OBJECTIVETo study high altitude environment affecting on worker's health

METHODSUsing the cohort study, the altitude reaction was investigated and the WBC, RBC, Hb and oxygenation indexes were measured on workers in several periods, namely, acclimatization period, initially arrived high altitude and resident 90 days.

RESULTSThe 83.3% of men had altitude reactions with different kinds at initially arrived high altitude. The headache was the most. The rate of abnormal blood pressure increased with altitude and resident time (P < 0.01). The rate of 90 day's group was 41.7%. The rise of diastole pressure was obvious (P < 0.01). As the beginning of arrived highland, the increase of WBC, RBC were significant (P < 0.01). The increase of Hb appeared only in 90 day's group. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) obviously increased during acclimatization period and increased with altitude and resident time (P < 0.01). The activity of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased significantly in 90 day's group [(222.36 +/- 36.52) x 10(3) U/L, (158.49 +/- 14.42) U/L, (45.74 +/- 8.31) NU/ml respectively] (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe high altitude environment may result in the abnormal blood pressure, the rise of diastolic pressure was important. It lead to the increase of WBC, RBC, Hb. It initiated activity of oxygenation reaction. The symptoms of headache, dizziness, loss of appetite and insomnia appeared as working in high altitude environment.