Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2021-04-21"
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- Variability of noise levels in a portuguese neonatal intensive care unitPublication . Carvalhais, Carlos; Rodrigues, Célia; Xavier, Ana; Silva, Manuela V.; Santos, JoanaThe neonatal intensive care units accommodates patients who are confined to their environment, being exposed to several environmental factors, such as noise. There exist a few official recommendations regarding noise levels within the hospital environment. The World Health Organization (WHO) proposes that the average background noise in hospitals should not exceed 35 dB LAeq for areas where patients are treated or observed and other organizations such the United States Environmental Protection Agency (45 dB(A) daytime / 35 dB(A) night) and the American Academy of Paediatrics, through the Committee on Environmental Health (45 dB(A)). The aim of this study was to investigate the intensity and pattern of noise levels such as variability and their sources within a Portuguese NICU. The study was carried out in a NICU located in the North of Portugal. The measurements were carried out continuously over 24 hours, next the workstation located at the centre of the NICU. Measurements were performed using a sound level meter class 1 (Brüel&Kjær, model 2250) which was verified with an acoustic calibrator class 1 (Brüel&Kjær, model 4231). The results showed that noise levels were excessive in the NICU, exceeding the international recommendations. The average levels were 55.3±5.4 dB(A) for LAeq with the levels ranging between 41.3 dB(A) (recorded at 5:09 a.m.) to 71.60 dB(A) (recorded at 12:58 p.m.). The highest LCpeak level was 104.4 dB (C) (recorded at 6:15 a.m.). For the other acoustic parameters, it was found 84.8 dB(A) for Lmax and 39.6 dB(A) for Lmin. The occurrence of high average noise levels in combination with the variability in noise levels and the frequency of peak noises may contribute to detrimental effects both for premature infants and health care professionals. Average noise levels exceeded those recommended by the WHO. The primary sources of noise were identified as staff conversations and alarms. Further research into strategies to reduce noise, and evaluation of interventions, is required to enhance by one side the therapeutic environment and for other the healthy and safe workplace.
- Workplace management of biological risk during COVID-19 (SARS-COV-2) pandemicPublication . Carvalhais, Carlos; Querido, Micaela; Pereira, Cristiana C.; Santos, JoanaThe COVID-19 global pandemic brought several challenges to occupational safety and health practice. There is, however, a potential knowledge gap regarding the practical feasibility and impact of the (re)assessment of the occupational risks, particularly, biological risks in this context. The purpose of this work is to present a qualitative biological risk assessment method and to provide guidance to occupational and environmental safety and health practitioners when conducting a biological risk assessment. The main steps of the biological risk assessment are explained with some inputs regarding the novelty posed by SARS-CoV-2 and a biological qualitative risk assessment method is presented and applied to two different activities – wastewater treatment plant and a symphonic orchestra. In both cases, the assessment considered that vulnerable workers were working from home or in medical leave. The results showed low or medium risk level for the assessed tasks. For medium risk level, additional controls are advised, such maintain social distancing, sanitize instruments/equipment before use, use proper and well-maintained PPE (when applicable), and promote awareness sessions to spread good practices at work. Employers must be aware of their obligations regarding biological risk assessment and OSH practitioners must be prepared to screen and link the abundance of scientific evidence generated following the outbreak, with the technical practice. This work could be an important contribution to OSH practice since it highlights the need to (re)assess occupational risks, especially biological risk, to ensure safe conditions at work, providing technical guidance.
- Physical-chemical and microbiological monitoring of sea water used in bivalve mollusc production in Ribeirão da Ilha, Florianópolis/SC, BrazilPublication . Correa, Julie Christe; Marques, Mariana Botelho; Marin, Maria Angélica Bonadiman; Bosse, Jaqueline; Santos, Joana; Gonçalves, Fernando José FernandesThe cultivation of bivalve molluscs such as oysters, seafood and scallops, is one of the main economic activities in Ribeirão da Ilha, Florianópolis/SC, Brazil. To promote safety, health and sustainability of this sector, the Federal Institute of Santa Catarina (IFSC) Florianópolis / SC, Brazil have a Mariculture Program that aims to promote technical-scientific and technological development, dissemination of knowledge and training, involving all society's stakeholders. The present study was integrate Mariculture Program of IFCS and aimed to analyze physical-chemical and microbiological parameters of seawater used in the bivalve mollusc cultivation in Ribeirão da Ilha, Florianópolis/SC, Brazil, in order to identify and prevent potencial contamination sources. Five sampling points were defined within the extension of the Ribeirão da Ilha neighborhood and a total of twenty water samples were analyzed, between May and November 2019. The parameters analyzed were: Temperature; Turbidity; Color; pH; Conductivity; Dissolved Oxygen (DO); Total Carbon; Total Phosphorus; Ammoniacal nitrogen; Nitrite; Nitrate; Total and Thermotolerant Coliforms. The results of OD, Total Carbon, Total Phosphorus and Ammoniacal Nitrogen were above the values defined in the aquaculture Brazilian legislation. There were also detected concentrations of thermotolerant coliforms above the limit values at specific sampling points. The mangrove forests and untreated domestic sewage discharges may have influenced the results obtained. This pilot study has shown the importance of developing environmental education programs for mariculture farmers and population of the region.
- Covering the incubator top with a padded blanket reduces noise levels inside the incubator? A pilot study during simulated tasksPublication . Carvalhais, Carlos; Rodrigues, Célia; Xavier, Ana; Silva, Manuela V.; Santos, JoanaNoise levels in Neonatal Intensive Care Units may cause physiological stress, which can impact cognitive development and increase length of stay. Several studies performed in NICU, have consistently noted that the recommended noise levels have been exceeded at day and night periods, inclusively inside incubators. The aim for controlling noise levels in the NICU is to preserve a large portion of each hour for infant sleep. Noise levels found in hospitals frequently disturb sleep states and disrupt stable behavioural states in healthy term and preterm infants. This study aims to verify if covering the incubator top with a padded blanket effectively reduces noise levels inside incubators. Noise levels inside incubator were measured during simulated tasks with and without a padded blanket. The study included short measurements (5 up to 10 min.) for the assessment of the sound pressure levels (C-weighted peak sound pressure level (LCpeak), A-weighted equivalent sound pressure level (LAeq), A-weighted, Maximum, Sound Level (Lmax) and A-weighted, Minimum, Sound Level (Lmin)). Measurements were performed using a sound level meter class 1 (Brüel&Kjær, model 2250) which was verified with an acoustic calibrator class 1 (Brüel&Kjær, model 4231). Noise levels inside the incubator covered with a blanket were lower than the incubator without the blanket. The average levels were 52.0±0.9 dB(A) for LAeq, 67.4 dB(A) Lmax and 48.5 dB(A) Lmin with blanket, and 57.8±4.9 dB(A) LAeq, 83.7 dB(A) Lmax, 44.1 dB(A) Lmin. LCpeak levels were also lower in the simulation with the blanket (98.7 and 102.8 dB (C), respectively). In the studied NICU the use of the padded blanket is mandatory mainly for lightning control. Although, it also seems a good practice to minimize noise levels inside incubators. However, noise levels remained higher than the recommended by international agencies. Noise in the neonatal intensive care unit can be detrimental to the health of the hospitalized infant. Isolated strategies of reducing noise include staff training, warning lights, and ear coverings, all of which have had limited success. A combined approach focused on newborn, staff and physical environment may be more effective.
- Occupational dermal exposure to alcohol-based desinfectant products against COVID-19: a protocol for a systematic reviewPublication . Domingos, Catarina; Costa, Carla; Oliveira, Ana; Carvalhais, Carlos; Santos, JoanaThe COVID-19 pandemic has increased the use of hand sanitisers and surface disinfectants in the workplaces as a preventive measure for disease transmission. These are biocidal products that may be associated with adverse health outcomes. Skin reactions, as irritant contact dermatitis or allergic contact dermatitis, are the most commonly reported health effects. The aim of this work is to present the protocol for a systematic review, intending to describe potential skin health effects associated with occupational dermal exposure to alcohol-based hand sanitisers and surface disinfectants and identify dermal exposure assessment methods applicable in manufacturing environment. To ensure that the review methods are transparent and reproducible, it is essential to describe the protocol before the review. For this systematic review, studies will be searched through Pubmed and Web of Science databases. The search strategy developed will comprise the following terms (not exhaustive list): “SARS-Cov2”; “Skin exposure”; “chemical-skin interactions” “skin exposure assessment”; “skin diseases”; “Alcohol-based hand sanitisers”; “surface disinfectants”; “alcoholic antiseptic agents”. Eligible studies will be descriptive or analytical studies that report occupational dermal exposure to alcohol-based formulations used in manufacturing to control SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Only articles written in English, published in the period from 2010 to the year 2021, will be included. Studies about domestic uses of these products, developed in non-industrial activities, which do not include evaluations of occupational dermal exposure, will be excluded. A narrative synthesis of the available evidence will be adopted. Data synthesis will focus on the reported skin effects and dermal exposure assessment methods used, identify possible inconsistencies found across studies, and examine the strength and robustness of retrieved data. This review will identify and synthesize studies that establish the association between occupational dermal exposure to alcohol-based formulations and skin effects and also that describe methods to dermal exposure risk assessment. Additionally, needs for future research in this field, will be identified.