Mohamed Eturki, Kermit G Davis, Melissa Vincent, Susan F Arnold, Andrew Maier
{"title":"Micro-environmental factors impact breathing zone exposures: A simulated petrochemical manufacturing facility task.","authors":"Mohamed Eturki, Kermit G Davis, Melissa Vincent, Susan F Arnold, Andrew Maier","doi":"10.1080/19338244.2024.2328523","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19338244.2024.2328523","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigates the impact of micro-environmental factors on worker breathing zone exposure levels in petrochemical facilities. A laboratory simulation study evaluated near-field exposure to methane for a typical maintenance task. Individual and combinations of micro-environmental factors significantly affected methane exposure. Airflow direction and speed were significant determinants of exposure concentration reduction. A side airflow direction at medium to high speed produced the lowest gas concentration in the breathing zone. Worker body orientation relative to the methane emission point was also a critical factor affecting gas concentration in the worker's breathing zone. The study provides insights into how variations in airflow and small changes in position impact near-field exposures for petrochemical tasks, guiding industrial hygiene professionals' training on qualitative exposure estimation and providing input for near-field exposure modeling to guide quantitative exposure and risk assessment.</p>","PeriodicalId":93879,"journal":{"name":"Archives of environmental & occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"11-22"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140332374","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Job demands, control, social support and mental health in workers of thermal power plants and underground mines: A comparative study.","authors":"Ayşe Şentürk, Ayşe Kuzu Durmaz","doi":"10.1080/19338244.2024.2410950","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19338244.2024.2410950","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This descriptive study was conducted to compare the job demands, job control, social support and mental health status of thermal power plant and underground coal mine workers. 158 workers in thermal power plant and 162 workers in underground coal mine participated in the study. The results unearthed that thermal power plant workers had 2.3 times better mental health (<i>p</i> < 0.001 OR = 2.3 CI = 1.50-3.74) and 3.0 times lower job demands (<i>p</i> < 0.001 OR = 3.0 CI = 1.91-4.92) than coal mine workers. In the study, it was determined that mental health was positively affected as job control and social support increased in both thermal power plant and underground mine workers (<i>p</i> < 0.05); there was no significant relationship between job demands and mental health (<i>p</i> > 0.05). These results indicate that underground mine workers are at higher risk in terms of mental health and job demands than thermal power plant workers.</p>","PeriodicalId":93879,"journal":{"name":"Archives of environmental & occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"199-207"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142373706","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ola Mohammed Youssef, Nehal I A Goda, Mona A Hassan, Nora Elshehawy Helal
{"title":"Selenium modulates bisphenol A-induced intestinal apoptosis, oxidative stress and autophagy in rats: A biochemical, histological and immunohistochemical study.","authors":"Ola Mohammed Youssef, Nehal I A Goda, Mona A Hassan, Nora Elshehawy Helal","doi":"10.1080/19338244.2025.2455098","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19338244.2025.2455098","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bisphenol A (BPA) is a hazardous endocrine disruptor released into the environment during the production of certain plastics used for covering of food and beverage cans. In this work, we examined the protective benefits of selenium (Se) against intestinal damage induced by BPA in male rats. Rats were distributed randomly into four groups. The first group received corn oil and served as the control. The second group was administered Se (1 mg/kg body weight; BW). The third group was given oral BPA (50 mg/kg BW). In the fourth group, Se (1 mg/kg BW) and BPA (50 mg/kg BW) were administered simultaneously. This experiment lasted for eight weeks. Specimens from the large intestine were subjected to biochemical analysis of antioxidants and oxidative stress biomarkers, histological observation under light and transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry to autophagy and apoptosis markers. The BPA-exposed group showed significantly elevated oxidative stress markers associated with significant decline of antioxidants in intestinal tissues. BPA resulted in histological alterations such as severe mucosal necrosis with massive inflammatory cell infiltration. Ultra-structurally, the same group showed severe loss of the cell organelles, shrunken nuclei, and abundant autophagosomes. Immunohistochemistry results demonstrated a strong reactivity of caspase-3 and LC3 in the BPA group in contrast to the reaction to p62, which was markedly diminished. These effects were mitigated in the BPA+Se group. We concluded that BPA's harmful effects on the large intestine are caused by apoptosis and autophagy. Se may protect intestinal cells from these effects and could be a useful and trustworthy approach for reducing BPA toxicity.</p>","PeriodicalId":93879,"journal":{"name":"Archives of environmental & occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"301-313"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143043915","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cavit I Yavuz, M İrem Yildiz, Özge Y Sari, Aysenur B Uçgun, Kerim Hakan Altintas
{"title":"Psychological well-being of healthcare workers during COVID-19: Relationship with risk perception and fear in the context of health belief model.","authors":"Cavit I Yavuz, M İrem Yildiz, Özge Y Sari, Aysenur B Uçgun, Kerim Hakan Altintas","doi":"10.1080/19338244.2024.2303995","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19338244.2024.2303995","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to evaluate the extent of fear and risk perception related to COVID-19 and their impact on the psychological well-being of healthcare workers. Data were gathered through an online survey, incorporating questions about risk perception utilizing the health belief model, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and the General Health Questionnaire-12. A total of 364 HCWs participated in the survey, with 94% of participants identified as being in the high-risk category for mental disorders based on their General Health Questionnaire scores. The assessment of COVID-19-related risk perception within the Health Belief Model demonstrated significant correlations between perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy with both the fear scale and General Health Questionnaire scores. Linear regression was employed to identify factors influencing General Health Questionnaire scores, revealing that risk perception, Fear of COVID-19 scores, marital status, and perceived health were significantly associated with General Health Questionnaire scores. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring the psychological well-being of healthcare workers throughout all stages of pandemic preparedness and response.</p>","PeriodicalId":93879,"journal":{"name":"Archives of environmental & occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"483-494"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139492836","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Miaozong Wu, Gavin F Burdge, Joe Story, Nicole A Webb
{"title":"Integrated approaches to prevent exposure risks related to latex-derived products.","authors":"Miaozong Wu, Gavin F Burdge, Joe Story, Nicole A Webb","doi":"10.1080/19338244.2023.2287630","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19338244.2023.2287630","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Natural rubber latex is a widely used industrial raw material to produce many consumer and commercial products. Chronic exposures to latex allergenic proteins residual in the finished products can promote hypersensitive immune responses, which affects millions of workers and the general public worldwide. Research has shown the average prevalence of latex allergy worldwide remains approximately 10% among healthcare workers, 7% among susceptible patients, and 4% among general population. Although most effective in preventing latex allergy, completely avoiding contact to latex-derived products is extremely challenging, given the fact that millions of products possibly contain latex, but few are regulated and properly labeled. Due to the difficulty to assure a product completely absent of latex allergens, the United States Food and Drug Administration has recommended to stop using labels like \"latex-free\" or \"does not contain latex.\" Here we evaluate published data, industrial standards and regulations, identify possible countermeasures, and propose an integrated strategy, including some more practicable approaches (e.g., education/training, product labeling, the use of proper personal protective equipment, occupational selection, and searchable product database) and novel medical treatments (e.g., immunotherapy) to help decreasing latex allergy prevalence.</p>","PeriodicalId":93879,"journal":{"name":"Archives of environmental & occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"447-453"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138464983","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Edgar Voltmer, Susen Köslich-Strumann, Katja Goetz
{"title":"The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on professional life and well-being in German physicians: A cross-sectional study.","authors":"Edgar Voltmer, Susen Köslich-Strumann, Katja Goetz","doi":"10.1080/19338244.2023.2268506","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19338244.2023.2268506","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study assessed perceptions of German physicians' regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on work-related issues as well as mental and physical health. Almost three quarters of the physicians felt stressed by the increased quantity (69%) and quality (73%) of the work and felt physically (68%) or mentally exhausted (71%). Also about three-quarters of physicians reported the pandemic having a strong impact on family life. A higher proportion feared to infect their family more than being infected themselves (66% vs 50%). Mental health scores were significantly lower in physicians compared to the general population. In female physicians, these findings were even more pronounced. Stressful work conditions and feelings of isolation were the most important predictors for mental health scores (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.37), and also for motivation to work (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.20). Preventive measures to strengthen resilience and optimize work organization are warranted to alleviate the toll of the pandemic on physicians.</p>","PeriodicalId":93879,"journal":{"name":"Archives of environmental & occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"321-328"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41223365","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comparison of women's heat risk profiles among those working in indoor and outdoor sectors.","authors":"Rekha Shanmugam, P K Latha, Vidhya Venugopal","doi":"10.1080/19338244.2023.2272733","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19338244.2023.2272733","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rising temperatures and heat events may affect workers, especially women, by increasing the risk of Heat Related Illnesses (HRIs). We conducted a cross-sectional study among 903 women in outdoor and indoor sectors. We measured Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) and physiological Heat Strain Indicators (HSI), as well as self-reported symptoms of HRIs using a HOTHAPS questionnaire. Multivariate Logistic Regression models were used to compare the heat risks. WBGT exposures were high in both the outdoor (Avg. WBGT = 28.8 °C ± 2.4 °C) and indoor (Avg. WBGT = 28.7 °C ± 3.5 °C) sectors. Outdoor Women Workers (OWW) reported higher HRI symptoms (94%vs.81%), and heat exposures were positively correlated with HRIs (AOR: 3.7; 95%CI: 2.4-6.1). OWW showed a 1.5-fold higher risk of measured HSI above safe limits (95%CI: 1.1-2.1) and a 2.1-fold higher risk of urogenital issues (95%CI: 2.1-3.8) than Indoor Women Workers (IWW). Due to direct sun exposure, intensive labor, and a lack of welfare facilities, OWW has a higher HRI risk.</p>","PeriodicalId":93879,"journal":{"name":"Archives of environmental & occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"357-368"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"50164115","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sandra Ileby Rokkedrejer, Vivi Schlünssen, Martin Byskov Kinnerup, Jesper Medom Vestergaard, Henrik Albert Kolstad, Christine Cramer
{"title":"Risk of myocardial infarction among pigeon breeders: A follow-up study.","authors":"Sandra Ileby Rokkedrejer, Vivi Schlünssen, Martin Byskov Kinnerup, Jesper Medom Vestergaard, Henrik Albert Kolstad, Christine Cramer","doi":"10.1080/19338244.2024.2302113","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19338244.2024.2302113","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pigeon breeders are exposed to high levels of fine particulate organic matter in the pigeon lofts. A total of 6,704 pigeon breeders and their 1:30 sex and age-matched referents from the general Danish population were followed from 1980 or first year of membership in the Danish Racing Pigeon Association, until first event of myocardial infarction, emigration, death, or end of study, on December 31, 2013. Information on outcomes and covariates was obtained by record linkage with national registers. Stratified Cox regression models estimated the hazard ratio of myocardial infarction, adjusted for occupation and residence at the start of follow-up. Compared with referents, pigeon breeders had an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.14 (95% CI: 1.05-1.22) for myocardial infarction. Exposure to pigeon-derived organic dust may increase the risk of myocardial infarction, but this finding needs to be corroborated.</p>","PeriodicalId":93879,"journal":{"name":"Archives of environmental & occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"507-511"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139492839","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Awareness, worry, and hope regarding climate change among nurses: A cross-sectional study.","authors":"Tülay Kars Fertelli","doi":"10.1080/19338244.2023.2278521","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19338244.2023.2278521","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The aim of this study is to determine nurses' awareness, worry and hope levels about climate change.</p><p><strong>Design and methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study was conducted with 511 nurses. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Global Climate Change Awareness Scale, the Climate Change Worry Scale, and the Climate Change Hope Scale.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>The mean scores of the participating nurses obtained from the Climate Change Awareness Scale (71.72 ± 18.11) and Climate Change Worry Scale (35.36 ± 10.51) and Climate Change Hope Scale (38.67 ± 8.80) were moderate, and there was a significant positive correlation between them.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The nurses who participated in this study had moderate levels of climate change-related awareness, worry, and hope. As their climate change awareness scores increased, their worry and hope scores also increased. Interventions that will raise climate change awareness in nurses such as education programs and awareness campaigns may increase their levels of worry and hope that will mobilize them for the solution to the climate change problem.</p>","PeriodicalId":93879,"journal":{"name":"Archives of environmental & occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"413-422"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71489869","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ali Batur, Ahmet Aksan, Yagiz Meneksedag, Mehmet Ali Karaca
{"title":"Impostor phenomenon and burnout syndrome among emergency physicians: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Ali Batur, Ahmet Aksan, Yagiz Meneksedag, Mehmet Ali Karaca","doi":"10.1080/19338244.2023.2272122","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19338244.2023.2272122","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>This study examined emergency physicians across the country in terms of Impostor Phenomenon (IP) and Burnout Syndrome (BoS). We aimed to evaluate the possible relationship between IP and BoS and determine which demographic characteristics pose a risk for IP and BoS.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This quantitative cross-sectional study consists of Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) which were filled out online by the participants. A total of 389 volunteers participated in the study.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The median age of participants was 30 years (Q1-Q3=27-35) and 57.3% (223) of them were male. The frequency of significant/intense IP was higher in women (28.9%) than in men (17%) (p=0.020). High emotional exhaustion and low personal accomplishment were more common in women than in men (71.7% vs 60.6% and 50% vs 31%, respectively). The median age of participants classified as none to mild IP was 34 years. It was 28 years in significant/intense IP. It was detected that the severity of IP increased as the participants got younger (p<0.001). Significant/intense IP was most common in residents (29%). The residents also had the highest frequency of depersonalization (73.5%). The frequency of moderate to intense IP was the least in participants who worked at a university hospital (74.6%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results of this study indicated that IP and BoS are more common in residency. The increased frequency of IP and BoS in young female physicians may be attributed to hierarchical working arrangements and worry about academic performance. Experienced physicians with high levels of academic self-consciousness exhibited a low frequency of IP. Additionally, this study identified a moderate correlation between IP and BoS.</p>","PeriodicalId":93879,"journal":{"name":"Archives of environmental & occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"379-388"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71430094","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}