Exposure to Chemical and Biological Agents at Work and Cardiovascular Disease in Brazil: A Population-Based Study

J Occup Environ Med. 2021 Jun 1;63(6):e341-e345. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002210.

Abstract

Objective: Investigating the relationship between exposure to chemical and biological agents at work and the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases in a Brazilian national health survey.

Methods: A cross-sectional study using the database of 36.442 participants from the Brazilian National Health Survey. Logistic Regression analysis was performed for multivariable models.

Results: After adjustments for key confounders, we observed that those individuals exposed to chemical agents and biological materials at work had 62% (95% CI: 1.20; 2.20) and 66% (95% CI: 1.03; 2.65), respectively, higher odds of having cardiovascular disease compared to employed individuals who did not report exposure to biological materials/chemical agents at work.

Conclusion: This study draws attention to the role of chemical and biological risks in the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. In this sense, it is necessary developing systematic and intersectoral actions for Workers' Health Surveillance to promote health and prevent chronic non-communicable diseases.

MeSH terms

  • Biological Factors
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / chemically induced
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Health Promotion
  • Humans

Substances

  • Biological Factors