Iskra Alexandra Nola

Hazardous agents in anode manufacture.

Hazardous Agents in Anode Manufacture The aim of this study was to assess to which extent the modernisation of an anode plant had reduced occupational chemical health hazards for jobs with the highest potential of exposure. Periodical measurements of dust and gases were performed at the same workplaces using the same methods, before and after modernisation. These measurements were compared with the recommended standards. Before modernisation the concentrations of total dust, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen fluoride, benzene, and phenol were above the recommended standards in 56.9 % (74/130) of the samples. After modernisation, only 12.3 % (21/171) of the samples were non-conforming. Before modernisation, workers were exposed to higher concentrations of all agents in all production sections. After modernisation, dust remained the primary pollutant in harmful concentrations in the anode baking furnace (GM=22.1 mg m-3) and in the anode rodding room (GM=22.1 mg m-3), hydrogen fluoride in the anode rodding room (GM=4.2 mg m-3), and sulphur dioxide in all production sections. As plant modernisation has not completely resolved the exposure issue, stringent compliance to safety rules and regular medical checkups are necessary. Štetni agensi pri proizvodnji anoda Cilj je rada procijeniti učinak modernizacije tehnološkog procesa u Tvornici anoda na prisutnost i razinu koncentracije prašine i plinova štetnih za zdravlje radnika u radnom okolišu, kao i na poslove s velikim potencijalom za izloženost zaposlenih. U tu svrhu uspoređivani su rezultati obveznih periodičkih mjerenja kemijskih čimbenika provedeni prije i nakon modernizacije. Mjerenja su provedena na istim radnim mjestima i istim metodama tijekom radnih smjena i uspoređeni sa sadašnjim nacionalnim Standardom. Prije modernizacije, koncentracije ukupne prašine i plinova: ugljikova(II) oksida, ugljikova(IV) oksida, sumporova(IV) oksida, fluorovodika, benzena i fenola prelazile su preporučene vrijednosti u 56,9 % uzoraka, a nakon modernizacije u 12,3 % (21/171) uzoraka. Prije modernizacije radnici su istodobno na velikom broju radnih mjesta svih odjela bili izloženi prekomjernim koncentracijama štetnih kemijskih čimbenika. Nakon modernizacije prašina je i dalje prisutna u visokim koncentracijama pri pečenju anoda (GM=22,1 mg m-3), kao i pri zalijevanju anoda (GM=22,1 mg m-3), a geometrijska sredina koncentracije fluorovodika prizalijevanju anoda iznosi 4,2 mg m-3, dok je sumporov(IV) oksid prisutan u svim fazama proizvodnje anoda u koncentracijama štetnim za zdravlje radnika. Modernizacijom tehnološkog procesa smanjene su prisutnost i koncentracije kemijskih čimbenika u radnom okolišu. Međutim, izloženost prašini, sumporovu(IV) oksidu i fluorovodiku samo je djelomično smanjena.

Earthquakes - a historical review, environmental and health effects, and health care measures

Potresi su prirodne katastrofe koje možemo očekivati u bilo kojem dijelu Zemlje u bilo kojem trenutku. Učestalost im je veća u cirkumpacifičkom i mediteransko-transazijskom seizmičkom pojasu. Prate se nizom sofisticiranih metoda, magnituda im se određuje Richterovom ljestvicom, a intenzitet Mercani- Cancani-Sibergovom ljestvicom. Kroz povijest je zabilježen niz potresa koji su svojom razornom snagom odnijeli brojne ljudske živote te dramatično izmijenili okoliš. Hrvatska se nalazi u seizmički aktivnom području, što dokazuje niz katastrofalnih potresa, od kojih velik broj i na zagrebačkom području. Posljedice potresa najviše će ovisiti o gustoći naseljenosti i seizmičkoj otpornosti zgrada. Okolišne posljedice najčešće uključuju zagađenje zraka, vode i tla. Učinci takvog zagađenja mogu imati dugoročne posljedice na zdravlje populacije. Najdramatičniji, akutni, zdravstveni učinci potresa posljedica su rušenja zgrada. Pri tome brzo i djelotvorno medicinsko djelovanje ovisi ne samo o dobroj organizaciji i pripremljenosti zdravstvenih djelatnika nego i o spremnosti i opremljenosti civilne zaštite, vatrogasne službe i pripadnika Gorske službe spašavanja (HGSS). Tada će upravo dobra koordinacija između navedenih službi biti najvažnija, čime će se spasiti mnogi životi i spriječiti teže ozljede. Javnozdravstveno djelovanje mora se zasnivati na učinkovitim kontrolnim mjerama u okolišu kao prevenciji sekundarnih zdravstvenih problema izazvanih nepovoljnim okolišnim čimbenicima. Identifikacijom i kontrolom dugoročnih štetnosti nastalih kao posljedica potresa smanjit će se kronični zdravstveni učinci u populaciji. Najvažnije je istaknuti da smanjenje potresom izazvanih razaranja, budući da je rušenje zgrada najveći rizični čimbenik potresa, uključuje postavljanje prioriteta u izgradnji seizmički sigurnih zgrada. Summary Earthquakes are natural disasters that can occur at any time, regardless of the location. Their frequency is higher in the Circum-Pacific and Mediterranean/Trans-Asian seismic belt. A number of sophisticated methods define their magnitude using the Richter scale and intensity using the Mercani-Cancani-Sieberg scale. Recorded data show a number of devastating earthquakes that have killed many people and changed the environment dramatically. Croatia is located in a seismically active area, which has endured a series of historical earthquakes, among which several occurred in the Zagreb area. The consequences of an earthquake depend mostly on the population density and seismic resistance of buildings in the affected area. Environmental consequences often include air, water, and soil pollution. The effects of this kind of pollution can have long-term health effects. The most dramatic health consequences result from the demolition of buildings. Therefore, quick and efficient aid depends on well-organized health professionals as well as on the readiness of the civil defence, fire department, and Mountain Rescue Service members. Good coordination among these services can save many lives Public health interventions must include effective control measures in the environment as secondary prevention methods for health problems caused by unfavourable environmental factors. The identification and control of long-term hazards can reduce chronic health effects. The reduction of earthquake-induced damages includes setting priorities in building seismically safe buildings.

Re: Digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI) of breast lesions: Sensitivity and specificity of detection of primary breast cancers

Dear Sirs, We read the paper of Kontos et al. with interest, especially in regard to the fact that one of the authors of this letter is one of the cited authors1. Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI) represents rather available and biologically harmless method with raising scientific and clinical interest for its use in diagnosing various inflammatory and malignant conditions, using standardized protocols and techniques. After careful reading of the mentioned article, we found the conclusions inconsistent and drawn after applying non–standardized protocols for use of DITI in such clinical setting (3 thermographic imaging positions instead of 5 imaging positions)2. Furthermore, the authors of the article used a non–standardized protocol for evaluation of obtained thermographic images2. Surprisingly, by the means of applying non–standardized methods the results of the study point to low sensitivity and higher specificity of DITI in diagnosing breast lesions, which is in contrast to cited literature. According to our preliminary data, it seems that DITI is a promising tool in evaluation of breast lesions, complementary to standard clinical protocols.