Neurosensory and vascular symptoms and clinical findings in the hands of Arctic open-pit miners in Sweden and Norway – a descriptive study

ABSTRACTThis cross-sectional study aimed to describe exposure to cold climate and hand-arm vibration (HAV) as well as neurosensory and vascular symptoms and clinical findings among open-pit Arctic miners. It was based on data from questionnaires and physical examinations, including 177 men and 75 wo...

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Main Authors: Albin Stjernbrandt, Magnar Johnsen, Ingrid Liljelind, Anna Aminoff, Jens Wahlström, Anje Christina Höper, Hans Pettersson, Tohr Nilsson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2023-12-01
Series:International Journal of Circumpolar Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/22423982.2023.2254916
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author Albin Stjernbrandt
Magnar Johnsen
Ingrid Liljelind
Anna Aminoff
Jens Wahlström
Anje Christina Höper
Hans Pettersson
Tohr Nilsson
author_facet Albin Stjernbrandt
Magnar Johnsen
Ingrid Liljelind
Anna Aminoff
Jens Wahlström
Anje Christina Höper
Hans Pettersson
Tohr Nilsson
author_sort Albin Stjernbrandt
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACTThis cross-sectional study aimed to describe exposure to cold climate and hand-arm vibration (HAV) as well as neurosensory and vascular symptoms and clinical findings among open-pit Arctic miners. It was based on data from questionnaires and physical examinations, including 177 men and 75 women from two open-pit mines in Sweden and Norway (response rate 54%). Working outdoors or in an unheated building or machine for at least two hours per day was reported by 44% and HAV exposure of the same duration by 10%. Neurosensory symptoms (e.g. reduced perception of touch) in the hands were reported by 47% and Raynaud’s phenomenon by 14%. In brief conclusion, the study showed that Arctic miners were commonly exposed to both cold temperatures and HAV. They also reported a broad range of neurosensory and vascular symptoms in their hands and had abnormal clinical findings related to the symptoms. The results emphasise the need for additional preventive measures in this occupational setting.
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spelling doaj.art-da0813e229554264aab4cf4cbdfaa8452023-12-19T21:44:11ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Circumpolar Health2242-39822023-12-0182110.1080/22423982.2023.2254916Neurosensory and vascular symptoms and clinical findings in the hands of Arctic open-pit miners in Sweden and Norway – a descriptive studyAlbin Stjernbrandt0Magnar Johnsen1Ingrid Liljelind2Anna Aminoff3Jens Wahlström4Anje Christina Höper5Hans Pettersson6Tohr Nilsson7Section of Sustainable Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, SwedenDepartment of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, NorwaySection of Sustainable Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, SwedenDepartment of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, NorwaySection of Sustainable Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, SwedenDepartment of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, NorwaySection of Sustainable Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, SwedenSection of Sustainable Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, SwedenABSTRACTThis cross-sectional study aimed to describe exposure to cold climate and hand-arm vibration (HAV) as well as neurosensory and vascular symptoms and clinical findings among open-pit Arctic miners. It was based on data from questionnaires and physical examinations, including 177 men and 75 women from two open-pit mines in Sweden and Norway (response rate 54%). Working outdoors or in an unheated building or machine for at least two hours per day was reported by 44% and HAV exposure of the same duration by 10%. Neurosensory symptoms (e.g. reduced perception of touch) in the hands were reported by 47% and Raynaud’s phenomenon by 14%. In brief conclusion, the study showed that Arctic miners were commonly exposed to both cold temperatures and HAV. They also reported a broad range of neurosensory and vascular symptoms in their hands and had abnormal clinical findings related to the symptoms. The results emphasise the need for additional preventive measures in this occupational setting.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/22423982.2023.2254916Cold climatevibrationminingSwedenNorwayperipheral nervous system diseases
spellingShingle Albin Stjernbrandt
Magnar Johnsen
Ingrid Liljelind
Anna Aminoff
Jens Wahlström
Anje Christina Höper
Hans Pettersson
Tohr Nilsson
Neurosensory and vascular symptoms and clinical findings in the hands of Arctic open-pit miners in Sweden and Norway – a descriptive study
International Journal of Circumpolar Health
Cold climate
vibration
mining
Sweden
Norway
peripheral nervous system diseases
title Neurosensory and vascular symptoms and clinical findings in the hands of Arctic open-pit miners in Sweden and Norway – a descriptive study
title_full Neurosensory and vascular symptoms and clinical findings in the hands of Arctic open-pit miners in Sweden and Norway – a descriptive study
title_fullStr Neurosensory and vascular symptoms and clinical findings in the hands of Arctic open-pit miners in Sweden and Norway – a descriptive study
title_full_unstemmed Neurosensory and vascular symptoms and clinical findings in the hands of Arctic open-pit miners in Sweden and Norway – a descriptive study
title_short Neurosensory and vascular symptoms and clinical findings in the hands of Arctic open-pit miners in Sweden and Norway – a descriptive study
title_sort neurosensory and vascular symptoms and clinical findings in the hands of arctic open pit miners in sweden and norway a descriptive study
topic Cold climate
vibration
mining
Sweden
Norway
peripheral nervous system diseases
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/22423982.2023.2254916
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