Investigation on health status of workers exposed to glyphosate / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: To analyze the concentrations of glyphosate and its metabolites in occupational exposed workers and their possible effects on human health, so as to provide a reference for improving the safe use of glyphosate and toxicity research. Methods: From April to December 2020, 247 workers directly exposed to glyphosate in 5 enterprises were selected as the contact group, and 237 workers who were not exposed to glyphosate and other pesticides in the same enterprise were selected as the control group. Questionnaire survey and occupational health examination were conducted on objects, and the concentrations of glyphosate and its metabolites in the air of workplaces and biological samples were detected. The correlation between the concentrations and the difference of health examination between the two groups were analyzed. Results: The urine glyphosate concentration (0.022-47.668 mg/L), the rate of exceeding the standard (60.32%, 149/247) and the urine aminomethyl phosphonic acid concentration (<0.010-1.624 mg/L) in the contact group were higher than those in the control group [urine glyphosate concentration (<0.020-4.482 mg/L), the rate of exceeding the standard (2.53%, 6/237) and the urine aminomethyl phosphonic acid concentration (<0.010-0.524 mg/L) ], respectively (P<0.001). The exceeding standard rate of glyphosate concentration in the workplace was 33.67% (33/98). The concentration of glyphosate in the workplace was positively correlated with the concentrations of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid in urine (r(s)=0.804, 0.238, P<0.001), and the concentration of glyphosate in urine was positively correlated with the concentration of aminomethylphosphonic acid in urine (r(s)=0.549, P<0.001). The alanine aminotransferase (ALT), white cell ratio, creatinine, uric acid, the abnormal rates of ALT and total protein (TP) in the contact group were higher than those in the control group, and TP was lower than that in the control group, the differences were statistically different (P<0.05). The abnormal rates of overall liver function, overall renal function, blood routine test, urine routine test, electrocardiogram, liver B ultrasound and blood lipid in the contact group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05) . Conclusion: The concentration of glyphosate in the workplace is related to the concentrations of glyphosate and aminomethyl phosphonic acid in the urine of workers, and exposure to glyphosate may have some harmful effects on human health.

Research progress of occupational hazards in plywood manufacturing / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Occupational disease hazards in plywood manufacturing mainly include wood dust, formaldehyde, phenol, ammonia, noise, terpene, microorganisms, etc. The exposure is complex with multiple factors accompanied or coexisted. In the production process, these factors are exceeded, and mass occupational disease hazard events occurred among workers. Exposure to wood dust, formaldehyde, terpene, etc., put workers at increased risk of cancer. This article provides a review of this issue in order to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of occupational disease hazards in plywood manufacturing.

41 cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease caused by occupational irritating chemicals / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: To analyze the case characteristics of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease caused by occupational irritant chemicals (OI-COPD). To provide basis for revising its diagnostic criteria. Methods: From June to December 2021, we investigated the information of OI-COPD patients confirmed by Shandong Institute of Occupational Health and Prevention of Occupational Diseases, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Institute of Occupational Disease Prevention and Control, Qingdao Central Hospital affiliated to Qingdao University and other diagnostic institutions in the past five years, a total of 41 cases. The basic information of OI-COPD cases, occupational risk factors exposure information, medical history, smoking history and clinical symptoms were analyzed retrospectively. The measurement data were tested for normal distribution, which was described by x±s, and compared between groups by t test; Those who do not conform to the normal distribution are described by the median [M (Q(1), Q(3)) ] and analyzed by nonparametric test; The counting data were expressed in frequency and rate (% ), and the comparison between groups was tested. Results: Of the 41 cases, 33 were male and 8 were female. The age of the patient diagnosed with OI-COPD was (49.5±10.3) years old, and the minimum age was 30 years old; Among them, 8 patients had a definite long-term smoking history (more than 5 years) ; The exposure duration of occupational risk factors was (18.6±10.3) years, of which 3 patients had exposure duration of less than 5 years; The occupational risk factors leading to OI-COPD include acids and acid-forming compounds, bases, aldehydes, nitrogen oxides, chlorine and its compounds, etc. The exposure level of occupational risk factors is related to the degree of COPD airflow restriction (χ(2)=6.17, P <0.05). 18 patients with diagnosis age <50 years old were diagnosed as early-onset COPD. The incidence of respiratory symptoms in the early diagnosis COPD group was lower than that in the non-early diagnosis COPD group, and the FEV1% pred was significantly higher than that in the non-early diagnosis COPD group. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.01 ) . Conclusion: The exposure level of occupational risk factors may be the risk factor affecting the degree of COPD airflow restriction. With the increase of the exposure level of COPD patients, the proportion of respiratory symptoms will also increase accordingly.

Paternal occupational exposures and infant congenital heart defects in the Japan Environment and Children's Study

BACKGROUND@#Few prospective studies have investigated the association between paternal occupational exposures and risk of infant congenital heart defects (CHDs). We investigated the associations between paternal occupational exposures, frequency of use, and concurrent or sequential exposure to a mixture of compounds and the risk of infant CHDs.@*METHODS@#Our study examined 28,866 participants in the Japan Environment and Children's Study. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) associated with paternal occupational exposures during the 3 months until pregnancy was noticed after adjustment for potential confounding factors of the infant CHDs. CHD diagnosis was ascertained from medical record.@*RESULTS@#In total, 175 were diagnosed with infant CHDs. The number of fathers who were exposed to the following substances at least once a month were: 11,533 for photo copying machine/laser printer, 10,326 for permanent marker, 8,226 for soluble paint/inkjet printer, 6,188 for kerosene/petroleum/benzene/gasoline, 4,173 for organic solvents, 3,433 for chlorine bleach/germicide, 2,962 for engine oil, 2,931 for insecticide, 2,460 for medical sterilizing disinfectant, 1,786 for welding fumes, 1,614 for dyestuffs, 1,247 for any products containing lead-like solder, 986 for herbicide, 919 for radiation/radioactive substances/isotopes, 837 for lead-free solder, 341 for microbes, 319 for formalin/formaldehyde, 301 for agricultural chemical not listed above or unidentified, 196 for general anesthetic for surgery at hospital, 171 for anti-cancer drug, 147 for chromium/arsenic/cadmium, 88 for mercury and 833 for other chemical substances. Paternal occupational exposure regularly to photo copying machine or laser printer and soluble paint/inkjet printer were associated with higher risks of infant CHDs: the adjusted ORs (95%CIs) were 1.38 (1.00-1.91) and 1.60 (1.08-2.37), respectively. The higher risks were also observed for occasional exposure to engine oil, any products containing lead-like solder lead-free solder, and microbes; the adjusted ORs (95%CIs) were 1.68 (1.02-2.77), 2.03 (1.06-3.88), 3.45 (1.85-6.43), and 4.51, (1.63-12.49), respectively.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Periconceptional paternal occupational exposure was associated with a higher risk of infant CHDs. Further studies using biomarkers of the association between paternal occupational exposure and infant CHDs are warranted.

Two cases of airway dysfunction related to diacetyl exposure / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Occupational exposure to diacetyl can lead to bronchiolitis obliterans. In this paper, two patients with severe obstructive ventilation disorder who were exposed to diacetyl at a fragrance and flavours factory were analyzed. The clinical manifestations were cough and shortness of breath. One of them showed Mosaic shadows and uneven perfusion in both lungs on CT, while the other was normal. Field investigation found that 4 of the 8 workers in the factory were found to have obstructive ventilation disorder, and 2 had small airway dysfunction. This paper summarizes the diagnostic process of patients in order to improve the understanding of airway dysfunction caused by occupational exposure to diacetyl and promote the development of relevant standards.

Correlation analysis and benchmark dose study on bone metabolic biochemical index of low doses of exposed hydrogen fluoride workers / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: To analyze correlation of occupational hydrogen fluoride exposure to low doses of bone metabolism index through occupational epidemiological investigation and benchmark dose calculation. Methods: In May 2021, using cluster sampling method, 237 workers exposed to hydrogen fluoride in a company were selected as the contact group, and 83 workers not exposed to hydrogen fluoride in an electronics production company were selected as the control group. The external exposure dose and urinary fluoride concentration, blood and urine biochemical indicators of the workers was measured.The relationship between external dose and internal dose of hydrogen fluoride was analyzed. The external dose, urinary fluoride was used as exposure biomarkers, while serum osteocalcin (BGP), serum alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and urinary hydroxyproline (HYP) were used as effect biomarkers for bone metabolism of hydrogen fluoride exposure. The benchmark dose calculation software (BMDS1.3.2) was used to calculate benchmark dose (BMD) . Results: Urine fluoride concentration in the contact group was correlated with creatinine-adjusted urine fluoride concentration (r=0.69, P=0.001). There was no significant correlation between the external dose of hydrogen fluoride and urine fluoride in the contact group (r=0.03, P=0.132). The concentrations of urine fluoride in the contact group and the control group were (0.81±0.61) and (0.45±0.14) mg/L, respectively, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (t=5.01, P=0.025). Using BGP, AKP and HYP as effect indexes, the urinary BMDL-05 values were 1.28, 1.47 and 1.08 mg/L, respectively. Conclusion: Urinary fluoride can sensitively reflect the changes in the effect indexes of biochemical indexes of bone metabolism. BGP and HYP can be used as early sensitive effect indexes of occupational hydrogen fluoride exposure.

Research on early warning model of the hearing loss of workers exposed to noise / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: To explore the change of hearing threshold of workers exposed to noise, establish an individual-based hearing loss early warning model, accurately and differentiated the health of workers exposed to noise. Methods: In September 2019, all physical examination data of 561 workers exposed to noise from an enterprise were collected since their employment. Three indicators of average hearing threshold of the better ear, namely, at high frequency, 4000 Hz and speech frequency, were constructed. The generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to adjust gender and age and establish the warning model of each indicator. Finally, sensitive indicators and warning models were screened according to AUC and Yoden index. Results: Among the 561 workers exposed to noise, 26 (4.6%) workers had hearing loss. The sensitivity indicators were the average hearing threshold at speech frequency ≥20 dB, high frequency ≥30 dB and 4000 Hz ≥25 dB. The AUC of each index was 0.602, 0.794 and 0.804, and the Youden indexes were 0.204, 0.588 and 0.608, respectively. In GEE of hearing loss warning models, high-frequency hearing threshold ≥20 dB and 4000 Hz hearing threshold ≥25 dB were the optimal models, with AUC of 0.862. Conclusion: Combined with the changes of individual hearing threshold over the years, can accurately assess the risk of individual hearing loss of workers exposed to noise.

Investigation on diagnosis of pneumoconiosis in non-coal mining industry in Jiangsu Province / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: To understand the incidence of pneumoconiosis in the non-coal mining industry in Jiangsu Province, and provide reference for the prevention and control of pneumoconiosis in the non-coal mining industry. Methods: The data of 7019 newly diagnosed pneumoconiosis patients in non-coal mining industry in Jiangsu Province from January 1956 to December 2019 were collected through the Jiangsu Province Pneumoconiosis Follow-up Network Report System, including the gender of the pneumoconiosis patients, the name of the employer and the location, the industry classification of the employer, the duration of dust exposure in dust exposure, the name of occupational pneumoconiosis disease, the date of diagnosis of pneumoconiosis, etc. The collected case data of patients with pneumoconiosis were entered into the statistical software, and the characteristics of the patients' diagnosis time, region and industry were analyzed. Results: The number of confirmed pneumoconiosis patients in the non-coal mining industry in Jiangsu Province was mostly in 2007 (395 cases) , concentrated in Wuxi City (40.96%, 2875/7019) and Suzhou City (27.72%, 1946/7019) . The industries to which the patients belonged were mainly non-metallic mining and dressing (60.95%, 4278/7019) , and the most common type of pneumoconiosis was silicosis (96.40%, 6766/7019) . The patients were mainly stageⅠpneumoconiosis (61.33%, 4305/7019) . There were statistically significant differences in the mean age of diagnosis and the average duration of dust exposure among patients with different pneumoconiosis stages (P<0.01) . The differences in the average diagnosis age and the average duration of dust exposure of patients with different types of pneumoconiosis were statistically significant (P<0.05) , the mean age of diagnosis and the average duration of dust exposure of electric welders were the smallest, which were (44.92±7.74) years old and (17.38±10.15) years, respectively. Conclusion: The regional and industry distribution characteristics of new pneumoconiosis patients in the non-coal mining industry in Jiangsu Province are obvious, and attention should be paid to the treatment of pneumoconiosis patients with young diagnosed age and short duration of dust exposure, as well as the personal protection and health protection of front-line workers such as electric welders who are exposed to productive dust in a short period of time.

Association between occupational noise exposure and the risk of cardiovascular diseases / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: To explore the association between occupational noise exposure and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in a large Chinese population. Methods: In December 2019, the study included 21412 retired participants from the Dongfeng-Tongji Cohort Study at baseline from September 2008 to June 2010, occupational noise exposure was evaluated through workplace noise level and/or the job titles. In a subsample of 8931 subjects, bilateral hearing loss was defined as a pure-tone mean of 25 dB or higher at 0.5, 1 , 2, and 4 kHz in both ears. Logistic regression models were used to explore the association of occupational noise exposure, bilateral hearing loss with 10-year CVD risk. Results: Compared with participants without occupational noise exposure, the 10-year CVD risk was significantly higher for noise exposure duration ≥20 years (OR=1.20, 95%CI:1.01-1.41 , P=0.001) after adjusting for potential confounders. In the sex-specific analysis, the association was only statistically significant in males (OR=2.34, 95%CI: 1.18-4.66, P<0.001) , but not in females (OR=1.15, 95%CI:0.97-1.37, P=0.153). In the subsample analyses, bilateral hearing loss, which was an indicator for exposure to loud noise, was also associated with a higher risk of 10-year CVD (OR= 1.17, 95% CI:1.05-1.44, P <0.001) , especially for participants who were males (OR =1.24, 95% CI:1.07-2.30, P<0.001) , aged equal and over 60 years old (OR=2.30, 95%CI: 1.84-2.88, P<0.001) , and exposed to occupational noise (OR=1.66, 95%CI: 1.02-2.70, P=0.001). Conclusion: Occupational noise exposure may be a risk factor for CVD.

Mesotelioma y ocupación: revisión de casos en Uruguay: 2002-2014 / Mesothelioma and occupation: review of cases in Uruguay: 2002-2014 / Mesotelioma e ocupação: revisão de casos no Uruguai: 2002-2014

El mesotelioma es considerado en el mundo industrializado a consecuencia de la exposición ocupacional a fibras de asbesto. A nivel país se considera una enfermedad profesional. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue conocer y describir casos de mesotelioma notificados en Uruguay entre los años 2002 y 2014, con énfasis en los aspectos de la exposición ocupacional. El presente trabajo corresponde a un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo, a partir de los casos notificados se recrearon historias médicas enlazando con datos de servicios asistenciales. Se identificaron fuentes de exposición al asbesto en diferentes ocupaciones e industrias en el país. Resultados: fueron notificados 122 casos. Se accedió a la historia clínica en un tercio (47/122). El dato ocupación estaba consignado solo en 27/47, en 3/47 se explicitaba la exposición al asbesto/amianto. Los sectores productivos identificados mayoritariamente correspondieron a transporte, metalúrgico, construcción y limpieza. Se evidenció un registro insuficiente del dato ocupación y de los antecedentes laborales. Ésta información laboral es fundamental para establecer el nexo causal de la exposición en estudio y la condición de enfermedad profesional. La gravedad de la enfermedad y el conocimiento del riesgo derivado de la exposición, laboral, justifica el desarrollo de políticas en salud ocupacional. Es necesario fortalecer la formación de los profesionales de la salud sobre la importancia del trabajo como determinante del proceso salud - enfermedad.

Mesothelioma is considered in the industrialized world as a consequence of occupational exposure to asbestos fibers - asbestos. At the country level it is considered an occupational disease. The objective was to know and describe cases of mesothelioma notified in Uruguay between the years 2002 and 2014, with emphasis on aspects of occupational exposure. The present work corresponds to a retrospective descriptive study, from the reported cases medical records were recreated linking with data from healthcare services. Sources of asbestos exposure were identified in different occupations and industries in the country. Results: 122 cases were notified. The medical history was accessed in one third (47/122). The occupation data was only in 27/47, in 3/47 the exposure to asbestos / asbestos was specified. The productive sectors identified mainly corresponded to transportation, metallurgy, construction and cleaning. Insufficient registration of occupation and employment history was evidenced. This work information is essential to establish the causal link between the exposure under study and the occupational disease condition. The severity of the disease and knowledge of the risk derived from exposure occupational, justify the development of occupation health policies. It is necessary to strengthen the training of health professionals on the importance of work as a determinant of the health - disease process.

O mesotelioma é considerado no mundo industrializado como consequência da exposição ocupacional às fibras de amianto - o asbesto. Em nível nacional, é considerada uma doença ocupacional. O objetivo foi conhecer e descrever os casos de mesotelioma notificados no Uruguai entre os anos de 2002 a 2014, com ênfase nos aspectos de exposição ocupacional. O presente trabalho corresponde a um estudo descritivo retrospectivo, a partir dos casos relatados, prontuários médicos foram recriados vinculando-os a dados de serviços de saúde. Fontes de exposição ao amianto foram identificadas em diferentes ocupações e indústrias no país. Resultados: foram notificados 122 casos. O histórico médico foi acessado em um terço (47/122). Os dados de ocupação foram apenas em 27/47, em 3/47 foi especificada a exposição ao amianto / amianto. Os setores produtivos identificados corresponderam principalmente a transportes, metalurgia, construção e limpeza. Foi evidenciado registro insuficiente de ocupação e histórico de empregos. Essas informações de trabalho são essenciais para estabelecer o nexo causal entre a exposição em estudo e a condição de doença ocupacional. A gravidade da doença e o conhecimento do risco decorrente da exposição ocupacional, justificam o desenvolvimento de políticas de saúde ocupacional. É preciso fortalecer a formação dos profissionais de saúde sobre a importância do trabalho como determinante do processo saúde - doença.

Síntomas osteomusculares en galponeros de granjas avícolas asociados a condiciones del trabajo / Osteomuscular symptoms in poultry farm workers associated with working conditions

INTRODUCCIÓN. Según datos de la Organización Mundial de Salud los trastornos musculoesqueléticos son la principal causa de discapacidad en el mundo; retrasar su diagnóstico provocaría una discapacidad prevenible. OBJETIVO. Determinar la prevalencia de síntomas osteomusculares en galponeros de granjas avícolas asociados a condiciones del trabajo. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS. Estudio descriptivo transversal. Muestra aleatoria estratificada de 223 trabajadores, divididos en 106 galponeros y 117 personal administrativo de granjas avícolas de la provincia de Manabí. Criterios de inclusión: trabajadores mayores de 18 años de edad con al menos un año en la misma actividad. Para el análisis de datos, se utilizó Epi Info versión 7. RESULTADOS. La prevalencia de síntomas osteomusculares en los últimos 12 meses fue mayor en los galponeros en: hombro 81,69% y columna lumbar 56,96%. Mediante un análisis a través de regresión logística se determinó que los galponeros que trabajan por más de 10 años y que realizan movimientos repetitivos en menos de un minuto, tienen mayor riesgo de presentar dolor en el hombro (IC del 95% 1,26 ­ 4,98) e (IC del 95% 1,65 ­ 5,29). CONCLUSIÓN. Se registró la prevalencia de síntomas osteomusculares en galponeros de granjas avícolas asociados a condiciones del trabajo. RECOMENDACIÓN. Es necesario contar con sistemas de vigilancia a fin de proponer estrategias públicas en la industria avícola del Ecuador

INTRODUCTION. According to data from the World Health Organization musculoskeletal disorders are the leading cause of disability in the world; delaying their diagnosis would result in preventable disability. OBJECTIVE. To determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in poultry farm workers associated with working conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Cross-sectional descriptive study. Stratified random sample of 223 workers, divided into 106 poultry sheds workers and 117 administrative personnel of poultry farms in the province of Manabí. Inclusion criteria: Workers over 18 years of age with at least 1 year in the same activity. Fort he data analysis, Epi Info version 7 was used. RESULTS. The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the last 12 months was higher in sheds workers in: shoulder 81,69% and lumbar spine 56,96%. Using logistic regression analysis, it was determined that the sheds workers who have been working for more than 10 years and who perform repetitive movements in less than one minute have a greater risk of presenting shoulder pain (95% CI 1,26 ­ 4,98) and (95% CI 1,65 ­ 5,29). CONCLUSION. The prevalence of osteomuscular symptoms in poultry farm workers associated with working conditions was recorded. RECOMMENDATION. It is necessary to have surveillance systems in order to propose public strategies in the Ecuadorian poultry industry

Estrés ocupacional en docentes universitarios expuestos a riesgos biológicos / Occupational stress in university teachers exposed to biological risks

El estrés laboral ha sido un factor determinante en la aparición de enfermedades en los docentes universitarios, lo cual ha generado absentismo, errores y accidentes en los ambientes de trabajo. El objetivo de esta investigación fue caracterizar el estrés laboral en personal docente universitario del área de la salud, con riesgo biológico. Se realizó una investigación descriptiva, transversal, de campo y prospectiva, con diseño no experimental, en 53 docentes de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, de la Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Ecuador, desde junio de 2018 a junio de 2021, aplicándose el Instrumento de Estrés Laboral OIT-OMS y la estimación índice numérico de riesgo biológico para entornos académicos. Prevalecieron las mujeres (73,6%), mayores de cincuenta años (52,8%) con estrés nivel bajo. Todas las dimensiones del estrés en general mostraron niveles bajos (2,25 ± 1,05), no obstante, al discriminar según el cargo académico, los pocos casos de niveles altos fueron los Auxiliares Titulares, específicamente en las dimensiones: tecnología, clima organizacional y respaldo de grupo, el riesgo biológico ocurre en el 7,5% de los casos y 64,2% similar a la población en general. Se determinó que existen docentes con niveles de estrés que pudieran afectar su homeostasis psico-biológica, por lo cual se recomienda su intervención, independientemente de su escalafón académico o dedicación laboral(AU)

Work stress has been a determining factor in the appearance of illnesses in university teachers, which has generated absenteeism, errors and accidents in work environments. The objective of this research was to characterize work stress in university teaching staff in the health area, with biological risk. A descriptive, cross-sectional, field and prospective research was carried out, with a non-experimental design, in 53 teachers of the Faculty of Health Sciences, of the Technical University of Manabí, Ecuador, from June 2018 to June 2021, applying the ILO-WHO Occupational Stress Instrument and the estimation of the numerical index of biological risk for academic environments. Women (73.6%), older than fifty years (52.8%) with low level stress prevailed. All the stress dimensions in general showed low levels (2.25 ± 1.05), however, when discriminating according to the academic position, the few cases with high levels were the Titular Assistants, specifically in the dimensions: technology, organizational climate and group support, biological risk occurs in 7.5% of cases and 64.2% similar to the general population. It was determined that there are teachers with stress levels that could affect their psycho-biological homeostasis, for which their intervention is recommended, regardless of their academic rank or work dedication(AU)

Prediction of impacts on liver enzymes from the exposure of low-dose medical radiations through artificial intelligence algorithms

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to develop artificial intelligence and machine learning-based models to predict alterations in liver enzymes from the exposure of low annual average effective doses in radiology and nuclear medicine personnel of Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology Hospital. METHODS: Ninety workers from the Radiology and Nuclear Medicine departments were included. A high-capacity thermoluminescent was used for annual average effective radiation dose measurements. The liver function tests were conducted for all subjects and controls. Three supervised learning models (multilayer precentron; logistic regression; and random forest) were applied and cross-validated to predict any alteration in liver enzymes. The t-test was applied to see if subjects and controls were significantly different in liver function tests. RESULTS: The annual average effective doses were in the range of 0.07-1.15 mSv. Alanine transaminase was 50% high and aspartate transaminase was 20% high in radiation workers. There existed a significant difference (p=0.0008) in Alanine-aminotransferase between radiation-exposed and radiation-unexposed workers. Random forest model achieved 90-96.6% accuracies in Alanine-aminotransferase and Aspartate-aminotransferase predictions. The second best classifier model was the Multilayer perceptron (65.5-80% accuracies). CONCLUSION: As there is a need of regular monitoring of hepatic function in radiation-exposed people, our artificial intelligence-based predicting model random forest is proved accurate in prediagnosing alterations in liver enzymes.

Efeitos dos agrotóxicos na saúde do agricultor familiar dos municípios de Capitólio e Pimenta - Minas Gerais: avaliação de biomarcadores colinesterase eritrocitárias e plasmática / Effects of pesticides on the health of family farmers in the cities of Capitólio and Pimenta - Minas Gerais: evaluation of erythrocyte and plasma cholinesterase biomarkers

portuguêsO Brasil é o maior consumidor global de agrotóxico tendo como consequência intoxicações de um grande número de trabalhadores, com altos gastos com a saúde e prejuízos ambientais. Objetivo geral: avaliar os efeitos do uso de agrotóxicos sobre a saúde de trabalhadores atuantes na agricultura familiar. Método: estudo transversal, analítico e comparativo entre o Grupo (1) composto por 80 trabalhadores rurais atuantes na agricultura familiar, expostos diretamente a agrotóxicos e o Grupo (2) composto por 60 usuários dos Programas de Saúde da Família (PSF) dos municípios de Capitólio e Pimenta - Minas Gerais - não diretamente expostos a agrotóxicos sendo o grupo controle por meio da análise de biomarcadores colinesterase eritrocitária e plasmática. Resultados: dos 140 participantes deste estudo, a maioria (51,2%) não referiu problemas de saúde e tratamento medicamentoso, 6,3% deles, expostos a agrotóxicos, referiram intoxicações e 42,5% relataram terem algum sinal e/ou sintoma de intoxicação com predominância (33,8%) para a dor de cabeça. O biomarcador colinesterase eritrocitária apresentou normalidade em 63,8% dos trabalhadores rurais e 36,2% com alteração na butirilcolinesterase. Conclusão: a butirilcolinesterase encontrada em 1/3 dos participantes expostos a agrotóxicos correlacionam-se à presença dos sintomas dor de cabeça e irritabilidade/nervosismo. Existe, portanto, a necessidade da educação e capacitação dos agricultores no uso de agrotóxicos para limitar níveis de exposição e efeitos nocivos à saúde para prevenir, diagnosticar e tratar possíveis disfunções causadas por esses produtos químicos

Brazil is the largest global consumer of pesticides, resulting in the intoxication of a large number of workers, with high expenditures on health and environmental damage. General objective: to evaluate the effects of the use of pesticides on the health of rural workers working in family farming in terms of intoxication through the evaluation of the erythrocyte and plasma cholinesterase biomarkers. Method: cross-sectional, analytical and comparative study between Group (1) of rural workers working in family farming, directly exposed to pesticides and Group (2) of users of Family Health Programs (PSF), in the municipalities of Capitólio and Pimenta - Minas Gerais State (Brazil) - not directly exposed to pesticides, being a control group through the analysis of biomarkers. Results: in this study of 140 participants, the most of them did not report health problems and drug treatment, 6.3% of participants, exposed to pesticides, reported poisoning and 42.5% reported having any signs and/or symptoms of intoxication with predominance for headache. The erythrocyte cholinesterase biomarker showed normality in 63.8% rural workers and 36.2% with alteration in butyrylcholinesterase. Conclusion: butyrylcholinesterase alteration was proven in 36.2% of participants exposed to pesticides and these results correlate with the presence of headache and irritability/nervousness symptoms. There is, therefore, a need for education and training of farmers to limit levels of exposure and harmful health effects to prevent, diagnose and treat possible dysfunctions caused by these chemicals applied to agriculture

Atlas do Câncer Relacionado ao Trabalho no Brasil: Análise Regionalizada e Subsídios para a Vigilância em Saúde do Trabalhador / Atlas of Work-Related Cancer in Brazil: Regionalized Analysis and Subsidies for Occupational Health Surveillance

Considerando a responsabilidade da gestão pública em saúde de auxiliar na formulação de políticas públicas alinhadas aos princípios básicos dos direitos humanos, cidadania e ao trabalho seguro ­ espera-se que esse documento possa subsidiar ações de vigilância, prevenção e controle do CRT que priorizem os trabalhadores de setores e atividades econômicas mais vulneráveis à ocorrência dessas doenças, indiferentemente do vínculo empregatício e forma de inserção no mercado de trabalho, conforme definido na Política Nacional de Saúde do Trabalhador e da Trabalhadora (PNSTT).

Study on the association between occupational noise exposure and cardiovascular diseases / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Occupational noise is one of the most common occupational hazards in the workplace. Long-term exposure to occupational noise could not only lead to the damage of the hearing system, but also may cause a certain impact on the cardiovascular system. Studies have shown that occupational noise exposure was positively associated with cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction. However, the results of studies on occupational noise exposure and stroke are still controversial. This paper reviews the relationship between occupational noise exposure and hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, myocardial infarction by summarizing the epidemiological data of domestic and foreign population in recent years. Our study could provide evidence for the design and implementation of well-designed epidemiological and mechanism studies, and the recognition of the role of occupational noise exposure in the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases, so as to better protect workers' health.

Occupational Health Risk Assessment of Benzene, Toluene, and Xylene in Shanghai / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

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.

Occupational Radiation Exposure and Changes in Thyroid Hormones in a Cohort of Chinese Medical Radiation Workers / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Objective@#This study aimed to evaluate the association between occupational radiation exposure and changes in thyroid hormone levels among medical radiation workers.@*Methods@#This retrospective cohort study included 2,946 radiation workers from 20 Guangzhou hospitals. Data on general characteristics, participant radiation dosimetry, and thyroid function test results [thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroid hormone (T4)] were extracted from dosimetry and medical records. The generalized estimating equation was used to evaluate the trend of changes in thyroid hormone levels over time and was adjusted for age, gender, and occupation.@*Results@#The average annual effective dose was very low and showed a general downward trend. During the follow-up period, changes in T3 and T4 levels among radiation workers were -0.015 [95% confidence interval ( @*Conclusion@#Thyroid hormone secretion might be affected even in low-dose radiation exposure environments.

Effects of exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation on changing platelets: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND@#Numerous studies have concentrated on high-dose radiation exposed accidentally or through therapy, and few involve low-dose occupational exposure, to investigate the correlation between low-dose ionizing radiation and changing hematological parameters among medical workers.@*METHODS@#Using a prospective cohort study design, we collected health examination reports and personal dose monitoring data from medical workers and used Poisson regression and restricted cubic spline models to assess the correlation between changing hematological parameters and cumulative radiation dose and determine the dose-response relationship.@*RESULTS@#We observed that changing platelet of 1265 medical workers followed up was statistically different among the cumulative dose groups (P = 0.010). Although the linear trend tested was not statistically significant (P@*CONCLUSION@#We concluded that although the exposure dose was below the limit, medical workers exposed to low-dose ionizing radiation for a short period of time might have increased first and then decreased platelets, and there was a dose-response relationship between the cumulative radiation dose and platelets changing.

Hearing function of gold miners with and without a history of tuberculosis treatment: a retrospective data review / Função auditiva de garimpeiros com e sem história de tratamento de tuberculose: uma revisão retrospectiva dos dados

Abstract Introduction: South Africa has a high prevalence of co-existing tuberculosis and HIV. As ototoxicity linked to the treatments for these conditions occurs with concomitant exposure to other ear toxins such as hazardous noise exposure, it is important to investigate the combination impact of these toxins. Limited published evidence exists on the co-occurrence of these conditions within this population. Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the hearing function of gold miners with (treatment group) and without (non-treatment group) the history of tuberculosis treatment, in order to determine which group had increased risk of noise induced hearing loss. Furthermore, possible influence of age and HIV in these two groups was examined. Methods: A retrospective record review of 102 miners' audiological records, divided into two groups, was conducted, with data analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Results: Findings suggest that gold miners with a history of tuberculosis treatment have worse hearing thresholds in the high frequencies when compared to those without this history; with evidence of a noise induced hearing loss notch at 6000 Hz in both groups. Pearson's correlations showed values between 0 and 0.3 (0 and −0.3) which are indicative of a weak positive (negative) correlation between HIV and hearing loss, as well as between hearing loss and age in this population. Conclusions: Current findings highlight the importance of strategic hearing conservation programs, including ototoxicity monitoring, and the possible use of oto-protective/chemo-protective agents in this population.

Resumo Introdução: A África do Sul apresenta uma alta prevalência de coinfecção de tuberculose e HIV. Como a ototoxicidade associada aos tratamentos para essas condições é observada na exposição concomitante a outros agentes ototóxicos, como a exposição a ruídos perigosos, é importante investigar o impacto da combinação desses agentes. São poucas as evidências publicadas sobre a co-ocorrência dessas condições nessa população. Objetivo: Comparar a função auditiva de garimpeiros com (grupo tratamento) e sem (grupo sem tratamento) história de tratamento de tuberculose, a fim de determinar que grupo apresentava maior risco de perda auditiva induzida por ruído. Além disso, avaliou-se a possível influência da idade e do HIV nesses dois grupos. Método: Os registros audiológicos de 102 garimpeiros, divididos em dois grupos, foram revisados de forma retrospectiva; os dados foram qualitativa e quantitativamente analisados. Resultados: Os achados indicam os garimpeiros com histórico de tratamento de tuberculose apresentam piores limiares auditivos nas altas frequências quando comparados àqueles sem esse histórico; em ambos os grupos, observou-se perda auditiva induzida por ruído com entalhe audiométrico a 6.000 Hz. As correlações de Pearson mostraram valores entre 0 e 0,3 (0 e -0,3), que são indicativos de uma fraca correlação positiva (negativa) entre o HIV e a perda auditiva, bem como entre a perda auditiva e a idade nessa população. Conclusões: Os resultados atuais destacam a importância de programas estratégicos de conservação auditiva, inclusive monitoramento de ototoxicidade, e o possível uso de agentes oto-/quimioprotetores nessa população.