Fateme Kooshki; Masoud Neghab; Fatemeh Rahimian; Fereshteh Aliasghari; Esmaeel Soleimani
Abstract
Background: Several epidemiological studies have reported associations between high levels of lead exposure and oxidative stress (OS). However, research on the effects of low-level lead exposure remains limited. This study aims to assess the relationship between OS parameters and exposure to low concentrations ...
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Background: Several epidemiological studies have reported associations between high levels of lead exposure and oxidative stress (OS). However, research on the effects of low-level lead exposure remains limited. This study aims to assess the relationship between OS parameters and exposure to low concentrations of lead dust in mine workers.Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 73 lead-exposed workers and 70 age- and sex-matched non-exposed individuals. Demographic data and occupational and medical history were collected through questionnaires. Workers’ exposure to lead dust was assessed by air monitoring, and blood lead levels (BLLs) were calculated based on inhalation exposure. Blood samples were collected to determine OS parameters. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0.Results: The mean exposure of workers to lead dust was 24 μg/ m³ (range: 1.5 to 185 μg/m³), which complied with the OSHAPEL and ACGIH TLV-TWA standards for lead dust. The BLL in the exposed workers was found to be 45.47 μg/dL. A significant association was observed between the SOD/MDA ratio and exposure to lead dust. Additionally, a borderline negative association between lead exposure and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was found. A significant relationship was noted between workers’ BMI and OS biomarkers.Conclusion: This study’s findings suggest that chronic exposure to lead dust may affect OS biomarkers, even at concentrations below the current OSHA-PEL and ACGIH TLV-TWA.
Masoud Neghab; Hamid Karimi; Sayed Hamidreza Tabatabaee; Esmaeel Soleimani; Abas Ali Kasaeinasab
Volume 2, Issue 3 , July 2014, , Pages 107-112
Abstract
Background: Noise is one of the most pervasive hazards in industrial settings. This retrospective study was carried out to assess the effects of noise exposure on hearing status, blood lipids and blood pressure of employees of a local fireclay mine.Methods: Two hundred and forty male workers were studied. ...
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Background: Noise is one of the most pervasive hazards in industrial settings. This retrospective study was carried out to assess the effects of noise exposure on hearing status, blood lipids and blood pressure of employees of a local fireclay mine.Methods: Two hundred and forty male workers were studied. Data on audiometric measurements, blood lipids and blood pressure were derived from the workers’ medical records and analyzed. Furthermore, area noise measurements were performed. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0.Results: Workers were exposed to a mean noise level of 91±15 dB. The means of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) were within the normal range for the first three years of the study. However, a slight, non-significant increase in TG level was noted in 2010. Most of the participants (63.6%) suffered from moderate hearing loss (HL). About 23.6% and 12.7% of the employees had developed severe and mild HL, respectively. A statistically significant difference was noted in the number of workers with high-frequency noise-induced HL. Furthermore, a statistically significant association was found between the mean of high frequency HL and log-transformed TG values in 2009 and 2010.Conclusions: High frequency HL could be used as a biomarker for identifying workers exposed to excessive noise levels. High frequency HL developed over a 4-year exposure to noise was associated with hyper triglyceridemia. Implementing a hearing conservation program seems to be mandatory to prevent further increases in the number of workers who are already in the severe HL group.
Alireza Choobineh; Masoud Neghab; Reza Rostami; Jafar Hassan Zadeh; Esmaeel Soleimani; Hadi Daneshmandi
Volume 1, Issue 1 , July 2013, , Pages 27-32
Abstract
AbstractBackground/Objective: This study was undertaken to addresspsychological health effects of dentists’ exposure to low ambientlevels of mercury.Methods: One hundred and six dentists and 94 generalpractitioners were randomly selected from clinics in Shiraz city,Iran. Subjects were asked to complete ...
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AbstractBackground/Objective: This study was undertaken to addresspsychological health effects of dentists’ exposure to low ambientlevels of mercury.Methods: One hundred and six dentists and 94 generalpractitioners were randomly selected from clinics in Shiraz city,Iran. Subjects were asked to complete the Persian version ofGeneral Health Questionnaire. The data were analyzed usingχ2 test, independent sample t-test and Mann-Whitney’s U test.Results: Both groups were similar as far as all demographicvariables, except age, were concerned. No significant differencewas noted between the dentists’ mean total score of GHQ-28 (17.9)and that of referent subjects (16.34). These scores were significantlylower than the cut-off point of 23 (P<0.01). The mean scores forsomatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, and depression weresignificantly higher in dentists than in the referent subjects. Theresults also showed a significant association between GHQ-28total scores and length of exposure to mercury (P=0.034); withincrease in the job tenure, GHQ-28 total score also increased,indicating a decrement in psychological health status.Conclusion: The current findings revealed that, in general,the dentists’ psychological health status was poorer than thereferent subjects. Additionally, in all GHQ subscales, thedentists’ scores were significantly different from those of theircounterparts. Given the fact that exposure to mercury is the mostimportant differentiating variable between both groups, and thatneuropsychological disorders are the most common toxic effectof mercury, the difference between psychological health statusof the two groups is likely to be related to exposure to mercury.Please cite this article as: Choobineh AR, Neghab M, Rostami R, HassanzadehJ, Soleimani E, Daneshmandi H. The Relationship between Mercury Exposureand Psychological Health Status of Dentists. J Health Sci Surveillance Sys.2013;1(1):27-32.Keywords: Dentist; Mental health; Mercury
