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Background: Transportation road maintenance and repair workers, or "maintainers," are exposed to hazardous and variable noise levels and often rely on hearing protection devices (HPD) to reduce noise‐exposure levels. We aimed to improve upon HPD use as part of the HearWell program that used a Total Worker Health, participatory approach to hearing conservation. Methods: Full‐shift, personal noise sampling was performed during the routine task of brush cutting. Work activities and equipment were recorded and combined with 1‐min noise measures to summarize personal noise‐exposure levels by equipment. Using noise‐monitoring results, HPD noise reduction ratings, and input from worker‐based design teams, a noise‐hazard scheme was developed and applied to the task and equipment used during brush cutting. Results: Average (standard deviation) and maximum Leq 1‐minute, personal noise‐exposure levels recorded during brush cutting included chainsaws at 92.1 (7.6) and max of 111 dBA, leaf blowers at 91.2 (7.5) and max 107 dBA, and wood chipper at 90.3 (7.3) and max of 104 dBA. The worker‐designed noise‐hazard scheme breaks down noise exposures into one of three color bands and exposure ranges: red (over 105 dBA), orange (90‐105 dBA), or yellow (85‐90 dBA). The scheme simplifies the identification of noise levels, assessment of noise‐hazard, and choice of appropriate hearing protection for workers. Conclusion: Combining noise‐exposure assessment with intervention development using participatory methods, we characterized noise exposure and developed an intervention to educate and assist in protecting workers as they perform noisy tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, significant attention has been given to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposures given their mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. However, levels of exposure and the key determinants of exposure are not well defined for the trucking industry. We measured ultrafine particle characteristics at 10 trucking terminals of varying operating size and location in the Northeast region of the United States using particle concentration counter and a surface area analyzer. Multivariate mixed-effects linear regression models were used to assess determinants of the concentration of total bound PAHs (tPAH), the total aerosol active surface area (AS), and the ratio tPAH/AS overall and individually within docks, trucking cabs, and administrative offices. Associations between PAH measures with integrated measures of elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC), and particulate matter (PM)2.5 were assessed by Spearman rank correlation. In adjusted models, tPAH, AS, and tPAH/AS average concentrations (95% confidence interval) were significantly higher in truck cabs compared to office locations (1.26 (ng m-3) (1.18, 1.35); 0.99 (mm² mm-3) (0.91, 1.08); 0.26 (ng mm-2) (0.18, 0.33), respectively). In the loading dock, AS concentrations were significantly higher than in the office (0.67 (0.61, 0.71), while the tPAH/AS was not (-0.63 (-0.67, -0.58). In each location, average tPAH concentrations were moderately but significantly correlated with EC (r = 0.47-0.63) and with tPAH/AS (r = 0.34-0.40) in the truck cabs and loading docks. In conclusion, key predictors of tPAH, AS, and tPAH/AS within the trucking industry are work location (in particular truck cabs and terminal docks) and terminal characteristics (size). The association of tPAH and tPAH/AS with EC concentrations in dockworkers and pick-up and delivery drivers is consistent with occupational exposure attributable to vehicle exhaust. Therefore, measurement of tPAH, AS, and tPAH/AS to characterize ultrafine particles and bound PAH concentrations provide additional information regarding exposures in the trucking industry not captured by integrated measures by EC, OC, and PM2.5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background While previous epidemiological studies report adverse effects of long-term noise exposure on cardiovascular health, the mechanisms responsible for these effects are unclear. We sought to elucidate the cardiovascular and stress response to short-term, low (31.5–125 Hz) and high (500–2000 Hz) frequency noise exposures. Methods Healthy male (n=10) participants were monitored on multiple visits during no noise, low- or high-frequency noise exposure scenarios lasting 40 min. Participants were fitted with an ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood pressure measures and saliva samples were taken before, during and after noise exposures. ECGs were processed for measures of heart rate variability (HRV): high-frequency power (HF), low-frequency power (LF), the root of the mean squared difference between adjacent normal heart beats (N-N) intervals (RMSSD), and the standard deviation of N-N intervals (SDNN). Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DPB), and pulse were reported and saliva was analyzed for salivary cortisol and amylase. Multivariate mixed-effects linear regression models adjusted for age were used to identify statistically significant difference in outcomes by no noise, during noise or after noise exposure periods and whether this differed by noise frequency. Results A total of 658, 205, and 122, HRV, saliva, and blood pressure measurements were performed over 41 person days. Reductions in HRV (LF and RMSSD) were observed during noise exposure (a reduction of 19% (-35,-3.5) and 9.1% (-17,-1.1), respectively). After adjusting for noise frequency, during low frequency noise exposure, HF, LF, and SDNN were reduced (a reduction of 32% (-57,-6.2), 34% (-52,-15), and 16% (-26,-6.1), respectively) and during high frequency noise exposure, a 21% (-39,-2.3) reduction in LF, as compared to during no noise exposure, was found. No significant (p<0.05) changes in blood pressure, salivary cortisol, or amylase were observed. Conclusions These results suggest that exposure to noise, and in particular, to low-frequency noise, negatively impacts HRV. The frequencies of noise should be considered when evaluating the cardiovascular health impacts of exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Daptomycin use is a known cause of rhabdomyolysis; its role in liver injury is less certain. We report a case of daptomycin-induced rhabdomyolysis with liver injury. This report indicates a role for liver function monitoring while receiving daptomycin, as well as the importance of promptly considering drug toxicities in acute and emergency care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many environmental justice communities face elevated exposures to multiple stressors, given biases in urban and environmental policy and planning. This paper aims to evaluate sound level exposure in a densely populated environmental justice city in close proximity to major roadways, a nearby airport and high levels of industrial activity. In this study we collected various sound level metrics to evaluate the loudness and frequency composition of the acoustical environment in Chelsea, Massachusetts, USA. A total of 29 week-long sites were collected from October 2019 to June 2020, a time period that also included the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, which drastically altered activity patterns and corresponding sound level exposures. We found that Chelsea is exposed to high levels of sound, both day and night (65 dB (A), and 80 dB and 90 dB for low frequency, and infrasound sound levels). A spectral analysis shows that 63 Hz was the dominant frequency. Distance to major roads and flight activity (both arrivals and departures) were most strongly correlated with all metrics, most notably with metrics describing contributing from lower frequencies. Overall, we found similar patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic but at levels up to 10 dB lower. Our results demonstrate the importance of noise exposure assessments in environmental justice communities and the importance of using additional metrics to describe communities inundated with significant air, road, and industrial sound levels. It also provides a snapshot of how much quieter communities can be with careful and intentional urban and environmental policy and planning. • We conducted a noise exposure assessment before and during COVID-19 stay-at-home advisories in an environmental justice and sanctuary city. • Like many EJCs, this city is in close proximity to major rail, road, and air networks and industrial operations.Pre-pandemic, Chelsea was exposed to similar sound levels, both day and night, across all metrics. • A spectral analysis shows that 63 Hz was the dominant frequency.Distance to major roads and flight activity (both arrivals and departures) were most strongly correlated with all metrics, most notably with metrics describing contributing from lower frequencies. • Overall, we found similar patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic but at levels up to 10 decibels lower. • Comprehensive noise assessments in EJCs are particularly important as they house our most vulnerable residents. • We also show the importance of using additional metrics to describe communities inundated with significant air, road, and industrial sources. • We also provide a shot of how much quieter EJCs can be with careful and intentional urban and environmental policy and planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]