Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene最新文献

{"title":"Quantification of suppressor effects on breech and action noise from AR-15 pattern firearms and its implications for the protection of human hearing.","authors":"Robert J Agnew, Aaron Alexander, Carla Goad, Nason Pace, Justin Beel, Yasir Alabaaltahin, Bo Denny","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2334288","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2334288","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Noise from firearms is well known to be harmful to human hearing. This problem has been addressed by various military units through the use of muzzle suppressors. However, as suppressor technology has advanced, shooters report hearing the mechanical action of gas-operated semi-automatic rifles (ArmaLite Rifle Model 15 style aka AR-15) as being louder than the suppressed muzzle noise. This study aims to evaluate if harmful noise is present in the shooter's ear, even when impulse noise emanating from the muzzle is suppressed. To characterize the impulse noise of the firearm action caused by the reciprocation of the bolt carrier group (BCG) and subsequent impact when it returns to battery (the forward locked position), the muzzle of a rifle was placed through a constructed plywood wall, and the noise of the action/breech was measured independently from the muzzle noise. This research finds that the impact of the BCG returning to battery (132 dBZ) has the potential to be harmful to the shooter's hearing even when the noise from the muzzle is effectively suppressed.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"455-474"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140859534","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":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2363168","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2024.2363168","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":"21 7","pages":"D13-D14"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143189390","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":"Evaluation of flow controllers used with evacuated canisters to assess VOC exposures in occupational and non-occupational environments.","authors":"Alan Rossner, David P Wick, Ryan F LeBouf, Christopher Lutes, Marley Carroll","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2345150","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2345150","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ideally, measuring exposures to volatile organic compounds should allow for modifying sampling duration without loss in sensitivity. Traditional sorbent-based sampling can vary sampling duration, but sensitivity may be affected when capturing shorter tasks. Diaphragm and capillary flow controllers allow for a range of flow rates and sampling durations for air sampling with evacuated canisters. The goal of this study was to evaluate the extent to which commercialized capillary flow controllers satisfy the bias (±10%) and accuracy (±25%) criteria for air sampling methods as established by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) using the framework of ASTM D6246 <i>Standard Practice for Evaluating the Performance of Diffusive Samplers</i> to compare their performance with diaphragm flow controllers in a long-term field study. Phase 1 consisted of a series of laboratory tests to evaluate capillary flow controller flow rates with respect to variations in temperature (-15-24 °C). The results demonstrated a slight increase in flow rate with lower temperatures. In Phase 2, the capillary flow controller was evaluated utilizing a matrix of parameters, including time-weighted average concentration, peak concentration (50-100× base concentration), air velocity across the sampler inlet (0.41-0.5 m/s), relative humidity (20-80%), and temperature (10-32 °C). Comparison of challenge concentrations with reference concentrations revealed the aggregate bias and overall accuracy for four tested compounds to be within the range of criteria for both NIOSH and ASTM standards. Additionally, capillary flow controllers displayed lower variability in flow rate and measured concentration (RSD: 2.4% and 4.3%, respectively) when compared with diaphragm flow controllers (RSD: 6.9% and 7.2%, respectively) for 24-hr laboratory tests. Phase 3 involved further testing of flow rate variability for both diaphragm and capillary flow controllers in a field study. The capillary flow controller displayed a lower level of variability (RSD: 5.2%) than the diaphragm flow controller (RSD: 8.0%) with respect to flow rate, while allowing for longer durations of sampling.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"504-514"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141457501","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 scoping review to evaluate occupational controls and their effectiveness when handling engineered nanomaterials in workplaces.","authors":"Sriram Prasath, Kavitha Palaniappan, Sally Chan, Carole James","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2339383","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2339383","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Research has shown that controlling worker exposure to engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) helps to reduce the exposure risk to employees in workplaces. This study aimed to identify the available evidence on the effectiveness of various control methods used in the workplace to reduce worker exposure to ENMs. The search was conducted in databases-Medline, OVID, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Cochrane and the gray literature published from January 2010 to December 2022. The search keywords included ENM controls and their efficiency in workplace environments. Of the 152 studies retrieved, 22 were included in the review. The control measures in the review included (1) substitution controls; (2) engineering measures (i.e., isolation, direct source extraction, and wetting technologies); (3) personal protective equipment; and (4) administrative and work practices. The study results indicate that the above-mentioned control measures were effective in reducing ENM exposures. This information can be used to help employers choose the most effective controls for their workplaces.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"515-528"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140958133","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 comparative study of point-of-care protection from N95 filtering face-piece respirators in a Residential Aged Care Facility and a Tertiary Hospital-Respiratory protection challenges remain amidst long-term impacts of COVID-19.","authors":"Darius Chapman, Campbell Strong, Dhani Dharmaprani, Kathryn Tiver, Prabhpreet Kaur, Anand N Ganesan","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2345145","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2345145","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study compared the effectiveness of N95 FFRs in providing respiratory protection for healthcare staff in a residential aged care facility (RACF) and tertiary teaching hospital (TTH) who had previously passed their occupational respiratory protection program fit test. A total of 126 healthcare workers who were regularly using N95 FFRs and who had previously passed a fit test participated in this comparative study. In this study, participants were again fit tested with the PortaCount machine, and their self-assessed tolerability of wearing an N95 FFR was assessed using a standardized questionnaire. The main outcome measures included the pass rate of the fit test and the assessment of tolerability and comfort of the N95 FFR. Across all participants, the fit test pass rate was low (27%), indicating persistent gaps in respiratory protection programs for healthcare workers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Hospital workers were 3.7 times more likely to pass the test compared to their counterparts in RACFs (<i>p</i> < 0.001). It was also found that workers in RACFs reported higher levels of discomfort and overall dissatisfaction with N95 FFRs compared to hospital staff. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and improvements in respiratory protection practices beyond annual fit testing, particularly in RACFs, to ensure the safety of healthcare workers and the vulnerable population they serve.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"485-493"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141432092","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":"Permeation of a firearm cleaning solvent through disposable nitrile gloves.","authors":"Travis D Cribbs, Shane S Que Hee","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2345815","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2345815","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The objective was to study the interaction of the components of a complex liquid mixture on the permeation parameters of its constituents. A firearm cleaning solvent, Hoppes No. 9 Gun Bore Cleaner, was selected to challenge two varieties of disposable nitrile gloves, the thinnest (Kimberly-Clark Lavender) and thickest (Kimberly-Clark Blue), using the closed-loop ASTM F739 cell without recirculation and n-decane collection followed by quantitation of the permeated compounds using capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The thicker Blue glove resisted the permeation of Hoppe's relative to the thinner Lavender glove as shown by 3.2 times more mass permeated by the Lavender glove at 60 min despite the same standardized breakthrough times (7.5 ± 2.5 min). The kerosene fraction permeated faster at a much higher rate than expected. The Kimberly-Clark disposable nitrile glove chemical resistance guide lists a breakthrough time for kerosene of 82 min for Sterling disposable nitrile glove material. However, for Hoppe's the kerosene components appeared at the standardized breakthrough time. Mixture components that were reported by the glove manufacturer to quickly permeate the disposable nitrile material, such as ethanol, did not permeate at a rate slower than expected, indicative of a possible carrier function. A semiquantitative risk assessment confirmed the unacceptability of both gloves. Persons using personal protective equipment, such as gloves, may not be afforded the expected resistance to chemical permeation when chemicals are in a suitable mixture, hence enhancing the risk of exposure. More research is needed to produce better glove testing measures to ensure the safety of workers.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"494-503"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11479594/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141262195","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":"Study on the relationship between the fitness of three types of N95 respirators and facial dimensions.","authors":"Guifang Wang, Changwei Luo, Can Cui, Jing Huang","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2311295","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2311295","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>N95 respirators are the core equipment used by healthcare workers to prevent the spread of respiratory diseases. The protective effect of N95 against infection spread depends on the fit of the N95 to the wearer, which is related to the wearer's facial dimensions. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess the relationship between the fit of three types of N95 and facial dimensions. A total of 305 healthcare workers from ten hospitals in Beijing were recruited for this study. Facial dimensions of workers were measured using Intel RealSense Depth Camera D435. Fit testing was conducted on three types of N95 using the TSI-8038 Porta Count Pro + Respirator Fit Tester. Possible associations between the fit test results and facial dimension data were examined. A Porta Count reading of 100 was used as the criterion for an acceptable fit. The fit of the folding respirators was positively correlated with nose length (<i>r</i> = 0.13, <i>p</i> = 0.02), nose height (<i>r</i> = 0.14, <i>p</i> = 0.02), and face width (<i>r</i> = 0.12, <i>p</i> = 0.03), whereas that of flat respirators was correlated with nose width (<i>r</i> = 0.16, <i>p</i> < 0.01), chin length (<i>r</i> = 0.18, <i>p</i> < 0.01), and pro-face width (<i>r</i> = 0.13, <i>p</i> = 0.02), and that of arched respirators was correlated with the nose length (<i>r</i> = 0.13, <i>p</i> = 0.03). The fit of N95 for wearers depends on their facial features. The results of this study can provide advice for medical workers to choose the appropriate N95. Medical staff should fully consider their facial dimensions when choosing an appropriate N95 to improve the protective efficacy of respirators and to reduce the risk of infection by respiratory diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"319-325"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139983137","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":"Feasibility of residential air quality monitoring to address asthma outcomes.","authors":"Laura Ikuma, Isaac Ntiamoah, Alicia Van Doren, Arundhati Bakshi, Isabelina Nahmens","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2315158","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2315158","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Improving asthma outcomes for underserved populations can be addressed through interventions to improve indoor air quality (IAQ). New protocol for measuring IAQ and health outcomes are imperative given advances in IAQ monitoring technology and challenges in conducting intervention research in homes. In this pilot study HEPA air purifiers and HEPA vacuum cleaners were provided to five homes with children with asthma. For 6 weeks, eight common components of air quality were measured using a low-cost multi-channel air quality monitoring device, with data conveyed directly from participant homes via Wi-Fi connection. In conjunction with periodic surveys on asthma control, impact of asthma on quality of life and intervention compliance, outcomes compared IAQ, home characteristics, and asthma-related measures. This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of a protocol to evaluate a dual component intervention to improve IAQ in homes, as measured with a low-cost air quality monitoring device.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"311-318"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140336010","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":"Work-related factors of mental health among Chicago residents two years into the COVID-19 pandemic.","authors":"Julia F Lippert, Taylor Lewis, Douglas Bruce, Nena Trifunović, Meha Singh, Nik Prachand","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2323108","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2323108","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread consequences for economic, social, and general wellbeing with rates of anxiety and depression increasing across the population and disproportionately for some workers. This study explored which factors were the most salient contributors to mental health through a cross-sectional 68-item questionnaire that addressed topics related to the pandemic. Data were collected through an address-based sampling frame over the two months from April 2022 to June 2022. A total of 2,049 completed surveys were collected throughout Chicago's 77 Community Areas. Descriptive statistics including frequency and percentages were generated to describe workplace characteristics, work-related stress, and sample demographics and their relationship to psychological distress. Independent participant and workplace factors associated with the outcomes were identified using multivariable logistic regression. The weighted prevalence of persons experiencing some form of psychological distress from mild to serious was 32%. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, certain marginalized communities experienced psychological distress more than others including females, adults over the age of 25 years of age, and people with higher income levels. Those who had been laid off, lost pay, or had reduced hours had increased odds of psychological distress (aOR = 1.71, CI_95% 1.14-2.56; <i>p</i> = 0.009) as did people that reported that their work-related stress was somewhat or much worse as compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic (aOR = 2.22, CI_95% 1.02-4.82; <i>p</i> = 0.04, aOR = 11.0, CI_95% 4.65-26.1; <i>p</i> < 0.001, respectively). These results warrant further investigation and consideration in developing workplace and mental health interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"365-377"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140336011","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 exploratory survey of on-site heat stress management practices in the Canadian mining industry.","authors":"Emily J Tetzlaff, Fergus K O'Connor, Robert D Meade, Glen P Kenny","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2332722","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2024.2332722","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>With climate change fueling more frequent and intense periods of hot weather, heat stress management programs are becoming increasingly important for protecting the health and safety of workers in the Canadian mining industry. While the inclusion of heat-mitigation measures such as those provided by the American College of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) are commonly employed by industry, there is a need to develop more comprehensive industry-specific measures for heat stress prevention and management. To better understand current heat management practices and identify opportunities for improvement, an exploratory survey of 51 employees responsible for health and safety at underground mining (<i>n</i> = 35), and surface operations (<i>n</i> = 16) (e.g., open-pit mining, milling, smelting, and exploration site) was conducted in Canada. The respondents answered 50 questions related to workplace heat stress management, including descriptors of the workplace environment, perceived heat stress hazard, administration of heat stress management programming, heat stress emergency procedures, environmental monitoring strategies, and knowledge of mining-specific regulations related to heat stress. Twenty-four managers (47%) reported that heat-related illnesses led to restricted duty or lost time claims at their site, with a median of 5 [IQR: 2-10, max: 30] reportable heat-related illnesses occurring per site annually. Many also felt that heat-related illnesses are under-reported by their workforce (<i>n</i> = 36, 71%). Most sites reported established heat stress management programs to prevent heat illness (<i>n</i> = 43, 84%), typically based on the TLVs (<i>n</i> = 38, 75%). Although some organizations do conduct pre-task evaluations for heat stress (<i>n</i> = 30, 59%), more than half do not conduct post-job evaluations (<i>n</i> = 28, 55%) or pre-employment screening for heat stress vulnerability (<i>n</i> = 3, 6%). While our findings indicate that the health and safety managers recognize the hazard posed by heat and have stated practices to help address the hazard, we also observed inconsistencies in heat stress management programming across the sample. Developing and adopting a standard heat stress management and reporting system would be an important step toward protecting workers from existing and emerging threats from extreme heat and climate change.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"409-422"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140891994","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}