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He Y, Qiu H, Wang W, Lin Y, Ho KF. Exposure to BTEX is associated with cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia and leukocytosis in national US population. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 919:170639. [PMID: 38316304 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Comprehensive research on the effects of individual benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) and their mixture measured in blood samples, on cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and related risk factors among the general population is limited. OBJECTIVES To investigate the effects of blood individual and mixed BTEX on total CVD and its subtypes, lipid profiles, and white blood cell (WBC) count. METHODS Survey-weighted multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the associations between blood individual and mixed BTEX with CVD and its subtypes in 17,007 participants from NHANES 1999-2018. The combined effect of BTEX mixture on CVD was estimated using weighted quantile sum modeling and quantile g-computation. Weighted multivariate linear regression assessed the effects of BTEX on lipid profiles and WBC, including its five-part differential count. RESULTS In comparison to the reference quartile of BTEX mixture, individuals in the highest quartile had a significantly increased adjusted odds ratio of CVD risk (1.64, 95 % CI: 1.23 to 2.19, P for trend = 0.008). Positive associations were observed for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and m-/p-xylene, demonstrating a monotonically increasing exposure-response relationship. Mixed BTEX was associated with congestive heart failure (CHF), angina pectoris, and heart attack. Individual benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene were associated with CHF, while toluene, ethylbenzene, and all xylene isomers were linked to angina pectoris. Benzene, toluene, and o-xylene were associated with heart attack. Both mixed and individual BTEX showed positive associations with triglycerides, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and WBC, including its five-part differential count, but a negative relationship with high-density lipoprotein. Subgroup analyses identified modifying effects of smoking, drinking, exercise, BMI, hypertension, and diabetes on the associations between specific toxicants and CVD risk. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to BTEX was associated with cardiovascular diseases and cardiovascular risk factors. These findings emphasize the importance of considering blood BTEX levels when assessing cardiovascular health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yansu He
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hong Qiu
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wenqiao Wang
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yong Lin
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, HKSAR, China
| | - Kin Fai Ho
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, HKSAR, China.
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Yarroo MYK, Rathebe PC. Assessment of the effects of solvents on lung function among paint industry workers in Mauritius. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2024; 34:138-149. [PMID: 36223593 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2022.2134558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The study aimed to determine the respiratory effects of solvents among workers in the Mauritius paint industry. A total of 388 participants were selected using simple random sampling, and were subjected to a questionnaire for data collection. Lung function test was performed using a spirometer. Multiple regression was used to analyze the relationship between hours of exposure to solvents, while adjusting for socio-demographic factors. Independent t-test was also used to identify any difference between the means of lung function tests and the two exposed groups. Male participants were found less likely exposed to solvents compared to females (AOR, 3.39, CI 1.97-5.81). Those with secondary and lower secondary education, and worked for ≤12 hours per week, had an increased likelihood of being exposed to solvents (AOR 2.95, CI 1.20-7.28) (AOR 2.48, CI 1.19-5.16). Participants who were aware of occupational hazards (AOR 0.15, CI (0.05-0.46), and have used PPE (AOR 0.14, CI 0.08-0.25) were less likely to be less exposed to solvents. This study highlights the adverse effects of workplace exposures on respiratory health among paint factory workers. .
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Yusuf Khan Yarroo
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Phoka C Rathebe
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
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He Y, Lin Y, Qiu H, Wu L, Ho KF. Low-dose blood BTEX are associated with pulmonary function through changes in inflammatory markers among US adults: NHANES 2007-2012. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:69064-69079. [PMID: 37129810 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27181-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The effects of blood benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) on lung function among general adults remain unknown. We enrolled 5519 adults with measured blood BTEX concentrations and lung function from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2012. Weighted linear models were fitted to assess the associations of BTEX with lung function and inflammation parameters (white blood cell five-part differential count and C-reactive protein). The mediating effect of inflammation between BTEX and lung function was also examined. Blood BTEX concentrations decreased yearly from 1999 and were extremely low from 2007 to 2012. Benzene and toluene exerted the greatest influence on lung function in terms of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), calculated FEV1:FVC ratio, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), and forced mid expiratory flow (FEF25-75%). Both ethylbenzene and all xylene isomers had no effects on FVC but reduced FEV1, FEV1:FVC ratio, PEFR, and FEF25-75%. Weighted quantile analyses demonstrated that BTEX mixture was associated with decreases in FVC, FEV1, FEV1:FVC ratio, PEFR, and FEF25-75%, with benzene weighted most heavily for all lung function parameters. BTEX also increased the levels of inflammation indicated by white blood cell five-part differential count and C-reactive protein, and increased levels of inflammation also reduced lung function. From multiple mediation analysis, inflammation mediated the effects of benzene on FEV1 and PEFR, the effects of toluene on FEV1, and the effects of ethylbenzene on FEV1 and PEFR. Low-dose exposure to BTEX was associated with reduced pulmonary function both in large and small airways. Inflammation could be involved in this pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yansu He
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, HKSAR, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yong Lin
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, HKSAR, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hong Qiu
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, HKSAR, Hong Kong, China
| | - Linying Wu
- Department of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kin Fai Ho
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, HKSAR, Hong Kong, China.
- Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, HKSAR, Hong Kong, China.
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Lawrence KG, Niehoff NM, Keil AP, Braxton Jackson W, Christenbury K, Stewart PA, Stenzel MR, Huynh TB, Groth CP, Ramachandran G, Banerjee S, Pratt GC, Curry MD, Engel LS, Sandler DP. Associations between airborne crude oil chemicals and symptom-based asthma. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 167:107433. [PMID: 35921771 PMCID: PMC9378681 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill response and cleanup (OSRC) workers were exposed to airborne total hydrocarbons (THC), benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-, m-, and p-xylenes and n-hexane (BTEX-H) from crude oil and PM2.5 from burning/flaring oil and natural gas. Little is known about asthma risk among oil spill cleanup workers. OBJECTIVES We assessed the relationship between asthma and several oil spill-related exposures including job classes, THC, individual BTEX-H chemicals, the BTEX-H mixture, and PM2.5 using data from the Gulf Long-Term Follow-up (GuLF) Study, a prospective cohort of 24,937 cleanup workers and 7,671 nonworkers following the DWH disaster. METHODS Our analysis largely focused on the 19,018 workers without asthma before the spill who had complete exposure, outcome, and covariate information. We defined incident asthma 1-3 years following exposure using both self-reported wheeze and self-reported physician diagnosis of asthma. THC and BTEX-H were assigned to participants based on measurement data and work histories, while PM2.5 used modeled estimates. We used modified Poisson regression to estimate risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between spill-related exposures and asthma and a quantile-based g-computation approach to explore the joint effect of the BTEX-H mixture on asthma risk. RESULTS OSRC workers had greater asthma risk than nonworkers (RR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.38, 1.85). Higher estimated THC exposure levels were associated with increased risk in an exposure-dependent manner (linear trend test p < 0.0001). Asthma risk also increased with increasing exposure to individual BTEX-H chemicals and the chemical mixture: A simultaneous quartile increase in the BTEX-H mixture was associated with an increased asthma risk of 1.45 (95% CI: 1.35,1.55). With fewer cases, associations were less apparent for physician-diagnosed asthma alone. CONCLUSIONS THC and BTEX-H were associated with increased asthma risk defined using wheeze symptoms as well as a physician diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn G Lawrence
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Nicole M Niehoff
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Alexander P Keil
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA; Department of Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - W Braxton Jackson
- Social and Scientific Systems Inc, a DLH Holdings company, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kate Christenbury
- Social and Scientific Systems Inc, a DLH Holdings company, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Mark R Stenzel
- Exposure Assessment Applications, LLC, Arlington, VA, USA
| | - Tran B Huynh
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Caroline P Groth
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Gurumurthy Ramachandran
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sudipto Banerjee
- Department of Biostatistics, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gregory C Pratt
- Division of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Matthew D Curry
- Social and Scientific Systems Inc, a DLH Holdings company, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Lawrence S Engel
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA; Department of Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Dale P Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
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Ojo TO, Onayade AA, Afolabi OT, Ijadunola MY, Esan OT, Akinyemi PA, Awe OO. Work Practices and Health Problems of Spray Painters Exposed to Organic Solvents in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. J Health Pollut 2020; 10:201208. [PMID: 33324505 PMCID: PMC7731485 DOI: 10.5696/2156-9614-10.28.201208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Automobile spray painters in Nigeria are exposed to organic solvents due to the hazardous nature of their work. Inadequate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) may intensify exposure to high levels of chemical hazards with resultant health problems. OBJECTIVES The present study assessed PPE use and work practices and compared work-related health problems of spray painters and controls in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 spray painters and 120 controls (electronic technicians). Data on socio-demographics, work practices, knowledge about organic solvent-related hazards and self-reported health symptoms were obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire. Clinical examinations were performed for all respondents and the composition of organic solvents in paints and paint products were derived from material safety data sheets. RESULTS All respondents were male, and the mean age was 32.7±13.8 years for painters and 33.9±15.5 years for controls. Few (7.5%) painters perceived their use of PPE to be adequate. All spray painters worked in enclosed workshops and N-butyl acetate was the most commonly used organic solvent. Spray painters reported excessive tear production, recurrent cough, and short-term memory loss more frequently than controls (P<0.05). In addition, 89% of painters noticed paint-stained sputum immediately after spray painting. The prevalence ratio of respiratory symptoms was higher in spray painters than controls (prevalence ratio=21.0, CI=2.9-153.6). On clinical examination, more spray painters had corneal opacity and dry skin when compared with controls (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Spray painters in the study area worked amidst chemical hazards and had poor use of PPE. Exposure to organic solvents may be responsible for the higher prevalence of self-reported health problems among spray painters. Interventions to enforce the use of PPE and improve the knowledge of organic solvent-related hazards among spray painters are essential. PARTICIPANT CONSENT Obtained. ETHICS APPROVAL Ethical approval to conduct the study was obtained from the Health Research and Ethics Committee of the Institute of Public Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Nigeria (HREC No: IPHOAU/12/463). COMPETING INTERESTS The authors declare no competing financial interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Temitope Olumuyiwa Ojo
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | | | - Olusegun Temitope Afolabi
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | | | - Oluwaseun Taiwo Esan
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | - Patrick Ayodeji Akinyemi
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | - Oluwaseun Olaniyi Awe
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
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Orthodox or traditional medicine? Private or public healthcare? Exploring treatment pathways for occupational health problems among informal automobile artisans. Soc Sci Med 2020; 265:113510. [PMID: 33223386 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Even though informal workers in developing countries have the most hazardous jobs, there is a sheer neglect for the treatment of their occupational health problems (OHP) in practice and by policies. This qualitative study explored how informal automobile artisans from Nigeria sought care for their OHP. It focused on their choice between orthodox and traditional medicine, between self-care and professional care, and between private and public health-care providers. 43 informal automobile artisans were purposively interviewed. The treatment sought depended on the type, the severity, and the perceived cause of the OHP. The distinction between rational and non-rational explanations of the causes of OHP usually determined the treatment endpoint. The financial means of the artisans and the cost of different treatments were also important factors. The study concluded that in order to develop safer working conditions in the sector, policy makers and artisanal associations should be aware of the considerations that informed the artisans' choices on how to treat OHP .
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Akinyemi PA, Adegbenro CA, Ojo TO, Elugbaju O. Neurobehavioral Effects of Organic Solvents Exposure Among Wood Furniture Makers in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria. J Health Pollut 2019; 9:190604. [PMID: 31259080 PMCID: PMC6555245 DOI: 10.5696/2156-9614-9.22.190604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Furniture making industries are small scale businesses that commonly use organic solvents. There has been minimal focus on the health effects of this chemical hazard on the nervous system among furniture makers in Nigeria. OBJECTIVES The present study aimed to assess the association between organic solvents exposure and neurobehavioral status of furniture makers, using electronic technicians as a comparison group. METHODS A comparative cross-sectional study design was employed. A sample size of 108 was calculated for each group. A semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain data on the socio-demographic variables and use of personal protective equipment (PPE). A proforma was developed to collect neurobehavioral assessment data. A checklist was used to assess the furniture makers' workshops. Air was sampled from all of the workshops in both the study and comparison groups to determine the concentration of total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs). RESULTS The use of PPE was poor in both the study and comparison groups, with no significant difference between them (34.4% and 37.7% respectively). Total volatile organic compound and formaldehyde (HCHO) concentrations were significantly higher at the furniture makers' workshops compared with electronic technicians (p<0.001) for both chemicals. The 8-hour time-weighted average of TVOC was also higher in the furniture makers' workshops (4.4±0.6 mg/m3) compared with the control group (0.3±0.3 mg/m3). The neurobehavioral symptoms score was significantly higher among the study group relative to the comparison group (p<0.001). There was a significant difference in the outcome of the auditory verbal learning test, total recall (p=0.005), and delayed recall (p=0.003). There was no significant association between solvent exposure index and findings from the simple reaction time test. CONCLUSIONS Poor compliance with the use of PPE among furniture makers may increase their exposure to organic solvents. There were more neurobehavioral changes in the furniture makers with a higher exposure index. Measures are needed to educate artisans about workrelated chemical hazards and ensure compliance with basic occupational safety and hygiene standards. PARTICIPANT CONSENT Obtained. ETHICS APPROVAL Ethics approval was obtained from the Health Research and Ethics Committee of the Institute of Public Health, Obafemi Awolowo University (IPH/OAU/12/1049). COMPETING INTERESTS The authors declare no competing financial interests.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Temitope Olumuyiwa Ojo
- Department of Community Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
| | - Olanrewaju Elugbaju
- Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
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Saraei M, Pouryaghoub G, Eftekhari S. Effects of Car Painting Vapors on Spirometric Parameters in Automobile Painting Workers. TANAFFOS 2019; 18:346-350. [PMID: 32607116 PMCID: PMC7309884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Automobile spray painting is considered a high-risk occupation for respiratory diseases. The present survey aimed to assess the effects of automobile paint vapors on spirometric parameters among workers of a painting workshop in a large automobile manufacturing plant in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted on 820 workers of an automobile manufacturing plant, including 431 spray painters (case group) and 389 assembly line workers (control group). Spirometry was conducted for all participants under standard conditions, according to the American Thoracic Society (ATS) Clinical Practice Guidelines. The forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, and forced expiratory flow at 25% and 75% of the pulmonary volume (FEF25-75) were reported. RESULTS Painters with more than ten years of work experience had significantly lower predicted values of FEV1/FVC (P= 0.005), FEV1 (P=0.008), and FEF25-75 (P=0.003), compared to the control group. Also, painters who were exposed to solvent-based paints were not significantly different from those exposed to water-based paints in terms of spirometric parameters (P>0.05). CONCLUSION The results indicated the impact of automobile spray painting on the spirometric parameters. A slight decrease in the mean values of these parameters calls for attention to occupational safety, regular medical examinations, and effective measures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sahar Eftekhari
- Correspondence to: Eftekhari S, Address: Center for Research on Occupational Diseases (CROD), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran., Email address:
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