Cecília Zavariz’s research while affiliated with University of São Paulo and other places

In order to evaluate the contribution of the neurobehavioral tests battery in the diagnosis of mercurialism, a cross sectional study was made with a group of 180 workers exposed to the metallic mercury, that was compared to 180 workers not exposed to the metallic mercury in a same company, respecting the homogenity in relation to the variables of sex, age, schooling and jobs executed. The tests are chosen based on the capacity to detect functional alterations in the central nervous system, particularly in the memory, coordination, perception, attention, emotional states, concentration, speed of movements and precision in performing tasks. The results showed significant statistic differences between the groups in the following tests: mechanical skill of Leon Walther - TAM (discs, counts, dotting); concentration attention battery of Toulose Pieron and Welchsler Adult Intelligence Scale - WAIS (numerical symbols) indicating a deficit in the speed of movements, manual agility, coordination, concentration focus, cognitive efficiency and motor perceptive speed. The tests are instruments of high importance in the diagnosis of mercurialism.

This study explored the effects of environmental and organizational stressors on the health of shiftworkers in a printing company (n = 124). A questionnaire was used to gather data on work history, organizational factors, psychosocial characteristics, medical history, present health, occupational and non-occupational exposures, and lifestyle factors. The perception of environmental and organizational conditions was associated (P < 0.05) with chronic back pain (odds ratio [OR], 1.29), varicose veins (OR, 1.35), allergic rhinitis (OR, 1.27), depression (OR, 1.45), and gastritis (OR, 1.15). Anxiety scores were associated with allergic rhinitis (OR, 1.14) and skin allergy (OR, 1.09). Shiftwork was a significantly risk factor for conjunctivitis (OR, 3.68), depression (OR, 0.23), cardiac arrhythmia (OR, 7.13), and gastritis (OR, 4.38). Other associations included tenure and chronic back pain (OR, 4.89), toluene exposure and skin allergy (OR, 3.76), worksite and conjunctivitis (OR, 7.0), and worksite and dermatitis (OR, 1.24 to 4.95). The number of hours of exercise per week was associated with varicose veins (OR, 4.33), and alcohol intake was associated with cardiac arrhythmia (OR, 6.74).

The aim of this research was to study metallic mercury poisoning in workers at a light bulb factory in Santo Amaro, São Paulo (Brazil). Visits were made to the factory to check both the work environment and the working conditions. Meetings with the workers took place in order to better understand the production process and how working conditions affect their health. Of the 91 workers investigated, 77 (84.62%) were chronically poisoned. Among chronically poisoned workers, 76 (98.70%) displayed neuropsychological alterations, 69 (75.82%) suffered from neurological impairments, 62 (68.13%) showed pathological findings under clinical examination, and 59 (63.96%) displayed psychiatric disorders.

This research project was undertaken for the purpose of studying poisoning by metallic mercury among workers of an electric lamp factory located in S. Paulo (Brazil). 71 workers were investigated, of whom 61 (85.92%) were chronically poisoned. Exposure period ranged from 4 months to 30 years. The 57 (80.30%) of chronically poisoned workers showed poor psychomotor co-ordination, 56 (78.88%) showed neurological impairments, 51 (71.83%) decreases in memory capacity, 47 (66.20%) pathological findings in the clinical exam, 45 (63.38%) psychiatric disturbances and 37 (52.10%) poor performance in the concentration test.

This research project was undertaken for the purpose of studying poisoning by metallic mercury among workers of an electric lamp factory located in S.Paulo (Brazil). 71 workers were investigated, of whom 61 (85,92%) were chronically poisoned. Exposure period ranged from 4 months to 30 years. The 57 (80.30%) of chronically poisoned workers showed poor psychomotor co-ordination, 56 (78.88%) showed neurological impairments, 51 (71.83%) decreases in memory capacity, 47 (66.20%) pathological findings in the clinical exam, 45 (63.38%) psychiatric disturbances and 37 (52.10%) poor performance in the concentration test.

Objetivou-se estudar a intoxicação por mercúrio metálico em trabalhadores de uma indústria de lâmpadas elétricas no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Foram investigados 71 trabalhadores, dos quais 61 (85,92%) apresentaram quadro de intoxicação crônica por mercúrio. O tempo de exposição dos trabalhadores estudados variou de 4 meses a 30 anos. Dentre os intoxicados foram detectadas alterações de coordenação motora em 57 (80,30%), neurológicas, em 56 (78,88%), de memória, em 51 (71,83%), no exame clínico, em 47 (66,20%), psiquiátricas, em 45 (63,38%) e da atenção concentrada, em 37 (52,10%).

Objetivo: Avalia os efeitos à saúde decorrentes da exposição a níveis pouco elevados de mercúrio metálico e contribui para a facilitação do diagnóstico da intoxicação crônica. Métodos: Realiza estudo transversal em grupo de 180 trabalhadoresexpostos a mercúrio metálico e de 180 não expostos, em indústria de lâmpadas elétricas, respeitando-se a homogeneidade entre os grupos em relação às variáveis sexo, idade escolaridade e funções desenvolvidas. Faz avaliações clínico-neurológicas, dosagem de mercúrio urinário e testes neuropsicológicos. Resultados: O tempo médio de exposição ao mercúrio é de 3,93 anos, sendo que o tempo mínimo é de 2 meses e o máximo de 20 anos. As avaliações ambientais na empresa, para o períodoestudado, mostram valores que variam de 0,000 a 0,083 mg Hg/m cúbico de ar. A média de mercúrio urinário dos expostos é de 31,11, dos não expostos 2,04 micro g/l de urina e o nível máximo de mercúrio de 129,0 micro g/l. Os sinais e sintomasreferidos que apresentam significância estatística são. Tese (Doutorado).