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Experimental Oncology Oct 2023The widespread introduction of nuclear technologies in industry, medicine, science, etc. increases the number of professionals subjected to additional radiation...
The widespread introduction of nuclear technologies in industry, medicine, science, etc. increases the number of professionals subjected to additional radiation exposure. Moreover, the problem of occupational cancer is the most complicated in occupational pathology due to the multifactorial nature of the etiology of this disease. The radiation accidents in Chornobyl and Fukushima-1 showed that nuclear reactors cannot guarantee absolutely safe operation. At present, the threat of nuclear terrorism is increasing. Occupational radiation exposure and its consequences are also of great concern worldwide. Based on the literature data and our own studies on the effects of various types of radiation exposure, especially stochastic effects of radiation, it seems reasonable to develop a scientific basis for the optimization of radiation protection of various categories of population, first of all, medical personnel and patients. The complex assessment of radiation risks and reconstruction of the total ionizing radiation dose from all types of irradiation will allow optimizing radiation protection of the population and reducing carcinogenic risk..
Topics: Humans; Carcinogenesis; Radiation Dosage; Radiation, Ionizing; Occupational Exposure
PubMed: 37824777
DOI: 10.15407/exp-oncology.2023.02.151 -
Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil) 2023
Topics: Humans; Pesticides; Risk Assessment; Occupational Exposure; Environmental Exposure
PubMed: 37480641
DOI: 10.1016/j.clinsp.2023.100249 -
Disease-a-month : DM Oct 2023
Topics: Humans; Blood-Borne Pathogens; Health Personnel; Occupational Exposure
PubMed: 36357236
DOI: 10.1016/j.disamonth.2022.101498 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2023Additive manufacturing is a novel state-of-the art technology with significant economic and practical advantages, including the ability to produce complex structures on...
INTRODUCTION
Additive manufacturing is a novel state-of-the art technology with significant economic and practical advantages, including the ability to produce complex structures on demand while reducing the need of stocking materials and products. Additive manufacturing is a technology that is here to stay; however, new technologies bring new challenges, not only technical but also from an occupational health and safety perspective. Herein, leading Swedish companies using metal additive manufacturing were studied with the aim of investigating occupational exposure and the utility of chosen exposure- and clinical markers as predictors of potential exposure-related health risks.
METHODS
Exposure levels were investigated by analysis of airborne dust and metals, alongside particle counting instruments measuring airborne particles in the range of 10 nm-10 μm to identify dusty work tasks. Health examinations were performed on a total of 48 additive manufacturing workers and 39 controls. All participants completed a questionnaire, underwent spirometry, and blood and urine sampling. A subset underwent further lung function tests.
RESULTS
Exposure to inhalable dust and metals were low, but particle counting instruments identified specific work tasks with high particle emissions. Examined health parameters were well within reference values on a group level. However, statistical analysis implied an impact on workers kidney function and possible airway inflammation.
CONCLUSION
The methodology was successful for investigating exposure-related health risks in additive manufacturing. However, most participants have been working <5 years. Therefore, long-term studies are needed before we can conclusively accept or reject the observed effects on health.
Topics: Humans; Air Pollutants, Occupational; Occupational Exposure; Dust; Surveys and Questionnaires; Health Surveys
PubMed: 38054074
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1292420 -
Journal of Exposure Science &... Sep 2023Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) comprise a large group of chemicals that have been integrated into a wide variety of industrial processes and consumer... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) comprise a large group of chemicals that have been integrated into a wide variety of industrial processes and consumer products since the 1950s. Due to their profuse usage and high persistence in human serum, understanding workplace exposures to PFAS is critical.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to characterize the PFAS exposure profiles of relevant occupational populations, elucidate trends in the PFAS exposure characterization process, and identify major research gaps that remain within the occupational PFAS exposure literature.
METHODS
A systematic search of four literature databases for peer-reviewed articles published between 1980 and 2021 on PFAS exposure in occupational settings was conducted.
RESULTS
Of the 2574 articles identified, 92 met the inclusion criteria. Fluorochemical workers were the target population in most early exposure assessment research; however, studies conducted within the last 10 years have evaluated a wider range of occupational populations and settings. The highest exposures were reported in fluorochemical workers, but, in comparison to reference populations, one or more PFAS were elevated in most workers and in most workplaces that were assessed. PFAS was most frequently assessed in worker serum using a discrete analytical panel of PFAS, with earlier studies restricted to a few long-alkyl chain PFAS while more recent studies have included more expansive panels due to more robust methods.
SIGNIFICANCE
Characterization of occupational exposure to PFAS is limited but expanding. Current analytical methods are not robust enough to fully capture the potential range of PFAS present across different workers and workplaces. While exposures to PFAS for certain occupational groups have been studied in detail, exposure information for other occupational groups with high potential for exposure are limited. This review highlights substantial findings and major research gaps within the occupational literature.
Topics: Humans; Fluorocarbons; Occupational Exposure
PubMed: 36977833
DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00536-y -
Environmental Health : a Global Access... Nov 2023Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecological tumour in developed countries and disease burden is expected to increase over the years. Identifying modifiable risk...
BACKGROUND
Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecological tumour in developed countries and disease burden is expected to increase over the years. Identifying modifiable risk factors may help developing strategies to reduce the expected increasing incidence of these neoplasms.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluates the association between occupational exposure to pesticides and endometrial cancer using data from a recent case-control study in Spain.
METHODS
The analyses included data from 174 consecutive incident endometrial cancer cases and 216 hospital controls frequency-matched by age. Data were collected through structured epidemiological questionnaires and exposure to pesticides was assessed using a Spanish job-exposure matrix (MatEmESp).
RESULTS
Overall, 12% of controls and 18% of cases were occupationally exposed to pesticides. We observed a positive association between occupational exposure to pesticides and endometrial cancer (OR = 2.08; 95% CI = 1.13-3.88 compared to non-exposed). In general, exposures that occurred farther in the past were significantly associated with endometrial cancer. Exposure to insecticides, fungicides and herbicides were positively associated with endometrial cancer (OR = 2.08; 95% CI = 1.13-3.88, OR = 4.40; 95% CI = 1.65-13.33, and OR = 5.25; 95% CI = 1.84-17.67, respectively). The agricultural, poultry and livestock activities scenario was associated with endometrial cancer (OR = 4.16; 95% CI = 1.59-12.32), while the cleaning exposure scenario was not (OR = 1.22; 95% CI = 0.55-2.67).
CONCLUSIONS
Assessment of occupational exposure to pesticides assessed using a Spanish job-exposure matrix revealed a positive association with endometrial cancer. The elucidation of the role of pesticide compounds on endometrial cancer should shed a light on the aetiology of this tumour.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pesticides; Case-Control Studies; Fungicides, Industrial; Risk Factors; Endometrial Neoplasms; Occupational Exposure
PubMed: 37919733
DOI: 10.1186/s12940-023-01028-0 -
Annual Review of Public Health May 2024Climate change poses a significant occupational health hazard. Rising temperatures and more frequent heat waves are expected to cause increasing heat-related morbidity... (Review)
Review
Climate change poses a significant occupational health hazard. Rising temperatures and more frequent heat waves are expected to cause increasing heat-related morbidity and mortality for workers across the globe. Agricultural, construction, military, firefighting, mining, and manufacturing workers are at particularly high risk for heat-related illness (HRI). Various factors, including ambient temperatures, personal protective equipment, work arrangements, physical exertion, and work with heavy equipment may put workers at higher risk for HRI. While extreme heat will impact workers across the world, workers in low- and middle-income countries will be disproportionately affected. Tracking occupational HRI will be critical to informing prevention and mitigation strategies. Renewed investment in these strategies, including workplace heat prevention programs and regulatory standards for indoor and outdoor workers, will be needed. Additional research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions in order to successfully reduce the risk of HRI in the workplace.
Topics: Humans; Heat Stress Disorders; Occupational Diseases; Extreme Heat; Occupational Exposure; Occupational Health; Climate Change; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38166501
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-060222-034715 -
Circulation Research Apr 2024Wildfire smoke (WFS) is a mixture of respirable particulate matter, environmental gases, and other hazardous pollutants that originate from the unplanned burning of arid... (Review)
Review
Wildfire smoke (WFS) is a mixture of respirable particulate matter, environmental gases, and other hazardous pollutants that originate from the unplanned burning of arid vegetation during wildfires. The increasing size and frequency of recent wildfires has escalated public and occupational health concerns regarding WFS inhalation, by either individuals living nearby and downstream an active fire or wildland firefighters and other workers that face unavoidable exposure because of their profession. In this review, we first synthesize current evidence from environmental, controlled, and interventional human exposure studies, to highlight positive associations between WFS inhalation and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Motivated by these findings, we discuss preventative measures and suggest interventions to mitigate the cardiovascular impact of wildfires. We then review animal and cell exposure studies to call attention on the pathophysiological processes that support the deterioration of cardiovascular tissues and organs in response to WFS inhalation. Acknowledging the challenges of integrating evidence across independent sources, we contextualize laboratory-scale exposure approaches according to the biological processes that they model and offer suggestions for ensuring relevance to the human condition. Noting that wildfires are significant contributors to ambient air pollution, we compare the biological responses triggered by WFS to those of other harmful pollutants. We also review evidence for how WFS inhalation may trigger mechanisms that have been proposed as mediators of adverse cardiovascular effects upon exposure to air pollution. We finally conclude by highlighting research areas that demand further consideration. Overall, we aspire for this work to serve as a catalyst for regulatory initiatives to mitigate the adverse cardiovascular effects of WFS inhalation in the community and alleviate the occupational risk in wildland firefighters.
Topics: Humans; Wildfires; Animals; Cardiovascular Diseases; Smoke; Inhalation Exposure; Air Pollutants; Particulate Matter; Occupational Exposure; Environmental Exposure
PubMed: 38662865
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.124.323614 -
Military Medicine Jul 2023Nonionizing radiation (NIR) is considered "possibly carcinogenic to humans," and therefore, exposure of young military personnel raises concerns regarding increased risk...
INTRODUCTION
Nonionizing radiation (NIR) is considered "possibly carcinogenic to humans," and therefore, exposure of young military personnel raises concerns regarding increased risk for cancer. The aim of our study was to compare the cancer incidence in exposed and nonexposed populations in order to gain better understanding of their risk.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A longitudinal retrospective cohort study, between 2009 and 2018, was conducted. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) aerial defense units service members, with NIR exposure (range of 2-300 GHz, below the International Commission of Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection guidelines), were compared with a similar sociodemographic group of service members without NIR exposure. Both groups were followed for cancer incidence (all-cause and specific malignancies). Kaplan-Meier analysis of cancer-free survival and univariate and multivariable logistic regressions for possible confounders and risk factors were performed. This analysis was repeated on a matched 1:1 control group.
RESULTS
Exposure and comparison groups included 3,825 and 11,049 individuals, respectively. Forty-one cases diagnosed with cancer were identified during the follow-up time (mean 4.8 [±2.7] years), 13 (0.34%) of which were reported in the exposure group, and 28 (0.25%) were reported in the comparison group. The odds ratio (OR) for cancer incidence in the exposure vs. control groups was 1.34 (95%CI, 0.70-2.60), P-value = 0.3807. The results remained unchanged after adjustment for sex, age at enrollment, service length, socioeconomic status, and military occupation (adjOR = 1.38 [95%CI, 0.67-2.82], P = 0.3818).
CONCLUSIONS
Our study did not find an increased short-term risk for cancer in young adults exposed to NIR radiation as compared with unexposed young adults.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Israel; Occupational Exposure; Retrospective Studies; Adult; Incidence; Risk Factors; Neoplasms; Radiation, Nonionizing; Longitudinal Studies; Cohort Studies; Military Personnel; Logistic Models; Young Adult; Odds Ratio
PubMed: 36734118
DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usad020 -
Epidemiologia E Prevenzione 2023
Topics: Humans; Italy; Environmental Exposure; Occupational Exposure; Occupational Health
PubMed: 38639294
DOI: 10.19191/EP23.6.S3.002