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Tucker S, Jonnalagadda S, Beseler C, Yoder A, Fruhling A. Exploring wearable technology use and importance of health monitoring in the hazardous occupations of first responders and professional drivers. J Occup Health 2024; 66:uiad002. [PMID: 38332724 PMCID: PMC11020306 DOI: 10.1093/joccuh/uiad002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Hazardous materials (HAZMAT) pose risks to the health and safety of professionals involved with transportation and emergency responses. Two distinct occupational groups that encounter HAZMAT events are first responders and professional drivers. Wearable technology is a tool that can assist with monitoring the health of professionals involved in HAZMAT events. The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the perceptions of first responders and professional drivers on wearable technology and attitudes toward health monitoring. METHODS A survey was administered to first responders (n = 112) and professional drivers (n = 218). Statistical approaches included bivariate analysis, latent class analysis, logistic regression analysis, and path analysis for the variables of interest. RESULTS There were significant differences between the groups in perceptions of the benefits of monitoring certain health indicators. Professional drivers were more likely to have a history of wearable technology use compared with first responders (odds ratio [OR] = 10.1; 95% CI, 4.42-22.9), reported greater exposure to HAZMAT (OR = 4.32; 95% CI, 2.24-8.32), and were more willing to have their health data monitored by someone other than themselves (OR = 9.27; 95% CI, 3.67-23.4). A multinomial regression model revealed that occupation was not a significant predictor of class preference for acceptance of monitoring specific health indicators. CONCLUSIONS Occupation appeared to be important but further analysis uncovered that characteristics of individuals within the occupations were more salient to the use of wearable technology. HAZMAT exposure, someone else monitoring health data, and experience with wearable technology use were found to be important factors for perceptions about benefits of health monitoring with wearable technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Tucker
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, United States
| | - Soundarya Jonnalagadda
- Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis, College of Information Science & Technology, University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE, 68182, United States
| | - Cheryl Beseler
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, United States
| | - Aaron Yoder
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, United States
| | - Ann Fruhling
- School of Interdisciplinary Informatics, College of Information Science & Technology, University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE, 68182, United States
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Ashen MD, Carson KA, Ratchford EV. Coronary Calcium Scanning and Cardiovascular Risk Assessment Among Firefighters. Am J Prev Med 2022; 62:18-25. [PMID: 34456104 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2021.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sudden cardiac death is the main cause of death among firefighters. The goal of this study is to identify firefighters at risk for cardiovascular disease using coronary artery calcium screening. METHODS Asymptomatic firefighters aged ≥40 years without known cardiovascular disease or diabetes (N=487) were recruited from fire departments in 3 Maryland counties from 2016 to 2018, with data analysis from 2018 to 2019. The cardiovascular disease prevention program included an evaluation of blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI, fasting glucose, medications, and a coronary calcium scan. A subset (n=100) was evaluated in more detail, including family history, metabolic syndrome, diet, exercise, smoking, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk score. RESULTS Results indicated that 191 (39%) firefighters had a coronary artery calcium score >0, of which 91% were above the average for age, sex, and ethnicity. On univariable logistic regression, older age, male sex, hypertension, BMI, and glucose were significantly (p<0.05) associated with a higher likelihood of having any coronary artery calcium. Multiple logistic regression found that older age; male sex; taking lipid-lowering or antihypertensive medications; and higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, BMI, and fasting blood glucose were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of having coronary artery calcium. Of those with coronary artery calcium, 141 (74%) were not on lipid-lowering medication. In addition, 47 (94%) of those on lipid-lowering medication had a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol >70 mg/dL. In the detailed subset, 30 (30%) had coronary artery calcium. Among these, 28 (93%) had an atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk score <7.5%. Thus, if atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease scores alone were used to assess risk in this subset, an opportunity would have been missed to identify and treat firefighters who may have benefited from more aggressive treatment. CONCLUSIONS A coronary artery calcium scan may identify the firefighters at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. A comprehensive cardiovascular disease prevention program implemented early in a firefighter's career may help reduce cardiovascular disease risk and thus death and disability in this high-risk population.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Dominique Ashen
- The Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kathryn A Carson
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Elizabeth V Ratchford
- The Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Center for Vascular Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
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Abstract
Firefighters are the professional force at high risk of suffering potential health consequences due to their chronic exposure to numerous hazardous pollutants during firefighting activities. Unfortunately, determination of fire emission exposure is very challenging. As such, the identification and development of appropriate biomarkers is critical in meeting this need. This chapter presents a critical review of current information related with the use of different urinary biomarkers of effect and exposure in occupationally exposed firefighters over the last 25 years. Evidence suggests that urinary isoprostanes and mutagenicity testing are promising biomarkers of early oxidative stress. Data indicate that firefighters participating in firefighting activities present with increased urinary biomarkers of exposure. These include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals and metalloids, organo-chlorine and -phosphorus compounds, environmental phenols, phthalates, benzene and toluene. More studies are urgently needed to better evaluate firefighter occupational safety and health and to support the implementation of preventive measures and mitigation strategies to promote the protection of this chronically exposed group of workers.
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Barros B, Oliveira M, Morais S. Firefighters' occupational exposure: Contribution from biomarkers of effect to assess health risks. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 156:106704. [PMID: 34161906 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Firefighting is physically and physiologically exhausting besides encompassing exposure to toxic fire emissions. Biomonitoring studies from the past five years have been significantly contributing to characterize the occupational-related health effects in this group of professionals and to improve risk assessment. Therefore, this study gathers and critically discusses the most characterized biomarkers of effect (oxidative stress, DNA and protein damage, stress hormones, inflammation, and vascular, lung, and liver injury), including those potentially more promising to be explored in future studies, and their relation with health outcomes. Various studies proved an association between exposures to fire emissions and/or heat and significantly altered values of biomarkers of inflammation (soluble adhesion molecules, tumor necrosis factor, interleukins, and leucocyte count), vascular damage and tissue injury (pentraxin-3, vascular endothelial growth factor, and cardiac troponin T) in firefighting forces. Moreover, preliminary data of DNA damage in blood, urinary mutagenicity and 8-isoprostaglandin in exhaled breath condensate suggest that these biomarkers of oxidative stress should be further explored. However, most of the reported studies are based on cross-sectional designs, which limit full identification and characterization of the risk factors and their association with development of work-related diseases. Broader studies based on longitudinal designs and strongly supported by the analysis of several types of biomarkers in different biological fluids are further required to gain deeper insights into the firefighters occupational related health hazards and contribute to implementation of new or improved surveillance programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bela Barros
- REQUIMTE-LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 431, 4249-015 Porto
| | - Marta Oliveira
- REQUIMTE-LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 431, 4249-015 Porto
| | - Simone Morais
- REQUIMTE-LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 431, 4249-015 Porto.
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Slim AM, Fentanes E, Cheezum MK, Parsons IT, Maroules C, Chen B, Abbara S, Branch K, Nagpal P, Shah NR, Thomas DM, Villines TC, Blankstein R, Shaw LJ, Budoff M, Nicol E. The role of cardiovascular CT in occupational health assessment for coronary heart disease: An expert consensus document from the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT). J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr 2021; 15:290-303. [PMID: 33926854 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcct.2021.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Billy Chen
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Baldwin Park, CA, USA
| | - Suhny Abbara
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | | | - Prashant Nagpal
- University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Nishant R Shah
- Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Dustin M Thomas
- Parkview Health, Parkview Research Center, Fort Wayne, IN, USA
| | - Todd C Villines
- University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Ron Blankstein
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Ed Nicol
- Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK
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Patterson PD, Suyama J, Reis SE, Weaver MD, Hostler D. What does it cost to prevent on-duty firefighter cardiac events? A content valid method for calculating costs. Adv Prev Med 2013; 2013:972724. [PMID: 24455288 PMCID: PMC3881339 DOI: 10.1155/2013/972724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2013] [Accepted: 10/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac arrest is a leading cause of mortality among firefighters. We sought to develop a valid method for determining the costs of a workplace prevention program for firefighters. In 2012, we developed a draft framework using human resource accounting and in-depth interviews with experts in the firefighting and insurance industries. The interviews produced a draft cost model with 6 components and 26 subcomponents. In 2013, we randomly sampled 100 fire chiefs out of >7,400 affiliated with the International Association of Fire Chiefs. We used the Content Validity Index (CVI) to identify the content valid components of the draft cost model. This was accomplished by having fire chiefs rate the relevancy of cost components using a 4-point Likert scale (highly relevant to not relevant). We received complete survey data from 65 fire chiefs (65% response rate). We retained 5 components and 21 subcomponents based on CVI scores ≥0.70. The five main components include, (1) investment costs, (2) orientation and training costs, (3) medical and pharmaceutical costs, (4) education and continuing education costs, and (5) maintenance costs. Data from a diverse sample of fire chiefs has produced a content valid method for calculating the cost of a prevention program among firefighters.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Daniel Patterson
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, 3600 Forbes Avenue, Suite 400A, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Joe Suyama
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, 3600 Forbes Avenue, Suite 400A, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Steven E. Reis
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, 3600 Forbes Avenue, Suite 400A, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Matthew D. Weaver
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, 3600 Forbes Avenue, Suite 400A, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - David Hostler
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, 3600 Forbes Avenue, Suite 400A, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
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Santora LJ, Pillutla P, Norris T, Santora R, Brandt R, Jenkins M, Robinson M, Santora N, Budoff MJ. Coronary calcium scanning independently detects coronary artery disease in asymptomatic firefighters: A prospective study. J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr 2013; 7:46-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcct.2012.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2012] [Revised: 07/11/2012] [Accepted: 07/30/2012] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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