Conference Schedule

Day1: May 28, 2018

Keynote Forum

Biography

Prof. Anna Tompa has completed her Ph.D. from Semmelweis University, Budapest. She was the Head of the Department of Public Health Institute and National Institute of Chemical Safety, a premier research organization. She has published more than 135 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an editorial board member of several repute Hungarian and international journals.

University: Semmelweis University Faculty of Medicine 1964-1970.

Institute of Pathology and Cancer Research: Assistant Professor: from 1970 to 1979.

Eppley Institute Omaha NE. visiting scientist: from1976 to1978.

National Institute of Occupational Health: chief scientist, from 1979 to 1998.

DKFZ, Heidelberg: visiting scientist  (annually one or two months) from 1986 to 1989.

National Institute of Chemical Safety: director from1998  to 2005. At present: Research Director.

Semmelweis University Department of Public Health: professor and director from 2005 to 2010. At present, she is now the Deputy Director, Professor Emeritus.

Abstract

Altogether more than 5000 cases were investigated since 1989 by follow-up genotoxicology monitoring investigations, performed among workers occupationally exposed to various carcinogens (e.g. in oil-industry with occupational exposure to benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), bitumen, styrene and 1-3 butadiene, heavy metals etc). More than 200 workers were followed in oil refinery plants and compared to industrial controls, by geno- and immunotoxic biomarkers. In our follow-up genotoxicological study the exposed groups were monitored annually by testing chromosomal aberrations, sister-chromatid exchanges, DNA-repair capacity measurement and immune phenotyping of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Our results showed the effectiveness of active prevention together with the lowering of exposure by proper chemical safety interventions and by changes in life style (diet, smoking, alcohol consumption). However, besides exposures, the results were negatively affected by medication, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver and smoking. The detection of early signs of genotoxic effects of occupational and environmental carcinogens causing DNA-damages, mutations and chromosome aberrations, are indicators of the increase risk for the development of cancer. A possible attempt for prevention is the elimination of the harmful agents from the (working) environment (primary prevention), or promoting the elimination of somatic mutations (chemoprevention), by changes in life style with cooperation with local occupational health care authorities. The incidences of malignant diseases were less among the monitored oil refinery workers, compared to age matched controls followed by the same methodology.

Biography

Frédéric Dutheil is a Professor in Medicine; Medical Doctor in Occupational Health; Physiologist and Researcher at University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand (CHU) and; a Clinical Fellow of Australian Catholic University. He is member of Laboratory of Metabolic Adaptations to exercise in clinical and pathological conditions (AME2P-EA 3533) from 2006 to 2015, his work on biomarkers of stress led him to the creation and the Head of Physiological and Psychosocial Stress team at UMR CNRS 6024. He is the Scientist of Wittyfit, a software designed to improve health of workers, through a personalized and individualized feedback of their health, taking into account job characteristics. He is now aiming at building tools for objective measures of stress.

Abstract

In Occupational Medicine, Psychoscial Risks is a main concern. An Occupational Physician needs tools for an objective evaluation of Psychoscial stress. Those tools could be questionnaires such as visual analogue scale of stress or jod-demand-control questionnaire of Karasek, which can be useful to detect the most at-risk workers. Those tools to evaluate stress could also be biomarkers of stress. For example, we were the first team to propose saliva DHEAS as a reliable biomarker of stress. Then, stress can also be physiological. Main physiological stress are a mental stress, a physical stress (exercise), insufficient nutritional intake, or a sleep deprivation. Emergency Physicians are a model of stress because they combine all types of stress.

They are in a particular psychosocial context and they are confronted to death, they have sometimes to run, they cannot eat when they want and sometimes do not eat during 24 hours, they also cannot sleep. We will present main articles published from the Job stress study which compared several putative biomarkers of stress through different types of night shifts, through a shift-randomized controlled design. Main biomarkers of stress are heart rate and heart rate variability, as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines.

We demonstrated several incidences of maximal HR during shifts combined with a high cardiac strain, as well as a poor heart rate variability and a systematic inflammation. The 24-hour consecutive shifts exhibited the highest changes in biomarkers of stress. We also highlighted a prolonged response to the night shifts with the highest response three days after the shifts. The main explaining factor of the increase of biomarkers of stress was life-and-death emergencies. Therefore, we suggest that emergency physicians limit their exposure to 24-hour shifts and be cautious on the third day after the shift.

Biography

Rosa Maria Orriols completed her Master’s degree in Environmental Management Engineering; Graduate of Science in Chemical Engineering from Barcelona University; Post-degree in Occupational Health Safety from Suffolk University and; PhD from Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC). Currently, she is Director of Occupational Hygienist Health Safety in Hospital Bellvitge (ICS) the main health institution in Spain. Her research and work focus on preventing harmful exposures and creating healthy environments at work.

She was Technical Officer Occupational Health & Safety in National Occupational Safety and Health (INSHT) at Spanish Government. She is Auditor. Her research interests include: occupational & environmental exposure assessment for studies of human health risks; intervention research to prevent illness and injury and promote healthy environments in healthcare; methods to integrate Occupational & Environmental Health and Safety into production and consumption of goods and services.

She has spoken, written and testified extensively on health issues, including indoor air quality (specially surgical hume), prevention of blood borne exposures, radiations exposures, as well as about the effects of work organization. Her research interest includes “Policies, Organization and management, Hazerdous drugs, cancer, dermatitis, gloves, hospitals, Blood borne Exposures, Radiation exposures, Nanomaterials, Nanomedicines and Occupational health”.

Abstract

The 70th session of general assembly has opened with a towering achievement: the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, including 17 inspiring sustanaible development goals, the SDGs. The International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) is an international non-profit making, non-political, multidisciplinary scientific organisation whose sole purpose is to foster the scientific progress, knowledge and development of Occupational Health and related subjects on an international basis.



Focus in tips to evidence the occupational risk factor-outcome pairs prioritized for a systematic review pair: Occupational Ergonomics factors (musculoskeletal disorders), Occupational exposure to dusts and fibres (pneumoconiosis), Occupational exposure to UV radiation (cataracts and melanoma and non-melanoma cancer), Occupational noise (deaths from cardiovascular disease), Occupational Violence and, Psychosocial risk factors (ischemic heart disease, stroke, depression).

Tracks

  • Occupational Mental Health | Occupational Health and Diseases | Occupational Health Toxicology | Occupational Health and Sport Medicine | Occupational Health and Risk Management | Occupational Public Heallth | Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene
Location: Bleriot Hall 2 | Park Inn Hotel | London | UK

Biography

Gabrielle McHugh completed her BA in Psychology from National University of Ireland in 1988; MA in Disability Management from University of Northern British Columbia in 2005 and PhD at the same university in 2012. Her PhD research focused on the ways in which organizational culture, social climate and leadership style influence the healthy workplace. She completed a four-year research fellowship at Bournemouth University, UK, before returning to Canada as an independent Social Scientist whose research in the area of healthy workplaces is endorsed by Excellence Canada. She is also affiliated with Webster University.

Abstract

Canadian workers’ compensation tribunal has set substantive legal precedents for parity in approach to psychological and physical injury placing a duty on employers to ensure psychological and physical safety in the workplace. Consequently, the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (2013) advocates for healthy workplaces through prevention, protection and promotion strategies. While not a new concept, development towards a healthy workplace spotlights again the expanding domain of occupational health to protect workers against injury from Physical and Psychological hazards. Hence, my research focuses on ways in which organizational culture, social climate and leadership style may influence the development of healthy workplaces.

My findings clearly show a relationship between the various variables explored, leading to my revised model for the healthy workplace that clearly points to the separation of the distal environment (culture and leadership) from the proximal environment (climate, occupational bond, health practice) and indicates that the proximal environment variables have a greater influence over workers' perceptions than the distal working environment. This structural revision has important implications for both theory and practice. There is some concrete evidence here suggesting that a top down approach is not necessarily the best way to implement change and support a healthy workplace. The findings are consistent with current research indicating that co-workers are more directly affecting behavior than supervisors or managers. In order to advance the healthy workplace management needs to pay particular attention to proximal influences. Author looks forward to discuss further the practical implications of this research.

Biography

He was the Research Associate of the Professional Association for Health service and Welfare (BGW). Since 2010 he is Professor at the University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf (UKE). He is also Specialist in Occupational Medicine, Epidemiologist.

Abstract

Introduction: Healthcare Workers (HCWs) in Germany - a low incidence country - with contact to patients with tuberculosis (TB) are considered a high-risk group for latent TB infection (LTBI) and therefore are screened for TB. The German Occupational TB Network data is analyzed in order to estimate the prevalence of LTBI and to evaluate risk factors for LTBI.

Methods: The TB Network comprises 5,474 HCWs who were screened for LTBI with an Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA). HCWs with a positive IGRA result were x rayed in order to exclude active TB. Risk factors for LTBI were assessed by a standardized questionnaire. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) were calculated by logistic regression using SPSS. In addition a head-to-head comparison of the Quantiferon Gold in tube and the Quantiferon Plus was performed in 134 students from high TB burden countries. In either of the two IGRA positive were 9.8%. Discordant results were observed in three participants with results very close to the cut-off. Agreement between the two IGRA was high (k=0.85).

Results: IGRA was positive in 393 HCWs (7.2%). Prevalence of LTBI increased with age. (OR for age >55 years 4.8; 95% CI 2.8-7.0), TB in history (OR 6.9; 95% CI 3.7-13.5), migration from a high incidence country (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.7-2.8) and working on an infection ward (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.1-3.3) or in geriatric care (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.0-2.9). No active TB was diagnosed.

Conclusion: Even though screening was performed in HCWs with contact to TB patients only, work related risk factors for LTBI were identified. The new version of the Quantiferon agrees well with the earlier version.

Biography

Hrvoje Lalic was born in Rijeka, Croatia in 1960. Medical school University Rijeka finished in 1983 and worked as general practitioner in the Health Center Rijeka for ten years.  Specialization in Occupational Medicine has done partially in Zagreb, Croatian capital city, in internationally famous School “Andrija Štampar” that is under WHO patronage and partially in Bologna, Italy at “Policlinic S´Orsola Malpighi, OM school for specialization. Scientific and educational career he built parallel with his practical work in OM surgery. He participated World Congresses, OM Congress in Moscow – plenary lecture, San Marino Italy, Dubrovnik and Hvar in Croatia etc. Invited lecturer at Trieste, Italy – 10 hours of lectures to medical students, doctors and professors and active participant in Erasmus Program, speaker – 10 hours of lectures in Umeä, Sweden, 10 hours in Bologna, Italy, this year (2017) in University of Wienna – 10 hours of lectures. First author of papers published and cited in international journals, tracked in Pub Med Medline, CC, SCI and Open Access.

Now is working at the Dpt of OM Medicine Rijeka like a specialist of OM and Sports medicine and regular professor of  OM at Medical School University of Rijeka, Croatia.

Abstract

Occupational medicine, Occupational and Environmental medicine, Industrial hygiene, Occupational and sports medicine, protection at work, whatever it is called in different countries, this is an extraordinary important branch of preventive medicine. In some European countries, occupational medicine as a studying scientific discipline has lost its recognition, starting from health centres up to medical schools. The question to be asked is whether such an automatic negation of a new danger is positive, not only for the reason of the lost dignity, but also because of endangering community and environment. We have witnessed for a prolonged period of time the results of weakening of the Occupational Medicine. The traffic accidents and miss use of firearms have increased, as well as sudden deaths of young athletes at sports events, the number of work injuries and professional illness. Further question is the growing privatization and tendency of the total privatization of primary and specific healthcare, i.e. the whole health system except partially hospitals. The Occupational medicine specialist at the open market losses the required neutrality and in order to keep the clients and survive, panders to contracted firms or to the workers. Furthermore, psychologists and psychiatrists that make a compulsory part of the Occupational medicine teams, do inadequate work capacity assessments by overlooking specificity of the workplace. It is necessary to return dignity and independency to Occupational medicine, so it can achieve its primary task without any type of pressure - assessing work capacity. Trends of the modern occupational health services, visiting of working places, questioning and screenings have to be conducted but at the strong stationary Occupational medicine centres, preferably at Scientific Educational institutions.

Biography

Solovyeva Svetlana Nikolaevna completed Graduation from Ulyanovsk State Agricultural Academy, Department of Veterinary Medicine, in 2005. Since 2014, she has been working as a Researcher in the Ekaterinburg Medical Research Center for prophylaxis and health protection in industrial workers, Department of Toxicology and Biological Prophylaxis. She authored or co-authored six scientific papers, included two in peer-reviewed international journals, and presented her work to several scientific meetings, both national and international.

Abstract

The silica (mostly amorphous) containing submicron spherical particles with a prevailing proportion of those in the upper nanoscale range (mean diameter 90±30 nm) induces, when instilled intratracheally into rat’s low airways, a typical phagocytic cells’ response comparable with that to very cytotoxic and fibrogenic standard quartz powder DQ12. However, under a long-term (up to six months, five times a weak, four h per day) inhalation nose-only exposure at realistic concentrations (2.6±0.6 or 10.6±2.1 mg/m3 ) rats developed but a quite negligible pulmonary silicosis along with very low systemic toxicity. Such unusual discrepancy between acute and chronic adverse effects of particulates could be explained by the demonstrated low SiO2 retention in lungs and other organs most probably due to a relatively high solubility of these nanoparticles in relevant biological and model milieus.

The multi-compartmental mechanistic model (figure 1) which had been previously found adequate for imitating pulmonary retention of different particles could be satisfactorily adjusted to the present experimental results (figure 2) only when operating with constants describing both the dissolution and cell-mediated controlling mechanisms. The unexpectedly mild adverse effects notwithstanding, the harmfulness of the studied industrial aerosol deserves a cautious assessment as a health risk factor because of its genotoxicity and trans-nasal penetration of nanoparticles into the olfactory brain found by us in the same inhalation experiment.


 

Figure 1. Structure of the multi-compartmental   model for the kinetics of retention and elimination of NPs deposited in the pulmonary region of the lung (Sutunkova et al.,2016).  Here: ω is a function of particle deposition in the pulmonary region, and kji is a rate constant of particle translocation from compartment Xi into compartment Xj.

Figure 2. Silica content of rat lungs exposed to 2.5 mg/m3 aerosol concentratioin: the curve - model prediction; squares – experimental data (mean with 95% CI)

Biography

Farhtheeba Rahat Khan is a development professional with experience backed-up by private sector interventions and development sector working realities and challenges. As the lead of private sector health project, she undertook studies and worked on the policy front with Ministry of Health its directorates for formulation of policy framework, guidelines and accreditation systems in the health training, and emphasized on avenues for women employment in the health sector. Currently, she is the Team Leader for ‘Working with Women’ project implemented by SNV where she is facilitating interventions in garment factories, to ensure health and well-being in a sustainable manner. Her research interests include: child psychology and how to induce effective childhood learning retaining the same framework; work life patterns affecting women’s attitude and its impact on family and society and; measuring changes and its attribution to a single factor: the complexity around it and its authentication challenges.

 

Abstract

Bangladesh garment sector is pre-dominated by women comprising 85% of 4 million workforces. Mental distress affects their work life, productivity leading to a poor work-life. The normal day of women worker starts at 4 am, cooks food in the common kitchen available for 4-5 families, goes to work at 7 am, and has a longer work day till 7 pm, then is back to take care of her family and goes to bed between 10-11 pm. She has no time of her own, a victim of violence and abuse both in the factory and work, no one to share her pain. Factory management don’t realize the fact when psychosocial challenges and issues go unaddressed, it impacts workers’ effectiveness in the work place. The pilot intervention by SNV with 600 workers evidenced how introducing psychosocial counsellor at workplace impacted the situation in factories. Welfare officers, who are the first contact point for workers in factory, were trained by certified psychologists and counsellors, and these trained para-counsellors were institutionalized inside factory. In words of the counsellor within two month of introduction and program awareness, three women came with anxiety and one of them had four sessions with the counsellor for mental relief, three women reported work stress and took three separate counselling sessions, others include conflict with supervisor, family conflict, financial crisis, relationship issue and the resulted anxiety. On success of this intervention, SNV is now moving towards workers wellbeing management course for developing counsellors for the ready-made garment sector to address worker psychological issues.

Biography

Tae-Won Jang completed his Graduation as Medical Doctor from Dong-A University College of Medicine, with the specialties of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. He obtained his Post-graduation from Dong-A University Graduate School of Preventive Medicine. Presently, he has been working at Hanyang University College of Medicine and Hanyang University Guri Hospital.

Abstract

The circadian rhythm of shift workers changes according to their work schedule. Circadian rhythm disruption induces shift work sleep disorder (SWSD), which is one of the most common health hazards of shift work. We measured the circadian rhythm and sleep pattern in Korean fire fighters to investigate the relationship between circadian rhythm and symptoms for SWSD. The subjects were fire fighters in Seoul and Ulsan. 139 shift workers and 32 day workers (as control group) were recruited. We measured distal skin temperature to identify the circadian rhythm, daily activity to analyze the sleep pattern, and check bleed cortisol and urinary cortisol and 6-sulfatoxymelatonin.

We used iButton Temperature Logger (iButton® DS1922L, Maxim Integrated Products, Inc., San Jose, CA, USA), which is a computer chip enclosed in a 16-mm-thick stainless steel can. The device was set to measure wrist temperature every 5 minutes, and attached at the palmar side of the subjects’ non-dominant wrist. We performed cosinor analysis to analyze the circadian rhythm of wrist temperature. We used wGT3X-BT (ActiGraph, Pensacola, FL) to measure daily activity of the subjects and analyze their sleep patterns. The wrist temperature and daily activity measurement was performed in day work, night work, and 24 hours work. The measurement started in November 2017, and will be completed around February 2018. We will analyze the data since then.

Biography

Dian Aprilia Ratnasari has completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology Surabaya (ITS), Indonesia. She has finished her Bachelor Thesis Project in Biomass and Conversion of Energy Laboratory about Gamma Oryzanol based Biodiesel from Rice Bran Oil with Deep Eutectic Solvent. She is the Staff of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Sub Division in Health, Safety, Security, and Environment of PT PLN (Persero) Jawa-Bali Control Center, South Jakarta, Indonesia.

Abstract

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) has paramount importance in PT PLN P2B Jawa-Bali Transmission Grid Control Center. HSE department under Occupational Safety and Health Management System (OHSMS) continuously ensuring and improving the safety and health of the employees since PT PLN. P2B is responsible for feeding electricity to the mainland Jawa and Bali without disturbances. Occupational health is considered as integral factor to achieve company’s missions, which has zero interruption and mistake due to human error and operational excellence of Jawa-Bali main transmission network. Dispatching functions of the centralized control centre has the main tasks to manage, monitor, and maintain the trunk network as well as maneuver’s in case of power outages all the time. The demand of the job requires dispatchers to standby in front of screens under pressure continuously that exposed them to many health hazards such as vision problems, back pain, heart diseases, colon cancers, and other musculoskeletal issues. Therefore, a complete and integrated dispatcher’s health programme has been designed to prevent Occupational health issues such as specially designed sports venue for dispatchers, additional health kit and frequent counseling by physicians to ensure the health condition of dispatchers.

Biography

Dr. Ozlem Koseoglu Ornek received my master degree and PhD in department of Public Health Nursing from University of Istanbul (Turkey). I have managed many different public health projects (Occupational health, Assessment, Health promotion, Prevention, treatment, Epidemiological research…) in variety village, schools, community health centres and at workplaces. My current focus is on women and child workers’ health, Occupational Stress and Management, Health promotion and HIV/AIDS. Also, I give consultancy to textile workers and work voluntarily as a consultant about Occupational Health and Safety, Healthy life Behaviours, Risk Assessment and Hygiene in elementary, high schools and vocational training schools.

Abstract

This study proposes to determine effect of Workplace Mental Health Promotion Program on work-related stress and coping skills of women worker. The research was designed as pre-post-test control group research. The sample consisted of 35 women workers in each group. Reminder mesaj, video, whatsup text, check-list sheets, camera recording methods were used at fallow up stage of the program Workplace Mental Health Promotion Program was applied to intervention group on the base of Work-related Stress model. General Occupational Nursing Services were applied to control group members. The research measurements are Sociodemographic characteristics form, mental symptoms scale, physical symptom scale, social support scale, Brief coping profile scale, IgA enzyme and cortisol hormone analysis. Data were collected before and after the intervention, at 1st, 3rd months fallowing the program. The mean age of the workers was 32,3±9,01. After the program intervention, there was found statistically significant differences between the intervention and control group with regards to work-related stress, physical symptoms, social support, work performance, and coping skills which were seeking help for solution, changing mood, changing point of view, avoidance and suppression and emotional expression involving others. Also, there was significant differences with regards to IgA enzyme and cortisol hormone score before the program intervention and just after the program intervention in the intervention group. (pË‚0.000). Workplace Mental Health Promotion Program was found to be effective on work-related job stress management and promoting effective coping skills of women workers.

Biography

Yousef Al-Yousifi is currently working as Chief Industrial Hygienist (CIH) for Health & Environment Team in Corporate HSE Group at Kuwait Oil Company. He has graduated in Genetics from Aberdeen University, UK. His areas of expertise are Industrial Hygiene and Environmental Management. He has more than 12 years of experience in Industrial Hygiene, Exposure Assessment and Environmental Studies and Management. He has involved with many Occupational health and Environmental initiatives e.g., implementation of contractor’s pre and periodical medical examinations, hazardous job evaluation, exposure evaluation of OH hazards, NORM management program and other projects in KOC, Kuwait.

Abstract

Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) is one of the major oil and gas exploration industry in the State of Kuwait and its operational facilities spread all over the Country and the area for its operation is about 1,000 sq.km. KOC consists of major oil and gas drilling and processing facilities spread all over West, South East and North Kuwait fields. Various Occupational Health (OH) Hazards are present in the regular operations of the company and Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) is considered as one among the OH hazards. NORM exposure may lead into occupational illnesses to the workers. Qualitative Risk assessment was carried out and the risk assessment identified NORM as one of the OH risky factors in the activities related to drilling and other operations in the company. The risk assessment recommended an exposure evaluation for NORM in most of operational and drilling facilities in the company. As recommended, an exposure evaluation was carried out in the area and personnel level in the selected operational and drilling facilities for assessing the current NORM exposure among the workforce in the company. This paper outlines the methods and results of the exposure evaluation and quantification of occupational exposures to NORM among the workforce in the company and such estimated exposures is used as a baseline for assessing the future impacts. Exposure evaluation is expected to aid for developing OH database on NORM for use in local regulations and resource allocations for the intervention in the oil and gas sectors in Kuwait.

Biography

Jihye Lee completed her Graduation as Medical Doctor from Catholic University of Korea. She has specialties of Preventive Medicine and Public Health from Chung-Ang University. Later on, she started working at Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute (OSHRI) where she has continued her research.

 

Abstract

The items targeting night shift workers for the Korean Worker’s specific health examination were added gradually from workplaces with 300 or more employees in 2014 to workplaces with 50-299 employees in 2015. The objective of the study was to investigate the condition of sleep disorder in three Occupational groups of night shift workers. The 2014 and 2015 data of the Korean worker’s specific health examination conducted by the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) were analyzed. Surveys using different types of questionnaires were conducted in 2017. The subjects were apartment workers, hospital workers, and taxi drivers. The prevalence of moderate to severe insomnia was 6.6% (12,789 out of 193,864) in men and 11.1% (9,669 out of 88,258) in women from the 2014 Korean Worker’s Specific Health Examination.

The prevalence of moderate to severe insomnia was 5.0% (23,469 out of 467,290) in men and 6.9% (13,174 out of 191,877) in women from the 2015 Korean Worker’s Specific Health Examination. The surveys showed that the prevalence of moderate to severe insomnia was 7.0% (15 out of 214) in apartment workers, 16.6% (29 out of 295) in hospital workers, and 12.2% (27 out of 222) in taxi drivers. The factors associated with sleep disorder differed by group.

Depressive symptoms and fatigue were found to increase the risk of sleep disturbance in all three groups. Caffeine intake and the number of night shifts were significant variables in apartment workers, napping during night shifts was a significant variable in hospital workers, and satisfaction with income was a significant variable in taxi drivers.

Day2: May 29, 2018

Keynote Forum

Biography

Faye Shorthouse completed her Honors degree in Physiotherapy from University of Hertforshire in 2005. She has worked in three large teaching hospitals. She has specialisation in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and completed her MSc in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. In 2015, she became a Specialist Physiotherapist in Occupational Health Service at Guys and St Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust. Presently, she works clinically within musculoskeletal physiotherapy and is Deputy Lead for the musculoskeletal physiotherapy team.

Abstract

Guys and St Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust provides specialist Occupational Health Physiotherapy through self-referral to a population of 15,000 staff. The service is evolving from a 1:1 traditional care model to a stratified management pathway of various interventions to optimally meet the variable needs of the population. Work-related back pain remains a significant proportion of referrals received within the service and a predominant cause for sickness and absenteeism.

The aim of this pilot is to investigate the efficiency of a novel and bespoke one-off workshop for staff that have self-referred with chronic low back pain; taking the evidence-based approach of a multi-disciplinary educational workshop to deliver all pertinent information and provide an exercise component to allow staff to feel empowered to self-manage their condition. We have analysed both self-perceived health scores and Occupational Health absence, and categorised staff based on their start back scores.

We have found that self-perceived health outcomes correlate with the risk scoring on the start back questionnaire; and sickness absence and health outcomes improve during the three month period, showing this to be an effective intervention for managing Occupational back pain. Back pain is the largest musculoskeletal referral complaint and has a great impact on economy and efficiency of any workforce. Significance should also be placed on the impact this has to the individual, with regards to their health and wellbeing. Therefore, managing back pain within any workforce in the most effective way should be a priority for any organisation.

Biography

Victor Songmene received his PhD from École Polytechnique de Montréal, Canada, in 2001. He has been with the Industrial Research and Development Institute (IRDI), Toronto, Canada, from 1995–2001. During it services to IRDI, he helped a large number of north american manufacturing industries, including Generals Motors, Wescasts, Sorel Forge, in R&D works. He is currently a full professor at University of Quebec, École de Technologie Supérieure (ÉTS), Montréal, Canada. Since joining ÉTS in 2001, he has put his expertise on developping sustainable and safe machining practices for industry. His expertise includes metal cutting, fine and nanoparticle control, optimisation and environmentally conscious manufacturing. Prof. Songmene is Director of the Product, Processes and Systems Engineering Laboratory (P2SEL). He has published more than 100 papers in reputed journals and has produced more than 50 technical reports for North American industries.

Abstract

Machining is necessary to shape parts but it is also an important source of pollution (such as dust and aerosols) and this constitutes hazards for machine-tools operators. The emission of dust and the overall shop floor air quality are of great concern when shaping dusty materials such as granite as this process generates harmful dusts containing silica. In recent times, the Occupational Health and Safety regulations have become more severe. To quickly comply with new regulations, engineers and researchers must help industries in developing strategies to limit workers risk of exposure to the silica.



This keynote conference will present key results on fine particles (FP) and ultrafine particles (UFP) emissions when polishing granite as a function of machining conditions: polishing parameters, tool paths, polishing strategies, lubrication and its applications modes. The main goal is to determine machining conditions leading to less dust emission while maintaining acceptable part quality and productivity. Solutions for dust removal from the polishing zone are also explored.

Tracks

  • Occupational Health Toxicology | Occupational Health and Environmental Safety | Occupational Health and Rehabiliation | Occupational Health Meetings
Location: Bleriot Hall 2 | Park Inn Hotel | London | UK

Biography

Frederic Dutheil is a Professor in Medicine; Medical Doctor in Occupational Health, Physiologist and Researcher at University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand (CHU) and; a Clinical Fellow of the Australian Catholic University. He is member of the laboratory of metabolic adaptations to exercise in clinical and pathological conditions from 2006 to 2015; his work on biomarkers of stress led him to the creation and the Head of the physiological and psychosocial stress team at UMR CNRS 6024. He is the Scientist of Wittyfit, a software designed to improve health of workers, through a personalized and individualized feedback of their health, taking into account job characteristics. He is now aiming at building tools for objective measures of stress

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of dry eye disease (DED) in workers using visual display terminals (VDT).

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources: We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and Science Direct databases for studies reporting DED prevalence in VDT workers.

Results: 16 of the 9049 identified studies were included, with a total of 11 365 VDT workers. Despite a global DED prevalence of 49.5% (95% CI 47.5 to 50.6), ranging from 9.5% to 87.5%, important heterogeneity (I2=98.8%, p<0.0001) was observed. Variable diagnosis criteria used within studies were: questionnaires on symptoms, tear film anomalies and corneoconjunctival epithelial damage. Some studies combined criteria to define DED. Heterogeneous prevalence was associated with stratifications on symptoms (I2=98.7%, p<0.0001), tears (I2=98.5%, p<0.0001) and epithelial damage (I2=96.0%, p<0.0001). Stratification of studies with two criteria adjusted the prevalence to 54.0% (95% CI 52.1 to 55.9), whereas studies using three criteria resulted in a prevalence of 11.6% (95% CI 10.5 to 12.9). According to the literature, prevalence of DED was more frequent in females than in males and increased with age.

Conclusions: Owing to the disparity of the diagnosis criteria studied to define DED,  the global prevalence of 49.5% lacked reliability because of the important heterogeneity. We highlight the necessity of implementing common DED diagnostic criteria to allow a ore reliable estimation in order to develop the appropriate preventive Occupational actions.

Biography

Ebo Kwegyir-Afful is a PhD student in the Department of Industrial Managment in the School of Technology and Innovation of the University of Vaasa. He has numerous industrial experience/exposure and passionate with issues of Occupatioanl health and safety. He has published a conference paper on “Effects of Occupational health and safety assessment series (OHSAS) standard: A study on core competencies building and organizational learning”.

Abstract

Occupational risk assessment and hazard identification policies play a vital role in Industrial health and safety regulations and compliances. However, traditional Risk assessment and hazard identification procedures in the manufacturing industry employ only a 2-dimentional approach in this regard.  The purpose of this paper is to investigate the applicability of 3-dimentional visual simulation to foresee and preempt situations and conditions of high probabilistic occurrence. Simulated factors have been through related work practices, environment, conditions and people. Meanwhile, applications of 3-dimentional simulation in Occupational safety and health have achieved tremendous success in mining, driving, construction, aviation etc.



However, studies of its application in the management of industrial risks and identifications of hazards in manufacturing context are silent. This paper therefore reviews the current risk and hazard identification methods in the industry. Results of the review attest to this gap in preemptive visual Risk assessments.



Recommendation of the research exhibits simulations of potential risks and hazards with the Visual Components software. The proposal has been analyzed through stereoscopic virtual reality glasses showing clear Occupational risks and hazardous issues in a manufacturing industry model that demands attention.

Biography

Abasiama Etuknwa is currently a PhD student at Norwich Business School-University of East Anglia. She holds a BSc and MSc degree in Biochemistry and Environmental Health respectively. Her research interests are within the areas of Occupational health and safety, Ergonomics and work-related well-being. She is particularly interested in determining practical measures that would reduce work-related risk to health, reduce sickness absence and help employees on sick leave return to work sustainably.

Abstract

Introduction: Helping workers return to work (RTW) early has become crucial as evidence from studies suggests that extended absence from work becomes detrimental to physical and mental health, making it difficult for workers to RTW at all, which then increases bespoke costs. However, there is still a significant gap in knowledge regarding the sustainability of RTW after ill-health.

Objective: A systematic review was conducted to synthesize empirical evidence on the impacts of personal and social factors such as; support from leaders and co-workers, job crafting and employee’s personal characteristics on sustainable RTW after ill-health.

Methods: 79 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All 79 studies were critically appraised, and data were extracted and synthesised.

Results: The narrative synthesis showed: all evaluated personal and social factors showed a general consistent positive effect on sustainable RTW; studies assessing job crafting and employee’s personal characteristic like duration of absence, economic status/income and job contract/ security were too few to draw a definite conclusion on, even though they presented exciting areas for future studies and; findings also produced inconsistent evidence surrounding the effects of gender, implying that gender likely interacts with a factor or range of factors to influence RTW.

Conclusion: Sustainable RTW was evident across studies, indicating that although age and education influence the outcome, returning workers are more likely to have a positive attitude towards work and confidence in carrying out their duties on RTW in an environment where the RTW fosters support from both leaders and co-workers.

Biography

Kemas Ferri Rahman has graduated from the Environmental Engineering Master’s Degree Program in Bandung Institute of Technology, Indonesia, and Civil and Environmental Engineering Bachelor Degree Program in Bogor Agricultural University. Presently he is working at the PT PLN (Persero) Head Office, Jakarta, Indonesia as a Staff of OHS Sub Division in Health, Safety, Security, and Environment Division.

Abstract

PT PLN (Persero) is a state electric company in Indonesia and the biggest electric company in Southeast Asia, has asset value amount 48 billion USD which consists of power plant generation, transmission, and distribution. PLN also has 51.000 employees and 230 Business Units. PLN prioritizes the Occupational health and safety for every business function to support company productivity and electric supply continuity. PLN always keeps trying to improve continuously how to manage safety and health, not only Occupational safety as a direct and priority aspect, but also Occupational health, because human life is about short term (safety) and long term (health). PLN is commited to protect Occupational health and safety for employees by applying OHS regulation thoroughly. As a provider company of electric power, employees in PLN have a high risk of having work accidents, such as electrical shock/electrocution, falling from height, hit by materials, pinched, drowning etc. All work accidents have some impacts for the victims: fatality, burns, illness, disability and paralyzed. Related to occupational health, as an impact of work accident except fatality, usually victim need a long medical treatment and it will cost a lot. Furthermore, victim becomes disabled or paralyzed. There are various potential work related diseases in PLN, such as deafness, ergonomic diseases, respiratory diseases, impaired vision, kidney illness, and etc. All work related diseases can be prevented by applying OHS Management System consistently, periodic medical checkup, and always using PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) which suitable with standard and job.

Biography

Sílvia Oliveira has graduated from Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto as Medical Doctor, with the specialty of Occupational and Health Medicine, from Centro Hospitalar do Porto. She obtained her post-graduation in Occupational Health from Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra. Presently, she is working in the Occupational and Health division, in Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Portugal.

Abstract

Calcium pyrophosphate dehydrate crystal deposition disease (CPPD) is an inflammatory arthritis produced by the deposition of calcium pyrophosphate crystals. The pathogenesis is not fully understood, but some risk factors were associated such as aging, previous trauma or some metabolic conditions. The involvement of joints like the metacarpophalangeal, which are not typically affected by osteoarthritis, should raise the suspicion of CPPD. Diagnosis is based on the clinical manifestations, radiographic and laboratory findings. The author presents a case report in which Occupational exposure, through the contribution of chronic microtrauma, appears to be the main etiological factor for CPPD, an association never reported before. This case refers to a 63-year-old man, who worked as a medical pathologist for 30 years, specialized in cellular microscopy. His daily tasks consisted of using the microscope about eight hours per day and involved highly repetitive precision movements of fingers and hands at high rate with insufficient recovery time. After 25 years in this job, he gradually developed complaints of bony enlargement, tenderness, warmth, erythema and swelling referred to the metacarpophalangeal and 1st interphalangeal joints of the 2nd and 3rd right fingers. Secondary causes of CPPD were excluded and the immunological study was normal, but the radiographic images showed intra-articular calcifications and arthritis in the metacarpophalangeal joint of the 3rd finger of the right hand and marginal osteophytosis in this topography, with the deposition of calcium pyrophosphate crystals. This case opens the possibility of a new etiology for CPPD as well as this classification as a work-related disease.

Biography

Mr. Bintang DWI Putro has been graduated from Business Management Administration Faculty in Brawijaya University, Indonesia. Previously he worked at PT PLN (Persero) South Kalimantan dan Central Kalimantan Region, Region Office, Kalimantan in OHS sub division and presently he is working at the PT PLN (Persero) Head Office, Jakarta, Indonesia as a Staff of OHS Sub Division in Health, Safety, Security and Environment Division.

Abstract

The "35,000 Mega Watt Electricity for Indonesia" Program is proclaimed by the Indonesian Government to meet electricity needs throughout Indonesia, in the hope that adequate dan equitable supply of electricity at affordable prices can increase the investment and economic growth of the community. PT PLN (Persero) as the largest electricity service provider in Indonesia is mandated by the Government to implement the program. The construction of the 35,000 MW Program is in the form of electricity installation (Power Plant, Transmission, and Distribution Network) which involves a lot of human resources both PLN's internal employees as holding company, subsidiaries of PLN, and contractors. In the process of building the project, PLN must ensure the safety and health protection of workers in the field, PLN also must ensure the safety and health of the communities surrounding the project development. The scope of work of PLN which is majority in construction and electrical works has very high employment risks and can have impacts on the safety and health of employees. In order to provide safety and health protection as well as efforts to prevent work accidents, PT PLN (Persero) cooperates with the government, in particular the Ministry of Manpower, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, and the Electricity General Directorate to conduct supervision intensively and consistently towards the fulfillment and implementation of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) aspects in the project work. PLN with regulatory support from the Government sets out work safety and health commitments and procedures for each of the project activities, including:
 

1. Commitment of the Board of Directors (BOD) on Safety

2. Electricity Safety

3. Occupational Health and Safety Maturity Level

4. Safety Inspection (Pre and On Job Progress)

Biography

Elif Güler is a Research Assistant at Celal Bayar University, Department of Industrial Engineering and Master of Science student at Dokuz Eylul University (DEU), Department of Industrial Engineering (IE). Her research interests are “Ergonomics, risk management and, multi-criteria decision making”.

Abstract

Increasing consumption speed in our globalized world has put businesses into a fierce competitive environment. With increasingly competitive pace, businesses have been reluctant to offer employees an Ergonomic work environment to get more production and service output. Workers who are expected to produce and service increasing amount of output have begun to work in bad ergonomic environments increasingly. Importance of ergonomics has been noticed rapidly as ergonomically unsuitable working conditions have led to a decline in the productivity of employees. One of the most important study areas of ergonomics is to investigate the risks that cause Occupational musculoskeletal system diseases (OMSD) and the development of preventive measures for these conditions. The physical and psychosocial ergonomic risks are quite influential in the formation of OMSD. There are many physical and psychosocial ergonomic risk assessment tools. However, there is no method that merges these two different risk groups to assess them at the same time. Physical ergonomic risk assessment methods alone or psychosocial ergonomic risk assessment methods alone do not provide sufficient information on hazard dimensions of Ergonomic risks. The purpose of this study is to propose a combined ergonomic risk assessment method by weighting outcomes of physical ergonomic risk assessment methods and psychosocial ergonomic risk assessment methods with multi criteria decision making methods and provide an integrated evaluation.

Biography

Claudia Milena Ospina López graduated from Universidad Distrital Francisco Jose de Caldas as Biology Licensee, with the specialties Health and Safety at Work Management from Escuela Colombiana de Carreras Industriales. She completed her Post-graduation in Environmental Sciences from Ambientales UDCA and then started working at Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios where she has continued research.

Abstract

Occupational risk factors are known as all those environmental conditions and working materials that can potentially affect workers health and produce undesirable effects upon sector productivity. In this sense, it is necessary to develop mechanisms that allow the identification, prevention and control of these threats, taking as a starting point the economic activity of the organizations. The purpose of this research was to build a learning tool to raise awareness in the community, using Information and Communication technologies (ICT), reducing incidents, accidents and Occupational diseases in the agricultural sector of the Bogotá Savanna, achieving better compliance with the established regulations. To that end, an initial diagnosis of the Occupational risk factors will be carried out according to its specific field, by means of the implementation of an Occupational risk matrix in 3 work places that fulfill different functions in the same process, taking into account the information obtained, a tool based on E-learning is designed. This tool will be implemented in the 3 selected companies to validate its effectiveness and coherence in obtaining and analyzing the information collected, the data obtained will be compared with the initial information and an analysis of expected results will be carried out. Once this is obtained, the tool will be evaluated through an experimental design with a control group and an analysis of the main risk factors will be carried out to generate a strategy that minimizes the labor risks identified in the company’s object of study.

Biography

Michael Politano completed a doctorate and post-doctorate in clinical child Psychology. He also holds a master’s degree in religion. He has held the post of Head of Psychology at the Citadel and is currently a Professor of Psychology. He has published and/or presented over one hundred referred papers. He is co-author of Statistics and research methodology: A gentle conversation, and Introduction to the process of research: Methodology considerations. He is also author and illustrator of A pig in a tree and author of the novel, Tag and Chubs.

Abstract

This research utilized the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) aviation accident/incident database from 1982-2016 to examine differences in severity of accidents by age for general aviation. The NTSB data set uses strict coding for each accident (damage to plane/injury to individuals) and incident (all other events). Of particular interest in for this study were number of flight hours for pilots, degree of damage to the plane (none, minimal, substantial, destroyed), and degree of bodily injury (none, minor, serious, fatal). There were 74,686 entries in the database. For this study, commercial (14 CFR part 121 and 135) operations were excluded as were home-built aircraft, helicopters, and gliders, leaving 61,363 events. Males were 91.8% with females at 3.7% (4.5% missing). The average age for pilots was 45.29 (SD=14.63). The mean number of flight hours for pilots was 2822.55 (SD=4980.61, SK=3.58). An ANOVA by age across damage levels was significant, F(3,60302)=4.06, p=.007. Post-hoc test indicated there were significant differences between no damage and substantial (p=.001) and destroyed (p=.005) but no other levels. An ANOVA by age across highest injury levels was also significant, F (3, 61312)=110.94, p<.001. Again, post-hoc analysis indicated significant differences between all levels of injury. This study indicated that there are differences in the degree of damage and injury related to aviation accidents based on age. While the cause of this increase has not yet been identified, pending examination of NTSB codes related to physical and psychological factors, currently underway, this preliminary examination begins to identify age ranges that become problematic with air flight operation.

Biography

Robert Walton holds master’s degrees in aeronautical science, business administration, and logistic and supply chain management, and a PhD in business administration. He is currently the Executive Director for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide. He has published in numerous academic journals, presented at multiple professional conferences worldwide and authored or co-authored several books. Most recently, he has co-authored Statistics and research methodology: A gentle conversation, and Introduction to the process of research: Methodology considerations.

Abstract

 

Hazardous and dangerous goods are often shipped by air on both passenger and cargo aircraft. These dangerous goods pose a danger to flight safety, passengers, and airline personnel, and have been known to cause aircraft accidents. This research examined dangerous goods incidents reported to the U.S. Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) from 2009 to 2017. Early identification of dangerous goods trends using the ASRS data could lead to changes in aviation safety monitoring and reduce the likelihood of a dangerous goods event causing an incident on an aircraft. This study identified batteries as the most prevalent categories of hazardous material found in reported incidents and represents 25% of the total dangerous goods incidents. Missing or incorrect documentation was identified in almost 40% of the cases and 27% of the incidents involved improper packaging or loading of dangerous goods on aircraft.

Biography

Andy S K Cheng is an Associate Professor in Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He is also a Registered Occupational Therapist, chartered safety and health practitioner, and certified work capacity evaluator. He was the first Asian recipient of Canadian Institutes of Health Research Scholarship for postgraduate training on the work disability prevention CIHR strategic training program at University of Toronto.

Abstract

The propose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Work-related Musculoskeletal Symptoms (WMS) and their relationship with workplace risk factors in the context of the catering industries. It was a territory-wide survey of workers in the catering industries in Hong Kong. The revised Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was adapted in a three-part questionnaire collecting information on demographic characteristics, WMS, and work factors. The prevalence of WMS was then assessed by both restaurant type and job title. A two-way analysis of variance was used to analyze differences between pain intensity, prevalence, and frequency of movement at work. A totoal of 902 participants completed the survey. Their average age was 38.03 (SD=11.51). In general, the prevalence of WMS ranged from 11.6% (forearm) to 63.3% (lower back), with an intensity of around 5.0 (Visual Analogue Scale 0-10). The results also show that the most prevalent form of WMS was shoulder pain amongst Chinese chefs (71.7%). Frequency of movement (such as wrist bending and exertion) was the main work-related risk factor contributing to the development of WMS. Based on the study results, it was to conclude that Chinese chefs have a high prevalence rate for WMS in the catering industry. Undesirable work behaviors, such as poor posture, may contribute to their development.

Biography

Jihye Lee completed her Graduation from Catholic University of Korea. She has specialisation in Preventive Medicine and Public Health from Chung-Ang University. Later on, she started working at Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute (OSHRI) where she has continued her research.

Abstract

Exposure to sustained high concentrations of 2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HCFC-123) is known to be hepatotoxic. We report two simultaneous cases of toxic hepatitis related to exposure to HCFC-123, a common refrigerant, at a Korean fire extinguisher manufacturing facility. Patients A and B were men aged 22 and 21 years, respectively, with no notable medical histories. They had recently started working for the same manufacturer of fire extinguishers. In the third week of their employment, they visited the emergency center of a general hospital due to fever and general weakness. At the time of their visit, they were suspected of having hepatitis due to elevated levels of liver enzymes. However, as their condition did not improve, they were transferred to a tertiary hospital. After conservative treatment, one patient improved, but the other died from acute hepatic failure. Assessment of the work environment showed that the short-term exposure levels of HCFC-123 for the valve assembly process were as high as 193.4 ppm. A transjugular liver biopsy was performed in patient B; the results indicated drug/toxin-induced liver injury (DILI). Given the insignificant medical history and occupational exposure to high levels of HCFC-123, the toxic hepatitis of the two workers was likely related to HCFC-123 exposure. HCFC-123 was not included in the work environment assessment material prescribed in Korea. We are the first to report a case of death related to HCFC-123-induced liver damage. Our findings suggest that exposure standards and limits for HCFC-123 must be developed in Korea; work environments must be improved based on such standards.

Biography

Seyed Jamaleddin Shahtaheri completed his PhD from Surrey University, Guildford, England in 1996, with the specialties including sample preparation techniques for environmental and biological samples with subjects "Trace residue analysis of pesticides" and then started working at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran where he continued his research.

Abstract

Cadmium is an important constituent widely used in different industrial processes for production of various synthetic materials. For evaluation of workers’ exposure to trace toxic metal of Cd (II), Environmental and Biological monitoring are essential processes, in which, preparation of samples is one of the most time-consuming and error-prone aspects prior to analysis. To evaluate factors influencing quantitative analysis scheme of cadmium, solid phase extraction using mini columns filled with XAD-7 resin was optimized regarding sample pH, ligand concentration, loading flow rate, elution solvent, sample volume (up to 500 ml), elution volume, amount of resins, and sample matrix interferences. Cadmium ion was retained on solid sorbent and was eluted with 2M HNO3 followed by simple determination of analytes by using flame atomic absorption spectrometery. Obtained recoveries of metal ion were more than 95%. The amount of the analyte detected after simultaneous pre-concentration was basically in agreement with the added amounts. The optimized procedure was also validated with three different pools of spiked urine samples and showed a good reproducibility over six consecutive days as well as six within-day experiments. The developed method promised to be applicable for evaluation of other metal ions present in different Environmental and Occupational samples as suitable results were obtained for relative standard deviation (less than 10%), therefore, it is concluded that, this optimized method can be considered to be successful in simplifying sample preparation for trace residue analysis of Cd in different matrices for evaluation of Occupational and Environmental exposures.

Biography

He has done his PhD in Analytical Chemistry and Pharmacokinetics at the Faculty of Pharmacy University Clermont, France. He has DEA of basic pharmacokinetics and clinical faculty of pharmacy University Clermont in France. He is Master of Science and Biology Faculty of Science University Mohamed V Rabat. As per Professional experience, he is the Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Head of Department of Toxicology Pharmacology at LRAM Royal Gendarmerie Morocco. He also founding member of the Moroccan Society of Toxicology.

Abstract

Repeated exposure or consumption of food contaminated with pesticide residues can cause various disorders to the human body, especially the immune and hormonal disturbances and the onset of certain cancers. Blood samples of 45 patients of endocrinology of the Rabat University Hospital were extracted by SPE C18 under the same conditions as the range calibration of 67 pesticides and controls, and then injected in the GC - MS. The pyrethroid (bifenthrin, deltamethrin and cypermethrin) were identified and assayed at 11.62% volunteer patients, 6.97% were contaminated with dimethoate, Malathion, azinphos-methyl, carbamates which were detected only in 3.65% of patients. Other assay was carried by LC - MSMS to cover polar pesticides or heat labile. After this study we found that, around 20% of patients suffering from thyroid dysfunction admitted to the department of endocrinology of the Rabat University Hospital were contaminated with pesticide residues with peaks exceeding 50 ppb especially for dimethoate and bifenthrin, while the reporting thresholds for the affectation of human health by pesticides never exceed 10 ppb for residues. Rest of complete a sufficient number of patients for biostatistical analysis and pesticide assay results by LC - MSMS; we can discuss a possible relationship between the presence of pesticide residues in human blood and development of certain endocrine diseases.