Slaughterhouse workers (SHWs) face occupational risk of zoonotic Campylobacter infection (ZCI) but exposure data are limited in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly Nigeria. This study assessed behavioral, educational, and infrastructural factors affecting Campylobacter exposure among 188 SHWs in Enugu, Nigeria. Data on socio-demographics, hygiene practices, knowledge of zoonotic transmission, and self-reported gastroenteritis symptoms were collected via a validated questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression identified determinants of risky practices, knowledge gaps, and symptoms. Overall, 56.4% of SHWs were classified as high-risk for Campylobacter exposure. Unsafe practices included non-use of personal protective equipment (PPE) (77.1%), washing multiple carcasses in the same bowl (54.8%), eating or drinking during processing (45.7%), and consuming raw or undercooked meat (36.7%). Non-potable water was used by 90.4% of respondents, with only 14.1% purifying it. Behavioral practices aiding ZCI were significantly associated with lack of hygiene training (OR=3.7, 95% CI: 1.7-8.0, p=0.001), low educational attainment (OR=2.8, 95% CI: 0.15-0.85, p=0.020), age≥45years (OR=2.1, 95% CI: 0.25-0.92, p=0.028), and urban slaughterhouse location (OR=2.4, 95% CI: 1.26-4.57, p=0.007). Knowledge gaps were common, with 28-57% unaware of transmission risks via meat, water, PPE, or eating during processing. Self-reported gastroenteritis symptoms were documented in 64.4% of SHWs, with 76% continuing work while symptomatic. Having <10years' work experience (AOR=2.84, 95% CI: 1.36-5.95, p=0.006), lack of training (AOR=2.74, 95% CI: 1.12-6.67, p=0.027), low knowledge of Campylobacter transmission dynamics (AOR=4.46, 95% CI: 2.02-9.87, p<0.001), and high-risk practices (AOR=6.98, 95% CI: 3.0-16.2, p<0.001) were independently associated with symptoms. These findings highlight critical occupational exposure, entrenched unsafe practices, and knowledge deficits. Targeted One Health interventions, including provision of potable water, mandatory use of PPE, and context-specific hygiene training are urgently needed to reduce zoonotic Campylobacter transmission risks and enhance food safety in the study area.

Personal protective equipment increases inhalation exposure to skin-emitted bio-effluents

Danish solid-waste incineration workers may be exposed to dust, containing metals including lead. While negative implications of higher levels of lead and dust exposure are well established, the health effects of contemporary low-level exposure remain unclear. This cross-sectional biomonitoring study among 55 male incineration workers compared blood lead levels and FEV₁ between 31 dusty-task workers and 24 controls using multivariable regression. None of the participants had blood lead exceeding the Danish upper reference value (<0.53 µmol/L). Workers exposed to dusty tasks (n = 31) had higher blood lead and a 2.1-fold higher prevalence of blood lead ≥ 0.1 µmol/L compared to controls. FEV₁ was lower in exposed workers (3.5 L; 90% predicted) compared to controls (4.2 L; 102% predicted), but this difference was non-significant after adjustment for confounders. Findings indicate persistent low-level lead exposure in Danish solid-waste incineration settings, underscoring the need for continued exposure controls and proper use of personal protective equipment.

In this article, we comment on the article by Kadiveti et al published in the World Journal of Clinical Cases . Interventions carried out by pediatric proceduralists, such as anesthetists, dentists, surgeons and even nurses, are usually high-stakes procedures in anxious pediatric patients, where non-verbal communication has the power to influence both patient cooperation and outcomes. The proceduralists attire, specifically operating theatre scrubs and related personal protective equipment function as nonverbal communication in pediatric procedural settings. Nonverbal elements comprise a significant proportion of emotional signalling in children and thus offer modifiable levers. There is gradual mounting evidence that proceduralist attire be treated as a modifiable signal within a broader communicative framework and can either reinforce or undermine softskill behaviours depending on their congruence with verbal tone, facial expression, and overall mannerisms. When implementing such finding into practice, practical implications need to be taken into account by pediatric proceduralists to ensure an evidence-driven approach that prioritizes measurable outcomes using validated anxiety scales, induction cooperation scores, time to induction, sedative requirements, and parental satisfaction, over preference alone. Ethical and infection control trade-offs need to be addressed, to ensure that any aesthetic adaptations comply with institutional safety standards and are culturally sensitive. Whether attire modifications translate into clinically meaningful benefits can only be determined after conducting large multi-centric studies that aid transition from mapping children’s preferences to drawing up outcome-oriented yet feasible practice changes.

BackgroundPersonal Protective Equipment protects healthcare workers from harmful exposures, reducing the risk of illness and injury. However, adherence to its proper use is often low, increasing infection risks and lowering care quality. Consistent use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential for safeguarding both healthcare workers and patients.ObjectiveTo assess utilization of personal protective equipment and its determinants among health care professionals in public hospitals in resource-limited settings, 2025.MethodsA facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 health professionals selected by simple random sampling from four public hospitals. Data were collected using a pretested self-administered questionnaire. After data cleaning and entry into EpiData 3.1, analysis was performed using SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics were presented using tables and figures. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with PPE utilization, with statistical significance declared at p < .05.ResultA total of 416 respondents participated in the study, yielding a response rate of 98.6%, and the magnitude of personal protective equipment utilization was 51.7%, 95% CI [46.4%, 55.8%]. Higher PPE utilization was significantly associated with monthly income, working hours, knowledge, and attitude toward PPE. Participants earning more than 10,000 ETB (AOR = 2.31; 95% CI: 1.31, 4.10), those working 40 hours or less per week (AOR = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.29, 0.96), respondents with good knowledge (AOR = 1.88; 95% CI: 1.30, 2.72), and those with a positive attitude (AOR = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.13, 2.58) had higher odds of utilizing PPE at a P-value < .05.ConclusionOnly about half of the health professionals regularly used personal protective equipment, indicating a considerable gap in adherence to safety practices. Higher income, reasonable working hours, good knowledge, and a positive attitude were key factors that enhanced utilization. Therefore, healthcare institutions and stakeholders should strengthen continuous training, ensure adequate availability of PPE, and promote supportive working conditions to encourage consistent utilization.

This article focuses on a comprehensive assessment of the working conditions of a wastewater treatment operator at a coal mining operation with the aim of identifying occupational risks and developing measures to eliminate them. We look at the physical, chemical, biological, and psychophysiological factors that affect the operator’s health and safety. It is suggested to use a hierarchy of occupational risk control measures, including elimination and substitution of hazard sources, implementation of engineering solutions, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment. Specific recommendations are provided for upgrading the production process, selection of less toxic reactive agents, and installation of soundproofing equipment. The approaches presented in the article will significantly reduce occupational risks, ensure comfortable and safe working environment, enhance productivity, and reduce economic losses of the company due to occupational injuries and diseases. The article is intended for occupational safety specialists, enterprise managers, and process engineers involved in the design and implementation of safe manufacturing processes.

SUMMARYInfection prevention and control (IPC) programs are essential for safe healthcare; yet, implementation across sub-Saharan Africa remains constrained by chronic underfunding, weak water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) systems, limited laboratory capacity, and shortages of trained staff. Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are presumed common, underreported, and often severe, with a disproportionate burden among hospitalized neonates and postpartum women, and they pose substantial risks to healthcare workers during outbreaks. Gram-negative pathogens such as Klebsiella, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, and Acinetobacter predominate, alongside methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, with widespread resistance to third-generation cephalosporins and other key antibiotics linking HCAIs directly to the region's antimicrobial resistance crisis. National and regional IPC policy frameworks have expanded, but facility-level implementation lags, reflected in patchy surveillance, weak accountability, and unreliable supplies of alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR), personal protective equipment, environmental cleaning materials, and core WASH and ventilation infrastructure. Evidence from sub-Saharan Africa shows that pragmatic multimodal strategies, locally produced ABHR, infrastructure designed to facilitate hand hygiene, role-specific training for clinical and non-clinical staff, and inclusive approaches involving families can improve practices and outcomes when supplies and supervision are sustained. A whole-system approach is required, prioritizing fit-for-purpose surveillance, stronger WASH and waste management services, development of an IPC workforce, and support for African-led innovation, including local manufacturing and context-specific decision-support tools. Implementing these actions through community engagement, empowered leadership at all levels, and sustainable financing is critical to reducing HCAIs, slowing antimicrobial resistance, and strengthening healthcare quality and resilience in sub-Saharan Africa.

Infectious contamination of healthcare workers.

Many U.S. households keep backyard bird flocks for their personal food supply or as garden partners. Backyard flocks in the United States have occasionally been infected with avian influenza A viruses, putting flock owners at risk for exposure. During July-December 2025, CDC, in collaboration with state health and agricultural partners, conducted an online survey to learn more about backyard flock owners and their knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to avian influenza. Among 638 respondents who completed the survey, 92% were White (and not Hispanic or Latino), and approximately one half had a graduate or professional degree; a majority kept small, predominantly chicken flocks; and many reported that wild birds could access their flock or the flock's food or water, which increases the flock's risk for avian influenza exposure. Although a majority of respondents had heard of avian influenza, approximately one third were unaware of the signs and symptoms of infection in their birds or humans. If they needed to interact with ill or dead birds, a majority of owners knew the recommended precautions to take and indicated willingness to use most, though not all, recommended personal protective equipment. These findings highlight important topics for risk messaging and educational resources so that backyard flock owners are better informed and better able to protect their flocks, themselves, and their families from avian influenza.

Respiratory viruses pose a persistent threat to human health, demanding effective strategies to block airborne transmission at the individual protection level. Traditional personal protective materials often lack intrinsic virucidal activity or suffer from cytotoxicity, failing to address the risk of secondary transmission. Herein, we highlight an H-type zeolite (H-Zeo) as a cost-effective, biocompatible, and inorganic antibody-mimetic inhibitor that efficiently inactivates SARS-CoV-2. The core antiviral mechanism relies on E340-targeted zeolite-protein biorecognition (ZPB): surface-localized H+ ions of H-Zeo form stable coordination bonds with the E340 residue of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD), with an interaction energy (-1080.2 ± 66.7 kJ·mol-1) far exceeding that of the RBD-angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) interaction (-570.7 ± 69.4 kJ·mol-1). This strong competitive binding potently blocks the RBD-ACE2 protein-protein interaction, the initial step of viral entry into host cells. Based on this mechanism, we developed an H-Zeo-based antiviral gauze (H-ZG) for personal protection, which achieves >99.99% inactivation of authentic SARS-CoV-2. Notably, H-Zeo maintains >90% cell viability across all tested concentrations, overcoming the cytotoxicity limitations of metal-exchanged zeolites (e.g., Cu-zeolite). As a low-cost, scalable, and biocompatible material, H-Zeo provides a practical solution for mitigating airborne SARS-CoV-2 transmission, with broad potential for application in personal protective equipment and public health interventions.

Cognitive performance is preserved following rapid heat stress exposure in firefighters.

The development of lightweight, flame-retardant thermal insulation materials capable of withstanding both extreme cold and potential fire hazards continues to be a significant challenge in the field of personal protective equipment. This study presents a facile method based on humidity-induced electrospinning to fabricate polyimide/silica (PI/SiO2) nanofibrous sponges (NFS) for high-performance thermal insulation. Regulating the rapid phase inversion within the whipping jet leads to the formation of a fluffy assembly of curly, porous nanofibers, and the PI nanofibrous sponge is further obtained following the imidization process. Furthermore, the introduction of nano-SiO2 particles creates a synergistic effect with the PI matrix at high temperature, promoting a dense, stable composite carbon layer that significantly improves flame retardancy. The final PI/SiO2-NFS exhibits ultralight property (2.77 mg cm-3), robust mechanical properties (withstand loads 10,000 times its own weight and remarkable elasticity and fatigue resistance), a low thermal conductivity (25.1 mW m-1 K-1), as well as outstanding flame retardancy. This work presents a novel pathway for developing next-generation high-performance thermal protection materials for personal safety in harsh environments.

Assisted by multidimensional data analysis, chemical recycling methods for waste generated by the renewable energy sector in the context of the circular economy.

Basketball continues to gain popularity globally, but the patterns and effects of basketball-related facial trauma (FT) have yet to be well studied. Characterize the prevalence, characteristics, and outcomes of FT in collegiate and professional basketball and guide prevention strategies. A comprehensive literature search utilizing PRISMA guidelines identified articles on FT among collegiate and professional basketball players using Ovid Medline, Embase, and article reference lists. Of the 164 unique articles identified, 10 were included in our review. FT accounts for 3.9% of injuries in the NBA, and athletes have a 12.6% risk of FT per season. FT rates are increasing over time at the professional and collegiate levels. A total of 32.1% of NBA players sustaining FT were treated operatively. Although FT accounted for 255 missed games over 17 years and correlated with shorter careers, player performance was unaffected. Resistance to the use of personal protective equipment has been reported, despite the significant associated mitigation of FT risk. In collegiate and professional basketball, FT and its sequelae are common. Although facemasks and mouthguards have the potential to protect players from FT-related injuries, many players opt out of wearing these due to discomfort and league culture.

This article aimed to assess occupational exposure to power-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) at various sites of electrical infrastructure in Jordan, including high-voltage (HV) substations, a thermal power plant and a photovoltaic station. Field measurements were taken under steady-state operating conditions and compared with occupational exposure guidelines recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standard. The magnetic flux densities at the three sites were all below these guidelines. The electric field strengths at some HV substations occasionally exceeded the ICNIRP occupational reference levels but remained below the IEEE guideline levels. The results provide insight into EMF hotspots, the most hazardous sites and effective ways to avoid EMF exposure in power system environments. These measures include implementing engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment to reduce workers’ exposure to EMFs, thereby improving workplace safety and EMF risk management policies.

The Intelliguard Helmet is a combination of the latest IoT (Internet of Things) technology to enhance safety, health tracking, and communication in dangerous areas. The helmet has sensors like accelerometers, gyroscopes, heart rate indicators, among others to track impacts, fast motions, and physiological data in real-time to inform emergency personnel or supervisors. A GPS system allows accurate positioning of locations, and geofencing helps wearers be contained within safe areas, with alerts being sent when boundaries are violated. The helmet also provides hands-free voice communication by using inbuilt microphones and speakers, which improves teamwork and responsiveness. The information from the helmet is transmitted to a cloud platform, which provides real-time analytics about the health and environment of the user to avoid accidents and long-term health problems. Having many applications, including sports, factories, etc., the helmet can be equipped with such features as smart lighting in low-light conditions, diagnostic alarms in case of maintenance, and long battery life due to energy-saving technologies. The Intelliguard Helmet will change the way people use personal protective equipment by incorporating real-time monitoring, emergency response features and proactive health monitoring, which will fundamentally change the safety and performance of the equipment in high-pressure conditions.

Contrary to the guidelines of International Labour Organisation and the World Health Organization (WHO), most deathcare facilities lacked appropriate and adequate engineering and administrative controls, as well as the personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary for the safe management of dead bodies. This review explored work practices of deathcare workers, focusing on work-related health and safety hazards and associated organisational and social support systems utilised by these workers. This review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews and the JBI methodological guidelines for scoping reviews. A comprehensive literature search was performed across multiple databases, including PubMed, Dimensions, Embase, ProQuest, Academia, Web of Science, WHO Global Index Medicus, ScienceDirect, EBSCOhost, CINAHL Complete, WorldWideScience, JSTOR, Mendeley Data, University of Minnesota Libraries, Taylor & Francis, Wiley, Cambridge Core, Journal of Death and Dying, and Google Scholar. Consistent with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, thorough screening and data extraction were performed. In addition, qualitative thematic analysis and synthesis were employed to present the findings. 64 peer-reviewed, full-text articles were included in this review. The findings identified physical or ergonomic, biological, chemical, and psychosocial hazards, as well as indoor air pollution, as common work-related risks faced by deathcare workers worldwide, with significant variations in exposure rates. Furthermore, safety controls and sociodemographic characteristics of workers influenced their participation in safety practices and the overall workplace safety climate. Inadequate engineering and administrative safety controls, inadequate supply and use of PPE, and improper adherence to donning and doffing protocols contributed to the high exposures among these workers. Unfortunately, deathcare facilities lacked clear social support systems and compensation schemes for their employees. Meanwhile, workers employed both positive and negative coping strategies to manage work-related hazards. The use of inappropriate working tools and equipment, insufficient training, lack of supportive monitoring and supervision, inadequate medical screening, inadequate vaccination, and absence of post-exposure prophylaxes negatively impacted deathcare workers' safety participation and the overall workplace safety climate. Robust policy interventions are necessary to ensure effective implementation of counseling services, compensation schemes, supportive monitoring and supervision, and the consistent supply and use of PPE by these vulnerable workers.

When treating patients involved in hazardous materials (HazMat) incidents, rapid action is essential to stop exposure and provide appropriate care. Uncertainty about secondary exposure, however, may lead to unnecessary protective measures and delayed treatment. A clear distinction between exposure and contamination is crucial. Decontamination is only indicated when hazardous substances remain present on the patient's skin, hair, or clothing; it is not required after isolated ingestion or inhalation without skin involvement. Available evidence shows that the risk from secondary exposure of healthcare providers is very low. In most situations outside the source area, standard personal protective equipment (PPE: gloves and apron, supplemented with FFP2 mask and eye protection when particulate matter is involved) provides sufficient protection to safely perform triage and lifesaving interventions. More extensive PPE may be considered during prolonged decontamination procedures or large-scale incidents. Early communication and consultation with hazardous materials advisors support a proportional and safe approach to patient care.

ABSTRACT Objectives Dairy workers face a range of occupational risks and outcomes, including acute and chronic respiratory hazards. However, the evidence for negative respiratory outcomes is mixed. Thus, more research is needed to understand the connection between occupational exposures and health outcomes on dairy farms to facilitate the development, implementation, and evaluation of improved programs and processes for injury and illness prevention. This study contributes to this need by evaluating the association between exposure risk and bovine-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E levels among dairy workers. Methods Dairy workers (n = 36) self-reported time spent in various dairy-related tasks, as well as personal protective equipment used during all tasks. This information was used to develop job risk matrices for each task and all tasks combined. Serum bovine dander IgE levels were determined for all participants, and the association between exposure and IgE was assessed. Results Seven participants (19.4%) had an elevated bovine IgE level. Those with elevated IgE had a mean total risk matrix score of 9.0 compared to 7.6 for those without elevated IgE. In the adjusted models, there were no statistically significant associations between IgE levels and bovine allergen risk matrix scores. However, for the task of herd health, a one-point increase in the bovine allergen risk matrix score was associated with a 1.42 kU/L increase in anti-bovine IgE (p = .08). Conclusion This work shows the feasibility of using a semi-quantitative task risk matrix to more formally conceptualize dairy worker occupational exposure risk to a respiratory hazard. While not statistically significant, this study identified a positive association between performing herd health tasks and having elevated bovine IgE levels. This suggests task risk matrix approaches may be useful in studying other respiratory hazards in dairy production, including infectious agents.

To prevent pre-flight and on-orbit infections, NASA crew participate in a comprehensive Health Stabilization Program (HSP), which includes pre-flight quarantine, vaccination and demonstrated immunity, personal protective equipment, and crew and support personnel training. We aggregated historical spaceflight data to assess the incidence of pre-flight infectious exposures in spaceflight, to determine the effectiveness of HSP protocols, and to characterize risk factors associated with pre-flight exposure resulting in on-orbit illness. Medical and operational records on U.S. spaceflight missions from the Apollo Program through 2024 were retrospectively aggregated and analyzed. HSP-related mission-events were defined as an event where an identified failure, breach of protocol, or exposure occurred during the HSP/quarantine period resulting in one or more crewmember illnesses. In 196 aggregated spaceflight missions, 30 missions (15%) included infectious events among crew in the launch timeframe. In two missions (1%), launch of an ill crew further exposed additional on-orbit crews with infectious sequelae. Overall, launch delay due to crew infection occurred in two missions (1% of the aggregate cohort). While infectious events have occurred in spaceflight crew, HSP has resulted in overall mission success, with no HSP-related medical evacuations, no severe on-orbit medical sequelae, and no long-term health impacts related to HSP events.