bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
256b - Why and how to do biological monitoring?
Authors: Jones Kate 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Depending on the evidence available, BEI® values are set at concentrations equivalent to air concentrations or at a level below that where any adverse effects are observed; many of the current values are set at the equivalent of the TLV-TWA. Given this, you might think, why not just do air monitoring? However air monitoring does not take into account the possibility of systemic uptake through other routes (skin absorption, ingestion via hand-to-mouth behaviour), the use of personal protective equipment (such as respirators) or the impact of worker behaviour on their own exposure.
Once you have decided to implement a biological monitoring (BM) programme, it is essential to plan appropriately; ACGIH provides materials to assist with this. Most BM sampling will require samples to be sent to an appropriate laboratory for analysis. Where possible, the laboratory should specialise in BM but availability of such laboratories is limited and often clinical or analytical chemistry laboratories will be used. It is important to ascertain that the laboratory understands the methodology to be used (including nuances such as hydrolysis of certain metabolites) and that they participate in an appropriate quality assurance scheme. There are a number of schemes available; one of the most extensive and established is G-EQUAS with over 200 participants in 40 countries taking part in 2023.
With appropriate planning and implementation, a biological monitoring programme can have a positive impact in reducing workplace exposure and engaging workers in their own health protection.
279b - Sound solutions: navigating the frontiers of hearing health in modern workplaces
Authors: Greenberg David , Wilson Alex 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
This session will offer a comprehensive exploration of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) and its broader impact on health. Covering the latest evidence and insights that shed light on the prevalence of NIHL and related conditions, offering an understanding of how occupational and leisure noise exposures are shaping the modern workplace.This session will go beyond conventional approaches to noise control. Discover the significance of fit testing of hearing protection and the revolutionary integration of Smart Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to implement control measures that extend beyond traditional PPE. Uncover current best practices that align with the hierarchy of control, emphasising proactive measures to safeguard auditory health in occupational settings.Moreover, gain insights from the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) regulatory sandbox project, uncovering the underlying reasons for the underreporting of NIHL. Compelling evidence will highlight the potential extent of over-exposures in the UK. An immersive journey to the forefront of hearing health, where knowledge transforms into actionable strategies for a safer and healthier work environment.
279c - Emerging risk of headphone use and implications for occupational hygiene practice
Authors: Wilson Alex , Wheatley Stephen , Forshaw Clare 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
This session will look at the emerging risk of headphone use in both occupational and recreational settings and the implications for both employees and employers. The session will explore the extent of the problem in terms of sectors, modern listening habits and risk profile. Implications for legal and liability will be presented and how the use of headphones at work could be contributing to overall noise exposure or creating #hiddennoise and what can be done from a workplace noise management and hearing conservation program could entail. The session will also introduce a new campaign to influence personal sound exposure.
315b - Overlap of REACH/ OSH legislation: Inspection campaigns for control of exposure to substances subject to REACH restriction
Authors: Conerney Derek 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Dichloromethane (DCM) is a Cat. 2 carcinogen. REACH, Annex XVII, Entry 59 restricts the placing on the market of paint strippers containing ≥ 0.1% DCM for supply to the public and to professionals and restricts the use by professional users.
According to Entry 59, DCM containing paint strippers may only be used in industrial installations if minimum conditions are met. Chemical Agents Directive (CAD) outlines the requirement for risk assessment to control exposure to hazardous substances. There is overlap between the DCM restriction conditions outlined in Entry 59 and the control measures required to comply with OSH legislation.
Ireland carried out an inspection campaign on operators using DCM as paint stripper in alloy wheel refurbishment to determine compliance with the DCM restriction conditions and OSH legislation. As a result of this campaign some operators left the market and others substituted DCM use with safer alternatives.
Diisocyanates (DIIS) are skin and respiratory sensitisers. DIIS can be found as components in a wide range of materials including adhesives, sealants, foams, hardeners, glues, paints, printing inks etc. resulting in widespread use. DIIS are included in REACH restriction, Annex XVII, Entry 74. The restriction requires the mandatory training of workers who use DIIS, in accordance with specified criteria linked to the nature of the work activity.
Ireland participated in the SLIC Chemex sub working group REACH-OSH pilot project to determine workplace compliance with this restriction and to determine compliance with OSH legislation.
Findings from these inspection campaigns in Ireland relating to DCM and DIIS use will be presented.
381e - Advancing work equity through occupational hygiene research
Authors: Jones, Rachael 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
While it has always been recognized that all workers do not have equal access to healthy and safe work, recognition of the role of occupational hygiene in this issue is more recent. After defining work equity, this presentation will provide several examples of how occupational hygiene research has begun to explicitly address inequities and serve more workers and workplaces. Implications for future research directions and occupational hygiene education will be discussed.
33 The disparity between personal and ambient air sampling of BTEX in small roadside garages
Authors: Shih Chun-Bao , Lin Tser-Sheng 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
The chemical exposure assessment for workers is essential in terms of chemical hazard prevention. The air sampling and quantitation of chemicals in workplaces is a direct and sound technique to assess the workers’ exposure. However, a reliable workplace measurement for exposure assessment does depend on a suitable sampling strategy that may be determined by the exposure (or work) characteristic. This study aimed to compare the personal and ambient air sampling for micro-workshop (i.e. small garages) in order to evaluate the BTEX exposure of motorbike mechanics.

Method
A total of ten motorbike garages was recruited and investigated. The personal and ambient air sampling were conducted five time for each garage in summer and winter season, respectively. Personal and Ambient samples were collected by 3 M passive samplers and charcoal tubes, respectively. After solvent extraction, BTEX were quantified by a GC-MS.

Results
The ambient levels of BTEX were 45.7 ± 47.8, 422.9 ± 744.3, 78.0 ± 166.6, 206.4 ± 400.7 ug/m3, respectively. For personal samples, they were 154.7 ± 43.2, 300.4 ± 187.8, 162.2 ± 60.66, 349.6 ± 73.26 ug/m3, respectively. Obviously, there was significant difference between personal and ambient air samples. Notably, the levels of personal exposure were much higher than those of ambient air samples.

Conclusion
This study indicated that the ambient air sampling cannot well estimate the occupational exposure for vehicle mechanics who worked in a small workplace. Personal sampling should be utilized to assess their occupational exposure to BTEX. In addition, the short term exposure during each tasks should be further evaluated; thus the potential health risk can be fairly estimated and managed.
37 The physical and mental health effects of remote working during the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan
Authors: Hsu Ya-Yuan , Chen Yu-Wun , Hu Pei-Yi , Chen Ruey-Yu , Tsai Feng-Jen 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
The global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has expedited the adoption of remote work practices by businesses worldwide. In order to understand the experiences of remote workers in Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study aims to investigate issues related to labor time management and the various physical, mental, and socio-psychological factors affecting remote workers in Taiwan.
In this study, a questionnaire survey was employed to compare the experiences of remote workers in office-based and home-based settings during the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan in May 2021. The research focused on examining differences in socio-psychological factors related to workstation ergonomics, work and rest periods, gender-related work-family conflicts, and fatigue.
The study collected 502 valid questionnaires from 11 businesses. Remote work increased from 24.7% pre-pandemic to 48.7% (P&lt;0.001), with ≥4-hour weekly online conferencing. Of those surveyed, 56.6% used laptops, and 21.7% reported experiencing constant eye fatigue. Home-based remote work showed that females experienced slight psychological distress. Individuals aged 40-49 and 50-59, caregivers, cohabitants, and married individuals reported higher work-family conflict scores. Caregivers and married individuals also reported significantly higher levels of personal fatigue.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the global remote workers, including those in Taiwan, exhibited similar health challenges, such as increased eye fatigue, higher fatigue and work-family conflict among caregivers and married individuals, and greater psychological burden on females. Recommendations include improving remote work conditions, providing ergonomic equipment, eye health education, and developing policies for remote work well-being. This holistic approach addresses both physical and psychological needs, fostering a supportive and productive remote work environment amidst pandemic challenges.
39 Risk perception of antibiotic resistance in agriculture, animal husbandry, and healthcare services workers in Taiwan national insurance databases
Authors: Hsu Ya-Yuan , Chen Yu-Wun , Hu Pei-Yi , de Jong Erik Pieter , Chen Chi-Hsin Sally , Chan Chang-Chuan 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
The agriculture, animal husbandry, and healthcare workers, due to frequent exposure to prophylactic antibiotic use in their work environments, face an increased risk of workers developing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), leading to biological hazards and occupational infection risks.
This study collecting data from the Taiwan Labor Insurance and National Health Insurance databases. The investigation period from 2004 to 2020, and the study sample consisted of high-risk exposed groups, including those in agriculture, animal husbandry, and healthcare workers. The study aimed to compare antibiotic resistance, tuberculosis prevalence, and the risk ratio for hospital-acquired infections associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Research findings showed higher AMR infection rates in agriculture and animal husbandry (8.33 per 100,000 person-years) compared to healthcare (4.71 per 100,000 person-years). Tuberculosis rates were notably higher in agriculture and animal husbandry (31.74 per 100,000 person-years) than in healthcare (18.95 per 100,000 person-years). The AMR infection risk ratio between the two sectors was 1.77, while for tuberculosis, it was 1.67. Among individuals aged over 65 in agriculture and animal husbandry, the risk of tuberculosis was significantly elevated compared to healthcare (RR = 2.00).
Global AMR research highlights high-risk jobs in healthcare, veterinary medicine, slaughterhouses, farming, and aquaculture. Aquaculture presents unique risks, such as marine vibrio infections due to sunburn and fish stings, necessitating the need for protection and education. Raising awareness in these sectors is crucial for controlling the spread of pathogens. Integrating AMR monitoring into disaster planning for these roles is vital. Physicians should expand data collection (Travel, Occupation, Contact, Cluster) during checkups to facilitate early AMR detection and data gathering.
48 Challenges in anticipating unfamiliar hazard in technology project venture: a PETRONAS insight from potential respirable dust exposure incident
Authors: Mustaffa Masfarita binti , Masri Muhamal Iqbal , Hamis Norhana Abdul 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
A series of respiratory health issues occurred among Crude Algae Project’s lab staff, prompting an urgent internal investigation. Three employees experienced symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, pneumonia, and bronchiolitis after working on the project. These symptoms coincided with the introduction of biomass charcoal activity, which generated respirable dust.
Two prominent safety deficiencies were identified: First due to inadequate engineering controls during extraction, drying, and grinding processes. Although chemical exhaust and local exhaust ventilation (LEV) were planned, employees often worked without them due to facility limitations. Secondly, irregular adherence to personal protective equipment (PPE) usage due to staff’s limited awareness also contribute to the accident.
A set of recommendations has been proposed in rectifying the identified issues which include to execute Chemical Exposure Monitoring (CEM), enhance Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) for specific activities, consider relocating processes to isolated facilities, revise Hazard and Effect Registers and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to accommodate mass production. Staff also should receive training on proper PPE utilization, respiratory fit tests, and awareness programs.
This investigation offers valuable insights for bolstering safety standards, particularly in research-based environments characterized by adaptable better work practices. In conclusion, this report underscores crucial areas for refining the safety framework within the Project and will be the baseline strategy poised to fortify safety protocols and safeguard staff well-being, ensuring the project’s continued success
49 Case Study: Effectiveness of health protection program in reducing PM2.5 exposure at the office building during haze period
Authors: Moetiara Elisa , Ramdhan Doni Hikmat 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Particulate matter (PM) exposure from wildfire smoke may increase the respiratory health risk to the population. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an administrative health protection program to reduce exposure to wildfire-generated PM2.5 in an office building. PM2.5 concentration during haze (generated by wildfire smoke) and non-haze periods were measured using direct reading DustTrakTM DRX 8533. Self-administered acute respiratory symptoms questionnaires from ATS-DLD-78 were collected. 168 occupant respondents worked consecutively in the office building during haze and non-haze periods. PM2.5 concentration and occupant’s subjective acute respiratory symptoms in the haze period were higher than in the non-haze period. During the haze period, PM2.5 concentration levels exceeded the WHO-recommended standard. In summary, PM2.5 in haze infiltrated the office work areas and exposed building occupants to wildfire smoke, which may affect the outcome of acute health symptoms. The administrative health program to protect workers from PM2.5 exposure at the office during the haze period was ineffective and needed to be improved, especially in reducing PM2.5 concentration.
56 Coffee production – An occupational setting where exposure to mycotoxins need to be recognized and prevented
Authors: Viegas Susana , Twarużek Magdalena , Kosicki Robert , Oliveira Filipe , Tavares Ednilton , Viegas Carla 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Coffee production involves different processes until being available as beverage involving several workers worldwide. Mycotoxins exposure may occur in this occupational setting since coffee beans are frequently contaminated with these fungal secondary metabolites due the crop infection by toxigenic fungi that commonly infect the plant during the various production stages.
A study was developed in two milling industries located in Brazil aiming to evaluate workplace contamination with mycotoxins. Twenty samples of settled dust and respiratory protection equipment filters were collected. In addition, nineteen samples of the coffee beans processed were also collected in different workplaces. Samples were collected during August 2021, which is coffee harvest time in Brazil.
Settled dust samples presented contamination by 4 different mycotoxins: Fumonisin B1 (FB1), ochratoxin A (OTA) and B (OTB), mycophenolic acid (MA) and zearalenon (ZEA) with MA being present in all the samples with the higher concentrations. Filter samples also showed contamination by 4 mycotoxins namely FB1, FB2, OTA and MA. Also in these samples MA was the most prevalent mycotoxin but FB2 reached the higher concentration. In the case of coffee beans samples, 4 mycotoxins were also detected, namely Aflatoxin B2 (AFB2), FB2, OTA and MA. Again MA was the most prevalent with higher concentrations.
As main conclusions: workplace environment is contaminated with multiple mycotoxins promoting workers exposure by inhalation, dermal absorption and even ingestion. Therefore, mycotoxins should be considered as a hazard present in this occupational setting deserving the adoption of risk management measures to prevent exposure and control the risk.
83 Sampling evaluation of bacteria on smart phone screen surface
Authors: Chang Yu-Nung , Fan Ching-Ying , Lai Chane-Yu 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Smartphones is becoming an indispensable device, which is easily to carry and frequently to be used. Because of the convenience, it goes through various areas with the user, not only at home but also in the public. However, the environment may full of various microorganisms, the bacteria may colonize on the surface of the smartphone via fingers and becoming a vehicle for spreading.
This study swabbed the smartphone touchscreens from both hospital staffs (group A) and community workers (group B), the BD Phoenix-100 were used to identify the bacteria species and their characteristics of antibiotics-resistant. A self-administrated questionnaire was used to evaluate the behaviour of each recruited participant.
A total of 472 isolates from 196 samples were counted, 97% were Gram-positive bacteria. Staphylococcus (46%), Micrococcus (12%), Dermacoccus and Streptococcus (both 6%) were the predominant isolates in group A; and Staphylococcus (50%), Micrococcus and Bacillus (both 8%) and Streptococcus (6%) were detected in group B. Eighty-five % of sampled bacteria on all participant’s smartphone revealed antibiotic-resistant and 55% of antibiotic-resistant bacteria were multidrug resistant bacteria. In both groups, 80-90% sampled bacteria exhibited the character of antibiotic resistance if they never use the alcohol to disinfect the contamination of smartphone surface (p =0.002).
The staffs who working in the hospital did not use alcohol to disinfect their phones had higher rates of antibiotic-resistant bacteria than community ones (p =0.003). Regular hand-washing and daily disinfection of smartphones shall be recommended, especially in healthcare-related institutions, and may consider add into their hygiene guideline.
100 Exposure to mineral dust from renovation – are we forgetting an exposed group?
Authors: Halvorsen Johanne Ø , Graff Pål , Gjengedal Elin Lovise Folven , Ervik Torunn 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
A growing focus on sustainability increases the need for renovation and repurposing of existing building stock to increase energy efficiency without material waste. Indoor demolition and renovation, rather than total demolition and rebuilding, produces an altered exposure situation for the workers involved. The outer shell of the building is often kept intact and protected, while the inner structure is being demolished and rebuilt, leading to an enclosed working environment.
In this study personal respirable dust and respirable crystalline silica (RCS) samples were collected at 14 demolition sites. The samples were analyzed with X-ray diffraction using the NIOSH 7500 method for RCS. During the measurements workers did manual demolition and cleaning out silica containing materials. The exposure measurements showed that 18 % of the respirable samples and 57 % of the RCS samples were above the Norwegian occupational exposure limits (OELs) of 5 and 0.05 mg/m3, respectively.
In addition, an assessment was performed on indirectly exposed workers, working within the same buildings. These workers showed a substantial exposure to RCS with 15 % of samples being above the Norwegian OEL, despite not working with silica containing materials. Indirectly exposed workers are often overlooked in exposure assessments or regarded as unexposed since they are not producing or resuspending the pollutant. Furthermore, the workers themselves are less aware of the exposure and thereby less likely to use dust protection.
103 Occupational exposure to lead in French industries, 2013-2022
Authors: Sauve Jean-Francois , Humbert Audrey , Mater Gautier 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Approximately 200,000 French workers are estimated to be exposed to lead in the workplace. Historical analyses of measurement data recorded in the French Colchic database from 1987 to 1999 showed frequent overexposures in industries such as metallurgy and construction. We aimed to evaluate whether these observations remain by analyzing the last 10 years of measurements recoding in this database.

Methodology
We selected records corresponding to personal measurements of lead and its compounds, with a sampling duration ≥60 minutes and collected between 2013 and 2022. We assessed the proportion of samples by industry and by task above the 8-hours occupational exposure limit (OEL; 100 µg/m3).

Results
We identified a total of 1547 measurements, with 75th and 95th percentiles of 12 and 240 μg/m3, respectively, compared to 260 and 1560 μg/m3 for 1987-1999 based on 8353 samples. 9% of all samples exceeded the OEL. Specialized construction activities had the highest proportion of samples exceeding the OEL (22%), followed by remediation and other waste management (19%) and manufacturing of non-metallic mineral products (17%). For tasks, 12 of the 19 samples from abrasive blasting exceeded the OEL. Construction tasks associated with insulation (33% exceedance) and demolition (28% exceedance) also had frequent overexposure.

Conclusions
Despite the overall trend showing decreased exposure levels compared to the 1990s, several industries and tasks show a high potential for overexposure, notably those associated with construction and waste management, which require ongoing prevention efforts.