polygonum wrote:
On Tue, 14 Aug 2012 20:49:32 +0100, Bob Eager wrote:

On Tue, 14 Aug 2012 19:48:46 +0100, newshound wrote:

When I had my last "work" medical, the consultant was lamenting the fact
that she wasn't allowed to use a mercury sphygmomanometer at NHS
hospitals any more and had had to go over to an electronic one, which
she regarded as a poor substitute.

My GP (who is pretty 'up to date') prefers a mercury one and still uses
such.


Pity the people who maintain them:


Description:
A 37-year-old man worked for up to 60hr a week for 3yr in a small, hot,
poorly ventilated room (volume 140 cu.m (approx)). He spent 5-10% of his
time repairing sphygmomanometers containing mercury. For a year he
complained of worsening neuropsychiatric symptoms including tremor,
forgetfulness and irritability. A 24-hour urine collection showed
mercury conc of 200 nmol/mmol creatinine (400microg/g). As his urinary
mercury conc fell to more normal values his symptoms improved. 3 other
workers working in the same premises were also found to have elevated
urinary mercury levels, but no symptoms. Examination of the premises
showed contamination of work surfaces. Decontamination was tried, but
6mo afterwards an environmental survey showed levels in the workshop to
be 6 to 10 times the recommended limit. Other sphygmomanometer workshops
in Scotland were examined and similar deficiencies found. In 2 premises
work was prohibited until the deficiencies had been remedied.

http://www.evidence.nhs.uk/document?...hygmomanometer



37-year-old man worked for up to 60hr a week for 3yr in a small, hot,
poorly ventilated room (volume 140 cu.m (approx)).
......

....Symptoms including tremor, forgetfulness and irritability.

well, irrespective of the mercury I AM NOT SURPRISED.



--
Ineptocracy

(in-ep-toc-ra-cy) €“ a system of government where the least capable to
lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the
members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are
rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a
diminishing number of producers.