Occupation and 11-year lung function decline in the HUNT Study

Background: The association between occupational titles and lung function has mostly been examined through cross-sectional studies. Preventive measures are expected to mitigate adverse effects; hence, updated estimates are necessary. Aims: To study change in lung function measured by spirometry across occupations. Methods: This population-based prospective cohort study comprised 5618 working adult participants of the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT3, 2005–07), Norway. Among these, 3800 individuals (43% men, mean age 42 years, range 20–55) also attended HUNT4 (2017–19). We analysed longitudinal decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1 ) z-score during the 11-year follow-up by occupation (white-collar workers as reference category), in mixed models, adjusting for age, sex and smoking. We assessed the prevalence of self-reported respiratory symptoms and disease in the working population in HUNT4 (n = 32 124) and HUNT3 (n = 32 070). Results: Compared with white-collar workers, agricultural workers and ‘drivers and mobile plant operators’, had larger declines in FEV1 z-score during follow-up. In sex-stratified analyses, men defined as agricultural workers and ‘drivers and mobile plant operators’ had larger declines than white-collar workers. Among women, who were underrepresented in many blue-collar jobs, workers classified as ‘machine operators and assemblers’ experienced greater declines. In the working population in HUNT4, the prevalence of respiratory symptoms in connection with work was 8%, and lower among white-collar workers (6%) than blue-collar workers (14%). Conclusions: Although certain workers in Norway remain at risk for occupational lung function decline, there were modest differences between occupations. The findings encourage continuous efforts to implement preventive measures in high-risk jobs.Occupation and 11-year lung function decline in the HUNT StudypublishedVersio

Development and psychometric validation of the frontline health workers’ occupational risk and characteristics in emergencies index (FORCE-index) – The covid Hospital cohort study

Objectives A lack of tools for the systematic identification of frontline health workers' changing occupational risks, characteristics, and needs, poses a major barrier to supporting vital personnel to stay in practice through health emergencies and beyond. The current study reports on the development and psychometric evaluation of the Frontline health workers’ Occupational Risk and Characteristics in Emergencies index (FORCE-index). Study design The Covid hospital study is a large, multisite, four-wave, open cohort study of frontline health workers responding to the first four waves of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022). Methods 2496 frontline health workers responded to questionnaires assessing various aspects of their work environment. Using exploratory factor analysis, we estimated the latent structure of the FORCE-index at the first and second waves. This structure was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis at the third and fourth waves. The internal consistency of the instrument's subscales (e.g., factors) was evaluated using omega reliability, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and mean inter-item correlation. Results A nine-factor solution provided best fit to the data. These factors mapped onto the following aspects of the work environment; competency, stress management, familiarity, workload manageability, work performance, infection safety, personal protective equipment, social safety, and social support. Internal consistency for the full FORCE-index and the nine factors was satisfactory. Conclusions The initial psychometric validation indicates that the FORCE-index is a valid measure which can be used by health authorities, services, and institutions to adequately and systematically assess central aspects of frontline health workers’ work environment that are commonly challenged in health emergencies.Development and psychometric validation of the frontline health workers’ occupational risk and characteristics in emergencies index (FORCE-index) – The covid Hospital cohort studypublishedVersio

Minimering av støv og vibrasjoner. Prosjekt i IA-bransjeprogram for Bygg og anlegg: Utvikling og testing av tekniske hjelpemidler som reduserer helseskadelig kvartsstøv og vibrasjoner ved fjellboring

Prosjektet «Minimering av støv og vibrasjoner» har hatt som mål å utvikle og teste tekniske hjelpemidler for å redusere eksponeringen for kvartsstøv og mekaniske vibrasjoner ved fjellboring. Arbeidet er et samarbeid mellom Statens Arbeidsmiljøinstitutt (STAMI), IA-bransjeprogram for bygg og anlegg, RISE Institute, og flere entreprenører og byggherrer. Gjennom prosjektet ble det utviklet og testet flere prototyper, inkludert vibrasjonsdempende håndtak, fjærdempere, vektlodd med integrert demping og en spesialtilpasset støvsuger for fjellbor. Målinger viste at vibrasjonsnivået ble redusert med 50–80 %, og at støvsugeren effektivt ledet bort steinstøv fra arbeidstakernes pustesone. Dette bidrar til å redusere risikoen for yrkessykdommer som hånd-arm vibrasjonssyndrom (HAVS) og lungesykdommer forårsaket av kvartsstøv. Tilbakemeldinger fra arbeidstakere som testet utstyret var overveiende positive. Samtlige opplevde redusert vibrasjonsnivå, og flertallet rapporterte om mindre støv i pustesonen. Noen opplevde at det krevde tilvenning og justering av arbeidsteknikk, men de fleste ønsket å fortsette å bruke utstyret. Prototypene har allerede blitt kommersialisert gjennom TM Verkstad, og verktøyprodusenter vurderer videreutvikling av teknologien, inkludert implementering av avansert demping i nye borhammerdesign. Prosjektet har også bidratt til økt bevissthet blant byggherrer og entreprenører, og det pågår initiativ for å innlemme krav til støv- og vibrasjonsdemping i anbudsprosesser. På lengre sikt kan tiltakene bidra til redusert sykefravær, færre tilfeller av yrkessykdom, mindre belastningsskader og et tryggere arbeidsmiljø i bygg- og anleggsbransjen.publishedVersio

Burnout trajectories among healthcare workers during a pandemic, and predictors of change

Background While several cross-sectional studies have suggested high burnout levels among health-care workers (HCW) during the Covid-19 pandemic, fewer studies have examined longitudinal trajectories of burnout. Objectives To examine (1) trajectories of change in levels of burnout among Norwegian HCW during a one-year period in the mid-phase of the Covid-19 pandemic (second, third, and fourth incidence rate peaks), and (2) how demographic and occupational variables, and pandemic-related experiences (e.g., own infection, severe infection in family, friend, or colleague, caring for deceased patient with Covid-19) were associated with such change. Methods Burnout was measured by the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory. Latent growth curve modeling was used to estimate trajectories of burnout symptoms, and predictors of starting point and rate of change in burnout levels. Results Starting points of burnout scores were, on average, low-to-moderate. Women, younger HCW, those living alone, and nurses had higher initial scores. Overall, burnout scores remained mostly unchanged across the study period. However, lower burnout scores at the initial assessment were associated with increasing scores over time. Being exposed to patients with Covid-19 and having a Covid-19 infection were associated with increased burnout over time. Conclusions While burnout symptoms among frontline health workers remained stable across the peaks of the Covid-19 pandemic overall, the study identified higher risk of worsening symptoms over time among certain demographic (younger personnel, females, and nurses) and highly exposed individuals and groups. These findings may be helpful for identifying frontline workers at particular risk of burnout during future public health emergencies.publishedVersio

Legislation and Current Practices Concerning Risk Assessment of Skin Sensitizers in the European Union. A Comparative and Survey Study

Background: Despite legislation aimed to protect the population against skin sensitization in the European Union (EU), overone quarter of the general population is sensitised to at least one chemical.Objectives: To provide an overview and comparison of European legislation concerning skin sensitization. In addition, we gath-ered the opinions of experts and stakeholders regarding improvements in the legislation and risk assessment process in the EU,to provide suggestions for improvement.Methods: Legislation was identified and compared. Four questionnaires were created towards industry, competent authoritiesand regulators, researchers/clinicians, and non-governmental organisations. The questions concerned the legislation, the riskassessment process, data collection and potential improvements.Results: Seven areas of legislation were analysed. The legislation was found to be unharmonised, for example, differing modesof restriction and accepted tests for skin sensitization. Approximately 40% of the questionnaire respondents found that the EUlegislation and tools were not sufficiently protective. To improve the legislation 83% suggested harmonisation and 68% suggestedbetter data sharing. Other areas were: improved exposure data (78%), better understanding of the skin sensitization mechanism(67%) and non-animal tests (66%).Conclusions: Stakeholders had varying confidence towards the protection of European citizens against skin sensitization.Multiple areas for improvement regarding the legislations and the risk assessment process were identified.Legislation and Current Practices Concerning Risk Assessment of Skin Sensitizers in the European Union. A Comparative and Survey StudypublishedVersio

Impact of cold exposure on shift working seafood handlers in Northern Norway: a comparative analysis across work shifts

Objective This study aimed to investigate the impact of occupational thermal exposure on shift workers, specifically whether cold exposure elicits distinct physiological responses and thermoregulatory recovery across different tasks and shift types. Methods Observational study at two factories processing prawns in Northern Norway in which 32 shift-working seafood handlers with different task responsibilities were followed for a single shift (morning, evening, night). The participants answered questionnaires regarding thermal exposures at work and related symptoms; these were compared to answers from 12 administration workers. Personal thermal loggers measured the range of temperature exposures associated with four different seafood handler work tasks. Pre- and post-shift plasma levels of FGF21, GDF15 and cytokines were analysed using immunoassays. As a proxy for thermoregulatory response across different shift types, hand temperature was measured repeatedly before and after breaks using a thermal imaging camera. Results Most seafood handlers reported subjective impact from cold exposure. Cold working conditions of ≤ 10 ℃ were measured across all shifts and three different seafood handling tasks. The morning shift—seafood handlers displayed lower plasma FGF21 post-shift vs. pre-shift; the evening and night shifts showed no difference. GDF15 levels remained unchanged regardless of shift types but were positively correlated with age. Night shift was associated with increased plasma IL6 post-shift vs. pre-shift. Thermoregulatory responses showed a positive linear relationship with break duration but did not differ between shifts. Conclusions The findings suggest that exposure levels are closely linked to specific tasks and shifts, with thermoregulatory responses varying by task type and time of day.Impact of cold exposure on shift working seafood handlers in Northern Norway: a comparative analysis across work shiftspublishedVersio

Characterization of dust and crystalline silica exposure during indoor demolition

Exposure to dust and respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is a continuing concern in the construction industry when working with silica-containing materials, such as concrete, brick, or stone. Increased knowledge of the dust characteristics can be used to improve measures to reduce potential exposure. This study aimed to characterize dust collected from indoor demolition in terms of particle size distribution and mineral content, including quartz. Airborne dust was collected with Sioutas cascade impactors at five different construction sites involved in indoor demolition and renovation. Four of the locations had workers demolishing concrete, while at the fifth location brick structures were demolished. An aerodynamic particle sizer (APS) was used to continually monitor the particle number concentrations in the size range 0.54 µm to 17 µm. Material samples of demolished material were collected from each location to determine mineral content. The filters from the Sioutas cascade impactors were weighted to determine dust concentrations in five size fractions ranging from 10 µm down to less than 0.25 µm. Quartz concentrations were quantified with X-ray diffraction using the NIOSH 7500 method and Rietveld refinement was further used to determine other mineral content in the Sioutas impactor samples and material samples. Respirable dust and quartz concentrations were calculated from the Sioutas data. The mass- and number-based particle size distributions measured by the APS were similar for the four locations involved in concrete demolition, whereas the location working with brick had a different distribution. The concentration levels varied widely, and the highest levels were observed at an enclosed location with no natural ventilation where concrete demolition took place. Limited natural or mechanical ventilation led to an accumulation of smaller particles around 1 µm and a lower mass median aerodynamic diameter for RCS, down to 1.2 µm, compared to locations with ventilation. The quartz percentages of the dust collected by Sioutas impactors were found to increase with increasing particle size. The dust contained less quartz than the source material, and an up-concentration of softer minerals like calcite was observed. The knowledge of particle size distributions and concentration levels occurring in the field during indoor demolition is important to ensure effective measures to reduce worker exposure. The results highlight the importance of effective ventilation to reduce the accumulation of airborne particles.publishedVersio

Benzene exposure and risk of colorectal cancer by anatomical subsite in the Norwegian offshore petroleum workers cohort

Objective To investigate the association between low levels of benzene exposure (≤0.879 parts per million [ppm]-years) and risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) including its anatomical subsites. Methods Among 25,347 male workers in the Norwegian Offshore Petroleum Workers (NOPW) cohort with offshore work history (1965–1998), 455 CRC cases were diagnosed 1999–2021. We compared these with a subcohort (n = 2031) drawn from the full cohort. Work histories were linked to a previously developed industry-specific benzene job-exposure matrix (JEM). Cox regression for case-cohort analyses was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for CRC, adjusted for age, body mass index, smoking, alcohol intake, red/processed meat intake, and physical activity. Results Risks of CRC increased with increasing benzene exposure. For all CRC, the HRs (95% CI) for the most exposed [quartile 4] vs. the unexposed were 1.32 (0.96 to 1.81, [0.177–0.879 ppm-years]; p-trend = 0.085) for cumulative, 1.52 (1.11 to 2.07, [17–34 years]; p-trend = 0.032) for duration, and 1.56 (1.15 to 2.12, [0.015–0.046 ppm]; p-trend = 0.005) for average intensity of benzene exposure. For right-sided colon cancer, the association was most evident for exposure duration (HR = 2.25 (1.33 to 3.80), quartile 4 [17–34 years] vs. unexposed; p-trend = 0.007). Sensitivity analyses showed consistent associations. Conclusion This study found positive exposure-response associations between low-level benzene exposure and CRC risk in offshore petroleum workers. These findings add to emerging evidence that benzene can be associated with solid tumours including lung and bladder, which potentially has important occupational and public health implications.Benzene exposure and risk of colorectal cancer by anatomical subsite in the Norwegian offshore petroleum workers cohortpublishedVersio

Application of X-ray diffraction with Rietveld refinement to quantify mineral composition including crystalline silica in respirable dust

This study aimed to test the use of Rietveld refinement on respirable aerosol samples to determine the phase of respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and other minerals. The results from the Rietveld refinement were compared to an external standard method and gravimetrical measurements. Laboratory samples consisting of α-quartz, feldspar, and calcite with variable proportions and total mass loadings were made and analyzed using the NIOSH 7500 Silica, Crystalline, by XRD (filter redeposition) method, followed by Rietveld refinement. Field samples of respirable dust, from construction sites working with concrete, brick, and other materials were included. To correct for amorphous content and unidentified phases, an internal standard was added to the field samples, which were treated like laboratory samples. Rietveld refinement was successfully used for quantification of RCS in laboratory and field samples. The method showed comparable results to the NIOSH 7500 method for quartz and remained linear for laboratory samples up to 20 mg. The lowest quantified amounts of quartz in the laboratory samples were 5 µg. The two methods yielded similar results for RCS in field samples with a total mass of up to 15 mg and a quartz content of 1.8 wt% to 11 wt%. A total sample mass of above 0.5 mg was required for optimal quantification of crystalline phases by Rietveld refinement. The method proved useful in determining RCS and other crystalline components in field samples and corrected for interferences even with a complex matrix and high mass loading.Application of X-ray diffraction with Rietveld refinement to quantify mineral composition including crystalline silica in respirable dustpublishedVersio

Cohort Profile: The Nor-Work Cohort

The Nor-Work cohort was established in 2018 to identify differences in health, labour force participation, and related outcomes, and to study how these outcomes are associated with other factors, including occupation and occupational exposures. The dynamic cohort consists of individuals born between 1930 and 1992 who have ever lived and/or worked in Norway and who have a Norwegian personal identification number (N = 5 799 138). Data are available from 1960 to 2022, though exact time periods vary between data sources. Nor-Work contains data from several national administrative registers, which allows for prospective follow-up. The register-based nature means individuals cannot opt out, and thus there is no attrition. The cohort is mainly intended for occupational epidemiological research, and contains information on employment, occupation and industry, diagnoses from specialist healthcare and health registries, health-related benefits and their diagnoses (sickness absence, disability benefits), as well as demographic and socioeconomic factors. Occupation is registered from 2003; prior to this, self-reported occupation is available from the censuses in 1960, 1970, and 1980, and for a subset of the population in 1990. For the years in which occupational data are missing, imputed occupation is available.Cohort Profile: The Nor-Work CohortpublishedVersio