Objective: The objective of this study is to identify the role of working conditions as predictors of sleepiness while driving among truck drivers. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out among truck drivers who transported grains to Paranaguá Port, Paraná, Brazil. The truck drivers were interviewed and completed a self-administered questionnaire to collect data on sociodemographic and behavioral variables, working conditions, consumption of illicit psychoactive substances, and sleep patterns. Drivers were considered to be sleepy while driving if they reported a medium or high probability of napping while driving at night, during the daytime, or while stopped in traffic. The statistical analysis used logistic regression models progressively adjusted for age, behavioral variables, sleep duration, and other working conditions. Results: In total, 670 male drivers, with a mean age of 41.9 (±11.1) years, were enrolled. The prevalence of sleepiness while driving was 31.5%. After model adjustments, the following working conditions were associated with sleepiness while driving: Distance from the last shipment of more than 1,000 km (odds ratio [OR] = 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07–2.23) and a formal labor contract with a productivity-based salary (OR = 2.65; 95% CI, 1.86–3.78). Consumption of illicit psychoactive substances (OR = 1.99; 95% CI, 1.14–3.47) was also associated with sleepiness while driving. Conclusions: Distance traveled and a formal labor contract with productivity-based earnings were the working conditions associated with sleepiness while driving, regardless of other working or behavioral characteristics, age, consumption of illicit psychoactive substances, and sleep duration.

In addition to the primary components of alloys, approximately 5% of the formulation may contain other metals, including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic, manganese (Mn), iron, phosphorus, and nickel. Workers in the foundries are exposed to several compounds; therefore, it is important to assess the levels of injury that may reflect an additive, synergistic, or antagonistic effect caused by these compounds. The mean values of the environmental evaluation of the facilities range from 16.65 to 40.31 µg m⁻³ for Pb, 0.99 to 1.73 µg m⁻³ for Cd, and 0.91 to 1.70 µg m⁻³ for Mn. The mean values of the metal concentrations for furnace, mold, melting, and automatic melting activities range from 15.37 to 19.26 µg m⁻³ for Pb, 7.07 to 9.14 µg m⁻³ for Cd, and 8.83 to 16.00 µg m⁻³ for Mn. Biological samples were divided into two groups: control ( n = 38) and exposed ( n = 45). The obtained data are3.41 ± 3.40 and 14.89 ± 7.82 µg dL⁻¹ for Pb, 0.90 ± 0.80 and 1.91 ± 1.90 µg g⁻¹ creatinine for Cd, and 0.51 ± 0.40 and 3.17 ± 1.93 µg g⁻¹ creatinine for Mn. Statistical analysis showed significant differences ( p < 0.05). Positive linear correlations were established between metal concentrations in the air and the biological matrixes: Pb ( r = 0.68; p < 0.001), Cd ( r = 0.81; p = 0.17), and Mn ( r = 0.12; p < 0.03). Regression analysis showed that professional activities can interfere with element exposure profiles in occupational settings. The analysis in the event of exposure to metals in these companies allowed investigating whether the simultaneous exposure leads to biological damage even if the levels of the compounds are within the exposure limits that are considered to be safe.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of recent use of illicit drugs among truck drivers who had parked their vehicles at the terminal port in Paranagua City at Parana State, southern Brazil. Methods: This cross-sectional study was part of a larger research project conducted among drivers at a regional Brazilian port. Data on professional characteristics, involvement in road traffic injuries, sleep, and use of alcohol and illicit drugs were collected using a questionnaire. Urine samples were collected and analyzed for amphetamines, cocaine, and cannabis using gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection. Results: Sixty-two drivers were included in the study. Toxicological analyses showed that 8.1 percent (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.7-17.8%) of the urine samples were positive for drugs (4.8% for cocaine, 1.6% for amphetamine, and 1.6% for both); 8.1 percent reported drug use during the preceding 30 days in the questionnaire and only one tested positive for the drug in the urine sample. No sample was positive for cannabinoids. In total, at least 14.5 percent (95% CI, 6.9-25.8%) had used illicit drugs during the preceding 30 days based on self-reports and urine testing. Drivers who reported involvement in traffic injuries the year before more often tested positive for drugs in biological samples (P < .05). Conclusions: This research provides preliminary evidence that the use of illicit stimulants was common among professional truck drivers transporting grain loads. Thus, actions are needed to reduce drug use among truck drivers in order to prevent drug-related road traffic injuries.

Objetivo: analisar por meio da microscopia eletrônica de varredura, a morfologia dos filtros das máscaras N95/PFF2 com e sem carvão ativado. Método: estudo analítico, realizado no Laboratório de Microscopia Eletrônica e Microanálise de uma universidade localizada no norte do Paraná. Para compor as amostras foram adquiridas máscaras de marcas conhecidas no mercado que estavam disponíveis no hospital universitário no momento do estudo: máscara PFF2 com carvão ativado, máscara PFF2/equivalente N95. No laboratório, as amostras foram preparadas e avaliadas no aparelho de Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura. Resultados: todas as máscaras apresentaram quatro camadas de fibras sintéticas de polipropileno. A diferença apresentada, está no tamanho das fibras, as fibras da camada filtrante possuem de 1 a 5mm e as fibras das camadas estruturais medem de 15 a 20mm. Foi possível observar aberturas nas tramas da camada filtrante, com variações entre as máscaras. Conclusão: pode-se analisar a morfologia dos filtros das máscaras N95/PFF2, através da análise de tamanho, distribuição e conformação das fibras, os resultados indicam que os trabalhadores que utilizarem uma máscara de alta eficiência tipo N95/PFF2, com carvão ativado, durante a exposição diária a fumaça cirúrgica, diminui a inalação de materiais particulados que são prejudiciais a saúde a longo prazo.