著者

村嶋 恵 菊池 有利子 野見山 哲生 熊谷 奈美 大前 和幸 渡邊 昌 赤倉スタディグループ

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.59, no.1, pp.31-37, 2004-01-15 (Released:2009-02-17)

参考文献数

21

被引用文献数

1 2

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Objective: Absorption of cadmium is increased by deficiency of iron in animals, but it is uncertain that the same phenomenon occurs in humans. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between cadmium and iron in the body and to evaluate the influence of dietary habits.Methods: Twenty-five healthy women, aged 20-23 years, were selected by excluding those with renal disease and habitual constipation. They participated in the dietary intervention study to estimate tolerable weekly intake of Cd for 3 weeks in the same dormitory. At 3 months before, at 0 Day, at the 12th Day of the study and 9 months after the study, health check-ups were performed, and Cd in the blood and urine, hemoglobin (Hb), serum iron (iron) and serum ferritin (ferritin) were measured.Results: Cd concentration in the blood (B-Cd) showed a significant correlation with Cd concentration in the urine (U-Cd), and inverse correlation with the body iron storage, such as Hb, iron and ferritin. A food frequency questionnaire showed that no subject showed insufficient dietary intake of iron. Subjects who had eaten grain, millet and brown rice showed higher levels of B-Cd and U-Cd and low levels of Hb, iron and ferritin.Conclusion: Absorption of Cd tended to increase according to a low level of body iron storage among healthy young women.

著者

大和田 国夫 田中 平三 伊東 正明 政田 喜代子

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.27, no.2, pp.243-247, 1972-06-28 (Released:2009-02-17)

参考文献数

19

被引用文献数

10 5

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This paper is concerned with studying the developmental changes which occur in sensitivity to the 4 primary taste qualities viz. sweet (sucrose), sour (citric acid), bitter (quinine sulfate) and salty (sodium chloride).Results are as follows:1. Taste threshold values and difference threshold values for the 4 taste qualities increased with age and showed a peak at the age of 60. These values slightly decreased at the age of 70.2. An increase of salty taste threshold values with aging were more marked than other taste threshold values.3. Either sex failed to reveal significant differences for taste sensitivity.4. Significant differences in taste threshold, especially bitter taste, were observed between smokers and non-smokers.5. False dentures (complete) appeared to influence slightly taste threshold values.

著者

上村 浩一

出版者

一般社団法人日本衛生学会

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.67, no.3, pp.363-374, 2012 (Released:2012-06-26)

参考文献数

51

被引用文献数

8 10

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Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are a group of chemical substances that have the common properties of resistance to biodegradation, wide-range transportation, high lipophilicity, bioaccumulation in fat, and biomagnification in the food chain. POPs are persistent in the environment worldwide and have potential adverse impacts on human health and the environment. Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are well known chemicals that are considered as POPs. The association between high-level exposure to dioxins and type 2 diabetes among U.S. Air Force veterans who had been exposed to Agent Orange contaminated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) during the Vietnam War was reported in the late 1990s. This association has been supported by similar epidemiologic studies, whose subjects were exposed to high doses of dioxins in their places of work involving phenoxyacid herbicide production and spraying, and in the industrial accident in Seveso, Italy. Recently, low-level exposure to dioxins and PCBs has been reported to be linked to type 2 diabetes. Cross-sectional studies in the U.S. general population and Japanese general population showed that body burden levels of some dioxins and PCBs were strongly associated with the prevalence of type 2 diabetes. Very recently, following these cross-sectional studies, several prospective studies have suggested that low-level exposure to some PCBs predicted the future risk of type 2 diabetes in the general population. Environmental exposure to some dioxins and PCBs, which mainly accumulate in adipose tissue, may play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes.

著者

飯島 佐知子 横山 和仁

出版者

一般社団法人日本衛生学会

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.73, no.3, pp.305-312, 2018 (Released:2018-09-29)

参考文献数

50

被引用文献数

1 6

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The factors contributing to the declining birthrate in Japan include the declining marriage rate, an increase in the average age of those getting married, economic burden, childcare burden, later child-bearing, and infertility. There is a gender difference in role division, with 70% of unmarried people live with their parents and continue to work while leaving the household chores to their mothers. The loss of these housekeeping services and the increase in the number of irregular workers are factors contributing to the declining marriage rate and the increase in the average age of those getting married. The expansion of the family support policy in Japan from the male breadwinner model to the earner-career model may have been delayed, but it is expected to provide economic benefits as well as actual childcare service benefits in order to reduce the economic and physical burden of childcare for married couples. It is also necessary to provide education in reproductive health to both men and women in schools and workplaces regarding late child-bearing and infertility. Furthermore, it is necessary to evaluate the cost-effectiveness analysis of improvements in fertility and disclose the relevant information in addition to sharing information on medical technology related to pregnancy/childbirth and treatment of diseases. It is urgent to prepare society for natural and healthy pregnancies/childbirths during optimal child-bearing years.

著者

篠原 厚子 千葉 百子 武内 裕之 木下 勝之 稲葉 裕

出版者

日本衛生学会

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.60, no.4, pp.418-425, 2005-11-15 (Released:2009-02-17)

参考文献数

29

被引用文献数

1 3

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Objective: The relationships between element concentrations and sperm parameters in semen samples were investigated.Methods: Semen samples (n=113) were donated voluntarily by male partners of infertile couples. The concentrations of fourteen elements (Na, K, P, Ca, Zn, Mg, Fe, Cu, Se, Mn, Sn, Co, Ni, and Cd) in semen were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry, fluorometry, or colorimetry. Element concentrations in seminal plasma and in sperm were also measured.Results: Element concentrations in semen were in the order Na>P, K>Ca>Zn>Mg>>Fe>Cu, Se>Mn>Sn, Ni, Co, Cd. When the samples were divided into two groups in terms of sperm concentration and number, the Se concentration in semen with normal parameter values (sperm concentration≥20×106 and sperm number≥40×106), 99.4±37.4ng/ml, was higher than that in semen with abnormal parameter values (sperm concentration≤20×106 and/or sperm number≤40×106), 72.1±33.9ng/ml (p<0.001). A clearer positive correlation between the Se concentration and the sperm concentration was observed in the sperm portion (r=0.853, p<0.001) than in semen (r=0.512, p<0.001) and seminal plasma (r=0.292, p=0.003). Statistically significant correlations were also observed between the concentration of Se, P, Zn, Cu, Fe, or Mn in semen, the sperm portion or seminal plasma and the sperm concentration, semen volume or abnormal morphology, although correlation coefficients were small.Conclusion: Among biologically essential elements in semen of infertile males, Se was a good indicator of sperm concentration; however, other trace elements did not indicate clear relationships between their concentrations and sperm parameters.

著者

岸 玲子 池田 聰子 三宅 浩次 内野 栄治

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.37, no.6, pp.836-842, 1983-02-28 (Released:2009-02-17)

参考文献数

25

被引用文献数

2 2

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In order to determine both the distributional variation of heavy metals and the relationship between lead and essential metals in rats poisoned by lead, a study was undertaken using atomic absorption spectrophotometry.The cerebral lead concentration increased according to the amount of lead administered. The distribution patterns of lead in seven regions of the brain were significantly different between lead-treated animals and controls. In the latter, the differences in lead concentration among the individual regions were statistically significant, with the lowest levels reported for the cortex. In contrast, the cortex and hippocampus had the higher concentration in rats to which 45μg/g or 90μg/g of lead had been administered. Those given 180μg/g body weight showed uniform accumulations in all cerebral regions.Iron concentrations were highest in the hippocampus, while zinc and copper concentrations were distributed almost uniformly. No statistically signigicant loss of essential elements was recorded from the brains of lead-treated animals, but significant decreases of copper from the liver and of iron from the whole blood were found.

著者

前田 隆子 田中 俊行 大城 等 船川 一彦 能勢 隆之 今井 昭二 林 康久

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.45, no.3, pp.781-787, 1990-08-15 (Released:2009-02-17)

参考文献数

21

被引用文献数

2 2

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This study reports the contents of Zn and Cu in the breast milk and serum of postpartum mothers, 17 primiparas and 20 multiparas, at one week and at one month after delivery.Results were as follows.1. The mean content of Zn in the breast milk was 5.44μg/ml at 1 week after delivery, and it decreased significantly (p<0.01) to 2.73μg/ml at 1 month after delivery.2. The mean content of Zn in serum was 0.66μg/ml at 1 week, and it increased significantly (p<0.01) to 0.84μg/ml, close to the normal level, at 1 month.3. The milk Zn level at 1 week after delivery was about 8 times as high as the Zn in serum. There was a significant (p<0.05) negative correlation in Zn contents between milk and serum at 1 week after delivery, and there was no significant correlation in Zn contents between milk and serum at 1 month after delivery.4. The mean content of Cu in breast milk was 0.55μg/ml at 1 week after delivery, and it decreased to 0.44μg/ml at 1 month after delivery.5. The mean content of Cu in serum was 2.14μg/ml at 1 week after delivery, and it decreased significantly (p<0.01) to 1.35μg/ml, close to the normal level, at 1 month after delivery.6. Concerning the Cu contents of milk and serum, there was not a significant correlation at 1 week after delivery, but a significant (p<0.05) positive correlation was found at 1 month after delivery.

著者

劔 陽子 山本 美江子 松田 晋哉

出版者

日本衛生学会

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.56, no.4, pp.664-672, 2002-01-15 (Released:2009-02-17)

参考文献数

13

被引用文献数

2 2

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Objectives: The purpose of this study was to clarify the actual sexual behavior and attitudes of high school students in Kitakyushu city, Fukuoka and then to develop effective sex education methods for high school students in this region.Methods: This study investigated the sexual behavior and attitudes of 1, 297 high school students in Kitakyushu by self-administered questionnaire. The differences in their answers by sex, prevalence of sexual intercourse and change in sexual behavior and attitude before and after the sex education lecture were examined.Result: 39.3% of the students had had sexual intercourse and 74.1% answered that they might have sex, if it were with a partner whom they loved. However, they did not have enough knowledge about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases. This result shows that they did not recognize the risks accompanying sexual intercourse.There are significant differences between male and female students in their sexual attitudes. Male students tend to permit premarital sexual intercourse, unfaithfulness, prostitution, hiring a prostitute and abortion. Male students tend to give more approval to the following opinions: both men and women should agree to sexual contact if the partner wants it; men should take the initiative in sexual contact; women should not talk about sex. Many female students answered that women should make their own decisions to have or not to have sex, however a considerable number of female students answered that for their first intercourse, they just agreed with their partner even though they really did not want to do so.After the sex education lecture, the students have more knowledge about contraception and STDs. However, there is no significant difference in their sexual attitudes before and after the lecture.Conclusion: In order to facilitate more desirable and safer sexual behavior among the younger generation, it is not enough to simply give them knowledge about contraception or STDs, etc. To organize more comprehensive sex education, it is also important to pay enough attention to gender problems and other social factors such as family background or regional background, etc.

著者

福島 哲仁

雑誌

日本衞生學雜誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.57, no.1, pp.83-86, 2002-04-01

著者

久保田 健夫

出版者

一般社団法人日本衛生学会

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.71, no.3, pp.200-207, 2016 (Released:2016-09-30)

参考文献数

80

被引用文献数

5

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Epigenetics is an important mechanism of gene regulation that is dependent on the chromatin structure, which is determined by the epigenetic chemical modification of DNA and histone proteins. It is known that the failure of epigenetic mechanisms causes congenital neurodevelopmental disorders (NDs), and that early life exposure to mental stress and endocrine disrupting chemicals, such as phthalates, bisphenol A, and tobacco, can change epigenetic mechanism and gene expression in the brain and cause NDs. Moreover, environmentally induced epigenetic changes are not erased during gametogenesis and are transmitted to subsequent generations, leading to changes in behavior phenotypes. However, epigenetics has a reversible nature because it is based on the addition or removal of chemical residues, and thus the original epigenetic status may be restored. Indeed, several drugs used for mental disorders and NDs restore the epigenetic state and gene expression. Improved epigenetic understanding of NDs will provide important clues for the development of new drugs that take advantage of epigenetic reversibility.

著者

豊國 伸哉 蒋 麗 胡 茜 永井 裕崇 岡崎 泰昌 赤塚 慎也 山下 依子

出版者

日本衛生学会

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.66, no.3, pp.562-567, 2011 (Released:2011-06-24)

参考文献数

36

被引用文献数

2 5 2

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Several types of fibrous stone called asbestos have been an unexpected cause of human cancer in the history. This form of mineral is considered precious in that they are heat-, friction-, and acid-resistant, are obtained easily from mines, and can be modified to any form with many industrial merits. However, it became evident that the inspiration of asbestos causes a rare cancer called malignant mesothelioma. Because of the long incubation period, the peak year for malignant mesothelioma is expected to be 2025 in Japan. Thus, it is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms of asbestos-induced mesothelial carcinogenesis. In this review, we summarize the cutting edge results of our 5-year project funded by a MEXT grant, in which local iron deposition and the characteristics of mesothelial cells are the key issues.

著者

松島 文子 飯塚 舜介

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.56, no.2, pp.528-534, 2001-07-15 (Released:2009-02-17)

参考文献数

44

被引用文献数

5 7

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We measured the aluminum contents in foods and pharmaceuticals, and the aluminum concentrations in urine by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with polarized Zeeman background correction to obtain the daily intake and excretion of aluminum. The daily urinary excretions of aluminum in healthy females were obtained after consuming sea algae, hizikia fusiforme, which has a high aluminum contents. Daily aluminum excretion did not increase after taking hizikia fusiforme. On the other hand, high aluminum excretions were observed after taking an analgesic/antipyretic with a high aluminum contents, compared with the usual daily aluminum excretion (p<0.001), and compared with after taking an analgesic/antipyretic with no aluminum (p<0.0001). We found that the daily urinary excretion of aluminum was not related to the total consumption of aluminum, but depended on the binding state of aluminum consumed.

著者

Hiromi Iida Yoshikazu Kaise Kazuyoshi Aiiso

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

Nippon Eiseigaku Zasshi (Japanese Journal of Hygiene) (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.13, no.3, pp.354-358, 1958-08-01 (Released:2009-02-17)

参考文献数

14

被引用文献数

6

著者

村田 勝敬

出版者

日本衛生学会

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.69, no.3, pp.242-243, 2014 (Released:2014-09-24)

参考文献数

7

著者

吉田 康久 河野 公一 原田 章 豊田 秀三 渡辺 美鈴 岩崎 錦

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.33, no.2, pp.450-458, 1978-06-30 (Released:2009-02-17)

参考文献数

18

被引用文献数

1 5

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耐熱性の目的でポリアミド, ポリエステルが近年比較的多量に用いられているが, その限界温度以上での使用または廃棄時に毒性のある熱分解成分が生成する可能性がある。本研究はこれを解明する目的で空気中熱分解ガス等を, ガスクロマトグラフ, 同マススペクトログラフにより分析するとともに, また, 動物試験としてマウスについて急性暴露を行って, その主要死因を確かめたものである。熱分解ガスとしてポリエステルでは一酸化炭素, エタン, プロピレン, アセトアルデヒド, ベンゼン等が, また, ポリアミドではこれらの成分に加えてアンモニア, ペンテン等が検出されたが, 毒性並びに発生量よりみて一酸化炭素が優勢な成分として推定された。動物試験では, 単一, 一時間暴露, 一週間観察による概算的致死濃度がポリアミドで79.6g, ポリエステルで30.5g/1000l空気であり, この場合一酸化炭素濃度が2700∼3000ppmと認められた。この一酸化炭素が主要死因であることは, 血液の一酸化炭素飽和度をガスクロマトグラフにより分析した結果, その値が55%を越えることから確認することができた。フユーム, またはグリース状物質として発生する熱分解成分は, 生成後直ちに凝集してその大きさ100μm以上に達し, また, 赤外分光分析により原試料に近似した構造を示すので, ある種のフッ素樹脂の熱分解における特異なポリマーフユーム熱の原因にはなり得ないと考えられる。動物試験ではまた暴露後48時間程度に肺水腫等の傾向が認められて死亡する場合も多いので, 一酸化炭素につぐ比較的毒性の大なる第2の致死因子が存在することも確実である。したがって, もし実際の症例においては, 予後における十分な観察と早期の治療が必要なものと指摘される。

著者

田蒔 基行 藤谷 与士夫

出版者

日本衛生学会

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.69, no.1, pp.15-23, 2014 (Released:2014-01-29)

参考文献数

38

被引用文献数

1 2

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Pancreatic β cells contain the highest amount of zinc among cells within the human body, and hence, the relationship between zinc and diabetes has been of great interest. To date, many studies of zinc and diabetes have been reported, including studies demonstrating that diabetic patients and mice have a decreased amount of zinc in the pancreas. Zinc may counteract the deleterious effects of oxidative stress, which contributes to reduced insulin resistance, and may also protect pancreatic β cells from glucolipotoxicity. Recently, we have shown that SLC30A8/zinc transporter 8, which is a transporter expressed on the surface of insulin granules, plays a key role in zinc transport into insulin granules and in the regulation of hepatic insulin clearance. Here, we review the role of zinc in whole-body maintenance and the latest information on the relationship between zinc and diabetes.

著者

岸 玲子 荒木 敦子 宮下 ちひろ 伊藤 佐智子 湊屋 街子 小林 澄貴 山﨑 圭子 アイツバマイ ゆふ 三浦 りゅう 田村 菜穂美

出版者

一般社団法人日本衛生学会

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.73, no.2, pp.164-177, 2018 (Released:2018-05-31)

参考文献数

69

被引用文献数

2

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Since “Our Stolen Future” by Theo Colborn was published in 1996, global interest on the impact of chemical substances, such as the endocrine-disrupting action of chemicals, has increased. In Japan, “The Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children’s Health: Malformation, Development and Allergy” was launched in 2001. It was a model of Japan Environment and Children’s Study of the Ministry of the Environment. In a large-scale, Hokkaido cohort, we obtained the consent of 20,926 mothers at the organogenesis stage with the cooperation of 37 obstetrics clinics in Hokkaido. We tracked the effects of endocrine disruptors on developmental disorders. In a small-scale Sapporo cohort, we observed in detail the neuropsychiatric development of children with the consent of 514 mothers in their late pregnancy. We examined how prenatal exposure to low concentrations of environmental chemicals affect the development of organs and the postnatal development of children. Maternal exposure to POPs, such as PCB/dioxins and perfluorinated alkyl substances, has affected not only children’s birth size, thyroid functions, and sex hormone levels, but also postnatal neurodevelopment, infection, and allergy among others. The associations of short-half-life substances, such as DEHP and BPA, with obesity, ASD, and ADHD have been investigated. Gene-environment interactions have been found for smoking, caffeine, folic acid, and PCB/dioxin. In 2015, our center was officially designated as the WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, and we continue to the contribute to the global perspectives of child health.

著者

加藤 貴彦 堀口 真愛

出版者

一般社団法人日本衛生学会

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.78, pp.22012, 2023 (Released:2023-04-11)

参考文献数

24

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Many developed countries, including Japan, have capitalist economies based on market principles. In capitalism, businesses try to develop new products and increase their added value, and expand the market in order to generate new profits. Owing to the universalization of capitalist efficiency, our daily lives are becoming condensed to only the necessary things in life. In addition, the advancement of science and technology, which is the driving force behind the expansion of profits, has forced people to become obsessed with new technology and information, and as a result, we have also lost our mental comfort. In this paper, first, we explain the time required to secure the energy necessary for human survival throughout human history. Second, we describe labor productivity with the emergence and development of capitalism. Third, we explain the difference between essential time and pressure-free time, and consider the necessity of pressure-free time during working hours. Finally, we discuss the relationships among pressure-free time, presenteeism, and work engagement.

著者

森 忠繁 竹岡 清 明石 信爾 大羽 和子

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.31, no.5, pp.589-594, 1976-12-31 (Released:2009-02-17)

参考文献数

9

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It is well known that most dust in the lecture room is chalk dust. Dust concentrations were measured at intervals of 3 minutes on a horizontal plane and a vertical plane, after wiping the blackboard for 20 seconds on which many letters were written. Also particle size distributions were measured. The state of dispersing and floating dust in the lecture room can therefore be determined. The results are discussed as a guide to the measurement of dust described in “Requirements for a healthful school environment”.The following results were obtained:1) The dust environment in the lecture room is separated into three sections by dust isoconcentration curves, that is, a position less than 2.5m distant from the blackboard shows the highest dust concentration, and a position farther than 5.0m distant from the blackboard shows the lowest dust concentration.2) Each dust concentration appears similar to a damped oscillation decreasing during 7 to 8 minutes after wiping the blackboard. After this, the dust concentration does not change but shows the floating dust concentration.3) The dust concentration at 10 minutes after wiping the blackboard is almost the same at all heights, but the farther the distance from the blackboard, the lower the concentration of dust.4) All particle sizes of chalk dust are shown to be below 7.0μ diameter (by 1-b) and the greater part are below 5.0μ diameter (by 1-b). The proportion of particles below 0.9μ diameter (by 1-b) shows no change at distances farther than 4 to 5m from the blackboard.5) In order to evaluate correctly the dust environment in the lecture room, dust concentrations should be measured at 10 minutes after wiping the blackboard. Measurements should be taken at more than three positions on the center line of the lecture room, including the teacher's desk, 2.5 to 5.0m distant and more than 5.0m from the blackboard.

著者

岸 玲子 吉野 博 荒木 敦子 西條 泰明 東 賢一 河合 俊夫 大和 浩 大澤 元毅 柴田 英治 田中 正敏 増地 あゆみ 湊屋 街子 アイツバマイ ゆふ

出版者

一般社団法人日本衛生学会

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.73, no.2, pp.116-129, 2018 (Released:2018-05-31)

参考文献数

28

被引用文献数

2 5

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Recently, we have published a book containing evidence-based public health guidelines and a practical manual for the prevention of sick house syndrome. The manual is available through the homepage of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (http://www.mhlw.go.jp/file/06-Seisakujouhou-11130500-Shokuhinanzenbu/0000155147.pdf). It is an almost completely revised version of the 2009 version. The coauthors are 13 specialists in environmental epidemiology, exposure sciences, architecture, and risk communication. Since the 1970s, health problems caused by indoor chemicals, biological pollution, poor temperature control, humidity, and others in office buildings have been recognized as sick building syndrome (SBS) in Western countries, but in Japan it was not until the 1990s that people living in new or renovated homes started to describe a variety of nonspecific subjective symptoms such as eye, nose, and throat irritation, headache, and general fatigue. These symptoms resembled SBS and were designated “sick house syndrome (SHS).” To determine the strategy for prevention of SHS, we conducted a nationwide epidemiological study in six cities from 2003–2013 by randomly sampling 5,709 newly built houses. As a result 1,479 residents in 425 households agreed to environmental monitoring for indoor aldehydes and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). After adjustment for possible risk factors, some VOCs and formaldehyde were dose-dependently shown to be significant risk factors. We also studied the dampness of the houses, fungi, allergies, and others. This book is fully based on the scientific evidence collected through these studies and other newly obtained information, especially from the aspect of architectural engineering. In addition to SHS, we included chapters on recent information about “multi-chemical sensitivity.”