Evangelia Demou - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Evangelia Demou

medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Apr 27, 2020

Research Square (Research Square), Oct 29, 2023

Background: Female police o cers are reported to encounter more bias, discriminatory practices, a... more Background: Female police o cers are reported to encounter more bias, discriminatory practices, and inadequate support than their male counterparts and experience poorer health outcomes. This meta-ethnographic review looks beyond individual responsibilities to consider what aspects of policing and how they impact the health and well-being of female police o cers. Methods: Primary qualitative and mixed method studies published between 2000 and 2022 were included. A total of ten databases were searched using terms related to health, wellbeing, females, police, and qualitative research. In total, twenty-one papers met the inclusion criteria. A seven-phase inductive and interpretative meta-ethnographic technique was employed to synthesise, analyse, and interpret the data. Results: The data analysis revealed a distinct outcome that demonstrated a strong relationship and substantial impacts of organisational injustice on the health and well-being of female police o cers. Our ndings showed that organisational injustice, encompassing procedural, relational, distributive, and gendered injustice, signi cantly in uences the health and well-being of female o cers. Impacts on mental health were commonly referred, followed by aspects in uencing social health, workplace wellbeing, and physical health. Moreover, the effects of these four forms of organisational injustice and the associated cultural, systemic, and structural risk factors extend beyond the immediate health and wellbeing impacts on the individual female o cer through impeding other aspects of their work life, such as career progression and work-life balance, that can further impact long-term health and well-being. Conclusion: This review highlights the importance of addressing organisational injustice and the cultural, systemic, and structural risk factors within policing to promote healthier and more inclusive workforces for female o cers. Policymakers and practitioners should critically examine policies and practices that may appear gender neutral but disproportionately impact women, affecting the health and well-being of female police o cers. By addressing these issues, transformative action can be taken to create safer, more supportive, and healthier working environments for female police o cers.

EGS General Assembly Conference Abstracts, 2002

ABSTRACT A comparison is made between the stress measured with the eddy-correlation method and th... more ABSTRACT A comparison is made between the stress measured with the eddy-correlation method and the stress calculated with an advanced wind-over-waves coupled model. The mea- surements were taken on a tower at the island Östergarnsholm in the middle of the Baltic Sea, and contain mean variables and turbulence parameters of the air at several heights. Wave spectra were recorded by a wave buoy moored in the sea, about 4km southwest of the tower. The inputs to the model are the mean wind speeds at 10m and the peak frequency in the wave spectrum. There is an excellent agreement between the modelled and measured stress for pure wind sea conditions characterised by one dominant peak in the wave spectrum. Differences between the modelled and measured values, which appear for non-homogeneous wind and wave conditions are discussed.

International Journal of Epidemiology, Aug 20, 2021

Background: This study aimed to study the association between shift work and incident and fatal c... more Background: This study aimed to study the association between shift work and incident and fatal cardiovascular disease (CVD), and to explore modifying and mediating factors. Methods: This is a population-based, prospective cohort study with a median follow-up of 11 years; 238 661 UK Biobank participants who were in paid employment or selfemployed at baseline assessment were included. Results: Shift workers had higher risk of incident [hazard ratio (HR) 1.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-1.19] and fatal (HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.08-1.44) CVD compared with non-shift workers, after adjusting for socioeconomic and work-related factors. The risk was higher with longer duration of shift work, in women and in jobs with little heavy manual labour. Current smoking, short sleep duration, poor sleep quality, adiposity, higher glycated haemoglobin and higher cystatin C were identified as the main potentially modifiable mediators. Mediators collectively explained 52.3% of the associations between shift work and incident CVDs. Conclusions: Shift workers have higher risk of incident and fatal CVD, partly mediated through modifiable risk factors such as smoking, sleep duration and quality, adiposity and metabolic status. Workplace interventions targeting these mediators have the potential to alleviate shift workers' CVD risk.

Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, Sep 9, 2018

Group-based healthy lifestyle workplace interventions for shift workers: a systematic review by D... more Group-based healthy lifestyle workplace interventions for shift workers: a systematic review by Demou E, MacLean A, Cheripelli LJ, Hunt K, Gray CM A systematic review was undertaken to identify the existing evidence for group-based interventions delivered within workplaces to help shift workers lose weight, increase physical activity, improve healthy eating, or reduce sedentary time. Our findings offer decision support on organisational-level adaptations and intervention components for the delivery of group-based workplace interventions that promote healthy lifestyles for shift workers.

BMC Medicine, May 29, 2020

Background: Understanding of the role of ethnicity and socioeconomic position in the risk of deve... more Background: Understanding of the role of ethnicity and socioeconomic position in the risk of developing SARS-CoV-2 infection is limited. We investigated this in the UK Biobank study. Methods: The UK Biobank study recruited 40-70-year-olds in 2006-2010 from the general population, collecting information about self-defined ethnicity and socioeconomic variables (including area-level socioeconomic deprivation and educational attainment). SARS-CoV-2 test results from Public Health England were linked to baseline UK Biobank data. Poisson regression with robust standard errors was used to assess risk ratios (RRs) between the exposures and dichotomous variables for being tested, having a positive test and testing positive in hospital. We also investigated whether ethnicity and socioeconomic position were associated with having a positive test amongst those tested. We adjusted for covariates including age, sex, social variables (including healthcare work and household size), behavioural risk factors and baseline health. Results: Amongst 392,116 participants in England, 2658 had been tested for SARS-CoV-2 and 948 tested positive (726 in hospital) between 16 March and 3 May 2020. Black and south Asian groups were more likely to test positive (RR 3.35 (95% CI 2.48-4.53) and RR 2.42 (95% CI 1.75-3.36) respectively), with Pakistani ethnicity at highest risk within the south Asian group (RR 3.24 (95% CI 1.73-6.07)). These ethnic groups were more likely to be hospital cases compared to the white British. Adjustment for baseline health and behavioural risk factors led to little change, with only modest attenuation when accounting for socioeconomic variables. Socioeconomic deprivation and having no qualifications were consistently associated with a higher risk of confirmed infection (RR 2.19 for most deprived quartile vs least (95% CI 1.80-2.66) and RR 2.00 for no qualifications vs degree (95% CI 1.66-2.42)). Conclusions: Some minority ethnic groups have a higher risk of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in the UK Biobank study, which was not accounted for by differences in socioeconomic conditions, baseline self-reported health or behavioural risk factors. An urgent response to addressing these elevated risks is required.

Environmental Science & Technology, Apr 20, 2011

A cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) is performed to compare nanosilver T-shirts with co... more A cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) is performed to compare nanosilver T-shirts with conventional T-shirts with and without biocidal treatment. For nanosilver production and textile incorporation, we investigate two processes: flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) and plasma polymerization with silver co-sputtering (PlaSpu). Prospective environmental impacts due to increased nanosilver T-shirt commercialization are estimated with six scenarios. Results show significant differences in environmental burdens between nanoparticle production technologies: The "cradle-to-gate" climate footprint of the production of a nanosilver T-shirt is 2.70 kg of CO 2-equiv (FSP) and 7.67À166 kg of CO 2-equiv (PlaSpu, varying maturity stages). Production of conventional T-shirts with and without the biocide triclosan has emissions of 2.55 kg of CO 2-equiv (contribution from triclosan insignificant). Consumer behavior considerably affects the environmental impacts during the use phase. Lower washing frequencies can compensate for the increased climate footprint of FSP nanosilver T-shirt production. The toxic releases from washing and disposal in the life cycle of T-shirts appear to be of minor relevance. By contrast, the production phase may be rather significant due to toxic silver emissions at the mining site if high silver quantities are required.

Annals of work exposures and health, Mar 15, 2024

Journal of Cleaner Production, Aug 1, 2011

ABSTRACT A chemical priority list is presented to screen and identify relevant chemicals, for whi... more ABSTRACT A chemical priority list is presented to screen and identify relevant chemicals, for which more detailed and industrial-sector specific quantitative exposure, risk and life-cycle assessments should be completed. A list of 38 solvents were ranked according to the framework of the LCA toxicity model, USEtox, and according to the framework proposed by the UNEP/SETAC working group on Indoor Exposure Assessment in LCA. An additional method, based on a risk assessment (RA) framework, was used to examine the robustness of the priority rank. Under both schemes dichloromethane, ethanol, formaldehyde, hexane and toluene all rank in the top ten positions. These chemicals are currently relevant with regard to health effects on a population level. Some of these chemicals are known as hazardous, while others, such as ethanol, have a low toxicity but were prioritized because of their extensive use and high exposure levels. This study attempts to combine the knowledge and methods of the LCA and occupational hygiene communities in assessing health impacts. It provides a consistent and transparent method for rapid comparative assessments of different chemicals and identifies the chemicals and workplaces that will require more thorough investigations.

Risk Analysis, Aug 1, 2007

The awareness of potential risks emerging from the use of chemicals in all parts of daily life ha... more The awareness of potential risks emerging from the use of chemicals in all parts of daily life has increased the need for risk assessments that are able to cover a high number of exposure situations and thereby ensure the safety of workers and consumers. In the European Union (EU), the practice of risk assessments for chemicals is laid down in a Technical Guidance Document; it is designed to consider environmental and human occupational and residential exposure. Almost 70 EU risk assessment reports (RARs) have been finalized for high-production-volume chemicals during the last decade. In the present study, we analyze the assessment of occupational and consumer exposure to trichloroethylene and phthalates presented in six EU RARs. Exposure scenarios in these six RARs were compared to scenarios used in applications of the scenario-based risk assessment approach to the same set of chemicals. We find that scenarios used in the selected EU RARs to represent typical exposure situations in occupational or private use of chemicals and products do not necessarily represent worst-case conditions. This can be due to the use of outdated information on technical equipment and conditions in workplaces or omission of pathways that can cause consumer exposure. Considering the need for exposure and risk assessments under the new chemicals legislation of the EU, we suggest that a transparent process of collecting data on exposure situations and of generating representative exposure scenarios is implemented to improve the accuracy of risk assessments. Also, the data sets used to assess human exposure should be harmonized, summarized in a transparent fashion, and made accessible for all risk assessors and the public.

Environmental Science & Technology, Jun 25, 2009

We evaluated three exposure models with data obtained from measurements among workers who use "ae... more We evaluated three exposure models with data obtained from measurements among workers who use "aerosol" solvent products in the vehicle repair industry and with field experiments using these products to simulate the same exposure conditions. The three exposure models were the (1) homogeneously mixed-one-box model, (2) multizone model, and (3) eddy-diffusion model. Temporally differentiated realtime breathing zone volatile organic compound (VOC) concentration measurements, integrated far-field area samples, and simulated experiments were used in estimating parameters, such as emission rates, diffusivity, and near-field dimensions. We assessed differences in model input requirements and their efficacy for predictive modeling. The One-box model was not able to resemble the temporal profile of exposure concentrations, but it performed well concerning time-weighted exposure over extended time periods. However, this model required an adjustment for spatial concentration gradients. Multizone models and diffusion-models may solve this problem. However, we found that the reliable use of both these models requires extensive field data to appropriately define pivotal parameters such as diffusivity or near-field dimensions. We conclude that it is difficult to apply these models for predicting VOC exposures in the workplace. However, for comparative exposure scenarios in lifecycle assessment they may be useful.

Police Practice and Research, Jun 9, 2020

Police work can be stressful and demanding and can impact on employee wellbeing. This study aimed... more Police work can be stressful and demanding and can impact on employee wellbeing. This study aimed to understand mental health (MH) issues and risk factors for poor MH in officers and staff of the Police Service of Scotland (PSoS); and gather their ideas of workplace wellbeing interventions that are suitable for this workforce. Face-to-face/telephone interviews were conducted with 30 Superintendents and eight stakeholders, recruited throughout PSoS. Interview topics included: MH issues; health/ health behaviours; employment; and potentially beneficial workplace interventions. A thematic analysis approach was adopted. High levels of occupational stress and anxiety, currently or in the past, were reported, as were experiences of PTSD, anxiety and depression. The main stressors reported were working hours, workload, culture, leadership and organisational change. Officers and staff recognised progress towards promoting and managing MH in the service but identified interventions, including training, counselling, and environmental workplace changes as needed to address mental health issues within police cultures.

Environmental Science & Technology, Aug 30, 2005

Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) aims to assess all environmental impacts "from cradle to grave". Neve... more Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) aims to assess all environmental impacts "from cradle to grave". Nevertheless, existing methods for Life-Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) generally do not consider impacts from chemical exposure at the workplace. This is a severe drawback, because neglecting occupational health effects may result in product or process optimizations at the expense of workers' health. We adapt an existing LCIA method to consider occupational health effects from the use of perchloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE) in dry cleaning and metal degreasing. The results show that, in applications such as metal degreasing and dry cleaning, long-term (steadystate) concentrations at the workplace are up to 6 orders of magnitude higher than ambient air levels. Legal threshold values may be exceeded, depending on machine technology, size, and surrounding working conditions. The impact from workplace exposure to the total humantoxicity potential of the complete life cycle of PCE and TCE (including use, production, and disposal) is accordingly high. We therefore conclude that occupational health effects need to be considered in LCA to prevent overlooking key environmental-health impacts in LCA.

Tobacco Control, Jun 25, 2020

Annals of Work Exposures and Health, Jul 16, 2017

Secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) is an avoidable and harmful exposure in the workplace but >25 000 ... more Secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) is an avoidable and harmful exposure in the workplace but >25 000 prison staff continue to be exposed on a daily basis in the UK and many more worldwide. SHS exposures in prisons are incompletely understood but may be considerable given the large proportion of smoking prisoners and limited ventilation. This study characterized the exposure of prison staff to SHS in all 15 prisons in Scotland using multiple methods. Exposure assessment strategies included 6-day area measurement of fine Particulate Matter (PM 2.5) and airborne nicotine in each prison together with short (30-minute) measurements of PM 2.5 covering a range of locations/activities. Pre-and post-shift saliva samples were also gathered from non-smoking staff and analysed for cotinine to estimate exposure. There was evidence of exposure to SHS in all prisons from the results of PM 2.5 and nicotine measurements. The salivary cotinine results from a sub-sample of non-smoking workers indicated SHS exposures of similar magnitude to those provided by the 6-day area measurements of PM 2.5. There was a high degree of exposure variability with some locations/activities involving exposure to SHS concentrations that were comparable to those measured in bars in Scotland prior to smoke-free legislation in 2006. The median shift exposure to SHS-PM 2.5 was ~20 to 30 µg m −3 and is broadly similar to that experienced by someone living in a typical smoking home in Scotland. This is the most comprehensive assessment of prison workers' exposure to SHS in the world. The results are highly relevant to the development of smoke-free policies in prisons and should be considered when deciding on the best approach to provide prison staff with a safe and healthy working environment.

Journal of Physical Chemistry A, Jan 18, 2002

This paper supplies a thermodynamic and kinetic framework for analyzing this phenomenon. As an ex... more This paper supplies a thermodynamic and kinetic framework for analyzing this phenomenon. As an example, temperature-and time-dependent surface-tension measurements of aqueous ammonia solutions are used to extract the interfacial binding energies and evaporation rates. The standard Gibb's energy of adsorption of vapor-phase ammonia to the water surface is-(19.1 (0.5) kJ mol-1 at 298 K; the saturated coverage is (1.2 (0.2) × 10 14 molecules cm-2. The Gibb's energy of activation for ammonia evaporation from the water surface lies in the range 13-18 kJ mol-1 at 298 K. Ab initio calculations of the NH 3-H 2 O and NH 3-(H 2 O) 2 complexes have also been performed to further understand the nature of the surface-bound species. The experimental and ab initio results, taken together, suggest that ammonia is bound by a small number (two or three) of water molecules at the surface; this complex species represents a "critical cluster" which is easily transferred into the bulk solution.