Occupational Medicine

Question 1

Occupational Medicine

Hazard vs Risk

Answer 1

Hazard = potential for harm
Risk = probability
Safe = of acceptable risk

Question 2

Occupational Medicine

Pesticide (organophosphate) poisoning symptoms

Answer 2

Anti-cholinesterase activity
Enhanced parasympathetic activity
−	Sweating
−	Blurring vision
−	Nausea + vomiting
−	Slurred speech
−	Muscle twitching

Question 3

Occupational Medicine

Pesticide (organophosphate) management

Answer 3

Administer atropine or pralidoxime

Question 4

Occupational Medicine

Work Related Asthma Causes

Answer 4

Volatile isocyanates (paints)
Western Red Cedar (joineries)
Protein or related dust (bird shedding, flour) Contaminants in Al smelters (chemical plants) Epoxy resin hardeners (construction)
Sulfur dioxide (wine, dried fruit)

Question 5

Occupational Medicine

Work Related Asthma Symptoms

Answer 5

Tightness in chest Difficulty breathing Wheeze

Question 6

Occupational Medicine

Carbon monoxide Symptoms

Answer 6

Light-headed
Headaches
Flu-like effects
Late: rapid breathing & rapid pulse

Question 7

Occupational Medicine

Carbon Monoxide Treatment

Answer 7

Administer 100% Oxygen

Question 8

Occupational Medicine

Hydrofluoric acids symptoms

Answer 8

Irritant ⇒ liquid
Fluoride ions deplete cellular Ca and Mg needed for nerve conduction.

VF
Skin burn

Question 9

Occupational Medicine

Western Red Cedar

Answer 9

Joineries

Work Related Asthma

Question 10

Occupational Medicine

Protein or related dust

Answer 10

Bird shedding, flour, animal sheddings

Work Related Asthma

Question 11

Occupational Medicine

Contaminants in Al smelters

Answer 11

Atmospheric contanminants
Chemical plants
Work Related Asthma

Question 12

Occupational Medicine

Epoxy resin hardeners

Answer 12

Construction

Work Related Asthma

Question 13

Occupational Medicine

What is Irritant Contact Dermatitis?

Answer 13

Characterised by inflammation and destruction of the stratus corneum
Type IV (delayed type) hypersensitivity reaction

Question 14

Occupational Medicine

What is Allergic Contact Dermatitis?

Answer 14

• Occurs at the site of contact with an allergen (may spread if severe)
• Sensitisation persists indefinitely and desensitisation is rarely possible

Question 15

Occupational Medicine

Workplace Prevention

Answer 15

Primary
- Cause / RF’s
- Elimination of asbestos
Secondary
- Progression
- Screening / monitory eg. Audiometry and follow-up of abnormal results
Tertiary
- Consequences / Cx’s
- Doctor’s area eg. Assisted return to work of a person with lumbar spondylosis

Question 16

Occupational Medicine

Asbestosis

Answer 16

Occupational Cancer

Mesothelioma

Question 17

Occupational Medicine

Sulfur dioxide

Answer 17

Wine, dried fruit

Work Related Asthma

Question 18

Occupational Medicine

Hearing loss types

Answer 18

> 20dB indicates hearing loss
Conductive loss
- freq 1500Hz (eg consonants)

Question 19

Occupational Medicine

Hardwood dust

Answer 19

Occupational Cancer

Nasopharyngeal Cancer

Question 20

Occupational Medicine

Ionising Radiation

Answer 20

− α-particles: low penetrance, can damage with inhalation of emitting gases eg. Radon
− β-particles (electrons)
− γ-rays (X-rays)

Question 21

Occupational Medicine

Benzene

Answer 21

Occupational Cancer

Myeloid leukaemia

Question 22

Occupational Medicine

Non-ionising Radiation

Answer 22

− UV
− Visible light
− Infra-red
− Radiowaves
− Magnetic fields

Question 23

Occupational Medicine

Vinyl chloride

Answer 23

Occupational Cancer

Angiosarcoma of the liver

Question 24

Occupational Medicine

Contact Dermatitis Types

Answer 24

Irritant (75%)

Allergic (25%)

Question 25

# Occupational Medicine Volatile isocyanates

Answer 25

In Paints | Work Related Asthma

Question 26

# Occupational Medicine Silica

Answer 26

Occupational Cancer Silicosis Nodules of fibrosis in the upper lobes

Question 27

# Occupational Medicine General Hierarchy of Control Measures

Answer 27

1. Elimination 2. Substitution 3. Isolation 4. Engineering control eg. Ventilation 5. Administrative control eg. cleaning the workplace 6. Personal protective equipment

Question 28

# Occupational Medicine RADS causes

Answer 28

Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome (RADS) - Ammonia - Chloride

Question 29

# Occupational Medicine Irritant Contact Dermatitis Causes

Answer 29

- Water (frequent hand washing) - Heat and sweat - Low humidity - Soap, cleansers and detergents - Solvents, kerosene, thinners - Oils (especially mineral oils) - Cement - Dust and fibreglass

Question 30

# Occupational Medicine Allergic Contact Dermatitis Investigations

Answer 30

Patch Testing can reproduce allergy 48 & 96hrs after exposure

Question 31

# Occupational Medicine Allergic Contact Dermatitis Treatment

Answer 31

− Avoidance of the allergen − Substitution of the allergen − Prevention of skin contact

Question 32

# Occupational Medicine Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Answer 32

``` − Metals (nickel, cobalt, chrome) − Cosmetics (Perfume, Nail polish) − Preservatives in creams and shampoos − Hair dressing solutions / dyes − Disinfectants ```

Question 33

# Occupational Medicine Water (frequent hand washing) can cause

Answer 33

Irritant Contact Dermatitis

Question 34

# Occupational Medicine Heat and sweat can cause

Answer 34

Irritant Contact Dermatitis

Question 35

# Occupational Medicine Low humidity can cause

Answer 35

Irritant Contact Dermatitis

Question 36

# Occupational Medicine Soap, cleansers and detergents can cause

Answer 36

Irritant Contact Dermatitis

Question 37

# Occupational Medicine Solvents, kerosene, thinners can cause

Answer 37

Irritant Contact Dermatitis

Question 38

# Occupational Medicine Oils (especially mineral oils) can cause

Answer 38

Irritant Contact Dermatitis

Question 39

# Occupational Medicine Cement can cause

Answer 39

Irritant Contact Dermatitis

Question 40

# Occupational Medicine Dust and fibreglass can cause

Answer 40

Irritant Contact Dermatitis

Question 41

# Occupational Medicine Metals (nickel, cobalt, chrome) can cause

Answer 41

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Question 42

# Occupational Medicine Cosmetics (Perfume, Nail polish) can cause

Answer 42

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Question 43

# Occupational Medicine Preservatives in creams and shampoos can cause

Answer 43

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Question 44

# Occupational Medicine Hair dressing solutions / dyes can cause

Answer 44

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Question 45

# Occupational Medicine Disinfectants can cause

Answer 45

Allergic Contact Dermatitis