Fatemeh Kargar-Shouroki, Hamidreza Mehri, Faeze Sepahi-Zoeram1,
Volume 13, Issue 3 (Occupational Medicine Quarterly Journal 2021)
Abstract
Introduction: Lead is a toxic heavy metal that has adverse health effects on blood parameters. About 80% of lead produced is used in batteries, especially vehicle batteries. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the hematological changes, including total and differential white blood cell (WBC) counts in battery workers exposed to lead, and compare with the non-exposed group.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in a battery industry in Semnan city. The study population consisted of 78 battery workers and 78 healthy non-exposed office workers. A hematology cell counter was used to determine the total, and differential WBC counts. Blood lead level was measured in accordance with the NIOSH method 8003.
Results: Blood lead levels were about two times higher than the TLV recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) for this compound (20 µg/dl). The level of WBC (8.07± 2.55 mm3 blood×103 vs. 7.27 ± 1.58 mm3 blood×103) was significantly higher, while the level of monocyte was significantly lower (6.96 ± 1.72 % vs. 7.67 ± 1.87 %) in the exposed group than in the non-exposed group. After adjustment for potential confounders such as age and work history, a significant association between exposure to lead and WBC and monocyte levels was reported.
Conclusion: The present study's findings indicated that exposure to lead was associated with total and differential white blood cells changes in the exposed group compared to the non-exposed group.
Fatemeh Kargar-Shouroki, Sadaf Sodaei, Gholam Hossein Halvani,
Volume 16, Issue 4 (Occupational Medicine Quarterly Journal 2024)
Abstract
Introduction: Agriculture industry is associated with the serious work-related injuries. The aims of this study were to determine type, cause, and frequency of accidents as well as injured body part, and to evaluate the association between accident type, , demographic information, and injured body part among the agricultural workers.
Materials and Methods In this descriptive cross-sectional study, the injuries noted in the medical records of 98 injured farmers in Shahreza, located in Isfahan Province, in 2022 were analyzed..
Results: The results of the study indicated that the highest number of accidents were fallen (59.20 %), the most injuries were to hands and arm (70 %), and the main cause of injuries were machinery (45.90 %), especially tractors (57.80 %). Age and education level showed a notable correlation with the type of accidents among the farmers. The greatest declines were noted among with less than a high school diploma (61.50%) and in age group of 51-65 years old (52.60%). There was a statistically significant association between accident type and injury, with the fall accident resulted in 65.70% hand and arm injuries, 50% neck injuries and 65.60% leg injuries. Additionally, the highest occurrence of accidents and effective three-month average were observed in July and August, respectively.
Conclusion: The rising incidence of vehicle overturns and falls suggests that the design features and use of safety belts should be evaluated. Concerning the majority of hand and arm injuries noted during falls, particularly in middle-aged adults without a high school diploma, it is recommended that workers received training on farm safety to reduce the agricultural injuries.
