[Occupational carcinogens and mutagens in Poland - occurrence and workers' exposure in the years 2018-2021 based on the data from Central register of carcinogenic or mutagenic agents]. / Zawodowe kancerogeny i mutageny w Polsce ­ wystepowanie i narazenie pracowników w latach 2018­2021 na podstawie danych z Centralnego rejestru czynników o dzialaniu rakotwórczym lub mutagennym.

BACKGROUND: Central register of data on exposure to carcinogenic or mutagenic chemical substances, their mixtures, agents or technological processes (CRCR) conducted by Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (NIOM) enables monitoring of such agents occurrence in working environment in Poland. The NIOM conducts CRCR based on the provisions of the Regulation of the Minister of Health of 24 July 2012 on chemical substances, their mixtures, agents or technological processes with carcinogenic or mutagenic effects in the work environment. The work summarizes the information reported to CRCR in 2018-2021. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data were extracted from CRCR, to which it was transferred by sanitary inspections. The data were extracted from CRCR. Data in this register is gathered based on employers' notifications to sanitary inspection. The study includes the number of reported agents (chemical substances and technological processes), the number of enterprises and the number of persons exposed to particular groups of agents (chemical substances, technological processes, ionizing radiation). RESULTS: The number of substances notified to the CRCR increases, from 382 reported substances in 2018 to 444 in 2021. Significant increase in the number of enterprises reporting technological processes (from 981 in 2018 to 5422 in 2021) and the number of exposed persons results from the law amendments extending the list of carcinogenic or mutagenic processes. CONCLUSIONS: The CRCR is a unique database on the occurrence and exposure to occupational carcinogens and mutagens, in which data from over 20 years has been collected. The increase in the number of reports to the register was mainly influenced by legislative changes regarding carcinogenic or mutagenic agents. Due to amount and complexity of data, they can be used for analysis in projects and programs aimed at raising awareness and reducing risk of occupational exposure to carcinogens and also during legislative works in Poland and in the EU. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2023;74(5):399-407.

Occupational risk resulting from exposure to mineral wool when installing insulation in buildings.

Mineral wool is widely used for thermal and sound insulation. The subject of the study is to identify hazards for employees resulting from exposure to mineral wool, when it is used to insulate buildings, and to assess the risk arising from this exposure. When installing mineral wool insulation, respirable mineral fibers, dust, and volatile organic compounds may pose a hazard at workplaces. Based on the results of concentration measurements, it was assessed that the probability of adverse health effects related to the work of insulation installers, resulting from exposure to mineral wool fibers, is low, but for dust associated with exposure, an average health risk was estimated. An additional threat may be the sensitizing effect of substances used as binders and additives improving the utility properties of mineral wool, for example, phenol formaldehyde resins. The paper also contains some information on the labeling of mineral wool; this is very important because the label allows downstream users to recognize mineral wools, the composition and properties of which cause that they are not classified as carcinogens. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2020;33(6):757-69.

[Carcinogenic or mutagenic chemical substances and technological processes in the workplace in Poland in 2013-2017]. / Substancje chemiczne i procesy technologiczne o dzialaniu rakotwórczym lub mutagennym w srodowisku pracy w Polsce w latach 2013­2017.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper was to present data on occupational exposure to carcinogens and mutagens in Poland in 2013-2017, based on information sent to the "Central Register of Data on Exposure to Carcinogenic or Mutagenic Chemical Substances, Mixtures, Agents or Technological Processes," kept by the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lódz, Poland. The legal bases, purpose and scope of data collection were also discussed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data on occupational exposure to carcinogenic and mutagenic substances, mixtures and technological processes, submitted to the Central Register by Polish employers in 2013- 2017, were analyzed. The data were shown in various configurations and presented in the form of spatial distribution of the exposure to and occurrence of selected occupational carcinogens and mutagens. RESULTS: The number of chemical substances reported to the Central Register in the reference period had increased gradually since 2013. In 2017, 368 substances were reported, i.e., an increase of 21.1% compared to 2013. Also, the number of reporting enterprises increased (to over 4000 enterprises in 2017). The most common chemical agents in the reference years were formaldehyde, particular polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), benzene and chromium( VI) compounds. Among the technological processes, most of the plants reported works in exposure to hardwood dust (about 800 plants and over 10 000 to almost 15 000 exposed workers). CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to legally define the term "exposure" and its quantification so that there would be no doubts for employers and supervision services about the number of people exposed in the workplace. Exposure spatial distribution maps are a transparent and easy-to-understand way of presenting data on exposure to occupational carcinogens and mutagens. Med Pr. 2020;71(2):187-203.

Cytostatics as hazardous chemicals in healthcare workers' environment.

Cytostatics not only induce significant side-effects in patients treated oncologically but also pose a threat to the health of occupationally exposed healthcare workers: pharmacists, physicians, nurses and other personnel. Since the 1970s numerous reports from various countries have documented the contamination of working areas with cytostatics and the presence of drugs/metabolites in the urine or blood of healthcare employees, which directly indicates the occurrence of occupational exposure to these drugs. In Poland the significant scale of occupational exposure to cytostatics is also confirmed by the data collected in the central register of occupational carcinogens/mutagens kept by the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine. The assessment of occupational exposure to cytostatics and health risks constitutes employers' obligation. Unfortunately, the assessment of occupational risk resulting from exposure to cytostatics raises a number of concerns. Provisions governing the problem of workers' health protection are not unequivocal because they derive from a variety of law areas, especially in a matter of hazard classification and safety data sheets for cytostatics. Moreover, no legally binding occupational exposure limits have been set for cytostatics or their active compounds, and analytical methods for these substances airborne and biological concentrations are lacking. Consequently, the correct assessment of occupational exposure to cytostatics, the evaluation of health hazards and the development of the proper preventive strategy appear difficult. The authors of this article described and discussed the amendments to the European provisions concerning chemicals in the light of employers' obligations in the field of employees' heath protection against the consequences of exposure to cytostatics. Some modifications aimed at a more effective health protection of workers occupationally exposed to cytostatics were also proposed. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2019;32(2):141-59.

[Hygiene and legal aspects of occupational exposure assessment to cytostatics]. / Aspekty higieniczne i prawne oceny narazenia zawodowego na cytostatyki.

The employers responsibilities for the assessment of occupational exposure to cytostatics in the workplace were analyzed in the light of existing legal regulations. Cytostatics may pose a threat to health and life of workers taking care of patients treated oncologically, i.e., pharmacists, physicians, nurses and other personnel. The significant scale of occupational exposure to cytostatics in Poland is confirmed by the data collected in the Central Register of Data on Exposure to Carcinogenic or Mutagenic Substances, Mixtures, Agents or Technological Processes, maintained by the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lódz, Poland. The issue of occupational risk assessment of exposure to cytostatics gives raise to numerous concerns. Polish regulations concerning health protection of employees occupationally exposed to cytostatics are not unequivocal, as they are derived from different areas of the law, especially those applying to hazard classification, labeling and preparation of safety data sheets for cytostatics. There are neither binding occupational exposure limits legally set for active compounds of antineoplastic drugs nor methods for monitoring of these substances concentrations in a worker's breathing zone and biological material. This prevents the employer to carry out the correct assessment of occupational exposure, the results of which are the basis for preparing the proper preventive strategy. In this article the consequences of amendments to the European chemical legislation for employers responsible for adequate protection of health and life of employees exposed to cytostatics, were discussed, as well as some legal changes aimed at a better health and life protection of workers exposed to cytostatics in a workplace were proposed. Med Pr 2018;69(1):77-92.

[Occupational exposure to chromium(VI) compounds]. / Narazenie zawodowe na zwiazki chromu(VI).

This article discusses the effect of chromium(VI) (Cr(VI)) on human health under conditions of acute and chronic exposure in the workplace. Chromium(VI) compounds as carcinogens and/or mutagens pose a direct danger to people exposed to them. If carcinogens cannot be eliminated from the work and living environments, their exposure should be reduced to a minimum. In the European Union the proposed binding occupational exposure limit value (BOELV) for chromium(VI) of 0.025 mg/m³ is still associated with high cancer risk. Based on the Scientific Commitee of Occupational Exposure Limits (SCOEL) document chromium(VI) concentrations at 0.025 mg/m³ increases the risk of lung cancer in 2-14 cases per 1000 exposed workers. Exposure to chromium(VI) compounds expressed in Cr(VI) of 0.01 mg Cr(VI)/m3; is responsible for the increased number of lung cancer cases in 1-6 per 1000 people employed in this condition for the whole period of professional activity.

[Carcinogenic and mutagenic agents in the workplace, Poland, 2011-2012]. / Czynniki rakotwórcze i mutagenne w srodowisku pracy w Polsce w latach 2011-2012.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study was the analysis of structure of carcinogenic or mutagenic chemical substances and dusts occurring in Polish enterprises, 2011-2012, including the number of exposed employees reported to the "Central register of data on exposure to carcinogenic or mutagenic chemical substances, mixtures, agents or technological processes", Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lódz. In the paper the aims, range and methodology of data collecting by the Central Register are presented. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the data on occupational expo- sure to carcinogenic substances and technological processes reported by employers were carried out. RESULTS: In 2011-2012 approximately 2600 plants reported more than 300 carcinogenic or mutageaic chemical substances annually. The most common occupational chemical carcinogens/mutagens were: benzene, one of the unspecified gasoline, chromium(VI) compounds, asbestos, chroniurn(VI) trioxide, ethylene oxide and benzo[a]pyrene. The highest number of employees was exposed to particular polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Hardwood dust was the major occupational carcinogen listed in the technological processes inventory with approximately 11 000 employees exposed in about 650 enterprises annually. CONCLUSIONS: The amended legislation concerning occupational exposure to carcinogens has not significantly influenced the exposure structure n Poland. Nevertheless it permited to determine the actual total number of the occupationally exposed to carcinoLens.

Night shift work characteristics and occupational co-exposures in industrial plants in Lódz, Poland.

OBJECTIVES: Night shift work involving circadian rhythm disruption has been classified by IARC as a probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A). Little is known about co-exposures of the night shift work in occupational settings. The aim of our study was to characterize night shift work systems and industrial exposures occurring in the manufacturing plants in Lódz, Poland, where night shift work system operates, with particular focus on potential carcinogens. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data on the night shift work systems and hazardous agents were collected through survey performed in 44 enterprises. The identified hazardous agents were checked using the IARC carcinogen list, and the harmonized EU classification of chemical substances. We also examined databases of the Central Register of Data on exposure to substances, preparations, agents and technological processes showing carcinogenic or mutagenic properties in Poland. RESULTS: The most common system of work among studied enterprises employed 3 (8-hour) shifts within a 5-day cycle. We identified as many as 153 hazards occurring in the environment of the plants, with noise, carbon monoxide and formaldehyde recorded as the most common ones. Out of these hazards, 11 agents have been classified by IARC to group 1 - carcinogenic to humans, whereas 10 agents have been classified as carcinogens by the regulation of European Classification of carcinogens. Analysis of the data from the Central Register revealed that 6 plants reported presence of carcinogens in the environment of work. CONCLUSIONS: In our study we observed that in none of the workplaces the night shift work was a single exposure. Further epidemiological studies focusing on investigation of health effects of the night shift work should identify occupational co-exposures and examine them as potential confounders.

[Chemical carcinogenic and mutagenic agents in the workplace, Poland, 2008-2010]. / Czynniki chemiczne o dzialaniu rakotwórczym lub mutagennym w srodowisku pracy w Polsce w latach 2008-2010.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper is to present a concise but comprehensive information on the occurrence of carcinogenic or mutagenic agents in Polish enterprises and the number of workers exposed to those agents reported to the central register by employers. Objectives and responsibilities of the register, as well as the range and methods of data gathering are discussed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data concerning carcinogenic or mutagenic chemical substances and technological processes reported to central register in 2008-2010 were analyzed. RESULTS: In 2008-2010 more than 300 carcinogenic or mutagenic chemical substances were reported to the register. Approximately 2500 plants reported above 150 000 per-person-exposures annually. Among all technological processes regarded as occupational carcinogens, hardwood dusts exposure (about 660 companies; 11 000-13 000 exposed workers each year) and exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in coal products (117-125 plantsl 3000 exposed per year) were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The most widespread carcinogenic/mutagenic substances were: benzene, chromium(VI) compounds: potassium dichromate and chromate, chromium(VI) trioxide and other chromium compounds, ethylene oxide, asbestos, benzo[a]pyrene and gasoline. The highest number of men was exposed to particular PAHs and benzene, and the majority of women was exposed to benzene, potassium dichromate and chromate, acrylamide, ethylene oxide and gasoline. The lack of clear-cut definition of occupational exposure to carcinogen creates a problem faced by employers in defining the accurate number of exposed workers.

[Protection against environmental tobacco smoke exposure according to eu and Polish legislation]. / Ochrona pracowników przed narazeniem na srodowiskowy dym tytoniowy--analiza uregulowan prawnych w Unii Europejskiej i w Polsce.

Amendment to the Act on health protection against consequences of using tobacco and tobacco products, in force since 15 November 2010, has introduced a number of changes by extending the range of population protection against tobacco smoke exposure, of which the most controversial one for public was placing more restrictive ban on smoking in bars and restaurants. The changes in question caused that current legal bans, although more restrictive than earlier, are still not completely sufficient as far as the protection of all groups of workers against environmental tobacco smoke exposure is concerned. The text of WHO Framework Convention on Tobbacco Control, ratified by Poland, was discussed in the article together with the detailed WHO guidelines on the convention implementation in the field of workers' protection against tobacco smoke. In this paper the most important acts of EU, one of the convention parties, and current legislative situation in Poland were presented. Particular attention was paid to occupational groups, not yet fully protected against environmental tobacco smoke exposure and need to be the subject of future legislation.

[Impact of the legislation for smoke-free workplaces on respiratory health in hospitality workers--review of epidemiological studies]. / Wplyw rozwiazan legislacyjnych ograniczajacych bierna ekspozycje na dym tytoniowy w miejscu pracy na czestosc wystepowania schorzen ukladu oddechowego wsród pracowników lokali gastronomiczno-rozrywkowych--przeglad badan epidemiologicznych.

Environmental tobacco smoke exposure (ETS) is a significant risk factor for the development of many diseases, including lung cancer, lower respiratory tract infections, asthma and eye, throat and nasal irritations. Hospitality workers form an occupational group with high exposure to ETS in their workplace. Taking into account the health consequences of ETS exposure and high prevalence of exposure in public places, including workplaces, many countries have implemented the smoking ban that prohibits or restricts smoking in workplaces, including restaurants and bars. The epidemiological studies have indicated a significant reduction in the exposure level after implementation of the smoking ban. Most studies have also indicated a significant reduction in respiratory and sensory symptoms. The impact of the smoking ban on the lung function measurements is still not clear.

[Hospitality workers' exposure to environmental tobacco smoke before and after implementation of smoking ban in public places: a review of epidemiological studies]. / Ekspozycja pracowników lokali gastronomiczno-rozrywkowych na srodowiskowy dym tytoniowy przed wprowadzeniem i po wprowadzeniu nowych rozwiazan prawnych--przeglad badan epidemiologicznych.

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure induces serious negative health consequences, of which the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, respiratory symptoms and poor pregnancy outcomes appear to be most important. Taking into account those health consequences of ETS exposure most countries have introduced legislation to ban or restrict smoking in public places. In this paper the effectiveness of the introduced legislation was analyzed with regard to the protection of hospitality workers from ETS exposure in the workplace. The analysis of 12 papers published after 2000 covered the year of publication, type of legislation, study population, hospitality venue (pub, bar, restaurant, disco) and type of markers or self-reported perception of exposure to ETS. The analysis indicates that the legislation to ban smoking in hospitality venues protects workers from ETS exposure when the venues are 100% tobacco smoke free. The reduction of the cotinine level in biological samples after the implementation of smoke free law was 57-89%, comparing to the biomarker level in the samples taken before the new law was introduced. About 90% of reduction in nicotine and PM levels was also noted. In addition, the positive self perception reported by workers proved the effectiveness of new legislation protecting them from ETS exposure.

[Occupational exposure to chemical carcinogens in Poland, 2001]. / Narazenie zawodowe na chemiczne czynniki rakotwórcze w Polsce w 2001 r.

This paper discusses occupational exposure to chemical carcinogens in Poland in 2001 based on data obtained from the Central Register of Carcinogen Agents (CRCA). The data on 3017 enterprises, in which employees were exposed to chemical carcinogens (chemicals, mixtures and technological processes involving carcinogenic agents) were collected by CRCA in 2001. More than 10,000 workers were exposed to crystalline silica. Diesel engine exhausts, formaldehyde and benzo[a]pyrene. The majority of exposed workers were in three southwestern regions (voivodships) of Poland: Slaskie, Doinoslaskie and Malopolskie.