Risk assessment of lead exposure in radiology personnel in Menoufia hospitals, Egypt.

Lead shielding is used as a guard against scatter radiation. Lead aprons can emit particulate lead into the occupational environment, resulting in the accumulation of lead dust on the skin and garments of workers. This study aimed to assess the risk of lead exposure among radiologists working in the radiology departments by estimating hair and blood lead levels. A total of 40 radiology personnel (18 wearing aprons and 22 not wearing aprons) with a comparable control group (20 personnel not working in a radiology department) underwent a pre-designed questionnaire with estimation of blood and hair levels. The hair and blood lead levels in radiologists wearing aprons were significantly higher than those of the control group and that of the radiologist not wearing aprons. The lead levels in hair and blood were correlated significantly with the duration of wearing aprons in years and weekly working hours. Health care workers in radiology departments demonstrated high hair and blood levels that were higher among workers wearing aprons than those not wearing protective equipment. Hair lead levels can be detected quickly, cheaply, and non-invasively, and could be a helpful screening test for occupational exposure.

Does Tramadol Increase the Severity of Nicotine Dependence? A Study in an Egyptian Sample.

In Egypt, tramadol abuse is increasing, especially among youths and the middle- aged. Tobacco smoking is a worldwide health problem responsible for more deaths and disease than any other noninfectious cause. To investigate if there is a relationship between tramadol and nicotine dependence. 48 tramadol addicts completed a demographic sheet, drug use questionnaire, and the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). Numbers of cigarettes smoked were recorded every week or two weeks at follow-up or by phone calls, and the FTND was completed again five weeks after abstinence. All participants underwent full psychiatric assessment, plus a urine toxicology screening at first visit, and once again during follow-ups. All subjects of the study were cigarette smokers. The mean numbers of cigarettes smoked per day were 13, 31.8, 20.2, and 14.3 during the phase before tramadol taking, addiction phase, two weeks and five weeks after stopping tramadol. The mean FTND score dropped from 6.67 during the tramadol addiction phase to 4.31 only five weeks after stopping tramadol. Tramadol increases the severity of nicotine dependence. The relation seems to be bi-directional, so increased cigarette smoking also increases tramadol intake.