Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Correction to: Parent and child experiences of research participation and retention intentions in a Japanese birth cohort: insights from the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS).","authors":"Tomoko Okabe, Yoshimitsu Takahashi, Mayumi Toyama, Yoshitaka Nishikawa, Kyoko Hirabayashi, Kumiko Kanatani, Fusako Niwa, Takeo Nakayama","doi":"10.1265/ehpm.26-00239","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1265/ehpm.26-00239","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11707,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine","volume":"31 ","pages":"74"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149237274","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Proposal for preventing fatal nitrogen gas inhalation while working: an autopsy case and review of the literature.","authors":"Arisa Takeda, Kenshiro Aiko, Marin Takaso, Mami Nakamura, Masahito Hitosugi","doi":"10.1265/ehpm.26-00143","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1265/ehpm.26-00143","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, and generally inert gas that acts as a simple asphyxiant by displacing oxygen. While accidental nitrogen gas inhalation typically occurs in confined spaces, fatalities resulting from mask misconnections during industrial work are extremely rare. Inhaling excess nitrogen can rapidly cause disorientation, rendering victims unable to escape critical situations. Therefore, developing preventive measures is an urgent priority.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>A Japanese factory worker in his 40s was found in cardiopulmonary arrest inside a pot he was cleaning alone and subsequently died. The company's standard protocol requires a two-person team. In poor ventilation, workers typically use face masks connected to an atmospheric fresh air line or an oxygen source to meet physical demands. The victim was discovered wearing a mask mistakenly connected to a nitrogen gas line located adjacent to the oxygen line. Although both gas sources were color-coded and labeled, this misconnection occurred. After a forensic autopsy, his cause of death was diagnosed as nitrogen poisoning.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>A literature review spanning PubMed data up to 2024 identified only 17 unintentional nitrogen-related deaths, with only 5 involving mask misconnections, mostly due to poor labeling. Japanese labor statistics from 1993 to 2022 recorded 30 nitrogen-related fatalities, including 4 mask-related cases, although detailed medical data were absent. To our knowledge, this case represents the first detailed forensic autopsy report in the English literature of a worker dying from nitrogen poisoning due to a mask misconnection. Our findings suggest that relying solely on the single person's visual information is insufficient to prevent fatal human error.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>To diminish work-related nitrogen fatalities, we propose two potential preventive measures. First, to actively prevent human errors, we propose several technical approaches for fail-safe designs, such as incompatible or dedicated connectors, separation of supply systems, and equipping masks with oxygen monitoring devices that automatically shut off the gas supply when the oxygen concentration falls below a safe threshold. Secondary, a strict \"double-check\" system must be implemented. Workers should never connect air lines alone. The other worker must verify the connection and remain available to remove the mask and perform immediate resuscitation if an accident occurs.</p>","PeriodicalId":11707,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine","volume":"31 ","pages":"73"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149237354","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of liver steatosis and stiffness by transient elastography and serum markers in Japanese early adolescents.","authors":"Ayaka Ito, Yuki Ito, Sayaka Kato, Yukihiro Ohya, Daiki Hiraoka, Kyoko Minato, Gui Yang, Shigeaki Hida, Mayumi Sugiura-Ogasawara, Shinji Saitoh, Michihiro Kamijima","doi":"10.1265/ehpm.26-00150","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1265/ehpm.26-00150","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is projected to increase in the Asian pediatric population. However, data regarding its prevalence in the general pediatric population are limited. We aimed to determine the prevalence of liver steatosis and liver stiffness, measured by controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM), respectively, using FibroScan^® in the general pediatric population, and to assess their associations with sex, BMI, abdominal circumference (AC), and serum parameters.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The CAP and LSM were measured in 1,435 children aged 9-12 years in the Aichi Regional Adjunct Study of the Japan Environment and Children's Study. Elevated CAP and LSM values were defined by age-specific CAP and LSM cutoffs (11-12 and 9-10 years: CAP >225 and >220 dB/m and LSM >6.5 and >5.8 kPa, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression, adjusted for sex, BMI, AC, HDL-Chol, non-HDL-Chol, TG, and ALT levels, was performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>At 11-12 years, the prevalence of elevated CAP and LSM was 12.6% and 2.9%, respectively. Children with higher CAP exhibited significantly higher BMI and AC. TG and ALT levels were significantly associated with higher CAP, whereas lower non-HDL-Chol levels were significantly associated with higher LSM. At 9-10 years, higher LSM was more prevalent in males.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study reports the prevalence of elevated CAP and LSM values and their association with biomarkers in a large cohort of the general pediatric population in Japan. This partially contributes to the understanding of the epidemiology of MASLD and supports the development of early prevention and risk-stratification approaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":11707,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine","volume":"31 ","pages":"70"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149237409","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Heavy metal exposure and risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in population with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome stage 0-3: a cohort study.","authors":"Yiyang Liu, Fujian Li, Ying Huang, Jiansheng Cai, You Li","doi":"10.1265/ehpm.26-00065","DOIUrl":"10.1265/ehpm.26-00065","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Evidence on the association between blood metal exposure and mortality among adults with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome stages 0-3 remains limited. We examined the associations of blood lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), selenium (Se), and manganese (Mn) with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in this population.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We analyzed data from 4,394 adults with CKM stages 0-3 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2018 linked to mortality records. Blood metal concentrations were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Weighted Cox proportional hazards models, restricted cubic spline (RCS) analyses, and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression were used to assess associations of individual and mixed metal exposures with mortality outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the fully adjusted model, elevated blood Cd levels were associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.26-2.33). In contrast, blood Se showed an inverse association with all-cause mortality, with lower risks observed in Q2 (HR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.41-0.90) and Q4 (HR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.38-0.93). RCS analyses showed nonlinear associations of Cd and Se with all-cause mortality. Cd exhibited an inverted U-shaped pattern, whereas Se showed an L-shaped inverse association. WQS regression suggested a positive association between mixed metal exposure and all-cause mortality (HR = 1.16, 95% CI: 0.99-1.34; P = 0.046). Associations with cardiovascular mortality were weaker and less consistent.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Among U.S. adults with stage 0-3 cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome, elevated blood cadmium levels and reduced blood selenium levels were potentially associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality.</p>","PeriodicalId":11707,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine","volume":"31 ","pages":"45"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13366184/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148390171","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association between bedtime snacking and subclinical hypothyroidism.","authors":"Yuji Shimizu, Nagisa Sasaki, Asuka Oyama, Yuko Noguchi, Mutsumi Matsuu-Matsuyama, Koichiro Hamada, Shin-Ya Kawashiri, Hirotomo Yamanashi, Seiko Nakamichi, Yasuhiro Nagata, Takahiro Maeda, Naomi Hayashida","doi":"10.1265/ehpm.25-00419","DOIUrl":"10.1265/ehpm.25-00419","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Thyroid hormones support endothelial repair, whereas bedtime snacking is linked to a higher risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Since endothelial dysfunction is a core feature of CKD, bedtime snacking could potentially contribute to subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) by elevating the demand for endothelial repair. This study aimed to explore the association between bedtime snacking and SCH.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>In this cross-sectional study, 1,478 Japanese individuals aged 40-69 years with normal thyroid function were enrolled; normal thyroid function was defined as free triiodothyronine (T3) and free thyroxine (T4) levels within the reference ranges and the absence of thyroid-related medication use. Individuals with elevated serum concentrations of TSH (>4.01 µIU/mL) were defined as having SCH. Bedtime snacking was determined in the basis of participants' affirmation to the question \"Do you consume a night meal or snack after dinner, within two hours of bedtime, three or more times per week? (Yes, No)\".</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the study population, 263 individuals reported a bedtime snacking habit, whereas SCH was identified in 81 individuals. A statistically significant association was found between bedtime snacking and SCH. The sex- and age-adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were 1.77 (1.05, 2.99). This association remained significant after additional adjustment for skipping breakfast and late dinner; 1.83 (1.07, 3.11), and further adjustment for free T4, atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, CKD, and thyroid cysts; 1.93 (1.11, 3.35), respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Bedtime snacking is positively associated with SCH, potentially due to an increased physiological demand for endothelial repair. This finding is not only an efficient tool for diagnosing the early stages of endothelial and thyroid dysfunction, but also for clarifying the mechanism underlying the regulation of thyroid hormones related to endothelial health.</p>","PeriodicalId":11707,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine","volume":"31 ","pages":"21"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13014101/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147462773","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Day type and heatstroke-related ambulance transports in Tokyo, Japan: a time-series study.","authors":"Yuji Nishiwaki, Sachie Mori, Takehiro Michikawa","doi":"10.1265/ehpm.26-00077","DOIUrl":"10.1265/ehpm.26-00077","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Heatstroke is a major public health problem during summer, and meteorological conditions, particularly wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT), strongly influence its occurrence. However, even under similar heat conditions, heatstroke risk may vary according to behavioural patterns on weekdays, weekends/holidays, and post-holiday days. This study aimed to examine whether heatstroke-related ambulance transports in Tokyo vary according to day type after adjusting for WBGT.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a time-series analysis using daily heatstroke-related ambulance transports in Tokyo, Japan, during the warm season (May-September) from 2015 to 2025. The days were classified as weekday, weekend/holiday, or post-holiday. The WBGT data for seven locations in Tokyo were used, and the highest daily maximum WBGT served as the heat exposure indicator. Modified Poisson regression models were used to estimate risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) according to day type, adjusting for the WBGT category at lags 0 and 1 and the calendar year. The same models were applied by age group, severity, and place of occurrence. Four sensitivity analyses, including the use of alternative heat exposure indicators and exclusion of the coronavirus disease 2019 period, were conducted.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After adjusting for WBGT and calendar year, the occurrence of heatstroke-related ambulance transports differed according to day type. Overall, ambulance transports tended to be more frequent on post-holiday days than on weekdays (RR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.97-1.22). Among adults aged ≥65 years, transports were more frequent on post-holiday days (RR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.00-1.28) and less frequent on weekends/holidays (RR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.79-0.96). Among individuals aged <18 years, transports were markedly more frequent on weekends/holidays (RR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.61-2.03). Weekend/holiday increases were also observed in mild cases and in public indoor and outdoor spaces and educational institutions, whereas cases in residences and workplaces were less frequent. Sensitivity analyses yielded similar results.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Heatstroke-related ambulance transports in Tokyo varied according to day type even after adjusting for WBGT, with distinct patterns across age groups, severity categories, and places of occurrence. Weekly behavioural patterns may contribute to heatstroke risk and warrant consideration in preventive strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":11707,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine","volume":"31 ","pages":"51"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13482159/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148701023","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Health checkup profile before age 65 and long-term care needs: a retrospective analysis of the Fukuoka-City Information Platform for Community-based Integrated Care.","authors":"Takanori Honda, Hiroko Furuhashi, Emi Oishi, Yoshihiko Furuta, Yasumi Kimura, Toshiharu Ninomiya","doi":"10.1265/ehpm.26-00086","DOIUrl":"10.1265/ehpm.26-00086","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The association between health status before age 65 and the occurrence of long-term care needs has not been extensively studied. We aimed to examine potential associated factors based on profiles from Japan's Specific Health Checkup program that are associated with the occurrence of long-term care needs in later life.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A total of 13,379 residents aged 57-64 years without long-term care needs who underwent Japan's Specific Health Checkup in fiscal year 2012 were followed until March 2021. The occurrence of long-term care needs was defined as new certification for long-term care level 1 or higher under Japan's universal long-term care insurance system. Associations between health checkup profiles and the occurrence of long-term care needs were estimated using a Cox proportional hazards model.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>During the median 8-year follow-up, 406 participants were newly certified as requiring long-term care. Older age, female sex, underweight, hypertension, diabetes, proteinuria, history of chronic disease (cerebrovascular disease, heart disease, and renal failure), current smoking, no regular exercise, self-reported slow walking speed, skipping breakfast, and eating before bedtime were significantly associated with higher risk of the need for long-term care in age- and sex-adjusted analyses.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Using a large-scale database of participants aged less than 65 years, this study found the significant associations between several health- and lifestyle-related characteristics and the subsequent need for long-term care. Our findings suggest that information collected through health checkups in midlife may be useful for characterizing individuals who may be more likely to require long-term care later in life.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>NA.</p>","PeriodicalId":11707,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine","volume":"31 ","pages":"67"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13649616/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149105530","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association between duration of smoking cessation and depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Kanon Abe, Sho Nakakubo, Takehiko Doi, Shinnosuke Nosaka, Fumio Sakimoto, Soichiro Matsuda, Hiroyuki Shimada","doi":"10.1265/ehpm.26-00090","DOIUrl":"10.1265/ehpm.26-00090","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Smoking is associated with depressive symptoms, and smoking cessation has been associated with improved mental health; however, the specific duration and timing of smoking cessation remain unclear. Persuasive evidence is required to support smoking cessation among older adults with long histories of smoking. Consequently, we aimed to examine the associations among duration of smoking cessation, age at smoking cessation, and depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study included 20,950 older adults from the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology-Study of Geriatric Syndromes. Participants were classified as never, former, or current smokers. Former smokers were further divided into eight groups according to the number of years since smoking cessation. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale, with scores ≥6 defined as depressive symptoms. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) for depressive symptoms according to smoking status.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 20,142 participants, 6.6%, 32.0%, and 61.4% were current, former, and never smokers, respectively. Overall, 2,389 participants had depressive symptoms. Compared with current smokers, those who had quit smoking for ≥7 years had significantly lower odds of depressive symptoms (AORs = 0.540-0.718). Participants who quit smoking after the age of 65 years also had lower odds of depressive symptoms than current smokers (AOR = 0.765).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Long-term smoking cessation, even later in life, was associated with lower odds of depressive symptoms. These findings highlight the importance of promoting smoking cessation and supporting long-term abstinence among middle-aged and older adults.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>Not applicable.</p>","PeriodicalId":11707,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine","volume":"31 ","pages":"68"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13649618/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149105598","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"High serum PFAS levels in a population after exposure through drinking water in western Tokyo, Japan and their half-lives estimation.","authors":"Zhaoqing Lyu, Kouji H Harada, Yoshihiko Sugii, Takenori Ueda, Junko Kimura-Kuroda, Shigeharu Nakachi","doi":"10.1265/ehpm.25-00330","DOIUrl":"10.1265/ehpm.25-00330","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have raised significant health concerns. In 2019, drinking water source was changed due to PFAS contamination in the Tama region, Tokyo, Japan. This study aims to determine the PFAS exposure levels after reduction in drinking water contamination, and to estimate the half-lives of linear isomers of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in serum samples from residents.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>17 participants in 2020 and 2023 from Tama region, Tokyo, Japan (all females, age 53-83 years) were examined. PFAS concentrations in serum in 2023 were measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Biological half-lives were estimated using first-order kinetics model.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The investigated population was exposed to six PFAS at levels associated with potential health risks, with 95% of them having total PFAS concentrations exceeding 20 ng/mL in 2023. Serum PFOS, PFHxS and PFOA levels decreased from 2000 to 2023 (p < 0.05 by paired t-test). The estimated half-lives for PFOS, PFHxS, and PFOA were 3.9 years (95% CI: 3.4-4.6), 5.7 years (95% CI: 4.6-7.5), and 8.0 years (95% CI: 6.0-10.0), respectively. After subtraction of background values in Japan, the estimated half-lives were 2.7 years (95% CI: 2.3-3.4) for PFOS, 5.6 years (95% CI: 4.5-7.4) for PFHxS, and 5.1 years (95% CI: 4.1-6.8) for PFOA.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study demonstrates participants had still higher serum PFAS levels and these PFAS elimination half-lives in the investigated Japanese population are at years order.</p>","PeriodicalId":11707,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine","volume":"31 ","pages":"3"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12834642/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145997653","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Risk of heat-related illnesses and preventive measures at mass gathering rock festivals in the summer of 2023 in Japan.","authors":"Asuka Takeda, Kaoruko Seino, Kei Shimonosono, Jun Tomio","doi":"10.1265/ehpm.25-00350","DOIUrl":"10.1265/ehpm.25-00350","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Mass gatherings during the peak summer months pose a notable risk for heat-related illnesses due to extreme heat and humidity. We aimed to identify trends in preventive measures taken against heat-related illnesses at mass gathering rock festivals in Japan during the summer of 2023, in terms of associations with online sources regarding the event details and heat risk communication; daily maximum wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) values; and emergency heat-related illness transport data.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Four rock festivals (festivals A-D), held in July and August 2023, were analyzed. Publicly available online sources were reviewed to examine the event details, heat risk communication, and preventive measures. Daily maximum WBGT values were obtained from the meteorological observation points closest to each festival venue. Emergency heat-related illness transport data were assessed to identify trends during the rock festivals.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three festivals (festivals A, B, and D) recorded daily maximum WBGT values at or above the \"Danger\" threshold (≥31 °C), while festival C reached the \"Severe Warning\" level (≥28 °C and <31 °C). Despite the high WBGT, no heat advisories were issued on the websites of festivals A and B. Festival C gave a basic advisory on heat precautions. Festival D implemented more comprehensive countermeasures, including public warnings and recommendations to carry hats, towels, and portable fans. Notably, emergency transport for heat-related illnesses increased in the regions hosting festivals B and D.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>All festivals posed substantial heat-related health risks. Enhanced public risk communication and consistent preventive measures are essential for mitigating preventable incidents during mass gatherings in extreme heat.</p>","PeriodicalId":11707,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine","volume":"31 ","pages":"5"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12834641/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146017932","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}