Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene最新文献

{"title":"Comparison between WBGT app prototype and WBGT monitor to assess heat stress risk in an eastern North Carolina outdoor setting.","authors":"Bridget Angol, Sinan Sousan, Jo Anne G Balanay","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2444415","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2444415","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) index is the preferred environmental heat metric for occupational heat-related illness prevention but may not always be readily accessible in the workplace. Thus, there is a need for well-designed WBGT-based tools that are reliable, accessible, and inexpensive. A novel WBGT app prototype was developed to calculate the current and forecasted outdoor WBGT. The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability of the WBGT app prototype in providing accurate heat stress risk information for outdoor workplace settings in eastern North Carolina by comparing the WBGT indices and risk levels from the app (WBGT_app) with those derived from a heat stress monitor (WBGT_ins). Outdoor WBGT measurements were data logged at a university campus site using a heat stress monitor from March to August 2023 for 81 days and were assigned to risk levels by workload based on the ACGIH Threshold Limit Values. Hourly WBGT_app values and their corresponding risk levels were obtained using the app prototype. Data analysis was conducted using a t-test, Pearson correlation test, and cross-tabulation. Results showed that the hourly mean WBGT_app was significantly higher (<i>p</i> < 0.01) than the WBGT_ins, but there was no significant difference between the overall average of the daily mean (<i>p</i> = 0.15) and daily maximum (<i>p</i> = 0.69) WBGT_app and WBGT_ins. There was a strong, positive correlation between the hourly mean (<i>r</i> = 0.94, <i>p</i> < 0.01), daily mean (<i>r</i> = 0.97, <i>p</i> < 0.01), and daily maximum (<i>r</i> = 0.94, <i>p</i> < 0.01) WBGT_app and WBGT_ins. The app correctly identified 73-88% of minimal-risk conditions, depending on workload type, and was most reliable in correctly identifying extreme-risk conditions at 97%, 95%, and 93% for light, moderate, and heavy workloads, respectively. This demonstrates the app's capability of being protective of the workers, particularly in more severe heat stress risk conditions. Recommendations to improve the app's accuracy involved using accurate solar irradiance data and applying linear calibration. The WBGT app prototype shows good potential as an alternative risk assessment tool for heat stress risk among outdoor workers.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"274-287"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142950339","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":"Application of X-ray diffraction with Rietveld refinement to quantify mineral composition including crystalline silica in respirable dust.","authors":"Johanne Østereng Halvorsen, Peter Stacey, Pål Graff, Elin Lovise Folven Gjengedal, Torunn K Ervik","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2443206","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2443206","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to test the use of Rietveld refinement on respirable aerosol samples to determine the phase of respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and other minerals. The results from the Rietveld refinement were compared to an external standard method and gravimetrical measurements. Laboratory samples consisting of α-quartz, feldspar, and calcite with variable proportions and total mass loadings were made and analyzed using the NIOSH 7500 <i>Silica, Crystalline, by XRD (filter redeposition) method</i>, followed by Rietveld refinement. Field samples of respirable dust, from construction sites working with concrete, brick, and other materials were included. To correct for amorphous content and unidentified phases, an internal standard was added to the field samples, which were treated like laboratory samples. Rietveld refinement was successfully used for quantification of RCS in laboratory and field samples. The method showed comparable results to the NIOSH 7500 method for quartz and remained linear for laboratory samples up to 20 mg. The lowest quantified amounts of quartz in the laboratory samples were 5 µg. The two methods yielded similar results for RCS in field samples with a total mass of up to 15 mg and a quartz content of 1.8 wt% to 11 wt%. A total sample mass of above 0.5 mg was required for optimal quantification of crystalline phases by Rietveld refinement. The method proved useful in determining RCS and other crystalline components in field samples and corrected for interferences even with a complex matrix and high mass loading.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":"22 4","pages":"248-258"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143811638","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":"Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from common cooking fuels in Nigeria.","authors":"Jamiu Adetayo Adeniran, Basheerah Folake Jimoh, Ayodele Sarat Atanda, Tunmise Latifat Adewoye, Muhammad-Najeeb O Yusuf, Khadijat Abdulkareem Abdulraheem, Emmanuel Toluwalope Odediran","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2443196","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2443196","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cooking fuels are sources of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are persistent in the environment and have detrimental effects on human health. Fifteen PCBs congeners from the smoke of eight (8) commonly used cooking fuels in Nigeria were investigated in this study. Glass fiber filters were used to collect air emissions during the combustion of cooking fuels in a controlled chamber. PCB congeners in the smoke of studied cooking fuels were analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and their associated health risks were evaluated. The health risks of PCBs (both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic) from inhalation exposure were evaluated for both children and adults. The daily inhalation rate ranged from 4.44 × 10⁵ to 6.16 × 10⁵ fgTEQkg^-1 for adults and 9.94 × 10⁵ to 1.38 × 10⁶ fgTEQkg^-1 for children. Hazard quotient (HQ) values obtained for both adults and children were higher than the acceptable limit of 1. The Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) varied between 2.40 × 10^-3 and 3.33 × 10^-3 for adults and <math><mn>6.211</mn><mo>×</mo><msup><mrow><mn>10</mn></mrow><mrow><mo>-</mo><mn>4</mn></mrow></msup></math> and <math><mn>8.62</mn><mo>×</mo><msup><mrow><mn>10</mn></mrow><mrow><mo>-</mo><mn>4</mn></mrow></msup></math> for children. This study recommends promoting clean cooking technologies through policy interventions, public awareness campaigns, and investment in research and development, to reduce risks associated with harmful cooking emissions.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"239-247"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142950351","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":"Preliminary study on the ejection of microplastics from different types of face masks.","authors":"V Glen Esmeralda, Jamila Patterson, S Shelciya","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2443198","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2443198","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Face masks are strongly believed to be the best precaution to reduce the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which resulted in an unprecedented surge in the production and use of personal respiratory protective equipment. Unfortunately, this surge led to improper disposal of used masks. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in used and unused surgical and cloth masks and N95 respirators. Respective samples were kept in a rotary shaker with distilled water in an Erlenmeyer flask for 5 hr to assess the release of MPs. Surgical masks showed a greater occurrence of microplastics release; an average of 18.27 items/mask were released from used and discarded surgical masks and 10.87 items/mask were released from unused new masks Fibers and fragments smaller than 0.5 mm in size were found to have a predominant presence in all the observed facemasks and respirators. The ATR-FTIR analysis of all the masks and respirators revealed the presence of four different polymers, namely polyethylene (PE) 46%, polypropylene (PP) 27%, polyamide (PA) 15% and polystyrene (PS) 12%. The microplastics released by face masks and N95 respirators can be carried by the environment or directly inhaled during use. As a result, using masks and N95 respirators repeatedly could expose individuals to microplastics. The proper use of face masks and N95 respirators and proper disposal practices should be maintained to prevent human and environmental exposures to MPs. MPs have been shown to affect individuals at the cellular to systems level, and additional research on the effects of MPs on human health is needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"288-299"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143052943","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^®\".","authors":"J Thomas Pierce","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2484157","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2484157","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"D13-D14"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143779708","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 dose-response relationship between noise-induced hearing loss and cumulative noise exposure adjusted by the effect of hearing protection devices among workers in Southern China.","authors":"Guoyong Xu, Jia Tang, Jianyu Guo, Zhixing Fan, Linyan Shu, Hairu Yang, Bin Xiao","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2444438","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2444438","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The noise exposure levels of workers wearing hearing protective devices (HPDs) depend on ambient noise and the protective effect of hearing protectors. This cross-sectional study aimed to adjust for cumulative noise exposure (CNE) based on the effective protection of hearing protection devices and explore the dose-response relationship between noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and adjusted cumulative noise exposure. A questionnaire was used to acquire the basic characteristics and occupational information of noise-exposed workers. Individual noise dosimetry, individual fitting tests, and pure-tone audiometric tests were performed to assess workers' noise exposure levels, HPDs' sound attenuation, and hearing status. A total of 714 workers participated in this study. Four hundred seventy-three participants wore foam earplugs and 241 wore pre-molded earplugs. The median Personal Attenuation Rating (PAR) was 13.0 dB. The median PAR' (the PAR after combining the earplugs usage time) was 8.0 dB. Thirty-one percent of the workers wore earplugs properly during noise exposure and they tended to possess a greater PAR. The median L_Aeq,8h was 94.1 dB (A) and the median unadjusted cumulative noise exposure was 102.3 dB (A)· year. The PAR'-adjusted CNE (CNE_P) was 91.3 dB (A)·year. A total of 161 workers (22.5%) with hearing loss were identified. There was an obvious trend between the prevalence of NIHL and CNE_P (χ_trend² = 31.9, <i>p</i> < 0.01). The Wald values of the CNE and CNE_P logistic regression models were 4.0 and 14.1, respectively. Furthermore, the curve slope of the CNE_P was steeper than that of the unadjusted CNE. The CNE_P can represent the noise exposure level among workers wearing hearing protectors more accurately and has an apparent dose-response relationship with the prevalence of NIHL. For workers utilizing hearing protection devices, wearing them properly and consistently in the workplace is recommended. Assessing noise exposure based on the protective effects of hearing protectors is also essential. Additional studies are needed to quantify the impact of behaviors associated with the improper use of hearing protection.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"311-321"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143059368","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":"Heat risks in agriculture: Microclimate variability and worker safety in sweet corn and tobacco.","authors":"Ryan Edwards, Noel Lanier, Jo Anne G Balanay, Elizabeth Mizelle","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2473469","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2473469","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Agricultural work is one of the highest-risk U.S. occupations for heat-related illness (HRIs). Some tall-growing crops can block the cooling effects of wind or contribute to environmental humidity creating warm and humid microclimates (environments directly surrounding workers). The purpose of this study was to assess the differences in environmental heat stress within the center of tall-growing crop fields compared to the field perimeter. In the summer of 2023, two heat stress monitors collected daily measurements of wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) in sweet corn and tobacco fields; results support that WBGT was higher at the field center of sweet corn and significantly higher at the field center of tobacco: 6.7% more hours in sweet corn and 13.6% more hours in tobacco were considered unsafe heat stress risk levels at the field center when compared to unsafe hours at the field perimeter. Unsafe heat stress risk levels were more likely to occur in the afternoons in the corn field while a high majority of all recorded hours in tobacco were considered unsafe, including the morning hours. The risk of laboring inside tall crop rows and heat-related illness should be considered in worker education and heat stress plans.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143674066","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":"Dermal wipe sampling method development and validation for semivolatile and nonvolatile flame-retardant compounds TBBPA and TPP for use in occupational exposure assessments.","authors":"L Gloekler, O Jappen, J Reynolds, S Thornton, J Sanders, A Maier, H Lynch","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2473464","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2473464","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Accurately estimating exposure is critical to assessing the potential health risks of chemicals. Characterizing dermal exposures to semivolatile or nonvolatile compounds in occupational studies can be challenging because of a lack of standardized procedures for dermal wipe sample collection and methods for sample analysis for most industrial chemicals, especially organic compounds. Methodologies are sometimes available in the scientific literature; however, the approaches vary, typically have not been validated, and may not be suitable for application in commercial laboratory settings. This article describes the laboratory development and validation of a method to identify and quantify the semivolatile organic compounds, tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA, CAS: 79-94-7) and triphenyl phosphate (TPP, CAS: 115-86-6) in dermal wipe samples and to validate recovery of these chemicals from porcine skin. The analytical method involved extraction of the test compounds on two different wipe media (cotton and polyester-rayon blend) in 100% isopropanol using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results indicate that polyester-rayon wipes were preferable to cotton wipes. Additionally, the dermal wipe sampling method was tested and validated using porcine skin as a surrogate for human skin. This study provides a framework to perform validation of analytical and dermal sample collection methods for other semivolatile and nonvolatile chemicals and provides a baseline method for the development of commercial laboratory methods to evaluate exposure to other chemicals.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143663837","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":"Perspective on occupational health and safety of sterilization unit employees and unit safety.","authors":"Emel Güden","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2475103","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2025.2475103","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Central Sterilization Unit (CSU) workers are exposed to various biological, chemical, physical, and psychological hazards. This study aimed to assess the occupational health and safety (OHS) awareness of workers in the CSU. This cross-sectional study included 83 employees working in CSUs affiliated with 32 public, private, and university hospitals in Kayseri. Participants' demographic characteristics, working conditions, and information related to occupational health and safety were collected through a questionnaire. A total of 71 individuals participated in the study. According to the research findings, the majority of the workers had received training on the operation of sterilization units and OHS. CSU workers reported facing issues such as injuries from sharp objects (57.7%), exposure to toxic/corrosive substances (46.5%), and contact with bloodborne pathogens (26.8%). Although the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) was widespread, the utilization rates of certain equipment were lower. The study highlights that CSU workers are exposed to various health risks and emphasizes the importance of education and the use of PPE. However, considering the limitations of the study, it is suggested that more comprehensive research and greater attention to OHS among healthcare personnel are needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143657219","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":"Exploring aerosol-specific calibration and performance of three direct-reading photometers.","authors":"Karl O Braun","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2473461","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2473461","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Laser photometers provide real-time data on airborne aerosols. They are a valuable tool for assessing task exposures, as well as process and environmental changes. However, their performance compared to the validated National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) method Particulates Not Otherwise Regulated, Respirable 0600 gravitational method is uncertain. NIOSH has established a criterion for sampling and analytical methods to be within 25% of the 'true' concentration. Manufacturers and research scientists cite the importance of using an aerosol-specific calibration factor to improve instrument correlation with the gravimetric method. Field data from three photometers are presented to illustrate instrument performance variability and evaluate single and averaged aerosol-specific calibration factors. Respirable particulate and respirable crystalline silica (RCS) were simultaneously measured ten times in an operating rock crushing facility using the NIOSH methods 0600 and 7500 Silica, Crystalline, by XRD (filter redeposition) and three factory calibrated photometers. Ten aerosol-specific calibration factors were calculated for each photometer and used to determine single and averaged aerosol-specific calibration factors. Single and averaged aerosol-specific calibration factors were mathematically applied to \"correct\" the factory calibrated instrument measurements. Performance was evaluated using absolute relative error. With the factory calibration, the average absolute relative error for each instrument exceeded 25%. A single-event aerosol-specific calibration factor reduced the average absolute relative error for all instruments, bringing it below 25% for one of the three photometers. A 3-run average aerosol-specific calibration factor reduced the average absolute relative error below 25% for all instruments. Further averaging of calibration factor provided no significant advantage. The 95th percentile of absolute error fell below 25% for one of the tested instruments when applying both a single and averaged calibration factor but remained above 25% for the other two instruments. Field testing of the single-run, three-run average and ten-run average calibration factors revealed that the absolute relative error exceeded 25% in at least one of the three CF-field tests for each instrument. The average absolute relative error in estimates of RCS varied from 7 to 38%.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143597151","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}