A venous air embolism is a complication of various venous access procedures such as contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT). Although most cases of iatrogenic venous air embolisms during CECT involve a few milliliters of air and are asymptomatic, a massive venous air embolism can be fatal. We report a case of a massive intraventricular air embolism after CECT with a review of the literature regarding the pathophysiology and treatment of air embolisms.
Embolism, Air*

A venous air embolism is a complication of various venous access procedures such as contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT). Although most cases of iatrogenic venous air embolisms during CECT involve a few milliliters of air and are asymptomatic, a massive venous air embolism can be fatal. We report a case of a massive intraventricular air embolism after CECT with a review of the literature regarding the pathophysiology and treatment of air embolisms.
Embolism, Air*

No abstract available.
Embolism, Air*

No abstract available.
Embolism, Air*

No abstract available.
Air Pollution*

Introduction: Traffic policemen are exposed to polluted air for a long time in high concentrations since they are working outside for most of the time which is bad for their health. Hence, this study was to determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function among traffic police in Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru. Methods: A pulmonary function test using spirometer was used to measure the pulmonary function of subjects. A questionnaire on respiratory symptoms translated version from IUALTD was used. The questionnaire includes background data, occupational and health history. Results: The traffic policemen were determined as having lower lung function parameters; low FVC% predicted (89.6%) and low FEV1% predicted (94%) due to their nature of work and the environment. Coughing was present at the highest (33.6%) among them, whereas wheezing was found the least (15.7%) of the workers. Conclusions: Findings from this study, indicated that there is a development of respiratory diseases and deterioration of lung function among traffic policemen. These baseline data can serve as a reference to the top management of traffic police officers in order to develop an occupational safety and health guideline for police officers as they are not covered by Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA, Act 514 1994).
Air pollution

Introduction: Air pollutants that possessed genotoxic properties have the potential to induce genetic damage. Micronuclei (MN) frequency is used as an indicator for identifying potential genotoxic exposures. A comparative cross-sectional study was carried out among primary school children in a petrochemical industrial area (N=111, Kemaman) and a rural (N=65, Dungun) area in Terengganu. Methods: Validated questionnaires were distributed to obtain the respondents’ socio-demographic data, previous exposure and reported respiratory illness. The frequency of micronuclei was assessed in collected buccal mucosa samples of children. The air monitoring was also carried out at 6 selected schools. Results: Results from the statistical analysis carried out showed significant differences with p=0.001 for all parameters assessed between areas, which included ultrafine particles, UFP (z = -4.842), PM2.5 (z = -10.392), PM10 (z= -11.074) NO2 (z = -11.868), SO2 (z = -5.667), relative humidity (z = -5.587). The MN frequency was statistically significant with PM2.5 (χ2= 17.78, p=0.001) and PM10 (χ2= 15.429, p =0.001). The statistical analysis also showed a significant association between UFP and coughing (PR=2.965, 95% CI=1.069-8.225). The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the main pollutants influencing MN frequencies were UFP and NO2 with UFP (PR=1.877, 95%CI= 1.174-3.002) and NO2 (PR=1.008, 95%CI= 1.001-1.015). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that exposure to air pollutants may increase the risk of respiratory illness and may induce MN formation among children.
Air pollutants

For the purpose of preparing the fundamental data on air pollution in underground shopping center and also contributing to the health improvement of resident, the authors measured the level of SO2, NO2, TSP, CO, CO2 and also some related factors as air temperature, air movement, relative humidity and mean radiation temperature at inside and outside of underground shopping center in Pusan from January to February and from July to August 1994. The results were as follows: 1. The mean concentration of CO within the underground shopping center was 3.1+/-1.3ppm in winter and 2.1+/-0.9 ppm in summer. There was a negative correlation (p<0.01) between inner CO concentration and temperature in summer and no correlation between inner CO concentration and outer CO concentration in underground shopping center 2. The mean concentration of C02 within the underground shopping center was 876+/-353 ppm in winter and 757+/-125 ppm in summer. There was a negative correlation (P<0.01) between inner CO2 concentration and air movement in summer and positive correlation (p<0.05) between inner CO2 oncentration and outer CO2 concentration in underground shopping center. 3. The mean concentration SO2 within a underground shopping center was 0.036+/-0.019ppm in winter and 0.040+/-0.013ppm in summer. There was a positive correlation(p<0.01) between inner SO2 concentration and positive correlation between inner SO2 concentration and outer SO2 concentration in summer and winter in Underground shopping center. 4. The mean concentration of NO2 within a underground shopping center was 0.052+/-0.038ppm in winter and 0.042+/-0.016ppm in summer. There was a no correlation between inner NO2 concentration and thermal factors in summer and winter and low correlation between inner NO2 concentration in underground shopping center. 5. The mean concentration of TSP within a underground shopping center was 430+/-214 microgram/m3 in winter, 366+/-73 microgram/m3 in summer, and very in excess of the atmospheric environmental quality standards of Korea(150 microgram/m3). There was low correlation between inner TSP concentration and temperature in summer and high correlation between inner TSP concentration and outer TSP concentration in underground shopping center.
Air Movements ; Air Pollution* ; Busan* ; Humidity

No abstract available.
Embolism, Air ; Lasers, Gas

In order to evaluate the mutagenic effects of extractable indoor air pollutants (organic matters), we measured the mutagenic activities by sensitive microsuspension Ames test using new tester strains (YG 1024 and YG 1029). And additionally to evaluate the mutagenic effects on vital cell, we examined the frequencies of micronucleus appearing in lymphocytes from dye handling workers and controls. This study was conducted from Jan. toMay, 1995. The extractable indoor air pollutants were collected by low volume air sampler in a general office room and 3 of dye handling factories. And the environment of general office room divided into 3 different groups according to the type of room heaters. To determine the frequencies of micronucleus appearing in lymphocytes, we sampled peripheral venous blood from 20 of dye handling workers and 20 of controls, and cultured, and then examined the lymphocytes. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The indirect mutagenic activities of extractable organic matters from suspended particulates colleced in a general office room were higher than the direct one. 2. The strain YG 1024 was the most sensitive, and the increasing order of test strainsthat showed higher number of revertant were YG 1024, YG 1029, TA 100, and TA 98. 3. In the general office room, the room using kerosene heater showed the highest mutagenecity, and the next was buthan gas heater, and non-heating room in order. 4. The mutagenic effects of suspended particulates in::dye handling factories on the strain YG 1024 was 1.2 times higher than YG 1029. 5. The frequencies of micronucleus appearing in lymphocyte of the circulating blood of dye handling workers and the control were 5.65+/-2.97% and 4.65+/-0.97%, respectively. And the difference was statistically significant.
Air Pollutants* ; Kerosene ; Lymphocytes*