Chromium exposure study in chemical based industry.

176 chromium-exposed and 30 control subjects were selected for this study. Blood samples (3 ml) were collected for the estimation of chromium. The data on chromium concentration indicated a significant higher level of chromium in the blood of the exposed workers as compared to the control. There was no significant correlation between the mean blood and environmental chromium level. This study suggests that exposure to chromium may have some effect on the health of workers, even though the dose response relationship could not be established between blood chromium and environmental chromium levels. This study suggests that exposure to chromium may have some effect on the health of workers, even though the dose response relationship could not be established between blood chromium and environmental chromium levels. Study also indicates that the environmental levels to Cr are well below the permissible levels at all the sites of the industry at the time of survey even though the blood Cr levels were observed high in 14.8% of workers and some of them were having Cr related morbidity. Therefore, preventive and engineering control measures are suggested to minimize the chromium exposure in the chromium based industry located in Gorwa industrial estate at Baroda, Gujarat. About three months period was taken to complete this study.

Dustiness, silicosis & tuberculosis in small scale pottery workers.

Studies were carried out in eight small scale potteries to find out the airborne dust concentrations and the prevalence of dust related diseases like silicosis and tuberculosis in 292 workers. Chest radiography revealed that 44 (15.1%) pottery workers were suffering from silicosis and an equal number showed radiological evidence of tuberculosis. The environmental study showed that the concentrations of airborne dust, containing free silica, in the work environment of all departments (except packing department) of potteries were higher than threshold limit values (TLVs). The prevalence of silicosis and tuberculosis correlated with the levels of airborne dust. The prevalence of tuberculosis increased with radiological severity of silicosis. Dust control measures combined with pre-employment and periodical medical examinations are recommended for the control of silicosis and tuberculosis in the pottery industry.

Exercise induced serum enzyme changes in untrained subjects.

The serum enzyme values (GOT, GPT, LDH and Aldolase) of 13 fit healthy volunteers were determined before and after physical effort of a moderate grade of 3.9 Kcal/min. The pulse rate pattern of the subjects during the exercise of climbing up and down a staircase for 30 minutes and during a 10 minute recovery phase was also recorded. The pulse pattern was in no case in excess of 150 bpm and full recovery was achieved within 10 minutes indicating that the exercise was moderate. The serum enzyme values after the exercise were raised. The difference between the exercise and rest values of the four enzyme activities were significant at the 1% level. It was observed that the raised enzyme activity level dropped to normal levels within 24 hours after the exercise. Large individual variations in the rise of these enzyme levels after exercise were observed and hence it is difficult to quantitate the phenomenon. Consequently the value of serum enzyme levels after the exercise as a practical-index of physiological strain is limited.