1
|
Nieto-Álvarez R, de la Hoz-Torres ML, Aguilar AJ, Martínez-Aires MD, Ruiz DP. Proposal of Combined Noise and Hand-Arm Vibration Index for Occupational Exposure: Application to a Study Case in the Olive Sector. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14345. [PMID: 36361218 PMCID: PMC9654875 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In many production and industrial sectors, workers are exposed to noise and hand-arm vibrations (HAV). European directives have established the maximum limit values or exposure action values for noise and vibration independently. However, in many cases, workers who endure hand-arm vibration also receive high noise levels. This research suggests a procedure to aid the establishment of precautionary measures for workers with simultaneous exposure to both physical agents. This procedure defines a combined index based on the energy doses for both noise and HAV. From this combined index, the suggested methodology allows a recommended exposure time for workers with simultaneous noise and HAV exposure to be calculated. This methodology can be adapted to tackle the relative importance assigned to both agents according to the safety manager and new knowledge on combined health effects. To test this method, a measurement campaign under real working conditions was conducted with workers from the olive fruit-harvesting sector, where a variety of hand-held machinery is used. The results of the study case show that the suggested procedure can obtain reliable exposure time recommendations for simultaneous noise and HAV exposures and is therefore a useful tool for establishing prevention measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Nieto-Álvarez
- Department of Architectural Graphic Expression and Engineering, University of Granada, Av. Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - María L. de la Hoz-Torres
- Department of Building Construction, University of Granada, Av. Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Antonio J. Aguilar
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Granada, Av. Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | | | - Diego P. Ruiz
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Granada, Av. Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Occupational Disease as the Bane of Workers' Lives: A Study of Its Incidence in Slovakia. Part 2. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182412990. [PMID: 34948606 PMCID: PMC8701311 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182412990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The main objective of this article is to monitor the development of the number of occupational diseases related to selected physical factors in the working environment (noise, vibration and dust). Each region of Slovakia has its own specific social and economic conditions. Due to the existence of a strong correlation between the several regional variables observed, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to determine the new variables. Cluster analysis was used to group regions with similar characteristics. A dendrogram was created using the average linkage method, which illustrated the similarity of the regions studied. The value of the cophenetic correlation coefficient (CC = 0.90) confirms the validity of the average linkage method. The result of the cluster analysis is the grouping of the eight regions into five homogenic groups (clusters). An analysis of the data shows that Slovakia’s regional differences significantly influence the incidence of occupational diseases in individual regions. It is shown that, in Slovakia, the development of the number of occupational diseases has seen a favourable trend in the long term.
Collapse
|
3
|
Stjernbrandt A, Abu Mdaighem M, Pettersson H. Occupational noise exposure and Raynaud's phenomenon: a nested case-control study. Int J Circumpolar Health 2021; 80:1969745. [PMID: 34415235 PMCID: PMC8381957 DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2021.1969745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The primary aim of this study was to determine if self-reported occupational noise exposure was associated with Raynaud’s phenomenon. In northern Sweden, a nested case–control study was performed on subjects reporting Raynaud’s phenomenon (N=461), and controls (N=763) matched by age, sex and geographical location. The response rate to the exposure questionnaire was 79.2%. The study showed no statistically significant association between occupational noise exposure and reporting Raynaud’s phenomenon (OR 1.10; 95% CI 0.83–1.46) in simple analyses. However, there was a trend towards increasing OR for Raynaud’s phenomenon with increasing noise exposure, although not statistically significant. Also, there was a significant association between noise exposure and hearing loss (OR 2.76; 95% CI 2.00–3.81), and hearing loss was associated with reporting Raynaud’s phenomenon (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.03–2.23) in a multiple regression model. In conclusion, self-reported occupational noise exposure was not statistically significantly associated with Raynaud’s phenomenon, but there was a dose–effect trend. In addition, the multiple model showed a robust association between hearing loss and Raynaud’s phenomenon. These findings offer some support for a common pathophysiological background for Raynaud’s phenomenon and hearing loss among noise-exposed workers, possibly through noise-induced vasoconstriction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Albin Stjernbrandt
- Section of Sustainable Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Mahmoud Abu Mdaighem
- Section of Sustainable Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Hans Pettersson
- Section of Sustainable Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lewkowski K, Ytterstad E, Pugliese MJ, McCausland K, Heyworth JS, Li IW, Pettersson H, Williams W, Fritschi L. Exposure to Hand-Arm Vibration in the Australian Workforce. Ann Work Expo Health 2021; 65:659-667. [PMID: 33999177 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxaa121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kate Lewkowski
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Bentley, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Elinor Ytterstad
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Matthew J Pugliese
- UWA Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Kahlia McCausland
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Bentley, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Jane S Heyworth
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Ian W Li
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Hans Pettersson
- Section of Sustainable Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Lin Fritschi
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Bentley, Perth, WA, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Weier MH. The Association Between Occupational Exposure to Hand-Arm Vibration and Hearing Loss: A Systematic Literature Review. Saf Health Work 2020; 11:249-261. [PMID: 32995050 PMCID: PMC7502615 DOI: 10.1016/j.shaw.2020.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent worker health conditions worldwide. Although the effect of noise exposure on hearing is well researched, other workplace exposures may account for significant hearing loss. The aim of this review was to determine whether occupational hand–arm vibration exposure through use of power or pneumatic tools, independent of noise exposure, is associated with permanent hearing loss. Do workers suffer from hand–arm vibration–induced hearing loss? Methods Peer-reviewed articles published in English between 1981 and 2020 were identified through five online databases with five search keywords. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines, including online database search methodology, study selection, article exclusion, and assessment of potential study design confounders and biases, were followed. Results Database searches retrieved 697 articles. Fifteen articles that reported 17 studies met the criteria for review. All but two studies revealed statistically significant associations between occupational exposure to hand–arm vibration and hearing loss. The majority of the study results revealed associations between hand–arm vibration and hearing loss, independent of potential age and noise confounders. Conclusion Few studies have examined the association between occupational exposure to hand–arm vibration and hearing loss. Dose response data were limited as only one study measured vibration intensity and duration. Although the majority of studies identified statistically significant associations, causal relationships could not be determined. Further research using standardized and uniform measurement protocols is needed to confirm whether the association between occupational exposure to hand–arm vibration and permanent hearing loss is causal and the mechanism(s).
Collapse
|
6
|
Li X, Rong X, Wang Z, Lin A. Association between Smoking and Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17041201. [PMID: 32069960 PMCID: PMC7068375 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17041201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to synthesize the results of previously published observational studies through meta-analysis to clarify the association between smoking and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). We searched several databases as of October 2019. Based on the results of heterogeneity analysis (Q statistic and I2 statistic), a fixed effect model (for no heterogeneity; Q test P > 0.1 and I2 ≤ 50%) or a random effects model (for heterogeneity) was used to calculate the pooled odds ratios (ORs). We explored the potential dose-response relationship between smoking and NIHL as well. In total, 27 studies involving 30,465 participants were included. Compared with non-smokers, the pooled OR of current smokers was 2.05 (95% Confidence interval (CI): 1.71–2.46), and of former smokers was 1.11 (95% CI: 1.05–1.18). We found a curve linear association between an increasing number of pack-years (packages/day × smoking years) and risk of NIHL. The dose-response meta-analysis suggested that when the number of pack-years was less than fifteen, the risk of NIHL was increasing, and the highest combined OR was 5.25 (95% CI: 2.30–11.96) for pack-years of fifteen. After fifteen pack-years, the pooled OR had a slow decline. Our study indicated that smoking is a risk factor for NIHL. Current smokers have a higher risk than former smokers, and there is a positive dose-response relationship between smoking and NIHL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowen Li
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xing Rong
- The Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health, Guangzhou Medical University, 1 Tianqiang St., Huangpu West Ave., Guangzhou 510620, China
| | - Zhi Wang
- The Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health, Guangzhou Medical University, 1 Tianqiang St., Huangpu West Ave., Guangzhou 510620, China
- Correspondence: (Z.W.); (A.L.)
| | - Aihua Lin
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
- Department of Health Service and Management, Xinhua College of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510520, China
- Correspondence: (Z.W.); (A.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Prasad KN, Bondy SC. Increased oxidative stress, inflammation, and glutamate: Potential preventive and therapeutic targets for hearing disorders. Mech Ageing Dev 2019; 185:111191. [PMID: 31765645 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2019.111191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Hearing disorders constitute one of the major health concerns in the USA. Decades of basic and clinical studies have identified numerous ototoxic agents and investigated their modes of action on the inner ear, utilizing tissue culture as well as animal and human models. Current preventive and therapeutic approaches are considered unsatisfactory. Therefore, additional modalities should be developed. Many studies suggest that increased levels of oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and glutamate play an important role in the initiation and progression of damage to the inner ear leading to hearing impairments. To prevent these cellular deficits, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, and antagonists of glutamate receptor have been used individually or in combination with limited success. It is essential, therefore, to simultaneously enhance the levels of antioxidant enzymes by activating the Nrf2 (a nuclear transcriptional factor) pathway, dietary and endogenous antioxidant compounds, and B12-vitamins in order to reduce the levels of oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and glutamate at the same time. This review presents evidence to show that increased levels of these cellular metabolites, biochemical or factors are involved in the pathogenesis of cochlea leading to hearing impairments. It presents scientific rationale for the use of a mixture of micronutrients that may decrease the levels of oxidative damage, chronic inflammation, and glutamate at the same time. The benefits for using oral administration of proposed micronutrient mixture in humans are presented. Animal and limited human studies indirectly suggest that orally administered micronutrients can accumulate in the inner ear. Therefore, this route of administration may be useful in prevention, and in combination with standard care, in improved management of hearing problems following exposure to well-recognized and studied ototoxic agents, such as noise, cisplatin, aminoglycoside antibiotics, and advanced age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kadar N Prasad
- Engage Global, 245 El Faisan Drive, San Rafael, CA, 94903, United States.
| | - Stephen C Bondy
- Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-1830, United States
| |
Collapse
|