Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene最新文献

{"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":"https://doi.org/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":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-27","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":"Tackling antineoplastic drugs' contamination in healthcare settings: New insights on surface cleaning approaches.","authors":"Maria Francisca Portilha-Cunha, Pedro Norton, Arminda Alves, Ana R L Ribeiro, Adrián M T Silva, Mónica S F Santos","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2449945","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2025.2449945","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Effective decontamination of hospital surfaces is crucial to protect workers from antineoplastic drugs (ADs) since dermal absorption is the main exposure route to these hazardous medicinal products. Sampling after daily cleaning in oncologic settings from a tertiary hospital was initially performed and exhibited low contamination levels; however, cyclophosphamide was still found (up to 957 pg/cm²) above the guidance value (100 pg/cm²) in four locations, evidencing the need to properly assess and update the cleaning protocols. Then, cleaning efficiencies of six solutions and different protocols were evaluated (including, for the first time, four commercial cleaning solutions/disinfectants not designed specifically for AD removal) after deliberate contamination of three model surfaces with 13 pharmaceuticals: bicalutamide, capecitabine, cyclophosphamide, cyproterone, doxorubicin, etoposide, flutamide, ifosfamide, imatinib, megestrol, mycophenolate mofetil, paclitaxel, and prednisone. Wipe sampling and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry were employed to determine surface contamination after cleaning. Results revealed that: (i) none of the solutions or procedures totally removed all target pharmaceuticals from surfaces; (ii) the removal efficiency increased with cleaning steps (average removals above 90% were attained for Vyclean and Clinell Universal Spray using two cleaning steps); and (iii) the cleaning efficiency was likely favored by the application of the solution/disinfectant directly on the surfaces. Therefore, considering the dissimilar chemical structures and properties of the numerous ADs in use, the cleaning agent and protocol should be adjusted to the reality of each healthcare unit. Still, the scientific community is encouraged to develop a cleaning solution/protocol to simultaneously eliminate/remove as many ADs as possible.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143006316","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 pathogenic burden potential of airborne particles in emanating from the respiratory area of COVID-19 patients (a case study).","authors":"Somayeh Soleimani-Alyar, Rasoul Yarahmadi, Maryam Borhani-Jebeli, Golnaz Yarahmadi, Farah Bokharaei-Salim, Alireza Alipour, Maryam Soleimani-Alyar, Hamid-Reza Monavari, Mohammad-Mehdi Darvishi, Sara Dalvand","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2447317","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2024.2447317","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The pathogenic potential of airborne particles carrying the SARS-CoV-2 viral genome was examined by considering the size distribution of airborne particles at given distances from the respiratory zone of an infected patient after coughing or sneezing with a focus on time, temperature, and relative humidity. The results show an association between the size distribution of airborne particles, particularly PM₁ and PM_2.5, and the presence of viral genome in different stations affected by the distance from the respiratory zone and the passage of time. The correlation with time was strong with all the dependent factors except PM₁. Also, the effect of time intervals on the median concentration of airborne PM in the range of PM₇ and PM₁₀ was significant. Accordingly, in the first 20 min after coughing, the COVID-19 patient was more likely to be exposed to PM-carrying RNA genomes of SARS-CoV-2. The other finding was that the two distances of 0.25 m to the patient's left of the respiratory zone and 1.0 m above the breathing zone showed positive results for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in all studied time intervals. The patterns of results suggested that there was a high potential for distribution of the virus in an infected patient based on position and airflow and that the severity of infection and viral load may influence the presence of viral load in droplets when coughing. Based on the results, one can conclude that ventilation plays a key role in mitigating the risk of airborne virus transmission in indoor environments, and it has been shown that reductions in particulate concentrations occur when portable air purifiers are placed near the breathing zone. The use of personal protective equipment for the patient and healthcare personnel to minimize the distribution of virus particles in the air is recommended.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143006638","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":"Interlaboratory comparison of particle filtration efficiency testing equipment.","authors":"Timothy A Sipkens, Rym Mehri, Ruth Perez Calderon, Richard G Green, Andrew Oldershaw, Gregory J Smallwood","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2447321","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2024.2447321","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Particle filtration efficiency (PFE) is a critical property of face masks, with the most common test methods using sodium chloride as a challenge aerosol. In the absence of bottom-up uncertainty budgets for PFE, interlaboratory comparisons provide an alternative route to robustly quantify the precision and bias of the method. This work presents the results of several interlaboratory comparisons of particle filtration efficiency performed across a network of laboratories. Using log-penetration as a surrogate for PFE, it is shown that expanded reproducibility intervals were consistent across most samples, at around 26% of the nominal value of log-penetration. Between-laboratory contributions to this reproducibility were significant, nearly doubling the lab-reported uncertainties in most instances and emphasizing the need for ongoing interlaboratory studies to be performed for particle filtration. More work is required to identify the causes of these between-laboratory differences, requiring dedicated testing. Alongside uncertainty quantification, testing materials across a range of variables (such as the number of layers, amount of charge on the material, and basis weight) affirm that constant quality is a good approximation when layering or changing the basis weight on an otherwise identical material.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-15"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142983833","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":"Professional improbity: How Hermann J. Muller's ethics affected his science.","authors":"Edward J Calabrese, James Giordano, Dima Yazji Shamoun","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2449937","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2025.2449937","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The present paper provides an assessment of how the scientific and national policy achievements/goals of Hermann J. Muller were impacted by his ethics and provides several documented episodes in which Muller acted unethically to promote his personal gain-at the expense of others-within the scientific community. Muller manipulated the scientific community in self-serving ways to suppress perspectives that challenged his own views on radiation-induced gene mutation, and hereditary and cancer risk assessment in ways that influenced his significant awards (e.g., Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology), continued grant funding, and manifest effect on public health policy. Muller acted irresponsibly toward students and directed them to violate University of Texas policies that incurred severe student disciplinary actions (e.g., University suspension). Muller avoided responsibility by resigning from the University of Texas, avoiding a trial that could have led to his dismissal, and impacted his career achievements during the period of his nomination for the Nobel Prize. Muller was also a member of a US National Academy of Sciences Committee that committed scientific misconduct by misrepresenting the research record in ways that enhanced his continued funding support and fortified his influence on US health policy. The case of Muller is presented as a morality and object lesson worthy of consideration for current and future ethical conduct of scientific research.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142983876","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":"Regression tools for chemical release modeling: An additive manufacturing case study.","authors":"David E Meyer, Raymond L Smith, Elizabeth Lanphear, Sudhakar Takkellapati, John D Chea, Gerardo J Ruiz-Mercado, Michael A Gonzalez, William M Barrett","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2447320","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2024.2447320","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chemical release data are essential for performing chemical risk assessments to understand the potential exposures arising from industrial processes. Often, these data are unknown or unavailable and must be estimated. A case study of volatile organic compound releases during extrusion-based additive manufacturing is used here to explore the viability of various regression methods for predicting chemical releases to inform chemical assessments. The methods assessed in this work include linear Least Squares, Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) and Ridge regression, classification and regression tree, random forest model, and neural network analysis. Secondary data describing polymeric extrusion in multiple applications are curated and assembled in a dataset to support regression modeling using default parameters for the various approaches. The potential to add noise to the dataset and improve regression is evaluated using synthetic data generation. Evaluation of model performance for a common test set found all methods were able to achieve predictions within 10%-error for up to 98% of the test sample population. The degree to which this level of performance was maintained when varying the number and type of features for regression was dependent on the model type. Linear methods and neural network analysis predicted the most test samples within 10%-error for smaller numbers of features while tree-based approaches could accommodate a larger number of features. The number and type of features can be important if the desire is to make chemical-specific release predictions. The inclusion of release data from related processes generally improved test set predictions across all models while the use of synthetic data as implemented here resulted in smaller increases in test sample predictions within 10%-error. Future work should focus on improving access to primary data and optimizing models to achieve maximum predictive performance of environmental releases to support chemical risk assessment.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142978985","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":"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":"https://doi.org/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":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-08","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":"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":"https://doi.org/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":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-08","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":"Development of emission factors for secondary organic aerosol precursors from in-service asphalt roofs using Monte Carlo-based quantitative uncertainty analysis.","authors":"William E Fayerweather, Nuttanit Pramounmat, Miriam M Higginbotham, David C Trumbore","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2420994","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2420994","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Several recent studies have examined the role of intermediate/semi-volatile organic compound emissions from paving and roofing asphalts in the formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs), which constitute a portion of fine atmospheric particulate matter. These studies have yielded divergent results. Building upon this research, this study aims to develop more representative emission factors for estimating the contribution of roofing materials to SOA formation. This was accomplished by investigating the impact on SOA formation of variables such as rooftop temperatures, solar insolation values, study durations, and the physical and chemical properties of the roofing materials tested. To quantify the influence of these variables, data from existing literature were drawn, and limited experimental lab work was conducted. Monte Carlo-based quantitative uncertainty and sensitivity analyses were completed to estimate more representative emission factors, generate accompanying uncertainty ranges, and rank critical parameters driving emissions that should be considered in any follow-up research. The emission factors developed in this study resulted in a central tendency estimate of 1.7 × 10^-4 Gg/yr SOA for the 720 hottest hours in Southern California, with a 90% confidence interval of 6.0 × 10^-5 to 3.4 × 10^-4 Gg/yr. For the 4,320 annual daylight hours, the central tendency estimate is 2.1 × 10^-5 Gg/yr, with a 90% confidence interval of 4.7 × 10^-6 to 5.1 × 10^-5 Gg/yr. To provide perspective, the results of this study indicate that the SOA contribution to in-service emissions from asphalt roofing surfaces is four to five orders of magnitude lower than that reported for mobile diesel and gasoline sources.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"37-51"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142716434","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":"Cotton undergarments as a tool for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons whole body dosimetry of firefighters.","authors":"Stephan Koslitz, Dirk Taeger, Birgit Heinrich, Daniel Köster, Tim Pelzl, Heiko Udo Käfferlein, Katrin Pitzke, Thomas Brüning, Thomas Behrens","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2421017","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2421017","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Firefighters are exposed to a variety of hazardous substances during firefighting activities. Fire smoke contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) some of which have been shown to cause cancer in humans. To assess dermal exposure of firefighters during real-life firefighting, a whole-body dosimetry method was applied to determine the PAH that settles on the skin despite firefighters wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). In total, 17 firefighters wore cotton undergarments (shirts, trousers, gloves, socks, and balaclavas) under their PPE during firefighting missions. After firefighting, fabric pieces were analyzed for 16 US-EPA PAHs and benzo[e]pyrene. Detailed information about the fire missions was solicited from firefighters via a questionnaire. Seventy percent of firefighters provided their undergarments and PAHs were analyzed in 309 punched-out fabric pieces. PAHs were quantified in 27 out of the 309 fabric pieces (8.7%). Generally, PAH concentrations were higher after firefighting in residential buildings compared to exposure levels after fighting vehicle or outdoor fires. Phenanthrene and pyrene were the predominant compounds and were observed up to 657 and 244 ng/g, respectively. Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) was detected in 10 fabric pieces (3.2%) up to 103 ng/g, but all levels were below 1,000 ng/g, the threshold limit of B[a]P according to European Consumer Goods Regulation (European Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/1513). It was demonstrated that firefighting PPE can be an effective shield against dermal exposure to carcinogenic substances. Thus, all measured PAH concentrations in the fabric pieces were below the threshold limit of 1,000 ng/g of each PAH, which is allowed in consumer goods in the European Union for clothing worn on the skin However, individual dermal exposures cannot be completely avoided during firefighting missions. The use of undergarments, gloves, socks, and balaclavas for whole-body dosimetry, which are worn under the PPE, can be useful in assessing whether hazardous substances penetrate the firefighters' PPE.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"52-61"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142921931","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}