Association of occupational exposures with cardiovascular disease among US Hispanics/Latinos

Abstract

ObjectiveCardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the USA. The role of occupational exposures to chemicals in the development of CVD has rarely been studied even though many agents possess cardiotoxic properties. We therefore evaluated associations of self-reported exposures to organic solvents, metals and pesticides in relation to CVD prevalence among diverse Hispanic/Latino workers.MethodsCross-sectional data from 7404 employed individuals, aged 18–74 years, enrolled in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) were analysed. Participants from four US cities provided questionnaire data and underwent clinical examinations, including ECGs. CVD was defined as the presence of at least one of the following: coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, heart failure or cerebrovascular disease. Prevalence ratios reflecting the relationship between each occupational exposure and CVD as well as CVD subtypes were calculated using Poisson regression models.ResultsHispanic/Latino workers reported exposures to organic solvents (6.5%), metals (8.5%) and pesticides (4.7%) at their current jobs. Overall, 6.1% of participants had some form of CVD, with coronary heart disease as the most common (4.3%) followed by cerebrovascular disease (1.0%), heart failure (0.8%) and atrial fibrillation (0.7%). For individuals who reported working with pesticides, the prevalence ratios for any CVD were 2.18 (95% CI 1.34 to 3.55), coronary heart disease 2.20 (95% CI 1.31 to 3.71), cerebrovascular disease 1.38 (95% CI 0.62 3.03), heart failure 0.91 (95% CI 0.23 to 3.54) and atrial fibrillation 5.92 (95% CI 1.89 to 18.61) after adjustment for sociodemographic, acculturation, lifestyle and occupational characteristics. Metal exposures were associated with an almost fourfold (3.78, 95% CI 1.24 to 11.46) greater prevalence of atrial fibrillation. Null associations were observed for organic solvent exposures.ConclusionsOur results suggest that working with metals and pesticides could be risk factors for CVD among Hispanic/Latino workers. Further work is needed to evaluate these relationships prospectively.

Exposure to metals and morbidity at eight years follow-up in women of childbearing age

“…Other studies are less specific about the particular metals, and point at the possible link based on the exposures in the working environment. For instance, Bulka et al show such association between working with metals and cardiovascular diseases 35 .…”

Metal additive manufacturing and possible clinical markers for the monitoring of exposure-related health effects

“…For example, lung complications have been found in hard metalworkers due to cobalt, hexavalent chromium, and nickel exposure [9][10][11], which may be relevant since cobalt, nickel, and chromium (but not hexavalent) are common components in AM powders. Also, lung function and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among welders have been extensively studied [12][13][14][15]. Moreover, the risk of negative effects on renal function as result of chromium exposure [16] and hepatotoxic effects as result of chromium exposures have been suggested [17].…”

Short-Term Effects of Air Pollution on Cardiovascular Hospitalizations in the Pisan Longitudinal Study

“…Indeed, studies on air pollution and smoking consistently demonstrated cardiovascular injury at levels and durations of exposure much smaller than those associated with lung cancer or even respiratory disease [46]. Furthermore, working exposure was linked to markers of adverse cardiovascular health, such as increased blood pressure, arterial stiffness and decreased heart rate variability [47]. Thus, the co-exposure to fumes/gases in the work environment may enhance the negative effect of air pollution on the risk of CVD acute events.…”