Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene最新文献

Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM) can cause adverse health effects such as pneumoconiosis-like symptoms, acute toxicity, and carcinogenesis. The present work aimed to test activated carbon fiber (ACF) as air-purifying media capable of dual-protection from both PM and VOC and evaluated the interaction between filtration efficiency (FE) and VOC retention by using breakthrough times. The first set of experiments exposed ACF 1200 (1,200 m²/g nominal surface area) to the VOC toluene at the permissible exposure limit (200 ppm) prior to introducing PM (NaCl, 200 mg/m³) into the airstream, and the second set of experiments introduced VOC into the airstream after PM exposure. Study findings suggest that ACF 1200 demonstrated a somewhat greater adsorption capacity (g/g) for toluene when PM was present, recording a value of 0.319 g/g, compared to 0.213 g/g in its absence. A slight decline in FE was observed in 1, and 4-layer combinations following initial exposure to VOCs. These findings suggest that the presence of PM may enhance ACFs' adsorption of VOCs; however, the presence of toluene seemed to affect ACF filtration performance to a lesser degree. Understanding these interactions is necessary for the ongoing development of ACF as dual respirator media for both PM and VOCs.

Coal miners are among the most vulnerable workers exposed to hazardous occupational noise, leading to a heightened risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). In the Asia-Pacific region, rapid industrial growth and variable enforcement of occupational health regulations pose additional challenges in preventing hearing impairment among miners. This study aimed to synthesize existing evidence on the patterns, risk factors, and contextual challenges associated with occupational hearing impairment among coal miners in the Asia-Pacific region, with the goal of informing policy and guiding future interventions. A systematic review was conducted across five major databases to identify peer-reviewed studies published between 2014 and 2025 that examined occupational hearing loss in coal mining populations in the Asia-Pacific region. The quality of included studies was appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist. Twelve studies from China, Australia, Turkey, and India met the inclusion criteria, covering over 130,000 miners. Findings consistently revealed a high prevalence of NIHL and high-frequency hearing loss (HFHL), with exposure duration, job category, and age identified as key contributing factors. Workplace conditions, outdated machinery, and inadequate use of personal protective equipment further exacerbated hearing risks. In addition, hearing loss often co-occurred with other occupational diseases such as pneumoconiosis and hypertension, suggesting a complex interplay of health risks in mining environments. Occupational hearing impairment remains a significant yet preventable health issue among coal miners in the Asia-Pacific. Strengthened hearing conservation programs, regulatory enforcement, and targeted research are urgently needed to reduce the burden of NIHL and promote long-term auditory health in this high-risk workforce.

Firefighters are well known to have elevated risk of adverse health outcomes across a wide range of diseases and injuries, including cancer, hearing loss, fatal cardiac events, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep disorders, and many other adverse outcomes. It has been speculated that the noise environment is a significant risk factor for several of these diseases. In particular, the impact of noise on cardiac outcomes has recently been identified. An environmental survey of noise that included spectral and broadband analysis was conducted across all 14 firehouses in a southeastern city in the United States as a first step to investigate firefighter health and noise. An octave band analyzer was utilized to take area measurements of noise, including background, alarms, sirens, tools, and other important miscellaneous noise sources throughout these 14 firehouses, including an assessment of noise impacts on sleeping quarters. Data showed that generally the noise surveyed was highly variable, and specific frequencies were associated with specific sources. Overall, many of the noise sources in the firehouse were above a broadband sound pressure level that has been associated with an elevated stress response that may be associated with adverse cardiac impacts. There were also a number of noise sources, such as cutting tools, that had very high noise levels that could increase the risk of hearing loss. The spectral analysis also showed there were a number of sources that emitted noise frequencies in a range associated with enhanced physiological sensitivity, especially with regard to stress responses.

This study investigated the elemental composition and particle size of particulate matter (PM) deposited on the skin from industrial exposure during work in a ferro-silicon smelter using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Tape stripping and interception sampling methods were trialed with different tape types. D-squame tape, together with the D-squame applicator instrument, was chosen because it represented a replicable and standardized method allowing SEM analyses to be performed, enabled analyses of deeper skin layers, and had no negative attributes compared to carbon tape when a protocol for imaging non-conductive specimens was used. The underside of the wrist was selected as the sampling site. The observed particle sizes varied from approximately 200 µm to 200 nm. The backscattered electron mode was best adapted to detect particles inside the stratum corneum (SC) due to all detected inorganic compounds giving stronger backscattering than skin. Elemental analysis was obtained by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Using the results of 10 repetitive samples from the worker with the most PM exposure, the elemental concentration profiles for Si, Fe, and S in the SC were measured. The elemental concentration showed an exponential decrease during the first four strips, suggesting that most particle penetration is hindered by the first few layers of the SC.

Fine particles generated by smoking or vaping from Conventional Cigarettes (CC) and Electronic Cigarettes (EC) (e.g., VAPE, Heat Not Burn (HNB), and Glycerin added Heat Not Burn (GHNB)) pose significant health risks due to their ability to penetrate deeply into the respiratory system and deposit toxic compounds. While previous studies have provided valuable insights, many of them have not fully addressed methodological challenges in replicating human puffing or have focused on limited product types rather than comparing multiple types of cigarette products, including CC, VAPE, HNB, and GHNB, within a single study. In this study, an aerosol sampling system was developed that incorporates an interface that mimics human-respiration and was designed to convert transient puff flow into steady-state flow, integrated with a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) capable of scanning ultrafine particles down to 10 nm. This setup enabled a consistent comparison across multiple cigarette product types including CC, VAPE, HNB, and GHNB. It was found that the particle peak diameter varied depending on the aerosolization mechanisms and categorized into three aerosolization regions: Combustion, Vaporization, and Thermal Decomposition. A dosing algorithm was derived using a surface area metric to calculate the deposition rates of aerosol particles in the human body. Due to the inherent upper size limit of the SMPS instrument, our quantitative interpretation is reliable for particles a few hundred nanometers in diameter and smaller. The results obtained through the dosing algorithm revealed that aerosol particles generated by CC and HNB exhibited the greatest level of accumulation in the human body, followed by GHNB and VAPE. The presented method provides a consistent experimental framework for comparing different smoking or vaping products and offers a useful indicator for exposure assessment. Moreover, our sampling system and dosing algorithm may also be informative for future studies related to inhalation-based therapeutics and respiratory protection beyond cigarette products, particularly as an experimental and conceptual tool for estimating particle deposition.

Talc has been widely used for decades in cosmetic and personal care products because of its unique properties. However, certain talc deposits have historically been found to contain asbestiform minerals, making the detection of these contaminants critical for mitigating asbestos exposure risks in consumer products. To investigate this, laboratory generated mixtures of talc/anthophyllite asbestos and talc/tremolite asbestos were prepared at various concentrations. These mixtures underwent thorough processing with sodium polytungstate (SPT), a heavy liquid, followed by centrifugation, settling, and extraction of separated mineral components. Each extracted sample was analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and mineral type was predicted through multivariate data analysis (Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA)). The PLS-DA model, trained on specific wavenumber regions displaying distinct mineral features, successfully identified anthophyllite and tremolite asbestos in most separated samples. However, in cases where misclassification occurred-where asbestiform minerals were labeled as talc or unassigned-a secondary separation procedure was required. The integration of heavy liquid separation, FTIR spectroscopy, and PLS-DA offers a promising approach for enhancing the detection of asbestiform minerals in asbestos-contaminated talc.

Particulate matter (PM_2.5), recently classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), represents a major concern for human health, particularly in occupational environments. In response to the need for accessible monitoring tools, this study aimed to: (1) develop a low-cost device for PM_2.5 measurement, (2) evaluate its performance, (3) apply it in real-time workplace monitoring, and (4) Occupational health evaluation considering cancer risk associated with PM_2.5 exposure. The sensing device integrates particulate matter, temperature, and humidity sensors. It is built around a Single Board Computer (SBC) and supports local data storage, GPS compatibility, and Wi-Fi communication. The entire system operates at a total cost of less than USD 500, providing a low-cost yet comprehensive solution for environmental monitoring. Performance testing of the constructed device demonstrated "good" precision (R² = 0.66-0.68), a coefficient of variation between 4.5% and 21.3%, satisfactory accuracy, and a low detection limit. After validation, it was used to measure PM_2.5 concentrations in occupational environments, revealing temporal patterns strongly linked to human activity. The highest average concentrations were recorded during the daytime hours of weekdays (working hours), ranging from 12.25 µg/m³ to 240.19 µg/m³, while nighttime levels were lower (11.22 µg/m³ to 152.08 µg/m³, respectively). The results indicate that local activities are the main contributors to PM_2.5 emissions. On weekends, concentration decreased significantly in all periods, suggesting an overall reduction in line with the suspension of local activities. Occupational health assessed based on cancer risk associated with PM_2.5, assuming 24-hr exposure to the pollutant, showed exposure levels exceeded the annual limits recommended by the WHO and ASHRAE/USEPA across all monitored sites.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently highlighted the presence of waste anesthetic gases (WAGs) in Postanesthesia Care Units (PACUs), raising significant concerns about occupational exposures in these environments. Exposure to WAGs is associated with a range of adverse health effects, from symptoms such as headaches and0 fatigue to more severe outcomes, including cancer, genetic mutations, reduced fertility, miscarriages, and congenital anomalies. The primary source of WAGs in PACUs is patient exhalation, as individuals leave the operating rooms (ORs) with lungs containing approximately 95% unmetabolized anesthetic gases, which are subsequently released into the ambient air. While NIOSH has emphasized the need for exposure controls in ORs, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued general (5a1) duty citations regarding WAG exposure in ORs, the risks within PACUs remain poorly recognized. As a result, PACU workers, particularly nurses, are left vulnerable due to the lack of effective source control measures. Furthermore, many PACU nurses and healthcare leaders are unaware of the occupational hazards posed by WAG exposure. This paper provides a brief overview, from WAG discovery to source control in the PACU. This paper highlights health risks associated with exposure to waste anesthetic gases (WAGs), with a focus on contamination levels in PACUs as reported by NIOSH. Evidence indicates that general ventilation and standard air exchange rates are insufficient to mitigate exposure within the patient breathing zone in PACUs. Source control technologies offer a promising solution to this underrecognized hazard. The role of the industrial hygienist is emphasized as critical in implementing protective strategies and advancing occupational health and safety for PACU personnel.

Manual farming operations among small-scale independent farmers engaged in subsistence agriculture expose workers to significant ergonomic hazards, leading to a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This study assessed MSD prevalence and associated risk factors among 298 manual farming workers (177 males, 121 females) in the State of Rajasthan, India. Data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire, and work postures were analyzed using rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) and rapid entire body assessment (REBA) assessment methods. Binary logistic regression identified significant predictors of MSDs: age >40 years (odds ratio [OR] = 3.71), body mass index >25 kg/m² (OR = 3.04), working >6 hr/day (OR = 4.6), limited rest breaks (OR = 6.58), and prolonged awkward postures. Postural assessment outcomes revealed that 90% of participants had RULA scores >7 and 84% had REBA scores >8, both indicating high ergonomic risk levels. The findings highlight the urgent need for ergonomic interventions, work-rest cycle optimization, and posture modification strategies to mitigate the burden of MSDs in manual farming communities.

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is widespread. Hearing protection devices (HPDs) are intended to reduce noise exposure and limit NIHL. However, rigorous HPD selection is complex as HPDs often impede auditory functions necessary to maintain situation awareness, and selection is dependent upon diverse user needs, environmental contexts, and behavioral factors. This research employs a modular ontology method to develop a knowledge representation to unify conceptual understanding and the availability of passive HPD data among industrial hygienists and experts across the United States Department of Defense and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. The objective of the study was to harmonize standard terminology, identify a comprehensive set of metrics, and create a searchable repository to facilitate HPD selection. By capturing human, environmental, and device-related attributes in a structured, machine-readable format, the ontology lays the foundation for a sharable repository to support user-centered, and context-specific HPD selection. Unfortunately, detailed technical data to support selection is not readily available. Data collection efforts are recommended to populate the ontology, providing practitioners with access to metrics and data to support analytic HPD selection.