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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Margaret M. Quinn, ScD, CIH¹, Grace Sembajwe, MS¹, Anne Stoddard, ScD², David Kriebel, ScD³, Nancy Krieger, PhD⁴, Glorian Sorensen, PhD⁵, Cathy Hartman, MS⁵, Deepa Naishadham, PhD², and Elizabeth Barbeau, ScD⁶. (1) Department of Work Environment, School of Health and Environment, University of Massachusetts Lowell, One University Avenue, Lowell, MA 01854, 978-934-3196, Margaret_Quinn@uml.edu, (2) Statistical Analysis and Research, New England Research Institute, 9 Galen Street, Watertown, MA 02472, (3) Work Environment, University of Massachusetts Lowell, One University Ave, Kitson 200, Lowell, MA 01854, (4) Dept of Society, Human Development, and Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Kresge 717, Boston, MA 02115, (5) Medical Oncology/Population Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115, (6) Department of Society, Human Development, and Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, 7th Floor, Boston, MA 02115

Most occupational studies focus on a limited set of exposures and a particular disease, yet workers typically experience multiple exposures simultaneously. In addition, sociodemographic factors may influence the health impacts of these exposures. The objectives of this paper were to: assess the burden of occupational exposures among a socially diverse population working in a range of industries; and evaluate whether sociodemographic characteristics affected the patterns of these exposures. Study participants were recruited through labor unions at 14 worksites. A questionnaire (English and Spanish versions) collected sociodemographic characteristics (gender, race/ethnicity, low income, immigrant status), workplace exposures (dust, chemical, noise, musculoskeletal and job strain), social hazards, and a variety of health outcomes within the past year. 1282 workers (72%) completed the survey. Study participants averaged 45 years in age, and 10 years' employment. 36% were women, 39% African-American, 23% Hispanic, and 24% White. Almost 1/3 had wages below the regional living wage. 60% had a high school education or less and 48% were born outside the US. 47% of the population reported 3 or more high exposures; only 15% reported none. Exposure reporting varied among sociodemographic groups. Some of these disparities were explained by the jobs held by different groups, but after statistically controlling for job, many of the disparities in the reports of exposure remained. Sociodemographic characteristics should be considered when conducting exposure assessments, especially when using questionnaires. More research is needed to understand how these factors may influence exposures.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize that workers often experience multiple occupational exposures simultaneously.
• Recognize that the occurrence of occupational exposures within a population can differ by sociodemographic characteristics.

Keywords: Occupational Exposure, Occupational Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation