Publications by authors named "W S Avila"

Exposure to environmental contaminants can result in profound effects on the host immune system. One class of environmental toxicants, known as dioxins, are persistent environmental contaminants termed "forever chemicals". The archetype toxicant from this group of chemicals is 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), an immunotoxicant that activates the aryl-hydrocarbon receptor pathway leading to a variety of changes in immune cell responses.

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The health of road transport workers is affected by working conditions and life. However, there is a lack of studies on the level of stress and health of the families of these workers. This study aimed to evaluate the perceived stress level and family effectiveness of family members of road transport workers.

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Article Synopsis
  • Water scarcity in California is worsening due to drought, climate change, pollution, and population growth, particularly impacting drinking water in socially disadvantaged communities.
  • A study collected tap water samples from various regions, focusing on low-income areas with high breast cancer rates, analyzing a total of 251 organic and 32 inorganic contaminants.
  • Results revealed frequent mixtures of contaminants exceeding safety levels across all regions, underscoring the need for further research to link these exposures to health risks like breast cancer in vulnerable populations.
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The work and life routine of long-haul truck drivers (LHTDs) involve the use of truck stops and rest areas to meet their basic human needs. These extensions of their workspaces on the road do not always offer adequate physical structures and services that drivers need for optimal health. This study aimed to evaluate long-haul truck drivers' perceptions of food services, safety, physical activity, rest, and personal hygiene offered at truck stops and rest areas, as well as the correlation between these perceptions and sociodemographic, health, and work conditions variables.

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