Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA.
Department of Chemistry, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA.
Am J Ind Med. 2021 Jan;64(1):58-69. doi: 10.1002/ajim.23198. Epub 2020 Nov 6.
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.
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.
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).
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.
渔业工人面临危险的工作环境，从事艰苦的劳动，在多变的天气条件下长时间工作。尽管存在这些已知的就业挑战，但他们对职业健康和安全的看法知之甚少。在这项初步研究中，我们：（1）描述渔民对影响职业健康和安全的工人和组织层面特征的看法；（2）估计在捕鱼活动中接触到的多环芳烃（PAHs）的环境暴露量。
我们从密西西比州和佛罗里达州的渔民那里收集了定性和定量数据。研究小组采用民族志方法，进行了 1 小时的关键知情人访谈，进行了一份 1 页的人口统计调查，并使用基于硅的被动采样腕带收集了有关 PAHs 的客观测量值。
研究参与者（n=17）的平均年龄为 50.9 岁（SD=11.7），88.2%为男性，94.1%为白人，100.0%为非西班牙裔/拉丁裔，52.9%为已婚。大约 87.5%的人报告说捕鱼是他们的主要工作，平均在该行业工作了 26.4 年（SD=15.3）。记录了四个描述渔业文化的广泛主题、影响渔民安全和健康的常见工作场所暴露、以及在渔业工作中促进和阻碍安全的因素。甲板工人的 PAHs 暴露量最低（8.3 ppb），其次是船员（11.0 ppb）、船长（82.64 ppb）和网工（208.1 ppb）。
墨西哥湾沿岸渔民对职业健康和安全表示了具体的关注，并在正常工作中接触到了致癌的 PAHs。在墨西哥湾渔民中存在保护健康和促进健康的机会，需要采取策略。
