Clinical and HRCT screening of heavily asbestos-exposed workers

Purpose  

To characterize asbestosis today and to clarify the indications for high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in the surveillance of heavily exposed workers.     

Work hours,weight status,and weight-related behaviors: a study of metro transit workers

Background  

Associations between hours worked per week and Body Mass Index (BMI), food intake, physical activity, and perceptions of eating healthy at work were examined in a sample of transit workers.     

High-frequency hearing loss,occupational noise exposure and hypertension: a cross-sectional study in male workers

Background  

The association between occupational noise exposure and hypertension is inconsistent because of an exposure bias caused by outer-ear measurements of noise levels among workers. This study used hearing loss values (HLVs) measured at 4 kHz and 6 kHz in both ears as a biomarker to investigate the chronic effects of noise exposure on hypertension in 790 aircraft-manufacturing workers.     

Occupational physical activity and mortality among Danish workers

Purpose  

The relationship between occupational physical activity (OPA) and mortality has mainly been studied among males and shows conflicting results. This study examines this relationship in a cohort of both male and female workers.     

The association between workplace smoking bans and self-perceived,work-related stress among smoking workers

Background  

There is substantial empirical evidence on the benefits of smoking bans; however, the unintended consequences of this anti-smoking measure have received little attention. This paper examines whether workplace smoking bans (WSB's) are associated with higher self-perceived, work-related stress among smoking workers.     

Association between body weight, physical activity and food choices among metropolitan transit workers

Background  

Associations between body weight, physical activity and dietary intake among a population of metropolitan transit workers are described.     

HIV prevention programmes for female sex workers in Andhra Pradesh,India: outputs,cost and efficiency

Background  

Female sex workers and their clients play a prominent role in the HIV epidemic in India. Systematic data on the outputs, cost and efficiency for HIV prevention programmes for female sex workers in India are not readily available to understand programme functioning and guide efficient use of resources.     

Sickness presenteeism in Spanish-born and immigrant workers in Spain

Background   

Previous studies have shown that immigrant workers face relatively worse working and employment conditions, as well as lower rates of sickness absence than native-born workers. This study aims to assess rates of sickness presenteeism in a sample of Spanish-born and foreign-born workers according to different characteristics.     

Assessment of cardiometabolic risk among shift workers in Hungary

Aim  

Shift workers may be at risk of different diseases. In order to assess cardiometabolic risk in shift workers, a cross-sectional study was performed among active workers.     

Incidence rates of surgically treated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment among manual workers,non-manual workers and housewives in Tuscany,Italy

Purpose

Candidate risk factors for idiopathic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) include heavy manual handling (requiring Valsalva’s maneuver). We assessed incidence rates of surgically treated idiopathic RRD among manual workers, non-manual workers and housewives resident in Tuscany, Italy.

Methods

We retrieved all hospital discharge records bearing a principal diagnosis corresponding to RRD coupled with retinal surgery for any resident of Tuscany during 1997–2009. After elimination of repeated admissions and patients with coexistent, associated conditions (including recent trauma), subjects aged 25–59 years were classified as manual workers, non-manual workers or housewives. Population data were extracted from the 2001 census.

Results

We identified 1,946 eligible cases (1,142 men). Among men, manual workers experienced a 1.8-fold higher age-standardized rate per 100,000 person-years than non-manual workers [17.4 (95 % confidence interval (CI) 16.1–18.7) vs. 9.8 (95 % CI 8.8–10.8)]. Age-standardized rates among women were 1.9-fold higher for manual workers [11.1 (95 % CI 9.8–12.3)] and 1.7-fold higher for housewives [9.5 (95 % CI 8.3–10.8)] than in non-manual workers [5.7 (95 % CI 4.8–6.6)].

Conclusions

This large population-based study suggests that manual workers are affected by idiopathic RRD requiring surgical treatment more often than non-manual workers. The higher rates of surgically treated RRD experienced by manual workers are in accord with the hypothesis that heavy manual handling may have a causal role.     

Engagement and Vicarious Traumatization in rescue workers

Purpose  

The aims of this study are (1) to investigate the incidence of the symptoms of Vicarious Traumatization in a group of rescue workers; (2) to explore some of the main predictors of Engagement and Vicarious Traumatization; and (3) to identify the individual and organizational factors able to improve the state of well-being of those working in the helping professions.     

Long-term follow-up of beryllium sensitized workers from a single employer

Background  

Up to 12% of beryllium-exposed American workers would test positive on beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT) screening, but the implications of sensitization remain uncertain.     

Role of urinary biomarkers of N,N-dimethylformamide in the early detection of hepatic injury among occupational exposed workers

Aim  

To determine the sensitive and convenient biomarkers for the early detection of hepatic injury in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) exposed workers.     

2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) air concentrations,hemoglobin changes,and anemia cases in respirator protected TNT munitions demilitarization workers

Purpose  

2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) is an explosive used in munitions production that is known to cause both aplastic and hemolytic anemia in exposed workers. Anemia in a TNT worker is considered a sentinel health event (occupational) (SHE(O)) in the United States (US). Deaths have been reported secondary to aplastic anemia. Studies have shown that TNT systemic absorption is significant by both the respiratory and dermal routes. No studies encountered looked at hemoglobin change or anemia cases in respiratory protected workers. It is hypothesized that respiratory protection is insufficient to protect TNT workers from the risk of anemia development and hemoglobin concentration drop.     

Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene levels in offshore workers

Objectives  

To compare differences in pre- and post-shift urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1OHP) levels as a measure of internal dose of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) between two groups of oil production workers offshore assumed to be exposed to PAH, and to compare the exposed group to an unexposed control group.     

Relationship between indium exposure and oxidative damage in workers in indium tin oxide production plants

Purpose  

The study aimed to assess the relationship between indium exposure and surfactant protein and any oxidative damage in indium tin oxide (ITO)-exposed workers.     

Metabolic profile and assessment of occupational arsenic exposure in copper- and steel-smelting workers in China

Purpose  

Analyze the urine arsenic (As) metabolite profiles of workers in copper-and special steel-smelting plants and explore the potential occupationally As exposure as well as the individual arsenicosis risk.     

Physical activity, job demand–control, perceived stress–energy, and salivary cortisol in white-collar workers

Purpose  

The aim of the present study is to examine the association between physical activity and perceived job demand, job control, perceived stress and energy, and physiological arousal reflected by morning and evening concentrations of cortisol in saliva among white-collar workers.     

Can workplaces be predictors for recent onset latent tuberculosis in health care workers?

Objective  

To study the association of workplaces and recent onset latent tuberculosis (LTB) in health care workers (HCW).     

Prevalence and determinants of hepatitis C virus infection among female drug injecting sex workers in Glasgow

Background  

Few studies of the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have focussed on women who work as street sex workers to finance their drug use.