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Lovas S, Varga O, Loney T, Ádám B. Chemical pollutants in closed environments of transportation and storage of non-dangerous goods - Insufficient legislation, low awareness, and poor practice in Hungary. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2023; 33:473-490. [PMID: 35128979 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2022.2035325] [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: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Several chemical pollutants can accumulate within the closed environments of transportation and storage. Pollutants are mainly residues of pesticides, volatile organic compounds and components of diesel exhaust. The study objectives were to (i) review the regulations relevant to occupational chemical exposures in closed environments of inland transportation and storage; and (ii) explore the practice of preventing these exposures. A systematic search and content analysis of international and Hungarian nation legal documents were carried out. In addition, semi-structured interviews with occupational health and safety (OHS) professionals and warehouse managers were conducted. Analysis of legal documents highlighted the lack of explicit regulations on the investigated problem. The 21 interviews revealed that the participants had limited knowledge about the pollutants; they deemed chemical exposure rare and related health effects negligible. The revealed limitations indicate that this field should be more specifically regulated and OHS professionals should be better informed about these workplace hazards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szabolcs Lovas
- Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Health Sciences, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Orsolya Varga
- Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Tom Loney
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Balázs Ádám
- Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
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Hinz R, 't Mannetje A, Glass B, McLean D, Douwes J. Neuropsychological symptoms in workers handling cargo from shipping containers and export logs. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2022; 95:1661-1677. [PMID: 35524148 PMCID: PMC9489567 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-022-01870-8] [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: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Acute poisonings of workers handling shipping containers by fumigants and other harmful chemicals off-gassed from cargo have been reported but (sub)-chronic neuropsychological effects have not been well studied. METHODS This cross-sectional study assessed, using standardised questionnaires, current (past 3-months) neuropsychological symptoms in 274 container handlers, 38 retail workers, 35 fumigators, and 18 log workers, all potentially exposed to fumigants and off-gassed chemicals, and a reference group of 206 construction workers. Prevalence odds ratios (OR), adjusted for age, ethnicity, smoking, alcohol consumption, education, personality traits and BMI, were calculated to assess associations with the total number of symptoms (≥ 3, ≥ 5 or ≥ 10) and specific symptom domains (neurological, psychosomatic, mood, memory/concentration, fatigue, and sleep). RESULTS Compared to the reference group, exposed workers were more likely to report ≥ 10 symptoms, statistically significant only for retail workers (OR 6.8, 95% CI 1.9-24.3) who also reported more fatigue (OR 10.7, 95% CI 2.7-42.7). Container handlers with the highest exposure-duration were more likely to report ≥ 10 symptoms, both when compared with reference workers (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.4-11.7) and with container handlers with shorter exposure duration (OR 7.5, 95% CI 1.7-32.8). The duration of container handling was particularly associated with symptoms in the memory/concentration domain, again both when compared to reference workers (OR 8.8, 95% CI 2.5-31.4) and workers with the lowest exposure-duration (OR 6.8, 95% CI 1.5-30.3). CONCLUSION Container handlers may have an increased risk of neuropsychological symptoms, especially in the memory/concentration domain. Retail workers may also be at risk, but this requires confirmation in a larger study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Hinz
- Research Centre for Hauora and Health, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand.
| | - Andrea 't Mannetje
- Research Centre for Hauora and Health, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Bill Glass
- Research Centre for Hauora and Health, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Dave McLean
- Research Centre for Hauora and Health, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Jeroen Douwes
- Research Centre for Hauora and Health, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
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Ádám B, Göen T, Scheepers PTJ, Adliene D, Batinic B, Budnik LT, Duca RC, Ghosh M, Giurgiu DI, Godderis L, Goksel O, Hansen KK, Kassomenos P, Milic N, Orru H, Paschalidou A, Petrovic M, Puiso J, Radonic J, Sekulic MT, Teixeira JP, Zaid H, Au WW. From inequitable to sustainable e-waste processing for reduction of impact on human health and the environment. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 194:110728. [PMID: 33444608 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Recycling of electric and electronic waste products (e-waste) which amounted to more than 50 million metric tonnes per year worldwide is a massive and global operation. Unfortunately, an estimated 70-80% of this waste has not been properly managed because the waste went from developed to low-income countries to be dumped into landfills or informally recycled. Such recycling has been carried out either directly on landfill sites or in small, often family-run recycling shops without much regulations or oversights. The process traditionally involved manual dismantling, cleaning with hazardous solvents, burning and melting on open fires, etc., which would generate a variety of toxic substances and exposure/hazards to applicators, family members, proximate residents and the environment. The situation clearly calls for global responsibility to reduce the impact on human health and the environment, especially in developing countries where poor residents have been shouldering the hazardous burden. On the other hand, formal e-waste recycling has been mainly conducted in small scales in industrialized countries. Whether the latter process would impose less risk to populations and environment has not been determined yet. Therefore, the main objectives of this review are: 1. to address current trends and emerging threats of not only informal but also formal e-waste management practices, and 2. to propose adequate measures and interventions. A major recommendation is to conduct independent surveillance of compliance with e-waste trading and processing according to the Basel Ban Amendment. The recycling industry needs to be carefully evaluated by joint effort from international agencies, producing industries and other stakeholders to develop better processes. Subsequent transition to more sustainable and equitable e-waste management solutions should result in more effective use of natural resources, and in prevention of adverse effects on health and the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balázs Ádám
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Thomas Göen
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-Universtität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany.
| | - Paul T J Scheepers
- Radboud Institute for Health Science, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
| | - Diana Adliene
- Department of Physics of Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas, Lithuania.
| | - Bojan Batinic
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Occupational Safety and Health, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia.
| | | | - Radu-Corneliu Duca
- Unit Environmental Hygiene and Human Biological Monitoring, Department of Health Protection, Laboratoire National de Santé, Luxembourg.
| | - Manosij Ghosh
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Doina I Giurgiu
- Faculty of Medicine, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Sibiu, Romania.
| | - Lode Godderis
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Ozlem Goksel
- EGE University, Laboratory of Occupational & Environmental Respiratory Diseases and Asthma. Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Karoline K Hansen
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark.
| | | | - Natasa Milic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Serbia.
| | - Hans Orru
- Institute of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
| | | | - Maja Petrovic
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Occupational Safety and Health, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia.
| | - Judita Puiso
- Department of Physics of Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas, Lithuania.
| | - Jelena Radonic
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Occupational Safety and Health, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia.
| | - Maja T Sekulic
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Occupational Safety and Health, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia.
| | - Joao Paulo Teixeira
- Environmental Health Department, National Institute of Health, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Hilal Zaid
- Qasemi Research Center, Al-Qasemi Academic College, Baqa El-Gharbia, Israel.
| | - William W Au
- The George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, Targu Mures, Romania.
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Hinz R, Mannetje A', Glass B, McLean D, Pearce N, Douwes J. Exposures to Fumigants and Residual Chemicals in Workers Handling Cargo from Shipping Containers and Export Logs in New Zealand. Ann Work Expo Health 2020; 64:826-837. [PMID: 32504467 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxaa052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Previous studies have reported high concentrations of airborne fumigants and other chemicals inside unopened shipping containers, but it is unclear whether this is reflective of worker exposures. METHODS We collected personal 8-h air samples using a whole-air sampling method. Samples were analysed for 1,2-dibromoethane, chloropicrin, ethylene oxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen phosphide, methyl bromide, 1,2-dichloroethane, C2-alkylbenzenes, acetaldehyde, ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, methanol, styrene, and toluene. Additive Mixture Values (AMVs) were calculated using the New Zealand Workplace Exposure standard (WES) and American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) of the 8-h, time-weighted average exposure limit. Linear regression was conducted to assess associations with work characteristics. RESULTS We included 133 workers handling shipping containers, 15 retail workers unpacking container goods, 40 workers loading fumigated and non-fumigated export logs, and 5 fumigators. A total of 193 personal 8-h air measurements were collected. Exposures were generally low, with >50% below the limit of detection for most chemicals, and none exceeding the NZ WES, although formaldehyde exceeded the TLV in 26.2% of all measurements. The AMV-TLV threshold of 1 was exceeded in 29.0% of the measurements. Levels and detection frequencies of most chemicals varied little between occupational groups, although exposure to methyl bromide was highest in the fumigators (median 43 ppb) without exceeding the TLV of 1000 ppb. Duration spent inside the container was associated with significantly higher levels of ethylene oxide, C2-alkylbenzenes, and acetaldehyde, but levels were well below the TLV/WES. Exposure levels did not differ between workers handling fumigated and non-fumigated containers. CONCLUSIONS Personal exposures of workers handling container cargo in New Zealand were mainly below current exposure standards, with formaldehyde the main contributor to overall exposure. However, as it is not clear whether working conditions of participants included in this study were representative of this industry as a whole, and not all relevant exposures were measured, we cannot exclude the possibility that high exposures may occur in some workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Hinz
- Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Andrea 't Mannetje
- Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Bill Glass
- Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Dave McLean
- Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Neil Pearce
- Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand.,Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Jeroen Douwes
- Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
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Budnik LT, Adam B, Albin M, Banelli B, Baur X, Belpoggi F, Bolognesi C, Broberg K, Gustavsson P, Göen T, Fischer A, Jarosinska D, Manservisi F, O’Kennedy R, Øvrevik J, Paunovic E, Ritz B, Scheepers PTJ, Schlünssen V, Schwarzenbach H, Schwarze PE, Sheils O, Sigsgaard T, Van Damme K, Casteleyn L. Diagnosis, monitoring and prevention of exposure-related non-communicable diseases in the living and working environment: DiMoPEx-project is designed to determine the impacts of environmental exposure on human health. J Occup Med Toxicol 2018; 13:6. [PMID: 29441119 PMCID: PMC5800006 DOI: 10.1186/s12995-018-0186-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The WHO has ranked environmental hazardous exposures in the living and working environment among the top risk factors for chronic disease mortality. Worldwide, about 40 million people die each year from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) including cancer, diabetes, and chronic cardiovascular, neurological and lung diseases. The exposure to ambient pollution in the living and working environment is exacerbated by individual susceptibilities and lifestyle-driven factors to produce complex and complicated NCD etiologies. Research addressing the links between environmental exposure and disease prevalence is key for prevention of the pandemic increase in NCD morbidity and mortality. However, the long latency, the chronic course of some diseases and the necessity to address cumulative exposures over very long periods does mean that it is often difficult to identify causal environmental exposures. EU-funded COST Action DiMoPEx is developing new concepts for a better understanding of health-environment (including gene-environment) interactions in the etiology of NCDs. The overarching idea is to teach and train scientists and physicians to learn how to include efficient and valid exposure assessments in their research and in their clinical practice in current and future cooperative projects. DiMoPEx partners have identified some of the emerging research needs, which include the lack of evidence-based exposure data and the need for human-equivalent animal models mirroring human lifespan and low-dose cumulative exposures. Utilizing an interdisciplinary approach incorporating seven working groups, DiMoPEx will focus on aspects of air pollution with particulate matter including dust and fibers and on exposure to low doses of solvents and sensitizing agents. Biomarkers of early exposure and their associated effects as indicators of disease-derived information will be tested and standardized within individual projects. Risks arising from some NCDs, like pneumoconioses, cancers and allergies, are predictable and preventable. Consequently, preventative action could lead to decreasing disease morbidity and mortality for many of the NCDs that are of major public concern. DiMoPEx plans to catalyze and stimulate interaction of scientists with policy-makers in attacking these exposure-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lygia Therese Budnik
- Division of Translational Toxicology and Immunology, Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Balazs Adam
- Faculty of Public Health, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Maria Albin
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden
- Karolinska Institutet, Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Barbara Banelli
- Tumor Epigenetics Unit, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, National Cancer Institute, IRCCS and University of Genoa, DISSAL, Genoa, Italy
| | - Xaver Baur
- European Society for Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fiorella Belpoggi
- Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Center, Ramazzini Institute, Bentivoglio, Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudia Bolognesi
- San Martino-IST Environmental Carcinogenesis Unit, IRCCS, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, National Cancer Institute, Genoa, Italy
| | - Karin Broberg
- Karolinska Institutet, Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per Gustavsson
- Karolinska Institutet, Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas Göen
- Social and Environmental Medicine, Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nurnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Axel Fischer
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité Universitäts Medizin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Fabiana Manservisi
- Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Center, Ramazzini Institute, Bentivoglio, Bologna, Italy
| | - Richard O’Kennedy
- Biomedical Diagnostics Institute, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | - Beate Ritz
- Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, Fielding School of Public Health (FSPH), University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, USA
| | - Paul T. J. Scheepers
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc (Radboud university medical center), Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Vivi Schlünssen
- National Research Center for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Section Environment, Occupation & Health & Danish Ramazzini Centre Aarhus, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Heidi Schwarzenbach
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Orla Sheils
- Department of Histopathology, Central Pathology Laboratory, St James’s Hospital, Trinity translational Medicine Institute, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Torben Sigsgaard
- Department of Public Health, Section Environment, Occupation & Health & Danish Ramazzini Centre Aarhus, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Karel Van Damme
- Center for Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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