[Application and comparison of three occupational health risk assessment methods in an automobile manufacturing industry].

Objective: Three occupational health risk assessment methods were used to assess the occupational health risk of noise exposed posts in an automobile manufacturing enterprise. According to the results, the selection of risk assessment methods and risk management of such occupational noise enterprises were provided. Methods: Form April to November 2021, The occupational health field survey was carried out in an automobile manufacturing industry in Tianjin. The occupational health MES risk assessment method, occupational health risk index risk assessment method and Australian occupational hazard risk assessment method were used to evaluate the occupational health risk of noise-exposed posts in this enterprise, and the evaluation results of different methods were analyzed and compared. Results: The average value of L(Aeq, 8 h) in the four workshops of automobile manufacturing industry was 82.95 dB (A) , and the noise detection exceeding rate was 22.41% (26/116) . The LAeq, 8h and exceeding rate noise of welding workshop were higher than those of other workshops (χ(2)=23.56, 32.94, P<0.01) . The three occupational health risk assessment methods have the same risk assessment results for the four major workshops. The assembly and painting workshops are level 4 risk (possible risk) , and the stamping and welding workshops are level 3 risk (significant risk) . Conclusion: Occupational noise has certain potential hazards to workers in automobile manufacturing enterprises. Therefore, in the future work, corresponding organizational management measures should be taken to improve the working environment and reduce the actual exposure level of workers in order to protect the health of occupational workers.

Optimization of benzene exposure risk assessment: An integrated approach utilizing internal and external concentrations with a focus on biomarkers S-PMA & t, t-MA.

In the majority of occupational settings within China, the concentrations of benzene are observed to fall markedly below the demarcated detection thresholds. Employing traditional risk assessment models, the presence of exceptionally low airborne benzene exposure concentrations may infuse heightened degrees of uncertainty. Consequently, the necessity arises to investigate risk assessment methodologies more apt for the prevalent exposure environment among employees. In the present study, a pharmacokinetic model premised on urinary benzene metabolites (S-PMA and t, t-MA) was employed to ascertain a more precise daily airborne benzene exposure concentration per individual. This value was integrated into the linear multistage model as the 'internal exposure concentration'. In conjunction with the U.S National Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) inhalation risk assessment model predicated on the external exposure concentration, the Singapore Ministry of Manpower's (MOM) model, and the linear multistage (LMS) model, the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects of benzene were evaluated for 1781 benzene-exposed employees across 76 enterprises in Jiangsu Province. Findings suggest that in the linear multilevel model assessment, the cancer risk levels based on t, t-MA and S-PMA were higher in the printing and recording media reproduction industry, automobile manufacturing industry, general equipment manufacturing industry and the furniture manufacturing industry (median 2.842 × 10-4, 2.819 × 10-4, 2.809 × 10-4, and 2.678 × 10-4), which align more consistently with the actual benzene exposure circumstances of each industry's study participants, with overall risk levels calculated by the linear multistage model exceeding those of the EPA inhalation risk assessment model and the MOM model. This implies that the linear multistage model of internal exposure, based on the reciprocal of benzene biomarkers S-PMA and t, t-MA for airborne benzene exposure, presents enhanced sensitivity and suitability for the current occupational health risk assessment of workers. Without doubt, biomarker-based benzene exposure risk assessment emerges as the optimal choice.

Biosafety Risk Control Strategies in Laboratory Animal Research.

To understand biosafety's current situation in laboratory animal research and risk factors affecting occupational health. Compliance surveys were conducted by questionnaire via Questionnaire Star (an application app on the Internet) in Chinese. Thirty-nine anonymous questionnaires were collected. The surveyed institution has established 24 types of ABSL (Animal Biosafety Laboratory) and biosafety management organizations and systems equipped with safety equipment. Our study also suggests that the principal of the laboratory establishment fails to perform supervision and inspection responsibilities, the inappropriate design of the animal biosafety laboratory, non-standardized personnel training and health management, non-strict waste management, and insufficient emergency management. The administrative department and work units should address certain safety and occupational health risks in laboratory animal research. The author proposes control strategies based on organizational guarantee, personnel management, emergency management, etc., to help prevent risks and ensure occupational health. Due to regional limitations and small sample size, the results may not be generalisable to all parts of the world. However, some of the key common issues may also be present in other regions, so we believe that this research still has some relevance.

Assessment of Occupational Health Risks for Maintenance Work in Fabrication Facilities: Brief Review and Recommendations.

Background: This study focuses on assessing occupational risk for the health hazards encountered during maintenance works (MW) in semiconductor fabrication (FAB) facilities. Objectives: The objectives of this study include: 1) identifying the primary health hazards during MW in semiconductor FAB facilities; 2) reviewing the methods used in evaluating the likelihood and severity of health hazards through occupational health risk assessment (OHRA); and 3) suggesting variables for the categorization of likelihood of exposures to health hazards and the severity of health effects associated with MW in FAB facilities. Methods: A literature review was undertaken on OHRA methodology and health hazards resulting from MW in FAB facilities. Based on this review, approaches for categorizing the exposure to health hazards and the severity of health effects related to MW were recommended. Results: Maintenance workers in FAB facilities face exposure to hazards such as debris, machinery entanglement, and airborne particles laden with various chemical components. The level of engineering and administrative control measures is suggested to assess the likelihood of simultaneous chemical and dust exposure. Qualitative key factors for mixed exposure estimation during MW include the presence of safe operational protocols, the use of air-jet machines, the presence and effectiveness of local exhaust ventilation system, chamber post-purge and cooling, and proper respirator use. Using the risk (R) and hazard (H) codes of the Globally Harmonized System alongside carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic classifications aid in categorizing health effect severity for OHRA. Conclusion: Further research is needed to apply our proposed variables in OHRA for MW in FAB facilities and subsequently validate the findings.

Food consumption and remote working conditions among Brazilian Primary Schools teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic / Consumo de alimentos y condiciones de trabajo remoto en maestros brasileños de básica durante la pandemia de COVID-19

Introduction: Teaching work, which is characterized by being exhausting, with a significant workload, with synchronous and/or asynchronous remote classes. Objective: To describe associations between the working conditions of school teachers at home and their food consumption during the suspension of face-to-face classes. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study using a self-administered online questionnaire with 15,372 working teachers from Minas Gerais, Brazil. The dependent variables analyzed were the consumption of healthy and unhealthy foods. Independent variables included sociodemographic factors, remote work conditions, understanding of online technologies, computer access, and quality of Internet connection. The Poisson model with robust variance was used to determine the association between working conditions and food consumption. Results: In the analysis of the adjusted multivariate model, there was a significant association between eating habits and the following variables: gender, age, working hours (per week), feelings regarding teachers' work during the pandemic, working hours during the pandemic and quality work internet connection. Our data shows that teachers' remote working conditions are associated with worse food consumption. They also showed that working hours equal to or greater than 40 hours per week, feelings of dissatisfaction with working conditions during the pandemic, increased working hours during the pandemic and poor quality of internet connection were variables correlated with the consumption of unhealthy foods. Conclusions: Remote working conditions during the pandemic influenced primary school teachers' food choices. More studies are needed to delve deeper into issues related to teachers' working conditions and the implications for food choices(AU)

Introducción: La labor docente se caracteriza por ser agotadora, con una importante carga horaria, con clases remotas síncronas y/o asíncronas. Objetivo: Describir la asociación existente entre las condiciones del trabajo remoto de los docentes de la educación básica y el consumo de sus alimentos durante el período de suspensión de las clases presenciales. Métodos: Es un estudio transversal mediante cuestionario en línea autoadministrado con 15.372 docentes activos en Minas Gerais, Brasil. Las variables dependientes analizadas fueron el consumo de los alimentos saludables y de los no saludables. Las variables independientes incluyeron los factores sociodemográficos, las condiciones del trabajo remoto, la comprensión de las tecnologías en línea, el acceso a las computadoras así como la calidad de la conexión a la Internet. Se utilizó el modelo de Poisson con variación robusta para determinar la asociación entre las condiciones del trabajo y el consumo de los alimentos. Resultados: En el análisis del modelo multivariado ajustado hubo una asociación significativa entre los hábitos alimentarios y las siguientes variables: el género, la edad, la jornada laboral semanal, el sentimiento sobre el trabajo durante la pandemia, la jornada laboral durante la pandemia y la calidad de la conexión a la internet. Nuestros datos demuestran que las condiciones del trabajo remoto de los docentes están asociadas con un empeoramiento en el consumo de los alimentos. También mostraron que la jornada laboral igual o superior a unas 40 horas semanales, los sentimientos de insatisfacción con las condiciones laborales, el aumento de la jornada laboral y la mala calidad de la conexión a la Internet durante la pandemia fueron variables correlacionadas con el consumo de alimentos no saludables. Conclusiones: Las condiciones del trabajo remoto durante la pandemia influyeron en las elecciones alimentarias de los docentes de la educación básica. Se necesitan más estudios para profundizar en los aspectos relacionados con las condiciones laborales de los docentes y sus implicaciones en la elección de sus alimentos(AU)

Radiation dose during interventional cardiology procedures: portable C-arm vs. a new generation fluoroscopy system.

INTRODUCTION: Occupational exposure to ionizing radiation poses health risks for veterinary interventionalists. There are limited veterinary studies evaluating radiation dose in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. The purpose of this study was to report direct radiation dose exposure to patients during common interventional cardiology procedures and compare these doses between two fluoroscopy units. ANIMALS: One hundred and fifty-four client-owned dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patient dose during procedures using a portable C-arm were retrospectively analyzed and compared to those performed in a contemporary interventional suite. Fluoroscopy equipment, procedure type, operator, patient weight, fluoroscopy time, dose area product, and air kerma were recorded and statistically modeled using univariable and multivariable linear regression to evaluate the effect of each factor. RESULTS: Patient dose population (154 dogs), comprised 61 patent ductus arteriosus occlusions, 60 balloon pulmonary valvuloplasties, and 33 pacemaker implantations. Patient dose was significantly lower in the group utilizing a newer generation fluoroscopy unit vs. the group utilizing an older portable C-arm, positively correlated with patient weight, and highest during balloon pulmonary valvuloplasties compared to patent ductus arteriosus occlusions or pacemaker implantations (all P<0.010). DISCUSSION: Newer fluoroscopy systems can be equipped with technologies that improve image quality while reducing patient dose and radiation exposure to interventional personnel. CONCLUSIONS: We documented a significant reduction in patient radiation dose using a newer fluoroscopy system as compared to an older portable C-arm for interventional cardiology procedures in animals. Improved knowledge of patient radiation dose factors may promote better radiation safety protocols in veterinary interventional cardiology.

Impact of engineering renovation on dynamic health risk assessment of mercury in a thermometer enterprise.

The occupational health risk assessments (OHRA) of inorganic mercury (Hg) are rarely reported. We conducted an internal and external exposure monitoring of employees in a thermometer enterprise which experienced the renovation of occupational health engineering, followed by an evaluation on the health risks of Hg exposure with four OHRA methods in order to find out a most suitable model. The results showed that the concentrations of airborne and urinary Hg in all testing positions and subjects obviously decreased after the engineering renovation, meeting the occupational exposure limits (OELs) of China. Subsequently, four OHRA models, namely the models from US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ministry of Manpower (MOM), International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), and Classification of occupational hazards at workplaces Part 2: Occupational exposure to chemicals (GBZ/T 229.2-2010) were applied in the qualitative risk assessment. And the evaluation results of different methods were standardized by risk ratio (RR), which indicated MOM, ICMM risk rating, and GBZ/T 229.2 models were consistent with the order of inherent risk levels in those working processes. The order of RR between four models was: RR EPA > RR ICMM > RR MOM> RR GBZ/T229.2 (P < 0.05). Based on the strict limits of Hg, GBZ/T 229.2, and MOM methods may have more potentials in practical application. Though the working environment has been significantly improved via engineering renovation, it is strongly suggested that the thermometer company conduct more effective risk management covering all production processes to minimize Hg exposure levels and health risk ratings.

Improvements in protective measures in factories with acetylene hydrochlorination and ethylene oxychlorination techniques declined risk assessment levels and affected liver health status.

Acetylene hydrochlorination and ethylene oxychlorination are the two most common methods of producing vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), which has been linked to liver impairment, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and angiosarcoma of the liver (ASL) in occupational settings. However, whether and how these impairments could be effectively improved from workplace root causes has yet to be discovered. This study aimed to evaluate whether improvements in protective measures in groups Y (408 subjects) and Z (349 subjects) could have an influential impact on the alleviation of liver impairment by comparing risk assessment levels under several semi-quantitative models and results from liver ultrasound detection and liver function tests before and after the improvement. Importantly, significant differences in constituent ratio involved in parameters among age, length of employment, weekly exposure time, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and sleeping quality were found between Y and Z before improvement took place in 2020 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.001), and population distribution by gender between Y and Z was in a large homogeneity with differences in age and length of employment. CSTE involves ore breaking, acetylene generation, steam stripping, outward processing, and welding maintenance, was disqualified in 2020 compared to OEL, and was said to have declined to meet OEL requirements by 2021. Further, a negative correction of fresh air requirement and ventilation air changing rate with ambient concentration toward hazards in Y was stronger in 2021 than in 2020. Significant differences in risk levels in Y between 2020 and 2021 were found as ore breaking, acetylene generation, steam stripping, outward processing, VCM polymerization, welding, and repairing, decreasing to relatively lower risk levels in 2021 from the original ones in 2020 only under the semi-quantitative comprehensive index model. Abnormal rates toward other hepatic symptoms decreased in the majority of positions after the improvement, as referred to by alterations such as ALT, AST, and GGT. Overall, the effect of improvements on protective measures effectively reduced positions' risk assessment levels through ventilation enhancement and airtight strengthening, which further affected abnormal rates toward other hepatic symptoms, and alterations such as ALT, AST, and GGT were much more significant in Y than effect in Z.

[Occupational health risk assessment of silicosis caused by silica dust exposure in non-ferrous metal mines in 7 provinces from 2019 to 2020].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the occupational health risk level of silicosis caused by silica dust exposure in non-ferrous metal mining enterprises. METHODS: Using typical sampling method, 44 non-ferrous metal mining enterprises were selected in seven provinces.37 non-ferrous metal mining enterprises were included, and most of them were underground enterprises(97.30%). Enterprises basic information and silica dust exposure data of key positions were collected by using on-site hygiene investigation and detecting method. Finally, the International Council on Mining and Metals'(ICMM) risk rating table method and occupational hazard risk index method(INDEX) were used to analyze the occupational health risk level of silicosis caused by silica dust exposure in non-ferrous metal mines from total and respirable dust views, respectively. Meanwhile, the square weighted Kappa test was performed to analyze the consistency between two risk assessment method. RESULTS: Medium enterprises(64.69%(40.38%, 73.41%)), silver mining enterprises(84.69%(63.38%, 86.06%)) and antimony mining enterprises(72.22%) had relatively higher silica dust exposure rates. On-site hygiene detecting result showed that:(1) M(P25, P75) of free silica content was 21.18%(17.03%, 30.47%). (2) 1.60(0.86, 2.46)mg/m~3 for total dust concentration, 64.47% total dust concentration samples exceeding Chinese permissible concentration-time weighted average(PC-TWA), 0.68(0.30, 1.18) mg/m~3 for respiratory dust concentration, 50.00% respirable dust concentration samples exceeding Chinese PC-TWA. (3) Medium-sized enterprises, as well as rock drillers and crushers, had higher levels of silica dust exposure. Occupational health risk assessment result showed that:(1) The overall occupational health risk level of silicosis caused by silica dust exposure in non-ferrous metal mining enterprises was medium:(1) In term of total dust, ICMM risk rating table method and INDEX method indicated high and medium risks, respectively(S_(weighted) were 3.52 and 2.79). (2) In term of respirable dust, both ICMM risk rating table and INDEX method indicated medium risks(S_(weighted) were 2.78 and 2.35). (2) Medium-sized enterprises risk level was higher than other two production scales enterprises. ICMM risk rating table method and the INDEX method consistency analyses showed that these two risk assessment method had strong consistencies in terms of total dust or respirable dust(both Kappa values ≥ 0.600). CONCLUSION: The overall occupational health risk level of silicosis caused by silica dust exposure in non-ferrous metal mining enterprises was medium, and the risk levels of medium production-scale mining enterprises, rock driller and crusher were higher.

[Occupational health risk assessment of pneumoconiosis caused by dust exposure at 18 quarries in a given area of Hubei Province].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the occupational health risk level of pneumoconiosis caused by dust exposure in a given area of Hubei province. METHODS: From April 2021 to October 2021, 18 quarries were randomly selected in the areas where quarries were concentrated in Hubei Province to conduct on-site hygiene investigation and detection. A total of 384 workers were employed in the above quarries, and 293 workers were exposed to dust. The International Mining and Metals Commission's risk rating table method and occupational hazard risk index method were used to analyze the occupational health risk level from total and respirable dust views, respectively. Meanwhile, the square weighted Kappa test was performed to analyze the consistency between two risk assessment method. RESULTS: The median dust exposure rate of workers in the above18 enterprises was 73.22%, small, underground mining, and barite quarries had relatively higher dust exposure rates(all median were 100.00%). The medians of daily dust exposure time, personal protective equipment wearing rate, free silica content of dust, 8-hour time weighted average exposure concentration of total dust and respirable dust in each assessment indicator were 6-8 hours, 0%-24.00%, 1.69%-35.30%, 0.56-3.70 mg/m~3, and 0.33-1.20 mg/m~3, respectively. Occupational health risk assessment result showed the overall occupational health risk levels of quarries, as well as different production scales and mining method, were all low. Among different positions, wind driller and tunneling worker had high and medium occupational health risk, respectively, and the rest of the positions had low or very low risk. International Council on Mining and Mentals(ICMM) risk rating table method and the INDEX method consistency analyses showed that these two risk assessment method had strong consistency in terms of total dust(Kappa value was 0.65(95%CI 0.57-0.73)), and general consistency in term of respirable dust(Kappa value was 0.51(95%CI 0.39-0.62)). CONCLUSION: The overall occupational health risk level of pneumoconiosis caused by dust exposure in quarries was low, but risk levels were higher for wind driller and tunneling worker.

Unequal excess mortality during the Spanish Flu pandemic in the Netherlands.

A century after the Spanish Flu, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought renewed attention to socioeconomic and occupational differences in mortality in the earlier pandemic. The magnitude of these differences and the pathways between occupation and increased mortality remain unclear, however. In this paper, we explore the relation between occupational characteristics and excess mortality among men during the Spanish Flu pandemic in the Netherlands. By creating a new occupational coding for exposure to disease at work, we separate social status and occupational conditions for viral transmission. We use a new data set based on men's death certificates to calculate excess mortality rates by region, age group, and occupational group. Using OLS regression models, we estimate whether social position, regular interaction in the workplace, and working in an enclosed space affected excess mortality among men in the Netherlands in the autumn of 1918. We find some evidence that men with occupations that featured high levels of social contact had higher mortality in this period. Above all, however, we find a strong socioeconomic gradient to excess mortality among men during the Spanish Flu pandemic, even after accounting for exposure in the workplace.

A multiple and comprehensive approach to assess health risk in amalgam-exposed Chinese workers.

Fluorescent lamp manufacturing workers have been extensively exposed to mercury (Hg). Our aim was to assess their health risks using several approved occupational health risk assessment methods, and to find out which method was more suitable for identification of occupational health risks. Work locations, and air and urine samples were collected from 530 exposed workers in Zhejiang, China. Based on the calculated exposure doses, health risks and risk ratios (RRs) as health risk indices, were evaluated using: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Australian, Romanian, Singaporean, International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) methods. Among the workers, 86.0% had higher Hg levels than the Chinese occupational exposure limits of 0.02 mg/m3, and 16.7% urine samples were higher than the biological exposure limits of 35.0 µg/g·creatinine. Among workers at the injection, etc. locations, their average RRs, evaluated by the EPA, COSHH and Singaporean methods were 0.97, 0.76, and 0.60, respectively, and were significantly higher than the ICMM (0.39), Australian (0.30) and Romanian (0.29) methods. The RRs from the Singaporean method showed significant correlations with the urinary Hg levels (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the Singaporean method was more appropriate than the others for health risk evaluation because the excessive risks were significantly associated with urinary Hg levels among the workers.

Odorous gas emissions from sewage sludge composting windrows affected by the turning operation and associated health risks.

The treatment and disposal of sewage sludge (SL) has long been a challenging task in China. Open windrow composting, coupled with mechanical turning, is preferred in small cities and rural areas, due to low costs and ease of operation. However, the emission of odorous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from open composting windrows, as well as related health risks, has aroused strong protests from surrounding populations. This study investigated VOC emissions (including hydrogen sulphide) from five open SL composting windrows at a single site, before, during and after turning operations, and across different seasons. As expected, the highest VOC concentration (6676 µg m-3) was measured while turning the windrows, whilst an additional emission peak was observed at all windrows at different times after turning, which was determined by the raw material mixing ratio (SL: woodchips), as well as ambient and windrow temperatures. In general, higher VOCs emissions and odour concentrations were measured in summer, and odour pollution was mainly caused by sulphur and oxygenated compounds, due to their high odour activity values (OAVs). Methyl mercaptan, dimethyl disulphide, dimethyl sulphide, diethyl sulphide, acetaldehyde and ethyl acetate were identified as the odour pollution indicators for the composting facility. The results from a health risk assessment showed that acetaldehyde was the most hazardous compound, with both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks exceeding acceptable levels. The carcinogenic risks of benzene and naphthalene were also above acceptable levels; however, their risks were insignificant at the studied site due to the low concentrations.

The Effect of Occupational Health Risk Perception on Job Satisfaction.

This study explored the relationship between occupational health risk perception and job satisfaction. Based on the job demand-resources model and resource conservation theory, eight hypotheses were proposed in this study. In a survey of 237 production line workers and managers, we found that perceived occupational health risks significantly negatively affected job satisfaction. Both work stress and organizational commitment mediate the relationships between perceived occupational health risks and job satisfaction. We also examined whether safety culture could weaken the negative impact of perceived occupational health risks on job satisfaction. However, the results of our study did not support this hypothesis. This study not only helped managers to realize the hazards of occupational health risks, but also encouraged employees to actively participate in safety construction and pay attention to their own health. In addition, we also put forward some targeted intervention measures to reduce the negative impact of perceived occupational health risks on job satisfaction. Therefore, this study had certain practical implications.

Cardiopulmonary parameters and organ blood flows for workers expressed in terms of VO2 for use in physiologically based toxicokinetic modeling.

Minute ventilation rates (VE), alveolar ventilation rates (VA), cardiac outputs (Q), liver blood flow (LBF) and kidneys blood flows (KBF) for physiologically based toxicokinetic modeling and occupational health risk assessment in active workers have apparently not been determined. Minute energy expenditure rates (E) and oxygen consumption rates (VO2) in workers during exertions and their aggregate daytime activities are obtained by using open-circuit wearable devices for indirect calorimetry measurements and the doubly labeled water method respectively. Hundreds of E (in kcal/min) and VO2 (in L of O2/min) were previously reported for workers. The oxygen uptake factors of 0.2059 ± 0.0019 and 0.2057 ± 0.0018 L of O2/kcal during postprandial and fasting phases respectively enabled conversion of E into VO2. Equations determined in this study based upon more than 25 000 published measurements enable the calculation of 15 parameters in the same worker only by using the VO2 reflecting workload. These parameters, notably VE, VA, VE/VO2 VA/Q, Q, LBF and KBF were found to be interrelated. Altering one of these changes the order of magnitude of the others. Q, LBF and KBF decrease when supine adults at rest switch to an upright position. This effect of gravity diminished when VO2 increased. The fall in LBF and KBF during exertion might enhance muscle blood flow as reported previously. Taken together these equations and data may improve the accuracy of physiologically based toxicokinetic modeling as well as occupational health assessment studies in active workers exposed to xenobiotics.List of main abbreviations: AVOD: arterioveinous oxygen content difference.BMI: body mass index (in kg/m2).BSA: body surface area (in m2).BTPS: body temperature and saturated with water vapor.Bw: body weight (in kg).E: minute energy expenditure rate (in kcal/min).FGE: organ blood flow factor for the gravitational effect on blood circulation.H: oxygen uptake factor, volume of oxygen (at STPD) consumed to produce 1 kcal of energy expended.KBF: kidneys blood flow (in ml/min).LBF: liver blood flow (in ml/min).PBF: liver or kidneys blood flows expressed in terms of percentages (in %) of Qsup C values: namely PBF = (LBF or KBF/Qsup C) x 100.Q: cardiac output (in L/min or ml/min).Qsup C: cardiac output for the cohort of males or females in supination (in ml/min).STPD: standard temperature and pressure, dry air.sup: values measured when adults are in the supine position.up: values measured when adults are in the upright position.VDphys: physiological dead space at BTPS (in L).VT: tidal volume at BTPS (in L).VA: alveolar ventilation rate at BTPS (in L/min).VA/Q: ventilation-perfusion ratio (unitless).VE: minute ventilation rate at BTPS (in L/min).VO2: oxygen consumption rate (i.e. the oxygen uptake) at STPD (in L/min).VQ: ventilatory equivalent for VO2 (VE at BTPS /VO2 at STPD).

Mapping the knowledge domain of occupational health research in China / 中国职业医学

@#Objective To map the knowledge domain of occupational health research in China. Methods Articles were searched in the China Academic Journal Network Publishing Database using“occupational health”as the subject term. Journal sources were limited to the journals of China Social Science Citation Index and core journals of China and Chinese Science Citation Database. The search period starts in 1992 and ends on November 26，2021. The valid data was visually analyzed using CiteSpace softwere. Results A total of 2 351 papers related to occupational health from 1992 to 2021 were obtained. In the past 30 years，the number of articles with the title of“occupational health”has been on the rise and reached its peak in 2014. China Occupational Medicine，Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases，and Chinese Journal of Industrial Medicine were the top three journals in terms of number of articles published，which produced 438，339 and 280 articles respectively. Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Guangdong Province Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment were the top two organizations in terms of number of articles published，which produced 169 and 116 articles respectively. Occupational medical examination，occupational health surveillance，and occupational health risk assessment were the three hot issues in the field of occupational health research. Conclusions In the past 30 years， occupational health research in China has achieved remarkable progress in terms of article publications and interdisciplinary cooperation，and future work should focus on the academic impact of articles and interdisciplinary research cooperation.

Mapping the knowledge domain of occupational health research in China / 中国职业医学

@#Objective To map the knowledge domain of occupational health research in China. Methods Articles were searched in the China Academic Journal Network Publishing Database using“occupational health”as the subject term. Journal sources were limited to the journals of China Social Science Citation Index and core journals of China and Chinese Science Citation Database. The search period starts in 1992 and ends on November 26，2021. The valid data was visually analyzed using CiteSpace softwere. Results A total of 2 351 papers related to occupational health from 1992 to 2021 were obtained. In the past 30 years，the number of articles with the title of“occupational health”has been on the rise and reached its peak in 2014. China Occupational Medicine，Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases，and Chinese Journal of Industrial Medicine were the top three journals in terms of number of articles published，which produced 438，339 and 280 articles respectively. Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Guangdong Province Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment were the top two organizations in terms of number of articles published，which produced 169 and 116 articles respectively. Occupational medical examination，occupational health surveillance，and occupational health risk assessment were the three hot issues in the field of occupational health research. Conclusions In the past 30 years， occupational health research in China has achieved remarkable progress in terms of article publications and interdisciplinary cooperation，and future work should focus on the academic impact of articles and interdisciplinary research cooperation.

Assessment of occupational health risk of noise in a plastic products enterprise / 中国职业医学

@#Objective To assess the occupational health risk of noise in a plastic products enterprise and determine the key risk Methods - points. The workplace of a plastic products enterprise and its 388 noise exposed workers were selected as the ， research subjects using a convenient sampling method. The noise intensity in the workplace of the enterprise was measured and - GBZ/T 229.4-2012 the individual noise exposure level and pure tone hearing test were carried out in the noise exposed workers. Classification of Occupational Hazards at Workplaces--Part 4： Occupational Exposure to Noise（ GBZ/T hereinafter referred to as 229.4-2012） - was used to evaluate the hazardous degree of noise in different posts. The risk of high frequency hearing loss （ ） - （ ） - ， ， HFHL and occupational noise induced deafness ONID in noise exposed workers in different posts at 45.0 50.0 55.0 and WS/T 754-2016 Guideline for Risk Management of Occupational Noise Hazard（ 60.0 years of age were predicted using hereinafter WS/T 754-2016）Results referred to as . The noise in the workplace of this plastic product enterprise was found to exceed the - occupational exposure limits with the rate of 46.6%. The maximum level of normalization of equivalent continuous A weighted - （ ） sound pressure level to a nominal 40 h working week of exposure to noise in workers of six posts was 84.0 93.0 dB A . - ， ， ， According to GBZ/T 229.4 2012 the noise hazards of the posts including extrusion premixing unloading and utility - ， maintenance were mild or moderate except for the film and packaging posts. According to WS/T 754 2016 the risks of HFHL in ， ， the film and packaging operators at age ≥50.0 years old were at acceptable risk and the risks of HFHL in operators of extrusion ， ， premixing unloading and utility maintenance at age ≥45.0 years old were at moderate risk or high risk. The risks of ONID for ， the film packaging and utility maintenance operators at age ≥55.0 years old were at acceptable risk or moderate risk. The risksof ONID for extrusion premixing and unloading operators at age ≥50.0 years old were at high risk. Extrusion operators with （ ） exposure to toluene below the occupational exposure limit had a higher risk of HFHL high risk than unloading operators （ ） Conclusion moderate risk at age 45.0 years with the same noise intensity. The noise exposure intensity is high in the ， workplace of the plastic product enterprise. The workers in posts of extrusion premixing and unloading are at high risk levels of HFHL and ONID.

Occupational Health Risk Assessment of Benzene, Toluene, and Xylene in Shanghai.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to conduct a retrospective and systematic occupational health risk assessment (OHRA) of enterprises that used benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) in Shanghai, China. METHODS: All data for the study were obtained from 1,705 occupational health examination and evaluation reports from 2013 to 2017, and a semiquantitative model following Chinese OHRA guidelines (GBZ/T 298-2017) was applied for the assessment. RESULTS: The selected enterprises using BTX were mainly involved in manufacturing of products. Using the exposure level method, health risk levels associated with exposure to BTX were classified as medium, negligible, or low. However, the risk levels associated with benzene and toluene were significantly different according to job types, with gluers and inkers exhibiting greater health risks. For the same job type, the health risk levels assessed using the comprehensive index method were higher than those using the exposure level method. CONCLUSION: Our OHRA reveals that workers who are exposed to BTX still face excessive health risk. Additionally, the risk level varied depending on job categories and exposure to specific chemicals. Therefore, additional control measures recommended by OHRA guidelines are essential to reduce worker exposure levels.

A review on health risk assessment of PM in the construction industry - Current situation and future directions.

Particulate matter (PM) is one of the primary pollutants of the environment. The amount of PM discharged from construction projects is considerably high; it generates 70-80% of the overall PM. The composition of PM is complex and may contain various toxic substances that have severe health effects on human health. Existing health risk assessment in the construction industry lacks the efficiency to reduce the risk level of PM exposure. This study systematically reviews literature in this research area to understand the primary reasons which generates PM health risk assessments. The authors reviewed health risk assessment studies in the construction industry to analyze the current situation, and then reviewed health risk assessment studies from four different industries to compare the advancement of research and outcomes in all the five industries. From the study it is understood that the area of research related to ambient air were more developed compared to those in other areas due to their sampling methods and the size of the PM studied. From the findings of the systematic review, it is understood that majority of the risk assessment studies still rely on a two decade-old system and neglect recent research findings pertaining inhalation rate and size of PM. To overcome this, the level of risk involved in various common construction activities needs to be explored using real-time location-based PM monitoring and real-time inhalation monitoring methods. The findings of this review will help researchers gain a better perspective while conducting occupational health risk studies in the construction industry.