Cleaning Tasks and Products and Asthma Among Health Care Professionals.

OBJECTIVE: Health care workers are at risk for work-related asthma, which may be affected by changes in cleaning practices. We examined associations of cleaning tasks and products with work-related asthma in health care workers in 2016, comparing them with prior results from 2003. METHODS: We estimated asthma prevalence by professional group and explored associations of self-reported asthma with job-exposure matrix-based cleaning tasks/products in a representative Texas sample of 9914 physicians, nurses, respiratory/occupational therapists, and nurse aides. RESULTS: Response rate was 34.8% (n = 2421). The weighted prevalence rates of physician-diagnosed (15.3%), work-exacerbated (4.1%), and new-onset asthma (6.7%) and bronchial hyperresponsiveness symptoms (31.1%) were similar to 2003. New-onset asthma was associated with building surface cleaning (odds ratio [OR], 1.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-3.33), use of ortho-phthalaldehyde (OR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.15-2.72), bleach/quaternary compounds (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.10-3.33), and sprays (OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.12-3.47). CONCLUSION: Prevalence of asthma/bronchial hyperresponsiveness seems unchanged, whereas associations of new-onset asthma with exposures to surface cleaning remained, and decreased for instrument cleaning.

Prevalence and Geographic Distribution of Self-Reported Chronic Kidney Disease and Potential Risk Factors in Central America.

BACKGROUND: Cases for chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) are increasing in specific disease hotspots located in rural agricultural communities over Central America. The goal of the study was to estimate the prevalence and geographic distribution of self-reported work-related CKD and associated risk factors for CKDu by industry sector in Central America. METHODS: We calculated the prevalence and distribution of self-reported CKD, work-related CKD, and suspected CKDu risk factors among the 9032 workers in the Second Central American Survey of Working Conditions and Health (II ECCTS, 2018). We mapped the distribution of suspected CKDu risk factors to work-related CKDu and weather conditions using average annual temperatures. RESULTS: The primary and secondary industry sectors showed the highest proportion of males, suspected CKDu risk factors, and work-related CKD. Age (30-49 years: OR = 2.38, 95% CI 1.03-5.51), ethnicity (mestizo: OR, 7.44, 95% CI: 2.14-25.82), and exposure to high physical work demands (OR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.18-5.09) were associated with work-related CKD. The majority of work-related CKD were reported in the western parts of Honduras and Nicaragua, in hot temperature regions, and overlapped with those areas with a high density of CKDu risk factors. Finally, some areas clustered CKDu risk factors without any work-related CKD points, mainly in the western part of Guatemala. CONCLUSION: Our findings supplement prior CKDu findings regarding a high prevalence of work-related CKD among 30- to 49-year-old mestizo males in the primary and secondary sectors, in hot temperature areas, in the central and western region, and overlapping with persons reporting two or more CKDu risk factors. Moreover, several geographic areas with CKDu risk factor clusters had no reported work-related CKD. These areas represent new industries and sectors to be monitored for possible future increases of CKDu cases.

Association of corticosteroid use and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in asthmatic children varies by age.

OBJECTIVE: We aim to examine the impact of corticosteroids use on ADHD among children with asthma by administration routes. METHODS: A population-based, cross-sectional analysis included pediatric patients ages 5-20 years old from the 2016 and 2019 Kids Inpatient Database (unweighted N = 111,702). ICD-10-CM codes were used to identify corticosteroids use, asthma, and ADHD cases. Survey logistic regression models with purposeful variable selection algorithms were built to examine the association between corticosteroids use, and ADHD by asthma severity and age. An inverse probability weighting (IPW) approach was used to help further control residual confounding. RESULTS: Among children aged 5-11 years old, the odds of ADHD were significantly higher in children with moderate to severe asthma who used inhaled corticosteroids than nonusers (moderate asthma: adjusted odds ratios [aOR] 1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-2.44; severe asthma: aOR 1.61, 95% CI 1.18-2.21). Although oral corticosteroid use was not independently associated with ADHD in young children, combined use of inhaled and oral corticosteroid had almost 5 times higher odds of use among ADHD in children with severe asthma vs. nonusers (aOR 4.85, 95% CI 2.07 - 11.35). No associations were found between any corticosteroid use and ADHD among asthmatic children aged 12-20 years. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective analysis, we found inhaled corticosteroids were positively associated with ADHD in younger children with moderate to severe asthma, but not in older children.

Expanding the Focus of Occupational Safety and Health: Lessons from a Series of Linked Scientific Meetings.

There is widespread recognition that the world of work is changing, and agreement is growing that the occupational safety and health (OSH) field must change to contribute to the protection of workers now and in the future. Discourse on the evolution of OSH has been active for many decades, but formalized support of an expanded focus for OSH has greatly increased over the past 20 years. Development of approaches such as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)'s Total Worker Health® concept and the World Health Organization (WHO)'s Healthy Workplace Framework are concrete examples of how OSH can incorporate a new focus with a wider view. In 2019, NIOSH initiated a multi-year effort to explore an expanded focus for OSH. This paper is a report on the outputs of a three-year cooperative agreement between NIOSH and The University of Texas School of Public Health, which led to subject matter expert workshops in 2020 and an international conference of global interest groups in 2021. This article traces the background of these meetings and identifies and assesses the lessons learned. It also reviews ten thematic topics that emerged from the meetings: worker health inequalities; training new OSH professionals; future OSH research and practice; tools to measure well-being of workers; psychosocial hazards and adverse mental health effects; skilling, upskilling and improving job quality; socioeconomic influences; climate change; COVID-19 pandemic influences; and strategic foresight. Cross-cutting these themes is the need for systems and transdisciplinary thinking and operationalization of the concept of well-being to prepare the OSH field for the work of the future.

Prevalence of polypharmacy and associated adverse outcomes and risk factors among children with asthma in the USA: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of polypharmacy, identify risk factors and examine related adverse outcomes in the US children with asthma. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This population-based, cross-sectional study included 1776 children with asthma from the 2011-2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. EXPOSURES: Polypharmacy is defined as taking ≥2 medications concurrently for ≥1 day over the past 30 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: (1) Weighted prevalence estimates of polypharmacy in children with asthma; (2) asthma attacks and emergency department (ED) visits. RESULTS: The estimated prevalence of polypharmacy in the US children with asthma was 33.49% (95% CI 31.81% to 35.17%). 15.53% (95% CI 14.31% to 16.75%), 12.63% (95% CI 11.37% to 13.88%) and 5.33% (95% CI) of participants were taking 2, 3-4, and 5 prescription medications, respectively. In addition to asthma medications, the most common sources of polypharmacy included antihistamines (20.17%, 95% CI 16.07% to 24.28%), glucocorticoids (16.67%, 95% 12.57% to 20.78%), and anti-infectives (14.28%, 95% CI 10.29 to 18.28). Risk factors for the increased number of medications included age 5-11 years old (vs 1-4 years: adjusted incidence rate ratio (aIRR) 1.38, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.72), fair-to-poor health (vs excellent or very good: aIRR 1.42, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.92), or ≥6 healthcare utilisation encounters over the last year (vs 0-5 encounters: aIRR 1.45, 95% CI 1.26 to 1.66). Polypharmacy increased the odds of an asthma attack (adjusted OR (aOR) 2.80, 95% CI 1.99 to 3.93) and ED visit (aOR 2.41, 95%1.59-3.63) after adjusting for demographics, insurance and health status. CONCLUSIONS: Every one in three US children with asthma experienced polypharmacy. Although it may reflect the treatment guidelines that various asthma medications are needed for maintenance therapy, our results suggested that polypharmacy increased the odds of asthma attacks or ED visits. This may be due to the concurrent use with other non-asthma medications indicating that there is an opportunity to improve medication management in children with asthma.

Chemical explosion, COVID-19, and environmental justice: Insights from low-cost air quality sensors.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the impact of the Intercontinental Terminals Company (ITC) fire and COVID-19 on airborne particulate matter (PM) concentrations and the PM disproportionally affecting communities in Houston using low-cost sensors. METHODS: We compared measurements from a network of low-cost sensors with a separate network of monitors from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Houston metropolitan area from Mar 18, 2019, to Dec 31, 2020. Further, we examined the associations between neighborhood-level sociodemographic status and air pollution patterns by linking the low-cost sensor data to EPA environmental justice screening and mapping systems. FINDINGS: We found increased PM levels during ITC fire and pre-COVID-19, and lower PM levels after the COVID-19 lockdown, comparable to observations from the regulatory monitors, with higher variations and a greater number of locations with high PM levels detected. In addition, the environmental justice analysis showed positive associations between higher PM levels and the percentage of minority, low-income population, and demographic index. IMPLICATION: Our study indicates that low-cost sensors provide pollutant measures with higher spatial variations and a better ability to identify hot spots and high peak concentrations. These advantages provide critical information for disaster response and environmental justice studies. SYNOPSIS: We used measurements from a low-cost sensor network for air pollution monitoring and environmental justice analysis to examine the impact of anthropogenic and natural disasters.

Adverse Drug Events Related to Common Asthma Medications in US Hospitalized Children, 2000-2016.

BACKGROUND: The reduction in adverse drug events is a priority in healthcare. Medications are frequently prescribed for asthmatic children, but epidemiological trends of adverse drug events related to anti-asthmatic medications have not been described in hospitalized children. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to report incidence trends, risk factors, and healthcare utilization of adverse drug events related to anti-asthmatic medications by major drug classes in hospitalized children in the USA from 2000 to 2016. METHODS: A population-based temporal analysis included those aged 0-20 years who were hospitalized with asthma from the 2000 to 2016 Kids Inpatient Database. Age-stratified weighted temporal trends of the inpatient incidence of adverse drug events related to anti-asthmatic medications (i.e., corticosteroids and bronchodilators) were estimated. Stepwise multivariate logistic regression models generated risk factors for adverse drug events. RESULTS: From 2000 to 2016, 12,640 out of 698,501 pediatric asthma discharges (1.7%) were associated with adverse drug events from anti-asthmatic medications. 0.83% were adverse drug events from corticosteroids, resulting in a 1.14-fold increase in the length of stay (days) and a 1.42-fold increase in hospitalization charges (dollars). The overall incidence (per 1000 discharges) of anti-asthmatic medication adverse drug events increased from 5.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.6-6.1) in 2000 to 21.6 (95% CI 18.7-24.6) in 2016 (p-trend = 0.024). Children aged 0-4 years had the most dramatic increase in the incidence of bronchodilator adverse drug events from 0.2 (95% CI 0.1-0.4) to 19.3 (95% CI 15.2-23.4) [p-trend ≤ 0.001]. In general, discharges among asthmatic children with some comorbidities were associated with an approximately two to five times higher odds of adverse drug events. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of adverse drug events from common anti-asthmatic medications quadrupled over the past decade, particularly among preschool-age children who used bronchodilators, resulting in substantial increased healthcare costs. Those asthmatic children with complex medical conditions may benefit the most from adverse drug event monitoring.

Maternal occupational exposure to chemicals and child cognitive function.

BACKGROUND: Limited data exist regarding child neurodevelopment in relation to maternal occupational exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). METHODS: We included 1058 mother-child pairs from the INfancia y Medio Ambiente (INMA) project (2003-2008). Using a job-exposure matrix, exposure probability scores for ten EDC groups were assigned to each mother based on her longest held job during pregnancy. At the child's 5-year visit, the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities was administered, yielding the general cognitive index and scales for specific cognitive domains. We analyzed region-specific associations between EDC exposures and each outcome separately using adjusted linear regression and combined region-specific effect estimates using random-effects meta-analyses. RESULTS: Approximately 24% of women were exposed to at least one EDC group, but exposure to most individual EDC groups was low (<5%). Maternal organic solvent exposure was associated with lower quantitative scores among children (-5.8 points, 95% confidence interval: -11.0, -0.5). Though statistically non-significant, exposures to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phthalates, alkylphenolic compounds, and miscellaneous chemicals were associated with poorer offspring performance for most or all cognitive domains. CONCLUSIONS: This study found limited evidence for a role of maternal occupational EDC exposures on child cognition. Further research is needed to better characterize exposures among pregnant workers. IMPACT: Using data from a prospective birth cohort, we help fill an important research gap regarding the potential consequences of work-related exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) among pregnant women on child neurodevelopment. We expand on existing literature-largely limited to pesticide and organic solvent exposures-by using a job-exposure matrix to estimate exposure to several EDC groups. We found limited evidence of an association between maternal occupational EDC exposure and children's overall cognition. We did observe specific associations between exposure to organic solvents and lower quantitative reasoning scores.

Maternal occupational exposures and fetal growth in a Spanish birth cohort.

While the epidemiologic literature suggests certain maternal occupational exposures may be associated with reduced measures of size at birth, the occupational literature employing fetal biometry data to assess fetal growth is sparse. The present study examines associations between maternal occupational exposures and ultrasound-measured fetal growth. We included 1,739 singleton pregnancies from the INfancia y Medio Ambiente (INMA) project (2003-2008). At 32 weeks of pregnancy, interviewers ascertained mothers' employment status and assessed job-related physical loads, work schedules, and job strain during pregnancy. Job titles were linked to a job-exposure matrix to estimate exposure to 10 endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) groups. We calculated z-scores from longitudinal growth curves representing trajectories from 0-12, 12-20 and 20-34 gestational weeks for abdominal circumference (AC), biparietal diameter (BPD), femur length (FL), and estimated fetal weight (EFW). Linear mixed models clustered by IMNA region (i.e., Gipuzkoa, Sabadell, Valencia) were used to examine associations between occupational exposures and fetal growth. Effect estimates are presented as percentage change in fetal growth. There was limited evidence of associations between work-related non-chemical stressors and fetal growth. We observed associations of similar magnitude between multiple EDC groups and decreased EFW trajectories during 20-34 gestational weeks (phthalates: -1.4% [-3.5, 0.6%]; alkylphenolic compounds (APCs): -1.1% [-2.3, 0.1%]; miscellaneous chemicals: -1.5% [-3.7, 0.8%]), while miscellaneous chemicals were associated with increased BPD from 12-20 weeks (2.1% [0.8, 3.5%]). Notably, 67% of women exposed to phthalates were hairdressers; 68% of women exposed to APCs worked as domestic cleaners. In conclusion, we found limited evidence that maternal occupational exposures impact fetal growth. Further research should consider the combined impact of multiple workplace exposures.

Impact of high, low, and non-optimum temperatures on chronic kidney disease in a changing climate, 1990-2019: A global analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although a few studies have reported the relationship between high and low temperatures and chronic kidney disease (CKD), the global burden of CKD attributable to extreme heat and cold in recent decades remains unknown. METHODS: Based on the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2019, we obtained data on age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR) and age-standardized rates of disability-adjusted life years (ASDR) per 100 000 population of the CKD attributable to non-optimum temperatures from 1990 to 2019. The annual mean temperature of each country was used to divide each country into five climate zones (tropical, subtropical, warm-temperate, cool-temperate, and boreal). The locally weighted regression model was used to estimate the burden for different climate zones and Socio-demographic index (SDI) regions. RESULTS: In 1990, the ASMR and ASDR due to high temperature estimated -0.01 (95% UI, -0.74 to 0.44) and -0.32 (-21.66 to 12.66) per 100 000 population, respectively. In 2019, the ASMR and ASDR reached 0.10 (-0.28 to 0.38) and 2.71 (-8.07 to 10.46), respectively. The high-temperature burden increased most rapidly in tropical and low SDI regions. There were 0.99 (0.59 to 1.39) ASMR attributable to low-temperature in 1990, which increased to 1.05 (0.61-1.49) in 2019. While the ASDR due to low temperature declined from 22.03 (12.66 to 30.64) in 1990 to 20.43 (11.30 to 29.26) in 2019. Overall, the burden of CKD attributable to non-optimal temperatures has increased from 1990 to 2019. CKD due to hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the primary causes of CKD death attributable to non-optimum temperatures in 2019 with males and older adults being more susceptible to these temperatures. CONCLUSIONS: The CKD burden due to high, low, and non-optimum temperatures varies considerably by regions and countries. The burden of CKD attributable to high temperature has been increasing since 1990.

Fiber burden and asbestos-related diseases: an umbrella review / Niveles de exposición y enfermedades relacionadas con el asbesto

Objective: What are the levels of asbestos exposure that cause each type of health effect? The objective of this study was to review the available scientific evidence on exposure levels for asbestos and their relationship to health effects. Method: An umbrella review of English-language reviews and meta-analyses, from 1980 to March 2021 was conducted. We included reviews involving quantified asbestos exposures and health outcomes. The review has been adapted to the indications of the PRISMA declaration. Methodological quality of the selected studies was assessed using the AMSTAR instrument. Results: We retrieved 196 references. After applying the search strategy and quality analysis, 10 reviews were selected for in-depth analysis. For lung cancer, the highest risk was observed with exposure to amphiboles. Longer, thinner fibers had the greatest capacity to cause lung cancer, especially those > 10 μm in length. For mesothelioma, longer and thinner fibers were also more pathogenic; amphiboles ≥ 5 μm are especially associated with increased mesothelioma risk. No studies observed an increased risk for lung cancer or mesothelioma at asbestos exposure levels <0.1 f/ml. No reviews provided information on exposure concentrations for pulmonary fibrosis. Currently, there is limited evidence in humans to establish the causal relationship between gastrointestinal cancer and asbestos exposure. Conclusions: Banning all asbestos exposure remains the best measure to preventing its negative health effects. The highest quality reviews and meta-analyses support that there is little risk of lung cancer or mesothelioma at daily exposure levels below 0.1 f/ml. (AU)

Objetivo: Revisar la evidencia científica disponible sobre los niveles de exposición al asbesto y su relación con los efectos sobre la salud. Método: Se realizó una revisión de revisiones sistemáticas y metaanálisis en inglés, desde 1980 hasta marzo de 2021. Se incluyeron revisiones que involucran exposiciones cuantificadas al asbesto y resultados de salud. La revisión se adaptó a las indicaciones de la Declaración PRISMA. La calidad metodológica de los estudios seleccionados fue evaluada mediante el instrumento AMSTAR. Resultados: Se recuperaron 196 referencias y tras aplicar la estrategia de búsqueda y analizar la calidad se seleccionaron 10 revisiones para un análisis en profundidad. Para el cáncer de pulmón, se observó mayor riesgo con la exposición a anfíboles. Las fibras más largas y delgadas presentaron mayor capacidad de causar cáncer de pulmón, especialmente aquellas de longitud >10μm. Para el mesotelioma, las fibras más largas y delgadas también fueron más patógenas; los anfíboles ≥ 5μm se asociaron con un mayor riesgo de mesotelioma. Ningún estudio observó mayor riesgo de cáncer de pulmón o de mesotelioma con niveles de exposición al asbesto <0,1 f/ml. Ningún estudio proporcionó información sobre concentraciones de exposición para la fibrosis pulmonar. Actualmente existe evidencia limitada en humanos para establecer la relación causal entre la exposición al asbesto y el cáncer gastrointestinal. Conclusiones: Prohibir toda exposición al asbesto es la mejor medida para prevenir sus efectos negativos para la salud. Las revisiones y metaanálisis de más alta calidad respaldan que hay escaso riesgo de cáncer de pulmón y de mesotelioma con niveles de exposición diaria por debajo de 0,1 f/ml. (AU)

A pilot study of total personal exposure to volatile organic compounds among Hispanic female domestic cleaners.

Cleaners have an elevated risk for the development or exacerbation of asthma and other respiratory conditions, possibly due to exposure to cleaning products containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) leading to inflammation and oxidative stress. This pilot study aimed to quantify total personal exposure to VOCs and to assess biomarkers of inflammation and pulmonary oxidative stress in 15 predominantly Hispanic women working as domestic cleaners in San Antonio, Texas, between November 2019 and July 2020. In partnership with a community organization, Domésticas Unidas, recruited women were invited to attend a training session where they were provided 3M 3500 passive organic vapor monitors (badges) and began a 72-hr sampling period during which they were instructed to wear one badge during the entire period ("AT," for All the Time), a second badge only while they were inside their home ("INS," for INSide), and a third badge only when they were outside their home ("OUT," for OUTside). At the end of the sampling period, women returned the badges and provided blood and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) samples. From the badges, 30 individual VOCs were measured and summed to inform total VOC (TVOC) concentrations, as well as concentrations of the following VOC groups: aromatic hydrocarbons, alkanes, halogenated hydrocarbons, and terpenes. From the blood and EBC samples, concentrations of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and EBC 8-isoprostane (8-ISP) and pH were quantified. Data analyses included descriptive statistics. The 72-hr average of personal exposure to TVOC was 34.4 ppb and ranged from 9.2 to 219.5 ppb. The most prevalent class of VOC exposures for most women (66.7%) was terpenes, specifically d-limonene. Overall, most women also experienced higher TVOC concentrations while outside their home (86.7%) as compared to inside their home. Serum CRP concentrations ranged from 0.3 to 20.3 mg/dL; 8-ISP concentrations ranged from 9.5 to 44.1 pg/mL; and EBC pH ranged from 7.1 to 8.6. Overall, this pilot study demonstrated personal VOC exposure among Hispanic domestic cleaners, particularly to d-limonene, which may result from the use of scented cleaning products.

Responding to Natural and Industrial Disasters: Partnerships and Lessons Learned.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to provide insights learned from disaster research response (DR2) efforts following Hurricane Harvey in 2017 to launch DR2 activities following the Intercontinental Terminals Company (ITC) fire in Deer Park, Texas, in 2019. METHODS: A multidisciplinary group of academic, community, and government partners launched a myriad of DR2 activities. RESULTS: The DR2 response to Hurricane Harvey focused on enhancing environmental health literacy around clean-up efforts, measuring environmental contaminants in soil and water in impacted neighborhoods, and launching studies to evaluate the health impact of the disaster. The lessons learned after Harvey enabled rapid DR2 activities following the ITC fire, including air monitoring and administering surveys and in-depth interviews with affected residents. CONCLUSIONS: Embedding DR2 activities at academic institutions can enable rapid deployment of lessons learned from one disaster to enhance the response to subsequent disasters, even when those disasters are different. Our experience demonstrates the importance of academic institutions working with governmental and community partners to support timely disaster response efforts. Efforts enabled by such experience include providing health and safety training and consistent and reliable messaging, collecting time-sensitive and critical data in the wake of the event, and launching research to understand health impacts and improve resiliency.

Fiber burden and asbestos-related diseases: an umbrella review.

OBJECTIVE: What are the levels of asbestos exposure that cause each type of health effect? The objective of this study was to review the available scientific evidence on exposure levels for asbestos and their relationship to health effects. METHOD: An umbrella review of English-language reviews and meta-analyses, from 1980 to March 2021 was conducted. We included reviews involving quantified asbestos exposures and health outcomes. The review has been adapted to the indications of the PRISMA declaration. Methodological quality of the selected studies was assessed using the AMSTAR instrument. RESULTS: We retrieved 196 references. After applying the search strategy and quality analysis, 10 reviews were selected for in-depth analysis. For lung cancer, the highest risk was observed with exposure to amphiboles. Longer, thinner fibers had the greatest capacity to cause lung cancer, especially those > 10 µm in length. For mesothelioma, longer and thinner fibers were also more pathogenic; amphiboles ≥ 5 µm are especially associated with increased mesothelioma risk. No studies observed an increased risk for lung cancer or mesothelioma at asbestos exposure levels <0.1 f/ml. No reviews provided information on exposure concentrations for pulmonary fibrosis. Currently, there is limited evidence in humans to establish the causal relationship between gastrointestinal cancer and asbestos exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Banning all asbestos exposure remains the best measure to preventing its negative health effects. The highest quality reviews and meta-analyses support that there is little risk of lung cancer or mesothelioma at daily exposure levels below 0.1 f/ml.

[The full (and necessary) integration of Occupational Health into Public Health.] / La plena (y necesaria) integración de la Salud Laboral en la Salud Pública.

The COVID-19 pandemic is clearly showing the importance for the surveillance and protection of human health of acting in all settings of life: family, community, education, leisure or work, among others, as well as addressing the multiple determinants that influence the health and well-being of the population: demographic, healthcare, environmental, social, eco-nomic, cultural or occupational, among others. With respect to occupational health and the work-related determinants of health, the potential of occupational health services acting at the company level is clear, and could be generalized to almost any public health action setting. This article reflects on the opportunities for coordination between the occupational health system in Spain (including resources from mutual insurance companies, companies themselves and administrations) and the public health system, including both health care (primary care, hospital) and public health services. We examine this in the context of health crises, like the present one, but also with a broader vision, commensurate with the necessary comprehensive care for human health, guaranteeing health as a fundamental and universal right in all life circumstances. To advance along these lines, we propose the incorporation of the "occupational health perspective" in all actions and services of the public healthcare system, especially with respect to public health services under the purview of the health administration.

La pandemia de la COVID-19 está mostrando de forma muy evidente la importancia que tiene para la vigilancia y protección de la salud de las personas el actuar desde todos los entornos de vida: familiar, comunitario, educativo, de ocio o laboral, entre otros. Igualmente, atender a la multiplicidad de determinantes que influyen sobre la salud y el bienestar de la población: demográficos, sanitarios, ambientales, sociales, económicos, culturales o laborales, también entre otros. En relación con la Salud Laboral y los determinantes de la salud relacionados con el trabajo, el potencial de los Servicios de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales es incuestionable, y esto podría generalizarse casi a cualquier ámbito de actuación de la Salud Pública. En este artículo se reflexiona acerca de las oportunidades de coordinación entre el sistema de Salud Laboral en nuestro país (incluyendo mutuas, recursos de las empresas y de las administraciones) y el sistema público de salud, incluyendo tanto los servicios asistenciales (Atención Primaria, hospitalaria) como los servicios de Salud Pública. Todo ello en relación con crisis sanitarias como la presente, pero también desde una visión más amplia, en línea con la necesaria atención integral sobre la salud de las personas, garantizando la salud como derecho fundamental y universal en todas las circunstancias de vida. Para avanzar en este sentido, proponemos la incorporación de la "perspectiva de Salud Laboral" en todas las actuaciones y servicios propios del sistema público de salud, muy especialmente en los servicios de Salud Pública de la administración sanitaria.

Results of COVID-19 Surveillance in a Large United States Pediatric Healthcare System over One Year.

BACKGROUND: The lack of SARS-CoV-2 antigen surveillance testing in the pediatric population has inhibited accurate infection and hospitalization prevalence estimates. We aim to report the estimated prevalence of and risk factors for COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission across the three United States (US) waves in one of the largest pediatric healthcare systems in the nation. METHODS: Retrospective electronic health record (EHR) review of all COVID-19 surveillance data among children aged 0-19 years seeking healthcare at one pediatric healthcare system that serves predominantly Medicaid-dependent families from 1 March 2020 to 31 March 2021. COVID-19 infection status (Y/N), hospital admission (Y/N), and ICU admission (Y/N) are the main outcomes. RESULTS: Of 22,377 children aged ≤ 19 years tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection from March 2020-March 2021, 3126 were positive (14.0%), and out of those positive, 53.7% were hospitalized and 2.9% were admitted to the ICU. Compared to Wave 1 (1 March 2020-31 May 2020), the risk of a positive test increased from 16% (RR 1.16, 95% CI, 1.07-1.26) in Wave 2 (1 June 2020-31 October 2020) to 33% (RR 1.33, 95% CI, 1.23-1.44) in Wave 3 (1 November 2020-31 March 2021). Similarly, compared to Wave 1, the risk for hospitalization increased 86% (RR 1.86, 95% CI, 1.86-2.06) in Wave 2 and 89% in Wave 3 (RR 1.89, 95% CI, 1.70-2.08), and the risk for ICU admission increased from 10% in Wave 2 (RR 1.10, 95% CI, 0.39-3.01) to 310% in Wave 3 (RR 3.10, 95% CI, 1.21-7.80). Children with asthma, depressive disorders, type 1 or 2 diabetes, and anemia were more likely to be hospitalized while children with diabetes, obesity, cardiac malformations, and hypertension were more likely to be admitted to the ICU versus children without these conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Children were cumulatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through the three US waves with more than a third hospitalized in Wave 3. Children with underlying health conditions were particularly at risk for severe illness and should be monitored for any long-term impacts.

Monitoring Self-Perceived Occupational Health Inequities in Central America, 2011 and 2018.

Objectives. To analyze changes in occupational health inequity between 2011 and 2018 among workers in Central America. Methods. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews at the workers' homes for the 2 Central America Working Conditions Surveys (n = 12 024 in 2011 and n = 9030 in 2018). We estimated health inequity gaps by means of absolute and relative population attributable risks and the weighted Keppel index. We stratified all analyses by gender. Results. Between 2011 and 2018, the proportion of workers reporting poor self-perceived health decreased both in women (from 32% to 29%) and men (from 33% to 30%). However, the health inequity gaps remained wide in the 4 stratifiers. Measured by the Keppel index, health inequity gaps between countries increased from 22% to 39% in women and from 20% to 29% in men. Conclusions. While health improved between 2011 and 2018, health inequity gaps remained wide. Wider health inequity gaps were observed between countries than by gender, age, occupation, or education. Public Health Implications. This first benchmark of occupational health inequities in Central America could be useful when developing and evaluating the impact of public policies on work.

How Will the Future of Work Shape OSH Research and Practice? A Workshop Summary.

Growth of the information economy and globalization of labor markets will be marked by exponential growth in emerging technologies that will cause considerable disruption of the social and economic sectors that drive the global job market. These disruptions will alter the way we work, where we work, and will be further affected by the changing demographic characteristics and level of training of the available workforce. These changes will likely result in scenarios where existing workplace hazards are exacerbated and new hazards with unknown health effects are created. The pace of these changes heralds an urgent need for a proactive approach to understand the potential effects new and emerging workplace hazards will have on worker health, safety, and well-being. As employers increasingly rely on non-standard work arrangements, research is needed to better understand the work organization and employment models that best support decent work and improved worker health, safety, and well-being. This need has been made more acute by the SARS-CoV-2 global pandemic that has resulted in dramatic changes in employment patterns, millions of lost jobs, an erosion of many economic sectors, and widespread disparities which further challenge occupational safety and health (OSH) systems to ensure a healthy and productive workplace. To help identify new research approaches to address OSH challenges in the future, a virtual workshop was organized in June 2020 with leading experts in the fields of OSH, well-being, research methods, mental health, economics, and life-course analysis. A paradigm shift will be needed for OSH research in the future of work that embraces key stakeholders and thinks differently about research that will improve lives of workers and enhance enterprise success. A more transdisciplinary approach to research will be needed that integrates the skills of traditional and non-traditional OSH research disciplines, as well as broader research methods that support the transdisciplinary character of an expanded OSH paradigm. This article provides a summary of the presentations, discussion, and recommendations that will inform the agenda of the Expanded Focus for Occupational Safety and Health (Ex4OSH) International Conference, planned for December 2021.