Impacts of hazardous noise levels on hearing loss and tinnitus in dental professionals
Hazardous noise exposure is an important health concern in many workplaces and is one of the most common work-related injuries in the United States. Dental professionals are frequently exposed to high levels of occupational noise in their daily work environment. This noise is generated by various dental handpieces such as drills, suctions, and ultrasonic scalers. Prolonged exposure to such noise levels is known to have adverse effects on hearing health. Despite the prevalence of occupational noise in dentistry, there is a paucity of research specifically examining the prevalence of hearing loss and tinnitus in dental professionals.
Relationship between butyrylcholinesterase activity and hepatic transaminases: a cross-sectional study in agricultural workers from Peru
Chronic exposure to pesticides causes various adverse health effects, mainly at a neurological level. However, there is little evidence focused on liver tissue injury and transaminase activity as indicators of effect.
Silicosis prevalence and related issues in India: a scoping review
Silicosis remains a major occupational health challenge in India. This review systematically examines the prevalence, risk factors, regional differences, and diagnostic tools specific to India's high-risk industries. Additionally, it assesses policy gaps and offers insights from diverse clinical and qualitative studies, aiming to inform targeted public health interventions and support the development of effective occupational health policies.
Pathological characterization of lung fibrosis in Sprague-Dawley rats treated with fluoro-edenite fibres by intrapleural injection
An increased incidence of pleural mesotheliomas in Biancavilla (Italy) was attributed to the environmental exposure to fluoro-edenite (FE). Results from the Ramazzini Institute (RI) in vivo long-term study confirmed the evidence that exposure to FE fibres is correlated with an increase of malignant pleural mesotheliomas in Sprague-Dawley rats. Recently asbestosis-like features were substantiated in Biancavilla residents without known occupational exposures. Aim of this work was to establish whether FE induce lung fibrosis with a pathogenetic mechanism similar to other asbestiform fibres.
Police officer occupational health: a model of organizational constraints, trauma exposure, perceived resources, and agency
Police officers constitute a work force at high risk due to their highly demanding work conditions. In a realistic paradigm, these conditions, and other determinants of their psychological health, can be linked to a multitude of variables that interplay altogether. However, current literature that simultaneously models-quantitatively from observed data-such a multitude of variables is sparse. This study took upon this objective to further theoretical and applied understandings through a measurement framework on empirical data, and allow the data to drive some features of model development, such as variable groupings into factors, and paths between factors.
Sowing seeds of awareness: a cross-sectional analysis of mental health literacy and help-seeking in Irish farmers
Farmers around the world are at risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation yet many avoid seeking help. In Ireland, farmers' mental health is a national concern, as farmers face barriers of masculine norms around help-seeking. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and relationship between mental health literacy and mental health help-seeking in the Irish farming community. It also aimed to identify if mental health literacy or mental health help-seeking differed depending on gender, age, education, health status and income level.
Long-term course and factors influencing work ability and return to work in post-COVID patients 12 months after inpatient rehabilitation
Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in restoring work ability and facilitating the reintegration of post-COVID patients into the workforce. The impact of rehabilitation on work ability and return to work (RTW) of post-COVID patients remains poorly understood. This study was conducted to assess the work ability and RTW of post-COVID patients before rehabilitation and 12 months after rehabilitation and to identify physical and neuropsychological health factors influencing RTW 12 months after rehabilitation.
Retention of nickel, cobalt and chromium in skin at conditions mimicking intense hand hygiene practices using water, soap, and hand-disinfectant in vitro
During the COVID-19 pandemic, increased hand hygiene practices using water, soap and hand disinfectants, became prevalent, particularly among frontline workers. This study investigates the impact of these practices on the skin's ability to retain the allergenic metals nickel, cobalt, and chromium. The study constitutes three parts: (I) creating an impaired skin barrier, (II) exposing treated and untreated skin to nickel alone, and (III) in co-exposure with cobalt and chromium.
Metabolomics and proteomics in occupational medicine: a comprehensive systematic review
Occupational biomonitoring is essential for assessing health risks linked to workplace exposures. The use of 'omics' technologies, such as metabolomics and proteomics, has become crucial in detecting subtle biological alterations induced by occupational hazards, thereby opening novel avenues for biomarker discovery.
The prevalence of occupational-related low back pain among working populations in sub-saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders represent a major public health problem, contributing significantly to the global burden of disability-adjusted life years and affecting the quality of life of all population groups. The main problem in most musculoskeletal disorders is low back pain. Therefore, our study aims to identify the overall prevalence of work-related low back pain among the working population in sub-Saharan Africa.
The prevalence of respiratory symptoms and diseases and declined lung function among foundry workers
Foundry workers are occupationally exposed to a variety of inhalable chemical substances. Occupational exposure to vapors, gases, dusts, and fumes can lead to adverse health effects on the respiratory system and cause chronic respiratory diseases, such as interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Research on respiratory symptoms, diseases, and lung function in foundry workers over the past few decades has been limited. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and diseases and declined lung function of current foundry workers, ex-foundry workers, and unexposed controls.
Associations between job demand-control-support and high burnout risk among physicians in Sweden: a cross-sectional study
The knowledge about job demands, control, and support, and their potential associations with burnout risk among physicians in Sweden, is limited. This study aimed to explore (i) factors of the JobDemand-Control-Support (J-DCS) model across different groups of physicians in Sweden, (ii) their association with high burnout risk, and (iii) the potential buffering impact of job control and support.
Bibliometric analysis of occupational exposure in operating room from 1973 to 2022
The purpose of this study is to identify and visualize from different perspectives the topic on occupational exposure in operating room (OEOR).
Psychological morbidity among coal miners compared to other occupations in Appalachia
Depressive symptoms, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common morbidities among coal miners, but the risk of these morbidities has not been analyzed relative to other occupations taking into account relevant covariates.
Navigating the skies: a cross-sectional study of depression among Saudi Arabian airline pilots
Depression poses a significant challenge globally, including in safety-critical industries such as aviation. In Saudi Arabia, where the aviation sector is rapidly expanding, pilots encounter unique stressors inherent to their profession. However, research on pilot mental health, particularly within the Saudi context, remains limited despite its critical role in flight safety.
Impact of pre-existing conditions on the severity of post-COVID syndrome among workers in healthcare and social services in Germany
The underlying mechanisms of post-COVID syndrome (PCS) are still not fully understood. While pre-existing conditions have been described as a risk factor for severe PCS in the general population, data specific to different occupational groups in this context is lacking. This study aimed to investigate the impact of pre-existing conditions on severe post-COVID syndrome among the occupational group of healthcare and social services employees.
Vocational rehabilitative decisions after symptoms and findings consistent with hand-arm vibration syndrome in the Swedish surveillance system - a mixed-method design
EU workers exposed to hand-arm vibration should be offered health surveillance to detect early symptoms, and findings, of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). To execute the mandatory vocational rehabilitation, the employer needs to be aware of injuries found in the medical check-up. We aimed to analyse: 1) How physicians graded the neurosensory component of HAVS on the Stockholm Workshop Scale (SWS), compared to semi-objective findings. 2) What vocational rehabilitative decisions (VRD) were taken by physicians after examinations. 3) Whether the VRDs differed in relation to the SWS-grading.
The impact of fine motor activities like playing musical instruments on the thickness and strength of the flexor digitorum muscle
This study aimed to explore the impact of occupational activities involving extensive finger movement on the muscular characteristics of the forearms. In particular, the flexor digitorum (FD) muscular thickness and strength asymmetry between right and left hand were compared between musicians and non-musicians.
Occupational, environmental, and toxicological health risks of mining metals for lithium-ion batteries: a narrative review of the Pubmed database
The global market for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is growing exponentially, resulting in an increase in mining activities for the metals needed for manufacturing LIBs. Cobalt, lithium, manganese, and nickel are four of the metals most used in the construction of LIBs, and each has known toxicological risks associated with exposure. Mining for these metals poses potential human health risks via occupational and environmental exposures; however, there is a paucity of data surrounding the risks of increasing mining activity. The objective of this review was to characterize these risks.
Exploring work ability, psychosocial job demands and resources of employees in low-skilled jobs: a German cross-sectional study
Extending working lives due to labour market and pension regulations makes maintaining and promoting work ability necessary. The coronavirus pandemic has shown that employees in low-skilled jobs (no qualification required) contribute significantly to society and the economy. Research on these employees has been neglected in Germany for many decades despite demanding working conditions. Therefore, we investigate the relationship between low-skilled jobs and work ability. Moreover, we explore this relationship's variation by psychosocial work demands and resources.
FFP2 induced breathing resistance does not affect metabolism and well-being during brisk walking and stair climbing - a randomized controlled trial
N95 or Type II filtering face pieces (FFP2) are often worn during work hours or on public transportation to prevent airborne infection. The aim of this randomized controlled crossover study is to assess the impact of FFP2 induced breathing resistance on pulmonary function, blood gas values and discomfort during walking and stair climbing.