Data analysis of ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology examination of workers in a household appliance manufacturing enterprise

Objective To understand the ophthalmologic and otorhinolaryngologic health condition of workers in a household appliances manufacturing enterprise, and to provide orientation for the prevention of occupational related diseases.

Methods Taking the on -the -job and off -the -job workers of the enterprise as exposure group, the results of ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology examination were statistically analyzed; and taking the pre-employment personnel as the control group, the hazard factors of the two groups were analyzed and compared.

Results The occupational hazards in this enterprise included more than 60 kinds, e.g., noise, dusts, heat stress, ultraviolet, styrene, manganese and its compounds, benzene and benzene series. The abnormality rate of ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology examination among workers of exposure group in the enterprise was 25.78%, significantly higher than that shown at pre -employment medical examination (P < 0.05). The male workers of exposure group had higher abnormality rate than female workers (P < 0.05) and there was a trend that the elder workers had a higher abnormality rate (P < 0.05). It also showed that the longer working in this enterprise, the higher abnormality rate (P < 0.05). The abnormality rate of ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology varied significantly and the ear abnormality rate was highest. Pterygium, earwax, rhinitis and pharyngitis were the main disorders. It noted that the workers exposed to noise, or UV plus welding fumes, or noise plus welding fumes, or benzene and benzene homologues had higher abnormality rate, though there was no significant difference among workers exposed to different hazards (P>0.05).

Conclusion Occupational exposure to these hazards may cause ophthalmologic and otorhinolaryngologic abnormality and the preventive measures should be taken.