Vertical variation of source-apportioned PM and selected volatile organic compounds near an elevated expressway in an urban area.

Fine particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are associated with adverse health effects and show spatial variation in three dimensions. The present study attempted to evaluate source contributions of PM and toxic VOCs in a metropolitan area focusing on the associated vertical variations. A special emphasis is put on the effects of the elevated expressway on the vertical variability of contribution estimates of the identified sources.

Molecular Chirality Detection with Periodic Arrays of Three-Dimensional Twisted Metamaterials.

Rapid detection of the handiness of chiral molecules is an important topic for pharmaceutical industries because chiral drugs with opposing handiness sometimes exhibit unwanted side effects. In this research, a rapid optical method is proposed to determine the handiness of the chiral drug "Thalidomide". The platform is a large array of three-dimensional (3D) twisted metamaterials fabricated with a novel method by combining nanospherical-lens lithography (NLL) and hole-mask lithography (HML).

Optimization of Protoplast Preparation and Regeneration of a Medicinal Fungus .

is a unique medicinal fungus in Taiwan. It has been found rich in some pharmacologically active compounds for anti-cancer, hangover, and immune regulation etc. With the in-depth study of these components, it would be interesting and important to establish a molecular system for basic studies of .

Chromium-induced skin damage among Taiwanese cement workers.

Little research has been done on the relationships between chromium exposure, skin barrier function, and other hygienic habits in cement workers. Our purpose was to investigate chromium-induced skin barrier disruption due to cement exposure among cement workers. One hundred and eight cement workers were recruited in this study.

Risks of musculoskeletal disorders among betel quid preparers in Taiwan.

Background: Betel quid chewing is common in Taiwan. The work of betel quid preparers is characterized by long hours of static work, awkward working posture and highly repetitive hand/wrist motion. However, the musculoskeletal health of betel quid preparers receives very little attention.

Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomic assessments of cleaners.

Background: Professional cleaning has emerged as a new industry in Taiwan in the past few years. However, information about the workload and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among these workers is still limited. This study investigated the prevalence of musculoskeletal discomforts and the characteristics of musculoskeletal activities of cleaning workers in Taiwan.

Occupational hand dermatitis among cement workers in Taiwan.

Background/purpose: Occupational dermatitis among cement workers is a major occupational health concern. The two most important occupational hazards for cement workers are irritant and allergic cement contact dermatitis. The objective of this study was to investigate the severity of occupational cement contact dermatitis and the common allergens among cement workers in Taiwan.

Oxidative DNA damage estimated by urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and arsenic in glass production workers.

A total of 130 male glass workers, including 33 administrative workers, 18 batch house workers, 42 craftsmen, and 37 melting process workers, were recruited to investigate the potential DNA damage resulting from toxic element exposure. The occupational exposure to trace elements, including arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and selenium (Se), was estimated by their urinary levels as internal doses. In addition, all participants filled a self-filled questionnaire indicating their individual information.

Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and job exposure in Taiwan oyster shuckers.

Background: Oyster shucking is characterized by long hours of static work, awkward working posture, and highly repetitive hand/wrist motion. The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort and kyphosis in oyster shuckers in Taiwan as well as the biomechanical features of oyster shucking.

Methods: The Chinese version of the Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was successfully collected from 234 oyster shuckers.

Effect of hand dermatitis on the total body burden of chromium after ferrous sulfate application in cement among cement workers.

Background: Ferrous sulfate (FeSO(4)) added to cement has been used to reduce the prevalence of dermatitis in workers. However, the effect of dermatitis on the total uptake of chromium in cement with or without FeSO(4) has not been previously explored.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the urinary chromium levels before and after FeSO(4) addition among cement workers with or without hand dermatitis.

The total body burden of chromium associated with skin disease and smoking among cement workers.

Background: Hand eczema and other skin diseases have been associated with the exposure of chromium among cement workers. Studies on skin disease and other factors associated with the body burden of chromium are limited.

Objective: The present study investigated the role of skin disease and smoking in the association with body burden of chromium among cement workers.

Effect of occupational exposure to rayon manufacturing chemicals on skin barrier to evaporative water loss.

To evaluate the effects of the occupational exposure to rayon manufacturing chemicals (RMC, containing predominantly carbon disulfide (CS(2)) and minor sulfuric acid) in a rayon factory on the basal transepidermal water loss (TEWL), barrier integrity (BI), and sequential increasing TEWL profiles. Six Thais and five Chinese workers in the spinning department of a rayon manufacturing plant and five healthy unexposed controls were recruited as the test subjects. An area of 4.

Combined exposure to carbon disulfide and sulfuric acid simultaneously increases the risk of hand dermatitis in rayon industry.

Objective: To evaluate the association between hand dermatitis (HD) and occupational exposure to CS(2) and to determine whether combined exposure to CS(2) and H(2)SO(4) exhibits a higher risk of HD.

Methods: In all, 110 subjects from a rayon factory were recruited and their exposure was classified into CS(2) exclusively, H(2)SO(4) exclusively, combined exposure, and nonexposure control based on workers' job characteristics. A dermatologist was designated in the diagnosis of HD on palm and dorsal sites for each subject.

Identification of agricultural tasks important to cumulative exposures to inhalable and respirable dust in California.

Little data exists on the determinants of agricultural dust exposure, particularly in dry climates. Annual exposure indices to inhalable and respirable dust were constructed by exposure estimates for specific tasks, task duration, and task frequency. The estimates of exposure levels were based on actual field measurements and subjective dust exposure ranking.