Beijing Strengthens Monitoring of Occupational DiseasesThe Beijing Municipal Health Bureau has decided to strengthen and broaden the monitoring and prevention of occupational diseases.The decision was made in response to the appearance of new occupational diseases, such as neurasthenia, weak eyesight and other office syndromes, in the Chinese capital in recent years. Statistics show that as a result of the adjustment in the industrial structure, knowledge-based service industries now account for nearly 60 percent of the city's total. Some 90 percent of traditional industries have, through reform and technological innovation, turned to high-tech industries such as the electronic information, bio-medicine, new materials and aviation. The change has brought about new occupational diseases that constitute a major threat to people's health. According to the decision of the municipal health bureau, in addition to the monitoring of former occupational diseases, more attention will be extended to monitoring the health of people who work in environments with computer screens, electromagnetism, microwaves, high and low temperatures and vibrations. Surveys and testing on occupational harm and hygiene evaluations will be carried out in the industries of electronics, software, printing, space travel, petrochemicals, bio-medicine, and chemistry, according to the decision. |
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