Benzene exposure monitoring of Tunisian workers

To monitor benzene exposure and to check reliability of urinary trans,trans-Muconic Acid (t,t-MA) as a bio-marker of benzene exposure in local conditions, a study was conducted on 30 Tunisian exposed workers (20 tanker fillers and 10 filling station attendants). The analyses were carried out on environmental air and urinary t,t-MA before (t,t-MAA) and at the end of work shift (t,t-MAB). 20 nonoccupationally exposed subjects were also investigated. The average value of environmental benzene concentration was 0.17 ppm. The differences between t,t-MAA and t,t-MAB concentrations and between t,t-MAB and t,t-MA measured in controls (t,t-MAC) were both significant (p < 0.001). Benzene air concentrations were well correlated with t,t-MAB: R = 0.76. In the nonexposed group, average t,t-MA concentrations is significantly higher among smokers than nonsmokers (P < 0.02). Analysis of urinary t,t-MA offers a relatively simple and suitable method for benzene exposure monitoring.     

A retrospective cohort study among iron-steel workers in Anshan, China: exposure assessment

Although adequate assessment of exposure is needed in epidemiological studies among foundry workers, previous studies are often lacking in this aspect. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of a Chinese iron and steel company with a 14-yr follow up during 1980-1993. Exposure assessment was performed for a single job, i.e., the current job for the active worker and the longest job for the retired or deceased worker as of the end of the follow-up, which was allocated as the surrogate of lifetime job and was applied to a job-exposure matrix. Of the 147,062 cohort members, 52,394 males (43%) and 5,291 females (21%) were exposed to any of 15 hazardous factors such as dust, silica, PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), CO (carbon monoxide) and heat. In 2,104 randomly selected samples, the exposure assessment of exposed workers based on a single job was found to be 12-14% lower than the real situation. This study suggests that the exposure assessment is valuable in evaluating the health effects among the foundry workers, despite some limitations such as underestimation of exposure assessment and the lack of data regarding smoking and drinking habits.     

Respiratory symptoms and illnesses among brick kiln workers: a cross sectional study from rural districts of Pakistan

Background

Breastfeeding has been shown consistently in observational studies to be protective of overweight and obesity in later life. This study aimed to investigate the association between breastfeeding duration and weight status in a national sample of Australian children and adolescents.

Methods

A secondary analysis of the 2007 Australian National Children's Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey data involving 2066, males and females aged 9 to 16 years from all Australian states and territories. The effect of breastfeeding duration on weight status was estimated using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

Compared to those who were never breastfed, children breastfed for ??6 months were significantly less likely to be overweight (adjusted odds ratio: 0.64, 95%CI: 0.45, 0.91) or obese (adjusted odds ratio: 0.51, 95%CI: 0.29, 0.90) in later childhood, after adjustment for maternal characteristics (age, education and ethnicity) and children's age, gender, mean energy intake, level of moderate and vigorous physical activity, screen time and sleep duration.

Conclusions

Breastfeeding for 6 or more months appears to be protective against later overweight and obesity in this population of Australian children. The beneficial short-term health outcomes of breastfeeding for the infant are well recognised and this study provides further observational evidence of a potential long-term health outcome and additional justification for the continued support and promotion of breastfeeding to six months and beyond.     

739名医务人员锐器伤职业暴露现状调查

目的了解某院医务人员锐器伤职业暴露发生情况,以探讨防治措施。方法2011年11月,对该院739名在岗职工发放《医务人员锐器伤职业暴露筛查表》,调查其1-10月是否发生职业暴露,筛查出发生职业暴露的人员,再填写《医务人员锐器伤职业暴露危害因素调查表》。对资料进行分析。结果739名在岗职工发生锐器伤职业暴露83例,107例次,锐器伤职业暴露发生率为11.23%,例次率为14.48%。锐器伤职业暴露以护士的发生率最高,达17.23%;工作年限以5～10年的工作人员发生率最高,达24.68%;发生的环节主要是将针头放入利器盒（26.17%）、双手回套针帽（18.69%）;暴露场所居前3位的是普通病房（57.95%）、手术室（12.15%）和急诊科（10.28%）;锐器伤涉及的主要医疗器具是针头（93.46%）。结论对医务人员锐器伤职业暴露现状进行调查,有利于了解其职业暴露情况,对建立和健全职业暴露的监测体系提供科学依据。     

Seroprevalence of pertussis among healthcare workers: A cross-sectional study from Tunisia

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess pertussis seroprevalence among healthy healthcare workers (HCW) of the Children’s Hospital of Tunis, Tunisia. During the study period, 236 blood samples were obtained to determine HCW exposure to pertussis. Concentrations of immunoglobulin G (IgG) to pertussis toxin (PT) were measured using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cut-offs values used were 40 and 100?IU/ml, respectively indicative of an infection within the last year and a current/recent infection. Overall, seropositivity rate was 11.4% (95% CI 7.4–15.5) and 2.5% (95% CI 0.5–4.6) of ELISA results were indicative of a current infection. Seroprevalence was significantly most important in nurses (p?=?0.03) and in participants aged 21–31y (p?=?0.009). Our study confirmed that pertussis is circulating in hospital settings and affecting Tunisian HCW, in close contact with infants. Therefore, a booster dose of acellular pertussis vaccine needs to be considered.     

Influence of arsenic exposure and smoking on lung cancer among smelter workers: A pilot study

A pilot study of 300 smelter workers from the cohort reported by Lee and Fraumeni [1969] has been studied: 150 men from their heavy exposure group and 150 men from the rest of the cohort randomly selected. Usable smoking habits were obtained from 86% of the sample. Estimates of the total lifetime work exposure were made from available measurements. A very high risk of lung cancer (SMR 1429) was observed among the most heavily exposed workers. Excess risks, though still present, were much less in those with lower exposures. There was a lower proportion of nonsmokers among the heavily exposed arsenic workers than among the other workers. This suggests that there may be some interaction between smoking and arsenic exposure. Moreover, comparison of smoking habits reported by smelter workers suggested that, as a group, they smoked more heavily than average for the United States population. A small study of proxy smoking histories suggested that these were valid and unbiased. The work continues on an enlarged sample.     

车间空气氢醌接触情况调查研究

目的研究我国车间空气氢醌（ＨＱ）接触情况。方法以不同接触浓度下９４名ＨＱ作业工人（男４９人,女４５人）为研究对象,以不接触化学物质和其它有害因素的４８名工人《男２３人,女２５人）为对照,均衡可比。对接触与对照同时作眼科裂隙灯检查、肝功能、肾功能、免疫指标、血液系统检查,并将调查结果输入 ＥｐｉＩｎｆｏ软件作统计分析。结果 ＨＱ接触工人在车间空气浓度为０．４４２ｍｇ／ｍ３作业环境中工作,为人体基本无害浓度。结论根据我国国情,建议ＨＱ车间空气最高允许浓度为 ０５ ｍｇ／ｍ３。     

杭州市场罐头类食品的双酚A污染调查及其膳食风险评估

人类通过多种途径暴露于双酚A（BPA）,膳食暴露是普通人群暴露途径之一。人群膳食暴露量评估资料表明,BPA的膳食暴露量远低于美国推荐的可耐受每日摄入量（50 μg/kg·bw/d）。BPA进入人体后表现为弱的雌激素作用,干扰人体内分泌系统,对人体健康风险表现在影响女性激素水平、胎儿的生长发育和男性生殖系统功能,与儿童肥胖、复发性流产、多囊卵巢综合征、2型糖尿病相关。研究表明,人群暴露于BPA呈现出多途径、低剂量、长期暴露的特点,该特点的暴露会对人体健康有一定影响。     

Disparities in smoke-free workplace policies among food service workers

Information is lacking on which groups of workers are protected from job-related environmental tobacco smoke. Data from the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey are analyzed for trends in smoke-free workplace policies among 38 major occupations. Data are also analyzed to determine the degree of compliance with such policies. Although over three fourths of white collar workers are covered by smoke-free policies, including 90% of teachers, just 43% of the country's 6.6 million food preparation and service occupations workers benefit from this level of protection. Compliance with workplace restrictions is not a significant human resources issue because only 3.8% of workers reported that someone violated a smoke-free policy in 1999, down from 4.9% in 1996. Protection for workers is increasing, but those in food preparation and service occupations are significantly less protected than others.     

How immigrant workers experience workplace problems: a qualitative study

In this qualitative study, the authors describe work organization factors, problems workers encounter on the job, consequences of these problems, and actions taken to deal with them. Study participants were immigrant workers seeking assistance at the Chicago Interfaith Workers' Rights Center. Using a grounded theory approach, the investigators coded narratives from 455 records describing workers' problems. Emerged sequences of events were then integrated into a model. Data show that workers' rights are systematically violated and problems are rooted in how jobs are designed and managed. Work organization factors are associated with occupational injury/illness, job loss, and worker actions. Employer responses included indifference and various forms of retaliation. This model provides insight into the work-related troubles immigrants face and informs hypothesis generation and action initiatives.     

Assessment of exposure to arsenic among smelter workers: A five-year follow-up

In a group of 43 smelter workers exposed to inorganic arsenic dust for 13-45 years, nerve conduction velocities (NCVs) were significantly lower in two peripheral nerves as compared with matching referents. With multivariate data analysis, a significant negative correlation was found between cumulative absorption of arsenic and NCV in four examined nerves and the sural amplitude. Clinical symptoms of neuropathy and other symptoms related to arsenic exposure were moderate, though the difference between the groups was significant. The mean total absorption of arsenic was calculated to be less than 5 g, and the maximal absorption about 20 g. These data indicate that the adverse effect of arsenic on the peripheral nerves is dependent on long-term exposure rather than on short-term fluctuations in exposure levels. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Motives for protective behavior against carcinogenic substances in the workplace: a pilot study among Dutch workers

Exposure to carcinogenic substances in the workplace creates an increased risk of certain types of cancer among employees. In The Netherlands, more than one million of the total working population of 10 million are exposed to toxic substances in more than 100,000 Dutch companies. To motivate workers to comply with protective recommendations, it is important to know their reasons for complying or not complying. The goal of the present study was to analyze the differences between workers who show a relatively high degree of protective behavior and those who show a relatively low degree of such behavior. The beliefs of workers exposed to carcinogenic substances at four worksites were analyzed. Data on attitudes, perceptions of social support, and self-efficacy expectations toward compliance with protective behavior were collected among 164 workers. The results showed that non-compliant workers perceived fewer benefits, encountered less social support, and, most importantly, encountered more barriers to complying with safety recommendations. It is concluded that health education programs must address these specific items to motivate non-compliant workers to comply more fully with protective recommendations.     

Diesel exposure and mortality among railway workers: results of a pilot study.

A pilot study of the mortality of railway workers was undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of studying the association of exposure to diesel exhaust and cause specific mortality. The cohort consisted of 2519 white male subjects aged 45-64 with at least 10 years of railway service by 1967. Subjects were selected on the basis of job classification, and cause specific mortality was ascertained for subjects who died (n = 501) up to 1979. The total follow up period was 28.4 (X 1000) person-years. The standardised mortality ratio (SMR) for the cohort, based on United States national rates, was 87 (95% confidence limits 80, 95), and there were no significant differences from expected number of deaths for any specific neoplasm. The directly standardised rate ratio for respiratory cancer among diesel exposed subjects relative to unexposed subjects was 1.42 +/- 0.50 (means +/- SE). A proportional hazards model was consistent with the findings of the standardised rate ratio, but in neither analysis was the increased risk of respiratory cancer in diesel exposed subjects statistically significant.     

Perchloroethylene exposure assessment among dry cleaning workers

Perchloroethylene (Perc), the most widely used solvent in dry cleaning, is toxic to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system and may be a human carcinogen. In the Detroit area, as part of a project investigating the health status of dry cleaning workers, an exposure assessment was carried out in dry cleaning plants using perchloroethylene. Breath samples were obtained from each participant, and time-weighted average (TWA) breathing zone air samples were obtained using passive dosimeters on a subset expected to experience a range of exposures. Perc in breath and Perc in air were highly correlated (r2 = 0.75, p less than 0.0001). On average, operators of dry cleaning equipment experienced significantly more exposure than nonoperators. Also, employees working in shops that use transfer equipment (requiring physical transfer of Perc-saturated clothing from washers to dryers) showed significantly higher exposure than those in shops utilizing dry-to-dry machinery (permitting washing and drying in one machine in a single cycle). One or more air samples in every transfer shop exceeded the recently revised Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 25 ppm, while no air samples in dry-to-dry shops exceeded this limit. The results suggest concern for exposures to operators in transfer shops and that compliance with the PEL is achievable by engineering controls with presently existing technology.