Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene最新文献

{"title":"Respirable dust and crystalline silica concentrations among workers at a brick kiln in Bhaktapur, Nepal.","authors":"John D Beard, Scott C Collingwood, James D LeCheminant, Neil E Peterson, Paul R Reynolds, Juan A Arroyo, Andrew J South, Clifton B Farnsworth, Gerardo Fong, Taylor Cisneros, Mariah Taylor, Seshananda Sanjel, James D Johnston","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2311873","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2311873","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Exposure to respirable dust and crystalline silica (SiO₂) has been linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, silicosis, cancer, heart disease, and other respiratory diseases. Relatively few studies have measured respirable dust and SiO₂ concentrations among workers at brick kilns in low- and middle-income countries. The purpose of this study was to measure personal breathing zone (PBZ) respirable dust and SiO₂ concentrations among workers at one brick kiln in Bhaktapur, Nepal. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 49 workers in five job categories: administration, fire master, green (unfired) brick hand molder, green brick machine molder, and top loader. PBZ air samples were collected from each worker following Methods 0600 (respirable dust) and 7500 (respirable crystalline SiO₂: cristobalite, quartz, tridymite) of the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Eight-hour time-weighted average (TWA) respirable dust and quartz concentrations were also calculated. SiO₂ percentage was measured in one bulk sample each of wet clay, the release agent used by green brick hand molders, and top coat soil at the brick kiln. The geometric mean (GM) sample and TWA respirable dust concentrations were 0.20 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.16, 0.27) and 0.12 (95% CI: 0.09, 0.16) mg/m³, respectively. GM sample and TWA quartz concentrations were 15.28 (95% CI: 11.11, 21.02) and 8.60 (95% CI: 5.99, 12.34) µg/m³, respectively. Job category was significantly associated with GM sample and TWA respirable dust and quartz concentrations (all <i>p</i> < 0.0001). Top loaders had the highest GM sample and TWA respirable dust concentrations of 1.49 and 0.99 mg/m³, respectively. Top loaders also had the highest GM sample and TWA quartz concentrations of 173.08 and 114.39 µg/m³, respectively. Quartz percentages in bulk samples were 16%-27%. Interventions including using wet methods to reduce dust generation, administrative controls, personal protective equipment, and education and training should be implemented to reduce brick kiln worker exposures to respirable dust and SiO₂.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"247-258"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140049736","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":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2330872","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2330872","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"D5-D6"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140288322","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 antimicrobial zinc ion fiber for COVID-19 prevention in nonwoven face coverings for healthcare settings.","authors":"Meredith McQuerry, Annie Dodson","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2310675","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2310675","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The COVID-19 pandemic created an unprecedented increase in the usage of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the healthcare industry, especially in the form of face coverings. Subsequently, guidelines related to breathability and wear comfort were published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as an influx of various new materials entered the PPE market. This study evaluated a proprietary, novel, zinc-ion embedded fiber with the ability to deactivate bacteria and viruses, including SARS-COV-2, for its wear comfort in a nonwoven disposable mask in comparison to a commercially available surgical face mask which served as the control. Ten healthy, full-time, career, firefighters participated in this study wearing both masks in a randomized fashion. A medical task simulation (MTS) protocol was developed to replicate nursing task metabolic rates, per the compendium of physical activities, via a graded treadmill walking exercise. Participant ratings including ease of mask fit, overall mask comfort, facial comfort, breathability, and facial temperature sensation were recorded before, during, and after the 50-minute protocol in a controlled environmental chamber. The 100% nylon, zinc ion mask was rated as slightly cooler at the beginning of the trial (at 0.8 vs. 1.3), than the commercially available polypropylene mask. The polypropylene mask also reached a perceived mask facial comfort (MFC) rating of 1.6 just 35 min into the protocol whereas the zinc ion mask did not reach a rating of slight discomfort until the end of the exercise. Findings indicate the novel zinc-ion embedded mask was as comfortable, if not more so, than the commercially available nonwoven mask with more favorable ratings for longer durations. Not only do the zinc properties provide enhanced protection, but they maintain, if not improve, wearer comfort.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"239-246"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140028266","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":"Controlling <i>Legionella pneumophila</i> growth in hot water systems by reducing dissolved oxygen levels.","authors":"J David Krause","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2313580","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2313580","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Legionella pneumophila</i>, the leading cause of Legionnaires' disease in the United States, is found in lakes, ponds, and streams but poses a health risk when it grows in building water systems. The growth of <i>L. pneumophila</i> in hot water systems of healthcare facilities poses a significant risk to patients, staff, and visitors. Hospitals and long-term care facilities account for 76% of reported Legionnaires' disease cases with mortality rates of 25%. Controlling <i>L. pneumophila</i> growth in hot water systems serving healthcare and hospitality buildings is currently achieved primarily by adding oxidizing chemical disinfectants. Chemical oxidants generate disinfection byproducts and can accelerate corrosion of premise plumbing materials and equipment. Alternative control methods that do not generate hazardous disinfection byproducts or accelerate corrosion are needed. <i>L. pneumophila</i> is an obligate aerobe that cannot sustain cellular respiration, amplify, or remain culturable when dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations are too low (< 0.3 mg/L). An alternative method of controlling <i>L. pneumophila</i> growth by reducing DO levels in a hot water model system using a gas transfer membrane contactor was evaluated. A hot water model system was constructed and inoculated with <i>L. pneumophila</i> at DO concentrations above 0.5 mg/L. Once the model system was colonized, DO levels were incrementally reduced. Water samples were collected each week to evaluate the effect of reducing dissolved oxygen levels when all other conditions favored <i>Legionella</i> amplification. At DO concentrations below 0.3 mg/L, <i>L. pneumophila</i> concentrations were reduced by 1-log over 7 days. Under conditions in the hot water model system, at favorable temperatures and with no residual chlorine disinfectant, <i>L. pneumophila</i> concentrations were reduced by 1-log, indicating growth inhibition by reducing DO levels as the sole control measure. In sections of the model system where DO levels were not lowered <i>L. pneumophila</i> continued to grow. Reducing dissolved oxygen levels in hot water systems of healthcare and other large buildings to control <i>L. pneumophila</i> could also lower the risk of supplemental chemical treatment methods currently in use.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"259-269"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140049702","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":"Occupational exposure to chemical substances and health outcomes among hospital environmental services workers: A scoping review of international studies.","authors":"Stephanie Betancur, Ashley Leak Bryant, Jamie Conklin, AnnMarie Walton","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2311870","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2311870","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Environmental services (EVS) workers are essential to preventing the spread of disease in hospitals. However, their exposure to hazardous chemicals and drugs is understudied. This scoping review will synthesize literature on hazardous chemical exposures and adverse health outcomes among EVS workers to identify research gaps and trends for further investigation. The scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to ensure complete and accurate reporting. The scoping review included 25 studies on occupational exposure to chemicals among EVS workers in hospitals. Most studies focused on exposure to cleaning products, which led to dermal, respiratory, and ocular symptoms, oxidative stress, and inflammation. While personal protective equipment (PPE), training, education, and policies have the potential to enhance safety, further research is required to examine the long-term impacts of exposure and the cost-effectiveness of interventions. Future studies should utilize longitudinal approaches and self-reported data collection methods, such as diaries and interviews, to comprehensively assess exposure risks and develop effective interventions and policies. Future research is needed to understand the potential health risks faced by EVS workers from exposure to chemicals in hospitals. Longitudinal studies with objective exposure assessments and larger sample sizes should be conducted. Policies and interventions must be developed and implemented to improve safe work practices and reduce negative health outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"287-309"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11172402/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140049735","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":"Design of customizable personal protective equipment for 3-D printing: Performance evaluation of N95 respirators using computational fluid dynamics.","authors":"Jack Leidemann, João Paulo Dias, Moayyad Al-Nasra","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2023.2299811","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2023.2299811","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>3-D printing the structural components of facemasks and personal protective equipment (PPE) based on 3-D facial scans creates a high degree of customizability. As a result, the facemask fits more comfortably with its user's specific facial characteristics, filters contaminants more effectively with its increased sealing effect, and minimizes waste with its cleanable and reusable plastic structure compared to other baseline models. In this work, 3-D renditions of the user's face taken with smartphone laser scanning techniques were used to generate customized computer-aided design (CAD) models for the several components of an N95 respirator, which are each designed with considerations for assembly and 3-D printing constraints. Thorough analyses with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were carried out to verify the respirator's efficiency in filtering airborne contaminants to comply with industry safety guidelines and generate data to showcase the relationships between various input and output design parameters. This involved a comparative study to identify the ideal cross-sectional geometry of exposed filter fabric, a sensitivity study to evaluate the respirator's ability to protect the user in various scenarios, and the 3-D printing of several prototypes to estimate printing time, cost of materials, and comfort level at the user's face. Results showed that the combination of different digital tools can increase efficiency in the design, performance assessment, and production of customized N95-rated respirators.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"169-188"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140049734","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 analyses of accumulation of carcinogenic contaminants on retired firefighter ensembles.","authors":"Jake Mitchell, Jooyeon Hwang, Preston Larson, Sumit Mandal, Robert J Agnew","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2023.2296628","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2023.2296628","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Personal protective equipment (PPE) is designed to protect firefighters from hazards encountered on the fire scene, including heat and products of combustion. Decontamination practices for firefighter turnout gear have been developed to remove combustion products and other contaminants from the fabric of structural firefighting ensembles (i.e., turnout or bunker gear). Chronic exposures to residual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are a contributing cause of firefighter cancers. To identify and quantify residual contamination of PAH, samples were taken from two individual decommissioned structural firefighting ensembles and analyzed by layer (outer canvas shell, moisture barrier, and the thermal protective liner) for (1) textile integrity via field emission scanning electron microscopy and (2) quantity of PAH contamination by high-pressure liquid chromatography with ultraviolet/fluorescence detection. The results of these analyses show the presence of the PAH compounds pyrene (35% of the total mass of PAH), phenanthrene (21%), benzo(a)pyrene (14%), and benzo(a)anthracene (14%) which present a risk for dermal absorption. The data also revealed that PAH penetration through the layers of the firefighting ensemble was strongly inhibited by the moisture barrier layer.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"213-219"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139983136","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":"Cancer risk assessment, its wretched history and what it means for public health.","authors":"Edward J Calabrese","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2311300","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2311300","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"220-238"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140059663","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":"Prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms among cement factory workers in Gauteng Province, South Africa.","authors":"Asanda Mkulisi, Phoka C Rathebe, Elizabeth Kachingwe, Shalin Bidassey-Manilal","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2324601","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2324601","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cement workers are exposed to various kinds of occupational hazards, dust being the most hazardous. Despite certain exposure limits on the emission of air pollutants in place, several people die each year due to complications from respiratory disease. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms among workers exposed to cement dust. A quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional design was employed among 81 workers from two cement production companies in Gauteng, South Africa in 2018. A self-administered questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, and a spirometry test were used as data collection tools. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon rank sum, binary logistic regression, Pearson's chi-squared, and Fischer's exact tests. Respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, recurring blocked nose, sneezing/stuffy nose, fatigue/tiredness, rapid breathing, soreness/watery eyes, and breathlessness were significantly prevalent among participants from both facilities. Engineering and housekeeping control measures such as the use of High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) vacuums to clean up dust and proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) where workers are exposed to dust particles should be implemented.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"202-211"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140136923","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":"Descriptive summary of fatal work-related injuries, Western States, 2011–2017","authors":"Gialana Dang, Suzanne Marsh, Tristan Victoroff, Christa Hale, Joanna Watson, Kyle Moller, Laura Styles, Emily Healy, Tasha Chapman, Ketki Patel, Anna Fondario, Todd Schoonover, Sara Wuellner, Meredith Towle","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2302470","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2024.2302470","url":null,"abstract":"Work-related deaths are a persistent occupational health issue that can be prevented. However, prevention opportunities can be hampered by a lack of adequate public health resources. The Western St...","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":"9 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139967785","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}