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Biomedical subjects

P Hasle

Publications and source records attributed to P Hasle.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1990

[The risk of silicosis from building site dust].

The quartz content of ordinary building materials such as concrete, mortar and bricks is 10-50%. The extension of concrete building which has occurred since 1960 and the subsequent repairs and preparation by means of mechanical tools result in increased concentrations of dust containing quartz. Measurements at various types of work in Danish building sites reveal that the quantity of respirable quartz constitutes 0.16-1.8 mg/m3 (limit 0.1 mg/m3). Corresponding figures are found in investigations from abroad. Cases of silicosis have been reported among builders abroad and, in Denmark, only few cases of occupational dust lung conditions have been notified to the Workers' Supervision Authorities. Whether or not quartz in dust at building sites also causes an increase in the occurrence of cancer of the lung, as is the case in sandstone workers exposed to pure quartz, has not yet been proved. The latent period of several decades for the development of silicosis is such that it may well be feared that the cases now reported are only the beginning of increased occurrence of the disease in coming years among particularly exposed concrete workers, bricklayers, unskilled workers, electricians, joiners and carpenters. Relevant technical methods have already been developed to limit exposure to quartz-containing dust at building sites. Prophylactic measures should be accelerated.

Construction Materials↗
PubMed1982

The incidence of disability pensions and mortality among semi-skilled construction workers in Copenhagen. A retrospective cohort study with two control groups.

The aim of the present study was to discover whether the incidence of disability pensions and mortality was higher amongst semi-skilled construction workers (SCW) in Copenhagen than in two control groups from the same geographic area. The population investigated consisted of a fixed cohort of 3537 SCW from Copenhagen as per 1/5/1975. The two control groups comprised 3818 Copenhagen members of the Warehouse Workers' union and a group of Copenhagen members of the Semi-skilled Worker's Union age-matched to the SCW cohort, both as per 1/5/75. Up to 31/12/79, a total of 102 SCW were granted disability pensions, compared with 89 and 77 in the two control groups respectively, i.e. a significantly higher frequency of award of disability pension among SCW than among warehouse workers (p less than 0.05). This was due especially to a higher frequency of disability pensions granted because of musculoskeletal diseases and cancer in SCW. The number of deaths was recorded from 1/5/75 to 30/11/78. No differences in overall mortality were found among the three groups, although slightly fewer deaths from lung cancer and ischaemic heart diseases and more suicides were observed among the construction workers. Selection bias and the effect of the working environment are discussed against the background of a concurrent investigation of the state of health and working conditions of SCW.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Low-back pain and early retirement among Danish semiskilled construction workers.

According to new regulations Danish trade union members are able to retire earlier than normal, at the age of 60-65 a. One of the reasons for retirement might be symptoms of wear and tear, eg, low-back pain. Questionnaires were sent to 157 semiskilled construction workers and 210 members of a reference group. Forty percent of the construction workers reported low-back pain as one of the reasons for retirement, whereas the corresponding percentage of referents was 25. Low-back pain occurred in the year before retirement for 68% of the construction workers and 50% of the reference group. The relationship between low-back pain, selection, and semiskilled construction work is discussed.

Aged↗