Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene最新文献

Firefighters can be occupationally exposed to a wide range of airborne pollutants during fire-extinguishing operations. The overall study aim was to characterize occupational exposure to smoke for several groups of workers responding to fires, with specific aims to determine the correlations between exposure markers and to biologically assess their systemic exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in urine. Personal exposure measurements of equivalent black carbon (eBC), elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), PAHs, lung deposited surface area (LDSA), and particle number concentration (PNC) of ultrafine particles were performed on firefighters, observers, and post-fire workers during firefighting exercises. Urine samples were collected before and after exposure and analyzed for PAH metabolites. Additional routes for PAH skin exposure were investigated by wipe sampling on defined surfaces: equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), and vehicles. Among workers without PPE, observers generally had higher exposures than post-fire workers. The observers and post-fire workers had an occupational exposure to smoke measured e.g. as EC of 7.3 µg m^-3 and 1.9 µg m^-3, respectively. There was a good agreement between measurements of carbonaceous particles measured as EC from filters and as eBC with high time resolution, especially for the observers and post-fire workers. Ultrafine particle exposure measured as LDSA was two times higher for observers compared to the post-fire workers. The urinary levels of PAH metabolites were generally higher in firefighters and observers compared to post-fire workers. Investigation of PAH contamination on firefighters' PPE revealed high PAH contamination on surfaces with frequent skin contact both before and after cleaning. Exposure to smoke can be assessed with several different exposure markers. For workers residing unprotected around fire scenes, there can be high peak exposures depending on their behavior concerning the smoke plume. Several workers had high urinary PAH metabolite concentrations even though they were exposed to low air concentrations of PAHs, indicating skin absorption of PAH as a plausible exposure route.

While monitoring physiological strain is recommended to safeguard workers during heat exposure, it is logistically challenging. The perceptual strain index (PeSI) is a subjective estimate thought to reflect the physiological strain index (PSI) that requires no direct monitoring. However, advanced age and chronic diseases (hypertension/type 2 diabetes [T2D]) influence the perception of heat stress, potentially limiting the utility of the PeSI. We therefore assessed whether the relation and agreement between the PeSI and PSI during simulated work in various environmental conditions is modified by age and T2D/hypertension. Thirteen young adults and 37 older adults without (n = 14) and with T2D (n = 10) or hypertension (n = 13) walked on a treadmill (∼200 W/m²) for 180 min or until termination (volitional fatigue, rectal temperature ≥39.5 °C) in 16, 24, 28, and 32 °C wet-bulb globe temperatures. Rectal temperature and heart rate were recorded to calculate PSI (0-10 scale). Rating of perceived exertion and thermal sensation were recorded to calculate PeSI (0-10 scale). The relation between hourly PSI and PeSI was assessed via linear mixed models. Mean bias (95% limits of agreement [LoA]) between PSI and PeSI was assessed via Bland-Altman analysis. PSI increased with PeSI (p < 0.001), but the slope of this relation was not different between young and older adults (p = 0.189) or as a function of chronic disease (within older adults; p = 0.183). The mean bias between PSI and PeSI was small (0.02), but the 95% LoA was wide (-3.3-3.4). Together, a linear relation between PeSI and PSI was observed but agreement between these measures varied considerably across individuals and thus PeSI should not be used as a surrogate marker of PSI. Caution should be taken when utilizing the PeSI to estimate physiological strain on workers.

Awareness about laying hen welfare has led to the phase-out of conventional battery cages in favor of the adoption of alternative housing systems for egg production in many countries. However, the greater freedom of movement for animals and the presence of manure and litter (sawdust, straw, feathers, etc.) on the floor in some alternative housing systems may be suitable conditions for dusts, bacteria, and fungi to be aerosolized, raising concerns about indoor air quality and respiratory health of workers. The present project aimed at assessing and comparing indoor air quality and bioaerosols in conventional and alternative houses for laying hens. Six were conventional houses (with battery cages), six were enriched colonies, and six were aviary (multi-level cage-free houses) visited in Eastern Canada from 2020-2022. Higher airborne concentrations of particulate matter (PM) from all size fractions (PM1, PM2.5, PM4, PM10, and total dust), culturable bacteria, total endotoxins, and Clostridium perfringens were found in aviaries compared to houses for laying hens in conventional and enriched colonies. Total endotoxin and Clostridium perfringens concentrations were higher in enriched colonies than in conventional laying-hen housing systems. Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter jejuni, and Salmonella sp. were detected in few hen houses. This study highlights possible markers for indoor air quality evaluation inside laying hen houses. These airborne contaminants could be targeted by mitigation strategies to improve indoor air quality in alternative housing systems for laying hens.

Airborne particulates in iron ore mining are a risk factor for adverse human lung effects. In this study, fine particulates deposited on surfaces of about 1.5 m above the ground and 6 meters from a milling unit of the Gol-e-Gohar iron ore mine were collected through wipe sampling. Dust particles less than 5 µm in diameter were separated with an electronic sieve. Aliquots were prepared from the sieved iron ore dust estimated to be equivalent to respiratory exposure in the iron ore mill in the concentrations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 250 µg/mL, which were intended to represent equivalent inhaled doses from working one month to a working life (25 years) in the mine. The airborne concentration of respirable particles was about five times the threshold limit value given (TLV^®) for iron oxide published by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. The in vitro toxicity range was estimated to be equivalent to an accumulated dose associated with working from one month to a working life in the mine. Treatment of the A549 cells resulted in decreased dehydrogenase activity and cell glutathione content and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, mitochondrial membrane permeability, and cell apoptosis-necrosis rates. The results of this study revealed the possibility of lung damage at cell doses for respirable airborne iron oxide particles estimated to be equivalent to accumulated lifetime exposures among Gol-e-Gohar miners. Further studies are recommended to investigate the effect of actual contaminants in the workplace on the occurrence of health effects on workers.

North Sulawesi is renowned for its captivating underwater tourism, attracting SCUBA divers and traditional divers. Given the potential impact of diving activities on lung function, this study aims to explore differences in lung function among self-contained breathing apparatus (SCUBA) diving tourism workers, traditional divers utilizing breathing air compressors and air lines, and non-divers within the coastal areas of tourism destinations in North Sulawesi. Employing a descriptive comparative study with a cross-sectional approach, 90 subjects were categorized into three groups, and selected through simple random sampling. Spirometry was utilized for data collection, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was employed for comparisons, with post hoc analysis for specific differences. The ANOVA analysis revealed significant variations in FVC Predicted, FVC Measured, FEV1, and obstruction and restriction values among SCUBA divers, traditional divers, and non-divers with a level of significance of p < 0.05. Post hoc analysis exhibited noteworthy distinctions in FVC Predicted, FVC Measured, and FEV1 between traditional divers and non-divers, and between SCUBA divers and traditional divers (p < 0.00). Obstruction values showed differences between SCUBA divers and traditional divers (p = 0.012), while restriction values indicated disparities between traditional divers and non-divers (p = 0.019). In conclusion, there were significant variations in lung function among SCUBA diving tourism workers, traditional divers using compressors and air lines, and non-divers within the coastal areas of tourism destinations in North Sulawesi.

This paper aims to investigate the effectiveness of personal protective equipment (PPE) in reducing firefighter exposure to various hazardous chemicals from the smoke emitted during fires. A systematic review of peer-reviewed articles was undertaken utilizing five databases: Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and CINHAL. Studies published between 2013 and 2023 that investigated the effectiveness of PPE in reducing firsthand exposure to at least one chemical were included. Extracted data were grouped into two overarching themes related to PPE: (a) Respiratory Protection and (b) Personal Protective Clothing (PPC). Overall, 21 studies met the inclusion criteria and were considered for further analysis. Respiratory protection, particularly self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), offered the most protection in preventing inhalation exposure to chemical hazards. There was limited evidence on the effectiveness of firefighter turnout gear in reducing skin contamination. Combustion contaminants, especially highly volatile compounds like benzene, were found to permeate and penetrate through and around the protective clothing. In conclusion, certain respirators, particularly SCBA, provided the best protection against inhalation exposure to chemicals; however, PPC did not appear to provide complete protection, particularly against the more volatile chemicals like benzene.

Greenhouses are space-efficient structures used in the production of produce. However, occupational health issues like exposure to chemicals, and physiological and postural stresses are experienced by operators while performing farm activities due to the enclosed environment of the greenhouse. This study assesses chemical exposure and physiological and postural parameters of operators during spraying with two different types of sprayers (Battery-powered knapsack sprayer [Battery sprayer] and AC-powered stationary sprayer [Stationary sprayer]) with two different application techniques (continuous and alternate row). The mean Potential Dermal Exposure (PDE) for a continuous row of spraying was 54 and 70 mL h^-1 with battery and stationary sprayers, respectively. However, PDE in alternate row spraying was approximately 16 and 25% less in battery and stationary sprayers than in a continuous row. The upper and left portions of the body had higher exposure compared to the lower and right half portions in all treatments. The ergonomic parameters (physiological and postural assessment) in continuous and alternate row spraying techniques did not differ but varied with the type of sprayer used. Mean values of energy expenditure rate, body part discomfort score, overall discomfort score, and risk index were 210 ± 35 W, 27 ± 2.0, 6.1 ± 0.4, and 1.0, respectively, in the battery sprayer compared to 290 ± 80 W, 35 ± 4.1, 8.3 ± 1.0, and 2.0 in the stationary sprayer. This study concluded that the use of a battery sprayer with an alternate row spraying technique resulted in lower dermal exposure (45 mL h^-1) and was ergonomically less demanding.

Trichloramine is a disinfection by-product in chlorinated swimming pools. It can evaporate into the air and irritate eyes and airways among swimmers and pool workers. This study aimed to evaluate airborne concentrations of trichloramine in different types of indoor swimming pools. Altogether, 72 swimming pools across Sweden were included; 36 exercise pools, 16 instruction pools, seven adventure pools, and 13 rehabilitation pools. In total, 167 sampling sessions were performed with the majority (N = 91) conducted in public exercise pools. Repeated sampling sessions on different days were performed within all pool categories. Airborne trichloramine was measured stationary by the poolside using active sampling on quartz filters. In total, 434 air samples were collected. The geometric mean (GM) concentration of trichloramine for the exercise pools was 0.12 mg/m³ (range GM_pool: 0.02-0.29 mg/m³) and for about 30% the GM_pool exceeded the Swedish public health guideline value (0.2 mg/m³). The geometric mean for instruction pools was 0.18 mg/m³ and for adventure pools 0.20 mg/m³. Trichloramine concentrations were statistically significantly lower in rehabilitation pools (GM: 0.03 mg/m³) compared with the other pool categories. A statistically significant effect of time of the day for sampling was found for the exercise and instruction pools, with higher trichloramine levels during evenings compared with mornings and afternoons. For the rehabilitation pools, trichloramine was significantly higher during the cold season compared with the warm season. Variability in trichloramine concentrations was attributed to between-pool as well as within-pool variances. The within-pool variability encourages a repeated sampling strategy to capture the variation between different days. These findings have implications for exposure assessment in epidemiological studies as well as for indoor air quality monitoring. Trichloramine can cause acute irritative effects at elevated levels, and since trichloramine concentrations may differ depending on the time of the day it is recommended that full-day stationary measurements are supplemented with short-term samplings to capture these variations.