Annals Of Work Exposures and Health最新文献

{"title":"Estimating the time-varying emission rate of peracetic acid.","authors":"Ryan Hines, Chun-Yu Chen, Mark Nicas, Gurumurthy Ramachandran","doi":"10.1093/annweh/wxae100","DOIUrl":"10.1093/annweh/wxae100","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The use of peracetic acid (PAA) as a general disinfectant has seen increasing usage in recent years, and although it is a strong irritant, exposure monitoring for PAA may often be difficult due to relatively high costs and the potential for interferences by other co-occurring chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide. These issues with exposure monitoring make modeling a potentially useful tool in exposure assessment of PAA if model parameters can be accurately determined. This study estimates the time-varying mass emission rate of PAA for use in exposure modeling by using the small spill model and examines the effect of various environmental conditions on the PAA evaporation rate, including surface roughness/substrate, general ventilation rate, and local wind speed. The relatively high evaporation rate constant (1.18 min-1) determined did not vary significantly with these parameters, suggesting it is applicable across a wide range of common environmental conditions. In addition, in a controlled chamber setting, the first-order decay rate constant for PAA in air was determined to be 0.5 h-1. The corresponding half-life of 83 min is approximately 4 times longer than previous estimates. This decay rate should be accounted for in future modeling and exposure assessments. To evaluate the estimated evaporation rate, trials were conducted in a highly controlled exposure chamber using conditions similar to those found in healthcare settings to compare predicted modeled concentrations to those made by a real-time detection instrument, SafeCide 2.0 (ChemDAQ, Inc.). The results of the trials indicate that the evaporation rate constant and well-mixed room model perform well in predicting the concentration of PAA over a range of conditions. Moreover, the modeling results and measured concentrations across all trials indicate a high potential for overexposure to PAA. Therefore, exposure controls must be adequate when considering the use of PAA as a general disinfectant.</p>","PeriodicalId":8362,"journal":{"name":"Annals Of Work Exposures and Health","volume":" ","pages":"297-309"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142930484","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":"Desktop 3D printers in the workplace: use, emissions, controls, and health.","authors":"Samantha Hall, Jade Sumner, Graeme Hunwin, Samuel Martell, Ian Pengelly, Veronica Brown, James Staff, James Forder, Delphine Bard","doi":"10.1093/annweh/wxae101","DOIUrl":"10.1093/annweh/wxae101","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Desktop three-dimensional (3D) printers are used in businesses, schools, and colleges, and are generally of an unenclosed design which may give rise to injuries or inhalation exposure to emissions of small particles (<1 µm) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The aim of this work was to explore the health risks related to the use of desktop 3D printers in workplaces in the United Kingdom. A digital survey on the use of desktop 3D printers was completed voluntarily and anonymously between February and June 2023, receiving 146 responses. The most common technology and material used for printing were \"filament deposition\" and \"polylactic acid,\" respectively. The median number of printers an organisation had in use in one room was 2. A median of 10 people could be in the room during printer operation. A range of finishing techniques were reportedly applied to the printed object including the use of hand tools and solvents. General room ventilation was the most common exposure control measure stated. Measurements of airborne particles and VOCs were taken at 2 sites: a university and an engineering workshop. Airborne particle number concentrations (<1 µm) did not significantly increase above background levels when the printers were operating at either site. At the university, where there was the largest number of printers in operation, some VOCs could be attributed to the printing process; however, concentrations remained low. Evidence of associated respiratory symptoms was gathered by asking volunteers at the 2 sites visited to complete a questionnaire. Seventeen volunteers across the 2 sites completed the survey. None stated that they had ever experienced acute symptoms from working with 3D printers. However, they did report symptoms which included tiredness, dry/cracked skin, headache, itchy/runny nose, and a cough, with some stating that these improved on their days off. Overall, limited evidence from published literature and this study suggests that exposure to desktop 3D printing emissions could be associated with short-term respiratory health symptoms. However, static measurements in 2 workplaces where multiple desktop 3D printers were in use did not show airborne particle number concentrations in the room rising above background levels and concentrations of measured VOCs were all low. These findings may be due to effective ventilation and other control measures which over half of the workplaces surveyed stated that they had in place.</p>","PeriodicalId":8362,"journal":{"name":"Annals Of Work Exposures and Health","volume":" ","pages":"284-296"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142885211","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 Nano Exposure Quantifier: a quantitative model for assessing nanoparticle exposure in the workplace.","authors":"Ruby Vermoolen, Remy Franken, Tanja Krone, Neeraj Shandilya, Henk Goede, Hasnae Ben Jeddi, Eelco Kuijpers, Calvin Ge, Wouter Fransman","doi":"10.1093/annweh/wxae104","DOIUrl":"10.1093/annweh/wxae104","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Exposure to manufactured nanomaterials (MNs) is a growing concern for occupational health and safety. Reliable methods for assessing and predicting MN exposure are essential to mitigate associated risks. This study presents the development of the Nano Exposure Quantifier (NEQ), a mechanistic model designed to assess airborne MN exposure in the workplace. By utilizing a dataset of 128 MN measurements from existing exposure studies, the model demonstrates its effectiveness in estimating MN exposure levels for particles smaller than 10 µm. The NEQ provides estimates in terms of particle number concentration accompanied by a 95% confidence interval (CI), enabling a comprehensive assessment of MN exposure. The NEQ includes 2 quantitative models: a simplified tier 1 model and a more comprehensive tier 2 model. Both tier 1 and tier 2 models exhibit robust performance, with correlation coefficients (r) of 0.57 and 0.62, respectively. The models exhibit a moderate level of error, as indicated by residuals' standard deviation of 4.10 for tier 1 and 3.90 for tier 2. The tier 1 model demonstrates a slightly higher overestimation bias (1.15) compared to the tier 2 model (0.54). Overall, the NEQ offers a practical and reliable approach for estimating MN exposure in occupational settings. Future validation studies will investigate the impact of initial calibration efforts, heteroscedasticity, and further refine the model's accuracy.</p>","PeriodicalId":8362,"journal":{"name":"Annals Of Work Exposures and Health","volume":" ","pages":"323-336"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11911509/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143063141","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":"The WHO/ILO Joint Estimates approach to occupational risk factor and burden of disease estimation: providing actionable evidence with impact across sectors in countries.","authors":"Tim Driscoll, Michelle C Turner, Paul J Villeneuve, Paul T J Scheepers, Vivi Schlünssen, Bochen Cao, Natalie C Momen, Frank Pega","doi":"10.1093/annweh/wxae107","DOIUrl":"10.1093/annweh/wxae107","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8362,"journal":{"name":"Annals Of Work Exposures and Health","volume":" ","pages":"337-343"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11911508/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143370349","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 health of drilling waste workers as related to microbial exposure and waste treatment methods.","authors":"Elke Eriksen, Hanne Line Daae, Anani Komlavi Afanou, Anne Mette Madsen, Pål Graff","doi":"10.1093/annweh/wxae102","DOIUrl":"10.1093/annweh/wxae102","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Exposure to microorganisms is a known contributor to occupational disease. This study assessed drilling waste workers' health status and investigated the potential of inhalable bioaerosols to elicit an immune response in vitro and in vivo.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Venous blood and self-reported health data were collected from 56 and 73 Norwegian drilling waste workers, respectively. Immunological effects were assessed as Toll-like receptor (TLR) activation potential of personal air samples in vitro and biomarker expression in workers' plasma samples in vivo. Parameters, such as BMI, sex, and smoking habits, were considered along with factors such as purification technology of drilling waste when biomarker expression was interpreted. Symptom prevalence among exposed workers was compared to an unexposed control group.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Personal air samples activated TLR signalling in vitro in 90% of all cases. The activation potential correlated significantly with work exposure to microbial agents and total dust. Significant differences in biomarker expression and symptom prevalence were identified between purification technologies and exposure groups. Drilling waste workers had significantly increased OR of skin irritation and respiratory symptoms compared to the control group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Exposure to microorganisms during the treatment of offshore drilling waste is an occupational health concern.</p>","PeriodicalId":8362,"journal":{"name":"Annals Of Work Exposures and Health","volume":" ","pages":"261-272"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142827273","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":"Silica exposure controls usage in masonry and concrete trades: before and after enactment of the OSHA Silica Construction Rule (1926.1153).","authors":"Deborah E Dickerson, Ari Joseph Goldberg","doi":"10.1093/annweh/wxae106","DOIUrl":"10.1093/annweh/wxae106","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>In 2017, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Construction Industry Respirable Crystalline Silica rule (1926.1153) became effective. This regulation stipulates silica exposure control methods to be used in specific construction tasks (1926.1153 Table 1). The present study examined the impact of the regulation on usage of control methods. Reported are findings from 2 surveys of concrete and masonry contractors conducted 3 years prior to, and 3 years following, the OSHA rule.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>In 2014 and 2021, a telephone survey was conducted of the following trade associations: the Mason Contractors Association of America (n = 700), the Concrete Sawing and Drilling Association (n = 541), and the American Concrete Pavement Association (n = 450). Collected were frequency of use of the following dust mitigation strategies: stationary masonry saw wet methods, stationary masonry saw dust capture, handheld saw wet methods, handheld saw dust capture, fiber-cement saw dust capture, walk-behind saws wet methods, walk-behind saws dust capture, impact and rotary hammer drills dust capture, jack hammer wet methods, jack hammer dust capture, handheld grinder dust capture, floor grinder wet method, floor grinder dust capture, and sweeping compound. The 5-point Likert-scale data were analyzed via the Welch's t-test. Open-ended questions about benefits, barriers, and motivations for using dust mitigation methods were analyzed via Content Analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Significant increases in usage were found across many control methods. Highly significant increases in frequency of use were found for handheld saw dust capture, fiber-cement dust capture, handheld grinder dust capture, and impact and rotary hammer dust capture.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Overall, the study provides evidence that the OSHA rule has been effective in effecting change in these silica-exposing trades.</p>","PeriodicalId":8362,"journal":{"name":"Annals Of Work Exposures and Health","volume":" ","pages":"273-283"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143413291","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 a nano-specific safe-by-design module to identify risk management strategies.","authors":"Hasnae Ben Jeddi, Henk Goede, Remy Franken, Eugene van Someren, Neeraj Shandilya, Ruby Vermoolen, Josephine Steck, Sebastien Artous, Jorge Salvador Hermosilla, Wouter Fransman","doi":"10.1093/annweh/wxae088","DOIUrl":"10.1093/annweh/wxae088","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This article describes the development of a Safe-by-Design (SbD) module and its integration into an easy-to-use tool, named the Nano Exposure Quantifier-Safe-by-Design (NEQ-SbD) tool. The NEQ-SbD tool guides its user to lower the exposure to nanomaterials at the worksite where nanomaterials are manipulated or handled during a wide range of activities. This allows the tool user with an informed decision to assess airborne exposure and to select, compare, and identify appropriate risk management measures (RMM). The SbD module was developed using various information sources that can support and guide the SbD process, including the (i) RMM effectiveness based on analyses of an Exposure Control Efficacy Library (ECEL), (ii) RMM performance using a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model, (iii) e-cards based on a qualitative analysis of RMM information sources, and (iv) guidance for SbD strategy using an exposure directionality assessment. This information has been integrated in the user interface of the SbD module and NEQ-SbD tool to facilitate the SbD decision-making process. The SbD concept applied in the integrated NEQ-SbD tool introduces a comparison between a baseline exposure assessment and an (improved) SbD exposure assessment. The integrated NEQ-SbD tool consists of 4 modules including (i) a baseline exposure assessment, (ii) baseline results, (iii) SbD assessment, and (iv) SbD comparative results. The main purpose of the SbD module lies in guiding the user to the most sensitive (exposure) parameters and allowing a side-by-side comparison of potentially suitable RMMs. The integrated NEQ-SbD tool also offers a tiered approach and seamlessly shifts from a tier-1 to tier-2 uncertainty of an exposure assessment. The SbD module is illustrated using a worked example for the transfer of nano powders, showing the possibility of identifying SbD solutions for both safe-by-process and safe-by-material design purposes. The NEQ-SbD tool is a valuable tool for the SbD of nanomaterials and as a decision-making tool to support SbD risk management strategies that lead to minimizing health risks associated with occupational exposures.</p>","PeriodicalId":8362,"journal":{"name":"Annals Of Work Exposures and Health","volume":" ","pages":"310-322"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142885213","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":"Deconstruction of farm machine-related safety interventions: a systematic review and narrative synthesis.","authors":"Aswathi Surendran, Jennifer McSharry, Rossella Di Domenico, David Meredith, Oonagh Meade, Sandra Malone, Denis O'Hora","doi":"10.1093/annweh/wxae105","DOIUrl":"10.1093/annweh/wxae105","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Agricultural workplaces have a high number of incidents and fatalities, with the majority occurring from machinery use. Farmers' behaviour plays a critical role in maintaining safety, as improper or unsafe practices often lead to injuries and fatalities. This review categorises interventions targeting farm machine safety, examining both the behaviour change techniques (BCTs) used and their reported outcomes to understand how the techniques influence safety practices and outcomes on farms.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The systematic review is reported in accordance with the Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines. Seven electronic databases were searched for relevant studies published before June 2024, and the quality of included studies was assessed using Cochrane risk of bias assessment tools. Analysis of intervention behavioural components was guided by the behaviour change wheel framework and BCT taxonomy (v1). The findings were synthesised using a narrative review.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Nine studies were included and a total of 21 BCTs were identified. The most frequently coded BCTs were 4.1 (instruction on how to perform the behaviour), 10.8 (incentive [outcome]), and 16.3 (vicarious consequences) (each n = 6). Reported outcomes included reductions in injury rates, improved adoption of safety devices, implementation of safety measures, and positive shifts in safety norms and perceptions. However, due to variations in intervention design and reporting, assessing the direct impact of specific BCTs on these outcomes proved challenging.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The use of BCT taxonomy provided a common language for describing intervention components and enabled the standardisation of intervention content analysis. While patterns were observed regarding the commonly used BCTs, their implementation and outcomes, the heterogeneity and limited details provided by studies limited our ability to discern their effectiveness. Providing (i) greater transparency in reporting active intervention components and (ii) clearer connections between components and specific outcomes, will enable enhanced comparisons of future studies, and facilitate a greater understanding of how to support safe machine-related behaviours on farms.</p>","PeriodicalId":8362,"journal":{"name":"Annals Of Work Exposures and Health","volume":" ","pages":"233-250"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11911511/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142969480","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":"Respiratory quaternary ammonium and volatile organic compound exposures experienced by home care aides during residential bathroom cleaning using conventional and green products.","authors":"Margaret M Quinn, John E Lindberg, Rebecca J Gore, Susan R Sama, Catherine J Galligan, David Kriebel, Pia K Markkanen, Ryan F LeBouf, Mohammed Abbas Virji","doi":"10.1093/annweh/wxae092","DOIUrl":"10.1093/annweh/wxae092","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>US home care (HC) aide visits to clients' homes typically involve cleaning and disinfecting (C&D) environmental surfaces, particularly in bathrooms. Some ingredients in C&D products are associated with respiratory illness: sodium hypochlorite (bleach), quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This study assessed and compared aides' respiratory exposures to specific VOCs and QACs while using 2 conventional and 1 \"green\" household C&D spray products during bathroom cleaning. Measured exposures were compared to ingredients listed on publicly available sources.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Three C&D products were selected with principal active disinfecting ingredients: 1% to 5% sodium hypochlorite by weight (\"bleach-based\"); 0.1% to 1% QACs (\"QACs-based\"); and 0.05% thymol (\"green\"). Twenty-two aides were recruited to perform C&D tasks in a simulated residential bathroom constructed in an environmental monitoring laboratory. A balanced experimental study design involved each aide visiting the lab 4 times to perform typical cleaning tasks with the 3 products and distilled water (as a control), randomly assigned across the 4 visits. Aides wore air sampling equipment for breathing zone samples: canisters to collect whole air for VOC analyses and filter cassettes for QACs analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Aides performed 84 cleaning visits contributing approximately 20 air samples each for VOCs and QACs, for each of the 3 products and distilled water. In total, 38 unique VOCs were identified in the canister whole air samples: 20 in the QACs-based product samples, 15 in the bleach-based, and 10 in the green. Most VOCs were not listed in publicly available sources of cleaning product ingredients. Toxicity information was limited. Few VOCs had occupational exposure limits. The QACs-based product generated QACs aerosol: benzalkonium chloride (BAC)12 (geometric mean (GM) = 6.98 µg/m3), BAC14 (GM=2.97 µg/m3), BAC16 (GM=0.78 µg/m3); and the 3 QACs summed (GM=10.86 µg/m3).</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The use of C&D spray products for residential cleaning can generate respiratory exposures to complex mixtures of volatile and nonvolatile compounds. Notably, we measured aerosols containing QACs during the use of the QACs-based product. Dermal is usually considered the main route of exposure because QACs are nonvolatile salts. This study provides evidence that QACs inhalation exposure should be recognized and minimized in addition to the well-accepted dermal exposure routes. The green product generated the fewest VOCs. However, more toxicity information is needed on the health impacts of green C&D products. Spraying of C&D products, conventional and green, should be avoided.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Aides' respiratory health should be protected from chemical exposures while performing C&D in home care.</p>","PeriodicalId":8362,"journal":{"name":"Annals Of Work Exposures and Health","volume":" ","pages":"173-190"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11858560/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142805998","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":"Heat strain in road construction workers during the summer in New Mexico: a preliminary study.","authors":"Jonathan W Specht, Serena Garcia, David H Wegman, Jason Glaser, Zachary J Schlader, Fabiano T Amorim","doi":"10.1093/annweh/wxae097","DOIUrl":"10.1093/annweh/wxae097","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In the summer season, road construction workers perform physically demanding tasks outdoors, placing them at greater risk for exertional heat illness conditions. Assessing core temperature (Tcore) is critical as it serves as a key indicator of heat strain and helps to estimate the risk of heat-related illness. Despite the increased risk of hyperthermia, previous research has not assessed Tcore in road construction workers in the United States during summer work.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To report heat strain and environmental heat stress in a pilot study of road construction workers during work in the summer.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Seven male road construction workers in New Mexico were observed performing physically demanding work during a summer work shift. Environmental heat stress (heat index [HI], dry/wet bulb temperature, and relative humidity), Tcore, and skin temperature (Tskin) were measured continuously at a single job site throughout the workday. Hydration was assessed pre- and post-shift via measurements of urine specific gravity (USG) and changes in body weight.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The peak HI recorded throughout the workday was 34.1 °C, corresponding to a \"warning\" heat risk level according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Heat Safety Tool App. Two of seven (29%) workers reached a peak Tcore of greater than 38.0 °C, and 4 (57%) began the work shift dehydrated, indicated by a USG >1.020.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Findings from this pilot study suggest that road construction workers may begin their shifts dehydrated and some experience moderate hyperthermia while performing physically demanding work in hot environmental conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":8362,"journal":{"name":"Annals Of Work Exposures and Health","volume":" ","pages":"225-229"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142805984","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}