Search results

1

Subjective complaints of people living near mobile phone base stations in Poland

100%

Bortkiewicz A., Gadzicka E., Szyjkowska A., Politański P., Mamrot P., Szymczak W., Zmyślony M.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2012

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vol. 25

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issue 1

31-40

EN

Objectives: The aim of our study was to assess the health conditions and subjective symptoms of the inhabitants living in the base stations vicinity and to analyse the relationship between the complaints and level of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF). Materials and Methods: Our study was performed in housing estates located in five regions of Łódź. The electric field measurements were performed in the buildings located closest to the azimuth of the antennas. Respondents were selected by trained interviewers using an uniform procedure. The number of the households to be examined was set at a minimum of 420. The questionnaire contained: demographic data, occupational and environmental exposure to EMF, health condition, subjective complaints. Results were adjusted for confounders (age, gender, EMF at the workplace and EMF emitted by household equipment) using multiple regression model. Results: 181 men and 319 women from 500 households were examined. Electric field above 0.8 V/m was recorded in 12% of flats. There was no significant correlation between electric field strength and the distance of examined flats from the base stations. To make possible comparison with relevant literature, we analysed also the frequency of the reported symptoms vs. the distance. Headache was declared by 57% people, most frequently (36.4%) living 100–150 m away from the base station compared to people living at longer distances (p = 0.013). 24.4% subjects, mostly living at a distance above 150 m, declared impaired memory. Difference was statistically significant in comparison with people living at other distances (p = 0.004). Conclusions: The explanation why we did not find any correlation between the electric field strength and frequency of subjective symptoms but found a correlation between subjective symptoms and distance from base station needs further studies. Maybe new metrics of exposure assessment should be adopted for this purpose.

2

Global review of studies on traffic police with special focus on environmental health effects

100%

Patil R. R., Chetlapally S., Bagavandas M.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2014

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vol. 27

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issue 4

523-535

EN

Since occupation is a major determinant of health, traffic police personnel face multiple occupational hazards. They are continuously exposed to vehicular emissions and work in a noisy and polluted environment. The objective of the present review is to explore the impact of occupational health hazards on the health of traffic police personnel. Published research papers on traffic police reporting occupational health issues were accessed and reviewed. Attempts were made to access papers that reported negative associations in order to present a balanced review. The majority of the studies have reported a decrease in the lung function and increased respiratory morbidity. The research on the cytogenetic abnormalities or genotoxic effect of vehicular emissions arising due to long-term exposure to benzene and other polyaromatic hydrocarbons has provided conflicting results, since more or less equal numbers of studies have given evidence for and against the causal association. There is a vast accumulation of epidemiological evidence on the casual association between vehicular pollution and its carcinogenic effect. Multiple studies have concluded that traffic police are highly stressed. A number of occupational factors have been attributed to stress among traffic police. Occupational health studies help us to understand the effects of vehicular pollution and its adverse influence on workers. They also provide opportunity for defined exposures measurements and precise risk assessment. The findings from these studies are easily generalizable and can help us understand the impact of air pollution on the general population.

3

Evaluation of annoyance from the wind turbine noise: A pilot study

100%

Pawlaczyk-Łuszczyńska M., Dudarewicz A., Zaborowski K., Zamojska-Daniszewska M., Waszkowska M.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2014

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vol. 27

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issue 3

364-388

EN

Objectives: The overall aim of this study was to evaluate the perception of and annoyance due to the noise from wind turbines in populated areas of Poland. Material and Methods: The study group comprised 156 subjects. All subjects were asked to fill in a questionnaire developed to enable evaluation of their living conditions, including prevalence of annoyance due to the noise from wind turbines and the self-assessment of physical health and well-being. In addition, current mental health status of the respondents was assessed using Goldberg General Health Questionnaire GHQ-12. For areas where the respondents lived, A-weighted sound pressure levels (SPLs) were calculated as the sum of the contributions from the wind power plants in the specific area. Results: It has been shown that the wind turbine noise at the calculated A-weighted SPL of 30-48 dB was noticed outdoors by 60.3% of the respondents. This noise was perceived as annoying outdoors by 33.3% of the respondents, while indoors by 20.5% of them. The odds ratio of being annoyed outdoors by the wind turbine noise increased along with increasing SPLs (OR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.22-3.62). The subjects' attitude to wind turbines in general and sensitivity to landscape littering was found to have significant impact on the perceived annoyance. About 63% of variance in outdoors annoyance assessment might be explained by the noise level, general attitude to wind turbines and sensitivity to landscape littering. Conclusions: Before firm conclusions can be drawn further studies are needed, including a larger number of respondents with different living environments (i.e., dissimilar terrain, different urbanization and road traffic intensity).

4

Indoor air particles in office buildings with suspected indoor air problems in the Helsinki area

88%

Lappalainen S., Salonen H., Salmi K., Reijula K.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2013

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vol. 26

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issue 1

155-164

EN

Objectives: Airborne particle concentrations can be used as quality indicators of indoor environments. The previous lack of reference data has limited the use of particle measurements in offi ce environments. The aim of this study was to describe the concentrations of airborne particles (≥ 0.5 μm and ≥ 5.0 μm) in 122 Finnish offi ce buildings with suspected indoor air problems. Materials and Methods: The database consisted of indoor air and supply air particle samples collected in 2001–2006 from the Helsinki area. The particle concentrations (≥ 0.5 μm and ≥ 5.0 μm) were measured in the indoor air (528 samples from 122 offi ce rooms) and in the supply air (384 samples from 105 offi ce rooms) with an optical particle counter. Airborne particle concentrations ≥ 0.5 μm were categorized according to the effi ciency of supply air fi ltration and health survey data. Results: The mean concentrations in the indoor air equaled 1900 particles/l and in the supply air 1300 particles/l. The effi ciency of supply air fi ltration decreased the fi ne particles counts in both the indoor and supply air. The counts of large particles, ≥ 5.0 μm, were low in the indoor air. Airborne counts of ≥ 0.5 μm particles (geometric mean) were statistically higher in the offi ces whose occupants had work-related symptoms (eye and/or upper respiratory symptoms or upper respiratory infections) than in the offi ces whose occupants had no such symptoms. However, the symptoms may also be linked to other indoor air problems or particle characteristics not studied in this work. Conclusions: This study indicates typical airborne particle levels (≥ 0.5 μm and ≥ 5.0 μm) in Finnish offi ce buildings with suspected indoor air problems. The results can be used to evaluate the quality of indoor environment, possible indoor air problems, and the need for additional investigations.

5

Are platinum nanoparticles safe to human health?

75%

Czubacka E., Czerczak S.

Medycyna Pracy

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2019

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vol. 70

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issue 4

487-495

EN

Platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) have been widely used not only in industry, but above all in medicine and diagnostics. However, there are disturbing reports related to the toxic effects of nanoplatinum, which is the main reason why the authors of this study have decided to review and analyze literature data related to its toxicity and impact on human health. While PtNPs may be absorbed by the respiratory and digestive tract, and can penetrate through the epidermis, there is no evidence concerning their absorption through the skin. Platinum nanoparticles accumulate mainly in the liver and spleen although they also reach other internal organs, such as lungs, kidneys or heart. Toxicokinetics of platinum nanoparticles depends strongly on the particle size. Only few studies regarding platinum nanoparticles toxicity have been conducted. Animals intratracheally exposed to platinum nanoparticles have demonstrated an increased level of proinflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage which confirms inflammatory response in the lungs. Oral administration of PtNPs can cause inflammatory response and induce oxidative stress. Nanoplatinum has been found to induce hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity via the intravenous route. It can cause DNA damage and cellular apoptosis without significant cytotoxicity. There are no research studies on its carcinogenicity. Fetal or maternal toxicity has not been observed, but an increased mortality and a decreased growth of the offspring have been demonstrated. Platinum nanoparticles may permeate the skin barrier but there is no evidence for their absorption. Due to the insufficient number of tests that have been carried out to date, it is not possible to clearly determine the occupational exposure limit value; however, caution is recommended to employees exposed to their effects. Med Pr. 2019;70(4):487–95

6

2-naphthylamine toxicity

75%

Czubacka E., Czerczak S.

Medycyna Pracy

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2020

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vol. 71

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issue 2

205-220

EN

In the past, 2-naphthylamine (2-NA) was used for the production of azo dyes, as an antioxidant in the cable industry and in the rubber industry. Despite the fact that 2-NA is not produced on an industrial scale, it is still used in small quantities as a model bladder carcinogen in laboratories, and also for sewage control, water analysis and oxytocinase assays. In addition, it is detected in the air in coke ovens, where it is formed as one of the pyrolysis products. The main aim of this work is to provide an actual literature review for health risk assessments related to 2-NA which is still used in laboratories. Occupational exposure to 2-NA is important for the respiratory tract, mucous membranes and the skin, and, to a lesser extent, for absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. It is absorbed into the body through the skin and by inhalation, and then undergoes metabolic changes. Most of the absorbed 2-NA dose is excreted in the urine, in the form of metabolites, metabolites conjugated to acids, and even in an unchanged form. Based on literature data, the effects of 2-NA toxicity in sub-chronic and chronic exposure include contact dermatitis, chronic cystitis and bladder cancer. The authors have concluded that it is recommended to determine the occupational exposure limit which will allow preparing the exposure assessment of people at work. Med Pr. 2020;71(2):205–20

7

Health Impact Assessment of an oil drilling project in California

75%

McCallum L. C., Souweine K., McDaniel M., Koppe B., McFarland C., Butler K., Ollson C. A.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2015

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vol. 29

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issue 2

229-253

EN

Objectives The Health Impact Assessment (HIA) was conducted to evaluate the potential community health implications of a proposed oil drilling and production project in Hermosa Beach, California. The HIA considered 17 determinants of health that fell under 6 major categories (i.e., air quality, water and soil quality, upset conditions, noise and light emissions, traffic, and community livability). Material and Methods This paper attempts to address some of the gaps within the HIA practice by presenting the methodological approach and results of this transparent, comprehensive HIA; specifically, the evaluation matrix and decision-making framework that have been developed for this HIA and form the basis of the evaluation and allow for a clear conclusion to be reached in respect of any given health determinant (i.e., positive, negative, neutral). Results There is a number of aspects of the project that may positively influence health (e.g., increased education funding, ability to enhance green space), and at the same time there have been potential negative effects identified (e.g., odor, blowouts, property values). Except for upset conditions, the negative health outcomes have been largely nuisance-related (e.g., odor, aesthetics) without irreversible health impacts. The majority of the health determinants, that had been examined, have revealed that the project would have no substantial effect on the health of the community. Conclusions Using the newly developed methodology and based on established mitigation measures and additional recommendations provided in the HIA, the authors have concluded that the project will have no substantial effect on community health. This approach and methodology will assist practitioners, stakeholders and decision-makers in advancing the HIA as a useful, reproducible, and informative tool.

8

Occupational risk resulting from exposure to mineral wool when installing insulation in buildings

75%

Kupczewska-Dobecka M., Konieczko K., Czerczak S.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2020

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vol. 33

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issue 6

757-769

EN

Mineral wool is widely used for thermal and sound insulation. The subject of the study is to identify hazards for employees resulting from exposure to mineral wool, when it is used to insulate buildings, and to assess the risk arising from this exposure. When installing mineral wool insulation, respirable mineral fibers, dust, and volatile organic compounds may pose a hazard at workplaces. Based on the results of concentration measurements, it was assessed that the probability of adverse health effects related to the work of insulation installers, resulting from exposure to mineral wool fibers, is low, but for dust associated with exposure, an average health risk was estimated. An additional threat may be the sensitizing effect of substances used as binders and additives improving the utility properties of mineral wool, for example, phenol formaldehyde resins. The paper also contains some information on the labeling of mineral wool; this is very important because the label allows downstream users to recognize mineral wools, the composition and properties of which cause that they are not classified as carcinogens.

9

Health effects of occupational exposure to crystalline silica in the light of current research results

51%

Maciejewska A.

Medycyna Pracy

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2014

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vol. 65

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issue 6

799-818

PL

Crystalline silica is commonly found in the work environment. Possible health effects of occupational exposure continue to be the subject of extensive research. The aim of this paper was to analyze the recent findings concerning the health effects of exposure to crystalline silica, taking into account different levels of exposure. This work is based on the relevant information from the papers retrieved from the following databases: EBSCO, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science, using the following keywords: crystalline silica, quartz, health effects. The review of the results confirms the multi-faceted harmful effects of crystalline silica. Prolonged occupational exposure, apart from silicosis and non-cancer respiratory diseases, may also result in the development of lung cancer, and autoimmune and chronic kidney diseases, the pathogenesis, which has not been completely explained yet. The exposure to the crystalline silica at concentrations close to the current occupational exposure limit value does not exclude the risk of the following pathologies: silicosis, lung cancer, other lung diseases and renal diseases. It is not feasible to completely eliminate the crystalline silica dust from the work environment. The best way to reduce the health effects of the exposure is to minimize the concentrations of silica dust. Further progress in clarifying the true mechanisms of interaction between silica dust and lung cells, the determination of the importance of surface properties of the silica particles in the pathogenic processes and explaining the effects of co-morbid dust in the work environment may help to prevent the harmful effects of silica dust. Med Pr 2014;65(6):799–818

EN

Krystaliczna krzemionka powszechnie występuje w środowisku pracy. Możliwe zdrowotne skutki zawodowego narażenia są nadal przedmiotem wielu badań. Celem niniejszej pracy była analiza aktualnych wyników badań dotyczących zdrowotnych skutków narażenia na krystaliczną krzemionkę, z uwzględnieniem różnych poziomów ekspozycji. Podstawę opracowania stanowiły publikacje zawarte w bazach: EBSCO, Scopus, ScienceDirect oraz Web of Science, znalezione z użyciem słów kluczowych: crystalline silica, quartz, health effects. Przegląd wyników badań potwierdza wielokierunkowe szkodliwe działanie krystalicznej krzemionki. W następstwie długotrwałej zawodowej ekspozycji, oprócz krzemicy płuc i nienowotworowych chorób układu oddechowego, może rozwijać się rak płuca, a także choroby o niewyjaśnionej ostatecznie patogenezie – choroby autoimmunizacyjne i choroby nerek. Ekspozycja na krystaliczną krzemionkę występującą w zakresie stężeń zbliżonych do obecnie obowiązujących wartości dopuszczalnych nie wyklucza ryzyka wystąpienia następujących patologii: krzemicy, raka płuca, innych chorób płuc oraz chorób nerek. Wyeliminowanie pyłu krystalicznej krzemionki ze środowiska pracy jest praktycznie niemożliwe, a głównym sposobem ograniczania zdrowotnych skutków narażenia nadal pozostaje jego minimalizowanie. Ważnym elementem zapobiegania szkodliwemu działaniu krzemionki może być dalszy postęp w dokładnym wyjaśnieniu mechanizmów interakcji pyłu krzemionkowego z komórkami, ustalenie znaczenia właściwości powierzchniowych cząstek w patogenezie oraz dokładne poznanie interakcji z pyłami współwystępującymi w środowisku pracy. Med. Pr. 2014;65(6):799–818

10

Aspekty higieniczne i prawne oceny narażenia zawodowego na cytostatyki

51%

Kupczewska-Dobecka M., Pałaszewska-Tkacz A., Czerczak S., Konieczko K.

Medycyna Pracy

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2018

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vol. 69

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issue 1

77-92

EN

The employers responsibilities for the assessment of occupational exposure to cytostatics in the workplace were analyzed in the light of existing legal regulations. Cytostatics may pose a threat to health and life of workers taking care of patients treated oncologically, i.e., pharmacists, physicians, nurses and other personnel. The significant scale of occupational exposure to cytostatics in Poland is confirmed by the data collected in the Central Register of Data on Exposure to Carcinogenic or Mutagenic Substances, Mixtures, Agents or Technological Processes, maintained by the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland. The issue of occupational risk assessment of exposure to cytostatics gives raise to numerous concerns. Polish regulations concerning health protection of employees occupationally exposed to cytostatics are not unequivocal, as they are derived from different areas of the law, especially those applying to hazard classification, labeling and preparation of safety data sheets for cytostatics. There are neither binding occupational exposure limits legally set for active compounds of antineoplastic drugs nor methods for monitoring of these substances concentrations in a worker’s breathing zone and biological material. This prevents the employer to carry out the correct assessment of occupational exposure, the results of which are the basis for preparing the proper preventive strategy. In this article the consequences of amendments to the European chemical legislation for employers responsible for adequate protection of health and life of employees exposed to cytostatics, were discussed, as well as some legal changes aimed at a better health and life protection of workers exposed to cytostatics in a workplace were proposed. Med Pr 2018;69(1):77–92

PL

W publikacji przeanalizowano obowiązki pracodawców w zakresie oceny narażenia zawodowego na cytostatyki w miejscu pracy w świetle obowiązujących regulacji prawnych. Leki cytostatyczne mogą stanowić zagrożenie dla zdrowia i życia pracowników sprawujących opiekę nad chorym onkologicznym (tj. farmaceutów, lekarzy, pielęgniarek i pozostałego personelu pomocniczego) oraz pracowników lecznic weterynaryjnych. Dużą skalę narażenia zawodowego na cytostatyki w Polsce potwierdzają dane gromadzone w Centralnym Rejestrze Danych o Narażeniu na Substancje Chemiczne, Ich Mieszaniny, Czynniki lub Procesy Technologiczne o Działaniu Rakotwórczym lub Mutagennym, prowadzonym przez Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. J. Nofera w Łodzi. Problem oceny ryzyka zawodowego związanego z narażeniem na cytostatyki budzi wiele wątpliwości. Przepisy regulujące w Polsce kwestie ochrony zdrowia pracowników zawodowo narażonych na leki cytostatyczne wywodzą się z różnych obszarów prawa i nie są jednoznaczne ani spójne (szczególnie w kwestii klasyfikacji cytostatyków pod kątem stwarzanych zagrożeń, ich oznakowania i sporządzania dla nich kart charakterystyki). Nie są ustalone prawnie wartości najwyższych dopuszczalnych stężeń substancji czynnych leków przeciwnowotworowych w środowisku pracy oraz brakuje metod ich monitorowania w strefie oddychania pracownika i w materiale biologicznym. Uniemożliwia to przeprowadzanie prawidłowej oceny narażenia zawodowego, której wyniki są podstawą do podejmowania przez pracodawcę odpowiednich działań profilaktycznych. W pracy omówiono skutki nowelizacji prawa europejskiego w obszarze chemikaliów dla pracodawców, którzy odpowiadają za właściwą ochronę zdrowia i życia pracowników zatrudnionych w narażeniu na leki cytostatyczne. Przedstawiono także propozycje zmian w prawie zmierzające do lepszej ochrony pracowników narażonych na oddziaływanie cytostatyków w środowisku pracy. Med. Pr. 2018;69(1):77–92

11

Nowy sektor pracowniczy – przegląd danych o nanoprodukcji i działalności badawczo-rozwojowej w dziedzinie nanotechnologii w Polsce

51%

Popławska M., Mikołajczyk U., Bujak-Pietrek S.

Medycyna Pracy

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2015

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vol. 66

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issue 4

575-582

EN

Nanotechnology is currently one of the fastest developing areas of science, focusing on the design, manufacture and use of nanomaterials. The term “nanomaterial” means any product made of nanometer-size (1–100 nm) structures. Due to the small size and unique properties of the applied nanomaterials there is a growing interest in their aplication in various fields of industry and science. In Poland, there are very few companies that carry on nanotechnology activities. Research institutes, universities and research units of the Polish Academy of Sciences predominate in these activities. Med Pr 2015;66(4):575–582

PL

Nanotechnologia to obecnie jedna z najprężniej rozwijających się dziedzin nauki, dotycząca projektowania, wytwarzania i wykorzystania nanomateriałów. Przez pojęcie ‘nanomateriał’ rozumie się produkt zbudowany ze struktur o wymiarach nanometrowych (1–100 nm). Ze względu na niewielkie wymiary oraz unikatowe właściwości zastosowanie nanomateriałów budzi coraz większe zainteresowanie w różnych dziedzinach przemysłu i nauki. W Polsce istnieje niewiele przedsiębiorstw zajmujących się działalnością nanotechnologiczną. Dominują w tym obszarze głównie jednostki naukowe (m.in. instytuty badawcze, uczelnie wyższe czy jednostki naukowe Polskiej Akademii Nauk). Med. Pr. 2015;66(4):575–582

12

Skutki zdrowotne środowiskowej i zawodowej ekspozycji na glin

51%

Łukasz B., Rybakowska I. M., Krakowiak A., Sein Anand J.

Medycyna Pracy

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2020

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vol. 71

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issue 1

79-88

EN

This work features a review of literature discussing the health effects of environmental and occupational exposure to aluminum (Al) and its compounds. The sources of exposure, absorption routes and metabolism are discussed in detail. The role of Al and its compounds in the etiology of some diseases, related to both environmental exposure and exposure in the work environment, is also presented. Aluminum toxicity most often affects the central nervous system, the skeletal system, the hematopoietic system, the urinary tract and the respiratory system. An increased effect of active forms of oxygen can stimulate the formation of amyloid deposits. The clinical image of aluminum smelters was dominated by ataxia, memory impairment, impaired abstract thinking and depressive states. Aluminum compounds have a detrimental effect not only on the psychic but also motor skills.

PL

Praca jest przeglądem literatury omawiającej skutki zdrowotne środowiskowej i zawodowej ekspozycji na glin (Al) i jego związki. Szczegółowo omówiono w niej źródła narażenia, drogi wchłaniania i metabolizm. Przedstawiono także rolę Al i jego związków w etiologii niektórych chorób związanych zarówno z narażeniem środowiskowym, jak i ekspozycją w środowisku pracy. Toksyczność Al najczęściej dotyczy układów nerwowego, kostnego, krwiotwórczego, moczowego i oddechowego. Zwiększony efekt działania aktywnych form tlenu może stymulować powstawanie złogów amyloidowych. W obrazie klinicznym wytapiaczy aluminium dominowały: ataksja, zaburzenia pamięci, upośledzenie myślenia abstrakcyjnego i stany depresyjne. Związki glinu powodują zaburzenia sprawności nie tylko psychicznej, ale również motorycznej.

Refine search results

Subjective complaints of people living near mobile phone base stations in Poland

Global review of studies on traffic police with special focus on environmental health effects

Evaluation of annoyance from the wind turbine noise: A pilot study

Indoor air particles in office buildings with suspected indoor air problems in the Helsinki area

Are platinum nanoparticles safe to human health?

2-naphthylamine toxicity

Health Impact Assessment of an oil drilling project in California

Occupational risk resulting from exposure to mineral wool when installing insulation in buildings

Health effects of occupational exposure to crystalline silica in the light of current research results

Aspekty higieniczne i prawne oceny narażenia zawodowego na cytostatyki

Nowy sektor pracowniczy – przegląd danych o nanoprodukcji i działalności badawczo-rozwojowej w dziedzinie nanotechnologii w Polsce

Skutki zdrowotne środowiskowej i zawodowej ekspozycji na glin