Extending a COVID-19 Job Exposure Matrix: The SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 Job Exposure Matrix Module (SCoVJEM Module) for...

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Epidemiology
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Workplace SARS-CoV-2 transmission is influenced by aerosols, droplets, respiratory rates, and viral stability in cold environments.
• Identifying specific occupational risks for SARS-CoV-2 transmission remains challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To extend an existing SARS-CoV-2 job exposure matrix (JEM) to include dimensions of talking loudly, physical activity, and environmental temperature (cold/hot).
• To assess occupational aerosol transmission proxies for COVID-19 risk factors.

Main Methods:

• A four-dimensional JEM was developed using Occupational Information Network (O*NET) data and a priori questions.
• The JEM incorporated noise measurements for 535 occupations, classifying them by loudness, physical activity (PA), cold, and hot environments.
• The JEM was applied to California 2019 workforce data, analyzing exposure by race/ethnicity and sex.

Main Results:

• Over 70% of occupations were classified as loud or very loud.
• 13.8% of occupations involved high physical activity, 18.5% were in cold environments, and 23.7% were in hot environments.
• Latino workers showed high representation in very loud and high PA farming and construction jobs. Males were more represented than females in highest exposure levels.

Conclusions:

• The developed four-dimensional JEM provides valuable aerosol transmission proxies for COVID-19 risk.
• This matrix is a promising tool for epidemiological studies investigating occupational SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
• The findings highlight disparities in occupational exposure risks among different demographic groups.