bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Half‐century of cause‐specific mortality experience of chemical manufacturing employees
Authors: Olsen Geary W. , Lacy Susan E. , Cartmill Janice B. , Kravat Brandi A. , Chamberlin Steven R. , Spadacene Nanette W. , Lipps Thomas E.
Published: April 2007

Cause‐specific mortality was surveyed among 23,180 male (580,000 person‐years) and 3,860 female (86,898 person‐years) employees with 1 or more years of service from 1940 through 1989 at a large chemical plant. Vital status was ascertained for 99.1% of the males (n = 5,658 deaths) and 98.6% of the females (n = 355 deaths). Comparisons of observed mortality with expected levels based on any of three population comparisons (United States, Texas, or five local counties) showed lower mortality for all causes of death, diseases of the circulatory system, diabetes mellitus, and cirrhosis of the liver. There was an increased risk for lung cancer mortality among male operations employees when compared to the U.S. and Texas populations but not to the local five‐county region. Additional evidence suggests this increase was primarily attributable to cigarette smoking. Male operations employees also had an elevated, although not statistically significant, risk for kidney cancer. Prior research had shown an association with work in the cell maintenance area of chlorine production. As a result of a high prevalence of deaths certified by justices of the peace, a mortality excess was observed of cancer of other and unspecified sites and symptoms, senility, and ill‐defined conditions. Although specific chemical exposures were not studied, the generally favorable mortality experience suggests that major hazards are unlikely.
Nasal septum lesions caused by chromium exposure among chromium electroplating workers
Authors: Lin San‐Chi , Tai Chung‐Chieh , Chan Chang‐Chuan , Wang Jung‐Der
Published: April 2007

A chromium electroplating worker, suffering from epistaxis during work, was found to have nasal septum perforation. To determine the etiology and prevalence of nasal septum lesions, we conducted a survey of seven chromium electroplating factories and examined 79 workers. Forty workers from three aluminum electroplating factories were also enrolled as the reference group. Subjects were thoroughly examined by an otolaryngologist and each of them provided a blood and urine sample. A questionnaire interview regarding symptoms of the upper respiratory tract, past medical history, life style, and work history was also conducted. Air chromium concentrations were measured by taking area samples for 4–6 hours. Based on field observation and chromium measurements, we divided chromium electroplating into three different exposure zones: workers directly dealing with electroplating tanks (n = 31), other process workers (n = 29), and office workers and drivers (n = 19). Among the 79 chromium electroplating workers, there were 16 cases of nasal septum perforation, and 42 with either scar formation or ulceration; 10 chromium electroplating workers developed skin ulcers after performing chrome plating. No workers from aluminum electroplating factories had any nasal septum or skin abnormalities. There was a consistent trend between the degree of chromium exposure and the signs and symptoms related to the nose, throat, and skin. Immediate improvement of occupational hygiene is warranted.
Increased lead absorption caused by working next to a lead recycling factory
Authors: Chao Kun‐Yu , Wang Jung‐Der
Published: April 2007

The objective of this study was to determine whether workers at a factory in Taiwan, adjacent to lead recycling plant, were affected by lead contamination. Workers at the lead recycling plant itself were found to suffer from lead poisoning; air and soil outside the plant were heavily contaminated by lead. Forty‐one of the 45 workers in a forging factory next to the lead recycling plant were enrolled as the exposed group. A comparison group of 51 workers were selected from another forging factory about 20 km away. Each subject was interviewed about his lifestyle, work history, and residence, and blood was drawn for lead measurement by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The results showed that two groups were compatible in age, sex, and smoking patterns. Blood lead of the exposed group was significantly higher than that of the comparison group (mean ± SD: 20.4 ± 9.4 μg/dl vs. 5.9 ± 2.9 μg/dl). The difference was independent of sex and working zones. Blood lead levels were lower among exposed workers who had been employed less than 2 months compared with those employed longer. There was no difference among exposed workers in different outdoor working zones. Five months after improvement of pollution control and decrease in the production volume of the lead factory, 30 exposed workers were retested for blood lead. The blood lead of outdoor workers had an average decrease of 4.2 μg/dl while that of indoor workers showed no significant difference. We concluded that the changes of blood lead levels among exposed workers were caused by lead contamination generated by the neighboring lead recycling plant.
Liver disease following occupational exposure to 1,1,1‐trichloroethane: A case report
Authors: Cohen Chaim , Frank Arthur L.
Published: April 2007

A patient with a progressive liver disease whose job involved substantial exposure to 1,1,1‐trichloroethane (TCE) was seen. A comprehensive work‐up ruled out nonoccupational etiologies for his liver condition. Neither the patient's history nor his liver histology suggested alcoholic cirrhosis. Removal of the patient from exposure to TCE led to significant improvement of his impaired liver function over a 3‐month period. We conclude that this was a case of occupational liver disease induced by chronic exposure to TCE. This report joins other reports concerning hepatotoxicity of TCE which is considered the least toxic among the halogenated hydrocarbon solvents.
Mortality and cancer morbidity of finnish chlorophenoxy herbicide applicators: An 18‐year prospective follow‐up
Authors: Asp Sisko , Riihimäki Vesa , Hernberg Sven , Pukkala Eero
Published: April 2007

An 18‐year follow‐up for mortality and cancer morbidity was conducted in a cohort of 1,909 men who had started spraying chlorophenoxy herbicides (mixture of 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid [2,4‐D] and 2,4,5‐trichlorophenoxyacetic acid [2,4,5‐T]) in 1955 through 1971. In all, 384 persons had died during the follow‐up, and there was a slight deficit in natural deaths (standardized mortality ratio [SMR] 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75‐0.94). By contrast, there was a small, nonsignificant increase in accidental and violent deaths. The overall cancer mortality was slightly less than in the general population (SMR 0.83; 95% CI 0.65‐1.02), and not a single case of death of non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) or soft tissue sarcomas (STS) was detected. With regard to cancer morbidity, the incident cases showed a slight deficit compared to the population figure (standardized incidence ratio [SIR] 0.81; 95% CI 0.67‐0.97). One case of NHL was found (2.4 expected with 10 years of latency), but not a single case of STS (0.8 expected with 10 years of latency). While our study does not support the contention that spraying of 2,4‐D and 2,4,5‐T containing herbicides carries any significant risk of cancer, the medium to low statistical power of the study does not allow any far reaching negative conclusions regarding the carcinogenicity of the agents.
Correlates of bone and blood lead levels in carpenters
Authors: Watanabe Hirokastsu , Hu Howard , Rotnitzky Andrea
Published: April 2007

In the course of a health screening for construction carpenters, 127 subjects underwent blood lead testing, administration of detailed questionnaires, and in vivo measurement of bone lead levels with a 109Cd K‐X‐ray fluorescence (K‐XRF) instrument. The mean age of subjects was 48.5 (SD = 9.8) years. Blood lead levels were low, with a mean of 8.2 (SD = 4.0) μg/dl. Bone lead levels had means of 9.8 (SD = 9.3) μg/g bone mineral for the tibia and 14.0 (SD = 13.8) μg/g bone mineral for the patella (which consist primarily of cortical bone and trabecular bone, respectively). In multivariate regression models, age was the dominant predictor of both tibia and patella bone lead, with years since last worked and welding/brazing contributing an additional small amount of influence over tibia bone lead, and carpet laying, paint stripping, and regular exercise contributing an additional small amount of influence over patella bone lead. Demolition, carpet laying, and alcohol ingestion were significant predictors of blood lead.

We conclude that age is the most important predictor of bone lead levels among workers with intermittent exposures to lead; in addition, K‐XRF is useful in generating hypotheses on additional factors that may influence lead burden.
Investigation of a spontaneous abortion cluster: Development of a risk communication plan
Authors: Curbow Barbara , McDiarmid Melissa Anne , Breysse Patrick , Lees Peter S. J.
Published: April 2007

A risk communication plan was developed for a group of payroll office workers who were investigated for a possible cluster of spontaneous abortions (SABs). Survey and focus group methods were used to assess the workers' attitudes, beliefs, and information preferences. We found that four features of the workforce needed to be considered in developing an effective plan: 1) subgroups of workers varied on their levels of concern, awareness, involvement, and definitions of the problem; 2) workers did not have the necessary knowledge concerning SABs or the scientific method to participate in a two‐way communication; 3) workers were highly stressed; and 4) workers were distrustful that they would be told the truth about the SABs. A multicomponent risk communication strategy was developed to overcome these barriers. Specifically, we recommended that background information on SABs and the scientific method be presented before the report of the study results and that follow‐up sessions should be conducted on job stress and the emotional aspects of miscarriages.
Occupational case‐control studies: I. Collecting information on work histories and work‐related exposures
Authors: Stewart Walter F. , Stewart Patricia A.
Published: April 2007

The strength and credibility of evidence from occupational case‐control studies largely depend on the validity and precision with which the work history is reported and the exposure is assessed. We discuss the two steps which ultimately lead to an exposure decision. The first step involves the exchange between the respondent and an interviewer. The latter is usually naïve to occupations and workplace exposures and, as such, is limited to asking generic and open‐ended questions about the workplace. Often, this type of information is too nonspecific to assess exposure. In the second step, an expert reviews the information reported on each occupation and decides on exposure status without contacting either the interviewer or respondent. Exposure assessment is not, therefore, integrated with data collection and, in fact, is usually not initiated until after all the interviews are completed. As such, the exposure expert does not have an opportunity to resolve questions before making the exposure decision. To improve the quality and specificity of data collected, we have developed over 40 sets of close‐ended questions (branch questions) which are specific to defined occupations. These branch questions, incorporated into a computer‐assisted telephone interview, are asked if selected occupations or their synonyms are reported. Second, to link the data collection process with the assessment process, we have developed a procedure called SCORE (Subject Corrected Occupational Report) which provides the industrial hygienist with a cost efficient method to ask questions directly of respondents. Shortly after each interview is completed, a computerized version of the work history is reviewed by the industrial hygienist who develops questions when more information is needed. Subsequently, respondents are mailed a form listing their reported work history along with the questions. After two mailings, 73% of participants in a pilot study returned the SCORE form.
Occupational case‐control studies: II. Recommendations for exposure assessment
Authors: Stewart Patricia A. , Stewart Walter F.
Published: April 2007

Obtaining valid and reliable quantitative exposure estimates is a significant challenge in community‐based case‐control studies in part, because industrial hygiene monitoring data are usually not available and detailed information on the job and work environment is usually not systematically obtained or assessed. To improve the quality and credibility of disease risk information obtained from occupational case‐control studies, we recommend that standardized exposure assessment methods be used to derive quantitative exposure estimates. We identify sources of variation inherent to the assessment process, including: the quality of the information reported on the job, industry, activities, and materials; the industrial hygienist's familiarity with the reported job/industry; the probability that the job/industry was exposed, which depends on plant preferences for particular substances, on process technology, and on customer specifications; and variability in workplace characteristics. To improve the reliability of estimating job‐related exposures both within and between studies, we recommend that the epidemiologic analyses be conducted with and without data rated to be of poor quality; that contact be made with experts when the study industrial hygienist is unfamiliar with the manufacturing process in question; that existing data bases be used to estimate the probability of exposure; that a data base be developed that describes manufacturing processes; and that explicit criteria based on industrial hygiene principles be used to evaluate workplace characteristics. In addition, a procedure is described for deriving quantitative exposure estimates by using a reference scale of frequently monitored jobs with their associated mean exposure levels. Areas of research are identified to improve exposure assessment in community‐based case‐control studies.
Effect of different questionnaire formats on reporting of occupational exposures
Authors: Teschke Kay , Kennedy Susan M. , Olshan Andrew F.
Published: April 2007

During an exposure monitoring study, 78 saw maintenance tradesmen were randomly assigned to be interviewed about their exposures using one of two questionnaire formats: open‐ended and partly prompted questions about five categories of materials; and detailed prompting about 75 agents. The more open‐ended questionnaire elicited fewer exposure responses overall, but more responses about agents not included on the detailed questionnaire. Composite materials and trade name products were more frequently cited as exposures than individual metals or compounds. Validity of responses was ascertained using air measurements (individual metals) or observations of the employees (composite materials). Sums of sensitivities and specificities were very low (near 1.0) for most of the metals for both types of questionnaire. For composite materials, validity improved substantially. Sensitivities with the partly prompted format (0.44–0.85) were always lower than with detailed prompting (0.80–1.00). Specificities were usually, but not always, higher with partial prompting (0.66–0.92) than with detailed prompting (0.18–0.86). Selection of questionnaire format for an epidemiologic study would depend on the likely prevalence of exposure in controls and the effects of trade‐offs in sensitivity and specificity.
Industrial hygienist as a clinical consultant
Authors: Harber Philip , Levin Mark , Weinberg Justine Lew , Oversier Jill
Published: April 2007

The roles of industrial hygienists outside the traditional industrial setting have been expanding. This paper discusses the industrial hygienist's direct and active involvement with patients in the clinic setting. The types of roles played by the industrial hygienists in an occupational health clinic are categorized based upon experience in one academic clinic. Although experience demonstrated that there is an important function for the industrial hygienist as a clinical consultant, unresolved issues, ranging from payment to staff privileging, interfere with widespread participation.
Pleural plaques, asbestos exposure, and asbestos bodies in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid
Authors: Orlowski E. , Pairon J. C. , Ameille J. , Janson X. , Iwatsubo Y. , Dufour G. , Bignon J. , Brochard P.
Published: April 2007

The profiles of occupational asbestos exposure were investigated in a series of 66 hospital patients in whom pleural plaques constituted the only asbestos‐induced abnormality. The relationship between a radiological semiquantitative score of pleural plaques and indices of asbestos exposure was also examined. On the basis of a standardized occupational questionnaire, four classes of asbestos exposure were distinguished in our study population: no evidence of exposure, low‐level exposure, sporadic exposure at higher levels, and a remaining group of individuals with substantial exposure. Asbestos body count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was used as an objective indicator of cumulative lung retention of asbestos. Our results support the data indicating that pleural plaques may occur in subjects with low‐level or sporadic asbestos exposure. Although it is admitted that pleural plaques are strongly associated with past asbestos exposure, our data suggest that the stage of pleural plaques was not correlated to the level, frequency, duration of exposure nor to the amount of asbestos bodies in the BALF in subjects free of any lung parenchymal abnormalities on high resolution computerized tomography.
Digital nerve conduction velocity as a sensitive indication of peripheral neuropathy in vibration syndrome
Authors: Sakakibara Hisataka , Kondo Taka‐Aki , Miyao Masaru , Yamada Shin'Ya
Published: April 2007

Digital nerve conduction velocities in the median and ulnar nerves were measured in order to obtain a more accurate indication of peripheral nerve impairment induced by hand‐arm vibration. The subjects were 26 patients with vibration syndrome and 28 healthy controls, both groups of about the same age. Two pairs of surface electrodes were attached to the finger and one pair was positioned on the palm, while electrical stimulation was applied to the nerve at the wrist and elbow. Then sensory nerve conduction velocities were antidromically measured within the finger, and also from the wrist to the palm and from the elbow to the wrist. Slowed conduction within the finger was mostly found among the patients. The slowing was also encountered from the wrist to the palm across the carpal tunnel. Abnormalities were observed in the digital nerve segment in about 50–70% of the patients, and in the wrist‐to‐palm segment in about 10–25% of them. The present study indicates that digital nerve impairment predominantly occurs in the vibration‐exposed patients, and that measurement of digital nerve conduction velocity can be a useful objective means to detect peripheral neuropathy in vibration syndrome.
Cohort study among workers exposed to benzene in China: II. Exposure assessment
Authors: Dosemeci M. , Li G.‐L. , Hayes R. B. , Yin S.‐N. , Linet M. , Chow W.‐H. , Wang Y.‐Z. , Jiang Z.‐L. , Dai T.‐R. , Zhang W.‐U. , Chao X.‐J. , Ye P.‐Z. , Kou Q.‐R. , Fan Y.‐H. , Zhang X.‐C. , Lin X.‐F. , Meng J.‐F. , Zho J.‐S. , Wacholder S. , Kneller R. , Blot W. J.
Published: April 2007

This report describes a retrospective exposure assessment method used in a follow‐up mortality study of workers exposed to benzene. The approach quantified historical exposure to benzene in a multi‐industry, multicenter cohort, involving 672 factories in 12 cities in China. Historical exposure data were collected to obtain exposure information related to 1,427 work units (departments) and 3,179 unique job titles from benzene‐producing or ‐using factories in which written records and other data sources were evaluated. The basic unit for exposure assessment was a factory/work unit/job title combination which was considered separately during each of seven calendar‐year time periods between 1949 and 1987 for a total of 18,435 exposure assignments. Historical information collected to estimate exposure included benzene monitoring data; lists of raw materials and factory products, and the percentage of benzene in each; the total amount and dates of use of benzene or benzene‐containing materials; use of engineering controls and personal protective equipment; and other available exposure information. Overall, 38% (ranging from 3% for the earliest periods to 67% for the last period) of the estimates were based primarily on benzene monitoring data. In the absence of job‐specific benzene monitoring data for a given calendar period, measurement results or exposure estimates for similar jobs and/or other calendar periods were used in conjunction with other exposure information to derive estimates. Estimated exposure levels are presented by industries and occupations. The highest average exposures during 1949–1987 were observed for the rubber and plastic industry (30.7 ppm), and for rubber glue applicators (52.6 ppm).
Organization and classification of work history data in industry‐wide studies: An application to the electric power industry
Authors: Loomis Dana P. , Peipins Lucy A. , Browning Steven R. , Howard Richard L. , Kromhout Hans , Savitz David A.
Published: April 2007

Industry‐based cohort studies require systems for organizing work history data. Although the ultimate goal may be to assess the hazards of specific exposures, classification of the job titles that comprise work histories serves an important descriptive purpose in itself and is often necessary before exposure data can be obtained. A system we have created for organizing jobs in a study of 135,000 workers at five electric power companies highlights conceptual and practical issues in managing work history data for epidemiological studies. Job characteristics including function, location, and authority were used to develop a system of 28 occupational categories. Comprehensibility, flexibility, and efficiency were important criteria in designing the system. Assessment of exposures was an implicit goal; the same categories will define job‐exposure matrices for numerous agents. A combination of computer algorithms and expert judgment was used to assign individual job titles to the categories. This system facilitates examining the effects of various agents and controlling for confounding. The 28 categories can be collapsed and regrouped to analyze disease risks in relation to exposures to magnetic fields and other agents; even exposures not previously considered could be brought into the study with this generic system for organizing the electric power industry.
Mortality at an automotive stamping and assembly complex
Authors: Park Robert , Krebs Jane , Mirer Franklin
Published: April 2007

Mortality among workers with 2 or more years employment at an automotive stamping and assembly complex was analyzed using standardized mortality ratio (SMR), proportional mortality ratio (PMR), and mortality odds ratio (MOR) methods. The stamping plant all‐cause SMR was considerably less than expected (for white men, SMR = 0.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.54, 0.79; for black men, SMR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.45, 1.13). indicating a strong “healthy worker effect.” However, six stomach cancer deaths produced an SMR of 4.4 (95% CI = 1.62,9.6) and a PMR of 6.8 (95% CI = 2.5,15). Based on small numbers of cases, stomach cancer risk increased with duration in stamping and tool and die departments where exposures included drawing compound and other metalworking fluids. Stamping plant lung cancer mortality was elevated among production welders (MOR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.2,6.3), and increased with duration. Welding was performed on sheet metal sometimes coated with drawing compound, primer, or epoxy resin adhesive. As was observed for the stamping plant, the all‐cause SMR for the two assembly plants was unusually low (for white men, SMR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.56,0.73; for black men, SMR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.43,0.75). The lung cancer SMR was not elevated but the MOR was (MOR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.1,2.4) and increased with assembly plant duration (MOR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.02,3.1, at mean duration of cases). In the assembly plants, paint oven stack emissions had been reintroduced into the plant by the ventilation system.
Epidemiological studies of work with video display terminals and adverse pregnancy outcomes (1984–1992)
Authors: Delpizzo Vincent
Published: April 2007

Many epidemiological studies have investigated the claim that work with video display terminals (VDT) is a risk factor during pregnancy. Results have been inconsistent, although in the majority of cases the hypothesis was not supported. Exposure assessment has been very poor and the statistical power of the studies generally low. Overall, the studies indicate that VDT operators are not at greater risk than the general population, because very low frequency (VLF) magnetic fields do not appear to be a risk factor and extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic field exposure is not significantly greater than that experienced in other occupational and residential environments. However, since some studies lend support to the hypothesis that ELF magnetic fields may be a risk factor for pregnancy outcome, studies of subjects exposed to higher than average ELF fields are justified.
Impairment of color vision among workers exposed to low concentrations of styrene
Authors: Chia Sin‐Eng , Jeyaratnam Jerry , Ong Choon‐Nam , Ng Tze‐Pin , Lee Hock‐Siang
Published: April 2007

A field study was conducted among 21 male workers exposed to styrene of concentration below 30 ppm in a fiber‐reinforced plastic boat manufacturing plant. Twenty‐one male workers with similar age groupings, years of education, and social and occupational state served as referents. The mean end‐of‐shift urinary mandelic acid (MA) and phenylglycoxylic acid (PGA) for the exposed workers were 84 mg/g creatinine and 66 mg/g creatinine, respectively. The Lanthony D‐15 Hue Desaturated Panel was used to evaluate color discrimination of the exposed and referent groups. The results of the test were expressed as total color difference score (TCDS). The exposed workers' mean TCDS (a higher score denotes poorer color discrimination ability) was significantly (p < 0.0006) higher than the referents'. Neurobehavioral tests were also conducted, using the World Health Organization's Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery (NCTB). All the results of the NCTB were poorer for the exposed than for the referents. However, significant differences were observed only for Digit Span, Digit Symbol, and Benton Visual Retention tests. These results suggest that low exposure to styrene could affect some psychometric performance and may impair color vision.
Respiratory symptoms and asthma among workers exposed to paper dust: A cohort study
Authors: Torén Kjell , Järvholm Bengt , Sällsten Gerd , Thiringer Gunnar
Published: April 2007

The aim of the present cohort study was to investigate whether exposure to paper dust causes increased risk for respiratory symptoms or asthma. The cohort included all workers at a soft paper mill who had worked there for more than 1 year 1960–1986 (n = 1.697). Randomly selected inhabitants of the mill town (n = 781) were used as unexposed referents. Both groups were investigated using a postal questionnaire. From the paper mill cohort, workers with high cumulative exposure (n = 313), with medium cumulative exposure (n = 321), and with low cumulative exposure (n = 338) to paper dust were selected. In the 1960s and 1970s, the dust levels were between 5 and 10 mg m3. After adjustment for smoking and gender, paper dust exposure resulted in elevated prevalence ratios for chronic cough, chronic phlegm, wheeze, and breathlessness. The prevalence ratios ranged from 1.3 to 2.5. No significantly increased risk of asthma was found among the exposed, incidence rate ratio 1.4 (95% confidence interval 0.93–1.8). Among the exposed, there was an insignificantly increasing incidence rate ratio. 1.0, 1.4, 2.1, with increasing cumulative exposure. In conclusion, an increased risk for respiratory symptoms was observed among workers exposed to paper dust, but the study does not permit any definite conclusions regarding asthma and paper dust exposure.
Dust exposure indices and lung function changes in Longshoremen and Dock workers
Authors: Heederik Dick , de Cock Johan , Endlich Ewoud
Published: April 2007

A group of Dutch harbor workers involved in loading and unloading bulk products from sea vessels such as coal, cokes, and some other products like alumina, borax, phosphate ore, and vermiculite was studied. Exposures were characterized by personal and environmental monitoring. This information was subsequently used to estimate several dust exposure indices and to study relationships with lung function variables and respiratory symptoms.

Average respirable dust exposure levels ranged from 0.3–4.0 mg/m3. Workers involved in unloading products from sea vessels were exposed to the highest dust levels. Supervisors and workers with tasks in the dock had an intermediate to low exposure. Office workers had the lowest exposure to respirable dust. Inhalable dust levels were considerably higher and average exposures ranged from 0.3–80 mg/m3. The ranking of occupational titles by inhalable dust exposure was almost identical to the rank order of respirable dust levels. Workers with higher current and cumulative dust exposures tended to have a lower lung function, and only shortness of breath had a statistically significant relationship with current and cumulative inhalable dust exposure. In general, relationships between lung function and inhalable dust levels tended to be somewhat stronger in terms of statistical significance, because inhalable dust is an estimate of dust deposition in the upper airways and lung function is a measurable parameter of airway obstruction in that region. However, the differences with respirable dust were minimal, and variability in dust exposure levels was extremely large for this population. It was concluded that harbor workers involved in unloading ships containing coal and various kinds of ore can be exposed to high dust levels. Relationships between dust exposure and lung function illustrate that these exposures are a respiratory hazard. Our finding that inhalable dust levels have a somewhat stronger relationship with lung function level than respirable dust levels deserves further attention.
Application of two secondary documentary sources to identify the underreporting of fatal occupational injuries in cape town, south africa
Authors: Lerer Leonard B. , Myers Jonathan E.
Published: April 2007

We reviewed 8,502 deaths registered at the Salt River state mortuary, Cape Town (medical examiner records) for an 18‐month period (1/1/90–6/30/91). When fatal occupational injuries located from this data source were matched with the records of the occupational safety inspectorate of the Department of Manpower, it was found that 28% had not been reported in terms of statutory regulations. Unreported deaths accounted for 25% of all fatal occupational injuries in the construction industry. None of the fatal occupational injuries in agriculture and fishing had been reported. Falls constituted 45% of the unreported fatalities. High levels of unreported fatal occupational injury indicate deficiencies in current occupational safety surveillance and enforcement in South Africa.
Nature and incidence of self‐reported adolescent work injury in minnesota
Authors: Parker David L. , Carl William R. , French L. Ronald , Martin Frank B.
Published: April 2007

Most studies of adolescent work‐related injury that have been published to date have been confined to administratively collected data available through state or national departments of labor and industry and/or occupational safety and health administrations. These data do not contain information on the severity or the sequelae of injuries. In addition, estimates of incidence may be biased due to inadequate data on the nature, amount, and seasonal variability of work done by adolescent workers.

The present study is a cross‐sectional survey of work and work injuries of 3,051 10th through 12th grade students from 39 high schools throughout Minnesota. Injury was defined as an event which caused any of the following: loss of consciousness, seeking medical care, and/or restricting normal activities for at least 1 day.

The average hours of work per week during the summer and during the school year were 30 (95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 27,33) and 16 (95% CI = 15, 17), respectively. There was no difference in hours worked between ethnic minorities and white students. The rate of reportable injuries was 12 per 100,000 hr worked (95% CI = 7, 18) for rural and 13 per 100,000 hr worked (95% CI = 7, 28) for urban females, 16 (95% CI = 9, 22) per 100,000 hr for urban males, and 20 (95% CI = 12, 28) per 100,000 hr for rural males. Ongoing medical problems were reported by 26% of the injured workers.

Previous estimates of work‐related injury to adolescents may have been low. More study is required to clearly define the incidence of injury and risk factors for these injuries.
Mortality risk among elderly workers
Authors: Blanc Paul D. , Katz Patricia , Yelin Edward
Published: April 2007

We analyzed population‐based data for respondents aged 70 and older from the Longitudinal Study on Aging. We compared mortality risk among 358 baseline‐year working with 4,373 nonworking respondents. Including other demographic and health status predictors in a multiple logistic regression model, employment remained a significant predictor of survival (mortality odds ratio (OR) = 0.4). Diabetes mellitus was the only factor that displayed a mortality risk that was significantly interactive with work (OR = 3.5). These data suggest that a healthy worker effect persists in older age groups, but that within the working stratum, patterns of risk may differ as compared to those among the nonworking.
Fibrous glass and cancer
Authors: Infante Peter F. , Schuman Loretta D. , Dement John , Huff James
Published: April 2007

Some argue that fibrous glass (glass wool) should not be considered as a likely human carcinogen and hence should not be listed in the Seventh Annual Report on Carcinogens (ARC) prepared by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) and mandated by the U.S. Congress. In examining this issue, data from both laboratory experiments (animal studies) and epidemiologic studies (human data) are reviewed with the results evaluated according to the criteria established by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and adopted in slightly modified form by the NTP for classifying substances as human carcinogens or likely human carcinogens. From our comprehensive review of the available information, we conclude that fibrous glass materials are carcinogenic, and in view of the NTP and IARC definitions should be listed in the ARC. Our review then examines the carcinogenic potency of glass fibers to humans in comparison with asbestos fibers and concludes that on a fiber‐per‐fiber basis, glass fibers may be as potent or even more potent than asbestos. The implications of these findings are then presented for regulatory purposes in the occupational setting.
Symptoms, lung function, and diurnal variation in peak expiratory flow rate among female solderers in the electronics industry
Authors: Lee H. S. , Koh D. , Chia H. P. , Phoon W. H.
Published: April 2007

The purpose was to determine if solderers had increased diurnal variation (DV) in peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and chronic impairment of lung function. A cross‐sectional study of 150 female operators doing manual soldering using flux‐cored (rosin‐based) solder wire and 52 administrative staff from two electronics factories was carried out. They answered a questionnaire, had their forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) measured and their 3‐hourly PEFR monitored for 5 working days. The DV in PEFR was the difference in the daily maximum and minimum PEFR expressed as a percentage of the maximum. Six solderers with smoking history were excluded from the analysis. Solderers had a significantly higher prevalence of work‐related eye (14.6%) and nose (10.4%) irritation. The prevalence of cough, breathless‐ness, and wheezing was low. There was no overt case of occupational asthma. The DV in PEFR of 6.0% was not increased. The analysis of FEV1 and FVC was restricted to Chinese only (101 solderers and 51 controls): these were not significantly different. Solderers with 5 or more years of exposure had a significantly lower FEV1/FVC (%) of 88.4% after adjustment for age. In conclusion, solderers with 5 or more years of exposure may have a mild obstructive effect apart from smoking, asthma, or age.
Estimation of historical exposures to machining fluids in the automotive industry
Authors: Hallock M. F. , Smith T. J. , Woskie S. R. , Hammond S. K.
Published: April 2007

A retrospective exposure assessment study in the automotive parts industry conducted in conjunction with a cancer mortality and respiratory morbidity study [Kennedy et al. (1989): Am J Ind Med 15:627–641; Eisen et al. (1992): Am J Ind Med 22:809–824; Tolbert et al. (1992): Scand J Work Environ Health 18:351–360] describes exposure to different types of machining fluids and selected components that may contribute to the conditions investigated. A dataset of 394 industrial hygiene measurements made between 1958 and 1987 was used to estimate past machining fluid levels using a linear statistical model. The effects of different plants, machining fluid types, machining operations, and time periods were examined in the model. Separate analyses examined the effects of different sampling and analysis methods and other measurement variables. Machining fluid levels prior to 1970 were generally two to five times higher than subsequent measurements. The arithmetic mean exposure of all measurements taken before 1970 was 5.42 mg/m3. Arithmetic means for different subgroups ranged from 0.59 to 20.28 mg/m3, depending upon plant, machining fluid, and operation. The arithmetic mean exposure after 1980 was 1.82 mg/m3 with subgroups ranging from 0.45 to 2.79 mg/m3. Changes in exposure levels generally corresponded with reported changes in plant environments such as installation of enclosures and local exhaust ventilation on machines.
Occupational exposure to lead, kidney function tests, and blood pressure
Authors: Santos Antonio Cardozo Dos , Colacciopo Sergio , Bó Creuza M. R. Dal , Santos Neife Aparecida Guinaim Dos
Published: April 2007

In the present study we examined sensitive biochemical markers of kidney function and damage in 166 workers exposed to lead and in 60 control workers. The objective was to investigate the chronic renal toxicity of lead and its possible correlation with arterial pressure.

Diastolic arterial pressure was higher in the exposed group (p < 0.05), but the two groups did not differ in systolic pressure. Median activity of urinary N‐acetyl‐β‐D‐glucosaminidase was higher in the exposed group (p < 0.001), and correlated with blood lead levels (p < 0.001) and duration of exposure (p < 0.001), but not with arterial pressure. The other indicators studied, γ‐glutamyl‐transpeptidase and alanine‐ami‐nopeptidase activity, urine albumin, and total urine protein, were not higher than in the control group and were not correlated with blood lead, duration of exposure, or arterial pressure.
Asbestos bodies in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in relation to occupational history
Authors: Karjalainen A. , Anttila S. , Mäntylä T. , Taskinen E. , Kyyrönen P. , Tukiainen P.
Published: April 2007

Concentrations of asbestos bodies (AB) were assessed by optical microscopy of 10 ml iron‐stained samples and compared with the exposure history acquired by personal interview for 156 patients. Concentrations equalling or exceeding 1 AB/ml were found in 85% of patients who had been heavily exposed to asbestos and only 7% of those who were unlikely to have been exposed. Elevated AB concentrations were observed among primary asbestos, shipyard and construction workers. Smoking was not found to affect the AB concentrations. The use of Papanicolaou‐stained cytological Millipore preparations during routine screening was a less sensitive method for the assessment of AB concentrations than that involving iron‐stained preparations. The expression of AB concentration as AB/ml or AB/million cells were found to be equally useful indicators of exposure. The correlation between AB concentration and exposure history was greater than in earlier studies on workers exposed to chrysotile. Concentrations exceeding 1 AB/ml were indicative of a nontrivial exposure to asbestos. Despite the observed correlation between AB concentration and exposure history, the individual variability of AB counts, methodological differences and laboratory‐bound reference values are important in the interpretation of AB concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid at individual level.
Airway hyper‐responsiveness and the prevalence of work‐related symptoms in workers exposed to irritants
Authors: Kremer Anja M. , Pal Teake M. , Boleij Jan S. M. , Schouten Jan P. , Rijcken Bert
Published: April 2007

The association between exposure to airway irritants and the presence of work‐related symptoms and whether this association was modified by airway hyper‐responsiveness, smoking, and allergy by history was studied in 668 workers of synthetic fiber plants. A Dutch version of the British Medical Research Council (BMRC) questionnaire with additional questions on allergy and work‐related symptoms was used to assess symptoms, and a standardized histamine challenge test of airway hyper‐responsiveness (AHR) was employed. Work‐related symptoms were defined as having more than usual eye and respiratory symptoms during work. On the basis of job titles and working department, the exposure status of all workers was characterized into seven groups: (1) reference group; (2) white collars; (3) SO2, HC1, SO4 2‐; (4) polyester vapor; (5) oil mist and oil vapor; (6) polyamide and polyester vapor; and (7) multiple exposure. The association between exposure groups and work‐related symptom prevalence was estimated by means of multiple logistic regression.

The overall prevalence of the work‐related symptoms were: cough 9%; phlegm 6%; dyspnea 7%; wheeze 2%; eye symptoms 16%; nasal symptoms 15%. Exposure to airway irritants was significantly associated with work‐related symptoms, independent of AHR, smoking, allergy by history, and chronic respiratory symptoms. The association of exposure group with work‐related symptoms was stronger for subjects with AHR than for subjects with no AHR. The association with dyspnea and/or wheeze was also stronger for smokers than for nonsmokers and ex‐smokers. In contrast, the association between exposure and a higher prevalence of work‐related symptoms was stronger in subjects with no history of allergy than in subjects with history of allergy. This is most likely due to the relatively high prevalence of background symptoms in (nonexposed) allergic subjects. It is concluded that exposure to irritants in the working environment might lead to respiratory symptoms, even if exposure levels are relatively low.
Occupational lead poisoning: Can it be eliminated?
Authors: Kaufman Joel D. , Burt Jim , Silverstein Barbara
Published: April 2007

The continued occurrence of occupational lead poisoning and overexposure in the United States represents a serious challenge to the occupational health community. We outline a proposed action strategy which integrates case‐based surveillance, hazard surveillance, increased requirements for biological monitoring, and targeted educational activities, with a goal of eliminating occupational lead poisoning. The system provides a simple mechanism for monitoring compliance in lead‐using employers, in order to identify employers for enforcement action. Lead poisoning should be viewed as an eradicable condition; successfully solving the persistent lead overexposure problem can serve as a model for approaching other occupational diseases.
Occupational lead poisoning: Who should conduct surveillance and training?
Authors: Keogh James P. , Gordon Janie
Published: April 2007

This commentary challenges the current employer‐controlled model for delivering occupational health services. Problems emanating from traditional employer‐based medical surveillance and worker education programs for occupational lead poisoning are identified. A new public health model for delivering these services is proposed. This model utilizes a case‐based and hazard‐based method for bringing workplaces and employers into the program and features direct delivery of surveillance and training services by public health agencies.
Cancer risk in asphalt workers and roofers: Review and meta‐analysis of epidemiologic studies
Authors: Partanen Timo , Boffetta Paolo
Published: April 2007

Twenty epidemiologic studies have described cancer risk in asphalt workers and roofers in various countries. A current concern for these workers is the potential carcinogenicity posed by inhalation of bitumen fumes or dermal exposure to bitumens. Bitumens are chemically different from many carcinogenic coal‐tar based materials. Both have been employed in road paving and waterproofing. We examined and combined the results of the epidemiologic studies conducted on asphalt workers and roofers. We examined the cancer risk separately in three broad job categories: 1) roofers (exposed to bitumen fumes and previously often to coal‐tar fumes); 2) highway maintenance workers (HMWs) and road pavers (exposed to bitumen fumes as well as possibly coal‐tar fumes previously); and 3) miscellaneous and unspecified bitumen/asphalt workers. In roofers, an increased risk was suggested for cancers of the lung (aggregated relative risk 1.8, 95% confidence interval 1.5–2.1), stomach (1.7, 1.1–2.5), nonmelanoma skin (4.0, 0.8–12), and leukemia (1.7, 0.9–2.9). Some of the excesses may be attributable to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from coal‐tar products. The aggregated relative risks in road pavers and HMWs were consistently lower than in roofers for cancers of the lung (0.9, 0.8–1.0), stomach (1.1, 0.8–1.5), bladder (1.2, 0.7–1.8), skin (2.2, 1.2–3.7), and leukemias (1.3, 0.9–1.8). Their risk of skin cancer was significantly increased, based on one study. Miscellaneous and unspecified workers had a significant excess (1.5, 1.2–1.8) of lung cancer. The data were poorly focused to address the carcinogenicity of bitumen fumes, as contrasted with tar‐derived exposures. For the prospect of shedding more light on the bitumen‐cancer controversy, the feasibility of a powerful multicenter cohort is currently being studied by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).