Occupational Health Update

Spirometry in the occupational health setting--2011 update.

S pirometry, the most frequently performed pulmonary function test (PFT), is the cornerstone of occupational respiratory evaluation programs. In the occupational health setting, spirometry plays a critical role in the primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of workplace-related lung disease.1 Used for both screening and clinical evaluations, spirometry tests are performed in a variety of ve...

Occupational rhinitis: an update.

Occupational rhinitis is characterized by nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, nasal itching, and/or sneezing that occur secondary to exposures in the workplace. This disease can be classified into allergic or nonallergic subgroups based upon the underlying disease pathogenesis as well as the type of causative agent. While the true prevalence of occupational rhinitis is unknown, there are certain prof...

Occupational asthma update.

A large number of agents in the workplace have been shown to give rise to occupational asthma. With the rapid introduction of new compounds into industries, it is likely that the prevalence of occupational asthma will continue to increase. This condition may well exceed pneumoconiosis as the most important cause of occupational lung disease. During the past two decades, there have been many stu...

Selenium compounds for fish health: An update

Oxidative stress has become an important subject for terrestrial and aquatic toxicology. The trace element selenium has been demonstrated in chemo-prevention and drug-resistance through reduction of oxidative stress. Selenium compounds could prevent damage to the unsaturated fatty acid of subcellular membranes by lipid peroxidation induced by free radicals in fish.  

Occupational health.