Sangyo eiseigaku zasshi = Journal of occupational health最新文献

{"title":"[Biological effects of lunar regolith dust].","authors":"Taisuke Tomonaga, Hiroto Izumi, Hidenori Higashi, Chinatsu Nishida, Yasuo Morimoto","doi":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2026-001-A","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1539/sangyoeisei.2026-001-A","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>It is important to understand the biological effects of lunar dust (regolith) if human activities, prolonged stays, and eventual habitation are to take place on the Moon.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study explains the biological effects of regolith and is based on an assessment of findings from studies that used regolith and regolith simulants and knowledge derived from the physicochemical properties of terrestrial dust.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In vitro cell culture studies using regolith simulants showed that the cytotoxicity and biological activity of lunar dust were generally lower than those observed for crystalline silica. Similarly, animal exposure studies that investigated the effects of regolith and regolith simulants showed limited inflammation and fibrosis, suggesting that their pulmonary toxicity is intermediate between that of titanium dioxide and crystalline silica. Although no allergy-enhancing effects, such as those seen in bronchial asthma, were observed, allergy effects have been reported for Asian dust, which has similar constituent components. This suggests that regolith could potentially enhance allergic responses. Furthermore, the results obtained using terrestrial regolith simulants may underestimate the biological effects of regolith because the simulants do not include certain materials, such as agglutinates, that are only generated in the lunar environment.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Although the available experimental evidence does not suggest potentially severe cytotoxic, inflammatory, or fibrotic effects, careful evaluation of the chronic inhalation effects of lunar dust on future long-term lunar residents is required and this assessment should take into account its unique microstructure and surface chemical reactivity.</p>","PeriodicalId":94204,"journal":{"name":"Sangyo eiseigaku zasshi = Journal of occupational health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147625180","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":"[Factors that contribute to the death/severity and onset of COVID-19 infection in working generation: Investigation of general health examination items by narrative review].","authors":"Yasuo Morimoto, Hidenori Higashi, Hiroto Izumi, Taisuke Tomonaga, Chinatsu Nishida, Hiroshi Yamato, Hisashi Eguchi, Shoko Kawanami, Katsunori Suzuki, Kazuhiro Yatera, Akinori Nakata","doi":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2025-023-A","DOIUrl":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2025-023-A","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that affected Japan remains vivid in our collective memory. Currently classified as a Category 5 virus (for which medical institutions and individuals primarily implement preventive measures independently, without significant administrative intervention such as isolation), COVID-19 infections continue to peak biannually, currently driven by the Nimbus variant, a derivative of the Omicron strain. This situation necessitates ongoing vigilance in infection prevention efforts. While it is well-established that environmental factors, such as proper ventilation, are crucial in mitigating the risk of COVID-19 transmission, it has become evident that variations in individual susceptibility exist; some individuals contract the virus while others do not, even in identical environments. Personal factors, including pre-existing medical conditions, influence this disparity. This narrative review examines personal factors related to general health assessments within the workplace, incorporating data from systematic reviews and meta-analyses, as well as insights from both international and domestic academic societies. Although the strength of evidence varies, factors such as male gender, smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, inadequate sleep, insufficient physical activity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have been identified as contributors to the severity and onset of COVID-19, as well as its associated mortality.</p>","PeriodicalId":94204,"journal":{"name":"Sangyo eiseigaku zasshi = Journal of occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"39-54"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146047026","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":"[Workplace diversity promotion needs among medical school/university workers: A cross-sectional study using mixed-methods].","authors":"Tomoo Hidaka, Takeyasu Kakamu, Hiromi Komiya","doi":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2023-035-E","DOIUrl":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2023-035-E","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Promoting diversity in medical schools/university workplaces is a pressing issue. However, the needs of medical school/university workers, including nonmedical staff, remain unclear. This report aimed to identify the specific needs of medical school/university workers to promote diversity using open-ended descriptions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional survey included 168 individuals who responded to open-ended questions in a questionnaire administered by the Diversity Promotion Office of Fukushima Medical University in July 2021. Data collection included basic demographics, such as sex, age, and affiliation, and an open-ended descriptions of workers' desired workplace diversity. Open-coding categorized responses into 13 categories. The association between affiliation and these categories was examined using the χ² or Fisher's exact test.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the categories, \"personnel deployment to optimize existing support\" (requiring staffing to make the best use of existing support systems) was statistically prevalent among the workers in administrative offices (p < .001), and \"work-life balance in the organization\" (promoting diversity in the organization as a whole for a better work-life balance among employees) was statistically prevalent among those in the hospital (p = .002).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Considering that many of administrative office workers are women, \"personnel deployment to optimize existing support\" may reflect the psychological situation of female workers who want staffing to enable them to use support systems appropriately and with ease. Regarding \"work-life balance in the organization,\" hospital medical staff may have developed a perspective on improving work-life balance and promoting diversity in the organization as a whole because of frequent exposure to information on work improvement measures in professional associations. Implementation of evidence-based diversity policies from the perspective of evidence-based management is essential for Japanese university medical schools.</p>","PeriodicalId":94204,"journal":{"name":"Sangyo eiseigaku zasshi = Journal of occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"55-64"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145919545","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":"[Development of quality management checklists for medical facilities conducting workplace cancer screening programs].","authors":"Yuiko Okada, Kumiko Saika, Masayuki Tatemichi, Tomonori Okamura, Eiko Saitoh","doi":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2025-022-S","DOIUrl":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2025-022-S","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94204,"journal":{"name":"Sangyo eiseigaku zasshi = Journal of occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"65-77"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145807159","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":"[A pilot study on health issues, literacy, and presenteeism related to male menopause among working Japanese men].","authors":"Takaaki Tamura, Yu Hirano, Akane Shimizu, Seitaro Sugawara, Masakazu Matsumoto, Hiroo Ide, Shinichi Sakamoto","doi":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2025-026-E","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1539/sangyoeisei.2025-026-E","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objects: </strong>Male menopause, or late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) syndrome, affects the physical and mental well-being of middle-aged and older men. In Japan, awareness remains low, leading to underdiagnosis and undertreatment. This study investigated health issues, literacy, and presenteeism related to male menopause among working Japanese men, considering differences in industry and occupation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A survey was conducted among 3362 male employees aged ≥ 35 years at three companies in Tokyo representing different industries. The survey included questions on health status, aging male symptoms (AMS) scores, health literacy, workplace environment, and work impact. Presenteeism was evaluated using the single-item presenteeism question (SPQ), developed by the University of Tokyo. The survey was conducted anonymously on the company's internal server.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were of valid respondents was 1,811. The respondents' demographics showed an even age distribution from 30s-60s and above. Job positions included 1.3% executives, 31.9% managers, and 79.2% staff-level employees. Awareness of \"male menopause\" was high (79.2%), but awareness of its specific symptoms was low (26.1%). Of the participants, 9.4% had severe AMS scores and 21.5% had moderate scores, indicating that one-quarter had moderate or higher symptoms. The most common impact on work was the inability to concentrate (58.8%). The average performance score of employees with mild or severe symptoms was 73.6%, suggesting that the prevalence of presenteeism owing to male menopausal symptoms was 26.4%. Additionally, 14.8% of the employees with symptoms reported a performance score of ≤ 50%.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study highlights the reality of male menopause in a large corporation and suggests that male menopause symptoms may significantly affect presenteeism.</p>","PeriodicalId":94204,"journal":{"name":"Sangyo eiseigaku zasshi = Journal of occupational health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146222658","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":"[A multicomponent intervention program to improve motor function in teleworkers: A feasibility study].","authors":"Mutsumi Nakamura, Tomoko Shiomitsu, Jihoon Kim, Mizuki Kawahara, Yusuke Miyazaki, Akisue Kuramoto, Kaede Yabugami, Naoki Kagi, Wataru Umishio, Ryo Asaoka, Anna Tsutsui, Yoshitaka Murakami, Natsumi Imai, Yukako Tanaka, Yoshio Nakata, Rumi Tsukinoki","doi":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2025-021-C","DOIUrl":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2025-021-C","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94204,"journal":{"name":"Sangyo eiseigaku zasshi = Journal of occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"26-31"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145484444","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":"[A comparative study on sampling methods of disposable dust masks for fit tests (2)].","authors":"Ryotaro Oshima, Hiroshi Okochi, Yuji Kubota","doi":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2025-013-B","DOIUrl":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2025-013-B","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Currently, under the JIS standards, the test guides commonly used in Japan to evaluate the fit of mask facepieces on a wearer's face are not approved for use in fit tests. This study aimed to determine whether a non-destructive test guide for assessing fit could be applied to fit testing using the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) Quantitative Fit Test Short Protocol with light-scattering-based measuring devices.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Values obtained using probe attachments approved under the JIS standards were used as reference values, and the fit factor (FF) values measured using test guides and disposable test guides were compared. The evaluation criteria were based on the judgment specified in Annex A2 of the ANSI Z88.10-2010 standards.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The FF values obtained with both test guides and the disposable test guides met the mandatory and additional criteria when compared to those obtained with probe attachments. This indicates that both guides are equivalent to probe attachments for determining pass/fail outcomes and are thus applicable to fit tests. Additionally, the exclusion range, defined to account for device variability, was calculated as FF values ranging from 72 to 138, resulting in the exclusion of approximately 11% of the data from the evaluation. This exclusion range was deemed appropriate, as the effective data rate closely matched the pass/fail consistency rate between the two devices. Furthermore, the pass/fail consistency rate between the probe attachments and both guides was approximately 80%. FF values tend to be lower with test guides owing to larger movement during testing than those with probe attachments; however, our results suggest that such differences do not significantly affect pass/fail outcomes. Therefore, the 80% pass/fail consistency rate was not attributed to motion effects but rather reflected the stringent evaluation capabilities of the test guides themselves.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The validity of the fit test using light-scattering based measuring devices under the JIS short protocol was evaluated for disposable masks using test guides that are widely used in Japan to assess the fit between mask facepieces and faces. The results, based on the ANSI criteria, indicated that both the test guides and disposable test guides provided evaluations equivalent to those of the probe attachments. Consequently, this study demonstrated that the test guides and disposable test guides are applicable fit tests. Both test guides concluded that strict evaluations of insertion leakage helped reduce false positives, making them reliable for worker protection.</p>","PeriodicalId":94204,"journal":{"name":"Sangyo eiseigaku zasshi = Journal of occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"16-25"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145508705","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":"[Contrivances for group analysis using the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire and its utilization: A systematic review].","authors":"Reiko Inoue, Yasuhiro Sekine, Kazuhiro Watanabe, Yuko Odagiri, Akihito Shimazu, Norito Kawakami, Akiomi Inoue, Akizumi Tsutsumi","doi":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2025-009-E","DOIUrl":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2025-009-E","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study reviewed and organized practical cases of group analysis and the contrivances involved on the basis of Stress Check results using the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (BJSQ).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a systematic literature review, searching the Japan Medical Abstracts Society database on August 7, 2023 and PubMed on September 28, 2023. The eligibility criteria were as follows: (1) studies targeting workers, (2) studies using the BJSQ or the new BJSQ, (3) studies conducting group analysis, (4) studies reporting contrivances beyond the standard methods described in the Stress Check Program manual regarding group analysis or its application, and (5) studies written in Japanese or English. Two researchers selected and summarized the cases.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We searched The Japan Medical Abstracts Society database and PubMed, identifying 204 and 94 articles, respectively. We included 30 cases involving contrivances. Although the Stress Check guidelines recommend using items related to quantitative job overload, job control, and worksite (supervisor and coworker) support for group analysis, some cases employed contrivances such as analyzing all items of the BJSQ or the new BJSQ to obtain a more detailed understanding of the work environment. In cases where measures other than the BJSQ or the new BJSQ were used in combination, the relationship between labor productivity and each item of the BJSQ or the new BJSQ items was examined to prioritize workplace environment improvements. Contrivances regarding feedback from the group analysis were identified. Support staff conducted interviews with managers to provide feedback on the group analysis, and helped them interpret the results in relation to actual workplace situations. Contrivances for devising action plans to improve workplace environments were also identified. In these cases, good practices were accumulated to facilitate efficient discussion of workplace environment improvements.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>We identified the following four types of contrivances: contrivances for the items of the BJSQ and new BJSQ used for group analysis, contrivances for using other scales in addition to the BJSQ and new BJSQ, contrivances for combining interviews with feedback on the results, and contrivances for accumulating good practices in the workplace, in addition to existing action checklists. This study presents practical examples of group analysis and its application, providing helpful information for future group analysis and improving work environment activities. However, most of the examples included were limited to reports on the content of practices, with very few examples mentioning the effects of contrivances.</p>","PeriodicalId":94204,"journal":{"name":"Sangyo eiseigaku zasshi = Journal of occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"1-15"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145403379","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":"[Same-level fall injuries among healthcare and retail workers: Focus on outdoor incidents].","authors":"Ryutaro Matsugaki, Sakumi Yamakawa, Hajime Ando, Akira Ogami","doi":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2025-019-E","DOIUrl":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2025-019-E","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Same-level falls are the most frequent type of occupational accidents in Japan, and approximately 35% of these accidents occurred among healthcare and retail workers. The aim of this study was to analyze the status of same-level falls in the healthcare and retail industries, where many such incidents occur, with a focus on outdoor same-level falls and to elucidate their characteristics.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study targeted occupational accidents due to same-level falls that resulted in four or more days of absence from work among healthcare and retail workers, based on data from the 2021 Occupational Injury Database. From 29,605 occupational injury cases, we identified 2,536 same-level falls and ultimately extracted 2,424 cases for analysis. A physical therapist and industrial physician collaborated to conduct a detailed textual examination of the selected cases in terms of accident onset status. Variables related to the cause of the accident, causative substances, and accident locations were prepared. For the analysis, simple tabulation and cross-aggregation were performed. A chi-square test was used to investigate the correlations between accident location, accident cause, and causative substances.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean age of the injured workers was 57.0 years (standard deviation, 12.7). The accident location was outdoors in 35.9% of cases. In winter (December to February), the proportion of outdoor accidents increased between 44.2% and 49.5%. The most common cause of outdoor accidents was slipping (35.4%), and the most common causative substance was snow/ice (20.6%). Snow/ice was involved in 44.1% of the same-level falls that occurred outdoors during winter, with some occurring in parking lots while transporting other people.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The results revealed that, in addition to indoor same-level falls, outdoor same-level falls during winter were common among healthcare and retail workers. We found that slipping on snow or ice was the primary cause of these accidents. Therefore, it is important that, in addition to risk reduction measures targeting indoor same-level falls, preventive measures should be introduced for outdoor same-level falls among healthcare and retail workers.</p>","PeriodicalId":94204,"journal":{"name":"Sangyo eiseigaku zasshi = Journal of occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"295-301"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145034959","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":"[Preventive measures against infections, including viruses in the workplace].","authors":"Yasuo Morimoto, Hidenori Higashi, Hiroto Izumi, Taisuke Tomonaga, Chinatsu Nishida, Hiroshi Yamato, Hisashi Eguchi, Shoko Kawanami, Katsunori Suzuki, Kazuhiro Yatera","doi":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2025-018-A","DOIUrl":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2025-018-A","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pandemics such as COVID-19 have wreaked havoc on society in general, and they are still having a lasting impact, with peak infections in summer and winter. Novel emerging infectious diseases and re-emerging ones that are attracting renewed attention will continue to affect workplaces in the future. Herein, we focus on the latest reports on COVID-19 and explain what preventive measures are necessary in the workplace, taking into account the route of virus infection. Although droplets and airborne exposure are the main infection routes, contact infection cannot be overlooked. Infection prevention measures include the uses of natural and mechanical ventilation, air conditioning equipment, and masks as well as the recommendation of vaccination, all of which have reported effectiveness However, since indoor environments vary, we do not recommend preventive control through any one measure alone. Instead, implementing infection control by using a combination of measures is important for adaptation to various situations.</p>","PeriodicalId":94204,"journal":{"name":"Sangyo eiseigaku zasshi = Journal of occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"253-264"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144984431","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}