Background: Ionizing radiation is well known to cause oxidative stress which is responsible for various health hazards. Controlling healthcare workers' exposure and raising attention toward continuous monitoring is the first step for improving both the health of healthcare workers and the quality of patient care, thus decreasing both human and economic costs. Objectives: To assess oxidative stress by measuring the level of lipid peroxidation, antioxidants, and measure complete blood count (CBC) among healthcare workers exposed to ionizing radiation. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted at the diagnostic radiology department on 31 healthcare workers exposed to ionizing radiation and a non-exposed group of 31 healthcare workers from outpatient clinics. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and CBC were measured among both groups. Results: MDA was significantly higher among the exposed group, while the level of SOD was significantly lower. Red blood cells and hemoglobin were significantly lower among the exposed group. The most significant predictor of oxidative stress was the duration of work. Conclusion: Ionizing radiation exposure induce oxidative stress which has an important role in radiation-related health effects. Anemia was the most common hematological health hazards among the exposed group.

Background: The main environmental source of benzene exposure is vehicle exhaust emissions and evaporation losses of petrol at petrol filling stations. Activation of benzene and its reactive metabolites leads to continuous production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damages DNA, RNA, and proteins by chemical reactions. Aim & Objectives: This study aims to promote health of petrol stations’ workers occupationally exposed to benzene in their daily work with the following objectives: (1)Assess trans,trans-muconic acid (ttMA) level in urine as a biological marker for benzene exposure (2) Estimate the extent of oxidative stress by measuring the Malondialdehyde (MDA) level in blood (3) Assess the activity of erythrocytes superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme (4) Identify the personal and occupational risk factors that may be associated with level of (MDA) detected, activity of (SOD) enzyme and level of (ttMA) in studied groups. Subjects & Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 43 male workers exposed to Benzene in 6 petrol stations present in Zagazig City. A control group of 40 male service workers, not exposed to Benzene were selected from the Faculty of Medicine in Zagazig University. All workers were subjected to a structured questionnaire included questions about (Personal and socio-demographic data- Occupational history- Oxidative stress questionnaire) and laboratory investigations to measure Trans,trans-muconic acid, Malondialdehyde and Superoxide Dismutase. Results: Results of this study showed that there is a high statistically significant difference regarding the level of (ttMA) & (MDA) which is higher among exposed compared to control group, while the level of (SOD) is statistically lower among exposed group. There is a high statistical significant difference concerning the level of (MDA) among smokers and non-smokers in exposed group as it is higher among smokers compared to non-smokers. Results also showed that there is statistically significant difference regarding the effect of work duration on the level of (ttMA), (MDA) and (SOD) among exposed group, as levels of (ttMA) & (MDA) increased with increased work duration while (SOD) level decreased with increased work duration. There is also a high statistically significant difference between level of (MDA) and chronic emotional stress among exposed group as (MDA) level increased with the increase of emotional stress. Conclusion: It was clear from this study that refueling procedure is an important source of exposure to benzene for the filling station workers who had higher level of benzene metabolites than control and the study also supports the hypothesis that Benzene and its metabolites induce oxidative stress which may plays a role in benzene-initiated toxicity.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes disabilities that affect people in working age and can impair their working activity and quality of life (QoL). OBJECTIVES: To assess work activity limitation and QoL among RA patients and to explore the associated risk factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study on 344 RA patients was conducted at the outpatient clinic using a number of standardized questionnaires including the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index, Workplace Activity Limitation Scale, and RA QoL. Clinical examinations were also performed including the measurement of pain intensity, assessment of disease activity, and the Rheumatoid Arthritis Severity Scale. RESULTS: Most of the employed participants (87%) experienced high work activity limitations. Increasing work limitations were significantly associated with a decrease in QoL domains scores. The most significant risk factors affecting work limitation by logistic regression were high disease activity, the severity of the disease, married females, and a high health assessment disability index among RA patients. CONCLUSIONS: RA patients experience limitations that affect their productivity at work and their QoL. Paying more attention to early management to prevent the upcoming unfavorable health and economic consequences for RA patients is significantly important.

Introduction: Glutaraldehyde is still used for sterilization of endoscopes in Egypt and known to be associated with many respiratory problems, so this study aims to establish control program guidelines to promote the respiratory health of endoscopy nurses in Zagazig University Hospitals with the objectives to assess the frequency of respiratory health problems among endoscopy nurses and to identify associated occupational and personal risk factors. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study carried on 42 endoscopy nurses exposed to glutaraldehyde compared to non-exposed 84 nurses working at outpatient clinics. All nurses were subjected to a questionnaire (socio-demographic and occupational characteristics, chronic respiratory problems), checklist for assessment of glutaraldehyde related work practice and pulmonary function tests. Results: Chronic cough was found in 52.0% of endoscopy nurses while asthma was only in 19.0% of nurse. Chronic respiratory problems increased in endoscopy nurses with increased work duration, poor work practices especially handling procedures and lack of training. All ventilatory lung function parameters of endoscopy nurses showed statistically significant decline with both increased work duration ≥ 15 years and increased working hours ≥ 36 hours per week. Majority of endoscopy nurses 30.0% had mild airflow obstruction. Conclusions: Highlighting the respiratory health problems and airway obstruction resulting from exposure to glutaraldehyde will raise the importance to use safer alternatives. Results will lead to implementing of training programs for proper cleaning and sterilization processes, also raising awareness and providing information about proper work practices of handling hazardous substances.

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) can influence physical and mental health, and workability can be affected by how well workers can manage the disease. So, the aim was to assess workability and identify factors associated with decreased workability among migrant diabetic workers. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 134 migrant diabetic workers in an occupational health clinic in Kuwait. Interview questionnaires on sociodemographic, occupational history, and workability index were used. Workers were subjected to clinical examinations and lab tests including alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, fasting blood sugar, and HbA1C. The study showed that among diabetic workers, 19.4% had poor workability, 37.3% had moderate workability, and 34.3% had good to excellent workability. Poor workability was significantly associated with a long history of having DM (≥ 10 years). Workers with poor workability had significantly higher levels of fasting blood sugar (FBS), HbA1c, and creatinine (0.044, 0.019, and <0.001, respectively). Correlation showed that increased level of FBS, HbA1c, and creatinine was significantly associated with decreased levels of workability among diabetic workers (0.04, 0.02, 0.000 respectively). In conclusion, although many adults with diabetes remain productive members of the workforce, effective disease management is essential to minimizing complications and reducing its impact on job performance.