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Journal of the National Cancer... Jul 2020A monograph systematically evaluating recent evidence on the dose-response relationship between low-dose ionizing radiation exposure and cancer risk required a critical... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
A monograph systematically evaluating recent evidence on the dose-response relationship between low-dose ionizing radiation exposure and cancer risk required a critical appraisal of dosimetry methods in 26 potentially informative studies.
METHODS
The relevant literature included studies published in 2006-2017. Studies comprised case-control and cohort designs examining populations predominantly exposed to sparsely ionizing radiation, mostly from external sources, resulting in average doses of no more than 100 mGy. At least two dosimetrists reviewed each study and appraised the strengths and weaknesses of the dosimetry systems used, including assessment of sources and effects of dose estimation error. An overarching concern was whether dose error might cause the spurious appearance of a dose-response where none was present.
RESULTS
The review included 8 environmental, 4 medical, and 14 occupational studies that varied in properties relative to evaluation criteria. Treatment of dose estimation error also varied among studies, although few conducted a comprehensive evaluation. Six studies appeared to have known or suspected biases in dose estimates. The potential for these biases to cause a spurious dose-response association was constrained to three case-control studies that relied extensively on information gathered in interviews conducted after case ascertainment.
CONCLUSIONS
The potential for spurious dose-response associations from dose information appeared limited to case-control studies vulnerable to recall errors that may be differential by case status. Otherwise, risk estimates appeared reasonably free of a substantial bias from dose estimation error. Future studies would benefit from a comprehensive evaluation of dose estimation errors, including methods accounting for their potential effects on dose-response associations.
Topics: Causality; Humans; Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced; Occupational Exposure; Radiation Exposure; Radiation, Ionizing; Radiometry
PubMed: 32657346
DOI: 10.1093/jncimonographs/lgaa001 -
Journal of Environmental and Public... 2022The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships of PM 2.5 and HS exposure with the presence of work-related respiratory symptoms among sewage workers.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships of PM 2.5 and HS exposure with the presence of work-related respiratory symptoms among sewage workers.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted in eleven sewage plants located in the central region of Peninsular Malaysia. One hundred ninety-one sewage workers were assessed using the British Medical Research Council (BMRC) questionnaire. Area air sampling was performed in three different sewage plants to measure the following parameters: physical air quality and concentration of PM 2.5 and HS.
RESULT
Chronic cough (34.0%) was reported as the most common symptom, followed by chronic phlegm (26.2%), shortness of breath (7.9%), and chest tightness (3.7%). There were five significant determinants of the presence of respiratory symptoms among the sewage workers: shift work (AOR 23.50, 95% CI: 1.90-616.52), working at a sludge treatment facility (STF) (AOR 25.46, 95% CI: 2.06-314.29), a longer duration of working years (AOR 1,21, 95% CI: 1.01-1.44), individual cumulative exposure to PM 2.5 (AOR 9.01, 95% CI: 1.98-83.33), and individual cumulative exposure to HS (AOR 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01-1.07). The majority of STF and non-STF workers had higher exposure to PM 2.5 and HS concentrations in the air than office workers.
CONCLUSION
Sewage workers working at non-STFs or STFs reported a significantly higher prevalence of work-related respiratory symptoms and exposure to PM 2.5 and HS compared with office workers. Exposure-response relationships were also found in sewage workers' cumulative exposure to PM 2.5 and HS and the presence of respiratory symptoms.
Topics: Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Malaysia; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Particulate Matter; Sewage
PubMed: 35321247
DOI: 10.1155/2022/8567594 -
Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health Nov 2022This study aimed to evaluate the occupational health risks of benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX) exposure in the automobile repair industry in Beijing city in China....
This study aimed to evaluate the occupational health risks of benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX) exposure in the automobile repair industry in Beijing city in China. The concentrations of BTX were monitored at 140 operating positions of 51 randomly selected automobile repair enterprises in 2018. Samples analysis showed that all monitoring concentrations were not higher than the occupational exposure limits. The long-term exposure concentration ranges of benzene, toluene, and xylenes were 0.1 to 0.3, 0.1 to 49.7, and 0.2 to 49.5 mg/m, respectively. The short-term exposure concentration ranges of benzene, toluene, and xylenes were 0.1 to 0.3, 0.1 to 98.7, and 0.2 to 100.0 mg/m, respectively. But assessment results revealed unneglectable occupational health risks, especially the combined health risks of BTX exposure. Thereafter, effective control and improvement measures were put forward, including strengthening the management of the production, sale, and use of vehicle paints and coatings; improving ventilation; and implementing hierarchical management measures for occupational health risks.
Topics: Humans; Xylenes; Benzene; Toluene; Automobiles; Beijing; Occupational Exposure; China
PubMed: 36205352
DOI: 10.1177/10105395221131121 -
International Journal of Occupational... Jun 2023The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hematotoxic, hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic responses following lead exposure among battery workers. . Seventy-eight battery...
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hematotoxic, hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic responses following lead exposure among battery workers. . Seventy-eight battery workers exposed to lead and 78 non-exposed subjects were studied. Fasting blood samples were collected to assess kidney and liver function and hematological parameters. To determine the breathing zone and blood lead levels (BLLs), the samples were analyzed in accordance with NIOSH methods 7082 and 8003, respectively. . The battery workers had significantly higher breathing zone lead and BLLs than the non-exposed group. In battery workers, most hematological parameters, including red blood cells, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, have significantly decreased. In contrast, the white blood cell count has shown a significant increase as compared to the controls. The mean levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase as biomarkers of liver damage and the creatinine serum levels as a result of renal failure were significantly higher in the exposed group than in the non-exposed group. These observations indicate that occupational exposure to lead exceeding its current threshold limit value and biological exposure index is associated with hematological symptoms and liver and kidney dysfunction.
Topics: Humans; Lead; Iran; Occupational Exposure; Erythrocytes; Biomarkers
PubMed: 35410581
DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2022.2064090 -
Critical Reviews in Toxicology Mar 2020Inorganic chloramines are not commercially available, but monochloramine is produced for disinfection or for use in chemical synthesis. Inorganic chloramines are also... (Review)
Review
Inorganic chloramines are not commercially available, but monochloramine is produced for disinfection or for use in chemical synthesis. Inorganic chloramines are also formed when free chlorine reacts with nitrogen containing substances, e.g. ammonia and urea, present in chlorinated water sources. Occupational exposure may, therefore, occur in e.g. swimming pool facilities and the food processing industry. is soluble and stable in water and the dominating inorganic chloramine in chlorinated water sources. No clinical effects were seen in healthy volunteers given monochloramine in drinking water during 4 or 12weeks in doses of 0.043 or 0.034mg/kg bw/day, respectively. Limited data indicate that monochloramine is weakly mutagenic but not genotoxic . One drinking water study indicated equivocal evidence of carcinogenicity in female rats but not in male rats and mice. No reproductive or developmental effects were shown in rodents in the few studies located. is soluble but unstable in water. In the only study located, mild histological effects in kidneys, thyroid and gastric cardia were observed in rats administered dichloramine in drinking water for 13weeks. is immiscible with water and evaporates easily from water into air. Therefore, the primary exposure route of concern in the occupational setting is inhalation. Occupational exposure to trichloramine has been demonstrated in indoor swimming pool facilities and in the food processing industry where chlorinated water is used for disinfection. Exposure-response relationships between airborne levels and self-reported ocular and upper airway irritation have been shown in several studies. Exposure to trichloramine may aggravate asthma symptoms in individuals with existing asthma. The risk of developing asthma following long-term exposure to trichloramine cannot be evaluated at present. No data on genotoxic, carcinogenic, reproductive or developmental effects were located. The toxicological data for mono- and dichloramine are insufficient to recommend health-based occupational exposure limits (OELs).As regard trichloramine, the critical effect is judged to be irritation observed in several studies on pool workers, starting at approximately 0.4 mg/m (stationary sampling). Based on these data, a health-based OEL of 0.1 mg/m (8-h time-weighted average) is recommended. This corresponds to 0.2 mg/m for stationary measurements in swimming pool facilities. No short-term exposure limit (STEL) is recommended.
Topics: Chloramines; Humans; Occupational Exposure
PubMed: 32484073
DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2020.1744514 -
Scandinavian Journal of Work,... Apr 2021Objectives Lead exposure causes neurocognitive dysfunction in children, but its association with neurocognition in adults at current occupational exposure levels is...
Objectives Lead exposure causes neurocognitive dysfunction in children, but its association with neurocognition in adults at current occupational exposure levels is uncertain mainly due to the lack of longitudinal studies. In the Study for Promotion of Health in Recycling Lead (NCT02243904), we assessed the two-year responses of neurocognitive function among workers without previous known occupational exposure newly hired at lead recycling plants. Methods Workers completed the digit-symbol test (DST) and Stroop test (ST) at baseline and annual follow-up visits. Blood lead (BL) was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (detection limit 0.5 µg/dL). Statistical methods included multivariable-adjusted mixed models with participants modelled as random effect. Results DST was administered to 260 participants (11.9% women; 46.9%/45.0% whites/Hispanics; mean age 29.4 years) and ST to 168 participants. Geometric means were 3.97 and 4.13 µg/dL for baseline BL, and 3.30 and 3.44 for the last-follow-up-to-baseline BL ratio in DST and ST cohorts, respectively. In partially adjusted models, a doubling of the BL ratio was associated with a 0.66% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.03-1.30; P=0.040] increase in latency time (DST) and a 0.35% (95% CI ‑1.63-1.63; P=0.59) decrease in the inference effect (ST). In fully adjusted models, none of the associations of the changes in the DST and ST test results with the blood lead changes reached statistical significance (P≥0.12). Conclusions An over 3-fold increase in blood lead over two years of occupational exposure was not associated with a relevant decline in cognitive performance.
Topics: Adult; Child; Female; Humans; Lead; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Occupational Exposure
PubMed: 33274751
DOI: 10.5271/sjweh.3940 -
Journal of Environmental and Public... 2020Health care workers are at the greatest risk of developing blood-borne diseases through occupational exposure to blood and other contaminated body fluids. Occupational...
BACKGROUND
Health care workers are at the greatest risk of developing blood-borne diseases through occupational exposure to blood and other contaminated body fluids. Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids (BBFs) continues to be the major public health problems and serious concern for the health care force in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the prevalence of exposure to blood and other body fluids and its associated risk factors among health care workers.
METHODS
The institution-based cross-sectional study design was employed from January 20 to February 30, 2018. A stratified random sampling followed by a simple random sampling technique was used to select 286 study participants. Data were collected using a pretested and structured questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with occupational exposure to BBFs. The significance level was obtained at a 95% confidence interval (CI) and value ≤ 0.05.
RESULTS
The prevalence of occupational exposure to blood and body fluids among health care workers in the last 12 months was 65.3% (95% CI: 59.4, 70.9). Lack of readily available personal protective equipment (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)) = 3.01, 95% CI: 1.56, 5.84), lack of training (AOR = 3.36, 95% CI: 1.1, 11.2), Khat chewing (AOR = 2.74, 95% CI: 1.3, 5.8), and being a medical doctor (AOR = 5.1, 95% CI: 1.68, 15.21) were significantly associated risk factors with occupational exposure to blood and other body fluids.
CONCLUSIONS
In this study, occupational exposure to blood and other body fluids among health care workers remains a major health problem. Hence, ensuring the availability of personal protective equipment, developing strategies on banning, and strict monitoring of Khat chewing and training on infection prevention should be emphasized to minimize the problem.
Topics: Adult; Body Fluids; Cross-Sectional Studies; Ethiopia; Female; Health Personnel; Humans; Male; Occupational Exposure; Occupational Health; Odds Ratio; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 32508935
DOI: 10.1155/2020/3640247 -
PloS One 2023The association between occupational mechanical exposures and chronic low back pain (LBP) has been widely studied, however, few systematic reviews have evaluated the...
INTRODUCTION
The association between occupational mechanical exposures and chronic low back pain (LBP) has been widely studied, however, few systematic reviews have evaluated the evidence of an association. Furthermore, little is known of the impact of occupational psychosocial exposures on chronic LBP. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to study the association between occupational mechanical and psychosocial exposures and chronic LBP.
METHODS
The study will be conducted as a systematic review using another systematic review published in 2014 as basis and has been registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) with registration number CRD42021281996. A systematic literature search will be performed in 6 scientific databases to identified potential relevant studies published after 2014. Studies will systematically be excluded through a screening process performed independently by 2 reviewers. Exposures will include occupational mechanical and psychosocial exposures, and outcome will include chronic LBP (LBP ≥3 months, "degenerative" diseases, and lumbosacral radiculopathy). Study population will include persons in or above working age, and study designs will comprise cohort and case-control studies. The quality of each included study will be methodologically assessed by 2 independent reviewers and level of evidence of an association will be graded using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) system. In meta-analyses, effect sizes will be addressed using random-effect models, sensitivity analyses will explore the robustness of the meta-analysis, and heterogeneity assessed.
DISCUSSION
This systematic review and meta-analysis will assess the evidence available of the association between occupational mechanical and psychosocial exposures and chronic LBP. The review can provide essential knowledge on the association, exposure-response relationships, thresholds, which may pave the way for political decisions on the occupational environment and the labour market insurance policy.
Topics: Humans; Low Back Pain; Systematic Reviews as Topic; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Occupational Exposure; Radiculopathy; Occupational Diseases
PubMed: 37146040
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285327 -
Work (Reading, Mass.) 2021Occupational noise exposure in workplaces is the most common detrimental factor that has the greatest impact on the health of people working there.
BACKGROUND
Occupational noise exposure in workplaces is the most common detrimental factor that has the greatest impact on the health of people working there.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate occupational noise exposure and its relation to the general health status in industrial workers in Sanandaj, Iran.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study was conducted on the general health of 500 male workers in Sanandaj using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). Likewise, occupational noise exposure was measured based on sound pressure level (SPL) and dosimetry in the work and rest conditions of workers.
RESULTS
The results showed poor general health status of workers, exceeded the daily working hours and also the standard range of sound. A significant correlation was found between general health and its dimensions with indicators of workplace sound pressure levels (P < 0.05). This means that with the increase in sound pressure level is worse general health status.
CONCLUSION
It seems that the health of workers in these industries is an inappropriate process due to exposure to occupational noise exposure and poor conditions of the workplace. A high percentage of them will lose their health in case of non-implementation of prevention programs and health in the workplace in the future.
Topics: Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Iran; Male; Noise, Occupational; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Workplace
PubMed: 33427714
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203362 -
Journal of Occupational and... Jul 2021Welding curtains and screens are intended to protect workers, other than the welder, from the effects of optical radiation generated by the welding process. The national... (Review)
Review
Welding curtains and screens are intended to protect workers, other than the welder, from the effects of optical radiation generated by the welding process. The national and international standards for welding screens and curtains have different requirements. The aim is to compare the protection requirements of examples of welding curtain material and to assess compliance with the international and national standards. Spectral transmittance values (ultraviolet, visible, and infrared) of 21 samples were obtained from the records of an ISO/IES 17025 accredited test laboratory and performance/compliance was assessed according to each of the standards. In the ultraviolet, 10 samples passed and seven failed all standards. In the visible/infrared region, four samples passed and 10 failed all standards. Four samples passed the U.S. and international standards but failed the Australian/New Zealand standard in the blue-light transmittance requirement. One sample failed both the U.S. and Australian/New Zealand standards but the result for the international standard was borderline, one sample passed ISO but failed the blue-light requirements, and one failed ISO but passed the blue-light requirements. The derivations of the various requirements are not well documented. The Australia/New Zealand standard is significantly more stringent in the ultraviolet and blue-light regions. A review of the optical radiation hazards and revision of the standards are indicated. It is possible that curtains, other than those tested, that comply with the international standard might transmit hazardous levels of blue light and, conversely, adequate ultraviolet and blue-light protection is available with curtains that do not comply with the international standard.
Topics: Australia; Humans; Light; Occupational Exposure; Ultraviolet Rays; Welding
PubMed: 34029173
DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2021.1921183