International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health最新文献

{"title":"Ambient PM_2.5 components might exacerbate bone loss among middle-aged and elderly women: evidence from a population-based cross-sectional study.","authors":"Faxue Zhang, Shijie Zhu, Yanfeng Di, Minghao Pan, Wei Xie, Xugui Li, Wei Zhu","doi":"10.1007/s00420-024-02090-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00420-024-02090-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Previous studies have primarily focused on the links between fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and bone health among the general population instead of PM_2.5 components and the specific population. We aimed to investigate the associations between PM_2.5 components and bone health among middle-aged and elderly women.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 748 middle-aged and elderly women were randomly sampled from 32 streets/villages in Hubei Province. The concentrations of ambient PM_2.5 and its components were extracted across various residential areas from the Tracking Air Pollution in China (TAP) dataset. Bone mineral density measurements were obtained from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans of study participants. Multivariable logistic and linear models were employed to assess the relationship between PM_2.5 and its components and bone loss.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Per interquartile range (IQR) increase in nitrate (NO₃^-) and ammonium (NH₄⁺) concentrations were associated with 1.65 [95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.13, 2.30] and 1.77 (95% CI: 1.26, 2.49) times higher odds of osteoporosis, respectively. Long-term exposure to sulfate (SO₄^2-), NO₃^-, and NH₄⁺ was negatively associated with T-scores and bone mineral density in L1-L4 lumbar vertebrae. In addition, the elderly, women who have experienced menarche after the age of 14, and postmenopausal women were more susceptible to the water-soluble inorganic salts of PM_2.5.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study emphasizes the need for comprehensive policies addressing air quality, with a specific focus on vulnerable populations such as middle-aged and elderly women. Public health interventions aimed at reducing ambient PM_2.5 concentrations and minimizing exposure to its harmful components are crucial in mitigating the adverse impact on skeletal health and improving the overall well-being of communities.</p>","PeriodicalId":13761,"journal":{"name":"International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health","volume":" ","pages":"855-864"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141765985","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":"Association of nature of work and work-related characteristics with cognitive functioning, life satisfaction and depression among Indian ageing adults.","authors":"P Padma Sri Lekha, E P Abdul Azeez, Arti Singh, C V Irshad","doi":"10.1007/s00420-024-02089-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00420-024-02089-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Most individuals spend a significant amount of their time at work, and the dynamics at work can potentially influence their overall life, especially health and mental health. The present study tried to understand the association of the nature of work categorized as physically demanding, psychologically demanding, and environmentally hazardous on life satisfaction, cognitive functioning, and depressive symptoms among working middle-aged and older adults in India.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>We used data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), Wave 1, collected between 2017 and 2018. The study sample consists of 28,653 working adults aged between 45 and 70. The study measures were assessed using standard tools. Linear regression analysis was employed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results indicate that individuals working in less physically demanding (β = 0.06, 99% CI = 0.02-0.09) and not hazardous environments (β = 0.15, 99% CI = 0.09-0.20) had better life satisfaction. Also, not being involved in hazardous work environments increased the likelihood of good cognitive functioning and reduced depressive symptoms (β= -0.17, 99% CI= -0.20- -0.15). However, samples involved in works requiring less psychological demand had an increased likelihood of reduced life satisfaction and increased depressive symptoms.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study's results highlight the importance of creating a conducive working environment for the ageing adults.</p>","PeriodicalId":13761,"journal":{"name":"International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health","volume":" ","pages":"833-846"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141748137","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":"Towards an assessment of psychosocial work factors in a multi-level mental health intervention in the workplace: results from the MENTUPP pilot-study.","authors":"Fotini Tsantila, Reiner Rugulies, Evelien Coppens, Hans De Witte, Ella Arensman, Abdulla Kahar, Arlinda Cerga-Pashoja, Paul Corcoran, Lars De Winter, Birgit Greiner, Eve Griffin, Bridget Hogg, Caleb Leduc, Mallorie Leduc, Margaret Maxwell, Hanna Reich, Victoria Ross, Chantal Van Audenhove, Birgit Aust","doi":"10.1007/s00420-024-02096-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00420-024-02096-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Mental health in the workplace is a growing concern for enterprises and policy makers. MENTUPP is a multi-level mental health intervention implemented in small and medium size enterprises from three work sectors in nine countries. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, delivery, and instruments for the MENTUPP intervention to inform the planning of a clustered randomized controlled trial.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We administered items from the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire and the Danish Work Environment Cohort Study measuring psychosocial workplace factors. The questionnaire was answered by 382 participants at baseline, of which 98 participants also answered after six months at follow-up. We calculated mean scores of 19 psychosocial factors at baseline and conducted repeated measures ANOVAs to assess differences in eight psychosocial factors at follow-up. We also examined whether outcomes differed between work sectors and job positions at follow-up.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The construction sector and workers with no or a lower leadership role reported more negative working environment factors at baseline. We observed a statistically significant decline in social support from colleagues and social community at work, and a marginally significant decline in justice at work. For the rest of the constructs, we did not observe statistically significant changes.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>We found significant differences in psychosocial work environment factors among work sectors and job positions at baseline. Contrary to our hypotheses, three psychosocial work environment factors decreased at follow-up. Possible explanations are the utilization of specific psychosocial factors as resources to cope with psychosocial stressors, high participant expectations that were not met by the intervention, insufficient time for structural changes, or the intervention prompting critical evaluations of the work environment. These findings will inform the design and implementation of the forthcoming clustered randomized controlled trial, where they will also be further investigated to validate their significance.</p>","PeriodicalId":13761,"journal":{"name":"International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health","volume":" ","pages":"915-929"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11485064/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142004178","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":"Cooking fuel use and respiratory health of women and children in rural Ballabgarh, Haryana.","authors":"Preety Tanwar, Rakesh Kumar, Harshal Ramesh Salve, Anand Krishnan","doi":"10.1007/s00420-024-02088-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00420-024-02088-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Household air pollution arising from combustion of unclean fuels during cooking activities causes serious respiratory health effects. This study investigated patterns of household cooking fuel use and its effect on respiratory health status of women and children.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted in rural households of Ballabgarh, Haryana during December 2019 to January 2020 among 18-45 years old women and their children having age between 6 and 59 months. A total of 450 households were selected using simple random sampling. Cooking fuel use was categorised as unclean (Wood, dung cakes, crop residues) and clean (LPG and electricity). The classification of mixed fuel use (predominantly unclean or clean) was based upon duration of unclean fuel use ≥ 2.5 h per day. The clinical history and physical examination was done using a semi-structured questionnaire. Assessment of respiratory health status of women participants was done using peak expiratory flow meter and presence of pneumonia in children was evaluated as per Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illnesses (IMNCI) guidelines.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall use of unclean cooking fuels was predominant in 59.6% of households and 71.8% of households had mixed fuel use. Only clean fuel use was in 11.3% of households. Nasal stuffiness, breathing difficulty and cough were observed among 13.1%, 10.5% and 8.5% among women while the common respiratory symptoms in children were cough (27.8%) and runny nose (22.9%). As compared to clean fuels, women using unclean fuels were more likely to have any respiratory symptom (aOR 3.0, 95% CI: 1.5-6.0) and impaired pulmonary functions (adjusted OR 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2-2.9). Cooking fuel use was not associated with respiratory symptoms and presence of pneumonia in children living in the households.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Cooking with unclean fuel continues to be prevalent in the households of rural Ballabgarh and adversely affects the respiratory health of women indicating strengthening of initiatives promoting clean fuel use.</p>","PeriodicalId":13761,"journal":{"name":"International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health","volume":" ","pages":"847-854"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141765986","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":"Over-commitment positively predicts hair cortisol concentrations only in nurses with high need for recovery.","authors":"Xingliang Qi, Huihua Deng, Hong Zhang, Feng Shao, Wenjing Cai, Yapeng Liu","doi":"10.1007/s00420-024-02091-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00420-024-02091-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>In the contemporary workplace, enduring fatigue has become a standard for employees. This investigation assesses whether such working conditions exacerbate the depletion of employees' personal resources. The need for recovery serves as an indicator of the necessity to mitigate post-work fatigue. A high need for recovery signifies that employees must commence a new workday while already fatigued.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This research recruited two cohorts of nurses, categorized by a high need for recovery and a low need for recovery, to examine the correlation between work effort and hair cortisol concentrations in each group.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Hair cortisol concentrations serve as a biological marker of cumulative cortisol secretion over a specific time frame, reflecting overall personal resource expenditure during this interval. Findings revealed a notable positive correlation between intrinsic work effort (over-commitment) and hair cortisol levels exclusively among nurses with a high need for recovery.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These outcomes imply that active effort amidst fatigue may lead to excessive strain. This insight enriches the classic 'effort-recovery' model by illustrating how an employee' s personal volition can influence the accumulation of fatigue.</p>","PeriodicalId":13761,"journal":{"name":"International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health","volume":" ","pages":"865-870"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141765989","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":"Assessment of ventilatory functions and associated inflammatory markers among workers in slaughterhouses.","authors":"Mona Abdallah Ramadan, Rateba Said Mohammed, Aisha Safwat Saif Eldin","doi":"10.1007/s00420-024-02094-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00420-024-02094-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Meat processing is among the most extensive industries globally. However, data on the effects of occupational exposure on the pulmonary health of slaughterhouse workers is limited. Ascertaining the impact of the slaughterhouse atmosphere on the breathing habits of laborers exposed to it and the inflammatory markers associated with it was the aim of the current investigation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was performed on 82 non-smoker subjects of 41 male workers working in one of the major slaughterhouses in Cairo, Egypt, matched to 41 controls of administrative personnel. An elaborate questionnaire encompassing medical and occupational history was administered to each participant in the research. General and local systemic examinations and ventilatory function tests were carried out, and serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Respiratory symptoms were more prevalent with a statistically significant decline in ventilatory function parameters (FVC%, FEV1%, FEV1/FVC, FEF 25%, FEF 50%, FEF 75%, and PEF%) among the exposed group compared to those of control. In addition, there was a significantly higher serum level of inflammatory markers (IL-6 and hsCRP) among the exposed group compared to the control group, with a negative correlation with ventilatory functions. Moreover, there was a positive association between levels of serum IL-6 and hsCRP and the age and duration of employment of workers.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>There was a notable increase in the prevalence of respiratory disorders and inflammatory markers among slaughterhouse workers. Additionally, there was a substantial decrease in ventilatory function parameters, which could be attributed to the bioaerosols they encountered in the workplace.</p>","PeriodicalId":13761,"journal":{"name":"International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health","volume":" ","pages":"891-900"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11485019/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141987905","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":"Childhood lead exposure and sleep problems in adolescents: a longitudinal cohort study","authors":"Ying Dai, Olivia M. Halabicky, Xiaopeng Ji, Jianghong Liu","doi":"10.1007/s00420-024-02099-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-024-02099-3","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Purpose</h3><p>Childhood lead exposure is linked to poorer neurobehavioral function in adolescence, but the relationship between lead and adolescent sleep health remains inconsistent. This study aimed to investigate concurrent and longitudinal associations between lead exposure and multiple sleep health domains in adolescents.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>A total of 972 adolescents from China Jintan Child Cohort were included in analyses. The Blood lead levels (BLLs) were assessed in two Waves, at ages 3–5 years (mean 6.50 ± 2.76 μg/dL) and 11–13 years (mean 3.12 ± 1.17 μg/dL). Sleep problems at age 11–13 were parent-reported via the Child Sleep Health Questionnaire (CSHQ) and self-reported by adolescents using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Both early and later BLLs were associated positively with parental reported sleep problems, including sleep onset delay, night waking, short duration, parasomnias, and disordered breathing. Sex-stratified analyzes showed that most adjusted associations between two-Wave BLLs and sleep outcomes (CSHQ and PSQI) remained statistically significant in males, with a minor increase in the magnitude of these associations. The association between Wave II BLLs and shorter self-reported sleep duration was only statistically significant in female adolescents. Compared to children with consistently low BLLs at both ages, those with persistently high BLLs at both ages had significantly shorter parental-reported sleep duration and worse sleep onset delay.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>Findings suggest that both early and later childhood lead exposures link to more adolescent sleep problems, with recent BLLs showing stronger associations with poor adolescent sleep health reported by their parents.</p>","PeriodicalId":13761,"journal":{"name":"International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142254935","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":"Bayesian identification and estimation of radon-related increased hazard rates of cancer death in the updated French cohort of uranium miners (1946–2014)","authors":"Julie Fendler, Chantal Guihenneuc, Sophie Ancelet","doi":"10.1007/s00420-024-02098-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-024-02098-4","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Objective</h3><p>A recent update of the French cohort of uranium miners added seven years of follow-up data. We use these new data to look for new possible radon-related increased risks and refine the estimation of the potential association between cumulative radon exposure and four cancer sites: lung cancer, kidney cancer, brain and central nervous system (CNS) cancer and leukemia (excluding chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which is not radiation-induced).</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>Several parametric survival models are proposed, fitted and compared under the Bayesian paradigm, to perform new and original exposure-risk analyses. In line with recent UNSCEAR recommendations, we consider time-related effect modifiers and exposure rate as potential effect modifying factors. We use Bayesian model selection criteria to identify radon-related increased hazard rates.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Under the assumption of a linear exposure-risk relationship, we found a substantial evidence for a strictly positive effect of cumulative radon exposure on the hazard rate of death by lung cancer among French uranium miners. Given the current available data under the assumptions of a linear or log-linear exposure-risk relationship, it is not possible to conclude in favour of the absence or the existence of a strictly positive effect of chronic exposure to radon on the hazard rate of death by kidney cancer. Regarding death by brain and CNS cancer, there is a substantial evidence for the absence of radon-related effect. Finally, under the assumption of a log-linear exposure-risk relationship, a small positive radon-related effect appears when looking at the risk of death by leukemia (excluding CLL).</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>This study investigates the existence of radon-related increased risk of death by lung cancer, kidney cancer, brain and CNS cancer and leukemia under a Bayesian framework and assumptions of linear and log-linear exposure-risk relationships. If there is no doubt in the interpretation of the results for lung cancer and brain and CNS cancer, the conclusion is less clear-cut in the case of kidney cancer and leukemia (excluding CLL). A future update of the French cohort, increasing the follow-up time for miners, may help to reach a clearer conclusion for these two cancer sites.</p>","PeriodicalId":13761,"journal":{"name":"International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health","volume":"18 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142189034","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":"Factors of presenteeism and its association with detrimental effects among employees in Switzerland working in different sectors - a cross-sectional study using a multi-item instrument.","authors":"Maisa Gerlach, Eva Blozik, André Meichtry, Miriam Hägerbäumer, Gablu Kilcher, Christoph Golz","doi":"10.1007/s00420-024-02083-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00420-024-02083-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Presenteeism, the phenomenon of employees working despite illness, is a significant issue globally, impacting individual well-being and organizational efficiency. This study examines presenteeism among Swiss employees, exploring its occurrence, primary factors, reasons, and impact on employees' health.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study used cross-sectional data from 1,521 employees in different sectors in Switzerland. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear models for influencing factors and detrimental effects, such as burnout symptoms, job satisfaction, general health, and quality of life, were calculated for data analysis. Presenteeism was measured using the Hägerbäumer multi-item scale, ranging from 1 = \"Never in case of illness\" - 5 = \"Very often in case of illness.\"</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The employees reported that in case of illness, they rarely worked in the last 12 months M = 2.04 (SD = 1.00). A positive approach to presenteeism in the team was associated with less presenteeism (β = -0.07) and problematic leadership culture in dealing with presenteeism with increased presenteeism (β = 0.10). In addition to well-known factors, presenteeism was significant for burnout symptoms (β = 1.49), general health status (β = -1.5), and quality of life (β = -0.01).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study offers insights into the phenomenon of presenteeism among Swiss employees in various sectors by applying a multi-item scale for presenteeism. The findings indicate that a positive team dynamic and organizational culture may significantly reduce presenteeism. Presenteeism behavior is a significant factor of adverse outcomes. This highlights the importance of acknowledging presenteeism in the context of occupational health.</p>","PeriodicalId":13761,"journal":{"name":"International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health","volume":" ","pages":"767-778"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11416405/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141476559","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":"The impact of years of training and possible technical, procedural, and individual risk factors for the development of atopic symptoms among bakery and confectionery trainees.","authors":"Gina-Maria Klaut, Stefan Karrasch, Susanne Kutzora, Dennis Nowak, Caroline Quartucci","doi":"10.1007/s00420-024-02079-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00420-024-02079-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Occupational asthma is commonly observed in bakers and confectioners. Endogenous and exogenous risk factors contribute to bakers' asthma. A heightened awareness of this and early diagnosis can be helpful in terms of prevention. The aim of the study was to identify a temporal relationship between the years of training, as well as possible technical, procedural, and individual risk factors for the development of flour-exposure related atopic symptoms such as rhinitis, cough, and rash in young professionals.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>127 bakers and confectioner trainees were observed over a one-year period. Two questionnaires served as test instruments. It was investigated whether the rates of atopic symptoms change over the course of a school year and which conditions in the workplace could be responsible for this. Descriptive statistics were used to answer the research questions concerning flour exposure and symptom rates. The Pearson-Chi-Square test was used for testing statistical differences between different groups (e.g. year of training, working conditions).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>An increase in rates of self-reported rhinitis, coughing, and rashes throughout the duration of traineeship was shown (e.g. rhinitis of bakers at work: 0% in the first year of training, 20% in the second and 33% in the third year of training). The installation of vapour extraction systems and low-dust transfer of baking agents led to fewer symptoms in the workplace (30% of participants with rhinitis symptoms worked with no installed vapour extraction systems). A medical history of atopy was positively correlated with the occurrence of symptoms.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>To prevent the development of asthma in bakers, methods to improve occupational health and safety should be developed. Creating low dust working conditions e.g., due to the use of vapour extraction systems should be considered.</p>","PeriodicalId":13761,"journal":{"name":"International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health","volume":" ","pages":"721-731"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141476561","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}