CHRONIC DISEASES AT WASTEWATER WORKERS FROM TIMISOARA
Abstract
Timisoara 179 wastewater male workers activity and health were evaluated in this study. A part of results was presented and analyzed. Canal and treatment plant workers have a specific exposure, in general in external ambient and implies accident risks, shift activity, physical effort and postural demands, chemical, biological factors, noise, vibration other risks. The studied workers have similar life styles. Their medium age is 45. Chronic diseases represent the main pathology: cardiovascular problems, especially arterial hypertension, spine pathology and obesity are the first causes of health impairment and absenteeism. Respiratory and digestive symptoms occur as chronic pathology and acute episodes. The number of diabetes mellitus cases increased in the last years. Dermatitis and cancers evolution can be caused by workplace conditions. Considering that ageing brings chronic illnesses and this pathology influence and is influenced by professional activity, it is necessary to implement workplace health promotion programs for this category of workers and to maintain a good cooperation between occupational health service and family physician.References
Al-Batanony MA, El-Shafie MK, (2011), Work-Related Health Effects among Wastewater Treatment Plants Workers, www.theijoem.com, Vol 2 Number 4; October, 237-244;
Divizia M., Cencioni B., Palombi L., Panà A., (2008), Sewage workers: risk of acquiring enteric virus infections including Hepatitis A, New Microbiologica, 31:337-341;
Fakhrul-Razi A, Alam MZ, Idris A et all, (2002), Filamentous fungi in Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) sewage treatment plant for biological treatment of domestic wastewater sludge. J Environ Sci Health Part A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng; 37:309–20;
Hansen E.S, Hilden J, Klausen H, Rosdahl N, (2003), Wastewater exposure and health—a comparative study of two occupational groups, Occup. Environ Med; 60:595–598;
Jebereanu, L., (2011), Biological Risk in exposure to Waste Waters in a Regional Operating Company, Acta Medica Transilvanica, Supl, II, 3:96-99;
Jebereanu, L., Jebereanu S.A, Vlaicu B., Păuncu E-A, (2013), Risk Factors and Health Status of a Group of Workers Exposed at Waste Water in Timisoara City, Studia Universitatis “Vasile Goldis†Seria Stiintele Vietii (Life Sciences Series) , Volume 23, issue 2, Apr.-Jun.; 165-170;
Korzeniewska, E., (2011), Emission of bacteria and fungi in the air from wastewater treatment plants - a review, Front Biosci (Schol Ed). Jan, 1; 3:393-407;
Milczarek, M., Kosk-Bienko, J., Muylaert, K., et all., (2010), Maintenance and Occupational Safety and Health – A Statistical Picture, European Agency for Safety and Health at Work;
Nilufer, O., Turkyilmaz S.A., and Cali, S., (2013), Prevalence and risk factors of helicobacter pylori in Turkey: a nationally-representative, cross-sectional, screening with the 13C-Urea breath test, BMC Public Health, 13: 1215;
Păuncu, E.-A., (2008), Medicina muncii, teorie şi practică, Editura Orizonturi Universitare, Timişoara, 309-324;
Smit L A, Spaan S., Heederick D., (2005), Endotoxin exposure and symptoms in wastewater treatment workers, American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 48.1:30-39;
Rajnarayan, T.R., (2008), Occupational health hazards in sewage and sanitary workers, Indian J Occup Environ Med. December; 12(3): 112–115.
