Annals Of Work Exposures and Health最新文献

Workers in various sectors can be exposed to multiple occupational hazards, including chemical substances and night or shift work. However, the health effects of such coexposures remain largely unexplored, and we lack data on the individuals concerned. This study aimed to quantify the number of French workers coexposed to chemical substances and night or shift work and provide statistical indicators for each sector and occupation. The analysis was based on data from the 2010 and 2017 SUMER surveys, which assessed occupational exposure in a representative sample of French workers. These data were crossed with workforce estimates from the French National Statistics Institute (INSEE) to estimate the total number of workers exposed. Four groups were defined on the basis of work schedules: (i) shift work without night work, (ii) shift work with night work, (iii) permanent night work (without shift work), and (iv) day work. The prevalence of chemical exposure in these groups was compared based on descriptive statistics. Of a total of 26.8 million French workers, about 6.5 million are exposed to night and/or shift work, with a higher prevalence among men (4.2 million) than women (2.3 million). The proportion of workers who were also exposed to at least one chemical substance was significantly higher among night or shift workers (36% to 49%) than among day workers (26%). The sectors most affected were healthcare, transport, construction, and manufacturing. Common chemicals included disinfectants (alcohols, quaternary ammonium compounds, and bleach), diesel exhaust, and industrial lubricants. Our results highlight the extent of coexposure to chemical substances and night or shift work among French workers. Given the potential health risks, particularly in the healthcare and industrial sectors, preventive measures should be implemented. Future research should investigate the long-term health effects associated with these combined occupational risk factors.

Samples of the respirable fraction of airborne particles to which workers are exposed are an important component of many health protection programs, especially in those workplaces where there is a risk of health problems from exposure to respirable crystalline silica. The most common technique for size-selection of the respirable dust fraction is to use a miniature cyclone preselector, many of which are based on the "Higgens-Dewell" (HD) design. A variant of the HD cyclone, commonly referred to as the "aluminum (or aluminium) cyclone," was developed in Scandinavia. Early work showed that a flow rate of 2.2 l min-1 would be appropriate to meet the size-separation convention standardized under the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), while a later, non-peer-reviewed study suggested 2.5 l min-1 and this flow rate is currently recommended by the manufacturers. The International Sampler Comparison Group is working on revising the European Standard EN13205 on sampler performance testing for consideration as an ISO standard. In this work, 5 aluminum cyclone units were tested at 2.5 l min-1 and the cyclones were further tested at 2.3 and 2.2 l min-1 to determine the optimal flow rate. While the flow rate of 2.3 l min-1 had the lowest overall mean bias, a flow rate of 2.2 l min-1 gave bias <±10% over the whole area of size distributions of interest. This supports earlier findings and suggests that 2.2 l min-1 is the most accurate flow rate for sampling with the aluminum cyclone. However, 2.3 l min-1 also meets the specification of EN13205 in that the area of bias >±10% is minimal. The consequence of continuing to use the aluminum cyclone at 2.5 l min-1 is an underestimate of respirable particles when compared with the ISO convention.

Low-cost particulate matter (PM) sensors are useful for measuring exposure to hazardous particles in the workplace but show different levels of structural under- or overestimation (ie bias) and random variation (ie error) for different types of particles. Traditional calibration methods that are based on comparing with reference measurements can improve sensor performance but require substantial quantities of reference measurements, which may be infeasible to collect when sensors are used in many different situations. This study aimed to quantify sensor performance in different occupational situations and compare methods for improving performance without requiring reference measurements. Sensor measurements with paired reference measurements for particle number (n = 253) and mass (n = 33) concentrations were collected for 6 situations, where particles were assumed to consist of primarily cinnamon, flour, quartz, spruce wood, varnish, or welding fumes. Absolute and relative bias and error were calculated for sensor-reported measurements and 4 methods to calculate mass concentrations from particle number counts. Methods included a literature-derived calibration model and 3 physics-based algorithms that included combinations of particle size, density, and shape. For particle number concentrations, the highest relative bias was observed for the smallest size bin (0.3 to 0.5 µm). PM2.5 mass concentrations were underestimated by 72% compared to reference respirable dust measurements. This underestimation was reduced to 4.5% by recalculating mass from particle number concentrations, assuming uniform particle density and shape and attributing size fractions according to the respirable dust convention. Including particle-specific density and shape showed minor additional changes in overall bias (4.4% overestimation) but halved relative bias for 4 situations. Error was comparable for sensor-reported and recalculated mass concentrations (SD ranging from 93% to 106%) but differed between situations. This study addresses challenges in sensor performance in occupational settings. It shows that recalculating mass from particle counts can reduce bias without extensive reference measurements. This practical approach enhances sensor accuracy, aiding in better monitoring and managing hazardous particle exposure, ultimately improving occupational health.

European directives play a key role in establishing occupational exposure limit values within the European Union. Directive 98/24/EC and national regulations, such as French Decree 2021-1763, have recently introduced strict limits for exposure to non-specific dust, significantly impacting sectors such as natural stone processing. This study analyzes workers' exposure to inhalable and respirable dust across 8 representative industrial facilities in France, focusing on granite, hard limestone, soft limestone, and sandstone. Measurements were conducted to quantify exposure levels across 5 different processes, considering key parameters such as seasonal variations, wet and dry processes, as well as dust reduction measures. Results show significant seasonal fluctuations, with higher exposures in summer, particularly during granite finishing work, where inhalable dust concentrations exceeded regulatory thresholds by up to 120 times. Wet processes demonstrated effective dust reduction, decreasing concentrations by more than 90% compared to dry methods. However, exposure to crystalline silica frequently exceeds regulatory limits, highlighting a persistent health risk for workers. The study also assessed the effectiveness of technical devices, such as suction booths and water curtains, as well as the impact of wearing a mask on occupational exposure. If suction booths and hoses have proven to be highly effective, their performance remains limited during high-emission operations. In that case and in the absence of adequate engineering controls, filtering facepiece (FFP3) masks would be appropriate.

Extractive operations are expanding in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), resulting in a growing burden of silicosis. Given the need to promote knowledge and awareness of this disease, we are concerned by uncritical use of data reported by the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) project. We find that the outputs of the GBD for silicosis in LMICs conflict with recent available empirical data, including our research experience in mining cohorts, suggesting substantial underestimation in these countries. We attribute this, inter alia, to generic utilization of country vital statistics and misalignment of the models with industrial and occupational predictors of silicosis. Scarcity of data for model inputs and empirical silicosis estimates remains a serious barrier to accurate modelling. However, over-reliance on complex modelling tools can produce unintended consequences for public health policy and discourse. Collaborative global and country surveillance of silicosis is needed, aided by the expansion of newly available low-cost screening technology.

Human biomonitoring (HBM) complements air and surface measurements by integrating exposure from all routes and sources, strengthening occupational exposure assessment and control. In occupational settings, HBM can quantify exposure during routine work and nonroutine activities, evaluate controls, investigate incidents (potential overexposures), and support medical surveillance. To use HBM to its full potential, occupational health and safety professionals (OHPs) should adopt harmonized biomonitoring approaches reflecting best practice. This short communication presents the BASIC Guide series (Human Biomonitoring and Surveillance of Chemical Exposure in Occupational Settings), initiated by the International Society of Exposure Science Human Biomonitoring working group (ISES Europe HBM WG) as an integral part of the HBM Global Network. These chemical-specific practical documents operationalize the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) occupational biomonitoring guidance, supporting the consistent implementation of exposure biomonitoring programs. Each BASIC Guide provides clear instructions on biomarker selection, sample handling, analytical methods, quality assurance, and result interpretation and communication. By translating international frameworks into actionable protocols, the BASIC Guides improve reproducibility and regulatory alignment in occupational HBM and enable more defensible exposure assessments worldwide.

Objectives: The Korean CARcinogen EXposure (K-CAREX) project previously assessed occupational exposure to 20 International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Group 1 carcinogens in 2010. This study updated K-CAREX to reflect exposure data from 2020.

Methods: We selected 20 IARC Group 1 carcinogens for this update. Reference exposure prevalence estimates were calculated using 3 nationwide occupational databases: the Work Environment Measurement Database (WEMD), the Special Health Examination Database (SHED), and the Work Environment Condition Survey (WECS). Among 37 industrial hygienists from the previous study, 26 participated again, providing exposure estimates after reviewing reference estimates from the 3 data sources. The median of their estimates was used as the final exposure prevalence. The number of exposed workers was calculated by multiplying the final exposure prevalence by the 2020 national census data for each carcinogen and industry. Exposure intensity ratings were also estimated using the WEMD.

Results: Exposure prevalence and the number of exposed workers were estimated for 20 carcinogens across 232 industries. For example, in the "manufacture of basic chemicals" industry, benzene exposure prevalence was estimated at 9%, with 3,833 workers exposed and an exposure intensity rating of 2. The largest exposed population was to welding fumes (266,965 workers), followed by crystalline silica (246,807 workers), nickel (191,258 workers), and mineral oil mist (179,305 workers).

Conclusions: This updated data offers valuable insights into occupational carcinogen exposure, supporting cancer prevention efforts and future epidemiological studies.

Students enrolled in Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences (OEHS) programs complete a specific curriculum designed to provide students with technical knowledge of industrial hygiene practices. Practical experience in occupational health and safety may depend upon a student's ability to secure internships, but students can benefit from the more thorough integration of practical experience into their academic training. This case study highlights how, through a variety of partnerships, a series of unique experiences related to occupational health and safety in museums were created for OEHS students to apply the health and safety knowledge learned in the classroom to a real-world setting. Students gained both technical and interpersonal skills through these activities and provided services and learning opportunities for museum studies students and museum personnel.

Workplaces handling chemicals require an up-to-date and comprehensive assessment of the potential risks for their workforce. Online safety data sheets (SDSs) inventories provide adequate information to perform risk assessments. However, current practices that manually import information from SDSs into the online inventories are time-consuming, leading to delayed or inadequate risk assessments. This study presents a pipeline using large language models (LLMs) to automate the extraction and management of data from SDSs to online chemical inventories. The pipeline achieved an average accuracy of 0.83 in (close to precisely) extracting multiple variables of interest, such as company name, product name, and hazard statements, in comparison to manually extracting these variables. Overall, this pipeline illustrates the ability of LLM tools to automate SDS inventory management and thereby support the possibility to perform up-to-date risk assessments and evaluation tasks on the work floor, ultimately contributing to occupational safety.

Objectives: Filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) manufactured in South Africa and elsewhere for use by South African workers are commonly tested against non-South African respirator fit test panels (RFTPs) such as those for the United States and the Chinese population, the 2009 Chinese RFTP. These RFTPs are based on facial measurements of their respective populations. Our study evaluated the applicability of these panels to Black South Africans and developed a representative panel for Black South African respirator users.

Methods: Facial dimensions were collected from 693 Black South African respirator users using traditional anthropometric tools. Face width and Face length were overlaid on the NIOSH and Chinese bivariate RFTPs to determine their applicability by checking distribution within the panels and individual cells. We then developed a dedicated Black South African bivariate panel. This included adjustments of panel boundaries to contain 95% of the study population. Data were analysed using STATA version 17 (and graphed using Microsoft Excel).

Results: Panels developed for the United States and Chinese populations did not adequately represent Black South Africans. Most (96.5%) of Black South Africans fell within the NIOSH panel, however, there was no uniform distribution. The Chinese panel only contained 90.8% within the cell boundaries, which was less than the required 95% population within the panel boundaries. Thus, a new bivariate panel representative of Black South Africans was developed. The new panel boundary limits for the Black South African panel are 95 to 135 mm for face length and 123 and 154 mm for face width, which differ from those of the NIOSH and Chinese panels. The final Black South African bivariate panel contains more than 97% of the study population with a more even distribution of subjects within the cell and panel boundaries.

Conclusions: The findings showed that the NIOSH and Chinese bivariate panels do not adequately represent the Black South African population. Respirators designed and tested using these panels or similar ones may negatively affect the desired fit of a Black South African population. The newly developed bivariate panel for Black South Africans should be validated in future studies. It is uncertain to what extent the findings are generalizable to the South and Southern African population external to the study area of Gauteng.