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. 2023 May 17;20(10):5849.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph20105849.

Aircrew Health: A Systematic Review of Physical Agents as Occupational Risk Factors

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Aircrew Health: A Systematic Review of Physical Agents as Occupational Risk Factors

Ana Carolina Russo et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

The primary objective of this systematic review was to analyze the main physical agents representing risk factors for commercial aircrew, together with their consequences. The secondary objective was to identify the countries in which studies on the topic were conducted, as well as the quality of the publications available. Thirty-five articles, published between 1996 and 2020, were selected for the review, having met all inclusion criteria. The majority of studies were conducted in the United States, Germany, and Finland and had moderate or low methodological quality of evidence. The main risk factors for aircrew identified in publications were exposure to abnormal air pressure, cosmic radiation, noise, and vibrations. Hypobaric pressure was explored in response to demands for studies on this agent, a factor which may lead to otic and ear barotraumas, as well as acceleration of atherosclerosis of the carotid artery. However, there is a dearth of research exploring this phenomenon.

Keywords: aircrew2; occupational risk factors; systematic review 1.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Stages of the systematic literature review. (Adapted with permission from Ref. [15]).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Publications cited by year (Web of Science).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Main areas of knowledge (Web of Science).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Combination of key words used in the search.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Flow diagram of study selection process for inclusion in systematic review.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Keywords used by authors (7 clusters formed).
Figure 7
Figure 7
Clusters identified in searches.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Formation of 12 clusters.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Origin of articles reviewed.

References

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