Biomedical subjects

Patrick A Hessel

Publications and source records attributed to Patrick A Hessel.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

An investigation of noise levels in Alberta sawmills.

BACKGROUND: Noise exposure in the sawmill industry is an area of concern. This study documents the level of noise exposure in nine sawmills in the province of Alberta, Canada. METHODS: Personal noise monitoring data were collected in nine Alberta sawmills, in winter and in summer (n = 213). Exposures were considered in light of an estimated "real world" noise reduction rating (NRR) calculation assuming use of conventional hearing protection. Limited comparisons were made with spot area monitoring data. RESULTS: Only 10% of the personal monitoring measurements were below the Alberta 8-hr exposure limit of 85 dBA. Twenty-seven percent of the personal monitoring measurements were 95 dBA or higher. Worker enclosures played a large role in reducing noise exposure. There were no significant differences between seasons in noise category distributions (P = 0.61). The planermen and planer infeed operators had the highest percentage of personal monitoring measurements 95 dBA or higher (62% and 82%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Based on a conservative formula, a risk of excess noise exposure could exist even when wearing required hearing protection due to very high noise levels found in planing operations in sawmills.

Alberta↗

PubMed2003

Particulate matter and gaseous contaminants in indoor environments in an isolated northern community.

OBJECTIVES: Globally, 86% of exposure to particulate matter (PM) occurs indoors. Wood furnaces and smoke curing are known sources of PM in isolated communities in northern Canada. STUDY DESIGN: Three homes with wood furnaces, three with oil furnaces, and nine tipis (smoke curing huts) in Deline, Northwest Territories were sampled for carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, total hydrocarbons, formaldehyde, and for PM of less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10). RESULTS: All gaseous contaminants were below relevant air quality standards. In contrast, all but one environment had PM10 concentrations above standards. The presence of smokers correlated with higher PM10 levels within fuel categories. PM10 did not differ significantly between heating types (means, 0.12-0.53 mg/m3). Exposures to PM10 in tipis averaged 2.3 mg/m3. CONCLUSION: Residents were exposed to substantial concentrations of PM10 from cigarette smoking, wood stoves, and smoke curing. Concentrations were within the range where respiratory symptoms have been observed. Measures to reduce exposure should consider prevention of adverse health effects and preservation of traditional activities.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗

PubMed2002

Near-fatal asthma: a population-based study of risk factors.

BACKGROUND: The study of near-fatal asthma (NFA) may provide a means to further our understanding of fatal asthma. Studies of NFA often are derived from a single ICU rather than from a defined population. We therefore aimed to identify factors distinguishing NFA patients (cases) from those persons treated in an emergency department (ED) [ED control subjects] and in the community (community control subjects [CCs]). METHODS: This was a population-based case-control study conducted over 20 months of 45 NFA patients (age range, 5 to 50 years), 197 ED control subjects treated in an ED, and 303 CCs, all of whom were residents of Alberta. RESULTS: The age distribution was similar between NFA patients and control subjects, with the majority being < 22 years of age (NFA patients, 68.9%; ED control subjects, 71.3%; CCs, 60.7%). Those patients with NFA were significantly more likely to have received a diagnosis before 5 years of age (66.6%), compared to ED control subjects (39.6%) and CCs (28.7%). The NFA group was significantly more likely to report moderate-to-severe disease and more frequent symptoms than the other groups. Therapy with bronchodilators was used most frequently by the NFA group compared to the ED control subjects and CCs (p < 0.001), as was therapy with inhaled steroids (p < 0.001) and oral steroids (p < 0.001). NFA patients had higher scores for vulnerability and were most likely to admit to stress as an asthma trigger. All groups had high exposure to cigarette smoke and pets. CONCLUSION: NFA patients have many modifiable risk factors and many similarities to ED control subjects and CCs with asthma. General measures to improve asthma control and awareness of risks are required in all groups.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Developing a school asthma policy.

Schools are faced with the challenging mandate of addressing the learning needs of students while simultaneously managing a gamut of behavior and health problems. School health policies have been successfully used for many health-related issues. Although asthma is the most common chronic disease among children, schools receive only a small amount of support to manage asthma issues. This article describes our experiences in developing an asthma policy in schools. The problem of asthma in schools was assessed as part of a comprehensive community-based asthma intervention, and a plan was established to develop a school asthma policy. The goal of the policy was to facilitate a physical and social environment that enabled students with asthma to control optimally their condition, have a good quality of life, and learn effectively. Specific objectives included enhancing environmental control, educating staff, clarifying medication protocols, and responding appropriately to symptoms. Strategies in developing the policy included strengthening collaboration and networks among health, school, and community sectors; defining the role of the school and health sectors; designing the policy; refining the policy based on stakeholder feedback; and developing an evaluation plan.

Alberta↗