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Exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace can result in injuries and fatalities. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics and trend of occupational exposures reported to the Dutch Poisons Information Centre and to investigate whether the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the trend. A retrospective analysis of all acute occupational exposures reported to the Dutch Poisons Information Centre between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2022 was performed. Data on patient and exposure characteristics, symptoms and treatment recommendations were analyzed. Between 2016 and 2022, the Dutch Poisons Information Centre received 5,508 calls regarding acute occupational exposures. The annual number of calls on acute occupational exposures almost doubled over the years studied (from 475 in 2016 to 936 in 2022). During and after the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020-December 2022), the number of calls stabilized, but the upward trend was not significantly affected. There were an estimated 0.20 calls per 1,000 human exposure calls per month (95 per cent confidence interval: −0.14; 0.53). Victims were often exposed through multiple routes, with inhalation being the most common route (44 per cent), followed by ocular (32 per cent) and dermal contact (30 per cent). Acids (1,138 exposures) and alkalis (912 exposures) were often involved. The Dutch Poisons Information Centre had information on 6,334 patients, although the total number of exposed patients was not known as some victims did not seek medical assistance, or were treated by healthcare professionals who did not consult our Centre. At the time of contact, 13 per cent (n = 795) of the patients reported no symptoms, 76 per cent (n = 4,805) reported mild to moderate symptoms and 3 per cent (n = 183) reported potentially severe symptoms. Information on symptoms was missing for 9 per cent (n = 551) of the patients. Hospital observation and treatment were recommended for 5 per cent (n = 325) of the patients. This study highlights the necessity for poisoning prevention strategies to reduce the number of work-related incidents involving hazardous substances. The continuing increase in the number of workplace incidents involving hazardous substances is of concern. A comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach should be taken to gain a full understanding of occupational exposure to hazardous substances and to identify risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is highly toxic and affects the cardiovascular system, brain, and skin by AhR-dependent and other mechanisms, as well as causing metabolic impairments and cancer. The involvement of the respiratory system has not yet been studied. TCDD in the blood was measured and biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation were analysed in 2016 in the exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of the last eight male survivors (mean age 72.4 ± 1.3 years) from 80 workers intoxicated with TCDD during the production of herbicides from 1965 to 1968. The results were compared with their findings in 2010 to evaluate a trend. Malondialdehyde, 4-hydroxy-trans-nonenale, and 8-isoprostaglandin F2α (8-isoprostane), in addition to markers of the oxidation of nucleic acids and proteins 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine, 8-hydroxyguanosine, 5-(hydroxymethyl)uracil, o-tyrosine, and 3-nitrotyrosine, as well as markers of inflammation leukotrienes and anti-inflammatory lipoxins, were analysed in EBC by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation-tandem mass spectrometry. In addition, the patients underwent chest X-ray, spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) examinations. The control group included 7 men (66 ± 16 years) with comparable lifestyle factors. The median plasma TCDD level lowered from 155 (28-553) ng/kg fat in 2010 to 112 (46-390) ng/kg fat in 2016, i.e., 50 years after exposure. The mean TCDD body deposit was 5.0 ± 3.7 µg. Serum TCDD level in the pooled sample of the controls was 12 ng/kg fat. All markers of oxidative stress, LTB4 and LTC4, remained overexpressed in patients and anti-inflammatory lipoxins were under-expressed compared to controls (all p < 0.01). The mean FeNO and spirometry results were within the reference values. Borderline X-ray findings and combined lung function impairments were seen in the patients with the lower TCDD plasma levels. Differences in the expression of the biomolecular markers in EBC as compared to controls were not associated with lung impairments and the respiratory parameters measured. Therefore, these EBC markers can be used to evaluate systemic oxidative stress and inflammation in tissues and the endovascular, atherosclerotic, neurotoxic, and metabolic effects of TCDD.Graphical abstract: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manganese is a trace element and a cofactor of many enzymes, so it is essential for physiologic functioning, but it is also a neurotoxin at high doses. Manganism is most often caused by occupational exposure. It is manifested by a myriad of signs and symptoms ranging from the neurasthenia syndrome, such as headache and dizziness, to the Parkinson-like syndrome, depending on the blood manganese levels as well as the duration of exposure. We are reporting a case of manganism using both clinical and occupational hygiene investigation methods. The patient presented the neurasthenia syndrome accompanied by hypertonicity of arm muscles and was diagnosed to have mild chronic manganism. Finally, the patient was discharged from the hospital after the treatment had improved her condition. In China, there are many chronic manganese cases, partly due to a rapid industrial development with great use of Mn and the low self-protection awareness among the workers and the factories management that cannot catch up with the speed of the economical development. Therefore, factories are responsible for improving the conditions at the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Polyneuropathy caused by n-hexane in its occupational settings is diagnosed with bilaterally symmetrical sensory and motor abnormalities. However, no effective treatments are available., Methods: We use the detailed physical, neurological examinations, rehabilitation assessment scale, and electrophysiological examinations at hospital admission and six months' follow up to assess the effect of a rehabilitation program on peripheral nerve injury caused by n-hexane nine patients., Results: We found that all patients complained about sensory issues of numbness in the distal extremities and decreasing strength with a decreased locomotion speed and gait abnormalities on admission, which is following the result of electrophysiological examinations. After they underwent a hospitalized rehabilitation program for 6 months, all of them showed a significant improvement in muscle strength, balance, deep tendon reflex, walking speed, and Barthel index, which showed a significant improvement in their athletic ability, although some patients still had gait abnormalities. According to the electrophysiological test results, nine patients had increased motor conduction velocities and amplitudes and shortened distal latencies in the four limbs compared with the results upon admission or one month later. However, only some indexes of sensory nerve conduction showed significant differences. With the recovery of movement and sensory function, they could live entirely independently and even return to work., Conclusions: We suggest that early general physical evaluation with electrophysiological examinations and comprehensive rehabilitation, including different modalities, therapeutic exercise, nerve mobilization, gait training, occupational therapy, traditional Chinese medicine treatment, and patient education, are essential so that patients can perform activities of daily living independently and return to work early.