Naslov
Are hospital nurses exposed to the mercury from broken equipment?

Autori
Janev Holcer, Nataša ; Delalić, Asija ; Vitale, Ksenija ; Senta Marić, Ankica ; Brumen, Vlatka

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, ostalo

Izvornik
4th Croatian Congress on Occupational Health "health and work-key of life" and 14th International Congress on Occupational Health Services in Transition in Eastern and Western Europe / Mustajbegović, Jadranka ; Valić, Fedor - Zagreb : Hrvatski liječnički zbor ; Hrvatsko društvo za medicinu rada, 2007, 183-184

ISBN
978-953-6451-41-7

Skup
4th Croatian Congress on Occupational Health and 14th International Congress on Occupational Health Services in Transition in Eastern and Western Europe

Mjesto i datum
Dubrovnik, Hrvatska, 08.11.2007. - 11.11.2007

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
profesionalna izloženost
(occupational exposure)

Sažetak
Purpose: Mercury is a metal toxic to humans. Mercury occurs in three forms and biological effects, reactivity and toxicity depend among these forms. Also routes of exposure vary among these forms. In general inorganic and organic mercury enter the body through gastrointestinal tract, while elemental mercury which readily volatilizes to colourless and odourless vapour enters the body by inhalation. The nervous system is considered to be the main organ affected by elemental mercury vapour, with accumulation in the nervous cells. In spite of those known facts and adverse effects oh health, mercury continues to be used for various industrial processes and medical devices such as thermometers, sphygmomanometers, dental amalgams, laboratory chemicals etc. Goal: During year 2006, survey was conducted in one university hospital in Zagreb in Croatia to estimate is there possibility of occupational exposure among hospital nurses using mercury based medical equipment (thermometers and sphygmomanometers). This research is follow-up of the EU pilot project on occupational and environmental mercury exposure of women in fertile age. Methods: 28 nurses from all medical wards of one university hospital in Zagreb, Croatia were interviewed on mercury toxicity knowledge, handling and exposure to broken mercury based medical equipment and preference of equipment type i.e. mercury bases or electronically operated. Results: All interviewed hospital nurses are exposed to the mercury from broken equipment, and they are aware of its toxicity. Nevertheless most of them prefer mercury based equipment because of the more precise results and lack of technical support needed for education and maintenance of electronic equipment.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Javno zdravstvo i zdravstvena zaštita

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