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International Journal of Environmental... Nov 2022Informal electronic waste (e-waste) recycling in Africa has become a major public health concern. This review examined studies that report on the association between... (Review)
Review
Informal electronic waste (e-waste) recycling in Africa has become a major public health concern. This review examined studies that report on the association between e-waste exposure and adverse human health outcomes in Africa. The review was conducted following the updated version of the Preferred Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA 2020) statement checklist. We included papers that were original peer-reviewed epidemiological studies and conference papers, written in English, and reported on e-waste exposure among human populations and any health-related outcome in the context of Africa. Our results from the evaluation of 17 studies found an association between informal e-waste recycling methods and musculoskeletal disease (MSD) symptoms and physical injuries such as back pains, lacerations, eye problems, skin burns, and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). In addition, the generation and release of particulate matter (PM) of various sizes, and toxic and essential metals such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), etc., during the recycling process are associated with adverse systemic intermediate health outcomes including cardiopulmonary function and DNA damage. This systematic review concludes that the methods used by e-waste recyclers in Africa expose them to increased risk of adverse health outcomes. However, there is a need for more rigorous research that moves past single pollutant analysis.
Topics: Humans; Cadmium; Electronic Waste; Metals; Metals, Heavy; Particulate Matter; Recycling
PubMed: 36361155
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114278 -
Iranian Journal of Public Health Feb 2023A large portion of Iranian Working Population (IWP) is becoming at risk of Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (ONIHL). Several primary studies have evaluated the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
A large portion of Iranian Working Population (IWP) is becoming at risk of Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (ONIHL). Several primary studies have evaluated the prevalence of ONIHL in Iran with a variety of prevalence rates. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of ONIHL in the IWP using data from relevant studies.
METHODS
The present study is a meta-analysis and systematic review of previously published studies on ONIHL in Iran. Accordingly, the relevant articles published until Sep 1, 2021 were searched through Pub-Med, Scopus, and Google Scholar, together with Iranian scientific electronic databases. Heterogeneity between among the studies and data analysis was assessed using the I2 test and Random-Effect Model (REM) respectively.
RESULTS
Having performed a quality assessment, the meta-analysis was performed on the data from twenty-six studies involving a total of 85685 participants. The prevalence of ONIHL was observed to range from 12.9% to 60.5% in the reviewed studies. Moreover, after combining the results from the primary research by the Random Effects Model (REM) approach, the prevalence of ONIHL among IWP was estimated to be 34.69% (95% CI: 29.10, 40.28).
CONCLUSION
ONIHL is a significant concern with regard to public and occupational health in Iran. The results also highlighted the urgent need for taking appropriate preventive and control measures in the work-places; particularly by encouraging the employers and health-related policymakers to focus on preventive noise control techniques along with administrative and legislative approaches to mitigate the risk of developing ONIHL.
PubMed: 37089160
DOI: 10.18502/ijph.v52i2.11881 -
Iranian Journal of Public Health Apr 2023Background: Because of functional and structural similarities between the cochlea and vestibular sensory receptors, vestibular dysfunction could be accompanied by... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Background: Because of functional and structural similarities between the cochlea and vestibular sensory receptors, vestibular dysfunction could be accompanied by noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) due to occupational noise exposure. We aimed to evaluate the occurrence of vestibular dysfunction (VD) in individuals with NIHL and occupational noise exposure.
METHODS
A systematic literature research was carried out within the databases of PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Web of Science for published articles between 1980 and Jan 5, 2023 using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The methodological quality of the included systematic reviews was assessed with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. Vestibular system dysfunction parameters were considered as primary outcomes in subjects with NIHL.
RESULTS
We reviewed the evidence (from 19 eligible articles) for VD from noise-induced damage to peripheral vestibular structures. VD can occur after occupational noise exposure or concomitantly with NIHL. Furthermore, this study showed that the saccular organ has a higher susceptibility to noise damage than the vestibular organs of the utricle and semicircular canals (SCCs).
CONCLUSION
Our results support the role of occupational noise exposure and NIHL as risk factors for developing VD. Further research is needed to investigate the association between the occurrence of VD due to occupational noise exposure or concomitantly with NIHL.
PubMed: 37551182
DOI: 10.18502/ijph.v52i4.12436 -
International Journal of Environmental... Mar 2021There are approximately two billion workers in the informal economy globally. Compared to workers in the formal economy, these workers are often marginalised with... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
There are approximately two billion workers in the informal economy globally. Compared to workers in the formal economy, these workers are often marginalised with minimal or no benefits from occupational health and safety regulations, labour laws, social protection and/or health care. Thus, informal economy workers may have higher occupational health risks compared to their formal counterparts. Our objective was to systematically review and meta-analyse evidence on relative differences (or inequalities) in health services use and health outcomes among informal economy workers, compared with formal economy workers. We searched PubMed and EMBASE in March 2020 for studies published in 1999-2020. The eligible population was informal economy workers. The comparator was formal economy workers. The eligible outcomes were general and occupational health services use, fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries, HIV, tuberculosis, musculoskeletal disorders, depression, noise-induced hearing loss and respiratory infections. Two authors independently screened records, extracted data, assessed risk of bias with RoB-SPEO, and assessed quality of evidence with GRADE. Inverse variance meta-analyses were conducted with random effects. Twelve studies with 1,637,297 participants from seven countries in four WHO regions (Africa, Americas, Eastern Mediterranean and Western Pacific) were included. Compared with formal economy workers, informal economy workers were found to be less likely to use any health services (odds ratio 0.89, 95% confidence interval 0.85-0.94, four studies, 195,667 participants, I 89%, low quality of evidence) and more likely to have depression (odds ratio 5.02, 95% confidence interval 2.72-9.27, three studies, 26,260 participants, I 87%, low quality of evidence). We are very uncertain about the other outcomes (very-low quality of evidence). Informal economy workers may be less likely than formal economy workers to use any health services and more likely to have depression. The evidence is uncertain for relative differences in the other eligible outcomes. Further research is warranted to strengthen the current body of evidence and needed to improve population health and reduce health inequalities among workers.
Topics: Africa; Americas; Cost of Illness; Health Services; Humans; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; World Health Organization
PubMed: 33808750
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18063189 -
BMJ Open Sep 2020Most of the Chinese occupational population are becoming at risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). However, there is a limited number of literature reviews on... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Most of the Chinese occupational population are becoming at risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). However, there is a limited number of literature reviews on occupational NIHL in China. This study aimed to analyse the prevalence and characteristics of occupational NIHL in the Chinese population using data from relevant studies.
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS
From December 2019 to February 2020, we searched the literature through databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, the China National Knowledge Internet, Chinese Sci-Tech Journal Database (weip.com), WanFang Database and China United Library Database, for studies on NIHL in China published in 1993-2019 and analysed the correlation between NIHL and occupational exposure to noise, including exposure to complex noise and coexposure to noise and chemicals.
RESULTS
A total of 71 865 workers aged 33.5±8.7 years were occupationally exposed to 98.6±7.2 dB(A) (A-weighted decibels) noise for a duration of 9.9±8.4 years in the transportation, mining and typical manufacturing industries. The prevalence of occupational NIHL in China was 21.3%, of which 30.2% was related to high-frequency NIHL (HFNIHL), 9.0% to speech-frequency NIHL and 5.8% to noise-induced deafness. Among manufacturing workers, complex noise contributed to greater HFNIHL than Gaussian noise (overall weighted OR (OR)=1.95). Coexposure to noise and chemicals such as organic solvents, welding fumes, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide led to greater HFNIHL than noise exposure alone (overall weighted OR=2.36). Male workers were more likely to experience HFNIHL than female workers (overall weighted OR=2.26). Age, noise level and exposure duration were also risk factors for HFNIHL (overall weighted OR=1.35, 5.63 and 1.75, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
The high prevalence of occupational NIHL in China was related to the wide distribution of noise in different industries as well as high-level and long-term noise exposure. The prevalence was further aggravated by exposure to complex noise or coexposure to noise and specific chemicals. Additional efforts are needed to reduce occupational noise exposure in China.
Topics: Adult; China; Female; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced; Humans; Male; Manufacturing Industry; Noise, Occupational; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Young Adult
PubMed: 32988950
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039576 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2020Despite our understanding of the impact of noise-induced damage to the auditory system, much less is known about the impact of noise exposure on the vestibular system.... (Review)
Review
Despite our understanding of the impact of noise-induced damage to the auditory system, much less is known about the impact of noise exposure on the vestibular system. In this article, we review the anatomical, physiological, and functional evidence for noise-induced damage to peripheral and central vestibular structures. Morphological studies in several animal models have demonstrated cellular damage throughout the peripheral vestibular system and particularly in the otolith organs; however, there is a paucity of data on the effect of noise exposure on human vestibular end organs. Physiological studies have corroborated morphological studies by demonstrating disruption across vestibular pathways with otolith-mediated pathways impacted more than semicircular canal-mediated pathways. Similar to the temporary threshold shifts observed in the auditory system, physiological studies in animals have suggested a capacity for recovery following noise-induced vestibular damage. Human studies have demonstrated that diminished sacculo-collic responses are related to the severity of noise-induced hearing loss, and dose-dependent vestibular deficits following noise exposure have been corroborated in animal models. Further work is needed to better understand the physiological and functional consequences of noise-induced vestibular impairment in animals and humans.
PubMed: 33324332
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.593919 -
Occupational Hearing Loss Associated With Non-Gaussian Noise: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Ear and HearingEpidemiological characteristics of occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) associated with non-Gaussian noise are still unclear and have been rarely reported in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
Epidemiological characteristics of occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) associated with non-Gaussian noise are still unclear and have been rarely reported in the literature.
METHODS
The relationships between non-Gaussian noise exposure and occupational NIHL were analyzed based on the published papers. Systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies were performed.
RESULTS
Of 78 epidemiological studies (47,814 workers) selected, there were seven cohort studies and 71 cross-sectional studies. The incidence of high-frequency NIHL (HFNIHL) and speech-frequency NIHL (SFNIHL) in the seven cohort studies was 10.9 and 2.9%, respectively. In 71 cross-sectional studies, the prevalence of HFNIHL and SFNIHL was 34.2 and 18.9%, respectively. The average hearing threshold level at the high frequencies was 42.1 ± 17.4 dB HL. Workers exposed to non-Gaussian noise had a higher risk of developing HFNIHL than those not exposed to noise (overall-weighted odds ratio [OR] = 4.46) or those exposed to Gaussian noise (overall-weighted OR = 2.20). The Chi-square trend test demonstrated that the prevalence of HFNIHL was positively correlated with age, cumulative noise exposure, and exposure duration (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Workers exposed to non-Gaussian noise suffered from greater NIHL than those exposed to Gaussian noise or not exposed to noise. Age, exposure duration, noise level, and noise temporal structure were the main risk factors for occupational NIHL. The A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure level (LAeq) is not a sufficient measurement metric for quantifying non-Gaussian noise exposure, and a combination of kurtosis and noise energy metrics (e.g., LAeq) should be used. It is necessary to reduce the exposure of non-Gaussian noise to protect the hearing health of workers.
Topics: Cross-Sectional Studies; Hearing; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced; Humans; Noise, Occupational; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure
PubMed: 34010248
DOI: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000001060 -
The South African Journal of... Mar 2020Current evidence from low- and middle-income (LAMI) countries, such as South Africa, indicates that occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) continues to be a...
BACKGROUND
Current evidence from low- and middle-income (LAMI) countries, such as South Africa, indicates that occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) continues to be a health and safety challenge for the mining industry. There is also evidence of hearing conservation programmes (HCPs) being implemented with limited success.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to explore and document current evidence reflecting recent advances in HCPs in order to identify gaps within the South African HCPs.
METHOD
A systematic literature review was conducted in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis. Electronic databases including Sage, Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus MEDLINE, ProQuest and Google Scholar were searched for potential studies published in English between 2010 and 2019 reporting on recent advances in HCPs within the mining industry.
RESULTS
The study findings revealed a number of important recent advances internationally, which require deliberation for possible implementation within the South African HCPs context. These advances have been presented under seven themes: (1) the use of metrics, (2) pharmacological interventions and hair cell regeneration, (3) artificial neural network, (4) audiology assessment measures, (5) noise monitoring advances, (6) conceptual approaches to HCPs and (7) buying quiet.
CONCLUSION
The study findings raise important advances that may have significant implications for HCPs in LAMI countries where ONIHL remains a highly prevalent occupational health challenge. Establishing feasibility and efficacy of these advances in these contexts to ensure contextual relevance and responsiveness is one of the recommendations to facilitate the success of HCPs targets.
Topics: Developing Countries; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced; Hearing Tests; Humans; Mining; Neural Networks, Computer; Noise, Occupational; Occupational Diseases; South Africa
PubMed: 32129659
DOI: 10.4102/sajcd.v67i2.675 -
Otology & Neurotology : Official... Jan 2021This study aims to explore and determine the effectiveness of current pharmacologic agents for the prevention of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) via a systematic...
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to explore and determine the effectiveness of current pharmacologic agents for the prevention of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) via a systematic review.
DATABASES REVIEWED
The PubMed, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception through February 6, 2020.
METHODS
Full-text, English-language articles detailing prospective randomized and nonrandomized clinical trials with pharmacological interventions administered to prevent NIHL were included in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The detailed search terms are included in the Appendix, http://links.lww.com/MAO/B67.
RESULTS
Eleven articles were included in this review with 701 patients receiving a pharmacologic prevention for various noise exposures. Various regimens included administration of alpha-lipoic acid, ambient oxygen, beta-carotene, carbogen, ebselen, Mg-aspartate, N-acetylcysteine, and vitamins C, E, and B12. A number of studies demonstrated statistically significant amelioration of NIHL with pharmacologic intervention. Two studies demonstrated significantly better hearing outcomes for pharmacological prophylaxis with carbogen or ebselen as compared with placebo for the 4 kHz frequency, where the noise-notch is most likely to be encountered. Given the considerable heterogeneity in agents and methodologies, however, it was not possible to conduct a meta-analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
While several heterogenous articles demonstrated promising results for Mg-aspartate, carbogen, vitamin B12, and alpha-lipoic acid, the clinical significance of these pharmaceuticals remains unclear. Initial data from this study alongside future clinical trials might potentially contribute to the generation of clinical practice guidelines to prevent NIHL.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
2.
Topics: Hearing; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced; Humans; Noise; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 33229875
DOI: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000002858 -
The Journal of the Acoustical Society... Nov 2019With advances in the understanding of mechanisms of noise injury, the past 30 years have brought numerous efforts to identify drugs that prevent noise-induced hearing...
With advances in the understanding of mechanisms of noise injury, the past 30 years have brought numerous efforts to identify drugs that prevent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). The diverse protocols used across investigations have made comparisons across drugs difficult. A systematic review of the literature by Hammill [(2017). Doctoral thesis, The University of Texas at Austin] identified original reports of chemical interventions to prevent or treat hearing loss caused by noise exposure. An initial search returned 3492 articles. After excluding duplicate articles and articles that did not meet the systematic review inclusion criteria, a total of 213 studies published between 1977 and 2016 remained. Reference information, noise exposure parameters, species, sex, method of NIHL assessment, and pharmaceutical intervention details for these 213 studies were entered into a database. Frequency-specific threshold shifts in control animals (i.e., in the absence of pharmaceutical intervention) are reported here. Specific patterns of hearing loss as a function of species and noise exposure parameters are provided to facilitate the selection of appropriate pre-clinical models. The emphasis of this report is octave band noise exposure, as this is one of the most common exposure protocols across pharmacological otoprotection studies.
Topics: Acoustic Stimulation; Animals; Chinchilla; Disease Models, Animal; Guinea Pigs; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced; Mice; Rats
PubMed: 31795706
DOI: 10.1121/1.5133393