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Biomedical subjects

H Langauer-Lewowicka

Publications and source records attributed to H Langauer-Lewowicka.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

[Prevention of vibration syndrome in selected occupational groups in the metallurgy industry].

Medical examinations were carried out in a group of 297 men exposed to hand-arm vibration in the metallurgical industry. The group consisted of 93 rammers, 77 grinders and 127 chippers. The level of vibration at workposts was also measured. The average occupational exposures exposed in years and total hours were as follows: in the group of rammers - 14.5 yrs and 19,954 h; grinders - 15.2 yrs and 10,131 h; and chippers - 8.8 yrs and 5,444 h. The vibration-dose limit was exceeded by 5.0, 0.96 and 1.1 times, respectively. Raynaud's phenomenon was found significantly more frequent in chippers than in rammers or grinders. Medical examinations showed the highest health risk among chippers and the lowest among rammers. No correlation was found between intensity of mechanical vibration at the workplace and the biological response in groups examined. The results of the examinations provided evidence that different groups of workers require different preventive programmes.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Medical prevention of chronic occupational intoxications due to metallic mercury].

A group of workers exposed to elemental mercury was monitored over a period of 14 years (1983-1996) at the Institute of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, Sosnowiec. Mercury was used as a catalyst in the synthesis of acetic aldehyde and obtaining of chlorine. Every year medical examination was performed in the group of 163-277 persons. During the first four years of monitoring, excessive absorption of Hg was found in 32.1-45.1% of workers. The highest percentage (46.1-65.0%) was observed in persons engaged in technological processes of acetic aldehyde synthesis. From 1987 workers employed in this department were systematically (every six months) removed from the contact with Hg. Due to preventive removal a gradual decrease in the percentage of those with high Hg absorption (32.0-9.2%) was observed. As the authors point out, it is important to select properly workers to be employed under conditions of mercury exposure, and to determine every six months their urine mercury level. It is also desirable to remove workers temporarily from the most hazardous workposts and to incorporate a wide spectrum of specialistic examinations into periodical checkups.

Chemical Industry↗
PubMed1998

[Early neuropsychological dysfunctions in workers exposed to benzene and its homologues].

Psychological examinations using five tests of interference and four tests of motoric reaction were carried out in a group of 28 men occupationally exposed to mixtures of benzene, toluene and xylene compounds. The examinations indicated diminished function of the cortical associative centre, excessive susceptibility to stimuli disturbing psychic processes slowing of the orientation ability and motor reaction time. Tests of habitual interference, reaction time to visual stimuli and Ricossay's test proved to be most useful in the detection of early psychic dysfunctions.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Neurologic aspects of vibration syndrome].

The authors present divergent opinions on the pathogenesis of vibratory syndrome, and primarily on its angio-neurological form, i.e. vascular, neurogenic and immunological theory. In the light of these concepts the clinical manifestations of vibratory syndrome are discussed in view of both systemic and local developments. The issues concerning neurological diagnostics with reference to the usefulness of electrophysiological methods are thoroughly analysed. Difficulties in early diagnosis and identification of symptoms that distinguish vibratory syndrome from other syndromes with similar manifestations are highlighted.

Electrophysiology↗
PubMed1996

[Evaluation of health risk in machine operators exposed to whole body vibration].

A total of 45 machine operators employed at the same power station were examined with special emphasis put on the musculoskeletal system. A group of 15 bulldozer operators, 19 engine operators and 11 tractor drives were exposed to the whole-body vibration with average vertical equivalent acceleration ranging from 0.2 mg-2 to 0.5 ms-2 r.m.s. The incidence of low back complaints over a period of 12 months was similar to that observed in the occupational study groups. However, back pains combined with other health disorders were most common in bulldozer operators (80%) while the lowest percentage (36%) of such cases was observed among tractor drivers. The analysis of lifetime exposure to the whole body vibration in both groups showed that bulldozer operators worked only 5 years longer, on average, but they spent twice as many hours at work as tractor drivers. The study indicates that individual lifetime exposure to the whole-body vibration may play an important part in the evaluation of health effects.

Humans↗
PubMed1996

Raynaud's phenomenon in different groups of workers using hand-held vibrating tools.

The dose-effect relationship showed in the Annex A of the ISO standard 5349-1986 can be used for preventing vibration-induced white fingers (VWF) because it allows to calculate the latent period for the lowest risk of VWF. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of VWF in three different occupational groups of workers whose members operated the same vibrating power tools and the same industrial processes throughout the workday. Each occupational group was employed in two foundries and they were considered to be very stable with a low turnover rate. The mean frequency-weighted acceleration magnitudes measured from pneumatic rammers (25.3 +/- 3.3 ms-2) where three times higher than from chipping hammers (8.4 +/- 3.8 ms-2) and six times higher than from grinders (3.8 +/- 1.1 ms-2). Medical examinations were carried out in 102 men consisting of 22 chippers, 42 rammers and 38 grinders. The results of this study showed that the relationship between lifetime exposure to hand-arm vibration and the vascular disorders can be predicted quite well using the Annex A of ISO standard only in one occupational group, that is, in chippers. Thirty-six percent of chippers reported blanching symptoms, but only five percent of the rammers and three percent of the grinders had these vascular disturbances. Our results may be explained by the fact that vibration received by an operator depends on the manner in which the tool is used. In a foundry three following work processes are performed: preparing forms in ramming mix, cleaning and grinding of castings during which different forces are used by operators. It seems very likely that the energy absorbtion in the hands and arms of chippers must be stronger than in other studied groups.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Examination of health effects after exposure to metallic mercury vapors in workers engaged in production of chlorine and acetic aldehyde. I. Evaluation of general health status].

Physical, neurological and psychological examinations as well as laboratory tests were performed in the group of 147 workers, engaged in the production of chlorine, acetic aldehyde and soda lye, exposed to metallic mercury vapours and in the control group (n = 49). In the evaluation of laboratory tests, morphology of peripheral blood, liver function tests and lipid balance were analysed in the first part of the work. Electroencephalography, electrocardiography and chest X-ray were also performed as auxiliary examinations. There was a certain percentage of cases with symptoms of organic damage of the brain mostly in the form of cerebellar syndrome. Psychological organic tests proved to be of little value in the evaluation of effects of exposure to mercury. The results suggest that occupational exposure to metallic mercury vapours can enhance the risk of hypertension and myocardial failure. Harmful effect of occupational exposure to metallic mercury vapour on the respiratory and haemopoietic systems as well as on the liver and lipid balance was not observed.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Some aspects of health problems due to local vibration.

The development of knowledge of vibration disease during the last century is given. Pathogenetic mechanisms, diagnostic methods, clinical classification, clinical picture and its stadia and diagnostic difficulties are presented here. Measures for its medical treatment and prevention are also described.

Humans↗
PubMed1992

[Local-action vibration and mechanical stress--their hygienic characteristics and medical evaluation of exposed workers].

Medical examination and assessment of the hand-transmitted vibration and mechanical shocks were performed in 69 workers using chipping hammers, grinding tools, pneumatic hammers and forge hammers. Out of the 15 chippers examined, 5 presented vibration-induced white finger syndrome. The latency period for the syndrome was found to be similar to that predicted in the ISO guidelines no. 5349. Twenty seven hammer-using operators complained of joints pain within the upper extremities. The results of the examinations indicate that the work under conditions of mechanical shocks may increase the risk of vibration-induced pathology.

Arm↗
PubMed1992

[Evaluation of mental functions in workers exposed to metallic mercury, inorganic lead and carbon disulfide].

The aim of the study was to determine the similarities and differences between the groups of dysfunctions detectable using psychologic tests in workers exposed to metallic mercury, inorganic lead and carbon disulfide. The study groups included male workers examined in the Clinic of Occupational Diseases of the Institute of Occupational Medicine in Lodz. The subjects were supposed to the chronically intoxicated with Hg (27 persons), Pb (40 persons) and CS2 (40 persons). A wide variety of tests was used to examine reference groups matched appropriately according to sex, age and level of education. The comparative analysis of results showed that the range and extend of a decrease in psychic functions depend on the type of a neurotoxic agent. The most serious disorders (frequently those of organic brain disease type) were found in subjects exposed to CS2. Exposure to metallic mercury resulted in functional disorders of the psychic sphere, while exposure to inorganic lead caused some minor functional changes. The results of the psychological examination of the subjects may be useful both for individual analysis and for screening.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Visually evoked potentials and simple reaction times to visual stimuli in chronic disulphide intoxication.

The relationship between parameters of visually evoked potentials (VEPs) and the results of a psychological test assessing the speed of motor reaction to visual stimuli was examined in 21 patients with chronic carbon disulphide intoxication. Correlations obtained suggest cerebral disfunction of the visual pathway and diminished ability to transform visual information to motor reaction at the level of the cortical association centre.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Multimodality evoked potentials in occupational exposure to metallic mercury vapour.

Central nervous system dysfunction among workers exposed to metallic mercury was studied by measuring somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and visual evoked potentials (VEPs). The examinations were conducted in 28 workers suspected of chronic mercury intoxication. They were exposed to Hg for a period ranging from 4-34 years (mean 22.1) in an acetic aldehyde and chlorine manufacturing plant. The increase of amplitude of N20 SSEP (13 cases) and elongation of its latency were frequent abnormalities in the examined group. The latency of N20 was significantly longer in the exposed group in comparison with the control one, the amplitude of N20 was also significantly higher. Significantly prolonged latency of P100 VEP was found in the group exposed to Hg. These findings suggest the possibility of an adverse effect due to Hg on the central part of the somatosensory and visual pathway.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Value of electroencephalographic examination in the diagnosis of chronic carbon dioxide poisoning].

The aim of this study was to assess the value of EEG examination for the diagnosis of chronic CS2 intoxication in individual cases. 100 electroencephalograms obtained from a sample of 100 workers suspected of CS2 intoxication, treated in clinical department were analysed. The mean age of the group was 51, the mean duration of exposure was 24 years. Chronic CS2 intoxication was diagnosed in 49 persons, with prevalence of psycho-organic syndrome in 23 of them. Out of 100 EEG records, 35 were normal, 48 in normal limits, 12 within the border zone, 5 records were abnormal. In the group of 49 patients with chronic CS2 intoxication 3 records were abnormal, 6 were in the border zone. EEG disorders were found with the similar incidence in groups that differed as far as the clinical picture and the CS2 exposure period. In the authors opinion results of the EEG investigations cannot be considered as a reliable criterion in the diagnosis of chronic CS2 intoxication. The appearance of EEG abnormalities in workers exposed to CS2 should give rise to perform a more rigorous and extended neurological examination.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1987

[Effect of peripheral thermoregulation on the results of various studies used in the diagnosis of the vibration syndrome].

The paper constitutes some attempt of evaluating the relationships between individual peripheral thermoregulation and results of tests routinely applied for diagnosing the vibration syndrome (cooling test, thermometry, palesthesiometry, capillaroscopy, isotopic capillary flow, thermography at rest). In a group of 126 clinically observed subjects with the suspected vibration syndrome, 3 subgroups of different peripheral thermoregulation have been singled out. Forty-seven subjects were classified as homoiothermics, thirty-one subjects as poikilothermics and forty-eight as-amphithermics. Statistically significantly more frequent were disturbances in the tests in poikilo- and amphithermics, as compared to homoiothermics. Analysis of particular tests demonstrated disturbed thermometry mostly in poikilothermics. The authors surmise that the less advantageous variant of individual peripheral thermoregulation (i.e. poikilo- and amphithermic) may promote a more rapid occurrence and development of the vascular form of the vibration syndrome.

Body Temperature Regulation↗
PubMed1986

[The value of thermographic tests in the diagnosis of the vascular vibration syndrome].

With the aim of testing the usefulness of static thermography for the diagnosis of the vibration syndrome with the AGA-680 Medical apparatus, 111 patients treated in the clinic for suspected vibration syndrome and 25 patients with the idiopathic Raynaud's syndrome have been examined. The vibration syndrome was found in 70 patients, basing on complex multispecialist examinations with no thermovisual evaluation. Ischaemic symptoms were found thermographically in 63 subjects (56%), the rates being the same for the vibration syndrome and non-diagnosed occupational disease groups. The highest sensitivity was that of the isotonic capillary test (100%) and pallesthesiometry (88.2%), whereas thermometry and capillaroscopy exhibited lower sensitivity (78.1% and 71.5%, respectively), the lowest sensitivities being those of static thermography (56%) and coolness test (31.8%). The highest correlation between the thermographic pathology and the results of the other tests was that relating to pallesthesiometry and isotopic capillary test. No temperature range characteristic for the vibration syndrome or parallelism of clinical and thermovisual evaluations has been found.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

[Conduction in the motor fibers of the ulnar nerve in cut-glass workers].

The authors have estimated the motor conduction velocity of ulnar nerve motor fibres in 39 glass-cutters suspected to neuropathy originating from work performance. The conduction has been checked in two segments; wrist-elbow and below-above elbow (peripheral) and sulcus segments). Twenty-nine workers exhibited reduced conduction; in the sulcus segment--13-fold, in the peripheral segment--4-fold, and in both segments--12-fold. The nerve impairment was greater on the left side, especially in the sulcus segment. After 4 to 24 months another investigation was performed in 22 persons--10 carrying on the work and 12-who had abandoned it. The former group exhibited the impairment, whereas the latter--both improvement and progression. The authors suggest that an appropriate evaluation of the ulnar nerve lesion in glass-cutters but also people representing other professions causing the nerve pressure calls for an investigation of the conduction in the sulcus and peripheral segments.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

[Isotope capillary test in the diagnosis of a vascular form of vibration syndrome caused by local mechanical vibration].

The authors have compared evaluations of the rate of hand skin capillary flow at rest with the results of other studies used in the clinical diagnosis of the vibration syndrome resulting from the hand-transmitted vibrations. Multispecialist medical and auxiliary examinations including the radioisotopic capillary test, have been carried out in 78 patients referred to the Clinic because of suspected vibration syndrome. The values of flow at rest have been taken into account. In 34 patients the flow was slowed down. The lack of correlation between the slowed capillary flow at rest and clinical evaluation of pathological changes indicates a limited usefulness of the isotopic capillary test in the diagnosis of the vascular form of the vibration syndrome due to local vibrations.

Adult↗