Substances chimiques et agents biologiques

Evaluation of Eye and Respiratory Symptoms at a Poultry Processing Facility

Maryse Gagnon — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:16:00 GMT

HHE Program investigators evaluated symptoms at a poultry processing facility and found that employees who work in areas using super chlorinated water were more likely to report chest tightness, sneezing, dry eyes, blurry vision, and burning or itchy eyes in the previous month than employees who worked in areas that did not use super chlorinated water. Investigators recommended that managers maintain chlorine and other water chemistry parameters within established guidelines and find a more accurate and timely way to monitor the super chlorinated water. Although the ventilation in the building followed guidelines for air flowing from clean to dirty areas, the air flow pattern was not done via positive pressure ventilation. Investigators recommended that positive pressure ventilation be used to achieve appropriate air flow patterns.

Source : http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2007-0284-0317-3155.pdf

SUBSPORT – A European tool for substitution of dangerous substances at work

Maryse Gagnon — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:50:00 GMT

There is an urgent need to phase out harmful chemicals and replace them with safer alternatives or techniques to reduce adverse health effects and environmental pollution. SUBSPORT, the Substitution Support Portal, is a free-of-charge multilingual web portal providing tools and guidance for substance evaluation and substitution management.
On 24th May 2012, the case story database presenting practical real-case examples of companies and other stakeholders that have done successful substitution work will be launched at the ECHA stakeholder forum in Helsinki.

Source : http://osha.europa.eu/en/news/eu-subsport-2013-a-european-tool-for-substitution-of-dangerous-substances-at-work-2013-launch-of-the-case-study-database

Effects of Paternal Occupation Exposure to Formaldehyde on Reproductive Outcomes

Maryse Gagnon — Tue, 15 May 2012 11:33:00 GMT

Objective: To investigate whether paternal occupational exposure to formaldehyde (FA) affects the reproductive outcomes.
Methods: Data were collected from 302 male workers occupationally exposed to FA and 305 referent controls through interview questionnaires. Formaldehyde exposure level was measured and calculated for every subject. Different reproductive outcomes were compared for two groups by logistic regression analyses.
Results: A significant increased risk of prolonged time to pregnancy (P = 0.034; odds ratio, 2.828; 95% confidence interval, 1.081 to 7.406) and significant elevated risk of spontaneous abortion (P = 0.021; odds ratio, 1.916; 95% confidence interval, 1.103 to 3.329) were observed in wives of male workers occupationally exposed to FA after correction for confounding factors. Moreover, reproductive toxicity due to FA exposure is dose dependent.
Conclusions: This epidemiological study adds some evidence for the hypothesis that paternal FA occupation exposure has adverse effects on reproductive outcomes.

Source : Wang, Hai-xu PhD; Zhou, Dang-xia PhD; Zheng, Lie-rui MSc; Zhang, Jing MSc; Huo, Yong-wei PhD; Tian, Hong PhD; Han, Shui-ping BSc; Zhang, Jian BSc; Zhao, Wen-bao BSc. Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine: May 2012 - Volume 54 - Issue 5 - p 518–524.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0b013e31824e6937

Pulmonary Function Reductions Among Potentially Susceptible Subgroups of Agricultural Workers in Colorado and Nebraska

Maryse Gagnon — Fri, 11 May 2012 17:38:00 GMT

Objective: Organic dust inhalation has been associated with adverse respiratory responses among agricultural workers. We evaluated factors that may confer increased susceptibility to these health effects.
Methods: We quantified personal work shift exposures to inhalable dust, endotoxin, and its 3-hydroxy fatty acid constituents, and evaluated changes in pulmonary function among 137 grain elevator, cattle feedlot, dairy, and corn farm workers.
Results: Increased dust exposure was associated with work shift reductions in lung function. Although interpretation is limited because of small samples, a suggestion of stronger exposure–response relationships was observed among smokers, as well as workers reporting pesticide/herbicide application, asthma, or allergies, and those with genetic polymorphisms (TLR4) (Pinteraction ≤ 0.05).
Conclusions: A better understanding of factors leading to increased susceptibility of adverse respiratory outcomes is needed to optimize exposure reduction strategies and develop more comprehensive wellness programs.

Source : Reynolds, Stephen J. PhD, CIH; Clark, Maggie L. PhD; Koehncke, Niels MD; von Essen, Susanna MD, MPH; Prinz, Linda MSN, RN; Keefe, Thomas J. PhD; Mehaffy, John MS; Bradford, Mary; Cranmer, Brian MS; Davidson, Margaret E. PhD; Yang, Ivana V. PhD; Burch, James B. PhD. Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine: May 2012 - Volume 54 - Issue 5 - p 632–641.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0b013e31824d2e1c

Éléments de faisabilité pour un dispositif de surveillance épidémiologique des travailleurs exposés aux nanomatériaux intentionnellement produits

Maryse Gagnon — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:46:00 GMT

Alerté par la possibilité d'un impact sur la santé humaine de l'exposition aux nanomatériaux, le ministère français du Travail, de l'Emploi et de la Santé a demandé à l'Institut de veille sanitaire (InVS), soutenu par un groupe de travail interdisciplinaire constitué par l'Institut de Recherche en Santé publique (IReSP), d'évaluer la faisabilité d'un système de surveillance épidémiologique des travailleurs susceptibles d'être exposés à des nanomatériaux artificiels. Un rapport a été élaboré en réponse à cette demande, lequel dresse un inventaire des nombreuses incertitudes inhérentes à ce sujet, telles que la question de la définition, le large éventail de nanomatériaux, l'identification des problèmes de santé qui pourraient être contrôlés, l'enregistrement et la collaboration des entreprises et les travailleurs susceptibles d'être concernés par les nanomatériaux, ainsi que les problèmes de métrologie.

Source : http://osha.europa.eu/fr/news/fr-feasibility-of-an-epidemiological-surveillance-system-for-workers-exposed-to-engineered-nanomaterials

Exposition professionnelle aux nanoparticules

Maryse Gagnon — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:34:00 GMT

Un nouveau guide INRS/Ineris/CEA sur les nanomatériaux
Dans le cadre du plan Nano-INNOV, un groupe de travail composé de l'INERIS, du CEA et de l'INRS a élaboré un guide méthodologique pour aider les préventeurs à caractériser, dans une ambiance de travail, les potentiels d'émission de nanoparticules lors d'opérations mettant en œuvre des nanomatériaux. Ces recommandations décrivent le mode opératoire d'une meilleure évaluation des expositions professionnelles aux nanoparticules pour renforcer la sécurité et préserver la santé des opérateurs.

Source : http://www.inrs.fr/accueil/footer/presse/cp-exposition-professionnelle-particules.html

Guide : http://www.hst.fr/inrs-pub/inrs01.nsf/IntranetObject-accesParReference/HST_ND%202355/$File/ND2355.pdf

Résultats des analyses de substances chimiques produites à l’IRSST pour chaque région administrative du ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux pour la période 2001-2008

Maryse Gagnon — Fri, 04 May 2012 11:46:00 GMT

Une activité précédente (099-553), entreprise en 2006, a exploité la banque de données des résultats d'analyses réalisées par les laboratoires de l'IRSST de 2001 à 2005 pour déterminer les substances chimiques présentes en fortes concentrations dans les entreprises québécoises. Elle a mené notamment à la publication de plusieurs rapports et de données sectorielles. Il s'agit cette fois de compléter ce travail et de produire des données à jour en ce qui concerne l'hygiène et la surveillance biologique de l'exposition en exploitant pour la première fois les données toxicologiques existantes. Les chercheurs prévoient produire six rapports en 2008. De telles études sur l'interprétation de données provenant des laboratoires de l'Institut ont déjà permis d'influencer des priorités stratégiques et opérationnelles en matière de santé et de sécurité du travail. Elles ont aussi fourni une information précieuse sur les besoins de recherche dans le champ des substances chimiques et des agents biologiques.

Source : http://www.irsst.qc.ca/-publication-irsst-resultats-des-analyses-de-substances-chimiques-produites-a-irsst-pour-chaque-region-administrative-du-ministere-de-la-sante-et-des-services-sociaux-pour-la-periode-2001-2008-r-731.html

Sensitization and chronic beryllium disease at a primary manufacturing facility

Maryse Gagnon — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:54:00 GMT

Part 1: historical exposure reconstruction
Objectives : Previous epidemiologic studies of beryllium sensitization (BeS) and chronic beryllium disease (CBD) have reported inconsistent exposure–response relationships, likely due to exposure misclassification. The objective of this study was to develop historical estimates of size-selective personal exposure to beryllium for an epidemiologic study.
Methods : In 1999, a cross-sectional survey of workers hired after 1 January 1994 was conducted at a beryllium
production facility. Personal exposure data from two air sampling surveys conducted in 1999 were used to obtain total, respirable, and submicron particle baseline exposure estimates (BEE) for a job-exposure matrix (JEM). General area air samples collected from 1994–1999 were used to estimate annual changes in exposures (temporal factors) for 24 different process areas. Historical exposure estimates (HEE) were calculated by applying
the temporal factors to the BEE. Workers were assigned HEE based on their work history, and their historical exposure profile was summarized as cumulative, average, or highest-ever job exposure.
Results : Changes in exposure over a 6-year period were observed in 10 of the 24 process areas with an overall mean decline of 18% per year. The overall total exposure for study participants over their work tenure ranged from: 0.001–34.44 μg/m3-year, 0.01–16.26 μg/m3, and 0.01–17.54 μg /m3 for cumulative, average, and highest-ever job, respectively. For respirable exposures, the ranges were: 0.001–15.54 μg/m3-year, 0.01–3.56 μg/m3, 0.01–5.54 μg /m3 for cumulative, average, and highest-ever job, respectively.
Conclusions : Using this JEM, exposure–response relationships for BeS and CBD can be explored over a range of exposure metrics such as total, respirable, and submicron beryllium mass concentrations, including summary measures such as cumulative, average, or highest exposures, with the ultimate objective of elucidating a quantitative exposure–response relationship.

Source : Virji MA, Park JY, Stefaniak AB, Stanton ML, Day GA, Kent MS, Kreiss K, Schuler CR. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2012; 38(3): 247-258.
http://dx.doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.3188

Substances cancérogènes

Maryse Gagnon — Tue, 01 May 2012 12:42:00 GMT

Portrait de l’exposition des travailleurs québécois
La liste des substances et conditions de travail associées à un risque élevé de cancer en milieu de travail ne cesse d’augmenter et la CSST a placé les substances cancérogènes parmi les priorités de son plan de mise en œuvre 2008-2010. L’IRSST travaille depuis des années sur certains cancérogènes avérés (selon le Centre international de recherche sur le cancer), tels que le béryllium et la silice. Cependant, afin de prioriser les besoins de recherche, il faut connaître l’ampleur du problème, dresser un état de la question en termes d’exposition aux substances et de circonstances d’exposition.
L’objectif de ce projet est d’estimer la proportion de travailleurs québécois exposés à des substances cancérogènes avérées ou probables et le nombre d’établissements impliqués, par secteur d’activité économique. Lorsque l’information sera disponible, les estimés seront présentés selon le sexe et le groupe d’âge des travailleurs. Les données proviendront des analyses de laboratoire et d’autres bases de données disponibles à l’IRSST, d’enquêtes québécoises sur la santé, de l’information colligée dans le projet CAREX Canada (Surveillance de l’exposition aux agents cancérogènes en milieu de travail et dans l’environnement pour la prévention du cancer) et d’autres bases de données internationales.

Source : http://www.irsst.qc.ca/-publication-irsst-substances-cancerogenes-portrait-de-exposition-des-travailleurs-quebecois-r-732.html

Les fluides de coupes

Maryse Gagnon — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:05:00 GMT

État des connaissances sur les usages, les expositions et les pratiques de gestion en France
Dans les conclusions de son premier rapport l'agence [Anses] indiquait que dans un contexte professionnel où il est difficile techniquement de réduire les expositions, il apparaît essentiel de s'assurer et de vérifier l'application des mesures réglementaires d'évaluation des risques et la mise en oeuvre des moyens de protection, individuels et collectifs, des travailleurs exposés aux fluides de coupe, qu'ils soient utilisateurs de ces fluides ou exposés aux brouillards d'huiles du fait de l'environnement de leur poste de travail. De plus il était précisé que des études complémentaires s'avéraient nécessaires pour mieux évaluer les expositions
et les risques liés aux fluides de coupe.
Dans la continuité de ces travaux, une demande de la Direction des Ressources Humaines du ministère de la Défense a été adressée par courrier à l'Anses le 8 juillet 2009. Le ministère de la Défense souhaitait la mise en place d'une enquête qui permettrait :
- l'amélioration de l'évaluation du taux d'exposition ;
- une meilleure définition des modalités d'utilisation de ce produit ;
- une meilleure définition des mesures de prévention et de protection collective et individuelle ;
- d'obtenir une connaissance approfondie des pathologies pouvant résulter de son utilisation ;
- une amélioration du suivi de l'exposition et de la surveillance médicale.

Source : http://www.anses.fr/Documents/CHIM2009sa0328Ra.pdf

Levels and predictors of airborne and internal exposure to manganese and iron among welders

Maryse Gagnon — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:57:00 GMT

We investigated airborne and internal exposure to manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) among welders. Personal sampling of welding fumes was carried out in 241 welders during a shift. Metals were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Mn in blood (MnB) was analyzed by graphite furnace atom absorption spectrometry. Determinants of exposure levels were estimated with multiple regression models. Respirable Mn was measured with a median of 62 (inter-quartile range (IQR) 8.4–320) μg/m3 and correlated with Fe (r=0.92, 95% CI 0.90–0.94). Inhalable Mn was measured with similar concentrations (IQR 10–340 μg/m3). About 70% of the variance of Mn and Fe could be explained, mainly by the welding process. Ventilation decreased exposure to Fe and Mn significantly. Median concentrations of MnB and serum ferritin (SF) were 10.30 μg/l (IQR 8.33–13.15 μg/l) and 131 μg/l (IQR 76–240 μg/l), respectively. Few welders were presented with low iron stores, and MnB and SF were not correlated (r=0.07, 95% CI −0.05 to 0.20). Regression models revealed a significant association of the parent metal with MnB and SF, but a low fraction of variance was explained by exposure-related factors. Mn is mainly respirable in welding fumes. Airborne Mn and Fe influenced MnB and SF, respectively, in welders. This indicates an effect on the biological regulation of both metals. Mn and Fe were strongly correlated, whereas MnB and SF were not, likely due to higher iron stores among welders.

Source : Beate Pesch, Tobias Weiss, Benjamin Kendzia, Jana Henry, Martin Lehnert, Anne Lotz, Evelyn Heinze, Heiko Udo Käfferlein, Rainer Van Gelder, Markus Berges, Jens-Uwe Hahn, Markus Mattenklott, Ewald Punkenburg, Andrea Hartwig and Thomas Brüning The Weldox Group. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 2012 22: 291-298.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/jes.2012.9

Évaluation des risques relatifs au talc seul et au talc contaminé par des fibres asbestiformes et non asbestiformes

Maryse Gagnon — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:23:00 GMT

Avis de l'Anses
Suite à plusieurs signalements concernant l'utilisation en milieu professionnel d'un enduit fabriqué à partir de talc suspecté de contenir des fibres d'amiante, l'Agence a été saisie en mars 2009 pour faire le point sur la composition en fibres minérales, et en fragments de clivage, des talcs, ainsi que sur les risques sanitaires liés à leur utilisation. Elle vient de publier le résultat de ses travaux et fait des recommandations visant, notamment, une meilleure protection des travailleurs.

Source : http://www.anses.fr/Documents/AIR2009sa0332Ra.pdf

Adverse effects of pesticides on biochemical and haematological parameters in Tunisian agricultural workers

Maryse Gagnon — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:51:00 GMT

Biomonitoring of effects in agricultural workers is necessary to assess the individual risk of handling pesticides. In this study, biochemical and haematological parameters were measured to evaluate the effects of exposure to these compounds in agricultural workers. The study was carried out in 110 workers and 97 control subjects. Several haematological and biochemical parameters were analysed. Assessment of haematological parameters revealed that the mean cell volume and haematocrit levels were significantly lower in workers than in controls (P=0.002 and 0.013, respectively), while mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentrations were higher in workers (P<0.001). There was also a significant inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase activity in workers compared with that in controls (P<0.001). Assessment of biochemical parameters further showed significantly higher activities of transferases, lactate dehydrogenase (P<0.001), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (P=0.006) and creatine kinase (CK) (P<0.015), as well as higher levels of proteins (P<0.001), creatinine (P=0.001) and urea (P=0.001) in workers compared with controls, along with significantly higher uric acid levels (P=0.012). Furthermore, the number of years exposed to pesticides predicted higher activities of alanine aminotransferase, CK, ALP, as well as uric acid levels. Overall, chronic exposure to pesticides appeared to affect several biochemical parameters. These biomarkers seem to be indicative of adverse effects of pesticides in agricultural workers, confirming their use for routine monitoring of effects.

Source : Manel Araoud, Fadoua Neffeti, Wahiba Douki, Hassen Ben Hfaiedh, Mohamed Akrout, Mohssen Hassine, Mohamed Fadhel Najjar and Abderraouf Kenani. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2012 22: 243-247.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/jes.2012.11

Occupational rhinitis and asthma due to EDTA-containing detergents or disinfectants

Maryse Gagnon — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:39:00 GMT

Background: Detergents and disinfectants are an emerging cause of work-related rhinitis and asthma. These products may contain ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA). The authors report 10 cases of EDTA-related asthma and/or rhinitis.
Methods: Review of the medical charts of patients who presented with work-related rhinitis (alone or with asthma), with a history of exposure to aerosols of EDTA-containing products and who underwent a nasal provocation test (NPT) with tetrasodium EDTA (1–4%) in our occupational health unit.
Results: Twenty-eight patients underwent a NPT with EDTA, which was positive in 10 cases. These patients, mostly cleaners or healthcare workers, used spray formulations of cleaning products.
Conclusions: This case series is the first report of EDTA-related respiratory disease, documented by a specific test. An irritant mechanism is unlikely. Further studies are required to distinguish between an immunoallergic response and a pharmacological mechanism possibly resulting from calcium chelation, as suggested by animal experiments. A ban of spray preparations would be sufficient to prevent respiratory disease induced by EDTA inhalation, regardless of its mechanism.

Source : LABORDE-CASTÉROT, Hervé et al. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, March 16, 2012.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22036

Gender differences in acute pesticide-related illnesses and injuries among farmworkers in the United States, 1998-2007

Maryse Gagnon — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:07:00 GMT

BACKGROUND: Farmworkers have a high risk for acute pesticide-related illness and injury, and the rate among female farmworkers is approximately twice as high as that among males. Surveillance data were used to identify reasons for this gender difference. METHODS: We identified acute pesticide-related illness and injury cases among farmworkers from the Sentinel Event Notification System for Occupational Risks (SENSOR)-Pesticides Program and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Gender-specific associations with acute pesticide-related illness and injury were assessed using chi-square tests. National Agricultural Workers Survey data were also examined. RESULTS: The over-representation of females among farmworker illness and injury cases was confined to females who did not handle pesticides (non-handlers). Female non-handler farmworkers who were affected were more likely to be working on fruit and nut crops, to be exposed to off-target pesticide drift, and to be exposed to fungicides and fumigants compared to males. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is an increased risk for acute pesticide-related illness and injury among female farmworkers, the absolute number of farmworkers with acute pesticide-related illness and injury is far higher among males than females. Furthermore, farmworkers have little or no control over many of the identified contributing factors that led to illness and injury. Stringent enforcement of existing regulations and enhanced regulatory efforts to protect against off-target drift exposures may have the highest impact in reducing acute pesticide-related illness and injury among farmworkers.

Source : Kasner EJ, Keralis JM, Mehler L, Beckman J, Bonnar-Prado J, Lee SJ, Diebolt-Brown B, Mulay P, Lackovic M, Waltz J, Schwartz A, Mitchell Y, Moraga-McHaley S, Roisman R, Gergely R, Calvert GM. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2012.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22052