Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine最新文献

This study aims to investigate the pulmonary functions and respiratory symptoms of workers in the neem oil extraction industry in Tamil Nadu, India, who are exposed to neem oil dust and chemicalsin their occupational environment. Fifty male workers from the exposed group and 50 male workers from the non-exposed group to neem dust and chemicals were investigated for this study. A modified respiratory assessment questionnaire based on the American Thoracic Society (ATS) standard and portable hand-held spirometry were used to assess their respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function. Respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and, nasal irritation are found to be higher in the exposed groups than in the controlled groups. The pulmonary function of exposed workers had doubled respiratory problems than the controlled groups, which indicates the impacts of dust and chemicals generated during neem oil extraction on workers' health. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁)/forced vital capacity FVC)% was noted regarding the duration of exposure to neem oil dust (P < 0.001). Also, there was a high difference between the heavily exposed and the lightly exposed (P < 0.001). Hence, to mitigate these problems, the oil mill workers should be cautious and wear personal protection equipment during working hours, and it is recommended to have an exhaust ventilation system.

Background: Sculpting is a common occupation in India. However, there have been no studies from India on sculpting-related silicosis.

Aims: The aims of this study were to evaluate- 1. awareness of disease related to sculpting. 2. Clinical, radiological, and physiological parameters in "sculpting workers" suffering from silicosis.

Settings and design: This was a retrospective evaluation of data collected during compensation visits for silicosis in workers of the sculpting industries.

Methods and material: The data were collected between January 2021 to April 2023. A total of 114 patients were evaluated. All patients underwent clinical evaluation including awareness about the disease, chest radiography, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan of the chest, and spirometry.

Results: The majority of patients (109) (95%) did not use any personal protective equipment while at work and did not have any awareness regarding preventive measures. On chest radiography, small opacities (rounded or irregular) and large opacities were seen in 84 (73.7%) and 26 (22.8%) patients, respectively. The size of large opacities was significantly proportionate with duration of job (P = 0.019). HRCT chest was more sensitive compared to chest radiographs. 94 (82.4%) patients were having abnormal spirometric findings.

Conclusions: The benefits of prevention of silica dust exposure and patient education considerably outweigh the benefits of early detection and treatment of silicosis, as there was an increase in the size of lesions with increasing duration of exposure. There should be a national health program on silicosis to protect worker's health.

Context: Indoor air pollution (IAP) affects the long-term health, cognitive growth, and academic performance of children. Since children spend most of their time at school, quantifying IAP in classrooms is an important parameter for air pollution.

Aim: To assess the average particulate matter (PM) levels inside and outside of classrooms along with their associated factors and teacher's perceived indoor climate.

Setting and design: Cross-sectional survey in nine government-run schools.

Methods and material: PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ were measured inside the classroom and outdoors simultaneously during summers, using an Atmos monitor for two consecutive days, along with several school and classroom characteristics. Perception about indoor air quality was captured from teachers (n = 15) using a validated questionnaire.

Statistical analysis: Mean values of PM using mixed effect linear regression. Perceived indoor air quality is presented using percentages.

Results: Mean indoor PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ was 52.5 µg/m³ and 65 µg/m³. Indoor and outdoor PM levels were highly correlated, but the indoor-outdoor ratio of PM concentrations was more than 1. Teachers were mostly bothered by dust, dirt, and noise in the schools.

Conclusion: Indoor air quality was higher than World Health Organization (WHO) standards but within the national standards. Need further research to find the exact cause for higher indoor PM levels compared to outdoor PM levels.

Background: Occupational noise is considered a factor contributing to acquired hearing loss (HL) in adults. Frequent noise exposure can cause cochlear damage, leading to sensorineural HL, tinnitus, vertigo, and other non auditory effects as well. Although it is well known that liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) plants in India have become a workplace source for occupational noise pollution exposure, there are not many studies that probe into the auditory effects of workplace noise in LPG plants.

Aim: The study aims to document HL and self reported otological symptoms in employees with occupational noise exposure at a typical LPG plant in a suburban location in India. 53 employees who reported workplace noise exposure were assessed for HL and self reported auditory symptoms.

Method: Self reported symptoms were collected using a custom made case history questionnaire, and auditory sensitivity was measured using air conduction audiometers.

Results: Among the 53 participants, 27 tested positive for HL. A mild degree of HL was frequently observed, followed by a moderate and severe degree of HL. In the self reported otological complaints reported by 31 participants, HL and aural fullness were the most commonly reported auditory symptoms. Additionally, the use of ear protection devices and hearing conservation practices among the participants were poor.

Conclusion: Hearing loss and self-reported auditory symptoms were present in the study group indicating the effect of occupational noise in the auditory system.

Aims: This research aimed to evaluate work fatigue and its relationship with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and heat stress (WBGT) among greenhouse workers in Jiroft County, southeast Iran.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out between September 2021 and February 2022 among 150 workers in summer crop greenhouses. Data were collected by a demographic questionnaire, the Swedish occupational fatigue inventory (SOFI-20), and the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ), and wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) was measured as per ISO 7243. The collected data were analyzed by the χ² test, logistic regression, and multivariable linear regression in the Stata 17.0 software.

Results: The results showed a higher total fatigue score among the studied workers (mean = 100.71 out of 200). Among the fatigue dimensions, the three dimensions of lack of energy, physical discomfort, and physical exertion had the highest scores of 27.28, 26.71, and 25.71, respectively. The highest rate of MSD prevalence was in the back (54.7%), neck (50.7%), and shoulders (49.3%). Based on ISO 7243, the mean WBGT was beyond the allowed level for most tasks for greenhouse workers. There was a statistically significant relationship between occupational fatigue with MSDs and WBGT.

Conclusion: Given the relatively high score reported for fatigue and its relationship with MSDs and heat stress, it is recommended to conduct further and more applied studies to investigate the approaches to alleviating heat stress and physical ergonomic risk factors in greenhouses in this occupational group.

Background: Seed processing workers are exposed to dust particles generated during the processing of seeds, which can have adverse effects on their respiratory health. Aim: to estimate the prevalence and patterns of respiratory morbidity among seed processing workers in Hooghly district, West Bengal, India, and to explore their use of respiratory personal protective equipment (PPE).

Methods: A cross sectional observational study was conducted in 5 seed processing plants from December 2022 to February 2023. A sample size of 129 workers was selected using probability proportionate to population size to select seed processing plants and simple random sampling to select workers at selected plants. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, occupational profile, substance use patterns, respiratory PPE use, and respiratory symptoms were collected through structured interviews. Spirometry was performed with a hand held tabletop spirometer (RMS Helios 401) to assess respiratory function.

Results: 52.7% of participants reported at least one chronic respiratory symptom, while 17.1% had evident respiratory morbidity based on spirometry results, with most having restrictive patterns (10.1%). Multivariable regression analysis revealed that factors associated with respiratory morbidity included increasing work years of exposure [1.10 (1.02 1.18)], irregular use of respiratory PPE [4.36 (1.22 15.57)], and primary or below education level [6.09 (1.38 26.98)].

Conclusion: The study highlights the high prevalence of respiratory symptoms and morbidity among seed processing workers. It emphasizes the importance of implementing effective respiratory protection measures and raising awareness about occupational lung diseases in this industry. Further research and interventions are needed to improve the respiratory health and well being of seed processing workers.

Background: Leptospirosis is a reemerging zoonosis affecting humans and animals worldwide in tropical and subtropical countries. The study was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence of leptospirosis in high-risk occupational groups (cattle farm workers, poultry farm workers, and slaughterhouse workers) in the state of Gujarat and to determine related risk factors for leptospirosis.

Methods: Using an interview-guided questionnaire, a cross-sectional study was conducted involving 123 people in high-risk occupational groups (namely, cattle farm workers, poultry farm workers, and slaughterhouse workers) from five districts of the state of Gujarat, India. The participants' serum samples were screened for antileptospiral antibodies by using Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin M (IgM) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) followed by a microscopic agglutination test (MAT). The Chi-square (χ²) test and odds ratio were calculated using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 22 (IBM Corp., Armonk, N.Y., USA) to ascertain the associated risk factors.

Results: Regarding demographic information, this study included 104 men and 19 women in high-risk occupational groups. The overall seroprevalence of antileptospiral antibodies in these high-risk workers was 46.3%. The seroprevalence was the highest among poultry farm workers (56.6%), followed by cattle farm workers (54.5%) and slaughterhouse workers (25.6%). The MAT in combination with IgM is adequate for the serological diagnosis of leptospirosis, but we have also employed IgG ELISA to understand the chronic infection in these high-risk occupational groups as exposure was both past and present. Tests were conducted for antibodies against various Leptospira serovars in the major serogroups; frequent serovars included Hurstbridge, Panama, Javanica, Tarassovi, Copenhageni, Pomona, and Weaveri, among others. The significant (P < 0.05) risk factors associated with leptospirosis in these high-risk occupations reported to be living in field areas, the presence of livestock in the neighborhood, working in slaughterhouses, drinking water from natural water resources, contact with animals such as dogs or livestock, and wounds during occupational practice.

Conclusion: Considering the high seroprevalence of leptospirosis, high-risk occupational groups should be regularly screened for potential development of the fatal disease. Hurstbridge was found to be the most prevalent serovar in the studied population, followed by Panama, Javanica, and Tarassovi.

Background: Accidental injuries sustained during helocasting remain unexamined.

Methods: Conditions prevalent during a helocasting exercise performed at a still water body and the resulting casualties were analyzed.

Results: Despatch from greater-than-ideal height (>7 m) and speed (>5 knots) causes a high-velocity impact of the body with water in a non-aerodynamic configuration, exposing maximal body area at penetration. The brunt is borne by the torso/back, specifically, the lungs, ribs, and posterior aspect of the spine. The injuries result from direct trauma, sudden deceleration, barotrauma, and hyperflexion. Computerized tomography (CT) is the imaging of choice in the assessment of these injuries. Prompt evacuation to an equipped center, whilst stabilizing the spine in the suspected, proves pivotal to the outcome.

Conclusions: Adverse slamming dynamics cause accidental injuries in helocasting. Thorax and spine are predominantly traumatized, both directly and indirectly, and are assessed best using CT. Timely spine stabilization and evacuation prove vital. Accurate assessment of height/speed and adherence to their ideal limits, at despatch, may avert such injuries.

Background: Decades of conflict and cycles of disasters in Afghanistan have caused enormous impacts on health, the economy, and even national security.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms and their determinants among Afghan healthcare workers.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 830 Afghan healthcare workers working in public and private hospitals was conducted between May and July 2021. We employed a non-probability sampling method to select our subjects. The questionnaire was composed of sections on sociodemographic information, working conditions, and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Multivariable linear regression models were fitted using SPSS 21 to identify determinants of mental health symptoms among Afghan healthcare workers at a 5% significance level.

Results: Of all participants, 52.3% (435) had symptoms of depression, 48.8% (405) anxiety, and 46.9% (389) stress. The likelihood of mental health symptoms was higher among those who worked in an urban setting (P = 0.001), were physically inactive (P = <0.001), had a decrease in income or an unpaid salary in the past six months (P = <0.001), thinking of leaving Afghanistan (P = <0.001), had medical comorbidity (P = <0.001), and being single (P = 0.048)].

Conclusion: This study highlights the important findings about the psychological health of healthcare workers in Afghanistan. These findings suggest rapid, actionable, and locally relevant interventions to assure potential improvements in working and living conditions for the health staff.