bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The incidence of malignant mesothelioma in Australia 1982–1988
Authors: Leigh James , Corvalán Carlos F. , Grimwood Ashraf , Berry Geoffrey , Ferguson David A. , Thompson Rebecca
Published: April 2007

From 1980 to 1985, the Australian Mesothelioma Surveillance Program, and since 1986, the Australian Mesothelioma Register, have been collecting data on all cases of malignant mesothelioma that could be ascertained in Australia. Incidence rates were calculated on 854 Program and 696 Register cases (total 1271) diagnosed in Australia between January 1, 1982 and December 31, 1988. Australia has one of the highest national rates of mesothelioma in the world (15.8 cases per million of population aged 20 years and older), and the rate is rising. The rate is far higher in males (28.3) than females (3.3). The Western Australian rate (28.9) is the highest among the states, as may be expected because of the crocidolite mine at Wittenoom; however, the largest numbers of cases occur in the more populous and industrial New South Wales. The high incidence rate, its expected continuing increase, and absence of a history of exposure to asbestos in approximately 28% of cases, demand consideration of potential environmental factors other than asbestos in the causation of this tumor, as well as continued surveillance.
Lung function and chest radiograph abnormalities among construction insulators
Authors: Kennedy Susan M. , Vedal Sverre , Müller Nestor , Kassam Anisa , Chan‐Yeung Moira
Published: April 2007

We carried out a prevalence survey of pulmonary health parameters among current and retired construction insulators (50 years old and older) from all areas of British Columbia, Canada. The study population included 59 active workers (81 percent participation in this group) and 29 workers who were retired or inactive due to illness (69% participation). Radiograph results were compared to those from actively working bus mechanics from the same age group, and retired grain and civic workers, who were all tested in the same manner. Chest radiographs were read independently by two readers and were graded according to the ILO classification system. Pleural abnormalities alone were found in 34% (20) of active workers (5% in comparison group) and 45% (13) of non‐active workers (14% in comparison group). Rates for parenchymal abnormalities for these same groups (ILO grade 1/0 or higher) were 17% (5%) and 20% (5%), respectively. Airflow obstruction was present in 35% (31) of the insulators and was associated with age and the presence of diffuse pleural thickening, and 5 or more years of employment in pulp mills. Restrictive lung function was present in 22% (19) of the insulator population and was associated with age and radiographic evidence of parenchymal fibrosis. The results indicate that construction insulators, a group at high risk for asbestos‐related lung disease, also have a high prevalence of airflow obstruction. This was associated not only with smoking, but also with diffuse pleural thickening and a history of pulp‐mill employment, suggesting that airflow obstruction in this population is also partly work related.
Historical perspectives in occupational medicine. Changing attitudes and opinions regarding asbestos and cancer 1934–1965
Authors: Enterline Philip E.
Published: April 2007

Literature published in the years 1934–1965 was reviewed to determine attitudes and opinions of scientists as to whether asbestos is a cause of cancer. In Germany, the issue was decided in 1943 when the government decreed that lung cancer, when associated with asbestosis (of any degree), was an occupational disease. In the United States, however, there was no consensus on the issue until 1964. Opinions of scientists over a 22 year period are shown and the contributions of various cultural, social, economic and political factors to these opinions are discussed. A lack of experimental and epidemiological evidence played a major role in delaying a consensus. Other important factors included a rejection of science conducted outside of the U.S. during this period, particularly a rejection of German scientific thought during and after WWII, and a rejection of clinical evidence in favor of epidemiological investigations. Individual writers rarely changed their minds on the subject of asbestos as a cause of cancer.
The evolution of attitudes to the human hazards of ionizing radiation and to its investigators
Authors: Greenberg Morris
Published: April 2007

Hanford Works, Richland, Washington, was one of the largest atomic plants in the United States. Several tens of thousands of persons employed at that site have been followed over four decades. Impressive as this number may seem at first sight, the Mancuso/Stewart/Kneale team consider it too small to estimate a cancer risk even 10 times as large as the low level radiation estimate produced by the International Commission on Radiation Protection [Stewart and Kneale, 1981]. It has been estimated [Stern, 1981] that a population 10–100 times the size would be required, even employing sophisticated techniques of analysis.
Acute effects and exposure to organic compounds in road maintenance workers exposed to asphalt
Authors: Norseth Tor , Waage Jostein , Dale Inge
Published: April 2007

Subjective symptoms and exposure to organic compounds were recorded in road repair and construction workers. Abnormal fatigue, reduced appetite, laryngeal/pharyngeal irritation, and eye irritation were recorded more often in such workers handling asphalt than in a corresponding reference group without asphalt exposure. Mean daily exposure to volatile compounds was only occasionally above 1 ppm. Mean exposure to asphalt fume was 0.358 mg/m3. There was no correlation between symptoms and total amount of volatile compounds, but a significant positive correlation was demonstrated between symptoms and some substances. The highest correlation was found for 1, 2, 4 trimethyl benzene. Symptoms increased with increasing asphalt temperature and with increasing concentrations of asphalt fumes. Amine addition did not increase the sum of symptoms, but soft asphalt seems to result in fewer symptoms than the harder types. Symptoms were not related to external factors like weather, traffic density, or specific working operations. As preventive measures, asphalt temperature should be kept below 150°C, fume concentrations below 0.40 mg/m3, and if possible, the use of harder asphalt types which also require high temperatures should be avoided.
Respiratory health status of 3098 Canadian grain workers studied longitudinally
Authors: McDuffie Helen H. , Pahwa Punam , Dosman James A.
Published: April 2007

Analyses of data on 3098 male individuals surveyed twice by the Labour Canada Medical Surveillance Program for the Grain Industry are presented. The program collects information on respiratory symptoms, job description, and smoking habits of these workers. In addition, each worker performs pulmonary function tests obtainable through spirometry. Chronic sputum production and chronic wheezing were more prevalent during the latest testing period (rising to 17 percent and 13%, respectively), while the prevalence of chronic cough (16%) and dyspnea (10%) did not change significantly. Eighty‐two percent of these workers, in each time cycle, had normal pulmonary function despite an additional 3 years of work exposure. In each cycle, obstructive dysfunction (≤ 12% of workers) was more prevalent than restrictive dysfunction (≤5%) or combined obstructive/restrictive dysfunction (≤2.4%). It is unknown whether this demonstrated dysfunction is due to previous workplace exposure, as Labour Canada and the Canadian grain industry have cooperated in lowering the grain dust levels found in grain elevators and terminals. In addition, the prevalence of current cigarette smoking has declined. (↓ 5%) among these grain handlers, and there is suggestive evidence that those continuing to smoke have reduced their consumption (mean pack‐years changed only from 15.3 to 17.4). Knowledge of environmental dangers and educational programs have contributed to these encouraging results. (Supported by Labour Canada).
Mortality pattern among pulp and paper mill workers in Sweden: A case‐referent study
Authors: Wingren Gun , Persson Bodil , Thorén Kjell , Axelson Olav
Published: April 2007

The mortality pattern among Swedish pulp and paper mill workers was evaluated in a case‐referent study encompassing 4,070 men deceased during the period 1950–1987. The subjects were identified from the register of deaths and burials in six parishes. A significantly increased mortality was seen for diabetes mellitus and for secondary tumors of the lung and liver among the pulp and paper mill workers. Indications of excess risks were also found for obstructive lung disorders, pulmonary emboli, accidents, and pneumonia, as well as for malignant lymphomas, leukemias, and cancer of the pancreas and stomach. In the only parish where a sulfite process was exclusively used, cancer of the digestive tract and especially of the rectum was found to be in excess. Except for this parish, the sulfate process predominated in the plants included. The mortality pattern found in this study is in reasonable agreement with findings in various studies from this type of industry.
Assessment of the peripheral, central, and autonomic nervous system function in styrene workers
Authors: Murata Katsuyuki , Araki Shunichi , Yokoyama Kazuhito
Published: April 2007

To investigate the effects of styrene exposure on peripheral, central, and autonomic nervous system functions in man, we measured the distribution of nerve conduction velocities (DCV), short‐latency somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP), and variability in electrocardiographic R‐R interval (CVRR) as well as conventional sensory and motor median nerve conduction velocities (SCV and MCV) in eleven styrene‐exposed workers. The styrene workers' urinary phenylglyoxylic acid levels ranged from 31 to 419 (mean 169) mg/g creatinine at the end of the work shift on the examination day (estimated exposure to styrene of 22 ppm in air). Control subjects, matched to each styrene worker by sex and age, were selected from healthy adults without cardiovascular, neurologic and other potentially confounding disorders. In the styrene workers, we found that the V80 velocity of the DCV, below which 80% of active nerve fibers lie, and the SCV were both significantly slowed; the CVRR was also significantly reduced. There were no significant differences in SSEP latencies, MCV, or heart rate between the exposed workers and controls. These data, despite the small sample size, suggest that styrene affects the faster myelinated fibers of the peripheral sensory nerves, and that it also affects autonomic nervous activity.
Do quantitative exposure assessments improve risk estimates in occupational studies of cancer?
Authors: Blair Aaron , Stewart Patricia A.
Published: April 2007

Quantitative assessment of exposure intensity is a difficult process, particularly for jobs held long ago. Despite difficulties, the use of this approach is growing in occupational epidemiology because it is hoped that the estimates will more closely approximate delivered dose than more traditional measures such as duration of exposure. If this assumption is correct, development and use of quantitative exposure estimates should reduce nondifferential exposure misclassification, sharpen exposure‐response gradients, and enhance interpretation of study results. In this report, we used two methods to assess the value of quantitative exposure assessments in cancer epidemiology. In one, we surveyed the literature for investigations on occupational cancer that included assessments of both duration and intensity of exposure. The results of this survey indicated that exposure measures based on some measure of intensity of exposure yielded monotonically increasing exposure‐response gradients and larger relative risks more often than those based on duration of exposure. Duration of exposure, however, occasionally provided the larger relative risks. In another approach, we found that different measures of exposure to formaldehyde classified subjects quite differently. For example, duration of exposure was unrelated to average exposure and was only weakly associated with exposure intensity or peak exposure. Because different measures of exposure may classify subjects quite differently and because quantitative estimates usually, but not always, yield larger relative risks and sharper exposure‐response gradients than other measures of exposure, we believe that the prudent approach in epidemiologic investigations would be to develop quantitative estimates of exposure and to conduct analyses using several different measures of exposure, or combinations such as duration by intensity. Multiple comparisons would, however, increase chance findings. The value of such an approach is twofold. When a true association exists, use of several different measures decreases the chances of an unfortunate selection of an exposure measure that is poorly related to delivered dose, which would tend to produce negative results, and increases the chances of uncovering sharper exposure‐response gradients. Use of several exposure measures in investigations that fail to exhibit an association between exposure and disease would be of value because such an approach would provide greater confidence that negative findings were not simply due to exposure misclassification.
Aspects of misclassification of confounding factors
Authors: Ahlbom Anders , Steineck Gunnar
Published: April 2007

Misclassification of exposure in epidemiologic investigations has been extensively studied and is now well understood. In contrast, misclassification of confounding factors has been much less investigated. First, we consider a situation with confounding by age, in which misclassification is introduced through stratification of this inherently continuous variable. This misclassification turns out to be benign: 75% of the original confounding is removed by stratification into two age classes and more than 90% by using three age classes. Second, we consider a situation with serious confounding and serious misclassification of the confounding factor but no misclassification of the exposure. In this situation, the misclassification turns out to be of importance. After stratification for the misclassified confounding factor, it appears as though the exposure has a stronger effect on the incidence than the confounder, which is the reverse of the true situation.
The association between hydrocarbon exposure and anti‐glomerular basement membrane antibody‐mediated disease (Goodpasture's syndrome)
Authors: Bombassei Gregory J. , Kaplan Andre A.
Published: April 2007

Despite numerous reports suggesting a relationship between hydrocarbon exposure and Goodpasture's syndrome, the nature of this association is still undefined. The present review was motivated by a patient with Goodpasture's syndrome who wondered if his illness was employment related. The patient had been working in an automobile servicing garage, where he was in frequent contact with a wide array of hydrocarbon solvents. Previous reports linking hydrocarbon exposure to Goodpasture's syndrome and anti‐GBM antibody‐mediated nephritis are analysed. A total of seventeen papers presenting 31 patient with hydrocarbon exposure and anti‐GBM antibody‐mediated disease are reviewed. The results suggest a causal relationship. Specific hydrocarbons implicated as potential toxins are listed, epidemiologic data are reviewed, and the association with cigarette smoking is discussed.
A new case of occupational asthma from reactive dyes with severe anaphylactic response to the specific challenge
Authors: Romano Canzio , Sulotto Franca , Pavan Ivo , Chiesa Adriana , Scansetti Giovanni
Published: April 2007

A case of occupational asthma in a wool and cotton dyer handling reactive dyes is described. The patient was skin positive, but asymptomatic to house dust mites. A bromoacrilamidic dye (Lanasol Yellow 4G) has been identified through chamber inhalation challenge as being responsible for the sensitization. A very short (4‐minute) exposure produced a severe immediate obstructive ventilatory defect followed by arterial hypotension and urticaria. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness as tested through metacholine challenge was absent both in basal conditions and after the dye challenge. Both prick and patch test for the dye were positive in the absence of any sign of contact dermatitis.
A study of the cardiac effects of bromochlorodifluoromethane (Halon 1211) exposure during exercise
Authors: Kaufman Joel D. , Morgan Michael S. , Marks Melinda L. , Greene H. Leon , Rosenstock Linda
Published: April 2007

Bromochlorodifluoromethane (halon 1211, a fire extinguisher), like other fluorocarbons, has been linked with ventricular arrhythmias and myocardial depression. Ten healthy firefighters, aged 40‐50, were exposed to 1,000 ppm halon while exercising, in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled crossover experiment, and were monitored during and after exposure. Complex ectopy (ventricular couplets and idioventricular rhythm) occurred in two subjects with halon, but none with placebo. One subject had 49.5 ventricular premature beats (VPB)/hour during the period of halon exposure and subsequent 8 hours and only 8.7 VPB/hour during the same period of placebo. In addition, 8 of the 10 subjects had a smaller systolic blood pressure rise during exercise with halon than with placebo. None of the observed differences was statistically significant. These results are consistent with findings in other investigations, suggesting that occupational fluorocarbon exposures may be cardiotoxic in certain individuals, although the small sample sizes used in this and other studies have resulted in limited statistical power to demonstrate this effect.
Historical perspectives in occupational medicine. The discovery of the causal agent of minamata disease
Authors: Tsuchiya Kenzaburo
Published: April 2007

After the outbreak of an epidemic of a strange disease characterized by severe neurological signs in the small Japanese town of Minamata, a number of scientists in different disciplines were required to identify the causal agent. An account is given of the three‐year program, with its disappointments and frustrations as a result of the limitations of knowledge of ecological principles and the absence of adequate techniques for detection and measurement. The lessons that have been learned on how toxic compounds can accumulate and concentrate in food chains are described as are the ecological contributions of environmentally safe waste disposal techniques. This article is based on the recollections of Dr. Shoji Kitamura, who contributed greatly to the discovery of the causative agent of Minamata disease.
A follow‐up study of agricultural chemical production workers
Authors: Sathiakumar Nalini , Delzell Elizabeth , Austin Harland , Cole Philip
Published: April 2007

This retrospective follow‐up study evaluated the mortality experience of 4,323 men employed at a plant in Alabama (AL) that manufactures agricultural and other chemicals. On average, there were 18 years of follow‐up per subject during the study period of 1951 to 1987. The observed numbers of deaths among cohort members were compared with the numbers expected on the basis of United States (US) and AL general population mortality rates. The all causes standardized mortality ratio (SMR), computed using US rates as the referent, was 97 (233 observed/240 expected deaths) for whites and 68 (47/69) for blacks. White subjects had more than expected deaths from buccal cavity and pharynx (BCP) cancer [SMR = 388; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 125–905] and from esophageal cancer (SMR = 417; 112–1,067). Their lung cancer mortality rate was 50% higher than the rate of US white men and 14% higher than the rate of AL white men. Each of these three cancers has strong nonoccupational determinants, the roles of which were not assessed and which may have been responsible in whole or in part for the observed increases. The excesses of lung and esophageal cancer were concentrated among short‐term employees, an observation which also argues against a causal link with occupational factors. Black men experienced no increased mortality from BCP, esophageal or lung cancers, but results for blacks were imprecise. For white and black subjects combined, there were 3 observed versus 0.62 expected deaths due to soft tissue sarcoma (p = 0.05). The job histories of subjects with this type of cancer did not suggest any shared occupational exposure.
Blood superoxide dismutase and plasma malondialdehyde among workers exposed to asbestos
Authors: Kamal Abdel‐Aziz M. , Khafif Mohammed El , Koraah Soher , Massoud Aly , Caillard Jean‐Francois
Published: April 2007

Blood superoxide dismutase (SOD) and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) (an indicator of lipid peroxidation [LPO]) were determined in 97 randomly selected asbestos exposed workers (age range: 25–60 years, mean duration of exposures 19.8 ± 8.3 years) and in 42 healthy male controls. MDA, SOD, and MDA/SOD ratio in asbestos exposed workers were significantly higher than in controls. Among both the controls and exposed workers neither age nor smoking was related to SOD or MDA levels. SOD was significantly positively correlated with MDA among the exposed workers. Such correlation was not observed among the controls. SOD but not MDA was significantly positively correlated with the duration of exposure to asbestos. Mean levels of SOD or MDA in exposed workers with radiographic signs of lung fibrosis or pleural thickening did not differ significantly from those without such signs. The results confirm the possible involvement of LPO and development of anti‐oxidant mechanism(s) of prolonged exposure to asbestos in humans. However, SOD seems not to be the essential anti‐asbestos‐induced LPO. Relation between these factors and lung fibrosis is still unclear.
The role of threshold limit values in U.S. air pollution policy
Authors: Robinson James C. , Paxman Dalton G.
Published: April 2007

This paper analyzes the role of threshold limit values (TLVs) in national air pollution policy during the 1980s, a period in which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sought to delegate to individual states the authority to evaluate and regulate airborne toxic substances. We focus on 20 carcinogens and 11 substances with non‐genotoxic health effects that were regulated by local air toxics programs using TLVs. Data from EPA's National Air Toxics Information Clearinghouse indicate that maximum TLV‐based Ambient Air Level guidelines (AALs) frequently exceed minimum TLV‐based AALs by a factor of > 1,000. Cancer potency data from EPA's Integrated Risk Information System suggest significant risks remain at TLV‐based AALs. Cancer risks at the median TLV‐based AAL exceed 1,000 cases per million exposed persons for cadmium (1,040), nickel and its compounds (1,420), propylene oxide (1,550), coke oven emissions (1,860), benzene (2,500), arsenic and its compounds (7,300), N‐nitrosodimethylamine (21,000), asbestos (21,500), and ethylene dibromide (55,000). We also summarize published studies that report non‐genotoxic health effects in workers exposed at levels near the TLV for 11 substances whose AALs were based on TLVs. Contrary to the assumption frequently made by state air toxics program, TLVs cannot be taken to represent no observed effect levels (NOELs) for regulatory purposes.
Occupational hazards and pregnancy outcomes
Authors: Zhang Jun , Cai Wen‐Wei , Lee David J.
Published: April 2007

This study examined the association between exposure to occupational hazards and pregnancy outcomes using data from a case‐control study conducted in 29 hospitals in Shanghai, China. The sample included 1,875 perinatal deaths and newborns with birth defects and the same number of controls. Information on mother's exposure to occupational radiation, chemicals, noise, and pesticides was investigated. Logistic regression analysis controlling for potential confounders showed that exposure to radiation before/during pregnancy was associated with antepartum fetal death, birth defects, small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA), and threatened abortion. Exposure to chemicals before/during pregnancy was associated with antepartum fetal death, early neonatal death, birth defects, preterm birth, and threatened abortion. Women exposed to pesticides during pregnancy had an increased risk of SGA and threatened abortion. Exposure to occupational noise during pregnancy increased the risk of antepartum fetal death. Furthermore, higher than expected numbers of congenital anomalies in the central nervous system (CNS) were identified among women exposed to chemicals before pregnancy and to pesticides during the first trimester of pregnancy. No significant association was found between occupational exposure and intrapartum fetal death. Although recall bias may be possible in our study, the findings encourage further research.
Malignant mesothelioma in the jewelry industry
Authors: Kern David G. , Hanley Kate T. , Roggli Victor L.
Published: April 2007

We conducted a clinical, environmental, pathologic, and mineral lung burden investigation of a 61‐year‐old man with malignant mesothelioma. For 35 years, up until three weeks prior to pneumonectomy, the patient made asbestos soldering forms at a costume jewelry production facility. Only chrysotile asbestos was used at the plant during the last decade of the patient's employment, and recent environmental sampling of the workplace identified no other asbestos fiber type. Anticipating that the patient would add to the very small number of cases of mesothelioma attributable solely to chrysotile, we found instead that the patient's lung tissue contained large numbers of both coated and uncoated amosite asbestos fibers but, surprisingly, no chrysotile. We subsequently learned that a distributor of both chrysotile and amosite supplied the company during the first 25 years the patient was fabricating soldering forms. The findings underscore the futility of estimating environmental exposure to chrysotile on the basis of fiber counts in lung tissue. Although we previously described non‐neoplastic asbestos‐related disease among patients engaged in similar work, this case, to the best of our knowledge, represents the first report of mesothelioma in the commercial jewelry industry. As such, it prompted us to initiate a public health campaign to replace asbestos soldering forms in this industry with readily available, safer alternatives.
Pleural malignant mesothelioma in Tuscany, Italy (1970–1988): I. Anatomo‐pathologic aspects
Authors: Dini Sergio , Santucci Marco , Biancalani Mauro , Pingitore Raffaele , Lopane Paolo , Tosi Piero , Megha Tiziana , Sforza Vincenzo
Published: April 2007

Our investigation did not confirm the general experience that significant numbers of cases initially considered malignant mesothelioma or metastatic carcinoma are actually found to be metastatic carcinoma or malignant mesothelioma, respectively, upon deeper investigation using ancillary techniques (e.g., histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy). Well‐trained pathologists, expert in thoraco‐pulmonary pathology, have a high inter‐ and intra‐rater agreement and significantly better results than standard hospital pathologists in correctly differentiating malignant mesothelioma from metastatic carcinoma. Therefore, epidemiologic investigations which exclude an accurate and rigorous reevaluation of the histologic slides have to be considered unreliable, unless the data come from a specialized medical center experienced in this type of pathology.
Pleural malignant mesothelioma in Tuscany, Italy (1970‐1988): II. Identification of occupational exposure to asbestos
Authors: Chellini Elisabetta , Fornaciai Gabriele , Merler Enzo , Paci Eugenio , Costantini Adele Seniori , Silvestri Stefano , Zappa Marco , Buiatti Eva
Published: April 2007

Following the finding of an unexpected cluster of mesotheliomas in textile workers, a surveillance system of malignant mesotheliomas was implemented in the region of Tuscany, Italy. This article reports on the investigation of 124 cases of mesothelioma diagnosed and reviewed by the Institutes of Morbid Anatomy and Histopathology at the Universities of Florence, Pisa, and Siena between 1970 and 1988. A complete occupational and asbestos exposure history was assessed through a semi‐structured questionnaire directly administered to resident cases of Tuscany or, if deceased, to their closest living relatives, for a total of 100 interviews. The hypothesis of past occupational asbestos exposure was verified and documented. Seventy‐two cases have been classified as occupationally exposed to asbestos; four were classified in the category of “possible domestic” exposure to asbestos. For two others, the role of other risk factors was stressed, and for 22 cases, either no asbestos exposure was found or the available data were not adequate to define it. The present study allowed identification of some unknown or scarcely known occupational asbestos exposures in the study area.
Mortality patterns in female domestic workers
Authors: McDougal Laura , Band Pierre R. , Spinelli John J. , Threlfall William J. , Gallagher Richard P.
Published: April 2007

To investigate mortality patterns for domestic workers, proportional mortality ratios (PMRs) were calculated for the 1,382 female domestic workers who died in British Columbia at age 20 years or over between 1950 and 1984. This group experienced fewer deaths than expected from cerebrovascular accidents (PMR = 84) and hypertension (PMR = 39). The proportion of deaths from cirrhosis was higher than expected (PMR = 152). An excess of observed deaths was also noted for all accidents (PMR = 126), accidents due to environmental factors (PMR = 439), and homicide (PMR = 235). Mortality from pneumonia was elevated for domestic workers aged 20 to 65 (PMR = 180). Further studies using more sophisticated epidemiologic methods are necessary to evaluate whether these deaths are a result of occupational exposures or of poor socio‐economic conditions.
The dangers of dairy farming: The injury experience of 600 workers followed for two years
Authors: Pratt David S. , Marvel Laura H. , Darrow Diane , Stallones Lorann , May John J. , Jenkins Paul
Published: April 2007

In order to better understand the work‐related injuries sustained on central New York dairy farms, we undertook a two‐year population‐based study of 600 farmers and farm workers on 201 dairy farms. During the observation period, 1984‐1986, 151 persons had 200 injuries, giving an injury rate of 16.6%/year (166 injuries/1,000 workers/year). Men were injured more often than women (p ≤ 0.01). Injured workers were older (p ≤ 0.01), worked more hours (p ≤ 0.001), and had heavier workloads than noninjured workers (p ≤ 0.001). The growing and harvest seasons had the most injuries; winter the fewest. More than 2/3 of the injuries occurred in the afternoon. Owner/operators, often the most experienced, knowledgeable people on the farms, were most often hurt. Those working more than 60 hours/week, with greater than 30 acres under tillage/worker, had a relative risk of 2.76 compared with all other workers. The attributable risk for this group was 51%. There were two fatalities, both involved owner/operators. Our findings suggest that previous studies may have underestimated the risks faced by farmers. Dairy farming in central New York is very dangerous work. Those who own and operate these dairy farms are most often hurt and killed. Analysis of events on individual farms will be reported separately. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Environmental household exposures to asbestos and occurrence of pleural mesothelioma
Authors: Dodoli Daniela , Nevo Maurizio Del , Fiumalbi Carla , Iaia Tonina Enza , Cristaudo Alfonso , Comba Pietro , Viti Cecilia , Battista Giuseppe
Published: April 2007

We reviewed the certificates of 39,650 deaths which occurred in the period 1975‐1988 in Leghorn and of 45,900 in La Spezia (Italy) in the period 1958–1988.

In total 262 cases have been recorded as pleural mesothelioma. The main occupational exposures occurred in the shipbuilding industry.

Regarding non‐occupational exposures to asbestos, 13 cases of mesothelioma were found in women who had washed the work clothes of their relatives at home; we also found other domestic uses of asbestos which were rarely or never discussed previously in the literature: six cases might be explained by the installation of fireproof or non‐conductive materials in the domestic environment.

These exposures probably are more frequent than realized until now. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Occupation, smoking, and the risk of high‐grade invasive bladder cancer in Missouri
Authors: Brooks Daniel R. , Geller Alan C. , Chang Jian , Miller Donald R.
Published: April 2007

Numerous epidemiological studies have established that occupational exposures and smoking are the two major known risk factors for the development of bladder cancer. Using data from the Missouri Cancer Registry, we investigated the hypothesis that individuals with occupationally‐related bladder cancer are more likely to have a more invasive form of the disease. Data were analyzed for 2,893 white males diagnosed with primary bladder cancer in Missouri between 1984 and 1988. Of the 1,415 cases whose occupational status was recorded, 236 (17%) were employed in high‐risk occupations. Cases with high‐grade disease were more likely to have been employed in a high‐risk occupation, after adjustment for age and smoking (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1–2.6). High‐risk workers under 60 years of age were most at risk for developing high‐grade bladder tumors (AOR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.0–5.3). There was no overall association between high‐risk occupation and late‐stage disease (AOR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.7–1.5), but it was present in the men younger than 60 years of age (AOR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.0–3.8). No association was found between tobacco use and grade (AOR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.8–1.5), but cases with late‐stage disease were more likely to be smokers (AOR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1–1.9). When occupations were examined individually, motor vehicle operators, truck drivers, vehicle mechanics, other mechanics, and janitors were among those most likely to be diagnosed with high‐grade or late‐stage tumors. Although further studies are necessary to confirm these results, they suggest that surveillance and targeted screening of workers in high‐risk occupations may result in a greater yield of early invasive cancers and possibly decrease the mortality associated with this disease. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A strategy for delineating risks due to exposure to neurotoxic chemicals
Authors: Simonsen Leif , Lund Søren Peter
Published: April 2007

A method for delineating the risks due to exposure to neurotoxic chemicals based upon the linkage of four national computer‐based registers is described.

The four registers are: the Danish Product Register database, PROBAS; Register of air pollution measurements in Danish workplaces, ATABAS; Register of notified occupational diseases; and Register of work force.

Based on the information from the four registers, risk profiles for neurotoxic chemicals in 69 industrial groups were generated. The risk profiles describe the number of neurotoxic chemicals, their potency, the number of exposure measurements exceeding the occupational exposure limit (OEL), and the total and relative number of diseases caused by the chemicals in each group.

Based on this linkage, twelve industries are noted to be potentially at high risk due to exposure to neurotoxic chemicals; therein, 18 chemicals are identified as “risk chemicals,” primarily used in 8 main groups of products. The goal of the evaluation is to develop a tool for priority setting of preventive measures. The evaluation may also serve as a tool for assessing improvements and selecting areas for further epidemiological Studies. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exposure to diesel exhaust in the trucking industry and possible relationships with lung cancer
Authors: Steenland Kyle , Silverman Debra , Zaebst Dennis
Published: April 2007

We previously reported that long‐term truck drivers and mechanics in the Teamsters Union had higher lung cancer risks than Teamsters outside the trucking industry. We now summarize results from an industrial hygiene survey of current exposures to diesel exhaust in the trucking industry, and relate these to our prior results pertaining to lung cancer risk. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Disease clusters in occupational medicine: A protocol for their investigation in the workplace
Authors: Fleming Lora E. , Ducatman Alan M. , Shalat Stuart L.
Published: April 2007

Disease clusters have been an important source of epidemiologic and medical information in the history of occupational medicine. Many accepted disease‐exposure linkages were first observed and investigated as disease clusters in the workplace setting. Recent interest in disease cluster methodology has focused on traditional environmental settings. There has been very little work on a similar methodology for the investigation of disease clusters in the workplace, despite the many advantages of workplace cluster investigations for recognizing new etiologic associations. In this paper, a protocol is proposed and discussed which can be implemented in both acute and chronic disease cluster outbreaks in the workplace, where no obvious previously recognized cause is identified. A standardized approach to occupational disease cluster investigation will lead to increase efficiency, decreased social‐political tensions, and a greater yield of scientific information. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Localized pleural plaques and lung cancer
Authors: Partanen T. , Nurminen M. , Zitting A. , Koskinen H. , Wiikeri M. , Ahlman K.
Published: April 2007

In a mass chest radiography survey conducted in 1971 for 7,986 residents of three Finnish communities, 604 subjects (7.6%) with pleural plaques but no other asbestosrelated radiographic signs were identified. The same number of referents, each individually matched to each plaque carrier on sex, birth year, and community, was selected from among persons in the same source population with no pleural plaques. The two groups were followed for investigation of incidence of lung cancer during 1972–1989. Twenty‐eight of those with plaques and 25 referents contracted lung cancer (crude conditional RR = 1.1; CL95 = 0.7, 1.9). The application of the proportional hazards model, with adjustment for sex, age, and residence, resulted in a hazard ratio of 1.1 (CL = 0.6, 1.8). The risk ratio estimate may be biased; hence, the result is inconclusive in regard to the predictive assessment of lung cancer risk among carriers of pleural plaques. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Asbestos fiber analysis in 27 malignant mesothelioma cases
Authors: Murai Yoshihiro , Kitagawa Masanobu
Published: April 2007

The asbestos body counts per 5 gm wet lung tissue in 27 (23 pleural and 4 peritoneal) malignant mesothelioma cases derived from 19 autopsy and 8 surgical cases were, according to our own criteria, low level exposure in 13 cases (48.2%), moderate level exposure in 2 cases (7.4%), and high level exposure in 12 cases (44.4%). In our previous study on 235 consecutive autopsy cases, the low level exposure was considered to be environmental, the moderate level was secondary or blue collar, and the high level was occupational. In the present study, about half of the cases examined (44.4%, high level exposure) are closely related to some occupational asbestos exposure and the other half (48.2%) to environmental exposure

The type and size of asbestos fibers from the 12 cases of high level exposure were analyzed and the characteristics were compared with those of cases of low level exposure without lung cancer or mesothelioma. Most fibers analyzed (98%) were longer than 5 μm and thicker than 0.10 μm by our counting rules. In the control group, predominant fibers were tremolite or actinolite. In all the 11 pleural mesothelioma cases, the content of amosite fibers was significantly higher than in the controls. In one case of peritoneal mesothelioma, incipient asbestosis was found and the predominant fibers were crocidolite. It is suggested that the presence of amosite and crocidolite is linked to mesothelioma. The mean lengths of amosite and crocidolite, as detected by our resolution capabilities, were 36.0 and 20.9 μm, and the mean diameters were 0.51 and 0.27 μm, respectively. Both amosite and crocidolite fibers had high aspect ratios (94.2 and 115.4). © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A retrospective mortality study within operating segments of a petroleum company
Authors: Schnatter A. Robert , Thériault Gilles , Katz Arnold M. , Thompson F. S. , Donaleski Donna , Murray N.
Published: April 2007

This retrospective mortality study was conducted among 34,597 oil industry workers in diverse operating segments. Employees were traced through Statistics Canada, and overall mortality (SMR = 0.85) was lower than general population rates and similar to other petrochemical cohorts. The most notable finding was a significant excess of malignant melanoma [observed deaths (N) = 16, SMR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.07, 3.04], which concentrated among upstream workers (N = 6, SMR = 6.00, 95% CI = 2.19, 13.06), and was directly related to employment duration and latency. Specific substances or hydrocarbon (HC) streams could not be implicated, although possible explanations include dermal HC exposure, ultraviolet light exposure, or a synergistic effect between these two factors

Marketing/transportation workers showed a non‐significant excess of multiple myeloma (SMR = 1.81), which was also related to employment duration, latency, and commencement of employment before 1950. Lymphatic cancer, skin cancer, and kidney cancer mortality was not elevated in refinery workers, a finding at odds with some previous refinery worker studies

Although the malignant melanoma and possibly the multiple myeloma mortality patterns are consistent with an occupational link, further studies are needed to investigate the relationship of these diseases with particular exposures. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An automated method for the determination of acetyl and pseudo cholinesterase in hemolyzed whole blood
Authors: Meuling W. J. A. , Jongen M. J. M. , Van Hemmen J. J.
Published: April 2007

The aim of the present study was to develop a method which allows determination of pseudo (PsChE) and acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) activities in single hemolyzed blood samples of workers exposed to cholinesterase‐inhibiting compounds, avoiding the time‐consuming and laborious separation of plasma and erythrocytes. Two methods based on Ellman's colorimetric determination of cholinesterase activity were compared, and three different substrates were tested

The best results were obtained with the substrates butyrylthiocholine and acetyl(ß‐methyl)thiocholine, both showing a substrate specificity of more than 97% with respect to PsChE and AChE, respectively. The method showed sensitivity to detect low levels of inhibition of AChE and PsChE is blood. The between‐day precision was less than 4% for both cholinesterase activities. It was demonstrated with this method that hemolyzed blood can be stored at −20°C at least 18 months without loss of cholinesterase activity. The method has been used for 18 months in a monitoring program for laboratory employees working with various cholinesterase‐inhibiting compounds. The average coefficients of intraindividual variation amounted to 6.8% (range 2.2–9.6%; 90 percentile, 8%) and 6.6% (range 2.9–9.9%; 90 percentile, 7.9%) for PsChE and AChE, respectively. In a group of non‐exposed workers the average intraindividual variations were 4.0% (range 1.5–7.7%; 90 percentile, 7.6%) and 3.6% (range 0.6–6.6%; 90 percentile, 5.3%), respectively. Using the value of 4.0%, it appears possible to detect an individual decrease in cholinesterase activity of more than 8% below a baseline based on three determinations. The method can thus be used to detect relatively low levels of cholinesterase inhibition. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Biological monitoring of three 60Co radiation incident victims
Authors: Milković‐Kraus Sanja , Kubelka Dragan , Vekić Branko
Published: April 2007

Radiation‐induced structural chromosomal aberrations were the only adverse effects found in three workers overexposed to 60Co λ‐radiation. Chromosomal analyses were performed on the 5th and 75th days after exposure. Hematologic follow‐up was carried out on the 5th, 12th, 16th, and 75th days after exposure. Hematologic findings did not differ over time in any of the three exposed workers. In two workers, we found dicentric chromosomes, which are conventional indicators for exposure to ionizing radiation. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Malignant lymphoproliferative diseases in occupations with potential exposure to phenoxyacetic acids or dioxins: A register‐based study
Authors: Eriksson Mikael , Hardell Lennart , Malker Hans , Weiner Jan
Published: April 2007

The Swedish Cancer Environment Register (CER) is a linkage of census data (e.g., on occupations) with the Swedish Cancer Register. It has been used in different studies to generate hypotheses on occupational risk factors for malignant tumors. In this study the risk for malignant lymphoma and multiple myeloma in occupations with potential exposure to phenoxyacetic acids or other related substances were investigated. An increased standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of 1.3 for multiple myeloma was verified in farmers (no. of cases = 335). This finding applied to both sexes, and the SIR increased over successive time periods. Regarding malignant lymphoma an increased SIR of 1.2 was found in farmers (no. = 227) for the latest time period studied (i. e. 1979–1984). When non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma was studied separately, an increased risk (SIR = 1.2) was found only in carpenters (no. = 149), whereas for Hodgkin's disease, sawmill workers (no. = 10) had an increased SIR of 2.1. Physicians also had an elevated risk for malignant lymphoma. A major shortcoming in register studies such as CER is that no individual exposure data on different agents are available. Lack of an association between an occupation and a specific malignant disease, therefore, may not be taken as evidence that persons within that occupation are not at increased risk for that disease.
Neurobehavioral effects of long‐term occupational exposure to organic solvents: Two comparable studies
Authors: Spurgeon A. , Gray C. N. , Sims J. , Calvert I. , Levy L. S. , Harvey P. G. , Harrington J. M.
Published: April 2007

Two comparable cross‐sectional studies were carried out employing the same methodology but involving two separate solvent‐exposed populations (N = 90, N = 144). In each study, solvent‐exposed workers were compared with age‐matched controls on tests selected from the Neurobehavioral Evaluation System and on standardized questionnaire measures of symptomatology and psychiatric state. A similar pattern of results was obtained in the two studies indicating a significant effect on cognitive functioning, after controlling for confounding variables, occurring in those with more than 30 years of exposure. A more specific effect on learning processes was observed in those with more than 10 years of exposure. There were no indications in either study of a solvent‐related increase in psychiatric symptoms.