Occupational Settings Research Articles

Safety underreporting during naval operations: Prevalence, associated risk, and several contributing factors

Workplace safety concerns or violations are often underreported, which can result in small issues manifesting into a mishap or accident. Safety underreporting can also be difficult to track since, by definition, workers are knowingly failing to report issues. Unfortunately, underreporting remains pervasive even in high-risk occupations where safety issues may produce exceptionally dangerous and costly outcomes. This study investigated safety underreporting in the context of naval operations using a multi-level, multi-factor approach to evaluate underreporting with three study aims: 1) determine the prevalence of safety underreporting in a naval environment; 2) estimate the link between underreporting and real-world safety incidents; and finally, 3) identify the relative contribution of different factors to underreporting. Analyzes examined a large (N>11,000) sample of active-duty servicemembers who voluntarily participated in a routine online anonymous safety climate survey. Approximately 30% of respondents underreported safety incidents despite the high-risk occupational setting, and Monte Carlo simulations provided estimates for safety underreporting frequency aboard different ship-classes. Additional regression analyses linked safety underreporting aboard ship to actual safety issues (e.g., fire and electrical shock) thereby underscoring the real-world relationship. Finally, hierarchical logistic regression estimated that the most consistent predictor of safety underreporting was making prior reports of safety incidents. For every additional safety event reported, there was a 65 % increase in the likelihood of failing to report safety issues. The next most significant predictors were non-compliance attitudes toward safety regulations at the individual and crew level. Taken together, these results demonstrate the prevalence of underreporting in a naval environment while implicating several key contributing factors, including frequency of safety incidents in the work environment and non-compliance attitudes. This study’s findings highlight the importance of actively leveraging approaches to counter underreporting (e.g., anonymous reporting systems) and promoting positive safety climates to improve safety reporting and reduce negative outcomes (e.g., mishaps and accidents).

Rapid and sensitive determination of residual prion infectivity from prion-decontaminated surfaces.

Prion diseases are untreatable fatal transmissible neurodegenerative diseases that affect a wide range of mammals, including humans, and are caused by PrPSc, the infectious self-templating conformation of the host-encoded protein, PrPC. Prion diseases can be transmitted via surfaces (e.g., forceps, EEG electrodes) in laboratory and clinical settings. Here, we use a combination of surface swabbing and real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) to test for residual surface-associated prions following prion disinfection. We found that treatment of several prion-contaminated laboratory and clinically relevant surfaces with either water or 70% EtOH resulted in robust detection of surface-associated prions. In contrast, treatment of surfaces with sodium hypochlorite resulted in a failure to detect surface-associated prions. RT-QuIC analysis of prion-contaminated stainless steel wires paralleled the findings of the surface swab studies. Importantly, animal bioassay and RT-QuIC analysis of the same swab extracts are in agreement. We report on conditions that may interfere with the assay that need to be taken into consideration before using this technique. Overall, this method can be used to survey laboratory and clinical surfaces for prion infectivity following prion decontamination protocols.IMPORTANCEPrion diseases can be accidentally transmitted in clinical and occupational settings. While effective means of prion decontamination exist, methods for determining the effectiveness are only beginning to be described. Here, we analyze surface swab extracts using real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) to test for residual prions following prion disinfection of relevant clinical and laboratory surfaces. We found that this method can rapidly determine the efficacy of surface prion decontamination. Importantly, examination of surface extracts with RT-QuIC and animal bioassay produced similar findings, suggesting that this method can accurately assess the reduction in prion titer. We identified surface contaminants that interfere with the assay, which may be found in clinical and laboratory settings. Overall, this method can enhance clinical and laboratory prion safety measures.

The Study of Environmental Exposure of Mothers and Infants Impacted by Large-Scale Agriculture (SEMILLA): Description of the Aims and Methods of a Community-Based Birth Cohort Study.

Women of childbearing age not only reside in agricultural communities but also form an integral part of the agricultural labor force. Limited research investigates the impact of prenatal fungicide exposure on infant health, specifically ethylenebisdithiocarbamates and their toxic by-product, ethylenethiourea (ETU), particularly in occupational settings. This paper describes the background, aims, protocol, and baseline sample characteristics for the SEMILLA study, which investigates prenatal ETU exposure, neonatal thyroid function, infant growth, and neurobehavioral development in an agricultural region of Ecuador. This cohort study follows pregnant women and their infants up to 18 months of age, incorporating urinary biomarkers and survey data on ETU exposure and infant growth and neurodevelopmental measures. Data collection includes detailed questionnaires, scales, and physical examinations on maternal and infant health and development, as well as environmental factors. Descriptive statistics on key characteristics of the study population at baseline are presented. SEMILLA enrolled 409 participants (72% enrollment rate): 111 agricultural workers (mostly floricultural), 149 non-agricultural workers, and 149 non-workers. Baseline characteristics show comparability between work sector groups, with some economic differences. SEMILLA will provide key evidence on prenatal fungicide exposure and infant development and encompass comprehensive multistage data collection procedures in pregnancy and infancy, focusing on structural and social determinants of health as well as individual-level chemical exposures. The community-based approach has proven essential, even amid challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. The medium-term objective is to inform sustainable interventions promoting maternal and child health, with a long-term goal to reduce community exposures and improve worker health policies, particularly for women and pregnant workers.

Hand eczema in Italian patients referred for patch testing: A retrospective SIDAPA study (2016-2023).

Hand eczema (HE) is a common skin disease with a negative impact on patients' quality of life in occupational and non-occupational settings. Up-to-date, data on HE in Italian patients referred for patch testing are lacking. To characterise the profile in terms of demographics, aetiology and patch test results of Italian patients affected by HE referred for patch testing. A retrospective descriptive study on consecutive patients affected by HE who underwent patch testing from 2016 to 2023 in eight dermatology clinics was performed. HE patients were divided into two groups according to the exclusive (HE-only group) and not-exclusive (HE+ group) hand involvement, and compared to patients with eczema localised in body areas other than hands (NHE group). One thousand five hundred and ninety-seven patients were affected by HE (35.3% males; mean age 42.7 years), 60.2% belonging to the HE-only group and 39.8% to the HE+ group. Occupational dermatitis was diagnosed in 33.2% of HE-only patients, 25.0% of HE+ patients and 5.2% of NHE patients (p < 0.001). HE-only patients presented: Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD), Irritant Contact Dermatitis (ICD), atopic HE in 48.1%, 47.5% and 7.1%, respectively; hyperkeratotic palmar, acute recurrent vesicular and nummular clinical subtypes in 52.2%, 43.9% and 11.9%, respectively; relevant positive patch test reactions in 48.1% (nickel sulphate 18.9%, methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone 10.6%, methylisothiazolinone 8.6%, p-phenylenediamine 6.0% and potassium dichromate 4.7%). HE patients, and particularly those with exclusive hand involvement, show a particular profile in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics, etiologies and relevant positive patch test reactions.

Association Between Bladder Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors in Guilan Province: A Case-Control Study

Background: Occupational settings expose workers to various substances linked to cancer risk, influenced by exposure intensity and duration. Considering the diverse work conditions across Iranian cities and the unexplored link between occupation and bladder cancer (BC) in Guilan Province, identifying high-risk occupations and industries is imperative for implementing preventive measures in the region. Objectives: To investigate the effect of people's occupations on bladder cancer in Guilan Province. Methods: The study encompassed 266 diagnosed BC patients in Guilan Province who received treatment at local healthcare centers, along with 191 control individuals aged 18 and over. Data for the cases were meticulously recorded in medical records at the Guilan Cancer Registry. The same checklists, including demographic characteristics, comorbidities, addiction status, water consumption habits, environmental exposures, current and previous occupation, previous history of cancer, and family history of cancer, were recorded for the controls. Odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were estimated using adjusted logistic regression (LR). Results: The study found that the odds ratio of bladder cancer (BC) was 2.80 (95% CI: 1.26 - 6.21) for the age group 60 - 70 years and 18.2 (95% CI: 7.31 - 45.6) for individuals above 70 years. Rural dwelling increased the risk by 5.06-fold, while well water consumption and regular opium use amplified it by 6.12-fold and 2.58-fold, respectively. Exposure to tar and carbon derivatives led to a 3.53-fold increase in risk, and exposure to combustion/greenhouse gases showed a 10.72-fold increase. Chemical-related occupations, tar, carbon derivatives, smoking, and opium consumption were significant risk factors. Conclusions: Occupations involving chemical substances such as greenhouse gases, tar, and carbon derivatives are associated with a higher risk of bladder cancer (BC). Furthermore, smoking, opium use, and well water consumption significantly elevate the risk of this cancer.

“Willing to go the extra mile”: an exploration of antecedents of assigned expatriates' work engagement

PurposeThe expatriation literature (a substantial domain of the International HRM literature) has not paid sufficient attention to the phenomenon of work engagement, which is essential for expatriate success. Equally, research on work engagement in Organizational Behavior, although extensive and mature, has neglected the context of expatriation. Our study bridges the two literature streams to examine the antecedents of expatriates’ work engagement within the distinct context of international assignments.Design/methodology/approachThrough e-interviews with 27 Nordic assigned expatriates in 16 host countries, we delineate and organize antecedents of assigned expatriates’ work engagement in a framework.FindingsWe identify two clusters of antecedents – general and specific – characteristic of expatriate settings (e.g. distance to headquarters, pride in being chosen, culture, fewer distractions, success in a foreign context, adjustment, location, and language). We decompose each cluster into contextual and job-related antecedents leading to absorption, dedication, and vigor as three components of work engagement. We depict and organize the relationships in a framework.Originality/valueOur qualitative study connects two bodies of literature that have remained largely independent of each other. In doing this, we contribute to the expatriate literature by presenting a comprehensive picture of antecedents to work engagement and the engagement literature by exploring engagement in a new occupational work setting, namely international assignments.

Drive away neck pain: Transformative motor control therapeutic neck exercises and tailored programs redefine posture for automotive workers.

Neck discomfort, arising from strained muscles, poor posture, accidents, or underlying medical conditions, significantly impacts daily activities and overall well-being, presenting a substantial healthcare challenge. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of motor control therapeutic neck exercise and a Structured Exercise Program on neck pain and posture among automobile industrial workers. Using a lottery technique, 106 participants aged 20 to 45 were selected from the vicinity of Chennai's auto industries based on predetermined eligibility and exclusion criteria. Subsequently, participants were randomly assigned to either the motor control therapeutic neck exercise group or the structured exercise program group, each comprising 53 individuals. Participants received a comprehensive overview of the study and respective interventions, and their informed consent was obtained. Demographic details, Neck Injury and Disability scores, and Assessment of Postural and Ergonomic Characteristics data were then collected. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference between the groups, with the Motor Control Therapeutic Neck Exercise group demonstrating superior outcomes in reducing pain and improving posture, with p-values less than 0.001. This study highlights the efficacy of Motor Control Therapeutic Neck Exercise over Structured Exercise in improving neck pain and posture among automobile industrial workers. These findings contribute valuable insights for the development of targeted interventions in occupational health settings.

Inhalation Toxicity Screening of Consumer Products Chemicals using OECD Test Guideline Data-based Machine Learning Models

This study aimed to screen the inhalation toxicity of chemicals found in consumer products such as air fresheners, fragrances, and anti-fogging agents submitted to K-REACH using machine learning models. We manually curated inhalation toxicity data based on OECD test guideline 403 (Acute inhalation), 412 (Sub-acute inhalation), and 413 (Sub-chronic inhalation) for 1709 chemicals from the OECD eChemPortal database. Machine learning models were trained using ten algorithms, along with four molecular fingerprints (MACCS, Morgan, Topo, RDKit) and molecular descriptors, achieving F1 scores ranging from 51 % to 91 % in test dataset. Leveraging the high-performing models, we conducted a virtual screening of chemicals, initially applying them to data-rich chemicals generally used in occupational settings to determine the prediction uncertainty. Results showed high sensitivity (75 %) but low specificity (23 %), suggesting that our models can contribute to conservative screening of chemicals. Subsequently, we applied the models to consumer product chemicals, identifying 79 as of high concern. Most of the prioritized chemicals lacked GHS classifications related to inhalation toxicity, even though they were predicted to be used in many consumer products. This study highlights a potential regulatory blind spot concerning the inhalation risk of consumer product chemicals while also indicating the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) models to aid in prioritizing chemicals at the screening level.

The long-chain polyfluorinated alkyl substance perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) promotes bone marrow adipogenesis

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) bioaccumulate in different organ systems, including bone. While existing research highlights the adverse impact of PFAS on bone density, a critical gap remains in understanding the specific effects on the bone marrow microenvironment, especially the bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT). Changes in BMAT have been linked to various health consequences, such as the development of osteoporosis and the progression of metastatic tumors in bone. Studies presented herein demonstrate that exposure to a mixture of five environmentally relevant PFAS compounds promotes marrow adipogenesis in vitro and in vivo. We show that among the components of the mixture, PFHxS, an alternative to PFOS, has the highest propensity to accumulate in bone and effectively promote marrow adipogenesis. Utilizing RNAseq approaches, we identified the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling as a top pathway modulated by PFHxS exposure. Furthermore, we provide results suggesting the activation and involvement of PPAR-gamma (PPARγ) in PFHxS-mediated bone marrow adipogenesis, especially in combination with high-fat diet. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate the potential impact of elevated PFHxS levels, particularly in occupational settings, on bone health, and specifically bone marrow adiposity. This study contributes new insights into the health risks of PFHxS exposure, urging further research on the relationship between environmental factors, diet, and adipose tissue dynamics.

Associations between person-environment fit and mental health - results from the population-based LIFE-Adult-Study

Within occupational settings, mental health of employees can be affected by complex interactions between individuals and their work environment. The aim of this cross-sectional analysis was to investigate the association between person-environment fit and mental health in employees. Data of n = 568 participants from the LIFE adult cohort study was analysed, including socio-demographic characteristics, three dimensions of person-environment fit (P-E fit), symptoms of depression and anxiety. Assessment took place between 2017 and 2021. Statistical analysis included descriptive analyses as well as generalized linear regression models adjusted for age, gender, socioeconomic status, marital status, and job status. Correlational analysis revealed significant associations between age, marital status, SES, employment status, symptoms of depression and anxiety and P-E fit. According to regression models, greater perceived fit between person and organization was associated with lower depression scores and lower symptoms of anxiety. Higher perceived fit between demands and abilities was significantly related to lower severity of depression and anxiety. Similarly, participants reporting a higher fit between needs and supplies, exhibited less symptom severity regarding depression and anxiety. These results underline the importance of person-environment fit regarding mental health. Finding ways to obtain an optimal balance should not only be recognized as an important factor for health and well-being, but might also be beneficial for organizations and employers in the long-term.

Examining Occupation-Based Outcome Measure Use in a Neurologic Outpatient Occupational Therapy Setting: A Knowledge Translation Initiative

Examining Occupation-Based Outcome Measure Use in a Neurologic Outpatient Occupational Therapy Setting: A Knowledge Translation Initiative

THE PRODUCTIVITY PUZZLE: INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF HOURS WORKED ON PRODUCTIVITY

This paper presents an investigation into the correlation between hours worked and productivity, synthesizing insights from an in-depth analysis of scientific literature spanning the past 10 years. The aim of this study is to gain a nuanced understanding of how work hours impact productivity across diverse industries and occupational settings. Drawing from an array of empirical data on productivity metrics and hours worked, our analysis reveals a consistent trend: a strong inverse correlation that exists between the two variables. The primary highlight of our study is the discovery of a robust inverse correlation between hours worked and productivity. This implies that as hours worked increase, productivity tends to decrease, a finding that could challenge conventional assumptions. Our study delves into the implications of this inverse correlation, discussing factors such as burnout, fatigue, decreased motivation, and impaired cognitive function associated with long working hours. The findings underscore the importance of reevaluating traditional notions of work hours and productivity. Rather than focusing solely on the number of hours worked, organizations can benefit from prioritizing tasks, setting clear goals, and implementing effective timemanagement strategies. Recognizing the benefits of working smarter rather than longer hours can lead to improved efficiency, employee well-being, and organizational success. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on work optimization strategies and offers valuable insights for individuals, organizations, and policymakers seeking to enhance productivity in the modern work environment.

Heat-related illness among workers in British Columbia, Canada: Extreme hot weather in 2021 compared to 2001-2020.

British Columbia (BC), Canada, experienced an unprecedented summer with record-breaking high temperatures in 2021. Yet the health impact has not been examined in occupational settings. This study aimed to characterize occupational heat-related illness (HRI) among BC workers estimated by incidence rates and associations between heatwaves and HRI, compare risks from 2021 and prior summers of 2001-2020, and assess differential impacts on worker groups by demographics and occupations. We identified HRI from workers' compensation claims that occurred between June and August from 2001-2021 in BC. Incidence rates were calculated using working population estimates from Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey. A time-stratified case-crossover design with conditional Poisson regression was used to examine the impact of heatwaves on occupational HRI. All analyses were stratified by year (2021 versus 2001-2020), age, sex, and occupation. Of the 521 claims identified, 107 (21%) occurred in 2021. Incidence rates for 2021 and prior summers were 3.97 [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.26-4.80] and 0.93 (95% CI 0.85-1.03) claims per 100 000 workers, respectively. This difference represents a 327% increase. Rates were higher in health occupations in 2021 versus 2001-2020. During 2001-2021, the risk of HRI during heatwave days was 4.33 (95% CI 2.98-6.27) times that during non-heatwave days, and the risk was higher among middle-aged workers and workers in trades, transport, and equipment operations. The 2021 heatwaves had greater impact on younger and female workers than those from prior summers. Heat is a crucial workplace hazard. Prevention strategies should prioritize at-risk workers and not be limited to heatwaves.

Assessing knowledge gaps and educational needs in urine drug test interpretation among health care professionals.

Urine drug testing (UDT) is a critical tool used in medical, forensic, and occupational settings, but interpreting results can be challenging. We performed a study to assess the ability of health care professionals to interpret UDT results accurately. In total, 911 clinical and laboratory professionals in the United States and Canada responded to a survey with questions gauging expertise in UDT interpretation. Responses were analyzed to identify knowledge gaps. Toxicologists and laboratory PhD scientists performed well, with means of 4.82 and 4.63 questions answered correctly (out of 6 possible), respectively. Physicians specializing in pathology, emergency medicine, primary care, and internal medicine, however, displayed concerning knowledge gaps, as did laboratorians with nondoctoral degrees. Experience and training correlated with interpretation accuracy. Identification of simulated compliance as well as understanding opioid exposure, metabolism, and immunoassay cross-reactivity were among the most clinicallysignificant knowledge gaps. More than 30% of survey respondents indicated that they would seek UDT information from the internet or peers rather than clinical or laboratory experts. The study highlighted the need for targeted education and better collaboration between clinical and laboratory experts and other health care professionals to ensure that when physicians order UDT, they can accurately interpret results and reduce harm.

Acute effects of a simulated quick return on subjective sleepiness, mood, and cognitive performance: A laboratory crossover controlled trial

ABSTRACT Sleep loss due to short time off between shifts has been proposed as a mechanism contributing to impaired functioning in occupational settings. This laboratory crossover trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05162105, N = 66) compared subjective sleepiness, mood, and cognitive performance on a day shift after an evening shift with only 8 h off between shifts (quick return, QR) to a day shift after another day shift with 16 h off between shifts (control). Results indicated higher subjective sleepiness (Karolinska Sleepiness Scale) during the QR condition compared to the control condition (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found on mood (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule) and cognitive performance (Psychomotor Vigilance- and Digit Symbol Substitution Test) between the conditions. Findings of increased subjective sleepiness corroborate previous field studies. This trial is to our knowledge the first to compare mood and cognitive performance after a QR to a longer shift transition using an experimental design. Future research should explore the effects of accumulated sleep loss associated with QRs (e.g. having several QRs within a short time period) on behavioral outcomes.

Worker perspectives on improving occupational health and safety using wearable sensors: a cross-sectional survey.

Workplace exposure is an important source of ill health. The use of wearable sensors and sensing technologies may help improve and maintain worker health, safety, and wellbeing. Input from workers should inform the integration of these sensors into workplaces. We developed an online survey to understand the acceptability of wearable sensor technologies for occupational health and safety (OSH) management. The survey was disseminated to members of OSH-related organizations, mainly in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. There were 158 respondents, with over half (n = 91, 58%) reporting current use of wearable sensors, including physical hazards (n = 57, 36%), air quality (n = 53, 34%), and location tracking (n = 36, 23%), although this prevalence likely also captures traditional monitoring equipment. There were no clear distinctions in wearable sensor use between the reported demographic and occupational characteristics, with the exception that hygienists were more likely than non-hygienists (e.g. safety professionals) to use wearable sensors (66% versus 34%). Overall, there was an interest in how sensors can help OSH professionals understand patterns of exposure and improve exposure management practices. Some wariness was expressed primarily around environmental and physical constraints, the quality of the data, and privacy concerns. This survey identified a need to better identify occupational situations that would benefit from wearable sensors and to evaluate existing devices that could be used for occupational hygiene. Further, this work underscores the importance of clearly defining "sensor" according to the occupational setting and context.

Do toenail manganese and iron levels reflect brain metal levels or brain metabolism in welders?

Inhalation of welding fumes can cause metal accumulation in the brain, leading to Parkinsonian-like symptoms. Metal accumulation and altered neurochemical profiles have been observed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in highly exposed welders, being associated with decreased motor function and cognition. While MRI is impractical to use as a health risk assessment tool in occupational settings, toenail metal levels are easier to assess and have been demonstrated to reflect an exposure window of 7–12 months in the past. Yet, it is unclear whether toenail metal levels are associated with brain metal levels or changes in metabolism, which are the root of potential health concerns. This study investigates whether toenail manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) levels, assessed at several time points, correlate with brain Mn and Fe levels, measured by MRI, as well as brain GABA, glutamate (Glu), and glutathione (GSH) levels, measured by Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS), in seventeen Mn-exposed welders. Quantitative T1 and R2* MRI maps of the whole brain, along with GABA, Glu, and GSH MRS measurements from the thalamus and cerebellum were acquired at baseline (T0). Toenail clippings were collected at T0 and every three months after the MRI for a year to account for different exposure periods being reflected by toenail clippings and MRI. Spearman correlations of toenail metal levels were run against brain metal and metabolite levels, but no significant associations were found for Mn at any timepoint. Cerebellar GSH positively correlated with toenail Fe clipped twelve months after the MRI (p = 0.05), suggesting an association with Fe exposure at the time of the MRI. Neither thalamic GABA nor Glu correlated with toenail Fe levels. In conclusion, this study cannot support toenail Mn as a proxy for brain Mn levels or metabolic changes, while toenail Fe appears linked to brain metabolic alterations, underscoring the importance of considering other metals, including Fe, in studying Mn neurotoxicity.

Co-construction: A key to preventing mental health injuries in occupational settings

Co-construction: A key to preventing mental health injuries in occupational settings Dr Mélanie Dufour-Poirier from the Université de Montréal and Dr Jean-Paul Dautel from the Université du Québec en Outaouais outline a new approach to preventing workplace mental health injuries and improving wellbeing. In Canada, it is estimated that mental health-related costs total approximately $50bn annually. In the province of Quebec, close to one out of two workers has experienced psychological distress since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Amongst its pathogens are the porosity of working time, isolation, competition among colleagues, and the demand for short-term profitability. New - more stressful - forms of work organization, including telework, have emerged, bringing with them excessive workloads, increases in the pace of work, growing job flexibility, precarious contract employment, and job insecurity. These issues have put workplace mental health back at the centre of the debate in Quebec. More generally, the crisis has called for a rethinking of management methods for better upstream protection of mental health, ideally through a collective and participatory approach that involves all the actors in a working community rather than one that aims at protecting against and treating such mental health injuries on the level of the individual, as is the current tendency. It is an issue of the utmost importance for unions, a subject we discussed in a recent article (Open Access Government, April 2024).

Strategija za ocjenjivanje učinka formaldehida u anatomskom patološkom laboratoriju treći dio

To date, formaldehyde (FA) is one of the more common chemicals and its use is widespread around the world in different sectors, especially in chemical facilities and health care. FA is widely used in working activities owing to its chemical and physical properties. However, it also represents a concerning hazard for the workers’ health due to its toxicity and recognized carcinogenicity. The FA exposure evaluation in occupational setting has arisen interest in the scientific community that leads to the development of several analytical instruments in order to assess both long term and short-term exposure. The paper presents and discusses an equivalence tests procedure via the 2.4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH)-active air sampling formaldehyde (FA) reference method and two non-reference instruments based on continuous, direct reading monitoring, namely ProCeas® (AP2E) and NEMo XT (Ethera). The FA standard atmosphere calibration system was used to check the reference method by Pearson’s test. Subsequently, the Passing-Bablok test was carried out between the non-reference methods and the DNPH method for potential systematic or proportional errors, and finally the Bland-Altman plot was applied to determine the mean bias and the variances of the recorded values by the reference and non-reference methods in on-field sampling. The results showed a good correlation between the non-references method and the DNPH ones, suggesting their possible applications in heterogeneous occupational scenarios.

PERMA Profiler: Adaptation to Sinhala

Recent history has seen an increased interest in wellbeing. This interest has been observed in clinical settings as well as at the level of state policies and at corporate levels. Following this interest, many models of wellbeing have been developed. The PERMA model of wellbeing was a more recent development forwarded by Martin Seligman, which measures the five core elements of wellbeing that are referred to as PERMA. The acronym stands for positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. This model is based on the conceptual framework of positive psychology. PERMA profiler is a psychometric measure of wellbeing, which is based on the PERMA model. This tool has been gaining recognition as a reliable and valid tool for the measurement of wellbeing, especially in occupational settings. The current study aimed to adapt the PERMA profiler to Sinhala, which is the language used by the majority of Sri Lankans. The tool was translated by two psychologists and was synthesised to one single translated version by a panel of three experts, and it was evaluated for clarity and relevance by another panel of experts. The pre-testing was done in a sample of 15 individuals and the back translation was carried out by a professional translator. The adaptation was completed in consultation with the original authors of the scale. Results indicated that the Sinhalese adaptation of the PERMA profiler was deemed to be well-suited to be used with Sinhalese speaking populations with an average education.