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Sawano T, Murakami M, Ozaki A, Nishikawa Y, Fukuda A, Oikawa T, Tsubokura M. Prevalence of non-communicable diseases among healthy male decontamination workers after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan: an observational study. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21980. [PMID: 34753966 PMCID: PMC8578545 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01244-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The health status of healthy decontamination workers employed after the Fukushima nuclear disaster remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of non-communicable diseases among such workers. In this observational study, questionnaires on lifestyle and social factors were administered as part of a health promotion program for decontamination workers in 2016 in Minamisoma City, Fukushima. The questionnaires and health check-up results were compared with those of the 2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in Japan. Overall, 123 male decontamination workers were enrolled; 93 (75.6%) were drinkers, and 84 (68.3%) were current smokers. The age-adjusted prevalence (95% confidence interval) of hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and obesity were 27.2% (20.1–34.4%), 30.4% (22.6–38.2%), 11.3% (5.5–17.1%), and 49.0% (39.0–58.9%), respectively. The age-adjusted prevalence in the NHANES were 32.8% (31.1–34.5%), 16.1% (14.5–17.6%), 7.0% (6.2–7.7%), and 31.2% (29.9–32.5%), respectively. The prevalence of obesity, dyslipidemia, binge drinking, and smoking were higher in healthy male decontamination workers than in the general population. Decontamination workers in disaster-struck areas may have higher risks of developing non-communicable diseases, possibly due to their original health status. Continuous monitoring of their health status and proper interventions are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toyoaki Sawano
- Department of Surgery, Jyoban Hospital of Tokiwa Foundation, Iwaki, Fukushima, Japan. .,Department of Radiation Health Management, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan. .,Research Center for Community Health, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital, 54-6 Takamicho 2 chome, Haramachi, Minamisoma, Fukushima, Japan.
| | - Michio Murakami
- Department of Health Risk Communication, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan.,Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Akihiko Ozaki
- Research Center for Community Health, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital, 54-6 Takamicho 2 chome, Haramachi, Minamisoma, Fukushima, Japan.,Department of Breast Surgery, Jyoban Hospital of Tokiwa Foundation, Iwaki, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Nishikawa
- Department of Internal Medicine, Soma Central Hospital, Soma, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Aoi Fukuda
- Department of Surgery, Sendai City Medical Center, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Tomoyoshi Oikawa
- Department of Neurosurgery, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital, Minamisoma, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Masaharu Tsubokura
- Department of Radiation Health Management, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan.,Research Center for Community Health, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital, 54-6 Takamicho 2 chome, Haramachi, Minamisoma, Fukushima, Japan
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Sawano T, Tsubokura M, Ozaki A, Leppold C, Nomura S, Shimada Y, Ochi S, Tsukada M, Nemoto T, Kato S, Kanazawa Y, Ohira H. Non-communicable diseases in decontamination workers in areas affected by the Fukushima nuclear disaster: a retrospective observational study. BMJ Open 2016; 6:e013885. [PMID: 27974372 PMCID: PMC5168629 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and whether NCDs were treated or not, among hospitalised decontamination workers who moved to radio-contaminated areas after Japan's 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster. METHODS We retrospectively extracted records of decontamination workers admitted to Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital between 1 June 2012 and 31 August 2015, from hospital records. We investigated the incidence of underlying NCDs such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia and diabetes among the decontamination workers, and their treatment status, in addition to the reasons for their hospital admission. RESULTS A total of 113 decontamination workers were admitted to the hospital (112 male patients, median age of 54 years (age range: 18-69 years)). In terms of the demographics of underlying NCDs in this population, 57 of 72 hypertensive patients (79.2%), 37 of 45 dyslipidaemic patients (82.2%) and 18 of 27 hyperglycaemic patients (66.7%) had not been treated for their NCDs before admission to the hospital. CONCLUSIONS A high burden of underlying NCDs was found in hospitalised decontamination workers in Fukushima. Managing underlying diseases such as hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and diabetes mellitus is essential among this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toyoaki Sawano
- Department of Surgery, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital, Minamisoma, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Masaharu Tsubokura
- Department of Radiation Protection, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital, Minamisoma, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Akihiko Ozaki
- Department of Surgery, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital, Minamisoma, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Claire Leppold
- Department of Research, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital, Minamisoma, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Shuhei Nomura
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Yuki Shimada
- Department of Neurosurgery, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital, Minamisoma, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Sae Ochi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Soma Central Hospital, Soma, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Manabu Tsukada
- Department of Surgery, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital, Minamisoma, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Nemoto
- Department of Home Medical Care, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital, Minamisoma, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Shigeaki Kato
- Research Institute of Innovative Medicine, Jyoban Hospital, Iwaki, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yukio Kanazawa
- Department of Radiation Protection, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital, Minamisoma, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Hiromichi Ohira
- Department of Surgery, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital, Minamisoma, Fukushima, Japan
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Yáñez L, García-Nieto E, Rojas E, Carrizales L, Mejía J, Calderón J, Razo I, Díaz-Barriga F. DNA damage in blood cells from children exposed to arsenic and lead in a mining area. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2003; 93:231-240. [PMID: 14615232 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2003.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we studied the frequency of DNA damage in children living in Villa de la Paz, Mexico, a mining site contaminated with arsenic and lead. DNA damage in blood cells was assessed using the Comet assay, and the results were compared to those found in children living in a less exposed town (Matehuala). In Villa de la Paz, high concentrations of arsenic and lead in surface soil and household dust were found. All of the soil samples had concentrations above 100 mg/kg of arsenic, and 58% of the samples were higher than 400 mg/kg of lead (these concentrations are used as intervention guidelines by the United States Environmental Protection Agency). In agreement with the environmental results, urinary arsenic in children living in Villa de la Paz (geometric mean 136 microg/g creatinine) was significantly higher than that found in children living in Matehuala (34 microg/g creatinine). Blood lead levels were also significantly higher in children from Villa de la Paz (11.6 microg/dL) than in children from Matehuala (8.3 microg/dL). The results of the Comet assay showed that the tail length and the tail moment in children living in Villa de la Paz were higher than those observed for children in Matehuala (P<0.05). Taking all the data into account, our study has shown increased DNA damage in children exposed to arsenic and lead in the mining site of Villa de la Paz.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Yáñez
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
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Yáñ ez L, Ortiz D, Calderón J, Batres L, Carrizales L, Mejía J, Martínez L, García-Nieto E, Díaz-Barriga F. Overview of human health and chemical mixtures: problems facing developing countries. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2002. [PMID: 12634117 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.02110s6901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In developing countries, chemical mixtures within the vicinity of small-scale enterprises, smelters, mines, agricultural areas, toxic waste disposal sites, etc., often present a health hazard to the populations within those vicinities. Therefore, in these countries, there is a need to study the toxicological effects of mixtures of metals, pesticides, and organic compounds. However, the study of mixtures containing substances such as DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, an insecticide banned in developed nations), and mixtures containing contaminants such as fluoride (of concern only in developing countries) merit special attention. Although the studies may have to take into account simultaneous exposures to metals and organic compounds, there is also a need to consider the interaction between chemicals and other specific factors such as nutritional conditions, alcoholism, smoking, infectious diseases, and ethnicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Yáñ ez
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México
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Yáñ ez L, Ortiz D, Calderón J, Batres L, Carrizales L, Mejía J, Martínez L, García-Nieto E, Díaz-Barriga F. Overview of human health and chemical mixtures: problems facing developing countries. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2002; 110 Suppl 6:901-9. [PMID: 12634117 PMCID: PMC1241270 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.110-1241270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
In developing countries, chemical mixtures within the vicinity of small-scale enterprises, smelters, mines, agricultural areas, toxic waste disposal sites, etc., often present a health hazard to the populations within those vicinities. Therefore, in these countries, there is a need to study the toxicological effects of mixtures of metals, pesticides, and organic compounds. However, the study of mixtures containing substances such as DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, an insecticide banned in developed nations), and mixtures containing contaminants such as fluoride (of concern only in developing countries) merit special attention. Although the studies may have to take into account simultaneous exposures to metals and organic compounds, there is also a need to consider the interaction between chemicals and other specific factors such as nutritional conditions, alcoholism, smoking, infectious diseases, and ethnicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Yáñ ez
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México
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