Cohort study on respiratory and neurological disorders among workers in a bone glue factory in Egypt

Glues are strong, liquid adhesive derived from animal tissues. It has been shown that glue sniffing is associated with demyelinating polyneuropathy. The low molecular weight agents which cause occupational lung disease have generally included the isocyanates exposure to which could result in asthma among workers. Toluene is also used widely in glue and adhesive industry and households where toluene exposure and abuse can occur. To study some respiratory and neurological disorders that may arise in workers in a bone glue factory in Queisna industrial zone, Menoufyia governorate, Egypt. In a historical cohort study, the exposed participants [n=50] were recruited from workers in a bone glue factory in Queisna industrial zone, Menoufyia governorate. The unex-posed group was selected from workers' relatives who had never worked in glue industry. All participants completed a pre-designed questionnaire on personal and occupational histories. Pulmonary function tests as well as electromyography [EMG] were performed for all participants. Urinary hippuric acid was also measure in all participants. The prevalence of cough, asthmatic attacks and paresthesia were significantly higher among exposed than unexposed participants. Abnormal spirometric measurements [particularly towards obstruction], abnormal EMG and positive urinary hippuric acid were significantly more prevalent among exposed than unexposed group. Spirometry and EMG should be included in the periodic medical examination for exposed workers for early detection of respiratory and neurological disorders. Urinary hippuric acid could be a useful indicator of the nerve conduction abnormalities and should I measured periodically for these workers

Environmental lead exposure among primary school children in Shebin El-Kom district, Menoufiya governorate, Egypt

Lead still remains an important problem for poor, inner-city, ethnic minority children, with a particular emphasis on lead paint and dust. In Egypt, there is no national survey about the prevalence of elevated blood lead level among children. To assess the environmental lead level as well as to determine blood lead level among primary school children and find out its relationship with their intelligent quotient [IQ], hemoglobin level, hearing impairment and school performance. 190 primary school children from rural and urban areas were selected and their blood lead levels [BLL], hemoglobin concentrations, IQ, hearing threshold and school performance were measured. Also, environmental lead level was measured in the school and home. The mean value of environmental lead [microg/m3] in urban schools air was significantly higher than that in rural areas. BLL had a significant negative correlation with hemoglobin level and IQ; it was positively correlated with the hearing threshold. With increasing BLL, the school performance of children decreased significantly. Exposure to lead would deteriorate IQ, school performance and hearing level of school children. Even in the absence of overt clinical manifestations of lead toxicity, lead intoxication should be among differential diagnosis in children presenting anemia, intellectual impairment, poor academic performance and hearing impairment

Clinical and biochemical parameters of children and adolescents applying pesticides

The primary agricultural product in Egypt is the cotton crop. Children and adolescents work seasonally in the cotton fields applying pesticides. To examine the effect of pesticide exposure on clinical and biochemical parameters in children and adolescents applying pesticides. Male children currently applying pesticides and aged between 9 and 19 years [n = 50] were recruited for this study. They were asked to complete work, health, and exposure questionnaires; examined for any medical and neurological problems with particular attention to sensory and motor functions including cranial nerves, sensory and motor system, and reflexes. From each participant, a blood sample was taken to measure acetylcholinesterase activity, and liver and kidney functions. Children who have never worked in agriculture [n = 50], matched on age, education, and socioeconomic status were also studied and served as controls. More neuromuscular disorders were identified in pesticide applicators than controls. A significant lower level of acetylcholinesterase was found in the applicator group compared to the controls. There was also a significant difference in hematological, renal and hepatic indices in the exposed children compared to the control children. Working more days in the current season and also working more years as a pesticide applicator were both associated with an increase in the prevalence of neuromuscular abnormalities and significant changes in the laboratory tests. Children and adolescent pesticide applicators working in farms of Egypt are at risk of developing serious health problems similar to those of adults

Assessment of liver dysfunction in silica exposed workers

Seventy five silica exposed workers in sandbricks industry and twenty five controls were chosen for this study. Each individual was subjected to a questionnaire [for personal and medical histories] and clinical examination. Liver function tests, procollagen III peptide, alpha-I - antitrypsin, hepatitis markers [B and C], haematological tests for schistosomiasis, urine and stool analysis, abdominal sonography and chest X-ray were done for all chosen subjects. Environmental study was done for estimation of total and free crystalline silica. The results of environmental study showed higher concentration of total respirable dust and free crystalline silica than threshold limit values. Silica exposed workers had a significantly higher mean of gamma-glutamyl trans peptidase and procollagen III peptide than controls. These two parameters increased significantly in exposed workers [free from schistosomiasis and / or hepatitis markers] as chest grading of silicosis and time intensity factor increased. Gamma-glutamyl-trans peptidase and procollagen III peptide can be used for early detection of liver dysfunction in silica exposed workers. Also, in the pre-employment medical examination, individuals with previous liver affection [either due to schistosomiasis and / or hepatitis] should not be exposed to silica to avoid further deterioration of liver function

Health care quality and impact on: radiologists in Menoufiya hospitals

This Study aimed to assess the protective measures done for prevention of health hazards of ionizing radiation in Menoufiya hospitals. This was achieved through assessment of the environmental safety, performance of radiologists and also through assessment of the health hazards among exposed subjects. All occupationally X-ray exposed workers [l05 males and 37 females] were matched with an equal number of controls, the exposed workers were subdivided into two subgroups according to locality. This study revealed that: although the studied work place environment was considered safe as regards the level of exposure to ionizing radiation [88.7 +/- 20 mrem / year, which is less than MPDE limit] and consequently acceptable structural protective aspects design especially in group I hospitals, but the prevalence of health hazards including behavioral [69.7%], reproductive [21%], skin [25%], cataract [19%] and hematological [33%] abnormalities were significantly higher than controls, also the prevalence of reproductive, skin and hematological disorders were significantly higher among group II workers than group I which could be attributed to bad performance of the radiologists especially in group II workers. Performance of radiologists with negligence of radiation protection measures is considered the most important defect which has its bad impact on health of radiologists in Menoufiya, hence efforts should be directed towards establishment of radiation protection program in hospitals

Hepatic disorders among workers exposed to cotton dust containing pesticide residues

One hundred exposed and fifty control workers in a cotton ginning factory were chosen for this study. All were subjected to a special questionnaire including personal data together with clinical examination. The investigations involved detrmination of liver function parameters, detection of hepatitis markers [B and C], haemagglutination test for schistosomiasis, urine and stool analysis and liver sonography. Environmental study was done for estimation of concentration and pesticide residue contents of cotton dust collected from the factory atmosphere. This study was carried out twice; before and after [1991 - 1992] and before [1992 - 1993] ginning seasons. Subgrouping of studied workers was done according to the presence or absence of schistosomiasis and / or hepatitis markers, or according to sonographic pattern of the liver. The results of environmental study showed a concentration of respirable cotton dust in the atmosphere of different departments higher than the recommended threshold limit value in this industry. In cotton dust, the median measurements of different pesticide residues [organochlorine, organophosphorus, and carbamate] were below their threshold limit values. The study demonstrated a significant increase in SGPT, SGOT, SAP and gamma-GT among exposed than control groups at the end of the ginning season. Other liver functions including total and direct bilirubin, serum albumin and total serum protein showed no significant abnormal changes. Significant increase in SGPT, SGOT, SAP and gamma-GT were found among exposed subgroups when the comparison was done between pre and post seasons in each, or between different subgroups. Subgroup IV [free from schistosomiasis and / or hepatitis] and subgroup A [free from cirrhosis and periportal fibrosis] showed the significantly lowest mean values. The seasonal rest was associated with return to basic pre seasonal values of liver parameters. Moreover, there was a trend of increase in mean values of SGPT, SGOT, SAP and gamma-GT in exposed workers as the duration of exposure or the concentration of pesticide residues increased

Serum cholinesterase changes in workers exposed to organophosphorus and carbamate residues in cotton dust

One hundred exposed and fifty control workers in a cotton ginning factory were chosen for this study. All were subjected to a special questionnaire. The investigations involved determination of serum cholinesterase activity, detection of hepatitis markers [B and C], haemagglutination test for schistosomiasis, urine and stool analysis and liver sonography. Environmental study was done for estimation of pesticide [or-ganophosphorus and carbamate] residue contents of cotton dust collected from the factory atmosphere. This study was carried out twice: before and after [1991-1992] and before [1992-1993] ginning seasons. The results of environmental study showed that the median measurements of or-ganophosphorus and carbamate pesticide residues in the atmospheric dust were below their threshold limit values. The study demonstrated a non-significant lower level of serum cholinesterase activity in exposed workers before the beginning of work season than controls. A significantly lower level of serum cholinesterase activity was observed at the end of the ginning season among the exposed workers than controls, in subgroups of exposed workers with schistosomiasis, hepatitis markers and liver cirrhosis than other subgroups free from these diseases and in subgroups exposed to higher level of or-ganophospborus and carbamate residues. There was a trend of decrease in serum cholinesterase activity with the increase in duration of exposure