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Background: Farmers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often face both respiratory issues and psychological distress, which can exacerbate their condition. However, no prior research has examined how the frequency of respiratory symptoms is associated to psychological distress in these individuals. Therefore, this study aimed to explore this relationship among U.S. farmers living with COPD. Methods: A cross-sectional study involved 101 participants, a mix of on-site and online recruits, assessing respiratory symptoms and psychological distress in farmers with COPD. The study employed standard self-reported measures and utilized both simple and multiple linear regression to analyze the association between respiratory symptoms and psychological distress. Findings: Participants reported notably higher levels of respiratory symptoms (61.6 [ SD = 13.3]) compared to the reference score of 12, along with elevated psychological distress (25.9 [ SD = 10.6]). Factors like COPD duration, income, smoking, and emergency department (ED) visits correlated with respiratory symptoms, while age, COPD duration, income, smoking, pesticide exposure, and farm type were associated to psychological distress. Notably, even after accounting for age, smoking, and pesticide exposure, a significant association remained between respiratory symptoms and psychological distress (β = 0.46, p <.001). Conclusion: Respiratory symptoms were significantly associated to psychological distress, even when considering other factors. While this aligns with existing research, a future longitudinal study is crucial to establish the cause-effect relationship between these variables. Understanding this relationship could inform the development of targeted interventions to alleviate psychological distress in individuals with respiratory symptoms. Implications for Occupational Health Nursing Practice: The correlation between COPD symptoms and psychological distress in farmers emphasizes the need for integrated nursing care. Occupational health nurses should prioritize combined respiratory and mental health assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Work is a key social determinant of health. Without the collection of work‐related information in public health data systems, the role of social determinants in creating and reinforcing health disparities cannot be fully assessed. Methods: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains or supports a number of public health surveillance and health monitoring systems, including surveys, case‐based disease and exposure systems, vital status records, and administrative data systems. We evaluated a convenience sample of these systems for inclusion of information in three work‐related domains: employment status, industry and occupation, and working conditions. Results: While 12 of 39 data systems were identified as collecting work‐related data, this information was often minimal (e.g., only employment status), restricted to a subset of respondents, or only gathered periodically. Information on working conditions was particularly sparse. Conclusion: Historically, the limited and inconsistent collection of work‐related information in public health data systems has hindered understanding of the role work plays in health disparities. Current CDC data modernization efforts present opportunities to enhance the identification and mitigation of health disparities by prioritizing inclusion of an expanded set of work‐related data elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential of using simple, portable tools to conduct surface condition measurements on race days at turfgrass Thoroughbred racetracks to approximate the biomechanical measurements made prior to the race meet. Test plot measurements were conducted with these tools as well as a more complex biomechanical device which replicates the speeds and loads of a Thoroughbred at a gallop. The turf plots were chosen to simulate a wide range of potential turf profiles that could be used in North American racetracks. The correlations were investigated and linear regression models were constructed to determine the level of approximation the simpler tools might achieve with the range of profiles considered. The volumetric moisture content was found to be the primary simple daily measurement which correlates to biomechanically based measurements. The penetration from the Longchamp Penetrometer and surface hardness from the Clegg Impact Hammer can further improve the approximation to equine biomechanics if desired. As this data are collected on a larger scale, it can then be paired with race times and injuries to investigate potential links between these measurements and horse performance and risk of injury. Both pre-race meet and daily turf surface condition measurements are required by regulations adopted as part of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA). The Orono Biomechanical Surface Tester (OBST) is the primary device used for characterizing a racing surface and is used for the pre-meet inspections. Tools that are better suited for the daily testing of turf surfaces are also needed to meet the new federal regulations. The purpose of this study was to compare five simple tools commonly used in turf applications to the OBST. Data were collected with each of the six devices at plots chosen to approximate the current and potential compositions of North American turf racetracks. Correlations and linear regression models were then established between the simple tool measurements and the parameters measured by the OBST. The moisture probe was found to be the primary device for race day characterization due to its strong correlation to OBST measurements. The Longchamp Penetrometer is also prioritized for daily measurements due to its established correlation to horse performance and injuries. The Clegg Impact Hammer provides further improvement of the linear regression model. The Turf Shear Tester and GoingStick® were not found to correlate well to the biomechanically based device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Potential reproductive effects of organic solvent exposure during pregnancy remain unclear. We investigated the association between maternal occupational exposure during pregnancy to six chlorinated solvents, three aromatic solvents, and Stoddard solvent, and delivery of preterm infants or those born small‐for‐gestational age (SGA). Methods: In this case–control study of SGA and preterm birth (PTB) nested within the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS) from 1997 to 2011, we analyzed data from 7504 singleton live births without major birth defects and their mothers. Self‐reported information on jobs held in the periconceptional period was assessed for solvent exposure. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate the association between maternal occupational exposure (any, none) during early pregnancy to organic solvents and PTB and SGA. Linear regression was used to examine changes in mean birthweight potentially associated with maternal occupational solvent exposure. Results: Maternal occupational exposure to any organic solvents overall was not associated with an increased odds of PTB (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.94; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.67–1.33) or SGA (aOR = 0.93; 95% CI 0.65–1.34). Point estimates increased modestly for higher estimated exposure versus lower, but confidence intervals were wide and not statistically significant. Maternal exposure to solvents was not associated with a statistically significant change in term birthweight among infants. Conclusions: Occupational exposure to organic solvents at the frequency and intensity levels found in a population‐based sample of pregnant workers was not associated with PTB or SGA; however, we cannot rule out any effects among pregnant workers with uncommonly high exposure to organic solvents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This project was conducted to characterize the noise exposure of adolescents living in rural and agricultural environments. Methods: From May to October, 25 adolescents ages 13 through 17, living either on a farm or a rural nonfarm, were enrolled in the study. Subjects received training on the correct operation and use of personal noise dosimeters and the proper way to record their daily tasks on activity cards. Subjects completed 4 days of self-monitoring noise dosimetry, 2 days in the first round (May-July) and 2 days in the second round (August-October). In addition to dosimetry, subjects completed activity logs of their daily tasks. Results: The mean daily noise exposures of adolescents living on farms and in nonfarm rural homes were between 55.4 dBA (A-weighted decibels) and 103.5 dBA, with 44% of the daily measurements greater than the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Recommended Exposure Level of 85 dBA. Task-based analysis of noise exposures found that activities involving mechanized equipment resulted in the highest exposures, while activities in the home resulted in the lowest exposure. No particular demographic group had a statistically higher noise exposure; therefore, specific factors apart from activities and noise sources could not be identified as risk factors for exposure to hazardous noise levels. Conclusions: The results of this project indicate that rural adolescents complete a variety of activities and are exposed to noise sources with a broad range of decibel levels. While the exposures may change from day to day, there are occasions when exposure to noise exceeds the recommended levels. (Contains 1 figure and 3 tables.)

During an investigation conducted December 17-20, 2001, we collected environmental samples from a U.S. postal facility in Washington, D.C., known to be extensively contaminated with Bacillus anthracis spores. Because methods [...]