In this study 29 PVC floor coverings were tested for emission of vinyl chloride (VC) and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A study on the effect of higher temperature on emission of VOCs from newly manufactured PVC flooring was also carried out. The study was conducted in climatic chamber, according to Polish Standard PN-89/Z-04021. GC method was used for analyzing of the compounds emitted. VC was not emitted from any of the floorings tested. Other VOCs were emitted in different concentrations. The influence of temperature on emission was conducted at temperatures of 23 degrees C and 35 degrees C from 2 hrs up to 180 days after introduction of materials in the chamber. The increase of temperature caused increase of total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) emission during 24 hrs of experiment. Then the emission was comparable for both temperatures. After 9 days emission of identified and unidentified compounds (TVOC) showed a rapid decay and stayed on very low level during a few months. The study conducted showed that PVC floorings after 10 days of installation in the room should not be source of indoor air contamination.
In 1995-1997, 966 fishermen were subjected to medical examinations and their health state was evaluated. In 78.2% fishermen examined no pathologies were recorded and in 7.7% of them defects and impairments not regarded diseases with visual defects predominating were noted. In a part of the fishermen examined the diseases coexisted with the defects and impairments. The major health problems of the deep-sea fishermen were various types of neuroses (8%), arterial hypertencion (4.7%), urolithiasis (0.8%) and musculoskeleted system diseases.
Following the ILO/WHO Consultation on Guidelines for Conducting Pre-sea and Periodic Medical Fitness Examinations for Seafarers (Geneva, 25-27 November 1987) held at the International Labour Office, this Course was conducted at the Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine and the WHO Collaborating Centre there on 14-28 June 1998. The Lecturers were scientists and experts in this field of medicine working at the Institute, and also invited Guest Lecturers from Belgium, Germany, Italy and Sweden. The WHO Representative from Geneva (Dr. M.I.Mikheev, Chief, Occupational Health, WHO HQ) participated during the last 3 days of the Course, lectured on the role of WHO in the health protection of maritime workers, took part in the field visits, and distributed Course Certificates to participants. The invited ILO Representative was not able to come, but ILO sent to Gdynia ILO publications for distribution to participants, and also a paper entitled "The International Labour Organization and the Health of Seafarers and Fishermen", text of which is published in this issue of the Bulletin.
In 1997, the information was collected in collaboration with WHO on the actual status of malaria in large ports of Africa, Asia, and America, on the level of endemicity, prevailing Plasmodium species and the resistance to antimalarial drugs. The factors determining the risk of infection in seafarers were discussed. The risk is different than it is for other groups of travellers. The strategy of malaria prevention in crews of ships should be based on balancing the actual risk of infection in the visited ports of the tropics with the risk of side effects of antimalarials used for prophylaxis. Five schemes for malaria prevention in seafarers may be recommended, depending on the geographical areas of the ship's voyage.
Malaria infections among seafarers have been regularly reported from Denmark, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Poland, The Netherlands, United Kingdom and other countries. No statistics are available on malaria infections among crews of ships flying "flags of convenience". The estimated number of malaria cases in international seafarers may be between 500 and 1000 each year; and fatalities among them are reported. This has been an important health problem for seafarers and preventive interventions are essential. In the strategy of malaria prevention in this occupational group the most important objective is to prevent death caused by severe Plasmodium falciparum infections, in which the clinical manifestations occurred during the ship's voyage, and the diagnosis and treatment were delayed. Protective measures against malaria on ships, benefits, risks and limitations of chemoprophylaxis are discussed.
In March 1994, health authorities in Antwerp, Belgium, were informed that a member of a team of 15 customs officers had developed psittacosis. The customs officer concerned had been admitted to hospital with pneumonia 10 days after exposure to parakeets t
Changes in serum alpha 2-antyplasmin (alpha 2-AP) in rabbits exposed to hyperbaric environment (6 ATA, 40 min.) and 5-minute decompression (1 ATA/min) were estimated. 10 male New Zealand white rabbits consisted the studied group, and 10 the control group. Blood samples were collected in rabbits from the femoral artery: once before placing the rabbit in the hyperbaric chamber, and three times after opening the chamber: just after decompression, at 10 and 20 minutes after collecting the second sample. Serum alpha 2-AP activity was measured using chromogenic substrates. Rapid decompression in rabbits exposed to hyperbaric environment at 6 ATA caused decrease in serum alpha 2-AP activity. Significant decrease in serum alpha 2-AP activity was observed at 20 min. after decompression. Serum alpha 2-AP activity can be applied in diagnostics of DCS.
In the compass of 20 years 4705 electrocardiograms of maritime industry workers were subjected to evaluation. The population examined consisted of: 780 seamen and deep sea fishermen, 307 merchant marine officers over 40 years of age and 260 officers under 40, 1326 harbour workers who perform light and moderately heavy physical work, 363 harbour workers employed not directly at cargo loading, and 1023 hard working stevedores. The study group was sampled at random. 526 cases of left ventricle hypertrophy were revealed, including: LVH /p/ type--348, LVH /e/--82, LVH /m/--66, and LVH /s/--30 cases. Arterial hypertension according WHO standards was diagnosed in 334 people. 38 people with arterial hypertension showed LVH with ST-T disorders. The highest proportion of LVH /p/ and ecg with traits of vagotony were found in the stevedores performing heavy and very heavy work. In the group of seamen and deep sea fishermen LVH /p/ hypertrophy was manifest in 2.3%, all LVH cases totally in 5.9%, and traits of vagotony in 10.0% of subjects. All the LVH cases with ST-T changes in the study material were associated with the arterial hypertension and few cases with other pathology. Features of LVH /p/ in the groups examined as well as in the individual evaluation were connected with a high level of physical activity.
The present study was conducted to evaluate decompression, stress after heliox saturated dives on the basis of selected haemostatic parameters. Instantenously before and after each pressure exposure, the following examinations were performed: determination of blood platelets count, of aggregation and fibrinogen level, of several coagulation factors VII, XII and of hematocrit. After diving, a slight drop of blood platelet count and XII factor and fibrinogen was observed. Evaluation of haemostasis is a useful tool not only to verify decompression systems, but to correct them as well.
Estonian National Maritime Board has reported about 16,000 seafarers in Estonia. According to Estonian new national regulations concerning medical examination of employees on board ships issued on 9 April 1998 seafarers are examined only at Estonian Seamen's Hospital by experienced physicians of expertise commission. The validity of the certificates of fitness is 2 years, for persons younger than 21 and older than 50 years of age the validity is 1 year. The medical training of seafrers is carried out according to IMO Model Courses at special training ships and Estonian Disaster Medicine Centre. The International Medical Guide for Ships is used on sea-going vessels which fly Estonian flag.
A group of harbour workers was examined: 127 operators of mechanic equipment, 74 cranemen, 55 container stevedores, 36 hoistmen. The control group consisted of 49 electricians. Mean age of the subjects was: 37.1 +/- 7.7 years, working experience averaged 15.5 +/- 7.4 years. All the examined workers were subjected to ecg, phonocardiographic examinations and to the physical analysis of circulation according to Wezler-Boerger and Braemser-Ranke. Heart beat rate at rest did not show statistically significant differences (p > 0.05). In the measurements of the diastolic and systolic pressure at rest statistically significant differences between the controls and the other groups were found. Arterial hypertension (160 mmHg and over the systolic pressure, and 95 mmHg and over diastolic pressure) was found in 21% mechanic equipment operators, 15% cranemen, 11% container stevedores, 8% hoistmen. 341 Ecg recordings were evaluated with the Minnesota Code, no pathologies in Q or QS were revealed. Features of the parasympathetic system effect were noted in 24% of the people examined. Alterations within ST-T segment were observed in the people showing arterial hypertension. Features of the sympathetic system impact were registered in 9% of cases. In phonocarcdiographic examinations 3 cases of compensated heart defects were revealed. The parameters obtained from the physical analysis were evaluated in the subjects with an appropriate weight, obesity and arterial hypertension. By comparison of mean rates of the central pulse, electric resistance, stroke and minute volume and air chamber volume statistically significant differences were found (p < 0.001). Evaluating the whole of the results a risk of the heart ischemic disease was found in 1/4 of the people examined. The changes observed were associated with individual factors, not with the job performed.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of cholelithiasis in the occupationally active population of seamen and deep-sea fishermen aged 20-60, to assess the impact of environmental and dietary factors upon its course and to evaluate the fitness for work at sea of persons with biliary stones. The study group comprised 36 seamen and fishermen who received surgical treatment because of symptoms and complications of cholelithiasis, and 1000 seamen and fishermen periodically examined among whom 34 cases of asymptomatic cholelithiasis were diagnosed. The diagnosis was based on the anamnesis, physical examination and usg examination of the gallbladder and biliary ducts, in selected cases supplemented by other examinations. It was demonstrated that the factors which are concomitant and stimulate the development of biliary stones in seamen and fishermen were obesity and alcoholism. No role of hyperlipidemia and the type of diet in the formation of biliary stones was confirmed. In the group of 36 patients, the indications for the surgical treatment were complications of choletithiasis, i.e. biliary duct stones, mechanical jaundice, acute hydrops or empyema of the gallbladder. They resulted in temporary unfitness for work at sea. Asymptomatic cholelithiasis in seamen and fishermen does not result in unfitness for work at sea and is not an indication for surgical treatment.
181 fatal cases of diseases and work-related accidents recorded in the years 1985-1994 among seamen and fishermen were analyzed. The highest mortality rate and fatal accident rate were noted in seamen. They were higher than those pertaining to workers employed on land. The respective rates for Polish fishermen were lower than those reported in other countries. The main causes of death at sea were sea catastrophes, injuries, drowning, poisoning and circulatory system diseases. The most frequent were deaths during the day and not on the watch, being alone in the cabin. Limited access to qualified medical assistance during the voyage and frequent occurrence of sudden deaths reduce substantially the efficacy of help. Therefore, prevention of diseases and accidents is of crucial importance.
A survey was conducted among Polish seafarers on work-related accidents and injuries. Their average incidence rate in 1990-1995 was 22.07 per 1000 men per year (fatal accidents: 0.85/1000). Out of 960 accidents recorded including 37 fatal ones, 768 caused work incapacity, and in 307 major injuries the duration of it was 29 or more days. The causes of death of seafarers were: drowning 24, violence 2, suffocation 4, contusion 2, and disappearance from ship during voyage 5. The incidence rate of accidents in the surveyed population varied from year to year and there was no tendency of lowering it. Prevention of accidents on ships should be improved.
