Archives of environmental & occupational health最新文献

This study assessed the correlation between pesticide exposure and metabolic health among 48 nursery operators from conventional and organic farms in Peninsular Malaysia. Statistical analyses included independent t-tests and Mann-Whitney U-tests to compare group differences between conventional and organic operators, while multiple linear regression models were used to examine the correlation between pesticide exposure and health risk indicators. The results revealed that conventional nursery operators showed higher levels of metabolic health indicators, coupled with impaired liver and kidney function compared to organic operators. Significantly lower blood cholinesterase levels were observed among conventional operators, indicating a higher risk of neurotoxicity. The study highlights the substantial health hazards that nursery operators face due to pesticide exposure, especially in conventional farming. It supports the implementation of stronger protective measures, frequent health monitoring, and a transition to safer and more sustainable nursery practices.

The aim of our study is to highlight the inadequacy of focusing solely on occupational exposure in the diagnosis of lung diseases in coal miners. Other factors, especially environmental exposures, should also be considered. A 74-year-old patient with a 20-year history of coal mining and a complaint of coughing was referred with a preliminary diagnosis of coal worker's pneumoconiosis due to abnormal findings on HRCT. Upon detailed questioning, it was learned that the patient had been keeping pet birds for 15 years. Physical examination, laboratory results, and pulmonary function tests were normal. A biopsy was performed due to the detection of an interstitial pattern in the lung imaging, and the diagnosis of fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonia was made. Although coal worker's pneumoconiosis was initially considered due to the patient's history of long-term coal mining, careful evaluation of all exposures may enable early diagnosis and treatment of accompanying or underlying diseases.

Industrial printing inks are major sources of occupational exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with potential adverse effects. The behavioral, neurological, oxidative, hepatic, and kidney function effects of simulated occupational exposure to VOCs emitted from an industrial printing ink were investigated in laboratory mice, Mus musculus for 4 weeks. Average TVOCs value of 0.5 mg/m3 measured at 10 printing presses was the exposure level utilized in this study. There were significant duration-dependent and sex-disaggregated differences in the behavioral responses; acetylcholinesterase (neurological biomarker) and MDA (lipid peroxidation biomarker) activities significantly increased while SOD and CAT (antioxidants) activities significantly decreased in the brain; ALT, AST, and ALP (liver) as well as bilirubin, urea, and creatinine (kidney) were significantly elevated in exposed mice correlating with histopathologies compared to control. The results showed that long term inhalation of VOCs emitted from industrial printing inks may pose multiple sub-lethal effects in occupationally exposed persons, especially females.

Background: We assess whether the amount of experienced burnout and its relation to suicidal ideation differs between medical professionals and non-medical professionals.

Methods: In December 2023, we performed searches in EBSCO, PubMed, Google Scholar, and ProQuest. We used a random effects samples-size weighted approach for our meta-analysis of 92 sources.

Results: Our meta-regressions did not identify a statistically significant difference between medical professionals and non-medical professionals in their mean levels of the burnout dimensions (all p > .05). Our meta-regressions did not identify a significant difference in the relation of burnout and suicidal ideation between medical professionals and non-medical professionals (β = -0.06, S.E. = .05, 95%C.I. [-0.15, .03], p = .21, k = 53, n = 68,454), and similar results were found for all burnout dimensions (all p > .05).

Discussion: Our results suggest that burnout is no more important for medical professionals than non-medical professionals.

This study evaluated peripheral hearing and noise sensitivity among motorcycle couriers in Istanbul. Participants comprised 31 couriers (29 males, 2 females; age: 28.51 ± 6.23) and 30 controls (27 males, 3 females; age: 27.03 ± 4.20). Assessment included Weinstein's Noise Sensitivity Scale, tympanometry, pure tone audiometry, and otoacoustic emissions. Couriers demonstrated significantly elevated hearing thresholds in the right ear at 500 Hz (p = 0.017), 1,000 Hz (p < 0.001), 2,000 Hz (p = 0.004), 4,000 Hz (p = 0.001), 6,000 Hz (p = 0.002), and 8,000 Hz (p < 0.001), and in the left ear at 4,000 Hz (p = 0.010) and 8,000 Hz (p = 0.039). Noise sensitivity scores were significantly higher (p = 0.031). Motorcycle couriers represent an occupational group vulnerable to hearing loss and heightened noise sensitivity. Protective measures should encompass environmental noise mitigation, speed limit regulation, and helmet redesign incorporating ear protection to promote hearing conservation and improve overall well-being.

This study aimed to determine the hopelessness and well-being levels of woman academics during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional and analytical study was conducted online between February and May 2022 at the end of the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was conducted with 341 woman academics from state and foundation universities in Türkiye. The mean score from the Beck Hopelessness Scale was 6.02 ± 4.84, and the mean score from the Flourishing Scale (FS) was 43.50 ± 7.24. There was a significant negative correlation between flourishing scores and low, mild, moderate, and high hopelessness scores (p = .038, p < .001, p = .001, p = .034, respectively); as participants' level of hopelessness increases, their FS scores decrease significantly (r: -.689, p < .001). Revealing the effects of changes in the routine and academic activities of woman academics on hopelessness and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic process has the potential to reduce possible risks that may develop in pandemics, and contribute to reducing the hopelessness levels and increasing well-being of woman academics.

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.