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Faster health deterioration among nail technicians occupationally exposed to low levels of volatile organic compounds

100%

Grešner P., Świercz R., Wąsowicz W., Gromadzińska J.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

2016

vol. 30

issue 3

469-483

Objectives The study has aimed at investigating the subjective assessment of an individual’s health status and comparing the prevalence of selected work-related symptoms among nail technicians occupationally exposed to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to the one among control subjects. Associations between occupational exposure to VOCs and the incidence of adverse health effects were also analyzed. Material and Methods The study involved 145 female nail technicians and 152 control subjects. Data on the prevalence of adverse health effects was collected using the researcher- made questionnaire and then analyzed by means of survival analysis methods. Results Only 22% of nail technicians as compared to 45% of control subjects described their current health status as “excellent” or “very good” (odds ratio (OR) = 0.4, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.2–0.6, p < 0.00005). In general, 61% of nail technicians confirmed to have experienced any out of all symptoms considered in the study since the commencement of the job, which was significantly higher as compared to 17% of control subjects (adjusted OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 2.1–3.7, p < 0.0001). Estimated median length of the employment period free of investigated symptoms was significantly shorter among nail technicians as compared to controls (12 years vs. 33 years, p < 0.0001), consistent with almost 4-times increased hazard of the occurrence of such symptoms among the technicians (hazard ratio (HR) = 3.9, 95% CI: 2.7–5.7, p < 0.0001). Cox proportional hazard regression modeling revealed almost 5-times increased hazard of the occurrence of any symptoms among nail technicians exposed to higher levels of the mixture of VOCs as compared to those exposed to lower levels (HR = 4.9, 95% CI: 1–24.1, p = 0.05). Conclusions All outcomes combined together indicate that nail technicians are subject to faster health deterioration, which may be assumed to be caused by occupational exposure to low levels of VOCs. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(3):469–483

Work ability of aging teachers in Bulgaria

100%

Vangelova K., Dimitrova I., Tzenova B.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

2018

vol. 31

issue 5

593-602

Objectives The work ability of aging teachers is of special interest because of high risk of stress. The aim of the study was to follow the work ability of aging teachers and compare it with that of aging non-teacher professionals. Material and Methods The study included 424 teachers of age ≤ 44 years old (N = 140) and ≥ 45 years old (N = 284), with about 10% male teachers in both age groups, matched by sex and age with non-teacher professionals. Work ability was assessed by means of the Work Ability Index (WAI). Chi2 tests and regression analyses were used for studying WAI scales ratings, diagnosed by physician diseases and WAI ratings. Results Our data shows comparatively high work ability for both age groups of teachers but WAI of aging teachers was significantly lower in comparison to their younger colleagues as well as aging non-teacher professionals. About 80% of aging groups reported diseases diagnosed by physicians. Cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and respiratory diseases were the most frequently reported by aging teachers, while teachers ≤ 44 years old reported respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological and sensory diseases. With aging significantly higher rates of arterial hypertension, diabetes, injury to hearing and mental disorders were reported by teachers as compared to aging non-teacher professionals. The rates of reported repeated infections of respiratory tracts were high in both age groups of teachers, especially in the group of aging teachers. The estimated work ability impairment due to the disease showed the significant effect of aging for teachers as well as the significant difference when comparing aging teachers and non-teacher professionals. Conclusions Our data shows high work ability for both age groups of teachers but significantly lower for aging teachers accompanied with higher rates of psychosomatic diseases, including hearing impairment and respiratory diseases. Preservation of teacher health could contribute to maintenance of their work ability and retention in the labor market. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(5):593–602

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2 International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

1 Dimitrova I.

1 Grešner P.

1 Gromadzińska J.

1 Tzenova B.

1 Vangelova K.

1 Wąsowicz W.

1 Świercz R.

1 2018

1 2017

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Faster health deterioration among nail technicians occupationally exposed to low levels of volatile organic compounds

Work ability of aging teachers in Bulgaria