Suchergebnisse

Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are chemical substances that persist in the environment, bioaccumulate through the food web, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment. The aim of the study was to assess the POP (polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs), DDT and their derivatives) levels in blood serum to identify possible risk group workers. Blood serum samples (116 in total) were collected from two groups of employees — electricians, who can come in contact with PCB-containing transformer and capacitor oil, and welders, who were used as a control group. Sample purification was done by double solid phase extraction. The concentrations of POPs in blood serum were determined by gas chromatography with electron capture detector GC/ECD and recovery controlled by internal standard CB-174. None of the 116 samples contained the full range of tested POPs. However, all samples contained at least one of pesticides, and a marker PCB and mono-ortho PCB. Blood serum samples of 52% of electricians and 97.8% of welders contained non-ortho PCB compared to 84% and 74.7%, respectively, for PBDE's. The concentrations of 18 detected PCBs, 4 detected PBDEs and 6 chlorinated pesticides and their metabolites varied in wide ranges and the differences in mean values between groups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The estimated concentrations of POPs correspond to the lowest levels detected in other countries. Mean concentrations of low-chlorinated marker PCBs were higher in the electrician group, suggesting that the employment sites are contaminated with PCBs, or that employees have contact with PCB-containing items.

Possible hazards of work environment in metal processing industry in Latvia
The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors in the work environment of Latvian metal processing industry using the database of the Laboratory of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Rīga Stradiņš University. During the period between 1996 and 2005, 703 measurements were made in metalworking enterprises. In Latvia, approximately 2.4% of the workforce is involved in the metal processing industry. Physical (noise, lighting, vibration) and chemical (abrasive dust, welding aerosol and contained metals) risk factors were analysed. In the assessed metalworking workplaces, the work environment was estimated to be of poor quality, because occupational exposure limits or recommended values were exceeded in 42% (n = 294) of cases. Noise, manganese and welding aerosols most often exceeded the occupational exposure limits or recommended values, the significance was P < 0.001, P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively.

Abstract
Humans are exposed to chemicals and PM (particulate matter), including ultrafine particles (nanoparticles), mainly through inhalation. This creates a risk to their health. Another effect to exposure is expression of cytokines and their role in lung inflammation and morphpathogenesis. We conducted a pilot project based on testing of realistic exposure scenarios by describing morphological changes of the respiratory tract in Wistar rats (male) during a 30-day exposure in office where there was high intensity of printing activities. Tracheal tissue of experimental animals had increasing concentrations of inflammatory interleukin IL-1 and decreasing concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α. The lungs of the experimental animals tended to show focal infiltration of inflammatory cells, vascular plethora, focal and/or diffuse localisation of lymphatic nodules, and also vascular sclerosis and focal emphysema. The results suggested potential dangerous and adverse effect of poor indoor air quality (particles, including nanoparticles, and chemical compounds) on respiratory tract tissue of rats.

Abstract
There are many factors that affect the well-being and health of employees and the productivity of organisations. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the Metal Age training programme (MA®) on the well-being of office workers, including investigation of work ability, the stress-causing factors and role of leadership. The study was carried out using questions from four international questionnaires about stress, leadership, and work ability. The intervention group had a training course between the surveys using the ME® method. Several employee stress-causing factors were identified: bad relationship with their workmates was mentioned by 94% of workers; competitive and strenuous atmosphere — by more than 80%; psychological violence or bullying at the workplace by more than 80%, and more than 75% of employee's could not relax after work. Wellness and microclimate in the workplaces were on a relatively high level: the average rating of seven Kiva questions was 7.5. The respondent attitude after ME® did not change significantly. Latvian office workers displayed moderate and good work ability (Work Ability Index, WAI 34.5–38.6). The best work ability was shown in the age group from 20 to 49 (WAI 34.8–39.4); work ability decreased with age. The best correlation was observed between Work Ability Index and "get into situations, that invoke negative feelings" (r = 0.26) and "carrying out ongoing tasks because of other intervening or more urgent matters" (r = −0.24). After ME® the reaction to some stress-causing factors was improved.