Industrial noise sources are among the environmental noise sources that are ranked second among the causes of ill health in Europe by the World Health Organization. The aim of this paper is to summarize and review of published information focusing on noise annoyance from industrial activities and mining. A search for articles was performed using the bibliographic databases platforms. The epidemiological evidence shows that environmental noise may be associated with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, impaired cognitive development in children, mental health, post-irritability, and sleep disturbances. As a result of efforts to minimize the effects of industrial noise on human health, the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority published A Guide to the Noise Policy for Industry in 2017, which sets out recommended noise levels, methods, and procedures for noise management based on the latest scientific evidence. Social networks can be used to assess the population's noise annoyance and to verify the effectiveness of the measures. The industrial noise sources are typically defined by low-frequency noise. Low-frequency noise has very low attenuation and is only slightly affected by obstacles, therefore it can be a major cause of night noise annoyance. An association was confirmed between exposure to low-frequency noise and sleep disturbance, psychological problems, cognitive impairment, increased social conflicts, anxiety, emotional instability, nervousness, and reduced mental performance - concentration, and visual perception. In view of the long tradition of mining and industry, the assessment of noise from these activities from the perspective of its impacts on human health is an inherent part of legislative processes. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2024;75(5):425-431.
- MeSH
- Noise, Occupational adverse effects MeSH
- Noise * adverse effects MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Environmental Exposure adverse effects MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Review MeSH
INTRODUCTION: Migraine is a widespread neurological disorder, growing increasingly common. However, the pathogenesis of the disease is often unclear and the evidence for the role of various risk factors is limited. This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with migraine and to contribute towards a better understanding of this disease. METHODS: Data from 3,247 questionnaires were analyzed for associations between migraine and sex, age, BMI, degree of education, and air pollution, along with other factors such as contact with friends, physical condition, health, anxiety, and depression. A cross-sectional study was conducted with an approximately equal distribution of the sample by age, gender and two analysed regions. Data were presented using basic descriptive statistics using the chi-square test. The model output was presented using a crude odds ratio (OR) and a fully adjusted OR. Three hundred and eight-six individuals (12%) suffered from migraine. RESULTS: In an adjusted model, the presented study found associations between the prevalence of migraine and sex, age, and level of education. Individuals with migraine statistically significantly more often suffered from depression, anxiety and other selected factors. However, the assumed significant association between the occurrence of migraine and pollution in the region has not been found.
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine hearing thresholds in an otologically normal population without occupational noise exposure aged 18 to 64 years using extended high-frequency audiometry (EHFA). METHODS: Individuals from the general population who have never had hearing problems and whose job was not associated with noise exposure were included in the study and classified by age into 5 categories: 18-24 and, further, by 10 years of age. Each of these groups was further divided according to gender. All subjects underwent tympanometry, conventional pure-tone audiometry within the 0.125-8 kHz range, and extended high-frequency audiometry within the 9-16 kHz range, performed according to the standards. The significance level for statistical testing was set at 5%. RESULTS: Here, we established hearing thresholds in an otologically healthy population within the extended high-frequency (EHF) range (9-16 kHz). We found the EHFA to be a highly sensitive method for early detection of hearing loss, with hearing thresholds decreasing as soon as 35 years of age. In males, the hearing thresholds grew with age more rapidly than in women. The ability to respond at EHF gradually decreased with age and increasing frequency. CONCLUSION: Our results can help improve the knowledge of EHF hearing thresholds for individual sexes and age groups. So far, the standard 7029:2017 is not binding and, moreover, it only reaches up to the frequency of 12.5 kHz. EHFA is a highly sensitive method for the evaluation of hearing loss depending on age and sex.
- MeSH
- Acoustic Impedance Tests MeSH
- Audiometry, Pure-Tone MeSH
- Audiometry MeSH
- Child MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Deafness * MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced * diagnosis MeSH
- Hearing Loss * diagnosis MeSH
- Hearing MeSH
- Auditory Threshold MeSH
- Check Tag
- Child MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Publication type
- Meeting Abstract MeSH
Cíl: Cílem práce bylo pomocí dat z longitudinálního sledování kohorty dospělé populace studie ELSPAC zjistit období života, v němž se začínají v populaci osob středního věku objevovat první chronická onemocnění a zjistit prediktory jejich vzniku. Metody: Vybraná data kohorty získaná dotazníkovým šetřením v opakovaných intervalech během let 1990–2010 byla analyzována deskriptivně, podle rozložení dat příslušnými parametrickými nebo neparametrickými statistickými metodami a analýzou přežití. Rozdíly mezi křivkami přežívání byly testovány log-rank testem (hladina významnosti 5 %). Pro zpracování byl použit SW Stata v.15. Výsledky: Soubor (N = 1 208) obsahoval data 823 žen a 385 mužů. Průměrný věk žen při vstupu do studie byl 25,0 ± 4,86 let, věk mužů 28,8 ± 6,05 let. Podíl respondentů s dobrým zdravotním stavem se v průběhu času neustále snižoval z více než 80 % u obou pohlaví ve věku 30 let na přibližně 50 % ve věku kolem 40 let. Ze zdravotních problémů převládaly bolesti zad, hypertenze a bolesti kloubů. Prevalence nemocí se postupem času zvýšila. Problémy s hypertenzí začínají od 38 let u žen, resp. 39 let u mužů, mezi pohlavím nebyl zjištěn statisticky významný rozdíl (p = 0,265). Analýza přežití prokázala významný rozdíl podle pohlaví u deprese (p < 0,001) a lékařem potvrzených bolestí zad (p < 0,001), které postihují obě pohlaví od 35 let, statisticky významně více ženy. Závěry: Z analýzy kohorty ELSPAC byl zjištěn snižující se trend v podílu osob s dobrým zdravotním stavem, u osob ve věku kolem 40 let klesl tento podíl na 50 %.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the period of life in which the onset of chronic diseases appears in the middleaged population and to determine the predictors of the disease’s occurrence. The data on the adult population originated from the longitudinal follow-up of the ELSPAC study was used. Methods: The selected questionnaire data of the cohort gained at consecutive intervals during the years 1990–2010 were analysed descriptively, with the use of parametric or not parametric statistical methods according the distribution of data, and survival analysis. Differences between curves were tested by log-rank tests (at significance level of 5%). The SW Stata v.15 was used. Results: The sample (N = 1208) consisted of 823 women and 385 men. The mean age of women at study entry was 25.0 ± 4.86 years, the age of men 28.8 ± 6.05 years. The proportion of a good self-reported health has decreased continually over time from more than 80% in both sexes aged 30 to about 50% in the age of mid-forties. Most respondents suffered from back pain, hypertension, and joint pain. The prevalence of diagnosed diseases has raised over time. Problems with hypertension begin in women from the age of 38 (39 in men) and there was no statistically significant difference by gender (p = 0.265). Survival analysis found a significant difference by gender for depression (p < 0.001) and physician-confirmed back pain (p < 0.001), which affect respondents from 35 years, significantly more in women (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The analysis of the ELSPAC cohort revealed a decreasing trend in the proportion of people with a good health status, in people aged about 40 this proportion fell to 50%.
- MeSH
- Chronic Disease * epidemiology MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Longitudinal Studies MeSH
- Age Factors MeSH
- Health Status MeSH
- Life Style MeSH
- Check Tag
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Geographicals
- Czech Republic MeSH
Objectives: Evidence of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental and physical health behaviours is limited. This study presents results of two cross-sectional surveys on mental health changes and its consequences on healthy and unhealthy lifestyle behaviours. Methods: An online survey was distributed during Spring 2020 (N = 9,168) and Autumn 2020 (N = 1,042) in the Czech Republic. Differences in mental health observed in both surveys were evaluated using Mann-Whitney test and logistic regressions were used to examine demographic and socio-economic determinants of COVID-19-related mental health issues and resulting healthy and unhealthy lifestyle behaviours. Results: In multivariable models, the youngest individuals, females, people with increased work demands and participants with a reduced personal income due to the COVID-19 pandemic were all negatively associated with self-reported mental health issues (p < 0.05). A worsened quality of sleep, dietary habits, physical activity and unhealthy behaviours were highly associated with affected mental health in the models adjusted for potential covariates (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Taken together, these findings suggest that health promotion strategies directed to individuals who are at risk should be encouraged to adopt and/or maintain positive health-related behaviours.
- MeSH
- COVID-19 * epidemiology MeSH
- Mental Health MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Pandemics MeSH
- Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
- Life Style MeSH
- Self Report MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Czech Republic MeSH
Coal miners with coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP, J60 according to ICD-10) were previously found to have a significantly higher risk of lung carcinoma compared to the general male population. The presented study aimed to analyze the (i) incidence of lung carcinoma in miners, (ii) histopathological findings in cohorts with and without CWP, and (iii) effect of smoking cessation on the histopathological profile. Analyzed cohorts consisted of miners with (n = 3476) and without (n = 6687) CWP. Data on personal and working history obtained from the medical records were combined with information on lung cancer from the Czech Oncological Register and histopathological findings. Statistical analysis was performed using non-parametric tests and the incidence risk ratio at the significance level of 5%. In 1992-2015, 180 miners (2.7%) without CWP and 169 (4.9%) with CWP, respectively, were diagnosed with lung carcinoma. The risk of lung cancer in miners with CWP was 1.82 (95% CI: 1.48-2.25) times higher than in those without CWP. Squamous cell carcinoma (37%) was the most common histopathological type, followed by adenocarcinoma (22%) and small cell carcinoma (21%). A statistically significant difference between the cohorts (p = 0.003) was found in the histopathological subtypes, with the incidence of small cell carcinoma being 2 times higher in miners without CWP than in those with CWP. Only a few individuals with lung carcinoma were non-smokers. The incidence of small cell carcinoma, which is strongly associated with smoking, is significantly higher in miners without CWP. Smoking constitutes the most important risk factor for developing lung carcinoma even in that cohort. However, CWP remains a very important risk factor.
- MeSH
- Anthracosis * epidemiology MeSH
- Carcinoma * MeSH
- Smoking epidemiology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Lung Neoplasms * epidemiology MeSH
- Lung MeSH
- Pneumoconiosis * epidemiology MeSH
- Coal Mining * MeSH
- Coal MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Geographicals
- Czech Republic MeSH
The review provides a comprehensive summary of existing literature focusing on the most serious risk factors of non-communicable diseases and collects current knowledge on their distribution, determinants, clusters, psychological and socio-economic consequences. Especially, the life-course approach is stressed, early life consequences of the later onset of chronic diseases, the risk behavior and its social, socio-economic and psychosocial determination is reviewed. Potential of preventing these harmful consequences has a lifelong approach. The aim is to demonstrate the opportunity for future health system transformation in terms of public health prevention regarding the non-communicable diseases. It is concluded that personalized lifestyle medicine should address a patient's health by empowering them with the information they need to regain control of their health. Preventive methods should be tailored for each patient, considering such patient's specific genes, environment, lifestyle, early life factors and social patterns of risk factors to avoid burden of health in later age. Intervention and preventive measures should target not only to individual factors but should reflect wider social, psychosocial and socio-economic consequences. It is also crucial from the point of view of public health to consider data on exposome, which are not included in epidemiological studies as well as its impact on health in the context of non-communicable diseases. Med Pr. 2021;72(5):535-48.
- MeSH
- Chronic Disease MeSH
- Longevity MeSH
- Economic Factors MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Risk Factors MeSH
- Socioeconomic Factors MeSH
- Healthy Aging * MeSH
- Life Style MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Review MeSH
Dle WHO může být onemocnění COVID-19 způsobené expozicí na pracovišti považováno za nemoc z povolání. Mělo by být hlášeno a kompenzováno dle mezinárodních pracovních standardů a národních schémat pro odškodňování při pracovních úrazech nebo nemocech z povolání. Ve většině zemí je COVID-19 považován za nemoc z povolání, ale forma uznávání se dle jednotlivých zemí často liší. Některé země uznávají COVID-19 jako nemoc z povolání (např. Česká republika, Bulharsko) nebo jako pracovní úraz (Itálie, Slovinsko), pokud vznikne v souvislosti s expozicí na pracovišti. Jiné země uznávají obě tyto formy (závisí na určitých kritériích dané země) (např. Německo, Belgie, Rakousko, Španělsko), čtvrtou možností je podezření na souvislost s pracovní expozicí, ale přesná forma není specifikována (např. Irsko a Řecko). V některých zemích není vůbec možné COVID-19 uznat za nemoc spojenou s výkonem práce (Malta).
According to the WHO, COVID-19 disease caused by occupational exposure can be considered an occupational disease. It should be reported and compensated according to the international occupational standards and national rules for compensations of an accident at the work and occupational diseases. In most countries, COVID-19 is considered an occupational disease, but the form of acknowledgement is different in specific countries. Some countries recognize COVID-19 as an occupational disease (e.g. the Czech Republic, Bulgaria) or as an accident at work (Italy, Slovenia) if it occurs in the relationship with the exposure at the workplace. Other countries (e.g. Germany, Belgium, Austria, Spain) recognize both of these forms (depending on the country specific criteria) or the fourth option is a suspected relationship with occupational exposure but the exact form is not specified (e.g. Ireland and Greece). In some countries, COVID-19 cannot be recognized as a work-related disease at all (Malta).
- MeSH
- COVID-19 * MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Occupational Diseases * MeSH
- Disability Evaluation MeSH
- Occupational Injuries MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Geographicals
- Europe MeSH
The health impacts of suspended particulate matter (SPM) are significantly associated with size-the smaller the aerosol particles, the stronger the biological effect. Quantitative evaluation of fine and ultrafine particles (FP and UFP) is, therefore, an integral part of ongoing epidemiological studies. The mass concentrations of SPM fractions (especially PM2.5, PM1.0, PM0.25) were measured in an industrial area using cascade personal samplers and a gravimetric method, and their mass ratio was determined. The results of PM2.5, PM1.0 were also compared with the reference measurement at stationary stations. The mean ratios PM2.5/SPM, PM1.0/SPM, and PM1.0/PM2.5 were 0.76, 0.65, and 0.86, respectively. Surprisingly, a mass dominance of UFP with an aerodynamic diameter <0.25 μm (PM0.25) was found with mean ratios of 0.43, 0.57, 0.67 in SPM, PM2.5 and PM1.0. The method used showed satisfactory agreement in comparison with reference measurements. The respirable fraction may consist predominantly of UFP. Despite the measures currently being taken to improve air quality, the most biologically efficient UFP can escape and remain in the air. UFP are currently determined primarily as particle number as opposed to the mass concentration used for conventional fractions. This complicates their mutual comparison and determination of individual fraction ratios.
