scholarly journals Industrial Fungal Enzymes: An Occupational Allergen Perspective

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett J. Green ◽  
Donald H. Beezhold
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Industrial Production ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Work Place ◽  
Fungal Enzymes ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Engineering Controls ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Ige Mediated

Occupational exposure to high-molecular-weight allergens is a risk factor for the development and pathogenesis of IgE-mediated respiratory disease. In some occupational environments, workers are at an increased risk of exposure to fungal enzymes used in industrial production. Fungal enzymes have been associated with adverse health effects in the work place, in particular in baking occupations. Exposure-response relationships have been demonstrated, and atopic workers directly handling fungal enzymes are at an increased risk for IgE-mediated disease and occupational asthma. The utilization of new and emerging fungal enzymes in industrial production will present new occupational exposures. The production of antibody-based immunoassays is necessary for the assessment of occupational exposure and the development of threshold limit values. Allergen avoidance strategies including personal protective equipment, engineering controls, protein encapsulation, and reduction of airborne enzyme concentrations are required to mitigate occupational exposure to fungal enzymes.

scholarly journals Bladder cancer and occupational exposure to metalworking fluid mist: a counter-matched case–control study in French steel-producing factories

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 328-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Régis Colin ◽  
Michel Grzebyk ◽  
Pascal Wild ◽  
Guy Hédelin ◽  
Ève Bourgkard
Keyword(s):  
Bladder Cancer ◽  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Metalworking Fluids ◽  
Cumulative Exposure ◽  
Cancer Case ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Control Study

ObjectivesTo assess the relationship between occupational exposure to metalworking fluids (MWFs) in the steel-producing industry and bladder cancer incidence.MethodsA nested case–control study on bladder cancer was set up in a cohort of workers from six French steel-producing factories. Three controls were randomly selected for each incident bladder cancer case diagnosed from 2006 to 2012. Controls were matched to cases on age at diagnosis and counter-matched on a surrogate measure of exposure to MWFs derived from a job-exposure matrix. Cases (n=84) and controls (n=251) were face-to-face interviewed. Experts assessed occupational exposure to MWFs (straight, soluble and synthetic) using questionnaires and reports from factory visits. Occupational exposures were based on three metrics: duration, frequency-weighted duration and cumulative exposure index. Conditional multiple logistic regressions were used to determine ORs and 95% CIs, taking non-occupational and occupational exposure into account.ResultsIn the 25 years before diagnosis, ORs increased significantly with duration of exposure to straight MWFs (OR=1.13 (1.02–1.25)) and increased with frequency-weighted duration of exposure to straight MWFs (OR=1.44 (0.97–2.14)). These results remained valid after adjusting for duration of smoking, average number of cigarettes smoked per day, time since smoking cessation and exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). ORs also increased with soluble MWFs but not significantly. No significant association was found with older exposures to MWFs or with exposure to synthetic MWFs.ConclusionThe increased risk of bladder cancer observed among workers exposed to straight MWFs and to a lesser extent to soluble MWFs may be explained by the presence of carcinogens (such as PAH) in mineral oils component of straight and soluble oils. Prevention therefore remains necessary in sectors using MWFs.

scholarly journals Occupational exposure to gases/fumes and mineral dust affect DNA methylation levels of genes regulating expression

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (15) ◽  
pp. 2477-2485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana A van der Plaat ◽  
Judith M Vonk ◽  
Natalie Terzikhan ◽  
Kim de Jong ◽  
Maaike de Vries ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Mineral Dust ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Never Smokers ◽  
Gene Expression Levels

Abstract Many workers are daily exposed to occupational agents like gases/fumes, mineral dust or biological dust, which could induce adverse health effects. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, have been suggested to play a role. We therefore aimed to identify differentially methylated regions (DMRs) upon occupational exposures in never-smokers and investigated if these DMRs associated with gene expression levels. To determine the effects of occupational exposures independent of smoking, 903 never-smokers of the LifeLines cohort study were included. We performed three genome-wide methylation analyses (Illumina 450 K), one per occupational exposure being gases/fumes, mineral dust and biological dust, using robust linear regression adjusted for appropriate confounders. DMRs were identified using comb-p in Python. Results were validated in the Rotterdam Study (233 never-smokers) and methylation-expression associations were assessed using Biobank-based Integrative Omics Study data (n = 2802). Of the total 21 significant DMRs, 14 DMRs were associated with gases/fumes and 7 with mineral dust. Three of these DMRs were associated with both exposures (RPLP1 and LINC02169 (2×)) and 11 DMRs were located within transcript start sites of gene expression regulating genes. We replicated two DMRs with gases/fumes (VTRNA2-1 and GNAS) and one with mineral dust (CCDC144NL). In addition, nine gases/fumes DMRs and six mineral dust DMRs significantly associated with gene expression levels. Our data suggest that occupational exposures may induce differential methylation of gene expression regulating genes and thereby may induce adverse health effects. Given the millions of workers that are exposed daily to occupational exposures, further studies on this epigenetic mechanism and health outcomes are warranted.

scholarly journals Occupational Exposures and Neurodegenerative Diseases—A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analyses

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars-Gunnar Gunnarsson ◽  
Lennart Bodin
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Meta Analyses

Objectives: To carry out an integrated and stratified meta-analysis on occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs), metals and pesticides and its effects on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, and investigate the possibility of publication bias. Methods: In the current study, we updated our recently published meta-analyses on occupational exposures in relation to ALS, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Based on 66 original publications of good scientific epidemiological standard, according to the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) guidelines, we analysed subgroups by carrying out stratified meta-analyses on publication year, statistical precision of the relative risk (RR) estimates, inspection of the funnel plots and test of bias. Results: Based on 19 studies the weighted RR for occupational exposure to EMFs was 1.26 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07–1.50) for ALS, 1.33 (95% CI 1.07–1.64) for Alzheimer’s disease and 1.02 (95% CI 0.83–1.26) for Parkinson’s disease. Thirty-one studies concerned occupational exposure to pesticides and the weighted RR was 1.35 (95% CI 1.02–1.79) for ALS, 1.50 (95% CI 0.98–2.29) for Alzheimer’s disease and 1.66 (95% CI 1.42–1.94) for Parkinson’s disease. Finally, 14 studies concerned occupational exposure to metals and only exposure to lead (five studies) involved an elevated risk for ALS or Parkinson’s disease and the weighted RR was 1.57 (95% CI 1.11–2.20). The weighted RR for all the non-lead exposures was 0.97 (95% CI 0.88–1.06). Conclusions: Exposure to pesticides increased the risk of getting the mentioned neurodegenerative diseases by at least 50%. Exposure to lead was only studied for ALS and Parkinson’s disease and involved 50% increased risk. Occupational exposure to EMFs seemed to involve some 10% increase in risk for ALS and Alzheimer’s disease only.

Occupational exposure to inhaled pollutants and risk of airflow obstruction: a large UK population-based UK Biobank cohort

Thorax ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 468-475
Author(s):  
Steven S Sadhra ◽  
Nuredin Mohammed ◽  
Om P Kurmi ◽  
David Fishwick ◽  
Sara De Matteis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Airflow Obstruction ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Uk Biobank ◽  
High Exposure ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Never Smokers ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Increase In Risk

BackgroundAlthough around 10% to 15% of COPD burden can be attributed to workplace exposures, little is known about the role of different airborne occupational pollutants (AOP). The main aim of the study was to assess the effect size of the relationship between various AOP, their level and duration of exposure with airflow obstruction (AFO).MethodsA cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 228 614 participants from the UK Biobank study who were assigned occupational exposure using a job exposure matrix blinded to health outcome. Adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% CI for the risk of AFO for ever and years of exposure to AOPs were estimated using robust Poisson model. Sensitivity analyses were conducted for never-smokers, non-asthmatic and bi-pollutant model.ResultsOf 228 614 participants, 77 027 (33.7%) were exposed to at least one AOP form. 35.5% of the AFO cases were exposed to vapours, gases, dusts or fumes (VGDF) and 28.3% to dusts. High exposure to vapours increased the risk of occupational AFO by 26%. Exposure to dusts (adjusted PR=1.05; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.08), biological dusts (1.05; 1.01 to 1.10) and VGDF (1.04; 1.01 to 1.07) showed a significantly increased risk of AFO, however, statistically not significant following multiple testing. There was no significant increase in risk of AFO by duration (years) of exposure in current job. The results were null when restricted to never-smokers and when a bi-pollutant model was used. However, when data was analysed based on the level of exposure (low, medium and high) compared with no exposure, directionally there was increase in risk for those with high exposure to vapours, gases, fumes, mists and VGDF but statistically significant only for vapours.ConclusionHigh exposure (in current job) to airborne occupational pollutants was suggestive of higher risk of AFO. Future studies should investigate the relationship between lifetime occupational exposures and COPD.

Exposure to crystalline silica in Canadian workplaces and the risk of kidney cancer

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (9) ◽  
pp. 668-671
Author(s):  
Cheryl E Peters ◽  
Laura Bogaert ◽  
Lidija Latifovic ◽  
Linda Kachuri ◽  
Shelley A Harris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Kidney Cancer ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Crystalline Silica ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Cumulative Exposure ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Occupationally Exposed ◽  
Canadian Provinces

ObjectivesThe causes of kidney cancer are not well understood though occupational exposures are thought to play a role. Crystalline silica is a known human carcinogen, and despite previous links with kidney disease, there have been few studies investigating its association with kidney cancer. We addressed this research gap using a population-based case-control study of Canadian men.MethodsQuestionnaire data were obtained from individuals with histologically confirmed kidney cancer, and population-based controls recruited from eight Canadian provinces (1994–1997). An industrial hygienist characterised participants’ lifetime occupational exposure, and their confidence in the assessment (possibly, probably or definitely exposed) to silica on three dimensions (intensity, frequency and duration), and cumulative exposure was estimated. Logistic regression was used to estimate ORs and 95% CIs, adjusting for potential confounders.ResultsNearly half of the 689 kidney cancer cases (49%) and 2369 controls (44%) had ever been occupationally exposed to crystalline silica. In a fully adjusted model, workers ever-exposed to silica had a slightly increased risk of kidney cancer relative to those who were unexposed (OR 1.10, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.32). Odds were modestly (and generally not statistically significantly) increased for models with duration of exposure and cumulative exposure, though exposure-response relationships were not evident.ConclusionsOur findings do not provide evidence that occupational exposure to crystalline silica increases risk of kidney cancer in men.

scholarly journals Ikke-audiologiske helseeffekter av støy

2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunn Marit Aasvang ◽  
Norun Hjertager Krog
Keyword(s):  
Health Effects ◽  
Sound Pressure ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Environmental Noise ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Work Place ◽  
Font Size ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
High Sound

<span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><p align="left">Denne artikkelen oppsummerer eksisterende kunnskap om helsevirkninger av miljøstøy. Nedsatt hørsel som følge av eksponering for høye lydnivåer blant annet i yrkessammenheng er godt dokumentert, og vil ikke omtales i særlig grad. Denne artikkelen vil først og fremst fokusere på ikke-hørselsrelaterte virkninger av den støy som vi har i omgivelsene, hvor de vanligste støykildene er fra samferdsel og industri. Selv om støyens virkninger på spesielt sårbare grupper, som for eksempel barn, er et viktig tema, vil helsevirkningene som omtales her først og fremst være gjeldende for en generell voksen befolkning. Negative helseeffekter av støy er knyttet til støy som en fysiologisk aktiverende stressfaktor som påvirker adferd, trivsel, kommunikasjon, hvile og søvn. Nyere studier antyder også en sammenheng mellom støy og økt risiko for hjerte-karsykdom.</p><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><p align="left">This paper summarises existing knowledge about health effects of environmental noise. Reduced hearing due to exposure to high sound pressure levels, for instance in the work-place, is well documented, and is not a topic of this presentation. The paper focuses on non-audiological effects of environmental noise. Although effects of noise on especially vulnerable groups such as children are important issues, this article focuses on the effects that can be demonstrated in the general population. The most common sources of environmental noise are transport and industry. Adverse health effects are related to noise as a physiologically activating stress factor that influences behaviour, well-being, rest and sleep. Some recent studies do also indicate that there may be a relationship between noise and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.</p></span></span></span></span>

scholarly journals Enzymatic changes in orchard workers with occupational exposure to pesticides

2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (02) ◽  
pp. 17-26
Author(s):  
Svetlana Cekovska ◽  
Sasho Stoleski ◽  
Violeta Soleva ◽  
Katerina Tosheska-Trajkovska ◽  
Danica Labudovik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Ache Activity ◽  
Pesticide Exposure ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Toxic Effects ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Gamma Glutamyl Transferase ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Glutamyl Transferase

Organophosphates (OP) and carbamates, frequently used pesticides, can cause a variety of adverse health effects, ranging from simple irritation of the skin and eyes to more severe effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between chronic occupational pesticide exposure and changes in serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) in orchard workers. In the study, 47 peach orchard workers were included, at the age from 19 to 60 years, with monthly exposure to pesticides from 5 to 20 days and 1 to 35 working years. The control group consisted of 40 healthy age-matched men, without exposure to pesticides. All orchard workers kept to safety precautions. 68% of workers reported some physical signs and symptoms. A significantly decreased AChE activity was detected in 10.6% of orchard workers and increased CPK activity in 40.4%. Very weak negative correlation was detected between AChE and ALP activities (r = -0.34, p = 0.001) and between AChE and CPK activities (r = -0.25, p = 0.02). No correlation was found between the serum AChE and day of monthly exposure, as well as years of exposure. The results have shown that orchard workers with decreased AChE activity and increased CPK activity should be monitored as workers with an increased risk for severe pesticide poisoning. These findings suggest that chronic occupational exposure to pesticides elicit mild toxic effects, as well as biochemical changes of unknown long-term consequences. Keywords: Toxic effects; Carbamates pesticide, Organophosphate pesticide, Serum enzymes, Orchard workers, Occupational exposure

Meta-Analysis: Pesticides and Orofacial Clefts

2007 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 358-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A. Romitti ◽  
Anna M. Herring ◽  
Leslie K. Dennis ◽  
Donna L. Wong-Gibbons
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Pesticide Exposure ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Orofacial Clefts ◽  
Random Effects Models ◽  
Increased Risk

Objective: The risk of orofacial clefts associated with pesticide exposure was examined by conducting a meta-analysis of studies published from 1966 through 2005. Design: The full text of 230 studies was reviewed in detail, and of these, 19 studies were included in the final analysis. Fixed effects and random effects models were used to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and homogeneity among studies was evaluated. Main outcome measures: Exposure- and phenotype-specific risks associated with pesticides. Results: Many of the studies identified as suitable for analysis used a retrospective design with varying sample sizes, levels of exposure assessment, and phenotype evaluation. For all phenotypes combined, maternal occupational exposure was associated with an increased risk of clefting (OR = 1.37; CI = 1.04 to 1.81), whereas the estimates were somewhat weaker for paternal occupational exposures (OR = 1.16; CI = 0.94 to 1.44) or for any residential exposure (OR = 0.77; CI = 0.20 to 2.96). Calculation of pooled estimates for individual cleft phenotypes was mostly limited to studies of paternal occupational exposure; estimates exceeded unity but were not statistically significant. Conclusions: The results of this meta-analysis suggest that maternal exposure to pesticides is associated with a modest but marginally significant risk of clefting. To better understand the relationship between pesticide exposure and orofacial clefts, future studies should consider evaluation of multiple routes of parental exposure, etiologically homogenous phenotypes, and individual genetic susceptibility.

scholarly journals Occupational Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and Risk of Infection Among Healthcare Personnel

2022 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Vishal P. Shah ◽  
Laura E. Breeher ◽  
Julie M. Alleckson ◽  
David G. Rivers ◽  
Zhen Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Academic Medical ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Medium Risk ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective: To assess the rate and factors associated with healthcare personnel (HCP) testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 after an occupational exposure Design: Retrospective cohort study Setting: Academic medical center with sites in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Florida Subjects: HCP with a high or medium risk occupational exposure to a patient or other HCP with SARS-CoV-2 Methods: We reviewed the records of HCP with significant occupational exposures from March 20th, 2020 through December 31st, 2020. We then performed regression analysis to assess the impact of demographic and occupational variables to assess their impact on the likelihood of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 Results: A total of 2,253 confirmed occupational exposures occurred during the study period. Employees were the source for 57.1% of exposures. Overall, 101 (4.5%) HCP tested positive in the postexposure period. Of these, 80 had employee sources of exposure and 21 had patient sources of exposure. The post exposure infection rate was 6.2% when employees were the source, compared to 2.2% with patient sources. In a multivariate analysis, occupational exposure from an employee source had a higher risk of testing positive compared to a patient source (OR 3.22 95% CI (1.72-6.04)). Gender, age, high-risk exposure, and HCP role were not associated with increased risk of testing positive. Conclusions: The risk of acquiring COVID-19 following a significant occupational exposure is relatively low, even in the pre-vaccination era. Exposure to an infectious coworker carries a higher risk than exposure to a patient. Continued vigilance and precautions remain necessary in healthcare settings.

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