Louis Everest, Paul A Demers, Brendan T Smith, JinHee Kim, Victoria H Arrandale, M Anne Harris, Chaojie Song, Tracy L Kirkham, Jeavana Sritharan
{"title":"Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Among Ontario Healthcare Workers: A Comparison of Test-negative and Cohort Study Designs in a Heterogeneous Reason-for-testing Population.","authors":"Louis Everest, Paul A Demers, Brendan T Smith, JinHee Kim, Victoria H Arrandale, M Anne Harris, Chaojie Song, Tracy L Kirkham, Jeavana Sritharan","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003693","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003693","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Differential reason-for-testing may bias test-negative estimates. This study aimed to estimate healthcare worker SARS-CoV-2 risk, with adjustment for healthcare-seeking behavior and unmeasured reason-for-testing.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 1.2-million workers in Ontario, Canada, were followed for SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction tests from February 2020 to December 2021. Hazard ratios (HRs) were used to estimate SARS-CoV-2 risk in healthcare workers versus non-healthcare workers based on the overall and test-negative subcohort. Unmeasured reason-for-testing was examined through probabilistic bias analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the test-negative subcohort, healthcare and non-healthcare workers had a similar risk of SARS-CoV-2. However, healthcare workers had an increased risk in the symptomatic-adjusted (HR: 1.15, 95% confidence interval: 1.03-1.40) and asymptomatic-adjusted (HR: 2.83, 95% confidence interval: 1.08-9.07) models.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Future test-negative studies should account for potential bias from varying symptomatic and asymptomatic testing groups and may consider using probabilistic bias analysis methods when reason-for-testing data is missing.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":"724-731"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13496026/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147318614","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}
Maria Korre, Elizabeth M Gallagher, MacKinsey A Bach, Nancy Wojcik
{"title":"Mortality Update of a US Cohort of Workers in Petrochemical and Refinery Operations.","authors":"Maria Korre, Elizabeth M Gallagher, MacKinsey A Bach, Nancy Wojcik","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003701","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003701","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study updates mortality trends of over 214,000 men and women working in various petrochemical and refinery operations of a US-based company through December 31, 2020.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for 112 possible causes of death studied.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>SMRs for malignant mesothelioma are highest among men hired during the 1940s and 1950s. Increased SMRs are observed for Parkinson's disease and brain cancer in some subgroups with no consistent occupational pattern. Decreasing mortality trends observed for asbestosis, leukemias, motor neuron diseases, brain cancer in upstream men, and breast cancer among non-White women.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Updates of the mortality surveillance of this large, established cohort are useful in evaluating the chronic health status of this workforce. Additional follow-up time provides the statistical power to clarify earlier findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":"740-755"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13496029/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147438707","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}
{"title":"Efficacy and Safety of Inhaled Pharmacotherapy in Patients With Pneumoconiosis and Airway Obstruction: A Retrospective Cohort Study From China.","authors":"Yang Liu, Jinxiu Guo, Yang Yang","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003725","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003725","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Pneumoconiosis often coexists with airway obstruction, yet evidence on inhaled pharmacotherapy in this population is limited.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We retrospectively studied patients with pneumoconiosis and postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1 )/forced vital capacity <70% (2018-2022). Eligible patients (≥40 years) were grouped by regular (≥12 months) or irregular/no inhaled therapy. Outcomes included FEV 1 , symptoms, exacerbations, hospitalizations, and adverse events. Symptom burden was assessed using the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Assessment Test and the modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale. Propensity score matching and logistic regression identified predictors of response.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After matching, 228 patients were analyzed. Regular therapy yielded greater FEV 1 improvement (88 vs. 15 mL, P < 0.001), better chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Assessment Test and modified Medical Research Council responses, and fewer exacerbations and hospitalizations ( P < 0.05), with similar adverse events. Higher baseline FEV 1 % predicted response.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Regular inhaled pharmacotherapy improved lung function, symptoms, and exacerbation outcomes in pneumoconiosis with airway obstruction without added safety concerns.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":"e645-e654"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147625069","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":"Occupational Cancer Protection and the Exclusion of Industrial Firefighters in the United States: A Policy and Statutory Analysis.","authors":"Alex Zielinski","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003753","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003753","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Firefighting is classified as carcinogenic to humans, 1 with the classification explicitly applied across all firefighting settings and employment types, including industrial. Yet occupational cancer protections in the United States are applied inconsistently. Industrial firefighters, exposed to the same carcinogens as municipal firefighters and may face additional industrial-specific hazards, are largely excluded from presumptive cancer statutes and federal benefit programs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A policy and statutory analysis was conducted using peer-reviewed exposure science, federal and state statutes, national consensus standards, and publicly available datasets covering all U.S. jurisdictions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Only 7 of 57 jurisdictions include industrial firefighters within presumptive cancer coverage, with 29 containing explicit statutory exclusions tied to employment classification rather than exposure risk.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Excluding industrial firefighters contradicts the international scientific consensus on firefighter cancer risk and reflects outdated statutory frameworks rather than differences in exposure.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":"704-710"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147876834","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}
Jacqueline M Cook, Miriam Alexander, James Lo, Brian Chen, Dominik Dabrowski, Beth Baker, Isabel S Montoya, Julie Ording
{"title":"Building a Healthier Workforce:: The Value of Employer-Sponsored Vaccinations and Vaccination Programs in the Workplace.","authors":"Jacqueline M Cook, Miriam Alexander, James Lo, Brian Chen, Dominik Dabrowski, Beth Baker, Isabel S Montoya, Julie Ording","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003793","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003793","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Vaccination reduces the burden of infection, severe illness, and mortality associated with many vaccine-preventable diseases. Workplace vaccination programs are a highly effective strategy for promoting employee health, reducing absenteeism, and improving productivity while yielding significant cost savings to employers. Offering on-site vaccination clinics can further improve vaccine uptake and increase cost efficiency by making immunization more convenient and accessible. Workplace vaccination programs reflect an ethical commitment to public health by fostering a safer environment for employees, their families, and their communities. Employers are uniquely positioned to lead these efforts, leveraging their health benefits programs and resources to ensure accessible and effective vaccination coverage.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":"e655-e658"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148267540","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}
Carine Teles Sangaleti, Joelson do Santos Brugge, Jordana Canestrato Santos, Wyndson Ribeiro Gonçalves, Maria Regiane Trincaus, Tatiane Baratieri, Maicon Henrique Lentsck, Bruno Bordin Pelazza, João Vicente Silveira, Maria Claudia Irigoyen, Fernanda Marciano Consolim-Colombo
{"title":"Comprehensive Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk Factors among Long-Haul Truck Drivers in South Brazil and its Impact on 3-year follow-up of Cardiovascular Events.","authors":"Carine Teles Sangaleti, Joelson do Santos Brugge, Jordana Canestrato Santos, Wyndson Ribeiro Gonçalves, Maria Regiane Trincaus, Tatiane Baratieri, Maicon Henrique Lentsck, Bruno Bordin Pelazza, João Vicente Silveira, Maria Claudia Irigoyen, Fernanda Marciano Consolim-Colombo","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003715","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003715","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To assess the impact of risk profile on the prevalence of cardiovascular events during a 3-year follow-up period.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A prospective cohort study was conducted among long-haul truck drivers in Brazil. Clinical evaluation, physical measurements, blood biochemical parameters, ankle-brachial index, left ventricular hypertrophy, and heart rate variability were assessed. Participants were followed up for 3 years to detect the incidence of major cardiovascular events.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A significant proportion of drivers met the criteria for metabolic syndrome and had a high-risk score for cardiovascular events. Subclinical inflammation, vascular stiffness, left ventricular overload, and increased cardiac sympathetic modulation were also highly prevalent. Years of profession, abdominal circumference, and confirmed diabetes mellitus as significant predictors of cardiovascular disease risk.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions to improve the cardiovascular health of truck drivers and promote roadway safety.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":"e621-e628"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147517948","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}
Ryan T Cannady, Cheryl Beseler, Yeongjin Gwon, Steven Jahn
{"title":"A Comprehensive Framework to Assess Elemental Mercury in the Department of Energy: A Descriptive Analysis.","authors":"Ryan T Cannady, Cheryl Beseler, Yeongjin Gwon, Steven Jahn","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003716","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003716","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study investigated the relationship between personal breathing zone air samples and associated biological monitoring urine samples collected in the US Department of Energy Operations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We performed standard descriptive analyses of the air sample and Biological Exposure Index monitoring data. We also provide a list of direct-reading instruments used in mercury field assessments.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 2330 air samples and 265 Biological Exposure Index data were analyzed. These data were grouped into 16 job titles, excluding categories with fewer than 10 samples, which resulted in 11 job titles.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>We conclude that industrial hygiene airborne sample data alone may not provide a complete assessment in exposure determination. We suggested the necessity of incorporating biological monitoring to determine the exposure.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":"e590-e596"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147517944","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}
R Andrew Yockey, Jeanine M Galusha, Warren N Ponder, Jose Carbajal, Christy R Collins, Donna L Schuman
{"title":"Patterns of Primary Care Use and Clinical Assessment Practices Among Treatment-seeking First Responders.","authors":"R Andrew Yockey, Jeanine M Galusha, Warren N Ponder, Jose Carbajal, Christy R Collins, Donna L Schuman","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003699","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003699","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To identify the predictors of suicide for law enforcement officers (LEOs), firefighters (FFs), and emergency medical technicians (EMTs).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We used primary care assessments of posttraumatic stress disorder (Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5), generalized anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-2), substance use (CAGE Adapted to Include Drugs), resilience (Response to Stressful Experiences Scale-4), and suicidality (Patient Health Questionnaire-Suicidal Ideation). We conducted separate logistic regressions predicting suicide for LEOs and FFs/EMTs.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among LEOs, 8% screened positive for suicide, whereas 24% of FFs/EMTs screened positive, respectively. There were no significant predictors of suicide for LEOs. However, for FFs/EMTs, depression was associated with an increase in suicidality, whereas previous mental health treatment was a buffer against it.</p><p><strong>Limitations: </strong>These data are cross-sectional and require analysis throughout the course of treatment.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>We demonstrated the utility of using primary care abbreviated assessments for first responders.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":"732-739"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148335171","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}
Drew E Gonzalez, Steven E Martin, Matthew J McAllister
{"title":"Validation of a Noninvasive Physiological Stress and Inflammatory Assessment: Agreement of Salivary and Blood Biomarkers Among First Responders.","authors":"Drew E Gonzalez, Steven E Martin, Matthew J McAllister","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003704","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003704","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study examined blood and saliva cortisol (CORT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in first responders to evaluate the accuracy and practicality of using saliva samples in operational contexts.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data from 207 first responders were analyzed. Spearman's correlation, simple linear regression models, and Bland-Altman analyses were performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Salivary CORT ( ρ = 0.713, P < 0.001) closely aligned with blood CORT, accounting for nearly half of the variance and showing narrow Bland-Altman limits. Salivary CRP ( ρ = 0.306, P < 0.001) and IL-6 ( ρ = 0.281, P = 0.007) exhibited weak correlations and poor agreement.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Overall, while salivary CORT is practical for noninvasive monitoring in operational settings, caution is warranted with salivary CRP and IL-6, which need further research as blood substitutes.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":"766-772"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147392058","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}
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}