Cold-provocation testing for the vascular component of hand-arm vibration syndrome in health surveillance.

The aim was to investigate whether the use of infra-red thermography (I-R) and measurement of temperature gradients along the finger could improve the diagnostic accuracy of cold-provocation testing (15 degrees C for 5 min) in vascular hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). Twenty-one controls and 33 individuals with stages 2/3V HAVS were studied. The standard measurement of time to rewarm by 4 degrees C (T4 degrees C) and temperature gradients between the finger tip, base and middle (measured using I-R) were calculated.

Modification of the Stockholm Vascular Scale.

Background: Staging hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) depends upon accurate reporting of the extent and frequency of blanching attacks. Reporting may not be repeatable and not all individuals classifiable using the Stockholm Workshop Scale (SWS). For Department of Trade and Industry (Dti) coal miners' assessments, the SWS was modified to include a blanching score.

The perceptions of occupational health in primary care.

Aim: A random sample of general practitioners (GPs), practice nurses (PNs) and practice managers (PMs) in Sheffield and Manchester was recruited into a study to evaluate the perceptions of occupational health (OH) in primary care.

Methods: Qualitative data were collected using focus groups with three groups of primary care sector professionals. Quantitative data were collected nationally from 295 GPs using a postal questionnaire.

Respiratory symptoms, immunology and organism identification in contaminated metalworking fluid workers. What you see is not what you get.

Background: Metal working fluids (MWF) constitute a significant respiratory hazard, although symptoms experienced by workers are often poorly investigated and attributed.

Aims: A single possible case of extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA) led to a formal workplace investigation. It was clear that other exposed workers were affected.

Specific IgE to colophony?

Background: Colophony (rosin) is a natural product obtained from coniferous trees. It is used in a diverse range of products such as adhesives, ink, paints and soldering fluxes. Some workers exposed to colophony during soldering can develop occupational asthma; at present, no specific IgE test is available to assess sensitization to colophony.

A screening questionnaire for HAVS?

Aim: To define the diagnostic power of simple questions most applicable for a hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) assessment screening questionnaire.

Method: Using a binary logistic regression we analysed 365 physician led HAVS health surveillance assessments to identify which questions could form the basis of a screening questionnaire.

Results: Four sensorineural related questions regarding tingling and numbness in response to the cold and after using vibrating tools, and two vascular-related questions focusing on the patient's fingers going white on exposure to cold and numbness during an attack of whiteness were identified.

Job categories and their effect on exposure to fungal alpha-amylase and inhalable dust in the U.K. baking industry.

Enzymes in flour improver, in particular fungal alpha-amylase, are known to be a significant cause of respiratory allergy in the baking industry. This study measured total inhalable dust and fungal alpha-amylase exposures in U.K.