工业区居民铬暴露解析及影响因素分析

目的对工业区居民铬暴露情况进行解析并对其影响因素进行分析。方法于2017年采用美国环保署推荐模型评估工业区环境铬暴露健康风险;随机整群分层抽取常住居民135人进行问卷调查、尿铬和血铬含量检测;两组间差异分析采用Mann-Whitney U检验;多组间差异分析采用Kruskal-Wallis H检验;相关性采用Spearman等级相关分析。结果工业区环境中铬的总非致癌风险(HI)为7.45×10~(-2),低于非致癌风险可接受水平1。铬的总致癌风险(Risk)T为1.24×10~(-2),超过致癌风险可接受水平10~(-4);其中,饮用水经皮肤摄入途径的致癌风险(Risk)占(Risk)T的59.61%。尿铬、血铬几何均数分别为0.22μg/L、0.49μg/L,尿铬、血铬水平,成人均显著高于儿童,吸烟者均显著高于非吸烟者(P0.05)。尿铬、血铬水平与不同暴露途径健康风险值均无相关性。结论工业区环境中的铬存在显著的致癌健康风险,应加强居民涉水活动的皮肤防护工作,年龄和吸烟对人体内铬负荷有影响。铬的内暴露水平与外暴露健康风险无显著相关。     

北京市某涉铅企业周边环境铅污染健康风险评价

目的对北京市某涉铅企业周边环境的铅污染状况进行调查并进行健康风险评价。方法在企业周边设置4个监测点采集空气和土壤样品,分别测定铅的浓度,通过健康风险评价模型进行健康风险评价。结果 2013—2015年共采集空气样品84件,铅浓度范围为5.7~596.6 ng/m~3;采集土壤样品12件,铅浓度范围为16.7~47.8 mg/kg。2013、2014、2015年的空气铅浓度均值分别为247.20、88.80、76.57 ng/m~3,土壤铅浓度均值分别为22.98、41.24、32.42 mg/kg,时间分布差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。儿童铅日均暴露剂量是4.48×10~(-4)mg/(kg·d),成人铅日均暴露剂量是5.20×10~(-5)mg/(kg·d),主要暴露途径是经口暴露(非饮食)和呼吸暴露。铅对儿童造成的非致癌风险是1.29×10~(-7),对成年人造成的非致癌风险是1.51×10~(-8),均低于人群可接受的危险度水平(10~(-6))。结论该企业对周边环境未造成严重的铅污染,居民的非致癌风险水平较低,但对儿童的非致癌风险明显高于成年人。     

焦化工业区及周边地区空气中苯污染特征和健康风险评价

目的探讨焦化工业区空气中苯污染及对周边地区空气的影响和健康风险。方法采用苏玛罐采样-低温预浓缩-气相色谱-质谱法检测了我国西南某大型焦化工业区(职业暴露区)及其下风向2~8 km处的影响区和上风向30 km处的对照区共计8个采样点空气中苯的浓度,并对其污染特征和相应人群的健康风险进行了分析。结果职业暴露区空气中苯的浓度为97.88~672.33μg/m3,影响区为2.83~5.14μg/m3,对照区为0.91μg/m3。职业暴露区职工因空气中苯污染导致的终生增加致癌风险值为2.34×10-4~1.28×10-3,均超出5×10-5的最大可接受水平。影响区空气中苯污染导致的成人终生增加致癌风险值为3.29×10-5~5.97×10-5,儿童为7.65×10-6~1.39×10-5;对照区成人终生增加致癌风险值为1.06×10-5,儿童风险值为2.46×10-6;除影响区C和D采样点成人致癌风险超出最大可接受水平外,其它均在最大可接受水平内。职业暴露区苯非致癌危害指数范围为0.67~3.68,影响区成人为9.44×10-2~1.71×10-1,儿童为1.35×10-2~2.45×10-2,对照区成人为3.04×10-2,儿童为4.34×10-3,除职业暴露区焦炉顶和装煤岗位危害指数大于1以外,其它研究地区危害指数均小于1。结论焦化工业区对周边地区大气苯的污染有一定影响,职业暴露区职工及部分影响区居民的苯致癌风险应引起关注。     

工业区居民砷、铅、镉的内暴露水平及影响因素分析

目的探讨工业区居民砷、铅、镉的内暴露水平及影响因素。方法采用随机整群分层方法抽取兰州市工业区常住居民135人进行问卷调查,尿及血中砷、铅、镉的含量检测。两组间比较采用Mann-Whitney U检验,多组间比较采用Kruskal-Wallis H检验;尿、血中重金属水平相关性分析采用Spearman等级相关。结果研究对象尿砷、尿铅、尿镉的几何均数分别为14.17μg/L、0.81μg/L、0.22μg/L;与儿童比较,成人尿铅、尿镉水平较高;与不吸烟者比较,吸烟者尿镉的水平较高(P0.05)。血砷、血铅、血镉几何均数分别为0.92μg/L、18.43μg/L、0.49μg/L;与儿童比较,成人血砷、血铅和血镉的水平均较高(P0.05);与不吸烟者比较,吸烟者血铅和血镉的水平均较高(P0.05)。尿砷和血砷、尿铅和血铅、尿镉和血镉的水平均呈正相关(P0.05)。结论工业区居民砷、铅、镉的内暴露水平存在年龄差异,吸烟也有影响;3种重金属的尿、血水平呈正相关。     

2018年四川省江油市生活饮用水健康风险评价

目的 了解江油市生活饮用水中化学毒物的暴露水平,评估通过饮水途径对江油市不同人群健康产生的潜在危害。方法 根据江油市2018年生活饮用水的监测数据,应用美国环保局推荐的健康风险评价模型对饮用水中的17种化学污染物进行健康风险评价。结果 铬和硝酸盐分别为致癌物和非致癌物中日均暴露剂量最大的化学物,致癌及非致癌化学物通过饮水途径对不同人群所致暴露剂量大小顺序均为:成年女性＞成年男性＞儿童;致癌化学物和非致癌化学物对成年男性及女性所致健康总风险均高于儿童;致癌化学物的致癌风险大小顺序为铬＞砷＞镉＞四氯化碳＞三氯甲烷,主要的非致癌化学物的健康风险大小顺序为:铜＞铅＞氟化物＞硝酸盐;致癌物的健康风险占总健康风险的99.95%,成年男性、成年女性以及儿童的总健康风险分别为5.46×10-5a-1、5.43×10-5a-1和4.77×10-5a-1。结论 江油市饮用水中化学物的人群健康总风险低于美国环保局推荐的最大可接受风险,说明江油市生活饮用水可以安全饮用。     

2015—2019年河南省市售谷薯类食品中铅污染状况监测及暴露风险评估

目的 了解河南省市售谷薯类食品中铅污染状况，评估居民经谷薯类食品铅暴露水平及健康风险。方法 2015—2019年在河南省152个区县采集检测4379份市售谷薯类食品铅含量，依据国标限值评价铅污染程度，结合消费量数据计算铅暴露量，采用暴露边界比和个人年风险评估暴露水平与健康风险。结果 市售谷薯类食品铅平均含量为0.0441mg/kg，合格率97.28%，居民经谷薯类食品平均每天铅暴露量为0.2572μg/（kg BW），高端暴露人群（P95）为0.9331μg/（kg BW），铅暴露的平均MOE值为4.67，铅平均个人年风险值为2.62×10-8/年。结论 河南省谷薯类食品受铅污染程度较轻，居民经谷薯类食品铅平均暴露量处于可接受水平，但需关注高暴露人群的健康风险。     

湖南省某市居民经大米途径镉暴露的风险概率评估

目的 了解湖南省某市市售大米中的镉含量,预测当地居民经大米暴露镉的致癌与非致癌风险概率.方法 采用分层抽样并以在当地市场模拟购买的方式收集大米样品70件;利用石墨炉原子吸收光谱法检测样品中的镉含量;结合当地居民食物消费数据、应用Crystal Ball软件对镉暴露水平进行致癌及非致癌风险概率模拟.结果 该市样品中大米镉含量均未超标,平均值为(0.073 ±0.054) mg/kg.根据风险商计算结果,约5％的该市居民存在非致癌风险,3.52％的存在致癌风险.结论 大米镉污染问题不容忽视,针对高暴露人群应进一步加强风险监测与控制,尽可能降低镉暴露危害.     

有色金属冶炼厂周围居民镉暴露致癌风险评估

目的了解有色金属冶炼厂周围镉污染现状,评估调查区居民镉暴露致癌风险。方法对湖北某有色金属冶炼厂周围地区多种环境介质[土壤、地下水、大气及农作物((蔬菜和大米)]进行采样,分析其中镉(Cd)含量,利用美国EPA致癌风险评估模型评估研究调查区居民经多种途径接触多种环境介质引起的Cd的致癌暴露剂量和致癌风险。结果调查区土壤、大气及农作物均存在镉污染,蔬菜和大米中镉的平均含量分别为我国食品中污染物限量标准的14倍和5倍,土壤中镉均不同程度超标,大气中镉含量均高于国内外其他地区的调查结果。镉经所有暴露途径总致癌风险高达2.2×10~(-3),远高于国内外所规定的可接受致癌风险水平;致癌贡献率分析结果表明蔬菜和大米是该地区最主要的镉致癌风险来源。结论有色金属冶炼厂周围调查区域环境受到了不同程度的镉污染,且对居民的健康存在风险。     

2018年我国中东部局部地区农田土壤典型重金属健康风险评估

目的评价我国中东部局部地区农田土壤中铅、镉和六价铬的健康风险。方法于2018年,在我国中东部局部地区中随机抽取了112个县(区)377个行政村,在每个行政村采集1份村民居住地生活周边的农田土壤样品,检测铅、镉、总铬的含量。采用我国推荐的土壤中污染物健康风险评价模型和人群暴露参数计算镉和六价铬的致癌风险和铅、镉和六价铬的非致癌健康风险。结果农村居民生活周边农田土壤样品中铅、镉、总铬的含量的中位数分别为23.40、0.14和63.00 mg/kg。镉对成人和儿童的致癌风险分别为1.13×10~(-9)和5.23×10~(-10);六价铬成人和儿童致癌风险分别为4.41×10~(-5)和4.57×10~(-5),均未超过可接受风险的上限。铅、镉和六价铬主要经口摄入暴露,非致癌性风险从高到低依次为HICr(1.66)HIPb(1.01)HICd(1.10×10~(-2)),前两者略大于非致癌风险阈值1。结论本研究区域农田存在局部的铅、镉和铬的土壤环境污染。土壤中的镉不会给人体带来健康危害。六价铬的致癌风险尚可接受。六价铬和铅引起的非致癌风险需引起重视,加强监测。     

某市饮用水中10种污染物的健康风险评价

目的评价某市饮用水中砷等10种污染物经饮水途径对人体的健康风险,为饮用水健康风险管理提供理论依据。方法 2017年根据某市市政水厂的供水范围,选择128个监测点开展监测,分别于丰水期和枯水期各采集128份水样,按照《生活饮用水标准检验方法》(GB/T 5750-2006)进行浓度检测。运用环境健康风险评估四步法定量分析我国某市饮用水中As、Se两种类重金属、Cd、Cr(Ⅵ)、Pb、Hg、Cu、Zn等6种重金属及CHCl_3、CCl_4两种有机物的非致癌风险值和致癌风险值。结果某市饮用水中上述十种污染物浓度均符合《生活饮用水卫生标准》(GB 5749-2006)的要求,达标率100%。居民经口摄入自来水非致癌总风险值为0.122,处于可接受范围内;致癌总风险值为2.59×10~(-5),有致癌风险。其中砷的暴露对非致癌风险和致癌风险贡献率均最大,三氯甲烷的致癌风险也高于10~(-6)的可接受风险。末梢水和二次供水中铜的风险值要高于出厂水,锌风险值要低于出厂水;丰水期总致癌风险要高于枯水期;深度处理的水样其非致癌总风险更小。结论某市饮用水中经饮水途径暴露As等10种污染物产生的致癌风险超过可接受风险水平;其中砷的健康风险最高。     

The human drama of genetics: 'hard' and 'soft' media representations of inherited breast cancer

This paper examines media coverage of 'breast cancer genetics', and explores its implications for public understanding. We present a content analysis of coverage in British newspapers and look at a variety of popular forms, including women's magazines, television soap opera and radio drama. Genetic/inherited risk receives a great deal of coverage across a wide range of media formats and outlets. Much of this attention has focused on individuals from 'high risk families' and dilemmas around prophylactic mastectomies. Through examining media coverage, combined with interviews with media personnel and their sources, we show why this story proved so attractive to the media and highlight the different production values which influence coverage. Finally, we introduce preliminary findings from focus group discussions to demonstrate how such 'human interest' framing has engaged audience attention and influenced public understandings. The paper concludes by highlighting the implications for analysing, predicting, and engaging with, media representations of science.     

Self-reported health problems among Swedish miners one year after unemployment

Unemployment is considered to be a public health concern sincedeterioration in the health of the unemployed is often anticipated.However, for some groups, such as miners, unemployment mightimprove health due to a cessation of potentially harmful occupationalexposures. This study evaluates the health of 79 miners in oneSwedish iron-ore mine, and 226 age-matched controls from thegeneral population, during one year after the closure of themine. The participants received a questionnaire regarding medicalhistory and subjective symptoms at the beginning of the studyperiod, and after one year. Statistically significant negativeeffects on self-reported health attributable to unemploymentwere not found, although neuropsychiatric symptoms were morecommon among the unemployed miners. The miners reported a statisticallysignificant improvement in grip force (p=0.031). They had asignificantly higher prevalence of symptoms associated withmining related exposures when compared with the population controls;pain in the upper extremities [relative risk (RR)=2.27, 95%confidence interval (Cl)=1.44–3.59), back pain (RR=1.84;Cl=1.237–2.75), vasospastic disease of the fingers (RR=2.05;Cl=1.18–3.57) and obstructive respiratory symptoms (attacksof dyspnea and wheezing: RR=3.67; Cl=1.167–11.6).     

Excès de cas humains et animaux de tularémie en France au cours de l’hiver 2007–2008 : émergence ou phénomène isolé ?

Context

Tularemia is a zoonosis affecting humans and hares in France. We describe the results of surveillance in both species, in 2007 and 2008.

Methods

Human tularemia cases are mandatorily notifiable in France since 2003. In hares, surveillance relies on volunteer hunter associations in all districts of the country. Data from mandatory reports and volunteer surveillance in 2007/2008 were analyzed and compared with previous results.

Results

In 2007/2008, 144 cases were reported in humans and 117 cases in hares. This was a 100% increase compared to previous years. Human cases differed from those of previous years only by the frequency of contact with breeding animals. Human cases without any documented risk exposure were also more frequent.

Conclusion

An increase of tularemia cases occurred in 2007/2008 in both species. Complementary studies are needed to identify the species reservoir in France to understand the causes of this peak of cases.     

Occupational health hazards in mining: an overview

This review article outlines the physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic and psychosocial occupational health hazards of mining and associated metallurgical processes. Mining remains an important industrial sector in many parts of the world and although substantial progress has been made in the control of occupational health hazards, there remains room for further risk reduction. This applies particularly to traumatic injury hazards, ergonomic hazards and noise. Vigilance is also required to ensure exposures to coal dust and crystalline silica remain effectively controlled.     

Manufacture and use of nanomaterials: current status in the UK and global trends

This paper provides an overview of the production and use of nanomaterials (NMs), particularly in the UK. Currently, relatively few companies in the UK are identifiable as NM manufacturers, the main emphasis being the bulk markets in metals and metal oxides, and some niche markets such as carbon nanotubes and quantum dots. NM manufacturing in the UK does not reflect the global emphasis on fullerenes, nanotubes and fibres. Some assumptions have been made about the types of NM that are likely to be imported into the UK, which currently include fullerenes, modified fullerenes and other carbon-based NMs including nanotubes. Many university departments, spin-offs and private companies have developed processes for the manufacture of NMs but may only be producing small quantities for research and development (R&D) purposes. However, some have the potential to scale up to produce large quantities. The nanotechnology industry in the UK has strong R&D backup from universities and related institutions. This review has covered R&D trends at such institutions, and appropriate information has been added to a searchable database. While several companies are including NMs in their products, only a few (e.g. manufacturers of paints, coatings, cosmetics, catalysts, polymer composites) are using nanoparticles (NPs) in any significant quantities. However, this situation is likely to change rapidly. There is a need to collect more information about exposure to NPs in both manufacturing and user scenarios. As the market grows, and as manufacturers switch from the micro- to the nanoscale, the potential for exposure will increase. More research is required to quantify any risks to workers and consumers.     

Worker education in the primary prevention of occupational dermatoses

This paper reports the evaluation of a skin care education programmeconducted on a fine chemicals manufacturing site where over1,000 employees are located. Approximately 60% are involvedin chemical manufacture. Over a 12 month period production staffreceived training in prevention of occupational dermatoses linkedto a site-wide poster initiative. The incidence of new casesof occupational dermatoses fell from 0.055 (70 cases in 1,277employees) to 0.021 (27 cases in 1,277 employees) before andafter the intervention respectively (p<0.0001). After otherfactors such as chemicals handled, observer bias and changesin reporting related to socioeconomic climate were taken intoaccount it is concluded that this study demonstrates the importanceof worker education as a tool for primary prevention of disease.Training materials such as video and poster presentations maybe effectively used in the chemical manufacturing industry asan adjunct to prevention and control of exposure to substanceshazardous to the skin. Such methods may also be used in otherindustries where there are significant risks of dermatoses.     

Regional Variation in Travel-related Illness acquired in Africa,March 1997–May 2011

To understand geographic variation in travel-related illness acquired in distinct African regions, we used the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network database to analyze records for 16,893 ill travelers returning from Africa over a 14-year period. Travelers to northern Africa most commonly reported gastrointestinal illnesses and dog bites. Febrile illnesses were more common in travelers returning from sub-Saharan countries. Eleven travelers died, 9 of malaria; these deaths occurred mainly among male business travelers to sub-Saharan Africa. The profile of illness varied substantially by region: malaria predominated in travelers returning from Central and Western Africa; schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis, and dengue from Eastern and Western Africa; and loaisis from Central Africa. There were few reports of vaccine-preventable infections, HIV infection, and tuberculosis. Geographic profiling of illness acquired during travel to Africa guides targeted pretravel advice, expedites diagnosis in ill returning travelers, and may influence destination choices in tourism.     

Investigating clusters in the workplace and beyond

Clusters of disease are common and occur in the workplace and in the general community. They often arouse considerable concern among the population. Investigations have sometimes lead to exciting new knowledge, but in general the investigation of clusters is difficult and often unrewarding, especially for community clusters. In the workplace, investigations are more likely to find associations and even new causes, but still many clusters remain enigmatic. Despite this, there are many reasons for investigating clusters, including allaying community concern and identifying uncontrolled exposures. A structure for investigating clusters in the workplace is suggested.