Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health最新文献

Workplace violence (WPV) is a serious endemic phenomenon in healthcare settings, and it has been escalating during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this cross-sectional study, healthcare workers (HCWs) (105 physicians and 104 nurses) working at two public hospitals accepting patients with COVID-19 in Egypt were included. Using a self-administered questionnaire distributed in January 2021, data about HCWs' sociodemographic and occupational characteristics and their exposure to psychological and physical WPV during the past six months were collected. The results showed that the prevalence of psychological and physical WPV was 42.6% and 9.6%, respectively. Relatives of patients were the perpetrators in most WPV incidents. HCWs did not report 57.3% of psychological and 10.0% of physical WPV incidents. Female sex, having physical contact with patients, and working rotational shifts were associated with the increased exposure to psychological and physical WPV. In conclusion, this study showed a high prevalence of WPV against HCWs in Egyptian public hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

There is a substantial burden of occupational health effects from heat exposure. We sought to assess the accuracy of estimated core body temperature (CBT_est) derived from an algorithm that uses sequential heart rate and initializing CBT,¹ compared with gastrointestinal temperature measured using more invasive ingestible sensors (CBT_gi), among outdoor agricultural workers. We analyzed CBT_est and CBT_gi data from Washington State, USA, pear and apple harvesters collected across one work shift in 2015 (13,413 observations, 35 participants) using Bland Altman methods. The mean (standard deviation, range) CBT_gi was 37.7 (0.4, 36.5-39.4)°C. Overall CBT bias (limits of agreement) was -0.14 (±0.76)°C. Biases ranged from -0.006 to -0.75 °C. The algorithm, which does not require the use of ingestible sensors, may be a practical tool in research among groups of workers for evaluating the effectiveness of interventions to prevent adverse occupational heat health effects.

Evidence suggests that professional drivers are at risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE), a life-threatening yet preventable disease. Awareness of VTE among this population has not been assessed in the Middle East. The study aimed to assess professional drivers' awareness of VTE and attitudes toward VTE preventive measures. We used a validated VTE awareness questionnaire to interview 324 drivers in Saudi Arabia during February-March 2020. Knowledge about VTE was the lowest compared to other medical conditions. Less than a third (31.8%) of the drivers were aware of VTE. Only 15.7% of those with prior awareness correctly identified all four deep vein thrombosis symptoms, and only 7.4% correctly identified all five pulmonary embolism symptoms. A significant proportion believed in unrelated practices for VTE prevention. Health promotion campaigns are urgently needed to raise awareness and to promote healthy behaviors.

Exposures to dust, vapors, or fumes (DVF) are associated with chronic bronchitis (CB) and emphysema. The 2007-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data were used to estimate age-standardized prevalence of CB and emphysema among ever-employed adults by exposure status and industry and occupation groups. Age-standardized CB and emphysema prevalence were 2.3% and 1.9%, respectively. Of the estimated 111 million U.S. workers exposed to DVF, 2.7% reported CB and 2.8% reported emphysema. Workers in the "accommodation, food services" industry and "food preparation, serving related" occupations were more likely to report CB and emphysema. Current findings indicate that workplace exposures may be associated with high prevalence of CB and emphysema in certain industry and occupational groups. Early diagnosis and identifying associated workplace exposures are important steps in CB and emphysema prevention efforts.

This registry-based case-control study aimed to assess the association between asbestos deposits in the birthplace and/or residence and nonmalignant pleural findings, namely pleural plaques (PPs) and pleural thickening (PT), on chest CT scans. In total, 39,472 CT scans obtained over five years in a tertiary referral hospital in Ankara, Turkey, were evaluated. Cases involving patients with PP (n = 537), PT (n = 263), PP&PT (n = 69), and controls (n = 543) from the same study base without those conditions were included. Each case group was compared to controls using unconditional logistic regression. The presence of asbestos deposits in the district of birthplace (adjusted OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.35-3.37) and both birthplace and residence (aOR = 4.32, 95% CI: 2.26-8.27) was significantly related to the PPs. As the importance of environmental asbestos exposure in Turkey continues, future prospective studies could contribute to developing screening strategies.

The study aim was to determine whether styrene exposure was associated with respiratory outcomes in a dose-response manner in the fibreglass reinforcement industry. Workers (n=254) from a fibreglass reinforcement factory were subjected to a standardised interview, spirometry and styrene monitoring. Cumulative exposure was calculated across different jobs and levels of exposure. Logistic regression modelling estimated risk for symptoms, respiratory diseases and lung function change across exposure tertiles. The geometric means of styrene in the General Laminating and Fitting Departments were 48.2 mg/m³ (95% CI 36.3-64.1 mg/m³) and 20.7 mg/m³ (95% CI: 15.6-27.5 mg/m³), respectively. The cumulative exposure odds ratios for chronic cough, phlegm, wheezing and breathlessness for high exposure was 3.1 (95% CI 1.1-8.6), 5.3 (95% CI 1.7-16.6), 3.3 (95% CI 1.2-9.1) and 5.5 (95% CI 1.15-26.4), respectively. The cumulative exposure associated reduction in FEV₁/FVC ratio, percent predicted FEV₁ and FVC was 0.01, 0.04% and 0.05%, respectively. Styrene exposure increases the risk of respiratory symptoms and is associated with reduced lung function.

The aim is to assess the prevalence and knowledge on acute occupational exposure to phosphine in the shipping industry. We followed PRISMA guidelines for scoping review. We searched in 4 databases without language and date restrictions for scientific articles in peer-reviewed and gray literature. We found 13 peer-reviewed articles and 63 articles in gray literature. These covered 56 incidents from 1963 to 2019 for a total of 254 victims and 22 fatalities. There is an increase in the number of reported cases over the last 20 years. Neurologic and gastrointestinal symptoms are predominant, and hospitalization is needed in 80% of cases. Our review underlined the principal risk as gas exposure through leaks between holds and the ventilation system. Further studies on the knowledge and the prevention in order to improve good practices onboard, prevent the risk of fire explosion, and a global reporting system of new cases are recommended.

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) on some antioxidant and cytokine levels in the rat hippocampus as well as synaptophysin (SYP) immunoreactivity in the cerebral cortex of the cadmium (Cd) exposed rats. Thirty-two male albino Wistar rats were divided randomly into four equal groups as control (C; n = 8), Cd (n = 8), COS (n = 8), and Cd + COS (CdCOS; n = 8). The rats in the Cd and CdCOS groups received Cd chloride (CdCl₂) (2 mg/kg/d) orally by gastric gavage three times a week for 4 weeks. Besides, COS (200 mg/kg/d) was administered to COS and CdCOS groups five times a week for 4 weeks. Then, they were decapitated and hippocampal/cerebral cortex tissue samples were taken for measurement of GSH levels, CAT and SOD activities, MDA values, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 levels as well as SYP immunoreactivity. Although tissue GSH levels were determined the lowest in the Cd group, these values were attenuated with COS treatment in the CdCOS group (p < .01). In addition, TNF-α levels were alleviated by COS treatment in the CdCOS group when compared to Cd (p < .01). SYP-positive cells were investigated in the cerebral cortex and found mild in the CdCOS group. COS exhibits potential protective effects on Cd-induced neurotoxicity in rats.

Occupational Lead (Pb) exposure increases reactive oxygen species and has been reported to impact inflammatory response by modulating intracellular signaling pathways. Selenium (Se) a vital component of the antioxidant system that plays an important role in modulating cytokines. The present study evaluated Se, malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-17a) in 81 Pb exposed male workers. The median (range) of blood lead level (BLL) and Se were 5 (0.50-31.76) µg/dL and 104 (46.9-189.6) µg/L respectively. The Se, TAC levels were decreased, and MDA, IL-6 levels were increased in the high Pb group (>5μg/dL). Blood lead level independently predicted oxidative stress and antioxidant status. Selenium, TAC levels negatively and MDA, IL-6 levels positively correlated with BLL. Association of Se with IL-6 and TAC suggests some probable role of Se in the underlined mechanism of Pb toxicity.

The risk of COVID-19 mortality among physicians in Egypt has not been estimated yet. Using data from the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), the Central Agency for Public Mobilization And Statistics (CAPMAS) in Egypt, and the Egyptian Medical Syndicate, this report aimed to roughly estimate this risk. We found that, up to April 28th, 2021, the deaths of physicians contributed to 3.7% of COVID-19 mortality in Egypt, and physicians were almost 19 times more likely to die of COVID-19 compared with the general population above the median age (>24.5 years). Still, this contribution could be overestimated because the MoHP might have failed to report a significant number of COVID-19 deaths among the general population.