Çağatay Güler

Indoor Radon Concentrations in Ankara Dwellings

The level of radon in domestic dwellings in Ankara, Turkey, was studied using CR-39 passive alpha track detectors. During the period 1996–1997 indoor radon concentrations were measured in approximately 200 houses during a 6 months’ winter period. Detectors were placed in two separate rooms of which one was a living room and the other was the main bedroom. Subsequent measurements were performed at the Istanbul Çekmece Nuclear Research and Training Centre. Values obtained were between 2 and 408 Bq/m3. These long-term radon concentrations were found to follow a log-normal distribution. Median values for living rooms and bedrooms were 19 and 25 Bq/m3, respectively. Indoor radon concentration was found to be associated with presence of cracks on the walls, building material used for floor and walls and the type of ventilation and heating (p < 0.05).

Carbon Monoxide Levels in Bathrooms Using Hot Water Boilers

The purpose of the present study was to measure carbon monoxide (CO) levels during the operation of hot water boilers that use liquefied petroleum gas or natural gas, which are widely used in Turkey. In addition, it was intended to determine how much owners of these boilers knew about their use and about CO poisoning. CO levels were measured in the bathrooms of homes in a housing area where two deaths due to CO poisoning had occurred on the same day. CO levels were measured in a total of 197 flats from a total of 400 in an area (49%) where there were such boilers and while the boilers were in operation. The bathrooms were of standard dimensions (2.5 × 3 × 3 m). Assessment of CO levels while the boilers were in operation was carried out using a Gastech standard GT-402 portable gas monitor. In 44 (22.4%) of the bathrooms studied, CO levels were above 9 ppm, which is the 8-hour limit according to the NAAQS. CO levels in 2 bathrooms (0.7%) were found to be above 35 ppm, the maximum 1-hour exposure level. CO levels above 50 ppm, ranging from 54 to 300 ppm, were determined in 12 homes (6%). The inhabitants of these homes were informed and the necessary measures were taken to solve the problem. In 8 of these 12 houses, it was determined that chimneys were blocked. We found that CO levels were higher than risk levels for intoxication in 20.0% of the houses. The level of knowledge of the households was poor concerning dangers of CO intoxication. Since it is not uncommon for CO levels in bathrooms where there are boilers to reach dangerous levels it is recommended that their use be discouraged. There should be more widespread use of central water heating systems to remove this serious public health problem.

Determining mercury levels in anchovy and in individuals with different fish consumption habits, together with their neurological effects

An increase in enviromental pollution may lead to mercury toxicity of fish origin due to the accumulative nature of methylmercury in fish. The main sources of human exposure to organic mercury compounds are contaminated fish and other seafoods. This descriptive study was planned to determine mercury levels in anchovy and in hair samples from individuals with different fish consumption habits, and to evaluate those individuals in terms of toxic effects. For that purpose, we analyzed 100 anchovies from the Black Sea and 100 anchovies from the Sea of Marmara, and assessed 25 wholesale workers in fish markets and 25 cleaning firm employees from both Ankara and Istanbul. Mercury levels in samples were measured using a cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Participants were examined neurologically and mini mental state examination was applied to evaluate their cognitive functions. Mercury levels in fish were found to be below the national and international permitted levels. There was no statistically significant relation between mercury levels and the sea from which fish were caught. Hair mercury levels for all participants were within permitted ranges. However, hair mercury levels in both cities increased significantly with amount and frequency of fish consumption. A significant correlation was determined at correlation analysis between levels of fish consumption and hair mercury levels in the fishmongers and in the entire group (r = 0.32, p = 0.025; r = 0.23, p = 0.023, respectively). Neurological examination results were normal, except for a decrease in deep tendon reflexes in some participants in both cities. There was no correlation between Standardized Mini Mental State Examination results and hair mercury levels. We conclude that establishing a monitoring system for mercury levels in fish and humans will be useful in terms of evaluating potential neurotoxic effects.

Determination of Carbon Monoxide Levels in Coffee Shops in Ankara

Indoor environments are where people spend 80—90% of their time. They are at their riskiest in terms of air pollution when smoking is not prohibited and various combustion and/or cooking applications are performed. If such environments are where people live or work, or are recreation facilities open to everybody, experience has shown that pollution levels to which they are exposed can reach levels that are a threat to their health. This study is an investigation of coffee shops, which are such communal environments, identified according to factors such as clientele and physical accommodation. The pollution parameter chosen was the level of carbon monoxide in the air, evaluated according to its compliance to the existing standards and setting forth measures that might be taken against probable health risks. The study was performed in 384 coffee shops selected randomly from amongst those (N = 7646) located in five central municipal districts of Ankara province. Most of the environments investigated were observed to have deficiencies in respect of accident risk, hygienic features and accommodation conditions. The mean carbon monoxide level was found to be below the short and long-term threshold values. However, CO levels above long-term threshold levels were observed in 34% of the coffee shops. In conclusion, the environments investigated were found to pose risks in terms of both accommodation conditions and indoor environment air quality. It was concluded that these risks, which could affect the health of workers and clientele, could be eliminated by environmental health measures.

Halk Sağlığı Uzmanlık Eğitiminde Çevre Sağlığı Eğitimi: Kavramsal Çerçeve -

Cevresel etkilenimlerin insan sagligina olan etkilerinin her gecen gun artmakta oldugu gunumuzde, insanlarin cevreleriyle olan etkilesimlerinin degerlendirilmesi, yorumlanmasi ve topluma yonelik koruyucu uygulamalar seklinde hayata gecirilmesi gerekliligi, halk sagligi uzmaninin sorumlulugunu bir kat daha artirmaktadir. Bu derleme ile cevre sagligi, cevre hekimligi kavramlari ve halk sagligi uzmanlik egitiminde yer almasi gereken cevre sagligi konulari, kavramsal bir cerceve onerisiyle sunulmustur.

Effect of Smoking on the Level of Ionising Radiation in Student Rooms

This descriptive study was designed to investigate whether there was a difference in the levels of ionising radiation in rooms where smoking was permitted and rooms where it was not permitted. The study was conducted in residential student rooms of a school of medicine. A total of 60h of measurement was conducted, measuring for 1 h in each room. Measurements were made with a “RAD-ALERT 50 Nuclear Radiation Monitor”. Although significant differences were found in the level of ambient ionising radiation between rooms where smoking was allowed and those where it was not allowed it was inconclusive whether this difference was due to cigarette smoking or was affected by other external factors. The increase in the radiation level was below that where there would be an effect on health.