Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology

7-16

Authors: K Azrah , Z Jamali , A Jari *

Background: In the refractory brick manufacturing industry, because of the high risks associated with the level of dust in the factory environment and thermal stress, a precise identification of industrial hazards is required as a part of safety analysis. The aim of this study was to introduce a preventive approach to risk identification and assessment in the refractory brick production line. Materials and Methods: In this paper, methods such as observation of factory operations, process analysis through the factory diagrams, and interviews with employees were used. In addition, the risk levels of the factory were investigated using the risk matrix. Results: The results of the study showed 97 deviations from the main process with various causes and consequences. None of the deviations were in the unacceptable category with 3.09% falling in the undesirable category, 3.09% in the acceptable but in need of revision category, and 92.78% in the acceptable category. Conclusions: The results showed that 40.2% of the risks were caused by human errors. The installation of a secondary control valve in the transfer route of the glue vapors to the workplace, an alternative pressure control system, a secondary ventilation system, several fans near the furnace (redundancy), and a real-time phenol monitor are recommended. Moreover, regular analysis of safety, health, and environmental risks are some of the recommendations proposed to reduce the identified risk level.

26-31

Authors: Z Zamanian , H Hashemi * , P Azad , Y Mehri , B Kohnavard

Background: In spite of science and technology developments and their application in different industries, accidents occur in many work environments. Thus, this study was conducted in order to investigate factors affecting constructional accidents. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, all workers who were injured in building construction during 2009-2010 and were registered in the Labor and Social Welfare Corporation were investigated. The data was collected through a checklist, and then, entered into SPSS software and analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. Results: Most of the accidents (about 40%) have occurred in the 24-29 year age group. Improvidence and nonuse of protective and safety instruments are the cause of 42% and 30% of accidents, respectively. The most injured parts of the body were the head (about 60%) and hands (about 45%). The least number of injured individuals was in the insulation and formatting sections (each one about 5%). Most injured persons were hired for less than 1 month (40%) and had job experience of less than 5 years (45%). Approximately 0.5% of injured persons have died and 35% of events have caused bone fracture in different parts of the body. Conclusions: The instructions related to protection, conforming to the related principles during work, and suggestion of solutions in order to prevent nonchalance, particularly for individuals with low job experience, will help to prevent accidents.

37-44

Authors: R Vazirinejad , N Manshoori , N Mohamadpanah , N Gomnami *

Background: Breast variations play an important role in breastfeeding success. It seems that this issue has not gained enough attention. The present study was designed to measure the prevalence of breast variations among women of reproductive age in an Iranian community. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a sample of 402 pregnant women who were referred to the only maternal hospital of Rafsanjan county, Iran, was randomly recruited for the study. There were 20 items on the checklist in two sections including 14 demographic and 6 specific items. Trained physicians recorded the data in the checklist through interviewing the mothers and using their physical examination after receiving respondents’ consent. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. In addition to descriptive methods, the level of risk of breastfeeding failure with 95% CI was calculated. Normally distributed continuous variables were compared using the independent t-test and the Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare discrete variables and those continuous variables that were not normally distributed. Results: Of 402 mothers who accepted to participate, 51 mothers were detected with at least one type of breast variation giving a prevalence of 127 per 1000 mothers. The most common type of breast variation was “flat nipple” (n = 34). The existence of at least one type of breast variation among mothers increased the risk of failure in the breastfeeding process 14.1 times. Having “flat nipple” increased the risk of breastfeeding failure 11.6 times. Conclusions: In addition to the high prevalence of breast variation among the study population, our findings illustrated its significant negative effect on breastfeeding success. Thus, health professionals’ skills must be developed in the management of breastfeeding among mothers with this problem and mothers need to be given appropriate advice on how to counteract resulted breastfeeding difficulties. More investigations are strongly recommended.

51-61

Authors: K Zare , HR Adeli * , N Naeimi , A Naghizadeh

Background: Morpholine is a toxic substance used in industry and agriculture and can be absorbed into the body through ingestion, inhalation, and the skin. The present study aimed to assess the effect of morpholine and physiological serum ingestion on qualitative and quantitative characteristics of white blood cells and kidney tissue of white male mice. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 40 adult NMRI male Albino mice were placed in 4 groups; control group, physiological serum (sham) group, treatment group A [fed with 300 mg/kg of 1 ml of the prepared solution (0.009 ml morpholine + 0.091 ml of distilled water) per day for 15 days], and group B (the same volume of morpholine and physiological serum). After weighing, anesthesia, and blood sampling, all considered parameters were measured using MOTIC software. In addition, macroscopic and microscopic studies were conducted on prepared slides and obtained data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: In group A, reduced thickness of the outer cortex of the kidney (proximal convoluted tubule), increased thickness of the inner cortex (Malpighian body’s, distal convoluted tubule), and reduced external medulla (Henle’s loop) were significant compared to the control group and sham group. However, no significant difference was found among the groups with regard to the internal medulla (collecting pipes). Moreover, the kidney gained weight compared to the whole body. Changes in white blood cells in group A were significant compared to group B. Conclusions: Stress morpholine causes changes in blood parameters, increased filtration, decreased reabsorption and absorption, weight loss, inflammation, hyperemia, urinary tract reconstruction and resulted polyuria. However, these impacts reduced via physiological serum.