[Working conditions and workers' health impairments in drug distribution companies].
The aim of the study was to evaluate working conditions according to hygiene norms and to determine health impairments of drug distribution companies' workers.


METHODS
Study was performed in summer of 2003 in drug distribution companies implementing good distribution practice. Study included 588 workers. Health impairments for technical personnel and pharmacists were revealed using a questionnaire.


RESULTS
Microclimatic work conditions: temperature, humidity, air movement during summer season at 11% workplaces did not correspond to hygiene norms. The main health impairments for pharmacists were various ophthalmological disorders. For technical personnel main health impairments were musculoskeletal disorders, as back pain and varicosis. They are related with repetitive spinal column movements, incorrect weight lifting, long-fixed working position, etc. Based on criteria used for evaluation of workload, workers of drug distribution companies are attributable to strained work category.
Skemiene
Lina
L
Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Kaunas University of Medicine, A. Mickeviciaus 9, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania. aplink@kmu.lt
Draksiene
Gailute
G
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D008297:Male; D008834:Microclimate; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D016272:Occupational Health; D010594:Pharmacies; D010595:Pharmacists; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013696:Temperature; D000078329:Workforce