International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health最新文献

Objective: Occupational exposures are hypothesized to contribute to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk, yet evidence from large, population-based studies remains scarce. This study aimed to investigate the association between a wide range of work-related factors and sleep apnea risk among Korean workers.

Methods: We analyzed data from the Korean Work, Sleep, and Health Study (KWSHS), a nationwide longitudinal panel survey conducted between 2022 and 2024. Work-related exposures included long working hours, shift work, occupational stress, emotional labor, physical or chemical hazards, and ergonomic factors. Sleep apnea risk was assessed using the Berlin Questionnaire. To account for repeated measurements within individuals, generalized estimating equation models were applied to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for age, sex, and occupation. Subgroup analyses were performed according to obesity status.

Results: Among 8,976 workers, long working hours (> 52 h per week; OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.04-1.43), high occupational stress (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.76-2.12), high emotional labor (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.50-2.02), physical or chemical exposures (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.25-1.50), and ergonomic strains (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.25-1.48) were significantly associated with increased odds of high sleep apnea risk. Shift work was not significantly associated with OSA risk, which may be partially explained by the healthy worker effect or adaptation among long-term shift workers. Associations with physical and chemical exposures were stronger among non-obese participants.

Conclusions: Work-related psychosocial and environmental factors contribute meaningfully to sleep apnea risk. Addressing workplace conditions may represent an important strategy for sleep apnea prevention.

Purpose: Shift work is a common occupational exposure that disrupts circadian rhythms which increases the risk of unhealthy behaviours and metabolic disorders. Maternal shift work is known to increase the risk of negative pregnancy outcomes, but the health impact when combining father's shift work status remains uncertain. This study investigated the association between parental shift work before pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes, with a focus on the effect estimates of father's shift work.

Methods: We analysed data from the Taiwan Birth Cohort Study, a prospective cohort of Taiwanese women who gave birth in 2005. We collected fathers' and mothers' shift work status before pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes [Caesarean section, excessive gestational weight gain (GWG), large or small for gestational age, low birth weight, nausea and vomiting, gestational hypertension, and gestational diabetes] from 13,221 families with term singletons. Multivariable linear models were used to analyse the associations between different maternal shift work statuses and pregnancy outcomes.

Results: Parental shift work before pregnancy was associated with higher odds of excessive GWG, Caesarean section, nausea and vomiting in the study population. Meanwhile, father's shift work exposure was associated with higher odds of excessive GWG among mothers not doing shift work before pregnancy, but not among mothers doing shift work.

Conclusion: This study found that both mother's and father's shift work were associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Father's shift work may be an unconsidered risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly in mothers without shift work exposure.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of a 12-week ergonomic training and exercise program on musculoskeletal pain and ergonomic risks in tea workers.

Methods: The study included 60 tea workers (aged 25-70) with musculoskeletal pain, randomly assigned to an intervention group (ergonomic training and exercise) or a control group (only ergonomic training). The assessments were done at baseline and 12 weeks after the intervention. Outcomes included the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand QuestionnairIndex, kg: kilogram, m: metere (DASH), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) assessment.

Results: In the intervention group, a significant difference was observed in the NMQ, DASH 1 and 2, PSQI, and VAS scores for all regions in the intra-group (pre-post intervention) comparison (p < 0.05). In the control group, a significant difference was observed in the NMQ (shoulder and waist only), DASH 1, and PSQI scores (p < 0.05). When comparing the post-treatment values of the two groups, significant differences in favor of the intervention group were found in all outcome measures (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: An integrated approach of ergonomic training and exercise programs has the potential to alleviate musculoskeletal discomfort among tea workers. These interventions may be an effective strategy to improve the well-being of physically demanding tea workers.

Trial registration: NCT06407453.

Purpose: Workplace risk assessment (WRA) is crucial for the management of psychosocial risks at work (PSRM), but some enterprises may also implement PSRM measures without formal WRA, in particular small and micro enterprises. This study analyses the associations between WRA and PRSM, and whether the associations vary by company size.

Methods: The data come from the European Survey of Enterprises on New and Emerging Risks (ESENER) collected at the enterprise level in the EU-28 countries in 2014 (n = 40,584) and 2019 (n = 39,711). We distinguish eight measures of PSRM, and assess whether companies conduct a comprehensive WRA that includes psychosocial risks.

Results: Many companies reported PSRM measures. The lowest rates were for "intervention in the case of long working hours" (2014: 26%, 2019: 32%), while the highest rates were for "procedures in the case of threats" (56%, 60%). Enterprises with a comprehensive WRA are more likely to implement measures (even after controlling for company size, industry, sector and country), but some enterprises have implemented PSRM even in the absence of a WRA, especially in 2014 or in smaller companies (5-49 employees). For example, findings suggest that in 2014 40% of the enterprises without a WRA have implemented "procedures in the case of threats" (2019: 46%).

Conclusion: The findings underline the importance of a WRA that includes psychosocial risks as a means of implementing PSRM measures, but also advocates for a broader perspective that considers measures taken independently of legal occupational safety and health (OSH) standards, especially in small and micro enterprises.

Purpose: Exposure to paper dust in the workplace might increase the risk of reduced lung function. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between paper dust exposure and lung function among workers in the paper industry in Ethiopia.

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study assessed lung function in workers exposed to dust in the paper industry and compared them with controls from the water bottling industry. Lung function tests were conducted using a portable spirometer. A job exposure matrix was developed to estimate cumulative exposure to inhalable paper dust. Analysis of covariance was performed to compare mean lung function between exposed and control groups and multivariate linear regression analysis was carried out for workers exposed to paper dust.

Results: There was a significant difference in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) between the groups. FEV₁ was 2.62 l in the exposed group, compared to 2.97 l in the control group. The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that cumulative paper dust exposure was associated with a reduction in both FEV₁ and forced vital capacity (FVC). Each unit increases in dust exposure (measured in mg year/m²) was associated with a 0.010 l decrease in both FEV₁ and FVC in females and a 0.005-liter decrease in males.

Conclusions: The findings indicate a significant exposure-response relationship between cumulative paper dust exposure and a decline in lung function with the effect being more pronounced among female workers than among males. Based on these results, we recommend the paper industry to implement effective dust control strategies.

Purpose: Fast jet aircrew (FJA - aka fighter pilots, fighter aircrew) commonly suffer musculoskeletal complaints, particularly of the neck, which degrades operational capability and workforce health. Establishing injury aetiology is a prerequisite for developing effective preventative interventions. Our objective was to examine the aetiology of neck-related musculoskeletal complaint episodes (NRMCEs) among FJA across a range measures including physical capacity, psycho-social recovery-stress states, workload measures, and strength and conditioning (S&C) participation.

Methods: 279 Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) FJA were followed over four 5-month reporting periods. Forty-four baseline measures and 26 weekly measures were analysed for their effect on weekly risk of NRMCEs. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used, potential confounders were adjusted for, and non-linear relationships were examined.

Results: 320 new NRMCEs were included with mean weekly prevalence of 4.1% (SD 2.3) and mean 5-month reporting period prevalence of 22.4% (range 15.3-28.5%). Previous neck pain, higher worry scores, larger acute flying workloads, more weekly flights, and larger acute and chronic S&C workloads, were factors identified to increase weekly risk of NRMCE. Significant non-linear effects were identified for chronic flying workloads, acute and chronic sleep quality scores, and absolute isometric strength of neck rotation and trunk flexion. Demographics, flying history, anthropometry measures, neck and trunk range of motion, and S&C participation, however, did not affect weekly risk of new NRMCE.

Conclusion: These findings provide crucial support for the design of targeted prevention programs for FJA, ensuring they are both effective and efficient, which will in turn optimise operational capability.

Objective: Long-term exposure to air pollutants may be harmful to the brain, potentially through inducing oxidative stress or inflammation. Few studies of air pollution and depression have been conducted in the United States where this mental health disorder is prevalent among adults. We investigated associations between ambient air pollutants (O₃, PM_2.5 and NO₂) and depression symptoms in middle-aged and older adults (n = 1496) without cardiovascular disease or cognitive impairment in Los Angeles, California.

Methods: Air pollution exposures were assigned to residential addresses using a geographic information system with air quality monitoring data. The Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale (CES-D) assessed depression symptoms at study entry. Carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) was obtained as a measure of subclinical atherosclerosis. Linear and Poisson regression models estimated cross-sectional associations between air pollutants and total CES-D score and suspected clinical depression (CES-D score ≥ 16) adjusting for potential confounders and examined effect modification by CIMT.

Results: Higher exposure to O₃, PM_2.5 and NO₂ overall were not cross-sectionally associated with higher CES-D total scores or CES-D score ≥ 16. However, the interaction between CIMT and PM_2.5 was statistically significant (β-interaction term = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.05, 1.97; p-value = 0.03). Adults with CIMT levels ≥ 0.77 mm had higher depression symptom prevalence as PM_2.5 increased (β = 0.04 per 10 µg/m³, 95% CI = -0.22, 0.30) while those with CIMT < 0.77 mm had lower prevalence (β = -0.18, 95% CI = -0.41, 0.05).

Conclusions: Higher O₃, PM_2.5 and NO₂ exposures were generally unassociated with depressive symptoms. Additional studies are needed to investigate whether persons with higher subclinical atherosclerosis are more susceptible to possible PM_2.5 effects on mental health.