Application of two health risk assessment models in the occupational health risk assessment of chemicals in different industries / 预防医学

Objective To explore the applicability of Singapore semi-quantitative risk assessment mode and Romania risk assessment model in occupational health risk assessment. Methods We employed two risk assessment models to evaluate the risk of key positions in papermaking factories, electroplating factories, and chemical factories. Then we compared the results with occupational exposure limits, classification of occupational hazards and literature reports. Results The results of Singapore model showed that the total risk ratio was 0.40 ±0.16. The risk levels of papermaking factories, electroplating factories, and chemical factories were low-medium, negligible-low and low-very high, respectively. The risk ratio of three industries were 0.42±0.04, 0.31±0.10 and 0.62±0.15. The results of Romania model showed that the total risk ratio was 0.43 ±0.11. The risk levels of papermaking factories, electroplating factories, and chemical factories were respectively low-high, minimal-low and low-very high. The risk ratio of three industries was 0.46±0.13, 0.38±0.08 and 0.52±0.11, respectively. The risk levels of electroplating factories were higher than papermaking factories and chemical factories (P<0.05) . There was no significant difference between risk levels of papermaking factories and chemical factories (P>0.05) . There was significant difference between the occupational health risk levels assessed by the two models (P >0.05) . Conclusion These findings suggest that Singapore semi-quantitative risk assessment model and Romania risk assessment model both can be applied for the occupational health risk assessment of different workplaces, such as papermaking factories,electroplating factories, and chemical factories. The risk assessment results of the two methods are basically identical.

An Epistaxis Emergency Associated with Multiple Pollutants in Elementary Students / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Emergencies of epistaxis in students caused by environmental pollution have rarely been reported to date. This study aimed to explore the cause of an emergency of epistaxis in elementary students by using a field epidemiological investigation. Twenty-two epistaxis cases from a single school with differences in gender, age, and classroom, were diagnosed within a period of 7 days. The air concentration of chromic acid mist (Cr6+) in the electroplating factory area, new campus, and residential area exceeded the limit of uncontrolled emissions. The emission of HCL and H2SO4 was also observed. Formaldehyde levels in the classrooms exceeded the limits of indoor air quality. Abnormal nasal mucosa was significantly more frequent in the case group (93.3%) and control group 1 (of the same school) (66.7%) than in control group 2 (from a mountainous area with no industrial zone) (34.8%; P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). On the basis of the pre-existing local nasal mucosal lesions, excessive chromic acid mist in the school's surrounding areas and formaldehyde in the classrooms were considered to have acutely irritated the nasal mucosa, causing epistaxis. Several lessons regarding factory site selection, eradication of chemical emissions, and indoor air quality in newly decorated classrooms, should be learned from this emergency.

A Study on Application of Inhalation Risk Assessment Model of USEPA in Occupational Health Risk Assessment / 预防医学

Objective To evaluate the applicability of inhalation risk assessment model provided by US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA ) in occupational health risk assessment in paper -making,chemical and electroplating industries.Methods A total of 1 1 factories in paper-making,chemical and electroplating industries were investigated. The risk assessment model of USEPA was used to assess occupational health risk levels,including cancer and non-cancer risks.These results were compared with occupational exposure limits,classification of occupational hazards and related literatures.Results The hazard quotient (HQ)of nasal lesions of the olfactory mucosa caused by hydrogen sulfide in paper-making industry was 36.3.The HQs of hyperplasia of nasal mucosa larynx and trachea caused by hydrogen chloride and cerebellar lesions caused by methyl chloride in organosilicon synthesis factory were 8.2 and 1.4 respectively.The HQs of decreased pulmonary function or increased severity of rhinitis and pneumonia caused by ammonia in pesticide factory were 1.2 and 1 .5 respectively.The HQ of impaired motor coordination caused by xylenes in chemical solvent factory was 2.4. The HQs of hyperplasia of nasal mucosa larynx and trachea caused by hydrogen chloride and nasal septum atrophy caused by hexavalent chromium in electroplating industry were 2.3-75.3 and 1 92.5 -25 675 respectively .The risk levels of paper-making,chemical and electroplating industries were all identified as high on the basis of evidence showing that HQs were all higher than 1 .The risk of lung cancer caused by hexavalent chromium in electroplating industry was 0.001 -0.1 647.The results of risk assessment were consistent with the reported literature.Conclusion Inhalation risk assessment model provided by USEPA can be used to assess the occupational health risks of paper -making, chemical and electroplating industries and have better identification ability.

Survey on individual occupational health protection behaviors of welding workers using theory of reasoned action / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To apply theory of reasoned action at survey on welding workers occupational health protection behaviors and explore related influencing factors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>nine companies were randomly selected from areas with many welding works in Zhejiang Province. All welding workers were surveyed using a questionnaire based on theory of reasoned action.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>10.06%, 26.80% and 37.50% of the respondents never or seldom used eyeshade, mask and earplug, respectively. After controlling the socio-demographic factors, welding workers' behavioral belief was correlated with the behaviors of eyeshade-mask and earplug use (χ(2) = 31.88, 18.77 and 37.77, P < 0.01). the subjective norm of company was correlated with all protection behaviors (χ(2) = 20.60, 10.98 and 19.86, P < 0.01), the subjective norm of colleague was correlated with mask and earplug use, (χ(2) = 27.43, 36.39, P < 0.01), and the subjective norm of family was correlated with mask use (χ(2) = 5.73, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Theory of reasoned action is suitable for welding worker occupational health related behaviors. It is useful to improve occupational health education, to effectively select health education objective and to tailor health education contents.</p>

Analysis of new pneumoconiosis cases during 2006-2009 in Zhejiang province / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the characteristics of pneumoconiosis cases in Zhejiang province and to provide the evidence for pneumoconiosis control and prevention measures in Zhejiang province.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The data of new pneumoconiosis cases were from national surveillance system of occupational disease in Zhejiang province during 2006-2009, and were analyzed for distribution, age, exposure duration, pneumoconiosis phases and enterprise types.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>During 2006-2009, 819 new pneumoconiosis cases (173, 157, 209 and 280 cases, respectively) were reported, 86.9% cases suffered from silicosis. Most of pneumoconiosis cases were distributed in Ningbo, Wenzhou areas and in building materials, machinery, coal, geological and mining, light industries and construction enterprise. The average ages of new pneumoconiosis cases were (47.8 +/- 10.0), (52.5 +/- 13.1), (55.5 +/- 11.2) and (55.9 +/- 12.2) years old, respectively and showed a significant increase trend (P<0.05). The average exposure duration of new pneumoconiosis cases were (12.4 +/- 8.6), (12.9 +/- 9.4), (12.4 +/- 8.6) and (15.7 +/- 10.0) years. The average exposure duration of phase I, phase II, phase III new pneumoconiosis cases were (14.3 +/- 9.87), (12.4 +/- 8.7) and (11.4 +/- 7.1) years, respectively and there were significant differences (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>New pneumoconiosis cases in Zhejiang province are increasing year by year, the main type of pneumoconiosis is silicosis, the distribution of pneumoconiosis cases is associated with the areas and enterprises, and the exposure duration of new pneumoconiosis cases is relatively shorter.</p>