Human and Ecological Risk Assessment最新文献

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Institute of Environmental Health (NIEHS) held a workshop in 2012 to discuss principles and applications of cumulative risk assessment (CRA). The workshop organizers chose cardiovascular disease (CVD) as an example health outcome for which cumulative risk considerations could illuminate environmental and health management strategies. To guide discussions, we developed a series of conceptual models illustrating factors influencing CVD. The CVD conceptual model represents complex processes across varying space and time scales, different causal pathways, and multiple chemical and non-chemical stressors and factors. It includes causal influences of environmental exposures and lifestyle choices, in the context of genetics and medical factors. The representation of cumulative risk as a network of interrelated nodes and arrows helps define and organize the problem and available information, determine the scope and scale, and creates a platform for analysis. It provides an interface for discussing how different entities (e.g., environmental versus health-driven organizations) can work together on different parts of the problem, and facilitates relative risk ranking and management triage. Color coding is used to distinguish categories of stressors and possible oversight responsibility. This work informs guidelines for CRA planning and assessment of factor combinations affecting real-world risk.

In Thailand, glyphosate is popular herbicide to control pests in the agricultural sector. This study aimed to measure glyphosate exposure concentrations through inhalation, dermal contact, and urinary glyphosate concentrations among 43 vegetable farmers spraying glyphosate in Bungphra Subdistrict, Phitsanulok Province. Four types of spraying equipment were used, manual pump backpack (n = 3), motorized spray backpack (n = 22), battery pump backpack (n = 16), and high pressure pump (n = 2). Breathing zone air samples were collected using glass fiber filters; dermal contact samples were collected using 100 cm² cotton patches attached on 10 body locations and urine samples were collected at 3 time points: morning void urine the day before spraying, the end of spraying event, and the morning void urine the next day of spraying. The results showed that the geometric mean (GM; geometric standard deviation [GSD]) of breathing zone concentrations of glyphosate exposure were 9.37 (10.17) μg/m³. The GM (GSD) of total dermal patches exposure concentrations were 7.57 (0.01) mg/h. The legs, back, and arms were the most exposed body areas. The GM (GSD) of urinary glyphosate was found highest among vegetable farmers using manual backpack 46.90 (1.35) μg/g creatinine. Farmers should wear masks and boots to reduce glyphosate exposure by inhalation and dermal contact.

This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate occupational hazards, health conditions and personal protective equipment used among healthcare workers. Information from the sample size of 1,128 healthcare workers were collected using questionnaires. The healthcare workers participated in this study were from five departments including inpatient, outpatient, surgery and anesthesia, nutrition service and hospital support services departments in five hospitals in Thailand. The results indicated that the majority of healthcare workers were female; these healthcare workers work 9.0 to 11.1 hours/day on average and were exposed to several chemical, biological and physical hazards. The healthcare workers in the nutrition service department reported the highest percentage of musculoskeletal disorder and respiratory problems. The highest percentage of skin problems were reported by healthcare workers in surgery and anesthesia department. The results showed musculoskeletal disorder, respiratory and skin problem significantly differed among healthcare workers in the five departments including the wrists/hands (p = 0.024), upper back (p = 0.009), chest pain symptoms (p = 0.004), and dry/wound symptoms (p = 0.013). Healthcare workers did not have adequate protection from work-related hazards in their workplace. Health education programs, control measures and organizational policies should be implemented to mitigate the hazards for healthcare workers in hospitals.

Sugarcane farmers and cutters have been reported to be at high risk of acute kidney injury. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess acute kidney injury biomarkers, and cross-shift change among 150 sugarcane cutters and 98 sugarcane farmers in Thailand. Physical health examination, environmental measurements, and measured urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) were assessed. Cross-shift change of urine creatinine (uCr), albumin creatinine ratio (ACR), and NGAL between sugarcane farmers and cutters was compared. Factors influencing abnormal post-shift ACR and NGAL were analyzed by binary logistic regression adjusted with covariates. Sugarcane cutters were significantly more likely to take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and herbs to relieve pain than sugarcane farmers. Males were more likely to be current smokers and drinkers although 62% of cutters and 56% of farmers were female. Sugarcane farmers and cutters had similar post-shift estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and ACR levels. Cross-shift measurements showed that both sugarcane cutters and sugarcane farmers had significantly higher post-shift geometric mean (GM) urinary NGAL, but that the cross-shift changes of NGAL were significantly higher for sugarcane cutters (182%) vs. sugarcane farmers (112%). Water intake less than recommendation of subjects was a significant predictor of a higher risk for an abnormal post-shift ACR after controlling for covariates, while being a sugarcane cutter was a predictor of a lower risk of an abnormal risk of a post-shift NGAL after controlling for covariates. Measurements of heat stress (WBGT plus workload) found that sugarcane cutters exceeded recommended exposures while sugarcane farmers were compliance to the TLV. These findings suggest that to protect sugarcane farmers and cutters, preventative measures are needed.