牙具制造业员工职业暴露与健康关系之探讨

The Association of Occupational Exposure and Health Effects Among Dental Technicians

目的了解牙具制造业员工(牙技人员)作业人员的职业伤病情形及其危险因子,以作为日后改善工作环境及预防职业病的参考。方法针对牙技人员进行抽样,配以结构式问卷、肺功能检测以及尿液检体中重金属含量测定等项目,同时辅以粉尘及各种金属的环境检测,以确立牙技人员健康效应与环境间的相互关系。结果由问卷及体检结果显示其消化道、皮肤与呼吸道的疾病较多,而神经、视觉与听力的自觉症状也较多,肺功能数据则呈现86人中有27名局限性通气障碍者,占31.4%,是否受粉尘之影响值得关心。结论应尽速推行证照制度、加强在职教育、辅导疏解工作压力以及改善作业环境,并应举办定期健康检查,以预防职业伤病的发生。

Objective Dental technicians are occupationally exposed to various dusts, metals, and other chemicals. Occupational related lung, skin and neurological diseases have been documented in several studies. But it is seldom reported in China. Methods In this study, we use structured questionnaire, lung function test and heavy metals determination in urine samples. Environmental measurements of dusts and metals will be also performed to determine the association with health conditions in dental technicians. Results A total of 86 dental technicians （male 64, age average 28, mean employed duration 8 years） were investigated. The difficulty of communication with dentists and the working style were main sources of stresses. More work-related health complaints such as respiratory, gestation-intestinal, neurological, eyesight and hearing problems were mentioned. There are 27 technicians （31.45 %） with restricted lung function, which may be induced by fine dusts or fibers. But, the time-weighted average level of inhalable particulate in 10/12 laboratories were below 500 μg/m^3. Average levels of metals in urine samples were Co 1.90 μg/L, Cr 2.26 μg/L, Ni 4. 12 μg/L and Be 0.30 μg/L. Conclusion It is suggested that the health surveillance and the improvement of workplace sanitation in dental technicians should be regulated by government.