The estimated prevalence of exposure to carcinogens, asthmagens, and ototoxic agents among healthcare workers in Australia.
Adolescent
Adult
Air Pollutants, Occupational
/ analysis
Asthma, Occupational
/ epidemiology
Australia
/ epidemiology
Carcinogens
/ analysis
Female
Health Occupations
/ statistics & numerical data
Health Personnel
/ statistics & numerical data
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Occupational Diseases
/ epidemiology
Occupational Exposure
/ analysis
Ototoxicity
/ epidemiology
Prevalence
Young Adult
asthma
cancer
healthcare workers
occupational exposures
otological damage
prevalence
Journal
American journal of industrial medicine
ISSN: 1097-0274
Titre abrégé: Am J Ind Med
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 8101110
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
07 2020
07 2020
Historique:
received:
08
11
2019
revised:
07
02
2020
accepted:
17
03
2020
pubmed:
3
4
2020
medline:
10
7
2021
entrez:
3
4
2020
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Healthcare workers are occupationally exposed to various hazardous chemicals and agents that can potentially result in long-term adverse health effects. These exposures have not been comprehensively examined at a population level. The aim of this study was to examine occupational exposures to a wide range of asthmagens, carcinogens, and ototoxic agents among healthcare workers in Australia. Data were collected as part of the Australian Work Exposures Studies, which were computer-assisted telephone surveys conducted in 2011, 2014, and 2016 to assess the prevalence of occupational exposures to carcinogens, asthmagens, and ototoxic agents, respectively, among Australian workers. Using data on healthcare workers, the prevalence of exposures to these agents was calculated and associations of demographic variables and occupation groups with exposure status were examined. The prevalence of exposure to at least one asthmagen, carcinogen, and ototoxic agent was 92.3%, 50.7%, and 44.6%, respectively. The most common exposures were to (a) cleaning and sterilizing agents in the asthmagen group; (b) shift work in the carcinogen group; and (c) toluene and p-xylene among ototoxic agents. Exposure varied by occupation, with exposure to carcinogens and ototoxic agents highest among personal carers and exposure to carcinogens most likely among nursing professionals and health and welfare support workers. The results demonstrate that a substantial proportion of Australian healthcare workers are occupationally exposed to asthmagens, carcinogens, and ototoxic agents. These exposures are more common among certain occupational groups. The information provided by this study will be useful in prioritizing and implementing control strategies.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Healthcare workers are occupationally exposed to various hazardous chemicals and agents that can potentially result in long-term adverse health effects. These exposures have not been comprehensively examined at a population level. The aim of this study was to examine occupational exposures to a wide range of asthmagens, carcinogens, and ototoxic agents among healthcare workers in Australia.
METHODS
Data were collected as part of the Australian Work Exposures Studies, which were computer-assisted telephone surveys conducted in 2011, 2014, and 2016 to assess the prevalence of occupational exposures to carcinogens, asthmagens, and ototoxic agents, respectively, among Australian workers. Using data on healthcare workers, the prevalence of exposures to these agents was calculated and associations of demographic variables and occupation groups with exposure status were examined.
RESULTS
The prevalence of exposure to at least one asthmagen, carcinogen, and ototoxic agent was 92.3%, 50.7%, and 44.6%, respectively. The most common exposures were to (a) cleaning and sterilizing agents in the asthmagen group; (b) shift work in the carcinogen group; and (c) toluene and p-xylene among ototoxic agents. Exposure varied by occupation, with exposure to carcinogens and ototoxic agents highest among personal carers and exposure to carcinogens most likely among nursing professionals and health and welfare support workers.
CONCLUSION
The results demonstrate that a substantial proportion of Australian healthcare workers are occupationally exposed to asthmagens, carcinogens, and ototoxic agents. These exposures are more common among certain occupational groups. The information provided by this study will be useful in prioritizing and implementing control strategies.
Substances chimiques
Air Pollutants, Occupational
0
Carcinogens
0
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
624-633Informations de copyright
© 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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