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Showing papers in "International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health in 2010"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this study, several main diagnoses and underlying conditions for emergency hospital admission that are particularly susceptible to extreme heat events are identified and can contribute directly to establishing health programmes that would effectively target those with higher relative risk ofEmergency hospital admission due toextreme heat.
Abstract: Objectives To determine and characterise the health impacts of extreme heat events on the population in five regions of New South Wales (NSW). Such data provide evidence necessary for the development of policy and programme initiatives designed to reduce the burden of disease due to the impact of climate change.

121 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Self-rated ED corresponded well to established scales for mental health, indicating sufficient construct validity and individuals reporting s-ED at baseline were more likely to report sickness absence at follow-up, confirming its predictive properties.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the construct and predictive validity of a new instrument for self-rating of stress-related Exhaustion Disorder (s-ED). Public healthcare workers and social insurance officers, 85% females, were included (N = 2,683) in a longitudinal study. The s-ED instrument, based on clinical criteria for Exhaustion Disorder, was used at baseline to classify participants into three categories: non-s-ED, light/moderate s-ED and pronounced s-ED. Other assessments include burnout, anxiety, depression and work ability. Sick leave at follow-up after 2 years was defined as 14 days of ongoing sick leave (SA14) or a period of 60 days of sick leave during the last 12 months (SA60). Associations at baseline were expressed as prevalence ratios, and adjusted relative risks (RR) were calculated using Cox regression. At baseline, 16% reported s-ED. Scores of depression, anxiety and burnout and the rate of poor work ability increased with increasing severity of s-ED. Self-reported exhaustion at baseline increased the risk of reporting sickness absence at follow-up; pronounced s-ED RR 2.7; CI 1.8–4.0 for SA14 and RR 3.4; CI 2.3–5.2 for SA60. Self-rated ED corresponded well to established scales for mental health, indicating sufficient construct validity. Individuals reporting s-ED at baseline were more likely to report sickness absence at follow-up, confirming its predictive properties. The s-ED instrument may be a useful tool for occupational health services in identifying human service workers at risk of having or developing a potentially disabling stress-related mental illness.

116 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The findings suggest that silica exposure may be a significant risk factor for developing SSc and specifically in males.
Abstract: Among potential environmental risk factors for systemic sclerosis (SSc), occupational exposures have received some attention. In this meta-analysis, we examined the association between SSc and occupational exposure to silica. We searched Medline, Toxline, BIOSIS, and Embase (1949 and November 2009) for original articles published in any language. Sixteen studies are included in the analysis, of which, 3 are cohort studies, 9 case–control and 4 are of other designs. The combined estimator of relative risk (CERR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using fixed or random effect models. Significant heterogeneity was detected (I 2 = 97.2%; P < 0.01), and the CERR was 3.20 (95% CI, 1.89–5.43). The CERR for studies in females was 1.03 (95% CI, 0.74–1.44) and was 3.02 (95% CI, 1.24–7.35) for males. The CERR for case–control studies was 2.24 (95% CI, 1.65–3.31) and was 15.49 (95% CI, 4.54–52.87) for cohort studies. The findings suggest that silica exposure may be a significant risk factor for developing SSc and specifically in males. Further observational studies examining the role of occupational silica exposure in the context of other risk factors are needed.

109 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The effects of organizational justice on psychological distress seem to be mediated by reward at work (or ERI) while those regarding work engagement may be mediatedBy worksite support to a large extent, at least in Japanese workers.
Abstract: Purpose To investigate the cross-sectional association between organizational justice (i.e., procedural justice and interactional justice) and psychological distress or work engagement, as well as the mediating roles of other job stressors (i.e., job demands and job control, or their combination, effort–reward imbalance [ERI], and worksite support).

89 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Hazardous levels of Der p 1, endotoxin and moulds were determined in poultry houses, and high prevalence of work-related symptoms and IgG antibodies to moulds was found in PW.
Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate exposure to moulds and house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in poultry farms, and related health effects in poultry workers (PW). The study involved 41 PW and 45 control office workers. Working environment was evaluated for D. pteronyssinus allergen (Der p 1), moulds and endotoxin. In workers, eye, skin and respiratory symptoms, ventilatory lung function, atopy markers (skin prick test to inhalatory allergens, total IgE) and specific IgG to moulds were assessed. Der p 1 levels ranged <0.1–3.3 μg/g, exposure to fungi was 4.9 × 103–6.8 × 104 cfu/m3, with prevailing Aspergillus, Penicillium and Mucor species, and endotoxin levels ranged 230–284 EU/m3. In comparison to control subjects, significantly higher prevalence of work-related nose, asthma, eye and skin symptoms, and slight decline in ventilatory lung function was found in PW. PW had significantly higher prevalence of IgG antibodies to moulds comparing to controls (63 vs. 36%, respectively, P = 0.01), especially to Alternaria and Aspergillus species. The prevalence of atopy markers in PW was lower than in population-based studies. Hazardous levels of Der p 1, endotoxin and moulds were determined in poultry houses. High prevalence of work-related symptoms and IgG antibodies to moulds was found in PW. Healthy worker effect is proposed as an explanation of low atopy markers prevalence among PW.

86 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A strong association between BMI and knee osteoarthritis risk is found and prevention of knee osteOarthritis should not only focus on body weight reduction, but should also take into account work organizational measures particularly aiming to reduce occupational lifting and carrying of loads.
Abstract: Aims The aim of this study is to examine the dose–response relationships between age, “lifestyle factors” (body mass index, tobacco smoking, sports), and symptomatic knee osteoarthritis in a population-based case–control study. Additionally, the study aims to investigate the mode of interaction between body mass index (BMI) and physical workload (occupational kneeling/squatting and lifting/carrying of loads) with respect to the risk of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.

86 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
Jiana Wang1, Wei Sun1, Tie-Shuang Chi1, Hui Wu1, Lie Wang1 
TL;DR: Efficient interventions such as taking further education course, improving communications with patients, and improving the ability of rational coping should be considered by health administrators aiming at improving the quality of Chinese doctors’ mental health from the view of depressive symptoms.
Abstract: Doctors, the major workforce in hospitals, are doing heavy emotional and physical work which may lead to depressive symptoms. However, in China, few studies are available pertaining to the prevalence and associated factors of depressive symptoms among doctors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and to explore its associated factors among Chinese doctors in public hospitals. This cross-sectional study was performed during the period of September/October 2008. The study population comprised of 1,890 doctors registered and working in the 20 national hospitals in Liaoning province, northeast of China. A questionnaire that comprised depressive symptoms assessed by the Chinese Version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), demographic factors, work conditions, occupational stress, and coping strategies was distributed to these doctors. A total of 1,488 effective respondents became our subjects (effective response rate 78.7%). Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the factors related to depressive symptoms. The prevalence of depressive symptoms among doctors was 65.3%. Multivariate logistic analyses showed that high role insufficiency (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.66–2.78), worse doctor–patient relationship (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.62–2.64), having a chronic disease (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.31–2.27), serious role boundary (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.21–2.00), and role overload (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.11–1.81) were positively associated with depressive symptoms; whereas adequate rational coping (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.45–0.76) and social support (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.57–0.98) were negatively associated with depressive symptoms. Most Chinese doctors probably have depressive symptoms. Role insufficiency, doctor–patient relationship, and rational coping seemed to be crucial in relation to depressive symptoms. Efficient interventions such as taking further education course, improving communications with patients, and improving the ability of rational coping should be considered by health administrators aiming at improving the quality of Chinese doctors’ mental health from the view point of depressive symptoms.

82 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Chemicals detected in Japanese newly built houses tend to increase the risk of subjective symptoms in residents suffering from SBS, after adjustment for other possible risk factors.
Abstract: This study explored possible associations between chemical substances and sick building syndrome (SBS)-type symptoms of residents living in new houses in Japan. We randomly sampled 5,709 newly built conventional homes. In the end, 1,479 residents in 425 households completed a questionnaire survey and agreed to environmental monitoring for indoor aldehydes and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to be conducted in their homes. If the residents had complained about at least one SBS-related symptom, they were classified as suffering from SBS. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to select predictive chemical factors of SBS symptoms. About 14% of the subjects suffered from SBS. Many aldehydes and VOCs were associated factors of optical, nasal, and gular symptoms in univariate analysis. After adjustment for other possible risk factors, formaldehyde dose-dependently showed to be a significant risk factor for SBS. Several chemicals had tendency to be associated with SBS symptoms. Chemicals detected in Japanese newly built houses tend to increase the risk of subjective symptoms in residents suffering from SBS.

81 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Inhabitants in the formerly polluted area still had high Cadmium accumulations and showed a characteristic natural history of chronic cadmium toxicity, indicating that the risk remains for developing nephropathy or itai-itai disease in the future.
Abstract: The cadmium-polluted Jinzu River Basin in Toyama, Japan, where nephropathy and itai-itai disease were endemic among resident farmers decades ago, has been almost completely restored. The aim of this study is to investigate whether inhabitants there would still exhibit cadmium accumulation and its effects on kidneys, bones, and erythropoiesis. We performed a cross-sectional study of 150 subjects from the polluted area and 144 controls from the same prefecture. Participants included female inhabitants from 34 to 74 years of age who underwent examinations to gather anthropometrical and medical information, obtain rice, blood and urine samples, and measure bone mineral density. Cadmium concentration in rice from the polluted area was lower than the level in the control area. Blood and urinary cadmium and urinary β2-microglobulin levels were higher in subjects from the polluted area than controls, and the urinary β2-microglobulin was independently affected by urinary cadmium. Bone mineral density did not differ between the two areas, but it was affected by renal tubular function in subjects from the polluted area. Serum bone alkaline phosphatase was lower in subjects from the polluted area compared to controls. We detected three cases of cadmium nephropathy among the subjects. One of them suffered from a renal anemia type of itai-itai disease. Inhabitants in the formerly polluted area still had high cadmium accumulations and showed a characteristic natural history of chronic cadmium toxicity, indicating that the risk remains for developing nephropathy or itai-itai disease in the future.

78 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The limited number of studies in this review suggests that illness perceptions play a role in the work participation of patients with somatic diseases or complaints, although it is not clear how strong this relationship is and which illness perception dimensions are most useful.
Abstract: Purpose Self-regulatory processes play an important role in mediating between the disease and the health outcomes, and potentially also work outcomes. This systematic review aims to explore the relationship between illness perceptions and work participation in patients with somatic diseases and complaints.

74 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Evidence-based data confirming the benefit of sun protective strategies are scarce, general recommendations are mainly based on the avoidance of UV radiation being identified as potential risk factor for non-melanoma skin cancer in epidemiological studies.
Abstract: The present review is aimed at providing an overview of skin cancer with particular focus on occupational concern and giving evidence-based recommendation for effective prevention at workplace. We performed a systematic search of literature using PubMed and the Cochrane Library. Outcome of preventive strategies depends either on efficacy of the strategy itself but also on acceptance and implementation of protective means among the persons at possible risk for hazardous health effects. Epidemiological studies have reported significantly more non-melanoma skin cancer in men than in women. Life-style choices and difference in immunosuppression play a major role in this gender disparity. Tumor biology of skin cancer is diverging: severe blistering sunburns corresponding to intermittent intense UV exposures are associated with an increased risk for both melanoma and basal cell carcinoma (BCC); whereas the risk of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and actinic keratoses (AK) is strongly associated with chronic UV exposure. Several clinical trials give evidence that long-term use of sunscreen prevents the appearance of non-melanotic skin cancer such as AK and SCC, but not of BCC. All technical and organizing measures aimed at reducing UV exposure at workplace belong to first-line prevention; however, there is much room for improvement. The efficacy of personal protection means (second-line strategy) strongly depends on the workers’ compliance which is quite low at workplace. Evidence-based data confirming the benefit of sun protective strategies are scarce, general recommendations are mainly based on the avoidance of UV radiation being identified as potential risk factor for non-melanoma skin cancer in epidemiological studies. Occupational screenings should include regular interventions aimed at enhancing a clear understanding of risk factors for individuals and finally improving the acceptance and maintenance for UV-protective means at workplace.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This study confirms that occupational skills are an important factor concerning NSI, and measures must be adopted by official institutions, public health service, occupational health association and universities in order to reverse this situation.
Abstract: Exposures to bloodborne pathogens pose a serious risk to dental healthcare workers (DHCW) Despite improved methods of preventing exposures like needlestick injuries (NSI), occupational exposures still continue to occur The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of occupational exposures to patient body fluids among German DHCW, to assess the rate of reporting of such incidents, and to evaluate the association of various factors with these exposures Data was obtained through an anonymous questionnaire Our study confirms that occupational skills are an important factor concerning NSI It turned out that dental students (074 NSI p a) had nearly twice the number of NSI compared with dentists with more or less than 10 years working experience (042, 049 NSI p a, respectively, P < 00001) Overall, 543% (n = 144/265) of respondents had sustained at least one NSI in their professional life Only 285% of injured dental students and DHCW reported all of their NSI, the main reason (191%) for not reporting NSI was little or no perception of risk on behalf of the respondent One-fourth of respondents were not wearing a mask and 556% were not wearing protective goggles during their last occupational exposures Occupational exposure to blood or body fluids is a common problem among DHCW and dental students Measures must be adopted by official institutions, public health service, occupational health association and universities in order to reverse this situation

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is found that physical activity during leisure time was associated with higher perceived energy, and for men also with lower perceived stress, and no association between job control–demand and the degree of physical activity was found.
Abstract: Purpose The aim of the present study is to examine the association between physical activity and perceived job demand, job control, perceived stress and energy, and physiological arousal reflected by morning and evening concentrations of cortisol in saliva among white-collar workers.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: While NFR increased with age until the age of 55, this was followed by decreased levels of NFR among older employees, which can be found in several domains such as the work environment, private situation and compensation strategies.
Abstract: Purpose To investigate the impact of increasing age on the need for recovery (NFR) over time among day workers

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Whether noise-induced sleep fragmentation is associated with performance impairments in a psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) and a memory search task and the potential public health impact of nocturnal noise exposure is investigated.
Abstract: Nocturnal aircraft noise disturbs sleep and impairs recuperation. We investigated in laboratory and field studies whether noise-induced sleep fragmentation is associated with performance impairments in a psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) and a memory search task. In the laboratory, 112 participants were exposed to aircraft noise during 9 consecutive nights. In the field, 64 participants were examined during 9 consecutive nights in the vicinity of Cologne/Bonn airport. Reaction time, signal detection performance and subjective task load were recorded. Dose–response relationships showed significant, linear impairments in reaction times. In the laboratory, reaction time in PVT increased with 0.13 ms/dB equivalent noise level (LAeq) plus 0.02 ms/noise event. In the field study, reaction time increased with 0.3 ms/dB LAeq. Participants worked significantly less accurate after nocturnal noise exposure. Influences of LAeq and number of noise events on daytime performance were small but consistent and significant, stressing the potential public health impact of nocturnal noise exposure.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Urinary toluene was found to be a more specific biomarker than SBMA, and the validity of t,t-MA and SPMA for use in the biological monitoring of exposure to low concentrations of benzene was confirmed.
Abstract: This study analyzes the validity of new, more sensitive and specific urinary biomarkers of internal dose, namely, urinary benzene for benzene and urinary toluene and S-benzylmercapturic acid (SBMA) for toluene, to assess their efficacy when compared to traditional biomarkers for biological monitoring of occupational exposure to low concentrations of these two toxic substances. Assessment was made of 41 workers occupationally exposed to benzene and toluene, 18 fuel tanker drivers and 23 filling-station attendants, as well as 31 subjects with no occupational exposure to these toxic substances (controls). Exposure to airborne benzene and toluene was measured using passive Radiello® personal samplers worn throughout the work shift. In urine samples collected from all subjects at the end of the workday, both the traditional and the new internal dose biomarkers of benzene and toluene were assessed, as well as creatinine so as to apply suitable adjustments. Occupational exposure to benzene and toluene resulted significantly higher in the fuel tanker drivers than the filling-station attendants, and higher in the latter than in controls. Significantly higher concentrations of t,t-muconic acid (t,t-MA), S-phenylmercapturic acid (SPMA), urinary benzene, SBMA and urinary toluene were found in the drivers than the filling-station attendants or the controls. Instead, urinary phenol and hippuric acid were not different in the three groups. In the entire sample, airborne benzene and toluene values were significantly correlated, as were the respective urinary biomarkers, showing coefficients ranging from 0.36 to 0.98. Subdividing the subjects by smoking habit, higher coefficients were evident in non-smokers than in smokers; at multiple regression analysis t,t-MA, SPMA and urinary benzene and toluene were dependent on the number of cigarettes smoked daily and on airborne benzene and toluene, respectively. Instead, SBMA was dependent only on airborne toluene. Our research confirmed the validity of t,t-MA and SPMA for use in the biological monitoring of exposure to low concentrations of benzene. Urinary benzene showed comparable validity to SPMA; both parameters are affected by smoking cigarettes in the hours before urine collection, so it is best to ask subjects to refrain from smoking for 2 h before urine collection. Urinary toluene was found to be a more specific biomarker than SBMA.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Assessment of health effects in children exposed to PAHs is urgently needed andPAHs have to be declared contaminants of concern at a national level, taking into account that millions of children in Mexico are living in scenarios similar to those studied in this work.
Abstract: Purpose Biological monitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has expanded rapidly since urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) was suggested as a biological index for pyrene. Taking into account that pyrene is often present in PAHs mixtures, 1-OHP has also been considered an indirect indicator of exposure to these mixtures. Sources of PAHs in developing countries are numerous; however, exposure of children to PAHs has not been studied in detail. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess exposure of children to PAHs in different scenarios: (a) children living next to highways with heavy traffic; (b) sanitary landfill; (c) brick kiln communities and (d) children exposed to biomass combustion.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Moderate and high psychological distress increase the OR’s for workplace accidents work failures and decrease the OR of workplace successes at similar levels as the prevalence of moderate psychological distress is approximately double that of high Psychological distress moderate distress consequentially has a greater workplace impact.
Abstract: Purpose This study investigates associations between psychological distress and workplace accidents, workplace failures and workplace successes.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Most of work stressors considered are associated with psychiatric symptoms, and prevention should target the most frequent stressors with high association to symptoms.
Abstract: Purpose (1) To identify work related stressors that are associated with psychiatric symptoms in a Swiss sample of policemen and (2) to develop a model for identifying officers at risk for developing mental health problems.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that nurses in general and psychiatric hospitals had high risk of assaults, and worksite assaults caused nurses to feel threatened, and such an effect was likely to cause increased job stress and decreased quality of life.
Abstract: Nurses are at risk of occupational assaults. However, the incidence and effects have not been documented among nurses in Taiwan. We aimed to study the incidence of assaults and their effects, including quality of life and job-related stress among nurses. A cross-sectional study was conducted to understand the incidence of work-related assaults in nurses. Job content questionnaire was used to determine the job control, psychological demands at work, and workplace support in these nurses. Quality of life was assessed by short form-36 (SF-36). A total of 842 nurses satisfactorily completed the questionnaire, including 375 from general hospitals and 467 from psychiatric hospitals. A total of 237 (28.1%) reported to have experienced physical and/or verbal assaults in past 6 months. Experiences of sexual assault or verbal abuse were risk factors for feeling threatened by potential attacks. Nurses who felt threatened by potential attacked scored lower in general health, mental health, and vitality by SF-36, and had higher psychological demands at work, lower job control, and lower workplace support. We conclude that nurses in general and psychiatric hospitals had high risk of assaults. Worksite assaults caused nurses to feel threatened, and such an effect was likely to cause increased job stress and decreased quality of life.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The validity of the ERI model to describe the dimensions involved in teacher’s stress and to highlight those associated to leaving intentions and to several physical and psychological strain outcomes in Italian school teachers has been confirmed.
Abstract: This study explores the explicative potential of effort-reward imbalance Model to unveil the dimensions involved in teacher stress process and analyses the psychometric characteristics of the Italian version of the ERI Questionnaire (Siegrist, J Occup Health Psychol 1:27–43, 1996) with respect to a homogeneous occupational group: Italian school teachers. The Italian version of the ERI Questionnaire was submitted to 673 teachers randomly drawn from a cross-section of school types. Internal consistency, reliability, discriminative validity, and factorial structure were evaluated. Predictive validity was explored with respect to a measure of perceived strain, the Crown–Crisp Experiential Index. Discriminative validity was explored with respect to age, gender, education, type of school, the presence/absence of physical pains in the last 12 months before the survey, and teachers’ intention to leave the profession. Item-total correlations are for all items included between 0.30 and 0.80 (p < 0.01). Mean inter-item correlation is 0.26. Cronbach’s alpha for the whole questionnaire reaches the value of 0.89. The factor analysis identified four reliable factors that accounted for 44.8 per cent of the total variance and which confirmed the basic structure emerged from previous studies yet highlighting two instead of three different components for reward. Higher efforts (T = −3.82, p < 0.001) and both lower material (T = 3.23, p < 0.001) and immaterial rewards (T = 3.17, p < 0.005) characterised the group of teachers, which reported to suffer for physical pains. Higher efforts (T = −5.26, p < 0.001), higher overcommitment (T = −3.15, p < 0.005), and both lower material (T = 4.63, p < 0.001) and immaterial rewards (T = 4.00, p < 0.001) were observed in the group of teachers inclined to give up the job. Multiple regression analyses have highlighted that higher efforts, higher overcommitment, and lower rewards are significantly predictive of higher levels of free-floating and somatic anxiety as well as depression and global psychological strain. This preliminary analysis of the reliability and validity of the Italian version of the ERI Questionnaire reveals that it constitutes a useful and reliable measure to analyse work-related stress with respect to the school setting. The validity of the ERI model to describe the dimensions involved in teacher’s stress and to highlight those associated to leaving intentions and to several physical and psychological strain outcomes in Italian school teachers has been confirmed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The finding of an association between metabolic activity and the observed cellular reaction to low intensity RF-EME may reconcile conflicting results of previous studies and contribute to the re-evaluation of previous reports.
Abstract: Purpose To investigate whether or not low intensity radio frequency electromagnetic field exposure (RF-EME) associated with mobile phone use can affect human cells, we used a sensitive proteome analysis method to study changes in protein synthesis in cultured human cells.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It has been shown that welding-associated long-term and short-term health effects could be detected in a population of welders and H2O2 may be an effect marker associated with smoking rather than with welding fumes, while nitrate in EBC seems to be sensitive to welding fume exposure.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of welding as well as the impact of smoking and protection measures on biological effect markers in exhaled breath condensate. Additionally, biomonitoring of chromium, aluminium and nickel in urine was performed to quantify internal exposure. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and urine samples of 45 male welders and 24 male non-exposed control subjects were collected on Friday pre-shift and after 8 h of work post-shift. In EBC, biological effect markers such as malondialdehyde, nitrite, nitrate, 3-nitrotyrosine, tyrosine, hydroxyproline, proline, H2O2 and pH-value were measured while aluminium, nickel, and chromium were measured in the urine samples. Although internal exposure to aluminium, nickel and chromium in this study was low, welders showed significantly increased concentrations of all these parameters at baseline compared to non-exposed controls. Moreover, welders had higher nitrate concentrations in EBC at baseline and after shift. Nitrate concentration was considerably lower after shift if personal protection equipment was used. H2O2 was increased only when subjects smoked during shift. It has been shown that welding-associated long-term and short-term health effects could be detected in a population of welders. The results also showed that using personal protection equipment is of high importance and H2O2 may be an effect marker associated with smoking rather than with welding fumes, while nitrate in EBC seems to be sensitive to welding fume exposure.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results confirm that interdisciplinary training can be successful in effecting self-protection against workplace hazards by using positive approaches that include the learning of “safe” behavior and insuring transferability to real workplace settings (“empowerment”).
Abstract: Two hundred and fifteen hairdressers suffering from occupational skin diseases (OSD) have attended a 6-month combined dermatological and educational prevention program with an education and counseling scheme as well as an intervention in the respective hairdressers’ shops. The aim of this program, conducted from 1994 to 1997, was to enable the affected hairdressers to remain at work without suffering from major OSD. To assess the sustainability of this interdisciplinary medical and educational training program, the intervention group (IG, N = 215) and a control group (CG, hairdressers with OSD who solely received dermatological treatment, N = 85) were followed up 9 month and 5 years after their individual project participation by a standardized questionnaire. A subcohort of the intervention group (IG1994, participants in 1994, N = 62) was followed up again 10 years after their participation. The follow-up survey 9 months after the beginning of the program (response rate: IG: N = 163, 75.8%; CG: N = 80, 94.1%) showed that 71.8% (N = 117) of the intervention group could remain in work as opposed to 60.0% (N = 48) in the control group. In the intervention group 14.7% gave up work due to OSD versus 22.5% in the control group (no statistically significant effect). In the 5-year follow-up (response rate: IG: N = 172, 80%; CG: N = 55, 64.7%) 58.7% (N = 101) of the IG remained at work versus 29.1% (N = 16) of the CG. In the IG 12.8% had stopped work because of OSD versus 27.3% in the CG (p < 0.001, Cramer’s V = 0.26). Ten years after intervention, the follow-up showed a stabilization of the effects shown by the 5-year follow-up results. In addition to the criteria ‘remaining’ or ‘not remaining at work’ the results show that our interdisciplinary intervention program led to an increased and sustained knowledge on OSD and more adequate prevention at the work place in the IG. The results confirm that interdisciplinary training can be successful in effecting self-protection against workplace hazards by using positive approaches that include the learning of “safe” behavior and insuring transferability to real workplace settings (“empowerment”). Combined preventive measures as studied in this program have recently become the standard offered by different statutory accident liability insurances for patients in different wet work occupations with OSD in Germany.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: These results do not allow dismissing a possible influence of IR on cancer risk in workers at the French Electricity Company, followed up to year 2003, although confidence intervals for estimated relative risks remain wide, although they have considerably narrowed since a previous analysis.
Abstract: Purpose Epidemiological studies in nuclear industry workers can produce relevant information to better appreciate the health risks related to chronic external exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation (IR). This work examined the relations between exposure to IR and mortality in workers at the French Electricity Company (EDF), followed up to year 2003.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: These results indicate that the major factors associated with occupational stress differed between male andFemale doctors in China, and role boundary and role insufficient were the most crucial factors in male and female doctors, respectively.
Abstract: Doctors constitute the main workforce in hospitals and are known to experience occupational stress. High level of stress is believed to affect doctors’ physical and mental health. Thus, it is essential to study doctors’ occupational stress well to improve their quality of lives. The aim of this study was to explore factors associated with occupational stress among Chinese doctors in public hospitals. A cross-sectional study was conducted during the period of May/June 2008. The study population comprised 1989 doctors registered and working in the 20 national hospitals in Liaoning province, China. A questionnaire pertaining to occupational stress that was assessed based on the Chinese Version Personal Strain Questionnaire (PSQ), demographic characteristics, work situations, occupational roles, and personal resources was distributed to these doctors. A total of 1,587 effective respondents (673 men, 914 women) became our subjects (effective response rate 79.8%). The general linear model (GLM) was employed to explore the factors related to occupational stress. All data analysis was performed separately in men and women. The average PSQ score was 86.92 in the total study population, 89.4 in men and 85.1 in women among Chinese doctors. GLM showed that PSQ was significantly associated with, in standard estimate (β) sequence, role boundary, role insufficiency, responsibility, social support, rational/cognitive coping, doctor–patient relationship and role overload in men; whereas with role insufficiency, role boundary, social support, responsibility, self-care, role overload, education, chronic disease, and doctor–patient relationship in women. These results indicate that the major factors associated with occupational stress differed between male and female doctors in China. Overall, role boundary and role insufficient were the most crucial factors in male and female doctors, respectively. Therefore, occupational health education and occupational training programs with the purpose to improve doctor’s knowledge and ability to copy with their task should be considered to lessen occupational stress among Chinese doctors.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: House painters may have a risk for adverse physiological reactions in the ocular and nasal mucosa and a minority of painters susceptible to WBP can react with neutrophilic nasal inflammation.
Abstract: Despite the decreased use of solvent-based paint (SBP) and increased use of water-based paints (WBP) with possible risk for microbial growth, few health studies are available. The aim was to study the symptoms and ocular and nasal biomarkers in house painters in relation to paint use and personal exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOC) and microbial VOC (MVOC) during indoor painting with WBP. All house painters from three major companies and unexposed controls (janitors from one company) were invited, 94% (N = 31) and 95% (N = 20) of non-asthmatics participated, respectively. Tear film break-up time (BUT), nasal patency by acoustic rhinometry, and biomarkers in nasal lavage (NAL) were measured at work, and a doctor’s administered questionnaire was answered. Personal sampling (8 h) of formaldehyde, VOC, and MVOC was performed in 17 house painters using WBP. House painters had increase in ocular symptoms, decreased BUT, and increased NAL-lysozyme, when compared to controls. Painters reporting mucosal irritation from WBP had less nasal patency and higher NAL-myeloperoxidase (NAL-MPO). A large proportion of the VOC consisted of propylenglycol, diglycol ethers, and Texanol. There was an association between 8-h exposure to propylene glycol and NAL-eosinophilic cationic protein (NAL-ECP), 2-phenoxyethanol levels and reduced BUT, sum of aliphatic glycol ethers and increased NAL-MPO. Increased levels of 1-octen-3-ol, one MVOC, were related to reduced nasal patency and increase in NAL-MPO. House painters may have a risk for adverse physiological reactions in the ocular and nasal mucosa. A minority of painters susceptible to WBP can react with neutrophilic nasal inflammation. Different chemicals in the paint could cause either neutrophilic or eosinophilic inflammation, or reduced tear film stability. In addition, house painters are exposed to MVOC which may affect the nasal mucosa.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the prevalence of high work-related fatigue (need for recovery, NFR) among employees and to explain group differences categorized by gender, age, and education was established.
Abstract: Purpose: This study aims to establish the prevalence of high work-related fatigue (need for recovery, NFR) among employees and to explain group differences categorized by gender, age, and education. The study particularly aims to clarify prevalence and explanatory factors in highly educated women. Methods: In 2005 and 2006, large representative samples of 80,000 Dutch employees (net response rate 33.0%; N = 47,263) received the Netherlands working conditions survey questionnaire. First, we calculated the prevalence of high NFR for men and women with different age and education levels. The average prevalence of high NFR was 28.8% and was highest among highly educated women (35.2%) in particular those aged 50-64 years (40.3%). Second, logistic regression analyses were used to compare subgroups' NFR in relation to situational factors, working conditions, and health. Three comparisons were made: (1) highly educated women versus men; (2) highly educated versus lower educated women and; (3) older highly educated versus younger highly educated women. Results: The situational, working conditions and health factors in our model did not explain the gender differences among highly educated employees (OR = 1.37; CI = 1.3-1.5, adjusted for all factors OR = 1.32; CI = 1.2-1.5). Despite that lower autonomy and workplace violence explained highly educated women's NFR, working fewer hours counterbalanced this. Time pressure in work largely explained the differences in NFR among women at different education levels (crude OR 1.44; CI = 1.4-1.5, adjusted OR 1.14; CI = 1.0-1.3). In the age comparison, lower health ratings, more adverse working conditions, and working as a teacher explained older highly educated women's high prevalence of high NFR (crude OR 1.32; CI = 1.2-1.5, adjusted OR 0.94; CI = 0.8-1.2). Conclusion: NFR has high prevalence in highly educated women (35.2%) in particular those aged 50-64 years (40.3%). Our model did not explain gender differences in NFR, because working fewer hours counterbalanced the effects of lower autonomy and external workplace violence. Our model, in particular time pressure, largely explained differences in NFR between women at different education levels. Age differences in the prevalence of high NFR among highly educated women's were fully explained by our model. Main factors were lower health ratings, adverse working conditions, and working as a teacher. © 2009 The Author(s).

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The adjusted multifactorial analysis identified occupations yet unknown to be associated with elevated thiuram contact allergy risk, e.g., food processors and cleaners, and further in-depth research can be targeted and efforts to prevent sensitisation toThiurams focussed can betargeted.
Abstract: Purpose To analyse the association between occupation (represented by job title) and contact allergy to thiuram vulcanising agents based on data of a clinical registry (IVDK, www.ivdk.org).

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The gender-dependent effects of the DCS model may play a crucial role in the understanding of female managers’ adverse health perceptions and increasing social support for female managers may help to overcome gender inequalities in management positions.
Abstract: Purpose To investigate cross-sectional associations between main, interactive and gender-dependent eVects of the demand–control–support (DCS) model and subjective health in managers. Methods Data of 424 German, Austrian and Swiss managers were collected at leadership seminars and through presentation of the study at meetings of staV managers and senior executives. Hierarchical regression models controlling for age, hierarchy and non-linear relationships were computed to assess associations between main, interactive and gender-dependent eVects of the DCS dimensions (measures of job demands, job control, social support) and subjective health (measures of self rated health and psychosomatic complaints). Results Social support was associated with both indicators of subjective health. Inconsistent results were obtained for the main eVects of job demands and job control. Concerning the interaction eVects of the model, a signiWcant three-way interaction was observed: high job control and high social support seem to buVer the adverse health eVects of high job demands. This interaction was moderated by gender. Female managers experience more psychosomatic complaints working in high demand, low control, low support settings than their male colleagues. While women seem to experience a higher buVering eVect from social support than from job control, male managers may beneWt equally from social support and job control. Conclusions In managers, gender moderates the healthrelated eVects of the psychosocial work environment. The gender-dependent eVects of the DCS model may play a crucial role in the understanding of female managers’ adverse health perceptions. Increasing social support for female managers may help to overcome gender inequalities in management positions.