Σάββατο 31 Δεκεμβρίου 2016
IJERPH, Vol. 14, Pages 36: Association between Polymorphism of Exportin-5 and Susceptibility to Lead Poisoning in a Chinese Population
http://ift.tt/2hE5d2p
Παρασκευή 30 Δεκεμβρίου 2016
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among construction workers in the United States from 1992 to 2014
Examine trends and patterns of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among construction workers in the USA, with an emphasis on older workers.
MethodsWMSDs were identified from the 1992–2014 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), and employment was estimated from the Current Population Survey (CPS). Risk of WMSDs was measured by number of WMSDs per 10 000 full-time equivalent workers and stratified by major demographic and employment subgroups. Time series analysis was performed to examine the trend of WMSDs in construction.
ResultsThe number of WMSDs significantly dropped in the US construction industry, following the overall injury trends. However, the rate of WMSDs in construction remained higher than in all industries combined; the median days away from work increased from 8 days in 1992 to 13 days in 2014, and the proportion of WMSDs for construction workers aged 55 to 64 years almost doubled. By occupation, construction labourers had the largest number of WMSD cases, while helpers, heating and air-conditioning mechanics, cement masons and sheet metal workers had the highest rates of WMSDs. The major cause of WMSDs in construction was overexertion, and back injuries accounted for more than 40% of WMSDs among construction workers. The estimated wage loss for private wage-and-salary construction workers was $46 million in 2014.
ConclusionsConstruction workers continue to face a higher risk of WMSDs. Ergonomic solutions that reduce overexertion—the primary exposure for WMSDs—should be adopted extensively at construction sites, particularly for workers with a higher risk of WMSDs.
http://ift.tt/2iNxdR1
Occupational allergy to fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) in laboratory workers
Drosophila melanogaster (the ‘fruit fly’) is commonly used in genetic research, but there is only one report of IgE-associated allergy in exposed workers. 4 newly identified cases prompted us to examine the extent of this problem in a university laboratory. Our aim in this study is to determine the prevalence and determinants of sensitisation to fruit flies in a population of exposed workers.
MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, we surveyed 286 employees working in a department carrying out research involving D. melanogaster. Sensitisation was assessed by specific IgE measurement in serum and examined in relation to symptoms and to estimated exposure to fruit flies.
ResultsThe overall prevalence of specific sensitisation was 6% with a clear relationship to increasing frequency/intensity of exposure (p trend<0.001). Work-related eye/nose, chest or skin symptoms were reported by substantial proportions of participants but for most of these there was no evidence of specific sensitisation to fruit fly. The overall prevalence of any work-related symptoms and sensitisation was 2.4%, rising to 7.1% in those working in high exposure groups.
ConclusionsWe were able to demonstrate, for the first time, a clear exposure–response relationship between fruit fly exposure and specific sensitisation. Facilities housing fruit flies should carefully consider methods to reduce exposure levels in the workplace.
http://ift.tt/2iN0E1z
IJERPH, Vol. 14, Pages 29: Pesticide Use and Risk Perceptions among Small-Scale Farmers in Anqiu County, China
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IJERPH, Vol. 14, Pages 31: Driver Vision Based Perception-Response Time Prediction and Assistance Model on Mountain Highway Curve
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IJERPH, Vol. 14, Pages 35: Active Use of Parks in Flanders (Belgium): An Exploratory Observational Study
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IJERPH, Vol. 14, Pages 33: Epidemiologic Features of Enterovirus 71-Associated Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease from 2009 to 2013 in Zhejiang, China
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IJERPH, Vol. 14, Pages 34: Gold Mining in Ecuador: A Cross-Sectional Assessment of Mercury in Urine and Medical Symptoms in Miners from Portovelo/Zaruma
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IJERPH, Vol. 14, Pages 32: A Brief Report: Lessons Learned and Preliminary Findings of Progreso en Salud, an HIV Risk Reduction Intervention for Latina Seasonal Farmworkers
http://ift.tt/2hBJXdj
Τετάρτη 14 Δεκεμβρίου 2016
End-stage renal disease after occupational lead exposure: 20 years of follow-up
Whether low-level exposure to lead may give rise to chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is debated. In this study, we aimed to specifically investigate if low-level occupational exposure to lead was associated with increased incidence of ESRD.
MethodsThe incidence of starting renal replacement therapy as a result of ESRD was examined in a cohort of10 303 lead-workers who had controlled blood lead concentrations due to a compulsory occupational health surveillance programme in Sweden during the time period 1977–1990. The ESRD incidence (obtained through register-linkage) among the lead-exposed workers was compared with the age, sex and calendar period-adjusted expected incidence based on data from the Swedish renal registry. Dose–response association was evaluated in external (general population) and internal (within the occupational cohort) comparisons by highest achieved blood lead level.
ResultsThere were 30 (0.29%) individuals in the cohort who developed ESRD during the median follow-up period of 26.3 years. The standardised incidence ratio (SIR) for ESRD incidence was 0.79 (95% CI 0.54 to 1.13). Among those who achieved the highest blood lead (>41.4 µg/dL), the SIR was 1.01 (0.44 to 1.99). There was no evidence of a dose–response relationship between the maximum achieved blood lead or the cumulative blood lead exposure and ESRD in external or internal comparisons.
ConclusionsThis study of workers with documented occupational lead exposures followed for 20 years shows no statistically significant association between lead exposure (following the current occupational recommendations for Sweden) and ESRD.
http://ift.tt/2hworTz
IJERPH, Vol. 13, Pages 1240: Evaluation of Indoor Air Quality Screening Strategies: A Step-Wise Approach for IAQ Screening
http://ift.tt/2hlb9fe
IJERPH, Vol. 13, Pages 1241: Synergising Public Health Concepts with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction: A Conceptual Glossary
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IJERPH, Vol. 13, Pages 1238: Hispanic and Immigrant Paradoxes in U.S. Breast Cancer Mortality: Impact of Neighborhood Poverty and Hispanic Density
http://ift.tt/2hwggqV
Indian Journal of Medical and Paediatric Oncology (Indian J Med Paediatr Oncol)
Savio George Barreto
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Ulrich Nitsche, Bo Kong, Alexander Balmert, Helmut Friess, Jörg Kleeff
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Rita V Vora, RahulKrishna S Kota, Nilofar G Diwan, Nidhi B Jivani, Shailee S Gandhi
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Abhishek Mahajan, Subash Desai, Nilesh Pandurang Sable, Meenakshi Haresh Thakur
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Khadijeh Abbasi, Maryam Hazrati, Abolfazl Mohammadbeigi, Jasem Ansari, Mahboubeh Sajadi, Azam Hosseinnazzhad, Esmail Moshiri
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K Govind Babu, MC Suresh Babu, D Lokanatha, Gita R Bhat
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Azizfatema Munawer Khan, Megha S Sheth, Romsha R Purohit
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Stalin Bala, Sadashivudu Gundeti, Vijay Gandhi Linga, Lakshmi Srinivas Maddali, Raghunadha Rao Digumarti, Shantveer G Uppin
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Mehnaaz Sultan Khuroo, Summyia Farooq Khwaja, Ajaz Rather, Zhahid Hassan, Ruby Reshi, Naira Sultan Khuroo
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Subhash Gupta, Kunhi Parambath Haresh, Soumyajit Roy, Lakhan Kashyap, Narayan Adhikari, Rambha Pandey, Dayanand Sharma, Pramod Kumar Julka, Goura Kishor Rath
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Karnam Ashok Kumar, Gundeti Sadashivudu, KV Krishnamani, Vijay Gandhi Linga, Lakshmi Srinivas Maddali, Raghunadha Rao Digumarti
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Richa Bhartiya, Mahasweta Mallik, Nawanita Kumari, Brijendra Narayan Prasad
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Bhawna Sirohi, Vikas Ostwal, Shaheenah Dawood, Gilberto Lopes, Sanjay Talole, Chaitali Nashikkar, Shailesh Shrikhande
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Saurabh Bobdey, Jignasa Sathwara, Aanchal Jain, Ganesh Balasubramaniam
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ATM Emdadul Haque, Muhammad Afif Bin Mohd Hisham, Noor Azwa Laili Binti Ahmad Adzman, Nur Atiqah Binti Azudin, Nursakinah Binti Shafri, Mainul Haque
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Abhilasha Ashok Sampagar, Rahul R Jahagirdar, Vibha Sanjay Bafna, Sandip P Bartakke
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Javvid Muzamil, Aejaz Aziz Shiekh, Gull Mohammad Bhat, Abdul Rashid Lone, Shuaeb Bhat, Firdousa Nabi
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Nishitha Shetty, Ranvijay Singh, Maryam Naveed, Ashwini M Ronghe, Falguni Shashikant Barot
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Sandesh Madi, Vishnu Senthil, Monappa Naik, Sandeep Vijayan
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Gaurav Tripathi, Manas Kalra, Amita Mahajan
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Pratishtha Banga Chaudhari
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Beuy Joob, Viroj Wiwanitkit
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Manoj Lakhotia, Hans Raj Pahadiya, Akanksha Choudhary, Ronak Gandhi, Ramesh Chand Purohit
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Rita V Vora, RahulKrishna SureshKumar Kota, Nilofar G Diwan
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Mansoor C Abdulla, Jemshad Alungal, Ram Naryan, Neena Mampilly
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Ravi Kumar Paluri
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Anapafseos 5 . Agios Nikolaos
Crete.Greece.72100
2841026182
IJERPH, Vol. 13, Pages 1236: Overview of Cotinine Cutoff Values for Smoking Status Classification
http://ift.tt/2huXYpr
IJERPH, Vol. 13, Pages 1239: Removal and Biodegradation of Nonylphenol by Four Freshwater Microalgae
http://ift.tt/2huR9UZ
IJERPH, Vol. 13, Pages 1237: Effect of Attitudinal, Situational and Demographic Factors on Annoyance Due to Environmental Vibration and Noise from Construction of a Light Rapid Transit System
http://ift.tt/2hsLTUR
Sensitising effects of genetically modified enzymes used in flavour, fragrance, detergence and pharmaceutical production: cross-sectional study
The use of genetically engineered enzymes in the synthesis of flavourings, fragrances and other applications has increased tremendously. There is, however, a paucity of data on sensitisation and/or allergy to the finished products. We aimed to review the use of genetically modified enzymes and the enormous challenges in human biomonitoring studies with suitable assays of specific IgE to a variety of modified enzyme proteins in occupational settings and measure specific IgE to modified enzymes in exposed workers.
MethodsSpecific IgE antibodies against workplace-specific individual enzymes were measured by the specific fluorescence enzyme-labelled immunoassay in 813 exposed workers seen in cross-sectional surveys.
ResultsTwenty-three per cent of all exposed workers showed type I sensitisation with IgE antibodies directed against respective workplace-specific enzymes. The highest sensitisation frequencies observed were for workers exposed enzymes derived from α-amylase (44%), followed by stainzyme (41%), pancreatinin (35%), savinase (31%), papain (31%), ovozyme (28%), phytase (16%), trypsin (15%) and lipase (4%). The highest individual antibody levels (up to 110 kU/L) were detected in workers exposed to phytase, xylanase and glucanase. In a subgroup comprising 134 workers, detailed clinical diagnostics confirmed work-related symptoms. There was a strong correlation (r=0.75, p<0.0001) between the symptoms and antibody levels. Workers with work-related respiratory symptoms showed a higher prevalence for the presence of specific IgE antibodies against workplace-specific enzymes than asymptomatic exposed workers (likelihood ratio 2.32, sensitivity 0.92, specificity 0.6).
ConclusionsOur data confirm the previous findings showing that genetically engineered enzymes are potent allergens eliciting immediate-type sensitisation. Owing to lack of commercial diagnostic tests, few of those exposed receive regular surveillance including biomonitoring with relevant specific IgE assays.
http://ift.tt/2gZlElq
Effect of CYP3A4 genetic polymorphisms on the genotoxicity of 4,4'-methylene-bis(2-chloroaniline)-exposed workers
We investigated the relationship between 4,4’-methylene-bis(2-chloroaniline) (MBOCA) exposure and micronucleus (MN) frequency, and how this association was affected by genetic polymorphism of the cytochrome P450 enzyme (CYP3A4).
MethodsWe divided the study population into an exposed group (n=44 with total urine MBOCA ≥20 μg/g creatinine) and a control group (n=47 with total urine MBOCA <20 μg/g creatinine). Lymphocyte MN frequency (MNF) and micronucleated cell (MNC) frequency were measured by the cytokinesis-block MN assay method. MNF reported as the number of micronuclei in binucleated cells per 1000 cells, and MNC reported as the number of binucleated cells with the presence of MN per 1000 cells. CYP3A4 alleles were measured by PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).
ResultsThe mean MNF (6.11 vs 4.46 MN/1000 cells, p<0.001) and MNC (5.75 vs 4.15 MN/1000 cells, p<0.001) in the exposed workers was significantly higher than that in the controls. The CYP3A4 polymorphism A/A+A/G influenced the difference in the mean MNF (5.97 vs 4.38 MN/1000 cells, p<0.001) and MNC (5.60 vs 4.15 MN/1000 cells, p<0.001) between the MBOCA-exposed and control groups. After adjusting risk factors, the MNF level in the MBOCA-exposed workers was 0.520 MN cells/1000 cells (p<0.001) higher than the control group among the CYP3A4 A/A+A/G genotype. Similarly, the MNC level in the MBOCA-exposed workers was 0.593 MN/1000 cells (p<0.001) higher than the control group among the CYP3A4 A/A+A/G genotype. However, the difference in adjusted MNF and MNC between the exposed and control groups was not significant for the CYP3A4 polymorphism with the G/G genotype.
ConclusionsWe recommend that lymphocytes MNF and MNC are good indicators to evaluate MBOCA genotoxicity. Individuals with the CYP3A4 polymorphism A/A and A/G genotypes appear to be more susceptible to MBOCA genotoxicity.
http://ift.tt/2gHqaJ7
Health risk factors as predictors of workers' compensation claim occurrence and cost
The objective of this study was to examine the predictive relationships between employee health risk factors (HRFs) and workers' compensation (WC) claim occurrence and costs.
MethodsLogistic regression and generalised linear models were used to estimate the predictive association between HRFs and claim occurrence and cost among a cohort of 16 926 employees from 314 large, medium and small businesses across multiple industries. First, unadjusted (HRFs only) models were estimated, and second, adjusted (HRFs plus demographic and work organisation variables) were estimated.
ResultsUnadjusted models demonstrated that several HRFs were predictive of WC claim occurrence and cost. After adjusting for demographic and work organisation differences between employees, many of the relationships previously established did not achieve statistical significance. Stress was the only HRF to display a consistent relationship with claim occurrence, though the type of stress mattered. Stress at work was marginally predictive of a higher odds of incurring a WC claim (p<0.10). Stress at home and stress over finances were predictive of higher and lower costs of claims, respectively (p<0.05).
ConclusionsThe unadjusted model results indicate that HRFs are predictive of future WC claims. However, the disparate findings between unadjusted and adjusted models indicate that future research is needed to examine the multilevel relationship between employee demographics, organisational factors, HRFs and WC claims.
http://ift.tt/2gZeeyt
Re: assessment of occupational exposure to pesticides in a pooled analysis of agricultural cohorts within the AGRICOH consortium
Brouwer et al1 have developed country-specific crop-exposure matrices (CEMs) for the French Agriculture and Cancer Study (AGRICAN) and the Cancer in the Norwegian Agricultural Population (CNAP) Study to enable data pooling with another study included in the AGRICOH consortium,2 the US Agricultural Health Study (AHS), for which self-reported pesticide use information is available. External data were not available to validate the exposure assessment methods, but self-reported use in the AHS was compared with exposure estimated using CEM approaches resembling those developed for AGRICAN and CNAP. Poor agreement with self-reported use in the AHS was shown for 11 pesticide active ingredients, and the CEM approaches had very low specificity (not reported, but calculated to range between 25% and 42%). More importantly, the CEM approaches also appear to greatly overestimate exposure when applied in their own cohorts. Nevertheless, the investigators state that these exposure assessment methods will...
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Organisational characteristics associated with shift work practices and potential opportunities for intervention: findings from a Canadian study
Shift work is a common working arrangement with wide-ranging implications for worker health. Organisational determinants of shift work practices are not well characterised; such information could be used to guide evidence-based research and best practices to mitigate shift work's negative effects. This exploratory study aimed to describe and assess organisational-level determinants of shift work practices thought to affect health, across a range of industry sectors.
MethodsData on organisational characteristics, shift work scheduling, provision of shift work education materials/training to employees and night-time lighting policies in the workplace were collected during phone interviews with organisations across the Canadian province of British Columbia. Relationships between organisational characteristics and shift work practices were assessed using multivariable logistic regression models.
ResultsThe study sample included 88 participating organisations, representing 30 700 shift workers. Long-duration shifts, provision of shift work education materials/training to employees and night-time lighting policies were reported by approximately one-third of participating organisations. Odds of long-duration shifts increased in larger workplaces and by industry. Odds of providing shift work education materials/training increased in larger workplaces, in organisations reporting concern for shift worker health and in organisations without seasonal changes in shift work. Odds of night-time lighting policies in the workplace increased in organisations reporting previous workplace accidents or incidents that occurred during non-daytime hours, site maintenance needs and client service or care needs.
ConclusionsThis study points to organisational determinants of shift work practices that could be useful for targeting research and workplace interventions. Results should be interpreted as preliminary in an emerging body of literature on shift work and health.
http://ift.tt/2gZbJfB
Sex ratio of the offspring of New Zealand phenoxy herbicide producers exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
Exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) has inconsistently been associated with a decreased sex ratio of the offspring (number of male births divided by total births). We conducted a study among men and women who were employed in a New Zealand phenoxy herbicide production plant between 1969 and 1984, to study their offspring sex ratio in relation to their back-calculated TCDD serum concentrations determined in 2007/2008.
MethodsA total of 127 men and 21 women reported that 355 children were conceived after starting employment at the plant. The association between their lipid-standardised TCDD serum concentrations back-calculated to the time of their offspring's birth and the probability of a male birth was estimated through logistic regression, adjusting for the age of the exposed parent at birth, current body mass index and smoking.
ResultsThe overall sex ratio was 0.55 (197 boys, 158 girls). For fathers with serum TCDD concentrations ≥20 pg/g lipid at time of birth, the sex ratio was 0.47 (OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.30 to 0.79). The probability of a male birth decreased with higher paternal serum TCDD at time of birth (<4; 4–20; 20–100; ≥100 pg/g lipid), with ORs of 1.00 (reference); 1.00 (95% CI 0.50 to 2.02); 0.52 (95% CI 0.29 to 0.92); 0.45 (95% CI 0.23 to 0.89), p trend 0.007. For exposed mothers, the sex ratio was not reduced.
ConclusionsThis study indicates that paternal serum TCDD concentrations in excess of an estimated 20 pg/g lipid at time of conception are associated with a reduced sex ratio.
http://ift.tt/2gHoOhk
Assessment of occupational exposure to pesticides in a pooled analysis of agricultural cohorts within the AGRICOH consortium: authors response
In his letter, Tomenson1 provides his opinion on the development and use of crop-exposure matrices (CEMs) in a pooling project within the AGRICOH consortium.2 Although overall his concerns repeat acknowledged limitations of the developed CEMs, discussed in detail in our paper, we disagree with his conclusion.
Tomenson concludes that "it is difficult to see how the pooling project can be worthwhile unless the exposure measures are greatly improved." Part of this conclusion is based on his interpretation of low agreement between self-reported pesticide use in the Agricultural Health Study (AHS) and exposure assigned to this population using two CEM approaches approximating methods developed for the two European cohorts. We refer readers to the original paper2 for a detailed discussion of important differences between the AHS and the European cohorts, that will impact exposure prevalence and agreement between the different exposure assessment methods used....
http://ift.tt/2gZ88OE
Australian work exposures studies: occupational exposure to pesticides
Pesticides are widely used in some occupational settings. Some pesticides have been classified as carcinogens; however, data on the number of workers exposed to pesticides are not available in Australia. The main aim of this study was to estimate the current prevalence of pesticide exposure in Australian workplaces.
MethodsThe analysis used data from the Australian Work Exposures Study, a series of nationwide telephone surveys which investigated work-related prevalence and exposure to carcinogens and asthmagens, including pesticides, among current Australian workers. Information about the respondents’ current job and various demographic factors was collected in a telephone interview using the web-based tool OccIDEAS. Workers were considered exposed to pesticides if they reported applying or mixing pesticides in their current job.
ResultsOf the 10 371 respondents, 410 (4%) respondents were assessed as being exposed to pesticides in the workplace, with exposure being more likely among males, individuals born in Australia, individuals with lower education level and those residing in regional or remote areas. Glyphosate was the most common active ingredient used by workers.
ConclusionsThis is the first study to describe the prevalence of occupational pesticide exposure in Australia and one of the few recent studies internationally.
http://ift.tt/2gHm1oG
Job-exposure matrix for the assessment of alkylphenolic compounds
Our aim was to develop a job-exposure matrix (JEM) to assess occupational exposure to alkylphenolic compounds in epidemiological research, considering changes in their use over time, and including exposure probabilities in the assessments.
MethodsWe consulted multiple sources of information, and performed interviews with 9 key people from industry and academia. 3 hygienists coded frequency (minority or majority of workers involved) and intensity of exposure (including dispersive processes, with shaking, or aerosol generation, or otherwise) to alkylphenolic compounds for all the 390 International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO)-88 job titles by period of time. Intensity and frequency of exposure were combined in a single score as follows: unlikely=0, occasionally+low intensity=1, occasionally+high intensity=2, frequent+low intensity=2, and frequent+high intensity=3.
ResultsWe identified 54 (13.8%) of the 390 ISCO-88 job titles with potential exposure to alkylphenolic compounds. In 6 of jobs deemed as exposed, exposure depended on the economic sector of the occupation. Nonylphenol ethoxylates were the compounds most commonly involved (30 job titles, 55.6% of the exposed). Variations in alkylphenolic compounds use varied greatly over time; while they are still used in the plastic and rubber industry, in domestic cleaning agents their use began to decline before 1995.
ConclusionsWe built a JEM to assess exposure to alkylphenolic compounds, taking into account changes in use over time, different types of alkylphenolic compounds and different scenarios of exposure, which can be a valuable tool for exposure assessment in epidemiological research on the health effects of these chemicals.
http://ift.tt/2gZklCP
Asbestos bodies in bronchoalveolar lavage in the 21st century: a time-trend analysis in a clinical population
Asbestos bodies (AB) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) can be detected by light microscopy and their concentration is indicative of past cumulative asbestos exposure. We assessed clinical and exposure characteristics, as well as possible time trends, among patients in whom AB had been quantified in BAL.
MethodsBAL samples obtained from 578 participants between January 1997 and December 2014 were available for analysis. The processing of samples and the microscopic analysis were performed by a single expert and 76% of samples came from a single tertiary care hospital, allowing clinical and exposure data to be extracted from patient files.
ResultsThe study population (95% males) had a mean age of 62.5 (±12.4) years. AB were detected in 55.2% of the samples, giving a median concentration of 0.5 AB/mL (95th centile: 23.6 AB/mL; highest value: 164.5 AB/mL). The AB concentration exceeded 1 AB/mL in 39.4% and 5 AB/mL in 17.8%. A significant decrease from a geometric mean of 0.93 AB/mL in 1997 to 0.2 AB/mL in 2014 was apparent. High AB concentrations generally corresponded with occupations with (presumed) high asbestos exposure. AB concentrations were higher among patients with asbestosis and pleural plaques, when compared with other disease groups. Nevertheless, a substantial proportion of participants with likely exposure to asbestos did not exhibit high AB counts.
ConclusionsThis retrospective study of a large clinical population supports the value of counting AB in BAL as a complementary approach to assess past exposure to asbestos.
http://ift.tt/2gHrH1D
CONSTANCES: a general prospective population-based cohort for occupational and environmental epidemiology: cohort profile
CONSTANCES is a general-purpose cohort with a focus on occupational and environmental factors.
Cohort participantsCONSTANCES was designed as a randomly selected sample of French adults aged 18–69 years at inception; 200 000 participants will be included.
Data collection phasesAt enrolment, the participants are invited to complete questionnaires and to attend a health screening centre (HSC) for a health examination. A biobank will be set up. The follow-up includes an yearly self-administered questionnaire, a periodic visit to an HSC and linkage to social and national health administrative databases.
Main types of data collectedData collected for participants include social and demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, life events and behaviours. Regarding occupational and environmental factors, a wealth of data on organisational, chemical, biological, biomechanical and psychosocial lifelong exposure, as well as residential characteristics, are collected at enrolment and during follow-up. The health data cover a wide spectrum: self-reported health scales, reported prevalent and incident diseases, long-term chronic diseases and hospitalisations, sick-leaves, handicaps, limitations, disabilities and injuries, healthcare usage and services provided, and causes of death.
Control of selection effectsTo take into account non-participation and attrition, a random cohort of non-participants was set up and will be followed through the same national databases as participants.
Data accessInclusions begun at the end of 2012 and more than 110 000 participants were already included by September 2016. Several projects on occupational and environmental risks already applied to a public call for nested research projects.
http://ift.tt/2gHsnV5
Workplace bullying and the association with suicidal ideation/thoughts and behaviour: a systematic review
The established links between workplace bullying and poor mental health provide a prima facie reason to expect that workplace bullying increases the risk of suicidal ideation (thoughts) and behaviours. Until now, there has been no systematic summary of the available evidence. This systematic review summarises published studies reporting data on workplace bullying and suicidal ideation, or behaviour. The review sought to ascertain the nature of this association and highlight future research directions. 5 electronic databases were searched. 2 reviewers independently selected the articles for inclusion, and extracted information about study characteristics (sample, recruitment method, assessment and measures) and data reporting the association of workplace bullying with suicidal ideation and behaviour. 12 studies were included in the final review—8 reported estimates of a positive association between workplace bullying and suicidal ideation, and a further 4 provided descriptive information about the prevalence of suicidal ideation in targets of bullying. Only 1 non-representative cross-sectional study examined the association between workplace bullying and suicidal behaviour. The results show an absence of high-quality epidemiological studies (eg, prospective cohort studies, which controlled for workplace characteristics and baseline psychiatric morbidity). While the available literature (predominantly cross-sectional) suggests that there is a positive association between workplace bullying and suicidal ideation, the low quality of studies prevents ruling out alternative explanations. Further longitudinal, population-based research, adjusting for potential covariates (within and outside the workplace), is needed to determine the level of risk that workplace bullying independently contributes to suicidal ideation and behaviour.
http://ift.tt/2gZfNwu
Working conditions as modifiable risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviours
In this issue of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (OEM), Leach et al1 review the evidence that workplace bullying is associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviours. This is a rapidly developing area of enquiry, as it should be. In most Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, suicide is a leading cause of mortality, particularly for men, who comprise on average of 3/4 of completed suicides.2 While only a fraction of those experiencing suicidal thoughts will go on to self-harm, attempt suicide, or die by suicide, suicidal thoughts are a key upstream indicator of suicide risk and an appropriate target for prevention and control efforts. Finding strategies to reduce suicidality is a public health imperative.
Leach et al identified a dozen studies meeting their inclusion criteria. Eight of these studies (including 1 of ours) reported on the association between workplace bullying and suicidal ideation or...
http://ift.tt/2gHl0N7
Shift work practices and opportunities for intervention
There is increasing evidence that shift work, an occupational exposure affecting about one-fourth of the working population, increases the risk of major chronic disease outcomes, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.1–4 Currently, there is an open discussion on whether shift work should be included in national lists of occupational hazards for compensation purposes. Denmark was the first (and to date only) country to consider breast cancer an occupational disease in shift workers, and to compensate women with over 20 years of night work who developed breast cancer. Chronic disease risk reduction and prevention in shift workers is an emerging field, which points to the need for more intervention studies. Whether and how companies or governments translate existing evidence into real-world policy or preventive actions currently remains largely unknown.
The study by Hall et al5 is a unique effort and first...
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Reflections on OEM in 2016
The year 2016 has seen some major events and unexpected results on the international stage, such as the ‘Yes’ vote for Brexit in the UK, the Syrian refugee crisis in Europe and the US Presidential election. It is not yet clear what impact these results could have on worker health, but anticipated changes to international trade and immigration could impact on the health and well-being of workers, especially those in unskilled and semiskilled, lower paid and more precarious jobs.
The past year has also seen some important changes at Occupational and Environmental Medicine (OEM). In June, we were pleased to discover that the impact factor for OEM had increased from 3.215 to 3.745, its highest value ever. While the impact factor for OEM has been consistently above three over the past 6 years, over the past couple of years there have been stepwise increases to its current level. While we...
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Τρίτη 13 Δεκεμβρίου 2016
Otology & Neurotology
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Anapafseos 5 . Agios Nikolaos
Crete.Greece.72100
2841026182
Clinical Otolaryngology
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Anapafseos 5 . Agios Nikolaos
Crete.Greece.72100
2841026182
Cancer Cell
Cancer Cell |
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Anapafseos 5 . Agios Nikolaos
Crete.Greece.72100
2841026182