Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Environmental Health > Occupational Health : Chapter 13 > Flashcards

Occupational Health : Chapter 13 Flashcards

1
Q

Occupational Disease is defined as____

A
  • health outcomes that are caused or influenced by exposure to general conditions.
    [ EX. untreated carpal tunnel syndrome ]
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Occupational Medicine is___

A
  • Medical specialty focusing on the detection & prevention of diseases that arise from the work environment.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Occupational Disease is under-diagnosed & under-registered.

TRUE or FALSE?

A

TRUE

WHO estimates that worldwide they are responsible for 2.02 million deaths & 160 million new incidents per year.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Origin of Occupational Health

A

Work related hazards have been recognized since ancient times

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are some of the oldest instances of the origin of occupational health?

A

-Mining

460 BC, Hippocrates discussed hazards of metal working & lead.

129-200, Galen described hazards to miners.

850-923, Rhazes used occupational classifications in medical case descriptions.

1567, Paracelsus wrote a book on occupational disease

1700’s, Ramazzini asked people about their jobs.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Bernardino Ramazzini
( 1633-1714 )

A
  • Considered the “Father of Occupational Medicine”
  • Described manifestations of occupational diseases.
  • His book, ‘De Morbis Artificum Diatriba’ (Diseases of Workers) was published in 1700.
    ~Highlighted risks of hazardous chemicals, dusts, metals used in the workplace.
    ~ “It is much better to prevent than to cure”
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Occupational Diseases in Historical Literature:

Miner’s Asthma

A

Miner’s Asthma, lung disease occuring among coal miners related to dust inhalation over years of exposure.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Occupational Diseases in Historical Literature:

Potter’s Rot

A

Potter’s Rot, caused by breathing in crystalline free silica during clay mixing, causing inflammation of the lungs.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Occupational Diseases in Historical Literature:

Mad Hatter’s Disease

A

Mad Hatter’s Disease, chronic exposure to mercury vapors among hat makers. Mercury nitrate was used in the production of felt for hats.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Occupational Diseases in Historical Literature:

Phossy Jaw

A

Phossy Jaw, Phosphorous osteonecrosis of the jaw affected by those working with phosphorous.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Occupational Diseases in Historical Literature:

Mule Spinners’ Cancer

A

Mule Spinners’ Cancer, Epithelioma of the scrotum caused by the deposit of mineral oils on the skin of the scrotum.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Historically Significant Occupational Accidents:
1 of 2
The Triangle Shirtwaist Company Fire

A

The Triangle Shirtwaist Company Fire

  • Occurred on March 25, 1911 in New York City
  • 146 women died within 15 minutes
  • Doors were locked & fire escapes were nonfunctional
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Historically Significant Occupational Accidents:
2 of 2
The Gauley Bridge Disaster

A

The Gauley Bridge Disaster

  • Covered a time span that began about 1931 in a three-mile tunnel construction through Gauley Mountain, West Virginia.
  • Caused exposure of unprotected workers to high levels of silica dust.

*Resulted in about 1,500 cases of silicosis, 1,000 deaths.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Occupational Safety & Health Act of what year?

A

1970

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

The Occupational Safety & Health Act of 1970

A

Industrial Revolution of the 1800’s :

1833, first appointment of “industrial surgeons”

Reversal during depression of 1920’s

1930’s first occupational medicine associations

1970, Occupational Safety & Health Act created both 1. the National Institute for
Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) as part of the CDC, is the federal agency responsible for
conducting research & making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury &
illness

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), which is in U.S. Department of
Labor & is responsible for developing & enforcing workplace safety & health regulations.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

NIOSH & OSHA
Health Assessment-

A

Health Assessment:
- Pre-employment, return to work, job change
- Examination of exposed workers
- Physical therapy & rehabilitation
- Emergency Treatment
- Immunological Services

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

NIOSH & OSHA
Advisory Services-

A

Advisory Services:
- Prevention of occupational disease
- Legislation & codes of practice
- Medical aspects of new processes
- Study of sick absence

~Reduction & prevention of non-occupational diseases
- First-aid training
- Retirement advice
- Contingency planning for major disasters

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Significance of Occupational Environment for Health

A

NIOSH reported that on a typical day;

~11,000 employees endure disabling injuries.
~ Occupationally related diseases caused 130 deaths
~ Every year, 5.2 million nonfatal work related injuries that required time off, 93.6% were injuries & 6.4% were illness related.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

How many work related deaths/per year are there?

A

~5,542 work related deaths/per year
(15 deaths/day)

  • The number of newly reported, nonfatal injuries exceeded 4.7 million in the private industry.
  • The direct cost of these injuries were estimated $45.8 billion
  • Additionally, $229 billion for indirect costs.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Definition of “serious nonfatal occupational injuries”

A

Serious nonfatal occupational injuries are those that require recovery away from work & extend in duration beyond the day of occurrence.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

How many nonfatal occupational injuries have been reported in the US?

A

In the US, nonfatal occupational injuries have been reported in the magnitude of 1.2 - 1.6 million/per year.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Leading causes of disabling conditions;

A

(1) Sprains & strains

(2) Cuts, lacerations, & punctures

(3) Bruises & contusions

  • In 2008, a total of 71.2% of injuries took place in the service-providing sector.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Occupationally Associated Diseases & Conditions;
(8) exampes

A
  1. Allergic & irritant dermatitis
  2. Respiratory diseases, (ex., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma)
  3. Fertility & pregnancy abnormalities
  4. Hearing loss (caused by noise)
  5. Infectious diseases
  6. Musculoskeletal disorders
  7. Traumatic injuries & fatalities
  8. Conditions associated with job stress
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Agents of Occupational Disease;
THREE kinds of main hazards

A

1) Physical
- noise, vibration, light, temperature, radiation.

2) Chemical
- liquids (vapors, mists, fogs)
- solids (dusts)
- gases (Co, & other combustion gases)

3) Biological (bacteria, viruses, fungus)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Physical Agents
of Occupational Disease

A
  • Vibration:
  • Segmental
  • Whole-body
  • Noise:
  • Hearing loss
  • Other effects
  • Radiation:
  • Ionizing
  • Non-ionizing
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Physical Agents: SOUND

A
  • Produce by vibrating bodies
  • Form of mechanical energy
  • Carried in the air as longitudinal waves
  • Impinges upon auditory system & produce physiological response
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Physical Agents: NOISE

A
  • A type of sound that is unwanted
  • Can be made up of pure tones, a narrow band of frequencies & sound impulses
  • Can be annoying, disrupt performance & produce adverse health effects.
28
Q

Physical Agents: NOISE (continued)

A
  • Ototoxic is an agent that can produce hearing loss (very loud sound & drug or chemicals use in the workplace).
  • Noise induce hearing loss in a cumulative way. Thus, long time exposure to noise is associated with hearing loss.
  • Noise also induce other hearing disorders:
    1. temporary shifts
    2. difficulty in understanding words
    3. signal detection
29
Q

Effects of Noise < Than 85 Db

A

Listed by dB and then the effect:

80, difficult conversation

75, difficult phone conversation

70, normal conversation if high voice (not adequate for office work)

65, Upper limit to a comfortable noisy environment

60, acceptable

55, upper limit to a comfortable calmed environment

50, difficult sleeping

40, acceptable for concentration & sleeping

<30, problem only if intermittent noise

30
Q

Chemical Agents

A
  • Many chemical agents are used by industry, agriculture, lab research
  • Chemical exposure may cause dermatoses, cancer, liver disease, & other
31
Q

Chemical Agents: Non-infective Occupational Dermatitis

A

Non-infectious occupational dermatitis, affects more frequently skin on hands, wrists, forearms.

Cause: Irritant (acids, cement, metals, salts, solvents), sensitizing (chrome, nickel, cobalt, epoxy resin, formaldehyde, urea & phenolic resins, rubber additives, some plants & woods)

Symptoms: pain in affected area, itching, swelling, & cracked skin.

Treatment: avoid contact with chemicals & use gloves

32
Q

Chemical Agents
Gases:

A

Carbon Monoxide: Incomplete combustion from motor vehicle exhaust, furnaces, steelworks, domestic

-Odorless, hazardous, toxic gas
* Causes death by depriving the body of oxygen.

Symptoms: Headache, unconsciousness & death.

  • Individuals with conditions (ex., lung disease, heart disease, & anemia) are at an increased risk of the effects of CO.
33
Q

Chemical Agents: Gases (continued)

A

Chlorine & Hydrochloric acid: irritant induces pulmonary edema.

Hydrogen sulfide: Rotten/fowl odor.
Present in sewers & oil refineries.
- Symptoms: irritation of eyes to pulmonary edema, convulsions & unconsciousness.

34
Q

Chemical Agents
Gases: Dust

A

Dust,

Found in many occupational environments, is associated with infection of respiratory system.

35
Q

Pneumoconiosis

A

Pneumoconiosis, is caused by breathing coal dust, reaching the lungs and inducing chronic inflammation & tissue destruction.

Over time, the lungs lose their elasticity, causing respiration to become increasingly difficult.

36
Q

What is Pneumoconiosis caused by?

A

Breathing in coal dust

37
Q

Silicosis

A

Caused by breathing micro particles of silica dust. Mining, quarrying, stone cutting, sand blasting, foundries, manufacturing of glass & ceramics.
There are 3 forms of this disease:
1. Chronic silicosis ( 10-20 years)

  1. Accelerated silicosis ( 5-10 years )
  2. Acute silicosis ( 2-5 years)

~ Patients develop pulmonary fibrosis & loss of lung function

38
Q

Wha are the 3 forms of the disease Silicosis?
(3)

A
  1. Chronic silicosis ( 10-20 years)
  2. Accelerated silicosis ( 5-10 years )
  3. Acute silicosis ( 2-5 years)

~ Patients develop pulmonary fibrosis & loss of lung function

39
Q

Chemical Agents: Dust

A

~ Asbestosis & Mesothelioma
asbestos, probably no other hazardous substance has resulted in so many deaths & cases of disabling diseases as has asbestos.

40
Q

The Experience of Asbestos Use:

A
  • Cluster cases:
    1. Scrotum cancer in chimney sweeps, 1755
    2. Skin cancer in arsenic workers, 1822
    3. Liver cancer in PVC manufacturing workers, 1930
  • Difficult to relate
  • Studies are costly & time consuming
  • Animal models

Classification:
FOUND ON SLIDE 33

41
Q

CANCER AGENTS: OCCUPATIONAL SETTINGS
[ SLIDE 34 ]

A
42
Q

Cancer

A

Cancer is caused by the disordered growth of a cell(s).
* Cancer develops when cells in a part of the body begin to grow out of control.

Benign or malignant
- Inheritance -Environmental

  • Weakness, anemia, cachexia.
  • Synergism: asbestos + smoking
43
Q

What percentage of cancers are occupational?

A

8% of all cancers are occupational (physical or chemical agents)

44
Q

Theory of Oncogensis

A
  • All cells contain proto-oncogenes
  • Carcinogens can convert the proto-oncogenes into oncogenes by damaging DNA (EX., tobacco, viruses, radiation, chemicals, etc.)
  • Oncogenes activate the development of cancer cells.
  • Cells also contain tumor suppressor genes that inhibit cell growth; if these mutate due to damaged DNA, then it may not work correctly. TSG p53 is mutated in >50% of human tumors.
45
Q

Asbestos

A

Asbestos is a group of six fibrous silicate minerals:
- Amosite
- Chrysolite
- Tremolite
- Actinolite
- Anthophyllite
- Crocidolite

46
Q

Asbestos & Industry

A

Building materials:
- Brake linings
- Textiles, insulation
- Paints, plastics
- Caulking compounds
- Floor tiles, cement
- Roofing paper
- Board covers, filters gas mask, conveyor belts, etc.

47
Q

Asbestos & Cancer

A
  • Alveolar macrophages adhere to a larger asbestos body (close to a large multinucleated giant cell).

~ It’s presence induces chronic inflammation, after many years results in cancer.

48
Q

Asbestos related disease____

A

Lung cancer

  • Caused by LOW exposure to asbestos dust (20 - 25% asbestos workers)

~ Types: Small Cell Lung Cancer, grows fast (smoking & asbestosis) & Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

49
Q

Asbestos related disease: Lung cancer

A
  • Caused by LOW exposure to asbestos dust (20 - 25% asbestos workers)
  • Uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lungs, which form lungs of cancer cells that disrupt the lungs & their function.

Types: Small Cell Lung Cancer, grows fast (smoking & asbestosis) & Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

50
Q

Epithelial Cells Mesothelioma

A
  • Epithelial cells are especially sensitive to damage by asbestos
  • Lung mesothelioma, cancer of the pleural lining of the lung. This is essentially incurable, & commonly leads to a great deal of pain.

Mesothelioma: Ca of lung or stomach. It is “Marker Disease”

Gastrointestinal Ca: Colon, rectum, esophagus, & stomach (drinking water contains higher levels of asbestos)

51
Q

Organic Dust:
Asthma

A

Asthma is a chronic disorder of the airways.
- With this, the airways in the lungs become inflamed & constricted.
- Asthma causes wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, & nighttime or early morning coughing.

52
Q

Seasonal Farmworkers Health

A

~1.1-3 million migrant & seasonal farmworkers labor on U.S. farms planting, cultivating, & harvesting food that is vital to the economy.

53
Q

How are Seasonal Farmworkers Health at risk?

A
  • Seasonal Farmworkers are at risk of occupational injuries caused by pesticides, fertilizers, chemicals, harsh environmental conditions (dust, heat, cold, dehydration) & other pathogenic organisms, farm machinery, & transportation accidents).
  • Farm work also involves frequent lifting & carrying of heavy, unbalanced loads; prolonged kneeling, bending, stooping, twisting, repetitive hand task, & other physical stressors.
  • These exposures can increase farmworker risk for significant physical pain and/or disabilities.
54
Q

First study done worldwide exploring association between chronic exposure to traffic air pollution & atherosclerosis among young traffic police officers:

A

“Chronic Occupational Exposure to Traffic Pollution Is Associated with Increased Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Healthy Urban Traffic Control Police”

  • First study done worldwide exploring association between chronic exposure to traffic air pollution & atherosclerosis among (25 - 33 years of age) young traffic police officers.
  • Crowded cities worldwide use traffic control officers to facilitate motor vehicle traffic.
  • Traffic control officers are heavily exposed to toxic mixtures of motor vehicle exhaust.
55
Q

Work-Related Stress

A

~ Job stress,
Defined as the harmful physical & emotional responses (anxiety, stress, & neurotic disorders) occurring when requirements of jobs do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker.

56
Q

What does Work-Related Stress do to an individual?

A

~ Job stress can lead to poor health & even injury.
~ Chronic stress has been implicated in a range of somatic conditions (e.g., coronary heart disease) & mental disorders including depression.

~ Term “going postal” refers to employees who react to stressful conditions of their environment by committing violent acts.

57
Q

Stress & Associated Conditions
(Sources)

A

Sources of job stress include:
1. Work overload (long hours, high pressure deadline)
2. Job dissatisfaction
3. Job insecurity (fear of layoff, changes in nature of job)
4. Worker’s lack of control over their environment & conditions of employment
5. Assembly line work that involves repetitive task
6. Dealing with members of the public who may be abusive
7. Inadequate compensation & lack of benefits

58
Q

Microbial Agents:

A

Microbial Agents are a source of health risks for workers in many occupational categories.

~For example, health care workers, workers exposed to sewage, & agricultural workers may be exposed to bacteria, viruses, & disease-carrying insects.

59
Q

Safe Workplace:
Prevention of Occupational Disease

A

Primary Prevention is the best method for occupational hazards:

1) Engineering control, are physical modifications of the work environment to reduce hazard: quite machinery, installation of protective guards, improvement of ventilation.

2) Modification of work practices,
safety education & training programs.

3) Administrative controls,
organization of work shifts & rotation of employees to minimize exposure to hazards.

60
Q

Prevention of Occupational Disease (continued)

A
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE),
    are devices to protect against air borne hazards: contaminant removers filters (chemical, gases, & airborne particles) & clean air supplies.
  • Public Health Surveillance,
    collection of data about occupational injuries, illnesses & maintenance of database on exposure to occupational hazards such as noise, industrial chemicals, & ionizing radiation.
61
Q

Exposure Limits

A
  • Exposure Limits: Workplace exposure to hazardous agents are higher then the exposure of the general public.
    In order to protect workers from higher exposures, government agencies have established guidelines & regulations for limitation of exposure.
62
Q

Exposure Limits:
Threshold Limit Value (TLV):

A

Threshold Limit Value (TLV),
refers to airborne concentrations of substances & present conditions under which it is believed that nearly all workers may be unaffected.

63
Q

How are guidelines for TLV made?

A

Guidelines for TLV are published annually by the American Conference of
Governmental Industrial Hygienists (AGGIH) for use by industrial hygienists to
guide them in making decisions about safe levels of exposure to chemicals &
other agents found in the occupational environment.

64
Q

Public Health Surveillance

A

Surveillance systems include the collection of information about occupational injuries & illnesses & maintenance of databases on exposures to occupational hazards.

65
Q

U.S. Agencies that Conduct Surveillance:
(5)

A
  • National Institute for Occupational
    Safety & Health (NIOSH)
  • National Center for Health Statistics
    (NCHS)
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
  • Occupational Safety & Health
    Administration (OSHA)
  • Mine Safety & Health
    Administration (MSHA)
66
Q

Surveillance Programs NIOSH

A
  • National Surveillance System of
    Pneumoconiosis Mortality
    (NSSPM)
  • National Traumatic Occupational
    Fatalities (NTOF) Surveillance
    System
  • State-based Sentinel Event
    Notification System for
    Occupational Risks (SENSOR)

Environmental Health (14 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions