BACKGROUND:This study investigates university students' occupational health and safety (OHS) knowledge levels and their perceptions of safety culture, with a particular emphasis on evaluating the effectiveness of structured OHS training. MATERIAL AND METHODS:The research was conducted with 1291 students at Artvin Çoruh University Artvin, Türkiye, using a quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test design. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, independent samples Student's t-tests, and analysis of variance. RESULTS:Students demonstrated high safety culture perceptions (mean±standard deviation [M±SD] 4.38±0.67 on a 5-point Likert scale) but moderate OHS knowledge levels (M±SD 2.38±0.48 on a 3-point Likert scale). A positive and statistically significant correlation was found between OHS knowledge and safety culture (r = 0.330, p < 0.01). Following the training, knowledge scores increased significantly from pre-training (M±SD 24.15±5.06 pts) to post-training (M±SD 29.22±4.20 pts) with a large effect size (Cohen's d = 1.07, p < 0.001). Female students reported significantly higher safety culture perceptions than male students (p < 0.001). Engineering students achieved the highest safety culture scores, significantly surpassing several health-related programs (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Occupational health and safety training significantly enhances students' knowledge levels, demonstrating a strong intervention effect. Safety culture perceptions are positively associated with knowledge and vary according to gender and academic discipline. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2026;77(3):185-193.
Modern coffee processing generates a complex, co-localized mixture of respiratory hazards, such as carbon monoxide (CO), volatile α-diketones (principally diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione), and bio-reactive coffee dust, that challenge single-agent risk paradigms. This systematic review synthesizes quantitative exposure data, exposure-response relationships, mechanistic plausibility, and control efficacy to characterize the occupational respiratory burden associated with simultaneous exposure to these agents. A systematic search of literature (in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses - PRISMA 2020) was conducted choosing eligible studies reported quantitative exposure metrics (CO in ppm, α-diketones in ppb, particulate matter in mg/m3) and respiratory health outcomes among coffee industry workers. Task-based monitoring identified grinding, flavoring, and packaging as peak emission events. Epidemiological findings included sentinel clusters of obliterative bronchiolitis, increased prevalence of obstructive spirometric abnormalities, and measurable forced expiratory volume (FEV1) declines associated with cumulative α-diketone exposure; organic dust exposure correlated with chronic cough, dyspnea, and reduced FEV1/forced vital capacity. Co-exposure to CO, α-diketones, and coffee dust in roasting, grinding, and packaging operations produces a substantive occupational respiratory risk profile, including both acute systemic hazards and chronic small-airway injury. Preventing occupational risk requires prioritizing engineering controls, task-specific ventilation design for peak emissions, and longitudinal exposure and health surveillance to define dose-response relationships for complex mixtures and to inform evidence-based occupational exposure limits.
Burnout is a multidimensional occupational syndrome characterized by emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment. Nurses are particularly vulnerable due to sustained physical, emotional, and organizational stressors. Physical activity (PA) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) have been proposed as protective factors; however, evidence remains inconsistent, and burnout is often analyzed as a single global construct. This review aimed to synthesize evidence on the association between burnout and PA or CRF in nurses, with emphasis on burnout dimensions, underlying mechanisms, epidemiological findings, measurement considerations, and occupational health implications. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for English-language studies published up to 2025. Observational and interventional studies, as well as systematic reviews, examining burnout in relation to PA or CRF were included. Evidence was synthesized narratively without quantitative meta-analysis. Burnout prevalence among nurses is high, particularly for EE. Most studies demonstrate an inverse association between PA and burnout, with some evidence of dose-response relationships. However, PA is predominantly self-reported, and objective CRF assessment in nurses is scarce. Burnout dimensions are inconsistently analyzed, with many studies relying on total scores rather than dimension-specific evaluation. Mechanistically, PA and CRF may reduce burnout risk through improved stress regulation, autonomic balance, recovery processes, and enhanced functional work capacity. To conclude, PA appears protective against burnout in nurses, whereas the role of objectively measured CRF remains underexplored. Future longitudinal research incorporating dimension-specific burnout analysis and objective CRF assessment is needed to inform targeted occupational health interventions. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2026;77(3):255-269.
During hospitalization, older patients are exposed to an environment that differs from their home environment, which is particularly difficult for them. This article is a descriptive review of articles concerning the identification of factors relevant to the well-being of older people requiring hospitalization, covering data from the PubMed database 2015-2025. These factors included aspects of the hospital environment (such as interior design, furniture, lighting, music, the presence of friends or family), leisure activities, physical activity, adequate sleeping conditions and a sense of security. New technologies, such as smartphones and wearable devices, can help to achieve these goals. Elderly-friendly hospitals should recognise the specific needs of older people and provide them with security, well-being and privacy. Ultimately, improving the comfort of elderly patients in hospital leads to better treatment outcomes. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2026;77(4).
BACKGROUND:The present study aimed at the early detection of Polish teacher education students vulnerable to burnout and occupational health issues, using the work-related coping behavior and experience patterns (Arbeitsbezogenes Verhaltens- und Erlebensmuster - AVEM) diagnostic inventory to identify risk work-related patterns (the excessively ambitious pattern A and the resigned pattern B). MATERIAL AND METHODS:Participants were 431 full-time first-year teacher education students enrolled at various higher education institutions in Poland. They completed a survey including the AVEM inventory, the Motivation for Choosing Teacher Education Questionnaire, the intrinsic religiosity subscale of the Duke University Religion Index, and the revised Life Orientation Test. The predictive values of background variables, attitudes toward teaching and teacher education, career choice motivation, intrinsic religiosity, and dispositional optimism for assignment to the work-related patterns were examined using multinomial logistic regression, with the healthy ambitious pattern G serving as the reference group. RESULTS:A total of 59.63% of participants were assigned to risk patterns indicating increased vulnerability to burnout and occupational health issues. Older students were less likely to be assigned to pattern A (b = -1.28, p < 0.05), whereas those working longer hours alongside their studies were more likely to be assigned to pattern A (b = 1.09, p < 0.05). Students who identified teacher education as their most preferred study choice (b = -6.58, p < 0.05) were less likely to be assigned to pattern B, as were those who chose teacher education based on ability belief (b = -1.61, p < 0.05). Higher levels of optimism protected against both pattern A (b = -3.99, p < 0.001) and pattern B (b = -4.71, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:It is necessary to implement preventive measures to reduce long-term health risks in future teachers. However, the results should be interpreted with caution due to study limitations, such as the use of purposive sampling. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2026;77(2):119-136.
BACKGROUND:Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) uses risk priority numbers (RPNs) based on 3 parameters to classify risks. Risk analysis methods use thresholds to determine risk. These class intervals do not account for contextual and system dynamics in high-risk environments such as neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). This study proposes a dynamic classification model that prioritizes risk by integrating contribution percentages and percentile ranks through a decision matrix. MATERIAL AND METHODS:This study identified 21 ergonomic failure modes through field observations at a hospital's NICU, interviews with nurses, and a literature review, evaluated a dynamic classification model. The RPN for each failure mode was calculated, and the risks were classified using classical fixed-threshold FMEA. Then, each failure mode was classified using a dynamic model based on a decision matrix that balances risk intensity by its impact contribution percentage and relative importance percentile rank. Model robustness was assessed via a one-at-a-time sensitivity analysis (±1 perturbations in occurrence [O], severity [S], and detection [D]), and agreement was evaluated using weighted agreement measures. RESULTS:According to FMEA, risk factors such as "long shift hours" and "constant exposure to alarm sounds" were classified as medium risk. Yet, in the dynamic model, they were classified as very high risk. The model's sensitivity was tested by measuring the effect of a change in the FMEA input ratings (O/S/D) on the results. The model was determined to provide high agreement with practitioners' classifications, with a 93.7% weighted agreement across 63 comparisons between nurse assessments and model results. CONCLUSIONS:The proposed dynamic framework provides context-sensitive prioritization by integrating each failure mode's contribution to total risk with its position in the unit-specific RPN distribution. When applied to NICU ergonomic failure modes, it produced a different prioritization than classical fixed-threshold FMEA and offers a transparent, reproducible basis for risk-focused improvement planning in high-risk care settings. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2026;77(2):89-99.
BACKGROUND:Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly important role in diagnostic imaging, helping specialists improve the quality and speed of medical services. Despite the potential of AI, electroradiologists express concerns about algorithm errors, overreliance on technology, and ethical issues. Further training of medical personnel is necessary to ensure the safe and informed implementation of AI in diagnostics. This study examines the use of AI tools as perceived by radiographers, focusing on their impact on work organization. MATERIAL AND METHODS:The work was carried out using a diagnostic survey method in the form of questionnaires. The survey was conducted in the second quarter of 2025. The analysis used both descriptive statistics and statistical tests to assess the significance of differences and relationships between variables. Descriptive statistics analyzed quantitative variables. Statistical calculations were based on the χ2 test. A significance level of p < 0.05 was adopted. In analyses considering respondents' age, age groups were categorized accordingly. RESULTS:The study involved 202 professionally active electroradiologists (working in diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology) - 166 women (82.18%) and 36 men (17.82%), with an average age of 31.75 years. Analyses showed no statistical correlation between education, age, work experience, and level of knowledge about AI. However, correlations appeared in the implementation of these tools across medical facilities and their use in radiographers' work. In-depth analyses revealed a positive attitude toward AI tools but also highlighted insufficient education and the need for training. CONCLUSIONS:Most electroradiologists are familiar with the general concept of AI, but lack detailed knowledge, indicating a need for targeted education. Despite a positive attitude towards AI, a lack of training limits readiness for its implementation. Age and workplace influence the perception of AI, while education, gender, and seniority remain insignificant. The key barriers are competency- and organization-related, highlighting the need for consistent educational programs. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2026;77(2):147-161.
BACKGROUND:This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the level of professional burnout, professional functioning styles, and occupational activity in a group of soldiers and civilian employees working in the military. The theoretical basis was the model of professional burnout of Christine Maslach and the concept of professional functioning styles developed by Barbara Mróz. MATERIAL AND METHODS:The study employed the following tools: Christine Maslach's Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to measure burnout, Barbara Mróz's new, original Professional Functioning Scale (Skala funkcjonowania zawodowego - SFZ) in occupational psychology, and a questionnaire assessing the level of occupational activity. RESULTS:The results of statistical analyses showed statistically significant differences between soldiers and civilian employees in selected dimensions of burnout (depersonalization t = 3.723, p < 0.001) and professional functioning styles (authoritarian t = 5.031, p < 0.001; avoidant t = -3.153, p < 0.002; cooperative t = -4.531, p < 0.001). All differences were higher among soldiers. Occupational activity proved to be a statistically significant factor differentiating operational effectiveness and stress resistance (t = -4.934, p < 0.001). Here, the difference was higher among military personnel. Correlations were found between professional functioning styles and burnout levels (authoritarian and avoidant styles were associated with higher burnout levels, the cooperative style had a protective effect). Soldiers: correlation positive (r = 0.270, p < 0.05), prefer an authoritarian style - based on control, decision-making, and hierarchy. Civilian employees: correlation positive (r = 0.377, p < 0.01), that the more often used an authoritarian style in their professional functioning, the higher their overall level of burnout was. CONCLUSIONS:The results obtained are relevant for human resource management in military organizations and for the development of psychological support programs and training in coping with stress and developing effective professional functioning styles. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2026;77(2):111-118.
BACKGROUND:Occupational exposure to azodicarbonamide (ADCA) can occur via the respiratory tract or through skin in workplaces, e.g., in the production of plastics and rubber where it is used as a foaming agent or a porosity-increasing agent. Due to the irritant nature of ADCA on the respiratory tract, a concentration limit for it in workplace air has been established. This article presents a method for determining this substance in air. MATERIAL AND METHODS:The determination method consists of the following steps: passing air containing ADCA through a glass fiber filter, extracting the substance adsorbed on the filter with acetonitrile, adding 1-naphthyl isothiocyanate and analyzing the obtained derivative using liquid chromatography. The studies were performed using an Agilent Technologies 1200 series chromatograph with a diode array detector at an analytical wavelength of 220 nm and an Ultra C18 column with a length of 25 cm and a diameter of 4.6 mm. RESULTS:The method is linear (r = 0.9998) in the working range of 0.08-1.6 μg/ml. This range, for an air sample of 360 l, allows for the determination of 0.002-0.04 mg of ADCA per cubic meter of air. The instrument detection limit was 0.03 ng/ml, and the instrument quantification limit was 0.10 ng/ml. CONCLUSIONS:The obtained values, including precision and expanded uncertainty for measurements, meet the requirements of the European standard PN-EN 482. The usefulness of the method for estimating workers' inhalation exposure to ADCA was confirmed. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2026;77(2):137-146.
Transgender people in Poland face numerous legal challenges and problems arising from functioning in the professional environment. The procedure for legal gender recognition is not governed by uniform procedural regulations, which causes a high level of stress and uncertainty relating to the final court decision. Even in cases where the ruling is favourable to the applicant, there is a lack of consistent administrative guidelines enabling prompt and safe updating of personal data in official documents. Additionally, before completing the legal transition process, transgender individuals often cannot use their preferred name or pronouns in internal company documents, which may exacerbate gender dysphoria. Ambiguous occupational medicine standards further intensify employment-related difficulties, allowing for interpretative arbitrariness and hindering the ability to obtain a medical certificate of fitness for work. Moreover, in the workplace, transgender people are often exposed to pathological phenomena such as microaggressions and discrimination, which constitute a significant risk factor for the deterioration of their mental health. In light of these challenges, this article addresses the situation of transgender employees in Poland. The authors focus on the analysis of legal barriers, occupational health assessment difficulties, and negative workplace phenomena that may lead to serious consequences for mental health. The aim of this paper is to highlight key problems and indicate possible directions for action to improve the professional situation of transgender individuals. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2026;77(2):163-178.
BACKGROUND:Mentalization supports emotion regulation and interpersonal functioning, and meaning in life is a key psychological resource in nursing. This study examined associations between mentalizing capacity and meaning in life among practicing nurses. MATERIAL AND METHODS:In a cross-sectional survey (February-March 2025) of 93 nurses (66 women, 27 men) working in hospital wards and public outpatient clinics in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship (Poland), mentalization was assessed with the Mentalization Scale (MentS), including the subscales: Mentalization of Self, Mentalization of Others, and Motivation to Mentalize. Meaning in life was measured with the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ) - the Presence and Search subscales of the MLQ - and the Purpose in Life Test (PIL). The PIL dimension attitude towards death and suicide was excluded due to unacceptable internal consistency ( α = 0.07). Analyses used Pearson correlations with false discovery rate control (Benjamini-Hochberg, q = 0.05) and multiple regression models entering the 3 MentS dimensions simultaneously while controlling for age and gender (N = 91, listwise deletion). RESULTS:Self-oriented mentalizing correlated with MLQ Presence (r = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.18-0.53) and strongly with PIL purpose in life (r = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.61-0.81). Associations were generally stronger for PIL dimensions than for MLQ Search. In regression, self-oriented mentalizing uniquely predicted MLQ Presence (ß = 0.40, R2 = 0.182) and PIL total (ß = 0.54, R2 = 0.464). The regression model for MLQ Search was not significant (R2= 0.092). CONCLUSIONS:Higher mentalizing - particularly self-oriented mentalizing - was associated with a stronger sense of meaning in life in nurses, primarily reflecting meaning presence rather than meaning search. Given the cross-sectional design and convenience sample, findings are associative and warrant replication in larger studies. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2026;77(2):101-109.
Pneumoconioses are among the most frequently diagnosed occupational diseases in Poland, with collagenous pneumoconiosis forming a significant subgroup. These diseases develop as a result of exposure to fibrogenic dusts. One of the rare forms of such conditions is Caplan's syndrome - a rheumatoid type of pneumoconiosis characterized by the coexistence of pulmonary nodular lesions and rheumatoid arthritis. This condition is rarely diagnosed, most commonly among individuals occupationally exposed to silicate dust, such as coal miners. This article presents a case of a men with Caplan's syndrome qualified as occupational background just in the second instance of medical certification. A thorough re-evaluation of the patient's occupational and medical history confirmed a causal relationship between the development of the disease and exposure to silicate dust in his profession as a dental technician. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges resulting from the common misconception that Caplan's syndrome occurs exclusively in coal miners, whereas the risk extends to various occupational groups exposed to silicate dust. The described case underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach to clinical and occupational assessment in the diagnosis of pneumoconioses, particularly in the context of rare disease entities. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2026;77(1):81-88.
BACKGROUND:The work is a report on the intentional use of harmful biological agents in workplaces in Poland based on National Register of Biological Agents (Krajowy Rejestr Czynników Biologicznych - KRCB) as of June 2025. MATERIAL AND METHODS:The KRCB is a central database gathering notifications of the intentional use of biological agents in risk groups 2-4 in work processes in accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Health of December 11, 2020, amending the regulation regarding biological agents. RESULTS:Notifications were sent by 749 enterprises for: diagnostic - 59.3%, research - 32.4% and industrial purposes - 8.1%. Notifications were most often sent by microbial laboratories (N = 438, 58.5%), scientific-research institutions (N = 229, 30.6%) and industrial enterprises (N = 82, 11.0%). In total, 7795 workers (87.6% women, 12.4% men) were exposed to biological agents intentionally used at work. Biological agents from risk groups 2 and 3 were used by 97.6% and 15.9% enterprises, respectively. The most frequently were used bacteria Escherichia coli (with the exception of non-pathogenic strains) - 4823 exposed workers (61.9%), Staphylococcus aureus - respectively 4655 (59.7%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa - 4188 (53.7%). National Register of Biological Agents gathered 9 notifications of intentionally using of the biological agent carcinogenic to humans, including viruses (hepatitis B virus [N = 2015 workers, 25.8%], hepatitis C virus [N = 1982, 25.4%], human immunodeficiency virus type 1 [N = 1796, 22.7%], Epstein-Barr virus [N = 196, 2.5%], human papilloma virus [N = 60, 0.8%], human herpes virus type 8 [N = 16, 0.2%], human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 [N = 38, 0.5%]), bacteria (Helicobacter pylori [N = 327, 4.2%]), parasite (Schistosoma haematobium [N = 9, 0.1%]). CONCLUSIONS:Intentionally used biological agents most often pose a threat to workers of microbial laboratories, but a higher health risk concerns workers of scientific-research institutions. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2026;77(1):11-26.
BACKGROUND:The aim of the study is to present information on the occurrence of carcinogenic or mutagenic agents in Polish enterprises in 2022-2023, based on information from the Central Register of Data on Exposure to Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or Reprotoxic Chemical Substances, Their Mixtures, Agents or Technological Processes (Centralny rejestr danych o narażeniu na substancje chemiczne, ich mieszaniny, czynniki lub procesy technologiczne o działaniu rakotwórczym, mutagennym lub reprotoksycznym - CRCR) maintained at the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine. MATERIAL AND METHODS:Employers who employ workers with carcinogenic, mutagenic, and, from 2024, also reprotoxic agents, are legally obliged to register such works. Information from voivodeships is submitted annually to the sanitary and labor inspection, and nationwide data are collected in the CRCR. The study used data for 2022-2023, collected and verified by the CRCR staff in 2023-2024. Data for groups of agents - chemical substances, physical factor - ionizing radiation, and technological processes - were also analyzed. Previous data (2005-2021) were used for comparison. RESULTS:In 2022-2023 data were collected from 14 500 and 17 100 enterprises. An increase also occurred for specific groups of agents - chemical substances, technological processes, and the only physical agent legally recognized as carcinogen and mutagen - ionizing radiation. The largest increase concerned technological processes - >26% (7653 and 9685 during the analyzed years). The most frequently reported were 2 technological processes - work involving exposure to wood dust and the respirable fraction of crystalline silica - followed by ionizing radiation and 2 chemical substances: unspecified low-boiling-point gasoline and formaldehyde. CONCLUSIONS:The increase in the number of reports is due not only to economic and technological developments, but also to legal changes that have expanded the list of carcinogenic or mutagenic agents. The further extending the list of substances subject to the obligation to register in workplaces to include reprotoxic substances will result in a sharp increase in the number of notifications for 2024. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2026;77(1):49-59.
BACKGROUND:Occupational injuries among firefighters significantly impact their job performance. To reduce these injuries and enhance their professional capabilities, this study investigates and comprehensively evaluates the factors contributing to occupational injuries among frontline firefighters in China. It analyzes the underlying mechanisms of these injuries and proposes preventive strategies. MATERIAL AND METHODS:This study employed questionnaire surveys and factor analysis methods to conduct a comprehensive investigation and comprehensive assessment of occupational injuries and their influencing factors among 200 firefighters in China. The research subjects were randomly selected from the grassroots firefighters in cities of FuJian Province. Among them, 179 firefighters successfully completed the questionnaire survey. Through exploratory factor analysis, the key factors influencing firefighters' injuries were identified. RESULTS:The injury rate among the participating firefighters in 2023 was 40.78%. The highest injury rate was observed during daily training (58.52%). Notably, the injury rate tends to decrease with increasing age. The most common types of injuries were sprains and strains (57.10%), with the knee joint exhibiting the highest incidence of injury among all body parts (47.00%). The primary factors influencing occupational injuries among firefighters include training factors, support factors, educational factors, and mental health factors, which collectively account for a variance contribution rate of 79.56%. CONCLUSIONS:Training, support, educational, and mental health factors are the 4 primary influences on firefighters' occupational injuries. The administrative department should strengthen the study and practice of physical fitness theory for firefighters, prioritize the prevention of occupational training injuries, enhance the scientific rigor of training programs, and promote the occupational health of firefighters. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2026;77(1):1-10.
Occupational exposure to wood dust is a major public health and occupational safety concern, particularly in woodworking, furniture production, and the wood-based materials industry. Its carcinogenic, allergenic, and toxic potential depends on wood species, physicochemical properties, processing methods, and applied chemical treatments. The aim of this review was to analyze occupational exposure to wood dust by synthesizing current evidence on worker health risks, measurement methods, legal regulations, and preventive strategies, in order to evaluate the adequacy of existing solutions and identify areas requiring further improvement. The review is based on 61 literature sources: publications, legal acts, official guidelines from international and national institutions (International Agency for Research on Cancer, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, Statistics Poland, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Polish Ministry of Health). Sources published 2010-2024 were analyzed with particular focus on dust characteristics, exposure limits, measurement methods, preventive measures, and regulatory frameworks. Exposure to wood dust contributes to both acute and chronic respiratory conditions, skin and eye irritation, and a higher incidence of upper respiratory tract cancers. Recent regulatory changes have expanded the classification of wood dust as a carcinogen to include all species. Despite existing occupational exposure limits (OELs), exceedances remain common in woodworking industries. Conventional monitoring methods may underestimate respirable and ultrafine particles (UFP <100 nm), which pose substantial health risks. Preventive strategies - including technical controls, ventilation, personal protective equipment, and medical surveillance - significantly reduce airborne dust concentrations and worker exposure. Findings indicate a need to update OELs and harmonize regulations with current scientific evidence. Effective prevention requires integrating legal requirements, engineering controls, process automation, and medical and educational interventions. Strengthening national standards within the European Union regulatory framework and improving measurement methods - especially for inhalable and ultrafine fractions - are essential to ensuring adequate worker protection. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2026;77(1):61-70.
BACKGROUND:Violin playing involves prolonged upper limb exertion and asymmetrical posture, potentially leading to pain and postural defects. Despite the known prevalence of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders, data on young adult violinists compared to a control group remains insufficient. The aim of this study was to assess pain and postural problems among young adult violin players, and to compare them with those of non-violin players. Additionally, an attempt was made to identify the causes of these problems in violinists and to indicate directions that should be developed in further research. MATERIAL AND METHODS:The study included 50 participants (25 violinists and 25 individuals in the control group). A custom questionnaire was used to assess pain (Numerical Pain Rating Scale - NPRS), along with postural assessment based on the Kasperczyk method. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test, chi-squared test, and Spearman's correlation coefficient. RESULTS:In the group of violinists, pain occurred significantly more frequently in the trapezius muscle (left: 68%, p = 0.0006; right: 52%, p = 0.0169) and the left shoulder (36%, p = 0.0405). The average pain intensity (NPRS) was significantl higher in the study group than in the control group (6.6 pts vs. 4.7 pts, p = 0.0085). In terms of posture, violinists scored significantly higher on the Kasperczyk assessment (M = 9.8 pts vs. M = 6.1 pts, p = 0.0002), indicating more postural abnormalities. The most common defects in this group included forward head posture, shoulder asymmetry, and foot flattening/valgus. Additionally, 88% of violinists reported that pain interfered with their ability to play in the past week. CONCLUSIONS:Playing the violin is associated with an increased risk of musculoskeletal pain and postural abnormalities, particularly in the upper body. The results highlight the need for preventive strategies among musicians. The collected data may serve as a foundation for implementing preventive programs in music education, which should be continued into the violinist's later professional career. The data serve as a starting point for further research. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2026;77(1):27-48.
The case report concerns a patient who, during a medical examination conducted to asses medical fitness to drive motor vehicles, concealed the truth about his health condition. Particular attention was paid to the discussion of the patient's responsibility for the content of information provided in the interview. The article discusses criminal liability for making a false statement, for obtaining false certification by fraud and for using a document obtained by fraud. Attention was also drawn to the social obligation to denounce, which may also apply to physicians involved in medical certification. In case of medical examinations of drivers, every patient has a legal and moral obligation to provide the physician with truthful and complete information about his/her health, medications, past illnesses, and lifestyle. Providing false information or concealing important information can lead to an incorrect final diagnosis and, consequently, an incorrect decision, which can endanger the health and life of not only the driver but also other road users. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2026;77(1):71-80.
BACKGROUND:Malignant cancers are one of the most significant public health challenges, both in Poland and globally. In the context of increasing incidence, particular attention should be given to cancers with occupational etiology. Despite awareness of these risks, in Poland, this issue remains insufficiently recognized and registered within the occupational disease system. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence occupational cancers in Poland 2015-2024, focusing on high-risk industries and the most common causes of occupational carcinogens. MATERIAL AND METHODS:The analysis included data on reported cases of confirmed occupational diseases 2015-2024, which were submitted by sanitary-epidemiological stations to the Central Register of Occupational Diseases at the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine in Łódź. RESULTS:In the analyzed period, 601 cases of occupational cancers were reported, including 512 in men and 89 in women. The most frequently diagnosed cancers were lung cancer (50.1%), pleural mesothelioma (36.6%), hematopoietic system cancers (3.3%), and laryngeal cancer (2.8%). The average duration of exposure was about 20 years. The highest number of cases was associated with industrial processing, mining, and construction, with dominant risk factors such as asbestos, benzene, and ionizing radiation. Asbestos exposure was responsible for all cases of pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma, >56% of lung cancers, and nearly 47% of laryngeal cancers. CONCLUSIONS:The analysis revealed that occupational cancers account for only 2.7% of all reported occupational diseases indicating a significant underestimation. Further actions are needed to strengthen the detection, diagnosis, and prevention systems for these carcinogens. It is essential to introduce tools to monitor exposure to carcinogenic factors and to promote cooperation between employers, occupational health and safety services, doctors, and public health protection institutions. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2025;76(6):449-456.
Chronic and long-term exposure to heavy metals is a significant public health problem today. Development and globalization present challenges to constant control and monitoring, mainly of metals and toxic substances, including arsenic (As). It is estimated that nearly 200 million people worldwide are at serious risk of exposure. The purpose of this review is to summarize the impact of long-term of exposure to As on selected cardiovascular diseases in humans, based on the available literature. This narrative review provides an insight into the complexity of the processes of arsenic's influence on cardiovascular health and attempts to identify factors that may serve as potential preventive targets. Arsenic exposure has been associated with several cardiovascular outcomes, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, venous insufficiency, stroke, and myocardial infarction. Common exposure to As and other metals is inevitable, but it is worth noting that the difference in its toxicity may be due to gender, diet, exposure, and dose level, among other factors. Even in the case of the smallest and short-lived exposures, the poisonous and immensely damaging effects of As pose a serious risk of at least cardiovascular health, a major public health challenge as global growth continues. The challenge for future epidemiological and public health research on As and vascular diseases should be to study long-term exposure to As at the individual level in different groups. Reliable biomarkers with appropriate references to the sample should be used, individuals with low and moderate exposure should be included, and a modern genomic approach should be used to analyze genetic susceptibility. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2025;76(6):457-468.
