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Fulltext Occupational exposure and challenges in tackling M. bovis at human-animal interface: a narrative review

Devi KR, Lee LJ, Yan LT, Syafinaz AN, Rosnah I, Chin VK

Int Arch Occup Environ Health, 2021 08;94(6):1147-1171.
PMID: 33725176 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-021-01677-z

Zoonotic tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis), a member of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) has increasingly gathered attention as a public health risk, particularly in developing countries with higher disease prevalence. M. bovis is capable of infecting multiple hosts encompassing a number of domestic animals, in particular cattle as well as a broad range of wildlife reservoirs. Humans are the incidental hosts of M. bovis whereby its transmission to humans is primarily through the consumption of cattle products such as unpasteurized milk or raw meat products that have been contaminated with M. bovis or the transmission could be due to close contact with infected cattle. Also, the transmission could occur through aerosol inhalation of infective droplets or infected body fluids or tissues in the presence of wound from infected animals. The zoonotic risk of M. bovis in humans exemplified by miscellaneous studies across different countries suggested the risk of occupational exposure towards M. bovis infection, especially those animal handlers that have close and unreserved contact with cattle and wildlife populations These animal handlers comprising of livestock farmers, abattoir workers, veterinarians and their assistants, hunters, wildlife workers as well as other animal handlers are at different risk of contracting M. bovis infection, depending on the nature of their jobs and how close is their interaction with infected animals. It is crucial to identify the underlying transmission risk factors and probable transmission pathways involved in the zoonotic transmission of M. bovis from animals to humans for better designation and development of specific preventive measures and guidelines that could reduce the risk of transmission and to protect these different occupational-related/populations at risk. Effective control and disease management of zoonotic tuberculosis caused by M. bovis in humans are also hindered by various challenges and factors involved at animal-human interface. A closer look into factors affecting proper disease control and management of M. bovis are therefore warranted. Hence, in this narrative review, we have gathered a number of different studies to highlight the risk of occupational exposure to M. bovis infection and addressed the limitations and challenges underlying this context. This review also shed lights on various components and approaches in tackling M. bovis infection at animal-human interface.

Matched MeSH terms: Occupational Exposure*
Variations in occupational exposure to magnetic fields among welders in Malaysia

Man AK, Shahidan R

Radiat Prot Dosimetry, 2008;128(4):444-8.
PMID: 18045796

This study attempted to estimate the lifelong magnetic field (MF) exposures of a particular group of welders. Exposure was quantified via measurements, observations and interviews. It was found that these welders face a vast range of lifelong MF exposures depending on the welding processes and duration of the welding tasks performed. This may explain the inconsistency in the results of studies of MF exposures on human health. The mere assessing of the MF exposure levels through spot measurements does not give an overall picture of the total amount of exposure received by the welders as some of these workers performed the welding task throughout the day, whereas others performed this as a part of their job. The exposure to various chemicals in the fume may complicate the interpretation of the elevated health risk among the welders.

Matched MeSH terms: Occupational Exposure*
Fulltext Relationship between selected health problems and exposures among women semiconductor workers in Malaysia

Chee HL, Rampal KG

Med J Malaysia, 2003 Aug;58(3):387-98.
PMID: 14750379

A study conducted between 1998-2001 on the semiconductor industry in Penang and Selangor found that irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea and stress were identified as the three leading health problems by women workers from a checklist of 16 health problems. After adjusting for confounding factors, including age, working duration in current factory, and marital status, in a multiple logistic regression model, wafer polishing workers were found to experience significantly higher odds of experiencing irregular menstruation. Dysmenorrhea was found to be significantly associated with chemical usage and poor ventilation, while stress was found to be related to poor ventilation, noise and low temperatures.

Matched MeSH terms: Occupational Exposure*
SCATTER RADIATION IN THE FLUOROSCOPY-GUIDED INTERVENTIONAL ROOM

Bohari A, Hashim S, Mohd Mustafa SN

Radiat Prot Dosimetry, 2020 Jun 24;188(3):397-402.
PMID: 31950168 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncz299

Radiation scattered throughout the room during fluoroscopy-guided interventional (FGI) procedures was quantified at different locations using nanoDot optically stimulated luminescence dosemeters. All the tube angulation imaging shows that the radiation spectrum resembled a single peak distribution. The left anterior oblique 90° shows the highest single peak distribution (28.65 mSv/h). The single peak distribution for standard anteroposterior, left anterior oblique 45° and right anterior oblique 45° imaging was 13.32, 22.99 and 17.40 mSv/h, respectively. All tube angulation shows that the position of the interventional radiologist experienced a higher radiation level compared to other staffs. The doses of radiation varied widely around the perimeter of the patient's table and changed in accordance to imaging angles during procedures. Knowledge pertaining to radiation exposure levels is integral in order to avoid adverse risks, particularly among staff.

Matched MeSH terms: Occupational Exposure*
Effects of Bauxite and Alumina Exposure on Incidence of Cancer - Meta-analysis

Thevi T, Abas AL

Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ), 2021 6 25;18(72):414-419.
PMID: 34165102

Bauxite is an ore from which Aluminium is produced. Malaysia, once the leading producer of bauxite has reduced production as mining activity has caused community outrage. Due to concerns about health concerns, rising pollution and environmental hazards, the government has revoked the licenses of bauxite miners. We therefore did a meta-analysis to assess the relationship between exposure to Bauxite and Alumina with incidence of various types of cancers. Bauxite mines and alumina refineries. Individuals of all ages exposed to Bauxite and Alumina. Exposure to bauxite and alumina. Incidence due to overall cancers and specific types of cancers. Exposure to bauxite and alumina did not cause variations in incidence of overall cancer and specific types of cancer such as cancer of lip, cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx, cancer of digestive organs and others. We conclude that there is no evidence that bauxite or alumina exposure cause increase incidence of cancer but due to the small number of studies included in this review, we recommend more cohort studies to be done in future.

Matched MeSH terms: Occupational Exposure*
Fulltext Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Findings With Click and CE-Chirp Stimulations in Noise-Exposed Participants

Zakaria MN, Abdul Wahab NA, Awang MA

Noise Health, 2017 12 2;19(87):112-113.
PMID: 29192621 DOI: 10.4103/nah.NAH_2_17
Matched MeSH terms: Occupational Exposure*
Impact of heat stress on health-related symptoms and physiological changes among workers at a palm oil mill in Mukah, Sarawak, Malaysia

Vallennie V, Isa SNI, Mazlan AZ, Shaifuddin SNM

Med J Malaysia, 2024 Mar;79(Suppl 1):82-87.
PMID: 38555890

INTRODUCTION: The palm oil (PO) industry is one of the most important sectors in the Malaysian economy. Workers at PO mills are, however, at risk for a number of health and safety issues, including heat stress, as the PO is one of the industries with high heat exposure. Heat stress occurs when a person's body cannot get rid of excess heat. Heat stress can result in heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat rash, and heat stroke. It also results in physiological and psychological changes that can have an impact on a worker's performance. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of heat stress on health-related symptoms and physiological changes among workers in a PO mill.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a PO mill located in Mukah, Sarawak, Malaysia. Thirty-one workers from the four workstations (sterilizer, boiler, oil, and engine rooms) were selected as the respondents in this study. Wet Bulb Globe Thermometer was used in this study to measure the environmental temperature (WBGTin). Body core temperature (BCT), blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR) were recorded both before and after working in order to assess the physiological effects of heat stress on workers. A set of questionnaires were used to determine sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents and their symptoms related to heat stress. Data were then analyzed using SPSS Ver28.
RESULTS: The WBGTin was found to be above the ACGIH threshold limit value of heat stress exposure in the engine room, sterilizer, and boiler workstations (>28.0°C). Additionally, there was a significant difference in the worker's BCT in these three workstations before and after work (p<0.05). Only the systolic BP and HR of those working at the boiler workstation showed significant difference between before and after work (p<0.05). The most typical symptoms that workers experience as a result of being exposed to heat at work include headache and fatigue. However, statistical analysis using Spearman Rho's test showed that there is no correlation between heat stress level with physiological changes and health-related symptoms among study respondents (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION: Results of the present study confirmed that workers in PO mill were exposed to high temperatures while at work. Although the evidence indicates the physiological parameters in general are not significantly affected while working, it also demonstrated that worker's body adapts and acclimates to the level of heat. Even so, precautions should still be taken to reduce future heat exposure. It is recommended that a physiological study be carried out that focuses on cognitive function impairment to support the evidence regarding the effects of heat stress on PO mill workers.

Matched MeSH terms: Occupational Exposure*
Development of Welding Fumes Health Index (WFHI) for Welding Workplace's Safety and Health Assessment

Hariri A, Paiman NA, Leman AM, Md Yusof MZ

Iran J Public Health, 2014 Aug;43(8):1045-59.
PMID: 25927034

This study aimed to develop an index that can rank welding workplace that associate well with possible health risk of welders.

Matched MeSH terms: Occupational Exposure
Job strain and its associated factors among lecturers in the School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia and Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Huda BZ, Rusli BN, Naing L, Winn T, Tengku MA, Rampal KG

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2004;16(1):32-40.
PMID: 18839865

A cross-sectional study to assess job strain and its associated factors among lecturers of the School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) was undertaken between August 2001 and May 2002. The original English version of the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) version 1.7 (revised 1997) by Robert Karasek based on the Job Strain Model was self-administered to 73 (response rate 58.4%) and 80 (response rate 41.7%) lecturers in the medical faculties of USM and UKM respectively. The prevalence of job strain (defined by low decision latitude and high psychological demand) in USM and UKM was 23.3% and 17.5%, respectively; the difference was not significant (p 2 0.05). Analysis showed that the associated factors of job strain in USM lecturers were psychological stressors (adjusted OR 1.2, 95% CI: 1.0, 1.4), created skill (adjusted OR 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2, 0.8), working in clinical-based departments (adjusted OR 18.9, 95% CI: 1.6, 22.7). The risk factors of job strain in UKM lecturers were created skill (adjusted OR 0.3, 95% CI: 0.1, 0.9), psychological stressors (adjusted OR 1.2, 95% CI: 1.0, 1.5) and co-worker support (adjusted OR 0.3, 95% CI: 0.1, 0.9). We conclude psychological stressors and created skill were nonprotective and protective, respectively, against job strain in both USM and UKM lecturers.

Matched MeSH terms: Occupational Exposure*
The potential risk from 222radon posed to archaeologists and earth scientists: reconnaissance study of radon concentrations, excavations, and archaeological shelters in the Great Cave of Niah, Sarawak, Malaysia

Gillmore G, Gilbertson D, Grattan J, Hunt C, McLaren S, Pyatt B, et al.

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf, 2005 Feb;60(2):213-27.
PMID: 15546638

This reconnaissance study of radon concentrations in the Great Cave of Niah in Sarawak shows that in relatively deep pits and trenches in surficial deposits largely covered by protective shelters with poor ventilation, excavators are working in a micro-environment in which radon concentrations at the ground surface can exceed those of the surrounding area by a factor of > x 2. Although radon concentrations in this famous cave are low by world standards (alpha track-etch results ranging from 100 to 3075 Bq m(-3)), they still may pose a health risk to both excavators (personal dosemeter readings varied from 0.368 to 0.857 mSv for 60 days of work) and cave occupants (1 yr exposure at 15 h per day with an average radon level of 608 Bq m(-3) giving a dose of 26.42 mSv). The data here presented also demonstrate that there is considerable local variation in radon levels in such environments as these.

Matched MeSH terms: Occupational Exposure*
Fulltext Effect of exposure to dust on lung function of cement factory workers

Noor H, Yap CL, Zolkepli O, Faridah M

Med J Malaysia, 2000 Mar;55(1):51-7.
PMID: 11072491 MyJurnal

Exposure to Portland cement dust has long been associated with the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and varying degrees of airway obstruction in man. Apart from respiratory diseases, it was also found to be the cause of lung and laryngeal cancer, gastrointestinal tumours and also dermatitis. This study was done to investigate the effect of dust exposure on ventilatory lung function of Portland cement factory workers in Rawang, Selangor. Spirometry tests of 62 male workers (exposed to total dust concentration of 10,180 micrograms/m3 and PM10 of 8049 micrograms/m3) and 70 subjects from UPM (exposed to mean total dust of 192 micrograms/m3 and PM10 of 177 micrograms/m3--controls) revealed significant differences in spirometry values between the groups. The workers showed i) significantly lower FEV1% and FEF25-75%, and higher FMFT, ii) reduced FEV1% with increasing level of dust exposure and iii) higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms. Therefore, we suggest that exposure to dust in the cement factory leads to higher incidence of respiratory symptoms and impaired lung function.

Matched MeSH terms: Occupational Exposure*
Ergonomic risk factors of work processes in the semiconductor industry in Peninsular Malaysia

Chee HL, Rampal KG, Chandrasakaran A

Ind Health, 2004 Jul;42(3):373-81.
PMID: 15295910

A cross-sectional survey of semiconductor factories was conducted to identify the ergonomic risk factors in the work processes, the prevalence of body pain among workers, and the relationship between body pain and work processes. A total of 906 women semiconductor workers took part in the study. In wafer preparation and polishing, a combination of lifting weights and prolonged standing might have led to high pain prevalences in the low back (35.0% wafer preparation, 41.7% wafer polishing) and lower limbs (90.0% wafer preparation, 66.7% wafer polishing). Semiconductor front of line workers, who mostly walked around to operate machines in clean rooms, had the lowest prevalences of body pain. Semiconductor assembly middle of line workers, especially the molding workers, who did frequent lifting, had high pain prevalences in the neck/shoulders (54.8%) and upper back (43.5 %). In the semiconductor assembly end of line work section, chip inspection workers who were exposed to prolonged sitting without back support had high prevalences of neck/shoulder (62.2%) and upper back pain (50.0%), while chip testing workers who had to climb steps to load units had a high prevalence of lower limb pain (68.0%). Workers in the assembly of electronic components, carrying out repetitive tasks with hands and fingers, and standing in awkward postures had high pain prevalences in the neck/shoulders (61.5%), arms (38.5%), and hands/wrists (30.8%).

Matched MeSH terms: Occupational Exposure*
Burnout, Mental Health, and Quality of Life Among Employees of a Malaysian Hospital: A Cross-sectional Study

Woon LS, Tiong CP

Ann Work Expo Health, 2020 11 16;64(9):1007-1019.
PMID: 32918467 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxaa075

Burnout and mental health issues are common among healthcare workers. Burnout and mental ill-health may also adversely affect quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of burnout, mental ill-health, and QOL among employees of Hospital Bentong in Pahang state, Malaysia. This was a 2-week, cross-sectional online survey for Hospital Bentong employees. It consisted of (i) sociodemographic data, (ii) respondents' perceptions, (iii) Malay-version Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), (iv) 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress scale (DASS-21), and (v) WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) instrument. In total, 52.4% of hospital employees (N = 251) participated in the study. The burnout rates were 17.5% (personal burnout), 13.9% (work burnout), and 6.0% (client burnout). The prevalence rates of depression, anxiety, and stress were 18.7, 38.6, and 12.0%, respectively. In multivariate regression analysis, personal burnout was associated with Malay ethnicity [odds ratio (OR) = 4.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.41-18.17], management and professional position (OR = 3.89, 95% CI = 1.34-11.29), and having financial problem (OR = 3.29, 95% CI = 1.53-7.06). Work burnout was associated with management and professional position (OR = 7.26, 95% CI = 1.84-28.59), having problem with colleagues (OR = 2.85, 95% CI = 1.08-7.50), and having financial problem (OR = 4.41, 95% CI = 1.82-10.72), while age (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.00-1.25) and male gender (OR = 7.14, 95% CI = 2.00-25.55) were significant factors for client burnout. There were moderate-to-strong correlations between CBI, DASS-21, and WHOQOL-BREF scores (P values <0.01). In mediation analysis, mental ill-health was shown to have significant mediating effect in the relationship between burnout and poor QOL. Such findings need to be replicated across different hospital settings. Studies on effectiveness strategies to manage identified issues will be required.

Matched MeSH terms: Occupational Exposure*
Fulltext Radiological hazard associated with amang processing industry in Peninsular Malaysia and its environmental impacts

Sanusi MSM, Ramli AT, Hashim S, Lee MH

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf, 2021 Jan 15;208:111727.
PMID: 33396058 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111727

Continuous depletion in tin productions has led to a newly emerging industry that is a tin by-product (amang) processing industry to harness mega tons of tin by-products produced in the past. Amang composed of profitable multi-heavy minerals and rare-earth elements. With poorly established safety and health practices in operating plant, amang poses extremely high radioactivity problem associated with high occupational ionizing radiation exposures to workers and continuously impacting the local environment with radioactive contamination from industrial effluent and solid waste into lithosphere and water bodies. The radioactivity level of 238U and 232Th series in the mineral varies from few hundreds up to ~200,000 and ~400,000 Bq kg-1 respectively and are potential to yield more than ~ 30,000 nGy h-1 of gamma (γ) radiation exposure to plant workers. The study found out that for 8 h of work time, a worker is estimated to receive an average effective dose of 0.1 mSv per day from external γ radiation source with a maximum up to 2 mSv per day for extreme exposure situation. Interferences of different exposure routes for examples inhalation of equivalent equilibrium concentration (ECC) of 222Rn and 220Rn progenies and airborne long-lived α particles from the dusty working environment could pose a higher total effective dose as much as 5 mSv per day and 115 mSv per year. The value is 5 times higher than the annual dose limit for designated radiation worker (20 mSv) in Peninsular Malaysia. The study found that 41% of the total received an effective dose received by a worker is contributed by 222Rn, 32% of airborne particulates and dust, 23% from external γ exposure and 4% from 220Rn. Based on radioecological risk assessment, the study found out that the aquatic environment is the highly exposed group to ionizing radiation from industrial effluent discharge and sand residues. With the impotent establishment of radiation protection in the industry, plus the country newly introduced long-term plan to revive tin mining as well as its accessory amang mineral, it is necessary for the government to harmonize current regulation to improve the worker safety and health as well as sustaining local environment.

Matched MeSH terms: Occupational Exposure*
Fulltext Noise characteristics of grass-trimming machine engines and their effect on operators

Mallick Z, Badruddin IA, Khaleed Hussain MT, Salman Ahmed NJ, Kanesan J

Noise Health, 2009 Apr-Jun;11(43):98-102.
PMID: 19414929 DOI: 10.4103/1463-1741.50694

Over the last few years, interaction of humans with noisy power-driven agricultural tools and its possible adverse after effects have been realized. Grass-trimmer engine is the primary source of noise and the use of motorized cutter, spinning at high speed, is the secondary source of noise to which operators are exposed. In the present study, investigation was carried out to determine the effect of two types of grass-trimming machine engines (SUM 328 SE and BG 328) noise on the operators in real working environment. It was found that BG-328 and SUM-328 SE produced high levels of noise, of the order of 100 and 105 dB(A), respectively, to which operators are exposed while working. It was also observed that situation aggravates when a number of operators simultaneously operate resulting in still higher levels of noise. Operators should be separated 15 meters from each other in order to avoid the combined level of noise exposure while working with these machines. It was found that SPL, of the grass-trimmer machine engines (BG-328 and SUM-328 SE), were higher than the limit of noise recommended by ISO, NIOSH, and OSHA for an 8-hour workday. Such a high level of noise exposure may cause physiological and psychological problems to the operators in long run.

Matched MeSH terms: Occupational Exposure/analysis*
Assessment of exposure of professional agricultural operators to pesticides

Wong HL, Garthwaite DG, Ramwell CT, Brown CD

Sci Total Environ, 2018 Apr 01;619-620:874-882.
PMID: 29734633 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.127

This study investigates how field practices in handling and applying pesticides influence the long-term patterns of professional agricultural operators' exposure to pesticides. It presents the first use of a comprehensive pesticide application dataset collected on behalf of the European Food Safety Authority with 50 operators selected to cover arable and orchard cropping systems in Greece, Lithuania and the UK. Exposure was predicted based on the harmonised Agricultural Operator Exposure Model (AOEM) and compared with Acceptable Operator Exposure Levels (AOELs). The amount of pesticides handled by individual operators across a cropping season was largest in the UK arable and orchard systems (median 580 and 437kg active substance, respectively), intermediate for the arable systems in Greece and Lithuania (151 and 77kg, respectively), and smallest in the Greek orchard system (22kg). Overall, 30 of the 50 operators made at least one application within a day with predicted exposure greater than the AOEL. The rate of AOEL exceedance was greatest in the Greek cropping systems (8 orchard operators, 2.8-16% of total applications; 7 arable operators, 1.1-14% of total applications), and least for the Lithuanian arable system (2 operators, 2.9-4.5% of total applications). Instances in Greece when predicted exposure exceed the AOEL were strongly influenced by the widespread use of wettable powder formulations (>40% of the total pesticide active substance handled for 11 of the 20 Greek operators). In contrast, the total area of land treated with an active substance on a single day was more important in the UK and Lithuania (95th percentile observed value was 132 and 19haday-1 for UK arable and orchard systems, respectively). Study findings can be used to evaluate current assumptions in regulatory exposure calculations and to identify situations with potential risk that require further analysis including measurements of exposure to validate model estimations.

Matched MeSH terms: Occupational Exposure/statistics & numerical data*
Environmental hazards posed by mine dust, and monitoring method of mine dust pollution using remote sensing technologies: An overview

Yu H, Zahidi I

Sci Total Environ, 2023 Mar 15;864:161135.
PMID: 36566867 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161135

The over-exploitation of mineral resources has led to increasingly serious dust pollution in mines, resulting in a series of negative impacts on the environment, mine workers (occupational health) and nearby residents (public health). For the environment, mine dust pollution is considered a major threat on surface vegetation, landscapes, weather conditions and air quality, leading to serious environmental damage such as vegetation reduction and air pollution; for occupational health, mine dust from the mining process is also regarded as a major threat to mine workers' health, leading to occupational diseases such as pneumoconiosis and silicosis; for public health, the pollutants contained in mine dust may pollute surrounding rivers, farmlands and crops, which poses a serious risk to the domestic water and food security of nearby residents who are also susceptible to respiratory diseases from exposure to mine dust. Therefore, the second section of this paper combines literature research, statistical studies, and meta analysis to introduce the public mainly to the severity of mine dust pollution and its hazards to the environment, mine workers (occupational health), and residents (public health), as well as to present an outlook on the management of mine dust pollution. At the same time, in order to propose a method for monitoring mine dust pollution on a regional scale, based on the Dense Dark Vegetation (DDV) algorithm, the third section of this paper analysed the aerosol optical depth (AOD) change in Dexing City of China using the data of 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2021 from the NASA MCD19A2 Dataset to explore the mine dust pollution situation and the progress of pollution treatment in Dexing City from 2010 to 2021. As a discussion article, this paper aims to review the environmental and health risks caused by mine dust pollution, to remind the public to take mine dust pollution seriously, and to propose the use of remote sensing technologies to monitor mine dust pollution, providing suggestions for local governments as well as mines on mine dust monitoring measures.

Matched MeSH terms: Occupational Exposure*
Assessment of occupational exposure to pesticide mixtures with endocrine-disrupting activity

Wong HL, Garthwaite DG, Ramwell CT, Brown CD

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2019 Jan;26(2):1642-1653.
PMID: 30448946 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-3676-5

Occupational exposure to pesticide mixtures comprising active substance(s) and/or co-formulant(s) with known/possible endocrine-disrupting activity was assessed using long-term activity records for 50 professional operators representing arable and orchard cropping systems in Greece, Lithuania, and the UK. Exposure was estimated using the harmonised Agricultural Operator Exposure Model, and risk was quantified as a point of departure index (PODI) using the lowest no observed (adverse) effect level. Use of substances with known/possible endocrine activity was common, with 43 of the 50 operators applying at least one such active substance on more than 50% of spray days; at maximum, one UK operator sprayed five such active substances and 10 such co-formulants in a single day. At 95th percentile, total exposure was largest in the UK orchard system (0.041 × 10-2 mg kg bw-1 day-1) whereas risk was largest in the Greek cropping systems (PODI 0.053 × 10-1). All five cropping systems had instances indicating potential for risk when expressed at a daily resolution (maximum PODI 1.2-10.7). Toxicological data are sparse for co-formulants, so combined risk from complex mixtures of active substances and co-formulants may be larger in reality.

Matched MeSH terms: Occupational Exposure/analysis*
Fulltext The presence of radioactive heavy minerals in prospecting trenches and concomitant occupational exposure

Hanfi MYM, Masoud MS, Sayyed MI, Khandaker MU, Faruque MRI, Bradley DA, et al.

PLoS One, 2021;16(3):e0249329.
PMID: 33788889 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249329

Uranium, perhaps the most strategically important component of heavy minerals, finds particular significance in the nuclear industry. In prospecting trenches, the radioactivity of 238U and 232Th provides a good signature of the presence of heavy minerals. In the work herein, the activity concentrations of several key primordial radionuclides (238U, 232Th, and 40K) were measured in prospecting trenches (each of the latter being of approximately the same geometry and physical situation). All of these are located in the Seila area of the South Eastern desert of Egypt. A recently introduced industry standard, the portable hand-held RS-230 BGO gamma-ray spectrometer (1024 channels) was employed in the study. Based on the measured data, the trenches were classified as either non-regulated (U activity less than 1000 Bq kg-1) or regulated (with 238U activity more than 1000 Bq kg-1). Several radiological hazard parameters were calculated, statistical analysis also being performed to examine correlations between the origins of the radionuclides and their influence on the calculated values. While the radioactivity and hazard parameters exceed United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) guided limits, the mean annual effective doses of 0.49 and 1.4 mSv y-1 in non-regulated and regulated trenches respectively remain well below the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommended 20 mSv/y maximum occupational limit. This investigation reveals that the studied area contains high uranium content, suitable for extraction of U-minerals for use in the nuclear fuel cycle.

Matched MeSH terms: Occupational Exposure/analysis*
Occupational disease among non-governmental employees in Malaysia: 2002-2006

Abas AB, Said AR, Mohammed MA, Sathiakumar N

Int J Occup Environ Health, 2008 Oct-Dec;14(4):263-71.
PMID: 19043913

In the absence of systematic occupational disease surveillance, other data collected by governmental agencies or industry is useful in the identification of occupational diseases and their control. We examined data on occupational diseases reported by non-governmental employees to the national workers' social security organization in Malaysia, 2002-2006. The overall incidence rate of occupational disease was 2.8 per 100,000 workers. There was an increase in the annual number and rates of occupational disease over time. The most frequently reported conditions were hearing impairment (32%) and musculoskeletal disorders (28%). Workers in the non-metallic manufacturing industry had the highest average incidence rate of hearing impairment (12.7 per 100,000 workers) and musculoskeletal disorders (3.5 per 100,000 workers), compared to all other industries. Preventive measures should focus on safety education, engineering control and workplace ergonomics. Enforcing workplace standards and incorporating an ongoing surveillance system will facilitate the control and reduction of occupational disease.

Matched MeSH terms: Occupational Exposure/adverse effects; Occupational Exposure/prevention & control; Occupational Exposure/statistics & numerical data*

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