芜湖市新装修居室空气污染状况调查

目的　了解新装修居室空气中甲醛、苯系物、氡污染状况。方法　随机抽取市区装修时间在 30d内和 6 0～ 90d的居室各 1 5户设点检测。结果　空气中甲醛浓度超标的检测点为 4 4 .0 % ;苯、甲苯、二甲苯浓度超标的检测点分别为 1 6 .7%、1 0 .0 %、2 0 .0 % ;氡无一超标。空气中甲醛、苯系物浓度时间比较 ,居室装修后30d内组显著高于 6 0～ 90d组。结论　居室装修后空气污染状况严重。甲醛、苯系物浓度随装修时间而逐渐下降。建议加强通风和采用合格装饰材料等综合措施以减轻新装修居室空气污染     

装饰装修对室内空气污染的调查

目的：通过对市44户装修后不足半年的家庭进行室内空气质量检测，了解装饰装修对室内空气的污染状况，为控制污染提供科学的依据。方法：根据《室内空气卫生质量卫生规范》附录室内空气采样技术指导，随机选取装修后半年内城市居室，分别测定甲醛、苯、甲苯、氨、放射性氡及其子体。结果：检测的44户中，甲醛。132个样本，超标率86．4％，最高超标倍数为35．9倍；苯132个样本，超标率14．4％，最高超标倍数3．6倍；氨132个样本，超标率9．8％，最高超标倍数3．7倍；甲苯132个样本，超标率为20．5％，最高超标倍数为3．3倍；氡及子体44个检测点均无超标。结论：居室空气污染主要来源于板材。     

装修居室环境污染及相关因素研究

[目的]通过对不同类型、用材、水平装修居室室内环境检测，探讨影响空气质量的因素和控制措施，指导选择正确合适的居室装修。[方法]检测116户装修居室室内空气中甲醛、苯、甲苯、二甲苯浓度，32户未装修居室为对照。[结果]简约型装修38户，居室空气中甲醛、苯、甲苯及二甲苯浓度均未超过国家标准；经济型装修42户，甲醛高于国家标准；普通型装修36户，甲醛及二甲苯高于国家标准。三种不同的装修方式，有显著性差异（P〈0．01）。简约型装修甲醛、苯、甲苯及二甲苯最低，经济型与普通装修方式测定值相对较高。污染物主要来源于刷漆板、溶剂型胶粘剂、溶剂型木器漆、木工板和纤维板。[结论]提高居室装修费用并不能懈决居室空气污染；选用实木质装修材料；水性粘剂和木器漆；装修方式尽量采取简单化。     

装修所致室内空气污染状况调查

[目的]了解室内装修对室内空气质量的影响，并进行室内环境污染状况科学评价，对消除、控制室内空气污染提供科学依据和指导方法。[方法]于2004年9月至2005年8月对河南省濮阳市35户装修居室和8处办公（公共）场所室内空气中甲醛、苯、甲苯、二甲苯、氡（Rn）浓度进行检测。[结果]35户居室内5种主要污染物的点超标率和户超标率分别为：甲醛49．62％和74．29％、苯5．43％和14.3％、甲苯11．29％和17．14％、二甲苯10．48％和17．14％、氡均不超标，以甲醛的超标率最高。8处办公（公共）场所中，只有甲醛超标，超标率为37．04％。不同功能居室房间甲醛超标率分别为：客厅50．0％、卧室50．7％、书房58.3％、餐厅33.3％、厨房50．0％。[结论]室内装修对室内空气污染严重，是引起室内空气质量下降的主要原因。5种污染物检测结果表明：甲醛是造成室内环境污染的主要因素，其次是苯系物。     

装修后居室空气中有机物污染状况调查

目的了解装修前后不同时期居室空气中主要挥发性有机物的污染状况及污染物浓度变化情况,为制定相应的防制对策提供依据。方法选择拟装修的居室82户,分别于装修前,装修竣工后30d、1年和2年,测定室内空气中甲醛、苯、甲苯、二甲苯和TVOC的浓度。结果甲醛在装修后1年的浓度最高,均值为（0.185±0.050）mg/m^3,装修后2年的甲醛平均浓度仍显著地高于装修前（P〈0.01）。而苯系物和TVOC的浓度在装修后30d最高,以后逐渐降低。甲苯、二甲苯平均浓度严重超标,分别超出我国《室内空气质量标准》最高容许浓度的17.7倍、14.1倍,苯和TVOC浓度超标相对较少。结论居室装修能造成室内严重挥发性有机物污染,对人体健康危害较大。     

居室装修后室内空气污染及变化趋势

[目的]调查居室装修后的室内空气污染状况,分析甲醛及挥发性有机污染物浓度随时间推移的变化趋势。[方法]随机选择95户装修竣工时间分别为〈3个月、3个月～、6个月～、9个月～、12～24个月的居室作为装修组,20户装修时间超过5年的居室作为对照组,测定室内空气中甲醛、苯、甲苯、（对、间、邻）二甲苯和乙苯浓度。[结果]装修组室内甲醛、苯、甲苯、二甲苯、乙苯的平均含量分别为0.139、0.163、0.294、0.325、0.152mg/m^3,均明显高于对照组（P〈0.05）;各污染物的超标率在37.9%～80.0%,其中超标率最高的是甲醛。装修后3个月内甲醛、苯、甲苯、二甲苯和乙苯浓度较高,分别为0.297、0.391、0.535、0.594、0.454mg/m^3。3个月以后,室内污染物浓度逐渐降低,约于1年后下降到国家标准。[结论]居室装修可造成较严重的室内空气污染,随着竣工时间的延长,室内污染物浓度逐渐下降。     

新装修居室空气污染状况的监测分析

目的：为了解濮阳市室内装修对空气污染的状况。方法：甲醛采用Z-300甲醛测定仪，苯、甲苯和二甲苯采用气相色谱法，氡采用MODEL1027测氡仪。结果：33户家庭5种主要污染物中甲醛超标率最高，点超标率为49．64％，户超标率为66．67％，苯点超标率为7．41％，户超标率为18．18％，最高点超标5．5倍。甲苯点超标率为13．33％，户超标率为21．21％，最高点超标30．6倍。二甲苯点超标率为11．11％，户超标率为24．24％，最高点超标17．5倍。9处办公场所空气污染物检测结果中，甲醛点超标率为28．57％，户超标率为44．44％，最高点超标28．8倍，苯、甲苯点超标率皆为10．34％，户超标率皆为11．11％，最高点超标为2．8倍，二甲苯未检出。新居室和办公场所氡所有检测点均不超标；不同房间甲醛浓度厨房超标率最高，为57．14％，客厅超标率为51．52％，书房、卧室超标率分别为50．00％、48．68％，餐厅最低，超标率为42．86％。浓度较高点在客厅和卧室，分别为0．72mg／m^3和0．63mg／m^3，超标7．2倍和6．3倍。结论：装修后室内空气污染严重，其中甲醛是主要污染物之一，其次为苯系物，板材是造成污染的主要原因。     

三门峡市室内装修污染调查分析

目的了解室内装修污染物，适时开展室内空气质量检测控制。方法依据《室内空气质量标准》对市区装修后的82户居民的246个居室室内空气质量进行调查检测。结果甲醛、苯为室内装修主要污染物，甲醛总体超标率79．3％，室内温度每升高5℃，甲醛浓度增加1．3～1．5倍；不同装修类型甲醛浓度差异有显著意义（P〈0．05）。结论甲醛和笨系物是装修主要污染物；每年二、三季度有利于室内空气质量检测，应注重室内装修甲苯、二甲苯检测。     

室内装修后空气中挥发性有机物污染状况调查分析

目的 了解居室装修后室内空气中主要挥发性有机物污染状况.方法 对居室装潢后不同时间的居室室内空气中甲醛、苯、甲苯、二甲苯、空气耗氧量进行测定,并与室外空气标准进行对比.结果 装修后居室空气中甲醛、苯、二甲苯及空气耗氧量均严重超标,12个月后浓度虽明显下降,但甲醛和空气耗氧量超过室外空气标准.结论 装修后相当长一段时间内居室空气中挥发性有机物污染严重,装修后1年内入住可能至少导致为期1～2年的免疫伤害.     

自然界不存在的水不是好水

为了解新建住宅装修后室内空气中挥发性有机物的污染状况 ,笔者对居室空气进行了检测。1　材料与方法1 1　监测对象 :选择建成尚未投入使用的住宅为监测对象 ,分 3组 ,即未装修组、装修后 2个月内组、装修后 2个月后组 ,调查室内挥发性有机物含量。在室内主卧室和客厅各采 1点 ,于上午 9:0 0开始 ,连续采样测定 9d ,测定从装修后 7d开始。同时监测室外大气作对照 ,记录监测时温度、湿度、气压、风速。1 2　监测指标和方法 :各检测点测定室内空气中的甲醛、苯、甲苯、二甲苯浓度。用酚试剂比色法测定甲醛 ,苯、甲苯、二甲苯用气相色谱法 (二…     

Self-reported health problems among Swedish miners one year after unemployment

Unemployment is considered to be a public health concern sincedeterioration in the health of the unemployed is often anticipated.However, for some groups, such as miners, unemployment mightimprove health due to a cessation of potentially harmful occupationalexposures. This study evaluates the health of 79 miners in oneSwedish iron-ore mine, and 226 age-matched controls from thegeneral population, during one year after the closure of themine. The participants received a questionnaire regarding medicalhistory and subjective symptoms at the beginning of the studyperiod, and after one year. Statistically significant negativeeffects on self-reported health attributable to unemploymentwere not found, although neuropsychiatric symptoms were morecommon among the unemployed miners. The miners reported a statisticallysignificant improvement in grip force (p=0.031). They had asignificantly higher prevalence of symptoms associated withmining related exposures when compared with the population controls;pain in the upper extremities [relative risk (RR)=2.27, 95%confidence interval (Cl)=1.44–3.59), back pain (RR=1.84;Cl=1.237–2.75), vasospastic disease of the fingers (RR=2.05;Cl=1.18–3.57) and obstructive respiratory symptoms (attacksof dyspnea and wheezing: RR=3.67; Cl=1.167–11.6).     

Excès de cas humains et animaux de tularémie en France au cours de l’hiver 2007–2008 : émergence ou phénomène isolé ?

Context

Tularemia is a zoonosis affecting humans and hares in France. We describe the results of surveillance in both species, in 2007 and 2008.

Methods

Human tularemia cases are mandatorily notifiable in France since 2003. In hares, surveillance relies on volunteer hunter associations in all districts of the country. Data from mandatory reports and volunteer surveillance in 2007/2008 were analyzed and compared with previous results.

Results

In 2007/2008, 144 cases were reported in humans and 117 cases in hares. This was a 100% increase compared to previous years. Human cases differed from those of previous years only by the frequency of contact with breeding animals. Human cases without any documented risk exposure were also more frequent.

Conclusion

An increase of tularemia cases occurred in 2007/2008 in both species. Complementary studies are needed to identify the species reservoir in France to understand the causes of this peak of cases.     

Occupational health hazards in mining: an overview

This review article outlines the physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic and psychosocial occupational health hazards of mining and associated metallurgical processes. Mining remains an important industrial sector in many parts of the world and although substantial progress has been made in the control of occupational health hazards, there remains room for further risk reduction. This applies particularly to traumatic injury hazards, ergonomic hazards and noise. Vigilance is also required to ensure exposures to coal dust and crystalline silica remain effectively controlled.     

Manufacture and use of nanomaterials: current status in the UK and global trends

This paper provides an overview of the production and use of nanomaterials (NMs), particularly in the UK. Currently, relatively few companies in the UK are identifiable as NM manufacturers, the main emphasis being the bulk markets in metals and metal oxides, and some niche markets such as carbon nanotubes and quantum dots. NM manufacturing in the UK does not reflect the global emphasis on fullerenes, nanotubes and fibres. Some assumptions have been made about the types of NM that are likely to be imported into the UK, which currently include fullerenes, modified fullerenes and other carbon-based NMs including nanotubes. Many university departments, spin-offs and private companies have developed processes for the manufacture of NMs but may only be producing small quantities for research and development (R&D) purposes. However, some have the potential to scale up to produce large quantities. The nanotechnology industry in the UK has strong R&D backup from universities and related institutions. This review has covered R&D trends at such institutions, and appropriate information has been added to a searchable database. While several companies are including NMs in their products, only a few (e.g. manufacturers of paints, coatings, cosmetics, catalysts, polymer composites) are using nanoparticles (NPs) in any significant quantities. However, this situation is likely to change rapidly. There is a need to collect more information about exposure to NPs in both manufacturing and user scenarios. As the market grows, and as manufacturers switch from the micro- to the nanoscale, the potential for exposure will increase. More research is required to quantify any risks to workers and consumers.     

Investigating clusters in the workplace and beyond

Clusters of disease are common and occur in the workplace and in the general community. They often arouse considerable concern among the population. Investigations have sometimes lead to exciting new knowledge, but in general the investigation of clusters is difficult and often unrewarding, especially for community clusters. In the workplace, investigations are more likely to find associations and even new causes, but still many clusters remain enigmatic. Despite this, there are many reasons for investigating clusters, including allaying community concern and identifying uncontrolled exposures. A structure for investigating clusters in the workplace is suggested.     

Assessing occupational and environmental exposure

Exposure assessment is a poorly understood component of the science of epidemiology. The relationship between exposure to chemicals and ill-health outcomes is often calculated using crude exposure measures such as ever/never exposed or duration. When investigating subtle effects, exposures need to be characterized much more fully in terms of intensity, frequency, duration and route. While occupational exposures tend to be much greater than those experienced from the wider environment there is a need to remember that, for many chemicals, exposure can occur occupationally, environmentally and through consumer use of products containing the material of interest. Inhalation exposure has generally been the traditional focus for most epidemiological investigations but there is now growing awareness of the importance of the dermal and ingested routes of contact and internalization. Quantification of the exposure also needs to be related to a biological mechanism of action and exposure metrics need to be selected accordingly. Occupational exposures can generally be measured using simple well-validated techniques. Environmental exposures require much more sensitive instruments and are more difficult to assess. Exposure modelling, particularly for the environmental fate of chemicals has undergone many recent developments and Monte Carlo techniques can be used to characterize model uncertainty and variability. This approach to exposure assessment can now be used in the setting of the wider environment and will enable a far better understanding of the relationship between exposure and disease.     

Mercury toxicity due to the smelting of placer gold recovered by mercury amalgam

A 19-year-old man developed tremor in both hands and fatigue after starting work at a placer gold mine where he was exposed to mercury-gold amalgam. Examination revealed an intention tremor, dysdiadochokinesis and mild rigidity. The 24-h urinary mercury concentration reached a peak of 715 nmol/l (143 ug/l) shortly before the clinical examination, after which he was removed from working in the gold room [Mercury No. Adverse Effect Level: 250 nmol/l (50 ug/l)]. On review 7 weeks later his tremor had almost resolved and the dysdiadochokinesis and rigidity had gone. The 24-h urinary mercury concentration had fallen to 160 nmol/l (32 ug/l). The principal exposure to mercury was considered to be the smelting of retorted gold with previously unrecognized residual mercury in it. The peak air concentration of mercury vapour during gold smelting was 0.533 mg/m3 (Mercury Vapour ACGIH TLV: 0.05 mg/m3 TWA). Several engineering and procedural controls were instituted. This episode occurred at another mine site, unrelated to Mount Isa Mines Limited.     

How Adults with Acquired Brain Damage Perceive Computer Training as a Rehabilitation Tool: A Focus-group Study

The aim of this study was to explore and describe how adult outpatients with acquired brain damage and referred to occupational therapy perceive computer training with the RehaCom programs, in order to evaluate the method of treatment as a tool in the rehabilitation of persons with cognitive disorders. By using focus-group discussions as a qualitative method of research when analysing the result, five themes with corresponding categories emerged, describing a development of understanding and learning about capacities. Themes describing how the participants could apply strategies to overcome shortcomings in daily occupations and the therapeutic role of the occupational therapist were identified as well. The result shows that a computer training program such as RehaCom can be used as an educational tool, for example, to guide a person who is trying to adopt compensatory strategies to avoid overload by taking pauses. It was found that anything the participants learned was also applicable to occupational performance in daily life.