OBJECTIVE:To analyze identify the level of noise at the workplace environment among Physical Education teachers during indoor bike classes and its association with some aspects of health. METHODS:Cross-sectional study carried out in 15 different gyms with 15 teachers in Rio de Janeiro (Southeastern Brazil) in 2007. A standardized questionnaire, tested in relation to its replication, was used in order to fi nd out the characteristics of the process and the way this job is organized, as well as complaints related to health reported by these teachers. The SRQ-20 (SelfReport Questionnaire) was utilized in order to verify the existence of minor psychiatric disturbances. The levels of sound pressure were measured by a portable appliance. The level of pressure was verifi ed in dB(A) at equivalent energy levels (Leq) in different places of the room at different moments during the class. ANOVA, chi-square and Pearson's correlation analyses were performed. RESULTS:The levels of sound pressure varied from 74.4 dB(A) to 101.6 dB(A). The results during the class were: a) warm-up (mean=88.45 dB(A)); b) main part (mean= 95.86 dB(A)); and, closure (mean= 85.12 dB(A)). The mean background noise was 66.89 dB(A)). There were signifi cant differences (p<0.001) among the background noise levels within different moments of the class. The noise was not related to minor psychiatric disturbances. CONCLUSIONS:Physical education professionals working with indoor bike classes are under high levels of sound pressure during their classes. This physical agent has been related to several health problems and should therefore be more controlled.

O artigo apresenta uma reflexão sobre a experiência de construção coletiva do mapa de risco em um hospital público, no município do Rio de Janeiro, fundamentada nos conceitos de biossegurança, qualidade total e vigilância em saúde do trabalhador. Partiu da etapa de sensibilização dos trabalhadores e gestores do hospital, da identificação dos riscos, da elaboração do mapa, até a discussão sobre as medidas preventivas e a apresentação dos resultados pelos trabalhadores em centro de estudos. A elaboração do mapa de risco serviu como um processo educativo, que possibilitou socializar conceitos da área de saúde do trabalhador, integrar os trabalhadores, sistematizar o processo de trabalho e refletir sobre a forma de organização do trabalho, gerando desdobramentos práticos sob o ponto de vista da intervenção no ambiente de trabalho.

The objective of this article is to discuss the threats to public health, by taking into consideration the arguments of Funtowicz et al. (1997, 1994) about issues related to the complexity and uncertainties of the studies, evaluation and management of the threats to public health that have been observed in the relationship between public health and the vulnerability of social groups. The prevailing discourse on public health uses statistical data, which reduce illness to a biologically determined case relation, do not take into account the history of society and holds individuals responsible for their health conditions. We intend to show that, as a dynamic process, health requires a new approach to consider these issues. Socially-excluded groups have weak capacity to react and, maybe due to it, they are more likely to get sick. Consequently, discussing the complexity of the studies, evaluation and management of threats to public health would avoid any type of reductionism or determinism.

This article presents a case study on working and health conditions of female workers and former workers in the laundry at a sodium chlorate plant. The women's main function was to wash uniforms of workmen who handled metallic mercury during production and maintenance. The aim of this study is to show the health effects of this work process by analyzing workplace conditions, evaluating clinical aspects in the women, and performing individual interviews in order to obtain more precise information based on their personal experience. The authors demonstrate how harmful this type of work is to the women workers' health, posing a serious risk for them in particular and workers' conditions in general in the factory. They also point out that most of what is known about women's occupational activity (in terms of its contents and risks), in addition to their specific problems and different diseases, may be disguised by gender relationships.