scholarly journals A Wearable Electrochemical Gas Sensor for Ammonia Detection

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (23) ◽  
pp. 7905
Author(s):  
Martina Serafini ◽  
Federica Mariani ◽  
Isacco Gualandi ◽  
Francesco Decataldo ◽  
Luca Possanzini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Sensor ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Self Healing ◽  
Emergency Responders ◽  
Mechanical Deformations ◽  
Plastic Foil ◽  
Electrochemically Deposited ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Analytical Response

The next future strategies for improved occupational safety and health management could largely benefit from wearable and Internet of Things technologies, enabling the real-time monitoring of health-related and environmental information to the wearer, to emergency responders, and to inspectors. The aim of this study is the development of a wearable gas sensor for the detection of NH3 at room temperature based on the organic semiconductor poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), electrochemically deposited iridium oxide particles, and a hydrogel film. The hydrogel composition was finely optimised to obtain self-healing properties, as well as the desired porosity, adhesion to the substrate, and stability in humidity variations. Its chemical structure and morphology were characterised by infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, respectively, and were found to play a key role in the transduction process and in the achievement of a reversible and selective response. The sensing properties rely on a potentiometric-like mechanism that significantly differs from most of the state-of-the-art NH3 gas sensors and provides superior robustness to the final device. Thanks to the reliability of the analytical response, the simple two-terminal configuration and the low power consumption, the PEDOT:PSS/IrOx Ps/hydrogel sensor was realised on a flexible plastic foil and successfully tested in a wearable configuration with wireless connectivity to a smartphone. The wearable sensor showed stability to mechanical deformations and good analytical performances, with a sensitivity of 60 ± 8 μA decade−1 in a wide concentration range (17–7899 ppm), which includes the safety limits set by law for NH3 exposure.

Survey on an acute occupational poisoning event caused by simple asphyxiating gas

2020 ◽  
pp. 30-33
Author(s):  
L. Huang ◽  
Ya. Lai ◽  
Yi. Yang
Keyword(s):  
Hydrochloric Acid ◽  
Oxygen Content ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Safety Training ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Conflict Of Interests ◽  
Exposure Limit ◽  
Gas Poisoning ◽  
Injured Patients

Objective. To provide a basis for the effective prevention of the same type of poisoning events through analyzing the causes of an occupational acute simple asphyxiating gas poisoning incident.Method. Descriptive epidemiological method was used to investigate the related personnel of the poisoning incident, detect poisonous and harmful gases in the air of the scene, and collect and analyze the clinical data of patients.Result. The poisoning incident led to 1 death and 2 poisoning. All of them were male. The dead patient was 38 years old, and two injured patients were 37 and 31 years old, respectively. The day after the accident, the contents of phenol, toluene, hydrochloric acid and oxygen were determined in the reactor where the accident occurred. The results showed that the maximum concentration of phenol, toluene and hydrochloric acid (CM) was 0/m3 , which did not exceed the occupational exposure limit of harmful factors in the workplace stipulated by GBZ2.1–2007. Also, the oxygen content was 10.0%, which was lower than the oxygen content in normal air.Conclusion. This is an acute simple asphyxiating gas poisoning incident caused by the employing unit managers and operators’ weak awareness of occupational hygiene and safe operation. The employing unit managers and operators should strengthen occupational safety training, strictly implement the occupational health management system, and prevent such incidents.Funding. Th e study had no funding.Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Conducting Worksite Investigations

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce P. Bernard
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Employee Health ◽  
Hazard Evaluation ◽  
Workplace Hazards ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Workplace Conditions ◽  
Safety And Health

This chapter focuses on conducting worksite investigations, including walkthrough surveys, and provides occupational health and safety personnel, employees, and employers the opportunity to identify and assess current workplace conditions and employee health concerns and make recommendations on how to reduce or eliminate any identified workplace hazards. The methods described cover ways to implement corrective actions necessary for preventing future adverse incidents and to identify shortcomings in safety and health management programs. Various specific examples are provided. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Hazard Evaluation Program, which has experience with all types of workplace hazards, is described. Preparing for and conducting workplace investigations is described in detail.

scholarly journals Promoting Problem Solving About Health Management: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Evaluation of a Digital Health Intervention for Older Adults With Pre-Frailty and Frailty

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 233372142098568
Author(s):  
Annie T. Chen ◽  
Frances Chu ◽  
Andrew K. Teng ◽  
Soojeong Han ◽  
Shih-Yin Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Health Related

Background: There is a need for interventions to promote health management of older adults with pre-frailty and frailty. Technology poses promising solutions, but questions exist about effective delivery. Objectives: We present the results of a mixed-methods pilot evaluation of Virtual Online Communities for Older Adults (VOCALE), an 8-week intervention conducted in the northwestern United States, in which participants shared health-related experiences and applied problem solving skills in a Facebook group. Methods: We performed a mixed-methods process evaluation, integrating quantitative and qualitative data, to characterize the intervention and its effects. We focus on four areas: health-related measures (health literacy and self-efficacy), participation, problem solving skills enacted, and subjective feedback. Results: Eight older adults with pre-frailty and frailty (age = 82.7 ± 6.6 years) completed the study. There was an upward trend in health literacy and health self-efficacy post-intervention. Participants posted at least two times per week. Content analysis of 210 posts showed participants were able to apply the problem solving skills taught, and exit interviews showed participants’ increased awareness of the need to manage health, and enjoyment in learning about others. Conclusion: This mixed-methods evaluation provides insight into feasibility and design considerations for online interventions to promote health management among vulnerable older adults.

An exploration of high school students’ perspectives on critical thinking and creativity in the Health Management and Social Care subject

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-97
Author(s):  
Zenobia C.Y. Chan
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Health Management ◽  
School Students ◽  
Public Examination ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Senior Secondary

Abstract This study explored students’ perspectives on the abilities acquired through a subject called Health Management and Social Care (HMSC), which was launched under Hong Kong’s new senior secondary curriculum. The first public examination for the subject was conducted in 2012. A qualitative design was adopted in the present study, with focus group interviews carried out with 123 students recruited from seven schools. Two major themes were identified via content analysis: (i) critical thinking and creativity in HMSC; and (ii) applications of critical thinking and creativity in HMSC with two subthemes (a) health/social care promotions on campus and (b) social services in communities. Both the implications and limitations of the study for health-related subjects were discussed.

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