Occupational exposure to particulate matter and endotoxin for California dairy workers

Occupational exposure of dairy workers to particulate matter (PM) and endotoxin has been considered by some to be of potential concern. This paper reports personal exposure concentrations of PM (μg/m³) and endotoxin (EU/m³) for 226 workers from 13 California dairies. Arithmetic mean personal concentrations for PM_2.5, inhalable PM and endotoxin were 48 μg/m³ (N = 222), 987 μg/m³ (N = 225) and 453 EU/m³ (N = 225), respectively. Using mixed effects models, time spent re-bedding of freestall barns versus any other job conducted on a dairy led to the highest exposure for PM_2.5, inhalable PM, and endotoxin. Personal exposure concentrations were found to be greater than those reported for ambient area based concentrations at the same dairies. A pseudo R-square approach revealed that one area based measure combined with time spent performing tasks explained a significant portion of variation in personal exposure concentrations.     

Occupational exposure to particulate matter in three Indian opencast mines

Exposure of mine workers to particulate matter (PM) in opencast mines is of major concern because of associated adverse health impacts. Dispersion of PM in such mines depends on their design and local meteorological conditions. With an increase in depth of mines, efficient vertical movement and the dispersion of PM away from mine working area become difficult. Therefore, studies on dispersion behavior of PM in opencast mines are needed. Measurements of PM concentration have been carried out in three opencast mines in India: (i) Malanjkhand Copper Project (MCP), (ii) Kiriburu Iron Ore Mine (KIOM), and (iii) Meghahatuburu Iron Ore Mine (MIOM). A total of 20 days of monitoring of PM and local meteorology were carried out in these three mines. The aims were to investigate the following: (i) vertical PM concentration profiles at different depths during mining operation, (ii) particle travel time and its relationship with mine depth, (iii) particle mass balance in terms of the dispersion and settling proportion, and (iv) the relationship of particle concentration with depth as it moves downward. Results show that the inhalable PM (10–20 μm) were ~22 and 36 % higher than the thoracic (4–10 μm) and alveolic (<4 μm) fractions of PM, respectively. Travel times of PM from ~10 m mine depth to surface are measured up to 17and 13 min for the KIOM and MIOM, respectively. Travel time was as high as ~1 h at MCP for source (workplace where mining operations are taking place) at a depth of 168 m. An empirical equation (R?=?0.746, p?=?0.034) showing relationship between particle travel time and depth is developed. About 23–39 % inhalable, 19–37 % thoracic, and 9–30 % alveolic PM settled inside the mine within a vertical distance of 18–20 m from the source and 30–47 % inhalable, 31–51 % thoracic, and 34–54 % alveolic PM escaped from the mine. The empirical equations for downward movement of PM predicted particle concentrations between 88 and 91 % of the measured value at 10 m depth and 75 and 95 % at 40 m. The findings of this work are important in understanding dispersion of occupational PM at the worksite and the associated exposure of mine workers.     

Occupational exposure to antineoplastic agents at several departments in a hospital

Summary The occupational exposure to cyclophosphamide (CP), ifosfamide (IF), 5-fluorouracil (5FU), and methotrexate (MTX) of 25 pharmacy technicians and nurses from four departments of a hospital was investigated. Previously developed methods for the detection of exposure to some antineoplastic agents were validated. Exposure to CP, IF, 5FU, and MTX was measured by the analysis of these compounds in the environment (air samples and wipe samples from possible contaminated surfaces and objects). Contamination of the work environment was found not only on the working trays of the hoods and on the floors of the different rooms but also on other objects like tables, the sink unit, cleaned urinals and chamber pots, and drug vials and ampules used for preparation and packing of drugs. The gloves used during preparation of the drugs and during cleaning of the hoods were always contaminated. The uptake of CP or IF was determined by the analysis of both compounds in urine. CP or IF was detected in the urine of eight pharmacy technicians and nurses. The amounts ranged from < 0.01 to 0.5 g (median: 0.1 g). CP and IF were found not only in the urine of pharmacy technicians and nurses actively handling these compounds (n = 2) but also in the urine of pharmacy technicians and nurses not directly involved in the preparation and administration of these two drugs (n = 6). CP and IF were excreted during different periods ranging from 1.40 to 24.15 h after the beginning of the working day, suggesting different times of exposure, different exposure routes, and/or interindividual differences in biotransformation and excretion rate for these compounds. The urinary CP and IF determination method seems to be sensitive and suitable for monitoring the exposure to and measuring the uptake of these toxic compounds by pharmacy technicians and nurses during occupational activities.     

Occupational paraquat exposure of agricultural workers in large Costa Rican farms

Objective  Paraquat is an herbicide widely used worldwide. This study determined the extent of occupational exposure to paraquat among farm workers in Costa Rica and identified determinants of occupational exposure. Methods  Twenty-four hour urine samples were collected from 119 paraquat handlers and 54 non-handlers from banana, coffee and palm oil farms. Information about herbicide handling operations was also collected. The urinary paraquat levels were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 2 ng/mL. Inhalable dust and airborne paraquat levels were simultaneously measured for a subset of the participants. Results  Urinary paraquat measurements were non-detectable or very low when workers did not handle paraquat. For handlers, 83.3, 47.1 and 63.9% of the samples were below the LOQ on before-, during- and after-paraquat spray days, respectively. The arithmetic mean (±SD) of urinary paraquat level on days when workers handled paraquat was 6.3 (±10.45) μg/24 h. Paraquat exposures among handlers on spray day were significantly associated with the type of crop. Conclusion  Non-handlers had negligible urinary paraquat, while detectable paraquat exposures were observed among handlers on spray day. Urinary paraquat levels were different by crop.     

可吸入大气颗粒物暴露对居民每日死亡短期影响的Meta分析

目的综合分析国内外可吸人大气颗粒物（PM10）短期暴露与人群死亡关系的流行病学资料,以获取大气PM10污染与居民死亡的暴露一反应关系。方法在计算机联机检索文献和手工检索的基础上,对近十年来发表的相关研究文献采用meta分析的方法进行综合评价,并检验、校正可能存在的发表偏倚,从而准确、定量地确定PM10污染与居民死亡的暴露一反应关系。结果建立了居民短期接触大气PM10污染的暴露一反应关系,即在未考虑发表偏倚的情况下,大气中PM10每增加100μg/m^3,居民死亡的相对危险度增加3．87％（95％CI：2．84％～5．02％）,在校正了发表偏倚后大气中PM10每增加100p．μg／m^3,死亡的相对危险度增加下降为1．41％（95％CI：0．30％-2．43％）,与考虑偏倚前相比下降了63．6％。结论该研究建立的暴露-反应关系较早注意到发表偏倚的影响,具有一定的代表性与科学性,可用于大气颗粒物暴露健康危险度评价工作参考,为制定相关环境决策提供科学依据。     

实习医学生血源性病原体职业暴露调查

目的 调查实习医学生血源性职业暴露情况,探讨针对性防护措施,减少职业暴露的发生.方法 对2009年1月1日-2011年12月31 日实习医学生上报登记的35名职业暴露进行分析.结果 1438名实习医学生中共收到35名发生血源性职业暴露报告,暴露率为2.43％;护理专业实习生发生血源性职业暴露,27名占77.14％,护理专业与临床医学专业及其他专业实习生发生职业暴露比较,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05);锐器伤为导致暴露的主要形式,32名占91.43％,致锐器伤操作环节多发生在输液、注射、采血后拔针时,占77.14％;暴露源中患有血源性传播疾病22名,占62.86％.结论 实习医学生面临血源性职业暴露的潜在危险,尤其是护理专业的学生,医院应加强实习医学生职业防护的教育、规范操作行为;实习医学生也应提高自身防护意识,避免和减少血源性职业暴露的发生.     

外来务工人员的职业卫生问题与对策

目的通过对外来务工人员职业卫生服务中存在主要问题分析,提出了改善外来务工人员职业卫生管理构建和谐社会的5项建议。发现职业卫生存在以下问题：①职业病呈现高发状态。②外来务工人员职业卫生知识知晓率低。③职业健康监护和职业卫生防护措施不到位。采取对策：①建立健全工伤保险制度,保障流动人口的公平享受合法权益;②加强各部门之间的协作,保障职业病诊断的顺利进行。③设立职业病基金,保障流动人口职业病待遇;④建立健全职业病防治体系,加强职业病防治队伍建设。⑤加强流动人口的职业健康教育,提高职业健康风险认知。     

上海市普陀区接苯员工职业卫生现状调查

目的了解普陀区涉苯企业接苯员工的职业卫生状况.方法随机抽取普陀区涉苯企业78家,对其中320名接苯员工进行职业卫生学调查,并按本地员工和非本地员工分为两组.结果非本地员工在签订合同和职业卫生培训方面明显不及本地员工,差异具有显著性(P＜0.01);非本地员工对工作环境的要求明显不及本地员工;趋势检验显示随着接苯工龄的延长,阳性体征的发生率越高(P＜0.01).结论涉苯企业的职业卫生问题仍值得关注,为切实保护劳动者的身体健康,应重视涉苯企业职业卫生的监督、管理工作.     

Occupational exposure to antineoplastic agents and parameters for renal dysfunction

 To study the nephrotoxic effects of occupational exposure to antineoplastic agents, the early renal effect parameters retinol-binding protein (RBP) and albumin (ALB) were determined in the urine of 11 hospital workers involved in the preparation and administration of antineoplastic agents and in 23 hospital workers not involved in drug handling, who served as nonexposed controls. No significant difference was found between the exposed group and the nonexposed control group with respect to the early renal effect parameters RBP and ALB. Although it was demonstrated that the hospital workers were exposed to cyclophosphamide (CP) and probably other antineoplastc agents, the results of the present study show that these exposure levels did not cause nephrotoxic effects. Received: 2 November 1995/Accepted: 2 May 1996     

Occupational exposure to cadmium and kidney dysfunction

Summary Investigations were carried out in an alkaline battery factory. The study group consisted of 102 persons and the control group of 85 persons. Cadmium in blood (Cd-B) and cadmium in urine (Cd-U), as well as ₂-microglobulin (B₂-M), retinol binding protein (RBP), amino acids in urine were determined. Exposure to cadmium was high; Cd-B and Cd-U concentrations were higher than recommended, 10 gmg/l and 10 gmg/g creat. in 65% and 56% of workers, respectively. Excretion of B₂-M and RBP in urine was higher than the accepted upper limits of 380 and 130 I g/g creat. in about 20% of the workers. A significant correlation was observed between: log Cd-U log Cd-B (r = 0.85), log B₂-M log RBP (r = 0.66), log Cd-U · log B₂- M (r = 0.52), and log Cd-U · log RBP (r = 0.55). To evaluate the admissible period of occupational exposure to cadmium, an integrated exposure index (Cd-B × years of exposure) is proposed. According to the dose-response relationship, an increase of low molecular protein excretion in urine can be expected in 10% of the cases at Cd-U amounting to 10 to 15 g/g creat. and Cd-B × years of about 300 to 400.     

妊娠期空气颗粒物暴露与早产

越来越多的研究证据表明,孕妇妊娠期颗粒物暴露可通过母体影响胎儿的发育,导致早产、低出生体重、胎儿生长受限和潜在的不良心血管和呼吸道结局。但研究结果并不一致,且生物学机制尚不明确。本文通过对近年来国内外主要几种颗粒物人体暴露来源和其对早产影响及生物学机制作一简要综述,为控制空气污染和减少早产等不良妊娠结局的发生以及进一步探讨其可能的生物学机制提供基础依据。     

医院检验人员的职业暴露及防护

目的分析医院检验专业人员职业暴露的致伤原因及风险因素,提出安全防护对策和职业暴露发生后的处理措施,以减少检验人员的职业暴露和暴露后感染的发生。方法提高检验专业各种风险因素的思想认识,从加强培训,提高职业防护意识;加强管理,规范操作程序,使用必备的防护用具,实施标准预防;强化生物安全理念,落实必要防护措施做起。结果根据检验人员的工作性质和特点制定切实可行的职业暴露的防护干预措施。结论正确的安全防护对策和职业暴露发生后的处理措施,可最大限度地预防和降低医院检验人员的职业暴露和暴露后感染的发生。     

医务人员血源性病原体职业暴露调查分析

目的了解医务人员血源性病原体污染锐器伤发生的情况,探讨原因与防护对策。方法通过建立医务人员锐器伤监测系统,对64名医务人员发生血源性病原体污染锐器伤的情况进行统计分析。结果护士和外科医师锐器伤发生率高分别为54.68%、35.94%;46.88%锐器伤发生在手术室;按致伤锐器的种类统计,针刺伤占81.25%、手术器械损伤占18.75%,其中发生在分离针头、套帽、操作时未对准、整理和清理物品、尖锐物品藏于其他物品中、他人意外损伤等操作环节分别为15.62%、12.50%、17.19%、17.19%、9.38%、20.31%。结论加强医务人员职业防护知识和安全操作技能训练,完善和规范操作规程,降低医务人员血源性病原体职业暴露的风险。     

聊城市农民工职业健康危害及防治对策

目的为促进农民工职业病防治措施的落实提供科学依据,切实保障广大农民工的健康权益。方法在聊城市市直及某县市企业68家用人单位中进行职业卫生调查、问卷、检测,对部分农民工进行职业健康检查。结果3800名农民工主要分布于建筑施工、铸造、电气焊维修、房屋装修、纺织、化工等行业。主要职业病危害因素有粉尘、噪声、锰及其化合物、苯系及有机溶剂等。2220名农民工的健康检查结果显示粉尘作业者以呼吸系统损害为主,噪声作业者的听力异常、心电图异常及高血压检出率,经χ2检验均明显高于对照组。发现与各类职业相关的异常及职业禁忌证者57人,疑似尘肺病5人,确诊尘肺病人2例。结论农民工的作业环境差多处于工作环境最危险、工作条件最恶劣、劳动强度最大、职业病危害最严重的岗位。防护设施、个人防护严重不足。用人单位、各级政府及有关部门应尽快落实农民工职业病防治的各项政策。     

Time to first pregnancy among women working in agricultural production

Objectives: This study explores several factors potentially associated with reduced fecundability among women working in cut flowers production. Methods: A cross-sectional study of first pregnancies was undertaken in 47 Colombian floriculture companies. Two thousand and eighty-five women were interviewed regarding potential reproductive, lifestyle and work history predictors of time-to-pregnancy (TTP), measured in months. Fecundability odds ratios (fOR) were estimated using a discrete time analogue of Coxs proportional hazard model. Results: Associated with longer TTP were: irregular relationships with her partner (fOR 0.82, 95% CI 0.73–0.91), illness in the year prior to pregnancy (fOR 0.78, 95% CI 0.62–0.98), smoking tobacco (fOR 0.71, 95% CI 0.59–0.85), and work in flower production, less than 24 months (fOR 0.86 95% CI 0.75–0.98) or 2 years or more (fOR 0.73, 95% CI 0.63–0.84). Conclusions: Work in flower production, irregular relationship, illness and tobacco exposure would be associated with impaired fecundability.     

Occupational exposure to chemical agents in the paper industry

As part of an International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) international epidemiological study of workers in the pulp and paper industry, previously unpublished exposure measurements were assembled in a database. This article summarizes the results of 3,873 measurements carried out in the production departments of paper and paperboard mills and recycling plants in 12 countries. In the paper and paperboard mills, most of the agents were measured in the pulping and refining departments and in on-machine coating and winding of paper/paperboard. Exposures to asbestos, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, fungal spores, bacteria, nitrogen dioxide, minerals dusts, paper dust, sulphuric acid and different solvents sometimes exceeded exposure limit values. In the re-pulping and de-inking departments of recycling plants high exposures to formaldehyde, fungal spores, bacteria and paper dust were observed. High exposures to asbestos, bioaerosols, carbon monoxide and paper dust were found in many departments; ammonia, formaldehyde, mineral and paper dust and solvents were found in coating machines; and diphenyl and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) were found in some special circumstances. Measurements in the newsprint and uncoated paper machine departments revealed only a few elevated exposures. In nearly all departments, measurements of epichlorohydrin, PCBs, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide and mercaptans tended to be low, often even below their detection limits. In spite of some uncertainties in the measurement data, the study provides new insights into the level and variation of occupational exposures of production workers in the paper and paperboard industry.     

Occupational chronic exposure to organic solvents

Summary Seventeen persons (2 women and 15 men), who were exposed to glycolethers in a varnish production plant, were examined according to their external and internal solvent exposure. The workers in the production plant (n =12) were exposed to average concentrations of ethoxyethanol, ethoxyethyl acetate, butoxyethanol, 1-methoxypropanol-2, 2-methoxypropyl-1-acetate and xylene of 2.8; 2.7; 1.1; 7.0; 2.8 and 1.7 ppm. In the air of the store (n = 3) and in the laboratory (n = 2) only minor concentrations of xylene respectively xylene and ethoxyethyl acetate could be measured. Internal exposure was estimated by measuring butoxyethanol (BE) in blood as well as ethoxyacetic acid (EAA) and butoxyacetic acid (BAA) in urine samples. Urine samples were taken pre- and post-shift. As expected, the highest values were found in the varnish production. The average post shift concentrations of BE, EAA and BAA were 121.3 g/l; 167.8 and 10.5 mg/l. The relatively high concentrations of EAA and BAA in pre-shift samples can be explained by the long half-lives of these metabolites. According to our findings most of the glycolethers were taken up through the skin. Comparing our results with those reported in the literature we think that a future tolerable limit value for the concentration of ethoxyacetic acid in urine should be in the order of 100 to 200 mg/l.     

Occupational and environmental human lead exposure in Brazil

The purpose of this paper is to present a review of data on assessment of exposure and adverse effects due to environmental and occupational lead exposure in Brazil. Epidemiological investigations on children lead exposure around industrial and mining areas have shown that lead contamination is an actual source of concern. Lead in gasoline has been phasing out since the 1980s, and it is now completely discontinued. The last lead mining and lead refining plant was closed in 1995, leaving residual environmental lead contamination which has recently been investigated using a multidisciplinary approach. Moreover, there are hundreds of small battery recycling plants and secondary smelting facilities all over the country, which produce focal urban areas of lead contamination. Current regulatory limits for workplace lead exposure have shown to be inadequate as safety limits according to a few studies carried out lately.     

Occupational exposure to organophosphorus insecticides and synthetic pyrethroid

Summary Dermal and respiratory exposure to pirimiphosmethyl, dimethoate and permethrin were determined for applicators and operators in greenhouse tomato spraying operations. Dermal exposure is several times higher than the degree of respiratory exposure. Dermal exposure in terms of different parts of the body shows significant differences. For applicators the exposure of hands, arms and legs is the greatest, and the operators are the most exposed on their hands and to a small extent on legs. This fact should be taken into account when providing the workers with suitable protective clothing. The carefully selected technology of spraying also has great significance in decreasing the degree of exposure. Because of the chronic toxicity of dimethoate, all possible methods should be taken to reduce exposure.