Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health最新文献

This article analyzes the relationship between the age of male workers deceased in work accidents and temporal (year, month, day of the week, working shifts), geographic (provinces), and economic sector characteristics in which the accidents occurred in Ecuador between 2014 and 2020. Available data on fatal accidents from the Ecuadorian Social Security Institute (IESS) were collected. The results, which report both frequencies and proportions (rates), indicate that fatal accidents have decreased in the period, although the average age of deceased workers has increased. No significant differences were found regarding the month, day of the week, and work shift, nor in the frequency of accidents or the age of the deceased workers. However, differences were found in terms of geographical areas and sectors of economic activity. This study contributes to the literature as it is the first to analyze the temporal and geographical characteristics of fatal accidents about the age of the deceased worker.

World Trade Center exposures may have the potential to cause or aggravate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The WTC Health Program covers the entire range of clinical services for COPD, following the 2021 diagnostic and treatment guidelines of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD).

The aim of this study was to analyse the nationwide data on sick leaves (SL) due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders among Slovenian workers in section E "water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities" from NACE Rev2 classification. We report both, SL frequency (ie, number of cases) and SL severity (ie, average SL duration), stratified by body region, gender, age and divisions within the section. In addition, trends in SL data (year 2015-2019 difference) were analyzed. Throughout the analysed years, ∼9,000 workers were employed in the section, with male to female ratio at ∼ 4:1. The major findings are as follows: (i) low back disorders were by far the most prevalent, however, the mean SL duration was the highest for lower limb disorders; (ii) older age was associated with increased SL frequency and duration, irrespective of gender; (iii) male gender was consistently associated with larger SL duration, while the data on SL frequency is inconclusive, as older females had more frequent SL than older males; (iv) the effect of division was relatively minor and the comparisons are limited due to large discrepancies regarding the number of workers across divisions; (v) a slight increasing trend for both SL frequency and duration was observed from 2015 to 2019. In conclusion, particular attention in terms of early diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders should be given to male workers and older workers in general in section E.

The study assessed occupationally induced chromosomal damage in hospital personnel at risk of exposure to antineoplastic drugs and/or low doses of ionizing radiation by two cytogenetic methods. Cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes of eighty-five hospital workers were examined twice over 2 to 3 years by classical chromosomal aberration analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization. The comparison of the 1^st and the 2^nd sampling of hospital workers showed a significant increase in chromatid and chromosomal aberrations (all p < .05) examined by classical chromosomal aberration analysis, and in unstable aberrations (all p < .05) detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Both cytogenetic methods were able to detect an increase of unstable aberrations in the 2^nd sampling. The raised frequency of unstable cytogenetic parameters suggested higher recent exposure to genotoxic agents.

Purpose: This study has been conducted to test the Turkish Validity and Reliability of the Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Questionnaire.

Materials and methods: This methodological research has been carried out in a health center in Istanbul between January and April 2021. Between the specified dates, 306 older adults who met the research criteria within the population of the research, who accepted to participate and returned the filled-out questionnaires have been included in the study. The items of the scale are scored between -2, 2 and the scale consists of 20 items and 8 sub-dimensions. After the scale was translated, the content and structure validity tests were carried out.

Results: As a result of the evaluations and analyses, the content validity index of the scale was found to be 0.96. In the explanatory factor analysis conducted in the adaptation of the scale to Turkish, the total variance rate explained was found to be 92.36%. The factor loads of all items ranged between 0.71 and 0.91. The Cronbach Alpha values of the sub-dimensions of the scale ranged from .899 to .969, and the total Cronbach Alpha value was determined as .954. EFA and CFA results showed that the scale consists of 8 sub-dimensions with 20 items and the factor structure is sufficient. Good coherence index values were obtained as a result of CFA.

Conclusion: The Turkish version of the Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Questionnaire is a valid and reliable measurement tool to evaluate age-friendly practices in an area where older adults live.

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are a diverse set of related conditions with multiple etiologies, in addition to a group where the cause is unknown. There is concern for a potential association of WTC-related exposures with ILD, but the disease range has not differed from what is observed in the general population, and active investigations to study that association are ongoing. Although these diseases are very diverse, some are extremely rare, and they often are disabling and have a poor prognosis, evidence-based guidelines for their diagnosis, management and long-term monitoring have emerged and will evolve as knowledge and therapeutic options increase. This brief article summarizes pertinent issues of diagnosis and management of ILDs, applicable to the diverse group of ILDs that have been observed in the WTC Health Program covered population.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common health conditions reported among persons exposed to the dust, debris and chemicals after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States. In the 9/11-exposed population, GERD is often found to be co-morbid with other conditions, such as asthma, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obesity. High-quality clinical practice guidelines for GERD are available from the American College of Gastroenterology. GERD diagnostic services and medically necessary treatment are covered by the WTC Health Program for persons who meet eligibility criteria.

The events of September 11, 2001 exposed nearly half a million community residents and workers engaged in rescue and recovery and clean-up to dust, debris and toxic chemicals, as well as psychologic and physical stressors. Early studies showed an excess of aerodigestive diseases including rhinosinusitis and gastroesophageal reflux. Several studies of World Trade Center (WTC) responders report an excess of obstructive sleep apnea among patients who developed new onset or worsening chronic rhinosinusitis. High quality clinical diagnostic and treatment guidelines are available from The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense. For enrolled members, the WTC program covers diagnostic evaluation and treatment for sleep apnea in members diagnosed with WTC-related upper and lower respiratory disease and gastroesophageal reflux.

A growing body of research supports the association between exposure to the World Trade Center attacks and increased risk of subsequent depression, particularly among individuals who directly witnessed the attacks or participated in the rescue and recovery efforts. Depressive disorders, often comorbid with PTSD and substance use disorders, present an ongoing and substantial health burden for 9/11 responders and survivors. These conditions are associated with an increased risk of suicide mortality, highlighting the importance of screening for depression and suicidal ideation in this population. This paper, part of a series for primary care and other clinicians, offers a brief overview of research on depression in WTC-exposed populations, summarizes critical elements for identifying and managing depression, and offers best practices for suicide prevention.