Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene最新文献

{"title":"Investigation of skin-deposited particulate matter from smelting operations via tape stripping and SEM-EDS.","authors":"Rikke Bramming Jørgensen, Ida Teresia Kero, Sigurd Wenner, Marit Nøst Hegseth, Solveig Føreland","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2602756","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2602756","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigated the elemental composition and particle size of particulate matter (PM) deposited on the skin from industrial exposure during work in a ferro-silicon smelter using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Tape stripping and interception sampling methods were trialed with different tape types. D-squame tape, together with the D-squame applicator instrument, was chosen because it represented a replicable and standardized method allowing SEM analyses to be performed, enabled analyses of deeper skin layers, and had no negative attributes compared to carbon tape when a protocol for imaging non-conductive specimens was used. The underside of the wrist was selected as the sampling site. The observed particle sizes varied from approximately 200 µm to 200 nm. The backscattered electron mode was best adapted to detect particles inside the stratum corneum (SC) due to all detected inorganic compounds giving stronger backscattering than skin. Elemental analysis was obtained by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Using the results of 10 repetitive samples from the worker with the most PM exposure, the elemental concentration profiles for Si, Fe, and S in the SC were measured. The elemental concentration showed an exponential decrease during the first four strips, suggesting that most particle penetration is hindered by the first few layers of the SC.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"286-301"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146018530","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":"An ontology to support hearing protection device selection and reduce noise-induced hearing loss.","authors":"Nourhan K Abouzahra, Cogan M Shimizu, Michael E Miller","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2602770","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2602770","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is widespread. Hearing protection devices (HPDs) are intended to reduce noise exposure and limit NIHL. However, rigorous HPD selection is complex as HPDs often impede auditory functions necessary to maintain situation awareness, and selection is dependent upon diverse user needs, environmental contexts, and behavioral factors. This research employs a modular ontology method to develop a knowledge representation to unify conceptual understanding and the availability of passive HPD data among industrial hygienists and experts across the United States Department of Defense and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. The objective of the study was to harmonize standard terminology, identify a comprehensive set of metrics, and create a searchable repository to facilitate HPD selection. By capturing human, environmental, and device-related attributes in a structured, machine-readable format, the ontology lays the foundation for a sharable repository to support user-centered, and context-specific HPD selection. Unfortunately, detailed technical data to support selection is not readily available. Data collection efforts are recommended to populate the ontology, providing practitioners with access to metrics and data to support analytic HPD selection.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"302-318"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145917747","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":"Special issue on firefighter safety and health.","authors":"Robert Agnew, Aurora Le","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2677448","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2026.2677448","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":"23 5","pages":"D13-D14"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148031654","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 of particle size distributions between conventional cigarettes and electronic cigarettes based on aerosolization mechanisms, and development of a dosing algorithm for human deposition fraction.","authors":"Seungjae Gwak, Chungsup Kim, Hyeongkyu Kwon, Jonghyun Lee, Yongjae Cho, Seongmin Cho, Yusun Lee, Dong-Bin Kwak","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2602755","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2602755","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fine particles generated by smoking or vaping from Conventional Cigarettes (CC) and Electronic Cigarettes (EC) (e.g., VAPE, Heat Not Burn (HNB), and Glycerin added Heat Not Burn (GHNB)) pose significant health risks due to their ability to penetrate deeply into the respiratory system and deposit toxic compounds. While previous studies have provided valuable insights, many of them have not fully addressed methodological challenges in replicating human puffing or have focused on limited product types rather than comparing multiple types of cigarette products, including CC, VAPE, HNB, and GHNB, within a single study. In this study, an aerosol sampling system was developed that incorporates an interface that mimics human-respiration and was designed to convert transient puff flow into steady-state flow, integrated with a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) capable of scanning ultrafine particles down to 10 nm. This setup enabled a consistent comparison across multiple cigarette product types including CC, VAPE, HNB, and GHNB. It was found that the particle peak diameter varied depending on the aerosolization mechanisms and categorized into three aerosolization regions: Combustion, Vaporization, and Thermal Decomposition. A dosing algorithm was derived using a surface area metric to calculate the deposition rates of aerosol particles in the human body. Due to the inherent upper size limit of the SMPS instrument, our quantitative interpretation is reliable for particles a few hundred nanometers in diameter and smaller. The results obtained through the dosing algorithm revealed that aerosol particles generated by CC and HNB exhibited the greatest level of accumulation in the human body, followed by GHNB and VAPE. The presented method provides a consistent experimental framework for comparing different smoking or vaping products and offers a useful indicator for exposure assessment. Moreover, our sampling system and dosing algorithm may also be informative for future studies related to inhalation-based therapeutics and respiratory protection beyond cigarette products, particularly as an experimental and conceptual tool for estimating particle deposition.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"263-274"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146018130","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":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2672908","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2672908","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"D11-D12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147948667","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":"Enhancing and sustaining noise attenuation from hearing protection devices: A mixed methods review of fit testing and instruction approaches.","authors":"Wei Gong, Thais C Morata, Alessandra G Samelli","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2602758","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2602758","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Extensive training has been shown to improve the effectiveness of hearing protection devices (HPDs) in reducing noise exposure for workers. This study aimed to (1) assess the evidence for short- and long-term effectiveness of HPD fit testing paired with extensive instructions and (2) identify the type and frequency of refresher instruction associated with maintaining its effectiveness. A literature search was completed on February 5, 2025. The inclusion criteria focused on uncontrolled before-and-after (UBA) studies that reported personal attenuation ratings (PARs) provided by HPDs in the field. A total of 23 UBA studies involving 5,575 workers were included, meta-analyses were performed when multiple comparable studies were located. For earplugs, retesting immediately after extensive training increased the mean PAR by 12.88 dB (13 studies) compared with the pre-intervention PARs without instructions. The improvement decreased to 8.84 dB (2 studies) within 6 months and further reduced to 4.46 dB (2 studies) at 12 months. For earmuffs, only one study reported increase in PARs of 5, 2, and 3 dB for immediate, short-term, and long-term assessment, respectively. Introducing extensive refresher training within a 6-month interval increased the mean PAR from earplugs by 1.53 dB (2 studies) compared with the post-intervention PAR retested immediately after extensive training, with a further increase of 3.45 dB (1 study) following annual extensive instruction. Simple refresher instructions within a 6-month interval maintained the PAR values (1 study). However, without any refresher training, the PAR decreased by 2.64 dB (2 studies) within 6 months and 3.09 dB (2 studies) over 6 months or longer. Refresher training may increase the probability that workers receive efficient protection from their HPDs. However, more high-quality studies could help inform the optimal type and frequency of refresher training.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"319-333"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12927255/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146064367","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":"Occupational exposures to illicit drugs in forensic science divisions.","authors":"Jennie Cox, Jacob Bartels, Mamadou Niang, Jessica Li, Kendra Broadwater, Sophia Chiu, Dallas Shi, Paro Sen, I-Chen Chen, Roy Gerona, Mikayla Gonzaga, Matthew Dahm","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2649752","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2649752","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Forensic scientists from local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies analyze evidence daily in which unknown substances suspected of containing illicit drugs are handled, weighed, and chemically processed. To address concerns about potential occupational exposures to opioids like fentanyl and other illicit substances, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a multi-site exposure assessment among forensic laboratory personnel. NIOSH evaluated personal and area air samples, handwipe samples, area surface samples, and personal biomonitoring urine samples for cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and other metabolites. Thirteen of the 91 personal air, time-weighted average (TWA) samples collected exceeded the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)^® Threshold Limit Value (TLV)^® for fentanyl of 100 ng/m³ (8 h TWA), with exceedances observed at 4 of 11 sites. The ACGIH Surface Limit (TLV-SL) of 10 ng/cm² for fentanyl was exceeded for 8 of 86 surface wipes taken in laboratories at 3 of 11 sites. Commonly touched surfaces found to be above the TLV-SL included laboratory scales, keyboards, return air vents, the top of a light fixture, and inside a laboratory hood. Similarly, there were detectable concentrations in air and surface samples for cocaine and methamphetamine. Eight of 11 sites had at least one person with some detectable level of an illicit drug or metabolite in a urine sample. Based on the results of the current study, safety thresholds for fentanyl were exceeded. For other illicit drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine, or heroin, thresholds have not been established to protect these workers. Due to the unpredictable nature of the evidence being handled, prudent occupational safety calls for minimizing exposure to chronic low doses of illicit drugs, as the health effects are unknown. To minimize exposure risk, best practices were identified from the literature and provided to each laboratory. Since potential health hazards have not been clearly established for chronic low-dose exposures, more research could lead to a better understanding of the potential health effects, if any, on workers.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-15"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13159553/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147690576","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":"Assessment of real-time measurements of respirable dust and crystalline silica concentrations.","authors":"M Gumulya, R N Carey, R Mead-Hunter","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2640000","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2026.2640000","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Real-time measurements of Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) can significantly enhance the capability of workplaces in conducting timely risk assessment and monitoring. A new device has recently been launched (Trolex Air-XS, United Kingdom) for real-time monitoring of RCS based on light-scattering optical refractometry technology. This study aimed to examine its capability in determining concentrations of respirable particles in general and distinguishing RCS proportions from other particulates. Tests were carried out in a controlled environmental chamber using various dust samples with different RCS content, employing two other light-scattering-based devices (Fidas Frog (Palas GmbH, Germany) and TSI DustTrak DRX 8533 (Shoreview, Minnesota, USA)). The tests revealed that while Air-XS demonstrated strong temporal correlation to the particle concentration readings of Fidas, it tended to record significantly lower particle number concentrations, largely because it does not include the sub-1-micron particle range within its algorithm/sensor capabilities. This presents a significant limitation, as sub-1-micron-sized particles are significant determinants in the toxicity of respirable aerosols. This study also found that the Air-XS device was unable to distinguish crystalline silica from general particulate dusts, possibly due to the relatively low dust loading in the test environment. Some measurements with the Fidas and the DustTrak indicated environments that were nearing the Australian Workplace Exposure Standard concentration, suggesting further controlled testing is needed to thoroughly assess the Air-XS capability in detecting and measuring RCS. These findings indicate that while the Air-XS may serve as a real-time indicator of high concentrations of respirable particles, it is not a substitute for established RCS assessment methods. Further independent testing across various conditions is needed to confirm its accuracy, sensitivity, and reliability.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147690531","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":"Special issue on firefighter safety and health.","authors":"Robert Agnew, Aurora Le","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2659543","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2026.2659543","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":"23 4","pages":"D9-D10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147774217","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":"Remediation of novel sources linked to an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in a manufacturing facility.","authors":"Kevin H Dunn, Jessica L Rinsky, Nancy Burton, Karl Feldmann, Alberto M Acosta, Hani M Mohamed, Lindsay Zielinski, Nakia S Clemmons, Chris Edens, Linda Bell, Jessica C Smith, Troy L Ritter, Melisa Willby, Rebecca Whisenhunt, Victoria Greer, Mitchell A Garber, Abdoulaye Diedhiou","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2589130","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2025.2589130","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In September 2022, public health officials identified a legionellosis outbreak among workers at a manufacturing facility. Upon recognition of the outbreak, public health officials and company management investigated to identify the source and prevent additional cases. Facility management assembled an inventory of potential water sources and worked with a consultant to conduct sampling. <i>Legionella</i> bacteria were cultured from bulk water samples collected from two water jet cutters and a floor scrubber. All other sampling locations had no <i>Legionella</i> identified by culture. Legionellosis cases were distributed throughout the facility. Floor scrubbers were used to clean up water that spilled from the water jet cutters and to clean the floors adjacent to employee work areas. After multiple cycles of cleaning and disinfection of the water jet cutters and floor scrubbers, repeat sampling revealed no <i>Legionella</i> detected. Company management returned the equipment to service in November 2022 with a maintenance, disinfection, and monitoring plan; no additional cases of legionellosis among employees have been reported. Evidence indicates that water jet cutters provided a conducive environment for <i>Legionella</i> growth, while floor scrubbers may have also contributed to employee exposure. This case study describes a remediation plan and illustrates the importance of identifying all potential <i>Legionella</i> sources and maintaining a comprehensive water management program to protect workers from <i>Legionella</i> and other waterborne pathogens.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"209-214"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12914729/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145911998","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}