International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health最新文献

Objectives: This study investigates the prevalence of cardio-cerebrovascular disease (CCVD) risk factors among male night-shift workers in South Korea, focusing on drivers and security guards, who constitute a significant portion of the older worker population.

Material and methods: Using data from the 2016 nationwide workers' special health examination, the authors analyzed health habits, past illnesses, and body measurements related to CCVDs among male drivers (N = 8862) and security guards (N = 7156) in their 60s.

Results: The age of the drivers and security guards were mean ± standard deviation 63.19±2.62 years and 64.93±2.72 years, respectively. The drivers exhibit unhealthier lifestyle habits and a higher prevalence of diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity compared to security guards. Additionally, drivers have unhealthier body measurement values and a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome (OR = 1.844, 95% CI: 1.722-1.974, p < 0.001).

Conclusions: These findings underscore the heightened risk of CCVD among drivers compared to security guards among older night-shift workers in South Korea, highlighting the need for tailored health policies for this demographic. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025;38(3):296-308.

Objectives: Benzene exposure is associated with multiple adverse health effects on the human's biological systems including its cardiac, pulmonary, respiratory, renal, liver, and other organs' function. The purpose of this study is to assess the adverse health effects of benzene exposure on the cardiac functions in subjects affected by a flaring incident at the British Petroleum (BP) refinery in Texas City, Texas, USA.

Material and methods: A total of 1790 evaluable subjects who were exposed to benzene were included in the study. Using the patients' medical charts, the authors analyzed the data on various heart rate parameters as well as on the pulmonary function, the serum levels of β2-microglobulin, and the amount of urinary excretion of phenol.

Results: Of the 1790 subjects, 1083 experienced some type of cardiac function abnormality as assed by electrocardiogram (EKG) testing following their exposure to benzene. Normal cardiac function was preserved in 707 subjects despite their exposure to benzene. Regardless of the changes in their overall cardiac function, most benzene exposed subjects experienced some changes in various heart rate parameters such as P wave duration, PR interval, PR segment, QRS duration, QT interval, QTC interval, P wave axis, QRS axis, and T wave axis. Similarly, alterations in their pulmonary function test (PFT), β2-microglobulin levels, and urinary excretion of phenol were observed in benzene exposed subjects regardless of the changes in cardiac function. Furthermore, the incidence of the abnormality of various heart rate parameters was found to be 2-10 fold higher in the benzene exposed subjects compared with the general population.

Conclusions: Environmental benzene exposure from the BP flaring incident pose significant health risks including specific alteration in cardiac and pulmonary functions in those subjects exposed to benzene. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025;38(3):249-263.

Exposure to air pollution is a significant risk factor for non-communicable diseases. This bibliometric analysis with data mining methods aimed to identify the most common air pollutants and health effects mentioned in research on the health effects of air pollution published in 1960-2022. The OpenAlex database and OpenAlexR package were used to retrieve abstracts of scientific papers on the health impact of air pollution published in 1960-2022. Publication year, type of air pollutant, type of diseases analyzed in the study, and affiliation of the authors were analyzed using data mining methods. Out of 41 525 papers published in 1960-2022, 22.3% (N = 9255) listed particulate matter 2.5 (PM_2.5) in the abstract at least once, 13.2% (N = 55 011) listed PM₁₀, 11.6% listed carbon monoxide (CO) (N = 4829), 11.5% (N = 4784) listed nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), 7.5% listed sulfur dioxide (SO₂) (N = 3106), and 7.1% of papers listed ozone (O₃) (N = 2943). Respiratory diseases were the most common health effects. Most of the papers (N = 1880) were focused on PM_2.5. The most common co-occurrence patterns included the impact of PM_2.5 on lung, heart, and asthma. In total, in 1960-2022 authors from 165 different countries published at least 1 paper on the health effects of air pollution. This study provided bibliometric data on the number and topics of papers on the health impact of air pollution published in the past 60 years. Most of the papers were published by authors from the global North with a very limited number of papers on air pollution and health published by the authors from Africa and South America. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025;38(3):222-235.

Objectives: Educators face a wide range of recognized biological, physical, and other workplace hazards making them more susceptible to increasing the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and associated cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) risks. The current research aimed to evaluate the prevalence of MetS and the likelihood of CVDs among school teachers.

Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 281 participants chosen from schools in the El-Maadi region of Cairo, Egypt. Socio-demographic, occupational, and medical data were collected. Standard procedures were employed to assess fasting blood glucose (FBG), and lipid profile. Metabolic syndrome was defined using criteria from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). The 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk was estimated using the ASCVD risk score estimator as per the 2019 American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guideline.

Results: Metabolic syndrome had an overall prevalence rate of 25.8%. Among the instructors evaluated, 73% had a low 10-year risk of getting CVDs, whereas 3.1% had a high risk. The study identified significant correlations between the prevalence of MetS and many characteristics, including age, marital status, length of job, level of education, smoking, prevalence of diabetes and hypertension, central obesity, measured blood pressure, FBG levels, and dyslipidemia among the participants.

Conclusions: School teachers exhibit a considerable prevalence of MetS and risk of CVDs. Health promotion activities and stress management interventions should be implemented. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025;38(3):309-323.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of mortality in women, despite underrepresentation in the medical literature. Women have higher rates of ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) and myocardial infarction with no obstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA) compared to men. The aim of this review is to describe the occupational, economic, and psychosocial factors which disproportionately impact women with (M)INOCA. Relevant databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL were searched using keywords related to ischemic heart disease, nonobstructive coronary syndromes, (M)INOCA, women's health, questionnaires and surveys, cohort studies, workplace outcomes, and health costs. This narrative review includes key findings from 50 articles that fit the inclusion criteria. Sex-based differences among patients with nonobstructive coronary syndromes are discussed in the context of health care service utilization, working status, and job characteristics. Despite lower mortality rates, nonobstructive coronary syndromes are associated with a large burden of clinical, functional, and economic implications. Women face significant morbidity, productivity losses, and early exit from the workforce. Existing literature focuses on ischemic heart disease as an entity without specific attention to (M)INOCA, and recent health economic studies are lacking. Despite growing recognition of (M)INOCA endotypes and improved diagnostic modalities, its economic and societal impacts remain under-researched, highlighting the need for validated tools to measure work impairment. Collaborative efforts including workplace and employer participation are needed to address work-related outcomes. Researchers and institutions need to consider the interplay of sex-based differences and societal impacts on women. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025;38(3):207-221.

Objectives: Many studies have demonstrated the effects of heavy metals on hypertension. However, to date, no study has used the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) to analyze the effects of combined exposure to heavy metals on hypertension. Therefore, this study inferred the study population using weights based on a rolling sample and used standardized scores to estimate the effects of combined exposure to heavy metals on hypertension.

Material and methods: The authors used raw participant data from KNHANES (2008-2013), when heavy metal levels in the blood were measured. The authors analyzed the effects of lead, mercury, and cadmium on hypertension. The authors calculated standardized scores based on a regression analysis to analyze the effects of combined exposure. The odds ratios (ORs) of hypertension due to heavy metals were calculated using multivariate logistic regression, with the lowest quartile as the reference category.

Results: In the crude regression analysis, lead, mercury, and cadmium exposure were associated with significant differences in the rate of hypertension (p < 0.05). However, when other heavy metals were included as covariates, only lead (OR = 1.29, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-1.55) and cadmium (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.24-1.74) showed significant effects (p < 0.01). When the authors analyzed the effects of combined exposure to heavy metals, the OR of hypertension for the highest quartile, relative to the lowest quartile, was 1.78 (95% CI: 1.50-2.11, p < 0.001). Linear regression analysis revealed that heavy metal exposure was significantly associated with hypertension prevalence (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: This study verified that heavy metal exposure affects the prevalence of hypertension and that combined exposure to multiple heavy metals is associated with a higher risk of hypertension than exposure to a single heavy metal. Further research is necessary to screen for heavy metal-related risk factors and evaluate whether the interactions between heavy metals are positive or negative. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025;38(3):264-279.

Objectives: The objective was to develop a tool enabling better understanding of obesity impact on social functioning with focus on daily functioning and work related activities.

Material and methods: Obesity Impact on Functioning in Society Questionnaire (OQI-3) was developed for use among adult population with obesity disease. It focuses on daily functioning, work related activities and emotions related to work environment social relations. The 3-part questionnaire combining qualitative and quantitative methods is gender specific and it was validated among 41 adult patients with obesity in Poland. The first part is a vignette examining patients' projected attitudes and emotions. The second is an open question related to daily activities mostly affected by obesity. The third part uses a Likert scale to assess the degree of difficulty in performing daily activities consisting of 11 actions taken in everyday life. Respondents select 1 of the answers on the scale to indicate the obesity influence on the mentioned activities.

Results: The qualitative parts provided information on attitudes and emotions, where mostly negative attitudes and emotions were mentioned. The most frequently mentioned were physical activity, walking up the stairs, housework and activities related to patients' image. The quantitative part identified 2 factors (1 - relations in the further social environment, 2 - functioning in a close environment). The Likert scale was recoded for each statement as follows: 1 - 3; 2 - 1; 3 - 2; 4 - 4; 5 - 5 and Cronbach's α value was calculated confirming scale reliability. It equals 0.874 for the total of items.

Conclusions: The OQI-3 is innovative and combines various research techniques to verify people suffering from obesity well-being and disease impact on social functioning. The pilot study has proven its internal consistence. However the modified tool based on the pilot results should be tested and validated on a larger study group. Guidelines for results interpretation should be developed with the final instrument version. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025;38(2):151-62.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder manifesting with symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, hyperandrogenism, and/or polycystic ovaries. The exact cause of PCOS remains unknown, but it is believed to result from a combination of genetic predisposition, insulin resistance, low-grade inflammation, and excessive androgen production. Various environmental factors, especially endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), in addition to genetic and hormonal ones, also may influence PCOS. This is one of the first systematic reviews dealing with the exposure to non-persistent endocrine disrupting chemicals and PCOS. The review summarizes the existing knowledge about the association of EDCs with PCOS based on significant findings on the toxicity of various non-persistent environmental EDCs and polycyclic ovarian syndrome risk. A systematic search of the literature was conducted in order to identify proper studies using PubMed, Scopus, Elsevier, and Springer databases. The results of the studies suggest that there is a positive association between bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, octocrylene, and PCOS. The data concerning triclosan and PCOS were inconclusive. Additionally, no link between the exposures to parabens and PCOS was observed. These results of the presented studies highlight the urgent need for continued research on EDCs and their role in PCOS. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025;38(2):98-121.

Objectives: Computed tomography (CT) in children with hydrocephalus is a procedure often performed from the first days of the child's life. It is important in diagnosing and monitoring treatment progress.

Material and methods: Based on a retrospective analysis of CT scans, the level of exposure to ionizing radiation in children with hydrocephalus subjected to this study was calculated. The probability of induction and death from leukemia or other cancers as a result of CT scans was also calculated.

Results: The highest exposure is observed in children <1 year of age: M±SD 4.2±0.9 mSv/year. In the following years, this exposure decreases, reaching the level of 0.7±0.1 mSv/year at the age ≥11 years. This is correlated with the probability of induction of leukemia and other cancers, which is highest in the first year of life. In subsequent years, the probability decreases. The probability of dying from these cancers remains at a similar level all the time. By the age of 17 years, a patient with hydrocephalus diagnosed in infancy may receive a total effective dose of almost 21 mSv.

Conclusions: After analyzing exposure over the years, a significant reduction in the num- ber of CT examinations performed and a reduction in the radiation dose received by children was found through the introduction of pediatric CT examination protocols. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025;38(2):163-9.

Objectives: A problem currently faced in the assessment of human exposure to the external environment concerns sources of noise with significant energy found in the range of infrasound and low sound frequencies. This paper presents an analysis of selected low-frequency noise (LFN) sources in order to demonstrate the problem of the potential exposure of humans residing in their vicinity. There are numerous machines in industry that emit LFN, including infrasound, such as ventilation systems, industrial fans, air and exhaust transfer systems, means of transport and other objects that generate secondary noise, such as acoustic screens. How wind turbine noise differs from noise generated by other sources is a key question.

Material and methods: There are different measurement approaches concerned with noise monitoring in outdoor environment. For different reasons the measurements are performed at different heights: 4.0 m, 1.5 m, on the ground surface and others. In order to properly identify low frequency noise sources apart from measurement systems for registering sound signals vibration methods might be utilized.

Results: Various types of low-frequency and infrasound noise sources were analyzed in this paper in order to verify the hypothesis concerning the different character of LFN generated by wind turbines. They do not constitute sound sources that generate LFN of higher levels than other sources of this type.

Conclusions: The performed measurements and their analysis revealed that sources of low-frequency and infrasound noise can be found in the vicinity of residential areas, and the residents themselves are unaware of them and consequently do not report the inconvenience related to their emission. Wind turbines are perceived unfavorably by a part of society not only due to their noise, analyzed levels were well below ISO 226 and Møller and Pedersen thresholds, but probably because of other negative aspects such as shadow flicker, modulation or reasons of aesthetics. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025;38(2):122-34.