Annals Of Work Exposures and Health最新文献

Introduction: Heat stress poses a recognized threat to human health. Despite growing evidence, its impact on healthcare workers (HCWs) remains underexplored. This study evaluates occupational heat stress in HCWs, assessing physiological responses and subjective well-being.

Methods: Twelve HCWs from a German university hospital were monitored in non-air-conditioned intensive care units (ICU) and non-ICU settings during the summer of 2022 (mean indoor temperature of 26.5 °C) and again in the autumn of the same year or in March 2023 (mean indoor temperature of 23.6 °C). Physiological data (core body temperature, heart rate, and skin temperature) and subjective perceptions were measured using wearable sensors and questionnaires.

Results: In summer, mean core body and skin temperatures were higher by 0.4 °C and 0.3 °C, respectively. ICU workers exhibited higher heart rates and reported greater mental demands, frustration, and discomfort, particularly when using personal protective equipment (PPE). Common symptoms included sweating, fatigue, and headaches.

Conclusion: We observed some evidence suggesting that elevated indoor temperatures and reported PPE usage contribute to increased HCWs' heat strain, which could potentially affect health, safety, and performance. Given the observed trends, we recommend considering cooling vests and revising workplace standards to mitigate heat stress.

Background: Following the health restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, about a third of French workers experienced mandatory teleworking during the lockdowns. The objective of this study is to examine the complex relationships between teleworking conditions, depressive symptomatology, and the onset of low back pain (LBP) during France's third lockdown in spring 2021.

Methods: Based on the online CoviPrev survey, 466 workers from the French general population who teleworked at least one day a week during lockdown and were free of LBP at the start of lockdown were included in this study. A conceptual model was developed in which relationships between teleworking conditions, depressive symptomatology, and the onset of LBP were assumed. Structural equation modelling was used to test the model.

Results: The model showed that teleworking conditions (both material conditions of teleworking and the amount of telework) have a substantial direct and indirect impact on the onset of LBP. The theoretical model proposed 2 pathways for the effect of the teleworking conditions on the onset of LBP: a direct pathway, of a biomechanical nature, and an indirect pathway, mediated by satisfaction with teleworking conditions and depressive symptoms.

Conclusions: This study suggests that there are complex relationships between teleworking conditions, depressive symptomatology, and the onset of LBP, which are essential to characterize to better understand the chain of determinants for the onset of LBP. They also highlight the importance of good working conditions to reduce the impact of teleworking on health, including the prevention of sedentary behaviours.

Background: Noise exposure in the informal small-scale metal industry may cause hearing loss, due to metal manufacturing processes. In Tanzania, this industry uses hand tools in metal fabrication processes and is not regulated by authorities.

Aim: To describe noise exposure levels and to suggest possible improvements in the small-scale metal industry in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

Methods: The study was conducted in 3 small-scale metal industry cooperatives in Dar-es-Salaam, with self-employed workers. Noise levels were measured using a portable sound level meter (Brüel and Kjær type 2250). Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance to compare noise levels. A walk-through survey and an interview were conducted to collect information on work operations and control measures.

Results: The workers were seated close to one another in open rooms and produced continuous noise during the whole workday. No hearing protection or noise reduction strategies were observed. The average noise exposure level was 90.9 dBA, 106.9 dBA, and 89.7 dBA in the 3 metal companies X, Y, and Z, respectively, and the differences between companies were statistically significant. Company Y, with the highest noise level, had more workers. The average peak noise level was 124.6 dBA.

Conclusions: The studied workplaces had noise exposure levels above 85 dBA, the recommended limit value in Tanzania. Immediate action with the provision of hearing protection for the workers is needed, and the metal companies and the labor and health authorities in Tanzania should discuss the reorganization of the work to protect workers from noise levels.

Vape shops are established to sell electronic cigarette (EC) devices, e-liquids or e-juices, and other related accessories. EC use is prominent in vape shops and indoor EC use has been associated with elevated levels of nicotine and particulate matter (PM). This study assessed health and safety conditions, practices, building characteristics, nicotine, and PM concentrations in vape shops during business hours. Sixty-four vape shops were visited but only 15 vape shops consented to participate in this study. The majority of the vape shops had general ventilation (100%) and lounge areas (60%). No workers were observed not to use any personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, aprons, face masks, etc. The mean and standard deviation of the shop volume, air flowrate, and air exchange rate were 12.361 ± 12.990 ft3, 1.203 ± 1.584 ft3/min, and 5.8 ± 2.8 h-1, respectively. The mean and standard deviation of the time-averaged concentration of nicotine, PM2.5, respirable PM, and total PM were 3.92 ± 3.73, 32.01 ± 25.85, 36.03 ± 30.91, and 43.67 ± 34.78 ug/m3, respectively. The nicotine, PM2.5, respirable PM, and total PM levels were significantly below their respective occupational or ambient guideline limits (P < 0.05). The vape shop environments in this study did not appear to pose a significant risk of second-hand exposure to elevated levels of airborne nicotine and PM during business hours.

Objectives: The childcare sector faces several challenges such as high rates of sick leave, employee turnover, and pain. We know that the physical behaviours the workers do at work are important for their musculoskeletal health and sick leave. However, we lack knowledge of which workplace factors determine the physical behaviours of workers. Therefore, we aimed to investigate which organisational levels and factors of Danish day nurseries determine the physical behaviours at work of childcare workers.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 178 childcare workers from 73 teams and 16 day nurseries in Denmark. Workers were, on average, 36.5 years of age, mostly female (84%) and 57% were educated pedagogues. We measured physical behaviours (i.e. sedentary, light physical activity, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity) during working hours using a thigh-worn accelerometer, and expressed them as isometric log-ratio coordinates for analysis according to compositional data analysis procedures. We examined 15 potential determinants of physical behaviours at work at three organisational levels: institutions (e.g. permanent-to-not-permanent staff ratio), teams (e.g. worker-to-child ratio), and workers (e.g. age, BMI, physical exertion). Variance component analysis identified the percentage contribution to the total variance of physical behaviours of each organisational level. Linear mixed models were used to investigate associations between determinants at each level and the physical behaviours.

Results: The largest contribution to the total variance in childcare workers' physical behaviours was observed at the worker level (95.5%), while team (2%) and institution (2.5%) levels contributed to only a minor extent. Two individual factors at the worker level-physical exertion (P < 0.01) and pain intensity (P = 0.01)-were significantly, but weakly associated with physical behaviours. Specifically, an increased physical exertion was associated with a 3.7% increase in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (P = 0.019) and a 6% decrease in sedentary behaviour (P = 0.009), relative to the remaining behaviours. Also, an increased pain intensity was associated with a 3.6% decrease in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (P = 0.008), relative to the remaining behaviours. No determinants at the institution and team levels were significantly associated with physical behaviours.

Conclusions: In this study, worker level determines nearly all of the variability in physical behaviours while the institution and team levels only explain a little. That only two individual worker-level factors were weakly associated with physical behaviours indicates that other unmeasured worker-level factors are important determinants of the physical behaviours of childcare workers.

Background: Amidst the rapidly emerging additive manufacturing (AM) industry, not enough attention has been given to dermal exposure, with only one previous study that assessed dermal exposure to metals. Our study aimed to characterise a cobalt (Co)-chrome (Cr) alloy feedstock powder (CO-538) in terms of particle size, shape, and elemental composition, and assess dermal exposure and workplace surface contamination during powder bed fusion AM.

Methods: Particle size distribution (PSD) and shape of the virgin and used feedstock powder were determined using static image and scanning electron microscopy analyses. The elemental composition of powders was established using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. A removal wipe sampling method using Ghostwipes was performed on AM operators' skin at various locations (index finger, palm, wrist, back of the hand, and neck), before and after each AM processing phase. Workplace surfaces (both AM and non-AM areas) were also sampled before and after each shift using a removal wipe method to measure surface contamination.

Results: PSD analysis revealed a significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) in median size, with used powder exhibiting smaller particles than virgin, where 10% of particles were smaller than the given diameter. Additionally, significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) were noted in the mean circularity and convexity between virgin and used powders, indicating that used powder particles were more irregular and rougher compared to virgin. The CO-538 feedstock powder contained Co, Cr, molybdenum (Mo), aluminium (Al), iron (Fe), and Ni. These metals were also detected on the skin of AM operators and on surfaces within the AM and non-AM areas of the facility. Dermal exposure occurred on all of the anatomical areas, with the highest total metal concentration detected on the index finger during the post-processing phase of AM. The highest full-shift geometric mean GM concentration of each metal was detected on the finger and followed a trend of Co > Cr > Fe > Al > Mo > Ni. Surface contamination occurred on all AM and non-AM sampling areas after a full shift.

Conclusions: Dermal exposure to all CO-538 alloy metal constituents occurred on all sampled anatomical areas during all three processing phases. Measurable concentrations of metals that were detected on all sampled surfaces indicate that cross-contamination between AM and non-AM areas occurs and that these surfaces may act as a secondary source of exposure. There is thus a need for control measures to be implemented in AM facilities to eliminate or reduce surface metal contamination and dermal exposure.

Wastewater is a known carrier for human pathogenic viruses, with seasonal variations in concentrations, and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) workers are a potentially overlooked occupational group regarding exposure to secondary aerosolized viruses. Exposure assessment of airborne pathogens is complicated by a lack of universal markers of viruses, no standardized sampling protocol, and challenges in detecting extremely low-abundant targets. In this study, we evaluate the risk of workers' exposure to 4 pathogens, Adenovirus, Norovirus GI and GII, and Influenza A and the Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) as an indicator for aerosolized viruses from wastewater, in 3 WWTPs in the Oslo region, Norway. We collected personal and stationary air samples in summer and winter and used digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) to enable the detection of low-abundant targets. Pathogenic viruses were detected in 22% of all samples, with similar detection rates in personal and stationary samples, with a maximum concentration of 762 genome copies/m3 air. PMMoV was detected in 69% of all samples, with concentrations ranging from 28 to 9703 genome copies/m3 air. The pathogens and PMMoV were most frequently detected at the grids, biological cleansing, sedimentation basins, and sludge treatment/de-watering stations, and were associated with tasks such as flushing, cleaning, and maintenance of the same workstations. Overall, the concentration of pathogens and PMMoV in the air was low, but there is a potential for high point exposure which may pose a risk to workers' health and is increased by the nature of the workers' tasks. PMMoV may be a promising tool for assessing the overall potential for viruses with human waste origin aerosolized from sewage. To strengthen this indicator-based approach to occupational exposure assessment, we recommend validating PMMoV along with other potential indicators. Validation should include evaluating the correlation between these indicators and pathogens in both wastewater and bioaerosols.

Objectives: This longitudinal study examines the severity of worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and respirable dust and demonstrates the need for increased education and implementation of both appropriate engineering controls and respiratory protection (RP) programs for stone fabricator shops, given the growing global number of accelerated silicosis cases associated with the fabrication of engineered stone (ES) countertops.

Methods: Personal air sampling results and detailed job description notes obtained from 17 industrial hygiene air sampling visits conducted at 11 stone fabrication facilities between 2017 and 2023 in Georgia were used to align similar exposure groups (SEGs) for tasks for workers performing stone fabrication. Bayesian decision analysis was used to determine appropriate RP selection recommendations for the 4 proposed SEGs: SEG1-Support, SEG2-Automated Tool Operator, SEG 3-Small Tool Operator, and SEG 4-Fabrication/Lamination.

Results: The analysis concluded that all employees in stone fabrication shops that process ES should wear a respirator with a minimum assigned protection factor (APF) of 10, regardless of the engineering controls in place. For SEG 4, it is recommended that workers use respirators with an APF between 50 and 1,000. Among the 75 full-shift personal air samples for RCS dust, 41 samples (53%) exceeded the permissible exposure limit of 50 µg/m³.

Conclusions: This is the first study to present the 4 SEG categories with sampling data to support the importance of including all employees (even support workers) in RP programs, exposure monitoring, and medical surveillance.

Recommendation and implications: Employers, occupational health professionals, and inspectors may use these SEG categories and corresponding RP recommendations to determine if employees have received appropriate RP for workers at stone countertop fabrication shops.

EPOH is the European Platform for Occupational Hygiene, the association that unites national occupational hygiene associations in Europe. The objective of EPOH is to improve, promote, and develop the professional practice of occupational hygiene. In turn, occupational hygiene is the discipline dedicated to anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, and controlling health hazards in the working environment. This commentary describes a workshop conducted in June 2024 and its outcome, regarding the development of a European Occupational Hygiene Competency Framework.

Introduction: The assessment of the overall exposure of workers to hazardous substances is fundamental for their comprehensive protection. This includes oral exposure to hazardous substances, which can be relevant for total exposure depending on the specific workplace and substance. However, monitoring and available modelling approaches for a sound assessment of this exposure pathway are limited. The development of an occupational oral exposure assessment model requires knowledge of the contributing mechanisms, including worker behaviour and occupational hygiene practice. In addition, monitoring data on occupational oral exposure are a prerequisite for the evaluation of an exposure model.

Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using the PRISMA method. Studies describing behaviours and occupational hygiene practices with regard to oral occupational exposure, and studies including measured data sets for the model evaluation were identified. The included data were then extracted and evaluated in a meta-analysis.

Results: 142 studies addressing oral occupational exposure were identified in the area of behaviour and occupational hygiene. Frequencies of hygiene practices were aggregated. The influence of worker training was investigated and the controllability of individual behaviour was described qualitatively. For the model evaluation, 9 publications were identified that included monitoring data for oral occupational exposure. These publications use 5 different sampling approaches and describe 4 different substance groups.

Discussion: The systematic literature search on behaviour and occupational hygiene provides a partly quantitative basis for the model-based description of occupational oral exposure to hazardous substances. Oral exposure to hazardous substances cannot be prevented by good occupational hygiene practices alone, as a relevant part of the causal personal behaviour (eg touching the own face) is subconscious and can therefore not be avoided completely. The identified database serves as a basis for the later model evaluation. The usability of the data sets depends on whether the future model input parameters are documented in the studies.