Vibration induced white finger

Vibration of the chest may create breathing difficulties. Vibration of the hands when using jack hammers and similar equipment can produce vibration-induced white finger or Raynaud s syndrome. Chapter 13 discussed this cumulative trauma disorder. 

Chatterjee, D. S. 1978. Prevalence of vibration-induced white-finger in flourospar miners. British Journal of Industrial Medicine, 35, 208-218. 

Olsen N (1988) Vibration-induced white finger. Physiological and clinical aspects (thesis). Copenhagen, Laegeforeningens Forlag... 

Olsen N (1990) Hyperreactivity of the central sympathetic nervous system in vibration induced white finger. Kurume Med J 37[Suppl] i09-ii6... 

Taylor W, Pelmear P, Pearson J (1975) Vibration-induced white finger epidemiology. In Taylor W, Pelmear P (eds) Vibration white finger in industry. Academic Press, London, PP 1-13... 

The use of vibratory hand tools, such as chipping hammers and drills which operate at higher frequencies, can cause vibration induced white finger. The vibration causes the blood vessels to contract and restrict the blood supply to the fingers creating an effect similar to the fingers being cold. 

Stonemasons are at risk of hand-arm vibration when using chipping hammers, angle grinders, drills, disk cutters, air rammers and abrasive wheels. Vibration-induced vasospastic disease, such as vibration white finger, or bone and joint disorders, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, are the most common diseases [8-10]. Damage to blood circulation, nerves and muscles may influence occupational skin disease. 

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