MENTAL STRAIN AND PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS AMONG EMPLOYEES IN MODERN OFFICES

Citation
Bb. Arnetz et al., MENTAL STRAIN AND PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS AMONG EMPLOYEES IN MODERN OFFICES, Archives of environmental health, 52(1), 1997, pp. 63-67
Citations number
19
Categorie Soggetti
Public, Environmental & Occupation Heath","Environmental Sciences
ISSN journal
00039896
Volume
52
Issue
1
Year of publication
1997
Pages
63 - 67
Database
ISI
SICI code
0003-9896(1997)52:1<63:MSAPSA>2.0.ZU;2-3
Abstract
A comprehensive questionnaire that assessed both physical and psychoso cial work environments, as well as personal health and lifestyle, was answered by 133 (92%) employees. In addition, we assessed the physical /chemical and psychosocial environments of 8 randomly selected employe es, of whom some had environmentally related health complaints. Enviro nmental factors most often associated with poor work environments were improper room temperature, light reflexes (i.e., glare and reflection of light), dust, and dry air. Emission products from traffic pollutio n and 1,1,1 -trichloroethane levels were also detected. The electromag netic fields in both the low and the extremely low frequencies spectra were close to background levels. Individuals who had environmentally associated health symptoms worked mainly in the customer support divis ion, and they perceived higher work demands. Their computer environmen t was also worse ergonomically. There were no differences with respect to objective skin signs or disease between those with and without sym ptoms, respectively. The results of this study point to the importance of looking at both the psychosocial and physical environments when he alth complaints arise in modern offices.