Association of buccal micronucleus cytome assay (BMNCyt) biomarkers with inorganic element concentration and genetic polymorphisms in welders.

Welding fumes are classified as carcinogenic to humans. The aim of the present study was to measure buccal micronucleus cytome assay biomarkers and to evaluate their association with inorganic elements and genetic polymorphisms (XRCC1, OGG1, XRCC3, GSTM1, and GSTT1) in welders (n = 98) and control individuals (n = 100). Higher levels of DNA damage and cell death were observed in the exposed group. Also, a significant correlation between the frequency of micronuclei and Na, Si, Cl, Ti, Cr, Zn and Mg concentrations. The formation of micronuclei, binucleated cells, cell death was associated with polymorphisms in repair pathways. The OGG1Ser326Cys and XRCC3 241Thr/Met genotypes were associated with cell death. Individuals with GSTM1 null genotype had a higher frequency of micronuclei. These results demonstrate that the deleterious effects of exposure to welding fumes are exacerbated by lifestyle habits, and genetic polymorphisms can influence DNA damage and cell death.

COVID-19 infection rates among transportation and metal workers.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the workers in the metal and transportation sectors in terms of COVID-19 infection frequency and to examine and establish links between infection frequency and the workplace working conditions. METHODS: A survey was prepared and conducted with a questionnaire prepared on the Google Form platform consisting of questions about the pandemic among the members of the All Transport Workers' and The United Metalworkers' Union in Turkey. RESULTS: The number of workers diagnosed with COVID-19 was 5.8% in the transportation sector and 2.8% in the metal sector, with a significant difference (p=0.036). The percentage of workers diagnosed with COVID-19 who worked at a physical proximity less than 2 m in the transportation sector was higher than those who worked in the metal sector (p=0.014). The proportion of those who stated that there were COVID-19 patients among their colleagues and working at a physical proximity less than 2 m at the workplace was 18.2% in the transportation and 10.6% in the metal sector, with a significant difference (p=0.003), those who took time off from work was 74%, but 28.5% successively (p<0.001). The share of those who thought that the protective equipment and/or measures were not sufficient during the pandemic was 41.9% in the transportation and 17.7% in the metal sector (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The results emphasized that the characteristics of jobs, physical proximity during job hours, the use of protective equipment, and size of the workplaces should be considered as reasons for different infection risks in different sectors.

Cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome (CBMN-CYT) assay and its relationship with genetic polymorphisms in welders.

Fumes generated in the welding process are composed of micrometric and nanometric particles that form when metal fumes condense. The International Agency for Research on Cancer established that many compounds derived from the welding process are carcinogenic to humans. Still, there are few studies related to the role of genetic polymorphisms. This work aimed to analyze the influence of OGG1 Ser326Cys, XRCC1 Arg280His, XRCC1 Arg194Thr, XRCC1 Arg399Gln, XRCC3 Thr241Met, GSTM1, and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms on DNA damage of 98 subjects occupationally exposed to welding fumes and 100 non exposed individuals. The results showed that individuals exposed to welding fumes with XRCC3 Thr241Thr, XRCC3 Thr241Met, and GSTM1 null genotypes demonstrated a significantly higher micronucleus frequency in lymphocytes. In contrast, individuals with XRCC1 Arg399Gln and XRCC1 Gln399Gln genotypes had significant levels of NPBs. OGG1 326 Ser/Cys, OGG1 326 Cys/Cys, XRCC1 194Arg/Thr, XRCC1 194Thr/Thr, and GSTT1 null genotypes exhibited significantly higher apoptotic values. Also, XRCC1 194Arg/Trp, XRCC1 194Thr/Thr, and GSTM1 null genotype carriers had higher necrotic levels compared to XRCC1 194Arg/Arg and GSTM1 nonnull carriers. Compositional analysis revealed the presence of iron, manganese, silicon as well as particles smaller than 2 µm that adhere to each other and form agglomerates. These results may be associated with a mixture of components, such as nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and metallic fumes, leading to significant DNA damage and cell death processes. These findings demonstrated the importance of the association between individual susceptibility and DNA damage levels due to occupational exposure to welding fumes; and constitute one of the first studies carried out in exposed workers from Colombia.

Accelerated apoptosis, oxidative stress, and cholinergic inflammation in blood of metalworkers.

Metalworkers are exposed to numerous chemicals in their workplace environment, such as solvents, heavy metals, and metalworking fluids, that have a negative impact on their health. Furthermore, there is an increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases among metalworkers; however, the molecular mechanisms involved in this increased predisposition to chronic diseases are unclear. Considering that occupational exposure represents a potential risk for metalworkers, the aim of this study was to measure biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and cytotoxicity in the peripheral blood of metalworkers from Southern Brazil. The study included 40 metalworkers and 20 individuals who did not perform activities with any recognized exposure to chemical substances, such as those working in administration, commerce, and education, as controls. Cellular and molecular biomarkers as leukocyte viability, intracellular production of reactive species, mitochondrial mass and membrane potential and plasma lipid peroxidation, sulfhydryl groups, total antioxidant capacity, and butyrylcholinesterase activity were evaluated in the blood of metalworkers and controls. Metalworkers were found to have higher rates of apoptosis, increased production of reactive species, and increased mitochondrial potential and mass in leukocytes associated with decreased antioxidant defenses and increased activity of the butyrylcholinesterase enzyme in their plasma. It can be concluded that cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation are involved in the multiplicity of health outcomes related to chemical exposure in the metalworking industry.

Incidence of lung cancer and mortality among civil construction industry workers: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The construction sector is one of the most stable growth industries in the world. However, many studies have suggested an association between occupational exposure in civil construction and lung cancer risk. Thus, this study aims to assess lung cancer risk in civil construction workers occupationally exposed to physical and chemical agents through a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS/DESIGN: Studies will be identified by searching PUBMED, Embase, SCOPUS, WEB OF SCIENCE and the reference list of included articles. Eligible study designs will be cohort, cross-sectional, and case-control studies that report occupational exposure to physical or chemical agents and lung cancer risk through mortality or incidence outcomes. A meta-analysis will be used to combine odds ratios (ORs) from case-control studies and relative risks (RR) from cohort studies. Two reviewers will independently screen articles, extract data, and assess scientific quality using standardized forms and ROBINS-E tool if available. Otherwise, the New-Castle Ottawa rating scale will be used. Any of those will also be used in combination with the GRADE approach for quality of evidence. Overall risk estimates and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) will be obtained using the random-effects model meta-analysis. This systematic review and meta-analysis will be conducted following the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. Results will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. DISCUSSION: This review will identify and synthesize studies investigating the association between occupational exposure in the construction industry and lung cancer. The findings will help governmental entities and researchers with evidence-based decision-making because they will integrate and validate the evidence on construction workers' health effects due to occupational exposure. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42020164209.

Violências contra trabalhadores adoecidos e instrumentos de gestão: uma relação a explorar / Violences against sick workers and management tools: a relationship to explore

Trata-se de estudo realizado por demanda de um sindicato de trabalhadores metalúrgicos à Fundacentro, objetivando analisar as situações de violências vividas por trabalhadores adoecidos pelo trabalho em uma montadora de automóveis. Foram realizadas entrevistas com sindicalistas, visita à montadora, entrevistas individuais e coletivas com trabalhadores, validação dos dados. À luz da discussão sobre violências relacionadas ao trabalho e intensificação do trabalho, analisou-se sua relação com instrumentos de gestão. Com base na compreensão de gestão de Gaulejac e na perspectiva das evoluções conceituais sobre violência no trabalho, expressada por Soboll, entre outros, confirmaram-se práticas de exclusão e isolamento de trabalhadores adoecidos, humilhações e descaracterização das doenças relacionadas ao trabalho, deslegitimando e colocando os adoecidos sob suspeita. Instrumentos de gestão e elementos da cultura organizacional eram utilizados nestas práticas violentas caracterizando um modo de agir sistêmico que contribui para a cronificação de doenças e a geração de incapacidade, além de prejudicarem ações preventivas, tanto da própria empresa, como do Estado, pela ocultação de riscos e danos. Demandas dessa natureza são frequentes, evidenciando que a violência contra adoecidos pelo trabalho e o ocultamento de doenças do trabalho constituem sério problema social com impacto dramático nas vidas de trabalhadores e no sistema de saúde pública

This study was carried out by Fundacentro at the request of a metalworkers' union, aiming to characterize and analyze the situations of violence experienced by workers who had work-related injuries or illnesses, in an automobile assembly plant. Interviews with trade unionists, a visit to the automaker, individual and collective interviews with workers and validation of the data were carried out. It was based on the Gaulejac's management concept and the Soboll's violence at work concept. The exclusion and isolation of sick workers, humiliation, denial and de-characterization of work-related illnesses were confirmed, delegitimizing and placing the workers under suspicion. Management tools and elements of organizational culture were used in these violent practices, characterizing a systemic way of acting, which contributes to these diseases becoming chronic and generating incapacity, as well as impairing preventive actions, of both the company itself and the State, by concealment of risks and damages. Demands of this nature are frequent, evidencing that the violence against people with work-related illnesses and the concealment of such illnesses constitute an important social problem, with a dramatic impacts on the lives of workers and the public health system.

"Nunca pensei sobre isso!": vivências de trabalho na indústria metalmecânica / "I have never thought about it!": work experiences in metalworking industries

É de fundamental importância entender as relações existentes entre o trabalho e os processos de saúde/doença mental, visando ao desenvolvimento de ações de prevenção e promoção da saúde do trabalhador. Diante da escassez de estudos que privilegiem esse aspecto entre os trabalhadores que atuam na indústria metalmecânica no Brasil, esta pesquisa tem o objetivo de analisar as vivências de trabalho de profissionais inseridos no contexto metalmecânico para compreender a dinâmica saúde/doença mental no trabalho. Através de um delineamento exploratório-descritivo, a pesquisa foi orientada teoricamente pela Psicodinâmica do Trabalho. Foram entrevistados individualmente oito trabalhadores da indústria metalmecânica da região de Caxias do Sul (RS), com idades entre 20 e 54 anos. Como instrumentos de coleta de dados foram utilizados um questionário sociodemográfico e entrevista semiestruturada. Os dados foram examinados por análise de conteúdo. Os resultados apontaram claramente para o intenso processo de sofrimento e para o grande risco de adoecimento dos trabalhadores entrevistados, evidenciando a necessidade de problematizar e repensar as relações e a configuração do trabalho metalmecânico.

It is essential to understand the existing relations between labor and mental health/disease processes, considering the development of preventive actions and promotion of the employees' health. Due to the lack of studies focusing in this aspect among employees from metalworking industries in Brazil, this study aims to analyze the work experiences of professionals who are part of the metalworking context, aiming at understanding the mental health/disease dynamic at work. Through an exploratory-descriptive design, the research was theoretically oriented by the Psychodynamics of Work. Eight employees (ranging from 20 to 54 years old) from the metalworking industry in Caxias do Sul (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil), were individually interviewed. A social-demographic questionnaire and a semi-structured interview were used as data gathering instruments. Data were analyzed through content analysis. Results clearly implied the existence of an intense suffering process and a considerable risk of illness in the interviewed employees, which demonstrated the need to problematize and rethink the relations and the configuration of the metalworking work.

La salud en la fábrica: estudio sobre la industria siderúrgica en México / Colección Problemas de México / Health in the factory: study on the steel industry in Mexico

Este livro é resultado do exame do processo e as condições de trabalho e higiene do trabalhador da indústria siderúrgica no México, direcionado a todos os leitores que acompanham a classe trabalhadora na relação com o trabalho, além dos especialistas. Na primeira parte trata das questões teóricas e metodológicas da relação trabalho-saúde, em contexto latinoamericano e mundial; na segunda, estuda as empresas, sindicatos, o processo e a carga de trabalho, além das estratégias para defesa da saúde laboral; conclui destacando a necessidade da participação e atenção do próprio trabalhador em defesa de sua saúde e cuidado com sua própria realidade e que se apropriem desse conhecimento