Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene最新文献

{"title":"Response to the comments from Mr. Shkembi.","authors":"B Roberts, S Smith, M Vahora, E W Miller","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2422056","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2422056","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"D4-D5"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142829115","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":"Indoor carbon monoxide exposures in a retail occupancy.","authors":"Trent Parker, Benjamin Craig, Patrick Smith, Michael Larrañaga","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2431215","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2024.2431215","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In a two-story retail mall in the Southeastern United States, employees within Store A (located on the second level) began to feel headaches and general unease and discussed the symptoms among themselves. Approximately 1.5 hr later, an employee called 9-1-1. Upon arrival, the fire department discovered the presence of carbon monoxide (CO) within Store A and evacuated all employees and customers. As a result of this incident, 13 employees were treated for carbon monoxide poisoning that day, and an additional four employees sought medical attention in subsequent days. This work discusses the events leading up to this incident, which involved welders used for indoor construction on the first level of the mall inside Store B-situated directly below and adjacent to Store A's east wall. It was determined that carbon monoxide was created by the use of liquified petroleum gas-fueled (LPG) welders on the first story of Store B, which migrated into Store A through unsealed floor penetrations within floor electrical receptacles. From the identified causes, this work proposes strategies to reduce the likelihood of similar incidents occurring in the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144002837","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}

{"title":"Exploratory analysis of gait mechanics in farmers.","authors":"Mariana V Jacobs, Kate N Jochimsen, Jody L Clasey, Michael A Samaan","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2421004","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2421004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Farmers may be at a higher risk of developing hip osteoarthritis (OA) due to the high demands of their occupation. To the authors' knowledge, the gait patterns of farmers that may be associated with hip joint degeneration have yet to be analyzed. Therefore, this study compares gait mechanics between farmers and non-farmers (controls). It is hypothesized that farmers would exhibit altered lower extremity joint mechanics during walking when compared to matched controls. This exploratory study included five farmers and five sex-, age-, and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls. A 3D gait analysis was performed while study participants walked at a self-selected speed on an instrumented treadmill. Sagittal plane hip, knee, and ankle kinetics and kinematics were assessed. Effect sizes and between-group differences in demographics and gait mechanics were assessed. There were no group differences in walking speed, total stance time as well as hip and knee joint kinematics (<i>p</i> > 0.05). Farmers exhibited statistical trends (<i>p</i> = 0.07-0.08) of lower peak ankle plantarflexion angles, higher plantarflexor moments, higher knee flexion moment impulse, and higher peak vertical ground reaction force during the first and second halves of stance. Additionally, farmers ambulated with a significantly higher knee extensor moment (<i>p</i> = 0.04) and moment impulse (<i>p</i> = 0.05) during the first half of stance and a higher ankle plantarflexion moment impulse (<i>p</i> = 0.04). The results demonstrate a multi-joint gait alteration in farmers compared to non-farmers and may suggest a compensatory gait pattern to optimize hip joint mechanics and mitigate hip joint degeneration. These results provide a preliminary understanding of the impact that agricultural occupations have on joint mechanics that may be associated with the increased prevalence of hip OA in the farming population.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-7"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11790371/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142927133","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":"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":"Measurement of ambient fiber and fibrous glass concentrations near three fiberglass wool manufacturing facilities in the United States.","authors":"Laura Allen, Hannah Fairbanks, Paige Wells, Chloe Stewart, Natalie Suder Egnot, Andrew Maier","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2406229","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2406229","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A limited number of published studies have evaluated concentrations of airborne fibers in outdoor air, with even fewer assessing typical air concentrations in the ambient air near fiberglass wool manufacturing facilities. Building upon the assessment by Switala et al. (1994), area samples for airborne fiber concentrations (diameters of less than 3 µm, lengths greater than 5 µm, and aspect ratios equal to or greater than 5 to 1) were collected at fixed locations along the fence lines of three fiberglass wool manufacturing facilities in the United States. Samples were analyzed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Method 7400, via phase contrast microscopy (PCM) using \"B\" counting rules. A total of 134 samples were collected across the three plants. Overall, 73% of the samples collected were below the limit of quantification (LOQ). Using the Kaplan-Meier (KM) method for estimation of values below the LOQ, the geometric mean fiber concentration for all plants combined was 0.0028 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc), with the 95^th percentile upper confidence level at 0.0049 f/cc. Of those samples with detectable concentrations of airborne fibers (<i>n</i> = 36), when further analyzed using energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, only one sample had a detectable glass fiber concentration at 0.0045 f/cc, which was noted as the detection limit for the method. This glass fiber concentration is within the range anticipated for ambient fibrous glass near production facilities, suggesting consistency with measurements made by Switala et al. (1994), despite changes in production methods (i.e., use of different binders) since 1994 and the use of updated methods for treatment of values below the LOQ in the current assessment.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"8-16"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142622383","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":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2454872","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2454872","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"D1-D2"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143052895","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A review of OSHA-permissible exposure limits for occupational carcinogens in relation to quantitative risk assessments based on epidemiological findings.","authors":"Robert M Park","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2406234","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2406234","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A very small proportion of all chemicals in commerce have <i>occupational exposure limits</i> (OELs) based on quantitative risk assessments which require estimates of exposure-response relationships (XRs). For only 18 of the 94 chemicals declared by NIOSH to be carcinogens were human XRs reported in or calculable from published reports. For the 18 carcinogens, 96 such XRs could be derived (corresponding to chemicals with multiple associated cancer end-points and/or multiple source studies). Twenty-four of 96 XR estimates came directly from reported statistical models (on continuous cumulative exposure), 45 were derived from summary study-population attributes, and 27 came from categorical analyses. Using the 96 XRs, OEL conferring one-per-thousand excess lifetime risk were calculated. OSHA's OEL, <i>permissible exposure limits</i> (PEL) were then compared to OEL derived from the 96 XRs. For 88 of the 96 calculated OELs (for which a corresponding PEL exists) all but 10 fell below the current PEL. Thirty-four OEL estimates were 10- to 100-fold below the PEL and 21 were greater than 100-fold below the PEL. This same pattern was observed using the different methods for deriving XRs. These findings can guide priorities in setting standards and the method is not limited to carcinogens.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"17-30"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142558079","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 the Tier 3 NIOSH occupational exposure banding process for the graphene family of nanomaterials: A case study.","authors":"Mamadou Niang, Nicole Barcellos, Melissa Edmondson, Lilia Chen, Seth McCormick, Matthew M Dahm","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2420998","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2420998","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Graphene is a class of two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials composed of single or multiple layers of carbon atoms. To date, there are limited clinical data and no epidemiological research available to assess graphene toxicity in humans. Despite the growing amount of animal toxicity data, there are currently no occupational exposure limits (OELs) for any type of graphene nanomaterial published by international authoritative organizations to ensure their safe handling within workplaces. In the absence of consensus OELs for graphene, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) occupational exposure banding process was used to assign an occupational exposure band (OEB). The NIOSH banding process is organized into a three-tiered system and is a resource for occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals to guide risk management and exposure control decisions when OELs are not available. To the authors' knowledge, there are no Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) H-codes/statements available for graphene to conduct a Tier 1 analysis. Even though data were available from authoritative sources for three of nine health endpoints, the data were insufficient to support banding in a Tier 2 assessment. Therefore, a Tier 3 assessment using the NIOSH banding process was applied to the graphene family of nanomaterials (GFN) as a case study based on the specific physicochemical and toxicological properties with uncertainty factor adjustments. The band assignment was replicated by three individuals with advanced toxicology and industrial hygiene knowledge to ensure a consistent outcome. The results found that three of the six endpoints banded were \"E,\" representing an air concentration ≤0.01 mg/m³, while the other three ranged from \"A\" to \"C.\" This indicates that the graphene materials evaluated may have potential effects at low exposure concentrations (≤0.01 mg/m³). These findings suggest an OEB may be a suitable option for OSH professionals attempting to mitigate risk for GFN in the absence of an OEL and may provide a reasonable initial estimate for recommended workplace exposure and control measures.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"62-77"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11791868/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142829109","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":"Prevalence of interdigital pilonidal sinus in hair professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.","authors":"Hamdi Al Shenawi, Suhair Al Saad, Noor Al Shenawi, Noor Al Rumaihi, Zainab Salmeen, Noora Al Sadeh, Ali M Alfehaid, Musab Alshelali, Mohammed A Bin-Jabr, Hasheem A Alzeyadi, Rabbani M Daoud","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2420984","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2420984","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Interdigital Pilonidal Sinus (IPNS), also known as barber's disease, is a rare occupational disease that affects hairdressers and barbers. It develops when customers' hair penetrates the webspace between the fingers, causing a foreign body reaction. This cross-sectional study, conducted across all five governorates in Bahrain, aimed to investigate the prevalence of IPNS among hairdressers and barbers in Bahrain. A total of 479 participants (253 male and 226 female) from 384 hairdressing salons and barbershops were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Participants' age, hand dominance, nationality, smoking status, work experience, hygiene habits, and medical comorbidities were assessed through an interview-administered questionnaire. No cases of IPNS were identified in the study group; however, two male participants reported having Pilonidal Sinus (PNS) in the sacrococcygeal region. The study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period when rigorous hygiene practices were likely adopted due to government-enforced regulations. The absence of IPNS observed in the study group could be attributed to enhanced hygiene practices. It is also plausible that the association between IPNS and barbering was more of an exaggerated assumption adopted over time, rather than a causal relationship. Despite the limitations of the cross-sectional design, this study provides valuable insights into the prevalence of IPNS among hairdressers and barbers in Bahrain and underscores the importance of good hygiene practices in preventing infections. Future longitudinal studies are recommended to explore potential risk factors for IPNS in hair professionals.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"31-36"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142780346","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}