bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Juvenile plantar dermatosis: A report of 80 cases
Authors: Lachapelle J. M. , Tennstedt D.
Published: April 2007

Juvenile plantar dermatosis (JPD) is a skin disease found mainly in children between the ages of 3 and 14 years old. External factors having a role in the development of the disease include: mechanical trauma, occlusive footwear (shoes and socks), and perhaps the seasons of the year. Data on gender, seasonal patterns, and listing of atopy are presented for 80 consecutive cases of JPD.
Mechanical trauma and urticaria
Authors: Black Anne Kobza
Published: April 2007

Urticarial responses in skin may be elicited in different ways, viz, stroking (dermographism), after sustained pressure (delayed pressure urticaria), and after vibration (vibratory angio‐oedema). Pressure may localise lesions of chronic idiopathic urticaria. Trauma may exacerbate hereditary angio‐oedema. The extent of the morbidity caused by trauma‐induced urticaria among workers is unknown.
Effects of pressure on contact dermatitis
Authors: Gollhausen Rainer , Kligman Albert M.
Published: April 2007

In human volunteers, firm pressure was applied to deformable plastic chambers containing (1) chemical irritants, (2) glass fibers, and (3) selected allergens to which the subjects were sensitive.

Pressure variably intensified irritant dermatitis and strikingly enhanced fiberglass dermatitis. Pressure did not influence allergic contact dermatitis.

Pressure is one of several mechanical factors that can aggravate nonallergic contact dermatitis.
Promotion of epidermal carcinogenesis by repeated damage to mouse skin
Authors: Argyris Thomas S.
Published: April 2007

Chemically induced epidermal carcinogenesis is usually divided into two stages: initiation, which involves the conversion of some epidermal cells into latent neoplastic cells; and promotion, which results in tumors. The hallmark of chemical promoters is epidermal hyperplasia. The hyperplasia caused by a strong promoter, such as 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA), differs morphologically from that caused by weak promoters, such as acetic acid and mezerin.

The epidermal regeneration that follows abrasion results in a hyperplastic epidermis that resembles the effects of strong promoters. Repeated mechanical injuries are capable of enhancing papillomas and carcinomas in mouse skin initiated with 7,12‐dimethylben‐zanthracene (DMBA). Thus, a regenerative epidermal hyperplasia appears to be a precondition for tumor promotion.

It is highly probable that many epidermal cells are initiated during the lifetime of man. In the work place, repeated mechanical injury could predispose to epidermal neoplasms.
Skin effects of occupational kneeling
Authors: Tanaka Shiro , Halperin William E. , Smith Alexander B. , Lee Shiu T. , Luggen Michael E. , Hess Evelyn V.
Published: April 2007

To evaluate chronic knee trauma associated with kneeling, we conducted a cross‐sectional questionnaire survey among floorlayers and tilelayers, two trades that require kneeling. Bricklayers and millwrights were studied for comparison. Approximately 28% of the 432 questionnaire respondents volunteered for a subsequent medical examination. Ultimately, data were analyzed for 112 floorlayers, 50 tilesetters, and 235 “comparison” workers.

We found that the history of past skin infection in the knee area was about four times more prevalent among floorlayers (7.1%) than among workers in the other two categories combined (1.8%). Unilateral or bilateral patellar skin thickening and erythema were found to be more prevalent among those who kneel: 79% of floorlayers and 98% of tilelayers vs 35% of the control group were found to have skin thickening; 52% of floorlayers and 49% of tilelayers vs 24% of the control group were found to have erythema on the frontal aspect of the knee.
Occupational hyperkeratoses in carpet installers
Authors: Wahlberg Jan E.
Published: April 2007

A field investigation among carpet installers in Stockholm, Sweden, revealed a peculiar hyperkeratosis on the knuckles and dorsal aspects of the hands and feet. The hyperkeratoses usually took some years to develop and were a result of repeated trauma to the skin from friction and pressure.
Hand eczema among hard‐metal workers
Authors: Fischer Torkel , Rystedt Ingela
Published: April 2007

Seven hundred seventy‐six of 800 workers in a hard‐metal factory were investigated. The prevalence of hand eczema and irritant reactions of the hands was 10% and 15% respectively. Of 1,006 workers who had left the industry during the previous ten years, 87 had had hand eczema. The cumulative incidence of hand eczema for these ten years was estimated to be 17%. Fifty‐two percent of the hand eczemas and 67% of the irritant reactions started during the first year of work. The majority of both the hand eczemas and the irritant reactions first appeared in grinding activities. Wet grinding and oil grinding entailed the highest risks of hand eczema. Hand eczema was significantly more common in individuals with an atopic background. Eighteen percent of the individuals with present or previous hand eczema had positive patch‐test reactions. Positive patch tests were equally common among individuals with irritant reactions and those with normal skin.
Vibration syndrome in industry: Dermatological viewpoint
Authors: Taylor James S.
Published: April 2007

Long‐term use of hand‐held vibratory tools has been implicated in the development of a clinical condition known under several names including occupational Raynaud's phenomenon, vibration‐induced white finger (VWF) disease, and “dead” or “wax” finger. The syndrome is characterized in its early stages by tingling, numbness, or blanching of the finger tips provoked usually by exposure to cold temperatures; later these symptoms may extend to the base of all of the digits on both hands. As vibration exposure continues, the attacks become more frequent and cause manual impairment and social disability. This complex of VWF and associated arterial and related complications is now termed vibration syndrome (VS).

Although epidemiologic studies indicate that large percentages of the population of workers at greatest risk are affected, the acceptance of VS as an industrial disease is only recent. This paper reviews some of the salient features of VS from the point of view of the dermatologist, since he may be the first health professional to see patients with this syndrome. Terminology, risk factors, preventative measures, therapy, and occupational guidelines are discussed.
Occupational health reporting systems—USA
Authors: Frazier Todd M.
Published: April 2007

The three‐fold purpose of this paper is to (1) describe the occupational hazard and health effect information systems used by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), (2) highlight the parts of these data systems that are relevant to the topic of this dermatologic disease and chronic trauma workshop, and (3) to note the inadequacies of existing data systems in the United States.
Occupational health reporting systems in Sweden
Authors: Fregert Sigfrid
Published: April 2007

Legislation covering worker's compensation influences occupational health reporting and data gathering. Five programs recently enacted in Sweden are outlined and discussed. These include: 1) Labour Market No‐Fault Liability Insurance, 1974; 2) The National Sickness Insurance Act, 1977; 3) The Work Injury Insurance Act, 1977; 4) The Work Environment Act, 1977; 5) The Occupational Injury Information System, 1979.
Mechanical trauma as a factor in skin infections
Authors: Maibach Howard I.
Published: April 2007

The role of mechanical trauma in the development of skin infections caused by viruses, fungi, and bacteria is discussed. Speculations are made on why there exists a paucity of published information on this topic. Questions are raised regarding procedures to be used to protect workers from skin infections. The need is expressed for epidemiologic studies to accurately define the role of trauma in these disorders.
Mortality among rubber workers: IX. Curing workers
Authors: Delzell Elizabeth , Monson Richard R.
Published: April 2007

This research examined mortality among 1,152 white male production workers employed in the tire‐curing department of a large rubber manufacturing plant. To determine whether these men had any cause‐specific mortality excesses, their experience was compared with that of both the U.S. white male general population and a group of production workers at the same plant who had not worked in the curing division. Both types of comparisons indicated that the curing workers experienced excess mortality from lung cancer. There were 45 deaths from lung cancer among curing workers compared to 24.6 expected based on the age‐ and calendar period‐specific rates of other rubber workers. In addition, the mortality rate ratio for pneumonia was 2.2 for curing relative to noncuring workers. These findings are consistent with the results of other studies and suggest that occupational exposures may have contributed to the development of pulmonary disease among curing workers.
Signs of asbestosis and impaired pulmonary function in women who worked in shipyards
Authors: Kilburn Kaye H. , Warshaw Raphael , Thornton John C.
Published: April 2007

Fifteen of 71 women (21.1%) who had worked in shipyards before May, 1961 had radiographic signs of asbestos disease. There were irregular opacities in the lung parenchyma in seven and pleural disease in eight, two of whom had pleural calcifications. The 71 women who volunteered to be studied had a mean age of 61.5 years. Chronic bronchitis was diagnosed in 21%, 71% had dyspnea on climbing two flights of stairs, and 42% had wheezing. These prevalences were 50% higher than in wives of shipyard workers. In 50 white women, mean values for expiratory flow rates, log (FEF25–75) and log (FEF75–85), were decreased for non‐, ex‐ and current smokers as compared to normal nonsmokers. Ex‐smokers and current smokers showed the greater effects. Diffusing capacity (DLCOsb) and alveolar volume (ALV) were also reduced in all three smoking categories. Comparison to a reference population without asbestos exposure showed that for current, ex‐ and nonsmoking subgroups, there were significant reductions in log (FEF25–75), DLCOsb, and ALV for nonsmokers, reductions in FEV1, log (FEV25–75), and log (FEF75–85) in ex‐smokers, and reduced ALV in current smokers. These decreases may reflect a locality effect. Further studies are recommended.
β2‐microglobulinuria among workers previously exposed to cadmium: Follow‐up and dose‐response analyses
Authors: Elinder Carl‐Gustaf , Edling Christer , Lindberg Erik , Kågedal Bertil , Vesterberg Olof
Published: April 2007

Sixty workers (58 males, 2 females) who had previously been exposed to cadmium in connection with the use of cadmium‐containing solders were examined. Exposure times ranged from 4 to 24 years. For each worker a cumulative cadmium dose estimate was calculated. This ranged from 0.35 to 9.9 mg/m3 year. The prevalence of slight (U‐β2> 0.034 mg/mmole creatinine) and more pronounced (U‐β2> 0.1 mg/mmole creatinine) β2‐microglobulinuria in the whole group was 40% and 23%, respectively. The prevalence of β2‐microglobulinuria was strongly related to the cumulative dose estimate and to urinary cadmium level. Among workers with a cumulative dose estimate below 1 mg/m3 yr there were only a few cases with slight tubular proteinuria, whereas for workers who had a cumulative dose estimate exceeding 3 mg/m3 yr the prevalence of slight and pronounced β2‐microglobulinuria was 77% and 54%, respectively. There was no significant relationship between the concentration of β2‐microglobulin in serum and urine. This indicates that the β2‐microglobulinuria is due to tubular damage and is not secondary to an increased endogenous production. Repeated examinations of 19 workers between 1976 and 1983 revealed that in almost all cases the β2‐microglobulinuria was irreversible.
Fiber size and number in workers exposed to processed chrysotile asbestos, chrysotile miners, and the general population
Authors: Churg Andrew , Wiggs Barry
Published: April 2007

We analyzed chrysotile and chrysotile‐associated amphibole (largely tremolite) asbestos fibers in 21 workers exposed to various types of processed (milled) chrysotile ore, 20 long‐term chrysotile miners, and 20 members of the general population (controls). Significantly greater amounts of both chrysotile and tremolite were found in processedore workers and miners than in controls. On average, the mean fiber lengths and aspect ratios for the mining and processed‐ore‐exposed workers were similar and were significantly greater than the values seen in the controls; within the processed‐ore group, there was a marked variation in these parameters, and some workers appeared to be exposed to fairly long, thin fibers. It was found empirically that the fiber size data, and to a lesser extent the concentration data, could be used to classify workers accurately into those with processed‐ore exposure and controls. We conclude that 1) fiber sizes in the lungs of processed‐ore‐exposed workers are similar to those of chrysotile miners and are considerably longer than those found in the general population; 2) some processed‐ore workers have longer fibers which might be responsible for higher disease incidences in certain working groups; 3) tremolite accompanies chrysotile in a variable proportion of workers exposed to processed chrysotile products and might be important in the genesis of mesothelioma in such workers; and 4) mineralogic analysis will usually detect exposure even when chrysotile has largely disappeared from lung tissue.
Exposure to fluoride in the chemical industry
Authors: Levi S. , Zilberman L. , Frumin A. , Frydman M.
Published: April 2007

Industries that use fluoride‐containing materials are usually aware of their toxicity and adopt adequate medical measures. It has been found that workers in factories who have not been considered as subjected to fluorine hazard and therefore have not been controlled had significantly elevated urinary fluoride levels. Most workers in a medically controlled fertilizer plant had normal urinary levels. Maintenance workers were found to have higher values, up to 12 mg/liter.
Long‐term mortality study of oil refinery workers: V. Comparison of workers hired before, during, and after world war ii (1940–1945) with a discussion of the impact of study designs on cohort results
Authors: Wen C. P. , Tsai S. P. , Weiss N. S. , Gibson R. L.
Published: April 2007

The mortality experience of a large refinery cohort (1937–1978) was examined by dividing it into three subcohorts according to hire dates: those hired before 1940, those hired during the period 1940–1945, and those hired after 1945. These three periods are approximately equivalent to before, during, and after World War II and span a total hiring period of more than 75 years.

The results showed that a substantial portion of the cohort (3,330 or 27%) had been recruited during 1940–1945, and they contributed 980 or 28% of the total deaths. However, their mortality experience was quite different from the rest. A series of significant increases were seen among the external causes for accidents, suicide, and homicide. In terms of overall mortality and in contrast to the rest of the cohort, no “healthy worker effect” was seen (SMR = 1.00). They also showed increases in several types of cancer including cancers of the pancreas and prostate and leukemia. These unusual experiences cannot be explained either on the basis of their war‐related deaths or on their period of employment (one‐half were terminated within 1 year from date of hire), and data is insufficient to separate the role of hiring practices or their socioeconomic status. However, their life‐styles were probably quite different judged from the fact that alcoholism‐related deaths were increased as much as fivefold.

Almost two‐thirds of the total deaths occurred among 4,080 workers in the before 1940 subcohort. Further, the 5,117 workers of the after‐1945 subcohort contributed only 5% of the total deaths. Thus, the results of the original refinery cohort (1937–1978) primarily reflect the experience of those employees hired before 1940.

Given the same cohort method (historical prospective), cohort results vary widely according to different study designs, and this has implications for “generalizable” risk assessment or risk projections. A prospective study of new hires with 30 years of follow‐up is rather inefficient because it would yield only a small number of deaths, with a strong healthy worker effect. The same is true for studies based on active workers with a short period of follow‐up. Studies based on time of hire, however, provide a means for controlling time‐related occupational exposures.
Effect of aerosol size on the blood lead distribution of industrial workers
Authors: Froines John R. , Liu Wen‐Chen V. , Hinds William C. , Wegman David H.
Published: April 2007

The size distribution measurements of lead aerosol from a brass foundry and primary lead smelter are used to simulate blood lead distributions applying a pharmacokinetic model developed by Bernard. The predicted distribution of blood lead levels determined using the actual size distribution of lead aerosol are compared to the blood lead levels predicted according to the model assumptions adopted in setting the OSHA lead standard. In the furnace area of the smelter and the pouring area of the foundry the predicted mean blood lead level is higher than that found in the standard whereas, in the smelter's sintering and mixing operation the blood lead level is less than that suggested by the standard. The data support the conclusion that size‐selective sampling needs to be considered for incorporation into the OSHA lead standard.
Acute‐onset sarcoidosis presenting as workplace‐related hyperreactive airway disease
Authors: Parkinson David K. , Grennan M. Joseph
Published: April 2007

Bechtel et al [Am Rev Respir Dis 124:759–761, 1981] have reported a high prevalence of positive methacholine challenge tests in patients with sarcoidosis. We report a patient with sarcoidosis who was identified because of symptoms resulting from exposure to workplace irritants. The presence of hyperreactive airways was confirmed by a positive methacholine challenge.
A critical load for nocturnal high‐density road traffic noise
Authors: Griefahn Barbara
Published: April 2007

Eighteen female and 18 male students (21–30 years) slept in the lab during 12 consecutive nights each, where a high‐density road traffic noise was played back with four intensities. EEG and EOG were recorded continuously throughout the nights. In the morning the subjects assessed their sleep and completed a reaction time test. The following conclusions were made: 1) Performance was not affected by noise. REM sleep decreased abruptly as soon as the sound pressure level exceeded 44 dBA. With increasing noise, sleep was assessed as increasingly worse. 2) Noise‐induced sleep disturbances were not related to sex. 3) The equivalent sound pressure level measured for high‐density road traffic seems to be a valuable predictor for subjective sleep disturbances as long as the maximum levels do not exceed it by more than 8–10 dBA. On the basis of the assessment of sleep and supported by the abrupt decrease of REM sleep, an equivalent noise level of 40 dBA indoors was defined as a critical load, above which nocturnal noise cannot be tolerated any longer.
Health effects of work at waste water treatment plants: A review of the literature with guidelines for medical surveillance
Authors: McCunney Robert J.
Published: April 2007

Potential health hazards associated with work at waste water treatment plants include bacteria, viruses and protozoa in domestic waste and heavy metals and other hazardous substances in industrial wastes. The primary exposure route for hazardous material is through inhalation of aerosols generated in the secondary phase of water treatment that contain pathogenic organisms. Although few epidemiological studies have investigated the health of waste water treatment facility workers, hazards noted have been limited to acute, self‐limited gastrointestinal illnesses. Due to the potential for long term or subtle adverse health effects, a medical surveillance program is proposed that includes attention to infectious diseases, such as hepatitis and to illness/absenteeism records.
Cancer risk among artistic painters
Authors: Miller Barry A. , Silverman Debra T. , Hoover Robert N. , Blair Aaron
Published: April 2007

An association between bladder cancer and employment as an artistic painter was found in two study populations. A proportionate mortality analysis of death certificates of professional artists indicated a greater than twofold excess for bladder cancer mortality among painters. This association was further investigated in a large case‐control interview study of bladder cancer patients where an overall relative risk estimate of 2.5 was found among artistic painters. Excess deaths from leukemia and arteriosclerotic heart disease also occurred in the proportionate mortality study. Information was not available to determine exposure to specific substances that may have been responsible for these observations; however, efforts should be made to limit exposure to art materials known to be hazardous.
Occupation and risk of cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Gallagher Richard P. , Elwood J. Mark , Threlfall William J. , Band Pierre R. , Spinelli John J.
Published: April 2007

Occupational mortality from cutaneous malignant melanoma was evaluated for deaths occurring in British Columbia from 1950–1978 by using age standardised proportional mortality ratios (PMR). For males, significantly elevated PMRs for melanoma were seen in managers and owners, accountants, architects, chemical engineers, and gardeners and nursery workers. Female school teachers were also at elevated risk of death from cutaneous melanoma.
Estimation of exposure to agent orange and other defoliants among american troops in vietnam: A methodological approach
Authors: Stellman Steven D. , Stellman Jeanne M.
Published: April 2007

Two pivotal problems in determining whether exposure to herbicides has caused disease in Vietnam veterans or their offspring are definition of which troops were exposed and extent of exposure. The DoD HERBS tape is the most complete publicly available record of herbicide spraying in Vietnam. It contains about 17,000 records consisting of coordinates of spray missions, dates, chemical agent, quantity and area sprayed, and mission purpose. We have developed a set of discrete and continuous indexes of probability of exposure to herbicides for individual veterans. These probability indexes are based on HERBS tape spray data and on locations and dates of service derived from a place‐and‐date matrix completed by the veteran. They can take into account a conservative estimate of environmental persistence of herbicide by using first‐order exponential decay kinetics with an estimated half‐life of dioxin. Mean values for the continuous exposure probability indexes were significantly greater among veterans judged to be exposed according to self‐reported job titles and specific military experiences than among men judged unlikely to have been exposed. Probabilistic exposure indexes based on the HERBS tape for classification of likely exposure to herbicides in South Vietnam during 1965–1971 appear to be well suited for comparative classification of veterans and hence for use in epidemiologic studies.
Acute effects of routine firefighting on lung function
Authors: Sheppard D. , Distefano S. , Morse L. , Becker C.
Published: April 2007

We undertook a study to determine the acute effects of routine firefighting on lung function and the relationship between these acute effects and nonspecific airway responsiveness. For 29 firefighters from a single fire station, we calculated the concentration of methacholine aerosol that caused a 100% increase in specific airway resistance (Pc100). Over an 8‐week period we then measured FEV1 and FVC in each firefighter before and after each 24‐hr workshift and after every fire. From 199 individual work‐shifts without fires, we calculated the mean ± 2 SD across‐workshift change in FEV1 and FVC for each firefighter. Eighteen of 76 measurements obtained within 2 hr after a fire (24%) showed a greater than 2 SD fall in FEV1 and/or FVC compared to two of 199 obtained after routine workshifts without fires (1%; p < .001). On 13 of 18 occasions when spirometry decreased significantly, we obtained repeat spirometry (post‐shift) 3–18.5 hr after fires, and on four of these occasions FEV1 and/or FVC were still more than 2 SD below baseline. Decrements in spirometry occurred as often in firefighters with high Pc100s as in those with low Pc100s. In two firefighters in whom FEV1 and FVC fell by more than 10% after fires, we repeated measurements of methacholine sensitivity, and it was increased over the prestudy baseline. These findings suggest that routine firefighting is associated with a high incidence of acute decrements in lung function. The persistence of these decrements, the lack of association with baseline airway responsiveness, and the association with acute increases in airway responsiveness all suggest that these decrements in lung function are not due merely to irritant bronchoconstriction.
Respiratory abnormalities among photographic developers: A report of three cases
Authors: Kipen Howard M. , Lerman Yehuda
Published: April 2007

Photographic developing processes employ hazardous chemical substances, many with known adverse effects on the respiratory system. Three cases documenting respiratory symptoms and suggesting small airway abnormalities among photographic developers are reported. Work‐related factors which might contribute to these findings, as well as public health implications, are discussed.
A mortality study of employees at a synthetic rubber manufacturing plant
Authors: Holmes Talmage M. , Buffler Patricia A. , Holguin Alfonso H. , Hsi Bart P.
Published: April 2007

A mortality follow‐up study was conducted of workers employed at a synthetic rubber manufacturing plant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Interest in the potential health effects of exposure to methyl chloride, one of the substances used in the manufacturing process, provided the impetus for this study. The study cohort consisted of 852 male process workers who had worked at least 1 month during the period from startup of operations in 1943 through December 31, 1978. Mortality from all causes was lower than expected when compared with the U.S. male population. No excess mortality from any specific cause of death was found in the study population after analysis by level and duration of exposure.
The in vitro cytotoxicity of asbestos fibers: I. P388D1 cells
Authors: Wright A. , Cowie H. , Gormley I. P. , Davis J. M. G.
Published: April 2007

In this study, the cytotoxicity of 13 fibrous samples of known fiber number and dimensions has been established in P388D1 cells. The cells were exposed in vitro to dust concentrations of 10 or 50 μg/ml and, after incubation for 24 or 48 hours, any changes in cellular viability, lactate dehydrogenase, and glucosaminidase levels were determined. In general, there was a close association between the reduction in cellular viability and the loss of intracellular enzymes induced by each dust, the chrysotile asbestos samples proving more cytotoxic than the amphiboles. The cytotoxicity of the fibrous dusts was shown to be related to the number of fibers greater than 8 μm in length in the samples.
Effect of sample holding, cryopreservation, and storage on the human lymphocyte cytogenetic test
Authors: Tomkins Darrell J. , Scheid Elizabeth E.
Published: April 2007

In monitoring occupational populations with the human lymphocyte cytogenetic test, it is not always possible to collect and process matched samples on the same day, even though this would be desirable to control for technical variables. The effects of holding samples for 24 hours at 4°C and 22°C, freezing lymphocytes in dimethylsulfoxide at −180°C, and keeping fixed cells for 6 days at 4°C before slide‐making were examined. Final cell count, mitotic index, percentage of cells in first division, percentage of cells with chromosomal aberrations, and sister chromatid exchange per cell were measured in paired cultures. A significant increase in the frequency of cells with chromatid breaks occurred after prolonged fixation, so all other results were obtained from freshly fixed cells. Although holding at 22°C and cryopreservation had significant effects on the mitotic index and entry of lymphocytes into the cell division cycle, the cytogenetic endpoints were not affected by any of the sample manipulations. Thus, samples can be held at 4°C or 22°C for 24 hours, or frozen lymphocytes can be stored for at least a week, without altering the cytogenetic endpoints.
Recent Trends in Mesothelioma Incidence in the United States
Authors: Spirtas Robert , Beebe Gilbert W. , Connelly Roger R. , Wright William E. , Peters John M. , Sherwin Russell P. , Henderson Brian E. , Stark Alice , Kovasznay Beatrice M. , Davies J. N. P. , Vianna Nicholas J. , Keehn Robert J. , Ortega Louis G. , Hochholzer Liselotte , Wagner J. C.
Published: April 2007

Mesothelioma incidence rates based on data from population‐based cancer registries in New York State (exclusive of New York City), Los Angeles County, California, and the SEER Program of the National Cancer Institute were analyzed for trends, using original cancer registry diagnoses. Results indicate a significant increase in incidence during 1973–80 for pleural mesothelioma among white males older than 55 at time of diagnosis but not for other age‐race‐sex‐site subgroups. A histopathologic review of New York State and Los Angeles County cases by two independent pathologists, expert in the diagnosis of mesothelioma, lowered the overall estimates but a significant upward trend remained. The observed trend does not appear to be related to changes in diagnostic practice. The results of a five‐member panel of expert pathologists will be published in a separate methodology paper.
Epidemiologic studies of scottish oil shale workers: I. Prevalence of skin disease and pneumoconiosis
Authors: Seaton Anthony , Louw S. J. , Cowie Hilary A.
Published: April 2007

In an epidemiologic study of 6,359 oil shale workers, 1,664 (46.7%) of 3,566 survivors were investigated. No excess of skin disease (as reported in response to a questionnaire) was found in men exposed to oil or dust, whether compared to men who were not exposed to oil or dust or to coalminers. A low prevalence of simple pneumoconiosis was found in workers exposed to dust, while progressive massive fibrosis occurred in approximately 1% of miners and retort workers. Comparisons of responders with non‐responders revealed no serious bias in terms of age or work experience, though non‐responders were likely to have been less healthy in general.
Epidemiologic studies of scottish oil shale workers: III. Causes of death
Authors: Miller B. G. , Cowie Hilary A. , Middleton W. G. , Seaton Anthony
Published: April 2007

In a mortality study of a population of 6,359 male Scottish oil shale workers, the vital status of 6,145 (96.6%) was determined. Sufficient data on occupational histories for analyses of mortality in relation to jobs held were available for 6,064 (95.4%) of the workers. No significant excess of mortality from any disease was found in relation to any jobs in the industry. Comparison of the mortality experience of those 3,161 men who joined the population prior to 1953 with that of the whole Scottish population showed an excess of deaths from skin cancer but no significant excess that was due to other disease. Comparisons with the population of the counties in which the industry was situated showed no significant excess of deaths from any cause examined. A casecontrol study of lung cancer in the shale area showed no excess risk of this disease in association with work in the industry.
An epidemiological study of work with video screens and pregnancy outcome:i. a registry study
Authors: Ericson Anders , Källén Bengt
Published: April 2007

Three cohorts of women were identified with the aid of occupational codes in the census, linked to the Medical Birth Registry and an Inpatient Registry, containing information on women hospitalized for spontaneous abortion. The three cohorts were selected from the same socioeconomic stratum but had different probabilities to be exposed for video screen work: high, medium, and low. The total pregnancy outcome of the three groups of women did not differ significantly, but there was a weak trend for more spontaneous abortions and perhaps also for congenital malformations in the group with the highest video screen work exposure; however, the differences could be random. Comparisons of delivery outcomes for these cohorts in 1976–77 with those in 1980–81 did not show any consistent pattern in spite of the heavy computerization of these workplaces which occurred between the two time periods. The second part of this report studies the material in further detail.
An epidemiological study of work with video screens and pregnancy outcome: II. A case–control study
Authors: Ericson Anders , Källén Bengt
Published: April 2007

A case–control study on work with video screen equipment during pregnancy has been made for three cohorts of women, identified with the aid of occupational codes in the census, linked to the Medical Birth Registry and a registry containing information on women hospitalized for spontaneous abortion. Five hundred and twenty–two cases were selected (women with spontaneous abortions or women who had infants that died, had severe malformations, or had a birth–weight below 1,500 g) and 1,032 controls (women who had infants without any of these characteristics) taken from the same age stratum as the cases. All pregnancies had occurred in 1980–81. Questionnaires were mailed to the women asking for information on their work situation, including questions about work with video screen equipment. Fifty–eight women were excluded for various reasons. Response rate was 93%–lower (89%) among women with spontaneous abortions than among women who gave birth (95%). As stress and smoking were associated with video screen work, the effect of video screen work was analyzed after stratification for stress and smoking–no statistically significant effect of video screen work was seen but odds ratios were above 1. Crude odds ratios for video screen work were significantly elevated and showed a dose–dependent effect. This finding is discussed from the point of view of biases in the study: selective non–responding, recall bias, geographical variability, and lack of information on women who had induced abortions. Using questionnaire data for exposure rates in the populations studied, an estimate of the effect of > 10 hr weekly work with video screens on spontaneous abortion rate was made. The point estimate was 1.04 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.9–1.2. Analysis of 44 infants with birth defects whose mothers had worked more than 10 hr/week with video screen equipment compared to 30 infants with birth defects whose mothers had not used such equipment in early pregnancy showed no signs of specificity in the type of birth defect.
Malignant mesothelioma caused by childhood exposure to long‐fiber low aspect ratio tremolite
Authors: Magee F. , Wright J. L. , Chan N. , Lawson L. , Churg A.
Published: April 2007

A 41‐year‐old man was found to have a malignant mesothelioma of the pleura. During childhood in Corsica, he had been exposed at home to chrysotile ore from the Canari mine. Analysis of lung mineral content revealed background levels of chrysotile but an elevated level of tremolite and actinolite asbestos. The latter had a geometric mean length of 3.7 μm, a value considerably longer than we have found for tremolite and actinolite from Quebec chrysotile miners but roughly the same as the mean length of amosite and crocidolite in workers with occupational amphibole exposure. No tremolite or actinolite fibers of length greater than 8 μm microns and width less than 0.25 μm were observed. The mean aspect ratio of the tremolite and actinolite fibers was 7, a value similar to that found in chrysotile miners with mesothelioma but considerably less than the mean aspect ratio of amosite and crocidolite from those with occupational expsoure. These data suggest that long‐fiber tremolite is a potential mesothelial carcinogen in humans, and that fiber length is more important than fiber aspect ratio in this regard.
Psychological Performance in Relation to Central and Peripheral Nerve Conduction in Workers Exposed to Lead, Zinc, and Copper
Authors: Araki Shunichi , Yokoyama Kazuhito , Aono Hiroshi , Murata Katsuyuki
Published: April 2007

Psychological performance was examined in relation to central and peripheral nerve conduction by means of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale test, short‐latency somato‐sensory‐evoked potential (SSEP), and median nerve conduction velocity in 19 male gunmetal foundry workers exposed to lead, zinc, and copper. (Their blood lead concentrations—ie, 16–64 μg/dl with a mean of 42—and plasma zinc and copper concentrations were significantly higher than those of control subjects.) In these workers, the score of picture completion (psychological performance) was significantly low; indicators of lead absorption, but no indicators of zinc and copper absorption, were significantly correlated with this score. The score of picture completion was significantly correlated with the N11–N13 latency of SSEP (conduction time in the spinobulbar region) in the workers; their N11–N13 latency, together with the N9 and N9–N11 latencies, was significantly prolonged and was significantly correlated with indicators of lead absorption. Furthermore, their maximal motor and sensory conduction velocities of the median nerve were significantly slowed. It is concluded that both psychological performance and central and peripheral nerve conduction may be impaired in lead‐exposed workers with BPb's below approximately 60 μg/dl.
Transmission of occupational disease to family contacts
Authors: Knishkowy Barry , Baker Edward L.
Published: April 2007

As recognition of occupational illness increases, the scope of health problems related to work widens. An important area of concern is the worker's family, which has been shown to be at increased risk of disease attributable to the hazards previously thought to be relevant only to the worker. Such “para‐occupational” disease occurs particularly in spouses and children through transport by the worker of hazardous materials from the worksite into the home. The most common vehicle has been contaminated work clothing brought home for cleaning. Outbreaks of severe illness caused by lead, beryllium, asbestos, and other compounds have been traced to home contamination by industrial dust. In this review, we describe reports of “para‐occupational” illness that demonstrate the importance of early recognition by medical professionals of this cause of illness and of strict control of the dissemination of hazardous materials outside the workplace.
Exposure to triarylphosphate and polyneuropathy: A case report
Authors: Jarvholm Bengt , Johansson Barbro , Lavenius Barbro , Torell Gunnar
Published: April 2007

This report describes a case of polyneuropathy in a 48‐year‐old mechanic who was heavily exposed to hydraulic fluids containing isopropylated triphenylphosphate (ITP). A cross‐sectional examination of eight other men exposed to hydraulic fluids and eight controls showed differences in EMGs but not in nerve conduction velocities or other values measured in a clinical examination. The study indicates a possible association between heavy occupational exposure to hydraulic fluids and ITP and polyneuropathy.
Patterns of mortality among plumbers and pipefitters
Authors: Cantor Kenneth P. , Sontag James M. , Heid Marian F.
Published: April 2007

A proportionate mortality ratio (PMR) study was undertaken of 7,121 members and retirees of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters in California who died in 1960–79. The PMR for all malignant neoplasms was 1.24, with a major contribution from lung cancers (PMR = 1.41). Lung cancer PMRs were consistently elevated, through the 20‐year study period, across the pipe trades and within different birth cohorts. Sixteen mesothelioma deaths occurred, suggesting asbestos as a risk factor. PMRs for malignancies of the stomach, kidney, brain, and lymphopoietic system were also elevated, especially among plumbers. Chronic rheumatic heart disease, emphysema, liver cirrhosis, and all external causes of death were the major non‐cancer causes with significantly elevated PMRs. There were significant deficits in diabetes mellitus, all pneumonia, chronic nephritis, and vascular lesions of the central nervous system (CNS). PMRs for successive birth cohorts among all study subjects revealed decreasing emphysema risk, suggesting previous reduction of a risk factor for this disease. Among plumbers, PMRs for death due to several non‐respiratory malignancies showed an increasing trend with recency of birth cohort.
Mortality of medical practitioners in Japan: Social class and the “healthy worker effect”
Authors: Araki Shunichi , Murata Katsuyuki , Kumagai Kazuaki , Nagasu Masaya
Published: April 2007

To assess patterns of mortality in Japanese medical practitioners, we compared the mortality of male physicians in a Japanese prefecture with that of eight major working populations, the nonworking population, and the general population of all Japan and of the prefecture. Standardized mortality ratios were calculated. All‐causes mortality in medical practitioners aged 25–64 years was significantly higher than that of administrative and managing workers (standardized mortality ratio [SMR] = 228); it was significantly lower than that of the nonworking population (SMR = 23). Physicians were found to have higher cause‐specific mortality for pneumonia and bronchitis and for ischemic heart disease than the total working population. These findings suggest that the previously reported low mortality of physicians reflects principally their high socioeconomic status; within the professional class, the mortality of medical practitioners compares unfavorably with that of other persons.
Lung diseases caused by organic dusts in the farm environment
Authors: Rylander Ragnar
Published: April 2007

Organic dusts present in the farm environment may cause a series of lung cell reactions involving inflammation and immune responses. Clinical diseases related to this exposure and based on the inflammation may be divided into acute and chronic inflammation. These can be accompanied by airway hypersensitivity. Individual clinical cases often present atypical or mixed symptoms that must be recognized as a work‐related disease.
Prevention of respiratory problems in agriculture
Authors: Höglund Sverker
Published: April 2007

Reductions in lung disease are accomplished by reducing the exposure to organic dusts or by early detection of the disease. Education on exposure risks and control of equipment are important to lessen exposure. Health controls by specialized organizations or trained physicians serve to detect persons at risk.
Report on agents
Authors: Popendorf William
Published: April 2007

Recommendations were formulated on sampling strategies and characteristics of different sampling methods. Microbiological products, such as endotoxins and proteases were suggested to be included apart from traditional dust measurements. It was recommended that priority should be given to establishing dose‐response relationships and that the importance of anaerobic organisms be evaluated. A summary of components within organic dust suspected of contributing to respiratory disease was presented.
Short‐term mortality and cancer incidence in capacitor manufacturing workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBS)
Authors: Gustavsson Per , Hogstedt Christer , Rappe Christoffer
Published: April 2007

A cohort study of 142 male Swedish capacitor manufacturing workers was performed. PCB had been used as a dielectricum in power capacitors between 1960 and 1978. Mortality was investigated for the period 1965 to 1982 and cancer incidence from 1965 to 1980. Twenty‐one deaths and seven cancers were observed, which was in agreement with the anticipated numbers calculated from national statistics. One person had developed two rare tumors, a slow growing mesenchymal tumor (desmoid) and a malignant lymphoma. The results cannot rule out the possibility of a carcinogenic risk from PCB exposure because of the small size of the cohort and relatively brief follow‐up period, but they do not indicate any excess mortality or cancer incidence in this factory so far.
An approach to the characterization of silica exposure in U.S. industry
Authors: Froines John R. , Wegman David H. , Dellenbaugh Cornelia A.
Published: April 2007

Quantitative evaluation of worker exposure to silica in nine Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes was conducted, using data derived from OSHA compliance inspections, in order to assess the silica exposure problem in the U.S. The nine SICs studied were those in which OSHA inspections were concentrated. They include: construction; chemical manufacture; stone, glass, and clay manufacturing; primary metal industries; metal fabrication; machinery; transportation; and miscellaneous manufacturing industries. High exposures to silica were documented in each industry, with the number of test samples over the permissible exposure limit ranging from 14% (aluminum foundries) to 73% (pottery). An estimation is made that 24,889 workers employed in ferrous and nonferrous foundries are at risk of silica‐related pulmonary effects. The data developed in this analysis also indicate the need to investigate certain industries that had high exposures but few inspections. The limitations of the data base for estimating the scope of the silica problem, including lack of data on mining and milling, are discussed. We conclude that exposure to silica represents a continuing and significant problem in a number of U.S. industries.
Silica, silicosis and lung cancer among ceramic workers: A case‐referent study
Authors: Forastiere F. , Lagorio S. , Michelozzi P. , Cavariani F. , Arca' M. , Borgia P. , Perucci C. , Axelson O.
Published: April 2007

A case‐referent study has been carried out regarding a possible connection between silica exposure and lung cancer (ICD 162) in Central Italy, where the pottery industry has a long tradition. Silicosis among 72 cases of lung cancer and among 314 referents, all deceased, was ascertained through checking the individual files of compensated cases of silicosis. Questionnaires on past employments and smoking habits were blindly administered to the next‐of‐kin of the deceased subjects. Controlling for age, period of death, and smoking, workers in the ceramic industry were found to have a higher lung cancer risk than workers in other occupations free from silica exposure (Mantel–Haenszel rate ratio = 2.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1–3.5). This increased risk was mainly due to a rate ratio of 3.9 (95% CI = 1.8–8.3) for silicotic individuals, while for nonsilicotic ceramic workers it was only 1.4 (95% CI = 0.7–2.8). The result of this study seems to suggest that lung cancer might be merely indirectly associated with exposure to silica through the silicotic process, although the dose may differ for silicotic and nonsilicotic individuals.