[A study on the peripheral circulatory function and on the cold pressor response in chain saw operators (author's...

Among the vibration hazards resulting from the use of vibrating tools, Raynaud's phenomenon, the peripheral nervous disturbances and the bone-joint abnormalities have been well known. Especially, Raynaud's phenomenon, which is explained as a spasm of the peripheral vascular vessels caused by disorders of the peripheral nerves or abnormalities of the arteriolae, represents the peripheral circulatory disturbance. In the worker with such a disorder of the peripheral circulatory function, it is likely that the mechanism of the cold pressor response would have been changed. The authors examined the relationship between the peripheral circulatory function and the cold pressor response in 51 chain saw operators. The following examinations were carried out: skin temperature, nail-press test and cold pressor test by 10-minute-immersion in 10 degrees C water. There was statistically an inverse correlation (r=-0.316, P < 0.025) between the increase in systolic blood pressure at the second minute during immersion and the mean skin temperature of the finger-tip during the latter half of 10-minute-immersion. It would be surmised from this result that the worker with lower peripheral circulatory function tends to increase the excitability in the sympathetic nervous system.