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Vibration disease among farmers induced by vibration tools.

Takamatsu M; Sakurai T; Chang P

Proceedings of the VII International Congress of Rural Medicine, September 17-21, Salt Lake City, Utah. International Association of Agricultural Medicine, 1978 Sep; :188-190

00184058

Vibration disease among farmers induced by vibrating tools was discussed. The results of studies of the incidence of vibration disease among Japanese farmers were reviewed. These have shown that the types of jobs that involve using vibrating tools or machinery include rice planting, cattle raising, mushroom and tea planting, and parttime employment as forestry and construction workers. Tools frequently associated with vibration disease in farmers include brush cleaners, chain saws, concrete breakers, and rock drills. The most severe symptoms of vibration disease were reported by farmers planting mushrooms and working parttime in forestry and construction jobs. The etiology of vibration disease was discussed. The vibrational frequency of the tool is directly related to the specific type of clinical disorder whereas the intensity of vibration is related to the degree of disorder. Many vibrating tools emit considerable noise which can cause hearing loss and tinnitus. Cold weather is considered an important environmental factor in vibration disease. The symptomatology, treatment, and prevention of vibration disease were discussed. Vibration disease may be divided into four stages. The first two stages are characterized by peripheral symptoms generally of mild to moderate severity. Stage-III and stage-IV involve serious peripheral symptoms and central nervous system involvement. Treatment involves hospitalization for patients with late stage-II or stage-III or IV disease. Kinesitherapy and physiotherapy supplemented by vasodilation with appropriate medication should be performed. The best preventive measure is to minimize exposure to vibrating tools.

NIOSH-Grant; Grants-other; Hand-tools; Vibration-disease; Vibration-effects; Medical-treatment; Agricultural-workers; Occupational-health; Environmental-factors; Hand-injuries; Clinical-symptoms; Cardiovascular-system; Occupational-exposure

Prev Med & Environmental Hlth University of Iowa Inst/agric Med & Environ Hlth Iowa Oakdale, Iowa 52319

19780917

Conference/Symposia Proceedings

24225

Grant

1978

Grant-Number-R13-OH-00694

Other Occupational Concerns; Grants-other

Proceedings of the VII International Congress of Rural Medicine, September 17-21, Salt Lake City, Utah

UT; IA

University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa