Abstract

Objectives
Occupational exposure to disinfectants is associated with work-related asthma, especially in healthcare workers. However, little is known about the specific products involved. To evaluate disinfectant exposures, we designed job-exposure (JEM) and job-task-exposure (JTEM) matrices, which are thought to be less prone to differential misclassification bias than self-reported exposure. We then compared the three assessment methods: self-reported exposure, JEM and JTEM.

Methods
Disinfectant use was assessed by an occupational questionnaire in 9073 US female registered nurses without asthma, aged 49–68 years, drawn from the Nurses' Health Study II. A JEM was created based on self-reported frequency of use (1–3, 4–7 days/week) of 7 disinfectants and sprays in 8 nursing jobs. We then created a JTEM combining jobs and disinfection tasks to further reduce misclassification. Exposure was evaluated in 3 classes (low, medium, high) using product-specific cut-offs (eg, <30%, 30–49.9%, =50%, respectively, for alcohol); the cut-offs were defined from the distribution of self-reported exposure per job/task.

Results
The most frequently reported disinfectants were alcohol (weekly use: 39%), bleach (22%) and sprays (20%). More nurses were classified as highly exposed by JTEM (alcohol 41%, sprays 41%, bleach 34%) than by JEM (21%, 30%, 26%, respectively). Agreement between JEM and JTEM was fair-to-moderate (? 0.3–0.5) for most disinfectants. JEM and JTEM exposure estimates were heterogeneous in most nursing jobs, except in emergency room and education/administration.

Conclusions
The JTEM may provide more accurate estimates than the JEM, especially for nursing jobs with heterogeneous tasks. Use of the JTEM is likely to reduce exposure misclassification.

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Comments

This paper tries to estimate exposures to cleaning agents and biocides in nurses and finds that a job-exposure matrix is not very effective at this, but adding a section on tasks is better (a JTEM, job-task exposure matrix). Perhaps there is no real substitute for an occupational history? Exposure to cleaning sprays were identified by 20% of nurses, surely something that should be avoided if inhalation of potential causes of asthma is to be avoided.

2/10/2017

I am working with a client who would like to discuss how to best get research out related to Occupational Medicine. Could perhaps one of you be able to help or offer insights? The best way to reach me would be connor.cucalon@alphasights.com Thanks

5/1/2017