Medicine
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This repository contains the published and unpublished research of the Faculty of Medicine by the staff members of the faculty
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Item Non-specific occupational health conditions among brass workers at Gadaladeniya, Sri Lanka(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2004) Jayawardana, P. L.OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of exposure to metal dusts, fumes and high temperature levels among brass workers in comparison to a control group. STUDY DESIGN: Analytical cross-sectional study. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and fifty four brass workers were matched for age with 154 controls selected from the local population. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to determine the presence of acute and chronic symptoms and metal fume fever. Haemoglobin and blood zinc and copper levels were measured using the cyanmethaemoglobin technique and atomic absorption spectrophotometry respectively. Thermal environmental measurements were carried out by determining wet bulb and globe temperature (WBGT) levels and air velocity. RESULTS: Among the chronic symptoms anorexia (OR = 3.3), distaste (OR = 8.3), and aches and pains (OR = 4.0) were significantly higher in the study group. Among the acute symptoms at work, cough (OR = 4.2), dry nose (OR = 6.8), tearing (OR = 6.3), and itchy eyes (OR = 6.3) were significantly higher in the study group. Sweating was significantly higher in the control group. Metal fume fever was significantly higher among the study group with an OR of 7.6. Levels of both copper and zinc were significantly higher in the study group, although both median and mean values were lower than the normal reference ranges. The recommended WBGT level of 26.1 degrees C for an air velocity of less than 1.53 m/s for heavy work was exceeded only in two workshops. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of non-specific symptoms was higher among brass workers. It is necessary to take preventive measures.Item Ventilatory function of factory workers exposed to Tea Dust(1997) Jayawardana, P. L.; Udupihilla, M.A cross-sectional study was conducted in order to determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and the effect on ventilatory capacity in workers exposed to tea dust for at least five years during the sifting process of tea manufacture compared to a control group of field workers who were not exposed to tea dust previously. Fifty-three subjects each in the study and control groups were matched for age, sex, ethnic group and height. Prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms was obtained by questionnaire. Spirometric measurements included forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1.0) and forced mid-expiratory flow rate (FEF 25-75%). The study group had a chest radiograph. The odds ratio for any chronic respiratory symptom was 11.6 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.7-39.4) in the study group. Mean values for the spirometric tests were lower in the study group; the differences in FEV 1.0 and FEF 25-75% were significant. Tuberculosis was not found in the study group, while one subject (2.4%) had radiological evidence of bronchiectasis. It may therefore be concluded that chronic tea dust exposure causes increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms and a significant degree of small airways obstruction.