Gaballah F.
1
Sayed G.
2
Rashed A.
3
Sultan Aز
4
Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Diseases,Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University
Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Diseases,Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University
Department of Internal Medicine Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University
Background: The milk alkali syndrome has always been suspected when patients present with hypercalcemia, renal impairment and metabolic alkalosis. Nowadays, the occupational exposure to carbonate salts at the workplace is considered an environmental problem that seems to increase the possibility of the appearance of more casesof the syndrome.Objective: investigating the effects of exposure to lime stone dust among working population in the petrochemical industry and determining the importance of interpreting the unexplained abnormal kidney functions in the diagnosis of chronic form of milk alkali syndrome.Methods: Detailed assessment questionnaire and thorough clinical examination were used to study the health condition of 24 workers exposed to sodium and calcium carbonate during the processing of limestone and of 21 matched non-exposed workers. The cardiovascular changes were further evaluated using the electrocardiogram. The blood gases as well as sodium, potassium and chloride were estimated by the utomatedanalyzer. Laboratory tests investigated the serum levels of ionized calcium and phosphorus calorimetrically and the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25-(OH)2-D) by chromatography. As for the intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathormone hormone related peptides (PTH-rP) in serum, estimation was carried out using the two-site immunoassay technique.Results: Urinary frequency was detected among exposed workers as sign of isotoni polyuria caused by increased stimulation of calcium-sensitive receptors in the collecting tubules. Elevation of ionized calcium levels (mean values 8.32 ± 0.72 mg/ dl) among exposed workers resulted in lowered glomerular filtration rate as evidenced by azotemia. A positive linear association was detected between urea and the ionized levels of calcium. At the renal tubules, hypercalcemia induced bicarbonate absorption that led to metabolic alkalosis as evidenced by elevation in blood pH(7.46 ± 0.03) and bicarbonate equivalent above 28 mEq/L, and by the positive correlation of calcium and PTH with blood gas parameters. The resulting decreased kidney activity appeared to be a major factor in derangement of the vitamin D metabolism and lowering of phosphorus levels. Deficiency of vitamin D stimulated the release of parathyroid hormone highly significantly to maintain calcium level via decreasing urinary excretion and increasing renal calcium re-absorption. PTH and calcium, which were positively associated together highly significantly, both showed negative correlations with the 1,25-(OH)2-D level. The PTH-rP was significantly low among exposed workers excluding the possibility of any active role in the development of hypercalcemia. Age and smoking were not considered confounding factors in the study compared to the exposure duration which was significantly playing a positive role in the development of alkalemia and hypercalcemia.Conclusion: The obtained data suggested the presence of a relationship between the exposure to limestone and renal affection. The milk alkali syndrome which was a familiar entity might therefore be considered an occupational disorder that is manifesting in an unfamiliar way. The important element in diagnosis is the initial considerationof milk alkali syndrome as potential cause of symptoms seen among workers with hypercalcemia.
https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_660_614fef0dcffe5237d93fa6b88d4227f6.pdf
Calcium Carbonate
limestone
soda ash
milk alkali syndrome
hypercalcemia
phosphorus
1-25 dihydroxyvitamin D
intact parathyroid hormone
parathormone hormone related peptides
metabolic alkalosis
renal failure
eng
The Egyptian Society of Industrial Medicine
Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine
1110-1881
2357-058X
2008-01-01
32
1
89
115
10.21608/ejom.2008.661
661
OCCUPATIONAL CONTACT DERMATITIS IN CAR REPAIR WORKERS AT THE INDUSTRIAL ZONE IN ZAGAZIG CITY
El-Laithy N.
1
Attwa E.
2
Sabik E.
3
Nomier A.
4
Departments of Community, Environmental, and Occupational Medicine, Dermatology
Departments of Community, Environmental, and Occupational Medicine, Dermatology
Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University.
Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University.
Background: Occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) is a common skin disorder with a poor prognosis, resulting in a noteworthy economic impact for society & for an individual and amenable to public health interventions. Objectives: 1) determining the prevalence of contact dermatitis(CD)among car repair workers. 2) studying somerisk factors associated with CD and 3) Conducting an intervention skin care education program to control this problem and evaluate its impact on knowledge, attitude, symptoms and signs of CD. Subjects and methods: 1- A comparative cross-sectionalstudy was conducted on 87 car repair workers (29 car tinkers, 29 car mechanics and 29 car painters) with regular and direct exposure to chemical materials at the Industrial Zone in Zagazig City and non-exposed control group consisted of 76 booksellers. All workers were subjected to questionnaire, clinical examination and those who diagnosedclinically as CD were patch-tested. 2- Intervention study with a skin care education program was carried out on 47 car repair workers. Re-evaluation of the intervention group was done after 5 months as regard knowledge, attitude, symptoms and signs of CD. Results: The total prevalence of CD among car repair workers(18.4%) was significantly higher compared to their controls(3.9%), with the highest prevalence among car mechanics (24.1%), and car painters (20.7%). 16.1% of car repair workers reported recurrent dermatitis in the last 12 months. The most commonly affected areas were the fingers, webs and hands(81.3%). 40% of car repair CD cases found to have allergic CD and 60% have irritant CD. Nickel accounted for most positive patch test reactions (33.3%). Hammering, friction with repaired parts and sanding of painting parts with cementing the car body with pastes were the most important procedures at the workplace that start and worsen CD cases. The young car repair workers, who smoke and with past history of atopy had a significant high risk to develop CD. After the intervention study, a significantly higher knowledge level about CD causes, risk factors, prevention, with change in the attitude and behavior of workers and decreased in the reported symptoms and signs of CD. Conclusion and recommendations: Car repair workers are at high risk for OCD, irritant as well as allergic, due to exposure to various chemicals at work. Young age, smoking, atopy and duration of work are found to be risk factors for CD. Skin care education program is an important tool for primary prevention of CD and control ofexposure to substances hazardous to the skin. More long-term large-scale studies are needed to confirm further the cost-effectiveness of this and other skin protection programs.
https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_661_aa63f2d42ec2350e13bbafc41d06ad38.pdf
missed
eng
The Egyptian Society of Industrial Medicine
Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine
1110-1881
2357-058X
2008-01-01
32
1
117
131
10.21608/ejom.2008.662
662
NURSES' KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE REGARDING SECONDHAND SMOKE,AN INTERVENTION STUDY
Al-Batanony A
1
Salim EA
2
Dawood AA
3
Kasem E
4
Public Health and Community Medicine Department,Faculty of Nursing; Menoufiya University
Public Health and Community Medicine Department,Faculty of Nursing; Menoufiya University
Biochemistry Department; Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Nursing; Menoufiya University
Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Faculty of Nursing; Menoufiya University
Background: Smoking is a growing public health problem in Egypt. In 1997, it was estimated that 43.6% of adult males and 4.8% of adult females smoked. Secondhand smoke, known as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), is a mixture of the sidestream smoke given off by the burning end of a cigarette, pipe or cigar and the smoke exhaled from the lungs of smokers. Non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS) at work are at increased risk for adverse health effects.Objectives: To assess nurses' knowledge, attitude and practice regarding secondhand smoke and to reassess them once more after an intervention health education setting. Participants and Methods: This study was conducted at Menoufiya university hospitals. Two hundred and seventeen nurses were selected as a study group. A predesigned self-administered questionnaire regarding KAP of nurses about SHS was filled by each participant. Urine samples were collected and analyzed for quantitative detection of cotinine level. Results: Nurses had general knowledge about SHS specially its related diseases; however, they had deficient attitude and poor practice towards it. The intervention health education setting, significantly, raised nurses' KAP about SHS and, also, significantly decreased the urinary cotinine level. Conclusion: Nurses had some knowledge about the health effect of SHS however,their attitude and practice towards it, are still in need for more efforts to include smoking as a major problem in the nursing education curriculum.
https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_662_afdcbb1b906a4f0cf4b78d9863eae93f.pdf
KAP
secondhand smoke
urinary cotinine
eng
The Egyptian Society of Industrial Medicine
Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine
1110-1881
2357-058X
2008-01-01
32
1
133
155
10.21608/ejom.2008.663
663
SOME MOBILE PHONE ASSOCIATED HEALTH PROBLEMS AMONG MOBILE PHONE WORKERS AT ZAGAZIG CITY, SHARKIA GOVERNORATE
Abdel-Ghafar AR
1
El-Naggar SA
2
El-Laithy N
3
Abo El kheer MM
4
Department of Community, Environmental, and Occupational Medicine ,Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University.
Department of Community, Environmental, and Occupational Medicine,Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University.
Department of Community, Environmental, and Occupational Medicine,Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University.
Department of Community, Environmental, and Occupational Medicine,Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University.
Background: Although mobile telecommunications deliver enormous benefit to society, there are concerns whether its electric and magnetic field emissions are linked with cancer or other health hazards. Objectives: 1) determining some of the mobile phone(Mph) associated health problems. 2) identifying some of the risk factors associated with exposure to Mph. Subjects and methods: A comparative crosssectional study was conducted on 125 workers in mobile phone shops at Zagazig City, Sharkia Governorate and non-exposed control group consisted of 119 Mph users group and 29 Mph nonusers group. All workers were interviewed using a predesigned questionnaire including sociodemographic data, occupational history, Mph exposure & health complaints experienced during Mph working period and all workers were subjected to blood pressure measurement. Results: The results revealed that, the prevalence of sleep disturbances and tension was significantly higher in Mph workers (48.8% & 60.0%) compared to Mph non-users control group (17.2%, 31.0%and P<0.001), while the prevalence of recurrent migraine was significantly higher in Mph workers (27.2%) compared to their controls (16.4%, 6.9% and P<0.05). The prevalence of earache, pain with heat sensation around the ear and eye allergy was significantly higher in Mph workers (7.2%, 30.4% and 17.6%) compared to Mph us- ers control group (1.7%, 18.1% and 6.3% and P accidents during using Mph while driving. The prevalence of sleep disturbances,pain with heat sensation around the ear and eye allergy were significantly increased with increasing Mph work duration in months and the total duration of exposure to Mphs in hours among Mph workers.Conclusion and recommendations: Working with Mphs led to increase in the prevalence of some health problems in the nervous system, ear, and eye among Mph workers. Sleep disturbances, pain with heat sensation around ear and eye allergy were increased with increasing Mph work duration in months and the total duration of exposure to Mphs. Mph workers must know about the common sense basis for reducing their exposure to Mphs through public information campaigns. Replication of the study on a large scale with other types of epidemiological studies are needed for further establishment of the perceived health effects among Mph workers.
https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_663_ee15436a1ea7b451a4f247b274419738.pdf
missed
eng
The Egyptian Society of Industrial Medicine
Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine
1110-1881
2357-058X
2008-01-01
32
1
1
10
10.21608/ejom.2008.936
936
PATTERN OF INTOXICATION AMONG CHILDREN BELOW 14 YEARS ADMITTED TO A REFERRAL CENTER IN EGYPT *
Accidental Poisoning remains among the leading health hazards in young children despite frantic efforts of prevention worldwide. In Egypt, decreased awareness still prevails in most rural and semi urban areas. This study aims at reviewing the pattern of poisoning in children for better planning of preventive strategies. Methods: Areview of the interval between the year 2005 through 2006 was done Retrospectively for 500 consecutive children aged 14 years or below presenting with accidental poisoning to NECTR(national Egyptian center for toxicological research) to assess pattern of intoxication among them . Our study included only subjects hospitalized at our center.Results: There was a Male preponderance of (60.6%)(n=303) . Cases presenting between 2 and 5 years of age constituted the majority of cases (56.6%) (n=283).Household products constituted (55.4%) (n=277), medicinal(therapeutic and non therapeutic) (55.4%) (n=277), medicinal(therapeutic and non therapeutic) drugs constituted (28.2%) (n=141), food poisoning constituted (7.6%) (n=38), animal bites or stings ( 2.8%) (n=14) and poisoning due to unknown substances constituted (6%)(n=30) . Conclusion: Accidental poisoning remains a significant problem to date in Egypt and needs spread of health awareness to minimize this preventable problem.
https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_936_8e866fceec6a5792cf7009634fbdb300.pdf
Acute poisoning
Toddlers and Children-Household exposures