bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of suicide rates among industrial groups
Authors: Liu Tiepu , Waterbor John W.
Published: April 2007

Suicide rates among industrial groups were examined systematically using death certificate data from 1984 through 1989 in Alabama. Poisson loglinear modelling was used to estimate the rate ratios (RR) of industries compared to a referent and to adjust for confounding. Marked differences in suicide rates were found among industrial groups. The rates ranged from 5.31 to 62.36 per 100,000 population per year. People employed in public administration had the lowest rate. In comparison with public administration, the construction industry had the highest risk (adjusted RR = 11.8, 95% confidence interval (CI): 9.6–14.6). Employees of the mining industry experienced a similarly high risk (adjusted RR = 11.5, 95% CI: 8.2–16.3). Persons employed in farming, agriculture services, forestry, and fisheries, manufacturing, and transportation, communications, and other public utilities industries had intermediate risks. Smaller elevations of suicide rates compared to public administration were observed in the wholesale trade, retail trade, finance, insurance, and real estate, and services industries. The differences of suicide rates may be related to sociodemographic differences, self‐selection for occupation, ease of access to lethal agents, or job stress. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Retrospective cohort mortality study of workers with potential exposure to epichlorohydrin and allyl chloride
Authors: Olsen Geary W. , Lacy Susan E. , Chamberlin Steve R. , Albert David L. , Arceneaux Terri G. , Bullard Linda F. , Stafford Beth A. , Boswell Jeffrey M.
Published: April 2007

Previous epidemiologic research has associated potential epichlorohydrin exposure with lung cancer and, in conjunction with allyl chloride exposure, to heart disease mortality. The study was designed to test both hypotheses by examining the mortality experience of 1,064 male employees (12,574 person‐years) who had a minimum of 1 month work experience between 1957–1986 in the production or use of epichlorohydrin and allyl chloride and 1 year total employment duration at Dow Chemical's Texas Operations. Vital status follow‐up occurred through 1989 of which there were 66 total deaths (standardized mortality ratio [SMR] = 80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 62–101). There were no significantly elevated SMRs for all malignant neoplasms, lung cancer, circulatory system disease, or arteriosclerotic heart disease when compared to external (U.S.) or internal (Texas Operations) populations. There were no apparent mortality trends with cumulative exposure analyses of potential epichlorohydrin exposure with and without accompanying allyl chloride exposure. A high prevalence of circulatory system death certificates were certified by nonphysicians in the local county and more than one third were described in nonspecific terms. The study results are not consistent with the prior hypothesized associations. However, the study results are limited by the cohort's size, duration of follow‐up, relatively few number of observed and expected deaths, and the level of potential epichlorohydrin exposure experience. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cohort mortality study of rock salt workers in Italy
Authors: Tarchi Marzia , Orsi Daniela , Comba Pietro , de Santis Marco , Pirastu Roberta , Battista Giuseppe , Valiani Mauro
Published: April 2007

A cohort mortality study of rock salt workers was carried out in Volterra. Italy. The occupational risk factors identified during environmental hygiene surveys were high noise levels and exposure to dusts and to chrysotile asbestos. The cohort consists of 487 subjects (367 males and 120 females) employed in the mine between 1/1/1965 and 12/31/1989. At the end of follow‐up, 387 individuals were alive (295 males and 92 females), and 100 were deceased (72 males and 28 females). For two decedents, the cause of death was unknown. Regional rates were used for the computation of standardized mortality ratios (SMRs). In the entire cohort, observed mortality for all causes was similar to expected (SMR = 98, 100 obs); SMR for all cancer was 127 (41 obs); for lung cancer, the SMR was 146 (10 obs). Two cases of pleural mesothelioma, both in males, resulted in a statistically significant elevation of this cause (SMR = 741, 90% confidence interval (CI) 131‐2,332). Two malignant brain tumors were detected (SMR = 328, 90% CI 58‐1,032); one of these was identified as a secondary neoplasm with consideration of additional clinical information. Among males, mortality for all cancers was significantly increased (SMR = 140, 90% CI 106‐192). The observed mortality for malignant tumors of the digestive and the respiratory systems was higher than expected. In women, two cases of malignant ovarian cancer were observed vs. 0.42 expected on the basis of the regional rates. Increased mortality from lung and pleural tumors was consistent with the exposure to asbestos, which has also been shown to play a role in the development of ovarian tumors. The main limitations of this study were the small number of subjects and the definition of exposure solely in terms of duration of employment. Further studies of rock salt workers are needed to elucidate our findings. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Silicosis surveillance in ontario: Detection rates, modifying factors, and screening intervals
Authors: Finkelstein Murray M.
Published: April 2007

The Province of Ontario has had a surveillance program for workers in dusty industries for almost 70 years. This paper reports the detection rates of silicosis among 68,701 silica‐exposed individuals who were first exposed to dust in 1950 or later, and who were still employed in 1979 or later. The detection rate varied strongly with latency, being less than two new cases per 10,000 examinations during the first two decades from first exposure, reaching two new cases per 1,000 examinations at 27 years from first exposure, and averaging between two and four new cases per 1,000 examinations thereafter. The silicosis incidence rate among miners was only about half that among foundry workers. Cigarette smoking was also found to be a risk factor for the diagnosis of silicosis. These data were used to model the detection rate of new cases of silicosis as a function of the time interval between examinations, and results are presented for examination cycles between 2 and 10 years. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Estimates of the extent of morbidity and mortality due to occupational diseases in Canada
Authors: Kraut Allen
Published: April 2007

Objective: To estimate the extent of occupational disease morbidity and mortality in Canada by comparing and contrasting four different data sources. Data Sources: 1) Canadian National Workers' Compensation Boards Statistics, 2) U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics adjusted to Canadian Workforce, 3) California Physician's First Reports adjusted to the Canadian Workforce, and 4) proportionate model of overall disease incidence obtained through literature review. Main Findings: Each data source was limited in its ability to provide a true estimate of the extent of morbidity and mortality due to occupational disease in Canada. Collectively, an estimate of between 77,900 and 112,000 new cases of occupational diseases and 2,381 to 6,010 occupational disease deaths were obtained. Conclusions: Occupational diseases are a significant and underestimated cause of morbidity and mortality in Canada. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Muconic acid in urine: A reliable indicator of occupational exposure to benzene
Authors: Lauwerys Robert R. , Buchet Jean‐Pierre , Andrien Fabian
Published: April 2007

In male subjects not occupationally exposed to benzene, the concentration of muconic acid (MA) in urine is usually below 0.5 mg/g creatinine. At ambient levels of benzene exposure (below 0.01 ppm), the mean MA level was greater in 21 smokers than in 14 nonsmokers. In 38 male subjects employed in garages and coke ovens, a statistically significant correlation was found between the airborne concentration of benzene measured with passive monitors and MA in postshift urine. The mean postshift MA concentrations corresponding to a benzene 8‐hour time‐weighted average exposure (TWA) of 0.5 and 1 ppm were 0.8 and 1.4 mg/g creatinine, respectively. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Changes in international radiation protection standards
Authors: Morgan Karl Z.
Published: April 2007

The International Commission on Radiological Protection, ICRP, is the only organization that has ever effectively set standards at the international level for protection from exposure to ionizing radiation. Thus, this paper deals primarily with the ICRP, its shortcomings, and changes that should be made in ICRP and its operation. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A survey of actinic keratoses among paraquat production workers and a nonexposed friend reference group
Authors: Cooper Sharon P. , Downs Thomas , Burau Keith , Buffler Patricia A. , Tucker Stephen , Whitehead Lawrence , Wood Susan , Delclos George , Huang Boji , Davidson Tony , Key Marcus
Published: April 2007

Follow‐up on two reports of an excess of keratoses among paraquat production workers was conducted to evaluate the contribution of occupational exposures to the prevalence of keratoses among workers in a paraquat production plant in Texas. A cross‐sectional study design was used to compare the prevalence of keratoses among current workers to an age, race, and sex frequency‐matched group of their friends who had never worked at the plant. The analysis is based on 112 workers and 232 friends. Exposure, outcome, and covariables used in the analyses were obtained from an interview questionnaire, dermatology exam, and company records. Overall, the prevalence proportion of the presence of any actinic keratoses among workers and friends was similar (0.30 and 0.28, respectively). Among high cumulative exposed workers, the prevalence of any actinic keratoses was 0.40 compared to 0.20 among low‐exposed workers and 0.28 among friends. These results were further explored using a multiple logistic regression approach to adjust for known risk and possibly confounding variables. Statistically significant high risks of actinic keratoses were demonstrated for freckling before age 16 years, older age, suntanning behaviors, occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and Fitzpatrick skin type. There was no significant contribution of overall exposure status (worker vs. friend). Similar to the crude analysis, the odds of actinic keratoses of high‐exposed workers compared to friends was 1.9 (confidence interval [CI] = 0.9‐4.2) whereas the comparable odds ratio for low‐exposed workers vs. friends was 0.6 (CI = 0.2–1.7). These data do not demonstrate an excess of actinic keratoses overall nor any consistent increase in the odds of keratoses with an increase in plant exposure level. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lead poisoning from mobilization of bone stores during thyrotoxicosis
Authors: Goldman Rose H. , White Roberta , Kales Stephen N. , Hu Howard
Published: April 2007

We describe a case of thyrotoxicosis accompanied by markedly elevated blood lead levels (initially 53 μ/dl) in a 37‐year‐old woman. No current source of lead exposure was found; the woman gave a history indicative of lead exposure as a child and as an adult 7 years previously, however. In addition, she was found to have markedly elevated bone lead levels, as measured by K‐x‐ray fluorescence (154 /pm 5 in the mid‐tibia and 253 /pm 6 μ/g bone mineral in the patella), and an increased serum osteocalcin level (2.76 nmol/1), reflecting the increased bone turnover that often accompanies hyperthyroidism. During treatment with propylthiouracil, serial observations demonstrated a decline in serum osteocalcin that paralleled a decline in blood lead levels. Bone lead levels did not change appreciably. The patient also continued to have lingering neuropsychological symptoms consistent with chronic lead effects. We suggest that increased bone turnover accompanying thyrotoxicosis led to clinically significant lead poisoning in this patient, due to mobilization of accumulated bone lead stores acquired many years earlier. This phenomenon raises the general issue of more subtle forms of lead exposure from increased bone turnover states (e.g., osteoporosis). © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cancer mortality in workers employed at a transformer manufacturing plant
Authors: Yassi Annalee , Tate Robert , Fish David
Published: April 2007

This study examined mortality to December 31, 1989 in a cohort of 2,222 males employed between 1947 and 1975 at a transformer manufacturing plant in Canada, where there had been extensive use of transformer fluid, some containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). A combined cohort list of 2,222 names was independently obtained from plant management and union officials. Mortality of 1,939 workers with known birthdates was ascertained by record linkage with the Canadian Mortality Database.

Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for different criteria for acceptance of the death certificate link and for cohort membership (based on work history) ranged from .71–1.05. There was no significant increase in overall cancer deaths. The only significant site‐specific increased mortality was pancreatic cancer (11 deaths), with SMRs ranging from 2.92–7.64 and higher mortality risk in those who entered the cohort prior to 1960. All but one of these deaths had a latency period of at least 10 years, and greatest SMRs were found in departments with the greatest exposure to transformer fluid.

Several previous studies have found excess pancreatic cancers in association with oil exposures and electrical equipment manufacturing. The need to further investigate pancreatic cancer in transformer manufacturing and related exposures is evident. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Personal history, training, and worksite as predictors of back pain of nurses
Authors: Harber Philip , Peña Laura , Hsu Paul , Billet Elizabeth , Greer Deborah , Kim Katty
Published: April 2007

Back pain among nurses is a common problem. Prior studies of this problem have been based on cross‐sectional or retrospective data. This 18‐month prospective study involving nurses newly graduated from nursing school investigated personal, worksite, and training factors associated with future risk of back pain. Each nurse underwent a preliminary interview and periodic follow‐ups to identify those with back injuries. Contingency tables and logistic regression analyses demonstrated that prior significant back pain episodes (evidenced by previous job changes because of back pain, frequent medication use, etc.) were associated with increased future risk. Training at nursing school or on the job did not have a protective effect. This pilot study therefore suggests factors useful in placement and counseling of new nurses and indicates the need for further implementation of mechanical lift assist device use. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Extended mortality follow‐up among men and women in a U.S. furniture workers union
Authors: Miller Barry A. , Blair Aaron , Reed Elizabeth J.
Published: April 2007

The addition of 5 years of follow‐up and over 411,000 person‐years of observation to a cohort of 34,081 men and women employed in U.S. furniture and other related industries allowed the investigation of mortality patterns among women and minority races in addition to white men. A significant excess of pleural mesotheliomas occurred among white men (standardized mortality ratio [SMR] = 3.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2–8.7) but could not be linked to a particular type of furniture manufacturing. SMRs for myeloid leukemia and chronic nephritis were elevated among white men employed in the wood furniture industry but were not statistically significant. Males in the black/ other race categories in wood furniture plants showed nonsignificant mortality excesses for infectious diseases and cancers of the prostate and colon and rectum. Among white women employed in wood furniture plants, mortality was elevated for cancers of the pancreas and lung during the most recent follow‐up period. In metal furniture plants, mortality was raised among men in both race groups for kidney cancer (black/other SMR = 8.0, 95% CI = 1.6–23.2; white SMR = 2.1, 95% CI = 0.4–6.2) and diabetes mellitus (black/other SMR = 2.2, 95% CI = 0.6–5.6; white SMR = 1.8, 95% CI = 0.7–3.9). Stomach cancer mortality was significantly elevated (SMR = 3.3, 95% CI = 1.3–6.8) among white men in metal furniture plants and was of the same magnitude over both the previous and the most recent follow‐up periods. Among those working with textiles, SMRs were significantly elevated for leukemia (SMR = 6.1, 95% CI = 1.2–7.8) and cancers of the colon and rectum (SMR = 3.2, 95% CI = 1.3–4.5) for white women. Lung cancer mortality was increased for white men and women in textile operations, but SMRs were not statistically significant. SMRs for a number of other causes of death that were elevated at the end of the earlier follow‐up period were not increased during the new follow‐up period. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of porphyria cutanea tarda in U.S. workers exposed to 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin
Authors: Calvert Geoffrey M. , Sweeney Marie Haring , Fingerhut Marilyn A. , Hornung Richard W. , Halperin William E.
Published: April 2007

A cross‐sectional medical study was performed to evaluate whether occupational exposure to 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD)‐contaminated substances is associated with porphyria cutanea tarda or porphyrinuria. The exposed participants were employed more than 15 years earlier in the manufacture of sodium trichlorophenol and its derivatives. The referent group consisted of individuals with no occupational exposure to phenoxy herbicides. A total of 281 workers and 260 referents participated. The pattern of urinary porphyrin excretion for each participant was assessed to determine if symptomatic or subclinical porphyria cutanea tarda was present. None of the participants were found to have symptomatic porphyria cutanea tarda. No difference was found between workers and referents in the prevalence of subclinical porphyria cutanea tarda (odds ratio [OR] = 0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.19, 4.54). There were also no differences in the risk between workers and referents for an out‐of‐range urinary uro‐porphyrin or coproporphyrin concentration. In conclusion, this study did not find an elevated risk for porphyria cutanea tarda or porphyrinuria among workers with high serum TCDD levels. Our review of the literature indicates that there is insufficient evidence available to convincingly support or refute an association in humans between TCDD exposure and porphyria cutanea tarda or porphyrinuria.
Neuropsychological deficit among elderly workers in aluminum production
Authors: Bast‐Pettersen Rita , Drabløs Per Arne , Goffeng Lars Ole , Thomassen Yngvar , Torres Carl G.
Published: April 2007

A cross‐sectional study was conducted at a Norwegian primary aluminum plant. All workers aged 61‐66 years were offered early retirement benefits. Among the workers, 47 met the study criteria and 38 (81%), comprising 14 potroom workers, 8 foundry workers, and 16 controls, volunteered to participate. They were tested with a neuropsychological test battery.

Workers in potrooms with Søderberg electrolytic cells were found to show signs of impairment of the nervous system. A test for tremor discriminated significantly between the potroom group and the controls. There was a suggestion of increased risk of impaired visuospatial organization and a tendency to a decline in psychomotor tempo in the potroom workers. We suggest that the above findings may be related to long‐term occupational exposure in the potroom, and further to chronic low‐dose exposure to aluminum. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A comparison of analyses of occupational bladder cancer: Death certificate vs. population‐based case‐control interview data
Authors: Burnett Carol A. , Silverman Debra T. , Lalich Nina R.
Published: April 2007

The authors examined the utility of death certificate data for occupational health surveillance by comparing the ability of the data to identify high‐risk occupations for bladder cancer with that of a population‐based case‐control study. Death certificate data for white males from 23 states for 1979–1987 were analyzed using proportionate mortality ratios. The case‐control study used cancer registry cases for 1977–1978. Results were compared for 21 a priori suspect occupations. A broad definition of agreement resulted in agreement for 62% of the occupations; the death certificate study identified eight of 15 occupations identified by the case‐control study and neither study identified five of the categories. While death certificate data have many limitations, our results indicate that death certificate data can provide clues to some potential occupational health problems. With the advantages of inexpensive data, large sample size, and industrial coverage, more refined analyses of the data should prove useful for occupational mortality surveillance and hypothesis generation. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Risks of asthma associated with occupations in a community‐based case‐control study
Authors: Ng Tze Pin , Hong Ching Yee , Goh Lee Gan , Wong Mee Lian , Koh Kevin Tse Chung , Ling Sing Lin
Published: April 2007

The aim of this study was to identify occupational risk groups which might usefully be targeted for occupational asthma surveillance and control, using a community‐based case‐control approach. Data on previous and current occupations held by subjects were analyzed for 787 adult patients with bronchial asthma and 1591 nonasthmatic patient controls, aged 20‐54 years, belonging to the three major races (Chinese, Malays, and Indians) in five outpatient primary care polyclinics. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of association were adjusted for sex, age, race, smoking, and clinical atopy. No associated risks of asthma were found for clerical or sales workers in general. Significantly reduced risks of association with asthma were found for professional, technical, administrative, and managerial occupations (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.47‐0.82). The associated risks of asthma were generally elevated for service workers (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.04‐1.74) and manufacturing production and related workers (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.23‐1.81). Among them, increased risks were observed for cleaners, particularly municipal cleaners and sweepers (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.22‐2.99), textile workers (OR, 5.83; 95% CI, 1.93‐17.57), garment makers (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.01‐2.58), electrical and electronic production workers (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.06‐1.75), printers (OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.17‐4.31), and construction/renovation workers (OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.30‐3.85). The odds ratio of association of asthma with exposures in service and production‐related occupations overall, relative to the “nonexposed” reference group of nonmanual professional/technical, administrative/managerial, clerical, and sales occupations, was estimated to be 1.72 (95% CI, 1.36‐2.19); the estimated population attributable risk was 0.33 (95% CI, 0.22‐0.44). © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Atrial fibrillation and sudden death related to occupational solvent exposure
Authors: Kaufman Joel D. , Silverstein Michael A. , Moure‐Eraso Rafael
Published: April 2007

Two cases of atrial fibrillation and one case of sudden death occurred in workers exposed to trifluorotrichloroethane (CFC 113) as a solvent/degreasing agent. This agent and related halogenated hydrocarbons are widely used in industry as solvents and degreasing agents, and have been previously linked to ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac sudden death when inhaled in excessive concentrations. We suggest that occupational overexposure to halogenated hydrocarbons should be considered a potential precipitant for atrial as well as ventricular arrhythmias. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lead poisoning in precious metals refinery assayers: A failure to notify workers at high risk
Authors: Kern David G.
Published: April 2007

Lead poisoning in a precious metals refinery fire assayer and a routine OSHA inspection prompted an investigation of the index facility, a survey of the industry, and efforts to notify assayers of this previously unrecognized hazard. Air and blood samples were obtained at the index facility. Management personnel from all fire assay laboratories in Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts were interviewed. The industry's trade association, OSHA, NIOSH, trade unions, and the media were asked to assist in a nationwide notification effort. Assayers at the index facility had excessive exposures to lead due to an age‐old, lead‐based assaying method that remains the industry gold standard. Blood lead levels of the three assayers (mean 61.3 μ/dl, range 48–86 μg/dl) were considerably higher than those of 16 other refinery workers (mean 27.4 μg/dl, range 13–49 μg/dl). The industry survey revealed inadequate knowledge of both the lead hazard and the applicability of the OSHA lead standard. Notification efforts failed in large part due to economic obstacles. The notification of workers at high risk of lead exposure and the eradication of occupational lead poisoning will require greater attention to economic forces. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Occupational factors in work‐related inhalations: Inferences for prevention strategy
Authors: Blanc Paul D. , Galbo Mark , Balmes John R. , Olson Kent R.
Published: April 2007

As part of a larger investigation of inhalational toxic exposures, we studied occupationally related cases in order to examine possible preventive strategies. We analyzed data from 224 structured interviews. Of the interviewed subjects, 48 (21%) reported closed space exposures and 44 (20%) concomitant skin exposure at the time of inhalation. Chlorine gas and bleach mixtures were the most common single reported exposure type, occurring in 54 (24%) of cases. The most common occupational groups represented were crafts workers, operatives, and laborers (n = 84, 38%), and service workers (n = 64, 29%). Adjusting for occupational group in a multiple logistic regression analysis that also included length of hire and access to personal respiratory protective equipment, report of prior specific chemical safety training was significantly protective against closed space inhalation (odds ratio (OR) = 0.2; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.1‐0.4) and concomitant skin exposure (OR = 0.3, 95% CI = 0.1‐0.7). These data suggest that chemical safety training may be an effective preventive strategy for potentially high‐risk inhalational exposure scenarios.
Retention of Asbestos Bodies in the Lungs of Welders
Authors: Pairon Jean‐Claude , Martinon Laurent , Iwatsubo Yuriko , Vallentin Françoise , Billon‐Galland Marie‐Annick , Bignon Jean , Brochard Patrick
Published: April 2007

Examination of asbestos bodies (AB) retained in the lungs is a useful way of assessing past occupational exposure to this material. AB retention has been extensively studied in workers directly exposed to asbestos, but less so in those end users, such as welders, who use asbestos‐containing products. We therefore retrospectively studied AB retention in 211 welders, for whom biological testing procedures had been requested by a chest physician, between 1988 and 1991. Optical microscopy of AB was performed on samples of sputum (40 subjects), bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) (147 subjects), and lung tissue obtained after thoracotomy (38 subjects). Information on previous jobs and exposure was obtained using a questionnaire (the mean duration of welding activities was 16.6 years). Eighty‐two subjects (38.9%) had elevated lung retention of AB in all the samples studied. Significant AB retention occurred in only 30% of sputum samples, but in 40.1% of BAL samples and 39.5% of lung tissue samples. The duration of welding activities correlated with the density of AB in BAL or lung tissue (r = 0.31, p < 0.01 and r = 0.49, p < 0.05, respectively). On the basis of the questionnaire, only two of the welders with significant AB retention had other occupational exposure to asbestos. Our findings suggest that welding activities may increase lung retention of AB, and consequently might produce higher risks of fibrotic and/or malignant pulmonary diseases. These potential risks need to be brought to the attention of doctors; a longitudinal follow‐up may also be warranted in such populations, even after individuals have ceased their welding jobs.
Lung Cancer Risk and Welding—Preliminary Results From an Ongoing Case‐Control Study
Authors: Jöckel Karl‐Heinz , Ahrens Wolfgang , Bolm‐Audorff Ulrich
Published: April 2007

In a hospital‐based case‐control study, 391 male cases of primary lung cancer and the same number of controls—matched by sex, age, and region—were personally interviewed for their job and smoking histories. The data reported reflect the midpoint of a study aiming at a total of 1,000 cases. One objective of the study was to assess confounding by asbestos exposure in what was thought to be a welding‐associated risk. While the odds ratios (OR) increased steeply with cumulative exposure to tobacco smoke and were raised also for lifelong asbestos exposure of over 4,100 working hours (OR = 1.91), the effect of welding exposure was reduced after adjustment for smoking and exposure to asbestos. Furthermore, no consistent dose‐response relationship could be shown in relation to welding hours. Therefore the present study supports the hypothesis that some, if not all, of the excess risk of welders observed in the literature may be due to the exposure to asbestos. The finding that the subgroup of employees in the aircraft industry showed an increased odds ratio of 2.14 after adjustment for smoking and exposure to asbestos deserves further attention. This suggests the need for further research on the role of berryllium‐containing alloys, which has been suggested by other authors.
Pancreatic cancer in industrial branches and occupations in finland
Authors: Partanen T. , Kauppinen T. , Degerth R. , Moneta G. , Mearelli I. , Ojajärvi A. , Hernberg S. , Koskinen H. , Pukkala E.
Published: April 2007

An examination of the risk of pancreatic cancer associated with occupation, by industrial branch and job title, was undertaken in a nationwide case‐referent study in Finland. The results are based on job history information from the next‐of‐kin of 625 incident cases of primary malignant exocrinic pancreatic neoplasms, and of 1,700 cancer referents (stomach, colon, and rectum). All cases and referents were between 40 and 74 years at diagnosis. The diagnoses were made in 1984‐87, and both cases and referents were known to be dead by April 1, 1990. The source of the cases and referents was the Finnish Cancer Registry. Increases in risk of pancreatic cancer were suggested for a small number of industrial branches and job titles, including stone mining (odds ratio 3.7), cement and building materials (11.1), pharmacists and sales associates in pharmacies (12.9), male wood machinists (4.1), male gardeners (6.7), female textile workers (5.4), and male transport inspectors and supervisors (9.4). The exposures potentially implicated are discussed. In agreement with the overall results of epidemiologic studies conducted elsewhere, direct occupational determinants probably do not account for a substantial share of the etiology of pancreatic cancer, at least in conditions resembling Finnish working environments some 15‐40 years ago.
Formaldehyde exposure, acute pulmonary response, and exposure control options in a gross anatomy laboratory
Authors: Akbar‐Khanzadeh Farhang , Vaquerano M. Ulises , Akbar‐Khanzadeh Mahboubeh , Bisesi Michael S.
Published: April 2007

Formaldehyde exposure, acute pulmonary response, and exposure control options were evaluated in a group of 34 workers in a gross anatomy laboratory. Time‐weighted average (TWA) exposure to formaldehyde ranged from 0.07–2.94 parts per million (ppm) during dissecting operations. More than 94% were exposed to formaldehyde in excess of the ceiling value of 0.3 ppm recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). The eight‐hour TWA exposure of 31.7% of the subjects exceeded the action level of 0.5 ppm set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Reported symptoms included irritation of eye (88%), nose (74%), throat (29%), and airways (21%). Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 3 seconds (FEV3) decreased, and FEV1/FVC increased during the exposure. The changes of FEV3 were statistically different from those of the controls. The results strongly support the necessity for designing and testing special local exhaust‐ventilated worktables with necessary flexibility for dissecting operations.
Mortality among fire fighters in metropolitan Toronto
Authors: Aronson Kristan J. , Tomlinson George A. , Smith Lesbia
Published: April 2007

Fire fighters are exposed to substances which are recognized or suspected causal agents in cancer or heart disease. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not fire fighters experience increased risk for any specific cause of death. A retrospective cohort study was conducted, with 5,995 subjects recruited from all six fire departments within Metropolitan Toronto. The mortality experience of the cohort was ascertained through computerized record linkage and compared to that of the male Ontario population specific to cause, age, and calendar period from 1950 through 1989. Average duration of follow‐up was 21 years, and there were 777 deaths among the 5,414 males included in the analysis, giving an all‐cause standardized mortality ratio of 95 (95% confidence interval: 88–102). Three specific causes of death exhibit statistically significant excesses (brain tumors, “other” malignant neoplasms, and aortic aneurysms). There are also slight increases in risk for some other sites of cancer, and for various diseases of the respiratory, circulatory, and digestive systems. This study is consistent with others in demonstrating that fire fighters experience increased risk of death from cancer of the brain, and in suggesting increased risk for various other causes of death.
Follow‐up study of respiratory function in Hemp workers
Authors: Zuskin Eugenija , Mustajbegovic Jadranka , Schachter E. N.
Published: April 2007

A 3‐year follow‐up study was performed on 38 women and 28 men from the originally studied textile workers employed in a soft hemp processing mill. Acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity were recorded during the cross‐sectional and the follow‐up studies. Maximum expiratory flow‐volume (MEFV) curves were obtained on these workers, and forced vital capacity (FVC), 1‐second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and flow rates at 50% and at 25% of the VC (FEF50, FEF25) were measured. High prevalences of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms persisted at the follow‐up study. In particular, high prevalences of byssinosis were documented at both studies (women: 47.4% and 47.4%; men: 64.3% and 67.9%, respectively). Statistically significant mean across‐shift reductions were recorded for all ventilatory capacity tests at the initial study. A large mean annual decline was calculated for FEV1 in women and for all ventilatory capacity parameters in men; these declines were greater for workers with symptoms of byssinosis than for those without. The accelerated decline in FEV1 noted in the women workers, who were predominantly nonsmokers, suggests an independent hemp effect. Exposures in the work environment were measured with Hexhlet filters and revealed very high dust concentrations (mean total: 21.4 mg/m3, 22.4 mg/m3; respirable: 8.4 mg/m3, 9.9 mg/m3) at both initial and follow‐up studies. These levels are much higher than those found in mills processing organic materials in North America. Our data demonstrate that work in the hemp industry, particularly in small poorly regulated mills, continues to have deleterious effects on respiratory function.
Follow‐up of a group of workers intoxicated with 4,4′‐methylenedianiline
Authors: Liss Gary M. , Guirguis Sam S.
Published: April 2007

4,4′‐Methylenedianiline (MDA), an aromatic amine, is a known human hepatotoxin and an animal carcinogen but there is little information regarding its chronic effects in humans. Between 1967 and 1976, 10 workers at a plant in Ontario that used MDA as an epoxy hardener developed acute jaundice. We followed this group from the date of intoxication through to the end of 1991 for cancer incidence by matching with the Ontario Cancer Registry. To date, one cancer, a pathologically confirmed bladder cancer has developed (expected number based on provincial incidence rates: 0.64 for all cancers, 0.05 for bladder cancer). This finding may be important because bladder cancer was a site of interest a priori; bladder cancers have been observed in two other occupationally exposed groups (significantly higher than expected in one of these); in the National Toxicology Program bioassay, urinary bladder tumors occurred in exposed animals but not in controls; and MDA has structural similarity to known human bladder carcinogens such as benzidine.
Mortality among female registered nurses and school teachers in British Columbia
Authors: King Arlene S. , Threlfall William J. , Band Pierre R. , Gallagher Richard P.
Published: April 2007

The mortality profile of female nurses and teachers in British Columbia (BC) was examined using age‐standardized proportional mortality ratios (PMRs) calculated for the period 1950–1984. Lowered overall mortality among nurses was seen for degenerative heart disease and for cerebrovascular accidents. Significantly elevated PMR values were observed for cancer of the breast and ovary in nurses of age 20–65 years. PMRs were significantly elevated for cancer of the pancreas and leukemia among those age 20 years and older. Elevated values were also observed for motor vehicle accidents and suicide among nurses in both age groups.

Lower than expected mortality from degenerative heart disease and cerebrovascular accidents was seen in working age teachers (age 20–65 years). However, elevated PMRs were detected for carcinoma of the colon, breast, endometrium, brain, and melanoma. Among those 20 years and over, significantly elevated PMRs were also observed for cancers of the ovary and other digestive organs. Elevated PMRs were found for motor vehicle and aircraft accidents.

Mortality from cirrhosis of the liver was lower than anticipated in both teachers and nurses.

A number of significant PMRs declined when deaths of “homemakers” were withdrawn from the comparison group used to generate PMR values, suggesting that risk of death from various causes among women working outside the home differ from those seen in women who are predominantly in the home.
Interference of 16.7‐Hz electromagnetic fields on measured electrocardiogram
Authors: Schlimp Christoph J. , Breiteneder Martin , Seifert Johannes , Lederer Wolfgang
Published: April 2007

The extent of electromagnetic interference (EMI) from 16.7‐Hz alternate current power lines in the human surface electrocardiogram (ECG) was evaluated. Results showed a direct linear correlation between mean EMI and magnetic induction of 5.8–21 µT on a railroad platform (electric field: 270 V/m). EMI inside a railroad car (10 µT, 0 V/m) was comparable to the electromagnetic field at the platform. Inside a voltage transformer substation (0 µT, 2000 V/m) EMI occurred only when the ECG device was closer to the power line than the test person. Magnetic induction caused 16.7‐Hz EMI to a degree that proper diagnosis of ECG‐rhythms was rendered impossible. Bioelectromagnetics 28:402–405, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mity model: Tetranychus urticae, a candidate for chelicerate model organism
Authors: Grbic Miodrag , Khila Abderrahman , Lee Kwang‐Zin , Bjelica Anica , Grbic Vojislava , Whistlecraft Jay , Verdon Lou , Navajas Maria , Nagy Lisa
Published: April 2007

Chelicerates (scorpions, horseshoe crabs, spiders, mites and ticks) are the second largest group of arthropods and are of immense importance for fundamental and applied science. They occupy a basal phylogenetic position within the phylum Arthropoda, and are of crucial significance for understanding the evolution of various arthropod lineages. Chelicerates are vectors of human diseases, such as ticks, and major agricultural pests, such as spider mites, thus this group is also of importance for both medicine and agriculture. The developmental genetics of chelicerates is poorly understood and a challenge for the future progress for many aspects of chelicerate biology is the development of a model organism for this group. Toward this end, we are developing a chelicerate genetic model: the two‐spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae. T. urticae has the smallest genome of any arthropod determined so far (75 Mbp, 60% of the size of the Drosophila genome), undergoes rapid development and is easy to maintain in the laboratory. These features make T. urticae a promising reference organism for the economically important, poorly studied and species‐rich chelicerate lineage. BioEssays 29:489–496, 2007. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collectins: sentinels of innate immunity
Authors: Gupta Garima , Surolia Avadhesha
Published: April 2007

Collectins, present in plasma and on mucosal surfaces, are humoral molecules of the innate immune system. They were discovered a hundred years ago in 1906 as the first association of an animal lectin with the immune system. They are a family of calcium‐dependent lectins that recognize pathogen‐associated molecular patterns. They share a similar modular domain architecture consisting of four regions; a cysteine‐rich N‐terminal domain, a collagen‐like region, an α‐helical neck domain and a C‐terminal carbohydrate recognition domain. There have been eight collectins members defined so far, of which, MBL, SP‐A and SP‐D are the most characterized. Collectins represent the first line of host defense. Upon recognition of the infectious agents, collectins put into action effector mechanisms like direct opsonization, neutralization, agglutination, complement activation and phagocytosis to curb the microbial growth. In addition, they also modulate inflammatory and allergic responses and apoptotic cell clearance. These functions limit infection and subsequently modulate the adaptive immune responses. The role of collectins, their structure, function, characteristics and clinical significance are reviewed in this article. BioEssays 29:452–464, 2007. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Extended binding site of ricin B lectin for oligosaccharide recognition
Authors: Ganguly Debabani , Mukhopadhyay Chaitali
Published: April 2007

The plant lectin ricin B chain binds oligosaccharide with more affinity than the mono‐ or disaccharide ligands. The experiments indicated that a biantennary oligosaccharide could bind itself to any of the crystallographically established 1st or 2nd binding sites. After manual docking of either terminal galactose residues of the oligosaccharide in the 1st and 2nd binding sites of Ricin B and simulating the systems over nanosecond trajectories in implicit solvent, it was observed that the protein bound the oligosaccharide strongly through both its 1st and 2nd binding sites. Not only were the terminal galactose residues, several other residues of the oligosaccharide were involved in the binding scheme. Average gas phase energies were calculated molecular mechanically, solvation energies were calculated by Generalized Born model and the normal mode analysis was used to calculate the entropic contribution of binding. The entropy/enthalpy compensation has been observed for the protein–oligosaccharide interactions. The binding was found to be enthalpically favorable and compensating for the unfavorable entropic contribution. Comparison of the calculated free energy with the experimental data clearly suggests that binding is mono‐dentate rather than bi‐dentate through a single Gal‐containing antenna. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 86: 311–320, 2007.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Consumer integration in sustainable product development
Authors: Hoffmann Esther
Published: April 2007

Changes in production and consumption patterns are a crucial element of the sustainability agenda. Communication between product developers and users, and user integration in product development, can serve as a means for organizational as well as individual learning processes, resulting in sustainable product development. Recent approaches to innovation research describe the role of users in the innovation process as essential. However, conventional market research gives consumers a passive role as a mere object of research instead of considering them as possible innovators themselves. Improved methods, such as INNOCOPE (innovating through consumer‐integrated product development), tested in this study with a cycle manufacturer and resulting in a new product, a pedelec, are needed for effective communication, activating consumers and enabling them to promote sustainability goals. Through co‐operative product development processes key factors facilitating and obstructing the adoption of sustainable innovations may be identified. Such processes can enhance the emergence and diffusion of sustainable product innovations and different forms and bodies of knowledge can be combined. Integrating users' contextual everyday knowledge of the product with the technical knowledge of companies may lead to mutual learning, technical innovations and changes in consumer behaviour. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Synthesis of Large Ring Macrocycles (12–18) by Recyclable Palladium‐Complexed Dendrimers on Silica Gel Catalyzed Intramolecular Cyclocarbonylation Reactions
Authors: Lu Shui‐Ming , Alper Howard
Published: April 2007

Intramolecular cyclocarbonylation reactions with palladium‐complexed dendrimers on silica gel as catalysts are very effective for the synthesis of twelve‐ to eighteen‐membered ring macrocycles. This process can tolerate a wide variety of functional groups, including halide, ether, ketone, and ester. The heterogeneous dendritic catalysts facilitate excellent substrate reactivity, affording oxygen‐, nitrogen‐, or sulfur‐containing tricyclic heterocycles in 70–92 % yields. Importantly, these systems are easily recovered by simple filtration and reused several times with only a slight loss of activity.
[3.3]Ferrocenophanes with Guanidine Bridging Units as Multisignalling Receptor Molecules for Selective Recognition of Anions, Cations, and Amino Acids
Authors: Otón Francisco , Espinosa Arturo , Tárraga Alberto , de Arellano Carmen Ramírez , Molina Pedro
Published: April 2007

The synthesis, electrochemical, and optical properties of a new [3.3]ferrocenophane framework in which two ferrocene subunits, with similar electronic environments, are linked through two substituted guanidine moieties, are reported. The receptors 4–7 have been prepared in good yields by the reaction of bis(carbodiimide) 3 with primary amines. This architecture is exceptionally “tunable” because a variety of “legs” may be appended to the basic [3.3]ferrocenophane scaffold to give a wide range of signaling units. These receptors show remarkable ion‐sensing properties, due to the presence of a redox active unit (ferrocene), and an amphoteric binding site (guanidine). In this nitrogen‐rich structural motif the guanidine bridges act as multipoint binding sites for anions, cations, and amino acids. Sensing of anions takes place both by unprecedented redox‐ratiometric measurements (F−, Cl−, AcO−, NO3−, HSO4−, H2PO4−, and HP2O73−), and colorimetric change (F−, AcO−, H2PO4−, and HP2O73−). Sensing and discrimination of amino acids takes place by redox‐ratiometric measurements, whereas the recognition of metal cations (Zn2+, Ni2+, and Cd2+) is achieved either by electrochemical or fluorescence measurements. Moreover, the reported receptors display splitting of the oxidation wave of the FeII/FeIII redox couple, and form the mixed‐valence species 4+.‐7+. by electrochemical partial oxidation which, interestingly, show intervalence charge‐transfer transitions associated to the appearance of absorption bands in the near infrared spectral region.