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Biomedical subjects

H Tuch

Publications and source records attributed to H Tuch.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1986

Medical screening of former asbestos cement workers in Israel: a pilot program.

A pilot screening program for the evaluation of former asbestos-cement workers was carried out in the Chest Disease Clinic of the Acco Public Health Office (Ministry of Health), Israel. A total of 184 subjects were evaluated using medical and occupational questionnaires, clinical examinations, and pulmonary function tests (forced expiratory volume, forced vital capacity). Thirty percent of individuals with more than 1 year of work experience had symptoms of breathlessness or cough. Individuals with 10 years or more of work experience showed a high prevalence of râles and reduced pulmonary function, as compared to those with shorter work histories. These findings indicate the urgent need for active follow-up of Israeli ex-asbestos workers. A proposed screening and surveillance program for this high-risk group is discussed with emphasis on follow-up, health education, and smoking cessation.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Smoking, morbidity, and pulmonary function in a group of ex-asbestos workers: a pilot study.

Thirty-three of 184 formerly exposed asbestos textile workers were interviewed to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning smoking and asbestos. Twenty-three subjects in this group also underwent physical examination to determine smoking-symptom/sign-pulmonary function interrelationships. Approximately half of the exworkers smoked, and the majority who had stopped did so mostly because of illness rather than because of knowledge concerning smoking-asbestos hazards. All workers welcomed the offer of smoking cessation programs. Smokers and exsmokers, but not nonsmokers, were at risk for obstructive-type impairments, but all three groups contained subjects with impairments interpretable as restrictive. The presence of shortness of breath, cough, râles, or decreased breathing sounds alone or in any combination greatly increased the odds that either obstructive- or possible restrictive- or mixed-type impairments would be found on spirometry. Mass screening techniques required about one hour of person time per examinee to assess health status, provide educational material on smoking, and counsel workers on referral arrangements. The findings suggest that smoking alerts, smoking cessation clinics, and medical follow-up are needed, feasible, and acceptable in Israel.

Aged↗