The EU-INTERCAMBIO project: first findings
M TurnerAbstract
Background
INTERCAMBIO is dedicated to performing intervention-based research regarding mental and physical health effects of occupational exposures experienced as a result of climate changes, new sustainable workplace initiatives, and among workers in green transition industries.
Material and Methods
INTERCAMBIO is currently evaluating interventions regarding heat exposure in outdoor construction workers in Spain, the transition to sustainable health care practices in the Netherlands, on-board eco-driving assistance in bus drivers in Switzerland, and in multi-country studies, skin contamination among wind turbine manufacturing workers, and inhalable dust and chemical exposures among waste management/recycling workers. INTERCAMBIO applies a common, but flexible methodological framework emphasizing participatory-based research methods and co-created solutions, which are applied in each intervention setting as an integral component to the work.
Results
Among preliminary findings to date, outdoor construction workers were exposed to high temperatures and experienced heat-related symptoms. Health care workers reported similar mental and physical health from baseline. Bus drivers experienced some increase in measured but not perceived physiological stress response. Workers performing lamination and filling tasks while wearing vapour-resistant PPE experienced increased physiological strain. Baseline inhalable dust levels were elevated and above national occupational exposure limits in several recycling companies, and biomonitoring data indicated increased exposure to metals, phthalates, bisphenols, and certain PFAS. Challenges in the conduct of intervention-based occupational health research will also be described.
Conclusions
An overview of methods and preliminary findings from each of five intervention studies will be presented along with research recommendations for future studies in the field.