Neurosensory and vascular symptoms and clinical findings in the hands of Arctic open-pit miners in Sweden and Norway: a descriptive studyShow others and affiliations
2023 (English)In: International Journal of Circumpolar Health, ISSN 1239-9736, E-ISSN 2242-3982, Vol. 82, no 1, article id 2254916
Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
This 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.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis, 2023. Vol. 82, no 1, article id 2254916
Keywords [en]
Cold climate, mining, Norway, peripheral nervous system diseases, Raynaud disease, Sweden, vibration
National Category
Public Health, Global Health and Social Medicine Occupational Health and Environmental Health
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-214258DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2023.2254916ISI: 001058791900001PubMedID: 37669310Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85169663375OAI: oai:DiVA.org:umu-214258DiVA, id: diva2:1796792
Funder
Forte, Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare, 2011-0494Region Västerbotten, 967266Region Västerbotten, 9790902023-09-132023-09-132025-04-24Bibliographically approved