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

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

Field attenuation characteristics of hearing protectors and differences in estimating their attenuation with different methods.

This study investigated the field attenuation characteristics of hearing protection devices (HPDs), differences in estimating the protection provided by HPDs with different rating methods, and suggested potential solutions on proper use of attenuation ratings to estimate the protection provided by HPDs. The binaural octave-band personal attenuation values obtained from 1583 field users with 3985 fits on seven HPDs were used to compute the field-rating values as described in the International Organization for Standardization standard ISO 4869-2:2018, and the octave-band noise reduction (OB NR) values of each fit for 100 noises. The estimated protection for 100 noises was compared within different rating methods. The OB NR values varied with quality of fit, noise spectra, and HPD. The quality of fit was a crucial factor. Deviations in estimating the protection given by different rating methods varied with HPD and quality of fit. The misuse of subtracting the single number rating (SNR) from A-weighted noise level magnified these deviations. The multiple-number rating gave a more accurate estimation of protection provided by the earmuff compared to SNR. Improving the quality of fit and including C-weighted noise level can reduce the variability and deviation in protection estimation for different noises.

The effect of a psychological nursing intervention program based on the "Timing it Right" (TIR) framework on elderly patients' anxiety, psychology, and self-efficacy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the occurrence of anxiety and depression in elderly patients and to explore the effect of a psychological nursing intervention program based on the "Timing it Right" framework on the anxiety, depression, and self-efficacy among elderly patients. METHODS: 135 elderly patients admitted to our hospital were divided into two groups. The 69 patients in the experimental group underwent systematic psychological intervention, and the 66 patients in the control group were given only general psychological support. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the General Self Efficacy Scale (GSEs) scores were used to assess the effect of the psychological intervention program on the elderly patients. RESULTS: The psychological nursing intervention effect of the two groups after the intervention was improved compared with before the intervention (P < 0.05), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores were lower in the experimental group than they were in the control group after the psychological intervention. The general self-efficacy scale scores of the experimental group were significantly improved after the intervention, and the scores in the experimental group were much higher than the scores in the control group after the intervention (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The incidences of anxiety and depression were higher in the elderly patients, and a psychological intervention program based on the "Timing it Right" framework can effectively reduce the negative emotions of anxiety and depression, and enhance the sense of self-efficacy.

Concentration Distribution and Analysis of Urinary Glyphosate and Its Metabolites in Occupationally Exposed Workers in Eastern China.

Background: There are few published studies concerning occupational exposure to glyphosate (GLY), and these are limited to spraying, horticulture and other agricultural aspects. Therefore, the concentration of glyphosate and its metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), in the urine of workers exposed to glyphosate during glyphosate production was determined, and the relationship between internal (urinary glyphosate and AMPA concentration) and external exposure dose (time weighted average (TWA) value of glyphosate in the air of workplace) was analyzed. Methods: To avoid the influence of preparations, we selected people who were only involved in GLY production (without exposure to its preparations) as our research subjects. We collected 134 urine samples of workers exposed to GLY (prototype, not preparation). The urinary concentrations of GLY and AMPA (internal exposure dose) were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The subjects' exposure to the amount of GLY in the air (external dose) was determined using ion chromatography. Conventional statistical methods, including quartiles, t-tests and regression analysis, were applied for data processing. Results: An on-site investigation revealed that the workers involved in centrifugation, crystallization, drying, and packaging and feeding were exposed to GLY. The TWA value of GLY in the workshop air was <0.02 mg/m3-34.58 mg/m3. The detection rates of GLY and AMPA in the urine samples were 86.6% and 81.3%, respectively. The concentration of urinary GLY was <0.020-17.202 mg/L (median, 0.292 mg/L). The urinary AMPA concentration was <0.010 mg/L-2.730 mg/L (median, 0.068 mg/L). The geometric means were 0.262 mg/L and 0.072 mg/L for GLY and AMPA, respectively. There was a correlation between the urinary concentration of GLY and AMPA and the TWA value of exposed workers (correlation coefficient [r] = 0.914 and 0.683, respectively; p < 0.01). Furthermore, there was a correlation between the urinary concentration of GLY and AMPA in the exposure group (r = 0.736, p < 0.01). Conclusions: The urinary concentration of GLY and AMPA of workers was correlated with the TWA value of workers' exposure, which could reflect the actual exposure of the workers.

Occupational Mercury Exposure at a Thermometer Facility - Jiangsu Province, 2019.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC?: Mercury is still used in the manufacture of some thermometers in China. This may pose health risks if exposure is not properly prevented and controlled. WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT?: An onsite investigation of a workplace at a thermometer facility in Jiangsu Province in 2019 found heavily elevated airborne and urinary mercury levels among a massive number of workers exposed to mercury. Traditional and obsolete technology as well as inadequate protection measures for occupational hazards caused this high level of exposure. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE?: Employers at thermometer producing facilities need to adopt effective protection measures and implement strict management. Monitoring exposure, adopting better engineering controls, diligent cleaning, and providing recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) along with training to their workers properly can alleviate mercury exposure at their facilities. In addition, transitioning to mercury-free thermometers would eliminate the risk of mercury exposure.

Genetic variation in GSTM1 is associated with susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss in a Chinese population.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether glutathione S-transferases (GST) genetic polymorphisms (GSTT1 rs1049055, GSTM1 rs10712361, and GSTP1 rs1695) are associated with susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). METHODS: These polymorphisms were analyzed in 444 NIHL and 445 normal hearing workers. In addition, total plasma GST activity was measured in all subjects. RESULTS: Individuals with the GSTM1 null genotype had a statistically significantly increased risk of NIHL (odds ratio [OR] = 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.26 to 2.13) compared with those carrying a wild-type GSTM1 genotype. This effect was more pronounced among the workers exposed to 86 to 91 dB(A) (OR = 3.35, 95% CI = 1.54 to 7.31). Glutathione S-transferase activity of the NIHL workers was also lower than that of normal hearing workers (14.5 ± 5.1 U/ml vs 15.9 ± 6.3 U/ml, P = 0.010). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that GSTM1 polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to NIHL.

[JWA regulates N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine induced malignant transformation in human bronchial epithelial cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role and possible mechanism of JWA in N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) inducing human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells' neoplastic transformation. METHODS: JWA overexpression vector and its stable transfection HBE cells were established. The characteristics of transformed HBE cells were determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and the soft agar colony formation assay. The expressions of JWA and P53 were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: The growth rates of the HBE cells which were treated with MNNG were significantly accelerated than the JWA overexpression HBE cells and controlled HBE cells (P < 0.05). The soft agar colony formation of JWA overexpression HBE cells with and without MNNG treatment (8.06% and 10.14%) was significantly lower than that of the normal HBE cells with MNNG treatment (26.80%) (P < 0.01). After exposure of MNNG, the P53 expressions were gradually increased in HBE cells with the increased passages. However, the expression of P53 in JWA over expressed HBE cells showed a different manner. P53 reached an over expression peak at early stage (the first passage), and then with a gradually down-regulated expression spectrum with increased passages of the cells. CONCLUSION: JWA might be a key molecule and play an important role in MNNG inducing neoplastic transformation in HBE cells through regulation of the expression of P53.

[The role of JWA in N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine induced human bronchial epithelial cell apoptosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role and possible mechanism of JWA in N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) induced human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cell apoptosis. METHODS: The cell growth inhibition rate was detected by MTT, the cell apoptosis was measured by Hoechst staining, the expression of JWA protein was detected by Western blot, and the potential binding protein of JWA proximal promoter was detected by Southwestern assay. RESULTS: MNNG treatment of HBE cells for 24 hours induced apoptosis with significant dose-effect relationship and in this course the expression of JWA protein was elevated. The 2.0 microg/ml MNNG treated cells for 24 hours activated nuclear transcription factor expression that specifically bound to JWA proximal promoter. CONCLUSION: That MNNG treatment activates nuclear transcription factor binding to JWA proximal promoter may be involved in intracellular apoptosis associated signal pathway.