[Acute methanol poisoning among patients of Toxicology Unit, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine in Łódź, during the period 2000-2009].

The main objective of this study was an analysis of the cohort of patients hospitalized due to intoxication with this agent during the period 2000-2009 and investigate factors, which determined the course of poisoning. During the search process, 288 (1.07%) patients were identified within total number of 26801 patients hospitalized.

[Poisoning with weever fish venom: a case report].

Poland's access to the EU causes that there is the risk of poisoning from sources outside Poland. This is confirmed by the case reported below. The Weeverfish Trachinus draco lives in the coastal waters of West Africa and Europe (including those of the Mediterranean Sea) and belongs to the most poisonous fish species.

[The application of 4-aminopyridine in calcium channel inhibitors acute poisoning].

Calcium channel inhibitors have been extensively used to treat arterial hypertension, ischaemic heart disease and supraventricular rhythm irregularities. The poisonings by that category of drugs are extremely dangerous, particularly when accompanied by intoxication with other drugs affecting the circulatory function. This paper reports 3 cases of poisonings with calcium channel inhibitors (verapamil and diltiazem) in combination with angiotensin convertase inhibitors and nonselective beta-adrenolytics.

[Diagnostics of occupational voice diseases following the amendment of the Polish Occupational Diseases Certification Act].

Background: The aim of the study was to assess whether the amended Polish Occupational Diseases Certification Act of 2002 has made an impact on the medico-legal process of the occupational voice diseases certification.

Material And Methods: Nationwide reports on the number and types of occupational diseases diagnosed in Poland in 1999-2004, and the medical records of 267 teachers diagnosed for the occupational voice organ disease were analyzed.

Results And Conclusions: A 4-fold gradual and continuous reduction (from 3521 to 881 cases) in the number of registered occupational voice diseases was noted in 1999-2004, which was not really associated with the date the amended Act came into force.

Diagnostic value of voice acoustic analysis in assessment of occupational voice pathologies in teachers.

It has been shown that teachers are at risk of developing occupational dysphonia, which accounts for over 25% of all occupational diseases diagnosed in Poland. The most frequently used method of diagnosing voice diseases is videostroboscopy. However, to facilitate objective evaluation of voice efficiency as well as medical certification of occupational voice disorders, it is crucial to implement quantitative methods of voice assessment, particularly voice acoustic analysis.

[Assessment of voice acoustic parameters in female teachers with diagnosed occupational voice disorders].

Background: Laryngovideostroboscopy is the method most frequently used in the assessment of voice disorders. However, the employment of quantitative methods, such as voice acoustic analysis, is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of prophylactic and therapeutic activities as well as for objective medical certification of larynx pathologies. The aim of this study was to examine voice acoustic parameters in female teachers with occupational voice diseases.

Exacerbation of noise-induced hearing loss by co-exposure to workplace chemicals.

Background: : Numerous organic solvents applied in industry, like toluene, styrene, xylene and n-hexane have been demonstrated to impair hearing in animals. However, the effects of exposure to a given organic solvent and the interaction of noise and solvents on hearing in humans are still not fully recognized.

Study Design: : The study was aimed to assess the effects of occupational exposure to solvents alone or in combination with noise on hearing in 1117 employees of yacht, ship, plastic, shoe, and paint and lacquer industry.

Temporary changes in hearing after exposure to shooting noise.

Objectives: Firearm is a common source of impulse noise that may potentially damage hearing organ. It has been suggested that otoacoustic emissions, particularly transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE), might be more sensitive than pure-tone audiometry (PTA) in the assessment of changes to cochlea caused by noise. The aim of this study was to: (i) evaluate exposure to impulse noise from small-caliber weapons, (ii) compare the post-exposure changes in hearing measured by PTA and TEOAE and correlate them with noise parameters.

Effects of coexposure to noise and mixture of organic solvents on hearing in dockyard workers.

Questionnaire and audiometric data of 701 dockyard workers (517 noise and organic solvent mixture-exposed and 184 noise-only-exposed) were referred to 205 control subjects not exposed to either noise or solvents. The odds ratio (OR) of hearing loss was significantly increased by approximately 3 times in the noise-only group and by almost 5 times in the noise and solvent group. A moderate effect of solvent ototoxicity, in addition to noise, was observed on hearing threshold at a frequency 8 kHz.

Ototoxic effects of occupational exposure to styrene and co-exposure to styrene and noise.

Ototoxicity of styrene and the synergistic action of styrene and noise have been shown in rats. The respective data in humans are scarce and equivocal. This study evaluated the effects of occupational exposure to styrene and combined exposures to styrene and noise on hearing.

[Effect of voice emission training on the improvement in voice organ function among students attending the college of teachers].

One of the major causes of frequent voice disorders in teachers is incorrect vocal emission technique. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of logopedic training on voice emission parameters and vocal organ disorders in students attending the college for teachers. The study group comprised 45 female students who experienced vocal abnormalities after excessive vocal effort.