Air pollution in the workplace: making shish kebab is an overlooked occupational hazard

Meat grilled with wood charcoal is the most popular meal in Central Asia, but little is known about the grillers’ occupational exposure to fine particulate matter (PM) in fumes. The aim of this study was to provide a quantitative analysis of occupational exposure to fine PM in grillers in the workplace. We assessed exposure to PM2.5 from barbecue fumes using SidePak AM520 in six popular cafes in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Grillers wore devices for 8 h of work shift for 7 days in each place. Within- and between-place variances of PM2.5 mass concentrations were calculated using analysis of variance, and we also calculated the fold range of the 95% variance within (wR0.95) and between places (bR0.95), as well as exceedance (γ) and the probability of overexposure (θ). Very high occupational exposure to barbecue fumes in grillers is overlooked and likely causes elevated health risks

Occupational exposure to metals and other elements in the tractor production

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Occupational burnout and lifestyle in Kazakhstan cardiologists

Background: No data exist in the published literature on burnout in physicians from Central Asia. The aim of this analysis was to assess burnout prevalence in doctors and nurses of a cardiological hospital in Almaty, Kazakhstan and ascertain whether smoking, alcohol and physical activity may predict job-associated burnout. Methods: The staff of the City Cardiological Centre of Almaty (N = 259, 82% females) filled in the questionnaire with the questions on demographics, lifestyle, including smoking, alcohol and physical activity, as well as fatigue (using Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS)) and burnout using Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel. We compared the scores of emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP) and personal accomplishment (PA) between doctors and nurses. Results: We found significant differences in the smoking prevalence, alcohol use and regular physical activity, but no mean scores of burnout between men and women. High DP was prevalent in 52% doctors and 45% nurses, whereas high EE was found in 32 and 26% and PA in 16 and 32%, accordingly. In contrast with EE and DP, PA score was greater in nurses (median 38, interquartile range (IQR) 17) compared to doctors (median 41, IQR 9). Age, sex, work duration, smoking or physical activity could not predict higher burnout, whereas FSS score was associated with higher burnout of all dimensions (p < 0.05), and never-alcohol could predict higher PA burnout (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In Kazakhstan cardiologists, high prevalence of DP burnout should target specific preventive strategies and the association of alcohol use with PA needs further deeper insight

COVID-19 Pandemic: New Prevention and Protection Measures

As of the end of February 2021, more than 420,000,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported worldwide, with 5,856,224 deaths. Transmission of the different genetically engineered variants of SARS-CoV-2, which have been isolated since the beginning of the pandemic, occurs from one infected person to another by the same means: the airborne route, indirect contact, and occasionally the fecal–oral route. Infection is asymptomatic or may present with flulike symptoms such as fever, cough, and mild to moderate and severe respiratory distress, requiring hospitalization and assisted ventilation support. To control the spread of COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have indicated that the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as the adoption of effective hygiene systems, is one of the primary prevention measures for the entire population. Companies and institutions around the world are therefore trying to find the best ways to reorganize their operations, minimizing the risk of infection among their employees, in order to protect their health and prevent internal outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2, including through the development of new technologies that could also be an innovative and driving factor for the relaunch of companies in a more sustainable, ethically correct, and safe for the health of employees perspective. On the basis of the above premises, in view of the coexistence with SARS-CoV-2 that will most likely accompany us in the coming years, and in view of the vaccination campaign adopted worldwide, the purpose of our narrative review is to update the previous operational protocols with the latest scientific knowledge to be adopted in the workplace even when the emergency crisis is over

Testosterone and occupational burnout in professional male firefighters

Background: Very little is known about the biologic predictors of the occupational burnout in firefighters. The aim of this study was to characterize testosterone profile of active firefighters and quantify its association with three domains of the occupational burnout. Methods: We enrolled 100 firefighters (median age 28 (interquartile range (IQR) 9.8) years with 5 (IQR 9) years in service) of three fire departments in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Demographics, smoking status, health-related quality of life (HRQL) and burnout scores of Maslach Burnout Inventory were assessed using a questionnaire, while total blood testosterone was measured in venous blood. Logistic regression models were used to quantify the association of blood testosterone with each burnout domain in the adjusted for confounders models. Results: The median blood testosterone level was 14 (IQR 3.5) nmol/l and was only predicted by age (beta − 0.14, p < 0.01, 79% power). There were no differences in blood testosterone levels between occupational groups (Group1 (firefighters), 14.6 (IQR 3.4); Group 2 (fire truck drivers), 14.7 (IQR 5.6); Group 3 (shift commanders, division heads,department managers and engineers), 14 (IQR 4.1) nmol/l, Kruskal-Wallis p = 0.32) or departments. Testosterone could not predict EX or CY, but had a negative association with PE score reflecting more burnout (odds ratio 1.18 (95% confidence interval 1.01;1.38)), adjusted for age, mental component of HRQL and education. Conclusions: Firefighters with higher testosterone may develop burnout in PE earlier, and this should be considered for proper work placement within the rescue system

Predictive value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose accumulation in visceral fat activity to detect colorectal cancer metastases (prospective observational cohort study) [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]

Background: To evaluate functional visceral adipose tissue (VAT) activity assessed by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) as a predictive factor of metastases in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Methods: We reviewed study protocols and PET/CT data of 534 CRC patients; 474 patients were subsequently excluded for various reasons. The remaining 60 patients with histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma were then prospectively assessed and were exposed to 18F-FDG PET/CT after a surgical treatment and chemoradiotherapy. Age, histology, stage, and tumor grade data were recorded. Functional VAT activity was verified with maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) using 18F-FDG PET/CT and tested as a predictive factor of later metastases in eight subdomains of abdominal regions (RE – epigastric region, RLH – left hypochondriac region, RRL – right lumbar region, RU – umbilical region, RLL – left lumbar region, RRI – right inguinal region, RP – hypogastric (pubic) region, RLI – left inguinal region) and pelvic cavity (P) in the adjusted regression models. In addition, we studied the best areas under the curve (AUC) for SUVmax with the corresponding sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp). Results: In both adjusted for age regression models and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, 18F-FDG accumulation in RLH (cut-off SUVmax 0.74; Se 75%; Sp 61%; AUC 0.668; p=0.049), RU (cut-off SUVmax 0.78; Se 69%; Sp 61%; AUC 0.679; p=0.035), RRL (cut-off SUVmax 1.05; Se 69%; Sp 77%; AUC 0.682; p=0.032) and RRI (cut-off SUVmax 0.85; Se 63%; Sp 61%; AUC 0.672; p=0.043) could predict later metastases in CRC patients, as opposed to age, sex, primary tumor location, tumor grade and histology. Conclusions: Functional VAT activity was importantly related to later metastases in CRC patients and can be used as their predictive factor

Excessive Exposure to Secondhand Tobacco Smoke among Hospitality Workers in Kyrgyzstan

The aim of this study was to assess the levels of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure of men and women in public places in Kyrgyzstan. This cross-sectional study involved 10 bars and restaurants in Bishkek the capital city of Kyrgyzstan. Smoking was allowed in all establishments. Median (interquartile range) air nicotine concentrations were 6.82 (2.89, 8.86) μg/m3. Employees were asked about their smoking history and exposure to SHS at work. Employees were exposed to SHS for mean (SD) 13.5 (3.6) hours a day and 5.8 (1.4) days a week. Women were exposed to more hours of SHS at work compared to men. Hospitality workers are exposed to excessive amounts of SHS from customers. Legislation to ban smoking in public places including bars and restaurants is urgently needed to protect workers and patrons from the harmful effects of SHS

Excessive Exposure to Secondhand Tobacco Smoke among Hospitality Workers in Kyrgyzstan

The aim of this study was to assess the levels of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure of men and women in public places in Kyrgyzstan. This cross-sectional study involved 10 bars and restaurants in Bishkek the capital city of Kyrgyzstan. Smoking was allowed in all establishments. Median (interquartile range) air nicotine concentrations were 6.82 (2.89, 8.86) μg/m3. Employees were asked about their smoking history and exposure to SHS at work. Employees were exposed to SHS for mean (SD) 13.5 (3.6) hours a day and 5.8 (1.4) days a week. Women were exposed to more hours of SHS at work compared to men. Hospitality workers are exposed to excessive amounts of SHS from customers. Legislation to ban smoking in public places including bars and restaurants is urgently needed to protect workers and patrons from the harmful effects of SHS

Occupational exposure to particulate matter from air pollution in the outdoor workplaces in Almaty during the cold season

A large fraction of population in Almaty and other Kazakhstan cities is employed in the outdoo