Neuropsychological symptoms in workers handling cargo from shipping containers and export logs

Simple item page
dc.citation.issue8
dc.citation.volume95
dc.contributor.authorHinz R
dc.contributor.author't Mannetje A
dc.contributor.authorGlass B
dc.contributor.authorMcLean D
dc.contributor.authorDouwes J
dc.coverage.spatialGermany
dc.date.accessioned2023-06-28T19:31:32Z
dc.date.available2022-04-11
dc.date.available2023-06-28T19:31:32Z
dc.date.issued2022-10
dc.description(c) The Author/s
dc.description.abstractPURPOSE: Acute poisonings of workers handling shipping containers by fumigants and other harmful chemicals off-gassed from cargo have been reported but (sub)-chronic neuropsychological effects have not been well studied. METHODS: This cross-sectional study assessed, using standardised questionnaires, current (past 3-months) neuropsychological symptoms in 274 container handlers, 38 retail workers, 35 fumigators, and 18 log workers, all potentially exposed to fumigants and off-gassed chemicals, and a reference group of 206 construction workers. Prevalence odds ratios (OR), adjusted for age, ethnicity, smoking, alcohol consumption, education, personality traits and BMI, were calculated to assess associations with the total number of symptoms (≥ 3, ≥ 5 or ≥ 10) and specific symptom domains (neurological, psychosomatic, mood, memory/concentration, fatigue, and sleep). RESULTS: Compared to the reference group, exposed workers were more likely to report ≥ 10 symptoms, statistically significant only for retail workers (OR 6.8, 95% CI 1.9-24.3) who also reported more fatigue (OR 10.7, 95% CI 2.7-42.7). Container handlers with the highest exposure-duration were more likely to report ≥ 10 symptoms, both when compared with reference workers (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.4-11.7) and with container handlers with shorter exposure duration (OR 7.5, 95% CI 1.7-32.8). The duration of container handling was particularly associated with symptoms in the memory/concentration domain, again both when compared to reference workers (OR 8.8, 95% CI 2.5-31.4) and workers with the lowest exposure-duration (OR 6.8, 95% CI 1.5-30.3). CONCLUSION: Container handlers may have an increased risk of neuropsychological symptoms, especially in the memory/concentration domain. Retail workers may also be at risk, but this requires confirmation in a larger study.
dc.description.publication-statusPublished
dc.format.extent1661 - 1677
dc.identifierhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35524148
dc.identifier10.1007/s00420-022-01870-8
dc.identifier.citationInt Arch Occup Environ Health, 2022, 95 (8), pp. 1661 - 1677
dc.identifier.doi10.1007/s00420-022-01870-8
dc.identifier.eissn1432-1246
dc.identifier.elements-id453115
dc.identifier.harvestedMassey_Dark
dc.languageeng
dc.publisherSpringer-Verlag GmbH
dc.relation.isPartOfInt Arch Occup Environ Health
dc.rightsCC BY 4.0
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subjectFumigation/fumigant
dc.subjectNeuropsychological symptoms
dc.subjectOccupational groups
dc.subjectShipping containers
dc.subjectVolatile organic compounds
dc.subjectWorkplace exposure
dc.subjectCross-Sectional Studies
dc.subjectFatigue
dc.subjectFumigation
dc.subjectHumans
dc.subjectOccupational Exposure
dc.subjectPesticides
dc.subjectShips
dc.subject.anzsrc1117 Public Health and Health Services
dc.titleNeuropsychological symptoms in workers handling cargo from shipping containers and export logs
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.notesNot known
pubs.organisational-group/Massey University
pubs.organisational-group/Massey University/College of Health
pubs.organisational-group/Massey University/College of Health/Research Centre for Hauora and Health
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
453115 PDF.pdf
Size:
451.07 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
Collections
Journal Articles