Review paper The influence of the workplace-related biological agents on the immune systems of emergency medical personnel

Abstract

Emergency medical services workers’ (EMSWs) acute exposures to many biological agents are frequent and well recognised in their workplaces, as well as occupational diseases resulting from some of these exposures. At the same time, there is only scant information on the adverse effects of chronic exposure to biological hazard factors on the immune systems of EMSWs. In the Polish legislation system, the Ordinance of the Minister of Health about harmful biological agents in the workplace and ways of protecting workers from exposure to those agents is an implement of Directive 2000/54/EC, which deals thoroughly with those issues in European Union Countries. Emergency medical services workers play an essential role as primary providers of pre-hospital emergency medical care, and they are part of the integral components of disaster response. Traumatic experiences can affect emergency medical staff immune systems negatively, by functioning as a chronic stressor. Conscious use of biological agents in workplaces such as microbial laboratories can be easily controlled and monitored. However, risk assessment is more difficult for workers when they are exposed unintentionally to biological agents. Exposure to bio-aerosols is considered especially harmful.This review summarises available information about biological risk factors for emergency medical services workers, and some information about the influence of these factors on their immune systems.

A Systematized Overview of Published Reviews on Biological Hazards, Occupational Health, and Safety

“…After eliminating the duplicates ( n = 567), 859 studies remained at this first selection step, and 79 of these were included in the final round ( Fig. 1 , [ 3 , 4 , [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] , [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] , [31] , [32] , [33] , [34] , [35] , [36] , [37] , [38] , [39] , [40] , [41] , [42] , [43] , [44] , [45] , [46] , [47] , [48] , [49] , [50] , [51] , [52] , [53] , [54] , [55] , [56] , [57] , [58] , [59] , [60] , [61] , [62] , [63] , [64] , [65] , [66] , [67] , [68] , [69] , [70] , [71] , [72] , [73] , [74] , [75] , [76] , [77] , [78] , …”

Relationship between Bacillus Calmette Guerin Vaccination Policy and Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) Incidence

“…51 HCW have more potential risks to health in their work associated with many pathogens which may induce occupational diseases and develop abnormalities of the immune system. 52 We suppose that long-term activation of inflammatory immune responses in the HCW leads to bias in the results of the study and wrong conclusion. In addition, some clinical trials have been conducted in BCG-implemented countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Greece, India, and Mexico.…”

Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response in Poland: Prevention, Surveillance, and Mitigation Planning

“…The task of the Biological Recognition Teams is to travel to areas where the suspected use of potential biological weapons has been reported, and safely retrieving samples from the contaminated area for further diagnosis. 14,15 Diagnostic and microbiological laboratories operating within the structures of the Polish Military have a qualified staff of specialists in the field of microbiology and analytics, who in their work use the diagnostic methods available on Polish and foreign markets, facilitating the rapid and effective identification of pathogens, while observing international standards on procedures and proper selection of test methods and reagents. 16 The basis for setting the policies for medical support of the AFRP is the document issued by the Ministry of Defence on 22 February 2013 entitled "Priority Research Policy in the Ministry of Defence for 2013-2022."…”