American journal of industrial medicine
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Several genes are associated with an increased susceptibility to asthma, which may be exacerbated by ambient air pollution. These genes include GSTM1 (glutathione-S-transferase M1 gene) and GSTP1 (glutathione-S-transferase P1 gene), which may modulate the response to epithelial oxidative changes caused by air pollutant exposure. This study evaluated fluctuations in the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) in relation to lagged daily averages of ambient air pollutants (SO(2), NO(2), NO, and PM(10)) while considering genotype as an effect modifier. ⋯ Among this indigenous South African children cohort, the GSTP1 genotype modified the effects of ambient exposures to PM(10) and SO(2) and lung function. A plausible mechanism for these observed effects is decreased capacity to mount an effective response to oxidative stress associated with the GSTP1 AG + GG genotype.
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Workplace violence has attracted increasing public attention over the past few decades in China. This study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of workplace violence in healthcare settings by various job titles and hospital departments, and to explore the related risk factors among Chinese medical professionals. ⋯ The study suggested that workplace violence occurs commonly in Chinese healthcare settings. Effective intervention strategies targeting workplace violence should be formulated in terms of major risk factors.
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Comparative Study
Incidence and costs of family member hospitalization following injuries of workers' compensation claimants.
The consequences of occupational injuries for the health of family members have rarely been studied. We hypothesized that non-fatal occupational injury would increase the incidence and costs of hospitalization among workers' families, and that family members of severely injured workers would be likely to experience greater increases in hospitalizations than family members of non-severely injured workers. ⋯ The impact of occupational injury may extend beyond the workplace and adversely affect the health and inpatient medical care use of family members.
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Pesticide poisoning from agricultural labor has been recognized as a major public health problem among farmers worldwide. The objective of this study was to examine the incidence of acute occupational pesticide poisoning among male farmers in South Korea. ⋯ Our nationwide sampling survey demonstrated that acute occupational pesticide poisonings are highly prevalent among male South Korean farmers. Intensive intervention efforts to reduce occupational pesticide poisoning are urgently needed in South Korea.
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Rates of occupational injury among immigrant workers are widely believed to be underestimated. The goal of this study was to enhance understanding of the burden of occupational injury and the work organization factors underlying injury among immigrant Latino residential construction workers. ⋯ Although imprecise given the small sample, our results suggest a threefold to fourfold underestimate of the injury burden to immigrant Latino construction workers. Work organization may contribute to elevated rates of non-fatal occupational injury, particularly among roofers.