Archives of environmental & occupational health最新文献

The aim of this study was assessing the impact of Ionizing radiation (IR) exposure on thyroid function and cancer risk over an 11-year follow-up period among healthcare workers. A retrospective cohort of 585 hospital workers in Rome was carried out. Workers were categorized based on IR exposure levels in the period 2010 - 2020. Survival analysis was conducted to assess the development of thyroid abnormalities and tumors. Exposed workers exhibited a higher risk of developing thyroid alterations, notably hypothyroidism and goiter (HR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.17- 2.43), and a reduced likelihood of developing cancer (HR = 0.24, 95% CI 0.09-0.64). Gender and age were significant risk factors for thyroid alterations, with females and older individuals exhibiting higher susceptibility. This study suggests an increased thyroid issues but reduced cancer rates among exposed to low-dose IR compared to unexposed peers, underscoring the need for further research to enhance occupational health.

Long-term night shift (NS) work is known to affect the body's circadian rhythm, leading to chronic low-level inflammation. We aimed to evaluate this information for the first time through CRP-Albumin Ratio [CAR] and Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio [NLR] levels. Design is descriptive, cross-sectional. After exclusion criteria, a total of 84 males were included in the study, 38 of whom had been working at NS for at least three months and 46 who had been working on the day shift. Both NLR and CAR levels were significantly higher in NS workers compared to day shift workers (2.19 [%95 CI 1.99-2.39]; 1.84 [%95 CI 1.65-2.03] p = 0.012 and 0.44 [%95 CI 0.32-0.56]; 0.24 [%95 CI 0.18-0.29] p = 0.002, respectively). This supports the idea that chronic low inflammation may occur as a result of disruption of the circadian rhythm.

We evaluated the association between urinary concentrations of phthalates/bisphenols mixtures and diabetes mellitus (DM) and poorly controlled DM, stratified by sex, and race/ethnicity in 2718 adults from the 2013 to 2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. DM was self-reported or defined by glucose tests/hypoglycemic use. Poorly controlled DM was defined by HbA1c ≥ 8%. Principal component analyses allowed to identify three mixtures: (1) DEHP (di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate metabolites), (2) LMW/BPs (bisphenol A, F, S, and low molecular weight phthalates), and (3) high molecular weight phthalates. Group weighted quantile sum regression showed that the DEHP mixture was associated with lower DM prevalence in women and "other races" participants. Conversely, the LMW/BPs mixture was associated with higher DM odds, mainly among Mexican Americans. Race/ethnicity seems to determine the association between the different exposure mixtures and DM prevalence and poorly controlled DM.

Objective: Rising temperatures and extreme weather pose a significant public health threat. Workers in low- and middle-income countries are particularly vulnerable to heat stress, which can lead to psychological repercussions, including climate anxiety. This study investigated the psychological impacts of heat stress and coping strategies among workers in relation to climate anxiety.

Method: A cross-sectional survey of 800 indoor and outdoor workers was conducted in 2024. Environmental heat stress was measured using a wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) monitor, defining heat stress as exceeding task-specific threshold limits. Heat strain indicators (HSIs) such as core body temperature (CBT) and urine specific gravity (USG) were assessed alongside perceived heat stress and psychological impacts using a validated HOTHAPS questionnaire.

Results: The WBGT exceeded recommended limits for 62% of workers (30.3 ± 5.0 °C). Among heat-exposed workers, 80% reported heat-related health symptoms, with a significant rise in HSIs, including CBT (AOR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.4-2.7). Psychological symptoms were prevalent in 94% of exposed workers, with heightened risks of climate anxiety (AOR = 2.8), stress (AOR = 2.7), and mental fatigue (AOR = 3.7). Women and summer months showed greater vulnerability.

Conclusion: Heat stress significantly affects psychological well-being among South Indian workers. Protective workplace policies are crucial to mitigating climate-induced psychological impacts.

Standard codes were assigned to each of up to 3 jobs reported by 12,498 healthy Australian participants of the ASPREE Longitudinal Study of Older Persons (ALSOP) aged ≥ 70 years. Ten job categories for men (n=5444; 92.5%) and 13 for women (n=6370; 90.8%) were generated by grouping like jobs. Inter-group distinctiveness was demonstrated by education, socio-economic status, and lifestyle factors for men and women for the occupational groups. Among men, the highest odds of age-adjusted hypertension were in general managers (1.40; 95% CI 1.08, 1.81) and tradespersons (1.29; 1.05, 1.58), with associations attenuated after controlling for lifestyle factors. Among women, the highest odds of hypertension were in nurses (1.40; 95% CI 1.05, 1.87) and clerks/secretaries (1.28; 1.01, 1.62) in multivariate analysis. This analysis indicates that those who are healthy at ≥ 70 years with a healthy lifestyle may suffer minimal detriment in regard to hypertension status from lifetime occupation.

Traffic police play a crucial role in ensuring public safety and preventing accidents. This study assesses the occupational health of traffic police officers and brigade members in Gujarat. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 450 personnel, utilizing a semi-structured questionnaire and clinical examinations, including pulmonary function tests, blood tests, and lipid profiles. Results showed that male participants, particularly those with over 5 years of experience, had higher BMIs and reported elevated blood pressure, diabetes, and respiratory issues. Lung function declined with longer service, with significant reductions in FVC (p < 0.001) and FEV1 (p < 0.01). Female officers faced anemia, while male participants showed high cholesterol. Musculoskeletal discomfort, especially knee and back pain, was prevalent due to prolonged standing. These findings highlight the need for tailored health policies, regular checkups, protective gear, and ergonomic uniforms for Gujarat's traffic personnel.

Police officers' mental health issues can impair their ability to perform duties safely and increase the required medical care for public health and police organizations. This study investigated police officers' mental health status, identified related factors, and analyzed their paths using the PRECEDE (Predisposing, Reinforcing, and Enabling Constructs in Educational Diagnosis and Evaluation) model. The results showed that 63.02% of the participants were in the potential stress group for mental health. Police officers' mental health was associated with resilience, social support, resource availability, health behaviors, job stress, and traumatic experiences. The path analysis showed that higher health behaviors and lower job stress were positively associated with better mental health. This study and model can guide the creation of health policies and intervention strategies aimed at enhancing the mental well-being of police officers.

The sub-chronic testicular toxicity of nitrate in immature and mature albino rats and its amelioration with ascorbic acid and curcumin was studied. Rats were divided into five groups: control, nitrate, nitrate + ascorbic acid, nitrate + curcumin and nitrate + ascorbic acid + curcumin. Nitrate at 250 mg/L in drinking water and ascorbic acid and curcumin at 100 mg/kg body weight were provided to rats for 42 days. A significant increase in level of malondialdehyde and decreases in sperm parameters; level of testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone; antioxidant enzymes activity; and testis's histological alterations were observed in both age groups of rats due to nitrate, with immature rats being more affected. The testicular toxicity was more severe in immature rats compared to mature rats and effectively ameliorated by combination of ascorbic acid and curcumin, followed by curcumin and ascorbic acid individually in both age groups.

Evidence suggests that hearing loss may increase the risk of burnout. This cross-sectional study examines the relationship between hearing loss and burnout among 292 industrial workers in the pharmaceutical, who were exposed to noise levels exceeding 85 db. Participants were categorized into three groups based on their hearing status: Normal Hearing, Acoustic Trauma, and Hearing Loss. Burnout was assessed using the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), while general health was measured using the SF-36 questionnaire. Regression analysis revealed that hearing status, age, and general health were significant predictors of burnout, with workers in the Hearing Loss group exhibiting the highest burnout scores. Paired t-tests showed that both the Hearing Loss and Acoustic Trauma groups had significantly higher burnout levels than matched normal hearing workers, even after adjusting for age, gender, and general health. These findings suggest hearing impairment contributes to burnout in noise-exposed industrial workers independent of confounding factors such as age or co morbidities.