Frequency Of Occupational Exposure Research Articles

Detection of bisphenol A in thermal paper receipts and assessment of human exposure: A case study from Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical that is widely used in various industrial applications. It has concerns in its use as a color developer in thermal paper receipts since it is identified as an endocrine disruptor and causes hormonal disturbances. In this study, thirty thermal paper receipt samples were randomly collected from various locations in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates and analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Sixty percent (60%) of receipt samples showed BPA levels above the acceptable limit (200 ng/mg) set by the European Union (EU) for thermal papers. On the other hand, 40% of the samples reported very low BPA levels (< 0.02 ng/mg). However, estimated weight adjusted daily intakes (EDI) ranged between 8.22 ×10-11 and 0.000812 μg/kg bw/day for the general population, and between 7.89×10-9 and 0.0681 μg/kg bw/day for the occupationally exposed cashiers. Thus, all calculated EDIs were below the European Food Safety Authority Tolerable Daily Intake (4 μg/kg·bw/day) and the provisional Health Canada Tolerable Daily Intake (25 ug/kg bw/day) under varying paper-to-skin transfer coefficients and absorption fractions. Nevertheless, due to its health effects and recent legal restrictions by EU, the occurrence of co-exposure to dietary and non-dietary sources should be considered in the health risk assessment of Bisphenol A, mainly for people with frequent occupational exposure to thermal paper, and especially with the increased use of sanitizers. The current study is a first within the UAE context in relation to BPA in thermal paper receipts, thus its significance especially with the recent EU enforcement of BPA limits in paper receipts. The study highlights that proper policies as well as education and awareness may assist in limiting transdermal BPA exposure for the general and occupationally exposed populations.

Population Characteristics, Symptoms, and Risk Factors of Idiopathic Chilblains: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression.

Chilblains/perniosis is a non-freezing cold injury causing painful inflammatory skin lesions. Its pathogenesis remains poorly understood because it is often studied as secondary to other underlying conditions. We systematically investigated the population characteristics, symptoms, and predisposing factors of chilblains in healthy adults exposed to cool/cold environments. We screened PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library, and we adopted PRISMA reporting guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD42021245307). The risk of bias was assessed by two independent reviewers (RTI item bank). Random-effects model meta-analyses were performed to calculate the pooled prevalence of histopathological features. Mixed-effects meta-regressions were used to assess other sources of between-study heterogeneity. Thirteen studies (477 patients) were included. Chilblains affect more women than men, up to 12% of the body skin surface, and most frequently, the hands and fingers. Meta-analyses of nine studies (303 patients) showed a frequent presence of perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate (81%), basal epidermal-cell layer vacuolation (67%), papillary dermal edema (66%), and perieccrine lymphocytic infiltrate (57%). Meta-regressions (p ≤ 0.05) showed that smoking and frequent occupational exposure to water increase the likelihood of histopathological features. The population characteristics, symptoms, and predisposing factors of chilblains revealed in this analysis should be incorporated in medical care to improve the condition's diagnosis and management.

Immunotoxicity induced by Ivermectin is associated with NF-κB signaling pathway on macrophages

Ivermectin (IVM) has been widely used as a highly effective and broad-spectrum biopesticide in animal husbandry and agriculture. Considering the frequent environmental and occupational exposure, the various toxic effects caused by IVM should be paid more attention. The immune system is a common target of toxins due to its complexity and sensitivity. The toxicity effect of the immune system may lead to increased susceptibility to infections, with potentially fatal consequences. The immunotoxicity of IVM has received little attention, which poses a challenge to the systematic assessment of safety risks. The purpose of this study was to assess the immunotoxicity of the IVM using in vitro cellular assays. We proved that IVM could inhibit the cell viability, induce DNA damage and enhance apoptosis. In addition to the induction of cytotoxicity, IVM has also been shown to reduce the phagocytic capacity and significantly increase the mRNA expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1 β and TNF-α. Intracellular biochemical assay indicated that activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), release of cytochrome C, DNA double strand damage. These results indicate that IVM can induce immunotoxicity through induction of immune dysfunction and cytotoxicity. In conclusion, this study supports that IVM can be immunotoxic to macrophages in different ways, and draw attention to the potential immunotoxicity of IVM.

Leveraging the Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study: Evaluating the association of PFAS exposures with COVID-19 symptoms and antibody response

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Exposure to per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is associated with reduced immune response, but its effect on COVID-19 is not well understood. METHODS: Firefighters are occupationally exposed to PFAS from use of certain class B aqueous film-forming foams and other sources, and also have frequent occupational exposures to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Supported by a time-sensitive R21 grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), the current study builds on the Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study, a prospective multicenter cohort study. RESULTS:Within the cohort, firefighters from two fire departments with mean serum levels of two PFAS compounds higher than the national average were identified and offered participation in the PFAS and COVID-19 study. CONCLUSIONS:At study completion, we will have documented the effects of PFAS exposure on COVID-19 symptom severity in a highly exposed population, as well as effects of PFAS exposure on the subsequent immune response persistence. KEYWORDS: per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), COVID-19, immune response

Blood-borne occupation exposures in dental practice of medical staff: status and protection

Objective: To understand the status of blood-borne occupational exposure and protection among health care workers (HCWs) in dental practice, and provide evidence for making effective prevention. Methods: From April 1 to 15, 2019, a stratified random sampling method was conducted to investigate the data of blood-borne occupational exposure among 221 dental HCWs in 2018, and Chi-squared Test was used to evaluate the differences of status on occupational exposure and protection among different professionals, such as nurses, doctors and trainees, and among different-grade hospitals. Results: A total of 166 HCWs were exposed to occupational exposure 269 times, with the annual incidence of 75.11% (166/221) , and 37.55% (101/269) of exposures were reported. However, all source patients of exposures had failed to be traced. 89.59% (241/269) of exposures were sharp injuries. The top three instruments caused injuries were syringe/bilan needles, suture needles and vehicle needles, accounting for 35.68% (86/241) 、16.60% (40/241) and 16.18% (39/241) , respectively; and the top three exposure operations were removal/disposal of needles or instruments, suture/assisting suture and injection of anesthetic, accounting for 37.17% (100/269) 、22.30% (60/269) and 17.84% (48/269) , respectively. There were statistically significant differences among different professionals in occupational exposure frequency, reporting rate, the types of instruments caused injuries, exposure operations and hepatitis B vaccinated time (P<0.01) . The compliance rate of standard precautions, safe operation, post-exposure reporting and prevention, and training on occupational protection were generally poor among HCWs, with significant differences in different-grade hospitals (P<0.01) . Conclusion: There is a high incidence, low reporting rate and poor self-protection of blood-borne occupational exposure among dental HCWs. Strongly suggesting that standard precautions, safe use and disposal of oral instruments, active post-exposure report and prevention must be improved for everyone.

Tuberculosis among Health Care Workers

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. It spreads form one person to another through air. When infected people with TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB germs in the air. A person needs to inhale only a few of these germs to be infected. Evidence of TB has been reported in human remains dated thousands of years. About one quarter of the world’s population has latent TB, which means TB bacteria have infected people but are not (yet) ill with the disease and therefore cannot transmit the disease. Tb occurs in specific risk groups such as immigrants, HIV-positive patients, homeless patients, prisoners, and alcoholics. Health care workers, who face frequent occupational exposure, are at particularly high risk. When a person develops active TB, the symptoms (such as cough, fever, night sweats or weight loss) may be latent for many months. This can lead to delays in seeking care and transmission of the bacteria to others. People with active TB can infect 10-15 other people through close contact over the course of the course of a year. Without treatment, 45% of HIV- negative people with TB on average and nearly all HIV- positive people with TB will die. Transmission of tuberculosis (TB) in health care settings to both patients and health care workers has been reported from virtually every country of the world, regardless of local TB incidence. We are presenting the case of an asymptomatic 28- year-old Caucasian male from Europe who initially was being screened for TB for pre-employment purposes.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards avian influenza among live poultry market workers in Chongqing, China

BackgroundLive poultry market (LPM) workers are at high risk of infection with avian influenza virus due to frequent occupational exposure to poultry. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude and preventive practice regarding avian influenza among LPM workers in Chongqing, the largest municipality directly under the central government of China. Methods216 LPM workers were recruited by two-stage cluster sampling and interviewed face-to-face using a structured questionnaire. Hierarchical logistic regression analysis was performed to explore factors associated with preventive practices against avian influenza and views on government control measures. ResultsNearly half of respondents failed to recognize contact with sick birds or excrement as a risk of infection. Less than half the respondents perceived themselves to have a personal susceptibility to be infected or would like to enhance personal protection. Respondents did not pay sufficient attention to wearing preventive clothing such as gloves (43.1%), aprons/garments (33.3%) and face masks (26.9%) when handling live poultry. Few respondents were supportive to market control measures such as a ban on birds’ overnight storage (26.8%) or a regular rest day (32.4%). Being older, being more highly educated, having worked longer with poultry, having better knowledge, having more access to information, and perceiving more personal susceptibility to the disease were positively associated with preventive practices. Having higher personal income, longer engagement with poultry work, better knowledge, more awareness of personal protection were positively associated with agreement with government control measures. ConclusionsLPM workers in Chongqing showed low level of knowledge, weak perception of susceptibility to avian influenza and inadequate preventive behaviors. Health education campaigns need to better target the knowledge on transmission routes and potential outbreak threat of avian influenza. More attention should be paid to LPM workers who are younger, less educated, with shorter occupational years and lower personal income.

PROPOUMON: Systematic screening for occupational exposures in lung cancer patients. A prospective French cohort

Introduction Although the population attributable fraction of lung cancer deaths due to occupational carcinogens has been estimated at between 8% and 24% worldwide, occupational lung cancers are largely under-reported and under-compensated. Several reasons can explain under-reporting, including the long latency between occupational exposures and cancer; the limited knowledge about occupational cancers and patients’ difficulties with administrative processes. We assessed systematic screening for occupational exposures to carcinogens combining a self-administered questionnaire and an occupational consultation to improve the detection of occupational lung cancers and their compensation. Social deprivation and the costs of this investigation were estimated. Methods Patients with a histologically confirmed lung cancer were identified through the weekly multidisciplinary lung cancer board; they received a self-administered questionnaire to collect their job history (job-title, start and end dates, employer and sector of activity and tasks performed), potential exposure to carcinogens and deprivation (EPICES score). When the patients had not returned the questionnaire after three weeks, a research technician called and offered help to complete it. At reception, a physician assessed the questionnaire and recommended an occupational consultation if necessary. During the consultation, a physician assessed if the lung cancer was work-related and, if it was, delivered a medical certificate to claim for compensation. Patients were offered help from a social worker for the claim process. The cost assessment was based on a bottom-up micro-costing approach from the healthcare providers perspective. Data on resource consumption during the process between the questionnaire administration and the consultation and social worker costs, if applicable were collected. Results Between March 2014 and September 2015, 440 patients received the self-administered questionnaire: 234 (53%) returned a completed questionnaire, including 105 (24%) after phone contact (average delay overall 47 days). Among the 206 patients who did not complete the questionnaire, 84 patients declared they did not feel concerned and 32 patients could not be contacted by phone after three attempts. Newly diagnosed patients returned the questionnaire more frequently within the first three weeks than those with disease progression. Of the 120 patients invited to the occupational consultation, 97 attended. Among them, 59 (61%) were considered to have occupational-related lung cancer. The main occupational exposures were asbestos (53%) and welding fumes (13%). A claim for compensation was judged possible under the French system for 41 patients and the medical certificate was delivered to 35 patients (five patients did not want to claim and one had already filed a claim). A compensation claim was judged unlikely to be successful for 18 patients. For the remaining 38 patients, lung-cancer was not considered to be work-related. Compensation was awarded to 19 patients (4.3% of the overall population and 8% of responders), five claims were rejected, three are still under assessment and eight patients did not submit a claim. The mean EPICES score was 28.7. Patients classified as deprived (46% with EPICES score > 30) took significantly longer to return the SAQ. The mean cost of the systematic screening of occupational exposures was € 62.65 per patient. Conclusions Our study confirms the frequency of occupational exposures among lung cancer patients, social deprivation in this population and the necessity to accompany patients during the compensation process. Our results showed a systematic self-administered questionnaire can be used to identify patients potentially exposed to carcinogens. In France, only 2.3% of lung cancers have been compensated in 2014; this percentage was doubled with our systematic screening which shows its capacity to improve the compensation of occupational lung cancers.

Serious pneumococcal disease outbreak in men exposed to metal fume – detection, response and future prevention through pneumococcal vaccination

Welders and those exposed to metal fume are known to be at increased risk of pneumococcal pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease. Current UK guidance recommends that vaccination against pneumococcus be considered in those at risk of frequent or continuous occupational exposure to metal fume, taking into account the exposure control measures in place. We report an outbreak of serious pneumococcal disease that occurred between April and June 2015 among a multinational workforce exposed to metal fumes while working on the refurbishment of an oil rig in a Belfast shipyard. Four confirmed and five probable cases were identified, which occurred despite the use of environmental control measures and the availability of respiratory protective equipment. To provide direct protection to those at risk of pneumococcal disease and to eradicate carriage of pneumococcus and interrupt transmission, pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) and antibiotic prophylaxis were offered to 680 individuals identified as potentially exposed to metal fume. Low levels of prior pneumococcal vaccination were reported among this target group (<1%). Genomic sequencing indicated a common strain of serotype 4 pneumococcus in two of the confirmed cases and a distinct serotype 4 in one case. The fourth confirmed case was identified as likely serotype 3 using a serotype-specific immunoassay on a urine specimen. Both serotypes 3 and 4 are vaccine-preventable strains covered by the conjugate and polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccines currently available. We propose that consideration should be given to strengthening implementation around pneumococcal vaccination for those exposed to metal fume through their work, even when other control measures are in place, to reduce the risk of future cases and outbreaks of serious pneumococcal disease.

Frequent Occupational Exposure to Fusarium Mycotoxins of Workers in the Swiss Grain Industry.

Type B trichotecens such as deoxynivalenol (DON), 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON), 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON), nivalenol (NIV) and zearalenone (ZEN) are mycotoxins contaminating wheat and wheat dust. Mycotoxins are toxic upon ingestion and considered potentially toxic when inhaled. Whereas dietary exposure to mycotoxins is controlled in food, data on occupational exposure by inhalation by grain workers are scarce. The objectives of this study were to determine the incidence of DON, 3-ADON, 15-ADON, NIV and ZEN in aerosols generated during grain harvesting and unloading and the risk of exposure of grain workers. Aerosols were collected during the threshing of 78 winter wheat fields and grain unloading of 59 grain lots in six grain terminals in the Vaud region (Switzerland). The samples represented the diversity of the winter wheat cultivar and of the farming system (88 treated with fungicides, 46 untreated). Using a HPLC MS/MS method developed to quantify mycotoxins in aerosols, we report that the mycotoxin content of aerosols was not affected by the wheat cultivars or farming system, but that the incidence of the mycotoxins differed between activities. While wheat harvesting generated on average 28, 20 and 1 ng·m−3 of DON, NIV and ZEN, respectively, grain unloading generated 53, 46 and 4 ng·m−3. Personal sampling revealed that working in a cab was an efficient protective measure. However, it was not sufficient to avoid chronic exposure to multiple mycotoxins. The most exposed activity was the cleaning, exposing workers to DON, NIV and ZEN at concentrations as high as 65, 59 and 3 ng·m−3. These data provide valuable information for future studies of mycotoxin toxicity at relevant concentrations on respiratory health.

Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids among primary health-care workers in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Background: Primary Health-Care Workers (PHCWs) are at a high risk of contracting blood-borne infections due to their occupational exposure to blood and body fluids (BBFs). The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of occupational exposures and associated factors contributing to the exposure to BBFs. We also evaluated the post-exposure practices among PHCWs in Kaduna State. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from September 26 to October 7, 2011. One hundred and seventy-two PHCWs were included in the study using a multistage sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain the data on sociodemographic characteristics, occupational exposures to BBFs and post-exposure practices of PHCWs. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 statistical software, and descriptive, bivariate, and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. The level of significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Results: One hundred and seventeen (68%) PHCWs had been exposed to BBF during their professional practice, of which 53.5% and 38.4% were needlestick and blood splash exposures, respectively. Needlestick and blood splash exposures 3 months prior to the survey occurred in 27.2% and 53.0% of them, respectively. The most common causes of needlestick injuries were during disposal of needles (44.0%) and administration of injections (28.0%). The majority of the respondents (79.8%) failed to report the exposure incidents. Only 8% of the respondents preformed the desirable post-exposure action of washing the exposure site immediately with soap and water. Primary health care workers Conclusion: The high rate of occupational exposure to BBFs among health-care workers reveals an urgent need to raise awareness and to provide periodic training in infection prevention.

Pneumococcal vaccination for welders

Over the past 20 years, evidence has accumulated that occupations entailing exposure to metal fume (principally welders) are at increased risk of developing and dying from pneumococcal and unspecified lobar...

Prevalence and determinants of occupational exposures to blood and body fluids among health workers in two tertiary hospitals in Nigeria.

Healthcare associated infections among health workers commonly follow occupational exposures to pathogens infecting blood or body fluids of patients. We evaluated the prevalence and determinants of occupational exposures to blood/body fluids among health workers in two tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. In a cross section study undertaken in two tertiary hospitals in North-central and South-south Nigeria in 2011, a structured self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain demographic data and occupational exposures to blood/body fluids in the previous year from doctors, nurses and laboratory scientists. Independent predictors of occupational exposures were determined in an unconditional logistic regression model. Out of 290 health workers studied, 75.8%, 44.7%, 32.9%, 33.9% and 84.4% had skin contact with patient's blood, needle stick injuries, cut by sharps, blood/body fluid splashes to mucous membranes and one or more type of exposures respectively. Ninety one percent, 86%, 71.1%, 87.6%, 81.3%, and 84.4% of house officers, resident doctors, consultant doctors, staff nurses, principal/chief nursing officers and laboratory scientists, respectively had one or more type of exposures in the previous year (P>0.05). Professional group was found to be the only independent predictor of cut by sharps. House officers and nurses had higher and more frequent occupational exposures than other professional groups. Our results suggest high rates of occupational exposures to blood/body fluid among health workers in Nigeria, especially among newly qualified medical doctors and nurses. Health facilities in Nigeria ought to strengthen infection prevention and control practices while targeting high risk health workers such as house officers and nurses.

Occupational exposure to carcinogens: analysis of the application of the CAREX information system to Catalonia

The objective of this study is to estimate occupational exposures to human carcinogens in Catalonia in 2009, taking as a reference the CAREX ESP 2007 information system, and to evaluate the suitability of extrapolating these data to Catalonia. The reference population is the number of people registered with the Social Security system in Catalonia in 2009. Carcinogens considered are those which the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified into groups 1 and 2A and are related to occupational exposures. The exposure prevalences from the CAREX ESP 2007, adapted to the Catalonian Industrial Classification (CCAE 09), were used. Technical survey reports from the Occupational Safety and Health Centers of the Catalonian local government, and related databases were consulted. The most frequent occupational exposures to human carcinogens were solar radiation, crystalline silica, diesel exhaust, radon and wood dust, although based mainly on data not considered adequate for extrapolation to Catalonia. Around 217 exposure situations for 25 carcinogens, not previously considered in CAREX ESP 2007, were identified. The estimated number of workers exposed to human carcinogens in Catalonia in 2009 based on the CAREX ESP 2007 system could differ from the real situation. Development of a CAREX CAT system that incorporates exposure data from Catalonia is recommended.

Ambiente Laboral y Condiciones de Salud de las Enfermeras en los Hospitales de las Fuerzas Armadas, EsSALUD y Clínicas Particulares de Lima Metropolitana - 1996

OBJETIVOS: Conocer y comparar las características del ambiente laboral (AL) y las condiciones de salud (CS) según la opinión de las enfermeras en tres estamentos de salud (ES). MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio cuanti - cualitativo, descriptivo - comparativo y transversal del AL y CS en el que se entrevistó a una muestra alcatoria de 3259 enfermeras que laboran en hospitales de EsSALUD, Fuerzas Armadas (FFAA) y clínicas privadas. RESULTADOS: En las FFAA y EsSALUD las enfermeras trabajan entre 30 a 40 h/sem y gozan de 2 a 3 días libres, mientras que en las clínicas particulares trabajan entre 40 a 48 h y gozan de 1 día libre/sem. Las remuneraciones en promedio son ligeramente mayores en EsSALUD y en las clínicas particulares que en las FFAA. Las enfermedades ocupacionales más reportadas son: TBC pulmonar (12,9%) y hepatitis B (6,2%). El lumbago y las várices son las enfermedades de tipo postural más reportadas por las enfermeras en los tres ES. Los accidentes mas frecuentes fueron: pinchazos con agujas, reportados en las clínicas particulares (82,8%) y los esguinces por caídas y resbalones, reportados por las enfermeras de EsSALUD (26,4%). Un análisis cualitativo de las entrevistas permitió profundizar el conocimiento de las variables del estudio. CONCLUSIONES: Existen diferencias significativas con respecto al AL para las enfermeras de los tres ES. No existen diferencias significativas en las CS de las enfermeras en los hospitales de las FFAA, EsSALUD y clínicas particulares de Lima Metropolitana.

Incidence and frequency of mucocutaneous exposure and percutaneous injuries in Greek nurses: are they protected enough?

Background: Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids by sharps and needlestick injuries is common among healthcare workers, resulting in over 1,000 infections per year. Aim: To estimate the incidence and frequency of occupational exposure among nurses in correlation to their hepatitis B immunization levels. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey, performed between May and September 2008 in 17 Greek public hospitals. Results: Overall, 72% of nurses reported at least one type of exposure (mucocutaneous or percutaneous) within their professional career. Of these, 51% had at least one mucous membrane exposure, whereas 65.2% had sustained at least one needlestick injury, only 19.7% of which had reported it to the Infections Control Department. In total, 63.2% of nurses reported that they were protected through hepatitis B vaccination. Conclusions: The rates of occupational exposure presented in this study are particularly high. Further, a significant percentage of healthcare workers are not protected against hepatitis B infection.

309 Lung cancer and exposure to silica and cement dusts: the ICARE

ObjectivesThis work aims at assessing the risk of lung cancer associated with exposures to silica and cement dusts, which are among the most frequent occupational exposures for construction workers.MethodsICARE is...

Avian Influenza A(H7N9) Virus Infections, Shanghai, China

Avian Influenza A(H7N9) Virus Infections, Shanghai, China

Frequent Transient Hepatitis C viremia without Seroconversion among Healthcare Workers in Cairo, Egypt

BackgroundsWith 10% of the general population aged 15–59 years chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), Egypt is the country with the highest HCV prevalence worldwide. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are therefore at particularly high risk of HCV infection. Our aim was to study HCV infection risk after occupational blood exposure among HCWs in Cairo.Methodology/Principal FindingsThe study was conducted in 2008–2010 at Ain Shams University Hospital, Cairo. HCWs reporting an occupational blood exposure at screening, having neither anti-HCV antibodies (anti-HCV) nor HCV RNA, and exposed to a HCV RNA positive patient, were enrolled in a 6-month prospective cohort with follow-up visits at weeks 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24. During follow-up, anti-HCV, HCV RNA and ALT were tested. Among 597 HCWs who reported a blood exposure, anti-HCV prevalence at screening was 7.2%, not different from that of the general population of Cairo after age-standardization (11.6% and 10.4% respectively, p = 0.62). The proportion of HCV viremia among index patients was 37%. Of 73 HCWs exposed to HCV RNA from index patients, nine (12.3%; 95%CI, 5.8–22.1%) presented transient viremia, the majority of which occurred within the first two weeks after exposure. None of the workers presented seroconversion or elevation of ALT.Conclusions/SignificanceHCWs of a general University hospital in Cairo were exposed to a highly viremic patient population. They experienced frequent occupational blood exposures, particularly in early stages of training. These exposures resulted in transient viremic episodes without established infection. These findings call for further investigation of potential immune protection against HCV persistence in this high risk group.

Sinonasal cancer and occupational exposure in a population-based registry.

We examined occupational exposures among subjects with sinonasal cancer (SNC) recorded in a population-based registry in the Lombardy Region, the most populated and industrialized Italian region. The registry collects complete clinical information and exposure to carcinogens regarding all SNC cases occurring in the population of the region. In the period 2008–2011, we recorded 210 SNC cases (137 men, 73 women). The most frequent occupational exposures were to wood (44 cases, 21.0%) and leather dust (29 cases, 13.8%), especially among men: 39 cases (28.5%) to wood and 23 cases (16.8%) to leather dust. Exposure to other agents was infrequent (<2%). Among 62 subjects with adenocarcinoma, 50% had been exposed to wood dust and 30.7% to leather dust. The proportions were around 10% in subjects with squamous cell carcinoma and about 20% for tumors with another histology. The age-standardized rates (×100,000 person-years) were 0.7 in men and 0.3 in women. Complete collection of cases and their occupational history through a specialized cancer registry is fundamental to accurately monitor SNC occurrence in a population and to uncover exposure to carcinogens in different industrial sectors, even those not considered as posing a high risk of SNC, and also in extraoccupational settings.