Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene最新文献

{"title":"Utilization of a smartphone-based app for N95 respirator fit recommendations: A feasibility study assessing app respirator selection accuracy and usability compared to standard fit test processes.","authors":"Keith Dellagrotta, Hilary Richards, Jesse Chang, Tina Henderson, Dietrich Kessee, Linette Leadon, Jim Mathis, Matthew Lee Berkheiser","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2722261","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2026.2722261","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Traditional quantitative N95 respirator fit testing methods are resource-intensive and may not optimize acceptable fit across diverse facial structures due to underlying variables in respirator design. This feasibility study evaluated the potential of integrating a novel smartphone-based app into existing fit testing workflows as a potential precursor to fully virtual fit testing processes. A feasibility study was conducted at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center involving 41 healthcare workers undergoing routine N95 respirator fit testing. Participants used a smartphone app that captured facial measurements via selfie photos and recommended respirators from a library of six possible options currently in use at the institution. These recommendations were compared with outcomes from standard quantitative fit testing using a PortaCount Respirator Fit Tester 8308 device. User experience and workflow integration were assessed. The app successfully recommended at least one properly fitting respirator for 40 of 41 participants (97.56% success rate). Users rated the app as easy to use (mean score 4.5 of 5), expressed confidence in using it (mean score 4.2 of 5), and indicated interest in frequent use (mean score 4.3 of 5). The app integrated smoothly into existing fit testing protocols. This feasibility study demonstrates the potential of integrating a smartphone-based app into N95 respirator fit testing procedures. The promising performance, positive user experience, and seamless workflow integration support expansion to a larger study to develop and assess more precise prediction models. Ultimately, this approach could lead to a fully virtual fit testing method, pending improved recommendation precision and regulatory approval. This innovation has the potential to significantly streamline respirator fit testing in healthcare settings, improving efficiency and compliance while maintaining safety standards.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149081144","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":"Assessing internal noise levels in powered air purifying respirators using standardized manikin sizes in a laboratory setting.","authors":"Ikenna Orji, Cheryl Beseler, Brian Maass, John Lowe, Matthew Nonnenmann","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2722301","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2026.2722301","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) generate internal noise from the blower and result in turbulent airflow. Internal noise may reduce speech clarity and increase listening effort during critical tasks. This study examined how PAPR brand and user configuration factors affected internal noise levels. A total of 1,200 internal PAPR noise measurements were recorded on a manikin across multiple experimental conditions: two PAPR brands, five manikin sizes, hair or shroud attached (Yes/No), and both hair and shroud attached. The generalized linear mixed model with a rank-based nonparametric test was used to analyze the bivariate association between variables, given the abnormal distribution of the mean noise data. The use of the active 3M PAPR on a small manikin produced the highest mean noise level [70.7 dBA; 95% confidence interval (CI): 70.31 to 71.16] at baseline (i.e., without hair or shroud), while use on a medium manikin had the lowest (57.3 dBA; CI: 56.87 to 57.72). The 3M PAPR was significantly louder (Mean difference: 4.1 dBA; CI: 3.44 to 4.72) than the MAXAIR at baseline, though after adjusting for PAPR brand and manikin size, and considering hair and shroud individually, MAXAIR was slightly but significantly louder (Mean difference: 0.5 dBA; CI: 0.20 to 0. 90). The presence of hair was associated with a significant reduction (Mean reduction: 2.31 dBA; CI: 0. 98 to 3.65) in internal noise levels after adjusting for PAPR brand and manikin. Use of a shroud alone had a small, nonsignificant effect (Mean difference: 0.78 dBA; CI: -0.55 to 2.11) on noise levels. However, the combined effect of hair and a shroud, when comparing \"Both <i>vs.</i> None,\" resulted in a lower noise level (Mean difference: 3.08 dBA; CI: -0.01 to 6.17), although this reduction was not statistically significant (<i>p</i> = 0.101). These findings suggest the need to focus on blower and airflow design, along with considering acoustic dampening near the ears, to improve communication during use.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149081148","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":"Hydration and cardiorespiratory responses to a simulated 9.65 km foot march in healthy adults: Implications for research and training.","authors":"Megan Sax van der Weyden, Justin J Merrigan, Nicholas Barringer, Kayleigh Newman, William S Helton, Joel Martin","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2718106","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2026.2718106","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Foot marches are a common occupational task for service members and require walking long distances while carrying heavy occupational loads (e.g., 25 kg fighting load). The physical exertion associated with foot marches may induce sweat-related dehydration and altered thermoregulation, potentially leading to impaired performance and increased risk of exertional heat illness. Yet, many studies fail to assess hydration, even in controlled settings. The purpose of this study was to evaluate hydration and cardiorespiratory responses to a simulated, laboratory-based 9.65 km foot march and examine relationships between participant characteristics and outcomes. Sixteen (10 male, 6 female) adults with load carriage experience performed a 9.65 km foot march at 4.82 km/h on a treadmill in a temperature-controlled (22.2 °C) laboratory. Participants received no fluid during the march and 1 L of water during a 1h recovery. Hydration was assessed pre-, mid-, and post-march and post-recovery via urine specific gravity (USG), nude dry mass, and perceived thirst. Heart rate and breathing rate were averaged across each half of the march. Repeated measures analysis of variances (ANOVAs), paired <i>t</i>-tests, and Pearson correlations (α = 0.05) assessed changes and associations with characteristics. Participants became mildly dehydrated (USG: <i>p</i> < 0.001, ηp² = 0.622; post-march 1.020 ± 0.005) with 1.5 ± 0.7% body mass loss. Heart rate (<i>p</i> < 0.001, ηp² = 0.671) and breathing rate (<i>p</i> < 0.001, ηp² = 0.788) were elevated while marching versus recovery but did not differ between march halves. Fat mass (<i>R</i> = 0.618, <i>p</i> = 0.011) and body fat percentage (<i>R</i> = 0.537, <i>p</i> = 0.032), but not aerobic fitness, were significantly correlated with USG changes. Even under controlled laboratory conditions, the fluid-restricted foot march induced mild dehydration, with greater adiposity associated with increased susceptibility. These findings underscore the need for hydration assessment, in both research and training settings, using measures such as USG, body mass change, and thirst to better manage dehydration risk and its implications for performance.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149074962","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":"Response to Letter to the Editor for \"Commentary on Occupational toxic inhalation injury to cleaning chemicals during the COVID-19 pandemic, including a case series for disinfectants aerosolized through spray and fog application\" by Todorov et al.","authors":"Carolyn Reeb-Whitaker","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2718103","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2026.2718103","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149074984","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":"Sample Strategies Industrial Hygiene Modeler (SIHM)-An open-source exposure assessment performance tool.","authors":"Michael J Johnson, Brent Altemose","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2724042","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2026.2724042","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Robust industrial hygiene exposure assessment strategies are used by less than one-third of practitioners in the United States, despite being more effective at identifying unacceptable exposures than following minimum compliance sampling practices. To support initiatives addressing this issue, this paper presents the development and application of the Sample Strategies Industrial Hygiene Modeler (SIHM), a modeling program designed to facilitate direct comparison of the performance between various exposure data collection and judgment approaches. SIHM was developed in the R programming language (version 4.3.2, R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria), using statistical analysis codes that support the Expostats Toolkit. It is accessed online as an open-source application and includes walkthrough videos on functionality. SIHM generates metrics that show how often a strategy determines the correct result above or below a specified criterion, such as an occupational exposure limit (OEL), when repeatedly sampled from a 250 working day exposure dataset. SIHM can be used in training and program development on exposure assessment strategy design by demonstrating the effectiveness of more robust approaches. Practitioners can make better decisions about exposure data collection and judgment approaches when they can analyze their relative performance, leading to better exposure decisions for workers.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149061883","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":"Edward B. Lewis: His radiation leukemia article in <i>Science</i> journal: A turning point in cancer risk assessment.","authors":"Edward J Calabrese","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2718102","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2026.2718102","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Edward B. Lewis published what is widely considered the most influential article in the history of cancer risk assessment. He was successful in changing the radiation risk assessment focus from transgenerational birth defect concerns to cancer due to his success in getting his article published in <i>Science</i> journal, receiving a highly laudatory editorial endorsement, and quickly becoming a prominent speaker to the U.S. Congress and the focus of a major story in Life magazine, amongst other notably rapid recognitions. However, what is generally not appreciated is that Lewis had no education and training in the complex topics of his article, with no professional knowledge of radiation, leukemia, biostatistics, epidemiology, and risk assessment. This article explores how the inexperienced Lewis benefited from the manipulation of <i>Science</i> by leaders in the scientific community and to avoid proper peer review. Despite the recognition of serious fundamental flaws in the Lewis article, it became embraced by the ideological leaders of the radiation genetics community who ensured the Lewis-based linear no-threshold (LNT) model for cancer risk assessment would become accepted and serve as the foundation for the adoption of the precautionary principle, which is the basis for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and European Union regulatory activities, and global regulatory entities.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149061810","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":"The importance of exposure determination during Specific Inhalation Challenge (SIC) tests for the exclusion of nonspecific irritation.","authors":"Mark A Pemberton, Knut Kreuzer, Bardo Schmitt, Stuart Hindle, Andreas Flueckiger","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2718100","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2026.2718100","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Work-related asthma (WRA) comprises asthma caused by chemicals in the workplace (occupational asthma, or OA) and preexisting asthma made worse by chemicals and conditions (work-exacerbated asthma, or WEA). Distinguishing these two mechanisms is extremely challenging but imperative for effective health management and regulation under global chemical regulations. The Specific Inhalation Challenge (SIC) test is considered by clinicians as the gold standard for identifying OA. However, an exposure reconstruction exercise based on the case study of methyl methacrylate, currently undergoing harmonized classification and labeling within Europe suggests that greater rigor may be needed when conducting these tests if false positive results, i.e., from nonspecific irritation are to be avoided. Accurate simulation of actual workplace conditions combined with direct measurement of peak exposure levels will likely improve test specificity.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149061915","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 differing glove materials on simulated organic gunshot residue permeation characteristics.","authors":"Travis D Cribbs, Shane S Que Hee","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2722268","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2026.2722268","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>After firing, a gun accumulates gunshot residue (GSR), often also termed \"fouling,\" that requires removal to prevent malfunctions like jamming, misfires, and decreased accuracy. The objective was to investigate how different disposable glove materials and their sequence affect the permeation of GSR in a simulated gun cleaning solvent (GCS). Simulated GSR of methyl centralite and ethyl centralite dissolved in simulated GCS of 7:3 n-decane/ethanol challenged two equally thick disposable glove materials, Lavender nitrile (N) and polyvinylchloride (PVC or vinyl (V), using the ASTM F739 permeation cell and n-decane closed-loop collection without recirculation at 35 °C, followed by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry quantitation of the two permeated GSRs. Simulating double gloving, N:N provided the greatest reduction in permeation relative to the standardized breakthrough time and permeated mass, followed by V:N, V:V, and N:V, the first letter denoting the glove material in contact with the GSR solution. V:V also caused enhanced permeation of ethyl centralite relative to methyl centralite, whereas all other combinations caused the reverse. The permeation characteristics relative to the sequence of materials permeated provide essential data to design gloves that will better protect during gun cleaning with gun cleaning solvents via double gloving and blend/laminated glove analogs.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149061805","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":"Evolution of occupational health risks among waste incinerator workers: A four-decade review.","authors":"José L Domingo","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2721327","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2026.2721327","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This review synthesizes four decades of global research (1980 to 2025) on occupational health risks among workers in municipal, medical, and hazardous waste incineration facilities. It examines how evolving technologies, waste streams, and regulations have shaped exposure patterns and health outcomes. Early studies reported high exposures to dioxins and heavy metals, linked to respiratory illness, skin conditions, and potential cancer risks. While modern emission controls have substantially lowered exposures, especially in high-income countries, residual risks to the respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological systems persist. Workers in low- and middle-income countries often face exposure levels comparable to those in developed nations during the 1980s and 1990s. Emerging hazards, including brominated flame retardants, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and microplastics, add complexity to workplace risk. The review concludes that complete elimination of occupational risk is not a realistic objective and that residual risks require sustained surveillance, updated protections, and global cooperation to safeguard incinerator workers' health.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-18"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149061832","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 fugitive emissions of SLS 3D printing.","authors":"Connor Krause, Judy Su, Doug Daniels, Yi-Hsuan Chen, Candace Su-Jung Tsai","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2722276","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2026.2722276","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigated airborne emissions and potential health risks associated with selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printing using Nylon-12 powder. Particle size characterization, <i>in vitro</i> cell studies, and analytical techniques were employed to examine particulate exposure during SLS 3D printing processes. Pure Nylon-12 powder, hardened nylon, sintered material, and emitted particles during 3D printing were characterized using microscopy, spectroscopy, and other techniques. Multiple methods were utilized to collect emitted particles for further analysis. Airborne particle concentrations associated with 3D printing and the work area were monitored in real-time using particle spectrometers, which measured particle number concentrations ranging from 10 nm to 10 µm in mobility sizes. During the <i>in vitro</i> studies, THP-1 human monocytic leukemia cells were exposed to four concentrations of Nylon-12 powder suspension (10, 100, 500, and 1,000 μg/mL) assessing cytotoxicity and inflammatory response through 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-Alpha) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cell toxicity investigations revealed non-linear viability reduction patterns, with significant decreases at higher concentrations (1000 μg/mL, <i>p</i> = 0.0207), but not significant at the intermediate doses (100 and 500 μg/mL). The TNF-α assay results indicated a dose-dependent inflammatory response to Nylon-12 powder exposure. The highest TNF-α concentration (0.088) was observed in cells exposed to 1000 μg/mL, while the lowest concentration (0.085) was found in the 10 μg/mL treatment group. Elemental composition analysis identified silicon, aluminum, and copper as consistent elements in pure Nylon-12, sintered material, hardened nylon, and emitted particles collected during sampling, indicating the presence of nylon particles in the airborne emission. Air sampling showed variable particle dispersion during printing phases, with respirable and nanoparticles ranging from 48.97 to 194.9 µg/m³. NanoScan SMPS data indicated elevated nanoparticle concentrations, peaking at 6,848 particles/cm³ during printing. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring and controlling airborne emissions in 3D printing environments to mitigate potential biological toxicity and develop safer practices for this technology.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149061851","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}