Article
Environmental Sciences
Mette Sorensen, Ole Raaschou-Nielsen, Aslak Harbo Poulsen, Ulla Arthur Hvidtfeldt, Jorgen Brandt, Jibran Khan, Steen Solvang Jensen, Thomas Muenzel, Jesse Daniel Thacher
Summary: Studies suggest that transportation noise, specifically road traffic noise, is associated with increased mortality, particularly in cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The exposure-response relationship between noise levels and mortality risk varies depending on the specific cause of death, with linear relationships observed for some causes. However, evidence on the effects of low-level noise and railway noise as risk factors for mortality is limited and inconclusive.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Olivia M. Halabicky, Jennifer A. Pinto-Martin, Peggy Compton, Jianghong Liu
Summary: This study suggests that early childhood lead exposure may have a detrimental influence on early adolescent autonomic responses to acute stress, which holds implications for cardiovascular health and overall growth and development. The association between lead exposure and physiological stress response warrants further investigation to better understand the underlying mechanisms and potential health effects.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ariane Leroyer, Harry Gomajee, Romain Leroy, Muriel Mazzuca, Bruno Leleu, Catherine Nisse
Summary: This study investigated the risk of excess cancer mortality in employees of a lead and zinc smelter in northern France. The results showed that employees who worked for 15 to 29 years had an increased risk of cancer mortality. Occupational exposures were found to be associated with different types of cancer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jingjing Hu, Luhua Yu, Zongming Yang, Jie Qiu, Jing Li, Peng Shen, Hongbo Lin, Liming Shui, Mengling Tang, Mingjuan Jin, Kun Chen, Jianbing Wang
Summary: We investigated the association between long-term exposure to atmospheric PM2.5 and non-accidental and cause-specific mortality in Yinzhou, China. Moderate PM2.5 concentration was found to be associated with an increased risk of non-accidental and cardiovascular disease mortality among middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults. No associations were observed with respiratory disease or cancer mortality. Interactions between PM2.5 and age, as well as preventive measures on hazy days, were also observed.
Article
Environmental Sciences
David R. Chettle, Kim N. Dietrich, Amit Bhattacharya, Heidi J. Kalkwarf, Lorenna Altmann, Chi Wei, Cyndy Cox, Jun Ying
Summary: In a study of a birth cohort exposed to relatively high levels of lead, researchers found a significant association between adult female bone lead concentrations and average childhood blood lead levels. However, in children, bone lead concentrations are relatively low and may not reflect their early lead exposure levels.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Simon Hales, June Atkinson, Jayne Metcalfe, Gerda Kuschel, Alistair Woodward
Summary: This study investigated the associations between long-term exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 and mortality and morbidity in New Zealand. The results showed significant positive associations between pollutants and natural causes of death, highlighting the importance of controlling pollution caused by motor vehicles. The findings suggest that NO2 may be acting as a proxy for other traffic-related pollutants that are causally related to health impacts.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Jia-Wei Shi, Deng-Xuan Fan, Ming-Qing Li
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between cadmium exposure and mortality among postmenopausal females. The results showed that higher concentrations of cadmium in blood and urine were significantly associated with an increase in all-cause mortality for postmenopausal females. There was a linear positive correlation between urine cadmium concentrations and cancer mortality, while there was no correlation between blood cadmium and cancer death. Reducing cadmium exposure can promote the health and lifespan of postmenopausal women.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yunquan Zhang, Zunyan Li, Jing Wei, Yu Zhan, Linjiong Liu, Zhiming Yang, Yuanyuan Zhang, Riyang Liu, Zongwei Ma
Summary: This study found that long-term exposure to ambient NO2 in Chinese adults is associated with an elevated risk of all-cause mortality. In 2018, approximately 1.65 million deaths in China were attributed to ambient NO2 exposure, representing a decrease compared to 2010.
JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Dongming Wang, Meng Yang, Jixuan Ma, Min Zhou, Bin Wang, Tingming Shi, Weihong Chen
Summary: Silica dust exposure is significantly associated with increased mortality for all causes, respiratory tuberculosis, CVDs, and diseases of the respiratory system among workers, with higher standardized ratios observed for respiratory tuberculosis, CVDs, and pneumoconiosis. The study also estimates a considerable proportion of deaths among Chinese workers attributed to silica exposure, particularly in the absence of cigarette smoking.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zilong Zhang, John Wang, Jeffrey C. Kwong, Richard T. Burnett, Aaron van Donkelaar, Perry Hystad, Randall V. Martin, Li Bai, John McLaughlin, Hong Chen
Summary: Research showed that long-term exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 was associated with increased risks of non-accidental, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality, especially in physically active individuals, smokers, and individuals with lower household income. The findings suggest the potential benefits of improving air quality even in regions with low exposure levels.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Respiratory System
Jiawei Zhang, Youn-Hee Lim, Rina So, Jeanette T. Jorgensen, Laust H. Mortensen, George M. Napolitano, Thomas Cole-Hunter, Steffen Loft, Samir Bhatt, Gerard Hoek, Bert Brunekreef, Rudi Westendorp, Matthias Ketzel, Jorgen Brandt, Theis Lange, Thea Kolsen-Fisher, Zorana Jovanovic Andersen
Summary: This study found that long-term exposure to air pollution may increase the risk of contracting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection as well as developing severe COVID-19 disease requiring hospitalization or resulting in death.
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sung Joon Park, Chanyang Min, Dae Myoung Yoo, Hyo Geun Choi
Summary: The study evaluated the influence of exposure to meteorological conditions, including air pollution, on thyroid cancer. Results showed positive associations between nitrogen dioxide exposure and thyroid cancer, and negative associations with particulate matter exposure. Subgroup analyses also supported these relationships.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Ji-Yu Lin, Ling-Ling Yeh, Yi-Ju Pan
Summary: This study examined the differential contributions of the accumulative dosage of psychotropic medications on mortality in patients with schizophrenia. The results showed that adequate dosages of antipsychotics and antidepressants were associated with lower mortality, while mood stabilizers and sedative-hypnotics were associated with higher mortality. Furthermore, exposure to sedative-hypnotics was found to be dose-related increased mortality risk.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jill Korsiak, Lauren Pinault, Tanya Christidis, Richard T. Burnett, Michal Abrahamowicz, Scott Weichenthal
Summary: The study found that long-term exposure to wildfires may increase the risk of lung cancer and brain tumors, but no association was found between wildfires and hematological cancers.
LANCET PLANETARY HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hua Hao, Yifan Wang, Qiao Zhu, Haisu Zhang, Andrew Rosenberg, Joel Schwartz, Heresh Amini, Aaron van Donkelaar, Randall Martin, Pengfei Liu, Rodney Weber, Armistead Russel, Maayan Yitshak-sade, Howard Chang, Liuhua Shi
Summary: There is growing evidence linking long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) with negative health impacts. However, the specific influence of individual components of PM2.5 on health risks remains unclear. In a cohort study conducted in the contiguous United States, researchers found that increased exposure to PM2.5 mass and its key compounds, including black carbon, organic matter, soil dust, nitrate, sulfate, and ammonium, were significantly associated with higher all-cause mortality in older adults. These findings suggest the importance of reducing fossil fuel burning for improved air quality and public health.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alysha R. Meyers, Ibraheem S. Al-Tarawneh, Steven J. Wurzelbacher, P. Timothy Bushnell, Michael P. Lampl, Jennifer L. Bell, Stephen J. Bertke, David C. Robins, Chih-Yu Tseng, Chia Wei, Jill A. Raudabaugh, Teresa M. Schnorr
JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
(2018)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alysha R. Meyers, Ibraheem S. Al-Tarawneh, P. Timothy Bushnell, Steven J. Wurzelbacher, Michael P. Lampl, Chih-Yu Tseng, Dayona M. Turner, Carol A. Morrison
JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
(2019)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ibraheem S. Al-Tarawneh, Steven J. Wurzelbacher, Stephen J. Bertke
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
(2020)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Srinivas Konda, Ibraheem S. Al-Tarawneh, Audrey A. Reichard, Hope M. Tiesman, Steven J. Wurzelbacher, Lynne E. Pinkerton, Alysha R. Meyers, Scott A. Hendricks, Chih-Yu Tseng, Michael P. Lampl, David C. Robins
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
(2020)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ashley M. Bush, Audrey A. Reichard, Steven J. Wurzelbacher, Chih-Yu Tseng, Michael P. Lampl
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Steven J. Wurzelbacher, Michael P. Lampl, Stephen J. Bertke, Chih-Yu Tseng
APPLIED ERGONOMICS
(2020)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
John Howard, Steven Wurzelbacher, Jamie Osborne, Jennifer Wolf, John Ruser, Raji Chadarevian
Summary: This article reviews the medical cannabis access laws of 36 states and the District of Columbia in the United States to determine if they allow reimbursement of cannabis costs for work-related health conditions under workers' compensation insurance laws. Only six states expressly allow cannabis WCI reimbursement, six expressly prohibit it, 14 states do not require reimbursement, while 10 states and the District of Columbia are silent on the issue. The article also discusses the future role of cannabis legalization in the United States and the evolving role of cannabis from an international perspective.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Barbara M. Alexander, Steven J. Wurzelbacher, Rachel J. Zeiler, Steven J. Naber
Summary: The landscaping services industry in Ohio has high rates of occupational injuries and illnesses, with common causes including being struck by objects or equipment and overexertion. Specific hazardous tasks include arborist work and loading/unloading work vehicles and trailers. Targeted improvements in safety through engineering controls and enhanced training are recommended to reduce the risk of falls, overexertion, and struck-by injuries for landscapers.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Alysha R. Meyers, Steven J. Wurzelbacher, Edward F. Krieg, Jessica G. Ramsey, Kenneth Crombie, Annette L. Christianson, Lian Luo, Susan Burt
Summary: This prospective study assessed the risk of developing rotator cuff syndrome (RCS) with different biomechanical exposures, and found that increased risk of RCS was associated with forceful hand exertions and upper arm postures. The study highlights the importance of evaluating these factors in preventing RCS.
Article
Ergonomics
Steven J. Wurzelbacher, Alysha R. Meyers, Michael P. Lampl, P. Timothy Bushnell, Stephen J. Bertke, David C. Robins, Chih-Yu Tseng, Steven J. Naber
Summary: This study analyzed workers' compensation claims among private employers in Ohio to identify high-risk industries and primary causes of injuries. Despite a decline in claims, challenges in prevention still exist in certain industries.
JOURNAL OF SAFETY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Steven J. Wurzelbacher, Stephen J. Bertke, Michael P. Lampl, P. Timothy Bushnell, David C. Robins, Steven J. Naber, Libby L. Moore
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of a state workers' compensation insurer's onsite risk control services on insured employers' workers' compensation claim frequency and cost. The results showed that the risk control services were effective in reducing workers' compensation cost rates for the employers who received the services.
JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Barbara M. Alexander, Steven J. Wurzelbacher, Rachel J. Zeiler, Steven J. Naber, Harpriya Kaur, James W. Grosch
Summary: This study analyzed workers' compensation (WC) claims in the landscaping services industry to identify occupational factors associated with claims from workers of different ages. The results showed significant differences in claim rates and costs between age groups, highlighting the need for targeted safety interventions.
JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Ergonomics
Tyler D. Quinn, Suzanne M. Marsh, Kierstyn Oldham, Steven J. Wurzelbacher, Steven J. Naber
Summary: This study analyzed occupational injury claims data for firefighters in Ohio from 2001 to 2017. The majority of claims were for medical-only benefits, and firefighting and patient care were the most common tasks during injury. Overexertion and being struck by objects or equipment were the most frequent injury events, and sprains in the back, lower extremities, and upper extremities were the most common diagnoses.
JOURNAL OF SAFETY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Ergonomics
Christina Socias-Morales, Srinivas Konda, Jennifer L. Bell, Steven J. Wurzelbacher, Steven J. Naber, G. Scott Earnest, Elizabeth P. Garza, Alysha R. Meyers, Ted Scharf
Summary: This study investigates slip, trip, and fall injuries in the Ohio construction industry. The study reveals a decreasing trend in fall injuries but highlights the persistent prevalence of these incidents. Slips, trips, and falls are the primary types of injuries, which predominantly occur among males and smaller firms.
JOURNAL OF SAFETY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Harpriya Kaur, Steven J. Wurzelbacher, P. Tim Bushnell, James W. Grosch, Chih-Yu Tseng, Juliann C. Scholl, Alysha R. Meyers, Michael Lampl
Summary: Overexertion is the major cause of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among U.S. construction workers. Workers aged 45-64 had higher average claim costs and more days away from work due to overexertion. Therefore, ergonomic design improvements, interventions, and age-specific WMSD prevention are necessary to make the workplace safer for all workers.
MMWR-MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT
(2021)
