著者
林田 賢史 村上 玄樹 高橋 裕子 辻 一郎 今中 雄一
出版者
日本衛生学会
雑誌
日本衞生學雜誌 (ISSN:00215082)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.67, no.1, pp.50-55, 2012-01-15
被引用文献数
2

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine which of the two groups have higher lifetime medical expenditures; male smokers or male nonsmokers. We conducted this investigation using a Japanese single cohort database to calculate long-term medical expenditures and 95% confidence intervals.<br> Methods: We first constructed life tables for male smokers and male nonsmokers from the age of 40 years after analyzing their mortality rates. Next, we calculated the average annual medical expenditures of each of the two groups, categorized into survivors and deceased. Finally, we calculated long-term medical expenditures and performed sensitivity analyses.<br> Results: The results showed that although smokers had generally higher annual medical expenditures than nonsmokers, the former's lifetime medical expenditure was slightly lower than the latter's because of a shorter life expectancy that resulted from a higher mortality rate. Sensitivity analyses did not reverse the order of the two lifetime medical expenditures.<br> Conclusions: In conclusion, although smoking may not result in an increase in lifetime medical expenditures, it is associated with diseases, decreased life expectancy, lower quality of life (QOL), and generally higher annual medical expenditures. It is crucial to promote further tobacco control strategically by maximizing the use of available data.<br>
著者
TAKANO Kadzumi
出版者
日本衛生学会
雑誌
Environmental health and preventive medicine (ISSN:1342078X)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.1, no.1, pp.28-32, 1996-04

On April 26th 1986, an accidental explosion occurred at Chernobyl nuclear power station #4, located in the Ukraine, in the former Soviet Union. From May 1991, in order to prevent internal exposure to cesium-137 (^<137>Cs) in the inhabitants of the Chechersk district of the Gomel region in the Republic of Belarus, which was an area highly contaminated by the Chernobyl accident, the author continuously measured internal ^<137>Cs accumulations within inhabitants of the district with a whole-body counter, and the levels of ^<137>Cs in milk, beef, pork, mushrooms, potatoes and flour with a GM-semiconductor detector. Then the author analyzed the relationships between the inhabitants′ daily habits and their measured cesium levels. The author measured ^<137>Cs accumulation within 528 inhabitants and in agricultural produce in the Chechersk disrict. There was no correlation between the internal ^<137>Cs levels within inhabitants and the surface contamination by ^<137>Cs within the residential area. However, a comparison of internal exposure levels by age and sex revealed a significant variation between adult males and both male and female children, and between adult males and females (p<0.001). Food supplied in school was the cause of lower levels in children because it was strictly controlled by the local health authority. The difference between adult males and adult females was thought to be due to the difference in the length of working time in the fields, or in the amount of food from pastures, lakes and forests. Some of the measurement values of agricultural produce with the GM-semiconductor detector exceeded the provisional standards of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus, where milk, beef, pork and mushrooms had been measured while potatoes and flour had not. Results for milk (r=0.829), beef (r=0.916), pork (R=0.896) and mushrooms (r=0.670) all showed a strong correlation with the concentration of ^<137>Cs on the surface for fields and pastures, while those for potatoes and flour showed no correlation. According to this survey, the internal levels of ^<137>Cs of inhabitants living within the contaminated areas were not related to the concentration of ^<137>Cs in the residential areas, but to the foodstuffs they consumed. Thehefore, by avoiding contaminated foodstuffs, the inhabitants could reduce internal exposure and their risk.
著者
天野 由紀 西脇 祐司
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.68, no.3, pp.168-174, 2013 (Released:2013-09-28)
参考文献数
7
被引用文献数
9

Background: Eyelash extensions involve the attachment of synthetic eyelashes made of chemical fibers or other materials individually onto natural lashes. However, there are no uniform or well-established guidelines for this procedure. Consultations with ophthalmologists and local consumer centers regarding eyelash-extension-related skin and eye disorders have been increasing yearly throughout Japan. This study was conducted to obtain epidemiologic data on eyelash extensions and their related health problems among the Japanese. Methods: A web-based survey was prepared and conducted with questions regarding the basic characteristics of the study participants, their experience with eyelash extensions (including the number of procedures, frequency of extension, year of first extension, and years since the first extension), and any extension-related health problems. Data from 2000 women, aged 15 to 59 years and randomly selected from across the country in accordance with the demographic composition of Japan, were included in the analysis. Results: In total, 205 (10.3%) respondents reported having experienced eyelash extensions (average, 6.2 procedures; median, 3.0), with a peak among those aged 25 to 29 years and a larger proportion of those living in urban areas than in rural areas. Of these women, 55 (26.8%) experienced health problems such as ocular hyperemia, pain, and itchy swollen eyelids. Multivariate analysis revealed that short intervals of extensions were associated with health problems (multiadjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval); 2.88 (1.09–7.61)). Conclusions: Eyelash extensions are a popular procedure, especially among urban, young women. However, attention must be paid to the potential health risks of the procedure.
著者
吉丸 博志 大竹 正徳 藤越 康祝 William J. Schull
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.46, no.3, pp.747-754, 1991-08-15 (Released:2009-02-17)
参考文献数
19
被引用文献数
2 6 5

As a part of the continuingassessment of the effects on the developing embryonic and fetal brain of exposure to ionizing radiation, the school performance of prenatally exposed survivors of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and a suitable comparison group have been studied. Inthis report, the changes in performance in seven school subjects according to dose are compared under the dosimetry system (DS86) instituted in 1986 at the Radiation Effects Research Foundation. The sample involves 929 children whose fetal absorbed dose are known and includes 14 severely mentally retarded persons.The findings can be summarized as follows:1) Damage to the 8-15 week fetal brain appears to be linearly related to the absorbed dose, as judged by the simple regression of average school-performance score on dose. Damage to the fetus exposed at 16-25 weeks after fertilization appears similar to that seen in the 8-15 week group. Canonical and multiple correlations also show a highly significant relationship of exposure 8-15 weeks and 16-25 weeks after fertilization to achievement in school. This trend is stronger, however, in the earliest years of schooling.2) In the group exposed within 0-7 weeks following fertilization, or 26 or more weeks after fertilization, there was no evidence of a radiation-related effect on scholastic performance.3) These results parallel those previously found in prenatally exposed survivors with respect to achievement in standard intelligence tests in childhood and development of severe mental retardation.
著者
古田 和恵 山田 和子 森岡 郁晴
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.71, no.1, pp.69-75, 2016 (Released:2016-01-30)
参考文献数
23

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to clarify whether the explanation received from the guardian at the time of inoculation of a HPV vaccine is related to preventive behaviors against uterine cervical cancer among junior high school girls. The preventive behaviors were set as “wishing to receive the HPV vaccination” and “considering on sexual behaviors (dating, kissing, sexual relations).” Methods: An anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey was performed on 206 second-year junior high school girls who were candidates for the inoculation of the HPV vaccine in the previous year. We considered that a subject received an explanation on HPV vaccination if she received explanations on this topic, such as “an HPV vaccine prevents uterine cancer.” We considered that a subject received an explanation on pubertal events if she received explanations on this topic, such as “the importance of a life.” Including these two variables among the independent variables, multiple logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: The knowledge on uterine cancer was promoted when the subjects received explanations about the HPV vaccination. Many subjects received explanations on pubertal events by receiving explanations on HPV vaccination. The guardian’s explanation about HPV vaccination was one of the factors related to “wishing to receive the HPV vaccination” and “considering on sexual behaviors.” Conclusion: It is important for guardians to explain to their children about HPV vaccination without hesitation at the time of the vaccination.
著者
小栗 朋子 吉永 淳
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.177-186, 2014
被引用文献数
7

Objective: The objective was to estimate the inorganic arsenic (iAs) intake of the general Japanese adult population by a probabilistic approach. Methods: Bioaccessible iAs concentrations in rice (n=56) and hijiki (n=32), the two food items that are the major iAs sources for the Japanese, were measured by liquid chromatography-ICP mass spectrometry. The concentration in cooked rice was estimated from the measured concentration in a raw rice sample while taking into consideration the loss of iAs during cooking. The iAs concentration in hijiki was measured using soaked hijiki samples. The daily consumption of cooked rice and soaked hijiki was taken from published data. The distribution profile of daily iAs intake was estimated by multiplying the bioaccesible iAs concentration in cooked rice and soaked hijiki samples by the amount of these samples consumed daily, which were randomly extracted according to the respective distributions. This process was repeated 10,000 times. Results: The distribution profiles of iAs concentration in rice and hijiki were normal and log-normal, respectively, and those of the amount of cooked rice and soaked hijiki consumed were beta and log-normal, respectively. The daily bioaccessible iAs intake values were estimated to be 19 and 59 μg/day at 50 and 95 percentile. At 50 percentile iAs intake, the contributions from rice and hijiki were estimated to be equal, whereas the contribution from hijiki increased with the estimated total daily iAs intake. Conclusions: The iAs intakes of Japanese subjects estimated in previous duplicated portion studies were fairly consistent with the present estimation. Moreover, it was confirmed that the cancer risk derived from dietary iAs intake of the general Japanese population was not negligible.
著者
内田 博之 小林 瑞希 細渕 亜実 太田 彩乃 大竹 一男 八巻 努 内田 昌希 小田切 陽一 夏目 秀視 小林 順
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.215-224, 2014 (Released:2014-09-24)
参考文献数
55
被引用文献数
1 9

Objectives: We aimed to determine the effects of age, period, and birth cohort on cervical cancer mortality rate trends in Japanese women, by age-period-cohort (APC) analysis. Additionally, we analyzed projected mortality rates. Methods: We obtained data on the number of cervical cancer deaths in Japanese women from 1975–2011 from the national vital statistics and census population data. A cohort table of mortality rate data was analyzed on the basis of a Bayesian APC model. We also projected the mortality rates for the 2012–2031 period. Results: The period effect was relatively limited, compared with the age and cohort effects. The age effect increased suddenly from 25–29 to 45–49 years of age and gently increased thereafter. An analysis of the cohort effect on mortality rate trends revealed a steep decreasing slope for birth cohorts born from 1908–1940 and a subsequent sudden increase after 1945. The mortality rate projections indicated increasing trends from 40 to 74 years of age until the year 2031. Conclusions: The age effect increased from 25–29 years of age. This could be attributable to the high human papilloma virus (HPV) infection risk and the low cervical cancer screening rate. The cohort effect changed from decreasing to increasing after the early 1940s. This might be attributable to the spread of cervical cancer screening and treatment before 1940 and the high HPV infection risk and reduced cervical cancer screening rate after 1945. The projected mortality rate indicated an increasing trend until the year 2031.
著者
田邉 剛 山口 奈津 奥田 昌之 石丸 泰隆 髙橋 秀和
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.70, no.2, pp.115-119, 2015 (Released:2015-05-21)
参考文献数
17
被引用文献数
1 5

Environmental pollutants (such as diesel exhaust particles and silica) cause disorders ranging from bronchial asthma to malignant tumors. In recent years, it has been reported that some of the signaling pathways in which environmental contaminants act in vivo are associated with innate immunity. Innate immunity recognizes ligands and induces inflammation. Those ligands are pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs: e.g., lipopolysaccharide) and danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs: e.g., cholesterol crystallization or uric acid crystal). Activation of innate immunity stimulates the acquired immunity system. Therefore, innate immunity regulates the strength of the general immune system. Furthermore, crystal silica, which is an environmental pollutant, activates innate immunity as a ligand. Innate immunity involves the membrane-bound Toll-like receptors (TLR) and cytoplasm-localized nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors (NLR). We reported the innate immunity-system-related diseases such as Crohn’s disease, Blau syndrome, myelogenous leukemia, and sarcoidosis. An inflammasome complex containing NLR has attracted attention owing to its correlation with the onset of several diseases. It is reported that the inflammasome activation is related to the development of lifestyle-related diseases such as myocardial infarction and fatty liver. It is also reported that the mechanism by which crystal silica and asbestos cause inflammation involves the inflammasome activation. Analyzing the genes of innate immunity contributes to the clarification of the mechanism of disease onset caused by environmental pollutants.
著者
横井 克彦 縄田 隆三 降井 佐太郎 長沢 武夫 柳瀬 杉夫 木村 美恵子 糸川 嘉則
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.46, no.5, pp.1009-1013, 1991-12-15 (Released:2009-02-17)
参考文献数
8

The quality of the sacred “temizu” water in shrines in Kyoto was surveyed. It was found that the sources of “temizu” were the municipal water supply or domestic wells and that the “temizu” was usually used for washing the hands and mouth, while in certain shrines it was drunk as well. Of 50 visitors responding to questions, 26 persons said that they drank “temizu”. In some shrines using the municipal water supply as “temizu”, the free residual chlorine concentration was lower than that in the municipal water supply itself. Contamination of “temizu” by Escherichia coli or Aeromonas hydrophila was observed in some shrines.
著者
橋爪 真弘 上田 佳代 西脇 祐司 道川 武紘 小野塚 大介
出版者
日本衛生学会
雑誌
日本衞生學雜誌 (ISSN:00215082)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.65, no.3, pp.413-421, 2010-05-15
被引用文献数
66

Asian dust, called 'kosa' in Japan, is the long-range transport of atmospheric pollutants originating from the desert areas of China and Mongolia. Although Asian dust has a long history of appearing in Japan, it is only quite recently that there is increasing concern for its possible adverse health effects. We reviewed the epidemiologic evidence of potential health effects of Asian dust events. PubMed was used to search for the following keywords: Asian dust, yellow sand, desert dust, dust storm, sandstorm, mortality, death, morbidity, hospitalization, hospital admission, health, pulmonary and respiratory. The search was limited to the epidemiologic studies published between January 1980 and May 2009. JMEDPlus was used to search for Japanese literature. Seventeen studies were retrieved from PubMed and one study from JMEDPlus. In addition, one study was identified for reviewing from the references of another study. In total, we identified 19 epidemiologic studies (3 for mortality, 13 for hospital visits or admissions and 3 for respiratory functions or symptoms) mainly from Taiwan and Korea. There were many combinations of outcomes and lagged exposures examined, and some suggested possible associations of dust exposure with an increase in mortality and hospital visits and admissions due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, whereas the rest of the studies did not show statistically significant associations. The evidence from these studies was limited because exposure assessments were inadequately described and potential confounders were insufficiently controlled. Well-designed epidemiological studies are required to clarify any potential health effects of Asian dust events in Japan.<br>
著者
松浦 康之 高田 宗樹
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.71, no.1, pp.2-11, 2016 (Released:2016-01-30)
参考文献数
84
被引用文献数
1

The use of stereoscopic images has been spreading rapidly. Nowadays, stereoscopic movies are nothing new to people. Stereoscopic systems date back to 280 A.D. when Euclid first recognized the concept of depth perception by humans. Despite the increase in the production of three-dimensional (3D) display products and many studies on stereoscopic vision, the effect of stereoscopic vision on the human body has been insufficiently understood. However, symptoms such as eye fatigue and 3D sickness have been the concerns when viewing 3D films for a prolonged period of time; therefore, it is important to consider the safety of viewing virtual 3D contents as a contribution to society. It is generally explained to the public that accommodation and convergence are mismatched during stereoscopic vision and that this is the main reason for the visual fatigue and visually induced motion sickness (VIMS) during 3D viewing. We have devised a method to simultaneously measure lens accommodation and convergence. We used this simultaneous measurement device to characterize 3D vision. Fixation distance was compared between accommodation and convergence during the viewing of 3D films with repeated measurements. Time courses of these fixation distances and their distributions were compared in subjects who viewed 2D and 3D video clips. The results indicated that after 90 s of continuously viewing 3D images, the accommodative power does not correspond to the distance of convergence. In this paper, remarks on methods to measure the severity of motion sickness induced by viewing 3D films are also given. From the epidemiological viewpoint, it is useful to obtain novel knowledge for reduction and/or prevention of VIMS. We should accumulate empirical data on motion sickness, which may contribute to the development of relevant fields in science and technology.
著者
石原 信夫
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.75-79, 2014 (Released:2014-01-29)
参考文献数
28
被引用文献数
5

The first reports of methylmercury intoxication appeared in 1865 and 1866. These reports had sensational effects in European countries, and were introduced not only in journals but also in newspapers. These two reports were referable in Japan at the latest in 1927. The formation of organic mercury in the production of acetoaldehyde was also referable in 1906 in Japan. In 1931 (one year before the start of acetoaldehyde production in Minamata) these important reports cited above were referable in Kumamoto University, and there were warnings about the toxicity of organic mercury and environmental pollution prior to the start of acetoaldehyde production. However, not only the plant, authorities (Ministry of Welfare), and Kumamoto Prefectural Office, but also the scientists completely ignored these reports. Waste was dumped into the environment without any treatment. Serious pollution of the environment by organic mercury started, which resulted in the outbreak of Minamata disease (=methylmercury intoxication).
著者
大久保 忠利 稲葉 洋平 原 泰子 内山 茂久 欅田 尚樹
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.71, no.1, pp.84-90, 2016 (Released:2016-01-30)
参考文献数
17
被引用文献数
2

Objective: Some Japanese smokers imported Japanese cigarette brands from other Asian countries for personal use because of the increase in tobacco tax in 2010, which meant that privately importing the cigarettes was cheaper than purchasing them in Japan. We assumed that the health hazards of locally made cigarettes were different from those of privately imported cigarettes, despite the brands being the same. In this study, we carried out a comparative toxicological analysis of domestic and privately imported cigarettes. Methods: Privately imported cigarettes of five brands and domestic cigarettes of the brand named “MILD SEVEN ORIGINAL” were selected for the study. The level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in mainstream smoke was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography using fluorescence detection. The mutagenicity of mainstream smoke was assessed using the Salmonella typhimurium strains TA100, TA98, and YG1024 with the metabolic activation system (S9mix) by preincubation assay. The levels of heavy metals in cigarette fillers were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Results: The level of PAH in the mainstream smoke from the privately imported cigarettes was higher than that in the smoke from the domestic cigarettes. However, the mutagenic activity of the mainstream smoke from the privately imported cigarettes was equivalent to that from the domestic cigarettes. The levels of nickel and cadmium in the fillers of the privately imported cigarettes were higher than those in the domestic cigarettes. Conclusion: The levels of constituents in the fillers and mainstream smoke from the privately imported cigarettes were higher than those in the fillers and mainstream smoke from the domestic cigarettes. The majority of Japanese smokers are unaware of these findings. The guidelines regulating tobacco products recommend that articles 9 and 10 of the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control should be fully implemented in Japan.
著者
杉田 稔 宮川 路子
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.67, no.4, pp.514-523, 2012 (Released:2012-10-25)
参考文献数
49
被引用文献数
2 1

Introduction: Large amounts of radioactive materials were leaked into the environment from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) of the Tokyo Electric Power Company damaged by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and accompanying tsunami. Increased health impairment risks due to the leaked radioactive materials are of concern over a long period of time and over a wide geographical area. From the results of epidemiologic studies conducted after the Chernobyl accident, the health risks are not anticipated to be very marked. The purpose of the present study is to examine (i) the elevated health risks as viewed by the general population, (ii) tolerance to the risks that the general population suffer from their viewpoint, and (iii) the overall picture as seen by researchers and experts in specialized areas of study after the accident. Method: Information was obtained from articles in print and on the Internet and by interviewing a psychologist and tens of employees of several corporations. Results and Discussion: Epidemiologic studies conducted after the severe accident of the nuclear power plant in Chernobyl revealed an elevated risk of thyroid cancer in children due to 131I while elevated risks due to radioactive materials other than 131I were not detected. The amount of radioactive materials leaked into the environment from the FDNPP was less than that in Chernobyl. Therefore, it is possible to estimate that health impairment risks due to the leaked radioactive materials from the FDNPP are low. However, it is impossible to conclude a zero risk. It is likely that the general population does not fully understand the health impairment risks due to the leaked radioactive materials from the FDNPP. Although no increased incidences of diseases other than thyroid cancer of children were scientifically shown en masse from studies in Chernobyl, individual risks and results in the future caused by the severe accident of FDNPP cannot be denied. Much of the general population is apt to demand the security of a zero risk from human-generated disasters such as the severe accident of FDNPP. Many are very intolerant of the health impairment risks factors and wish to avoid any risk altogether. The viewpoint of the general population differs considerably from that of epidemiologists and other research experts. Researchers and experts are often well versed in their own specialized areas but ignorant of other areas. Thus, it is difficult to grasp the complete view of an event under consideration. This so-called ‘takotsubo’ situation is dangerous in human society. Researchers and experts must make effort to understand areas other than their own specialized areas. Scientific researchers usually possess a great deal of conviction from the results of their own studies. They are apt to ignore criticism of their study results from individuals working in other research areas even when the results of their studies are inadequate. When the conditions of their studies are changed somewhat and insufficient information is obtained, the results may not be accurate. Researchers and experts should take full cognizance of this possibility, view with strong skepticism about the results of studies even in their own areas, and listen with humility to criticisms from those working in fields of discipline other than their own. Conclusions: It should be fully recognized that the viewpoint of the general population is considerably different from that of researchers and experts regarding health risks due to the severe accident of FDNPP. Researchers and experts must make effort to understand the opinions of those working in areas other than their own in order to grasp a true and complete view of an event under consideration.
著者
苅田 香苗 坂本 峰至 吉田 稔 龍田 希 仲井 邦彦 岩井 美幸 岩田 豊人 前田 恵理 柳沼 梢 佐藤 洋 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.71, no.3, pp.236-251, 2016 (Released:2016-09-30)
参考文献数
136
被引用文献数
14

More than sixty years has passed since the outbreak of Minamata disease, and high-level methylmercury contaminations now seem nonexistent in Japan. However, mercury has been continuously discharged from natural sources and industrial activities, and the health effects on children susceptible to methylmercury exposure at low levels, in addition to mercury contamination from mercury or gold mining areas in developing countries, become a worldwide concern. In this article, we provide a recent overview of epidemiological studies regarding methylmercury and mercury. The following findings were obtained. (1) Many papers on exposure assessment of methylmercury/mercury have been published since the Minamata Convention on Mercury was adopted in 2013. (2) The most crucial problem is child developmental neurotoxicity resulting from prenatal exposure to methylmercury, but its precise assessment seems to be difficult because most of such effects are neither severe nor specific. (3) Several problems raised in birth cohort studies (e.g., whether IQ deficits due to prenatal methylmercury exposure remain when the children become adults, or whether the postnatal exposure at low levels also causes such adverse effects in children) remain unsolved. (4) Concurrent exposure models of methylmercury, lead, polychlorinated biphenyls, aresenic, and organochlorine pesticides, as well as possible antagonists such as polyunsaturated fatty acids and selenium, should be considered in the study design because the exposure levels of methylmercury are extremely low in developed countries. (5) Further animal experiments and molecular biological studies, in addition to human studies, are required to clarify the mechanism of methylmercury toxicity.
著者
倉掛 重精 中路 重之 菅原 和夫 岡村 典慶 大下 喜子 梅田 孝
出版者
日本衛生学会
雑誌
日本衞生學雜誌 (ISSN:00215082)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.52, no.4, pp.667-676, 1998-01-15
参考文献数
32
被引用文献数
1 2

This study attempted to measure the physical load on national high school baseball umpires during games played at Koshien stadium under extremely hot and humid conditions in the summer. Thirty-one umpires participated in this study. Thirteen of them were evaluated twice while eighteen were evaluated only once. The factors used to determine physical load were the following: body weight, oral temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and serum biochemical elements. These were measured before and after the games. Heart rate was measured at one-minute intervals.<br>The results were as follows.<br>1) All the games were played under conditions of extremely high temperatures…32.1 degress celsius drybulb, 27.0 degress celsius wet-bulb, 36.8 degress celsius black-globe, 29.5 degress…WBGT which are likely to cause heat-related illnesses.<br>2) The physical load of baseball umpires during the game showed a 1.69 percent decrease in average body weight due to perspiration, a 0.43°C increase in oral temperature and an increase in heart rate. An examination of the serum biochemical elements showed that muscle deviation enzymes changed due to muscular activity and blood condensed due to perspiration. The physical load levels of baseball umpires were influenced by extreme heat and physical activity during the game.<br>3) There were no observable differences in either the amount of physical activity or the extreme heat environment among the umpires of different field positions. But the chief umpire's physical load showed a greater decrease in body weght, more blood condensation due to perspiration as a result of the heavier equipment he wore, more muscular activity and higher energy consumption than his counterparts on the bases.<br>4) The umpire's heart rates were higher during games than before games. The moment they were on the playing field. Their heart rates rose to an average of 134. It remained above 115 for about two hours, apparently caused by physical activity and heart load.
著者
山下 節義 土居 真 西尾 雅七 北條 博厚 田中 昌人
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.27, no.4, pp.364-399, 1972-10-28 (Released:2009-02-17)
参考文献数
104
被引用文献数
19 36

In the summer of 1955, 12, 131 children in western Japan were poisoned as a result of the consumpting “Morinaga Dry Milk” (according to 1956 survey conducted by the Welfare Ministry). 130 of children actually died as a result of this poisoning. The arsenic contained in the milk resulted from the poorly purified “Secondary Sodium Phosphate” used as a stabilizer in the manufacturing process of powdered milk.The afflicted infants were those for whom the powdered milk served as a main food and who were physically and mentally in the developing process. Such mass-poisoning had heretofore never been reported in the world.As the symptoms of poisoning disappeared, these children were thought to have been cured. The issue was closed medically and administrationally in 1956 as the conclusion had been reached that there would be no longlasting effects.In 1969, Dr. Maruyama et al. (J.J.P.H. Vol. 16, No. 3, p. 170, 1969) reported continuing effects of this arsenic poisoning, once more reviving the medical and social problem. From that time, surveys of these patients were carried out in several places in western Japan.In Kyoto, from December 1970 to July 1971, inclusive checks were done as follows: Epidemiological Survey (415 Subjects), Clinical Survey (291 Subjects) and Clinical Psychological Survey (261 Subjects).The Kyoto victims presented the following:1. In Kyoto, many victims had a much higher rate of physical and mental complaints than the control group.2. Average height was less than that of the same age group.3. Rate of victims who showed proteinuria (male 14%, female 12%) was higher than that of the same age group.4. Abnormal and borderline brain waves were found to be much higher rate in victims (abnormal 14%, borderline 17%) than average.5. The younger the age of milk consumption, the higher were the rates of abnormal brain waves.6. Central nervous system disorders eq. epilepsy, minimal brain damage syndrome, mental retardation etc. were found to be higher rate than average.7. Numbers of the patients with hardness of hearing (18%) were above average.8. Numbers of the patients with anomaly of refraction (48%) were above average.9. Many victims (64%) had symptoms of skin that characterized pigmentation and depigmentation rashes etc..10. Tooth enamel dysplasia was found in higher rates among victims.11. Numbers of victims (21%) with an IQ of less than 85 exceeded average numbers, according to Educational Ministry Statistics.12. In psychological tests, eq. Uchida-Kraepelin methods, atypical group in victims was found to be higher rate than average.13. Many had irregular and painful menstruation.14. Many complaints of victims continued from infancy.15. The result of this follow-up study is not inconsistent with the result of pathological and clinical report in 1955.16. Clinical findings and diagnostic reports of this survey are just the same as those in Osaka and Okayama etc.As mentioned above, it can be concluded that the physical and mental defects of these victims are the result of consumption of arsenic tainted “Morinaga Dry Milk” and that these persons have received no therapy for 16 years.These victims are now in physical and mental adolescent changes. As they have had no follow-up medical care, a prediction of their health in adult hood is impossible.For these reasons, a continuation of the surveys is most necessary, and, counterplans-social care, health consultations, psychological counselling including educational problems etc.-should be carried out by medical and psychological specialists.
著者
戸田 雅裕 西尾 信宏 竹下 達也
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.70, no.3, pp.259-263, 2015 (Released:2015-09-26)
参考文献数
15
被引用文献数
3 8

Objectives: We designed a scale to gauge smartphone dependence and assessed its reliability and validity. Methods: A prototype self-rating smartphone-dependence scale was tested on 133 medical students who use smartphones more frequently than other devices to access web pages. Each response was scored on a Likert scale (0, 1, 2, 3), with higher scores indicating greater dependence. To select items for the final scale, exploratory factor analysis was conducted. Results: On the basis of factor analysis results, we designed the Wakayama Smartphone-Dependence Scale (WSDS) comprising 21 items with 3 subscales: immersion in Internet communication; using a smartphone for extended periods of time and neglecting social obligations and other tasks; using a smartphone while doing something else and neglect of etiquette. Our analysis confirmed the validity of the different elements of the WSDS: the reliability coefficient (Cronbach’s alpha) values of all subscales and total WSDS were from 0.79 to 0.83 and 0.88, respectively. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the WSDS is a useful tool for rating smartphone dependence.
著者
村上 道夫
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.72, no.1, pp.32-37, 2017 (Released:2017-02-02)
参考文献数
37

Although public interest on safety standards is increasing, the evidence and protocols associated with the standards are not known well to the public and even experts. Discussing the evidence of standards is essential for risk communication, and interdisciplinary and systematical understanding on how to establish standards are also beneficial for considering the set-up of new standards. In this article, on the basis of examples in environmental science, industrial health and safety, and radiological protection, I overview and systemize the establishment of the standards from the perspectives of three principles of risk management: 1) “zero-risk-like” standards, 2) “acceptable-risk-based” standards, and 3) “cost-balanced” standards. In this view, I point out the differences in uncertainty factors or acceptable-risk levels among individual standards and demonstrate the role of the “as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA)” concept. Then, on the basis of the problem on lack of environmental standards in nonstationary states such as disasters, I summarize elements necessary for establishing the standards. As perspectives for further study, I suggest the needs for risk assessment of chemicals having a threshold, full considerations of risk trade-offs and ethical aspects, and applications of processes to the establishment of standards through stakeholder consensus.