Archives of environmental & occupational health最新文献

B A rapid review was conducted to describe pesticide exposure assessment methodologies in Agricultural Work Contexts (AWC)s in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), in order to provide elements to reduce vulnerabilities within the agricultural population. A final number of 79 articles were selected from Medline via Pubmed, LILACS, and SciELO. In the region, family agriculture is the predominant form of agricultural production (72%) in informal agricultural work contexts (AWCs), which are characterized by small-scale diversified agricultural production, lower educational attainment, limited income, and a lack of social and healthcare security for the families. Indirect exposure assessment methods were the most commonly reported (58%), and its use was associated with informal AWCs (p = 0.011). Understanding AWCs and employing appropriate assessment methods can contribute to addressing vulnerabilities in the agricultural sector.

This study aimed to identify the perceived advantages and drawbacks of teleworking and their correlates, including health problems, among Lebanese workers holding a university degree. A web-based cross-sectional self-report questionnaire created on Google Forms was used to survey 230 participants through snowball sampling between October 2022 and March 2023. The majority of respondents recognized both the advantages (67.03%) and drawbacks (66.34%) associated with teleworking, suggesting mixed feelings toward this format. Despite the limited satisfaction with teleworking, respondents acknowledged the advantages associated with remote working; in particular, younger, less physically active, and more educated participants valued teleworking more than their counterparts. The mean perception of advantages and drawbacks of telework did not significantly change with participants' work status (hybrid, online, and in-person). The study revealed a high prevalence of consistent sleeping difficulty (35.7%), limited regular physical activity (60.4%), work-related musculoskeletal disorders (48.7%), back pain (5.7%), and visual disorders (48%) among Lebanese workers. Despite the limited satisfaction with teleworking, respondents acknowledged advantages such as cost and time savings. Older workers showed a preference against teleworking, potentially due to its impact on well-being. Factors such as education, career satisfaction, and prior teleworking experience influenced individuals' perceptions of telework benefits.

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.

This study examines the associations between working night shifts and various outcomes, including sleep patterns, healthcare workers' sleep quality, and physical, mental, and social well-being. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, where the findings revealed that night shift healthcare workers experienced poor sleep quality and pattern. In addition, night shift healthcare workers were more likely to express their intent to leave, the impact of work on their social lives, and a low level of job satisfaction. Healthcare workers showed moderate anxiety and mild depression levels. Lower job satisfaction correlated with higher anxiety and depression levels among healthcare workers, while the negative impact of working hours on social life was associated with increased anxiety and depression. Organizations should consider establishing comprehensive wellness initiatives covering work-life balance, stress management strategies, and mental health resources.

This study aimed to explore the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and to investigate factors associated with WMSDs in commercial motorcyclists in Indonesia. This cross-sectional study involved commercial motorcyclists operating in Indonesia. Data were collected using an anonymous questionnaire, including the Indonesian Version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, occupational driving posture questionnaire, and occupational factor-related questions. The questionnaire was distributed at four rest stops located in Central Jakarta, Indonesia. The result showed that 40% of participants (129/322) were having WMSDs. Older age, overweight body mass index (BMI), obese body mass index, nonregular physical activity, driving duration (> 8 h/day), seniority (≥5 years), and poor driving posture were significant risk factors for WMSDs in commercial motorcyclists. Based on the risk factors identified in this study, the development of preventive strategies among commercial motorcyclists is warranted.

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a widely used organophosphate insecticide that has been linked to detrimental health effects that range from neurological impacts to respiratory disease. The objective of this study was to assess respiratory symptoms associated with CPF exposure throughout the application season. Urine samples were collected from Egyptian adolescent applicators (n = 206) and non-applicators (n = 72) to assess 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPy), a biomarker for CPF exposure, along with spirometry measures to determine lung ventilatory function. Samples were collected over 7 months in 2016. Logistic regression was used to model the odds of reporting wheeze symptoms based on urinary TCPy concentrations while controlling for age and smoking in the household. Ordinal multinomial logistic regression was used to model the percent reference for forced expiratory volume in one second (rFEV₁) based on urinary TCPy concentration (µg/g creatinine). Wheezing increased with increasing pesticide exposure (OR = 1.74 (1.32 - 2.31)). There was no statistically significant relationship between rFEV₁ and TCPy concentration. Efforts to reduce pesticide exposure should be implemented to prevent the potential onset or exacerbation of any linked respiratory complications in adolescents.

This study investigates the impact of micro-environmental factors on worker breathing zone exposure levels in petrochemical facilities. A laboratory simulation study evaluated near-field exposure to methane for a typical maintenance task. Individual and combinations of micro-environmental factors significantly affected methane exposure. Airflow direction and speed were significant determinants of exposure concentration reduction. A side airflow direction at medium to high speed produced the lowest gas concentration in the breathing zone. Worker body orientation relative to the methane emission point was also a critical factor affecting gas concentration in the worker's breathing zone. The study provides insights into how variations in airflow and small changes in position impact near-field exposures for petrochemical tasks, guiding industrial hygiene professionals' training on qualitative exposure estimation and providing input for near-field exposure modeling to guide quantitative exposure and risk assessment.

This descriptive study was conducted to compare the job demands, job control, social support and mental health status of thermal power plant and underground coal mine workers. 158 workers in thermal power plant and 162 workers in underground coal mine participated in the study. The results unearthed that thermal power plant workers had 2.3 times better mental health (p < 0.001 OR = 2.3 CI = 1.50-3.74) and 3.0 times lower job demands (p < 0.001 OR = 3.0 CI = 1.91-4.92) than coal mine workers. In the study, it was determined that mental health was positively affected as job control and social support increased in both thermal power plant and underground mine workers (p < 0.05); there was no significant relationship between job demands and mental health (p > 0.05). These results indicate that underground mine workers are at higher risk in terms of mental health and job demands than thermal power plant workers.

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.

This study aimed to evaluate the extent of fear and risk perception related to COVID-19 and their impact on the psychological well-being of healthcare workers. Data were gathered through an online survey, incorporating questions about risk perception utilizing the health belief model, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and the General Health Questionnaire-12. A total of 364 HCWs participated in the survey, with 94% of participants identified as being in the high-risk category for mental disorders based on their General Health Questionnaire scores. The assessment of COVID-19-related risk perception within the Health Belief Model demonstrated significant correlations between perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy with both the fear scale and General Health Questionnaire scores. Linear regression was employed to identify factors influencing General Health Questionnaire scores, revealing that risk perception, Fear of COVID-19 scores, marital status, and perceived health were significantly associated with General Health Questionnaire scores. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring the psychological well-being of healthcare workers throughout all stages of pandemic preparedness and response.