Impact of cold exposure on shift working seafood handlers in Northern Norway: a comparative analysis across work shifts.

IF 2.9 4区 医学 Q2 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
Phong K T Chau, Tiril Schjølberg, Mina Baarnes Eriksen, Anne-Mari Gjestvang Moe, Pål Graff, Fred Haugen
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of occupational thermal exposure on shift workers, specifically whether cold exposure elicits distinct physiological responses and thermoregulatory recovery across different tasks and shift types.

Methods: Observational study at two factories processing prawns in Northern Norway in which 32 shift-working seafood handlers with different task responsibilities were followed for a single shift (morning, evening, night). The participants answered questionnaires regarding thermal exposures at work and related symptoms; these were compared to answers from 12 administration workers. Personal thermal loggers measured the range of temperature exposures associated with four different seafood handler work tasks. Pre- and post-shift plasma levels of FGF21, GDF15 and cytokines were analysed using immunoassays. As a proxy for thermoregulatory response across different shift types, hand temperature was measured repeatedly before and after breaks using a thermal imaging camera.

Results: Most seafood handlers reported subjective impact from cold exposure. Cold working conditions of ≤ 10 ℃ were measured across all shifts and three different seafood handling tasks. The morning shift-seafood handlers displayed lower plasma FGF21 post-shift vs. pre-shift; the evening and night shifts showed no difference. GDF15 levels remained unchanged regardless of shift types but were positively correlated with age. Night shift was associated with increased plasma IL6 post-shift vs. pre-shift. Thermoregulatory responses showed a positive linear relationship with break duration but did not differ between shifts.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that exposure levels are closely linked to specific tasks and shifts, with thermoregulatory responses varying by task type and time of day.

寒冷暴露对轮班工作的海鲜处理人员在挪威北部的影响:跨工作班次的比较分析。
目的:本研究旨在探讨职业热暴露对轮班工人的影响,特别是冷暴露是否会引起不同任务和轮班类型的不同生理反应和热调节恢复。方法:在挪威北部的两家对虾加工厂进行观察性研究,其中32名轮班工作的海产品处理人员承担不同的任务职责,进行单班(早、晚、晚)跟踪调查。参与者回答了关于工作时热暴露和相关症状的问卷;这些回答与12名行政人员的回答进行了比较。个人温度记录仪测量了与四种不同海鲜处理工作任务相关的温度暴露范围。用免疫分析法分析移位前后血浆中FGF21、GDF15和细胞因子的水平。作为不同轮班类型的体温调节反应的代理,在休息前后使用热像仪反复测量手部温度。结果:大多数海鲜处理人员报告了寒冷暴露的主观影响。在所有班次和三种不同的海鲜处理任务中测量≤10℃的冷工作条件。早班海鲜处理者在轮班后的血浆FGF21低于轮班前;夜班和夜班没有差别。无论移位类型如何,GDF15水平保持不变,但与年龄呈正相关。夜班与夜班前相比,夜班后血浆IL6升高有关。温度调节反应与断裂时间呈线性正相关,但在移位之间没有差异。结论:研究结果表明,暴露水平与特定的任务和班次密切相关,体温调节反应因任务类型和一天中的时间而异。
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来源期刊
Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology
Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH-
CiteScore
6.00
自引率
0.00%
发文量
23
审稿时长
19 weeks
期刊介绍: Aimed at clinicians and researchers, the Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology is a multi-disciplinary, open access journal which publishes original research on the clinical and scientific aspects of occupational and environmental health. With high-quality peer review and quick decision times, we welcome submissions on the diagnosis, prevention, management, and scientific analysis of occupational diseases, injuries, and disability. The journal also covers the promotion of health of workers, their families, and communities, and ranges from rehabilitation to tropical medicine and public health aspects.
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