bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
O4D.1 Longitudinal analysis of incidence of beryllium sensitization in a us nuclear workforce
Authors: Golden Ashley , Dally Miranda , Miller Jeffery , Newman Lee , Cragle Donna 
Published: May 2020

The goal of this study was to evaluate trends in incidence of beryllium sensitization (BeS) and the impact of exposure regulation in a US Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear worker cohort. The 1999 DOE final rule for Chronic Beryllium Disease Prevention Program was established to accomplish three goals: reduce the number of workers currently exposed to beryllium; minimize exposures and the potential for exposure; and establish medical surveillance requirements to ensure early detection of disease. While the impact of this rule has been evaluated through observational reports, with decreases in exposure and reported cases, there have been no published studies assessing whether exposure reduction measures result in the prevention of BeS.MethodsWe examined the incidence of beryllium sensitization in a cohort of 6915 workers with almost 29,000 BeLPT results obtained between 1994–2018. All workers were employed at a single DOE nuclear site that implemented the DOE beryllium rule between 1999–2002. Workers were classified as BeS when they met one of the following definitions: two abnormal blood BeLPT results, one abnormal and one borderline blood BeLPT result, three borderline blood BeLPT results, or one abnormal lung lavage BeLPT result. Descriptive statistics, longitudinal analyses, and correlation analyses were utilized to evaluate the trends in incidence before and after implementation of the beryllium rule.ResultsResults indicated a general decrease in exposure and BeS incidence rates, though there are some years with notable increases presumably due to increased clean-up activity, where construction and decommissioning workers had opportunity for exposure from legacy beryllium operation materials that were not part of normal current production activity.ConclusionThese findings provide support for the hypothesis that the DOE Beryllium Rule helps prevent beryllium sensitization. Future research will more precisely assess the relationship between beryllium exposure levels and beryllium incidence over time.
O4D.4 Changes in kidney function among sugarcane cutters on a moderately hot sugar plantation in south africa
Authors: Magombo Mollen , Barregard Lars , Kgalamono Spo , George Jaya , Naicker Saraladevi , Dorkin Elton , Made Felix , Rees David 
Published: May 2020

IntroductionEpidemic chronic kidney disease of unknown cause (CKDu) occurs among sugar cane workers, notably cane cutters doing heavy manual work in hot tropical environments in Mesoamerica. Repetitive dehydration consequent on strenuous work in heat is posited as the cause. A Nicaraguan cohort study showed remarkable kidney function decreases across six weeks of the cane cutting season consistent with the dehydration hypothesis. This Nicaraguan study was replicated on a sugar plantation in South Africa about 3 500 kms from the equator and cooler than previous study locations to examine whether less extreme ambient conditions resulted in reduced kidney stress.Methods38 cane cutters and 36 referents of similar socio-economic status but doing less strenuous work on the same plantations provided pre- and post-shift blood and urine samples for measures of kidney function and hydration on Day 1 and Week 9 of the cutting season. Frozen specimens were transported to a chemical pathology laboratory in Johannesburg for analysis. Parameters measured included cystatin C, eGFR (derived from cystatin C), serum creatinine, serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), serum uric acid and osmolality.ResultsMinimum and maximum temperatures were 20.9 and 26.5o C on Day 1 and 13.6 and 26.6 o C on Week 9. There were clinically modest, albeit statistically significant, increases in mean cystatin C pre-shift values between Day 1 and Week 9 in the cane cutters: 0.847 to 1.011 mg/L (p=0.00) which means a considerable decline in eGFR. Other results were not consistent among the various markers of effect on the kidneys. The magnitude of the increase in cystatin C among referents was similar to the cutters: 0.771 to 0.904 mg/L.ConclusionsKidney function markers seemed to be much less affected in the cooler study location than in the hotter one.
O4E.1 Cross-walking countries’ industry classifications using concordance files compared to fuzzy data matching, to utilise an international exposure dataset
Authors: Selvaraj Ganesh , Butchard Michael 
Published: May 2020

BackgroundCarcinogen exposure data can potentially guide the work of health and safety (H and S) regulators. This project aims to use CAREX Canada data to estimate carcinogen exposures in New Zealand industries. This requires the creation of a cross-walk between the countries’ industry classifications.MethodsAgile and big-data-science methodologies were used to construct two versions of an industry classification cross-walk from the 2006 Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC06) to the Canadian version of the 2002 North American Industrial Classification (NAICS2002), used by CAREX Canada.Firstly, concordance files from government statistics bureaus cross-walked the path: ANZSIC06 ->International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities Rev4 ->NAICS2017->NAICS2012->NAICS2007->NAICS2002. The cross-walk accounted for ‘one-to-many-to-one’, non-machine formats, and missing/erroneous values.Secondly, a fuzzy data matching pipeline was designed. Data preparation removed redundant, stop, and common domain words, and lemmatised using morphological analysis (e.g. fishing to fish). Data matching used a hybrid algorithm combining ‘JaroWinkler-distance’ and a token-sort approach (i.e. ignoring the positional occurrence of words in a sentence) to match descriptions. A trial-and-error approach was used to assign weightings and concatenate the hierarchical industry classification levels to improve match accuracy. Python language was used for implementation.For each method, random samples of 50 matches were manually classified as either poor or sufficient by two people. Disagreements were discussed and consensus reached.ResultsThe concordance cross-walk sample had 52% (95% C.I. 38%–66%) sufficient matches compared to 84% (95% C.I. 74%–94%) for the fuzzy data matching pipeline cross-walk sample.ConclusionsCross-walking countries’ industry classifications using a fuzzy data matching pipeline was more accurate than using a concordance cross-walk. The pipeline is modular enough to easily include more components. This work is part of a vision to design a semantic big-data lake, enabling integration of any data relevant to H and S.
O1A.6 The carcinogenicity of pesticides used in new zealand
Authors: Mannetje Andrea ‘t 
Published: May 2020

IntroductionYearly over 3000 tonnes of pesticide active ingredients are applied in New Zealand agriculture. Since the 1980’s, epidemiological studies have reported increased risks of lymphopoietic cancers in agricultural sectors with high pesticide use. Here we aim to estimate the number and total volume of currently used pesticides in New Zealand that are known or suspected human carcinogens, in order to inform interventions.MethodsFor each of the pesticide active ingredients most commonly used in New Zealand, the carcinogenicity classification of three regulatory agencies (The New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority [NZ-EPA], the US Environmental Protection Agency [US-EPA], and the European Chemicals Agency [EU]) were extracted, as well as the classification of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monograph Programme. Total tonnes of active ingredients that are known or suspected human carcinogens was calculated for each classification.ResultsNone of the pesticides used in New Zealand are classified as known human carcinogens by any of the three regulatory agencies or IARC. Annually New Zealand uses 148–756 tonnes of active pesticide ingredients that are classified as suspected human carcinogens by the three regulatory agencies. If also including the pesticides classified by IARC as possible or probable human carcinogens, the upper estimate doubles to 1475 tonnes, representing half of the total volume of pesticide active ingredients used in New Zealand agriculture. The percentage and volume of active ingredients classified as suspected carcinogens by the three regulatory agencies was highest for the fungicides (8%–60%; 72–540 tonnes), followed by herbicides (3%–10%; 60–200 tonnes), and insecticides (8%, 16 tonnes).ConclusionsAlthough no known human carcinogens are used as pesticides, New Zealand’s high use of pesticides that are suspected carcinogens requires a greater awareness of the presence of potential carcinogens in the agricultural sector and the development of an intervention strategy to reduce cancer risk.
O5A.4 Overexertion related age-specific wmsds claims among construction workers in ohio, USA: 2007–2013
Authors: Kaur Harpriya , Lampl Mike , Grosch James , Wurzelbacher Steven , Tseng Chih-Yu , Bushnell Tim , Scholl Juliann , Meyers Alysha , Ortiz Bermang 
Published: May 2020

BackgroundAs the proportion of older workers in the U.S. increases, understanding the health and safety needs of an aging workforce is critical, especially in the hazardous and physically demanding construction industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2016 the rate of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in construction was 32.7 per 10 000 full-time equivalent workers, which was 11% higher than the rate for all industries combined. The objective of this study was to examine the rate and cost of WMSDs due to overexertion, the leading cause of WMSDs, among construction workers by age group in Ohio using workers’ compensation claims.MethodsOverexertion related WMSDs allowed claims, submitted to Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation (OBWC) by workers in the construction industry for injuries occurring from 2007–2013 were analyzed to compute rates of allowed claims and claim costs by age group. The American Community Survey of the U.S. Census Bureau was used to determine the proportion of construction workers in each age group in Ohio. For this study, age was categorized as 14–24, 25–34, 35–44, 45–54 and ≥55 years old.ResultsThere were 7434 overexertion related WMSD claims accepted by OBWC for construction workers who were injured due to overexertion in 2007–2013. Workers 35–44 years old experienced the highest claim rate of 7.28 per 1000 for WMSDs due to overexertion. However, the highest mean medical compensation cost for WMSD claims due to overexertion was for construction workers 55 years and older.ConclusionOverexertion-related WMSD claims appear to rise and then fall with age (≥55). There is a need to understand how aging interacts with WMSDs risk factors. Age-specific interventions to reduce WMSDs may help to retain older and skilled workers whose knowledge and experience might otherwise be lost when workers need to leave work because of debilitating WMSDs.
O5C.2 Long term physical and mental health impact of military service
Authors: Sim Malcolm , Xie Jing , Forbes Andrew , Kelsall Helen 
Published: May 2020

BackgroundThere is emerging recognition of the important co-morbidities and long term relationships between physical and psychological health in military and veteran populations. The aim was to investigate the longitudinal relationships between multisymptom illness (MSI) and psychological disorders.MethodsA cohort of 1990–1991 Gulf War veterans and military comparison group was assessed at Wave 1 (2000–2002) and Wave 2 (2011–2012), including military service characteristics, symptoms, modified Centers for Disease Control (CDC) definition of MSI, the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Checklist (PCL), and Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT). The Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI v.2.1) assessed psychological disorders using DSM-IV criteria. Incident cases were defined as participants who did not meet criteria for a health outcome at Wave 1 but met these criteria at Wave 2.ResultsOverall participation at Wave 2 was 1390/2779 (50.0%); 99.8% completed a health questionnaire including 1356 male participants who were included in these analyses. The adjusted incident rate ratio (IRR) of MSI at Wave 2 was higher for those with, compared to those without, CIDI-defined PTSD IRR 3.3 (95% CI 1.8–6.0), major depression 2.1 (1.3–3.5) and alcohol disorder 1.8 (1.0–3.3) at Wave 1. The adjusted IRR of incident CIDI-defined PTSD 3.7 (2.2–6.3) major depression 2.0 (1.2–3.2) and AUD 2.1 (1.1–3.8) at Wave 2 were increased for those with, compared to those without, MSI at Wave 1.ConclusionsLongitudinally, psychological disorders, in particular PTSD and depression, were found to be a risk factor for the development of MSI and the presence of MSI was a risk factor for the development of psychological disorders, in particular PTSD and depression. These findings have important implications for clinical and occupational health practice, service provision and longer term health in military and veteran populations.
O5C.5 Sarin exposures in a cohort of british military participants in human experimental research at porton down 1945–1987
Authors: Keegan Thomas J , Carpenter Lucy M , Brooks Claire , Langdon Toby , Venables Katherine M 
Published: May 2020

BackgroundThe effects of exposure to chemical warfare agents in humans are topical. Porton Down, near Salisbury, is the UK’s centre for research on chemical warfare. Since WWI, a programme of experiments involving approximately 30 000 participants drawn from the UK armed services has been undertaken there.ObjectivesOur aim is to report on exposures to nerve agents, particularly sarin, using detailed exposure data in a cohort of servicemen who attended Porton Down.MethodsWe have used existing data on exposures to UK servicemen who attended the human volunteer programme at Porton Down to examine exposures to nerve agents in general and to sarin in particular.ResultsSix principal nerve agents were tested on humans, all between 1945 and 1987. Of the 4299 nerve agent tests recorded, 3511 (82%) were with sarin, most commonly in an exposure chamber, with inhalation being the commonest exposure route (85%). Biological response to sarin exposure was expressed as percentage change in cholinesterase activity and, less commonly, change in pupil size. For inhalation tests, assessed by changes in red blood cell cholinesterase median inhibition for was 41% (IQR 24%–51%), with a maximum of 87%. For dermal exposures, assessed by changes in unspecified cholinesterase, median inhibition was 22% (IQR 10%–37%), with a maximum inhibition of 99%. There was a clear association between increasing exposure to sarin and depression of cholinesterase activity but the strength f the association varied by exposure route and the presence of chemical or physical protection. Pupil size decreased with increased exposure but this relationship was less apparent when protection was present.ConclusionsThese results, drawn from high quality experimental data, offer a unique insight into the effects of these chemical agents on humans.AcknowledgementWe thank Nicola Fear and Gemma Archer, our collaborators in new work on these data, for their input.
O6A.1 Aggregation of work-related health problems throughout working-life in a population-based sample of women
Authors: Amaro Joana , Monjardino Teresa , Lucas Raquel , Ubalde-Lopez Mònica , Barros Henrique 
Published: May 2020

IntroductionMultimorbidity potentiates a spectrum of adverse health outcomes that surpass those of individual diseases. However, little is known on disease aggregation related to occupational exposures.ObjectiveTo assess the impact of life course occupational experience on health problem aggregation.MethodsWe evaluated 4330 adult women at the 10-year-old follow-up wave of the population-based birth cohort Generation XXI, using a self-administered version of the Labour Force Survey item inquiring whether they had ever had a ‘physical or mental health problem that was caused or made worse by your current work or any previous work’ with 11 close-ended and one open-ended response options. Disease aggregation was assessed using principal components (PC) analysis and component scores were summarized by sociodemographic, anthropometric and work-related characteristics.ResultsWe identified five components to describe disease aggregation which accounted for 54.7% of observed variance. PC1 gathered all items on musculoskeletal disorders (back, upper and lower limb); participants with lower educational level, higher BMI, blue-collar jobs, working in the private sector, and with a history of occupational accidents scored higher in this component. PC2 gathered the item on mental disorders (including anxiety and depression) together with headache and/or eyestrain, and showed higher scores among women with higher educational level, white-collar jobs, and in the public sector. PC3 included the item on other disorders (comprising neurological, endocrine, autoimmune and voice-related) with some loading from digestive and hearing disorders, and showed higher scores in older and blue-collar workers. PC4 grouped respiratory with infectious diseases; it associated with working in the public sector and reporting work-related accident history. PC5 was composed by circulatory system conditions and associated with former smoking, higher BMI, and white-collar jobs.ConclusionWork-related diseases aggregated in five distinct components, supporting the need for a shift from a disease-by-disease approach towards a worker-centered approach.
O6B.6 Occupational radiation exposure and the risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases among medical radiation workers
Authors: Lee Won Jin , Cha Eun Shil , Ko Seulki 
Published: May 2020

BackgroundMedical radiation workers occupy the largest group of radiation workers and the numbers are rapidly increasing worldwide. This presentation purposes to report findings from the Korean medical radiation workers’ study.MethodsData on all diagnostic medical radiation workers enrolled at the national dose registry between 1996 and 2011 (n=94,396) were merged with the death and cancer incidence data with coverage through the end of 2015. We reconstructed historical radiation doses and estimated organ-specific doses for all workers. The cancer risks were calculated using standardized mortality ratios (SMRs), standardized incidence ratios (SIRs), excess relative risk (ERR), and lifetime attributable risk (LAR). For radiologic technologists (n=12,906), we conducted a survey and merged the data with the national health insurance data of 2006–2016 for investigation of non-cancer diseases.ResultsThe mean cumulative badge doses for all workers were 10.6 mSv (men) and 2.7 mSv (women). Medical radiation workers have more favorable mortality than in general population for all causes of death among men (SMR=0.45) and women (SMR=0.49). Based on 2192 of primary cancer cases, the SIR for all cancers significantly decreased in men (SIR=0.88) and increased in women (SIR=1.10). However, there were no significant ERRs of all cancer incidences in both men and women. LARs for all cancer combined ranged from 9 to 402 per 1 00 000 varied by sex and job title. Among radiologic technologists, the odds ratios for cardiovascular diseases showed a significant increasing trend with colon doses (trend p=0.024) after adjusting for potential risk factors.ConclusionsOur findings provide some evidence of occupation radiation exposure and its health effects among medical radiation workers. The risks were generally small but not acceptable at high risk groups. Continuous monitoring and further follow-up is warranted to optimize the work practices for the protection of potential health risks in medical radiation workers.
O1B.5 Infertility in a cohort of male danish firefighters
Authors: Hansen Johnni , Petersen Kajsa , Bonde Jens Peter , Ebbehøj Niels 
Published: May 2020

IntroductionFirefighters are exposed to many hazardous agents, including heat, stress, nightwork and chemicals, which may have negative impact on their fertility. Despite this, there is a lack of epidemiologic studies in the field. We aimed to examine infertility among male Danish firefighters.MethodsWe established a cohort of 4710 male Danish firefighters born from 1964 to 1992 based on historical records from employers and trade unions. The firefighter’s unique personal identification number, applied to all residents in Denmark, was used as a key identifier for linkage of information from nationwide registers. Information on vital status and female partners was obtained from the Danish Civil Registration System. Information on diagnoses of, conditions related to and treatments for infertility was retrieved from theIn VitroFertilisation (IVF) Register and the National Patient Register (NPR). Hazard ratios and their 95% confidence intervals for both male factor and overall infertility were estimated through cox regression analyses comparing the firefighters to two reference groups: a) a random sample of employees and b) military employed men.ResultsAmong the full time firefighters (n=1,253), male factor infertility was significantly increased compared to the sample of employees (IVF model HR=1.5, 95% CI 1.1–1.9 and NPR model HR=1.5, 95% CI 1.2–2.). Results were less consistent using the military employees as reference. Further, the increase in infertility seemed restricted to the time employed as firefighter and, thus disappeared when the men quit firefighting. No increase in risk of either male factor or overall infertility was seen among the part time/volunteer firefighters (n=3,497).ConclusionFull time firefighting was associated with an increased risk of being diagnosed with male factor infertility. This was not the case for part time firefighters. The increased risk seemed confined to actual firefighting time, indicating an occupational association,