Potresi su prirodne katastrofe koje možemo očekivati u bilo kojem dijelu Zemlje u bilo kojem trenutku. Učestalost im je veća u cirkumpacifičkom i mediteransko-transazijskom seizmičkom pojasu. Prate ...se nizom sofisticiranih metoda, magnituda im se određuje Richterovom ljestvicom, a intenzitet Mercani- Cancani-Sibergovom ljestvicom. Kroz povijest je zabilježen niz potresa koji su svojom razornom snagom odnijeli brojne ljudske živote te dramatično izmijenili okoliš. Hrvatska se nalazi u seizmički aktivnom području, što dokazuje niz katastrofalnih potresa, od kojih velik broj i na zagrebačkom području. Posljedice potresa najviše će ovisiti o gustoći naseljenosti i seizmičkoj otpornosti zgrada. Okolišne posljedice najčešće uključuju zagađenje zraka, vode i tla. Učinci takvog zagađenja mogu imati dugoročne posljedice na zdravlje populacije. Najdramatičniji, akutni, zdravstveni učinci potresa posljedica su rušenja zgrada. Pri tome brzo i djelotvorno medicinsko djelovanje ovisi ne samo o dobroj organizaciji i pripremljenosti zdravstvenih djelatnika nego i o spremnosti i opremljenosti civilne zaštite, vatrogasne službe i pripadnika Gorske službe spašavanja (HGSS). Tada će upravo dobra koordinacija između navedenih službi biti najvažnija, čime će se spasiti mnogi životi i spriječiti teže ozljede. Javnozdravstveno djelovanje mora se zasnivati na učinkovitim kontrolnim mjerama u okolišu kao prevenciji sekundarnih zdravstvenih problema izazvanih nepovoljnim okolišnim čimbenicima. Identifikacijom i kontrolom dugoročnih štetnosti nastalih kao posljedica potresa smanjit će se kronični zdravstveni učinci u populaciji. Najvažnije je istaknuti da smanjenje potresom izazvanih razaranja, budući da je rušenje zgrada najveći rizični čimbenik potresa, uključuje postavljanje prioriteta u izgradnji seizmički sigurnih zgrada.
Earthquakes are natural disasters that can occur at any time, regardless of the location. Their frequency is higher in the Circum-Pacific and Mediterranean/Trans-Asian seismic belt. A number of sophisticated methods define their magnitude using the Richter scale and intensity using the Mercani-Cancani-Sieberg scale. Recorded data show a number of devastating earthquakes that have killed many people and changed the environment dramatically. Croatia is located in a seismically active area, which has endured a series of historical earthquakes, among which several occurred in the Zagreb area. The consequences of an earthquake depend mostly on the population density and seismic resistance of buildings in the affected area. Environmental consequences often include air, water, and soil pollution. The effects of this kind of pollution can have long-term health effects. The most dramatic health consequences result from the demolition of buildings. Therefore, quick and efficient aid depends on well-organized health professionals as well as on the readiness of the civil defence, fire department, and Mountain Rescue Service members. Good coordination among these services can save many lives Public health interventions must include effective control measures in the environment as secondary prevention methods for health problems caused by unfavourable environmental factors. The identification and control of long-term hazards can reduce chronic health effects. The reduction of earthquake-induced damages includes setting priorities in building seismically safe buildings.
Potresi su prirodne katastrofe koje možemo očekivati u bilo kojem dijelu Zemlje u bilo kojem trenutku. Učestalost im je veća u cirkumpacifičkom i mediteransko-transazijskom seizmičkom pojasu. Prate ...se nizom sofisticiranih metoda, magnituda im se određuje Richterovom ljestvicom, a intenzitet Mercani-Cancani-Sibergovom ljestvicom. Kroz povijest je zabilježen niz potresa koji su svojom razornom snagom odnijeli brojne ljudske živote te dramatično izmijenili okoliš. Hrvatska se nalazi u seizmički aktivnom području, što dokazuje niz katastrofalnih potresa, od kojih velik broj i na zagrebačkom području. Posljedice potresa najviše će ovisiti o gustoći naseljenosti i seizmičkoj otpornosti zgrada. Okolišne posljedice najčešće uključuju zagađenje zraka, vode i tla. Učinci takvog zagađenja mogu imati dugoročne posljedice na zdravlje populacije. Najdramatičniji, akutni, zdravstveni učinci potresa posljedica su rušenja zgrada. Pri tome brzo i djelotvorno medicinsko djelovanje ovisi ne samo o dobroj organizaciji i pripremljenosti zdravstvenih djelatnika nego i o spremnosti i opremljenosti civilne zaštite, vatrogasne službe i pripadnika Gorske službe spašavanja (HGSS). Tada će upravo dobra koordinacija između navedenih službi biti najvažnija, čime će se spasiti mnogi životi i spriječiti teže ozljede. Javnozdravstveno djelovanje mora se zasnivati na učinkovitim kontrolnim mjerama u okolišu kao prevenciji sekundarnih zdravstvenih problema izazvanih nepovoljnim okolišnim čimbenicima. Identifi kacijom i kontrolom dugoročnih štetnosti nastalih kao posljedica potresa smanjit će se kronični zdravstveni učinci u populaciji. Najvažnije je istaknuti da smanjenje potresom izazvanih razaranja, budući da je rušenje zgrada najveći rizični čimbenik potresa, uključuje postavljanje prioriteta u izgradnji seizmički sigurnih zgrada.
This article describes respiratory symptoms and lung function in 98 fish processing female workers employed in a fish processing plant located on the Croatian Adriatic coast and 95 matching controls. ...The study included chronic and acute respiratory symptoms which developed during the shifts. Lung function measurements included forced vital capacity (FVC), one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and maximal expiratory rates at 50 % and the last 25 % (FEF50, FEF25). Chronic respiratory symptoms were significantly dominant in fish processing workers compared to controls. The most common chronic symptoms were hoarseness (57.1 %), nasal catarrh (51.0 %), chronic cough (42.9 %), chronic phlegm (34.7 %), and frequent chest cold (35.7 %). Exposed smokers and nonsmokers had a similar prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms. Acute symptoms over the work shift were high, with headache in lead (smokers: 62.5 %; nonsmokers: 56.1 %). Most of the ventilatory capacity parameters were significantly lower than predicted, FEF25 in particular, indicating obstructive changes predominantly in the smaller airways. These findings suggest that fish processing workers are prone to developing acute and chronic respiratory symptoms as well as to lung function changes. This calls for medical and technical preventive measures to be introduced in the work environment of the fish processing plant.
Cilj je ovoga istraživanja bio ispitati respiratorne simptome i plućnu funkciju radnica zaposlenih na preradi riba u industriji na obali Jadranskog mora u Hrvatskoj. U istraživanje je uključeno 98 radnica zaposlenih na preradi riba i 95 žena neizložene kontrolne skupine. Ispitivani su kronični i akutni respiratorni simptomi koji se razvijaju tijekom radne smjene. Mjerena je plućna funkcija registriranjem forsiranoga vitalnog kapaciteta (FVC), forsiranoga ekspiracijskog volumena u prvoj sekundi (FEV1) te maksimalnoga ekspiracijskog protoka pri 50 % i zadnjih 25 % forsiranoga vitalnog kapaciteta (FEF50, FEF25) na krivulji maksimalni ekspiracijski protok-volumen (MEPV). Učestalost većine kroničnih respiracijskih simptoma bila je značajno viša u eksponiranih u usporedbi s kontrolnom skupinom. U eksponiranih radnica utvrđena je i visoka prevalencija akutnih simptoma koji se razvijaju tijekom radne smjene, posebno za promuklost (57,1 %) i katar nosa (51 %), potom slijedi kronični kašalj (42,9 %), kronični iskašljaj (34,7 %), upale sinusa (32 %) i česte prehlade (35,7 %). S obzirom na naviku pušenja pušači i nepušači imali su sličnu prevalenciju kroničnih respiratornih simptoma. Izložene radnice imale su visoku prevalenciju akutnih simptoma tijekom radne smjene i to naročito za glavobolju (pušači 62,5 %; nepušači 56,1 %). Ventilacijska funkcija pluća bila je značajno smanjena u usporedbi s predviđenim normalnim vrijednostima posebice za FEF25 % upućujući na opstruktivne promjene pretežno u manjim dišnim putovima. Naši podaci upućuju na opasnost razvoja kroničnih i akutnih respiracijskih simptoma i promjena plućne funkcije u radnika koji rade u industriji na preradi riba. Medicinske i tehničke preventivne mjere u radnom okolišu treba preporučiti u industriji prerade riba.
Gender related differences in respiratory disease have been documented. The aim of this study was to investigate gender related differences in respiratory findings by occupation. We analyzed data ...from 12 of our previously published studies.
Three thousand and eleven (3011) workers employed in "organic dust" industries (1379 female and 1632 male) were studied. A control group of 806 workers not exposed to any kind of dust were also investigated (male = 419, female = 387). Acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and lung function were measured. The weighted average method and the Mantel-Haentszel method were used to calculate the odds ratios of symptoms. Hedge's unbiased estimations were used to measure lung function differences between men and women.
There were high prevalences of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms in all the "dusty" studied groups compared to controls. Significantly less chronic cough, chronic phlegm as well as chronic bronchitis were found among women than among men after the adjustments for smoking, age and duration of employment. Upper respiratory tract symptoms by contrast were more frequent in women than in men in these groups. Significant gender related lung function differences occurred in the textile industry but not in the food processing industry or among farmers.
The results of this study suggest that in industries processing organic compounds there are gender differences in respiratory symptoms and lung function in exposed workers. Whether these findings represent true physiologic gender differences, gender specific workplace exposures or other undefined gender variables not defined in this study cannot be determined. These data do not suggest that special limitations for women are warranted for respiratory health reasons in these industries, but the issue of upper respiratory irritation and disease warrants further study.
Ozljede i bolesti mogu znatno utjecati na stvaralačku sposobnost, kreativnost i dostignuća umjetnika. Povezanost uvjeta i načina rada s pojavom bolesti u umjetnika prepoznata je već u srednjem ...vijeku. Tjelesna zahtjevnost izvedbe, gdje se tijelo koristi kao instrument izražavanja, može uzrokovati ozljede i razvoj profesionalnih bolesti koje mogu dovesti do nemogućnosti umjetničke interpretacije na očekivanoj razini, prekinuti aktivnosti i onemogućiti nastavak profesionalne karijere. Plesači su jedna od skupina umjetnika/izvođača koji su izloženi specifičnim rizicima i kojima treba specifična zdravstvena zaštita, što nije moguće ostvariti bez poznavanja mehanizama nastajanja ozljeda i uvažavanja posebnosti potreba plesača. Mnogi plesači teže visokim umjetničkim i estetskim kriterijima izvedbe, pri čemu često protežu svoje tjelesne mogućnosti i izdržljivost i zanemaruju vlastita tjelesna ograničenja. Zdravstveni problemi plesača obuhvaćaju čitav niz ozljeda, profesionalnih bolesti i bolesti vezanih uz rad koji se kreću od stresa i straha od nastupa sve do poremećaja u prehrambenim navikama. Također obuhvaćaju ozljede mišićno-koštanoga sustava, sindrome prenaprezanja i trenažnoga preopterećenja koje može uzrokovati karakterističnu topološku pojavu boli, koja je često početak kroničnih zdravstvenih problema kod plesača. Navedeni zdravstveni problemi plesača sve su češće područje zanimanja liječnika različitih specijalizacija, unaprjeđenja i provođenja preventivnih programa, dijagnostičkih metoda i liječenja u tom djelu populacije.
Injuries and diseases can significantly affect the creativity and artistic performance. The link between working conditions and artistic performance had been recognised as early as the medieval age. ...Physically demanding performance arts such as dance can sometimes result in injuries, illnesses, inability to perform, and even end artist's career. Dancers are exposed to specific risks and in need of specific medical care. Many dancers often stretch their physical capabilities and endurance and neglect their physical limitations. Their health problems include a number of work-related illnesses that range from stress and stage fright to metabolic and nutritional disorders. They also include musculoskeletal injuries due to overload training that are often the beginning of chronic health problems.
Respiratory Findings in Tobacco Workers Mustajbegovic, Jadranka; Zuskin, Eugenija; Schachter, E. Neil ...
Chest,
05/2003, Volume:
123, Issue:
5
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
To screen for respiratory symptoms and lung function impairment in workers occupationally exposed to tobacco dust in a tobacco-processing plant.
One hundred twenty-one tobacco workers (97 women and ...24 men) were included in the study. In addition, a group of 98 control workers (73 women and 25 men) were studied.
Acute and chronic respiratory symptoms were recorded in all tobacco workers. Lung function was measured by recording the maximum expiratory flow-volume curves on which FVC, FEV1, and flow rates at 50% of FVC (FEF50) and the last 25% of FVC (FEF25) were read.
There was a high prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms among these workers, and this prevalence was significantly higher in exposed female workers than in female or male control workers (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). Occupational asthma was recorded in 6 female tobacco workers (6.2%) and in none of the control subjects (p < 0.05). None of the male workers were found to have occupational asthma. There was also a high prevalence of acute symptoms that were noted during the work shift (particularly for nose and throat dryness, as well as eye irritation). Among these tobacco workers, the odds ratios for respiratory symptoms were frequently significant for employment and smoking among male tobacco workers but were not significant in general for female tobacco workers. The ventilatory capacity data in tobacco workers showed statistically significant reductions in FEV1, FEF50, and FEF25 in relation to predicted values. These reductions were demonstrated in smokers as well as in nonsmokers. Regression analysis suggested that there were significant changes according to employment status for FVC, FEV1, and FEF25 in female tobacco workers. Measurements of ventilatory capacity during the course of the work shift in 38 female tobacco workers demonstrated significant mean acute reductions in FEV1 (−5.7%), in FEF50 (−15.7%), and in FEF25 (−23.4%).
Our data indicate that tobacco workers may develop respiratory disorders related to tobacco dust in their work environment.
The grain weevil, an insect (pest) that infects grain, is a frequent contaminant of processed wheat, and its presence may contribute to respiratory abnormalities in grain workers. We studied the in ...vitro effects of an extract of grain weevil (GWE) on airway smooth muscle. Pharmacologic studies included in vitro challenge of guinea pig trachea with GWE, in parallel organ baths, pretreated with mediator-modifying agents or a control solution. Dose-related contractions of nonsensitized guinea pig trachea (GPT) were demonstrated using this extract. Pharmacologic studies were performed by pretreating guinea pig tracheal tissue with drugs known to modulate smooth muscle contraction: atropine, indomethacin, pyrilamine, acivicin, NDGA, BPB, TMB8, captopril, and capsaicin. Atropine, pyrilamine, BPB, and capsaicin significantly reduced the contractile effects of the extract at most of the challenge doses (
p
< 0.01 or
p
< 0.05). Inhibition of GWE-induced contraction by blocking of other mediators was less complete. We suggest that GWE causes dose-related airway smooth muscle constriction of the GPT by nonimmunologic mechanisms involving a variety of airway mediators and possibly cholinergic receptors.
Respiratory function in active firefighters Mustajbegovic, Jadranka; Zuskin, Eugenija; Schachter, E. Neil ...
American journal of industrial medicine,
July 2001, Volume:
40, Issue:
1
Journal Article
Occupational health hazards of artists Zuskin, Eugenija; Schachter, E Neil; Mustajbegović, Jadranka ...
Acta dermatovenerologica Croatica,
2007, Volume:
15, Issue:
3
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Artists may be exposed to a variety of potentially noxious materials. The modern techniques they use imply exposure to environmental hazards. Occupational health was evaluated in individuals engaged ...in different arts such as sculpture, painting, printmaking, restoration photography, glass-work and ceramics, because of exposure to toxic chemicals in art materials, tools and methods used in their work. This evaluation demonstrated that artists sustain extensive exposure to toxic substances similar to occupational exposure of workers in different industrial settings. Hazards for artists are numerous and therefore it is important to identify the noxious materials and techniques used. Preventive measures should include basic safety, precautions, education and preventive medical surveillance.
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