{"title":"Correction.","authors":"","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2659544","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2659544","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"256"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147690591","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}
Nancy B Hopf, Michael Bader, Lee M Blum, Jean Grassman, Kate Jones, Heiko U Käfferlein, Larry K Lowry, Leena A Nylander-French
{"title":"A BEI for adipate esters - ACGIH seeks health effects data.","authors":"Nancy B Hopf, Michael Bader, Lee M Blum, Jean Grassman, Kate Jones, Heiko U Käfferlein, Larry K Lowry, Leena A Nylander-French","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2595956","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2595956","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"215-218"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146118990","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}
Kurnia Ardiansyah Akbar, Isa Ma'rufi, Anu Surach, Chakkrit Sela, Anita Dewi Prahastuti Sujoso, Ragil Ismi Hartanti, Ana Islamiyah Syamila
{"title":"Occupational hearing impairment in coal mining across Asia-Pacific: Patterns, risks, and implications.","authors":"Kurnia Ardiansyah Akbar, Isa Ma'rufi, Anu Surach, Chakkrit Sela, Anita Dewi Prahastuti Sujoso, Ragil Ismi Hartanti, Ana Islamiyah Syamila","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2589135","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2589135","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Coal miners are among the most vulnerable workers exposed to hazardous occupational noise, leading to a heightened risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). In the Asia-Pacific region, rapid industrial growth and variable enforcement of occupational health regulations pose additional challenges in preventing hearing impairment among miners. This study aimed to synthesize existing evidence on the patterns, risk factors, and contextual challenges associated with occupational hearing impairment among coal miners in the Asia-Pacific region, with the goal of informing policy and guiding future interventions. A systematic review was conducted across five major databases to identify peer-reviewed studies published between 2014 and 2025 that examined occupational hearing loss in coal mining populations in the Asia-Pacific region. The quality of included studies was appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist. Twelve studies from China, Australia, Turkey, and India met the inclusion criteria, covering over 130,000 miners. Findings consistently revealed a high prevalence of NIHL and high-frequency hearing loss (HFHL), with exposure duration, job category, and age identified as key contributing factors. Workplace conditions, outdated machinery, and inadequate use of personal protective equipment further exacerbated hearing risks. In addition, hearing loss often co-occurred with other occupational diseases such as pneumoconiosis and hypertension, suggesting a complex interplay of health risks in mining environments. Occupational hearing impairment remains a significant yet preventable health issue among coal miners in the Asia-Pacific. Strengthened hearing conservation programs, regulatory enforcement, and targeted research are urgently needed to reduce the burden of NIHL and promote long-term auditory health in this high-risk workforce.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"237-246"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146018536","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}
Sena Yang, Salman Alquwayi, Teresa Barone, Steven E Mischler, Taekhee Lee
{"title":"Enhancing detection of asbestiform minerals in asbestos contaminated talc using FTIR and multivariate data analysis.","authors":"Sena Yang, Salman Alquwayi, Teresa Barone, Steven E Mischler, Taekhee Lee","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2601600","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2601600","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Talc has been widely used for decades in cosmetic and personal care products because of its unique properties. However, certain talc deposits have historically been found to contain asbestiform minerals, making the detection of these contaminants critical for mitigating asbestos exposure risks in consumer products. To investigate this, laboratory generated mixtures of talc/anthophyllite asbestos and talc/tremolite asbestos were prepared at various concentrations. These mixtures underwent thorough processing with sodium polytungstate (SPT), a heavy liquid, followed by centrifugation, settling, and extraction of separated mineral components. Each extracted sample was analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and mineral type was predicted through multivariate data analysis (Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA)). The PLS-DA model, trained on specific wavenumber regions displaying distinct mineral features, successfully identified anthophyllite and tremolite asbestos in most separated samples. However, in cases where misclassification occurred-where asbestiform minerals were labeled as talc or unassigned-a secondary separation procedure was required. The integration of heavy liquid separation, FTIR spectroscopy, and PLS-DA offers a promising approach for enhancing the detection of asbestiform minerals in asbestos-contaminated talc.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"230-236"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146018574","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}
Rivelino M Cavalcante, Rafael Santos, Lara S Furtado, Nayara de O Gurjão, José Filho, Jarbas A N Silveira, Jorge B Soares, José A F Macedo
{"title":"Low-cost sensors: Performance test and applications in occupational health studies related to exposure to respirable particles.","authors":"Rivelino M Cavalcante, Rafael Santos, Lara S Furtado, Nayara de O Gurjão, José Filho, Jarbas A N Silveira, Jorge B Soares, José A F Macedo","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2589134","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2589134","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>), recently classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), represents a major concern for human health, particularly in occupational environments. In response to the need for accessible monitoring tools, this study aimed to: (1) develop a low-cost device for PM<sub>2.5</sub> measurement, (2) evaluate its performance, (3) apply it in real-time workplace monitoring, and (4) Occupational health evaluation considering cancer risk associated with PM<sub>2.5</sub> exposure. The sensing device integrates particulate matter, temperature, and humidity sensors. It is built around a Single Board Computer (SBC) and supports local data storage, GPS compatibility, and Wi-Fi communication. The entire system operates at a total cost of less than USD 500, providing a low-cost yet comprehensive solution for environmental monitoring. Performance testing of the constructed device demonstrated \"good\" precision (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.66-0.68), a coefficient of variation between 4.5% and 21.3%, satisfactory accuracy, and a low detection limit. After validation, it was used to measure PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations in occupational environments, revealing temporal patterns strongly linked to human activity. The highest average concentrations were recorded during the daytime hours of weekdays (working hours), ranging from 12.25 µg/m³ to 240.19 µg/m³, while nighttime levels were lower (11.22 µg/m³ to 152.08 µg/m³, respectively). The results indicate that local activities are the main contributors to PM<sub>2.5</sub> emissions. On weekends, concentration decreased significantly in all periods, suggesting an overall reduction in line with the suspension of local activities. Occupational health assessed based on cancer risk associated with PM<sub>2.5</sub>, assuming 24-hr exposure to the pollutant, showed exposure levels exceeded the annual limits recommended by the WHO and ASHRAE/USEPA across all monitored sites.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"219-229"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146018556","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 Action Level<sup>®</sup>\".","authors":"J Thomas Pierce","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2656101","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2656101","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"D7-D8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147674270","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}
James D McGlothlin, Elizabeth Borg Card, Erundia Krezischek, Mark Lies
{"title":"Waste anesthetic gas control: From discovery to source control scavenging in the postanesthesia care unit.","authors":"James D McGlothlin, Elizabeth Borg Card, Erundia Krezischek, Mark Lies","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2596890","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2596890","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently highlighted the presence of waste anesthetic gases (WAGs) in Postanesthesia Care Units (PACUs), raising significant concerns about occupational exposures in these environments. Exposure to WAGs is associated with a range of adverse health effects, from symptoms such as headaches and0 fatigue to more severe outcomes, including cancer, genetic mutations, reduced fertility, miscarriages, and congenital anomalies. The primary source of WAGs in PACUs is patient exhalation, as individuals leave the operating rooms (ORs) with lungs containing approximately 95% unmetabolized anesthetic gases, which are subsequently released into the ambient air. While NIOSH has emphasized the need for exposure controls in ORs, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued general (5a1) duty citations regarding WAG exposure in ORs, the risks within PACUs remain poorly recognized. As a result, PACU workers, particularly nurses, are left vulnerable due to the lack of effective source control measures. Furthermore, many PACU nurses and healthcare leaders are unaware of the occupational hazards posed by WAG exposure. This paper provides a brief overview, from WAG discovery to source control in the PACU. This paper highlights health risks associated with exposure to waste anesthetic gases (WAGs), with a focus on contamination levels in PACUs as reported by NIOSH. Evidence indicates that general ventilation and standard air exchange rates are insufficient to mitigate exposure within the patient breathing zone in PACUs. Source control technologies offer a promising solution to this underrecognized hazard. The role of the industrial hygienist is emphasized as critical in implementing protective strategies and advancing occupational health and safety for PACU personnel.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"247-255"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145966156","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}
Matthew M Dahm, Seth McCormick, Mamadou Niang, Brian Christensen, Chen Wang, I-Chen Chen
{"title":"Evaluating occupational exposures to the graphene family of nanomaterials: Implications for worker safety and health.","authors":"Matthew M Dahm, Seth McCormick, Mamadou Niang, Brian Christensen, Chen Wang, I-Chen Chen","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2633099","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2633099","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Graphene, a two-dimensional carbon-based nanomaterial, has garnered significant attention due to its exceptional physical and chemical properties, leading to its widespread application in various industries. However, the increasing utilization of this class of materials, also referred to as the graphene family of nanomaterials (GFNs), raises potential concerns regarding occupational exposures and health risks for workers. This study aimed to evaluate occupational exposures to GFNs across 11 primary and secondary manufacturing facilities operating in the U.S. A total of 44 workers participated in the study, with paired personal air samples collected for elemental carbon (EC) analysis at both the respirable and inhalable aerosol size fractions. The results revealed exposures with respirable EC concentrations ranging from <0.01 to 1825.23 µg/m³ with a geometric mean (GM) of 2.01 µg/m³ and inhalable concentrations from 0.01 to 6327.10 µg/m³ with a GM of 12.63 µg/m³. Notably, 38% of respirable samples exceeded a suggested occupational exposure band (OEB) of <10 µg/m³ established from a recent publication for GFNs, while 53% of inhalable samples exceeded the OEB. Primary manufacturing facilities that produce GFNs generally exhibited higher inhalable exposure levels compared to secondary manufacturers, likely due to the handling of larger quantities of dry powdered materials. Additionally, the use of engineering controls and personal protective equipment varied widely among facilities, impacting exposure levels. This study represents a crucial step in understanding any potential occupational risks associated with U.S. GFN exposures.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-15"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13034490/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147369675","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Special issue on firefighter safety and health.","authors":"Robert Agnew, Aurora Le","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2616208","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2026.2616208","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":"23 3","pages":"131-132"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147530192","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}
David A Parks, Seth A Finley, Priscilla M Tjandra, Leslie L Baker, Allegra Yeley, Arthur L Miller
{"title":"Evaluating the interference potential of minerals in infrared absorbance-based quantification of respirable crystalline silica in mine dusts.","authors":"David A Parks, Seth A Finley, Priscilla M Tjandra, Leslie L Baker, Allegra Yeley, Arthur L Miller","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2589136","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2589136","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Miners face a variety of respiratory hazards on the job, including exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS), which can lead to adverse health outcomes such as silicosis and lung cancer-both potentially fatal lung diseases. Infrared spectrometry offers the possibility of portable end-of-shift quantification of RCS at mine sites. However, some mine dusts contain minerals that may interfere with this quantification method, as their infrared absorbance bands overlap with those of silica. To evaluate the impact of such interferences, potential mineral interferants were identified in the geologies of 27 metal mines using the United States Geological Survey and Mindat.org databases. These mines were selected based on historically high RCS levels, as evidenced in the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) field-sampling database, and on the number of employees potentially exposed. The significance of 44 potential interferants was evaluated using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), by measuring their absorbance per unit mass in the α-quartz doublet region of the spectrum (816-767 cm<sup>-1</sup>). The extent to which each mineral interfered with this region was quantified as its integrated absorbance relative to RCS. This quantification of interference provides data critical for the timely and portable quantification of RCS in mine dusts. Of the 44 specimens analyzed, three (goethite, azurite and actinolite), which are not mentioned in the standard infrared methods for quantification of RCS, were found to interfere with a magnitude of 10% or more. Despite being commonly mentioned as interferants in the literature, the feldspars Albite and Anorthite did not interfere with a magnitude of 10% or more.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"142-154"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12990387/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145714739","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}