Table 1 Mechanical, physical, chemical exposure among immigrants compared with natives

Diaz-Serrano et al. [33]

General working pop., survey, Catalonia, 2006

Noise: mean = 1.8 vs.1.7^a, dust: mean = 1.9 vs. 1.6^a, heavy loads: mean = 1.8 vs. 1.6^a

Dunlavy et al. [35]

General working pop, survey, Sweden, 2010–11.

Physical demanding work: ERR^# = 1.3 (Latin-American) ^a, ERR^# = 1.4 (other Non-Western)^a, awkward working postures^NS

Premji & Lewchuk [60]

General working pop., survey, Canada, 2005–6

Heavy physical workload: ERR^# = 1.7 ^a, toxic substances: ERR^# = 0.6 (m) ^a

Ronda et al. [64]

General working pop., survey, 31 European countries EU, 2004–5

Vibrations: ERR^# = 1.4(m) ^a /1.4(w) ^a, noise: ERR^# = 1.3(m) ^a, high temperature: ERR^# = 1.3(m) ^a, heavy loads: ERR^# = 1.2(m) ^a/1.8 (w), painful positions: ERR^# = 1.21(m)^a, standing: ERR^# = 1.2^a, fume/dust: ERR^# = 0.55 (w) ^a

Ronda et al. [63]

General working pop., survey, Spain, 2004–5

Lifting weights^NS, forced positions^NS, standing: ERR^# = 1.2 (m) ^a/ 1.3 (w) ^a, chemical exposure^NS, temperature: ERR^# = 1.8(m) ^a/ 2.1(w) ^a, noise^NS

Smith et al. [70]

Cohort of immigrants, survey, Canada, 2000–01,

Higher physical demands compared to before arrival in Canada: Poor English: OR = 1.7 ^a, Refugee applicants: OR = 2.9 ^a.Data on natives = n/a