The impact of high temperature, noise, benzene compounds, and shift work on renal function abnormalities in oil workers: a cohort study in China.

BACKGROUND

Renal dysfunction poses a significant global health burden, with occupational hazards in the petroleum industry potentially contributing to its development. This cohort study aimed to evaluate the impact of four occupational hazards-high temperature, noise, benzene compounds, and shift work-on renal dysfunction in a cohort of oil workers.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was conducted using data from the "Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Occupational Population Health Effects Cohort." A total of 2,292 petroleum workers without baseline renal dysfunction were followed from 2017 to 2021. Renal dysfunction was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 90 mL/min/1.73 m2. Occupational exposures were assessed using national standards and weighted shift index (WSI) for shift work. Cox regression models, restricted cubic spline analysis, and interaction assessments were employed to analyze associations.

RESULTS

Over four years, 24.52% of workers developed renal dysfunction. Multivariate Cox regression revealed significant risks for workers exposed to high temperature (P = 0.003, HR = 1.33, 95% CI:1.10-1.61), noise (P = 0.001, HR = 1.43, 1.18-1.72), benzene compounds (P = 0.001, HR = 1.70, 1.42-2.05), and high-intensity shift work (WSI > 1022.75; P = 0.001, HR = 1.96, 1.60-2.40). Additive interactions were observed between high-intensity shift work and high temperature (RERI = 1.89), noise (RERI = 1.40), and benzene compounds (RERI = 3.07). Moderate shift work intensity showed a protective effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure to noise, benzene compounds, and high-intensity shift work independently increased renal dysfunction risk among petroleum workers. An association was also observed for high-temperature exposure, and interactions between these hazards amplified risks, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to mitigate occupational exposures.