Biomedical subjects

B E Moen

Publications and source records attributed to B E Moen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Acute suppression of serum IgM and IgA in tank workers exposed to benzene.

We investigated associations between benzene exposure and alterations of proteins and cells of the immune system among workers maintaining cargo tanks containing crude oil residues. Individual exposure to benzene, benzene in blood and urine, peripheral blood lymphocytes (total lymphocytes, lymphocytes in subpopulations CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD56 and CD4/CD8 ratio), complement factors C3 and C4 and serum concentration of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE) were analysed among 13 tank workers and nine unexposed referents (catering section). Benzene exposure was measured during three consecutive 12-h work days. Blood and urine samples were collected pre-shift on the first day (baseline), post-shift on the third day, and pre-next shift on the following morning. The time spent in the cargo tank was logged. The individual geometric mean benzene exposure in the breathing zone of tank workers over 3 days was 0.15 p.p.m. (range 0.01-0.62 p.p.m.) (n = 26). The geometric mean benzene concentration in blood post-shift was 12.3 nmol/l among tank workers versus 0.7 nmol/l among the referents. Tank workers showed a decline (versus referents) in IgM from baseline to post-shift (t-test, P = 0.04) and IgA from baseline to pre-next shift (t-test, P = 0.01). They also showed a decline in CD4 T cells from baseline to post-shift (t-test, P = 0.04). Suppression correlated with benzene exposure, benzene concentrations in blood and urine and time spent in the tank. The groups did not differ significantly in the change in other immune parameters. The clinical significance is unknown and warrants further studies.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

A higher risk of congenital anomalies in the offspring of personnel who served aboard a Norwegian missile torpedo boat.

BACKGROUND: In the 1990s, congenital anomalies were reported among children whose fathers had served aboard a Norwegian missile torpedo boat (MTB). The Royal Norwegian Navy asked the University of Bergen to look into this problem as one part of a general health and work environment surveillance. AIMS: To estimate any increased risk of having children with congenital anomalies and having stillborn children among the offspring of workers that had served aboard the MTB and to investigate possible differences in exposure and other risk factors between these groups. METHODS: Data from a cross-sectional study among all current employees of the Norwegian Navy (n = 2265, response rate 58%) were analysed. RESULTS: The prevalence ratio of having a child with congenital malformations associated with working on the ship was 4.0 (95% CI 1.9 to 8.6). The prevalence ratio of having a child who was stillborn or died within one week was 4.1 (95% CI 1.7 to 9.9). CONCLUSION: Service aboard the MTB was associated with an increased risk of having children with congenital birth defects and having children that were stillborn. The causes of these findings are unknown.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

The effects of occupational health and safety management on work environment and health: a prospective study.

According to Norway's Internal Control Regulation, all companies are required to have an occupational health and safety (H&S) management system. This study investigated the effects of implementing or improving occupational H&S management on the work environment, H&S-related behaviour and musculoskeletal health of workers in small and medium-sized companies. A one-year prospective cohort study, using self-administered questionnaires, was performed among the managers and blue-collar workers in 226 motor vehicle repair garages. Out of 1559 workers that responded at baseline 721 workers could be identified at follow-up. These 721 workers were included in the study. The workers in companies with improved H&S management from baseline to follow-up reported increased satisfaction with the H&S activities at the garage; improved support from management and colleagues; improved health-related support and control; and increased participation in H&S activities.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Benzene exposure on a crude oil production vessel.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to describe the personal exposure to benzene on a typical crude oil production vessel and to identify factors influencing the exposure level. METHODS: The study population included process operators, deck workers, mechanics and contractors on a production vessel in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea. The personal exposure to benzene during ordinary activity, during a short shutdown and during tank work was monitored using organic vapour passive dosimeter badges (3M 3500). Information on the tasks performed on the day of sampling was recorded. Exposure was assessed by grouping the measurements according to job category, mode of operation and the tasks performed on the sampling day. Univariate analysis of variance was used to test the differences between the groups. RESULTS: Forty-two workers participated in the exposure assessment, comprising a total of 139 measurements. The arithmetic and geometric mean of benzene exposure for all measurements was 0.43 and 0.02 p.p.m., respectively. Twenty-five measurements (18%) were below the limit of detection (0.001 p.p.m.), while ten samples (7%) exceeded the occupational exposure limit of 0.6 p.p.m. The geometric mean exposure was 0.004 p.p.m. (95% CI 0.003-0.006) during ordinary activity, 0.01 p.p.m. (95% CI 0.005-0.02) during shutdown and 0.28 p.p.m. (95% CI 0.16-0.49) during tank work. Workers performing annual cleaning and maintenance of tanks containing crude oil or residues of crude oil had higher levels of exposure than workers performing other tasks, including work near open hydrocarbon-transport systems (all P < 0.001). However, because of the mandatory use of respirators, the actual personal benzene exposure was lower. The job categories explained only 5% of the variance in exposure, whereas grouping by mode of operation explained 54% of the variance and grouping by task 68%. CONCLUSION: The results show that, although benzene exposure during ordinary and high activity seems to be low in the processing area on the production vessel, cleaning of tanks and performing maintenance work in a cleaned tank have a potential for high exposure.

Aerosols↗

PubMed2004

Farmers are at risk for anxiety and depression: the Hordaland Health Study.

AIMS: To examine whether, and why, farmers and non-farmers differ regarding levels of anxiety and depression. METHODS: The study encompassed 17 295 workers age 40-49 years, including 917 farmers, from the population-based Hordaland Health Study 1997-99 (HUSK). Levels of anxiety and depression were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A and HADS-D, respectively). Self-reported information on various work-related factors, demographics, lifestyle and somatic health problems was included. The main analytical methods were univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA)/Kruskal-Wallis test, chi(2)/Fisher's exact test and logistic regression. RESULTS: Compared with non-farmers, farmers had higher levels and prevalences of depression, particularly the male farmers, who also had higher anxiety levels. Among men, farmers reported longer work hours, lower income, higher psychological job demands and less decision latitude compared with non-farmers. Farmers had physically heavier work and a lower level of education than non-farmers. Generally, the differences were largest between full-time farmers and non-farmers. Differences in anxiety and depression levels between male full-time farmers and non-farmers could be explained by the farmers' longer work hours, physically harder work and lower income. CONCLUSIONS: Farming is associated with increased levels of anxiety and increased levels and prevalences of depression. As regards depression, preventative measures and screening for cases in need of treatment should be strongly considered.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Increased urinary excretion of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in engine room personnel exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

BACKGROUND: Previous investigations indicate that engine room personnel on ships are exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from oil and oil products, with dermal uptake as the major route of exposure. Several PAH are known carcinogens and mutagens. AIMS: To investigate the urinary excretion of a marker for oxidative DNA damage, 8-hydroxydeoxy-guanosine (8OHdG), in engine room personnel, and to study the association between 8OHdG and 1-hydroxypyrene (1OHP), a biological marker for PAH exposure. METHODS: Urine samples were collected from engine room personnel (n = 36) on 10 Swedish and Norwegian ships and from unexposed controls (n = 34) with similar age and smoking habits. The exposure to oils, engine exhaust, and tobacco smoke 24 hours prior to sampling was estimated from questionnaires. The urinary samples were frozen for later analyses of 8OHdG and 1OHP by high performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Excretion in urine of 8OHdG (adjusted to density 1.022) was similar for controls (mean 18.0 nmol/l, n = 33), and for those who had been in the engine room without skin contact with oils (mean 18.7 nmol/l, n = 15). Engine room personnel who reported skin contact with oil had increased excretion of 8OHdG (mean 23.2 nmol/l, n = 19). The difference between this group and the unexposed controls was significant. The urinary levels of ln 1OHP and ln 8OHdG were significantly correlated, and the association was still highly significant when the effects of smoking and age were accounted for in a multiple regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that exposure to PAH or possibly other compounds from skin contact with oils in engine rooms may cause oxidative DNA damage.

8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine↗

PubMed2002

Work-related injuries and occupational health and safety factors in smaller enterprises--a prospective study.

The aim of this study was to determine whether any of the health, environmental and safety (HES) factors registered by visiting small mechanical enterprises in Norway at the start of the study could predict the risk of occupational injuries in subsequent years. Twelve HES factors, including injury awareness, programme for action, employee participation, training and use of personal safety devices, were registered. A questionnaire was completed by interviewing the employer and observing production. Two variables based on observation of the use of safety equipment were significantly correlated with occupational injuries. There is potential for prevention in smaller enterprises by increasing the use of personal protection devices and safety equipment on machines. Frequent inspection with feedback to the workers is probably the most effective means of attaining the desired result of reducing injuries.

Accidents, Occupational↗

PubMed2001

Mechanisms of occupational injuries reported to insurance companies in Norway from 1991 to 1996.

BACKGROUND: To study the association of injury events, types of movements and types of objects involved in relation to occupation, age, and gender in serious occupational injuries to determine where preventive measures should be implemented. METHODS: The occupational injury claims made to the insurance companies in Norway for 1991-1996, which were stored in a database, were analyzed. RESULTS: Falls were the most frequent injury event in both genders and in all occupational groups, and the incidence rate increased with age. Among men, the most common action when the injury occurred was handling of goods or materials, whereas for women it was moving without goods or materials. Primary economic activity and manufacturing had the highest injury rates. CONCLUSIONS: Priority should be given to reduce the occurrence of falls in both genders, and especially among older workers.

Accidents, Occupational↗

PubMed2001

Activity profiles of the occupational health services in a multinational company.

The management of the European division of a multinational company was aware of possible differences in the occupational health services (OHS) at their different locations. The objective of this study was to carry out a baseline assessment of these OHS. Structured interviews with representatives of the OHS were conducted at 20 locations in 11 countries. The OHS Recommendation from the International Labour Organization (ILO) was used as a standard for the organization and functions of the OHS. Considerable differences in the activity profiles of the OHS were detected. The inter-enterprise, multidisciplinary OHS spent most of their time on surveillance of workers' health in relation to work and on preventive activities in the working environment. Little time was spent on curative services for individual workers. OHS made up of individual physicians and nurses generally spent much of their time on treatment of occupational and non-occupational diseases. This study has clarified the status of the OHS providers and the potential for improvements in order to meet the needs of the company's locations and to comply more closely with the ILO recommendation.

England↗

PubMed2001

Occupational injuries to fisheries workers in Norway reported to insurance companies from 1991 to 1996.

Fisheries work is one of the occupations at highest risk for occupational accidents in many countries. It is necessary to understand the injuries in order to prevent them. This study of occupational injury claims by fisheries workers in Norway made to insurance companies from 1991 to 1996 analysed the workers' age, time of injury, injury type, part of the body involved, injury event and cost. The highest injury incidence rates were among the younger fisheries workers and during the winter months. Bruises and fractures were the most frequent injury types, and fingers and hands were most often affected, whereas falls and accidents related to machines were the most common causes. Safety measures should be taken on board to prevent falls and machine-related injuries, and young fisheries workers should have better on-the-job training.

Accidents, Occupational↗

PubMed2001

Exposure to organic solvents during cosmetic finishing of cars.

The objectives of this study were to assess the exposure to organic solvents during degreasing, washing and polishing of cars, and to obtain information about acute health symptoms in car-finishing workers. Fifteen car shops participated in this study, and at these locations 36 workers had car finishing as their main working task. All 36 car-finishing workers and 17 randomly selected office workers from six of these car shops completed questionnaires on acute health symptoms. Personal monitoring of exposure to organic solvents was carried out in three representative shops. The highest exposure levels were found during degreasing of new cars, the median level of aliphatic hydrocarbons (C9-C13) being 22 p.p.m. (range 7-215 p.p.m.). This exposure level represents 50% (range 20-540%) of the Norwegian 8 h limit value for additive factor for these compounds. Only 28% of the workers used gas respirators regularly during this process. Very low exposure levels were detected during washing of second-hand cars and during polishing processes. The present study shows that car-finishing workers are exposed to high levels of organic solvents only for short periods of time. It seems that they are not adequately protected during these periods. However, the presence of acute symptoms was low, i.e. comparable to the prevalences in the reference group.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2001

The impact of psychosocial work factors on musculoskeletal pain: a prospective study.

A prospective cohort study investigated how psychosocial work factors predict musculoskeletal pain. A total of 721 workers at 226 automobile repair garages answered two questionnaires distributed with a 1-year interval. The predictor variables were psychological demands, decision authority, social support, and management support. The outcome variables were neck pain, low back pain, and an index of pain from seven different parts of the body in the past 30 days. The best predictors were low decision authority and management support. Low decision authority predicted neck pain, low back pain, and total musculoskeletal pain when adjusted for the effect of the respective musculoskeletal pain measured in the first survey, for age, and for gender. Low management support predicted both low back pain and general musculoskeletal pain. The study indicates that psychosocial factors at work may predict musculoskeletal pain.

Humans↗

PubMed2001

Prevalence of airway symptoms among hairdressers in Bergen, Norway.

OBJECTIVE: To assess respiratory symptoms among hairdressers in Norway. METHODS: The study was based on a questionnaire sent to 100 hairdressers (91% responding) and 95 office workers (84% responding). The questionnaire sought information about allergy, respiratory symptoms in the past year, and symptoms after exposures to different types of pollutants, working conditions, and smoking habits. A population based control group was established because the hairdressers and office workers differed in age and smoking habits. RESULTS: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms in the past year did not differ significantly between hairdressers and office workers after adjusting for age, atopy, and smoking. The hairdressers over 40 years of age reported significantly more symptoms-such as wheezing and breathlessness-in the past year than the office workers of the same age. Compared with the population based control group, both hairdressers younger than 30 and those over 40 reported more symptoms-such as breathlessness in the past year. The oldest hairdressers reported such symptoms as wheezing and breathlessness more often than did the younger hairdressers. These differences in breathlessness were significant after adjusting for smoking and wheezing. The same trend was not found among the office workers. The hairdressers reported significantly more wheezing, breathlessness, runny eyes, and blocked or runny nose from exposure to hair dyes, permanent oils, bleaching powder, and other chemicals used in a hairdressing salon, compared with the office workers. Prevalence of symptoms during exposure to other types of generel pollutants was similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Hairdressers are exposed to low levels of various irritating chemicals every day. The prevalences of acute symptoms related to the exposure of hairdressers to hairdressing chemicals are very high. Hairdressers, especially the oldest hairdressers, have more asthma-like symptoms than the control groups.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

The impact of social and organizational factors on workers' coping with musculoskeletal symptoms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Workers with musculoskeletal symptoms are often advised to cope with their symptoms by changing their working technique and by using lifting equipment. The main objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that negative social and organizational factors where people are employed may prevent workers from implementing these coping strategies. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 1,567 automobile garage workers (72%) returned a questionnaire concerning coping with musculoskeletal symptoms and social and organizational factors. RESULTS: When job demands, decision authority, social support, and management support related to health, environment, and safety (HES) were used as predictor variables in a multiple regression model, coping as the outcome variable was correlated with decision authority, social support, and HES-related management support (standardized beta=.079,.12, and.13, respectively). When an index for health-related support and control was added to the model, it correlated with coping (standardized beta=.36), whereas the other relationships disappeared. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Decision authority and social support entail health-related support and control that, in turn, influences coping.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[Skin reaction after St Lucia holiday celebration].

A 37-year-old man developed contact dermatitis on the front head after being exposed to dripping candles. The candles were placed in a crown on his head as he played St. Lucia in the traditional Lucia Day (13th December) pageant, trying to entertain the administrative staff of the University of Bergen where he was employed. Afterwards he washed his head with a soap he normally did not use. Probably the contact dermatitis is a skin reaction to the soap, but it is difficult to say whether the reaction was irritative or allergic. A similar case has not been reported earlier. It is of importance that noone stops celebrating the Lucia Day. However, proper precautions must be taken, with routines for avoiding exposure to stearine or unfamiliar soaps on the head of Lucia.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Systematic health, environment and safety activities: do they influence occupational environment, behaviour and health?

This study investigated the relationships between systematic health, environment and safety (HES) activities (as defined by Norway's Internal Control Regulation), the working environment, and workers' health-related behaviour and health. A questionnaire on systematic HES activities was answered by 237 managers of motor vehicle repair garages. A further questionnaire, on the working environment, health-related behaviour and health, was answered by workers (n = 2174) from the same garages. Using regression analysis, systematic HES activities were positively and significantly correlated with the following separate outcome variables, measured at an individual level: satisfaction with HES activities, physical working environment, social support, HES-related management support, health-related support, and control and workers' participation in activities related to occupational health. Workers at garages with systematic HES activities reported fewer musculoskeletal symptoms. Firm conclusions on the direction of causality are difficult to draw because of the cross-sectional design.

Accidents, Occupational↗

PubMed2000

Compensation for occupational injury and disease in Norway: ranking of job groups.

The health risk of various job groups in Norway was estimated by ranking them according to the annual occupational insurance costs per capita. This was done by dividing the costs of work-related injury and disease from 1991 to 1996 in various job groups by the number of workers in these groups. Occupational groups were also ranked according to total annual costs. The five occupational groups with the highest total costs were metalworkers, woodworkers, nursing-related workers, fisheries workers, and teachers. The groups with the highest annual cost per worker were shoe and leather workers, oil and gas extractors, fisheries workers, miners and quarry workers, and ship's officers. Fisheries workers and ship's officers were ranked among the top 10 positions on both lists and deserve priority in preventive measures.

Accidents, Occupational↗

PubMed2000

Exposure to organic solvents among car painters in Bergen, Norway.

Car painters are exposed to organic solvents during their work. Several sets of official regulations have therefore been adopted in Norway in recent years to reduce the exposure. This study evaluated some of the effects of these regulations, by measuring the levels of exposure to organic solvents in six car-painting garages and relating them to the limit values in Norway. Both stationary and personal monitoring were performed. In addition, the occurrence of acute symptoms in the nervous system, skin and upper airways, the use of personal protective equipment and the workers' satisfaction with the ventilation were determined using the results of a questionnaire survey among the car painters from 11 car-painting garages (N=28). A control group of unexposed workers (N=18) was used for comparison. All air samples showed low levels of exposure, far below the limit values. The highest levels were found for toluene; about half the limit value in two garages (11.5 and 12.5 ppm). No significant difference was found between the exposed and unexposed workers in the frequency of acute symptoms. Most workers reported to always use gloves, overalls and respiratory protective equipment during the car painting. The study indicates that the exposure to organic solvents is low in the examined car-painting garages, and the risk of adverse health effects related to organic solvents is probably low in these workplaces.

Adult↗