Strategies to mitigate acute kidney injury risk during physical work in hot environments

Prolonged physical work in the heat can reduce renal function and increase the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). This is concerning given that the latest climate change projections forecast a rise in global temperature as well as the frequency, intensity, and duration of heatwaves. This means that outdoor and indoor workers in the agriculture or construction industries will be exposed to higher heat stress in the years ahead. Several studies indicate a higher incidence of chronic kidney disease from nontraditional origins (CKDnt) in individuals exposed to high temperatures, intense physical work, and/or recurrent dehydration. It has been proposed that prolonged physical work in the heat accompanied by dehydration results in recurrent episodes of AKI that ultimately lead to permanent kidney damage and the development of CKDnt. Thus, there is a need to identify and test strategies that can alleviate AKI risk during physical work in the heat. The purpose of this review is to present strategies that might prevent and mitigate the risk of AKI induced by physical work in the heat.

Tracking pesticide exposure to operating workers for risk assessment in seed coating with tebuconazole and carbofuran

BACKGROUND

Coating seed with pesticides is an effective way to control plant pests, however, factory-based coating processes may carry a potential risk to operational workers of chemical exposure. To study the risk, carbofuran and tebuconazole were used to coat corn seed and their subsequent distribution on the bodies of workers was measured at manufacturers XFS and LS (Shanxi, China). Clothing was collected from workers during operations and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

At XFS, dermal exposure to carbofuran was 4.83, 3.31 and 1.48 mg kg^-1 , and exposure to tebuconazole was 6.88, 5.16 and 1.72 mg kg^-1 for coating, packing and transport workers, respectively. At LS, dermal exposure to carbofuran was 2.32, 0.46 and 0.55 mg kg^-1 , and exposure to tebuconazole was 1.69, 0.46 and 0.70 mg kg^-1 , for coating, packing and transport workers, respectively. The level of pesticide exposure was significantly higher for seed-coating workers than for packing and transport workers. The main area of exposure was the hands for all workers and the lower limbs for packers; exposure was relatively uniform for pesticide handlers. Occupational risk was assessed based on margin of exposure (MOE). In seed-coating, the MOE was greater than 100 for tebuconazole, indicating no potential risk, but ranged from 0.25 to 2.88 for carbofuran, indicating the risk of a health impact.

CONCLUSION

The level of exposure varied depending on type of operation undertaken and body parts of workers' body, but the risk of a health impact was highly associated with pesticide toxicity. This provides a guideline for workers in pesticide manufacturing to ensure safe operation of the seed-coating process. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

An epigenome-wide DNA methylation study of workers with an occupational exposure to lead

Using the Illumina Infinium Methylation EPIC BeadChip (850 K), we report genome-wide differences in DNA methylation between occupational workers with high blood Pb levels (BLL) and low BLL. We observed 356 significant CpG sites. In particular, GSTM1 methylation was negatively associated with high BLL. Gene ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed to determine the complex biological systems of Pb exposure. Enriched gene sets were involved in the oxidation-reduction process, glutathione derivative biosynthetic process and nervous system development. To our knowledge, this is the first study to employ an 850 K array to examine whether workers with occupational exposure to high levels of Pb can have an epigenetic effect on the DNA methylation pattern.

An epigenome-wide DNA methylation study of workers with an occupational exposure to lead

Using the Illumina Infinium Methylation EPIC BeadChip (850 K), we report genome-wide differences in DNA methylation between occupational workers with high blood Pb levels (BLL) and low BLL. We observed 356 significant CpG sites. In particular, GSTM1 methylation was negatively associated with high BLL. Gene ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed to determine the complex biological systems of Pb exposure. Enriched gene sets were involved in the oxidation-reduction process, glutathione derivative biosynthetic process and nervous system development. To our knowledge, this is the first study to employ an 850 K array to examine whether workers with occupational exposure to high levels of Pb can have an epigenetic effect on the DNA methylation pattern.

Effects of selected rehabilitative exercises on external rotator muscles and trapezius muscles of masonry workers

BACKGROUND

Masonry workers engaged in occupational work-activities have high risk of shoulder injury that often develops to functional loss and disability. Rehabilitative exercises (REs) have potential for slowing this development.

OBJECTIVE

The objective is to study the effects of three selected REs on integrated electromyography activations of the external rotator muscles and trapezius muscles of masonry workers.

METHODS

Ten subjects, masonry workers having shoulder pain, have volunteered for this study. Each subject performs three selected REs: (1) Prone horizontal abduction at 90° with full external rotation with thumb right up. (2) Side lying external rotation (ER) with elbow on the trunk. (3) ER at 90° abduction and elbow flexion at 90° in standing position. Selection of REs is based on their superior performance in earlier studies. Electromyography (EMG) differences among the exercises are tested for statistical significance.

RESULTS

A cross comparison of REs shows that exercises (1) and (3) produce high rotator cuff synergy, an average of infraspinatus and teres-minor activities. Exercise (3) minimizes the risk of subacromial impingement by presenting the least posterior deltoid activity. However, exercise (1) reduces the risk of abnormal scapular movement by producing higher middle trapezius and lower trapezius activities than upper trapezius activity.

CONCLUSION

The results provide basic information to design appropriate rehabilitation programs for masonry workers having shoulder pain.

Grip strength of occupational workers in relation to carpal tunnel syndrome and individual factors

The main objective of this study was to determine the association of grip strength with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) for occupational workers exposed to the risk of CTS. Experiments were performed on 60 workers, 15 each from four occupations. Grip strength was measured using a hand dynamometer. Electrophysiological experiments were conducted to measure CTS. Three levels of CTS were identified on the basis of latency value and motor nerve conduction velocity, viz., mild, moderate and severe. Statistical results suggest that workers who have CTS lose their grip strength, and higher levels of CTS lead to greater reduction in the grip strength. Another objective of the article was to investigate the association of grip strength with three individual factors of occupational workers, viz., body mass index, age and work experience. It is statistically inferred using Fisher's exact test that grip strength is not associated with any of these individual factors.

Evaluating the usability of a commercial cooling vest in the Hong Kong industries

OBJECTIVE

The provision of appropriate personal cooling vests is recognized as an effective measure to combat heat stress. However, personal cooling vests are not widely implemented in the Hong Kong industries. The current study aims to evaluate the usability of a hybrid cooling vest that is associated with the success of its application in industrial settings.

METHODS

A self-administrated questionnaire focusing on 10 subjective attributes of cooling effect, ergonomic design and usability of a hybrid cooling vest was administered with 232 occupational workers in the construction, horticultural and cleaning, airport apron services and kitchen and catering industries.

RESULTS

A structural equation model estimated by analysis of moment structures was constructed to evaluate the usability of the cooling vest, as influenced by cooling effect and ergonomic design. Results showed that cooling effect (path coefficient = 0.69, p < 0.001) and ergonomic design (path coefficient = 0.55, p < 0.001) significantly affect the usability of the cooling vest.

CONCLUSIONS

The structural equation model is feasible to examine the complex nature of the structural relationships among the subjective perceptions of personal cooling vests. The empirical findings furnish sound evidence for further optimization of the hybrid cooling vest in terms of cooling effect and ergonomic design for occupational workers.