Archives of environmental & occupational health最新文献

Following a legionnaire's disease outbreak in Barcelona in 2022, sport fields' sprinklers were identified as potential sources of Legionella infection. The Agency of Public Health of Barcelona inspected all 40 urban municipal sports fields in the city. Legionella was found in 55% of them, including Legionella pneumophila serotype 1 in 11 samples. There were no statistically significant differences for Legionella detection according to the installation characteristics.These findings prompted the implementation of a set of preventive measures for risk mitigation and a specific control plan for sport fields.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a hazardous endocrine disruptor released into the environment during the production of certain plastics used for covering of food and beverage cans. In this work, we examined the protective benefits of selenium (Se) against intestinal damage induced by BPA in male rats. Rats were distributed randomly into four groups. The first group received corn oil and served as the control. The second group was administered Se (1 mg/kg body weight; BW). The third group was given oral BPA (50 mg/kg BW). In the fourth group, Se (1 mg/kg BW) and BPA (50 mg/kg BW) were administered simultaneously. This experiment lasted for eight weeks. Specimens from the large intestine were subjected to biochemical analysis of antioxidants and oxidative stress biomarkers, histological observation under light and transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry to autophagy and apoptosis markers. The BPA-exposed group showed significantly elevated oxidative stress markers associated with significant decline of antioxidants in intestinal tissues. BPA resulted in histological alterations such as severe mucosal necrosis with massive inflammatory cell infiltration. Ultra-structurally, the same group showed severe loss of the cell organelles, shrunken nuclei, and abundant autophagosomes. Immunohistochemistry results demonstrated a strong reactivity of caspase-3 and LC3 in the BPA group in contrast to the reaction to p62, which was markedly diminished. These effects were mitigated in the BPA+Se group. We concluded that BPA's harmful effects on the large intestine are caused by apoptosis and autophagy. Se may protect intestinal cells from these effects and could be a useful and trustworthy approach for reducing BPA toxicity.

We report a case of an industrial homeworker diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis by UV-curing acrylic resin for crafts. Approximately 2 months after a female in her 40s started producing handicrafts using resin, itchy desquamative erythema and vesicles occurred on her eyelids and palms. The course of the symptoms suggested that her dermatitis was occupational origin. Interviews regarding the work environment indicated that her employer did not adequately explain the hazards of resin. An inappropriate work environment may have led to the development of allergy. For industrial homeworkers, managing chemical exposures is predicted to be challenging. However, the expansion of the handmade market and the spread of craft resin increase opportunities for exposure to resin. In order to prevent the spread of health problems, appropriate information should be provided regarding the hazards of resin.

Occupational exposures comprise of a broad range of factors in constant and direct contact with the ocular surface. Cataract, a leading cause of visual impairment globally, has been associated with various occupational exposures. This review critically examines existing literature on the relationship between occupational exposures and cataract development. We aim to synthesize findings from studies exploring the impact of occupational factors such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation, ionizing radiation, welding fumes, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, tobacco dust, and other elements on the prevalence and incidence of cataract among exposed populations. In our review, certain exposures, such as UV radiation, demonstrated strong evidence regarding their association with cataract development, while others presented suggestive evidence. Hence, further studies are needed to better understand exposures of greatest concern, which can subsequently inform regulations pertaining to occupational exposures in work environments.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for computer-users to work-from-home (WFH) has increased world-wide. This study aims to explore how the COVID-19 lockdown has affected pain in the lower-back of adult computer professionals. Individuals aged 20-55, both male and female, meeting inclusion criteria (computer/laptop WFH, worked more than an hour on a computer/laptop) were invited to participate voluntarily after providing informed consent. A Google Forms survey was distributed, including self-reported demographic questions, work hours on a computer/laptop during-lockdown, and Oswestry-Low-Back-Disability-Questionnaire (OLBDQ) to assess low-back-pain (LBP) pre- and during-lockdown. The mean OLBDQ score, pre-lockdown 3.681 with 95% confidence interval (CI) [2.621, 4.741] and during-lockdown 4.893 with 95% CI [3.317, 6.470]. A relevant difference was identified among the working hours' scores from the pre-lockdown and during-lockdown of the OLBDQ for low back pain. The obtained p-value in this context is 0.005, signifying that the observed negative difference is statistically significant for the study. WFH increases LBP of working females and males during the COVID-19 lockdown, poor ergonomics at home is one possible source. Therefore, it is essential to enhance awareness among employed individuals regarding proper ergonomic practices when using a computer both at home and in the workplace.

Lower back pain (LBP) is a prevalent issue affecting individuals globally. This study explored factors associated with LBP among rickshaw pullers in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 299 bicycle rickshaw pullers in Mirpur from July to November 2019. Data were collected using a pilot-tested semi-structured questionnaire employing convenience sampling, and analyzed with SPSS. All the participants were males (mean age: 36.69 ± 9.61 years; age ranges: 18-58 years). 33% of the participants self-reported LBP. The LBP was significantly associated with older age (>40 years), lower educational qualification, stressful working environment, heavy object lifting, and mental stress during work. There is a need for strategies to prevent and manage LBP, especially in those who are older that could include more training on better postures and lifting heavy loads, improvements in vehicles, and enhanced health and wellbeing.

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.

Lung cancer is the dominant cause of worldwide cancer mortality. The relationship between pesticide exposure and lung cancer risk has shown mixed results epidemiologically. We hypothesized this discrepancy could arise from the varying effects of different pesticides and conducted this meta-analysis by using three pesticide classification schemes to examine the implications of diverse pesticide exposure types on lung cancer risk. We collected 23 studies to assess the risk of lung cancer with pesticide exposure in the Agricultural Health Study cohort (AHS), and our analysis indicated a surplus incidence of lung cancer associated with organochlorine pesticides (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.04-1.74). However, no significant association was found between exposure to a general set of 33 pesticides and lung cancer risk (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.96-1.13). We anticipate these findings will influence future pesticide application, promoting improved occupational health.

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.