-
Toxicology and Industrial Health Mar 2022Blood lead level (BLL) is the primary biomarker for lead-exposure monitoring in occupationally exposed workers. We evaluated occupational lead-exposure (OE) impact on...
Occupational lead exposure is an independent modulator of hypertension and poor pulmonary function: A cross-sectional comparative study in lead-acid battery recycling workers.
Blood lead level (BLL) is the primary biomarker for lead-exposure monitoring in occupationally exposed workers. We evaluated occupational lead-exposure (OE) impact on cardiopulmonary functions in lead-acid battery recycling unit workers. Seventy-six OE cases and 30 control subjects were enrolled for questionnaire-based socio-demographic, dietary, tobacco usage, and medical history data. Anthropometric measurements, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), and pulmonary function tests were performed. Venous blood was collected for BLL, hematological analysis, and biochemical analysis. OE caused a significant increase in BLL, SBP, DBP, and small airways obstruction in lung function tests. It also impaired platelet indices, affected renal and liver biochemical measurements, and promoted oxidative stress and DNA damage. Multilinear regression analysis suggested that BLL affected SBP (β = 0.314, = .034) and increased small airways obstruction (FEV/FVC, β = -0.37, = .05; FEV, β = -0.351, = .016). Higher BLL appears to be an independent modulator of hypertension and poor pulmonary function upon occupational lead exposure in lead-acid battery recyclers.
Topics: Blood Pressure; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Hypertension; Lead; Occupational Exposure
PubMed: 35230206
DOI: 10.1177/07482337221076248 -
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 -
Journal of Surgical Education 2022Low-dose ionizing radiation exposure is associated with development of solid organ tumors as well as increased risk of cataract formation in a linear-dose response....
BACKGROUND
Low-dose ionizing radiation exposure is associated with development of solid organ tumors as well as increased risk of cataract formation in a linear-dose response. While occupational radiation exposure has been studied across subspecialties with regular fluoroscopy exposure such as interventional radiology and urology, the contribution of increasing endovascular case volume to occupational radiation exposure among general surgery residents remains largely unreported. In this study, we sought to determine typical occupational radiation exposure among a pool of general surgery residents as part of a formal radiation safety curriculum.
METHODS
A radiation safety program was introduced to a group of 28 general surgery residents who rotate on a vascular surgery service with a high endovascular volume in a hybrid room setting. All residents received training in proper use of a radiation dosimeter and minimizing exposure during fluoroscopy times in the operating room. Data was collected from radiation film dosimetry badges distributed to general surgery residents on a bimonthly basis throughout the year, and radiation exposure in mRem was compared between residents rotating on vascular and nonvascular surgical services during 4-week rotations.
RESULTS
A total of 14 months of data were collected. Resident compliance was 84% with regular use and return of dosimeters at the end of each bimonthly cycle. The radiation exposure among residents rotating on vascular surgery was significantly higher compared to those on nonvascular rotations (mean = 71 mRem vs 3.13 mRem, p = 0.02). Exposure among senior residents was not statistically different than that of attending vascular surgeons (mean = 212 mRem vs 164 mRem, p = 0.20). All exposures were significantly lower than institutional ALARA dose limits for radiation exposure (5000 mRem/year).
CONCLUSION
General surgery residents are routinely exposed to measurable occupational radiation levels, especially while participating in endovascular procedures during their training. However, data from our study suggests that these levels are below ALARA dose limits and senior surgical residents are not at greater risk than vascular surgery attending surgeons while on their vascular rotation. The results of this study will be used to help guide resident education on radiation safety and identify institution-specific practices which can minimize exposure and improve radiation safety adherence.
Topics: Endovascular Procedures; Fluoroscopy; General Surgery; Occupational Exposure; Radiation Dosage; Radiation Exposure
PubMed: 34922884
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2021.10.016 -
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 -
Scandinavian Journal of Work,... Oct 2023Crystalline silica is found in many construction materials. Although it is one of the oldest known occupational exposures, new exposure contexts have emerged in recent...
OBJECTIVES
Crystalline silica is found in many construction materials. Although it is one of the oldest known occupational exposures, new exposure contexts have emerged in recent years. In 2021, France classified work involving exposure to respirable crystalline silica (ie, silica dust) generated by a work process as carcinogenic. In order to assess exposure in the French workforce between 1947 and 2020, we developed a silica job-exposure matrix (JEM) for the Matgéné program.
METHOD
The JEM was linked with occupational data from different population censuses (1982, 1990, 1999, 2007 and 2017). The proportions and numbers of workers exposed to silica dust in France at these various census time points were estimated and described by sex and industry for 2017.
RESULTS
After decreasing between 1982 and 1999, the proportion of workers exposed to silica dust remained stable at 4%, representing 975 000 workers in 2017. Exposed workers were mostly men (93%), and most worked in the construction industry (64%). This was also the industry where the majority of workers were exposed to a level above the French 8-hour time weighted average occupational exposure limit (TWA-OEL).
CONCLUSION
A large number of workers in France were still exposed (some highly) to silica dust in 2017 so this agent still poses an occupational health concern. The results of this study provide key information about the continued surveillance of the evolution of exposure to silica dust. In a few years, it will be possible to quantify the impact of the 2021 regulation in terms of proportions and number of workers exposed to silica dust.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Occupational Exposure; Silicon Dioxide; Dust; Occupational Health; Construction Industry; Air Pollutants, Occupational; Inhalation Exposure
PubMed: 37539747
DOI: 10.5271/sjweh.4105 -
Journal of Occupational Health Jan 2022Following the Fukushima nuclear accident in March 2011, decontamination and related works have been carried out over a wide area, mainly in Fukushima Prefecture. In... (Review)
Review
Following the Fukushima nuclear accident in March 2011, decontamination and related works have been carried out over a wide area, mainly in Fukushima Prefecture. In November 2013, the Radiation Dose Registration and Management System for Decontamination Workers was established to manage the occupational exposure doses of workers engaged in such work. The Radiation Effects Association mainly operates the registration system. This paper summarizes existing reports on this system and occupational health issues among decontamination workers. We collected previous reports and related regulatory laws on occupational health management for decontamination workers working in Fukushima Prefecture, summarized the outline of the radiation dose registration and management system for these decontamination workers, and discussed future issues related to their health management. Approximately 100 000 decontamination workers were registered in the system as of 2020, but none showed radiation doses that exceeded the dose limit. To our knowledge, there have been no reports of decontamination workers presenting physical symptoms suspected to be related to radiation exposure. On the other hand, heatstroke countermeasures and anxiety about radiation exposure have been reported as possible issues in the occupational health management of decontamination workers. Although decontamination workers are unlikely to experience biological effects from radiation exposure, epidemiological studies are needed to examine this evidence. Further analysis is also needed on non-radiation effects, which pose occupational health concerns for decontamination workers. The registration system would allow for tracking decontamination workers, providing data for analyzing radiological and non-radiological effects.
Topics: Humans; Decontamination; Fukushima Nuclear Accident; Japan; Nuclear Power Plants; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Occupational Health; Radiation Exposure
PubMed: 36377572
DOI: 10.1002/1348-9585.12357 -
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 -
Annals of Work Exposures and Health Jun 2024Little is known about occupational co-exposure. The objective was to assess the prevalence of exposure and co-exposure to biomechanical factors and neurotoxic chemicals...
OBJECTIVES
Little is known about occupational co-exposure. The objective was to assess the prevalence of exposure and co-exposure to biomechanical factors and neurotoxic chemicals in French workers in 2017.
METHODS
Data from the French representative survey SUMER 2017 (SUrveillance Médicale des Expositions aux Risques professionnels) were analyzed. A total of 25 118 workers were included. Exposure to 4 biomechanical factors (manual handling of loads, forceful joint exertion, repetitive movements, and hand-arm transmitted vibrations) and 18 neurotoxic chemicals (n-hexane, perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene, etc.) were assessed using a questionnaire during face-to-face interviews with occupational physicians.
RESULTS
Among men, 22.9% were exposed to at least one biomechanical factor and 10.2% were exposed to at least one neurotoxic chemical, mainly single exposures. Among women, 10.8% were exposed to at least one biomechanical factor and 3.1% were exposed to at least one neurotoxic chemical, also mainly single exposures. Occupational co-exposure to biomechanical factors and neurotoxic chemicals was observed among 4.8% of men and 0.7% of women. Workers under 30 yr old, blue-collar workers and those working in small companies were more co-exposed than other workers. In men, the prevalence of co-exposure was higher in the construction sector compared to other economic activities.
DISCUSSION
This study stresses the importance of considering multiple occupational exposures while the current prevention measures are designed to focus on preventing occupational factors individually.
Topics: Humans; Occupational Exposure; Male; Female; France; Adult; Prevalence; Middle Aged; Biomechanical Phenomena; Surveys and Questionnaires; Neurotoxins; Occupational Diseases
PubMed: 38513688
DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxae019 -
International Journal of Environmental... Feb 2022Gold is one of the most valuable materials but is frequently extracted under circumstances that are hazardous to artisanal and small-scale gold miners' health. A common... (Review)
Review
Gold is one of the most valuable materials but is frequently extracted under circumstances that are hazardous to artisanal and small-scale gold miners' health. A common gold extraction method uses liquid mercury, leading to a high exposure in workers. Therefore, a systematic review according to the PRISMA criteria was conducted in order to examine the health effects of occupational mercury exposure. Researching the databases PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science yielded in a total of 10,589 results, which were screened by two independent reviewers. We included 19 studies in this review. According to the quantitative assessment, occupational mercury exposure may cause a great variety of signs and symptoms, in particular in the field of neuro-psychological disorders, such as ataxia, tremor or memory problems. However, many reported symptoms were largely unspecific, such as hair loss or pain. Most of the included studies had a low methodological quality with an overall high risk of bias rating. The results demonstrate that occupational mercury exposure seriously affects miners' health and well-being.
Topics: Gold; Humans; Mercury; Miners; Mining; Occupational Exposure
PubMed: 35206270
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19042081 -
Zhonghua Lao Dong Wei Sheng Zhi Ye Bing... Feb 2023With the rapid development of nuclear medicine, the number of nuclear medical staff has increased a lot in the past few years in China. Close-range operations, such as...
With the rapid development of nuclear medicine, the number of nuclear medical staff has increased a lot in the past few years in China. Close-range operations, such as preparation and injections of radiopharmaceuticals, are usually carried out in nuclear medicine department. And the use of unsealed radionuclides may also create internal exposure risk. So, occupational exposure of nuclear medical staff is a main issue of occupational health management in China. In this paper, the occupational exposure level and requirements for radiation protection of nuclear medical staff are introduced to provide references for the related work that radiological health technical institutions carry out.
Topics: Humans; Radiation Protection; China; Medical Staff; Occupational Exposure; Occupational Health
PubMed: 36882280
DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn121094-20220310-00122