Occupational Health News and Research

RSS

Prioritizing specific neighborhoods improves the public health response to COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has uneven impacts across cities and provinces, with some regions struggling more than others. A new study shows hotspots of COVID-19 infections across Canadian cities are linked to occupation, income, housing, and markers for structural racism.

15 Feb 2022

Survey shows increase in human exposure to potentially harmful pesticide

One out of three people in a large survey showed signs of exposure to a pesticide called 2,4-D, according to a study published today by researchers at the George Washington University.

10 Feb 2022

Research evaluates whether HCWs exposed to SARS-CoV-2 at home should work

Researchers assess the risk of healthcare-associated SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a tertiary care mother and child center in Canada.

30 Jan 2022

Airborne SARS-CoV-2 transmission beyond home isolation rooms may pose infection risk to others

A Rutgers study has detected tiny airborne particles containing RNA from the SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19, both inside and outside of the rooms in which infected people were self-isolating at home. This finding suggests that airborne transmission beyond the isolation rooms in homes may pose a risk of infection to other home occupants.

28 Jan 2022

Rising NO2 pollution levels in urban areas may lead to new child asthma cases

Reducing air pollution should be a crucial part of health strategies for children, as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) — a harmful pollutant emitted from burning fossil fuels — may lead to nearly 2 million new child asthma cases a year, research suggests.

27 Jan 2022

Exploring the viral dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant

In a new study, researchers posted findings in which they investigated the viral dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.

18 Jan 2022

Study reveals long-term mental impacts of repeated exposure to major disasters

Repeated exposure to major disasters does not make people mentally stronger, a recent study from the Texas A&M University School of Public Health found: individuals who have been repeatedly exposed to major disasters show a reduction in mental health scores.

16 Jan 2022

Dynamics of hospital-acquired SARS-CoV-2 infection in a geriatric setting

Researchers investigated the extent of nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infection among elderly patients and healthcare workers in a geriatric hospital.

12 Jan 2022

UIC experts awarded $7 million grant to improve the health of low-wage workers

Public health experts at the University of Illinois Chicago will continue efforts to improve the health of low-wage workers, thanks to a five-year, $7 million grant from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

10 Jan 2022

N95 respirators can be safely re-used up to 25 times after VHP decontamination

N95 respirators are commonly used in hospitals worldwide to protect healthcare personnel from infectious pathogens. During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare facilities have experienced shortages of the respirators, forcing personnel to re-use them or resort to less protective masking alternatives.

7 Jan 2022

Study estimates the burden of pediatric asthma cases caused by traffic- related air pollution

Nearly 2 million new cases of pediatric asthma every year may be caused by a traffic-related air pollutant, a problem particularly important in big cities around the world, according to a new study published today.

5 Jan 2022

Ergonomic interventions may reduce the likelihood of pain from smartphone use

The use of smartphones, tablets and laptops has become commonplace throughout the world and has been especially prevalent among college students.

18 Dec 2021

Study details the effectiveness of face masks to reduce the spread of respiratory infections

Findings from a new study published today provide guidance for increasing the effectiveness of face masks to reduce the spread of respiratory infectious pathogens including SARS-CoV-2. T

16 Dec 2021

Chemicals from certain personal care products may impact maternal hormone levels during pregnancy

Use of certain personal care products during pregnancy may impact maternal hormone levels, according to a new Rutgers study.

11 Dec 2021

Environmental exposure to low-levels of toxic metals may increase risk of clogged arteries

Environmental exposure to low-levels of the toxic metals arsenic, cadmium and titanium appears to increase the risk of plaque buildup in arteries in the neck, heart and legs, according to new research published today in the American Heart Association's journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology (ATVB).

9 Dec 2021

Impact of infection control measures and vaccines in protecting healthcare workers from COVID-19

New study findings highlight the importance of COVID-19 vaccination in reducing the risk of infection among healthcare workers.

7 Dec 2021

COVID symptom attestation tool for health care workers helps protect patients and co-workers

Any fever or chills? Cough? Shortness of breath? Answering these questions and others has become a familiar part of daily life during the pandemic.

6 Dec 2021

Daytime meals can help regulate bloodstream glucose levels in night shift workers

What are the effects of eating during the nighttime instead of the daytime? New research, focused on a simulation of night shift work, may hold implications for people eating at atypical times - like those experiencing jet lag, circadian rhythm sleep disorders, or who tend to sleep late during the weekends.

6 Dec 2021

Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during Delta variant predominance

A new study investigated the continued effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during the delta variant predominance in a diverse and urban healthcare setting.

19 Nov 2021

UK's health and social care providers required to ensure workers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19

Health and social care providers in England will be required to ensure workers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless they are exempt, under plans announced by the Health and Social Care Secretary.

9 Nov 2021