Impact of heat and a rest-shade-hydration intervention program on productivity of piece-paid industrial agricultural workers at risk of chronic kidney disease of nontraditional origin

OBJECTIVES

Assess the impact of environmental heat and a rest-shade-hydration (RSH) intervention against heat stress on productivity of piece-paid Mesoamerican sugarcane cutters. These workers are at a high risk of chronic kidney disease of non-traditional origin (CKDnt), from the severe heat stress they experience due to heavy work under hot conditions. RSH interventions in these populations improve kidney health outcomes, but their impact on productivity has yet to be examined.

METHODS

We accessed routine productivity data from seed (SC, N = 749) and burned (BCC, N = 535) sugarcane cutters observed over five harvest seasons with increasing RSH intervention at a large Nicaraguan sugarcane mill. Hourly field-site wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) was recorded by mill staff and summarized as a daily mean. Mixed linear regression was used to model daily productivity, adjusting for age (18-29, 30-44, and >45 years), sex, WBGT (<28, 28-29, 29-30, 30-31, and >31 °C) on the same and preceding day, harvest season (2017-18 to 2021-22), month, and acclimatization status (<1, 1-2, and >2 weeks).

RESULTS

There was an inverse dose-response relationship between SC productivity and WBGT on the same and preceding days, decreasing by approximately 3%/°C WBGT. Productivity increased during the study period, i.e. coinciding with RSH scale-up, by approximately 19% in SC and 9% in BCC.

CONCLUSION

Agricultural worker productivity was expected lower on hotter days, strengthening the interest in all stakeholders to mitigate increasing global temperatures and their impact. Despite decreasing the total time allocated for work each day, an RSH intervention appears to result in increased productivity and no apparent loss in productivity.

Cancer risks in a population-based study of agricultural workers: results from the Taiwan's Farmers and Health Cohort study

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess cancer risk among agricultural workers compared to the general population.

METHODS

The study utilized data from Farmers' Health Insurance (FHI) in Taiwan, which enrolled agricultural workers (N=1 175 149). The enrolled workers were matched to a general population (N=1 175 149) of the same age, gender, township, and enrollment year. The study population was linked to the National Cancer Registry to identify new cancer cases between 2000 and 2018. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval for outcomes.

RESULTS

During the study period, 136 913 new cancers among agricultural workers were identified. The study found that male farmers had an increased cancer risk, including lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), oral cancer, lip cancer, esophagus cancer, rectum and rectosigmoid junction cancer, liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer, lung cancer, trachea and bronchi cancer, and other non-melanoma skin cancer, even when considering the latency period. Female farmers had an elevated risk of multiple myeloma and other non-melanoma skin cancer. Moreover, only lymphoma, NHL, other lymphoid, and multiple myeloma, were both found to occur at different insurance periods.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides farmer cancer patterns and risk, adding to the evidence that farmers are at increased risk of certain types of cancer, especially for hematological cancers. As exposure varies by farm operation type, individual farmer exposure may vary widely. Further understanding of the complex relationship between occupational exposure, environmental factors, and lifestyle factors is needed.

Acute Kidney Failure among Brazilian Agricultural Workers: A Death-Certificate Case-Control Study

Recent evidence suggests that pesticides may play a role in chronic kidney disease. However, little is known about associations with acute kidney failure (AKF). We investigated trends in AKF and pesticide expenditures and associations with agricultural work in two Brazilian regions with intense use of pesticides, in the south and midwest. Using death certificate data, we investigated trends in AKF mortality (1980–2014). We used joinpoint regression to calculate annual percent changes in AKF mortality rates by urban/rural status and, in rural municipalities, by tertiles of per capita pesticide expenditures. We then compared AKF mortality in farmers and population controls from 2006 to 2014 using logistic regression to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals adjusted by age, sex, region, education, and race. AKF mortality increased in both regions regardless of urban/rural status; trends were steeper from the mid-1990s to 2000s, and in rural municipalities, they were higher by tertiles of pesticide expenditures. Agricultural workers were more likely to die from AKF than from other causes, especially at younger ages, among females, and in the southern municipalities. We observed increasing AKF mortality in rural areas with greater pesticide expenditures and an association of AKF mortality with agricultural work, especially among younger workers.

Effectiveness of interventions to promote pesticide safety and reduce pesticide exposure in agricultural health studies: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

There is a relationship between pesticide exposure and farmworkers' health. Well-conducted evaluations can provide an insight into how to develop and implement more effective interventions to prevent farmers and farmworkers' exposure to pesticides. This review aimed to summarize the literature on the effectiveness of interventions to promote pesticide safety and reduce pesticide exposure among farmers and farmworkers.

METHODS

A comprehensive search on PubMed, Embase, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Agricola, NIOSHTIC, and Agris databases was performed to identify relevant studies published from 2000 to 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies assessing the effectiveness of interventions on a variety of outcomes related to pesticide exposure were considered. The searches were restricted to articles written in English. The methodological quality of included reviews was appraised using the Effective Public Health Practice Project quality assessment tool (EPHPP).

RESULTS

The initial search led to 47912 records, 31 studies of which including nine RCTs and twenty-two quasi-experimental studies met the criteria. The majority of the included studies focused on the educational/ behavioral approach. The studies that applied this approach were effective in improving the participants' knowledge and attitude; however, these interventions were less effective in terms of making changes in participants' behaviors and their risk of exposure to toxic pesticides. Multifaceted interventions were moderately effective in terms of improving farmers' and farmworkers' behaviors and reduction in exposure to toxic pesticides. We did not find any studies that had evaluated the effectiveness of engineering/technological, and legislation/enforcement interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the majority of studies were based on an educational/behavioral approach and did not assess the effect of interventions on objective measures, the results of this review highlight the significant effectiveness of educational programs and some potential key elements of these interventions. These findings may inform policymakers to develop interventions to reduce pesticide exposure among farmers and farmworkers.

Evidence of nickel and other trace elements and their relationship to clinical findings in acute Mesoamerican Nephropathy: A case-control analysis

Background

Although there are several hypothesized etiologies of Mesoamerican Nephropathy (MeN), evidence has not yet pointed to the underlying cause. Exposure to various trace elements can cause the clinical features observed in MeN.

Methods and findings

We measured 15 trace elements, including heavy metals, in renal case-patients (n = 18) and healthy controls (n = 36) in a MeN high-risk region of Nicaragua. Toenails clippings from study participants were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. A case-control analysis was performed, and concentrations were also analyzed over participant characteristics and clinical parameters. Nickel (Ni) concentrations were significantly higher in toenails from cases (1.554 mg/kg [0.176–42.647]) than controls (0.208 mg/kg [0.055–51.235]; p<0.001). Ni concentrations correlated positively with serum creatinine levels (p = 0.001) and negatively with eGFR (p = 0.001). Greater Ni exposure was also associated with higher leukocyte (p = 0.001) and neutrophil (p = 0.003) counts, fewer lymphocytes (p = 0.003), and lower hemoglobin (p = 0.004) and hematocrit (p = 0.011).

Conclusions

Low-dose, chronic environmental exposure to Ni is a possible health risk in this setting. Ni intoxication and resulting systemic and renal effects could explain the clinical signs observed during early MeN. This study provides compelling evidence for a role of Ni in the acute renal impairment observed in this MeN high-risk population. Additional work to assess exposure levels in a larger and heterogeneous population, identify environmental sources of Ni and exposure pathways, and evaluate the link between Ni and MeN pathogenesis are urgently needed.

Comparisons of physical exposure between workers harvesting apples on mobile orchard platforms and ladders, part 1: Back and upper arm postures

This study compared farmworkers' exposure to non-neutral postures using a new mobile platform apple harvesting method and the traditional method using ladders. Twenty-four workers were recruited and assigned into three groups: ladder workers (n = 8) picking apples from full trees using a ladder, mobile platform workers (n = 8) picking apples from upper part of the trees while standing on a moving platform, and ground-based mobile platform workers (n = 8) picking apples from lower part of the trees which the mobile platform workers left out. Upper arm and back inclinations were continuously monitored during harvesting using tri-axial accelerometers over full work shifts (~8 h). Upper arm posture was characterized as the percentage of time that upper arm flexion and abduction exceeded 30°, 60°, and 90°. Back posture was characterized as the percentage of time that torso angles (sagittal flexion or lateral bending) exceeded 10°, 20°, and 30°. The 10th, 50th, and 90th postural percentiles were also calculated. The platform workers had lower exposures to upper arm flexion and abduction than the ground and ladder workers. There were no differences in torso angles between the ladder and mobile platform workers; however, the ground workers were exposed to more and greater percentages of time in torso flexions.

Comparisons of physical exposure between workers harvesting apples on mobile orchard platforms and ladders, part 2: Repetitive upper arm motions

Farmworkers are exposed to physical risk factors including repetitive motions. Existing ergonomic assessment methods are primarily laboratory-based and, thus, inappropriate for use in the field. This study presents an approach to characterize the repetitive motions of the upper arms based on direct measurement using accelerometers. Repetition rates were derived from upper arm inclination data and with video recordings in the field. This method was used to investigate whether harvesting with mobile platforms (teams harvesting apples from the platform and the ground) increased the farmworkers' exposure to upper arm repetitive motions compared to traditional harvesting using ladders. The ladder workers had higher repetitive motions (13.7 cycles per minute) compared to the platform and ground workers (11.7 and 12.2 cycles per minutes). The higher repetitions in the ladder workers were likely due to their ability to work independently and the additional arm movements associated with ladder climbing and walking.

A multicomponent ergonomic intervention involving individual and organisational changes for improving musculoskeletal outcomes and exposure risks among dairy workers

A field intervention study was implemented to evaluate the effects of individual (physical exercise programme and worker ergonomics training) and organisational changes (optimising work-rest schedule and revised task procedure) on musculoskeletal outcomes and their exposure risks among milking workers in a dairy plant. A questionnaire survey (including the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire [CMDQ]) and direct observations of working postures by using the Quick Exposure Check (QEC) method were used at baseline and 12-month follow-up. Shoulder, lower back and neck discomfort were found to be the most common problems. The results showed significant improvements in the frequency (neck, shoulder, lower back, forearm and knee symptoms), severity (shoulder, lower back and knee symptoms) and interference with work (particularly due to lower back symptoms) as well as in the exposure risks to musculoskeletal problems (using the QEC method) after the intervention. The findings support the effectiveness of implemented multiple component intervention for improving musculoskeletal health and exposure risks in the studied occupational group.

Risk factors associated among respiratory health and banana farming

Pesticides cause risks to the respiratory health of banana farming workers. To investigate the prevalence of ventilatory dysfunction in workers and characteristics of work in banana production in a region of the Ribeira Valley, Brazil. A questionnaire containing sociodemographic, work and health data was applied, as well as spirometry. The data were statistically analyzed with participants divided into two groups (presence or absence of ventilatory dysfunction). The majority were males, low schooling, mean age 39.6 years and 13.8 years of working time in banana farming. The prevalence of moderate obstructive disorder (10.0%), mild obstructive disorder (13.3%) and mild mixed disorder (3.3%) were observed. Obstructive disorders predominated, with decreased FEV1 and FEV1/FVC, in addition to being correlated with working time in banana farming. It was concluded that one-third of the workers had some type of ventilatory dysfunction and there was a relationship with work in banana farming.

[Neck pain among tobacco farm workers in Southern Brazil]

This study aims to assess neck pain prevalence and associated factors among tobacco farm workers. This is a cross-sectional study of 2,469 tobacco farm workers in southern Brazil. An adapted version of the Nordic Questionnaire of Musculoskeletal Symptoms was used to characterize neck pain. Multivariate analysis was performed using Poisson regression, following a hierarchical theoretical model. Neck pain prevalence in the last year among the population studied was 7.4%. Worker age, tobacco smoking, tobacco bundling, use of heavy chainsaws, working at an intense or accelerated pace and green tobacco sickness were variables associated with neck pain in females. Among males, age, use of heavy chainsaws, working in a sitting position on the ground, pesticide poisoning, and green tobacco sickness were associated with the outcome. The study reinforces the importance of ergonomic and physiological workloads in the determination of neck pain. Future studies are needed to understand the role of pesticides and nicotine exposures on musculoskeletal problems. The mechanization of tobacco harvesting could reduce ergonomic and chemical exposure, thereby improving farmers' health.

Mycotoxins feed contamination in a dairy farm - potential implications for milk contamination and workers' exposure in a One Health approach

BACKGROUND

Dairy farming feed can be contaminated with mycotoxins, affecting animals' health and milk quality. Dairy farming is also prone to occupational exposure to mycotoxins, and feed is recognized as a source of contamination in the workplace. An exploratory study was developed in a dairy farm located in Portugal intending to assess the mycotoxins present in the feed.

RESULTS

All the samples analyzed presented contamination by at least two mycotoxins and up to a maximum of 13 mycotoxins in the same sample. Zearalenone (ZEA) was detected in all the samples (n = 10) followed by deoxynivalenol (DON), which was reported in eight samples, and ochratoxin A (OTA), reported in five samples.

CONCLUSION

The results point to the possible contamination of milk by several mycotoxins and raise the possibility of occupational exposure to mycotoxins due to feed contamination. An adequate One Health approach for dairy production should address these issues through effective preventive actions such as avoiding the use of feed contaminated with mycotoxins. This represents an important challenge due to climate change. It requires proper attention and accurate management measures. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Personal and occupational factors contributing to biomechanical risk of the distal upper limb among dairy workers in the Lombardy region of Italy

Biomechanical overload in the wrist flexor and extensor muscles, together with awkward hand positions during work activities, can result in occupational wrist and hand disorders. Dairy workers, specifically those that work in the milking parlor, are exposed to highly repetitive and forceful exertions of the upper limb throughout their work shift. There are very few studies that have investigated the determinants that contribute to the risk of distal upper limb musculoskeletal disorders among dairy workers. The purpose of the present study was to identify the variables affecting the biomechanical overload of the distal upper limb among milking parlor workers, define risk profiles, and propose possible interventions to reduce the high physical loads to the distal upper limb during milking activities. Forty male workers from the three most common milking parlor systems in Lombardy Italy were recruited to participate in this study. Multiple correspondence analysis of personal characteristics and occupational risk factors, followed by cluster analysis, led to the identification of three distinct groups of workers. Low, medium and high risk profiles were assigned to each group based on the risk assessments performed using the Strain Index and electromyography of the distal upper limb. The main risk determinants were workstation characteristics, work organization and milking routine. A well-organized milking routine, milking cluster weight below 2.4 kg or the use of supporting arms for the milking cluster may reduce the risk of biomechanical overload.

Socio-environmental risks associated with the green tobacco sickness in farmers: a case-control study

OBJECTIVE

to determine the presence of socio-environmental risk factors for the development of Green Tobacco Sickness in workers who grow Burley tobacco.

METHOD

matched case-control study. The data collection took place in two moments: from December 2016 to January 2017 and December 2017, when the Burley tobacco was collected, through a household survey with interview application and urine collection for urinary cotinine.

RESULTS

the socio-environmental risk factors that remained associated with the disease were: bundling tobacco (p=0.047) and wearing socks (p=0.011); with protective effect were found sticking tobacco seeding of the day (p=0.006) and number of tobacco harvested per day (p=0.021).

CONCLUSION

the steps in the Burley tobacco work process increase the exposure and risk of developing the disease. By identifying these factors, it is possible to address interdisciplinary control and prevention measures.

Prevalence of Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Diseases and Disability among Fruit Tree Farmers in Korea: Cross-Sectional Study

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of upper extremity musculoskeletal (MSK) diseases and to identify factors influencing disability among fruit tree farmers in Korea.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Of the 1150 subjects of the Namgaram study, 460 fruit tree farmers completed a questionnaire and underwent clinical evaluations, including physical assessments, laboratory tests, simple radiographic examinations, and magnetic resonance imaging studies of the upper extremities. Disability was assessed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand outcome measure. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and regression analyses using SPSS Win 24.0.

RESULTS

The prevalences of upper extremity MSK diseases were 60.4% for rotator cuff tear, 20.9% for golf elbow, 40.9% for tennis elbow, and 58.0% for hand osteoarthritis. Disability in fruit farmers was associated with female sex (B=-4.47, p<0.001), smoking (B=-4.00, p=0.026), depression (B=2.83, p<0.001), working hours (B=0.96, p=0.001), injuries of the arms (B=10.78, p<0.001) and shoulders (B=6.75, p<0.001), and numbers of upper extremity MSK diseases (B=2.02, p=0.001), with 26.5% of the variance explained (R²=0.265, Durbin-Watson test=1.81, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Fruit tree farmers remain at risk for MSK diseases of the upper extremities. Disability tended to worsen with more MSK diseases. It is necessary to not only educate farmers about prevention strategies, but also to develop an effective management system for agricultural work-related MSK diseases and a surveillance system at the government level for the health problems of farmers.

Hearing Loss in Agricultural Workers Exposed to Pesticides and Noise

Agricultural workers who have concurrent exposure to pesticides and noise are at increased risk of hearing loss. We recruited 163 Thai conventional and 172 organic farmers to answer our questionnaires about personal demographics, agricultural activities, and pesticide and agricultural machinery use. This information was used to calculate the years of conventional (pesticide use) farming and the years of agricultural noise exposure, and to estimate semiquantitative metrics for pesticide exposure (cumulative intensity score-years) and cumulative noise exposure (dB(A)-years) for each conventional farmer. All participants underwent pure tone audiometric testing. The mean hearing threshold in the low-frequency band (0.5-2 kHz) and high-frequency band (3-6 kHz) were used for analysis. Years involved in conventional farming and years using agricultural machinery were associated with an increase in the average hearing threshold for the high-frequency band after controlling for age, ever exposed to industrial noise and cigarette smoking. The highest category of cumulative insecticide exposure (score-years), cumulative organophosphates exposure (score-years) and cumulative noise exposure (dB(A)-years) were also associated with an increased high-frequency band hearing threshold among conventional farmers. Results from the full cohort and the subcohort of conventional farmers support each other and the hypothesis that pesticide and noise have an additive effect on hearing, since no model interactions were significant.

Glyphosate's Synergistic Toxicity in Combination with Other Factors as a Cause of Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Origin

Chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) is a global epidemic. Sri Lanka has experienced a doubling of the disease every 4 or 5 years since it was first identified in the North Central province in the mid-1990s. The disease primarily affects people in agricultural regions who are missing the commonly known risk factors for CKD. Sri Lanka is not alone: health workers have reported prevalence of CKDu in Mexico, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. A global search for the cause of CKDu has not identified a single factor, but rather many factors that may contribute to the etiology of the disease. Some of these factors include heat stroke leading to dehydration, toxic metals such as cadmium and arsenic, fluoride, low selenium, toxigenic cyanobacteria, nutritionally deficient diet and mycotoxins from mold exposure. Furthermore, exposure to agrichemicals, particularly glyphosate and paraquat, are likely compounding factors, and may be the primary factors. Here, we argue that glyphosate in particular is working synergistically with most of the other factors to increase toxic effects. We propose, further, that glyphosate causes insidious harm through its action as an amino acid analogue of glycine, and that this interferes with natural protective mechanisms against other exposures. Glyphosate's synergistic health effects in combination with exposure to other pollutants, in particular paraquat, and physical labor in the ubiquitous high temperatures of lowland tropical regions, could result in renal damage consistent with CKDu in Sri Lanka.

Neuropsychiatric Disorders in Farmers Associated with Organophosphorus Pesticide Exposure in a Rural Village of Northwest México

This study aims to determine the degree of acetylcholinesterase inhibition and neurological symptoms for each of the psychiatric disorders diagnosed in the farm workers of a rural population in the state of Baja California, Mexico. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 140 agricultural workers (exposed participants). The study was run using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview Diagnostic Test (MINI), a pre-established questionnaire to diagnose the mental state of each agricultural worker. Analysis of enzymatic activity was carried out using the modified Ellman method. The results showed that, among agricultural workers with slightly inhibited enzymatic activity, 25% met the criteria for the diagnosis of major depression with suicidal attitudes, 23.9% with inhibited enzymatic activity showed generalized anxiety, 23.5% showed combined depression⁻anxiety, and 22% met the criteria for major depression and no psychiatric diagnosis disorder. These results suggest the need for the development of effective public-health strategies to inform farm workers about integrated pesticide management in order to prevent serious health complications.

Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary functions before and after pesticide application in cotton farming

OJECTIVE

To investigate respiratory health problems related to pesticide exposure in the inhabitants of agricultural areas.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study included 252 participants prior to pesticide application and 66 participants from the first group after pesticide application across four cotton farms. Symptom questionnaires were filled out by participants and respiratory function tests were measured before and after pesticide exposure. In addition, PM₁₀, PM_2.5, air temperature, and humidity were measured in all four farming villages before and after pesticide administration.

RESULTS

PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 levels were significantly increased after pesticide application. After pesticide application, all participants' nose, throat, eye, and respiratory complaints increased significantly. Expected forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) percentage values decreased significantly. The rates of FVC and FEV1 values lower than 80% were 23.5% and 22%, espectively, before pesticide application, and this rate increased to 42.4% and 43.1%, respectively, after pesticide application. There was a significant negative correlation between PM₁₀ levels and FVC, FEV1, and PEF values. After PM_2.5 pesticide application, the risk of experiencing burning in the mouth, nose, and throat increased by 2.3-fold (OR: 2.316), 2.6-fold for burning symptoms in the eyes (OR: 2.593), 2.1-fold for wheezing (OR: 2.153), and 2.2-fold for chest tightness (OR: 2.211). With increased PM₁₀ levels, the risk of chest tightness increased 1.1-fold (OR: 1.123).

CONCLUSIONS

After pesticide administration, the respiratory health of the participants deteriorated. Performing pesticide applications in agriculture with harmless methods is the most important measure to be taken to protect public health.

Modal analysis and acoustic noise characterization of a grain crusher

INTRODUCTION

Noise is one of the most important physical factors occurring in private farmers' working environment. Hazardous noise exposures and hearing loss have been documented among farmers and farm workers for many years. In most cases, reducing the amplitude of vibratory motion of elements in a machine will reduce the noise generated by the machine element. The authors present the results on studies performed on a grain crusher with the aim of optimizing their acoustic behaviour.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

The dynamic behaviour of a grain crusher was investigated by identification of its natural frequency and damping parameters. The study was conducted using the experimental modal analysis technique. The excitation was generated at one single point by a vibration exciter, and the response signals were acquired by an accelerometers fixed at different points of the grain crusher. The modal parameters were determined from a set of frequency response measurements between a reference point and a number of measurement points of the structure.

RESULTS

The introduced structural modifications reduced the noise level by 3dB (A)5 dB[lin]) for the hopper component frequencies related to the vibration of the hopper (180 Hz) and the crusher support structure (240 to 480 Hz). The level of these components determines the level of noise at the operator's work station for the average conditions of filling the hopper with grain. The total noise level at the crusher operator was reduced by 2.6 dB (A).

CONCLUSIONS

Reducing the amplitude of vibratory motion of the elements in a machine will reduce the noise generated by the machine element. The obtained results confirm that structural dynamic modification is an effective tool for changing the dynamical properties of vibrating systems.

Occupational exposure level of pig facility workers to chemical and biological pollutants

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of a fattening season on the level of airborne chemical and microbial pollutants in the pig fattening house.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Evaluation of the air composition as well as the microbiological air quality were made during 2 series, i.e. in the summer and winter period of fattening. Airborne gaseous pollutants were analyzed by gas (organic compounds) and liquid (inorganic compounds) chromatography methods. Air microbial contamination was determined in compliance with the Polish Standard PN-EN 13098:2007.

RESULTS

The air/gas composition in the pig unit showed that irrespective of the fattening season, the level of determined pollutants - especially ammonia, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including methanethiol and total dust - could have an adverse effect on the health of swine facility workers. The investigated pig building was found to be a source of chemical pollutants as well as biological agents. The total bacterial count in 1 m3 of air was 3.6×106 and 4.6×106 cfu, during the winter and summer periods of fattening, respectively. Gram-positive cocci predominated in both seasons. In the winter, fungi of the Trichoderma genus were represented equally often. In the summer period, up to 90% of the isolated fungus was Aspergillus spp.

CONCLUSIONS

Workers engaged in swine rearing and production are occupationally exposed not only to a high concentration of microbial contamination, but also to irritating and odorogenous volatile compounds. Thus, activities directed at the promotion of health prevention strategies, as well as effective guidelines for safe and hygienic animal housing, should be implemented.

The effect of a multi-axis suspension on whole body vibration exposures and physical stress in the neck and low back in agricultural tractor applications

Whole body vibration (WBV) exposures are often predominant in the fore-aft (x) or lateral (y) axis among off-road agricultural vehicles. However, as the current industry standard seats are designed to reduce mainly vertical (z) axis WBV exposures, they may be less effective in reducing drivers' exposure to multi-axial WBV. Therefore, this laboratory-based study aimed to determine the differences between a single-axial (vertical) and multi-axial (vertical + lateral) suspension seat in reducing WBV exposures, head acceleration, self-reported discomfort, and muscle activity (electromyography) of the major muscle of the low back, neck and shoulders. The results showed that the multi-axial suspension seat had significantly lower WBV exposures compared to the single-axial suspension seats (p' < 0.04). Similarly, the multi-axial suspension seat had lower head acceleration and muscle activity of the neck, shoulder, and low back compared to the single-axial suspension seat; some but not all of the differences were statistically significant. These results indicate that the multi-axial suspension seat may reduce the lateral WBV exposures and associated muscular loading in the neck and low back in agricultural vehicle operators.

Occupational pesticide exposure and subclinical hypothyroidism among male pesticide applicators

OBJECTIVES

Animal studies suggest that exposure to pesticides may alter thyroid function; however, few epidemiologic studies have examined this association. We evaluated the relationship between individual pesticides and thyroid function in 679 men enrolled in a substudy of the Agricultural Health Study, a cohort of licensed pesticide applicators.

METHODS

Self-reported lifetime pesticide use was obtained at cohort enrolment (1993-1997). Intensity-weighted lifetime days were computed for 33 pesticides, which adjusts cumulative days of pesticide use for factors that modify exposure (eg, use of personal protective equipment). Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and antithyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) autoantibodies were measured in serum collected in 2010-2013. We used multivariate logistic regression to estimate ORs and 95% CIs for subclinical hypothyroidism (TSH >4.5 mIU/L) compared with normal TSH (0.4-<4.5 mIU/L) and for anti-TPO positivity. We also examined pesticide associations with TSH, T4 and T3 in multivariate linear regression models.

RESULTS

Higher exposure to the insecticide aldrin (third and fourth quartiles of intensity-weighted days vs no exposure) was positively associated with subclinical hypothyroidism (ORQ3=4.15, 95% CI 1.56 to 11.01, ORQ4=4.76, 95% CI 1.53 to 14.82, ptrend <0.01), higher TSH (ptrend=0.01) and lower T4 (ptrend=0.04). Higher exposure to the herbicide pendimethalin was associated with subclinical hypothyroidism (fourth quartile vs no exposure: ORQ4=2.78, 95% CI 1.30 to 5.95, ptrend=0.02), higher TSH (ptrend=0.04) and anti-TPO positivity (ptrend=0.01). The fumigant methyl bromide was inversely associated with TSH (ptrend=0.02) and positively associated with T4 (ptrend=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that long-term exposure to aldrin, pendimethalin and methyl bromide may alter thyroid function among male pesticide applicators.

MODIFIED PATH METHODOLOGY FOR OBTAINING INTERVAL-SCALED POSTURAL ASSESSMENTS OF FARMWORKERS

Agricultural workers perform tasks that frequently require awkward and extreme postures that are associated with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The PATH (Posture, Activity, Tools, Handling) system currently provides a sound methodology for quantifying workers' exposure to these awkward postures on an ordinal scale of measurement, which places restrictions on the choice of analytic methods. This study reports a modification of the PATH methodology that instead captures these postures as degrees of flexion, an interval-scaled measurement. Rather than making live observations in the field, as in PATH, the postural assessments were performed on photographs using ImageJ photo analysis software. Capturing the postures in photographs permitted more careful measurement of the degrees of flexion. The current PATH methodology requires that the observer in the field be trained in the use of PATH, whereas the single photographer used in this modification requires only sufficient training to maintain the proper camera angle. Ultimately, these interval-scale measurements could be combined with other quantitative measures, such as those produced by electromyograms (EMGs), to provide more sophisticated estimates of future risk for MSDs. Further, these data can provide a baseline from which the effects of interventions designed to reduce hazardous postures can be calculated with greater precision.