A decrease in the prevalence and severity of vibration-induced white fingers among lumberjacks in Finland.

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Abstract
Lumberjacks (187) in eastern Finland and 582 lumberjacks (in 2 groups of 501 and 81) in different parts of Finland were studied. In the 1st part of the study with 187 lumberjacks the prevalence of vibration-induced white fingers (VWF) was decreased from 40% in 1972 to 25% in 1975. Retrospectively, the attacks of VWF became more common after 1965, the number of attacks being highest in 1970-1972. The severity of VWF among men who still had attacks was reduced in 1975 in comparison to 1972. The latent period of VWF was about 5500 chainsaw operating hours, which corresponds to 5 yr of operating time, born in 1972 and in 1975. In the 2nd part of the study 40% of 501 lumberjacks had symptoms indicating VWF during the last 2 yr. The severity of VWF was reduced in half of the subjects with VWF, but the reduction was not as marked as in the 1st part of the study. Numbness of hands and arms was present in more than half of the subjects in both phases of the study. No evident relief of this symptom occurred during the follow-up period. The most probable reason for the decrease in the prevalence of VWF appeared to be the vibration damping of chain saws introduced in 1969. In part 2 of the study 81 lumberjacks used only antivibration saws. The prevalence of VWF among them was 16% after an exposure time which equaled the mean latent period of VWF.

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