Professional paper

Laser induced health impairment in printing workers

M. Kocijančič ; Dispanzer za medicina dela, Zdravstveni dom, Kranj, Slovenija

Abstract

The results are presented of an eight-year follow up of the health condition of a small group of workers occupationally exposed to laser beams, wave length 10.600 nm, operating a wood-cutting equipment in a printing industry. Case histories, examinations and analyses were aimed at discovering possible (described in literature) changes in the eye media, skin, blood vessels, nerve and muscle tissues as well as cumulative effects. In examined workers (5) only changes in the eye media were found: chronic catarrhal inflammation of the conjunctiva, slight turbidity of the eye lens and a mild degeneration of the eyeground. These changes were recorded in workers who worked in exposure to laser beams for approximately three years without using specific protective devices for the eyes. The changes did not make progress during further exposure when the workers started using protective goggles but they neither improved nor disappeared after the introduction of this specific means of protection.

Keywords

Hrčak ID:

157117

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/157117

Publication date:

15.1.1985.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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