Objectives: To identify blood lead predictors and the prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in firearm users of public security in Mexico. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 65 males. We obtained sociooccupational data and determined venous blood lead (blood (B), lead (Pb) -BPb), as well as neuropsychiatric symptoms using the Q-16 questionnaire. A multiple linear regression model was constructed to assess determinants of BPb. Results: The mean age in the study group was 34.8 years (standard deviation (SD) = 6.9, range: 21-60); the mean number of years spent in the company amounted to 14 years (SD = 8.5, range: 1-48). Twenty percent of the respondents (N = 13) used leaded glazed clay pottery (lead (Pb), glazed (G), and clay pottery (C) -PbGC) in the kitchen. During practice they fired a mean of 72 shots (SD = 60,, and during their whole duration of employment 5483 shots (SD = 8322.5, range: 200-50 000). The mean BPb was 7.6 μg/dl (SD = 6.8, range: 2.7-51.7). Two caretakers from the firing range had 29.6 μg/dl and 51.7 μg/dl BPb. The subjects who had shooting practice sessions ≥ 12 times a year reported a greater percentage of miscarriages in their partners (24% vs. 0%). Twelve percent of the respondents showed an increase in neuropsychiatric symptoms. The BPb multiple linear regression model explained R 2 = 44.15%, as follows: those who had ≥ 12 practice sessions per year -β = 0.5339 and those who used PbGC -β = 0.3651. Conclusions: Using firearms and PbGC contributes to the increased BPb in the studied personnel. The determinants of BPb were: shooting practices >12 times a year and using PbGC. Blood lead concentrations reported in the study, despite being low, are a health risk, as evidenced by the prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Background Blood lead continues to be a health risk for Mexican workers. Objective To identify blood lead predictors and the prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in firearm users. Material and Methods A cross-sectional study was performed on 65 males. We obtained socio-occupational and determined venous blood lead (BPb), as well as neuropsychiatric symptoms using the Q-16 questionnaire. Results The mean (SD) [min-max] age was 34.8 (6.9) [21–60] years; mean number of years working at the company was 14 (8.5) [1–48] years. Twenty percent (13) used leaded glazed clay pottery (PbGC) in the kitchen. During practice they fired a mean 72 shots (60) [20–250], and during their employed life 5483 (8322.5) [200 to 50 000]. Mean BPb was 6.4 (2.8) [2.7–14.4] mcg/dL. Two caretakers at the firing range had 29.6 and 51.7 mcg/dL BPb. Subjects who went to practice 12 or more times a year reported a greater percentage of miscarriages in their partners (24% vs 0%). Twelve percent (8) showed an increase ³5 in neuropsychiatric symptoms. The BPb multiple linear regression model explains R 2 = 44.15%, as follows: those who had ≥ 12 practice sessions per year β = 0.5339 and use of PbGC β = 0.3651. Conclusions Using firearms and PbGC contribute to increasing BPb in the studied personnel. The BPb concentrations found, despite being low, are a health risk, as evidenced by the prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms. The caretakers at the shooting range are at a higher risk.
Background. Appropriate physical fitness components and body composition are required to overcome dangerous situations during sea rescues and in the first line of combat in the Mexican Navy.Aim of the study. To analyze the impact of body composition on physical fitness components such as cardiorespiratarory fitness and muscle strength-resistance of marines, rescue swimmers, and divers of the Mexican Navy classified as overweight.Methods. BC was assessed by two BMI cutoff points (WHO and military) ; body fat percentage and muscle mass percentage, and waist circumference were determined by anthropometry.Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by the Course-Navette test and MSR by a 1-minute maximal effort of push-ups, sit-ups, and bench presses.Results. We found significant differences in medians of physical fitness components and body composition among groups (p < 0.001). The WHO and military BMI showed 59 (54%) and 16 (15%) individuals as overweight, respectively. Marine instructors showed the highest percentage of men to be overweight, 24 (41%) (WHO) at the expense of good muscle mass percentage but high body fat percentage according to age. All groups showed cardiorespiratory fitness adequate for their age, but only 26 (51%) and 14 (24%) classified as normal and overweight (WHO), respectively, had good cardiorespiratory fitness (p = 0.003).Conclusions. Personnel classified as overweight had good body composition at the expense of high body fat percentage but adequate muscle mass, which could be adequate for their operational tasks; but their cardiorespiratory fitness, although good for their age, is still below the ideal value for military physical activity. BackgroundOverweight, obesity, and inadequate physical fitness in active naval personnel are critical variables that impact directly on the health and wellbeing of service members, military readiness, and the costs associated with medical care and early attrition. The objective of the admission process of civilians to naval discipline is to select recruits that can meet the body composition and physical fitness
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