International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health最新文献

Purpose: After vision, hearing is the most important sensory mechanism for obtaining essential and critical information during flight operations. Pilots are at risk of hearing loss due to exposure to excessive noise which usually causes permanent and incurable hearing damage. This study investigated the hearing status of Iranian pilots and explored the relationship between the severity of their impairment, age, work experience and flight hours.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, eligible pilots were selected. Demographic information, job characteristics, flight hours and auditory complaints were collected. Subsequently, the pilots underwent hearing tests (Pure tone Audiometry) and the hearing threshold was measured at different frequencies.

Results: the study involved 100 pilots (57 fixed-wing pilots and 43 helicopter pilots) with the mean age of 47.77 ± 7.53 years (28-64 years). The average and standard deviation of work experience in all the studied subjects was equal to 24.84 ± 8.44 years. 55 pilots had no auditory impairments, while 45 were diagnosed with some form of hearing impairment. The findings indicate that older age, longer work experience, and more flight hours are significantly associated with greater hearing impairments. Individuals with any level of hearing impairment (slight to mild) had higher age, more work experience, and flight hours compared to those with normal hearing. Helicopter pilots exhibited higher hearing loss severity across frequencies compared to fixed-wing pilots, with statistically significant differences at 2000 Hz for the left ear and 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz for the right ear. The comparison between the two ears showed that the hearing threshold in any of the flight devices (fixed wing or helicopter), in any of the investigated frequencies, has no significant difference between the left and right ears.

Conclusion: Exposure to loud noise during flights can significantly impact the hearing of pilots. The severity of hearing loss in helicopter pilots is higher across all frequencies compared to fixed-wing pilots. Increased age, work experience, and flight hours are significantly associated with higher severity of hearing loss in both ears. Regular auditory assessments for pilots, especially helicopter pilots, are essential for early detection and monitoring of noise-induced hearing loss.

Purpose: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health challenge in many low- and middle-income countries, where environmental pollution and uneven policy implementation may further exacerbate disease transmission. This study aims to assesss the short and long-term impacts of environmental factors, particularly fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), and TB prevention policies on new TB incidence in Vietnam.

Methods: Panel data from 63 provinces from 2005 to 2023 were analyzed using the SYS-GMM model to estimate the effects of PM_2.5, temperature, per capita income, provincial government health expenditure, and the government's National Strategy for TB Prevention of 2014 on TB incidence. Long-term effects were also analyzed using long-term multipliers.

Results: PM_2.5 had a statistically significant positive effect on TB incidence, consistent with prior findings that fine particulate matter damages respiratory defenses and increases infection risk. The long-term multiplier of PM_2.5 was even higher, indicating cumulative effects over time. Temperature was also positively correlated with the incidence of TB, while per capita income and health expenditure were negatively associated with TB incidence. The long-term impact of income was stronger than the short-term effect, highlighting the growing health benefits of economic development. The government's National Strategy for TB Prevention of 2014 was found to be statistically insignificant.

Conclusion: Air pollution significantly increases TB incidence in Vietnam in the short and long term. In the context of climate change and persistent pollution, combining environmental and TB prevention strategies is essential to achieving the goal of TB elimination.

Purpose: In the context of climate change, extreme ambient temperatures pose a major threat to human health. This study aims to provide detailed insights into how extreme temperatures and potential confounders affect respiratory morbidity.

Methods: We employed a 14-year time series analysis (2006-2019) in southern Germany, applying penalized distributed lag non-linear models to estimate exposure-response relationships between extreme temperatures and respiratory health outcomes, considering emergency outpatient treatments and hospital admissions at the emergency department of the University Hospital Augsburg. We thereby explored the roles of relative humidity and seasonal influenza as potential confounders and vulnerabilities related to age and gender.

Results: We found significantly elevated relative risks (RRs) for the short-term cumulative effect (Lag: 0-3 days) of extreme heat and the long-term cumulative effect (Lag: 0-21 days) of extreme cold on outpatient treatments and hospital admissions. Seasonal influenza was identified as a significant confounder, with attributable fractions comparable to those of cold temperatures. A sub-period analysis (2006-2012 and 2013-2019) revealed a correlation between the recent rise in temperature and the strong increase in the estimated short-term cumulative effect of extreme heat on hospital admissions (2006-2012, RR: 1.08 (95%CI [0.91, 1.27]) vs. 2013-2019, RR: 1.32 (95%CI [1.15, 1.51]).

Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that extreme temperatures significantly affect respiratory morbidity, with notable influences from seasonal influenza. Sub-period analysis indicated that rising temperatures are already translating into measurable effects on respiratory health, foreshadowing the potentially devastating impacts of global warming on human health. Our results thereby provide highly relevant insights to support targeted public healthcare interventions.

Objective: Shift work disrupts the circadian rhythm and may increase the risk of metabolic disorders, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, recently redefined as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and its progressive form, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. This systematic review aimed to synthesize observational studies on the association between shift work and MASLD.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases up to November 25, 2024, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Data were extracted and summarized based on pre-specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. The National Institutes of Health quality assessment tool was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies. Both data extraction and quality assessment were conducted independently by two authors, with disagreements resolved through consensus.

Results: Nine studies met the criteria and were included in the review, including various occupational groups. Most studies reported a positive association between shift work and MASLD, with stronger effects observed in workers exposed to long-term or frequent shift work. Subgroup and interaction analyses suggested that gender, age, lifestyle, chronotype, and occupational factors may modify this association, while body mass index was identified as a potential mediator of the relationship between shift work and MASLD. However, methodological issues, such as imprecise exposure and outcome measurements and a lack of time-varying analysis, limit causal interpretation.

Conclusion: The systematic review supports an association between shift work and increased MASLD risk. Further prospective studies with rigorous designs and diverse populations, as well as stronger mechanistic evidence, are needed to establish a causal link between shift work and MASLD.

Objective: Algorithmic Management (AM) is increasingly shaping work environments across various sectors, influencing how tasks are assigned and monitored. While concerns have been raised regarding its potential impact on worker health, empirical evidence remains limited. This study examines the association between level of AM exposure and adverse health outcomes among logistics workers.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used an online survey, targeting logistics workers in Sweden. AM exposure was measured using an 11-item scale capturing aspects such as task allocation, surveillance, and performance monitoring. Health outcomes included psychological distress, musculoskeletal pain, headaches, sleep disturbances, and occupational accidents.

Results: Higher AM exposure was associated with increased prevalence of psychological distress (PR 2·12, 95% CI 1·49-3·02), occupational accidents (PR 1·92, 95% CI 1·22-3·01), headaches (PR 1·68, 95%CI 1·09-2·58), and musculoskeletal pain (PR 1·54, 95% CI 1·23-1·92). Stratified analyses revealed stronger associations for drivers, particularly regarding psychological distress, headaches, and sleep disturbances, while warehouse workers exhibited less consistent patterns.

Conclusions: These findings highlight AM as a potential occupational health hazard, particularly when involving high levels of automated oversight and direction. While AM can enhance efficiency, its impact on worker well-being and public health warrants further attention and potentially mitigation strategies to inform policies that balance technological advancements with worker health protection.

Objective: The manufacture of lithium-ion batteries involves hazardous substances such as nickel and cobalt, which may adversely affect the respiratory and dermatological health of workers. With the rapid growth of the electric vehicle and energy storage system industries, the production of lithium-ion batteries-and consequently the use of nickel and cobalt-has been steadily increasing. This study aims to assess occupational exposure to nickel and cobalt and to evaluate their potential health effects among male workers in the lithium-ion battery industry.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study to analyze urinary nickel and cobalt concentrations in 1298 male workers from 22 workplaces across nine industry types in Korea's lithium-ion battery sector. Work history and symptom data were collected via questionnaires, and the odds ratios for respiratory and skin symptoms were calculated relative to the reference value exceedances.

Results: Urinary nickel concentrations were highest in lithium manufacturing and recycling industries (maximum: 753.84 µg/L), while cobalt concentrations were elevated in cathode active material manufacturing and recycling industries (maximum: 378.58 µg/L). Exceeding reference values for nickel and cobalt were significantly associated with respiratory symptoms (odds ratio [OR] 2.06-3.97) and skin symptoms (OR 1.70-2.28).

Conclusions: Elevated urinary concentrations of Ni and Co were closely associated with respiratory and skin symptoms among workers in the lithium-ion battery industry. As the structure of the industry evolves, it is crucial to conduct continuous exposure assessments and establish comprehensive health management systems to better protect worker health.

Objective: Arterial stiffness is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Psychosocial work-related factors may be associated with higher arterial stiffness, but findings from previous studies have been inconsistent. No previous studies have examined the effect of repeated exposure to these factors. Therefore, the potential adverse effect of repeated exposure remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between repeated exposure to psychosocial work-related factors and arterial stiffness among aging workers.

Methods: The sample included 475 individuals (women: 52%) from the PROspective Quebec Study on Work and Health. Repeated exposure to psychosocial work-related factors from the job strain and the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) models in 1999-2001 (baseline) and 2015-2018 (follow-up) was assessed using validated instruments. Arterial stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, m/s) was assessed at follow-up.

Results: Among women, ERI exposure onset [+ 0.34 m/s (95% CI: + 0.01; + 0.66)] and cessation [+ 0.52 m/s (95% CI: + 0.10; + 0.94)] were associated with higher arterial stiffness compared to unexposed women. The association was of lower magnitude among women repeatedly exposed to ERI [+ 0.16 m/s (95% CI: - 0.08; + 0.40)]. Among men, there was no association between repeated exposure to psychosocial work-related factors and arterial stiffness.

Conclusions: Results from the current study suggest that repeated exposure to an ERI at work may contribute to higher arterial stiffness in women. Psychosocial work-related factors may be relevant targets to mitigate arterial stiffness progression.