Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a common Occupational disorder. Previous studies have investigated the role of hearing deprivation in mood disorders, especially depression. The aim of this study was to elucidate the relationship between NIHL and depression in employees of an iron ore plant. This was a cross-sectional study on 409 employees with at least one year of job experience. In order to assess the association between noise exposure and NIHL with depression, and based on the results of audiometry, employees were categorized into three groups: without noise exposure, with noise exposure and without hearing loss, and with noise exposure and hearing loss. The Beck depression inventory II (BDI-II) was used to assess the degree of depression. Demographic data and the BDI-II scores were compared among the three groups. The Mean±SD age of the participants was 34.43±7.8 years. The BDI-II score was significantly higher in employees with noise exposure (with and without hearing loss) than in employees without noise exposure (P<0.001). Categorical analysis of the BDI-II score showed a significantly higher prevalence of normal patients in patients among those without noise exposure compared to the two other groups (P<0.05). The results of this study showed that depression was more prevalent in employees with exposure to noise in their workplace, regardless of suffering from NIHL, than in employees without noise exposure.

Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids is an important hazard for health care workers, which places them at a high risk for blood-borne infections including hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus and results in psychological and emotional stresses. Several preventive measures have been proposed including pre-exposure (e.g., education, use of standard precautions, use of needle protective devices, and vaccination) and post-exposure (e.g., post-exposure prophylaxis and early detection of disease) prevention. In this article, the importance of Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids and the basic concepts of exposure prevention and management are reviewed.

Introduction: The present study investigated the relatively high concentrations of natural radionuclides in raw material that used in ceramic manufacturing, and estimated the Occupational exposure due to these activity concentrations. Material and Methods: A high-purity Germanium detector was used to determine naturally occurring radionuclides in raw materials that used in ceramic manufacturing. Activity concentrations of these materials lead to potential radiological hazards due to gamma and alpha radiation. These hazards were evaluated in the present study. Results: Maximum activity concentrations was 5844, 1065 and 41 Bq/kg for 226Ra, 232Th and 235U in powdered quartz; however, maximum activity concentration for 40K was 1868 Bq/kg in colors. These activities were observed to be exceeding the exemption limit. Pancreas received the lowest dose (i. e., 0. 02 mSv/y), while skin received the highest dose (i. e., 0. 044mSv/y). Internal hazard index (Hin) was reported as 53. 74, which exceed the recommended value (Hin≤ 1). Alpha index was 42. 4 which led to over exposure. Representative level index and excess lifetime cancer risk were 0. 00062 and 0. 641 respectively. The total annual external dose was 2. 62 m Gy/y which led to 1. 83 mSv/y effective dose. Radiological hazard due to radon inhalation was 1. 53E-06 mSv/y. Conclusion: Due to the high activity concentrations of raw materials (especially zirconium compounds) and consequently the associated high dose, specific regulations must be applied in the ceramic industry in Egypt.