Annals of work exposures and health
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Ann Work Expo Health · Nov 2018
New-onset COPD and Decline in Lung Function Among Wood Dust-Exposed Workers: Re-analysis of a 6-year Follow-up Study.
There is a lack of longitudinal studies exploring the association between organic wood dust exposure and new-onset chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and change in lung function. We have re-investigated these associations in a 6-year follow-up cohort of furniture workers exposed to wood dust using improved outcome measures and methods. ⋯ In conclusion, we found that female woodworkers have a dose-dependent increased OR of new-onset COPD and an excess decline in lung function suggesting that female woodworkers may be more susceptible to wood dust exposure than male woodworkers. Among male woodworkers, only smoking and asthma were significant predictors for new-onset COPD and excess decline in lung function. These results emphasize that reduction in both smoking and wood dust exposure should continuously be an effort to prevent adverse pulmonary health effects.
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Ann Work Expo Health · Dec 2017
Respiratory Symptoms in Hospital Cleaning Staff Exposed to a Product Containing Hydrogen Peroxide, Peracetic Acid, and Acetic Acid.
Cleaning and disinfecting products consisting of a mixture of hydrogen peroxide (HP), peracetic acid (PAA), and acetic acid (AA) are widely used as sporicidal agents in health care, childcare, agricultural, food service, and food production industries. HP and PAA are strong oxidants and their mixture is a recognized asthmagen. However, few exposure assessment studies to date have measured HP, PAA, and AA in a health care setting. ⋯ Acute nasal and eye irritation were significantly positively associated with increased exposure to the mixture of the two oxidants: HP and PAA, as well as the total mixture (TM)of HP, PAA, and AA. Shortness of breath when hurrying on level ground or walking up a slight hill was significantly associated with increased exposure to the oxidant mixture (P = 0.017), as well as the TM (P = 0.026). Our results suggest that exposure to a product containing HP, PAA, and AA contributed to eye and respiratory symptoms reported by hospital cleaning staff at low levels of measured exposure.
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Ann Work Expo Health · Jun 2017
Skin Absorption of Ethylene Oxide Gas Following Exposures Relevant to HAZMAT Incidents.
Ethylene oxide (EO) is a reactive gas used by numerous industries and medical facilities as a sterilant, a fumigant, and as a chemical intermediate in chemical manufacturing. Due to its common use, EO has been involved in a number of leaks and explosive incidents/accidents requiring HAZMAT response. However, the extent of skin absorption under short-term HAZMAT conditions has not been directly assessed. ⋯ Off gassing from exposed fabric was rapid. The results show dermal uptake of EO vapour from exposure at 3000 ppm is small but clothing may contribute to further dermal absorption/penetration over time. For exposed, but asymptomatic, persons in EO HAZMAT incidents first responders should remove bulky clothing to prevent potential skin damage and further uptake.