Ryan T Cannady, Cheryl Beseler, Yeongjin Gwon, Steven Jahn
{"title":"A Comprehensive Framework to Assess Elemental Mercury in the Department of Energy: A Time Series Analysis.","authors":"Ryan T Cannady, Cheryl Beseler, Yeongjin Gwon, Steven Jahn","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003777","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003777","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study investigated whether seasonal categories affect airborne mercury concentrations in U.S. Department of Energy operations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted an initial assessment of the general variability of airborne elemental mercury time-weighted average samples. Then, we performed a 2-component time series analysis to determine whether long-term, cyclical temperature change patterns affect mercury concentrations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Both ARIMA time series models demonstrated stationary, nonrandom means (χ 2 = 83.8, P < 0.001) and standard deviation (χ 2 = 55.8, P < 0.001) of mercury concentrations. Our results indicate that seasonal factors did not influence mercury concentration.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our results demonstrate that mercury concentrations primarily emanate from operational activities, work practices, and/or transient environmental conditions rather than seasonal fluctuations.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":"e597-e601"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148159482","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":"Determinants of Return-to-Work in Young and Middle-Aged Acute Myocardial Infarction Survivors: A Prospective Cohort Study.","authors":"Shuqian Qiao, Xinyi Chen, Xi Cao","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003722","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003722","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To investigate the trajectory and determinants of return-to-work among young and middle-aged acute myocardial infarction (AMI) survivors within 6 months postdischarge in China.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A prospective longitudinal study was conducted with 130 AMI patients in Guangzhou. Data on sociodemographic, clinical, psychological, and work-related factors were collected. Generalized estimation equations were used to identify factors associated with return-to-work.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The return-to-work rates at 1-, 3-, and 6-month postdischarge were 54.6%, 67.7%, and 82.3%, respectively, showing a decelerating increase. Longer prehospitalization working hours, obesity, no stroke history, and high return-to-work self-efficacy significantly predicted return-to-work.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Return-to-work rates increase at a decelerating pace postdischarge. Self-efficacy is a key modifiable determinant, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to enhance patients' confidence and promote sustained employment after AMI.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":"e634-e644"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148335190","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}
Agustín Sánchez-Toledo Ledesma, Juan José Agún González, Raúl Aguilar-Elena
{"title":"Technological Overload, Organisational Information Technology Resources and Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey Indicators during Coronavirus Disease 2019.","authors":"Agustín Sánchez-Toledo Ledesma, Juan José Agún González, Raúl Aguilar-Elena","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003739","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003739","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To examine whether technostress-related technological overload was associated with SF-36 vitality and general health during COVID-19 telework, and whether organizational IT resources showed direct or buffering associations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional anonymous online survey among Spanish-speaking teleworkers (N = 735). Technological overload and organizational IT resources were analyzed as predictors of SF-36 vitality and general health. Adjusted multiple linear regression models and interaction terms were estimated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Technological overload was associated with lower vitality ( b = -0.222, P = 0.002; N = 361) and poorer general health ( b = -0.131, P = 0.014; N = 359). Organizational IT resources were positively associated with vitality ( b = 0.260, P < 0.001), but not with general health ( P = 0.409). No buffering effects were observed.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Reducing technology-driven workload and time pressure may be more relevant for protecting worker health than IT support alone.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":"687-694"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147730957","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}
Leslie I Boden, Susan E Peters, Melissa McTernan, Yixin Pan, Gregory R Wagner, Dean Hashimoto, Erika L Sabbath
{"title":"Work-related Well-Being, Turnover Intention, and Completed Turnover in a Cohort of US Patient Care Workers.","authors":"Leslie I Boden, Susan E Peters, Melissa McTernan, Yixin Pan, Gregory R Wagner, Dean Hashimoto, Erika L Sabbath","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003713","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003713","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To determine whether burnout and thriving from work affect turnover intention and actual turnover.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study used multivariable logistic regression to estimate the impact of burnout and thriving from work on turnover intention in a cohort of nurses and nursing assistants. Using administrative records of turnover, we used Cox regression to estimate the impact of these two factors on actual turnover.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Burnout affected both turnover intention and actual turnover, although 95% confidence limits for the effect of burnout among nursing assistants included 1.0. Thriving affected turnover intention but did not increase actual turnover.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Using turnover intention as a proxy for actual turnover may be misleading.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":"e615-e620"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13496025/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147501256","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Florence N Kizza, Danielle R Gartner, Xiaoyu Liang, Laurel Harduar Morano, Candice Y Johnson, Dawn P Misra
{"title":"The Impact of Physical Demands and Work Hours on the Risk of Preterm Birth Among Black Women.","authors":"Florence N Kizza, Danielle R Gartner, Xiaoyu Liang, Laurel Harduar Morano, Candice Y Johnson, Dawn P Misra","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003711","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003711","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>We investigated the impact of work hours and occupational physical demands on preterm birth (PTB) and explored potential effect modifiers of these associations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Four hundred twenty-nine Black women employed during pregnancy self-reported hours worked per week. The Karasek Job Content Questionnaire assessed prenatal occupational physical demands. Log binomial regression models were used to estimate associations, adjust for potential confounders, and investigate effect measure modification by psychosocial factors and racism.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Prolonged work hours (>40 h/wk) (adjusted prevalence ratio = 1.83; 95% confidence interval: 0.85-3.94) and heavy lifting (adjusted prevalence ratio = 1.33; 95% confidence interval: 0.88-2.00) were associated with increased PTB prevalence, but awkward body positions were inversely associated with PTB. Social support modified the physical demands and PTB association.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Both occupational exposures and nonoccupational factors, such as social support, may be important in the etiology of PTB.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":"e602-e614"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147470710","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":"Between Humans and Machines: The Impact of Robot Adoption on Workers' Health in China.","authors":"Wubin Yuan","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003754","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003754","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To examine how robot adoption affects workers' health in China.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using China family panel studies data matched with regional robot penetration measures, we estimate health effects with regression models and explore heterogeneity and mechanisms.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Robot adoption significantly reduces perceived, diagnosed, and mental health issues among manufacturing workers. In contrast, effects in nonmanufacturing sectors differ. Health impacts vary across worker groups, reflecting heterogeneous exposure and labor-market adjustment.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Robot adoption may generate adverse health effects through labor displacement and reduced bargaining power. Strengthening social protection and skill training is essential to mitigate health risks associated with technological change.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":"711-723"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13496031/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147944433","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ron Z Goetzel, Kevin H McLaughlin, Jaynie Bjornaraa, Karen B Kent, Enid Chung Roemer, Mary M Austin, Louis E Fazen
{"title":"A Review of the Role Played by Physical and Occupational Therapists in the United States Treating Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: 2015-2025.","authors":"Ron Z Goetzel, Kevin H McLaughlin, Jaynie Bjornaraa, Karen B Kent, Enid Chung Roemer, Mary M Austin, Louis E Fazen","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003747","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003747","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To examine the evolution of physical and occupational therapy in the treatment of work-related musculoskeletal disorders from 2015 to 2025.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Qualitative and quantitative data were gathered through an extensive landscape review that included peer-reviewed studies and grey literature.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>For employers and health plans, the health and economic burden of musculoskeletal disorders is high, with increases driven by several factors, such as an aging population. Physical and occupational therapists have played a significant role in minimizing the health, productivity, and cost consequences of musculoskeletal disorders.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>There is strong scientific support for physical and occupational therapy in the treatment of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Despite challenges, several trends in regulations, training, technology, and workforce make these disciplines well-positioned to play an even larger role in the coming decade.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":"695-703"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13496036/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147848010","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mona Abdallah Ramadan, Hebatallah Saad Teleb, Marwa Mohammed Fouad
{"title":"Occupational Air Pollutants and Early Kidney Injury: Insights from Oxidative Stress and KIM-1 Biomonitoring in Iron and Steel Industry Workers.","authors":"Mona Abdallah Ramadan, Hebatallah Saad Teleb, Marwa Mohammed Fouad","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003871","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003871","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The current study aimed to investigate the association between occupational exposure to air pollutants and renal function parameters, as well as oxidative stress.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In a cross-sectional comparative study, 88 participants were grouped into exposed workers and controls. Occupational air pollutant levels, renal function parameters, and oxidative stress markers were evaluated in an iron and steel facility.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Although environmental pollutant concentrations were within recommended permissible limits, exposed workers demonstrated significantly elevated serum creatinine, kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, alongside a significant reduction in eGFR compared to the reference group. In addition, the duration of employment was positively correlated with serum creatinine and MDA while negatively correlated with eGFR.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Occupational exposure to air pollutants may adversely affect renal function, even when exposure levels comply with established regulatory standards.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148852176","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 Fixed and Age-Sex-Adjusted NFPA Standards for Cardiopulmonary Fitness in Thai Wildland Firefighters.","authors":"Jinjuta Panumasvivat, Pheerasak Assavanopakun, Kampanat Wangsan, Vithawat Surawattanasakul, Wachiranun Sirikul, Pannawich Chantaklang, Thitirat Vinsirivorakul","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003873","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003873","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study examined Thai wildland firefighters' cardiopulmonary fitness, comparing previous and updated NFPA criteria.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Chiang Mai wildland firefighters' health was cross-sectionally examined. Chester Step cardiopulmonary fitness was assessed using the fixed 12-MET threshold and age- and sex-adjusted 50th percentile criterion. McNemar test indicated standard concordance, and multivariable linear regression found MET values. Statistical significance was assigned by p-values < 0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Significant differences in fitness classifications between two methods (p < 0.05). Two previously passed participants failed, while 13 previously failed participants passed. Age (B=-0.07; 95% CI: -0.13, -0.01; p=0.016) and resting heart rate (B=-0.11; 95% CI: -0.16, -0.07; p<0.001) strongly correlated with METs.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The age- and sex-adjusted 50th percentile criteria requirements allow for better cardiovascular fitness and practical work duties. Updates in standards are beneficial for firefighters' safety and health monitoring.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148852160","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}
Deniz Balikçi, Beyzanur Dikmen Hoşbaş, Ömer Şevgin
{"title":"The Effectiveness of Ergonomic Training and Chiropractic Treatment in Industrial Workers with Nonspecific Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Deniz Balikçi, Beyzanur Dikmen Hoşbaş, Ömer Şevgin","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003872","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003872","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate whether adding chiropractic treatment to ergonomic training improves pain, function, and sleep in industrial workers with chronic nonspecific neck pain.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Forty-five male industrial workers were randomized (15 per group) to ergonomic training plus chiropractic treatment (CTG), plus sham manipulation (SMTG), or alone (CG) for four weeks. Pain (VAS), biopsychosocial impact (BNQ), disability (NDI), and sleep quality (PSQI) were assessed before and after. The group × time interaction was the primary analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Significant interactions favoured CTG for VAS (p < 0.001) and BNQ (p = 0.004). NDI improved comparably in all groups (p = 0.591). PSQI was unchanged.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Adding chiropractic treatment to ergonomic training reduced pain and biopsychosocial impact more than sham manipulation or training alone. Disability improved across all arms; sleep quality was unchanged.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148835947","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}