Frequency weightings of hand-transmitted vibration for predicting vibration-induced white finger.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the performance of four frequency weightings for hand-transmitted vibration to predict the incidence of vibration-induced white finger (VWF).


METHODS
In a longitudinal study of vibration-exposed forestry and stone workers (N=206), the incidence of VWF was related to measures of vibration exposure expressed in terms of 8-hour frequency-weighted energy-equivalent root-mean-square (rms) acceleration magnitude [A(8)] and years of follow-up. To calculate A(8), the rms acceleration magnitudes of vibration were weighted by means of four frequency weightings: (i) W(h) (the frequency weighting specified in ISO 5349-1:2001); (ii) W(h-bl) (the band-limiting component of W(h)); (iii) W(hf) (a frequency weighting based on finger vibration power absorption); and (iv) W(hT) (a frequency weighting based on a Japanese study of VWF prevalence). The relations of VWF to alternative measures of vibration exposure were assessed by the generalized estimating equations (GEE) method to account for the within-subject dependency of the observations over time.


RESULTS
Data analysis with a GEE logistic model and a measure of statistical fit suggested that calculating A(8) by weighting the tool rms accelerations with W(h-bl)gave better predictions of the cumulative incidence of VWF than the other alternative measures of daily vibration exposure. Values of A(8) derived from the currently recommended ISO frequency weighting Wh produced poorer predictions of the incidence of VWF than those obtained with frequency weightings W(hf)or W(hT).


CONCLUSIONS
This prospective cohort study suggests that measures of daily vibration exposure which give relatively more weight to intermediate and high frequency vibration are more appropriate for assessing the probability of VWF.
Clinical Unit of Occupational Medicine, Department of Reproductive, Developmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Centro Tumori, Via della Pietà 19, 34129 Trieste, Italy. bovenzi@units.it
Massimo
M
Bovenzi
Iole
I
Pinto
Francesco
F
Picciolo
Marcella
M
Mauro
Federico
F
Ronchese
D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D016468:Forestry; D053421:Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D014732:Vibration / Q000009:adverse effects*