Job exposure matrices for use in respiratory health in low- and middle-income countries: a commentary on relevance and future direction
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Occupational exposures are critical yet often overlooked contributors to chronic respiratory disease. Job exposure matrices (JEMs) are widely used to assign occupational exposures where direct measurement is not feasible, particularly in large epidemiological studies. However, their applicability in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is limited by contextual, structural, and methodological challenges. Drawing on insights from a focus group of occupational respiratory health and exposure assessment experts, this commentary examines key limitations in applying existing JEMs to LMIC contexts, including high prevalence of informal employment, job variability, and higher exposure levels. The group identified priority areas for future refinement, including temporal and geographical calibration, and integration of mixed-role employment. While JEMs remain the most practical approach for large-scale exposure assessment, their contextual adaptation is essential to ensure valid exposure–response estimation, improve disease burden attribution, and promote greater equity in global occupational health research.
Date Issued
2026-03-01
Date Acceptance
2026-01-11
Citation
Annals of Work Exposures and Health, 2026, 70 (2)
ISSN
2398-7308
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Journal / Book Title
Annals of Work Exposures and Health
Volume
70
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
© The Author(s) 2026. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Occupational Hygiene Society. All rights reserved. This is the author’s accepted manuscript made available under a CC-BY licence in accordance with Imperial’s Research Publications Open Access policy (www.imperial.ac.uk/oa-policy)
License URL
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
wxag004
Date Publish Online
2026-02-19