Association between occupational solvent exposure and cognitive performance in the French CONSTANCES study

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the association between occupational exposure to solvents and cognitive performance in middle-aged and early-ageing participants, taking into account the working environment.MethodsIn the French Cohorte des consultants des Centres d'examens de santé (CONSTANCES) cohort, 41 854 participants aged 45–69 years completed a self-reported, lifetime occupational exposure questionnaire. Exposure to solvents (gasoline for hand washing, trichloroethylene, white spirit, cellulosic thinner) was first considered as a binary variable (exposed/not exposed). We computed number of solvent types to which participants were exposed, solvent exposure time and delay since last exposure. Cognitive performance was assessed and analysed in reference to norms of neuropsychological battery previously established in CONSTANCES according to age, sex and education. Multiple linear and modified Poisson regression were used to estimate the associations between solvent exposure and cognitive performance adjusting for individual and environmental characteristics, and working conditions (night shift, repetitive and noisy work).ResultsMen had a greater risk of global cognitive impairment when they were exposed to gasoline (relative risk (RR)=1.12, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.22), white spirit (RR=1.14, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.25) or cellulosic thinner (RR=1.17, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.31) at the workplace, even after adjusting for confounders. Women exposed to white spirit or exposed for more than 20 years had poorer global cognitive performance.ConclusionThese findings strengthen our understanding of the detrimental effect of solvent exposure on cognitive health not only in men but also in women for the first time, in a large general population middle-aged and early-ageing sample from France, taking into account working conditions.

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The activity of the Interdepartmental Commission for Maximum Admissible Concentrations and Intensities for Agents Harmful to Health in the Working Environment in 2017-2019

Podstawy i Metody Oceny Środowiska Pracy ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0014.1088 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (1(103)) ◽

pp. 141-170

Author(s):

Danuta Koradecka ◽

Jolanta Skowroń

Keyword(s):

Nitric Oxide ◽

Social Policy ◽

Occupational Exposure ◽

Working Conditions ◽

Working Environment ◽

Hazardous Substances ◽

Exposure Limits ◽

Chemical Substances ◽

Interdepartmental Commission ◽

The Eu

In the fourth phase of the National Programme “Improvement of safety and working conditions”, 10 meetings of the Commission took place, during which the following items were discussed: – 37 documentations for recommended exposure limits of chemical substances prepared by the Expert Group for Chemical and Dust Agents – the position of the Interdepartmental Commission for MAC and MAI regarding: smog, nitric oxide limit value in the underground mining and tunneling sector, binding value for 1,2-dichloroethane and the introduction of the „skin” label (absorption of the substance through the skin may be just as important, as if inhaled) – rules for determining occupational exposure limits of chemical and dust harmful to health in the working environment and for active substances of cytostatics – programmes for improving working conditions in KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. copper mines in order to limit exposure to nitric oxide at workstations to the value of 2.5 mg / m3 adopted in Directive 2017/164 / EU with a transitional period until August 21, 2023 (Official Journal of the EU L 27 of 1.2.2017, p. 115) – adaptation of the Polish list of MAC values to Directive 2017/164 / EU establishing the 4th list of indicative occupational exposure values, to the draft directive establishing the 5th list of indicative occupational exposure values and to directives 2017/2398 /EU, 2019/130 / EU and 2019/983 / EU amending Directive 2004/37/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work – the position of the Economic Chamber of Non-Ferrous Metals and Recycling regarding the reduction of the MAC value for cadmium and its compounds – the notations in the draft ordinance of the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy amending the ordinance on maximum admissible concentrations and intensities of agents harmful to health in the working environment for wood dust and chromium (VI) compounds in relation to transitional measures included in Directive 2019/130 /EU of January 16, 2019. The Interdepartmental Commission for MAC and MAI adopted 10 proposals and presented them to the minister responsible for work on a revision of the list of maximum admissible concentrations and intensity of agents harmful to health in the working environment in the following areas: – introduction to Annex 1 „Chemical substances” of records on dusts – the introduction of the „skin” notation for 195 chemicals – introduction to Annex No. 1 maximum admissible concentrations for 11 new chemicals and changes for 22 chemicals. The work carried out by the Interdepartmental Committee of MAC and MAI in 2017-2019 made it possible to adaptat to national law the EU directive in this field within the period provided for in the directives. Two ordinances of the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy were prepared and published, including the provisions of the abovementioned directives and added concentration limits for 11 new chemical agents harmful to health in the working environment. The results of the Commission’s work in 2017-2019 were disseminated in 12 issues of Principles and Methods of Assessing the Working Environment, in which the following were published: 34 documents on occupational exposure levels for chemicals, 35 methods for determining the concentrations of chemicals in the working environment, 7 articles, an in-situ electromagnetic field measurement procedure and annual reports on the activities of the Commission. The results of the Commission’s activities in 2017-2019 were presented in 14 Polish publications, 7 presentations during Polish conferences as well as at workshops and training conferences as part of the European information campaign „Hazardous substances under control”. This article discusses the problems of occupational safety and health, which are covered by health sciences and environmental engineering.

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Contribution of Components of Metabolic Syndrome to Cognitive Performance in Middle-Aged Adults

Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology ◽

10.1093/arclin/acaa081 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Karamfil M Bahchevanov ◽

Angel M Dzhambov ◽

Kostadin A Chompalov ◽

Radka I Massaldjieva ◽

Penka A Atanassova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Cognitive Functioning ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Longitudinal Research ◽

Word List ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Neuropsychological Battery ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

University Degree ◽

Middle Aged Adults

Abstract Introduction Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been associated with impaired cognition in different cognitive domains. This study investigated the association between MetS and cognitive functioning in middle-aged Bulgarians across different definitions of MetS severity. Material and Methods Our cross-sectional sample included 112 participants (67 free of MetS and 45 with MetS) with a mean age of 50.04 ± 3.31 years. The following MetS variables were considered—presence of MetS, continuously measured MetS components, dichotomized MetS components, number of MetS components present, and Metabolic Syndrome Severity Score (MSSS). Participants’ cognitive performance was assessed using the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease Neuropsychological Battery (CERAD-NB). We employed multivariate regression models to investigate the associations between different measures of MetS severity and CERAD-NB total and subtest scores. Results Bivariate analyses showed that the CERAD-NB total score was significantly higher in women, participants with a university degree, those with normal blood pressure, normal waist circumference, and low triglyceride levels, compared with their counterparts. MetS participants had lower CERAD-NB total score (78.87 ± 6.89 vs. 84.97 ± 7.84) and specifically performed poorer on the subtest Word List Recall (7.16 ± 1.52 vs. 7.99 ± 1.52). These findings persisted after controlling for age, gender, and education. Next, generalized linear regression indicated that the CERAD-NB total score was lower in participants with MetS (β = −4.86; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −7.60, −2.11), those with more MetS components (β = −8.31; 95% CI: −14.13, −2.50 for fours vs. 0 components) and with an increase in MSSS (β = −3.19; 95% CI: −4.67, −1.71). Hypertension independently contributed to lower CERAD-NB total score (β = −4.00; 95% CI: −6.81, −1.19). Conclusions Across several definitions, MetS was associated with lower cognitive functioning, and MetS severity appeared to be a better predictor than most MetS components. Recognizing and reducing severity of MetS components might be helpful in supporting cognitive functioning. Further longitudinal research is needed to shed more light on the relationship between MetS and cognitive functioning across the life span.

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Professional pathology in the production of aluminum in the Kola Arctic

Russian Journal of Occupational Health and Industrial Ecology ◽

10.31089/1026-9428-2019-59-9-767-768 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 767-767

Author(s):

S. A. Syurin ◽

S. A. Gorbanev

Keyword(s):

Working Conditions ◽

Occupational Diseases ◽

Scientific Explanation ◽

Marked Decrease ◽

The Arctic ◽

Aluminium Production ◽

First Time

In 2007-2017, 22 occupational diseases were diagnosed for the first time in 18 workers engaged in aluminium production in the Arctic. A marked decrease in occupational morbidity in 2010-2017 was found, which was not associated with changes in working conditions and therefore requires an appropriate scientific explanation.

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Hygienic assessment of working conditions working in LLC “Oil and gas equipment plant»

Russian Journal of Occupational Health and Industrial Ecology ◽

10.31089/1026-9428-2019-59-9-733-734 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 733-733

Author(s):

V. P. Rodkin ◽

A. N. Usatov ◽

V. G. Demchenko

Keyword(s):

Working Conditions ◽

Oil And Gas ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Working Environment

The authors conducted a hygienic assessment of working conditions of employees in LLC «Oil and gas equipment plant» on the basis of research of the Center of Hygiene and Epidemiology in the Omsk region. The factors of the working environment and working conditions of workers having an impact on their health. Are studied. Hygiene-based preventive measures have been developed.

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Hygienic aspects of working conditions of workers in the Samara region

Russian Journal of Occupational Health and Industrial Ecology ◽

10.31089/1026-9428-2019-59-9-564 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 564-564

Author(s):

N. S. Belyakova ◽

N. M. Tsunina ◽

A. S. Karapetyan

Keyword(s):

Working Conditions ◽

Female Body ◽

Working Environment ◽

Working Day

The factors of working conditions that affect the health of women during the working day are listed. Developed measures to create a favorable working environment for the female body.

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An occupational hazard of workers of wagon-repair production

Russian Journal of Occupational Health and Industrial Ecology ◽

10.31089/1026-9428-2019-59-5-272-277 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 272-277 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Galina V. Kurenkova ◽

Natalia A. Sudeikina ◽

Elizaveta P. Lemeshevskaya

Keyword(s):

Working Conditions ◽

Musculoskeletal System ◽

Occupational Risk ◽

Working Environment ◽

Labor Process ◽

Control Group ◽

Professional Groups ◽

Wagon Wheel ◽

Medical Examinations ◽

Very High

Introduction. Professional groups of railway workers engaged in the repair of wagons are directly responsible for the safety of railway traffic. The analysis of literature testifies to insufficient attention of researchers to the hygienic problems associated with labor activity of workers of wagon-repair production.The aim of the study is to assess the occupational risk to the health of wagon repair workers, due to the impact on them of factors of the working environment and the labor process.Materials and methods. The study used comprehensive hygienic studies using the methodology of occupational risk to worker’s health.Results. The leading factors of the working environment (class of working conditions 3.2–3.4), which are exposed to workers depending on the specifics of the work performed. Identified professional groups with medium (significant) high (unbearable) and very high (intolerable) category of a priori occupational risk: in wagon meintenance workshop — 17 groups (94% of jobs), in a wagon assembly workshop — 11 groups (80% jobs), in wagon wheel workshop — 3 group (100% jobs). At the same time, according to the request for medical care, employees were diagnosed with isolated cases of occupational diseases.The levels of morbidity with temporary disability of employees of the main workshops are statistically significant (p<0.05) higher than those of the control group in 1.4–1.9 times. The influence of the complex of chemical factors of low and medium intensity on the levels of morbidity of respiratory diseases in the group of workers of the wagon wheel workshop, which were 1.7–2.0 times higher than in the control group, is confirmed by the average degree of causation of the production condition of this pathology (RR=1.7; EF=42.0%).The combined effect of vibration and severity of the labor process forms a high level of temporary disability of employees of the main workshops in connection with diseases of the musculoskeletal system, which was 2.7–4.4 times higher than in the control group, and also determines the prevalence of this pathology in the structure of diseases detected on medical examinations (23.2%). Diseases of the musculoskeletal system are caused by the production of employees of the wagon meintenance workshop (RR=3,9; EF=74,9%), as the most unfavorable in terms of hygiene on these factors.The stressful influence of the complex of harmful production factors on the health of wagon repair workers is manifested by the high risk of diseases of the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, neurological disorders, violation of adaptation of the cardiovascular system in 97% of the examined, as well as the predominance of diseases of the digestive system and circulatory system detected on periodic medical examinations.Conclusions. Harmful working conditions (class 3.1–3.4) cause the suspected occupational risk from small (moderate) to very high (intolerable) to 100% of the jobs of wagon repair workers. The results of the study of morbidity and risk of pathology indicate a significant risk of damage to the health of workers.

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II. Cognitive performance of middle-aged female rats is influenced by capacity to metabolize progesterone in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus

Brain Research ◽

10.1016/j.brainres.2010.10.099 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 1379 ◽

pp. 149-163 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Jason J. Paris ◽

Alicia A. Walf ◽

Cheryl A. Frye

Keyword(s):

Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Female Rats ◽

Middle Aged

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Assessment of Occupational Exposure to BTEX in a Petrochemical Plant via Urinary Biomarkers

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13137178 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (13) ◽

pp. 7178

Author(s):

Višnja Mihajlović ◽

Nenad Grba ◽

Jan Suđi ◽

Diane Eichert ◽

Smilja Krajinović ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Occupational Exposure ◽

Urinary Biomarkers ◽

Working Environment ◽

Passive Samplers ◽

Control Group ◽

Petrochemical Plant ◽

Exposure Limits ◽

Multivariate Statistical ◽

Mean Values ◽

Relative Standard

This work presents the results of the first Serbian monitoring campaign performed to assess the occupational exposure of petrochemical industry workers to benzene (B), toluene (T), ethylbenzene (E), and xylene (X), known collectively as BTEX. The following urinary biomarkers were investigated: phenol, hippuric acid, o-Cresol, p-Cresol, and creatinine. BTEX compounds were collected in 2014 using Casella passive samplers. Multivariate statistical analysis was performed to put in evidence the correlation between the BTEX measured in air and the concentration of urinary biomarkers. While the results indicate an elevated presence of benzene in the air in the working environment studied that surpasses the national and European Occupational Exposure Limits (OEL), the levels of the remaining (TEX) parameters measured were below the OEL. The high relative standard deviations (RSD) for the concentrations of each BTEX compound (68–161 mg m−3) point toward an intensive occupational exposure to BTEX. This was confirmed by relevant urine biomarkers, particularly by the mean values of phenol, which were ten and fourteen times higher than the ones found in the control group (14–12 mg g−1 of creatinine). On average, workers are at a higher risk of developing cancer (6.1 × 10−3), with risk levels exceeding the US EPA limits. Benzene levels should therefore be maintained under tight controls and monitored via proper urinary biomarkers.

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