Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene最新文献

{"title":"Evaluation of the decontamination methods for turnout gear.","authors":"Riikka Salmi, Juha Laitinen","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2555299","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2025.2555299","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Firefighters are exposed to various carcinogenic substances during firefighting tasks, but also in the maintenance of firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE). Due to multiple exposures to chemical agents via different exposure routes, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) categorized the firefighting occupation as Group 1 - carcinogenic to humans. Decontamination methods have been found to play an important role in reducing firefighter chemical exposures. Unfortunately, decontamination techniques are insufficient in removing carcinogenic substances from PPE. This study aimed to evaluate decontamination methods for firefighter turnout gear. Using various techniques, the cleaning efficiency of 18 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from turnout gear coats contaminated during firefighting exercises was measured. For turnout gear coats (<i>n</i> = 40), decontamination methods used were conventional aqueous laundering (AL) and its combination with advanced hydrogen peroxide treatment (H₂O₂) or ozone treatment in a chamber (O₃). In addition, the cleaning efficiencies of advanced liquid carbon dioxide (LCO₂) and the ozone laundry system (LO₃) were measured. Results show that when the conventional AL water wash temperature increased from 40 to 60 °C, cleaning efficiencies did not significantly increase. Cleaning efficiencies in outer layers of coats were 63% and 60%, respectively. The results in outer layers of AL combined with O₃ and H₂O₂ techniques showed cleaning efficiencies 84% and 42%, respectively. Cleaning efficiency with LO₃ and with the fully advanced LCO₂ technique demonstrated cleaning efficiency 71% and 74%, respectively. LCO₂ was the most advanced, especially in the middle layers, yielding a cleaning efficiency of 84% while other techniques in the middle layers reached a maximum efficiency 24%. The cleaning efficiency of all methods indicated approximately 20-30% lower cleaning efficiency for high molecular weight (HMW) PAHs than for low molecular weight (LMW) PAHs. The results of this study emphasized the importance of improving conventional AL and the advantage of the LCO₂ method in enhancing cleaning efficiency.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-17"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145213010","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A systematic review of the health effects of <i>Acacia</i>, <i>Eucalyptus</i>, and <i>Pinus</i> wood dust: Implications for South African occupational exposure limits.","authors":"Ilzé Engelbrecht, Suranie R Horn, Johan L du Plessis","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2555302","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2025.2555302","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>South Africa's commercially planted timber is mainly from the non-native genera <i>Acacia</i> (acacia), <i>Eucalyptus</i> (eucalyptus), and <i>Pinus</i> (pine). These trees are popular because they are fast-growing, stress-tolerant, and commercially profitable. During timber processing, woodworkers can be exposed to wood dust through inhalation or dermal contact. Occupational exposure limits (OELs) have been developed to help protect workers against adverse health effects from overexposure to wood dust. In South Africa, the Regulations for Hazardous Chemical Agents of 2021 (RHCA 2021) list an inhalable OEL-maximum limit (ML) for wood dust from oak, beech, birch, mahogany, teak, and walnut (2 mg/m³), and OEL-restricted limit (RL) for all other species (5 mg/m³), but do not refer to acacia, eucalyptus, or pine. Due to their popularity as commercial plantation timber, these tree types may pose occupational health risks to South African woodworkers. This systematic review investigates the health effects associated with occupational exposure to acacia, eucalyptus, and pine wood dust and discusses the implications for South African OELs. A systematic literature search was conducted using EBSCO Academic Search Complete, PubMed Central, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science. Overall, 67 articles were included in the study. The prevalence of skin and respiratory sensitization in exposed workers was <10%. Adverse dermal effects included non-allergic skin sensitivity, allergic contact dermatitis, palpable erythema, and pigmentation loss. Respiratory effects included allergic alveolitis, vocal cord dysfunction, airway inflammatory reactions, higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms, and occupational asthma. Carcinogenicity was not reported. Exposure concentrations exceeded current South African (5 mg/m³, all species) and international inhalable wood dust OELs. Based on case reports, epidemiological and toxicological data, exposure studies, and current regulations, the authors propose an inhalable 8-hr time-weighted average-OEL-ML of 2 mg/m³ with dermal and respiratory sensitization notations for acacia, eucalyptus, and pine wood dust. To date, only <i>P. radiata</i> has been investigated as an occupational health hazard. To create representative OELs for occupational wood dust exposure, occupational epidemiological and toxicological studies for other common timbers should be undertaken.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-19"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145176115","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Volatile organic compound and particle emissions from the use of tea tree oil in essential oil diffusers.","authors":"Rachel E Zisook, Melanie D Nembhard, Suren B Bandara, Shannon H Gaffney","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2552751","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2025.2552751","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A pilot-scale simulation study of tea tree oil (TTO) airborne dispersion in a household setting was conducted to evaluate emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including terpenes (\"TerVOCs\"), and various particle size classes while using an ultrasonic diffuser (\"Survey 1\") and a heat diffuser (\"Survey 2\"). Of the VOCs evaluated, isopropyl alcohol and p-dichlorobenzene were detected in one or more surveys, and their measured concentrations were below relevant exposure limits. Total VOC levels were measured above background (approximately 200 to 300 ppb) by one to two orders of magnitude during Surveys 1 and 2, respectively. TerVOC levels collected during Survey 1 were below applicable exposure limits. Air concentrations of α-pinene, α-terpinene, α-terpinolene, γ-terpinene, and p-isopropyltoluene for samples collected during Survey 2, however, exceeded long-term derived no-effect levels (DNELs) for worker and/or general populations, and α-pinene measurements exceeded the long-term exposure limit established by the European Commission through the INDEX project. TerVOC concentrations detected during Survey 2 were generally an order of magnitude higher than samples collected during Survey 1. This study is the first peer-reviewed publication known to the authors to report data collected during essential oil diffuser operations in a residential setting in the United States.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145176151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evidence for the lack of an increase in DNA damage in occupational healthcare workers exposed to ionizing radiation: An indication of radiation safety.","authors":"S Aishwarya, Nikitha Dubagunta, K Nandhini, Sudha Pattan, Rajeswaran Rangasami, Sathish K Srinivas, Venkatachalapathy Easwaramoorthy, G Tamizh Selvan, Guy Garty, Venkatachalam Perumal","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2555303","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2025.2555303","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Understanding the health concerns linked to long-term low-dose ionizing radiation exposure is essential to creating safety protocols and protective gear for healthcare workers. Despite reports on the biological effects of low-dose chronic or protracted exposure to ionizing radiation, its association with long-term health effects remains unclear. To examine this, the authors obtained and tested peripheral blood samples from control participants (Healthcare workers not involved in radiation-based work (<i>n</i> = 21) and healthcare professionals (<i>n</i> = 25) receiving low-dose radiation over time as part of their occupation. Change in case with alignment to control, for early and delayed DNA damage was measured using the formation of gamma H2AX (γ-H2AX), micronucleus (MN), and <i>Ferrodoxin reductase</i> (<i>FDXR</i>) expression changes. These biomarkers were compared to cumulative registered doses, as determined by the individuals' personal dosimetry records using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs). The mean γ-H2AX foci frequency estimated in blood lymphocytes among the control group was 0.05 ± 0.01, and in healthcare workers was 0.04 ± 0.01 (<i>p</i> > 0.05). The mean of MN aberration frequency <i>±</i> standard error (SE) in control was 0.001 ± 0.001 and in healthcare workers was 0.005 ± 0.002 (<i>p</i> < 0.0001). Similarly, <i>FDXR</i> expression in healthcare workers increased by 7% when compared to the control group. The cumulative registered dose in the healthcare workers' monitoring device varied between 0 and 21 mSv with an average of 3.65 mSv. A weak correlation was observed between the registered TLD dose and biomarker- γ-H2AX (R²=0.0123), MN (R²= 0.0011), and <i>FDXR</i> expression (R²= 0.0006). The study results suggest a lack of dose-dependent increase in DNA damage as evaluated by γ-H2AX, MN formation, and <i>FDXR</i> expression change among healthcare workers exposed to chronic low-dose radiation. Moreover, the observed range of these biomarkers was not significantly different from the baseline data established from apparently healthy non-radiation workers of the same population. Assay sensitivity and healthcare worker adherence to safety procedures to decrease exposures are two probable factors for the lack of correlation between the registered dose and that of DNA damage.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145137541","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"History of peer review of leading biologically oriented journals in the early decades of the 20^th century: Shedding light on Hermann J. Muller's Nobel Prize-winning research publication strategy.","authors":"Edward J Calabrese","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2549014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2025.2549014","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The present assessment was undertaken to develop an understanding of the occurrence and status of peer review with biological science-oriented journals in the first few decades of the 20th century. This research was centered around whether peer review would have been a realistic expectation/demand for that era for experimentally oriented biologists. The analysis indicates that the peer review process in 17 major biologically oriented journals from the United States was created principally in the early decades of the 20th century. These journals included those relating to both botanical (e.g., plant physiology, plant pathology) and zoological (e.g., biochemistry, physiology, immunology, genetics) research domains. These findings represent the first integrative evaluation of experimentally oriented biological journals concerning their historical peer-review activities. The information is based on summarized articles in the journals concerning their peer-review process, similar assessments provided by related professional societies that published the journals, as well as the preserved papers of some journal editors, which included actual peer-review documents of that era. This assessment indicates that formal peer review was commonly practiced amongst many of the leading biologically oriented US-based journals during that era. These are useful in evaluating the publication strategy of Hermann J. Muller as it relates to the avoidance of peer review regarding his novel claim to have induced gene mutations via exposure to X-rays.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145130974","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Performance evaluation of middle-layer micrometer and nanometer fibers on quality factor of five-ply commercial respirators and surgical masks.","authors":"Baban Kumar, Prashant Patel, Shankar G Aggarwal, Jai S Tawale, Khem Singh, Arpit Malik, Daya Soni, Sandeep Kumar, Girija Moona, Vijay N Ojha, Chuen-Jinn Tsai","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2544750","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2025.2544750","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In the recent COVID-19 pandemic, N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators (FFRs), surgical masks, and other protective face coverings played a key role in limiting disease transmission. FFRs and surgical masks were generally composed of three- and five-layered designs with differing middle layer compositions. The middle layer, also known as the filtering layer of a three-layer respirator, is responsible for overall Particle Filtration Efficiency (PFE) and has a reasonable Quality Factor (QF). Despite this, limited studies have explored how middle-layer composition affects the QF of a five-layer respirator. Therefore, in the present study, the performance of three five-layer respirators (N95) and a surgical mask was evaluated for QF. Three five-layer respirators and a surgical mask were tested for PFE and pressure drop at face velocities from 5 to 25 cm sec^-1. Subsequently, the respirator and individual layer QFs were determined by the Single Fiber Filtration Efficiency (SFFE) model and layer analysis. The PFE of the tested respirators was distinct due to different filtration mechanisms acting on particles with diameters of 100 and 300 nm. Efficiency due to fiber charging was dominant at 100 nm, whereas interception was dominant at particle diameters of 300 nm. However, variations in pressure drop were drastic at higher face velocities, resulting in significant variations in QF. Solidity and fiber diameter were lower in the middle layers than in the outer and inner layers. The QF calculated for individual and composite layers (referring to layers of nano- and micro-fibers) showed that the middle layer improved QF compared to the combined inner and outer layers. In addition, charged micrometer-sized fibers improved QF for particle sizes < 100 nm due to electrophoretic forces, while the presence of nanofibers improved QF for particle sizes > 100 nm due to the early onset of interception and impaction filtration mechanisms. The most Penetrating Particle Size (MPPS) analysis concluded that experimentally determined MPPS was mainly dependent on the middle layer, which was an indication that MPPS was influenced by fiber diameter and the presence of charged fibers.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-15"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145069821","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characterization of emissions generated during additive manufacturing of polymer parts by the fused deposition modeling technique.","authors":"François-Xavier Keller, Laurence Robert, Jennifer Klingler","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2544739","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2025.2544739","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Additive manufacturing has developed steadily since it was first introduced in the 1980s, but it is not without occupational risks. The main objectives of this study were to characterize airborne particle and VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) emissions generated by a 3D additive manufacturing using polymers and to evaluate the effectiveness of local extraction ventilation as a control measure to reduce emissions. A comprehensive measurement methodology involving direct-reading instruments and active tube air sampling was deployed around and inside the machine. Three polymer materials were studied: ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate), and PETG (PolyEthylene Terephthalate Glycol). The same test part was fully manufactured three times with each material. During manufacturing, particle number concentrations and real-time VOC profiles, particularly focusing on styrene, were measured simultaneously. The extraction ventilation parameters on the Zortrax M300 3D printer were recorded and analyzed to assess how they affected pollutant containment and prevention of operator exposure. The number of particles measured for the various materials and their concentration suggest possible operator exposure to airborne particles. Total VOC concentration values were measured from ABS (432.8 µg/m³), ASA (124.1 µg/m³), and PETG (4.7 µg/m³). Real-time monitoring was done for styrene emissions during the manufacturing cycles for the three different materials tested, coupled with VOCs sampling on adsorbent tubes. Use of a local exhaust ventilation system reduced the airborne concentrations between 95% and 99%. It is therefore recommended that 3D printers be placed under an extraction system.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145069882","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Disinfection effects of slightly acidic hypochlorous electrolyzed water on high-frequency contact surfaces in intensive care units: A prospective study.","authors":"Huihui Gao, Haiwei Li, Qiaoxia Xu, Shuyan Li, Yi Jiang","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2555298","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2025.2555298","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Appropriate disinfection of high-frequency contact surfaces in intensive care units (ICUs) is vital for controlling and preventing healthcare-associated infections. Two hundred high-frequency contact surfaces in the ICU of Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital-Yuecheng Branch were selected and randomized into the trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) or slightly acidic hypochlorous electrolyzed water (SAEW) group (100 surfaces per group) for examination from April 8, 2024, to May 10, 2024. TCCA solutions containing 500 mg/L of chlorine and SAEW were used as disinfectants for wiping and disinfecting the surfaces. The bacterial colony count and disinfection pass rate of the two groups at 5 min, 4 hr, and 8 hr after disinfection were compared. No significant differences were found between the TCCA and SAEW groups in 5 min, 4 hr, or 8 hr bacterial colony count. At 5 min, 4 hr, and 8 hr after disinfection, the surface disinfection pass rates of the TCCA group were 97.00%, 76.00%, and 66.00%, respectively, and those of the SAEW group were 96.00%, 73.00%, and 60.00%, respectively. The pass rates did not significantly differ (5 min, <i>p</i> = 1.000; 4 hr, <i>p</i> = 0.626; 8 hr, <i>p</i> = 0.380). The use of SAEW showed comparable results in ICU high-frequency contact surface disinfection to the use of TCCA containing 500 mg/L of chlorine, indicating it is effective for disinfecting high-frequency surfaces in ICUs.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-7"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145069885","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of polar and non-polar gun-cleaning solvent components on permeation characteristics of two major organic gunshot residues through disposable nitrile gloves.","authors":"Travis D Cribbs, Shane S Que Hee","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2537391","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2025.2537391","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>While the hazards posed by lead in gunshot residues (GSRs) are recognized, little is known about the glove permeation of the organic components. The permeation behavior of the major organic GSRs methyl centralite and ethyl centralite through disposable nitrile glove material was investigated. The compounds were contained in three solvents: Hoppe's no. 9 gun cleaning solvent (GCS), n-decane, and a GCS surrogate, n-decane/ethanol 7:3 (w/w) mixture. The aim was to identify whether ethanol was the key driver of a previously reported carrier effect. A modified ASTM F739-20 method was used for permeation testing at 35.0 ± 0.5 °C with closed-loop n-decane collection solvent without recirculation. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis facilitated GSR quantification. Significant differences occurred in intrarun but not interrun glove physical characteristics and in analyte permeation for the GCS and its surrogate. The GCS caused a substantial increase in permeation rate before a lower steady state permeation rate (SSPR). In contrast, n-decane/ethanol produced its SSPRs as the maximum permeation rate, but with decreased permeation rates and total permeated analyte mass. n-Decane solvent caused none of the GSR to enter the steady state and exhibited much longer breakthrough times. This study underscores the importance of considering the complete chemical composition of mixtures in assessing their interactions with glove personal protective equipment (PPE) and highlights the need for comprehensive testing protocols in PPE selection. Limitations included the lack of previous research on organic GSR glove permeation and challenges in comparing study results with manufacturer-reported glove resistance data. Adjusted concentrations for analytes and stepwise reconstitution of GCS components are recommended for future investigations. The present research provided insight into the glove permeation behavior of complex chemical mixtures for better glove PPE selection and testing practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145040479","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Occupational exposures to chemicals in dentistry: A scoping review.","authors":"Geneviève Picard, Tisha Prakash, France Labrèche, Sabrina Gravel","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2540834","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2025.2540834","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The dental workforce comprises a variety of professions, most of which are predominantly occupied by women. Dental workers can be exposed to numerous toxic chemicals such as mercury, methacrylate polymers, and silica. This scoping review aims to synthesize the scientific literature on quantified chemical exposures and to identify research gaps in occupational chemical hazards faced by dental professionals. This review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute approach and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, using three concepts to search PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science: workers, dental care, and chemicals. Studies from high-income countries, published in French or English between 2000 and 2024 and reporting direct quantitative exposure data, were included. A descriptive analysis presents exposures measured in urine, blood, and air samples for the most assessed chemicals. Thirty articles were included in the review, with two-thirds focused on exposures of dentists and none of denturists. Exposure assessments most often focused on mercury (<i>n</i> = 17 studies), followed by nitrous oxide (<i>n</i> = 6), methacrylate compounds (<i>n</i> = 4), and silica (<i>n</i> = 3). Most studies showed exposure levels below occupational exposure standards; however, certain aerosol-releasing tasks could exceed recommended occupational exposure limits of 0.025 mg/m³ for mercury and silica. Dental students in a simulation laboratory were exposed to a 4-hr mercury vapor level up to 3 mg/m³, and dentists' exposure in clinics reached 0.45 mg/m³. Silica concentrations were below occupational exposure limits in dental clinics but reached twice the standard in a dental laboratory during prosthodontics polishing activities. The review emphasizes the need for comprehensive exposure assessments among dental workers and highlights the lack of focus on denturists, dental technicians, and dental assistants. To adequately assess the overlooked risks posed by multi-exposures to chemicals among dental workers, future studies need to analyze and report on exposures and risks stratified by occupation, task, and sex.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-17"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145040091","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}