Papers by Wantanee Phanprasit
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 2021
There is limited information on cold-related pain (CRP) in various parts of the body among worker... more There is limited information on cold-related pain (CRP) in various parts of the body among workers employed in cold environments. We, therefore, determined the prevalence of CRP among Thai chicken industry workers and attempted to identify vulnerable subgroups. Four hundred and twenty-two workers in four chicken meat factories in Thailand were asked about CRP in the face, upper limbs, and lower body. The results were expressed as adjusted prevalence and prevalence differences [PD; in percentage points (pp)] and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). Overall, 80% of the subjects suffered from CRP in at least one site on the body: 66% in the upper limbs, 65% in the lower body, and 44% in the face. In most sites, CRP increased from the lowest to the highest educational level, notably in the nose with a PD of 36 pp [95% CI 23, 49]. Forklift drivers experienced knee pain [PD 21 pp (0, 41)], and manufacturing [PD 27 pp (15, 38)] and storage workers [PD 24 pp (10, 37)] experienced thigh pain more often than office workers, while office workers reported CRP in the cheeks, ears, wrists, and fingers more often than other workers. Women had more CRP than men in several body sites. The majority of workers suffered from CRP. Intensified protective measures should be targeted not only for forklift drivers and storage and manufacturing workers, but also for the highly educated as well as the office staff who showed excessive prevalence of CRP in several body sites.
The intention of this study to design the probability optimized sewing sack-s workstation based o... more The intention of this study to design the probability optimized sewing sack-s workstation based on ergonomics for productivity improvement and decreasing musculoskeletal disorders. The physical dimensions of two workers were using to design the new workstation. The physical dimensions are (1) sitting height, (2) mid shoulder height sitting, (3) shoulder breadth, (4) knee height, (5) popliteal height, (6) hip breadth and (7) buttock-knee length. The 5th percentile of buttock knee length sitting (51 cm), the 50th percentile of mid shoulder height sitting (62 cm) and the 95th percentile of popliteal height (43 cm) and hip breadth (45 cm) applied to design the workstation for sewing sack-s operator and the others used to adjust the components of this workstation. The risk assessment by RULA before and after using the probability optimized workstation were 7 and 7 scores and REBA scores were 11 and 5, respectively. Body discomfort-abnormal index was used to assess muscle fatigue of opera...
Semi – Plenary Sessions, 2018
tested. Wide scope public health influencers exist in several forms, including education, stakeho... more tested. Wide scope public health influencers exist in several forms, including education, stakeholder partnership and legislation. Collectively, the complexity of this problem indicates that public health strategies for this condition require a multidisciplinary and multifaceted approach that should be sustained over a period of time. Musculoskeletal models of care and frameworks that have been developed by multiple stakeholders at statewide levels have been shown to be of value. This talk will describe the process of developing such a framework through surveys and focus groups for the state of Western Australia. Methods Key stakeholders for WMSDs in WA were initially identified and placed in a network database. These comprised of government agencies, employer and employee groups, special interest groups, professional bodies, key academics, industry peak bodies and the insurance sector. Surveys and focus groups were held across Western Australia over a 3 month period. The primary aim of the qualitative data collection was to gain an understanding of the views of key stakeholders in relation to the prevention and management of work-related musculoskeletal, particularly their believes of the risk factors, facilitators and barriers for success and their views of current policy and legislation associated with this condition. Results Information collected demonstrated that a high proportion of key stakeholders viewed this as a significant statewide issue. The views of key stakeholders in relation to risk factors, barriers and facilitators for the prevention and management of this condition varied across the stakeholder groups and trends could be identified within and between stakeholder groups. Results show the interconnection between these stakeholder groups and the potential value of systematic and organised information sharing and staged collaborative intervention. Conclusion The development of a statewide framework for WMSDs requires an understanding of the evidence behind the multifaceted interventions, and a staged and consultative approach to achieve ownership and confidence in the stakeholders and implementers of the framework.
Safety and Health at Work
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Thailand is known for its agricultural productivity and rice exportation. Most farms use small ma... more Thailand is known for its agricultural productivity and rice exportation. Most farms use small machines and manual labor, creating potential exposure to multiple health hazards. A cross-sectional study was conducted to measure pollutants liberated during preparation, pesticide application, and harvesting. Thirty rice farmers, mostly males from 41 to 50 years old, participated. The participant survey data showed that 53.3% of the respondents spent >2 h per crop on preparation, <1 h on pesticide application, and about 1–2 h harvesting; 86.7% of the respondents maintained and stored mechanical applicators at home, suggesting possible after-work exposures. Gloves, fabric masks, boots, and hats were worn during all activities, and >90% wore long sleeved shirts and pants. VOCs and SVOCs were collected using charcoal tubes and solid phase micro sample extraction (SPME). An analysis of the charcoal and SPME samplers found that 30 compounds were detected overall and that 10 were in ...
BMC Public Health
Background Few studies have examined cold-related symptoms among cold workplace workers in Thaila... more Background Few studies have examined cold-related symptoms among cold workplace workers in Thailand. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of cold-related cardiorespiratory, circulatory, and general symptoms and performance degradation among Thai chicken industry workers and identify vulnerable groups. Methods Overall, 422 workers aged from 18 to 57 years at four chicken meat factories in Thailand were interviewed for cold-related symptoms and complaints. The results were expressed in terms of model-based adjusted prevalence and prevalence differences (PDs) in percentage points (pp) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results In total, 76.1% of the respondents reported cold-related respiratory symptoms, 24.6% reported cardiac symptoms, 68.6% reported circulatory symptoms, and 72.1% reported general symptoms. In addition, 82.7% of the respondents reported performance degradation. Cold-related respiratory symptoms increased by PD 29.0 pp. (95% CI 23.4–34.6) from the lowest to ...
Industrial Health
This study determined the association of cold-related symptoms with workplace temperature and the... more This study determined the association of cold-related symptoms with workplace temperature and thermal insulation of clothing among Thai chicken industry workers. Three hundred workers were interviewed regarding cold-related symptoms, which were regressed on worksite temperature and protective clothing. In total, 80% of workers reported respiratory symptoms; 23%, cardiac symptoms; 62%, circulation disturbances; 42%, thirst; 56%, drying of the mouth; and 82%, degradation of their performance. When adjusted for personal characteristics, respiratory symptoms were 1.1-2.2 times more prevalent at −22-10°C than at 10-23°C. At −22-10°C, cardiac symptoms increased by 45%, chest pain by 91%, peripheral circulation disturbances by 25%, and drying of the mouth by 57%. Wearing protective clothing with at least 1.1 clo units was associated with marked reductions in symptom prevalence. Therefore, temperatures lower than 10°C increased prevalence of cold-related symptoms, which are largely preventable by appropriate clothing use.
Safety and Health at Work
Background Road traffic injury (RTI) is growing public health problem in Myanmar. In addition, ev... more Background Road traffic injury (RTI) is growing public health problem in Myanmar. In addition, every count in road crush is followed by remarkable burdens in the community. In this study, burden of disease (BOD) approach is used to quantify this hidden problem in the studied area. Aim/Objective/Purpose To assess the burden of traffic injuries in Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory, Myanmar Methods This cross-sectional study analyzed 16,338 traffic injury victims in injury registry, from 2012 to 2016. The burden was estimated by disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The analysis was disaggregated by sex, age and type of road users, as well as expressed the rate by per 100,000 population. Results/Outcomes It was 60,962 DALYs in total for the studied period, with the rate of 1050.85 per 100,000 population. Although premature death in road crash was only 6.2% in the study, it attributed 87.8% of total burden. Total DALYs contributed by male were three-times higher than female. Nearly half of ...
Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal
International journal of occupational and environmental health, 2017
Decontamination during turnaround (TA) can lead to high exposure to toxic chemicals among workers... more Decontamination during turnaround (TA) can lead to high exposure to toxic chemicals among workers. The decontamination process in refinery plants usually comprises two types, i.e. steam and chemical decontamination. No matter the method used, concentrations of toxic chemicals must be measured using the direct reading instrument at the end of each decontamination cycle, which maybe repeated several times until the readings are in acceptable level. To evaluate mercury exposure of decontamination workers during decontamination procedure in comprehensive turnaround of a refinery plant. Thirty personal and 16 area air samples were collected using passive dosimeters and absorbent tubes, respectively, during 8 days of the decontamination in comprehensive turnaround. All samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Good practices and standard procedures for air sampling and analysis were performed. The TWA concentrations were calculated and compared bet...
Journal of Health Research
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore inhalation levels and dermal exposure to toluene ... more Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore inhalation levels and dermal exposure to toluene among printing workers who wore no personal protective equipment; it is conducted in a plastic bag factory. Using a charcoal cloth pad (CCP) as a dermal sampler to assess skin permeation of liquid toluene is also investigated. Design/methodology/approach In total, 27 stationary air samples as well as urine and dermal samples were collected over 9 days from 11 printing workers. Six pieces of CCP were wrapped on each of the workers’ fingers for the dermal sample collection. Air samples were collected and analyzed according to NIOSH No. 1501, and 65 post-shift urine samples were collected and analyzed using gas chromatography equipped with headspace sampler (GC-HS/FID). Multiple linear regression was employed to analyze the association between the studied variables. Findings The mean (SD) urinary toluene (UTol) level was 13.42 (9.72) ug/L. Toluene on the CCP (TolCCP) was a meaningful predic...
Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal
Journal of Public Health วารสารสาธารณสุขศาสตร์, Apr 4, 2010
Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 15298669391355071, Jun 4, 2010
This study used pig skin to compare vapor and liquid permeation of benzene, n-butanol, and toluen... more This study used pig skin to compare vapor and liquid permeation of benzene, n-butanol, and toluene in vitro. Vapors of radio-labeled chemicals were generated by passing purified air through two saturators in series containing the labeled chemical. The generated vapor was directed into the donor compartment of a modified liquid permeation cell. For liquid permeation experiments, neat chemicals were dosed directly on the surface of the skin. The variability of the generated concentrations for the vapor phase of each chemical ranged from 3-7%. The mean flux of the liquid chemicals was significantly higher than those of the vapor phase. There was no significant difference in the flux of the individual chemicals in the liquid phase. In the vapor phase test, the flux of toluene and benzene were not significantly different; however, for n-butanol the flux was significantly lower than the for either benzene or toluene.
Applied Industrial Hygiene, 1988
ABSTRACT
Applied Industrial Hygiene, 1988
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet, 2009
To assess asbestos exposure and calculate the relative risks of lung cancer among asbestos cement... more To assess asbestos exposure and calculate the relative risks of lung cancer among asbestos cement roof sheet workers and to predict the incidence rate of lung cancer caused by asbestos in Thailand. A cross-sectional study was conducted in four asbestos cement roof factories. Both area and personal air samples were collected and analyzed employing NIOSH method # 7400 and counting rule A for all procesess and activities. The time weight average exposures were calculated for each studied task using average area concentrations of the mill and personal concentrations. Then, cumulative exposures were estimated based on the past nation-wide air sampling concentrations and those from the present study. The relative risk (RR) of lung cancer among asbestos cement sheet workers was calculated and the number of asbestos related lung cancer case was estimated. The roof fitting polishers had the highest exposure to airborne asbestos fiber (0.73 fiber/ml). The highest average area concentration wa...
Occupational and environmental medicine, 2009
Potential health effects related to wood dust from the rubber tree, which produces natural rubber... more Potential health effects related to wood dust from the rubber tree, which produces natural rubber latex, have not been previously investigated. The main aim of this study was to investigate the relations of rubber tree dust exposure to respiratory and skin symptoms, asthma and lung function. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 103 workers (response rate 89%) in a rubber tree furniture factory and 76 office workers (73%) in four factories in Thailand. All participants answered a questionnaire and performed spirometry. Inhalable dust levels were measured in different work areas. Factory workers showed increased risk of wheezing, nasal symptoms and asthma compared to office workers. There was a dose-dependent increase in wheeze and skin symptoms in relation to dust level. Significantly increased risks of nasal symptoms (adj OR 3.67, 95% CI 1.45 to 9.28) and asthma (8.41, 1.06 to 66.60) were detected in the low exposure category. Workers exposed to ethyl cyanoacrylate glue had s...
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Papers by Wantanee Phanprasit