[Workers' view on the preventive needs for civilization diseases' in prophylactic care taken on employees].

Background: Every year in Poland almost 5 million prophylactic examinations (PEs) are carried out by occupational medicine specialists (OMPs) among workers, for the purposes envisaged in the Polish Labour Code. The aim of this study was to collect workers' opinions on the possible extension of these check-ups in the field of prophylaxis and prevention of civilization diseases (CivDs), focusing also on the "healthy lifestyle" recommendations.

Material And Methods: The study group comprised 325 employees who filled out an anonymous questionnaire containing questions about the possible extension of the PE scope for CivD and cancer prophylaxis.

Screening survey of ocular, nasal, respiratory and skin symptoms in manicurists in Poland.

Objectives: Manicurists are exposed to various chemicals in nail and skin care products and may develop ocular, nasal, respiratory or skin adverse reactions to them. To investigate the occurrence of ocular, nasal, respiratory and skin problems among manicurists and to identify their causal factors, particularly allergic etiology and occupational origin.

Material And Methods: Manicurists employed in beauty salons in the central region of Poland were invited to fill in the questionnaire and undergo medical examination, skin prick tests with common aeroallergens, patch tests with European Baseline Series and (Meth)Acrylates Series-Nails and spirometry.

Sensitization to occupational allergens in hairdressing apprentices diagnosed already before entering vocational training.

Background: Hairdressers are occupationally exposed to many allergenic and irritating substances. Additionally, hairdressing apprentices are exposed to the same allergens as professional hairdressers, due to the fact that vocational training starts in the beginning of the education. This study was undertaken to investigate early occurrence of sensitization to occupational allergens in hairdressing apprentices before the onset of the vocational training.

The prevalence of asthma work relatedness: Preliminary data.

Objectives: About 5-10% of asthmatics do not respond well to standard treatment plan. Occupational exposure may be one of the factors that can be linked with treatment failure. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of work-related asthma (WRA) among adult asthmatics under follow up in an outpatient allergy clinic and to create a useful tool for detecting individuals with possible WRA.

Occupational exposure to diisocyanates in polyurethane foam factory workers.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate health effects of occupational exposure to diisocyanates (DIC) among polyurethane foam products factory workers.

Material And Methods: Thirty workers had a physical examination, skin prick tests with common allergens, allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to diisocyanates and pulmonary function tests. Concentrations of selected isocyanates in the workplace air samples as well as concentration of their metabolites in the urine samples collected from the workers of the plant were determined.