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Journal of Health Economics Sep 2023Extreme heat negatively impacts cognition, learning, and task performance. With increasing global temperatures, workers may therefore be at increased risk of...
Extreme heat negatively impacts cognition, learning, and task performance. With increasing global temperatures, workers may therefore be at increased risk of work-related injuries and illness. This study estimates the effects of temperature on worker health using records spanning 1985-2020 from an Australian mandatory insurance scheme. High temperatures are found to cause significantly more claims, particularly among manual workers in outdoor-based industries. These adverse effects have not diminished across time, with the largest effect observed for the 2015-2020 period, indicating increasing vulnerability to heat. Within occupations, the workers most adversely affected by heat are female, older-aged and higher-earning. Finally, results from firm-level panel analyses show that the percentage increase in claims on hot days is largest at "safer" firms.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Hot Temperature; Occupational Injuries; Australia; Occupational Exposure; Temperature
PubMed: 37562282
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2023.102800 -
Environment International Mar 2024The London Underground (LU) employs over 19,000 staff, some of whom are exposed to elevated concentrations of particulate matter (PM) within the network. This study...
The London Underground (LU) employs over 19,000 staff, some of whom are exposed to elevated concentrations of particulate matter (PM) within the network. This study quantified the occupational exposure of LU staff to subway PM and investigated the possible association with sickness absence (SA). A job exposure matrix to quantify subway PM staff exposure was developed by undertaking measurement campaigns across the LU network. The association between exposure and SA was evaluated using zero-inflated mixed-effects negative binomial models. Staff PM exposure varied by job grade and tasks undertaken. Drivers had the highest exposure over a work shift (mean: 261 µg/m), but concentrations varied significantly by LU line and time the train spent subway. Office staff work in office buildings separate to the LU network and are unexposed to occupational subway PM. They were found to have lower rates of all-cause and respiratory infection SA compared to non-office staff, those who work across the LU network and are occupational exposed to subway PM. Train drivers on five out of eight lines showed higher rates of all-cause SA, but no dose-response relationship was seen. Only drivers from one line showed higher rates of SAs from respiratory infections (incidence rate ratio: 1.24, 95% confidence interval 1.10-1.39). Lower-grade customer service (CS) staff showed higher rates of all-cause and respiratory infection SA compared to higher grade CS staff. Doctor-certified chronic respiratory and cardiovascular SAs were associated with occupational PM exposure in CS staff and drivers. While some groups with higher occupational exposure to subway PM reported higher rates of SA, no evidence suggests that subway PM is the main contributing factor to SA. This is the largest subway study on health effects of occupational PM exposure and may have wider implications for subway workers, contributing to safer working environments.
Topics: Humans; Particulate Matter; Air Pollutants; London; Environmental Monitoring; Occupational Exposure
PubMed: 38484612
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108529 -
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Jul 2023This study investigated occupational risk factors and exposure-response relationships for airway disease among health workers (HWs) exposed to cleaning agents in two...
OBJECTIVES
This study investigated occupational risk factors and exposure-response relationships for airway disease among health workers (HWs) exposed to cleaning agents in two tertiary hospitals in South Africa and Tanzania.
METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, 697 participants completed questionnaire interviews while 654 underwent fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) testing. Asthma Symptom Score (ASS) was computed based on the sum of answers to five questions on asthma-related symptoms in the past 12 months. For exposure-response analyses, cleaning agent-related self-reported exposure variables were categorised into three levels (cleaning product not used; use of a cleaning product for up to 99 min per week and use of a cleaning product for ≥100 min per week).
RESULTS
Asthma-related outcomes (ASS and FeNO) demonstrated positive associations with medical instrument cleaning agents (orthophthalaldehyde and enzymatic cleaners) and tasks (instruments precleaning and changing sterilisation solutions) as well as patient care activities (disinfection prior to procedures and disinfecting wounds). A particularly pronounced dose-response relationship was observed between work-related ocular-nasal symptoms and medical instrument cleaning agents (orthophthalaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, enzymatic cleaners, alcohols and bleach) (OR range: 2.37-4.56) and tasks (OR range: 2.92-4.44). A strong association was also observed between ASS and use of sprays for fixed surface cleaning (mean ratio 2.81; 95% CI 1.41 to 5.59).
CONCLUSIONS
Specific agents for medical instrument disinfection for example, orthophthalaldehyde and enzymatic cleaners, patient care activities and use of sprays are important occupational risk factors for airway disease among HWs.
Topics: Humans; Asthma; Cross-Sectional Studies; Detergents; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Respiration Disorders; Risk Factors; Tertiary Care Centers
PubMed: 37137692
DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2022-108763 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2023Sanitary workers are exposed to a variety of occupational hazards in a variety of working environments, which can result in occupational-related outcomes. As a result,...
INTRODUCTION
Sanitary workers are exposed to a variety of occupational hazards in a variety of working environments, which can result in occupational-related outcomes. As a result, the goal of this review was to identify occupational health and safety outcomes among sanitary workers worldwide.
METHODS
PRISMA was used as flow diagram and PICOS was used review questions. The studies published in English were searched from databases and others methods ranging from 2000 to 2022. Boolean logic (AND, OR), MeSH, and keywords used: (Occupation *OR Job *OR Work) AND (Occupational related respiratory Symptoms *OR Disease) AND [Solid waste collectors (SWCs) *OR Street sweepers (SS) *OR Sewage workers and waste treatment (STWs)] AND (Countries).
RESULTS
A total of 228 studies were identified from 23 countries across the world. Studies were found via PubMed ( = 40), Medline ( = 25), Embase ( = 11) and Global Health ( = 66) and Google scholar ( = 63) and from previous ( = 23). From 8,962 of eligible sanitary workers, about 4,742 (54%), 1714 (19%) and 1,441 (16%) were sewage, sweepers and solid waste workers, respectively. A total study ( = 51) were eligible for occupational health and safety outcomes. Of these, respiratory problems accounted 27 (52%) and Gastroenteritis 14 (27%).
CONCLUSION
Despite a large number of studies to date provides sanitary employees all over the world face occupational-related risks, hence more research is needed to enhance and quantify illness burden among sanitary workers.
Topics: Humans; Occupational Health; Occupational Diseases; Solid Waste; Sanitation; Sewage; Occupational Exposure
PubMed: 38174086
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1304977 -
Journal of Occupational and... 2024Environmental services (EVS) workers are essential to preventing the spread of disease in hospitals. However, their exposure to hazardous chemicals and drugs is... (Review)
Review
Environmental services (EVS) workers are essential to preventing the spread of disease in hospitals. However, their exposure to hazardous chemicals and drugs is understudied. This scoping review will synthesize literature on hazardous chemical exposures and adverse health outcomes among EVS workers to identify research gaps and trends for further investigation. The scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to ensure complete and accurate reporting. The scoping review included 25 studies on occupational exposure to chemicals among EVS workers in hospitals. Most studies focused on exposure to cleaning products, which led to dermal, respiratory, and ocular symptoms, oxidative stress, and inflammation. While personal protective equipment (PPE), training, education, and policies have the potential to enhance safety, further research is required to examine the long-term impacts of exposure and the cost-effectiveness of interventions. Future studies should utilize longitudinal approaches and self-reported data collection methods, such as diaries and interviews, to comprehensively assess exposure risks and develop effective interventions and policies. Future research is needed to understand the potential health risks faced by EVS workers from exposure to chemicals in hospitals. Longitudinal studies with objective exposure assessments and larger sample sizes should be conducted. Policies and interventions must be developed and implemented to improve safe work practices and reduce negative health outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Occupational Exposure; Hazardous Substances; Personnel, Hospital; Hospitals; Outcome Assessment, Health Care
PubMed: 38451466
DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2024.2311870 -
Arhiv Za Higijenu Rada I Toksikologiju 2022Salivary cortisone strongly correlates with serum cortisol, and since it is less invasive to measure salivary cortisone than serum cortisol and easier than to measure...
Salivary cortisone strongly correlates with serum cortisol, and since it is less invasive to measure salivary cortisone than serum cortisol and easier than to measure cortisol in saliva, as its concentrations are much lower, we wanted to compare salivary cortisone and cortisol levels as markers of noise-induced stress reaction. The study included 104 participants aged 19-30 years, 50 of whom were exposed to occupational noise ≥85 dB(A) and 54 non-exposed, control students. All participants took samples of their saliva with Salivette Cortisol synthetic swabs on three consecutive working days first thing in the morning. Salivary cortisone and cortisol levels were determined with high-performance liquid chromatography. In addition, they completed a 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) questionnaire, and occupationally noise-exposed participants also completed the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) questionnaire on occupational psychosocial risks. The exposed participants had significantly higher cortisone (P<0.001) and cortisol (P<0.001) levels than controls, and the correlation between cortisone and cortisol levels in the exposed participants was strong (ϱ =0.692, P<0.001), which suggests that salivary cortisone can replace cortisol measurements in saliva as a more reliable method than salivary cortisol and less invasive than serum cortisol. However, the level of perceived stress scored on PSS-10 in the exposed participants did not differ significantly from stress reported by controls, but correlated negatively with cortisone levels, which is contrary to our expectations and raises questions as to why.
Topics: Humans; Cortisone; Hydrocortisone; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Occupational Exposure
PubMed: 38146755
DOI: 10.2478/aiht-2023-74-3785 -
European Journal of Epidemiology Jan 2024Numerous epidemiologic studies and a few systematic reviews have investigated the association between occupational solar exposure and basal cell carcinoma (BCC).... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Numerous epidemiologic studies and a few systematic reviews have investigated the association between occupational solar exposure and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). However, previous reviews have several deficits with regard to included and excluded studies/risk estimates and the assessment of risk of selection bias (RoSB). Our aim was to review epidemiologic studies with a focus on these deficits and to use meta-(regression) analyses to summarize risk estimates.
METHODS
We systematically searched PubMed (including MEDLINE) and Embase for epidemiologic studies. Study evaluation considered four main aspects of risk of bias assessments, i.e. Selection of subjects (selection bias); Exposure variables; Outcome variables; Data analysis.
RESULTS
Of 56 identified references, 32 were used for meta-(regression) analyses. The overall pooled risk estimate for BCC comparing high/present vs. low/absent occupational solar exposure was 1.20 (95% CI 1.02-1.43); among studies without major deficits regarding data analysis, it was 1.10 (95% CI 0.91-1.33). Studies with low and high RoSB had pooled risk estimates of 0.83 (95% CI 0.73-0.93) and 1.95 (95% CI 1.42-2.67), respectively. The definitions of exposure and outcome variables were not correlated with study risk estimates. Studies with low RoSB in populations with the same latitude or lower than Germany had a pooled risk estimate of 1.01 (95% CI 0.88-1.15).
CONCLUSION
Due to the different associations between occupational solar exposure and BCC among studies with low and high RoSB, we reason that the current epidemiologic evidence base does not permit the conclusion that regular outdoor workers have an increased risk of BCC.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Basal Cell; Germany; Occupational Exposure; Selection Bias; Skin Neoplasms
PubMed: 38170370
DOI: 10.1007/s10654-023-01061-w -
Military Medicine Nov 2023To address the military gap in the standardized collection of lifetime blast exposures across clinical and research endeavors, researchers at the National Intrepid...
INTRODUCTION
To address the military gap in the standardized collection of lifetime blast exposures across clinical and research endeavors, researchers at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) completed a quality improvement project that utilized systematic, iterative focus groups that leveraged the input from various stakeholders including subject matter experts, clinical providers, and service members (SMs) to develop a comprehensive, self-report blast exposure inventory that could be completed within 5-10 minutes. This manuscript outlines the process of the development of this inventory.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This project included three phases of focus groups that occurred at the NICoE between August 2020 and March 2021 to collect feedback and input from relevant military stakeholders. The study team utilized related assessments available in the literature, together with clinical experience with the NICoE patient population, to inform the development of an initial draft inventory. Phase 1 consisted of blast injury research subject matter experts who had extensive experience researching and providing clinical care to SMs exposed to blast. Phase 2 consisted of NICoE clinicians across numerous clinical specialties. Phase 3 included current active duty patients in the NICoE intensive outpatient program.
RESULTS
Following completion of the focus groups, a lifetime blast exposure inventory was developed in the form of a single page table including incoming, outgoing, training, and operational exposures and broken down by levels of weapon systems as well as breaching and explosive ordnance disposal exposures. In addition, select questions related to the first and most recent blast exposures and experience as an instructor for explosive ordnance disposal- and breaching-related training were included.
CONCLUSIONS
Researchers at the NICoE developed a self-report blast exposure inventory through a quality improvement project that included active, ongoing participation and feedback of clinical experts and military SMs. The end result is a brief, single page inventory that can be administered within 5-10 minutes. Although additional research is needed to refine and validate the inventory, the project team believes that the tool begins to address a long-standing gap in the DoD in the standardized collection of lifetime blast exposures.
Topics: Humans; Self Report; Explosions; Blast Injuries; Longitudinal Studies; Military Personnel; Occupational Exposure
PubMed: 35855546
DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usac212 -
Zhonghua Lao Dong Wei Sheng Zhi Ye Bing... Sep 2023Metal working fluidis widely used as coolant, lubricant and rust remover in mechanical processing. Oil mist will be formed in the process of metal working fluid. The... (Review)
Review
Metal working fluidis widely used as coolant, lubricant and rust remover in mechanical processing. Oil mist will be formed in the process of metal working fluid. The composition of oil mist is complex, which can produce many adverse effects on the environment and operators. This paper reviews the health hazards of metal working fluid oil mist on human skin, respiratory system, teratogenic and carcinogenic aspects, and discusses the establishment of occupational exposure limits in workplaces of oil mist in foreign countries, in order to provide reference for the prevention and control of occupational health risks of metal working fluid oil mist and the establishment of occupational exposure limits of oil mist in workplaces in China.
Topics: Humans; Air Pollutants, Occupational; Environmental Monitoring; Occupational Exposure; Carcinogens; Workplace
PubMed: 37805436
DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn121094-20220610-00313 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jan 2024Aluminum is increasingly used in various industrial processes due to its beneficial properties. Occupational exposure to aluminum, however, has been linked to several... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Aluminum is increasingly used in various industrial processes due to its beneficial properties. Occupational exposure to aluminum, however, has been linked to several adverse health effects. The impact of occupational aluminum exposure on worker's cognitive performance and its contribution in developing neurodegenerative diseases is highly discussed with competing results.
METHOD
We conducted a literature search via online databases until June 2023. Applicable studies fulfilling inclusion criteria investigating the effects of occupational aluminum exposure on cognitive functions were gathered. Results were aggregated using random effects meta-analysis and the effect size g. We further explored types of publication biases, moderating variables and exposure-effect relationships using meta-regressions.
RESULTS
The final sample consisted of 18 studies with 87 effect sizes for seven cognitive functions. We found significant worse performances in workers occupationally exposed to aluminum regarding processing speed, working memory, attention, and reaction time after exclusion of outliers. Additionally, we found increased blood plasma aluminum significantly predicting decreased cognitive performance in exposed workers.
CONCLUSION
Our results show decreased performance levels in processing speed, working memory, attention and reaction time in workers occupationally exposed to aluminum compared to controls. Furthermore, we found that aluminum in blood plasma was the only biomarker as significant predictor of cognitive performance. We discuss recommendations for further research in relation to occupational health and safety. Finally, we extend the discourse between occupational aluminum exposure and development of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease.
Topics: Humans; Aluminum; Occupational Exposure; Cognition; Processing Speed; Neurodegenerative Diseases
PubMed: 37777128
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167453