98 research outputs found
Occupational risk factors in inflammatory bowel disease
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although the aetiology of IBD is not completely understood, an interaction between genetic and environmental factors has been proposed. In this context, however, environmental epidemiology lacks a comprehensive evaluation of the possible role of occupational exposures in IBD development and progression. Therefore, aim of our review was to evaluate how certain occupational risk factors may affect IBD pathogenesis, clinical history and severity of disease manifestations
1601hâ Challenging issues in carbon nanotube occupational risk assessment and management strategies
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Validation of a commercial collar‐based sensor for monitoring eating and ruminating behaviour of dairy cows
The use of sensor technologies to monitor cowsâ behavior is becoming commonplace in the context of dairy production. This study aimed at validating a commercial collar-based sensor system, the AFICollarÂź (Afimilk, Kibbutz Afikim, Israel), designed to monitor dairy cattle feeding and ruminating behavior. Additionally, the performances of two versions of the software for behavior classification, the current software AFIfarmÂź 5.4 and the updated version AFIfarmÂź 5.5, were compared. The study involved twenty Holstein-Friesian cows fitted with the collars. To evaluate the sensor performance under different feeding scenarios, the animals were divided into four groups and fed three different types of feed (total mixed ration, long hay, animals allowed to graze). Recordings of hourly rumination and feeding time produced by the sensor were compared with visual observation by scan sampling at 1 minute intervals using Spearman correlation, concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), BlandâAltman plots and linear mixed models for assessing the precision and accuracy of the system. The analyses confirmed that the updated software version V5.5 produced better detection performance than the current V5.4. The updated software version produced high correlations between visual observations and data recorded by the sensor for both feeding (r = 0.85, CCC = 0.86) and rumination (r = 0.83, CCC = 0.86). However, the limits of agreement for both behaviors remained quite wide (feeding: â19.60 min/h, 17.46 min/h; rumination: â15.80 min/h, 15.00 min/h). Type of feed did not produce significant effects on the agreement between visual observations and sensor recordings. Overall, the results indicate that the system can provide farmers with adequately accurate data on feeding and rumination time, and can be used to support herd management decisions. Despite all this, the precision of the system remained relatively limited, and should be improved with further developments in the classification algorithm
Occupational Risk Factors and Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review
Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP), including gestational hypertension (GH) and preeclampsia (PE), characterize a major cause of maternal and prenatal morbidity and mortality. In this systematic review, we tested the hypothesis that occupational factors would impact the risk for HDP in pregnant workers. MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Knowledge databases were searched for studies published between database inception and 1 April 2021. All observational studies enrolling > 10 pregnant workers and published in English were included. Un-experimental, non-occupational human studies were excluded. Evidence was synthesized according to the risk for HDP development in employed women, eventually exposed to chemical, physical, biological and organizational risk factors. The evidence quality was assessed through the NewcastleâOttawa scale. Out of 745 records identified, 27 were eligible. No definite conclusions could be extrapolated for the majority of the examined risk factors, while more homogenous data supported positive associations between job-strain and HDP risk. Limitations due to the lack of suitable characterizations of workplace exposure (i.e., doses, length, co-exposures) and possible interplay with personal issues should be deeply addressed. This may be helpful to better assess occupational risks for pregnant women and plan adequate measures of control to protect their health and that of their childre
Occupational Exposure to Metal Engineered Nanoparticles: A Human Biomonitoring Pilot Study Involving Italian Nanomaterial Workers
Advances in nanotechnology have led to an increased use of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) and the likelihood for occupational exposures. However, how to assess such exposure remains a challenge. In this study, a methodology for human biomonitoring, based on Single Particle Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS), was developed as a tool to assess the ENPs exposure of workers involved in nanomaterial activities in two Italian Companies. The method was validated for size and number concentration determination of Ag, Au, In2O3, Ir, Pd, Pt, and TiO2 NPs in urine and blood samples. The results showed the presence of In2O3 NPs in blood of exposed workers (mean, 38 nm and 10,371 particles/mL), but not in blood of controls. Silver, Au, and TiO2 NPs were found in urine (mean, Ag 29 nm and 16,568 particles/mL) or blood (mean, Au 15 nm and 126,635 particles/mL; TiO2 84 nm and 27,705 particles/mL) of workers, though these NPs were found also in controls. The presence of ENPs in both workers and controls suggested that the extra-professional exposure is a source of ENPs that cannot be disregarded. Iridium, Pd, and Pt NPs were not detected neither in blood nor in urine. Overall, the findings provided a rational basis to evaluate the exposure assessment to ENPs in cohorts of workers as part of risk assessment and risk management processes in workplaces
An Exploratory Assessment of Applying Risk Management Practices to Engineered Nanomaterials
The widespread industrial application of nanotechnology has increased the number of workers exposed to engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), but it is not clear to what extent prevention guidance is practiced. Our aim was to explore the extent that companies manufacturing and/or using ENMs apply risk assessment and management measures. Thirty-four companies were surveyed with an international 35-item questionnaire investigating company and workforce features, types of ENM handled, and risk evaluation and preventive measures adopted. Among participating companies, 62% had a maximum of 10 employees. Metal-based nanomaterials were most frequently identified (73%). Environmental monitoring was performed by 41% of the companies, while engineering exposure controls were approximately reported by 50%. Information and training programs were indicated by 85% of the sample, only 9% performed specific health surveillance for ENM workers. Personal protective equipment primarily included gloves (100%) and eye/face protection (94%). This small-scale assessment can contribute to the limited amount of published literature on the topic. Future investigations should include a greater number of companies to better represent ENM workplaces and a direct access to industrial settings to collect information on site. Finally, deeper attention should be paid to define standardized frameworks for ENM risk assessment that may guide nano-specific preventive actions
Epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease among participants of the Millennium Cohort: incidence, deploymentârelated risk factors, and antecedent episodes of infectious gastroenteritis
Analysis of environmental conditions and management in a compost-bedded pack barn with tunnel ventilation
Received: January 5th, 2021 ; Accepted: March 27th, 2021 ; Published: April 16th, 2021 ; Correspondence: [email protected] housing system based on compost-bedded pack for dairy cows is spreading rapidly
in Brazil. Completely open buildings without curtains and simple roofs are usually provided.
However, in the last years some new completely closed barns have been realized. This study aims
to analyse one of these closed barns, located in the State of Minas Gerais. The two main sides of
the facility are provided with polyethylene curtains of blue colour and five deflectors. The barn
is equipped with an evaporative adiabatic cooling system, associated with the tunnel-style
ventilation, realized with exhaust fans, continuously operating 24 hours a day. 85 lactating
Holstein cows were housed in the barn during the trials carried out in the winter season 2019.
Microclimatic data were collected continuously. Air speed, illuminance and bedding temperature
were measured during the farm visits. Pack moisture was calculated. The results state the
importance of bedding management and climatic conditions inside the barn. It emerges that the
cows housed in this kind of closed barn, with forced ventilation, are in good thermal conditions,
which are fairly constant. The average illumination of the barn can be considered acceptable
(55.06 lx), even if some areas of the barn present values below the minimum ones reported in
literature. The bedding temperature varies between a maximum of 36.33 °C and a minimum of
25.44 °C with an average of 31.26 °C. The values of bedding moisture are between a maximum
of 64.36% and a minimum of 60.81% with an average of 62.48%
Analysis of environmental conditions and management in a compost-bedded pack barn with tunnel ventilation
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