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Abstract: Objective Presenteeism has, in a larger sense, been viewed as a negative behaviour, although a limited body of studies suggests and reports its positive implications in an organizational context. This study assessed the association between the physical work environment (PWE) and presenteeism as well as the moderating influence of workplace support for health (WSH) on this relationship. Methods This study adopted the cross-sectional design alongside a sensitivity analysis and techniques against common methods bias. The study population was employees of private and public organizations in Accra, Ghana. A total of 590 employees participated in the study and hierarchical linear regression was used to present the results. Results PWE had a positive relationship with presenteeism (β = 0.15; t = 3.04; p < 0.05), which means that higher presenteeism was associated with larger PWE scores. WSH positively moderated the relationship between PWE and presenteeism (β = 0.23; t = 4.84; p < 0.001). Conclusions Organizations with more satisfactory work environments may serve as preferred protective places for employees during a pandemic, more so within organizations with higher WSH. Interventions rolled out to improve PWE and to provide WSH can attenuate the potential negative influences of presenteeism on individual health and organizational productivity. PubDate: 2022-05-16
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Abstract: Purpose This study aims to elucidate the risk factors of infertility treatment-associated harassment (I-harassment) among Japanese working women. Methods The study participants were 1103 female patients who enrolled in the Japan-Female Employment and Mental Health in artificial reproductive technology (J-FEMA) study. Of the 1727 female patients, 1103 female patients were working during the initiation of infertility treatment and were still working during the survey. Risk factors for I-harassment were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results In this study, 82 female patients (7.4%) experienced I-harassment. The risk was significantly higher in those who had more in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles than those who had fewer IVF cycles (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01–1.10). Similarly, those who disclosed their infertility treatment to their workplace were at significantly higher risk for I-harassment than those who did not (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.03–3.15). Conclusion This study found that 7.4% of female patients experienced I-harassment after infertility treatment initiation. Those female patients who “experienced more IVF cycles,” and “disclosed their infertility treatment in their workplace” should be carefully followed up by healthcare professionals to prevent I-harassment. PubDate: 2022-05-13
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Abstract: Purpose Exposures related to beryllium (Be) are an enduring concern among workers in the nuclear weapons and other high-tech industries, calling for regular and rigorous biological monitoring. Conventional biomonitoring of Be in urine is not informative of cumulative exposure nor health outcomes. Biomarkers of exposure to Be based on non-invasive biomonitoring could help refine disease risk assessment. In a cohort of workers with Be exposure, we employed blood plasma extracellular vesicles (EVs) to discover novel biomarkers of exposure to Be. Methods EVs were isolated from plasma using size-exclusion chromatography and subjected to mass spectrometry-based proteomics. A protein-based classifier was developed using LASSO regression and validated by ELISA. Results We discovered a dual biomarker signature comprising zymogen granule protein 16B and putative protein FAM10A4 that differentiated between Be-exposed and -unexposed subjects. ELISA-based quantification of the biomarkers in an independent cohort of samples confirmed higher expression of the signature in the Be-exposed group, displaying high predictive accuracy (AUROC = 0.919). Furthermore, the biomarkers efficiently discriminated high- and low-exposure groups (AUROC = 0.749). Conclusions This is the first report of EV biomarkers associated with Be exposure and exposure levels. The biomarkers could be implemented in resource-limited settings for Be exposure assessment. PubDate: 2022-05-12
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Abstract: Purpose Acute poisonings of workers handling shipping containers by fumigants and other harmful chemicals off-gassed from cargo have been reported but (sub)-chronic neuropsychological effects have not been well studied. Methods This cross-sectional study assessed, using standardised questionnaires, current (past 3-months) neuropsychological symptoms in 274 container handlers, 38 retail workers, 35 fumigators, and 18 log workers, all potentially exposed to fumigants and off-gassed chemicals, and a reference group of 206 construction workers. Prevalence odds ratios (OR), adjusted for age, ethnicity, smoking, alcohol consumption, education, personality traits and BMI, were calculated to assess associations with the total number of symptoms (≥ 3, ≥ 5 or ≥ 10) and specific symptom domains (neurological, psychosomatic, mood, memory/concentration, fatigue, and sleep). Results Compared to the reference group, exposed workers were more likely to report ≥ 10 symptoms, statistically significant only for retail workers (OR 6.8, 95% CI 1.9–24.3) who also reported more fatigue (OR 10.7, 95% CI 2.7–42.7). Container handlers with the highest exposure-duration were more likely to report ≥ 10 symptoms, both when compared with reference workers (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.4–11.7) and with container handlers with shorter exposure duration (OR 7.5, 95% CI 1.7–32.8). The duration of container handling was particularly associated with symptoms in the memory/concentration domain, again both when compared to reference workers (OR 8.8, 95% CI 2.5–31.4) and workers with the lowest exposure-duration (OR 6.8, 95% CI 1.5–30.3). Conclusion Container handlers may have an increased risk of neuropsychological symptoms, especially in the memory/concentration domain. Retail workers may also be at risk, but this requires confirmation in a larger study. PubDate: 2022-05-06
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Abstract: Purpose Over two-fifth of middle-aged adults and elderly (45 +) in India are hypertensive. Though studies examined prevalence, awareness and control of hypertension, little is known on the association of hypertension with work status in India. This study examines the variations of hypertension by types of work among middle-aged adults and the elderly in India. Methods Data were drawn from the Longitudinal Aging Survey of India (LASI), Wave 1, 2017–18, and analysis was restricted to participants aged 45 and above with complete information on employment and blood pressure (N = 59,196). Results We estimated the adjusted prevalence of hypertension at 49.2% (95% CI, 47.8–50.6) among the ever worked but not currently working and 44.5% (95% CI, 43.1–45.8) among currently working. Among eight broad categories of the currently working population, the adjusted estimates of hypertension were highest among legislators, senior officials and managers (71.5%; 95% CI, 41.9–101.0), followed by service and sales worker workers (44.7%; 95% CI, 41.2–48.2) and least among the professionals (37.1%; 95% CI, 27.1–47.2). Relative to never worked, legislators, senior officials and managers were twice more likely [adjusted OR (AOR) 2.00; 95% CI, 0.74–5.39] to be hypertensive, followed by plant and machine operators (AOR 1.33; 95% CI, 1.04–1.71). The odds of being hypertensive was least among those engaged in professional (engineering, health, education) activities. The other significant predictors are age, sex, residence, education level, household economic condition, family history of hypertension, chronic disease and depression. Conclusion The risk of hypertension varies with the types of work in which older Indians are engaged. Awareness and treatment of hypertension in high-risk occupation are recommended. PubDate: 2022-05-06
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Abstract: Objective The association between adverse working conditions and mental disorders is well established. In addition to psychopathological symptoms, this study aimed at investigating anger and personality traits in a clinical sample of subjects referring negative interpersonal experiences in workplaces. Methods 1676 workers attending a Centre for Occupational Stress in Milan (from 2014 to 2016) were administered an assessment protocol including SCL-90 for general psychopathology, STAXI for anger intensity and expression, and MMPI-2 for personality traits. A qualitative checklist was used to collect negative experiences in workplaces. Results Patients reported they were exposed to “threats to the task or the professional career” more than to “attacks to the person”. Over 80% scored above the cutoff in all the subscales of the SCL-90, with highest scores in Depression, Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety, Somatization and Paranoia. 60% scored above the 90th percentile in the AX/in subscale, showing intense anger feelings that they mostly suppress. Abnormal elevations at the MMPI scales of Hypochondria, Depression, Hysteria, and Paranoia were found in over 50% of the sample. Women reported higher psychological difficulties and internalized anger than men. Anger towards objects and people, instead, was more common in males. No differences were observed by work sector or employment status. Conclusions In addition to severe psychological difficulties, individuals reporting negative interpersonal experiences in workplaces have high levels of internalized anger and a distinctive profile of personality traits. While a deeper investigation is needed, anger expression should be considered in future treatment programs. PubDate: 2022-05-05
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Abstract: Purpose Both depression and loneliness have been recognized as major public health issues, yet investigation into their role among young and middle-aged, professionally active persons is still required. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether depression and loneliness may independently predict inefficiency at work among professionally active adults. Methods This is a cross-sectional study on a representative, nationwide sample. 1795 questionnaires were gathered from among professionally active adults from Poland from 1 to 31 July 2018 with a direct pen-and-paper interview. The sample was chosen by means of the stratified random method. The survey included a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to measure depression and questions, devised by the authors, relating to loneliness and inefficiency at work. Regression models were constructed with depression and loneliness as predictors of inefficiency at work, unadjusted and adjusted for selected sociodemographic, health- and work-related factors. Results In the unadjusted models, both depression and loneliness were independently associated with an increase of work inefficiency and absence from work, with effect sizes being higher for loneliness than for depression. After accounting for the control variables (i.e., sociodemographic, work- and health-related factors), the PHQ-9 score, but not the loneliness score, was associated with an increased probability of frequent thoughts about changing or leaving a job. Conclusion Depression and loneliness independently predicted occupational functioning and differentially affect its various aspects. Counteracting depression and loneliness among employees should be regarded as a public health priority. PubDate: 2022-05-03
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Abstract: Purpose Workplace wellness (WP) programs are an employer strategy to improve employee health and satisfaction. Their impact on productivity and benefit expense remains unclear. This study examines the association of a voluntary WP at an academic health center with both employee metrics and employer costs. Methods We retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected data from January 2016 to April 2018 for employees who voluntarily underwent screening for a WP at an academic medical center. We used their demographic, social, work, and clinical data to address the central research question. The primary outcomes included wellness measures from the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS), secondary wellness outcomes such as body mass index, job-related outcomes such as job satisfaction, and workers’ compensation metrics such as the claim amount. The key independent variables were whether an observation was from before or after the WP. For workers’ compensation metrics, additional key independent variables were intervention/control group, and an interaction between the before/after and intervention/control variables. We conducted univariate and bivariate/unadjusted analyses, and estimated multivariable linear, logistic, and gamma regression models that also controlled for confounders. Results The study included 370 employees. Participation in the program was associated with significant improvements in the PROMIS pain interference, fatigue and sleep quality domains. Hip circumference diminished, and functional movement outcomes were improved. Job satisfaction improved by 4.4 percentage points (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.3–8.5, p = 0.04) and self-reported productivity by 14.5 percentage points (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 9.5–19.5, p < 0.001). The likelihood of a new compensation claim during the 12-month follow-up period fell by 10.1% (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: − 15.5 to − 4.7, p < 0.001). However, the value of a new claim was unchanged. Conclusion Employees who completed a WP at an academic medical center demonstrated improvements in several recognized patient-reported outcome measures, in job satisfaction and self-reported productivity, a decrease in hip circumference, an improvement in functional motion and a decreased rate of compensable injury. PubDate: 2022-05-02
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Abstract: Purpose We investigated schoolteachers’ emotional reactions to COVID-19 and mental health during three phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. We further analyzed if teachers, who belonged to a COVID-19 risk group, had more emotional reactions and poorer mental health than “non-risk” groups. Methods We collected questionnaire data in May, June, and November–December 2020 and used data from 2665 teachers at public schools (871 individuals participated in all three surveys). Participants reported their fear of infection, fear of transmission of infection to their home or pupils, perceived burnout and stress, and worries about their ability to manage the working conditions. We included information about COVID-19 risk group status, gender, age, organization of teaching (physical presence or remote teaching), and the pupils’ grade. We estimated prevalence ratios and took repeated measures into account. Results Emotional reactions and poor mental health increased significantly with 27–84% from May to November–December 2020. Teachers, who were particularly vulnerable to the adverse consequences of COVID-19, had the highest prevalence of fear of infection and poor mental health. Conclusion Teachers play a crucial role in a society’s response to a pandemic. Yet, the dual role of teaching and virus control along with concerns regarding the health consequences of an infection may contribute to the observed increase in emotional reactions to COVID-19 and poor mental health. PubDate: 2022-05-01
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Abstract: Purpose To investigate associations between social benefits and disability pension (DP), long-term sickness absence (LTSA, ≥ 90 days), or unemployment among Swedish twins with sickness absence (SA) due to mental diagnoses. Methods This population-based prospective twin study included register data on first incident SA spell (< 90 days) due to mental diagnoses (ICD 10 codes F00-F99) during the follow-up 2005–2016. SA < 90 days due to other diagnoses than mental diagnoses or any other social insurance benefit was identified for the preceding year of the first incident SA spell due to mental diagnoses (coded yes/no). Comparing those with any previous social benefits vs without, cumulative incidence curve to compare time to an event, and Cox proportional hazards models for cause-specific hazard ratios (HR, 95% confidence intervals, CI) treating first incident DP, LTSA and unemployment as competing risks were modeled. Results During follow-up, 21 DP, 1619 LTSA, and 808 unemployment events took place. Compared to those without, those with at least one benefit had a higher risk for DP (HR 5.03; 95%CI 1.80, 14.01), LTSA (1.67; 1.50, 1.84) and unemployment (1.24; 1.03, 1.50). The cumulative incidence for DP was very low, < 1%, for LTSA 80% with any previous social benefits vs. 60% without, and for unemployment ≤ 5%. Conclusion Social benefits received during the preceding year of SA due to mental diagnoses (< 90 days) predict DP, LTSA, and unemployment. Hence, previous social benefits may provide means for early identification of persons at risk for exit from labor market. PubDate: 2022-05-01
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Abstract: Objective In this study, we examined exposure to workplace bullying as a predictor of registry-based benefit recipiency among workers struggling with work participation due to common mental disorders. Further, we examined if the experience of receiving social support moderated the association between workplace bullying and benefit recipiency. Design Secondary analyses of a randomized controlled trial. Patients People struggling with work participation due to common mental disorders (CMD). Methods Study participants (n = 1193) were from a randomized controlled trial (The At Work and Coping trial (AWaC), trial registration http://www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT01146730), and self-reported CMD as a main obstacle for work participation. Participants were at risk of sickness absence, currently on sickness absence or on long-term benefits. Benefit recipiency indicated sickness absence and/or long-term benefits (i.e., disability pension) at 6-month follow-up. Results Of the 1193 participants, 36% reported exposure to workplace bullying. Workplace bullying was significantly associated with benefit recipiency at 6-month follow-up (OR 1.41, CI 1.11–1.79). Social support did not moderate the association between bullying and benefit recipiency. Conclusions The finding that workplace bullying increases the risk of later benefit recipiency suggest that bullying is a significant obstacle for work participation. PubDate: 2022-05-01
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Abstract: Purpose Recognition for work—an act of conveying non-financial appreciation for an outstanding accomplishment or performance—is the top motivator of employee performance and important contributor to psychologically healthy work. Employee recognition programs are offered by many companies and have been shown to retain top talent, increase job satisfaction, and performance. Yet, evidence on the role of received employee recognition for health and quality of life remains limited. This study examined whether receiving recognition for work was prospectively associated with six indicators of health, quality of life, and loneliness. Methods Data were retrieved from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), a biennial cross-national panel database of people aged > 50 years. Our sample included 5,048 middle-aged and older working adults. Results The results indicated that employees receiving recognition for work reported higher quality of life ( \(\upbeta\) =0.065, 95% CI = 0.047, 0.082), had lower risks of hypertension (RR = 0.932; 95% CI = 0.899, 0.966) and high blood cholesterol (RR = 0.922; 95% CI = 0.879, 0.967). These associations were independent of demographics, socioeconomic status, personality, prior history of diseases, depression, lifestyle, and work conditions. The set of sensitivity analyses provided substantial evidence for the robustness of the associations between recognition for work and quality of life as well as hypertension but not necessarily with high blood cholesterol. Conclusions Promotion of employee recognition might emerge as a valuable business resource and health policy tool helping middle-aged and older adults maintain health and good quality of life. It may also help willing older adults to remain on the labour market until older age. PubDate: 2022-05-01
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Abstract: Objective This study investigates whether individuals who have sustained an electrical injury (EI) are diagnosed with unspecified pain or pain related to the musculoskeletal system in the years following the injury. Methods Individuals listed in Danish registers as having sustained EIs were matched for sex, age, and year of injury in a cohort study with individuals having experienced dislocations/sprains (match 1), eye injuries (match 2), and a sample of individuals with the same occupation without a history of electrical injuries (match 3). Outcomes were unspecified pain and unspecified soft tissue disorders. Conditional logistic regression and conditional Cox regression were applied. Results We identified 14,112 individuals who sustained EIs. A higher risk of both outcomes was observed for all three matches, and was highest at the 6- and 12-month follow-ups. The risk of both outcomes was considerably higher for match 3. Conclusions This study confirms that exposure to EIs increases the risk of being diagnosed with unspecified pain or unspecified soft tissue disorders both at short and long terms. Our results also showed that the risk of unspecified pain as sequelae is related to the severity of the injury. PubDate: 2022-05-01
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Abstract: Purpose The aim of this study was to identify patient-related characteristics that affect the predictive validity of the FCE assessment ELA. Methods A prospective multicenter study was conducted on 303 patients with musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) recruited from eleven rehabilitation centers. The ELA-based estimation of the participants' ability to cope with physical work demands was considered valid if RTW was paired with a positive ELA outcome (≥ moderate) as well as if non-RTW was accompanied by a negative ELA outcome (rather or very poor). In the remaining cases, the ELA result was judged as non-valid. To reduce the risk of false conclusions, the rating was performed inversely in participants that (1) reported severe limitations regarding their productivity at work, (2) attributed RTW to a change in job resp. a reduction of their physical work demands and in those that (3) attributed non-RTW to non-physical reintegration barriers only. Using questionnaires, 28 patient-related characteristics were collected. Logistic regression models were calculated to identify characteristics that affected the predictive validity of ELA. Results ELA was considered valid in 208 of 303 (69%) participants. A moderate and strong pain-related disability at work were associated with a 0.15-fold (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.05–0.46), respectively, 0.19-fold (95% CI 0.05–0.72) chance for a valid outcome. In addition, a negative influence was found in participants that reported psychosocial distress (odds ratio (OR) 0.35; 95% CI 0.15–0.82), a native language different from the national language (OR 0.16; 95% CI 0.05–0.56) as well as in those that expected to return to work, but not within one month (OR 0.17; 95% CI 0.06–0.46). Further variables—including age, employment status, fear-avoidance beliefs and the level of physical work demands—did not affect the predictive validity of ELA. Conclusions The results suggest that the predictive validity of ELA is primarily limited by patients that report a moderate or strong pain-related disability at work, psychosocial distress as well as the expectation to return to work, but not within one month. Furthermore, a negative influence can be assumed for language barriers. PubDate: 2022-05-01
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Abstract: Purpose Noise is one of the major environmental health problems and is defined as any unpleasant sound. It was shown that prolonged exposure to noise was associated with progress of diseases. There is no study evaluating the effect of noise on the oxidative parameters of Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), Total Oxidant Status (TOS) and DNA damage. Aim This study aimed to evaluate the effect of noise on TOS, TAC and DNA damage. Methods In this study, we included 100 textile factory workers affected by noise as a noise group, and 56 healthy volunteers employed as office workers in our hospital who were not exposed to noise as the control group. Blood samples were obtained from both the groups. Oxidative Stress (OS) was measured by Oxidative stress index (OSI), TOS and TAC. The DNA damage level was measured by 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Results 8-OHdG (21.8 ± 12.0 vs. 14.7 ± 5.6 pg/ml, p = 0.001),TOS (14.1 ± 2.5 vs. 10.9 ± 1.5 mol H2O2 equivalent/l, p < 0.001), TAC (0.96 ± 0.19 vs. 1.54 ± 0.28 Trolox equivalent/l, p < 0.001) and OSI (1.52 ± 0.37, etc. 0.76 ± 0.35 arbitrary units, p < 0.001) were significantly higher in noise group compared to control group. Linear regression analysis showed that noise was the independent predictor of DNA damage (β = 0.310, p < 0.001). Conclusion In this study, we showed that TOS and DNA damage were significantly higher in subjects exposed to noise when compared with subjects of the control group. Noise was the only independent predictor of the DNA damage. Therefore, early detection of DNA damage and increased OS, early corrective measures may delay the development and progression of diseases such as hypertension, arrhythmias. PubDate: 2022-05-01
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Abstract: Background Although various work-related adverse events affect workers’ mental health, the association between long working hours and mental disorders remains unclear. We investigated the characteristics of overtime work and work-related adverse events among all cases of compensated work-related suicide in Japan to empirically reveal the context of the serious consequences. Methods We analysed all 167 cases of mental disorders resulting in suicide that were compensated in fiscal year 2015–2016. Hierarchical clustering was applied to the overtime working history. Work-related adverse events were also evaluated as the qualitative aspects of their jobs. Results More than half of the cases committed suicide within a month of developing a mental disorder. The Administrative and professional or engineering workers had a higher suicide rate. The clustering analysis revealed chronic long working hours (19%), gradual increase (27%), or rapid increase (25%) in working hours before the onset of a mental disorder. A group of cases with less overwork experienced more interpersonal conflicts. Conclusion This is the first study to employ a clustering technique to objectively reveal the actual working patterns behind suicide. The patterns of working overtime before the onset of mental disorders varied considerably among the cases. Taking the transition of working overtime into account may provide clearer insight into the relationship between long working hours and workers’ mental health. These results highlight the need for countermeasures especially for causes of chronic overworking, drastic increases in working hours, and interpersonal conflicts to prevent work-related suicide. PubDate: 2022-05-01
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Abstract: Purpose The large burden of silicosis and tuberculosis (TB) in the South African mining industry, coupled with an under-resourcing of the compensation agencies responsible for certifying occupational lung disease, have resulted in serious backlogs. This work aimed to measure the efficiency gains from triaging occupational lung disease claims using claim type, years of mining exposure and computer aided detection (CAD) to save on scarce medical adjudicators. Methods During 2020, the compensation authority started to triage claims for TB and those of miners with < 10 years of service to two-person panels instead of the four-person panel plus radiologist used previously. Efficiency gain was calculated in medical person-units saved and reduction in delays. Different service thresholds predictive of silicosis were simulated, as well as the impact of pre-classification of chest X-rays with CAD using different combinations of sensitivity and specificity. Results The new triage system saved 20.3% in person-time units and reduced delays by 10–20 days. Without CAD the greatest efficiency gain (28%) was projected from dispensing with a mining service threshold and routing all non-TB claims to the small panels at the outset. Simulation of four different CAD sensitivity/specificity combinations yielded efficiency gains of 18.2–36.1%, with 31.1% judged the most realistic. Use of sensitivity of close to 100% would not be feasible because of the very low resulting specificity. Conclusion Pre-adjudication triage of claims at the compensation agency is capable of saving a substantial proportion of adjudicator time and reducing certification delays. Additional efficiency gains are achievable by referring all claims to small panels to begin with and improvement of CAD performance for this ex-miner population. PubDate: 2022-05-01
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Abstract: Objective The aims of the study were: (1) to clarify the definitions of “migrant” used in occupational health research; (2) to summarize migrant workers’ industry sectors, occupations and employment conditions; (3) to identify the occupational health and safety services available to migrant workers; (4) to summarize work-related health problems found among migrant workers; (5) to identify the methodological challenges to research into occupational health of migrant workers; and (6) to recommend improvements in migrant occupational health research. Methods This position paper was prepared by researchers from several European countries and Australia, working within the EU COST Action OMEGA-NET. The paper drew on two recent systematic reviews on the occupational health of international migrant workers and other literature, and also identified uncertainties and gaps in the research literature. Migrants may, for example, be temporary or permanent, moving for specific jobs migrants or other reasons. Their ethnicity and language capabilities will affect their work opportunities. Results The occupational health literature seldom adequately identifies the heterogeneity or characteristics of the migrant group being studied. Migrants tend to work in more physically and mentally demanding environments with higher exposures than native workers. Migrants tend to have an increased risk of physical and mental ill health, but less access to health care services. This has been demonstrated recently by high rates of COVID-19 and less access to health care. There have been a number of cross-sectional studies of migrant health but few long-term cohort studies were identified. Other study designs, such as registry-based studies, surveys and qualitative studies may complement cross-sectional studies. Mixed-methodology studies would be valuable in research on migrants’ occupational health. Language and lack of trust are barriers to migrant research participation. Conclusion Targeted research, especially longitudinal, identifying how these economically important but often-vulnerable workers can be best assisted is needed. Researchers should identify the characteristics of the migrant workers that they are studying including visa/migration circumstances (temporary, permanent, undocumented), racial and ethnic characteristics, existing skills and language abilities. PubDate: 2022-05-01
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Abstract: Objective Although apple trees are heavily sprayed, few studies have assessed the pesticide exposure of operators and workers in apple orchards. However, these data are crucial for assessing the health impact of such exposures. The aim of this study was to measure pesticide exposure in apple growing according to tasks and body parts. Methods A non-controlled field study was conducted in apple orchards in 4 regions of France during the 2016 and 2017 treatment seasons. Workers’ external contamination and their determinants were assessed over 156 working days corresponding to 30 treatment days, 68 re-entry days and 58 harvesting days. We measured pesticide dermal contamination during each task and made detailed observations of work characteristics throughout the day. Captan and dithianon were used as markers of exposure. Results The median dermal contamination per day was 5.50 mg of captan and 3.33 mg of dithianon for operators, 24.39 mg of captan and 1.84 mg of dithianon for re-entry workers, and 5.82 mg of captan and 0.74 mg of dithianon for harvesters. Thus, workers performing re-entry tasks, especially thinning and anti-hail net opening, presented higher contamination, either equal to or higher than in operators. For these last ones, mixing/loading and equipment cleaning were the most contaminating tasks. Most of the contamination was observed on workers’ hands in all tasks, except for net-opening in which their heads accounted for the most daily contamination. Conclusions This study highlights the importance of taking indirect exposures into account during re-entry work in apple growing. PubDate: 2022-05-01
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Abstract: Objective This study describes the development of the world’s first suite of firefighter body composition centile reference curves which can be used as both academic research tools and clinical references, to plot and track individual firefighter skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and fat mass (FM) measurements against the representative reference sample. Methods The body composition of 497 white male London (England) firefighters was measured by anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis. Smoothed centile curves were then generated for skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI), fat mass index (FMI), body fat percentage (BF%) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Results Between 48 and 62 years, firefighter SMMI is greater than the UK white male age-matched general population by a mean of 0.35 units, although SMMI declines 0.006 units/years faster in firefighters between these ages. This is estimated to translate to a mean decline of approximately 0.6% of absolute SMM per year. Between 40 and 49 years, firefighter FMI is 0.1 units greater than the UK white male age-matched general population, which becomes identical (7 units) between 50 and 54 years. At the 50th centile, WHtR exceeds 0.5 by 39 years reaching 0.55 at 62 years. This contrasts with FMI which remains stable from 47 years. Conclusion Firefighters in this study possess greater FM and SMM compared with the UK general population. SMM appears to decline rapidly within older age ranges. These references offer a novel improvement upon the limitations of BMI and BF% for the benefit of an occupational group at elevated risk of cardiovascular disease. PubDate: 2022-05-01
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