Dino Pisaniello

Determinants of heat-related injuries in Australian workplaces: Perceptions of health and safety professionals

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 05-2020

DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2020.137138

The Thermal Environment of Housing and Its Implications for the Health of Older People in South Australia: A Mixed-Methods Study

Publisher: MDPI AG

Date: 08-01-2022

DOI: 10.3390/ATMOS13010096

Abstract: Older people are often over-represented in morbidity and mortality statistics associated with hot and cold weather, despite remaining mostly indoors. The study “Improving thermal environment of housing for older Australians” focused on assessing the relationships between the indoor environment, building characteristics, thermal comfort and perceived health/wellbeing of older South Australians over a study period that included the warmest summer on record. Our findings showed that indoor temperatures in some of the houses reached above 35 °C. With concerns about energy costs, occupants often use adaptive behaviours to achieve thermal comfort instead of using cooling (or heating), although feeling less satisfied with the thermal environment and perceiving health/wellbeing to worsen at above 28 °C (and below 15 °C). Symptoms experienced during hot weather included tiredness, shortness of breath, sleeplessness and dizziness, with coughs and colds, painful joints, shortness of breath and influenza experienced during cold weather. To express the influence of temperature and humidity on perceived health/wellbeing, a Temperature Humidity Health Index (THHI) was developed for this cohort. A health/wellbeing perception of “very good” is achieved between an 18.4 °C and 24.3 °C indoor operative temperature and a 55% relative humidity. The evidence from this research is used to inform guidelines about maintaining home environments to be conducive to the health/wellbeing of older people.

What do we know about the healthcare costs of extreme heat exposure? A comprehensive literature review

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 03-2019

DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2018.11.479

Abstract: Exposure to extreme heat can lead to a range of heat-related illnesses, exacerbate pre-existing health conditions and cause increased demand on the healthcare system. A projected increase in temperature may lead to greater healthcare expenditure, however, at present the costs of heat-related healthcare utilization is under-researched. This study aims to review the literature on heat-related costs for the healthcare system with a focus on ED visits, hospitalization, and ambulance call-outs. PubMed, Scopus, and Embase were used to search relevant literature from database inception to December 2017 and limited to human studies and English language. After screening, a total of ten papers were identified for final inclusion. In general, the healthcare costs of heat extremes have been poorly investigated in developed countries and not reported in developing countries where the largest heat-vulnerable populations reside. Studies showed that exposure to extreme heat was causing a substantial economic burden on healthcare systems. Females, the elderly, low-income families, and ethnic minorities had the highest healthcare costs on a range of health services utilization. Although a few studies have estimated heat healthcare costs, none of them quantified the temperature-healthcare cost relationship. There is a need to systematically examine heat-attributable costs for the healthcare system in the context of climate change to better inform heat-related policy making, target interventions and resource allocation.

Current and projected heatwave-attributable occupational injuries, illnesses, and associated economic burden in Australia

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 11-2023

DOI: 10.1016/J.ENVRES.2023.116852

The effect of strategies to prevent and manage musicians’ musculoskeletal symptoms: A systematic review

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 29-12-2020

DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2020.1860879

Abstract: The objective of this systematic review was to determine the safety and effectiveness of any public health intervention designed to prevent and/or manage musculoskeletal symptoms (MSSs) in any type of musician. A total of 14 studies were included. Studies investigated exercise and/or education programs, and changes to equipment, with a range of musicians. There was some evidence to suggest that smaller piano keyboards, and exercise programs may be effective. Studies suggesting a benefit of exercise programs typically had lower level designs and higher risk of methodological bias, compared with those that reported no benefit. Future research should use more robust methods to reduce bias and come to definitive conclusions regarding the safety and effectiveness of interventions prior to implementation, to reduce the burden of MSSs for musicians.

Are workers at risk of occupational injuries due to heat exposure? A comprehensive literature review

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 12-2018

DOI: 10.1016/J.SSCI.2018.04.027

Geographical variation in risk of work-related injuries and illnesses associated with ambient temperatures: A multi-city case-crossover study in Australia, 2005-2016

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 10-2019

DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2019.06.098

Abstract: The thermal working environment can have direct and in-direct effects on health and safety. Ambient temperatures have been associated with an increased risk of occupational injuries but it is unknown how the relationship can vary by weather, location and climate. To examine the relationship between ambient temperatures and work-related injury and illness compensation claims in three Australian cities: Melbourne and Perth (temperate climate) and Brisbane (subtropical climate) in order to determine how hot and cold weather influences the risk of occupational injury in Australia. Workers' compensation claims from each city for the period 2005 to 2016 were merged with local daily weather data. A time-stratified case-crossover design combined with a distributed lag non-linear model was used to quantify the impacts of daily maximum temperature (T Compared to the median maximum temperature (T The relationship between injury and ambient temperature appears to be variable depending on location and climate. In general, work-related injuries and illnesses appear to be more common at higher temperatures than lower temperatures. Adopting adaptation and prevention measures could reduce the social and economic burden of injury, and formulating effective measures for dealing with high temperatures should be prioritised given the predicted increase in the frequency and intensity of hot weather.

Engineered Stone Fabrication Work Releases Volatile Organic Compounds Classified as Lung Irritants

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Date: 14-10-2022

DOI: 10.1093/ANNWEH/WXAC068

Abstract: Engineered stones are often characterized for their crystalline silica content. Their organic composition, particularly that of the emissions generated during fabrication work using hand-held power tools, is relatively unexplored. We forensically screened the emissions from dry-cutting 12 engineered stone products in a test chamber for their organic composition by pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) plus selected traditional capture and analysis techniques. Phthalic anhydride, which has a Respiratory Sensitization (RSEN) Notation by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), was the most common and abundant compound, at 26–85% of the total organic composition of engineered stone emissions. Benzaldehyde and styrene were also present in all twelve s les. During active cutting, the predominant volatile organic compound (VOC) emitted was styrene, with phthalic anhydride, benzene, ethylbenzene, and toluene also detected. These results have important health implications as styrene and phthalic anhydride are irritants to the respiratory tract. This study suggests a risk of concurrent exposure to high levels of respirable crystalline silica and organic lung irritants during engineered stone fabrication work.

Prevention of the Occupational Silicosis Epidemic in Australia: What Do Those Who Assess Workplace Health Risk Think Should Be Done Now?

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Date: 16-09-2023

DOI: 10.1093/ANNWEH/WXAC064

Abstract: An Australian National Dust Disease Taskforce was established to address the re-emergence of occupational lung disease, in particular silicosis. Exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) occurs in various industries in Australia. We asked occupational hygienists about their practical experiences and perspectives on RCS exposure and regulatory action. A total of 105 members of the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists completed an anonymous questionnaire, which addressed in idual characteristics, experience, perceived level of employer awareness, effectiveness of current regulation, and recommendations for improvement, across three main industrial sectors. Based on professional experience, 71% were concerned about the potential for RCS over-exposure. Barriers to adequate exposure control included lack of management commitment and financial resources. The employment of specialist occupational hygiene inspectors was considered to be the most effective regulatory strategy. Given the large number of exposed workers in the construction industry, with only a moderate awareness, there is the potential for significant cost shifting of the burden of occupational lung disease from employers on to in iduals and the public health system. A nationally consistent approach to RCS exposure control across all industrial sectors is now recommended, with an increased focus on measuring and controlling exposure.

Musculoskeletal symptoms in university music students: does major matter?

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 12-11-2022

DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2021.1999887

Abstract: We aimed to evaluate and compare the prevalence and profile of musculoskeletal symptom (MSS) outcomes across cohorts of university music students with different 'majors': (i) performance and nonperformance students, and (ii) classical and non-classical performance students. Data were collected using a cross-sectional questionnaire survey, and regression analyses were used to compare the groups. Of the 166 participating students, 92.5% reported experiencing MSSs in the last 12 months, and 72.6% in the last 7 days. Few significant differences were identified between groups. Musculoskeletal symptoms are a problem for all types of university music students, and all should have access to support to prevent and manage their MSSs, regardless of their majors.

Hospitalization Costs of Respiratory Diseases Attributable to Temperature in Australia and Projections for Future Costs in the 2030s and 2050s under Climate Change

Publisher: MDPI AG

Date: 06-08-2022

DOI: 10.3390/IJERPH19159706

Abstract: This study aimed to estimate respiratory disease hospitalization costs attributable to ambient temperatures and to estimate the future hospitalization costs in Australia. The associations between daily hospitalization costs for respiratory diseases and temperatures in Sydney and Perth over the study period of 2010–2016 were analyzed using distributed non-linear lag models. Future hospitalization costs were estimated based on three predicted climate change scenarios-RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. The estimated respiratory disease hospitalization costs attributable to ambient temperatures increased from 493.2 million Australian dollars (AUD) in the 2010s to more than AUD 700 million in 2050s in Sydney and from AUD 98.0 million to about AUD 150 million in Perth. The current cold attributable fraction in Sydney (23.7%) and Perth (11.2%) is estimated to decline by the middle of this century to (18.1–20.1%) and (5.1–6.6%), respectively, while the heat-attributable fraction for respiratory disease is expected to gradually increase from 2.6% up to 5.5% in Perth. Limitations of this study should be noted, such as lacking information on in idual-level exposures, local air pollution levels, and other behavioral risks, which is common in such ecological studies. Nonetheless, this study found both cold and hot temperatures increased the overall hospitalization costs for respiratory diseases, although the attributable fractions varied. The largest contributor was cold temperatures. While respiratory disease hospitalization costs will increase in the future, climate change may result in a decrease in the cold attributable fraction and an increase in the heat attributable fraction, depending on the location.

What can musicians’ claims data reveal about their musculoskeletal conditions?

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 07-05-2020

DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2019.1605968

Abstract: Musculoskeletal (MSK) symptoms are common amongst professional musicians. No study has reported on workers' compensation claims (WCCs) of musicians to determine the proportion of claims and costs attributed to MSK conditions. We analyzed Australian WCCs for professional musicians 2004/2005-2015/2016. MSK conditions accounted for 69.78% of claims 50.46% of which were for upper limb conditions. MSK conditions also accounted for 77.76% of costs for musicians' WCC. The most common reported mechanism for MSK claims was body stressing (72.48%), and the most common agency was "other non-powered equipment" (including musical instruments 39.71%), which also accounted for 51.27% of upper limb claims specifically. For the first time, we showed that MSK conditions account for the majority of musicians' WCC, and the majority of the cost of claims, making them the biggest health issue for professional musicians.

Metal Ion Release from Engineered Stone Dust in Artificial Lysosomal Fluid—Variation with Time and Stone Type

Publisher: MDPI AG

Date: 12-10-2021

DOI: 10.3390/IJERPH18126391

Abstract: Inhalational exposure to dust from engineered stone (ES), also known as artificial or composite stone, is associated with a specific disease profile, namely accelerated silicosis, and scleroderma. The pathogenic mechanisms are poorly understood, particularly the role of resin and metal ions. Metal ions are present in pigments and constituent minerals and may be considered potential contributors to toxicity. The aim of this preliminary study was to understand the solubility of ES-containing metals in artificial lysosomal fluid (ALF) simulating the acidic intracellular environment of the lung macrophage lysosome. Differences with respect to ES types and temporal release were explored. Ten ES products of variable colour and company origin were comminuted and assessed for four different metals, solubilized into ALF solutions at 1,2,4 and 8 weeks at 37 °C. There was significant variability in metal release, particularly with regard to iron and manganese, which could be correlated with the reflected brightness of the stone. A majority of the available Mn, Fe, Al and Ti was solubilized. Time trends for metal release varied with ES type but also with metal ion. The data suggest a high metal ion bioavailability once engulfed by lung macrophages. There is a need to investigate a wider range of ES dust and relate metal content to markers of ES toxicity.

University Of Adelaide

Location: Australia

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Discovery Projects - Grant ID: DP0880933

Start Date: 2008

End Date: 12-2012

Amount: $189,485.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Discovery Projects - Grant ID: DP160103059

Start Date: 2016

End Date: 07-2019

Amount: $295,156.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP0989805

Start Date: 09-2009

End Date: 12-2010

Amount: $132,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Discovery Projects - Grant ID: DP120101983

Start Date: 2012

End Date: 03-2015

Amount: $122,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP100100704

Start Date: 11-2010

End Date: 12-2012

Amount: $160,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP0668223

Start Date: 06-2006

End Date: 01-2010

Amount: $73,950.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP100200462

Start Date: 03-2012

End Date: 03-2012

Amount: $85,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP110200820

Start Date: 01-2012

End Date: 03-2015

Amount: $139,399.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Discovery Projects - Grant ID: DP220103213

Start Date: 05-2022

End Date: 05-2025

Amount: $375,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Discovery Projects - Grant ID: DP180102019

Start Date: 02-2018

End Date: 12-2022

Amount: $413,298.00

Funder: Australian Research Council