A Screening Approach to the Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design Development of Advanced Insulation Materials.

Herein, a Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) screening strategy on four different inorganic aerogel mats and two conventional mineral wools for ranking purposes is demonstrated. Given that they do not consist of particles, the release is first simulated, addressing three occupational exposure scenarios, realistic for their intended use as building insulators. No exposure to consumers nor to the environment is foreseen in the use phase, however, aerosols may be released during mat installation, posing an inhalation risk for workers. All four aerogel mats release more respirable dust than the benchmark materials and 60% thereof deposits in the alveolar region according to modelling tools. The collected aerogel dust allows for subsequent screening of hazard implications via two abiotic assays: 1) surface reactivity in human blood serum; 2) biodissolution kinetics in lung simulant fluids. Both aerogels and conventional insulators show similar surface reactivity. Differences in biodissolution are influenced by the specifically designed organic and inorganic structural modifications. Aerogel mats are better-performing insulators (2-fold lower thermal conductivity than the benchmark) However, this work demonstrates how investment decisions can be balanced with safety and sustainability aspects. Concepts of analogy and similarity thus support easily accessible methods to companies for safe and economically viable innovation with advanced materials.

Pesticide use and inflammatory bowel disease in licensed pesticide applicators and spouses in the Agricultural Health Study.

BACKGROUND: Pesticide exposure has been linked to some autoimmune diseases and colorectal cancer, possibly via alteration of gut microbiota or other mechanisms. While pesticides have been linked to gut dysbiosis and inflammation in animal models, few epidemiologic studies have examined pesticides in relation to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). OBJECTIVES: We evaluated use of pesticides and incident IBD in 68,480 eligible pesticide applicators and spouses enrolled in the Agricultural Health Study. METHODS: Self-reported IBD cases were identified from follow-up questionnaires between enrollment (1993-1997) and 2022. We evaluated IBD incidence in relation to self-reported ever use of 50 pesticides among applicators and spouses. We also explored associations with intensity-weighted lifetime days (IWLD) of pesticide use among male applicators. Covariate-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using Cox regression. RESULTS: We identified 454 IBD cases, including 227 among male applicators. In analyses with applicators and spouses combined, associations were positive (HR > 1.2) for ever vs. never use of five organochlorine insecticides, three organophosphate insecticides, one fungicide, and five herbicides. HRs were highest for dieldrin (HR = 1.59, 95%CI: 1.03, 2.44), toxaphene (HR = 1.61, 95%CI: 1.17, 2.21), parathion (HR = 1.42, 95%CI: 1.03, 1.95), and terbufos (HR = 1.53, 95%CI: 1.19, 1.96). We had limited power in many IWLD of pesticide use analyses and did not find clear evidence of exposure-response trends; however, we observed elevated HRs in all tertiles of IWLD use of terbufos compared to never use (T1 vs. never use HR = 1.52, 95%CI: 1.03, 2.24; T2 vs. never use HR = 1.53, 95%CI: 1.04, 2.26; T3 vs. never use HR = 1.51, 95%CI: 1.03, 2.23). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to specific pesticides was associated with elevated hazards of IBD. These findings may have public health importance given the widespread use of pesticides and the limited number of known modifiable environmental risk factors for IBD.

Brick kiln pollution and its impact on health: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Brick kiln emissions adversely affect air pollution and the health of workers and individuals living near the kilns; however, evidence of their impacts remains limited. We conducted a systematic review of brick kiln pollution (emissions, source contributions and personal exposures) and its effects on health. We extracted articles from electronic databases and through manual citation searching. We estimated pooled, sample-size-weighted means and standard deviations for personal exposures by job type; computed mean emission factors and pollutant concentrations by brick kiln design; and meta-analyzed differences in means or proportions for health outcomes between brick kiln workers and controls or for participants living near or far away from kilns. We identified 104 studies; 74 were conducted in South Asia. The most evaluated pollutants were particulate matter (PM; n = 48), sulfur dioxide (SO2; n = 24) and carbon monoxide (CO; n = 22), and the most evaluated health outcomes were respiratory health (n = 34) and musculoskeletal disorders (n = 9). PM and CO emissions were higher among traditional than improved brick kilns. Mean respirable silica exposures were only measured in 4 (4%) studies and were as high as 620 µg/m3, exceeding the NIOSH recommended exposure limit by a factor of over 12. Brick kiln workers had consistently worse lung function, more respiratory symptoms, more musculoskeletal complaints, and more inflammation when compared to unexposed participants across studies; however, most studies had a small sample size and did not fully describe methods used for sampling or data collection. On average, brick kiln workers had worse health outcomes when compared to unexposed controls but study quality supporting the evidence was low. Few studies reported silica concentrations or personal exposures, but the few that did suggest that exposures are high. Further research is needed to better understand the relationship between brick kiln pollution and health among workers, and to evaluate exposure mitigation strategies.

Prevalent occupational exposures and risk of lung cancer among women: Results from the application of the Canadian Job-Exposure Matrix (CANJEM) to a combined set of ten case-control studies.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, lung cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. The present study explored associations between occupational exposures that are prevalent among women, and lung cancer. METHODS: Data from 10 case-control studies of lung cancer from Europe, Canada, and New Zealand conducted between 1988 and 2008 were combined. Lifetime occupational history and information on nonoccupational factors including smoking were available for 3040 incident lung cancer cases and 4187 controls. We linked each reported job to the Canadian Job-Exposure Matrix (CANJEM), which provided estimates of probability, intensity, and frequency of exposure to each selected agent in each job. For this analysis, we selected 15 agents (cleaning agents, biocides, cotton dust, synthetic fibers, formaldehyde, cooking fumes, organic solvents, cellulose, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from petroleum, ammonia, metallic dust, alkanes C18+, iron compounds, isopropanol, and calcium carbonate) that had lifetime exposure prevalence of at least 5% in the combined study population. For each agent, we estimated lung cancer risk in each study center for ever-exposure, by duration of exposure, and by cumulative exposure, using separate logistic regression models adjusted for smoking and other covariates. We then estimated the meta-odds ratios using random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: None of the agents assessed showed consistent and compelling associations with lung cancer among women. The following agents showed elevated odds ratio in some analyses: metallic dust, iron compounds, isopropanol, and organic solvents. Future research into occupational lung cancer risk factors among women should prioritize these agents.

Acute occupational inhalation injuries-United States, 2011-2022.

BACKGROUND: Inhalation injuries due to acute occupational exposures to chemicals are preventable. National surveillance of acute inhalation exposures is limited. This study identified the most common acute inhalation exposure-related incidents by industry sector among US workers. METHODS: To characterize inhalation-related injuries and their exposures during April 2011-March 2022, state and federal records from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Occupational Safety and Health Information System (OIS) accident database were analyzed. Industry-specific injury, hospitalization, and fatality rates were calculated. RESULTS: The most frequent acute inhalation incidents investigated by OSHA were caused by inorganic gases (52.9%) such as carbon monoxide (CO) or acids, bases, and oxidizing chemical agents (12.9%) such as anhydrous ammonia. The largest number of fatal and nonfatal injuries were reported in the manufacturing (28.6%) and construction (17.2%) sectors. CONCLUSIONS: Workers were affected by acute inhalation exposures in most industries. Using this surveillance, employers can recognize frequently-occurring preventable acute inhalation exposures by industry, such as inorganic gases in the manufacturing sector, and implement prevention measures. Training of workers on exposure characteristics and limits, adverse health effects, and use of protective equipment by exposure agent can prevent inhalation injuries.

Effects of psychosocial work factors on preterm birth: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Preterm birth is one of the global public health issues that result in high rates of infant mortality and long-term health complications. We sought to explore the association between psychosocial work factors and preterm birth. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: This systematic review and meta-analysis searched relevant literature from electronic databases to explore the association between psychosocial work factors and preterm birth. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated through the Joanna Briggs Institute's critical appraisal method. We performed a meta-analysis using a random-effects model to combine odds ratios (ORs) from studies with similar definitions of exposure and outcome. The quality of the evidence was evaluated using the GRADE (Grade of recommendation, Assessment, development, and Evaluation) method to assess. RESULTS: Ten studies were included, with a total of 92,815 participants. Moderate evidence indicated a positive association between high psychosocial job strain and preterm birth. The result from the meta-analysis supported the statistical significance of this relationship (OR 1.32 [95% CI (1.22-1.44)]). CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women who experience high levels of psychosocial job strain are more likely to give birth prematurely. In order to decrease this risk, employers should prioritise creating supportive work environments, government bodies should enact protective policies and regulations, and clinicians should give advice to pregnant working women. Pregnant women should be aware of the risk of preterm birth from psychosocial work factors.

Impact of a manager-oriented intervention on occupational exposures and well-being among pregnant hospital and day-care employees: A cluster randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy can make it difficult to cope with demands at work and may affect women's well-being. We investigated if a manager-targeted educational intervention reduced demanding occupational exposures and improved the psychosocial work environment and well-being among pregnant employees. METHODS: Data came from a cluster randomised trial in Danish hospitals and day-care institutions. Work units were assigned randomly and were non-blinded to the intervention, where managers were either invited to participate in a three-hour seminar addressing job adjustment in pregnancy or assigned to a control group undertaking their usual practice. Self-reported outcomes by pregnant employees at the work units were the proportion of pregnant employees with demanding occupational exposures, good psychosocial work environment and good well-being. Mixed logistic regression was applied in the population of responders and in intention-to-treat analyses using multiple imputations. RESULTS: We included 915 pregnant employees: 451 in the intervention group and 464 in the control group. Of 216 invited managers, 103 (48%) participated in the seminar. A total of 339 (37%) pregnant employees answered the questionnaire. The proportion of pregnant employees who had demanding occupational exposures, good psychosocial work environment and good well-being in the intervention versus the control group were 36% versus 39% (odds ratio (OR)=0.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.57-1.44), 56% versus 59% (OR=1.01, 95% CI 0.60-1.71) and 77% versus 73% (OR=1.13, 95% CI 0.68-1.87), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This manager-targeted educational intervention did not reduce demanding occupational exposures and did not improve the psychosocial work environment or the well-being among pregnant employees in hospital and day-care settings. Comprehensive and participatory interventions may be considered in future studies.

Occupational exposures and cancer risk in commercial laundry and dry cleaning industries: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: The laundry and dry cleaning industries are critical for maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in our daily lives. However, they have also been identified as sources of hazardous chemical exposure for workers, leading to potentially severe health implications. Despite mounting evidence that solvents like perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene are carcinogenic, they remain commonly used in the industry. Additionally, while alternative solvents are increasingly being utilized in response to indications of adverse health and environmental effects, there remains a significant gap in our understanding of the potential risks associated with exposure to these new agents. METHODS: This study aims to identify gaps in the literature concerning worker exposure to contemporary toxic chemicals in the laundry and dry cleaning industry and their associated carcinogenic risks. A scoping review of peer-reviewed publications from 2012 to 2022 was conducted to achieve this objective, focusing on studies that detailed chemical exposures, sampling methods, and workers within the laundry and dry cleaning sector. RESULTS: In this scoping review, 12 relevant papers were assessed. A majority (66%) examined perchloroethylene exposure, with one notable finding revealing that biomarkers from dry cleaners had significant micronuclei frequency and DNA damage, even when exposed to PCE at levels below occupational exposure limits. Similarly, another study supported these results, finding an increase in early DNA damage among exposed workers. Separate studies on TCE and benzene presented varied exposure levels and health risks, raising concern due to their IARC Group 1 carcinogen classification. Information on alternative solvents was limited, highlighting gaps in health outcome data, exposure guidelines, and carcinogenic classifications. CONCLUSION: Research on health outcomes, specifically carcinogenicity from solvent exposure in dry cleaning, is limited, with 66% of studies not monitoring health implications, particularly for emerging solvents. Further, findings indicated potential DNA damage from perchloroethylene, even below set occupational limits, emphasizing the need to reevaluate safety limits. As alternative solvents like butylal and high-flashpoint hydrocarbons become more prevalent, investigations into the effects of their exposure are necessary to safeguard workers' health. This scoping review is registered with the Open Science Framework, registration DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/Q8FR3 .

Job and exposure intensity among hospital cleaning staff adversely affects respiratory health.

BACKGROUND: Occupational exposure to various types of cleaning agents may increase the risk of adverse respiratory health among cleaners. This study investigated the relationship between exposure to cleaning and disinfecting agents, using a job-task and exposure intensity metric, and respiratory outcomes among cleaners. METHODS: A sample of 174 cleaners was selected from three public hospitals in Durban. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic and occupational information, and spirometry, including post-bronchodilator measures, was conducted according to the American Thoracic Society guidelines and skin prick testing were performed. Exposure metrics for job tasks and chemical exposures were created using frequency and employment-lifetime duration of exposure. Multivariate analysis regression models used job task and exposure intensity metrics. RESULTS: Doctor-diagnosed asthma prevalence was 9.8%. Breathlessness with wheeze (22.4%) was the prevalent respiratory symptom. Positive responses to skin prick testing were seen in 74 (43.2%). There was a statistically significant increased risk for shortness of breath with exposure to quaternary ammonium compounds (odds ratio [OR]: 3.44; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13-10.5) and breathlessness with exposure to multipurpose cleaner (OR: 0.34; CI: 0.12-0.92). The losses in percent-predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) ranged from 0.3%-6.7%. Results among the bronchodilator-positive (8.6%) showed lung function losses twofold greater when compared to the total study population with percentage predicted FEV1 (-22.6 %; p < 0.000). CONCLUSION: Exposure to certain cleaning and disinfectant agents adversely affects respiratory health, particularly lung function. This effect, while seen generally among cleaning workers, is more pronounced among those with pre-existing reversible obstructive lung disease.

The association between the incidence of postmenopausal breast cancer and occupational exposure to selected organic solvents, Montreal, Canada, 2008-2011.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among women and recognized risk factors explain 25%-47% of cases. Organic solvents are used widely in the workplace and exposure may increase the risk of developing breast cancer, yet there are insufficient data to confirm this hypothesis. We sought to determine whether past occupational exposures to selected organic solvents were associated with the incidence of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women in Montréal, Canada. METHODS: From a population-based case-control study (2008-2011), using in-depth interviews we elicited information on risk factors and lifetime occupational histories. Industrial hygienists and chemists translated job descriptions into specific chemical and physical exposures. We assessed 11 individual solvents and four solvent groups. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for metrics of past exposures to selected solvents. Exposure metrics included any previous exposure, average frequency in hours per week, duration in years, and average cumulative concentration weighted by hours per workweek exposed. RESULTS: We enrolled 695 cases and 608 controls. We found increased ORs for average cumulative concentration of exposure to mononuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.04, 2.28), chlorinated alkanes (OR: 2.42, 95% CI: 1.23, 5.68), toluene (OR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.02, 2.59), and a group of organic solvents with reactive metabolites (OR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.08, 2.24). Positive associations were found across all exposure metrics and were higher among women with estrogen-positive/progesterone-negative tumors. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest occupational exposure to certain organic solvents may increase the risk of incident postmenopausal breast cancer.

Predictive factors of return-to-work trajectory after work-related rotator cuff syndrome: A prospective study of 96 workers.

OBJECTIVE: Sustained return to work after surgery for work-related rotator cuff syndrome (WRRCS) remains quite difficult. The main purpose of the present study was to identify predictive factors of a return-to-work (RTW) trajectory. METHODS: A total of 96 workers with WRRCS were identified by 4 surgeons. They were followed prospectively before and after the surgery, until 1 year after RTW, or for 20 months after surgery when they did not. Participants completed a series of standardized questionnaires related to working conditions, health, and beliefs, and performed functional tests at the inclusion time. During the follow-up period, they were regularly asked about their working conditions (present or not at work), activity (normal or lightened physical duties) and schedules (full- or part-time job). Statistical analysis was based on single- and multiple-factor models of prediction of the workers' trajectory. RESULTS: Three trajectories of RTW were distinguished, considering RTW and absenteeism that occurred during the follow-up: stable, unstable, and non-RTW. The median age of the sample was 49.5 [45.0-54.0], with 67.7% of workers employed in highly physically demanding jobs. In the multiple factor model, three factors were highly predictive of the trajectory: perceived health before surgery, having had a repaired ruptured-rotator-cuff tendinopathy, and the level of physical demand of the job. CONCLUSION: Three easy-to-collect predictive factors of RTW trajectory have been identified. They may be useful for healthcare professionals and care givers to identify vulnerable workers' risk of occupational dropout after arthroscopic surgery for rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Maternal preconception occupational exposure to cleaning products and disinfectants and offspring asthma.

BACKGROUND: Emerging research suggests health effects in offspring after parental chemical exposures before conception. Many future mothers are exposed to potent chemicals at work, but potential offspring health effects are hardly investigated. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate childhood asthma in relation to mother's occupational exposure to cleaning products and disinfectants before conception. METHODS: The multicenter Respiratory Health In Northern Europe/Respiratory Health In Northern Europe, Spain and Australia generation study investigated asthma and wheeze starting at age less than 10 years in 3318 mother-offspring pairs. From an asthma-specific Job-Exposure Matrix and mothers' occupational history, we defined maternal occupational exposure to indoor cleaning agents (cleaning products/detergents and disinfectants) starting before conception, in the 2-year period around conception and pregnancy, or after birth. Never-employed mothers were excluded. Exposed groups include cleaners, health care workers, cooks, and so forth. Associations were analyzed using mixed-effects logistic regression and ordinary logistic regression with clustered robust SEs and adjustment for maternal education. RESULTS: Maternal occupational exposure to indoor cleaning starting preconception and continuing (n = 610) was associated with offspring's childhood asthma: odds ratio 1.56 (95% CI, 1.05-2.31), childhood asthma with nasal allergies: 1.77 (1.13-2.77), and childhood wheeze and/or asthma: 1.71 (95% CI, 1.19-2.44). Exposure starting around conception and pregnancy (n = 77) was associated with increased childhood wheeze and/or asthma: 2.25 (95% CI, 1.03-4.91). Exposure starting after birth was not associated with asthma outcomes (1.13 [95% CI, 0.71-1.80], 1.15 [95% CI, 0.67-1.97], 1.08 [95% CI, 0.69-1.67]). CONCLUSIONS: Mother's occupational exposure to indoor cleaning agents starting before conception, or around conception and pregnancy, was associated with more childhood asthma and wheeze in offspring. Considering potential implications for vast numbers of women in childbearing age using cleaning agents, and their children, further research is imperative.

Environmental Causes of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the most common and severe of the idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, is a chronic and relentlessly progressive disease, which occurs mostly in middle-aged and elderly males. Although IPF is by definition "idiopathic", multiple factors have been reported to increase disease risk, aging being the most prominent one. Several occupational and environmental exposures, including metal dust, wood dust and air pollution, as well as various lifestyle variables, including smoking and diet, have also been associated with an increased risk of IPF, probably through interaction with genetic factors. Many of the predisposing factors appear to act also as trigger for acute exacerbations of the disease, which herald a poor prognosis. The more recent literature on inhalation injuries has focused on the first responders in the World Trade Center attacks and military exposure. In this review, we present an overview of the environmental and occupational causes of IPF and its pathogenesis. While our list is not comprehensive, we have selected specific exposures to highlight based on their overall disease burden.

Occupational Exposure of Canadian Nail Salon Workers to Plasticizers Including Phthalates and Organophosphate Esters.

Personal exposure of nail salon workers to 10 phthalates and 19 organophosphate esters (OPEs) was assessed in 18 nail salons in Toronto, Canada. Active air samplers (n = 60) and silicone passive samplers, including brooches (n = 58) and wristbands (n = 60), were worn by 45 nail salon workers for ∼8 working hours. Diethyl phthalate (median = 471 ng m-3) and diisobutyl phthalate (337 ng m-3) were highest in active air samplers. Most abundant OPEs in active air samplers were tris(2-chloroisopropyl)phosphate or TCIPP (303 ng m-3) and tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate or TCEP (139 ng m-3), which are used as flame retardants but have not been reported for use in personal care products or nail salon accessories. Air concentrations of phthalates and OPEs were not associated with the number of services performed during each worker's shift. Within a single work shift, a combined total of 16 (55%) phthalates and OPEs were detected on passive silicone brooches; 19 (66%) were detected on wristbands. Levels of tris(2-chloroisopropyl)phosphate, tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate or TDCIPP, and triphenyl phosphate or TPhP wristbands were significantly higher than those worn by e-waste workers. Significant correlations (p < 0.05) were found between the levels of some phthalates and OPEs in silicone brooches and wristbands versus those in active air samplers. Stronger correlations were observed between active air samplers versus brooches than wristbands. Sampler characteristics, personal characteristics, and chemical emission sources are the three main factors proposed to influence the use of passive samplers for measuring semi-volatile organic compound exposure.

Coworkers are more likely than patients to transmit SARS-CoV-2 infection to healthcare personnel.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the impact of occupational exposures to SARS-CoV-2 positive patients and SARS-CoV-2 positive coworkers, by comparing the frequency of occupational exposure incidents and the rate of healthcare personnel (HCP) who developed a positive PCR test for SARS-COV-2 after occupational exposure to the two different types of infectious individuals. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all confirmed higher risk occupational exposure incidents that occurred in HCP from 20 March 2020 to 31 December 2020 at a large multisite US academic medical centre. Comparisons between groups for source type were performed using unpaired Student's t-test for continuous variables and the χ2 test for categorical variables, regression analysis was conducted to assess the associations between source type and risk of positive COVID-19 test after occupational exposure. RESULTS: In total, 2253 confirmed medium or high-risk occupational exposures occurred during the study period. 57% were exposures from coworker sources. Each source individual exposed a mean of 2.6 (95% CI 2.3 to 2.9) HCP; during postexposure surveillance, 4.5% of exposed HCP tested positive within 14 days. A coworker source on average exposed 2.2 (95% CI 2.01 to 2.4) other HCP and infected 0.14 (95% CI 0.1 to 0.17) HCP, while patient sources exposed a mean of 3.4 (95% CI 2.6 to 4.2) HCP but only infected 0.07 (95% CI 0.04 to 0.11) HCP. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that exposure to a coworker source carried a higher risk of testing positive compared with exposure to a patient source (OR 3.22; 95% CI 1.72 to 6.04). CONCLUSION: Occupational exposures to coworker sources were not only more frequent but also associated with triple the risk of developing COVID-19 infection, compared with exposures to patient sources.

Microbiome alterations from volatile organic compounds (VOC) exposures among workers in salons primarily serving women of color.

Salon workers, especially those serving an ethnically and racially diverse clientele (i.e., Black/Latina), may experience disparately high levels of workplace exposures to respiratory irritants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Salon workers are also reported to have a greater risk of developing respiratory conditions compared to the general population. Emerging evidence suggests that occupational chemical exposures may alter the human microbiome and that these alterations may be an important mechanism by which workplace VOC exposures adversely impact respiratory health. This preliminary research investigated the potential effects of 28 VOC urinary biomarkers on the 16S rRNA nasal microbiome in 40 workers from salons primarily serving women of color (Black and Dominican salons) compared to office workers. Our exploratory analysis revealed significant differences in microbial composition by worker group; namely dissimilar levels of Staphylococcus species (S. epidermidis and S. aureus, specifically) in salon workers compared to office workers, and higher alpha diversity levels in workers in Dominican salons compared to workers in Black salons. Within-sample alpha diversity levels tended to be decreased with higher VOC urinary biomarker concentrations, significantly for carbon disulfide, acrolein, acrylonitrile, crotonaldehyde, and vinyl chloride biomarkers. Our research highlights that occupational exposures, particularly to chemicals like VOCs, can impact the respiratory microbiome in the vulnerable salon worker group. Further understanding of the potential effects of chemical mixtures on microbial composition may provide key insights to respiratory health and other adverse health outcomes, as well as direct prevention efforts in this largely historically understudied occupational population.

Multiple psychosocial work exposures and well-being among employees: prospective associations from the French national Working Conditions Survey.

Aims: Working conditions, especially psychosocial work factors (PWFs), are thought to influence mental health outcomes among working populations, but there have been few studies on well-being per se. We assessed the prospective associations between a wide variety of occupational factors, including PWFs, multiple exposure to these factors, and well-being among employees in France. Methods: This study was based on a nationally representative sample of 15,776 employees, including 6595 men and 9181 women, followed up from 2013 to 2016. Psychological well-being was assessed using the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. Occupational factors included 20 PWFs, 4 factors related to working time/hours, and 4 physical work exposures. The associations of occupational exposures with poor well-being were estimated using weighted robust Poisson regression models in men and women separately. Results: Among the employees who rated their well-being as good in 2013, 10.3% of men and 16.8% of women had a poor well-being 3 years later. Most PWFs in 2013 were associated with poor well-being in 2016 among women, and half of them among men. An increase in the risk of poor well-being with the number of PWFs was found. Noise exposure was associated with poor well-being in women. Conclusions: The occupational factors associated with psychological well-being were mainly those related to the psychosocial work environment. A linear association was observed between the number of exposures to PWFs and well-being. Preventive policies focused on PWFs may be beneficial for well-being. More attention should be given to multiple exposures to these factors.

Do hospital workers experience a higher risk of respiratory symptoms and loss of lung function?

BACKGROUND: Hospital work environment contains various biological and chemical exposures that can affect indoor air quality and have impact on respiratory health of the staff. The objective of this study was to investigate potential effects of occupational exposures on the risk of respiratory symptoms and lung function in hospital work, and to evaluate potential interaction between smoking and occupational exposures. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 228 staff members in a hospital and 228 employees of an office building as the reference group in Shiraz, Iran. All subjects completed a standardized ATS respiratory questionnaire and performed a spirometry test. RESULTS: In Poisson regression, the adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) among the hospital staff were elevated for cough (aPR 1.90, 95% CI 1.15, 3.16), phlegm production (aPR 3.21, 95% CI 1.63, 6.32), productive cough (aPR 2.83, 95% CI 1.48, 5.43), wheezing (aPR 3.18, 95% CI 1.04, 9.66), shortness of breath (aPR 1.40, 95% CI 0.93, 2.12), and chest tightness (aPR 1.73, 95% CI 0.73, 4.12). Particularly laboratory personnel experienced increased risks of most symptoms. In linear regression adjusting for confounding, there were no significant differences in lung function between the hospital and office workers. There was an indication of synergism between hospital exposures and current smoking on FEV1/FVC% (interaction term ß = - 5.37, 95% CI - 10.27, - 0.47). CONCLUSIONS: We present significant relations between hospital work, especially in laboratories, and increased risks of respiratory symptoms. Smoking appears to enhance these effects considerably. Our findings suggest that policymakers should implement evidence-based measures to prevent these occupational exposures.

Physical working conditions and subsequent sickness absence: a record linkage follow-up study among 19-39-year-old municipal employees.

PURPOSE: Physical work exposures are associated with sickness absence among older employees. We aimed to examine if they similarly contribute to all-cause sickness absence during early and mid-careers. METHODS: We used questionnaire data on physical work exposures linked to register data on sickness absence from 3542 municipal employees aged 19-39 years. Follow-up for the number of sickness absence days was 12 months. Exposures to physical workload, occupational environmental hazards, and sedentary work were divided into quartiles. In addition, duration of daily exposure to heavy work was included. Negative binomial regression models were used. RESULTS: Higher exposure to physical workload or hazardous exposures was associated with a higher number of sickness absence days. The age and gender adjusted rate ratios for sickness absence days among the participants whose exposure to physical workload was in the highest exposure quartile were 2.1 (95% CI 1.8‒2.5) compared with those whose exposure was in the lowest quartile. In addition, rate ratios for sickness absence days among participants who reported that they do heavy physical work 1.1‒2.0 h, 2.1‒4.0 h or over 4 h daily were 1.6 (1.3‒1.9), 1.5 (1.3‒1.8) and 1.7 (1.5‒2.1), respectively, compared with those who reported not doing physical work. Further adjustment for lifestyle factors or health characteristics attenuated the associations only slightly. CONCLUSION: Exposure to physically demanding work is associated with a higher number of sickness absence days among municipal employees below 40 years of age. Physical working conditions should be considered when aiming to support later work ability.

Prospective associations between psychosocial work factors and self-reported health: study of effect modification by gender, age, and occupation using the national French working conditions survey data.

BACKGROUND: Prospective studies exploring the effects of psychosocial work factors on self-reported health (SRH) are lacking, especially those studying effect modifications. The objectives were to examine the prospective associations of these factors, and multiple exposures to these factors, with SRH in a national representative sample, and effect modifications by gender, age, and occupation. METHODS: The prospective study relied on the three data collection waves (2013, 2016, and 2019) of the national French Working Conditions survey and was based on a sample of 15,971 employees, in good SRH at the beginning of the follow-up period. The occupational exposures were time-varying variables measured in 2013 and 2016, and included: 20 psychosocial work factors grouped into 5 broad domains, 4 exposures related to working time/hours and 4 physical-biomechanical-chemical exposures. The incidence of poor SRH three years later was the outcome. Discrete time Poisson regression models were performed using weighted data and with adjustment for gender, age, marital status, life events, and occupation. RESULTS: Almost all the studied psychosocial work factors were predictive of poor SRH. Some physical-biomechanical-chemical exposures were found to predict poor SRH. Only rare effect modifications were observed according to gender, age, and occupation. Dose-response associations between multiple exposures and the incidence of poor SRH were observed for 4 among 5 domains of psychosocial work factors. CONCLUSIONS: Our study underlined the effects of psychosocial work factors, as well as multiple exposure effects, on the incidence of poor SRH. However, most of these effects were the same across population groups related to gender, age, and occupation.