bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A comparison of occupational data from death certificates and interviews
Authors: McLaughlin Joseph K. , Mehl Eric S. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA comparison was made of the occupational data reported on the death certificates of 586 men with their employment history obtained by interviews. Agreement was assessed for 19 occupational and 14 industrial categories of usual employment, with the highest levels of concordance (≥ 80%) found for agricultural, medical, and public administration activities. Between the two sources of information, there was overall agreement of 56% for usual occupation and 51% for usual industry of employment. Concordance was highest among the 68 self‐respondents (usual occupation 66%; usual industry 53%). Among the 518 surrogates, spousal agreement was highest (58% for occupation and 51% for industry). For other surrogate types, agreement was 49% for both industry and occupation. Agreement varied by duration of employment and by level of education, with concordance tending to increase as length of employment and educational attainment rose. These relationships remained when examined by respondent type. Evaluation of agreement levels by age and other study subject characteristics showed little effect on concordance. Review of verbatim data from the interviews and death certificates revealed that most disagreements could be attributed to coding problems caused by vague or misleading information on the death certificates, although some disconcordance was due to uncodable and missing information in the interview history. Based on results from this and prior studies, the value of occupational data derived from death certificates in epidemiologic studies may be limited, although the addition of explicit instructions on the death certificate itself may aid in providing more useful and complete information for usual employment.
Occupational asbestos exposure and mesothelioma risk in Los Angeles county: Application of an occupational hazard survey job‐exposure matrix
Authors: Cicioni Carla , London Stephanie J. , Garabrant David H. , Bernstein Leslie , Phillips Karen , Peters John M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractWe evaluated the newly available National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) National Occupational Hazard Survey (NOHS) job exposure matrix (JEM) by considering mesothelioma risk from asbestos exposure. We applied this system (NOHS‐JEM) to the Los Angeles County Cancer Surveillance Program (CSP) to see how many cancer cases could be assigned asbestos exposure and how asbestos exposure affected mesothelioma risk. Using the same CSP data, our “experts” classified asbestos exposure simply by occupation and industry. Both exposure classifications were divided into low and high; the NOHS‐JEM by the number of exposed people per couplet, and ours by judgments of intensity. Odds ratios (OR) for mesothelioma risk for low and high asbestos exposure for the NOHS‐JEM were 2.0 (95% C.I. 1.2–3.4) and 2.5 (95% C.I. 1.2–4.8). For ours, corresponding risks were 1.6 (95% C.I. 1.1–2.4) and 6.3 (95% C.I. 2.5–15.1). Our system was able to assign more cases to couplets then the NOHS‐JEM (35,895 to 22,369). Three limitations of the NOHS‐JEM were that many occupation‐industry couplets were not classified at all, many couplets associated with past asbestos exposure (before the 1972–1974 NOHS survey) were not classified as asbestos exposure, and no assessment of intensity was made. These limitations may apply to other exposures and should be carefully considered before the NOHS‐JEM is applied to other case‐control studies.
Cancer mortality among danish molders
Authors: Hansen Eva Støttrup 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis study was set up to investigate potential chronic health effects associated with molding in the foundry industry. For this purpose, a cohort of 632 male molders was followed through 10 years with regard to cause‐specific mortality. Comparisons were made with another cohort of skilled workers. The mortality from cancer was increased among the molders (standardized mortality ratio 152, 95% confidence interval 100–221), mainly because of an excess number of deaths from bladder cancer (standardized mortality ratio 896, 95% confidence interval 329–1,949). It is suggested that certain mold types may emit bladder carcinogens. In addition, phenols, cresols, and aldehydes in the foundry work atmosphere might act as tumor promoters.
Contribution of biological markers to occupational health
Authors: Schulte Paul A. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractOccupational diseases are now being assessed at the cellular and molecular levels; this presents new opportunities for prevention and control [Calleman et al., 1978; Ong et al., 1987; Stejskal et al., 1989; Welch and Cullen, 1988; Garry et al., 1989]. The key to these opportunities is the ability to detect biological markers that reflect exposure, response, and susceptibility. Biological markers are not new, however. Biological markers such as blood lead, urinary phenol levels in benzene exposure, and liver function assays have long been used in occupational and public health research and practice. What distinguishes the current generation of markers from previous markers is a greater degree of analytical sensitivity and the ability to describe events that occur earlier in the progression between exposure and clinical disease. There are now new domains of response that were not known to exist 20 years ago. Accompanying this sensitivity is the increased requirement to consider the numerous factors that can influence the appearance of biological markers. It has been observed that all workers with similar exposures do not develop disease or markers indicative of exposure or disease. Various acquired and hereditary host factors are responsible for this variation in responses. The role of assessing the nature and degree of variation between individuals is of paramount importance. Finally, the use of biological markers in occupational health research and practice also brings new ethical and legal considerations into high profile. This paper presents my personal opinions on how biological markers can contribute to occupational health efforts and the new requirements that they bring to the field. As with any technological change, the more we can anticipate the impact, the better our ability to adjust.
Alcohol, smoking, and occupational factors in cancer of the larynx: A case‐control study
Authors: Ahrens Wolfgang , Jöckel Karl‐Heinz , Patzak Wolfgang , Elsner Gine 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA hospital‐based case‐control study of laryngeal cancer was conducted in Bremen in 1986 and 1987 with 100 prevalent male laryngeal cancer patients and 100 male hospital controls with diseases not considered to be related to smoking, alcohol, or occupational exposures, who were frequency matched by age. The odds ratio for heavy smoking (more than 30 pack‐years) reached a value of 3.5 (95% confidence limits (CL) 1.1, 7.9). Ex‐smokers showed a significant decrease in risk; this reached the level of those who had never smoked about 15 years after smoking cessation. For daily consumers of alcohol an odds ratio of 3.2 (95% CL 1.4, 7.5) was observed. Among the 17 occupations in which at least ten subjects had worked, excess risks were observed for stock keeping and transportation workers, and for leather and textile workers. The odds ratio was significantly increased for the latter (p < 0.05). Among all those persons ever employed in a priori defined‐risk occupations, an odds ratio of 2.74 (95% CL 1.23, 6.06) was observed. Considering responses to an exposure check‐list, no increased risks could be shown for exposure to asbestos, coal tar, or welding fumes. On the other hand, excess risks were observed for exposures to diesel oil, gasoline, and mineral oil, controlling for smoking and alcohol. The findings in occupational and exposure subgroups were based on small numbers of cases and controls and, consequently, were subject to large sampling errors. Many of the results are consistent, however, with occupational risk factors reported from other studies.
Evaluation of selection bias in a cross‐sectionai survey
Authors: Selikoff Irving J. , Seidman Herbert 
Published: April 2007

AbstractSelection bias is inherent in all occupational cohorts. Selection bias at entry has long been known and is commonly referred to as a “healthy worker effect.” Less well appreciated is selection during the life of a cohort resulting from life‐style factors (e.g., cigarette smoking); aging with accompanying chronic diseases, economic and demographic circumstances; and diseases that might result from exposures suffered by the cohort being studied, that influence whether individuals remain in a trade. These factors weigh differently at different times. Thus, at any point in time, “surviving” members of a cohort reflect an amalgam of selection factors. When such groups are studied in cross‐sectional surveys there can be uncertainty whether clinical, radiological and phyeiological findings are necessarily representative for the trade or occupation as a whole. We analyzed the results of a large clinical field survey of long‐term asbestos insulation workers to investigate whether the non‐participants differed substantially from those who were examined. Five thousand three hundred and fifty‐five (5,355) men, of an initial cohort of 17,800 established January 1, 1967, had reached 30 or more years from onset of their work by July 1, 1981. All were invited to come for examination. Two thousand and seventy‐seven (2,077) came, and 3,278 did not. We questioned a sample of 1,393 non‐responders to see why they failed to appear. The answers did not give evidence of significant health‐related selection influence. Sickness only infrequently kept them away. We then followed both groups—those examined and those not examined—to the end of 1987 for their mortality experience. There was no great difference. The non‐responders had somewhat fewer deaths overall and proportionately fewer of asbestos‐associated cancers, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. The results indicated that, in this cohort, there did not seem to be health‐related selection bias that determined whether or not cohort members responded to invitations for examinations.
Estimating human cancer risk from the results of animal experiments: Relationship between mechanism and dose‐rate and dose
Authors: Vainio Harri , Cardis Elisabeth 
Published: April 2007

AbstractExperimental animals are often used as surrogate models in estimating human cancer risk from environmental agents when adequate epidemiological data are not available. Studies in experimental animals have usually evaluated the effects of exposure to single substances; however, humans receive combinations of exposures, to both initiators and promoters of carcinogenesis. Exposure to several agents may modify the carcinogenic process of one of them. For many agents, the relationship between dose and carcinogenic response depends on both dose‐rate and cumulative dose. For a given total dose, dose‐rate may affect carcinogenic potency both qualitatively (target organ) and quantitatively. The effects of dose‐rate are a function of total dose, species, and, most importantly, the mechanism by which the agent exerts its carcinogenic effect. Prediction of the effects of different dose‐rates of potentially carcinogenic agents can be based on knowledge of its mechanism of action.
The use of experimental studies to reveal suspected neurotoxic chemicals as occupational hazards: Acute and chronic exposures to organic solvents
Authors: Kyrklund Titus 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe nervous system differs from many other body organs by its central control of vital functions and its low regeneration capacity. Organic solvents have, as a group, been suspected to have neurotoxic effects. Because of their similar physical properties and the fact that in industrial uses, they are often present in various mixtures, organic solvents have also been regarded, unfortunately, to induce common neurotoxic effects.However, it is evident from experimental studies using specified exposure conditions that different organic solvents have very diverse neurotoxic effects and also that the toxic mechanism may differ between acute and chronic exposures. No specific method used to describe a neurotoxic effect or single toxic response can be used for the overall occupational risk assessment of all organic solvents. Each solvent has to be considered as having its own unique toxic effects.
Occupational exposure and dose over time: Limitations of cumulative exposure
Authors: Smith Thomas J. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractCumulative exposure (average intensity times duration) is one of the most common summary measures for exposure used in occupational epidemiology. Its utility for describing quantitative exposure‐effect relationships is based on several interlocking assumptions about the processes relating exposure to tissue dose, and tissue dose to adverse effects. The pharmacokinetic relationship between cumulative exposure and tissue dose was examined with models for two common exposures: inhalation of insoluble, respirable particles, and toxic metabolites of a nonpolar organic solvent. It was found that the assumption of a linear relationship between cumulative exposure and tissue dose was violated for typical exposure intensity for both substances. This caused strong nonlinear exposure‐tissue dose relationships and variability in the relationship. The findings provide a possible explanation for the common observation of a disproportionately high risk of pulmonary effects for workers with relatively short, intense dust exposures, and for the finding that workers exposed to metabolically activated organic agents have a risk that is related to years of exposure but not to intensity.
Use of chemical, biochemical, and genetic markers in cancer epidemiology and risk assessment
Authors: Hemminki Kari 
Published: April 2007

AbstractNew molecular methods have been developed to be used in assessing exposure to and effects of genotoxic and carcinogenic compounds. DNA and protein adducts are measures or surrogates of target dose. Molecular methods are available to probe mutations in oncogenes, antioncogenes, and other specific genes. Furthermore, concentrations of oncoproteins can be determined in biological fluids. If a close link is established between these markers and risk of cancer, they can be used as independent endpoints in the prevention of cancer.
Validation of exposure information in occupational epidemiology
Authors: Ulfvarson Ulf , Techn D. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractExposure data may be inadequate mainly for two reasons; they may not comply with a reasonable exposure‐effect model or they may be biased.In the use of historical data it is essential to keep track of what the data were supposed to mean when collected in the first place. Most measurements of air contaminants in work places are probably carried out to establish compliance or non‐compliance with limit values. Sometimes measurements are also made to evaluate control measures. Unfortunately, measurement data acquired in this way may have very little to do with the true average exposure of employees.The influence of trends and variations in production on the exposure level is substantial. This influence is similar and coincidental in widely different industries. In addition the variations attributed to production levels, there can be important variations due to season.
Occupational risk factors for sinonasal cancer: A case‐control study in France
Authors: Luce Danièle , Leclerc Annette , Morcet Jean‐François , Casal‐Lareo Amparo , Gérin Michel , Brugère Jacques , Haguenoer Jean‐Marie , Goldberg Marcel 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA case‐control study was conducted in France to examine occupational risk factors for sinonasal cancer; 207 cases and 409 controls were included in the study. Detailed information was collected on occupational history and other potential risk factors for nasal cancer. Results are presented for three histologic types: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and others. Among males, the risk of adenocarcinoma was significantly elevated for cabinetmakers (odds‐ratio = 35.4, 95% confidence interval = 18.1–69.3), carpenters and joiners (OR = 25.2, 95% CI = 14.6–43.6), and wood‐working machine operators (OR = 7.4, 95% CI = 3.4–15.8), whereas the odds‐ratios were less than 1 for loggers and wood preparation workers. Odds‐ratios associated with cabinetmakers (OR = 11.2, 95% CI = 2.7–45.9)) and carpenters and joiners (OR = 5.8, 95% CI = 1.8–18.6) were also significantly elevated for the other‐histologic‐types category. Significant excesses in risk of squamous cell cancer were noted for “bakers, pastry cooks, grain millers” (OR = 3.9, 1.2–12.8), construction workers (OR = 3.7, 95% CI = 1.7–8.0), and carpenters and joiners having worked for at least 15 years in the wood manufacturing industry (OR = 8.1, 95% CI = 1.3–50.3). Among females, a significant increase in risk of squamous cell carcinoma (OR = 9.5, 95% CI = 1.7–54.1) and a moderate increase in risk of adenocarcinoma (OR = 4.0, 95% CI = 0.7–23.5) was observed for textile workers. Elevated risks of squamous cell cancer were noted for farm workers of both sexes (males: OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.1–4.4; females: OR = 4.9, 95% CI = 1.0–24.9).
Occupational lead exposure in Los Angeles county: An occupational risk surveillance strategy
Authors: Papanek Paul J. , Ward Carolyn E. , Gilbert Kathleen M. , Frangos Stephen A. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTo better understand occupational lead exposures in Los Angeles County, we undertook a questionnaire survey of lead‐using industrial facilities not previously identified by county health department staff. Previously our staff had identified 112 lead‐using companies with approximately 2,000 lead‐exposed workers countywide. For this survey, we developed a database of 1,353 possible lead‐using industrial facilities from several sources, including community “right‐to‐know” databases, air pollution or sewer permit records, or other environmental databases. A questionnaire interview was completed with 1,001 (81%) of these companies, yielding 178 previously unidentified facilities employing 7,734 workers with potentially significant occupational lead exposures. Compliance with the OSHA lead standard was often poor in these facilities, particularly for workplaces with 20 or fewer employees. Devoting more public health resources to targeted identification of such industrial facilities and to educational outreach would likely help control occupational lead exposure.
Workmens' compensation and byssinosis in South Africa: A review of 32 cases
Authors: White Neil W. , Cheadle Halton , Dyer R. B. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractByssinosis has been compensable in the Republic of South Africa (RSA) since 1973. The legal and administrative provisions for byssinosis compensation are reviewed. A series of 32 cases of presumed byssinosis was submitted to the compensation authorities by the authors. Identical reports were submitted to an independent medical panel. The findings and outcomes in these cases are presented and compared. Seventeen of the 32 claims initially received compensation and four were subsequently accepted following appeals. Analysis of the medical basis of decision making indicated that seven claims were refused and at least four had their awards reduced as a consequence of inconsistent decisions. Arguable decisions resulted in five claims being refused and one award being reduced. Our experience illustrates problems inherent in the compensation system in South Africa. Initiation of a claim is expensive relative to wages in the industry, and awards are low since they are linked to wages (mean $60.47 per week). Processing of a claim took a mean of 13.8 months, while appeals for refusal to compensate took a further 29.8 months. It is argued that consensus medical definitions of compensable occupational disease should be used routinely and that provision must be made to facilitate entry of claimants into the compensation system.
Recommendations for the investigation of abnormal hepatic function in asymptomatic workers
Authors: Herip Donald S. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractOccupational medicine programs use medical surveillance tests to measure physiologic parameters that may be affected by workplace exposures. Surveillance tests can detect early detrimental changes before workers manifest recognizable symptoms. Hepatic function testing is one type of surveillance test used to monitor workers exposed to hepatotoxins. However, a significant proportion of these test reports return showing abnormal hepatic function without a readily apparent etiology. Follow‐up investigation of abnormal liver enzyme tests is a commonly encountered problem in occupational medicine clinics. The algorithm proposed in this paper will outline a systematic approach for investigating abnormal hepatic function tests from asymptomatic workers.
Hospital records as a data source for occupational disease surveillance: A feasibility study
Authors: Balmes John , Rempel David , Alexander Mark , Reiter Randy , Harrison Robert , Bernard Bruce , Benner Douglas , Cone James 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTo assess the feasibility of using hospital records for occupational disease surveillance and to evaluate the quality of the industry/occupation (I/O) information available in these records, the computer file of all discharge diagnoses from a large health maintenance organization during 1985 was reviewed. The frequencies of discharge diagnoses previously listed as Sentinel Health Events (Occupational), or SHE (O), were calculated and three possible SHE(O) diagnoses—lung cancer, bladder cancer, and toxic hepatitis—were selected for further review. Outpatient charts of patients discharged for each diagnosis were abstracted with regard to I/O information and the discharged patients were interviewed by telephone to obtain a lifetime occupational history. The accuracy of the I/O information obtained from the hospital chart was compared to that obtained by patient interview by number of digits matched on standard classification codes. The frequencies of matches for occupation and industry were greater for “usual” than for “last” categories with both cancer diagnoses, but were similar for “usual” and “last” categories with toxic hepatitis. To assess the proportion of each possible SHE(O) diagnosis that was related to workplace exposures, the I/O information obtained by interview was rated in a blinded fashion by an experienced occupational medicine physician. The highest probability ratings for work‐relatedness were noted for lung cancer, primarily due to asbestos exposure. The results of this study suggest that hospital records can be used to identify possible SHE(O); if adequate I/O information is available, then work‐relatedness can be assessed. However, the accuracy of I/O obtained from hospital charts is relatively low. The efficient and accurate collection of I/O information from hospital records will require the use of a simple, easily coded instrument to be routinely administered on admission.