Prediction of Dermal Exposure to Chemical Substances Using a Fluorescence Method within the SysDEA Project
AbstractDermal exposure is an important exposure route for occupational exposure and risk assessment. A fluorescence method has been developed to quantify occupational dermal exposure based on a visualization technique, using Tinopal SWN as a fluorescent tracer. The method was developed within the framework of a large experimental study, the SysDEA project. In SysDEA, dermal exposure was measured with different methods for 10 simulated exposure situations by sampling powder and liquid formulations containing Tinopal SWN on coveralls and patches and subsequently chemically analysing them. For the fluorescence method, photog...
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - May 15, 2021 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Standards for Surgical Respirators and Masks: Relevance for Protecting Healthcare Workers and the Public During Pandemics
AbstractNational standards for surgical respirators and masks are written and enforced to protect healthcare workers from particles and microorganisms such as Severe Acute Respriatory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In addition to the ability to filter particles (e.g. filtration efficiency, FE), the standards address breathability (e.g. differential pressure), how well the mask seals to a worker ’s face (e.g. fit test), the level of protection from a fluid splash, and other factors. Standards used in the USA, European Union (EU), and China were compared with respect to testing methods and certification criteria. Alt...
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - May 4, 2021 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Effects of Hyperbaric Nitrogen Narcosis on Cognitive Performance in Recreational air SCUBA Divers: An Auditory Event-related Brain Potentials Study
ConclusionWe observed that nitrogen narcosis at 500 kPa pressure in the dry hyperbaric chamber has a mild-to-moderate negative effect on the cognitive performance of recreational air SCUBA divers, which threatened the safety of diving. Although relatively decreased, this effect also continued in the post-dive sessions. These negative effects are especially important for divers engaged in open-sea diving. Our results show crucial implications for the kinds of control measures that can help to prevent nitrogen narcosis and diving accidents at depths up to 40 msw. (Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene)
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - May 4, 2021 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Changes in the Psychological State of Medical Personnel in the Department of Radiotherapy at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in China during the Epidemic
ConclusionsMedical personnel in the Department of Radiotherapy experienced a significantly elevated incidence of sleeping problems during the early COVID-19 outbreak period. Multiple combinations of protective measures to avoid infection could improve sleep quality and ensure the safe delivery of RT to cancer patients. (Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene)
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - April 28, 2021 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Occupational Exposure to Diisocyanates in the European Union
AbstractObjectivesDiisocyanates are a chemical group that are widely used at workplaces in many sectors. They are also potent skin- and respiratory sensitizers. Exposure to diisocyanates is a main cause of occupational asthma in the European Union. To reduce occupational exposure to diisocyanates and consequently the cases of diisocyanate-induced asthma, a restriction on diisocyanates was recently adopted under the REACH Regulation in the European Union.MethodsA comprehensive evaluation of the data on occupational exposure to the most important diisocyanates at workplaces was made and is reported here. The diisocyanates co...
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - April 23, 2021 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Hearing Impairment in Municipal Refuse and Glass Recycling Collection Operatives
AbstractSeveral international regulatory bodies and researchers have identified employees in the municipal refuse and recycling industry as potentially at risk of noise induced hearing loss. Whilst materials recycling facilities have been subject to research regarding the health effects of hazardous exposures, the roadside recycling collection aspects of the industry has been identified as requiring further investigation. The requirement for characterization of such risk has been increased in the European Union by legislation that has led to increased rates of municipal recycling in the waste disposal industry. In particul...
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - April 23, 2021 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Testing and Validating Semi-automated Approaches to the Occupational Exposure Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
ConclusionBoth expert decision rules and the machine-learning algorithm performed reasonably well in identifying the majority of jobs with potential exposure to PAHs. The hybrid screening approach demonstrated that by reviewing approximately 20% of the total jobs, it could identify 87% of all jobs exposed to PAHs; sensitivity could be further increased, albeit with a decrease in specificity, by adjusting the algorithm. The resulting screening algorithm could be applied to other population-based studies of women. The process of developing the algorithm also provides a useful illustration of the strengths and potential pitfa...
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - April 23, 2021 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Associations Between Workplace Factors and Depression and Anxiety in Australian Heavy Vehicle Truck Drivers
ConclusionSeveral workplace factors were identified as being correlated to depression or anxiety within this cohort, suggesting potential changes to rostering systems and education regarding alcohol use may benefit the mental health of this driver population. (Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene)
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - April 23, 2021 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Skin Reactions to Personal Protective Equipment among First-Line COVID-19 Healthcare Workers: A Survey in Northern Morocco
ConclusionsOur survey-based study showed that the prevalence of these skin reactions in our context should not be neglected. The length of daily wearing time and the frequency of PPE uses were the most implicated factors. More attention must be paid to these reactions for better care of HCWs during these critical times. (Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene)
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - April 20, 2021 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Workplace Organizational and Psychosocial Factors Associated with Return-to-Work Interruption and Reinjury Among Workers with Permanent Impairment
ConclusionsThis study provides evidence that several potentially modifiable organizational and psychosocial factors are associated with safe and sustained RTW among injured workers with work-related permanent impairment. The lack of interaction between any of these workplace factors and degree of impairment suggests that these findings may be generalizable to all workers, and further suggests that workplace interventions based on these findings might be useful for both primary and secondary prevention. Though primary prevention is key, secondary prevention efforts to sustain RTW and prevent reinjury may reduce the consider...
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - April 12, 2021 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Characterization of Naturally Occurring Alpha-Diketone Emissions and Exposures at a Coffee Roasting Facility and Associated Retail Caf é
ConclusionsResults from the exposure assessment study indicated that coffee production workers at this facility had elevated exposures to diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione compared to recommended guidelines, whereas baristas and caf é patrons received lower exposures. Area sampling showed that the areas with the highest alpha-diketone emissions were the grinder and the bagging machine, which are both areas associated with tasks involving ground roasted coffee. Future research could focus on designing and evaluating effective e ngineering controls, in the form of local exhaust ventilation, with the goal of reducing alpha diket...
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - April 10, 2021 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Determinants of Skin and Respiratory Exposure to Lufenuron During Spraying and Re-entry in Italian Ornamental Plants Greenhouses
AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate dermal and respiratory exposure of workers to Lufenuron during spraying and re-entry on ornamental plants (stapling) in greenhouses. Potential and real skin exposure were evaluated using filter paper pads, hand contamination by washing, and respiratory exposure by personal air sampling. Dislodgeable foliar residues (DFRs) during re-entry were determined in order to calculate the dermal transfer factor (DTF). Lufenuron was analysed by liquid chromatography –mass detection. Respiratory dose (ReD) was calculated on the basis of a lung ventilation of 15–20 l min−1 and absorbe...
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - April 10, 2021 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Feasibility of a Music System Intervention to Affect Mental Stress and Strain of Employees in Inpatient Dementia Care
ConclusionsEight hypotheses on the usage and effect of music systems were generated. These did not represent an additional stress factor and affected single strain symptoms. In addition, the study highlighted a positive impact that the music systems had on the employees ’ perception of stress. This is the first time that the positive effects of receptive music interventions on mental stress and strain of formal caregivers are described. Further investigations with an increased frequency of use of the music systems should validate and specify the findings and hypo theses. (Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene)
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - March 31, 2021 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Caustic Mist Exposure and Respiratory Outcomes in a Cohort Study of Alumina Refinery Workers
In this study, we investigate the respiratory effects of caustic mist in an inception cohort (n = 416) of alumina refinery workers and describe the development and use of a peak exposure metric for caustic mist. We then compare the results with a metric based on duration of exposure. Participants were interviewed annually about respiratory symptoms and had a lung function test. Job history data were collected from each interview and levels of caustic mist were measured periodically by air monitoring. We found a weak association between the caustic mist peak exposure metric and reported cough (P for linear trend = 0.079) wi...
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - March 18, 2021 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Characterization and Quantitation of Personal Exposures to Epoxy Paints in Construction Using a Combination of Novel Personal Samplers and Analytical Techniques: CIP-10MI, Liquid Chromatography –Tandem Mass Spectrometry and Ion Chromatography
We report for the first time the results of personal inhalation and potential skin exposures to individual monomers and oligomers of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE), as well as TEG, during metal structure coatings in construction; compa re analytical results of the two analytical methods; and provide recommendations for method selection in future field studies. High inhalation and potential skin exposures to epoxies point to the need for interventions to reduce exposures among painters in construction. (Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene)
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - March 18, 2021 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
