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Despite the increased proportion of workers with preventive measures implemented in their workplace following reincorporation to the job, there is a lack of information and of adoption of ergonomic preventive measures specific to this pathology. Implementation of ergonomic programs could reduce incidence of musculoskeletal disorders such as DQT, and would thus increase productivity, efficiency and worker satisfaction, while diminishing sick leave episodes, and the associated costs and relapses.

ObjectivesPatients with cancer are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 surveillance of workers in oncological centres is crucial to assess infection burden and prevent transmission. We estimate the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among healthcare workers (HCWs) of a comprehensive cancer centre in Catalonia, Spain, and analyse its association with sociodemographic characteristics, exposure factors and behaviours.DesignCross-sectional study (21 May 2020–26 June 2020).SettingA comprehensive cancer centre (Institut Català d’Oncologia) in Catalonia, Spain.ParticipantsAll HCWs (N=1969) were invited to complete an online self-administered epidemiological survey and provide a blood sample for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies detection.Primary outcome measurePrevalence (%) and 95% CIs of seropositivity together with adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% CI were estimated.ResultsA total of 1266 HCWs filled the survey (participation rate: 64.0%) and 1238 underwent serological testing (97.8%). The median age was 43.7 years (p25–p75: 34.8–51.0 years), 76.0% were female, 52.0% were nursing or medical staff and 79.0% worked on-site during the pandemic period. SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 8.9% (95% CI 7.44% to 10.63%), with no differences by age and sex. No significant differences in terms of seroprevalence were observed between onsite workers and teleworkers. Seropositivity was associated with living with a person with COVID-19 (aPR 3.86, 95% CI 2.49 to 5.98). Among on-site workers, seropositive participants were twofold more likely to be nursing or medical staff. Nursing and medical staff working in a COVID-19 area showed a higher seroprevalence than other staff (aPR 2.45, 95% CI 1.08 to 5.52).ConclusionsAt the end of the first wave of the pandemic in Spain, SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among Institut Català d’Oncologia HCW was lower than the reported in other Spanish hospitals. The main risk factors were sharing household with infected people and contact with COVID-19 patients and colleagues. Strengthening preventive measures and health education among HCW is fundamental.

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RESUMENObjetivo: Llevar a cabo una revisión de la literatura actualizada y un meta-análisis de estudios que analizan el riesgo de mesotelioma pleural maligno (MPM) en personas con exposición no laboral (en el hogar y vecindario) al amianto.Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica de los artículos disponibles en la base de datos PubMed del National Center for Biotechnology Information publicados entre 1967 y 2016. Se realizó un meta-análisis para calcular las estimaciones de riesgo de MPM agrupadas, estratificando según si la exposición al amianto se produjo en el hogar o el vecindario, y según el tipo de fibra de amianto predominante (crisotilo, anfíboles o mixtas).Resultados: Dieciocho estudios realizados en 12 países con un total de 665 casos cumplieron los criterios de inclusión del meta-análisis. Se identificaron 13 estimaciones del riesgo de MPM asociado a exposiciones en el vecindario, 10 en el hogar y una por exposición mixta, que se combinaron utilizando modelos de efectos aleatorios. El meta-riesgo relativo general (meta-RR) fue de 5,9 (IC del 95%: 4,4 a 8,7). Los meta-RR para las exposiciones en hogares y vecindarios fueron de 5,4 (IC del 95%: 2,6 a 11,2) y 6,9 (IC del 95%: 4,2 a 11,4), respectivamente. Se observó una tendencia similar del riesgo asociado a los distintos tipos de fibra para los estudios en hogares y en vecindarios. Para las fibras de crisotilo, mixtas y anfíboles, respectivamente, los meta-RR para los estudios de vecindarios fueron de 3,8 (IC del 95%: 0,4 a 38,4), 8,4 (IC del95%: 4,7 a 14,9) y 21,1 (IC del 95%: 5,3 a 84,5) y para los estudios de hogares fueron de 4,0 (IC 95% 0,8 a 18,8), 5.3 (IC 95% 1,9 a 15,0) y 21,1 (IC 95% 2,8 a 156,0). Conclusiones:Los riesgos de MPM para la exposición no laboral al amianto son consistentes con la respuesta a la potencia de cada tipo de fibra observada en entornos laborales. El hecho de relacionar nuestros hallazgos con el conocimiento sobre las relaciones exposición-respuesta en entornos laborales nos ha permitido una mejor evaluación de los riesgos de MPM en comunidades con exposiciones ambientales al amianto provenientes de fuentes industriales u otras fuentes. Sección coordinada por: Consol Serra (consol.serra@upf.edu) Mª del Mar Seguí (mm.segui@ua.es) Arch Prev Riesgos Labor 2019; 22 (3): 135-136

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Background: Hexavalent chromium compounds are sensitizers of the skin and lung. Chronic exposure to hexavalent chromium compounds is associated with respiratory effects and ulceration and perforation of the nasal septum. Such compounds are also considered carcinogens of the lung and nasal and paranasal sinus. Objectives: To demonstrate the importance of studying occupational and non-occupational exposure when assessing the concentration of substances in the urine. Case study: A study was conducted of environmental chromium concentrations in the workplace. In addition, an occupational medical examination was performed, recording activities inside and outside the workplace, eating habits, blood lead and urine chromium at the beginning and end of the workday. Results: One worker exposed to lead chromate presented high chromium concentrations in urine (up to 62 µg/l before the working day and 52 µg/l at the end of the working day). Environmental chromium concentrations in the workplace were below 0.25 µg/m3. In view of the results, a full study was conducted of the patient’s habits outside work. He reported having bought a kilo of a medicinal herb infusion at a street market three weeks previously. The concentration of total chromium in the prepared infusion was 12000 µg/l. The patient stopped consuming the medicinal herb. Subsequently, the urine chromium analysis was below 0.5 µg/l. Discussion and Conclusions: This case is interesting because it demonstrates that the consumption of medicinal herbs can interfere with biological monitoring of workers exposed to hexavalent chromium compounds. This may give rise to confusion and can also create legal problems for companies and workers. It is important to provide advice to workers and to investigate their habits outside work, especially when there is a discrepancy between environmental and biological values. In this case, the increase in urinary chromium is due to the consumption of medicinal herbs.