-
Critical Reviews in Toxicology Nov 2022Existing literature suggests an association between chronic cadmium (Cd) exposure and the induction of DNA damage and genotoxicity. However, observations from individual... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Existing literature suggests an association between chronic cadmium (Cd) exposure and the induction of DNA damage and genotoxicity. However, observations from individual studies are inconsistent and conflicting. Therefore current systematic review aimed to pool evidence from existing literature to synthesize quantitative and qualitative corroboration on the association between markers of genotoxicity and occupational Cd exposed population. Studies that evaluated markers of DNA damage among occupationally Cd-exposed and unexposed workers were selected after a systematic literature search. The DNA damage markers included were chromosomal aberrations (chromosomal, chromatid, sister chromatid exchange), Micronucleus (MN) frequency in mono and binucleated cells (MN with condensed chromatin, lobed nucleus, nuclear buds, mitotic index, nucleoplasmatic bridges, pyknosis, and karyorrhexis), comet assay (tail intensity, tail length, tail moment, and olive tail moment), and oxidative DNA damage (8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine). Mean differences or standardized mean differences were pooled using a random-effects model. The Cochran- test and statistic were used to monitor heterogeneity among included studies. Twenty-nine studies with 3080 occupationally Cd-exposed and 1807 unexposed workers were included in the review. Cd among the exposed group was higher in blood [4.77 μg/L (-4.94-14.48)] and urine samples [standardized mean difference 0.47 (0.10-0.85)] than in the exposed group. The Cd exposure is positively associated with higher levels of DNA damage characterized by increased frequency of MN [7.35 (-0.32-15.02)], sister chromatid exchange [20.30 (4.34-36.26)], chromosomal aberrations, and oxidative DNA damage (comet assay and 8OHdG [0.41 (0.20-0.63)]) compared to the unexposed. However, with considerable between-study heterogeneity. Chronic Cd exposure is associated with augmented DNA damage. However, more extensive longitudinal studies with adequate sample sizes are necessary to assist the current observations and promote comprehension of the Cd's role in inducing DNA damage. CRD42022348874.
Topics: Humans; Cadmium; Micronucleus Tests; Occupational Exposure; DNA Damage; Chromosome Aberrations
PubMed: 36802997
DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2023.2173557 -
Reviews on Environmental Health Mar 2022Several studies on the health effects of heat exposure on workers have been reported; however, only few studies have summarized the overall and systematic health effects... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Several studies on the health effects of heat exposure on workers have been reported; however, only few studies have summarized the overall and systematic health effects of heat exposure on workers. This study aims to review the scientific reports on the health status of workers exposed to high temperatures in the workplace.
METHODS
We reviewed literature from databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar, using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to identify studies that address health effects of heat exposure among workers.
RESULTS
In total, 459 articles were identified, and finally, 47 articles were selected. Various health effects of heat exposure on workers have been reported, such as heat-related diseases, deaths, accidents or injuries, effects on the urinary system, reproductive system, and on the psychological system.
CONCLUSIONS
Our review suggests that many workers are vulnerable to heat exposure, and this has a health effect on workers.
Topics: Hot Temperature; Humans; Occupational Exposure; Occupational Health; Workplace
PubMed: 33752272
DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2020-0158 -
Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology... Jun 2023The Lower Olefins and Aromatics (LOA) REACH Consortium, which includes toluene registrants in the EU, established a Working Group (WG) to conduct a review of the... (Review)
Review
The Lower Olefins and Aromatics (LOA) REACH Consortium, which includes toluene registrants in the EU, established a Working Group (WG) to conduct a review of the occupational exposure limit (OEL) for toluene. The review focussed on CNS and neuro-behavioural toxicity, ototoxicity, effects on colour vision, reproductive and developmental effects, as safety signals for these effects were identified. The WG also examined the need for a skin notation and/or a short-term exposure limit (STEL). The WG critically reviewed and discussed the strengths and weaknesses of the available published information describing the effects of toluene in animals and humans, to assess its adequacy as a potential point of departure for the establishment of an OEL for toluene and to derive an OEL. As a result, the WG recommendation for a toluene OEL is 20 ppm 8-h TWA, with a 15-min STEL of 100 ppm and a skin notation.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Toluene; Occupational Exposure; Threshold Limit Values
PubMed: 37169161
DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2023.105387 -
The Science of the Total Environment Nov 2022Telomere length is a common biomarker for the cumulative effect of environmental factors on aging-related diseases, therefore an association has been hypothesized... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Telomere length is a common biomarker for the cumulative effect of environmental factors on aging-related diseases, therefore an association has been hypothesized between occupational exposure to pesticides and shorter telomere length.
OBJECTIVE
This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis aiming to examine the association between telomere length and occupational exposure to pesticides.
METHODS
We systematically searched in SciELO, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane, Lilacs, Science Direct, and Web of Science databases for all observational studies containing measurements of telomere length on groups occupationally exposed to pesticides. Data were synthesized through qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis. We estimated the associations between exposed and non-exposed groups by using the natural log of the response ratio (lnRR). Heterogeneity was quantified using the Cochran Q test and I statistics.
RESULTS
Six studies were included in the qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis, with a total of 480 participants exposed to pesticides. The time of exposure evaluated 391 participants that had a range of 5 to >30 years of occupational exposure. Most studies presented shorter telomere length in the occupationally exposed group. From the six studies included in the meta-analysis, three presented telomere length measurement as a single copy gene (T/S), and three presented telomere length measurement as base pairs (bp). The statistical analysis pooled estimates (log ratio of means) of the telomere length in both measurements (T/S and bp) showed a shortening of telomere length in the exposed group when compared with the non-exposed (control) group. Two of six studies reported longer telomere length in the group exposed to pesticides.
DISCUSSION
Our findings suggest an association between occupational exposure to pesticides and shorter telomere length. However, we found a small number of studies to include in our meta-analysis, being required more high-quality studies to strengthen our findings and conclusions.
Topics: Biomarkers; Humans; Occupational Exposure; Pesticides; Telomere
PubMed: 35914599
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157715 -
Journal of Applied Toxicology : JAT May 2022Frameworks for deriving occupational exposure limits (OELs) and OEL-analogue values (such as derived-no-effect levels [DNELs]) in various regulatory areas in the EU and...
Frameworks for deriving occupational exposure limits (OELs) and OEL-analogue values (such as derived-no-effect levels [DNELs]) in various regulatory areas in the EU and at national level in Germany were analysed. Reasons for differences between frameworks and possible means of improving transparency and harmonisation were identified. Differences between assessment factors used for deriving exposure limits proved to be one important reason for diverging numerical values. Distributions for exposure time, interspecies and intraspecies extrapolation were combined by probabilistic methods and compared with default values of assessment factors used in the various OEL frameworks in order to investigate protection levels. In a subchronic inhalation study showing local effects in the respiratory tract, the probability that assessment factors were sufficiently high to protect 99% and 95% of the target population (workers) from adverse effects varied considerably from 9% to 71% and 17% to 87%, respectively, between the frameworks. All steps of the derivation process, including the uncertainty associated with the point of departure (POD), were further analysed with two examples of full probabilistic assessments. It is proposed that benchmark modelling should be the method of choice for deriving PODs and that all OEL frameworks should provide detailed guidance documents and clearly define their protection goals by stating the proportion of the exposed population the OEL aims to cover and the probability with which they intend to provide protection from adverse effects. Harmonisation can be achieved by agreeing on the way to perform the methodological steps for deriving OELs and on common protection goals.
Topics: Humans; Occupational Exposure; Occupational Health; Risk Assessment; Threshold Limit Values
PubMed: 35188277
DOI: 10.1002/jat.4307 -
Thorax Oct 2020
Topics: Humans; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure
PubMed: 32900837
DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2020-215567 -
Journal of Occupational and... Nov 2022The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a low-dose exposure to nickel, as it is present in urban air, on thyroid hormones and on thyrotropin in outdoor...
INTRODUCTION
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a low-dose exposure to nickel, as it is present in urban air, on thyroid hormones and on thyrotropin in outdoor workers exposed to urban pollutants.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 164 outdoor workers were studied and divided by sex and smoking habit. Each worker underwent measurement of urinary nickel and of blood triiodothyronine, L-thyroxine, and thyrotropin levels. The statistical analysis was performed.
RESULTS
Statistical analysis shows a significant and positive correlation between urinary nickel and L-thyroxine, both in total sample and in males.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
The study suggests that occupational exposure to a low dose of nickel may affect thyroid function in municipal police workers. These data may provide information on other categories of outdoor workers with similar exposure.
Topics: Male; Humans; Thyroxine; Nickel; Police; Occupational Exposure; Thyrotropin; Thyroid Hormones
PubMed: 35941736
DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002660 -
Reviews on Environmental Health Dec 2021The objective of the study was to identify and analyse the research done on the occurrence of cancer among pesticide applicators by conducting a systematic review of the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The objective of the study was to identify and analyse the research done on the occurrence of cancer among pesticide applicators by conducting a systematic review of the scientific literature. PRISMA Guidelines was followed to conduct the study. Search was done in Scopus, PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases with search terms "PESTICIDE APPLICATORS", "CANCER" using Boolean operator "AND". Meta-analysis and review articles were excluded from the study. A total of 32 studies were identified among which the average sample size was found to be 60,521. Increased RRs/ORs and positive exposure-response relationships were observed for 31 pesticides. Organophosphate and organochlorine classes of pesticides were the most to be associated with cancer. Lung cancer was observed the most followed by prostate, multiple myeloma and colon cancers among pesticide applicators. It was concluded that there is an increased risk of cancer among the pesticide applicators, whereby which bringing into focus the need to educate and train the workers on following adequate safety measures and making them aware of the hazardous chemicals. Further evaluation on the carcinogenicity of pesticides is also required.
Topics: Agricultural Workers' Diseases; Hazardous Substances; Humans; Male; Neoplasms; Occupational Exposure; Pesticides
PubMed: 34821114
DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2020-0121 -
Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine Mar 2023There is a considerable burden of silica-associated lung diseases in the developing world. This review summarizes the epidemiology of these diseases, especially... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
There is a considerable burden of silica-associated lung diseases in the developing world. This review summarizes the epidemiology of these diseases, especially silicosis and silico-tuberculosis, mitigative efforts and treatment, especially in the context of developing countries.
RECENT FINDINGS
In 2017, the highest incidence of silicosis was in China, India and Brazil among the developing countries. The prevalence of silicosis amongst exposed workers may vary from 4 to 55%; there is a risk of underestimation because of the 'healthy worker effect'. The permissible exposure limit for respirable silica adopted by governments in developing countries remains higher than the proposed 0.025 mg/m3. Silica exposure in informal or unorganized industries is challenging, as it falls outside statutory controls. Recent efforts on regulation and compensation by various governments in developing countries are encouraging but need proper implementation on the ground. Biomarkers such as club cell protein 16 and imaging methods such as computed tomography may offer earlier and easier detection of silicosis. Advanced silicosis remains incurable; novel treatments such as antifibrotics agents may be potentially effective.
SUMMARY
Silica-associated lung diseases are prevalent in developing countries. Efforts directed at preventing or minimizing exposure to respirable crystalline silica are required for mitigation.
Topics: Humans; Silicon Dioxide; Developing Countries; Occupational Exposure; Silicosis; Incidence
PubMed: 36695765
DOI: 10.1097/MCP.0000000000000940 -
International Journal of Environmental... Sep 2022This study aims to determine the occupational health status of workers exposed to dust and the risk factors of lung function decline, to provide a basis for formulating...
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to determine the occupational health status of workers exposed to dust and the risk factors of lung function decline, to provide a basis for formulating corresponding occupational disease-prevention strategies.
METHODS
Data on 2045 workers exposed to dust, including their age, gender, exposure time, chest X-ray test results, and pulmonary function test results, were obtained from a key occupational disease monitoring project in Chongqing, China, in 2021. Chi-square tests and multifactorial logistic regression, and other methods, were used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS
The prevalence of pneumoconiosis-like changes was 0.83% (17/2045), and the prevalence of abnormal forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV/FVC was 4.25% (87/2045), 12.81% (262/2045), and 1.47% (30/2045), respectively. With increasing worker's age, the prevalence of abnormal pneumoconiosis-like changes ( = 0.0065), FEV ( = 0.0002), FVC ( < 0.0001), and FEV/FVC ( = 0.0055) all increased. Factors such as age, exposure duration, enterprise size, and dust exposure concentration were associated with abnormal lung function.
CONCLUSIONS
Workers exposed to occupational dust have a high rate of abnormal lung function. The government, enterprises, and individuals should pay attention to occupational dust exposure, and various effective measures should be actively taken to protect the life and health of workers.
Topics: Cross-Sectional Studies; Dust; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Lung; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Pneumoconiosis; Vital Capacity
PubMed: 36078779
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191711065