Microbial exposure during recycling of domestic waste: a cross-sectional study of composition and associations with inflammatory markers.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate (1) the microbial community composition by work characteristics and (2) the association between microbial genera level and inflammatory markers among recycling workers.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, inhalable dust was collected with personal samplers from 49 production (86 samples) and 10 administrative workers (15 samples). Four groups of micro-organisms were identified down to species-level (aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, and fungi grown at 25°C and 37°C).

Associations between bioaerosols, lung function work-shift changes and inflammatory markers: A study of recycling workers.

Objectives: We investigated associations between bioaerosol exposures and work-shift changes in lung function and inflammatory markers among recycling workers.

Methods: Inhalable dust was measured with personal samplers and analyzed for endotoxin, bacteria, and fungi (incubated at 25 °C and 37 °C) levels. Lung function (FEV1, FVC) was measured before and after work-shifts and serum concentrations of inflammatory markers (CRP, SAA, CC16, IL1B, IL2, IL4, IL5, IL6, IL8, IL10, IL13, and TNF) after the shift.

Exposure levels of dust, endotoxin, and microorganisms in the Danish recycling industry.

Introduction: Recycling of domestic waste and a number of employees in the recycling industry is expected to increase. This study aims to quantify current exposure levels of inhalable dust, endotoxin, and microorganisms and to identify determinants of exposure among recycling workers.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 170 full-shift measurements from 88 production workers and 14 administrative workers from 12 recycling companies in Denmark.

Use of Personal Protective Equipment Among Healthcare Workers During the First and the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: To treat and properly care for COVID-19 patients it is vital to have healthy healthcare workers to ensure the continued function of the healthcare system and to prevent transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to patients, co-workers, and the community. Personal protective equipment (PPE) can prevent healthcare workers from being infected with and transmitting SARS-CoV-2. Experience and training are pivotal to ensure optimal protection.

Healthcare workers' SARS-CoV-2 infection rates during the second wave of the pandemic: follow-up study.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess if, during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers had increased severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection rates, following close contact with patients, co-workers and persons outside work with COVID-19.

Methods: A follow-up study of 5985 healthcare workers from Denmark was conducted between November 2020 and April 2021 and provided day-to-day information on COVID-19 contacts. SARS-CoV-2 infection was defined by the first positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test ever.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection Rates Following Use of Regular Compared With Defective Respirators When Caring for COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Follow-up Study.

Background: There is strong observational evidence that respirators are highly effective in protecting the users from being infected with Middle East respiratory syndrome and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), but the evidence for SARS-CoV-2 during daily work is limited. This study utilized a subset of healthcare workers' temporary use of a new brand respirator with frequent defects when caring for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients to assess the protective effect of regular respirators against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods: We retrospectively followed 463 participants wearing a regular respirator and 168 wearing the new brand respirator day-by-day when caring for COVID-19 patients until testing polymerase chain reaction positive for SARS-CoV-2 between 27th December 2020 and 14th January 2021.

Determinants of Respirable Quartz Exposure Concentrations Across Occupations in Denmark, 2018.

Background: High concentrations of respirable quartz have been reported from workers in construction, foundries, and quarries. Current exposure concentrations in prevalent but presumably lower exposed occupations have been less examined. We aimed to quantify current exposure concentrations of respirable dust and quartz across prevalent occupations and to identify determinants of respirable quartz exposure across these occupations.

Day-by-day symptoms following positive and negative PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 in non-hospitalized healthcare workers: A 90-day follow-up study.

Objective: Our study aimed to compare symptoms day by day for non-hospitalized individuals testing positive and negative for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Methods: In total, 210 positive-test and 630 negative-test healthcare workers in the Central Denmark Region were followed for up to 90 days after testing, between April and June, 2020. Their daily reported COVID-19-related symptoms were compared graphically and by logistic regression.