bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Occupation, smoking, and the risk of high‐grade invasive bladder cancer in Missouri
Authors: Brooks Daniel R. , Geller Alan C. , Chang Jian , Miller Donald R. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractNumerous epidemiological studies have established that occupational exposures and smoking are the two major known risk factors for the development of bladder cancer. Using data from the Missouri Cancer Registry, we investigated the hypothesis that individuals with occupationally‐related bladder cancer are more likely to have a more invasive form of the disease. Data were analyzed for 2,893 white males diagnosed with primary bladder cancer in Missouri between 1984 and 1988. Of the 1,415 cases whose occupational status was recorded, 236 (17%) were employed in high‐risk occupations. Cases with high‐grade disease were more likely to have been employed in a high‐risk occupation, after adjustment for age and smoking (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1–2.6). High‐risk workers under 60 years of age were most at risk for developing high‐grade bladder tumors (AOR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.0–5.3). There was no overall association between high‐risk occupation and late‐stage disease (AOR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.7–1.5), but it was present in the men younger than 60 years of age (AOR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.0–3.8). No association was found between tobacco use and grade (AOR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.8–1.5), but cases with late‐stage disease were more likely to be smokers (AOR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1–1.9). When occupations were examined individually, motor vehicle operators, truck drivers, vehicle mechanics, other mechanics, and janitors were among those most likely to be diagnosed with high‐grade or late‐stage tumors. Although further studies are necessary to confirm these results, they suggest that surveillance and targeted screening of workers in high‐risk occupations may result in a greater yield of early invasive cancers and possibly decrease the mortality associated with this disease. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A strategy for delineating risks due to exposure to neurotoxic chemicals
Authors: Simonsen Leif , Lund Søren Peter 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA method for delineating the risks due to exposure to neurotoxic chemicals based upon the linkage of four national computer‐based registers is described.The four registers are: the Danish Product Register database, PROBAS; Register of air pollution measurements in Danish workplaces, ATABAS; Register of notified occupational diseases; and Register of work force.Based on the information from the four registers, risk profiles for neurotoxic chemicals in 69 industrial groups were generated. The risk profiles describe the number of neurotoxic chemicals, their potency, the number of exposure measurements exceeding the occupational exposure limit (OEL), and the total and relative number of diseases caused by the chemicals in each group.Based on this linkage, twelve industries are noted to be potentially at high risk due to exposure to neurotoxic chemicals; therein, 18 chemicals are identified as “risk chemicals,” primarily used in 8 main groups of products. The goal of the evaluation is to develop a tool for priority setting of preventive measures. The evaluation may also serve as a tool for assessing improvements and selecting areas for further epidemiological Studies. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exposure to diesel exhaust in the trucking industry and possible relationships with lung cancer
Authors: Steenland Kyle , Silverman Debra , Zaebst Dennis 
Published: April 2007

AbstractWe previously reported that long‐term truck drivers and mechanics in the Teamsters Union had higher lung cancer risks than Teamsters outside the trucking industry. We now summarize results from an industrial hygiene survey of current exposures to diesel exhaust in the trucking industry, and relate these to our prior results pertaining to lung cancer risk. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Disease clusters in occupational medicine: A protocol for their investigation in the workplace
Authors: Fleming Lora E. , Ducatman Alan M. , Shalat Stuart L. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractDisease clusters have been an important source of epidemiologic and medical information in the history of occupational medicine. Many accepted disease‐exposure linkages were first observed and investigated as disease clusters in the workplace setting. Recent interest in disease cluster methodology has focused on traditional environmental settings. There has been very little work on a similar methodology for the investigation of disease clusters in the workplace, despite the many advantages of workplace cluster investigations for recognizing new etiologic associations. In this paper, a protocol is proposed and discussed which can be implemented in both acute and chronic disease cluster outbreaks in the workplace, where no obvious previously recognized cause is identified. A standardized approach to occupational disease cluster investigation will lead to increase efficiency, decreased social‐political tensions, and a greater yield of scientific information. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Localized pleural plaques and lung cancer
Authors: Partanen T. , Nurminen M. , Zitting A. , Koskinen H. , Wiikeri M. , Ahlman K. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn a mass chest radiography survey conducted in 1971 for 7,986 residents of three Finnish communities, 604 subjects (7.6%) with pleural plaques but no other asbestosrelated radiographic signs were identified. The same number of referents, each individually matched to each plaque carrier on sex, birth year, and community, was selected from among persons in the same source population with no pleural plaques. The two groups were followed for investigation of incidence of lung cancer during 1972–1989. Twenty‐eight of those with plaques and 25 referents contracted lung cancer (crude conditional RR = 1.1; CL95 = 0.7, 1.9). The application of the proportional hazards model, with adjustment for sex, age, and residence, resulted in a hazard ratio of 1.1 (CL = 0.6, 1.8). The risk ratio estimate may be biased; hence, the result is inconclusive in regard to the predictive assessment of lung cancer risk among carriers of pleural plaques. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Asbestos fiber analysis in 27 malignant mesothelioma cases
Authors: Murai Yoshihiro , Kitagawa Masanobu 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe asbestos body counts per 5 gm wet lung tissue in 27 (23 pleural and 4 peritoneal) malignant mesothelioma cases derived from 19 autopsy and 8 surgical cases were, according to our own criteria, low level exposure in 13 cases (48.2%), moderate level exposure in 2 cases (7.4%), and high level exposure in 12 cases (44.4%). In our previous study on 235 consecutive autopsy cases, the low level exposure was considered to be environmental, the moderate level was secondary or blue collar, and the high level was occupational. In the present study, about half of the cases examined (44.4%, high level exposure) are closely related to some occupational asbestos exposure and the other half (48.2%) to environmental exposureThe type and size of asbestos fibers from the 12 cases of high level exposure were analyzed and the characteristics were compared with those of cases of low level exposure without lung cancer or mesothelioma. Most fibers analyzed (98%) were longer than 5 μm and thicker than 0.10 μm by our counting rules. In the control group, predominant fibers were tremolite or actinolite. In all the 11 pleural mesothelioma cases, the content of amosite fibers was significantly higher than in the controls. In one case of peritoneal mesothelioma, incipient asbestosis was found and the predominant fibers were crocidolite. It is suggested that the presence of amosite and crocidolite is linked to mesothelioma. The mean lengths of amosite and crocidolite, as detected by our resolution capabilities, were 36.0 and 20.9 μm, and the mean diameters were 0.51 and 0.27 μm, respectively. Both amosite and crocidolite fibers had high aspect ratios (94.2 and 115.4). © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A retrospective mortality study within operating segments of a petroleum company
Authors: Schnatter A. Robert , Thériault Gilles , Katz Arnold M. , Thompson F. S. , Donaleski Donna , Murray N. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis retrospective mortality study was conducted among 34,597 oil industry workers in diverse operating segments. Employees were traced through Statistics Canada, and overall mortality (SMR = 0.85) was lower than general population rates and similar to other petrochemical cohorts. The most notable finding was a significant excess of malignant melanoma [observed deaths (N) = 16, SMR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.07, 3.04], which concentrated among upstream workers (N = 6, SMR = 6.00, 95% CI = 2.19, 13.06), and was directly related to employment duration and latency. Specific substances or hydrocarbon (HC) streams could not be implicated, although possible explanations include dermal HC exposure, ultraviolet light exposure, or a synergistic effect between these two factorsMarketing/transportation workers showed a non‐significant excess of multiple myeloma (SMR = 1.81), which was also related to employment duration, latency, and commencement of employment before 1950. Lymphatic cancer, skin cancer, and kidney cancer mortality was not elevated in refinery workers, a finding at odds with some previous refinery worker studiesAlthough the malignant melanoma and possibly the multiple myeloma mortality patterns are consistent with an occupational link, further studies are needed to investigate the relationship of these diseases with particular exposures. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An automated method for the determination of acetyl and pseudo cholinesterase in hemolyzed whole blood
Authors: Meuling W. J. A. , Jongen M. J. M. , Van Hemmen J. J. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to develop a method which allows determination of pseudo (PsChE) and acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) activities in single hemolyzed blood samples of workers exposed to cholinesterase‐inhibiting compounds, avoiding the time‐consuming and laborious separation of plasma and erythrocytes. Two methods based on Ellman's colorimetric determination of cholinesterase activity were compared, and three different substrates were testedThe best results were obtained with the substrates butyrylthiocholine and acetyl(ß‐methyl)thiocholine, both showing a substrate specificity of more than 97% with respect to PsChE and AChE, respectively. The method showed sensitivity to detect low levels of inhibition of AChE and PsChE is blood. The between‐day precision was less than 4% for both cholinesterase activities. It was demonstrated with this method that hemolyzed blood can be stored at −20°C at least 18 months without loss of cholinesterase activity. The method has been used for 18 months in a monitoring program for laboratory employees working with various cholinesterase‐inhibiting compounds. The average coefficients of intraindividual variation amounted to 6.8% (range 2.2–9.6%; 90 percentile, 8%) and 6.6% (range 2.9–9.9%; 90 percentile, 7.9%) for PsChE and AChE, respectively. In a group of non‐exposed workers the average intraindividual variations were 4.0% (range 1.5–7.7%; 90 percentile, 7.6%) and 3.6% (range 0.6–6.6%; 90 percentile, 5.3%), respectively. Using the value of 4.0%, it appears possible to detect an individual decrease in cholinesterase activity of more than 8% below a baseline based on three determinations. The method can thus be used to detect relatively low levels of cholinesterase inhibition. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Biological monitoring of three 60Co radiation incident victims
Authors: Milković‐Kraus Sanja , Kubelka Dragan , Vekić Branko 
Published: April 2007

AbstractRadiation‐induced structural chromosomal aberrations were the only adverse effects found in three workers overexposed to 60Co λ‐radiation. Chromosomal analyses were performed on the 5th and 75th days after exposure. Hematologic follow‐up was carried out on the 5th, 12th, 16th, and 75th days after exposure. Hematologic findings did not differ over time in any of the three exposed workers. In two workers, we found dicentric chromosomes, which are conventional indicators for exposure to ionizing radiation. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Malignant lymphoproliferative diseases in occupations with potential exposure to phenoxyacetic acids or dioxins: A register‐based study
Authors: Eriksson Mikael , Hardell Lennart , Malker Hans , Weiner Jan 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe Swedish Cancer Environment Register (CER) is a linkage of census data (e.g., on occupations) with the Swedish Cancer Register. It has been used in different studies to generate hypotheses on occupational risk factors for malignant tumors. In this study the risk for malignant lymphoma and multiple myeloma in occupations with potential exposure to phenoxyacetic acids or other related substances were investigated. An increased standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of 1.3 for multiple myeloma was verified in farmers (no. of cases = 335). This finding applied to both sexes, and the SIR increased over successive time periods. Regarding malignant lymphoma an increased SIR of 1.2 was found in farmers (no. = 227) for the latest time period studied (i. e. 1979–1984). When non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma was studied separately, an increased risk (SIR = 1.2) was found only in carpenters (no. = 149), whereas for Hodgkin's disease, sawmill workers (no. = 10) had an increased SIR of 2.1. Physicians also had an elevated risk for malignant lymphoma. A major shortcoming in register studies such as CER is that no individual exposure data on different agents are available. Lack of an association between an occupation and a specific malignant disease, therefore, may not be taken as evidence that persons within that occupation are not at increased risk for that disease.
Neurobehavioral effects of long‐term occupational exposure to organic solvents: Two comparable studies
Authors: Spurgeon A. , Gray C. N. , Sims J. , Calvert I. , Levy L. S. , Harvey P. G. , Harrington J. M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTwo comparable cross‐sectional studies were carried out employing the same methodology but involving two separate solvent‐exposed populations (N = 90, N = 144). In each study, solvent‐exposed workers were compared with age‐matched controls on tests selected from the Neurobehavioral Evaluation System and on standardized questionnaire measures of symptomatology and psychiatric state. A similar pattern of results was obtained in the two studies indicating a significant effect on cognitive functioning, after controlling for confounding variables, occurring in those with more than 30 years of exposure. A more specific effect on learning processes was observed in those with more than 10 years of exposure. There were no indications in either study of a solvent‐related increase in psychiatric symptoms.
Morbidity among municipal waste incinerator workers
Authors: Bresnitz Eddy A. , Roseman Jerry , Becker Dan , Gracely Edward 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIncinerator workers are exposed to many toxic compounds, most notably heavy metals. We evaluated medical and exposure monitoring data of an actively employed cohort of Philadelphia incinerator workers following an Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry site survey and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) health hazard evaluation (HHE). Of the many airborne samples taken by NIOSH, only four of the personal breathing zone samples were above OSHA or ACGIH standards: one for lead, one for phosphorous, and two for total particulates. Because samples were taken during limited operations (only one of the two incinerators were operating), the results may underestimate historical exposures at this site. We limited our medical analysis to the 86 male workers who participated in the HHE out of the 105 active employees. The 86 employees were divided into potential high and low exposure groups based on a work site analysis done by an independent industrial hygienist. Eight individuals had at least one elevated biological index indicating exposure to a heavy metal. These elevations, however, were unrelated to the workers' exposure categories. Furthermore, no clinically significant mean blood or serum measurements were noted. Thirty‐four percent of the workers had evidence of hypertension which increased the risk of significant proteinuria. Neither hypertension nor proteinuria were related to exposure group. Changes in pulmonary function related only to smoking status. Although there was some evidence of an increased risk of exposure to products of incinerator waste, we could not relate the few elevated biological tests to exposure classification. Additional studies are needed to assess the potential health effects of municipal waste incinerator by‐products.
Use of provincial health insurance plan billing data to estimate carpal tunnel syndrome morbidity and surgery rates
Authors: Liss Gary M. , Armstrong Crystal , Kusiak Robert A. , Gailitis Maris M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractFollowing a work refusal at a plant manufacturing ice cream novelties in Ontario, we were asked to document cases of cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in this workplace. There were 17 employees with possible hand and wrist problems identified from Workers Compensation Board (WCB) Forms, and from a list prepared at the time of the refusal. After obtaining consents, confirmations of the diagnoses of CTDs, CTS, and of surgical procedures for CTS were obtained from the physicians involved. The relative risk for these disorders among plant employees was estimated in two ways: 1) the rate of CTS operations between 1979 and 1990 was compared to that in the general population using Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) data on physicians' billings for these operations; and 2) the frequency of WCB first payment claims for tendinitis and CTS during 1987 to 1989 at the plant was compared to that among the entire labor force of Ontario.CTDs had been diagnosed in all 17 workers: 9 had had operations for CTS, but one had had this operation prior to working at the plant. Compared to the remaining 8 workers who had CTS operations, an estimated 0.08 CTS operations would be expected among the 150 employees on the plant's seniority lists between 1979 and 1990, if the estimated rates in the general population were present at the plant, giving a Standardized Morbidity Ratio of 10.0 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.3–19.7; one‐sided p = 2.1 × 10−6). There were 6 WCB claims for tendinitis and CTS among plant employees during 1987 through 1989. This frequency was about 68 times that in the entire Ontario labor force (95% CI 24.7–150).This investigation has shown that CTDs, and particularly CTS, documented by medical records, have occurred at least 10 times more frequently than expected at this plant. Use of health insurance billing data to estimate CTS operation rates represents a simple method for estimating the burden of illness at the individual plant level due to CTS (at least for that portion proceeding to surgery), using an objective outcome that can be confirmed from medical records.
Influence of age at death on accuracy of death certificate disease diagnosis: Findings in 475 consecutive deaths of mesothelioma among asbestos insulation workers and asbestos factory workers
Authors: Selikoff Irving J. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractAge at death had no appreciable influence on accuracy of death certificate diagnoses of 475 consecutive deaths of mesothelioma among asbestos insulation and asbestos factory workers, until age 75 or older.
Workshops are not enough: Making right‐to‐know training lead to workplace change
Authors: Michaels David , Zoloth Stephen , Bernstein Nancy , Kass Daniel , Schrier Katherine 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe underlying intent of Right‐to‐Know laws and regulations is to improve workplace conditions through worker empowerment. These regulations require employers to educate their employees about the nature and hazards of toxic substances found in the workplace, and methods to reduce exposure. This paper describes a Right‐to‐Know training program for over 4,000 local government employees which involved workers, their union, and management in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the program. A combination of quantitative and qualitative evaluation determined the program was successful at individual, group, and structural levels. The evaluation results suggest that Right‐to‐Know training programs can make an important contribution to improving workplace health and safety when they are a well‐integrated component of a comprehensive safety and health program: they use participatory training methods, they are tailored to address specific conditions faced by the participants, and there is active labor‐management collaboration.
Teaching health and safety: Problems and possibilities for learner‐centered training
Authors: Luskin Jack , Somers Carol , Wooding John , Levenstein Charles 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe University of Massachusetts at Lowell Work Environment Department, working jointly with four New England coalitions on occupational safety and health (COSH) groups, has developed and is delivering participatory and learner‐centered health and safety training for hazardous waste site workers and emergency responders throughout New England. This consortium has created a technical curriculum for hazardous waste workers accessible to the nonspecialist and which, more importantly, draws upon workers' own experience and knowledge as a source of information, education, and experiential resources. In this article, we examine the goals of the consortium, the applicability of the training method, its successes and failures, and the wider implications such pedagogical techniques have for effective and empowering health and safety training.We conclude that such a teaching technique is a successful means of providing technical knowledge and skills in a positive and rewarding atmosphere. We also conclude, however, that the extent to which this form of education is empowering, as is claimed by many of its proponents, is less clear‐cut.
“Let's talk back”: A program to empower laundry workers
Authors: Wands Susan E. , Yassi Annalee 
Published: April 2007

AbstractLaundry workers have traditionally been offered little input into the ergonomic and health and safety aspects of their jobs. The “Let's Talk Back” program was developed in response to worker demands, in order to empower them to effectively address some of these concerns. The program, endorsed by the union and administered by a hospital ergonomist, provided formal educational sessions, physical demand analyses, and a forum in which to communicate concerns and suggestions for improvements. Language and/or literacy barriers required innovative educational approaches. Management's reluctance to allow the program to interfere with production schedules hindered the efficiency of the program, but probably contributed to the sense of empowerment in the workforce. Through active participation in ergonomic assessments as well as the educational program, workers were able to demonstrate to management that changes were needed.
Evaluating a training‐for‐action job health and safety program
Authors: Brown Marianne Parker , Nguyen‐Scott Nga 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis paper describes an action research evaluation method developed to assess a worker training program which encourages trainees to use knowledge acquired to correct health and safety problems in their workplaces. The project teaches trainees from the same workplace to identify problem areas collectively using a tool called a Risk Chart and then to prioritize problems to work on with the aid of an Action Plan. Follow‐up trainee interviews are conducted to determine what impact the training has on trainees. The methodology is presented and preliminary results are discussed, with particular emphasis on the advantages and limitations of this method.