Sources of noise exposure across Australian workplaces: cross-sectional analysis and modelling the impact of a targeted noise-source reduction initiative.

CONTEXT: Workplace noise regulations and guidance follow the hierarchy of control model that prioritizes eliminating or reducing noise at its source. OBJECTIVES: To determine the main sources of workplace noise exposure in the Australian working population and estimate the reduction of workers exposed over the noise limit (LAeq,8h > 85 dB) if noise levels of specific tools or equipment were reduced by 10 dB. METHODS: Information on the tools used and tasks performed during each participant's last working shift was collected from 4,977 workers via telephone survey. Using a predetermined database of task-based noise levels, partial noise exposures (Pa2h) were determined for each noisy activity performed by the workers and their daily noise exposure level (LAeq,8h) was estimated. Partial exposures were categorized into 15 tool/task groups and the tally, average, and sum (Pa2h) for each group were calculated. The impacts of 5 different scenarios that simulated a reduction of 10 dB in noise emissions for specific tool groups were modelled. RESULTS: Powered tools and equipment were responsible for 59.3% of all noise exposure (Pa2h); vehicles for 10.6%; mining, refineries, and plant equipment for 5.1%; and manufacturing and food processing for 4.2%. Modelling demonstrated that a 10 dBA noise-level reduction of all powered tools and equipment would lead to a 26.4% (95% confidence interval: 22.7% to 30.3%) reduction of workers with an LAeq,8h > 85 dB. This could represent over 350,000 Australian workers no longer exposed above the workplace limit daily. CONCLUSIONS: A universal reduction of 10 dB to power tools and equipment would substantially reduce the future burden of hearing loss, tinnitus, workplace injuries, and other health effects. Initiatives to reduce the noise emissions of specific powered tool groups are warranted.

Long-term exposure to low-concentration PM2.5 and heart disease in older men in Perth, Australia: The Health in Men Study.

Exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 2.5 µm (PM2.5) is associated with increased risk of heart disease, but less is known about the relationship at low concentrations. This study aimed to determine the dose-response relationship between long-term PM2.5 exposure and risk of incident ischemic heart disease (IHD), incident heart failure (HF), and incident atrial fibrillation (AF) in older men living in a region with relatively low ambient air pollution. Methods: PM2.5 exposure was estimated for 11,249 older adult males who resided in Perth, Western Australia and were recruited from 1996 to 1999. Participants were followed until 2018 for the HF and AF outcomes, and until 2017 for IHD. Cox-proportional hazards models, using age as the analysis time, and adjusting for demographic and lifestyle factors were used. PM2.5 was entered as a restricted cubic spline to model nonlinearity. Results: We observed a mean PM2.5 concentration of 4.95 µg/m3 (SD 1.68 µg/m3) in the first year of recruitment. After excluding participants with preexisting disease and adjusting for demographic and lifestyle factors, PM2.5 exposure was associated with a trend toward increased incidence of IHD, HF, and AF, but none were statistically significant. At a PM2.5 concentration of 7 µg/m3 the hazard ratio for incident IHD was 1.04 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.86, 1.25) compared with the reference category of 1 µg/m3. Conclusions: We did not observe a significant association between long-term exposure to low-concentration PM2.5 air pollution and IHD, HF, or AF.

The Associations Between Workplace Noise, Ototoxic Chemicals, and Tinnitus.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the occupational risk factors associated with tinnitus in the Australian working population. DESIGN: The research was conducted using data collected from the Australian Workplace Exposure Survey-Hearing, a national cross-sectional study of 4970 workers conducted in 2016 to 2017. Workers were asked if they experienced tinnitus and if they answered affirmatively, they were asked about the frequency and length of the presentations. Based on their answers, each worker was categorized as having no tinnitus or any tinnitus, with an additional group of workers with any tinnitus subcategorized as having constant tinnitus. Exposure assessment was conducted using an automated expert assessment method. Exposures included daily noise (L Aeq,8h ), hand-arm vibration (A(8)), impulse noise, smoking status, styrene, trichloroethylene, toluene, n-hexane, p-xylene, ethylbenzene, lead, and carbon monoxide. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between workplace exposures and tinnitus. RESULTS: Workers with an estimated noise exposure above the workplace limit (L Aeq,8h > 85 dBA) had 1.73 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.42 to 2.11) increased odds of any tinnitus and 2.15 (95% CI: 1.60 to 2.89) odds of constant tinnitus. The odds of workers having any tinnitus increased with increasing noise exposure levels in a dose-response relationship that strengthened when considering only those with constant tinnitus. In the fully adjusted model, statistically significant associations were seen for lead exposure with both any and constant tinnitus, toluene exposure with constant tinnitus, and carbon monoxide exposure with any tinnitus. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that, in addition to workplace noise, occupational exposures to lead, toluene, and carbon monoxide are associated with tinnitus.

The association of circadian parameters and the clustering of fatigue, depression, and sleep problems in breast cancer survivors: a latent class analysis.

PURPOSE: Circadian rhythms control a wide range of physiological processes and may be associated with fatigue, depression, and sleep problems. We aimed to identify subgroups of breast cancer survivors based on symptoms of fatigue, insomnia, and depression; and assess whether circadian parameters (i.e., chronotype, amplitude, and stability) were associated with these subgroups over time. METHODS: Among breast cancer survivors, usual circadian parameters were assessed at 3-4 months after diagnosis (T0), and symptoms of fatigue, depression, and insomnia were assessed after 2-3 years (T1, N = 265) and 6-8 years (T2, N = 169). We applied latent class analysis to classify survivors in unobserved groups ("classes") based on symptoms at T1. The impact of each of the circadian parameters on class allocation was assessed using multinomial logistic regression analysis, and changes in class allocation from T1 to T2 using latent transition models. RESULTS: We identified 3 latent classes of symptom burden: low (38%), moderate (41%), and high (21%). Survivors with a late chronotype ("evening types") or low circadian amplitude ("languid types") were more likely to have moderate or high symptom burden compared to "morning types" and "vigorous types," respectively. The majority of survivors with moderate (59%) or high (64%) symptom burden at T1 had persistent symptom burden at T2. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: A late chronotype and lower circadian amplitude after breast cancer diagnosis were associated with greater symptoms of fatigue, depression, and insomnia at follow-up. These circadian parameters may potentially be novel targets in interventions aimed at alleviating symptom burden among breast cancer survivors.

Prenatal exposure to mixtures of persistent environmental chemicals and fetal growth outcomes in Western Australia.

BACKGROUND: Environmental chemicals have been implicated in the etiology of impaired fetal growth. However, few studies have assessed the effects of chemical mixtures or considered the possibility of non-monotonic exposure-response relationships for chemicals that act through the endocrine system. METHODS: We assessed exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers, organochlorine pesticides, metals, and perfluorinated alkyl substances in blood and urine samples collected approximately two weeks prior to delivery in 166 non-smoking pregnant women, and subsequent birth weight, length, and head circumference of neonates who were part of the Australian Maternal Exposures to Toxic Substances (AMETS) study. We used Bayesian structured additive regression models with spike-slab priors to estimate mixture effects, identify important exposures, and model non-linearity in exposure-response relationships. RESULTS: Mixtures of polybrominated diphenyl ethers, organochlorine pesticides, metals, and perfluorinated alkyl substances were not associated with fetal growth outcomes. Estimated change in fetal growth outcomes for an increase in exposure from the 25th to 75th percentile suggested no meaningful associations; the strongest evidence was for a small inverse association between birth weight and cesium exposure measured in whole blood (-124 g, 90% credible interval: -240 to -3 g). We identified several chemicals that may be associated with fetal growth non-linearly; however, 90% credible intervals contained small values consistent with no meaningful association. CONCLUSIONS: Using a Bayesian penalized regression method, we assessed the shapes of exposure-response relationships, controlled for confounding by co-exposure, and estimated the single and combined effects of a large mixture of correlated environmental chemicals on fetal growth. Our findings, based on a small sample of mother-neonate pairs, suggest that mixtures of persistent chemicals are not associated with birth weight, length, and head circumference. The potential for non-monotonic relationships between environmental chemicals and fetal growth outcomes warrants further study.

Exposure to Hand-Arm Vibration in the Australian Workforce.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of hand-arm vibration (HAV) in Australian workplaces. METHODS: The Australian Workplace Exposure Survey (AWES)-Hearing was a cross-sectional telephone survey of Australian workers conducted in 2016-2017. Respondents were asked about the time spent using tools or performing tasks known to be associated with HAV during their most recent working day. We created a library of HAV magnitude levels for each tool/task and estimated each worker's daily HAV exposure level using standard formulae. We categorized each worker as to whether they exceeded the daily occupational limits of 2.5 and 5.0 m/s2. Results were extrapolated to the Australian working population using a raked weighting method. RESULTS: In our sample of 4991 workers, 5.4% of men and 0.7% of women exceeded the HAV action limit of 2.5 m/s2 on their most recent working day. We estimate that 3.8% of the Australian workforce exceeds the HAV limit of 2.5 m/s2 and 0.8% exceeds the 5 m/s2 limit. Men were more likely to exceed the HAV limits than women, as were those with trade qualifications, and those who worked in remote locations. Workers in the construction, farming, and automobile industries had the highest prevalence of HAV exposure. Tool groups that contributed to higher exposure levels included: compactors, rollers, and tampers; power hammers and jackhammers; and underground mining equipment. CONCLUSIONS: HAV is common in the Australian working population. Given the health risks associated with this exposure, reduction strategies and interventions should be developed, with engineering controls as the starting point for exposure reduction strategies.

Association of Known Melanoma Risk Factors with Primary Melanoma of the Scalp and Neck.

BACKGROUND: Scalp and neck (SN) melanoma confers a worse prognosis than melanoma of other sites but little is known about its determinants. We aimed to identify associations between SN melanoma and known risk genes, phenotypic traits, and sun exposure patterns. METHODS: Participants were cases from the Western Australian Melanoma Health Study (n = 1,200) and the Genes, Environment, and Melanoma Study (n = 3,280). Associations between risk factors and SN melanoma, compared with truncal and arm/leg melanoma, were investigated using binomial logistic regression. Facial melanoma was also compared with the trunk and extremities, to evaluate whether associations were subregion specific, or reflective of the whole head/neck region. RESULTS: Compared with other sites, increased odds of SN and facial melanoma were observed in older individuals [SN: OR = 1.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.92-1.80, P trend = 0.016; Face: OR = 4.57, 95% CI = 3.34-6.35, P trend < 0.001] and those carrying IRF4-rs12203592*T (SN: OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.12-1.63, P trend = 0.002; Face: OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.10-1.50, P trend = 0.001). Decreased odds were observed for females (SN: OR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.37-0.64, P < 0.001; Face: OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.53-0.82, P < 0.001) and the presence of nevi (SN: OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.49-0.89, P = 0.006; Face: OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.52-0.83, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Differences observed between SN melanoma and other sites were also observed for facial melanoma. Factors previously associated with the broader head and neck region, notably older age, may be driven by the facial subregion. A novel finding was the association of IRF4-rs12203592 with both SN and facial melanoma. IMPACT: Understanding the epidemiology of site-specific melanoma will enable tailored strategies for risk factor reduction and site-specific screening campaigns.

Determinants of heat-related injuries in Australian workplaces: Perceptions of health and safety professionals.

INTRODUCTION: Hot workplace environments can lead to adverse health effects and contribute to a range of injuries. However, there is limited contextual understanding of heat-related injury occurrence. Gaining the perspectives of occupational health and safety professionals (HSPs) may elucidate the issue and inform targeted interventions. METHODS: A cross-sectional national online survey was conducted in Australia to characterise HSP perceptions of heat-related injuries; current preventive measures; training, policies and guidelines; and perspectives on barriers for prevention. Results were analysed descriptively and a log-Poisson regression model was used to identify risk factors associated with HSP reported injury occurrence, assessed through prevalence ratio (PR). RESULTS: Of the 307 HSP survey participants, 74% acknowledged the potential for increased risk of occupational injuries in hot weather. A variety of injury types and mechanisms were reported, including manual handling injuries, hand injuries, wounds or lacerations, and loss of control of power tools. Correlates of reported heat-related injuries included working in the sun without shade [PR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.07-1.48] and too few rest breaks [PR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.04-1.44]. Other factors of significance were inadequate hydration; issues with personal protective equipment (PPE) and poor supervision of workers. Only 42% reported that adequate heat training was available and 54% reported the provision for outdoor work to cease in extreme temperatures. It was acknowledged that the frequency of injuries could be reduced with wider adoption of self-pacing, and work/rest regimes. Perceived barriers for prevention included: lack of awareness of physical injury risks, and management concerns about productivity loss and/or deadlines. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate a range of potentially modifiable work and organisational risk factors such as more suitable PPE and better supervision. More attention to these factors, in conjunction with traditional interventions to reduce heat effects, could enhance injury prevention and labour productivity in people working in hot environments.

Avoidable Mortality Attributable to Anthropogenic Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) in Australia.

Ambient fine particulate matter <2.5 µm (PM2.5) air pollution increases premature mortality globally. Some PM2.5 is natural, but anthropogenic PM2.5 is comparatively avoidable. We determined the impact of long-term exposures to the anthropogenic PM component on mortality in Australia. PM2.5-attributable deaths were calculated for all Australian Statistical Area 2 (SA2; n = 2310) regions. All-cause death rates from Australian mortality and population databases were combined with annual anthropogenic PM2.5 exposures for the years 2006-2016. Relative risk estimates were derived from the literature. Population-weighted average PM2.5 concentrations were estimated in each SA2 using a satellite and land use regression model for Australia. PM2.5-attributable mortality was calculated using a health-impact assessment methodology with life tables and all-cause death rates. The changes in life expectancy (LE) from birth, years of life lost (YLL), and economic cost of lost life years were calculated using the 2019 value of a statistical life. Nationally, long-term population-weighted average total and anthropogenic PM2.5 concentrations were 6.5 µg/m3 (min 1.2-max 14.2) and 3.2 µg/m3 (min 0-max 9.5), respectively. Annually, anthropogenic PM2.5-pollution is associated with 2616 (95% confidence intervals 1712, 3455) deaths, corresponding to a 0.2-year (95% CI 0.14, 0.28) reduction in LE for children aged 0-4 years, 38,962 (95%CI 25,391, 51,669) YLL and an average annual economic burden of $6.2 billion (95%CI $4.0 billion, $8.1 billion). We conclude that the anthropogenic PM2.5-related costs of mortality in Australia are higher than community standards should allow, and reductions in emissions are recommended to achieve avoidable mortality.

Associations between long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and Parkinson's disease prevalence: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies have reported contradictory results regarding the effects of ambient air pollution on Parkinson's disease (PD). This study investigated the associations between long-term exposure to particulate matter <2.5 µm in diameter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and PD among participants in the 45 and Up Study, which comprised adults older than 45 years living in New South Wales, Australia. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of long-term exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations and prevalence of PD using data from around 240,000 cohort members from the 45 and Up Study, NSW. Annual average concentrations of NO2 and PM2.5 were estimated at the participants' residential address using satellite-based land use regression models. Logistic regression was used to quantify the associations between these pollutants and ever physician-diagnosed PD, after adjusting for a range of individual- and area-level covariates. RESULTS: Among the 236,390 participants with complete data, 1,428 (0.6%) reported physician-diagnosed PD. Annual mean PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations for the cohort were 5.8 and 11.9 µg m-3, respectively, and were positively, but not statistically significantly associated with PD. The odds ratio for a 1 µg m-3 increase in PM2.5 was 1.01 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.98-1.04). The adjusted odds ratio for a 5 µg m-3 increase in NO2 was 1.03 (95% CI: 0.98-1.08). In subgroup analyses, larger associations for NO2 were observed among past smokers (OR 1.11 (95% CI: 1.02-1.20) per 5 µg m-3 increase). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, we found limited evidence of associations between long-term exposure to NO2 or PM2.5 and PD. The associations observed among past smokers require further corroboration.

Geographical variation in risk of work-related injuries and illnesses associated with ambient temperatures: A multi-city case-crossover study in Australia, 2005-2016.

BACKGROUND: The thermal working environment can have direct and in-direct effects on health and safety. Ambient temperatures have been associated with an increased risk of occupational injuries but it is unknown how the relationship can vary by weather, location and climate. OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between ambient temperatures and work-related injury and illness compensation claims in three Australian cities: Melbourne and Perth (temperate climate) and Brisbane (subtropical climate) in order to determine how hot and cold weather influences the risk of occupational injury in Australia. METHODS: Workers' compensation claims from each city for the period 2005 to 2016 were merged with local daily weather data. A time-stratified case-crossover design combined with a distributed lag non-linear model was used to quantify the impacts of daily maximum temperature (Tmax) on the risk of work-related injuries and illnesses. RESULTS: Compared to the median maximum temperature (Tmax), extremely hot temperatures (99th percentile) were associated with a 14% (95%CI: 3-25%) increase in total workers' compensation claims in Melbourne, but there were no observed effects in Brisbane or Perth, with the exception of traumatic injuries that increased by 17% (95%CI: 3-35%) during extreme heat in Perth. For extremely low temperatures (1st percentile), there was a protective effect in Brisbane (RR 0.89; 95%CI: 0.81-0.98), while no effects were observed in Melbourne or Perth. CONCLUSION: The relationship between injury and ambient temperature appears to be variable depending on location and climate. In general, work-related injuries and illnesses appear to be more common at higher temperatures than lower temperatures. Adopting adaptation and prevention measures could reduce the social and economic burden of injury, and formulating effective measures for dealing with high temperatures should be prioritised given the predicted increase in the frequency and intensity of hot weather.

Characterising the impact of heatwaves on work-related injuries and illnesses in three Australian cities using a standard heatwave definition- Excess Heat Factor (EHF).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Heatwaves have potential health and safety implications for many workers, and heatwaves are predicted to increase in frequency and intensity with climate change. There is currently a lack of comparative evidence for the effects of heatwaves on workers' health and safety in different climates (sub-tropical and temperate). This study examined the relationship between heatwave severity (as defined by the Excess Heat Factor) and workers' compensation claims, to define impacts and identify workers at higher risk. METHODS: Workers' compensation claims data from Australian cities with temperate (Melbourne and Perth) and subtropical (Brisbane) climates for the years 2006-2016 were analysed in relation to heatwave severity categories (low and moderate/high severity) using time-stratified case-crossover models. RESULTS: Consistent impacts of heatwaves were observed in each city with either a protective or null effect during heatwaves of low-intensity while claims increased during moderate/high-severity heatwaves compared with non-heatwave days. The highest effect during moderate/high-severity heatwaves was in Brisbane (RR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.42-1.48). Vulnerable worker subgroups identified across the three cities included: males, workers aged under 34 years, apprentice/trainee workers, labour hire workers, those employed in medium and heavy strength occupations, and workers from outdoor and indoor industrial sectors. CONCLUSION: These findings show that work-related injuries and illnesses increase during moderate/high-severity heatwaves in both sub-tropical and temperate climates. Heatwave forecasts should signal the need for heightened heat awareness and preventive measures to minimise the risks to workers.

Exposure to noise and ototoxic chemicals in the Australian workforce.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the current prevalence of exposure to workplace noise and ototoxic chemicals, including co-exposures. METHOD: A cross-sectional telephone survey of nearly 5000 Australian workers was conducted using the web-based application, OccIDEAS. Participants were asked about workplace tasks they performed and predefined algorithms automatically assessed worker's likelihood of exposure to 10 known ototoxic chemicals as well as estimated their full shift noise exposure level (LAeq,8h) of their most recent working day. Results were extrapolated to represent the Australian working population using a raked weighting technique. RESULTS: In the Australian workforce, 19.5% of men and 2.8% of women exceeded the recommended full shift noise limit of 85 dBA during their last working day. Men were more likely to be exposed to noise if they were younger, had trade qualifications and did not live in a major city. Men were more likely exposed to workplace ototoxic chemicals (57.3%) than women (25.3%). Over 80% of workers who exceeded the full shift noise limit were also exposed to at least one ototoxic chemical in their workplace. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that exposures to hazardous noise and ototoxic chemicals are widespread in Australian workplaces and co-exposure is common. Occupational exposure occurs predominantly for men and could explain some of the discrepancies in hearing loss prevalence between genders.

The effects of ambient temperatures on the risk of work-related injuries and illnesses: Evidence from Adelaide, Australia 2003-2013.

BACKGROUND: The thermal environment can directly affect workers' occupational health and safety, and act as a contributing factor to injury or illness. However, the literature addressing risks posed by varying temperatures on work-related injuries and illnesses is limited. OBJECTIVES: To examine the occupational injury and illness risk profiles for hot and cold conditions. METHODS: Daily numbers of workers' compensation claims in Adelaide, South Australia from 2003 to 2013 (n = 224,631) were sourced together with daily weather data. The impacts of maximum daily temperature on the risk of work-related injuries and illnesses was assessed using a time-stratified case-crossover study design combined with a distributed lag non-linear model. RESULTS: The minimum number of workers' compensation claims occurred when the maximum daily temperature was 25 °C. Compared with this optimal temperature, extremely hot temperatures (99th percentile) were associated with an increase in overall claims (RR: 1.30, 95%CI: 1.18-1.44) whereas a non-significant increase was observed with extremely cold temperatures (1st percentile, RR: 1.10 (95%CI: 0.99-1.21). Heat exposure had an acute effect on workers' injuries whereas cold conditions resulted in delayed effects. Moderate temperatures were associated with a greater injury burden than extreme temperatures. CONCLUSION: Days of very high temperatures were associated with the greatest risks of occupational injuries; whereas moderate temperatures, which occur more commonly, have the greatest burden. These findings suggest that the broader range of thermal conditions should be considered in workplace injury and illness prevention strategies.

Satellite-Based Land-Use Regression for Continental-Scale Long-Term Ambient PM2.5 Exposure Assessment in Australia.

Australia has relatively diverse sources and low concentrations of ambient fine particulate matter (<2.5 µm, PM2.5). Few comparable regions are available to evaluate the utility of continental-scale land-use regression (LUR) models including global geophysical estimates of PM2.5, derived by relating satellite-observed aerosol optical depth to ground-level PM2.5 ("SAT-PM2.5"). We aimed to determine the validity of such satellite-based LUR models for PM2.5 in Australia. We used global SAT-PM2.5 estimates (∼10 km grid) and local land-use predictors to develop four LUR models for year-2015 (two satellite-based, two nonsatellite-based). We evaluated model performance at 51 independent monitoring sites not used for model development. An LUR model that included the SAT-PM2.5 predictor variable (and six others) explained the most spatial variability in PM2.5 (adjusted R2 = 0.63, RMSE (µg/m3 [%]): 0.96 [14%]). Performance decreased modestly when evaluated (evaluation R2 = 0.52, RMSE: 1.15 [16%]). The evaluation R2 of the SAT-PM2.5 estimate alone was 0.26 (RMSE: 3.97 [56%]). SAT-PM2.5 estimates improved LUR model performance, while local land-use predictors increased the utility of global SAT-PM2.5 estimates, including enhanced characterization of within-city gradients. Our findings support the validity of continental-scale satellite-based LUR modeling for PM2.5 exposure assessment in Australia.

A Systematic Review of Full-Shift, Noise Exposure Levels Among Construction Workers: Are We Improving?

Context: Construction industry workers are at high risk of occupational noise exposure. Although regulations and guidelines for this industry specify the use of noise controls, workers continue to be exposed to hazardous noise levels. Objectives: The objectives of this study were (i) to collate and describe full-shift noise exposure experienced by construction workers; (ii) to review trends in full-shift exposure over time and between countries; and (iii) to identify any occupational categories within the construction industries that have higher levels of exposure. Results: Of the 1171 studies found using key terms, 25 contained noise exposure measurements that met our inclusion criteria. Sample populations were predominantly from large construction sites and primarily comprised occupations known to engage in noisy workplace activities. Studies spanned over 36 years with all having average full-shift noise exposure over 85 A-weighted decibels (dBA). No time trend in full-shift noise exposure levels for construction workers was observed. Construction workers in the subgroup occupations of mason, sheet metal workers, carpenters, concrete workers, and operating engineers consistently had mean LAeq,8h over the 85 dBA limit. Conclusion: Studies spanning 36 years in 10 countries consistently show construction workers have been exposed to hazardous noise levels. There has been no significant change over time of the average full-shift exposure levels of construction workers, including in all occupational subgroups except iron-workers. Some variability in full-shift measures is due to sampling methods and population characteristics and to a lesser extent, methods used to derive exposure levels.

Night shift work and breast cancer: a pooled analysis of population-based case-control studies with complete work history.

Night shift work has been suspected to increase breast cancer risk but epidemiological studies have been inconsistent due to heterogeneous assessment of exposure to night work. To overcome this limitation, we pooled data of five population-based case-control studies from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and Spain into a single harmonized dataset using a common definition of night work including 6093 breast cancer cases and 6933 population controls. The odds ratio for breast cancer in women who ever worked at night for at least 3 h between midnight and 5 a.m. as compared to never night workers was 1.12 (95% CI 1.00-1.25). Among pre-menopausal women, this odds ratio was 1.26 [1.06-1.51], increasing to 1.36 [1.07-1.74] for night shifts ≥ 10 h, 1.80 [1.20-2.71] for work ≥ 3 nights/week, and 2.55 [1.03-6.30] for both duration of night work ≥ 10 years and exposure intensity ≥ 3 nights/week. Breast cancer risk in pre-menopausal women was higher in current or recent night workers (OR = 1.41 [1.06-1.88]) than in those who had stopped night work more than 2 years ago. Breast cancer in post-menopausal women was not associated with night work whatever the exposure metric. The increase in risk was restricted to ER+ tumors, particularly those who were both ER+ and HER2+ . These results support the hypothesis that night shift work increases the risk of breast cancer in pre-menopausal women, particularly those with high intensity and long duration of exposure. Risk difference between pre- and post-menopausal women deserves further scrutiny.

Association between shiftwork and the risk of colorectal cancer in females: a population-based case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Research indicates that shiftwork may be associated with increased risks of adverse health outcomes, including some cancers. However, the evidence of an association between shiftwork and colorectal cancer risk is limited and inconclusive. Further, while several possible pathways through which shiftwork might result in cancer have been proposed, few studies have taken these factors into account. We investigated the association between two types of shiftwork (graveyard shiftwork and early-morning shiftwork) and six mechanistic shiftwork variables (including light at night and phase shift) and the risk of colorectal cancer among females in an Australian population-based case-control study. Graveyard shiftwork was the primary exposure of interest. METHODS: Participants (350 cases and 410 controls) completed a lifetime occupational history, and exposure to each of the eight shiftwork variables was assigned to participants through a job exposure matrix. We used logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between different shiftwork variables and the risk of colorectal cancer, adjusting for potential demographic, lifestyle and medical confounders. RESULTS: Working in an occupation involving long-term exposure (>7.5 years) to graveyard shiftwork was not associated with colorectal cancer risk (adjusted OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.58). Similarly, no increased risks of colorectal cancer were seen for any of the other seven shiftwork variables examined. CONCLUSIONS: No evidence of an increased risk of colorectal cancer among females who had worked in occupations involving shiftwork was observed in this study.

Shift work that involves circadian disruption and breast cancer: a first application of chronobiological theory and the consequent challenges.

OBJECTIVES: In 2007, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified shift work involving circadian disruption (CD) as probably carcinogenic to humans. Circadian disruption could be conceptualised as the overlap of activity, such as work, with an individual's biological night. The latter can be approximated from a worker's chronotype (or morning/evening preference). Few previous studies have taken chronotype into account when assessing CD caused by shift work. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that women working during their biological night would be at increased risk of breast cancer. METHODS: We used data from our case-control study of breast cancer to investigate associations between shift work involving CD and breast cancer risks. Previously, we had assumed that everyone working in jobs which involved work for two or more shifts between midnight and 05:00 hours was equally exposed to CD. In the present analyses, we reclassified as unexposed those who had a late chronotype in which their preferred bedtime was 2 hours after the end of their shift. RESULTS: Only 30 of 1385 night jobs changed classification and the overall finding (OR 1.17, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.41) was not different to the original finding when chronotype was not considered. CONCLUSIONS: We found virtually no difference between our new and old classifications of exposure. However, we were not able to calculate the total number of chronodisrupted shifts over a lifetime in order to assess dose and nor were we able to determine how many women were exposed to CD when doing shifts which began before midnight. Our first practical application highlights challenges for future chronobiology-based research.

Questionnaire-based algorithm for assessing occupational noise exposure of construction workers.

OBJECTIVES: Occupational noise exposure is a major cause of hearing loss worldwide. In order to inform preventative strategies, we need to further understand at a population level which workers are most at risk. METHODS: We have developed a new questionnaire-based algorithm that evaluates an individual worker's noise exposure. The questionnaire and supporting algorithms are embedded into the existing software platform, OccIDEAS. Based on the tasks performed by a worker during their most recent working shift and using a library of task-based noise exposure levels, OccIDEAS estimates whether a worker has exceeded the full-shift workplace noise exposure limit (LAeq,8h≥85 dBA). We evaluated the validity of the system in a sample of 100 construction workers. Each worker wore a dosimeter for a full working shift and was then interviewed using the OccIDEAS software. RESULTS: The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.81 (95% CI 0.72 to 0.90) indicating that the ability of OccIDEAS to identify construction workers with an LAeq,8h≥85 dBA was excellent. CONCLUSION: This validated noise questionnaire may be useful in epidemiological studies and for workplace health and safety applications.