Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure Among Opencast Miners in Namibia with the Use of Electronic Dosimeters: A Feasibility Study.

The lack of information on exposure of opencast mineworkers to solar ultraviolet radiation, a group I carcinogen, was addressed. The feasibility of using electronic dosimeters in the determination of exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation was investigated. The objective of the study was to determine the feasibility of measuring the occupational exposure of opencast mineworkers to solar ultraviolet radiation using electronic dosimeters.

In vitro skin permeation of potassium hexachloroplatinate and a comparison with potassium tetrachloroplatinate.

Halogenated platinum salts are known respiratory sensitizers in the workplace, and occupational exposure to platinum via the respiratory system and skin has been reported. The aim of this study was to compare the permeability and skin retention of potassium hexachloroplatinate to previously published data of potassium tetrachloroplatinate. Experiments were performed using female Caucasian skin and Franz diffusion cells with the application of 0.

Skin and respiratory exposure to soluble lead, cobalt, nickel, copper, arsenic and silver at two South African precious metals refineries.

Objectives: Precious metals refinery workers are exposed to soluble platinum group metals (PGMs) during PGM-refining but may also be exposed to hazardous non-PGMs (Pb, Co, Ni, Cu, As and Ag) still present in the matte following base metals refining. The aim of this article was to report the skin and respiratory exposure of workers to soluble non-PGMs during PGM-refining.

Methods: Skin and respiratory exposure (of 40 workers at two precious metals refineries) were measured simultaneously over two consecutive shifts.

Personal Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure of Farmworkers: Seasonal and Anatomical Differences Suggest Prevention Measures Are Required.

Introduction: Farmworkers are at risk of excess exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) during their work activities, especially if they work in geographical areas with high ambient solar UVR levels such as in South Africa. Excess exposure to solar UVR may lead to several negative health effects such as certain cataracts and skin cancer. This study evaluated personal solar UVR exposure of a group of farmworkers to determine if they were at risk of health-related problems due to excess solar UVR exposure.

Effectiveness of Personal Protective Equipment in Reducing Skin Exposure to Soluble Platinum.

Objectives: Various forms of personal protective equipment (PPE), including disposable coveralls and gloves, are used to help reduce skin exposure to soluble platinum in precious metals refineries. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of PPE in reducing workers' skin exposure to soluble platinum.

Methods: Thirty precious metals refinery workers were divided into two groups according to their use of PPE and related procedures.

Skin and respiratory exposure to platinum group metals at two South African precious metals refineries.

Objective: Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) are mined and refined together and have the potential to elicit adverse respiratory and skin health effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the simultaneous skin and respiratory exposure of precious metals refinery workers to all six soluble PGMs.

Methods: The simultaneous skin and respiratory exposure to soluble PGMs of forty workers at two precious metals refineries were measured over two consecutive work shifts using Ghostwipes™ and Methods for the Determination of Hazardous Substances method 46/2.

Low Use of Ocular Sun Protection among Agricultural Workers in South Africa: Need for Further Research.

Although ocular diseases related to solar ultraviolet radiation exposure have a high prevalence in Africa, little is known about the occupational use of ocular photoprotective measures on the continent. In a survey of South Africa farmworkers on a farm in the Limpopo Province, we analyzed factors related to ocular sun protection including use of different types of hats and sunglasses in relation to age, gender and duration of agricultural employment. Majority of participants (80%) never wore sunglasses while 23% never wore a hat when working.

Subjective and objective skin colour of a farmworker group in the Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Background: Farmworkers in the Limpopo Province, South Africa, are at risk of excessive exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (sUVR) due to both their work and the sUVR environment in the geographic area. However, the natural protection provided by this group's skin against sUVR has not been quantified. The aim of this study was to evaluate the subjective and objective skin colour of a group of farmworkers in order to classify the natural photoprotection provided by melanin and to evaluate the different measurement methods.

Measurement of transepidermal water loss, stratum corneum hydration and skin surface pH in occupational settings: A review.

Background: The skin provides a permeable barrier which may be impaired in occupational settings. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration (SCH) and skin surface pH (SSpH) have been used in occupational settings to predict early onset of occupational skin diseases, to measure the effectiveness of prevention strategies for occupational skin diseases, and to assess skin condition during exposure. The aim was to compare the findings, identify shortcomings in the methodology and data reporting and furthermore, to make recommendations for future studies.

Mortality and cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity in individuals with impaired FEV (PURE): an international, community-based cohort study.

Background: The associations between the extent of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV) impairment and mortality, incident cardiovascular disease, and respiratory hospitalisations are unclear, and how these associations might vary across populations is unknown.

Methods: In this international, community-based cohort study, we prospectively enrolled adults aged 35-70 years who had no intention of moving residences for 4 years from rural and urban communities across 17 countries. A portable spirometer was used to assess FEV.

Urinary excretion of platinum (Pt) following skin and respiratory exposure to soluble Pt at South African precious metals refineries.

Adverse respiratory and skin health effects have been associated with occupational exposure to soluble platinum (Pt). However, the relationship between skin exposure and urinary Pt excretion has not yet been investigated. In this study we examined the relationship between skin and respiratory exposure to soluble Pt and urinary Pt excretion at two South African precious metals refineries.

Urinary excretion of platinum from South African precious metals refinery workers.

Background: Urinary platinum (Pt) excretion is a reliable biomarker for occupational Pt exposure and has been previously reported for precious metals refinery workers in Europe but not for South Africa, the world's largest producer of Pt.

Objective: This study aimed to quantify the urinary Pt excretion of South African precious metals refinery workers.

Methods: Spot urine samples were collected from 40 workers (directly and indirectly exposed to Pt) at two South African precious metals refineries on three consecutive mornings prior to their shifts.

Occupational Respiratory Exposure to Platinum Group Metals: A Review and Recommendations.

Platinum group metals (PGMs) is a group of metals that include platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and osmium. Occupational respiratory exposure to platinum has been reported since 1945, but studies investigating occupational exposure to palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and osmium are scarce. This review provides a summation of the information available on the respiratory exposure to PGMs in various industrial settings, methods used to assess exposure, and the possible adverse health effects resulting from occupational exposure to PGMs.

The influence of pH on the in vitro permeation of rhodium through human skin.

Workers in precious metals refineries are at risk of exposure to salt compounds of the platinum group metals through inhalation, as well as through the skin. Rhodium salt permeation through the skin has previously been proven using rhodium trichloride (RhCl) dissolved in synthetic sweat at a pH of 6.5.

In Vitro Permeation of Metals through Human Skin: A Review and Recommendations.

During the last few decades, the interest in skin permeation of, specifically, metals has increased with the in vitro method utilizing diffusion cells as the prominent method of investigating permeability. This review provides a systematic synopsis focused on an in vitro diffusion cell method utilizing human skin and examines the differences in experimental design as this could influence the results obtained. The permeation of metals such as chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, lead, mercury, nickel, palladium, platinum, rhodium, silver, titanium, and zinc are discussed.

Assessment of dermal exposure and skin condition of workers exposed to nickel at a South African base metal refinery.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess dermal exposure of cell workers to nickel at a South African base metal refinery and to characterize their skin condition by measuring the skin hydration and trans epidermal water loss (TEWL) indices.

Methods: The skin hydration index of the index finger, palm, neck, and forehead was measured before, during and at the end of the shift. The TEWL index was measured before and at the end of the shift.