Sara Ebrahimzadeh Abarghoee, Gholam Hossein Halvani , Fatemeh Kargar-Shouroki , Hamideh Mihanpour , Farzan Madadizadeh ,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (June 2022)
Abstract
Introduction: Exposure to the low frequency electric and magnetic fields (ELF-EMF) is very common in workers occupied in the combined cycle power plant during work shifts The present study aimed to measure ELF-EMF flux density among shift and non-shift workers, determine job stress among workers and office workers, and identify major factors associated with job stress in the studied groups.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the exposed group was divided into 75 shift workers and 75 non-shift workers. Seventy-five office workers were selected as the reference group. The participants’ exposure to ELF-EMF was measured by the EMF-828 device. In addition, Osipow Occupational Stress Questionnaire was used to assess the participants’ stress levels.
Results: Maximum levels of ELF-EMF among shift workers, non-shift workers, and office workers were 28.67 μT, 23.43 μT, and 0.06 μT, respectively. Although the explosion rate to ELF-EMF was higher in the shift and non-shift workers than the office one's, this rate in both of them were lower than the recommended limit as suggested by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). The highest stress score was related to shift workers exposed to ELF-EMF, in which 42.7% of them experienced moderate to high levels of job stress. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed a significant association between shift work and exposure to ELF-EMF with increased stress.
Conclusion: The findings suggested that exposure to ELF-EMF, even at low intensities, is associated with increased stress. Moreover, Shift work is another risk factor for stress.
Masoud Neghab, Fatemeh Kargar-Shouroki , Saeed Yousefinejad, Hamzeh Alipour, Hossein Mozdarani, Reza Fardid, Vida Sadat Anoosheh, Masoud Rostami,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (March 2024)
Abstract
Introduction: Nitrous oxide (N2O) is the most common anesthetic gas used in operating rooms. The major objective of this investigation is to measure N2O values in two modes: first, when the ventilation system is on, and second, when it is off; and to determine the biomarkers of oxidative stress associated with this exposure among operating room personnel.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 operating room personnel as the N2O exposed group, and on 60 nurses as the referent group. N2O concentrations were determined according to NIOSH method 6600. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels, malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were also measured.
Results: The concentrations of N2O in the presence and absence of ventilation systems were significantly higher than the recommended exposure limit (REL) of 25 ppm recommended by NIOSH. The levels of TAC and SOD were significantly lower in participants exposed to N2O in comparison with the referent group. Adjusted for age, work experience, and sex, exposure to N2O was found to be an occupational risk factor for low levels of TAC and SOD, so that exposure to N2O reduced TAC and SOD levels by 0.16 mM and 0.75 U/ml, respectively.
Conclusion: The present study shows that the operating room personnel are exposed to levels of N2O several times more than the REL of this gas and this heavy exposure is associated with a significant increase in oxidative stress.
