Archives of environmental & occupational health最新文献

Extensive pesticide use in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) raises concerns for human and environmental health. Therefore, this study sought to assess the general knowledge, attitudes and practices of T&T residents on pesticides and related topics. Using convenience (non-probability) sampling, a questionnaire was administered to residents of Trinidad (N = 572) and Tobago (N = 68). Most respondents (93.44%) had insufficient knowledge on pesticides and application protocols but had supportive attitudes (95.94%) that acknowledged pesticides as harmful, and positive perceptions toward eco-friendlier approaches (IPM, organic farming). Poor practices (97.5%) were prominent, including heavy pesticide reliance (>70.0%), no PPE during pesticide handling (48.76%) and minimal use of IPM (15.31%) and biocontrol (12.50%). User knowledge gaps and malpractices can inform local state entities in designing effective public outreach initiatives for promoting adoption of safer pest management practices.

This paper describes the development and validation of the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Assessment Scale for Emergency Services (PASES). The PASES was developed to address the needs of Australia's first National Mental Health and Wellbeing Study of Police and Emergency Services, Answering the Call (AtC) which covered Police, Ambulance, Fire and Rescue and State Emergency Services personnel. PASES offers several advantages for use in the emergency services sector over other Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) screening scales, including assessment of functional impairment, a dimensional measure of severity which includes identification of sub-threshold cases experiencing distress and impairment, and allowing for experience of cumulative trauma. Analysis of Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) data from a large national sample identified PTSD symptoms that usually co-occur allowing streamlining of the scale with minimal information loss. In a large sample, PASES had high specificity and adequate sensitivity in comparison to self-reported PTSD diagnosis. Data from AtC supported there being a strong dimensional gradient in distress and associated harms, including suicidal behaviors, across the levels of severity of the PASES. In a subsample of 191 fire sector employees who completed both PASES and PCL-5, both scales had equivalent discrimination compared with self-reported diagnosis of PTSD by a mental health professional. The paper also presents population data for Australian volunteer and employed emergency services personnel collected in AtC.

Most rural households in Ethiopia depend on traditional cooking fuels. The inefficient combustion of those fuels significantly raises health concerns by exposing them to indoor air pollution. This study aimed to assess the factors contributing to indoor air pollution exposure in rural households. The study was based on data from 573 households selected randomly using a multi-stage sampling approach. Descriptive statistics and a Generalized Ordered Logit model, which explores the relationship between various independent variables and levels of exposure to indoor air pollution, were used. The study employed indicators such as traditional solid fuel use, inadequate ventilation during cooking, and lack of improved cookstoves as proxies to assess households' exposure to indoor air pollution. More than 79% of households were found to be severely polluted. Women were the most exposed to indoor air pollution. The number of rooms, having a bank or microfinance savings account, education, income, access to electricity, floor building material, number of dependent family members, and cooking time were the main contributing factors. The use of clean fuels, improved cookstoves, and adequate ventilation must be strongly advocated.

Exposure to loud noise or chemical agents may cause hearing disorders such as tinnitus and recruitment, known as an increase in the perception of loudness in addition to hearing loss. Our study aims to evaluate the hearing abilities of hairdressers exposed to noise and chemical agents in the working environment. The study included one hundred hairdressers and one hundred participants who do not work as hairdressers or are nonworkers. The participants' demographic characteristics, working conditions, and auditory complaints were questioned, and each participant completed the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ). A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in speech perception, spatial perception, hearing quality, and general SSQ scores. Hairdressers' SSQ scores were significantly lower in all sub-dimensions and general scale scores (p < 0.001). The auditory complaints of the hairdressers and the low SSQ scores indicate that exposure to noise and chemical agents affects the hairdressers' hearing system.

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a neurocutaneous syndrome characterized by the development of central or peripheral nervous system tumors. The most common form, known as NF1 or Von Recklinghausen's disease, presents with distinct clinical features, including cutaneous and ocular manifestations, along with various other organ and systemic symptoms. While the lung findings associated with neurofibromatosis lack specificity, they can include parenchymal cysts and bullae formation, primarily in the upper-apical regions. Additionally, progressive fibrotic changes, such as ground-glass areas, consolidations, and paving stone patterns, may manifest in the basal parts of the lungs. In this case report, a case of NF1 diagnosed in adulthood and accompanying pneumoconiosis was discussed as a coincidence.

Petrol vapors as important occupational and environmental pollutants can cause oxidative stress and may play a role in the development of neurodegenerative diseases along with the risk factors involved. This research is designed as a preliminary study to evaluate the protective effects of apigenin (APG) on oxidative stress caused by petrol vapors inhalation in rats. A total of 24 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups inside the inhalation chamber. Body weight changes and oxidative stress markers were investigated. The average body weight of the group exposed to petrol vapors was significantly lower compared to the other groups. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), content of oxidized-glutathione (GSSG), and Malondialdehyde were found to be higher in the petrol-inhaled group, while the content of reduced-glutathione (GSH) was lower compared to the other groups. APG administration did result in any significant improvement in these toxicities induced by petrol vapor. APG administration may ameliorate the petrol-induced oxidative stress. In chronic exposures, in addition to personal protection and engineering control, the use of compounds of natural origin may help in reducing the side effects (such as CNS) caused by exposure to petrol vapors.

This study aimed to explore the isomer-specific, sex-specific, and joint associations of PFAS and red blood cell indices. We used data of 1,238 adults from the Isomers of C8 Health Project in China. Associations of PFAS isomers and red blood cell indices were explored using multiple linear regression models, Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression models and subgroup analysis across sex. We found that serum concentration of linear (n-) and branched (Br-) isomers of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) were significantly associated with red blood cell indices in single-pollutant models, with stronger associations observed for n-PFHxS than Br-PFHxS, in women than in men. For instance, the estimated percentage change in hemoglobin concentration for n-PFHxS (3.65%; 95% CI: 2.95%, 4.34%) was larger than that for Br-PFHxS (0.96%; 95% CI: 0.52%, 1.40%). The estimated percentage change in red blood cell count for n-PFHxS in women (2.55%; 95% CI: 1.81%, 3.28%) was significantly higher than that in men (0.12%; 95% CI: -1.04%, 1.29%) (P_inter < 0.001). Similarly, sex-specific positive association of PFAS mixture and outcomes was observed. Therefore, the structure, susceptive population, and joint effect of PFAS isomers should be taken into consideration when evaluating the health risk of chemicals.

We investigated the availability and use of workplace mental health (MH) supports during the COVID-19 pandemic in a Canadian cohort of healthcare workers (HCW) and measured anxiety and depression by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) completed at four contacts 2020-2022. Reports were available for 4400 HCW working with patients. Half the HCWs had a clinically significant HADS score at one or more contacts Access to MH supports increased during the pandemic, with 94% reporting access to some workplace support by 2022: 47% had made use of at least one support. 25% of those with high HADS scores used no support. Older women and men with depressive conditions were less likely to report use. Reported use of an Employee Assistance Program was associated with a reduction in HADS scores in the following months.

The aim of this study was to identify diseases that result in permanent and temporary medical disqualification for civil aviation pilots and their changes over the years. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical examination records performed in Turkey from 2018 to 2022, in accordance with ICAO and EASA standards. The permanent disqualification rate was 1.3%, and the temporary disqualification rate was 6.6%. The most common reasons for permanent disqualification among pilots were circulatory system diseases (24%), mental and behavioral disorders (22.9%), and nervous system diseases (11.5%). The most common reasons for temporary disqualification among pilots were circulatory system diseases (17.9%), digestive system diseases (11.8%), and health problems related to COVID-19 infection (9.5%). The data obtained from this study may be useful in developing preventive medicine approaches to prevent medical disqualifications and in-flight medical incapacitation.

Research on musculoskeletal disorders among tomato farmworkers is limited. This pilot study aims to generate insights and preliminary data on tasks performed by tomato farmworkers at a demonstration test plot, evaluating associated ergonomic risk factors. A demonstration test plot was constructed to simulate tasks performed by tomato farmworkers. Muscle activity in the anterior deltoid and upper trapezius was measured using surface electromyography (sEMG) and compared among tasks. The intensity of physical activity during stake pounding, bucket tossing, and tying tasks was monitored using a GT9X activity monitor. Non-parametric ANOVA revealed that the upper trapezius exhibited the highest muscle activity in all tasks (p < 0.05). Stake pounding showed the highest muscle activity, peak loads, and the most intense physical activity. Future studies will focus on assessing tomato farmworker activities over longer shifts and evaluating the impact of posture, fatigue, and energy expenditure on the risk for musculoskeletal disorders.