Considering feco-oral transmission of hepatitis E virus (HEV), the risk of the infection was assessed among sewage workers. On the basis of the close contact with sewage, the participants (n = 147) were divided into sewage workers (n = 92) and others (n = 55); none used personal protective equipment (eg, coveralls, boots, gloves) Age-matched individuals from lower socioeconomic status and without any exposure to sewage were used as controls. IgG-anti-HEV positivity in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was significantly higher (P < 0.01) among staff members (83/147, 56.5%) than the controls (19%). A significant rise in anti-HEV positivity (P < 0.05) was recorded in sewage workers working for >5 years. Multivariate regression analysis identified contact with sewage as the independent variable associated with anti-HEV positivity. Strict adherence to good working practices must take top priority for protection of these workers from sewage pathogens.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.jom.0000088874.43855.2f | DOI Listing |
Toxicol Ind Health
December 2024
Department of Emergency, Zhoushan Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Zhoushan, China.
This study investigated the etiology, clinical features, and management of acute hydrogen sulfide (HS) poisoning in Zhoushan. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 10 patients admitted to our hospital between August and September 2023 due to two incidents of acute HS poisoning. The first incident involved fishermen working in a fishing cabin (6 patients), while the second involved sanitation workers during sewer maintenance (4 patients).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSaf Health Work
December 2024
ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team for South Asia, New Delhi, India.
Workers and employers in the informal economy are often outside the scope of legal frameworks of occupational safety and health (OSH) service in South Asia. The present study aimed to find practical support measures to improve their safety and health. International Labour Organization's participatory training activities in five selected informal economy workplaces comprising waste collection and recycling in India, sewage cleaning in Pakistan, home-based manufacturing in Nepal, small-scale construction in Nepal, and cotton farming in India were studied.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Public Health
December 2024
Haramaya University College of Health and Medical Sciences, Harar, Ethiopia.
Introduction: Emerging evidence from both developed and developing countries indicates that occupation-related respiratory diseases (ORRD) among sanitary workers constitute a significant public health challenge. These are because of the working environment, where employees are more likely to be at risk in an unsafe workplace, especially sanitary workers. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to estimate the prevalence of ORRD among sanitary workers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Int
November 2024
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
A typical industrial park in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, which is 70 km from the Chongqing urban center, was used to investigate the occurrence and exposure of harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs). An exposure risk method and a risk-oriented source apportionment approach were performed to assess the inhalation risks and apportion VOC sources, respectively. The quantitative relationships between risk factors and pollution sources were established, identifying key pathogenic and odorous VOCs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Total Environ
December 2024
Central Virology Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Israel; Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
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