Citation

Gottlieb J. Arctic Med. Res. 1990; 49(4): 195-197.

Affiliation

Medical District of Maarmorilik, Greenland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, Nordic Council for Arctic Medical Research)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2278599

Abstract

315 persons represented 708 consecutive episodes of illness during a one year period. 13% of the episodes and 22% of all days of sick leave were due to occupational reasons. The most frequent occupational complaints were hearing-impairment and back pain. The most frequent type of occupational injury were lesions of the eyes, hands and wrists. Only 32% of all occupational episodes were notified to the authorities of health and safety at work as the work was resumed at least the day after the injury in 73% of the cases. The surveillance of blood lead concentration worked satisfactorily. Only one employee was a suspected victim of lead poisoning. The modest medical equipment and the isolated character of the mine village made it necessary to refer patients for further treatment elsewhere in 14% of the cases.

Language: en