Forty subjects were exposed to cigarette smoke produced by a smoking machine in a climatic chamber. The degree of air pollution due to cigarette smoke corresponded to 2.5 and 1.3 ppm delta CO. The concentrations of particulate matter, NO and NO2, were measured. The effects on subjective irritation, annoyance and eye blinking rate were determined. All measured effects increased with increasing smoke concentration as well as with exposure duration. Based on these effects, a tolerable limit in the range between 1.5 and 2.0 ppm delta CO is proposed.

Compared to workers on land, seamen working on the ocean are given only limited disease treatment. The aim of this paper is to clarify the actual condition of diseases among such seamen in an effort to improve measures that promote their health. We analyzed 51,641 cases of diseases that were reported to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport from 1986 to 2000. The most prevalent diseases included disorders of the digestive system, followed by those of the musculoskeletal and the circulatory systems. The proportions of the three disease types were shown to vary by the type of work, ship, and occupation. One of the reasons for the variation in incidence between type of work and ship might result from differences in the voyage period in the given year. In explaining the varied incidences between occupations we hypothesize that differences in work systems and contents may be important variables to consider. It will be necessary to clarify the lifestyle and living environment of seamen to suggest appropriate measures for combating diseases prevalent in this population.

No abstract

The attitudes and reactions to passive smoking as well as the attitudes to active smoking have been investigated among schoolchildren and students in Zurich. 183 13-year-old children, 203 16-year-old children, and 367 23-year-old students were interviewed by a questionnaire. The most interesting results are as follows: -- Significantly more of the younger children (81%) than of the elder children (70%) and the students (70%) dislike passive smoking. -- Significantly more nonsmokers dislike passive smoking than smokers. -- The subjects whose parents smoke dislike passive smoking less than the subjects whose parents do not smoke. -- 80% of the students, 64% of the elder children, and 82% of the younger children complain of one or more kinds of irritations due to passive smoking. The most common impairment is eye irritation, followed by cough and nose irritation. -- More nonsmokers complain of irritations than smokers. -- There is no significant difference between girls and boys as for the reactions to passive smoking.

Of the many diseases that can affect seamen ， those related to disorders of the musculoskeletal systcm are ong the most prevalent ， making h desirable to take appropriate measures for prevention and treatment， We introduced a back muscle exercise program to seamen at£ending the Na 丘onal Institute for Sea Training and examined the effects of the program after the 2 − month intervention ． Tb evaluate the effectiveness of this exercise