TY - JOUR
T1 - Self-reported and objectively measured occupational exposures, health, and safety concerns among fishermen
T2 - A cross-sectional Fishing Industry Safety and Health (FISH) pilot study
AU - Santiago, Katerina M.
AU - Louzado-Feliciano, Paola
AU - Baum, Jeramy
AU - Bakali, Umer
AU - Caban-Martinez, Alberto J.
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors would like to thank Dr. Cassandra Gaston, Dr. Helena Solo‐Gabriele, Dr. Kimberly Popendorf at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science for their mentorship on the project. The authors also thank the Biloxi, MS fishing community as well as the Fort Myers fishing community for participating in this study. This study was partially funded by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's Gulf Research Program (PI: Caban‐Martinez), the University of Miami U‐LINK Program (U‐LINK 18‐695, PI: Caban‐Martinez), and the Long‐Term Health Impacts of Harmful Algal Blooms Program of the State of Florida (AWD‐005730, Co‐PIs: Caban‐Martinez/Popendorf).
Funding Information:
The authors would like to thank Dr. Cassandra Gaston, Dr. Helena Solo-Gabriele, Dr. Kimberly Popendorf at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science for their mentorship on the project. The authors also thank the Biloxi, MS fishing community as well as the Fort Myers fishing community for participating in this study. This study was partially funded by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's Gulf Research Program (PI: Caban-Martinez), the University of Miami U-LINK Program (U-LINK 18-695, PI: Caban-Martinez), and the Long-Term Health Impacts of Harmful Algal Blooms Program of the State of Florida (AWD-005730, Co-PIs: Caban-Martinez/Popendorf).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC
Copyright:
Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2020
Y1 - 2020
N2 - Background: Fishing industry workers are exposed to hazardous working conditions, engage in strenuous labor, and work long hours in variable weather conditions. Despite these known employment challenges, little is known of their perceived occupational health and safety concerns. In this pilot study, we: (1) describe fishermen's perceptions on worker- and organizational-level characteristics that impact occupational health and safety; and (2) estimate environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) encountered during fishing activities. Methods: We collected both qualitative and quantitative data from Mississippi and Florida fishermen. Using an ethnographic approach, the study team conducted 1-h key informant interviews, administered a one-page demographic survey, and collected objective measurements to PAHs using silicone-based passive sampling wristbands. Results: Study participants (n = 17) had a mean age of 50.9 years (SD = 11.7), 88.2% were male, 94.1% white, 100.0% non-Hispanic/Latino, and 52.9% were married. Approximately, 87.5% reported fishing as their primary job, with a mean of 26.4 years in the industry (SD = 15.3). Four broad themes describing the culture of the fishing industry, common workplace exposures that impact fishermen's safety and health, and facilitators and barriers to safety while working in the fishing industry were documented. Deckhands had the lowest mean exposure to PAHs (8.3 ppb), followed by crew members (11.0 ppb), captains (82.64 ppb), and net makers (208.1 ppb). Conclusions: Gulf coast fishermen expressed specific occupational health and safety concerns and were exposed to carcinogenic PAHs during regular work. Opportunities exist and strategies are needed for health protection and health promotion interventions among Gulf fishermen.
AB - Background: Fishing industry workers are exposed to hazardous working conditions, engage in strenuous labor, and work long hours in variable weather conditions. Despite these known employment challenges, little is known of their perceived occupational health and safety concerns. In this pilot study, we: (1) describe fishermen's perceptions on worker- and organizational-level characteristics that impact occupational health and safety; and (2) estimate environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) encountered during fishing activities. Methods: We collected both qualitative and quantitative data from Mississippi and Florida fishermen. Using an ethnographic approach, the study team conducted 1-h key informant interviews, administered a one-page demographic survey, and collected objective measurements to PAHs using silicone-based passive sampling wristbands. Results: Study participants (n = 17) had a mean age of 50.9 years (SD = 11.7), 88.2% were male, 94.1% white, 100.0% non-Hispanic/Latino, and 52.9% were married. Approximately, 87.5% reported fishing as their primary job, with a mean of 26.4 years in the industry (SD = 15.3). Four broad themes describing the culture of the fishing industry, common workplace exposures that impact fishermen's safety and health, and facilitators and barriers to safety while working in the fishing industry were documented. Deckhands had the lowest mean exposure to PAHs (8.3 ppb), followed by crew members (11.0 ppb), captains (82.64 ppb), and net makers (208.1 ppb). Conclusions: Gulf coast fishermen expressed specific occupational health and safety concerns and were exposed to carcinogenic PAHs during regular work. Opportunities exist and strategies are needed for health protection and health promotion interventions among Gulf fishermen.
KW - chemical exposures
KW - fishing industry
KW - injury prevention
KW - occupational health and safety
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U2 - 10.1002/ajim.23198
DO - 10.1002/ajim.23198
M3 - Article
C2 - 33155709
AN - SCOPUS:85096717146
JO - American Journal of Industrial Medicine
JF - American Journal of Industrial Medicine
SN - 0271-3586
ER -