Some observations on epidemiologic studies in Egyptian gins, cotton pressing plants and cottonseed oil extraction plants.

The follow-up studies presented in this report wee conducted to evaluate the impact of the relative technical improvements that took place in the cotton processing industries of Egypt in the last 10-15 years on the health of the workers. Results have indicated tha: 1) the health status of the workers has been relatively improved; however, their work environment is far from being safe. 2) The prevalence of byssinosis and reduction in FEV1 during the first day of work after the weekend are related to the duration of exposure, level of dustiness and content of plant debris in dust. 3) Chronic effect of exposure to cotton dust, demonstrated as reduction in predicted FVC, develops in workers continuing exposure for long durations, even if the classic symptoms of byssinosis and reduction in FEV1 do not occur. 4) Women workers are more liable to be affected by cotton dust exposure than the men. 5) "Cottonseed dust" may not be a "byssinnogenic" dust; however, it is capable of producing ventilatory function effects similar to those produced by cotton dust.

Study of noise pollution in Jeddah schools.

Noise was measured in classrooms of a stratified random sample of 20 schools in Jeddah. The mean "Average" Leq levels (60-89.2 dB[A]) highly exeed the recommended maximum levels (42-55 db[A]). Noise is higher in the classes adjacent to the streets than in those facing the school courts, particularly at the busy areas, and in the schools of the busy areas than of the semi-busy and of the residential areas. But, noise is lower in the pre-cast structure schools than in the concrete schools due to the better insulating characteristics of the former, and the higher noise induced by the window-type air conditioning units used in the latter. However, the students' recreational activities have equal noise impact in the primary, intermediate and secondary schools. It has been recommended to build schools in low-noise background locations, to reduce transmitted noise by proper city planning, traffic engineering and improved construction characteristics, and to properly select and maintain the air conditioning systems.

Study of noise pollution in Jeddah hospitals.

The present study was conducted on a sample of 6 hospitals in Jeddah to investigate the status of noise pollution there, and as related to community background noise, operational activities, hospital size and operational concepts (public vs private). Generally, the levels of noise in the clinics, patient rooms, offices, waiting areas and corridors significantly exceed the recommended standard. The noise levels in the machinery rooms significantly exceed the levels in offices, waiting areas and corridors which, in turn, significantly exceed the levels in clinics and patient rooms. Background community noise has a little impact on indoor noise due to the construction characteristics of the hospitals' buildings. However, "operational noise" from machinery and from the move of public (patients, attendants and employees) significantly contribute to indoor noise. Proper site location, city planning, traffic engineering, building construction, equipment selection, construction and equipment maintenance, and system management have been recommended for the abatement of hospital noise pollution.

Analytical study of the safety records of a leading seaport in the GCC.

The pertinent records of the year 1411 H (1990/1991) for a leading seaport of a member state of GCC were examined for appraising safety performance there. The recorded accidents during this year included: 270 accidents without injuries, 58 first-aid accidents and 138 work injuries (leading to absence off work) and 4 fatalities. The injury frequency rate there (3.41) is comparable with similar agencies, while the severity rate (725.2) is considerably higher. Collision of transport, lifting and material handling equipment represents the major type of work accident (58.9%), while the highest injury rates occurred in maintenance and operation of marine equipment, followed by loading and unloading, then housekeeping. Meanwhile, the rate of accidents showed considerable increase a--during summer months, b--during the peak months of the Gulf war followed by "re-export" of war equipment, c--in the middle days of the week, d--during the 4th and 8th hours of shift, with a sharp decrease during and after lunch hours, and e--among workers performing highly technical jobs; however decreased by gaining experience with the long duration of employment. Most of the accidents could be prevented by proper training of workers and appropriate supervision, since their cause was unsafe acts due to lack of attention and/or of supervision.

Child labour in Egypt. I. Occupational and socio-economic aspects.

The present study comprised 1000 child and young workers in small and medium-size industries in Alexandria, as well as 250 control subjects. Almost all young workers work for more than 40 hours/week and suffer from fatigue. Workers' family needs rather than the lack of family care is the responsible factor for sending the child to work, and the economic problems seem to be the underlying factor for all other problems of child labour. Work improves labourers' socio-economic status and smoking habit, and provides a chance for their personal contacts and interactions, which are reflected on their level of intellectual capabilities; however, it has some impact on their food habits affecting their achievement of balanced diet; and no drug addiction exists among all the studied subjects. Noise and dust represent the main occupational exposures (84.4% and 55.8% respectively), followed by exposure to heat (25.3%), vapors and gases (10.4%) and biological materials (9.0%), and nearly 2/3 of the workers have combined exposures. Work injuries occurred to 18.4% of the workers and 7.4% had more than one injury during employment; however, nearly 1/3 of the injuries required absenteeism off work and/or hospitalization. The injuries have been typically related to industrial operations, occurring mostly to hands and fingers (80.4%), and are mainly attributed to lack of training (63.0%). The health services presented to the workers are very poor. The study has been concluded by recommending making the work safe, free from hazards, and ergonomically fit to children, providing educational and training services, covering young workers by social security, and revising legislation of child labour.

A comparative environmental and medical study of dust exposure in jute and cotton mills in Burma.

Jute is extensively cultivated and processed in Burma, as well as "lower-grade" cotton. This study was conducted there to compare dust exposure in jute and cotton mills, to study the acute and chronic effects of dust exposure on workers, and to establish exposure-response relationship. A sample of 799 male and female workers in two jute mills and two cotton textile mills, as well as a control group of 153 matching subjects, was examined, and dust exposure in the work environment was evaluated. Very high dust concentrations existed in the early stages of jute processing and sorting, which were reduced when jute fibers got cleaner, as in drawing and spinning, and were related to the grade of the processed fiber. Much lower concentrations of dust existed in the cotton mills, but exceeded the TLV (ACGIH) only in opening and cleaning and in carding operations. However, byssinosis occurred only in workers exposed to cotton dust, particularly among males, and its prevalence was related to the level and duration of dust exposure. Chronic bronchitis, cough and wheezing occurred at higher rates among all workers than in the control, while irritation to nose and throat, eyes and skin prevailed only among jute workers. A significant reduction in FVC, FEV1.0 and PEF (before and during shift) was observed in workers compared to control subjects, and was related to workers' exposure and age; however, this reduction was not related to symptoms of different respiratory conditions. "Cheroots" smoking was found to be an important potentiating factor in the occurrence of non-specific respiratory diseases and reduction in FEV1.0, particularly among jute workers.