Association Of Occupational Exposure Research Articles

Association of Occupational Exposures and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Morbidity.

The aim of the study is to determine whether aggregate measures of occupational exposures are associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) outcomes in the Subpopulations and Intermediate Outcome Measures in COPD study cohort. Individuals were assigned to six predetermined exposure hazard categories based on self-reported employment history. Multivariable regression, adjusted for age, sex, race, current smoking status, and smoking pack-years determined the association of such exposures to odds of COPD and morbidity measures. We compared these with the results of a single summary question regarding occupational exposure. A total of 2772 individuals were included. Some exposure estimates, including "gases and vapors" and "dust and fumes" exposures resulted in associations with effect estimates over two times the estimated effect size when compared with a single summary question. Use of occupational hazard categories can identify important associations with COPD morbidity while use of single-point measures may underestimate important differences in health risks.

Multiple psychosocial work exposures and well-being among employees: prospective associations from the French national Working Conditions Survey.

Aims: Working conditions, especially psychosocial work factors (PWFs), are thought to influence mental health outcomes among working populations, but there have been few studies on well-being per se. We assessed the prospective associations between a wide variety of occupational factors, including PWFs, multiple exposure to these factors, and well-being among employees in France. Methods: This study was based on a nationally representative sample of 15,776 employees, including 6595 men and 9181 women, followed up from 2013 to 2016. Psychological well-being was assessed using the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. Occupational factors included 20 PWFs, 4 factors related to working time/hours, and 4 physical work exposures. The associations of occupational exposures with poor well-being were estimated using weighted robust Poisson regression models in men and women separately. Results: Among the employees who rated their well-being as good in 2013, 10.3% of men and 16.8% of women had a poor well-being 3 years later. Most PWFs in 2013 were associated with poor well-being in 2016 among women, and half of them among men. An increase in the risk of poor well-being with the number of PWFs was found. Noise exposure was associated with poor well-being in women. Conclusions: The occupational factors associated with psychological well-being were mainly those related to the psychosocial work environment. A linear association was observed between the number of exposures to PWFs and well-being. Preventive policies focused on PWFs may be beneficial for well-being. More attention should be given to multiple exposures to these factors.

The level of blood lead painter workers Rafsanjan city and its correlation with risk factors for cardiovascular disease in 2019

Introduction: Painters are exposed to various chemical harmful agents such as lead particles in paints. Some studies have suggested a possible association of occupational exposure that may cause cardiovascular effects. Lead is absorbed through the body through the skin, skin, and respiratory tract and penetrates some tissues. Considering the importance of labor health in each country's development and progress, this study was conducted to determine the amount of lead in the blood of painters in Rafsanjan in 2019. Materials and Methods: The present study is a cross-sectional study of the descriptive type conducted in 1397 on 77 painters of Rafsanjan city. Data collection was done in two stages, in the first stage, based on a checklist that included demographic information, and in the second stage by performing laboratory tests. Finally, by recording the data in SPSS software, quantitative data was reported as a "mean ± standard deviation" and qualitative information as a "number (percent)". Results: Of the 77 painter workers, the youngest is 21, and the oldest is 70 years old. A total of 20 people (26%) had a family history of heart attacks. The highest amount of lead in the blood of painters was reported to be 30.7 micrograms per deciliter, and the level of lead was most correlated with blood sugar. Sixty people (77.9%) painters used personal protective equipment. 49.4% of the study's painters wore work clothes, and 28.6% used gloves while working. Lead levels are directly related to blood sugar, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, age, work experience, and blood sugar levels were most correlated with the level of lead in painters' blood. Conclusion: This study's findings show that due to the increase in the work experience of painters, their blood lead level has also increased, and the blood sugar level has had the highest correlation with the lead level in the painters' blood.

Infertility among iron industry workers

Occupational exposures in different industries may pose serious health impacts. A number of epidemiological studies have focused on the association of occupational exposures and adverse health effects. The need of the hour is to focus on the reproductive health of workers engaged at different jobs in varied industries. Increasing environmental as well as occupational exposures have led to serious effects on the reproductive health of workers and have also endangered the life of future generations. The present paper highlights the impact of occupational exposures on iron industry workers. Future health based researches are recommended so as to assess the impact of occupational exposures on reproductive capabilities of workers.

Association of occupational exposures with ex vivo functional immune response in workers handling carbon nanotubes and nanofibers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between carbon nanotube and nanofiber (CNT/F) exposure and ex vivo responses of whole blood challenged with secondary stimulants, adjusting for potential confounders, in a cross-sectional study of 102 workers. Multi-day exposure was measured by CNT/F structure count (SC) and elemental carbon (EC) air concentrations. Demographic, lifestyle and other occupational covariate data were obtained via questionnaire. Whole blood collected from each participant was incubated for 18 hours with and without two microbial stimulants (lipopolysaccharide/LPS and staphylococcal enterotoxin type B/SEB) using TruCulture technology to evaluate immune cell activity. Following incubation, supernatants were preserved and analyzed for protein concentrations. The stimulant:null response ratio for each individual protein was analyzed using multiple linear regression, followed by principal component (PC) analysis to determine whether patterns of protein response were related to CNT/F exposure. Adjusting for confounders, CNT/F metrics (most strongly, the SC-based) were significantly (p < 0.05) inversely associated with stimulant:null ratios of several individual biomarkers: GM-CSF, IFN-γ, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-17, and IL-23. CNT/F metrics were significantly inversely associated with PC1 (a weighted mean of most biomarkers, explaining 25% of the variance in the protein ratios) and PC2 (a biomarker contrast, explaining 14%). Among other occupational exposures, only solvent exposure was significant (inversely related to PC2). CNT/F exposure metrics were uniquely related to stimulant responses in challenged whole blood, illustrating reduced responsiveness to a secondary stimulus. This approach, if replicated in other exposed populations, may present a relatively sensitive method to evaluate human response to CNT/F or other occupational exposures.

Menstrual disorders and occupational exposures among female nurses: A nationwide cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe regularity of menstrual cycles is one of the important indicators of female reproductive health. However, the current evidence on the association of occupational exposures and menstrual disorders is scarce. ObjectivesThis study aims to elucidate the relationship between occupational hazards and menstrual characteristics in female nurses and non-nurse health care workers in China. DesignWe conducted a national cross-sectional study on the reproductive health of female nurses in China. SettingsA total of 1, 300 medical institutions in 15 provincial administrative regions in China participated in the study. ParticipantsThere were 8, 904 nurses and 3, 977 non-nurse health care workers who were selected using simple random sampling method. MethodsAll participants were administered a face-to-face standardized questionnaire, including personal socio-demographic information, occupational activities, and self-reported menstrual characteristics. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used for statistical analyses. ResultsThe results demonstrated that 41% of nurses experienced menstrual disorders. We found handling disinfectants was the most significant risk factor for menstrual disorders (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.39–1.68), followed by abnormal workload (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.19–1.39), and occupation as a nurse (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.18–1.40). Noise, prolonged standing or frequent heavy lifting, night work, anti-cancer drug exposure, and overtime work were moderately associated with the occurrence of menstrual disorder (OR > 1). ConclusionsThis national-wide cross-sectional study has revealed the significant association between menstrual disorders and occupational hazards among female nurses in China.

Lifetime Risk Factors for Post Bronchodilator Lung Function Decline: A Population-Based Study from 1st to 6th Decade

Background: Interactions between early life and adult insults on lung function decline are not well understood, with most studies investigating pre-bronchodilator (BD) FEV1 decline. We investigated relationships between adult risk factors and post-BD lung function decline and their potential effect modification by specific early life and genetic factors. Methods: Multivariable regression was used to examine associations between adult exposures (asthma, smoking, occupational exposure, traffic pollution, atopy and obesity) and decline in post-BD spirometry between ages 45 to 53 years in the Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study (n=857). Effect modification of these relationships by childhood respiratory risk factors including low childhood lung function, and glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene polymorphisms was investigated. Findings: Accelerated FEV1 decline was associated with baseline asthma of early onset (excess rate: -7·0; -12·5, -1·6 mL/year) and smoking (-13·8; -18·7, -9·0 mL/year). In addition, it was associated with occupational exposure to vapours/gases/dusts/fumes (-11·8: -19·0, -4·2 mL/year) only in carriers of the GSTM1 null allele (p-interaction=0·04). Findings for changes in exposure status support those for baseline exposures. Accelerated FEV1/FVC decline was associated with these factors and living <200m from main roads. Associations of occupational exposures and personal smoking with FEV1 decline were accentuated for those with lower childhood lung function (p-interaction= 0·04 and 0·06, respectively). Maternal smoking accentuated the effect of personal smoking on FEV1 decline (p-interaction=0·08). Interpretation: While establishing adult risk factors that affect post-BD lung function decline, this study provides new evidence for accentuation of individual susceptibility to adult risk factors by low childhood lung function, GSTM1 genotype and maternal smoking. These findings suggest that susceptibility to adult risk factors may be programmed in early life. Strategies should target high-risk groups to minimize synergy between potential risk factors on accelerated lung function decline. Funding Statement: This study was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia under NHMRC project grant scheme (299901, 1021275) and NHMRC European collaborative grant scheme (1101313) as part of ALEC (Ageing Lungs in European Cohorts funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 633212); The University of Melbourne; Clifford Craig Medical Research Trust of Tasmania; the Victorian, Queensland & Tasmanian Asthma Foundations; The Royal Hobart Hospital; Helen MacPherson Smith Trust; and GlaxoSmithKline. Declaration of Interests: Authors have no conflicts of interest Ethics Approval Statement: The study was approved by the Human Ethics Review Committees of all relevant institutions. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Abstract P072: Association of Occupational Exposures with Cardiovascular Disease among Hispanics/Latinos: Results from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the US. Acute, high-dose exposures to some solvents, metals, and pesticides can be cardiotoxic, but little is known about the cardiovascular effects of chronic, low-level exposures. Thus, we evaluated cross-sectional associations of self-reported occupational exposures to solvents, metals, and pesticides with CVD prevalence among diverse Hispanics/Latinos in the US. Methods: The analyses included baseline data from 7,404 currently employed participants, ages 18-74 years, from the HCHS/SOL. CVD was defined as the presence of one or more of the following: coronary heart disease (self-reported angina, myocardial infarction, coronary bypass surgery, balloon angioplasty, or stent placement in coronary arteries, or electrocardiogram [ECG] evidence of major Q wave abnormalities or minor Q, QS waves with ST, T abnormalities); atrial fibrillation (self-reported or ECG evidence of atrial fibrillation or flutter); heart failure (self-reported); or cerebrovascular disease (self-reported stroke or transient ischemic attack). Survey-weighted Poisson regression models were used to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each occupational exposure, adjusted for sociodemographic (age, gender, field center, Hispanic/Latino background, health insurance), acculturation (language, years of duration in the US), lifestyle (smoking, alcohol, physical activity, diet), and occupational (full- or part-time employment) characteristics. Results: Overall, 6.1% of participants had any prevalent CVD; coronary heart disease (4.3%) was most common, followed by cerebrovascular disease (1.0%), heart failure (0.8%), and atrial fibrillation (0.7%). Current occupational exposures to solvents, metals, and pesticides were reported by 6.5%, 8.5%, and 4.7% of participants, respectively. The prevalence of any CVD (PR: 2.18, 95% CI: 1.34-3.55), coronary heart disease (PR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.31-3.71), and atrial fibrillation (PR: 5.92, 95% CI: 1.89-18.61) were significantly elevated for participants who reported current occupational pesticide exposure compared to no exposure. Current occupational metal exposure was associated with a greater prevalence of atrial fibrillation (PR: 3.78, 95% CI: 1.24-11.46). Further adjustment for hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, or body mass index did not appreciably change the results. Current occupational solvent exposure was not associated with CVD prevalence. Conclusions: Occupational exposure to pesticides and metals is associated with higher CVD prevalence at baseline. These cross-sectional associations do not appear to be attenuated by hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, or obesity. Further research is needed to examine other biologic mechanisms that may underlie these associations.

Association of occupational exposure with features of systemic sclerosis

Occupational exposure is reported as playing a substantial causative role in systemic sclerosis (SSc). We sought to compare the characteristics of SSc in patients with and without occupational exposure to crystalline silica/solvents. In all, 142 patients with SSc were enrolled in this prospective study. An expert committee performed blind evaluation of occupational exposure to crystalline silica/solvents. Patients exposed to crystalline silica more often exhibited: diffuse cutaneous SSc (P = .02), digital ulcers (P = .05), interstitial lung disease (P = .0004), myocardial dysfunction (P = .006), and cancer (P = .06). Patients exposed to solvents more frequently developed: diffuse cutaneous SSc (P = .001), digital ulcers (P = .01), interstitial lung disease (P = .02), myocardial dysfunction (P = .04), and cancer (P = .003); in addition, these patients were more frequently anti-Scl 70 positive and anticentromere negative. Under multivariate analysis, significant factors for SSc associated with exposure to silica/solvents were: male gender (odds ratio 19.31, 95% confidence interval 15.34-69.86), cancer (odds ratio 5.97, 95% confidence interval 1.55-23.01), and digital ulcers (odds ratio 2.42, 95% confidence interval 1.05-5.56). The cohort originated from a single geographic region. Occupational exposure to crystalline silica/solvents is correlated with more severe forms of SSc characterized by: diffuse cutaneous involvement, interstitial lung disease, general microangiopathy (digital ulcers and myocardial dysfunction), and association with cancer. Occupational exposure should be systematically checked in all patients with SSc, as exposed patients seem to develop more severe forms of SSc.

The association of occupational exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and the risk of neurodegenerative diseases

神经退行性疾病(neurodegenerative disease)是一类由大脑和脊髓神经元发生退行性病变而导致的疾病,包括阿尔茨海默病(AD)、肌萎缩性脊髓侧索硬化症(ALS)、帕金森病(PD)、多发性硬化(MS)等.神经退行性疾病的发病机制十分复杂.研究显示,基因突变、蛋白质错误折叠聚集、线粒体功能障碍、氧化应激、炎症、免疫功能缺陷等均可导致神经退行性疾病的发生[1-4].一般认为,年龄、遗传易感因素和异常的环境暴露与神经退行性疾病的发生正相关.近年来,多项流行病学研究显示职业性极低频电磁场(主要是50或60Hz的工频电磁场)暴露是神经退行性疾病(AD、ALS、PD等)发生的一个可能危险因素,但也有研究认为两者不相关,故存在较大争议.本文将系统回顾职业性极低频电磁场暴露与神经退行性疾病发病关联的报道,分析以往研究中存在的问题,并提出后续研究的方向. 关键词：神经退行性疾病;极低频电磁场;职业性暴露;发病风险

S132 Chronic Bronchitis, Pulmonary Function, and Occupational Exposure in Framingham Heart Study

IntroductionOccupational exposure to dust, gases and fumes has been associated with chronic airway disease or poor lung function in several workforce based studies. However, workforce studies may underestimate such associations...

Occupational Exposures, Environmental Tobacco Smoke, and Lung Cancer

There is uncertainty regarding the association of occupational exposures with lung cancer. We have studied the association between 52 high-risk job titles and lung cancer incidence in a large prospective study, with more than 200,000 participants followed for more than 6 years and 809 incident cases of lung cancer. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were computed by the Cox proportional-hazard regression model, adjusting for country, age, sex, social class, diet, physical activity, and smoking habits. We used a CAREX-based job-exposure matrix to infer exposure to lung carcinogens. False-positive report probability was calculated as a measure of potentially false-positive results. Eighteen occupations, mainly related with agriculture, constructions, and metal processing, were associated with increased risk. In addition, incidence tended to increase with the number of hazardous jobs reported. When the occupations were classified according to the presumed exposure to specific carcinogenic agents, the hazard ratios were 1.5 (95% confidence interval = 1.2-1.9) for asbestos, 1.4 (1.1-1.8) for heavy metals, 1.4 (1.1-1.8) for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and 1.6 (1.2-2.1) for work-related environmental tobacco smoke. The estimated population attributable risk for employment in at least 1 at-risk job was 16% in men and 12% in women. This large prospective study suggests that exposure to occupational lung carcinogens is still a problem, with such exposures producing moderate to large increases in risk.

Respiratory symptoms and lung function of aluminum potroom workers.

The association of occupational exposure with respiratory disease and lung function was examined in a cross-sectional study of 1805 aluminum potroom workers. Work-related asthmatic symptoms occurred in 15% of the workers with an exposure of 10 years or more and in 8% of the workers who had been employed less than five years. In a multiple logistic regression analysis an odds ratio (OR) of 3.4 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.1-5.8] for work-related asthmatic symptoms was estimated for long versus short duration of employment. Airflow limitation was also significantly related to years of exposure (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.7-3.9). Current occupational exposure and the occurrence of respiratory symptoms were not significantly associated. The results suggest that exposure to air pollutants in the primary aluminum industry may lead to the development of asthmatic symptoms, as well as to reduced respiratory function.

The occupational determinants of chronic disabling pulmonary disease in rubber workers.

Chronic respiratory disease is among the three leading causes of premature retirement due to work disability. The association of occupational exposure and smoking history as potential determinants of pulmonary disability retirement were examined. A cohort of 4302 male, hourly rubber workers actively employed at the Akron plant of a large rubber company on January 1, 1964 was identified and followed for ten years. During the period, 1964-1973, 73 workers terminated gainful employment with a pulmonary disability retirement. Work and smoking histories for these cases and two age-race-sex matched control groups were ascertained. Cases spent significantly greater durations of time employed in curing preparation, curing and finishing and inspection work areas. Each of these areas involves exposures to particulate material and/or solvents. Significant risk of developing a pulmonary disability was associated with smoking and exposure to dust and fumes, generally, and talc and carbon black more specifically. Smoking and occupational exposures were found to interact in their association with pulmonary disability retirement among these rubber workers.