JournalTOCs

Annals of Work Exposures and Health
Journal Prestige (SJR): 0.728

Citation Impact (citeScore): 2
Number of Followers: 10

Hybrid journal (It can contain Open Access articles)
ISSN (Print) 2398-7308 - ISSN (Online) 2398-7316
Published by Oxford University Press

[425 journals]

Annals of Work Exposures and Health Performance, 2024
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  Pages: 231 - 232
  Abstract: In 2024, Annals of Work Exposures and Health received a total of 256 submissions (Table 1), which is a 6% increase from last year. Final decisions were made on 257 articles (excluding letters to the editor and editorials), which is higher than last year owing to the high number of submissions in the last quarter of 2023. Among these decisions, 37% were to accept the submission for publication. This proportion is consistent with 2023. In the last 6-month period, the median and average number of days from submission to first decision were 10 and 25, respectively, while the average number of days from submission to final decision was 74.
  PubDate: Fri, 14 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT
  DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxaf001
  Issue No: Vol. 69, No. 3 (2025)
Deconstruction of farm machine-related safety interventions: a systematic
review and narrative synthesis
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  Pages: 233 - 250
  Abstract: AbstractIntroductionAgricultural workplaces have a high number of incidents and fatalities, with the majority occurring from machinery use. Farmers’ behaviour plays a critical role in maintaining safety, as improper or unsafe practices often lead to injuries and fatalities. This review categorises interventions targeting farm machine safety, examining both the behaviour change techniques (BCTs) used and their reported outcomes to understand how the techniques influence safety practices and outcomes on farms.MethodsThe systematic review is reported in accordance with the Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines. Seven electronic databases were searched for relevant studies published before June 2024, and the quality of included studies was assessed using Cochrane risk of bias assessment tools. Analysis of intervention behavioural components was guided by the behaviour change wheel framework and BCT taxonomy (v1). The findings were synthesised using a narrative review.ResultsNine studies were included and a total of 21 BCTs were identified. The most frequently coded BCTs were 4.1 (instruction on how to perform the behaviour), 10.8 (incentive [outcome]), and 16.3 (vicarious consequences) (each n = 6). Reported outcomes included reductions in injury rates, improved adoption of safety devices, implementation of safety measures, and positive shifts in safety norms and perceptions. However, due to variations in intervention design and reporting, assessing the direct impact of specific BCTs on these outcomes proved challenging.DiscussionThe use of BCT taxonomy provided a common language for describing intervention components and enabled the standardisation of intervention content analysis. While patterns were observed regarding the commonly used BCTs, their implementation and outcomes, the heterogeneity and limited details provided by studies limited our ability to discern their effectiveness. Providing (i) greater transparency in reporting active intervention components and (ii) clearer connections between components and specific outcomes, will enable enhanced comparisons of future studies, and facilitate a greater understanding of how to support safe machine-related behaviours on farms.
  PubDate: Mon, 13 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT
  DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxae105
  Issue No: Vol. 69, No. 3 (2025)
Overview of historical occupational exposure to trichloroethylene in China
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  Pages: 251 - 260
  Abstract: AbstractObjectivesTrichloroethylene (TCE) is a carcinogen that has been causally linked to kidney cancer and possibly other cancer sites including the liver and lymphatic system. Its use in China has increased since the early 1990s due to the growing metal and electronic industries. We aimed to summarize the major sources of occupational exposure to TCE over time in China.MethodsOccupational TCE exposure assessments were extracted from both the Chinese and English scientific literature, as well as from industrial hygiene surveys performed in Guangdong, Tianjin, and Hong Kong. Weighted mean concentrations were summarized by occupation and industry.ResultsWe extracted over 12,412 measurements from 55 industries and 35 occupations across China since 1976, of which at least 201 were from case reports. More than half of the measurements were derived from 4 industries, including “manufacture of footwear” (29%), “manufacture of electronic components and boards” (17%), “manufacture of games and toys” (14%), and “manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment” (13%). Several occupations, including “electronic-equipment assemblers,” “metal-, rubber-, and plastic-products assemblers,” “metal finishing-, plating-, and coating-machine operators,” “precision-instrument makers and repairers,” “printing-machine operators,” and “ore and metal furnace operators” were identified as having high risks of TCE exposure, with either pooled weighted mean task-based or full-shift concentrations over 150 mg/m3 over the years. TCE exposure levels varied across different occupations and changed over time. In 1990 and earlier, 1991 to 2000, the exposure levels were at their highest with pooled weighted mean task-based concentrations of 202.8 and 242.9 mg/m3, respectively. Subsequently, the level decreased to 118.7 mg/m3 from 2001 to 2010 before increasing again to 216.0 mg/m3 from 2011 onwards. This overall trend was also observed for “electronic-equipment assemblers” and “metal finishing-, plating-, and coating-machine operators.” However, for “precision-instrument makers and repairers,” the exposure levels consistently declined over the years.ConclusionsOver the past few decades, degreasing-related occupations, such as “electronic-equipment assemblers” and “metal finishing-, plating-, and coating-machine operators” have been consistently identified as being at high risk of significant TCE exposure and continued to warrant attention. Identifying high-risk industries and occupations can inform the development of targeted interventions and regulations to mitigate TCE exposure. Furthermore, enhancing the quality and coverage of exposure measurement data in occupational settings will advance epidemiological investigations in occupational health.
  PubDate: Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT
  DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxae103
  Issue No: Vol. 69, No. 3 (2025)
Silica exposure controls usage in masonry and concrete trades: before and
after enactment of the OSHA Silica Construction Rule (1926.1153)
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  Pages: 273 - 283
  Abstract: AbstractIntroductionIn 2017, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Construction Industry Respirable Crystalline Silica rule (1926.1153) became effective. This regulation stipulates silica exposure control methods to be used in specific construction tasks (1926.1153 Table 1). The present study examined the impact of the regulation on usage of control methods. Reported are findings from 2 surveys of concrete and masonry contractors conducted 3 years prior to, and 3 years following, the OSHA rule.MethodIn 2014 and 2021, a telephone survey was conducted of the following trade associations: the Mason Contractors Association of America (n = 700), the Concrete Sawing and Drilling Association (n = 541), and the American Concrete Pavement Association (n = 450). Collected were frequency of use of the following dust mitigation strategies: stationary masonry saw wet methods, stationary masonry saw dust capture, handheld saw wet methods, handheld saw dust capture, fiber-cement saw dust capture, walk-behind saws wet methods, walk-behind saws dust capture, impact and rotary hammer drills dust capture, jack hammer wet methods, jack hammer dust capture, handheld grinder dust capture, floor grinder wet method, floor grinder dust capture, and sweeping compound. The 5-point Likert-scale data were analyzed via the Welch’s t-test. Open-ended questions about benefits, barriers, and motivations for using dust mitigation methods were analyzed via Content Analysis.ResultsSignificant increases in usage were found across many control methods. Highly significant increases in frequency of use were found for handheld saw dust capture, fiber-cement dust capture, handheld grinder dust capture, and impact and rotary hammer dust capture.ConclusionOverall, the study provides evidence that the OSHA rule has been effective in effecting change in these silica-exposing trades.
  PubDate: Thu, 13 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT
  DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxae106
  Issue No: Vol. 69, No. 3 (2025)
Estimating the time-varying emission rate of peracetic acid
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  Pages: 297 - 309
  Abstract: AbstractThe use of peracetic acid (PAA) as a general disinfectant has seen increasing usage in recent years, and although it is a strong irritant, exposure monitoring for PAA may often be difficult due to relatively high costs and the potential for interferences by other co-occurring chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide. These issues with exposure monitoring make modeling a potentially useful tool in exposure assessment of PAA if model parameters can be accurately determined. This study estimates the time-varying mass emission rate of PAA for use in exposure modeling by using the small spill model and examines the effect of various environmental conditions on the PAA evaporation rate, including surface roughness/substrate, general ventilation rate, and local wind speed. The relatively high evaporation rate constant (1.18 min−1) determined did not vary significantly with these parameters, suggesting it is applicable across a wide range of common environmental conditions. In addition, in a controlled chamber setting, the first-order decay rate constant for PAA in air was determined to be 0.5 h−1. The corresponding half-life of 83 min is approximately 4 times longer than previous estimates. This decay rate should be accounted for in future modeling and exposure assessments. To evaluate the estimated evaporation rate, trials were conducted in a highly controlled exposure chamber using conditions similar to those found in healthcare settings to compare predicted modeled concentrations to those made by a real-time detection instrument, SafeCide 2.0 (ChemDAQ, Inc.). The results of the trials indicate that the evaporation rate constant and well-mixed room model perform well in predicting the concentration of PAA over a range of conditions. Moreover, the modeling results and measured concentrations across all trials indicate a high potential for overexposure to PAA. Therefore, exposure controls must be adequate when considering the use of PAA as a general disinfectant.
  PubDate: Sat, 04 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT
  DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxae100
  Issue No: Vol. 69, No. 3 (2025)
The Nano Exposure Quantifier: a quantitative model for assessing
nanoparticle exposure in the workplace
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  Pages: 323 - 336
  Abstract: AbstractExposure to manufactured nanomaterials (MNs) is a growing concern for occupational health and safety. Reliable methods for assessing and predicting MN exposure are essential to mitigate associated risks. This study presents the development of the Nano Exposure Quantifier (NEQ), a mechanistic model designed to assess airborne MN exposure in the workplace. By utilizing a dataset of 128 MN measurements from existing exposure studies, the model demonstrates its effectiveness in estimating MN exposure levels for particles smaller than 10 µm. The NEQ provides estimates in terms of particle number concentration accompanied by a 95% confidence interval (CI), enabling a comprehensive assessment of MN exposure. The NEQ includes 2 quantitative models: a simplified tier 1 model and a more comprehensive tier 2 model. Both tier 1 and tier 2 models exhibit robust performance, with correlation coefficients (r) of 0.57 and 0.62, respectively. The models exhibit a moderate level of error, as indicated by residuals’ standard deviation of 4.10 for tier 1 and 3.90 for tier 2. The tier 1 model demonstrates a slightly higher overestimation bias (1.15) compared to the tier 2 model (0.54). Overall, the NEQ offers a practical and reliable approach for estimating MN exposure in occupational settings. Future validation studies will investigate the impact of initial calibration efforts, heteroscedasticity, and further refine the model’s accuracy.
  PubDate: Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT
  DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxae104
  Issue No: Vol. 69, No. 3 (2025)
The WHO/ILO Joint Estimates approach to occupational risk factor and
burden of disease estimation: providing actionable evidence with impact
across sectors in countries
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  Pages: 337 - 343
  Abstract: WHO10.13039/100004423
  PubDate: Fri, 07 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT
  DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxae107
  Issue No: Vol. 69, No. 3 (2025)
Reply to Letter to the Editor by Driscoll et al.
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  Pages: 344 - 345
  Abstract: We are encouraged that the World Health Organization/International Labour Organization (WHO/ILO) Technical Advisory Group for Occupational Burden of Disease Estimation (Driscoll et al. in press) has started a debate about the Commentary we provide on a way forward for estimating occupational disease burden (Cherrie et al. 2024). There is agreement between our groups that there should be concerted efforts by scientists to work together to improve the reliability, validity, and transparency of occupational disease burden estimates. The aim, in our opinion, should be to strive for the most accurate and valid estimates that can be achieved within the available research resources resulting in exposure and burden estimates that reflect as closely as possible what happens in workplaces around the globe.
  PubDate: Fri, 14 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT
  DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxaf004
  Issue No: Vol. 69, No. 3 (2025)
Occupational health of drilling waste workers as related to microbial
exposure and waste treatment methods
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  Pages: 261 - 272
  Abstract: AbstractObjectivesExposure to microorganisms is a known contributor to occupational disease. This study assessed drilling waste workers’ health status and investigated the potential of inhalable bioaerosols to elicit an immune response in vitro and in vivo.MethodsVenous blood and self-reported health data were collected from 56 and 73 Norwegian drilling waste workers, respectively. Immunological effects were assessed as Toll-like receptor (TLR) activation potential of personal air samples in vitro and biomarker expression in workers’ plasma samples in vivo. Parameters, such as BMI, sex, and smoking habits, were considered along with factors such as purification technology of drilling waste when biomarker expression was interpreted. Symptom prevalence among exposed workers was compared to an unexposed control group.ResultsPersonal air samples activated TLR signalling in vitro in 90% of all cases. The activation potential correlated significantly with work exposure to microbial agents and total dust. Significant differences in biomarker expression and symptom prevalence were identified between purification technologies and exposure groups. Drilling waste workers had significantly increased OR of skin irritation and respiratory symptoms compared to the control group.ConclusionsExposure to microorganisms during the treatment of offshore drilling waste is an occupational health concern.
  PubDate: Mon, 16 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT
  DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxae102
  Issue No: Vol. 69, No. 3 (2024)
Desktop 3D printers in the workplace: use, emissions, controls, and health
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  Pages: 284 - 296
  Abstract: AbstractDesktop three-dimensional (3D) printers are used in businesses, schools, and colleges, and are generally of an unenclosed design which may give rise to injuries or inhalation exposure to emissions of small particles (<1 µm) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The aim of this work was to explore the health risks related to the use of desktop 3D printers in workplaces in the United Kingdom. A digital survey on the use of desktop 3D printers was completed voluntarily and anonymously between February and June 2023, receiving 146 responses. The most common technology and material used for printing were “filament deposition” and “polylactic acid,” respectively. The median number of printers an organisation had in use in one room was 2. A median of 10 people could be in the room during printer operation. A range of finishing techniques were reportedly applied to the printed object including the use of hand tools and solvents. General room ventilation was the most common exposure control measure stated. Measurements of airborne particles and VOCs were taken at 2 sites: a university and an engineering workshop. Airborne particle number concentrations (<1 µm) did not significantly increase above background levels when the printers were operating at either site. At the university, where there was the largest number of printers in operation, some VOCs could be attributed to the printing process; however, concentrations remained low. Evidence of associated respiratory symptoms was gathered by asking volunteers at the 2 sites visited to complete a questionnaire. Seventeen volunteers across the 2 sites completed the survey. None stated that they had ever experienced acute symptoms from working with 3D printers. However, they did report symptoms which included tiredness, dry/cracked skin, headache, itchy/runny nose, and a cough, with some stating that these improved on their days off. Overall, limited evidence from published literature and this study suggests that exposure to desktop 3D printing emissions could be associated with short-term respiratory health symptoms. However, static measurements in 2 workplaces where multiple desktop 3D printers were in use did not show airborne particle number concentrations in the room rising above background levels and concentrations of measured VOCs were all low. These findings may be due to effective ventilation and other control measures which over half of the workplaces surveyed stated that they had in place.
  PubDate: Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT
  DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxae101
  Issue No: Vol. 69, No. 3 (2024)
Development of a nano-specific safe-by-design module to identify risk
management strategies
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  Pages: 310 - 322
  Abstract: AbstractThis article describes the development of a Safe-by-Design (SbD) module and its integration into an easy-to-use tool, named the Nano Exposure Quantifier—Safe-by-Design (NEQ-SbD) tool. The NEQ-SbD tool guides its user to lower the exposure to nanomaterials at the worksite where nanomaterials are manipulated or handled during a wide range of activities. This allows the tool user with an informed decision to assess airborne exposure and to select, compare, and identify appropriate risk management measures (RMM). The SbD module was developed using various information sources that can support and guide the SbD process, including the (i) RMM effectiveness based on analyses of an Exposure Control Efficacy Library (ECEL), (ii) RMM performance using a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model, (iii) e-cards based on a qualitative analysis of RMM information sources, and (iv) guidance for SbD strategy using an exposure directionality assessment. This information has been integrated in the user interface of the SbD module and NEQ-SbD tool to facilitate the SbD decision-making process. The SbD concept applied in the integrated NEQ-SbD tool introduces a comparison between a baseline exposure assessment and an (improved) SbD exposure assessment. The integrated NEQ-SbD tool consists of 4 modules including (i) a baseline exposure assessment, (ii) baseline results, (iii) SbD assessment, and (iv) SbD comparative results. The main purpose of the SbD module lies in guiding the user to the most sensitive (exposure) parameters and allowing a side-by-side comparison of potentially suitable RMMs. The integrated NEQ-SbD tool also offers a tiered approach and seamlessly shifts from a tier-1 to tier-2 uncertainty of an exposure assessment. The SbD module is illustrated using a worked example for the transfer of nano powders, showing the possibility of identifying SbD solutions for both safe-by-process and safe-by-material design purposes. The NEQ-SbD tool is a valuable tool for the SbD of nanomaterials and as a decision-making tool to support SbD risk management strategies that lead to minimizing health risks associated with occupational exposures.
  PubDate: Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT
  DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxae088
  Issue No: Vol. 69, No. 3 (2024)

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