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Ayşenur T, Nuran G, Cihan K, Huri B. The Effect of Nonstress Device Noise Level on Stress Parameters in Primigravid Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Midwifery Womens Health 2024; 69:279-286. [PMID: 38178318 DOI: 10.1111/jmwh.13581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study evaluated the effect of the noise level of the nonstress test (NST) device on stress parameters in primigravid women. METHODS A total of 44 pregnant women participated in a randomized clinical trial between February and October, 2021. The participants were divided randomly into 4 equal groups using an automated web-based randomization system and ensuring allocation concealment: the control group (NST device volume turned off), intervention group I (1-35 dB(A)), intervention group II (36-60 dB(A)), and intervention group III (61 dB(A) and above). A data collection form was used to record personal information and stress parameters. Stress parameters (blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation [SpO2], blood glucose, salivary cortisol, and salivary adrenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH]) levels were measured pretest (0-2 minutes before NST starts), midtest (at 10 minutes of the NST), and posttest (within 0-2 minutes after NST was finished). The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT05488704). RESULTS NST sound levels above 35 dB(A) increased the average cortisol and ACTH levels in the posttest. NST sound levels were positively correlated with posttest cortisol (r = .448) and posttest glucose (r = .302). There was interaction effect on heart rate, glucose, and cortisol level by time, indicating that the intervention groups experienced a significant acceleration in heart rate, glucose, and cortisol level after a noise intervention compared with the control group. DISCUSSION Midwives should continue applying NST below 36 dB(A), considering the factors that may induce stress during the NST process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Turan Ayşenur
- Department of Midwifery, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Institute of Graduate Studies, Midwifery Doctorate Program, Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Midwifery, Istanbul Medipol University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gençtürk Nuran
- Department of Midwifery, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Faculty of Health Science, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Kaya Cihan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University, Bakırköy Acıbadem Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Bulut Huri
- Department of Biochemistry, Istınye University, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
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Abdmouleh MA, Dahech S. Spatio-temporal variation of noise pollution in South Paris during and outside the COVID-19 lockdowns. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1487. [PMID: 38233412 PMCID: PMC10794690 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51305-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Noise pollution is one of the major environmental problems of contemporary societies. In urban areas, road transport is the main source impacting the spatio-temporal variation of air quality. This work aims to analyse the spatio-temporal variability of the noise level in the 13th arrondissement during peak hours, focusing on the comparison of noise levels between the COVID-19 lockdown and non-lockdown days. This paper provides data that could be used to evaluate noise mitigation options. Mobile surveys, using EXTECH 4017764 sensors, were used to cover 272 points. In this work, the mobile measurements use the median of instant noise levels measured every 5 s over a 5-min period during the peak period. This study confirms that road traffic appears to be the determining factor in noise pollution. The noise levels calculated in 2020 show a strong spatio-temporal variability explained by the proximity of the emission sources, but also that the noise level decreases by 6-10 dB (A) during the lockdowns. Indeed, near the main roads, 57-63 dB (A) are recorded during the lockdowns, compared to 67-72 dB (A) outside the lockdowns. Mainly the number of vehicles contribute to a large part of the noise level, to which the noise of construction sites can occasionally be added as in the south-eastern part of the study area.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Abdmouleh
- UFR GHES UMR 8586 du CNRS (PRODIG), Faculté Sociétés Et Humanités, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - S Dahech
- UFR GHES UMR 8586 du CNRS (PRODIG), Faculté Sociétés Et Humanités, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France.
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Persson Waye K, Löve J, Lercher P, Dzhambov AM, Klatte M, Schreckenberg D, Belke C, Leist L, Ristovska G, Jeram S, Kanninen KM, Selander J, Arat A, Lachmann T, Clark C, Botteldooren D, White K, Julvez J, Foraster M, Kaprio J, Bolte G, Psyllidis A, Gulliver J, Boshuizen H, Bozzon A, Fels J, Hornikx M, van den Hazel P, Weber M, Brambilla M, Braat-Eggen E, Van Kamp I, Vincens N. Adopting a child perspective for exposome research on mental health and cognitive development - Conceptualisation and opportunities. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 239:117279. [PMID: 37778607 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Mental disorders among children and adolescents pose a significant global challenge. The exposome framework covering the totality of internal, social and physical exposures over a lifetime provides opportunities to better understand the causes of and processes related to mental health, and cognitive functioning. The paper presents a conceptual framework on exposome, mental health, and cognitive development in children and adolescents, with potential mediating pathways, providing a possibility for interventions along the life course. The paper underscores the significance of adopting a child perspective to the exposome, acknowledging children's specific vulnerability, including differential exposures, susceptibility of effects and capacity to respond; their susceptibility during development and growth, highlighting neurodevelopmental processes from conception to young adulthood that are highly sensitive to external exposures. Further, critical periods when exposures may have significant effects on a child's development and future health are addressed. The paper stresses that children's behaviour, physiology, activity pattern and place for activities make them differently vulnerable to environmental pollutants, and calls for child-specific assessment methods, currently lacking within today's health frameworks. The importance of understanding the interplay between structure and agency is emphasized, where agency is guided by social structures and practices and vice-versa. An intersectional approach that acknowledges the interplay of social and physical exposures as well as a global and rural perspective on exposome is further pointed out. To advance the exposome field, interdisciplinary efforts that involve multiple scientific disciplines are crucial. By adopting a child perspective and incorporating an exposome approach, we can gain a comprehensive understanding of how exposures impact children's mental health and cognitive development leading to better outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Persson Waye
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Jesper Löve
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Peter Lercher
- Institute of Highway Engineering and Transport Planning, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | - Angel M Dzhambov
- Institute of Highway Engineering and Transport Planning, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria; Department of Hygiene, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria; Research Group "Health and Quality of Life in a Green and Sustainable Environment", SRIPD, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria; Environmental Health Division, Research Institute at Medical University of Plovdiv, Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Maria Klatte
- Cognitive and Developmental Psychology, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Dirk Schreckenberg
- Centre for Applied Psychology, Environmental and Social Research (Zeus GmbH), Hagen, Germany
| | - Christin Belke
- Centre for Applied Psychology, Environmental and Social Research (Zeus GmbH), Hagen, Germany
| | - Larisa Leist
- Cognitive and Developmental Psychology, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Gordana Ristovska
- Institute of Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia, Skopje, Macedonia
| | - Sonja Jeram
- National Institute of Public Health, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katja M Kanninen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jenny Selander
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Arzu Arat
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas Lachmann
- Cognitive and Developmental Psychology, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Kaiserslautern, Germany; Centro de Investigación Nebrija en Cognición (CINC), Universidad Nebrija, Madrid, Spain
| | - Charlotte Clark
- Population Health Research Institute, St George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dick Botteldooren
- Department of Information Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kim White
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Netherlands
| | - Jordi Julvez
- Institut D'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Clinical and Epidemiological Neuroscience Group (NeuroÈpia), Reus, Spain
| | | | - Jaakko Kaprio
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland and Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Gabriele Bolte
- Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Achilleas Psyllidis
- Department of Sustainable Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - John Gulliver
- Population Health Research Institute, St George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom; Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability & School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Hendriek Boshuizen
- Department for Statistics, Datascience and Mathematical Modelling, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Alessandro Bozzon
- Department of Sustainable Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Janina Fels
- Institute for Hearing Technology and Acoustics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Maarten Hornikx
- Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Peter van den Hazel
- International Network on Children's Health, Environment and Safety, Ellecom, the Netherlands
| | | | - Marco Brambilla
- Data Science Laboratory, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Irene Van Kamp
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Netherlands
| | - Natalia Vincens
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Chen X, Liu M, Zuo L, Wu X, Chen M, Li X, An T, Chen L, Xu W, Peng S, Chen H, Liang X, Hao G. Environmental noise exposure and health outcomes: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analysis. Eur J Public Health 2023; 33:725-731. [PMID: 37030015 PMCID: PMC11314258 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckad044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental noise is becoming increasingly recognized as an urgent public health problem, but the quality of current studies needs to be assessed. To evaluate the significance, validity and potential biases of the associations between environmental noise exposure and health outcomes. METHODS We conducted an umbrella review of the evidence across meta-analyses of environmental noise exposure and any health outcomes. A systematic search was done until November 2021. PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase and references of eligible studies were searched. Quality was assessed by AMSTAR and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). RESULTS Of the 31 unique health outcomes identified in 23 systematic reviews and meta-analyses, environmental noise exposure was more likely to result in a series of adverse outcomes. Five percent were moderate in methodology quality, the rest were low to very low and the majority of GRADE evidence was graded as low or even lower. The group with occupational noise exposure had the largest risk increment of speech frequency [relative risk (RR): 6.68; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.41-13.07] and high-frequency (RR: 4.46; 95% CI: 2.80-7.11) noise-induced hearing loss. High noise exposure from different sources was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (34%) and its mortality (12%), elevated blood pressure (58-72%), diabetes (23%) and adverse reproductive outcomes (22-43%). In addition, the dose-response relationship revealed that the risk of diabetes, ischemic heart disease (IHD), cardiovascular (CV) mortality, stroke, anxiety and depression increases with increasing noise exposure. CONCLUSIONS Adverse associations were found for CV disease and mortality, diabetes, hearing impairment, neurological disorders and adverse reproductive outcomes with environmental noise exposure in humans, especially occupational noise. The studies mostly showed low quality and more high-quality longitudinal study designs are needed for further validation in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Chen
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine,
Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mingliang Liu
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine,
Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Zuo
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine,
Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyi Wu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan
University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mengshi Chen
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Xiangya School of
Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xingli Li
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Xiangya School of
Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ting An
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan
University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Chen
- Georgia Prevention Institute, Department of Population Health Sciences,
Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Wenbin Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of
Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuang Peng
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan
University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haiyan Chen
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention,
Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaohua Liang
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, Children’s Hospital of
Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and
Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders,
Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Guang Hao
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine,
Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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Li X, Jing MA, Cheng Y, Feng L, Wang S, Dong G. The relationship between extreme ambient temperature and small for gestational age: A cohort study of 1,436,480 singleton term births in China. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023:116412. [PMID: 37315757 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Studies have shown that exposure to extreme ambient temperature can contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes, however, results across studies have been inconsistent. We aimed to evaluate the relationships between trimester-specific extreme temperature exposures and fetal growth restriction indicated by small for gestational age (SGA) in term pregnancies, and to assess whether and to what extent this relationship varies between different geographic regions. We linked 1,436,480 singleton term newborns (2014-2016) in Hubei Province, China, with a sub-district-level temperature exposures estimated by a generalized additive spatio-temporal model. Mixed-effects logistic regression models were employed to estimate the effects of extreme cold (temperature ≤5th percentile) and heat exposures (temperature >95th percentile) on term SGA in three different geographic regions, while adjusting for the effects of maternal age, infant sex, the frequency of health checks, parity, educational level, season of birth, area-level income, and PM2.5 exposure. We also stratified our analyses by infant sex, maternal age, urban‒rural type, income categories and PM2.5 exposure for robustness analyses. We found that both cold (OR:1.32, 95% CI: 1.25-1.39) and heat (OR:1.17, 95% CI: 1.13-1.22) exposures during the third trimester significantly increased the risk of SGA in the East region. Only extreme heat exposure (OR:1.29, 95% CI: 1.21-1.37) during the third trimester was significantly related to SGA in the Middle region. Our findings suggest that extreme ambient temperature exposure during pregnancy can lead to fetal growth restriction. Governments and public health institutions should pay more attention to environmental stresses during gestation, especially in the late stage of the pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Remote Sensing of Environment and Digital Cities, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, 19 Xinjiekouwai Street, Beijing. 100875, China.
| | - M A Jing
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Remote Sensing of Environment and Digital Cities, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, 19 Xinjiekouwai Street, Beijing. 100875, China.
| | - Yang Cheng
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Remote Sensing of Environment and Digital Cities, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, 19 Xinjiekouwai Street, Beijing. 100875, China
| | - Ling Feng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095, Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Shaoshuai Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095, Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Guanpeng Dong
- Key Research Institute of Yellow River Civilization and Sustainable Development, Henan University, 85, Minglun Street, Kaifeng, 475001, China; Key Laboratory of Geospatial Technology for the Middle and Lower Yellow River Regions, Henan University, 85, Minglun Street, Kaifeng, 475001, China.
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Corchero-Falcón MDR, Gómez-Salgado J, García-Iglesias JJ, Camacho-Vega JC, Fagundo-Rivera J, Carrasco-González AM. Risk Factors for Working Pregnant Women and Potential Adverse Consequences of Exposure: A Systematic Review. Int J Public Health 2023; 68:1605655. [PMID: 36874222 PMCID: PMC9977819 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2023.1605655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: To assess the risk factors perceived as stressors by pregnant women in the work environment and the possible adverse consequences of such exposure for the normal development of pregnancy. Methods: Systematic review, guided by the PRISMA guidelines, and using Pubmed, Web of Science, Dialnet, SciELO, and REDIB databases. Methodological quality was assessed using the critical appraisal tools for non-randomised studies of the Joanna Briggs Institute. Results: A total of 38 studies were included. The main risk factors found in the work environment of pregnant women were chemical, psychosocial, physical-ergonomic-mechanical factors, and other work-related factors. The main adverse consequences of exposure to these factors include low birth weight, preterm birth, miscarriage, hypertension and pre-eclampsia, as well as various obstetric complications. Conclusion: During pregnancy, working conditions that are considered acceptable in normal situations may not be so during this stage due to the major changes that occur during pregnancy. Many obstetric effects may have an important impact in the mother's psychological status; therefore, it is important to optimise working conditions during this stage and to reduce or eliminate possible risks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juan Gómez-Salgado
- Department of Sociology, Social Work and Public Health, Faculty of Labour Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain.,Safety and Health Postgraduate Programme, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Juan Jesús García-Iglesias
- Department of Sociology, Social Work and Public Health, Faculty of Labour Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Camacho-Vega
- Department of Building Construction II, Higher Technical School of Building Engineering, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
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Wang Z, Qian R, Xiang W, Sun L, Xu M, Zhang B, Yang L, Zhu S, Zeng L, Yang W. Association between noise exposure during pregnancy and pregnancy complications: A meta-analysis. Front Psychol 2022; 13:1026996. [DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1026996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundNoise exposure has a significant impact on human health. However, the effect of occupational and residential noise on the risk of pregnancy complications was controversial in the literature. This study looked at previous research and performed a meta-analysis to determine how noise exposure during pregnancy affected the risk of pregnancy complications.MethodsSystematic searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Ovid, and Cochrane, and all relevant studies were included. Two investigators independently evaluated the eligibility of these studies. The risk of bias in each study and the quality and strength of each outcome was evaluated by using the GRADE approach and Navigation Guide. Random effects meta-analysis model was used.ResultsThe meta-analysis retrieved 1,461 study records and finally included 11 studies. Occupational noise exposure during pregnancy was associated with preeclampsia (RR = 1.07, 95%CI: 1.04, 1.10). Neither occupational nor residential noise exposure was associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) (RR = 1.10, 95%CI: 0.96, 1.25 and RR = 1.05, 95%CI: 0.98, 1.11) or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (RR = 0.94, 95%CI: 0.88, 1.00 and RR = 1.06, 95%CI: 0.98, 1.16). Further bias analysis showed that the results were reliable. All outcomes were rated as low in quality and inadequate evidence of harmfulness in strength.ConclusionsOccupational noise exposure could increase the risk of preeclampsia, according to the findings. There was no clear evidence of a harmful effect of noise exposure during pregnancy on HDP or GDM.
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Jin M, Ren Z, Shi X. Spatiotemporal characteristics and drivers of Chinese urban total noise pollution from 2007 to 2019. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:73292-73306. [PMID: 35619016 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-20660-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Noise pollution as a result of urbanization and socioeconomic development threatens human health and has become a major environmental problem worldwide, particularly for urban residents. Based on observed equivalent noise data of 113 major Chinese cities, a Bayesian spatiotemporal hierarchy model (BSTHM) was employed to investigate the spatiotemporal characteristics of urban noise pollution in China from 2007 to 2019. Meanwhile, the BART model was adopted to explore the drivers of urban noise pollution. The mean and medium of the equivalent noise of the 113 major cities decreased from 2007 to 2011 but increased from 2011 to 2019; the corresponding annual growth is 0.0793 dB and 0.0947 dB per year. The overall spatial pattern has a certain geographical feature. The cities located in the eastern and north-eastern coastal regions generally have a higher level of noise pollution, and the western and southwestern cities have a lower level. One hundred cities not only have greater noise pollution but also an increasing trend. Although the 52 cities located in Western China have less noise pollution, they have increasing local trends. The results indicate that economic and social factors are the main drivers of noise pollution of China; the explanatory power is 46.2%. Traffic factors are also relatively important drivers, of which bus ridership is the leading one. In terms of the natural environment, climatic factors, including temperature and relative humidity, and presence of green areas containing parkland and general green land are the main determinants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meijun Jin
- College of Architecture, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, China
| | - Zhoupeng Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System (LREIS), Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Xiaofeng Shi
- College of Architecture, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, China
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van Beukering MDM, Schuster HJ, Peelen MJCS, Schonewille MEA, Hajenius PJ, Duijnhoven RG, Brand T, Painter RC, Kok M. Working conditions in low risk nulliparous women in The Netherlands: are legislation and guidelines a guarantee for a healthy working environment? A cohort study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2022; 95:1305-1315. [PMID: 35708771 PMCID: PMC9273547 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-022-01888-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Objective Hazardous working conditions increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. In this study, we examine adherence to legislation and guidelines aimed at improving working conditions in pregnancy. Methods Between 2014 and 2016, we recruited a prospective cohort of low-risk nulliparous pregnant women in paid employment or self-employed in 16 community midwifery practices in The Netherlands. Participants completed two questionnaires concerning demographics, education, general health and working conditions between 10–16 and 20–24 weeks of pregnancy. We calculated the proportion of participants with work-related risk factors not in accordance with legislation and/or guidelines. Results Of 269 participants included, 214 (80%) completed both questionnaires. At 10–16 weeks 110 (41%) participants and at 20–24 weeks 129 (63%) participants continued to work under circumstances that did not meet recommendations. Employers provided mandated information on work adjustment to 37 (15%) participants and 96 (38%) participants received no information about the potential hazards while working with biological and chemical hazards. Participants with lower educational attainment (aOR 2.2 95%CI 1.3–3.9), or employment in healthcare (aOR 4.5, 95%CI 2.2–9.0), education/childcare and social service (aOR 2.6, 95%CI 1.1–6.0 2),, catering (aOR 3.6, 95%CI 1.1–12) and industry, construction and cleaning (aOR 3.3, 95%CI 1.1–10.3) more often continued work which did not meet recommendations. Conclusion There is poor adherence to national legislation and guidelines for safe working in pregnancy in The Netherlands: 50% of the pregnant women worked under hazardous conditions. Given the impact on adverse pregnancy outcomes as well as on the public purse, action to improve compliance must be taken by all stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique D M van Beukering
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Location Amsterdam Medical Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, P.O. Box 22660, Amsterdam, 1100 DD, The Netherlands.
| | - Heleen J Schuster
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Location Amsterdam Medical Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, P.O. Box 22660, Amsterdam, 1100 DD, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Myrthe J C S Peelen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Location Amsterdam Medical Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, P.O. Box 22660, Amsterdam, 1100 DD, The Netherlands
| | - Marit E A Schonewille
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Location Amsterdam Medical Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, P.O. Box 22660, Amsterdam, 1100 DD, The Netherlands
| | - Petra J Hajenius
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Location Amsterdam Medical Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, P.O. Box 22660, Amsterdam, 1100 DD, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben G Duijnhoven
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Location Amsterdam Medical Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, P.O. Box 22660, Amsterdam, 1100 DD, The Netherlands
| | - Teus Brand
- Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rebecca C Painter
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Location Amsterdam Medical Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, P.O. Box 22660, Amsterdam, 1100 DD, The Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Kok
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Location Amsterdam Medical Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, P.O. Box 22660, Amsterdam, 1100 DD, The Netherlands
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Galarneau JM, Beach J, Cherry N. Pregnancy Outcome in Women Exposed to Metal Fume in Welding: A Canadian Cohort Study. Ann Work Expo Health 2022; 66:1099-1110. [PMID: 35488367 PMCID: PMC9664228 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxac024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Welding is a physically demanding job that entails exposure to metal fume and particles. There is little information on the effect of welding exposures on the outcome of a pregnancy conceived during a period when a woman was employed as a welder. METHODS Women welders recruited to the Workers Health in Apprenticeship Trades-Metal and Electrical (WHAT-ME) study were followed-up every 6 months for up to 5 years (January 2011-August 2018), and every pregnancy recorded. At the first 6-month follow-up, a detailed questionnaire was completed for the most recent day in welding, and this information was collected again at each follow-up and also from questionnaires completed during pregnancy. The date of conception was estimated for each pregnancy and the job at that date identified. Exposures to ergonomic factors, work schedule and perceptions of noise, heat and cold were extracted for the job at conception. Exposures to metals (aluminum, chromium, manganese, and nickel) and particles in welding fume were estimated from previously validated exposure algorithms reflecting the welding process, base metal and consumables of the job at the conception date. The effects of exposures were estimated in multilevel multivariable models allowing for confounding. RESULTS There were 242 pregnancies conceived by a welder working in her trade, 87 were before the first follow-up, 3 were after first follow-up but detailed information was not collected, 22 of those potentially included in the assessment group were in-trade but not welding leaving 122 pregnancies in 90 welders for analysis. Of these 91 resulted in a live birth and 31 in a fetal loss (27 miscarriages and 4 stillbirths). Mean birth weight for live births was 3365 g and gestation 39.4 weeks. Final models showed that risk of fetal loss increased with manipulating heavy objects [odds ratio (OR) = 5.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.04-12.92], whole-body vibration (OR = 5.86, 95% CI 1.81-18.92), a higher rating for noise exposure intensity (OR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.24-1.85), and decreased with use of local exhaust ventilation (OR = 0.20, 95% CI 0.03-1.18). Gestation decreased with perceived heat intensity (β = -0.15, 95% CI -0.29 to -0.02) and number of previous pregnancies (β = -0.35, 95% CI -0.65 to -0.05). Birth weight was lower in those reporting whole-body vibration (β = -596 g, 95% CI -924 to -267) and increased with the welder's body mass index (β = 36 g, 95% CI 12-61). Estimates of exposure to metals and particles were unrelated to gestation or birth weight. In a bivariate analysis, allowing for the same welder reporting >1 pregnancy, estimated airborne aluminum exposure (and to a lesser degree exposure to nickel and particles) was related to greater risk of fetal loss (OR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.04-2.24) but neither aluminum nor the other estimated elements of welding fume added to the final model. CONCLUSIONS In this group of women actively engaged in welding during the time surrounding conception, the outcome of pregnancy was strongly related to work exposures, particularly vibration (reported in grinding tasks), manipulation of heavy objects, and perceived intensity of noise and heat. The study was unable to show an independent effect of exposure to metal fume constituents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Michel Galarneau
- Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada,Faculty of Kinesiology, Sports Injury Prevention Research Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Jeremy Beach
- Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Nicola Cherry
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +1-780-492-7851; e-mail:
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Kheirandish A, Mehrparvar A, Abou-Bakre A, Zare Sakhvidi MJ. Association between long-term occupational noise exposure and obesity. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:20176-20185. [PMID: 34729714 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-17299-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Noise exposure has been linked to several health outcomes including obesity. This cross-sectional study examined the association between occupational noise exposure and body mass index as a measure of general obesity in 913 textile workers (totally from nine factories) in Yazd city, Iran, from winter to summer of 2018. The sound pressure level (dBA) at each working station was measured by a calibrated sound level meter. The long-term noise exposure score of each worker (as dBA.year) was calculated by multiplying the working history in each unit to its corresponding noise level. Models were adjusted for personal, behavioral, environmental, and family history factors. In total, 81.05% (n = 740) of the participants were exposed to noise levels higher than 85 dBA. The direct association was found for the fully adjusted model (β = 0.002; 95% CI: 0.001: 0.004). For the model with past year noise exposure, a 10.6% increase in odds was observed for each 5 dBA increase in noise exposure (95% CI: 1.005: 1.216). We found a 0.1% increase in the odds of being overweight in mixed-gender analysis (95% CI: 1.001:1.002) for each 5 dBA.year in the fully adjusted model. Occupational noise exposure should be regarded as a risk factor for cardiometabolic outcomes in industrial workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- AhmadAli Kheirandish
- Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Amirhooshang Mehrparvar
- Industrial Diseases Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Abdellah Abou-Bakre
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Sciences and Technics, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco
| | - Mohammad Javad Zare Sakhvidi
- Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
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Cerritelli F, Frasch MG, Antonelli MC, Viglione C, Vecchi S, Chiera M, Manzotti A. A Review on the Vagus Nerve and Autonomic Nervous System During Fetal Development: Searching for Critical Windows. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:721605. [PMID: 34616274 PMCID: PMC8488382 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.721605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is one of the main biological systems that regulates the body's physiology. Autonomic nervous system regulatory capacity begins before birth as the sympathetic and parasympathetic activity contributes significantly to the fetus' development. In particular, several studies have shown how vagus nerve is involved in many vital processes during fetal, perinatal, and postnatal life: from the regulation of inflammation through the anti-inflammatory cholinergic pathway, which may affect the functioning of each organ, to the production of hormones involved in bioenergetic metabolism. In addition, the vagus nerve has been recognized as the primary afferent pathway capable of transmitting information to the brain from every organ of the body. Therefore, this hypothesis paper aims to review the development of ANS during fetal and perinatal life, focusing particularly on the vagus nerve, to identify possible "critical windows" that could impact its maturation. These "critical windows" could help clinicians know when to monitor fetuses to effectively assess the developmental status of both ANS and specifically the vagus nerve. In addition, this paper will focus on which factors-i.e., fetal characteristics and behaviors, maternal lifestyle and pathologies, placental health and dysfunction, labor, incubator conditions, and drug exposure-may have an impact on the development of the vagus during the above-mentioned "critical window" and how. This analysis could help clinicians and stakeholders define precise guidelines for improving the management of fetuses and newborns, particularly to reduce the potential adverse environmental impacts on ANS development that may lead to persistent long-term consequences. Since the development of ANS and the vagus influence have been shown to be reflected in cardiac variability, this paper will rely in particular on studies using fetal heart rate variability (fHRV) to monitor the continued growth and health of both animal and human fetuses. In fact, fHRV is a non-invasive marker whose changes have been associated with ANS development, vagal modulation, systemic and neurological inflammatory reactions, and even fetal distress during labor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Cerritelli
- Research and Assistance for Infants to Support Experience Lab, Foundation Center for Osteopathic Medicine Collaboration, Pescara, Italy
| | - Martin G. Frasch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Marta C. Antonelli
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia “Prof. E. De Robertis”, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Chiara Viglione
- Research and Assistance for Infants to Support Experience Lab, Foundation Center for Osteopathic Medicine Collaboration, Pescara, Italy
| | - Stefano Vecchi
- Research and Assistance for Infants to Support Experience Lab, Foundation Center for Osteopathic Medicine Collaboration, Pescara, Italy
| | - Marco Chiera
- Research and Assistance for Infants to Support Experience Lab, Foundation Center for Osteopathic Medicine Collaboration, Pescara, Italy
| | - Andrea Manzotti
- Research and Assistance for Infants to Support Experience Lab, Foundation Center for Osteopathic Medicine Collaboration, Pescara, Italy
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, “V. Buzzi” Children's Hospital, Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
- Research Department, Istituto Osteopatia Milano, Milan, Italy
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13
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van Beukering M, Velu A, Schonewille LHN, Duijnhoven R, Mol BW, Brand T, Frings-Dresen M, Kok M. Evaluation of a blended care programme for caregivers and working pregnant women to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes: an intervention study. Occup Environ Med 2021; 78:809-817. [PMID: 33875554 PMCID: PMC8526877 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2020-107191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Objective Work-related activities can be a risk factor for pregnancy complications such as preterm birth. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a blended care programme, Pregnancy and Work, that provides pregnant workers and their obstetrical caregivers with advice on work adjustment. Methods Women less than 20 weeks of gestation, in paid employment or self-employed, in the care of four participating hospitals and their referring midwifery practices in the Netherlands received either the blended care programme (n=119), consisting of a training for professionals and a mobile health application, or care as usual (n=122) in a controlled intervention study with a follow-up in intervention and control populations. All participants completed three questionnaires concerning health and working conditions at 16, 24 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. Primary outcome was the percentage of women who received advice from their obstetrical caregiver about work adjustment. Secondary outcomes were work status, realised work adjustment and working conditions. Groups were compared using univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Results A total of 188 (78%) completed all three questionnaires. In the blended care group, women received more advice from obstetrical caregivers to adjust their work than in the control group, 41 (39%) vs 21 (18%) (adjusted relative risk (aRR) 2.2, 95% CI 1.4 to 3.4), but less from their employer 8 (8%) vs 31 (28%) (aRR 0.29, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.61). There were no significant differences in realised work adjustments. At 24 weeks, 30% of the pregnant women in both groups continued to work in hazardous workplaces. Conclusion Among working pregnant women, the blended care intervention increases advice on work adjustment given by midwives and obstetricians, but does not lead to more work adjustments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adeline Velu
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam UMC Locatie AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ruben Duijnhoven
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam UMC Locatie AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ben Willem Mol
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Aberdeen Centre for Women's Health Research, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Teus Brand
- Public and Occupational Health/Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC Locatie AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Monique Frings-Dresen
- Public and Occupational Health/Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC Locatie AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Kok
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam UMC Locatie AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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14
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Skröder H, Pettersson H, Norlén F, Gustavsson P, Rylander L, Albin M, Selander J. Occupational exposure to whole body vibrations and birth outcomes - A nationwide cohort study of Swedish women. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 751:141476. [PMID: 32871309 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND More women in reproductive ages are entering occupations where exposure to whole body vibrations (WBV) is common (e.g. in transportation and construction). Previous studies based on self-assessed exposure suggest increased risks of adverse birth outcomes, but it is unclear at what exposure levels and if the current exposure guidelines are appropriate during pregnancy. OBJECTIVES To investigate whether occupational WBV-exposure increases the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and/or small-for-gestational age, in a large, nationwide, prospective, cohort study. DESIGN The Fetal Air Pollution Exposure cohort (FAIR) was formed by merging data from multiple, national registers, and the present study includes singletons born 1994-2014 to working women in Sweden (n = 1,091,080 births). WBV-exposure was assessed quantitatively using a job-exposure matrix based on measurements, and calculated odds ratios were adjusted for potential confounders such as smoking and BMI, and other occupational exposures like noise, combustion particles, and physically and psychologically strenuous work. Data on absence from work (full-/part time, sick leave, parental leave, etc.) was also used. RESULTS Exposure to WBV during pregnancy, among women with low absence from work (n = 476,419), was associated with an increased risk of preterm birth, below the occupational exposure limit (1.15 m/s2). Compared to unexposed mothers, the OR was 1.38 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.83) for exposure ≥0.5 m/s2, corresponding to an increase from 47/1000 cases to 65/1000 cases. No increased risk was found for small-for-gestational age. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to WBV was associated with an increased risk of preterm birth. The results suggest that the current permissible exposure and action levels for WBV-exposure do not adequately protect pregnant women with continuous exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Skröder
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - H Pettersson
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - F Norlén
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - P Gustavsson
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - L Rylander
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Box 188, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | - M Albin
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J Selander
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
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15
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Lellis NBM, Azevedo V, de Lucca SR, Pustiglione M, Bandini MC. Occupational risk perceived by pregnant workers: proposal for an assessment tool for health professionals. Rev Bras Med Trab 2020; 18:169-176. [PMID: 33324458 PMCID: PMC7732040 DOI: 10.47626/1679-4435-2020-550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The risk factors and agents present in the work environment may represent a risk to the health of pregnant women, the developing infants, and breast-feeding mothers; however, tools to assess occupational exposure of these workers are not available. Objective To develop an instrument for the qualitative assessment of occupational exposure of pregnant workers based on their perceptions. Method We conducted a data survey from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the Brazilian Regulatory Standard 15. Next, a comparative analysis was performed, according to the scientific literature available, followed by a preliminary version of the instrument, a pilot test with 15 pregnant women, and preparation of the final version. Results A tool was developed consisting of 28 questions, divided into 7 categories: 1) pregnant or lactating woman; 2) habits and behaviors; 3) information about work; 4) risk factors identified by the worker in the work environment divided into chemical, physical, biological, ergonomic, and accidents; 5) difficulties faced at work; 6) need for antenatal leave; and 7) open question so that the worker can inform something she considers necessary. Conclusions The study of work-related risk factors and/or agents relevant to the health of pregnant women and/or the fetus is essential to conduct adequate prenatal care and to protect the health of these workers. The use of this tool can be of great value for health professionals, especially for physicians. The practical application can bring possible improvements that were not identified by the authors during the study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Valmir Azevedo
- Medicina do Trabalho, Universidade Estadual de Campinas - Campinas (SP), Brazil
| | | | - Marcelo Pustiglione
- Centro de Referência de Saúde do Trabalhador (Cerest), Centro de Vigilância Sanitária, Secretaria de Estado da Saúde de São Paulo - São Paulo (SP), Brazil
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16
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Skröder H, Pettersson H, Albin M, Gustavsson P, Rylander L, Norlén F, Selander J. Occupational exposure to whole-body vibrations and pregnancy complications: a nationwide cohort study in Sweden. Occup Environ Med 2020; 77:691-698. [PMID: 32493701 PMCID: PMC7509390 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2020-106519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Pregnancy complications are common contributors to perinatal mortality and morbidity. Still, the cause(s) of gestational hypertensive disorders and diabetes are largely unknown. Some occupational exposures have been inconsistently associated with pregnancy complications, but exposure to whole-body vibrations (WBV) has been largely overlooked even though it has been associated with adverse birth outcomes. Therefore, the aim was to assess whether occupational WBV exposure during pregnancy is associated with pregnancy complications in a nationwide, prospective cohort study. Methods The Fetal Air Pollution Exposure cohort was formed by merging multiple Swedish, national registers containing information on occupation during pregnancy and diagnosis codes, and includes all working women who gave birth between 1994 and 2014 (n=1 091 044). WBV exposure was derived from a job-exposure matrix and was divided into categories (0, 0.1–0.2, 0.3–0.4 and ≥0.5 m/s2). ORs with 95% CIs were calculated using logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders. Results Among women working full time (n=646 490), we found increased risks of all pregnancy complications in the highest exposure group (≥0.5 m/s2), compared with the lowest. The adjusted ORs were 1.76 (95% CI 1.41 to 2.20), 1.55 (95% CI 1.26 to 1.91) and 1.62 (95% CI 1.07 to 2.46) for preeclampsia, gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes, respectively, and were similar in all sensitivity analyses. There were no clear associations for part-time workers. Conclusions The results suggest that women should not be exposed to WBV at/above the action limit value of 0.5 m/s2 (European directive) continuously through pregnancy. However, these results need further confirmation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Skröder
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hans Pettersson
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Maria Albin
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per Gustavsson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars Rylander
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Filip Norlén
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jenny Selander
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Miller CN, Kodavanti UP, Stewart EJ, Schladweiler MC, Richards JH, Snow SJ, Henriquez AR, Oshiro WM, Farraj AK, Hazari MS, Dye JA. Fetal growth outcomes following peri-implantation exposure of Long-Evans rats to noise and ozone differ by sex. Biol Sex Differ 2019; 10:54. [PMID: 31791410 PMCID: PMC6889602 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-019-0270-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Exposure to air pollution and high levels of noise have both been independently associated with the development of adverse pregnancy outcomes including low birth weight. However, exposure to such environmental stressors rarely occurs in isolation and is often co-localized, especially in large urban areas. Methods The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of combined exposure to noise (N) or ozone (O3), compared to either exposure alone. Long-Evans dams were exposed to air or 0.4 ppm ozone for 4 h on gestation day (GD) 5 and 6, coinciding with implantation receptivity. A subset of dams from each exposure group was further exposed to intermittent white noise (~ 85 dB) throughout the dark cycle following each inhalation exposure (n = 14 − 16/group). Uterine artery ultrasound was performed on GD 15 and 21. Fetal growth characteristics and indicators of placental nutrient status were measured at GD 21. Results Exposure to ozone + quiet (O3 + Q) conditions reduced uterine arterial resistance at GD 15 compared to air + quiet (A + Q) exposure, with no further reduction by GD 21. By contrast, exposure to air + noise (A + N) significantly increased uterine arterial resistance at both GD 15 and 21. Notably, while peri-implantation exposure to O3 + Q conditions reduced male fetal weight at GD 21, this effect was not observed in the air + noise (A + N) or the ozone + noise (O3 + N) exposure groups. Fetal weight in female offspring was not reduced by ozone exposure alone (O3 + Q), nor was it affected by air + noise (A + N) or by combined ozone + noise (O3 + N) exposure. Conclusions These data indicate that exposure to ozone and noise differentially impact uterine blood flow, particularly at mid-gestation, with only ozone exposure being associated with sex-dependent fetal growth retardation in male offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colette N Miller
- Cardiopulmonary Immunotoxicology Branch, Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health & Environmental Assessment U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Urmila P Kodavanti
- Cardiopulmonary Immunotoxicology Branch, Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health & Environmental Assessment U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Erica J Stewart
- Oak Ridge Institute of Science and Education, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Mette C Schladweiler
- Cardiopulmonary Immunotoxicology Branch, Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health & Environmental Assessment U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Judy H Richards
- Cardiopulmonary Immunotoxicology Branch, Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health & Environmental Assessment U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | | | - Andres R Henriquez
- Oak Ridge Institute of Science and Education, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Wendy M Oshiro
- Cardiopulmonary Immunotoxicology Branch, Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health & Environmental Assessment U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Aimen K Farraj
- Cardiopulmonary Immunotoxicology Branch, Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health & Environmental Assessment U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Mehdi S Hazari
- Cardiopulmonary Immunotoxicology Branch, Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health & Environmental Assessment U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Janice A Dye
- Cardiopulmonary Immunotoxicology Branch, Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health & Environmental Assessment U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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Gélat P, David AL, Haqhenas SR, Henriques J, Thibaut de Maisieres A, White T, Jauniaux E. Evaluation of fetal exposure to external loud noise using a sheep model: quantification of in utero acoustic transmission across the human audio range. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2019; 221:343.e1-343.e11. [PMID: 31152712 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2019.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 05/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is mounting evidence that neural memory traces are formed by auditory learning in utero and that premature newborns are particularly sensitive to the intense, sustained noises or impulses sounds associated with the use of intensive care equipment. One area of critical importance is the determination of sound level exposure in utero associated with maternal occupation. The attenuation factors provided by the abdomen and tissue as well as the routes by which the inner ear receives stimulation need careful consideration and investigation to provide prenatal protection from external sound levels and frequencies that may cause harm. OBJECTIVE To measure how sound from external sound sources is transmitted to the fetus inside the uterus of a pregnant sheep in 6 Hz frequency steps between 100 Hz and 20 kHz (ie, across most of the human audio range). STUDY DESIGN We measured acoustic transfer characteristics in vivo in 6 time-mated singleton pregnant Romney ewes (gestational age, 103-130 days, weight, 54-74 kg). Under general anesthesia and at hysterotomy, a calibrated hydrophone was attached to the occiput of the fetal head within the amniotic sac. Two calibrated microphones were positioned in the operating theater, close to the head and to the body of each ewe. Initial experiments were carried out on 3 pregnant ewes 3 days after transport recovery to inform the data acquisition protocol. This was followed by detailed data acquisition of 3 pregnant ewes under general anesthesia, using external white noise signals. Voltage signals were acquired with 2 calibrated microphones, located near the head and the body of each ewe and with a calibrated hydrophone located in the amniotic fluid. RESULTS Measurement of acoustic transmission through the maternal abdominal and uterine walls indicates that frequency contents above 10 kHz are transmitted into the amniotic sac and that some frequencies are attenuated by as little as 3 dB. CONCLUSION This study provides new data about in utero sound transmission of external noise sources beyond physiological noise (cardiovascular, respiratory, and intestinal sounds), which help quantity the potential for fetal physiological damage resulting from exposure to high levels of noise during pregnancy. Fine-frequency acoustic attenuation characteristics are essential to inform standards and clinical recommendations on exposure of pregnant women to noise. Such transfer functions may also inform the design of filters to produce an optimal acoustic setting for maternal occupational noise exposure, use of magnetic resonance imaging during pregnancy, and for neonatal incubators.
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Oguntunde PE, Okagbue HI, Oguntunde OA, Odetunmibi OO. A Study of Noise Pollution Measurements and Possible Effects on Public Health in Ota Metropolis, Nigeria. Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2019; 7:1391-1395. [PMID: 31110591 PMCID: PMC6514342 DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2019.234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Noise pollution has become a major environmental problem leading to nuisances and health issues. AIM: This paper aims to study and analyse the noise pollution levels in major areas in Ota metropolis. A probability model which is capable of predicting the noise pollution level is also determined. METHODS: Datasets on the noise pollution level in 41 locations across Ota metropolis were used in this research. The datasets were collected thrice per day; morning, afternoon and evening. Descriptive statistics were performed, and analysis of variance was also conducted using Minitab version 17.0 software. Easy fit software was however used to select the appropriate probability model that would best describe the dataset. RESULTS: The noise levels are way far from the WHO recommendations. Also, there is no significant difference in the effects of the noise pollution level for all the times of the day considered. The log-logistic distribution provides the best fit to the dataset based on the Kolmogorov Smirnov goodness of fit test. CONCLUSION: The fitted probability model can help in the prediction of noise pollution and act as a yardstick in the reduction of noise pollution, thereby improving the public health of the populace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pelumi E Oguntunde
- Department of Mathematics, Covenant University, Ogun State, Ota, Nigeria
| | - Hilary I Okagbue
- Department of Mathematics, Covenant University, Ogun State, Ota, Nigeria
| | - Omoleye A Oguntunde
- Department of Business Management, Covenant University, Ogun State, Ota, Nigeria
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