The ageing rate of workers engaged in chrome ore processing

BACKGROUND: According to the modern concept of occupational medicine adopted by the World Health Organization, relationship between health and work is fully established while the levels of physical, chemical and biological harmful production factors can be considered as causative factors of occupational diseases. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research is to determine the aging rate of at risk workers engaged in chrome ore processing in order to increase their health status and quality of life. METHODS: Biological age (BA) of workers was calculated by measuring the blood pressure, static balance (SB), respiratory rate (RR) and by a questionnaire survey on subjective health assessment (SHA). RESULTS: Based on the workplace certification, we have selected unfavorable professions to assess the rate of aging. We have determined the aging rate, according to which biological age exceeds the official age of workers engaged in chrome ore processing in harmful working conditions. CONCLUSIONS: In harmful working conditions, the aging rate accelerates manifesting in at risk worker's health status with BA-PBA ratio in the range from 2.6 to 7.9 years. Regulators, crusher attendants and refractory men, who work in unfavorable climate, should be the leading professional occupations in terms of proper biological age (PBA) monitoring.