Artificial Intelligence and Occupational Health and Safety, Benefits and Drawbacks.

This paper discusses the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on occupational health and safety. Although the integration of AI into the field of occupational health and safety is still in its early stages, it has numerous applications in the workplace. Some of these applications offer numerous benefits for the health and safety of workers, such as continuous monitoring of workers' health and safety and the workplace environment through wearable devices and sensors.

Respiratory Findings in Herd Dairy Farmworkers from the Nile Delta Region.

Background: Dairy farmworkers are exposed to a variety of respiratory hazards, including organic and inorganic dust, allergens, disinfectants, and gases emitted by cows and their wastes resulting in a range of adverse health effects. In Egypt, large herd dairy farms (>1000 cattle) are growing in both size and number and thereby more workers are employed. However, there is a lack of studies on the respiratory health status of these workers.

Carpal tunnel syndrome among laboratory technicians in relation to personal and ergonomic factors at work.

Objectives: Work-related carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) has been reported in different occupations, including laboratory technicians, so this study was carried out to determine the prevalence and the associated personal and ergonomic factors for CTS among laboratory technicians.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 279 laboratory technicians at King Fahd Hospital, Saudi Arabia, who filled in a self-administered questionnaire, including questions regarding their demographic criteria, occupational history, job tasks, workplace tools, ergonomic factors at work, and symptoms suggestive of CTS. Physical examinations and electrodiagnostic studies were carried out for those who had symptoms suggestive of CTS to confirm the diagnosis.

Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory function among health-care workers exposed to cleaning and disinfectant chemicals, a 2-year follow-up study.

Previous cross-sectional studies have shown that exposure to cleaning chemicals among health-care workers (HCWs) is associated with respiratory disorders and ventilatory function changes. This study aimed to further explore this association using a longitudinal approach. A prospective 2-year follow-up study was carried out at a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia from June 2012 to June 2014 among 56 nurses who were responsible for disinfection and sterilization of medical instruments and equipment.

Pre-employment screening of latent tuberculosis infection among healthcare workers using tuberculin skin test and QuantiFERON-TB Gold test at a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To assess the agreement between the tuberculin skin test (TST) and the QuantiFERON-TB Gold test (QFT-G) as pre-employment screening tests for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among healthcare workers.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 1412 healthcare workers who were screened for LTBI during the period from August 2009 to May 2011 at a tertiary-care hospital in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The studied population was screened for LTBI using both TST and QFT-G simultaneously.

Paternal occupational exposures and the risk of congenital malformations--a case-control study.

Objectives: This study examined the association between certain paternal occupational exposures during the periconceptional period and the risk of congenital malformations.

Materials And Methods: A case-control study was carried out from December 2009 to April 2010; on 242 congenital malformation cases and 270 controls. Paternal occupational exposure to certain workplace hazards was assessed by a detailed questionnaire to evaluate the occupational exposure for both fathers and mothers including pesticides, solvents, welding fumes, lead, working with video display terminals (VDTs) and computer monitors.

Oxidative stress, melatonin level, and sleep insufficiency among electronic equipment repairers.

Background: Exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF), especially among electronic equipment repairers may induce oxidative stress and affect sleep quality.

Aims: This study was carried out to (a) investigate the effect of exposure to ELF-EMF on the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels among electronic equipment repairers as an indicator of oxidative stress; and melatonin hormone levels; and (b) to study the prevalence of sleep insufficiency among electronic equipment repairers exposed to ELF-EMF.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 50 electronic equipment repairers at high risk of exposure to ELF-EMF, and a matched control group at lower risk of exposure to ELF-EMF.

Workplace exposures and male infertility - a case-control study.

Objectives: This study examined the association between male infertility and certain occupational exposures.

Material And Methods: A case-control study was carried out from January 2008 to February 2009; on 255 infertile men and 267 fertile men controls. Occupational exposure to certain chemical, physical and psychological workplace hazards was assessed by self-report questionnaire.