bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Setting human‐health‐based groundwater protection standards when toxicological data are inadequate
Authors: Whyatt Robin M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractToxicological data are not adequate to assess fully the health effects of many of the pesticides that currently contaminate or have the potential to contaminate groundwater. The National Academy of Sciences estimated in 1984 that data to conduct a complete health hazard assessment exist for only 10% of the pesticides currently on the market. Many pesticides have not been tested for their ability to cause cancer, genetic mutation, or birth defects. There are significant gaps in the toxicological data base for the majority of pesticides for which the Environmental Protection Agency proposed health advisories in 1987.To help assure that groundwater standards are adequately protective of human health when toxicological data are not adequate, additional uncertainty factors can be incorporated into such standards. Alternatively, standards can be set at the level of detection. This should be the approach when no data exist to assess major potential health effects. For example, the detection limit could be the standard if no adequate oncogenicity studies have been conducted. In addition, generic standards may be employed when data are inadequate to set chemical‐specific standards. New York State has recently taken this innovative generic standard approach.
Epilogue: Agricultural occupational and environmental health policy strategies for the future
Authors: Thelin Anders 
Published: April 2007

AbstractFarmers' health and saftey are critical public health problems that have historically been ignored in the United States and in many countries by health policy developers. The challenges to reduce the hazards are significant. However, by mobilizing the resources, the public will, and the structure to carry out preventive programs, progress is possible. Sweden has shown that research, education, engineering, and regulation have resulted in significant reductions of tractor rollover deaths, chainsaw injuries, and hearing loss.
Occupational risks of thyroid cancer: Data from the swedish cancer‐environment register, 1961‐1979
Authors: Carstensen John M. , Wingren Gun , Hatschek Thomas , Fredriksson Mats , Noorlind‐Brage Helle , Axelson Olav 
Published: April 2007

AbstractUsing data from a record‐linkage between the Swedish population census of 1960 and the Swedish Cancer Registry, we performed an explorative, hypothesis‐generating analysis of the incidence of thyroid cancer in 208 occupations and 231 industries. Relative risks were computed with adjustment for age, period of follow‐up, and geographic region. A total of 1,230 male and 2,937 female cases of thyroid cancer were reported during 1961‐1979 among individuals aged 20‐69 years in 1960. As a group, male blue‐collar workers had a lower reported incidence than other men. Significantly elevated risks were seen among drivers, pharmacists, workers in the canning and preserving industry, workers in the petroleum industry, and among X‐ray operators and laboratory assistants. Horticulture workers, painters in the construction industry, and unskilled manual workers showed decreased risks.
Case report of occupational asthma due to palisander wood dust and bronchoprovocation challenge by inhalation of pure wood dust from a capsule
Authors: Godnič‐Cvar Jasminka , Gomzi Milica 
Published: April 2007

AbstractOccupational asthma due to exposure to exotic wood dust and to rosewood (Dalbergia family) has been reported earlier. This paper deals with a case of occupational asthma due to palisander wood dust (Dalbergia nigra) in a joiner who sanded and polished parts of musical instruments. The causal relationship was confirmed by a positive skin reaction to an allergenic preparation and a positive nonimmediate, late asthmatic reaction after inhalation challenge testing with pure palisander wood dust. A method of bron‐choprovocation testing with an occupational allergen is presented. It proved to be a practical and advantageous method in its simplicity and single‐blind application of placebo. It should, however, be used with great caution, in well‐chosen cases in whom nonspecific bronchial reactivity is proved or recorded to be in normal ranges.
Congenital malformations and death among the offspring of danish pharmacy assistants
Authors: Schaumburg Inger , Olsen Jørn 
Published: April 2007

AbstractCongenital malformations, stillbirth, and infant mortality were studied in a cohort of all female pharmacy assistants in Denmark under the age of 40 years who were members of the national union in 1979 to 1984 (4,939). Data on all births and deaths during first year of life during the study period were identified through the national birth register. Information on type of work, exposures, and life‐style variables were obtained by postal questionnaires, to which 93% responded. In general, pharmacy assistants had a low frequency of congenital malformation and death among their offspring. Compared with an internal reference group, pharmacy assistants engaged in production or packing of pharmaceutical products experienced an increased prevalence of congenital malformations among their offspring. Working with identification and controls showed a slightly increased risk of death during the first year of life of the children. This could indicate occupational risks, but other explanations cannot be excluded.
Occupation and pancreatic cancer risk in Louisiana
Authors: Falk Roni T. , Pickle Linda W. , Fontham Elizabeth T. , Correa Pelayo , Morse Anne , Chen Vivien , Fraumeni Joseph J. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTo study the relation of occupational exposures and pancreatic cancer, we evaluated data from males (198 cases and 209 controls) participating in a hospital‐based case‐control study conducted in a high‐risk area of Louisiana between 1979 and 1983. The questionnaire obtained information on lifetime occupational history, as well as dietary, smoking, and drinking habits and demographic characteristics. After adjustment for smoking and dietary patterns, white collar occupations showed consistent elevations in risk, whereas associations for other occupations were in general unremarkable. Although not significantly elevated, risks for truck drivers (OR = 1.7) and those with long‐term employment in machine repair or as mechanics were suggestive (OR = 2.5). No association was found for jobs in oil refining or oil and gas extraction (ORs were 0.5 and 0.4, respectively), although risks were slightly elevated for long‐term workers in the chemical processing industry (OR = 1.2). While these associations deserve further study, our findings are consistent with results of other studies which do not suggest that occupational exposures are important determinants of pancreatic cancer.
Asbestos‐related lesions of the pleura: Parietal plaques compared to diffuse thickening studied with chest roentgenography, computed tomography, lung function, and gas exchange
Authors: Hillerdal Gunnar , Malmberg Per , Hemmingsson Anders 
Published: April 2007

AbstractLung function tests, tests of working capacity with gas exchange, and computed tomography (CT) with density measurements with the patient supine and prone were performed in 23 males with asbestos‐related bilateral pleural lesions. Two had pulmonary asbestosis grade 1/0 or more; all the others had normal lung parenchyma. On x‐ray, the pleural lesions were divided into plaques involving only the parietal pleura and diffuse pleural fibrosis of various degrees involving the visceral pleura. There was a good correlation between the findings at plain chest roentgenography and CT, but more lesions were seen on the CTscan. However, a few pleural plaques seen on conventional films were not observed at CT. Individuals with plaques had slightly lowered lung function compared to reference subjects. Bilateral diffuse pleural fibrosis was associated with a marked decrease in pulmonary function. The two patients with radiologically evident pulmonary asbestosis were found in this group. Decreased lung function was also observed in subjects with pleural fibrosis of only grade 1 (involving less than one fourth of the hemithorax) and a normal exercise capacity. The study shows the importance of differentiation between various asbestos‐related pleural lesions.
Mortality of U.S. Embalmers and funeral directors
Authors: Hayes Richard B. , Blair Aaron , Stewart Patricia A. , Herrick Robert F. , Mahar Harry 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe causes of mortality of 3,649 white and 397 non‐white male U.S. embalmers and funeral directors, who had died between 1975 and 1985, were examined in a proportional mortality study. Non‐significant excesses were found for malignancies of the buccal cavity and pharynx (PMR = 120) and for nasopharyngeal cancer (PMR = 216). No sinonasal cancers were observed, while 1.7 were expected. A statistically significant excess of colon cancer (PMR = 127) was found and a non‐significant excess of brain and other CNS cancer was noted among whites only (PMR = 123).Statistically significant excesses of malignancies of the lymphatic and hematopoietic systems were found in whites (PMR = 131) and non‐whites (PMR = 241). Myeloid leukemia (PMR = 157) and leukemia of other and unspecified cell types (PMR = 228) were in excess, while no excess of lymphatic leukemia was noted. Elevations in risk were also found for non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma, polycythemia vera, and myelofibrosis. Non‐whites showed a marked excess of multiple myeloma (PMR = 369).Chronic nephritis was in excess among whites (PMR = 215) and non‐whites (PMR = 257). No excess of cirrhosis of the liver was found.Excesses of malignancies of the lymphatic and hematopoietic systems could not be directly related to job held in the funeral industry. Further case‐control studies are planned to rule out the possibility that the observed associations are artifactual, by assessing the association between specific work practices and disease risk.
Mortality and morbidity among army chemical corps Vietnam Veterans: A preliminary report
Authors: Thomas Terry L. , Kang Han K. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractNearly 1,000 men serving in Army Chemical Corps units in Vietnam between 1965 and 1971 were responsible for the mixing and application of herbicides, riot control substances, and burning agents. Information on Vietnam service was obtained from military records of 94% of this cohort. Follow‐up for vital status on December 31, 1987, was conducted using Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), military, National Death Index, U.S. Internal Revenue Service, and Social Security Administration records. Cause‐specific observed numbers of deaths among the 894 men included in the study group were compared with the numbers expected based on rates for U.S. men, adjusting for race, age, and calendar period. Fifty‐three deaths from all causes were observed during the study period, compared to 48.8 expected (SMR = 1.09). There were statistically significant excesses of digestive disease deaths (SMR = 2.98), primarily due to cirrhosis, and from motor vehicle accidents (SMR = 2.00). Two deaths were observed from leukemia (0.5 expected) and two from brain cancer (0.4 expected). A total of 257 of the study subjects had received VA inpatient care or Agent Orange registry medical examinations during the study period. Two of these subjects had confirmed diagnoses of Hodgkin's disease (expected = 0.7) and one of hairy cell leukemia. Because of the small study group size and the lack of specificity of information regarding their exposures, these results cannot be attributed to any single chemical agent.
Solvent‐associated decrements in olfactory function in paint manufacturing workers
Authors: Schwartz Brian S. , Ford D. Patrick , Bolla Karen I. , Agnew Jacqueline , Rothman Nathaniel , Bleecker Margit L. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTo assess the effects of low‐level organic solvent exposure on olfactory function, a cross‐sectional study in paint manufacturing workers was undertaken. Workers in two paint manufacturing facilities (N = 187) were tested using the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT), a standardized, quantitative test of olfactory function. Industrial hygiene air samples over the past 13‐15 years revealed that average solvent exposures in these plants were 2‐40% of the existing threshold limit values for the three chemicals measured. Stratification by smoking status revealed evidence of dose‐related decrements in olfactory function (p = .01) only in non‐smokers. Furthermore, those nonsmoking workers in the highest exposure category had UPSIT scores below the fifth percentile for their age. These results suggest that solvents may cause nervous system dysfunction at lower levels than previously suspected, and that the olfactory system may be a critical target organ for the neurotoxic effects of solvents and other chemicals.
Ventilatory dysfunction in glass bangle workers
Authors: Rastogi Subodh K. , Gupta Brahma N. , Mathur Neeraj , Husain Tanveer 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe pulmonary function status of 73 glass bangle workers suffering from chronic bronchitis having varied exposures to pulmonary toxicants in the work environment was evaluated in 1984. The findings were compared with those observed in 220 asymptomatic glass bangle workers and 88 unexposed controls. There was a higher prevalence (45.2%) of ventilatory dysfunction in the chronic bronchitic cases as compared to 19% in the asymptomatic workers and 2.3% in controls, respectively. The relative risk of airway obstruction was 8.3 and 19.6 times higher in the asymptomatic and chronic bronchitic workers respectively as compared to the controls (p<0.001). The prevalence of obstructive impairment among the smokers and non‐smokers in the exposed workers was not statistically significant. However, age >30 was found to be significantly associated with bronchial obstruction in chronic bronchitic cases. The relative risk of duration of exposure was found to be 1.86 in the asymptomatic workers exposed for more than 10 years (p<0.05) while it was 1.62 in workers with chronic bronchitis. The occupational and environmental factors responsible for the high prevalence of chronic bronchitis and associated ventilatory dysfunction in relatively young glass bangle workers are discussed.
Relationship of inflammatory cell cytokines to disease severity in individuals with occupational inorganic dust exposure
Authors: Rom William N. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe pneumoconioses due to chronic occupational exposure to asbestos, coal, or silica are characterized by an alveolar macrophage‐dominated alveolitis with exaggerated spontaneous release of mediators: oxidants, chemotaxins for neutrophils, and fibroblast growth factors. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed on 66 non‐smoking inorganic dust‐exposed individuals with a chest x‐ray ≥ 1/0 stratified by presence or absence of restrictive respiratory impairment, and 28 unexposed non‐smoking controls. Both dust‐exposed groups stratified by presence or not of impairment had increased numbers of total cells recovered by lavage compared to normals, and those with respiratory impairment (n = 40) had a significant increase in percent and number of neutrophils recovered. Similarly, only those with respiratory impairment had macrophages that spontaneously released significant amounts of the oxidants superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide. There was a significant trend for the release of fibronectin by macrophages from controls to dust‐exposed without impairment to those with impairment. Both dust‐exposed groups also had increased release of alveolar macrophage‐derived progression growth factor, but this was significantly less than macrophages from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Since occupational exposure was virtually identical in inorganic dust‐exposed individuals with versus without respiratory impairment, the quantitative differences in the release of macrophage mediators may be due to factors in host susceptibility.
Are non‐whites at greater risk for occupational cancer?
Authors: Kipen Howard M. , Wartenberg Daniel , Scully Patricia F. , Greenberg Michael 
Published: April 2007

AbstractAll occupational cancer epidemiology articles that reported data on non‐whites from four major journals were identified for the years 1984‐1987. In addition to these 14 papers, four more papers were identified from computer searches, and another 13 were found by following up references from the original 14. Within these 31 papers, there were 36 analyzable cohorts (subgroups by job and sex). Five cohorts had elevated all‐cancer mortality ratios in non‐whites without an increase in whites. Sixteen cohorts showed elevated ratios in both racial groups, with 11 of the 16 having a higher non‐white cancer mortality ratio than white cancer mortality ratio. For the 25 studies in which at least one racial group's cancer ratio was elevated, the non‐white ratio exceeded the white ratio in 17 (68%). The overall paucity of articles on non‐white cancer mortality, as well as the apparent trend toward increased occupational cancer mortality in non‐whites, is discussed.
Workplace ergonomic factors and the development of musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and upper limbs: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Stock Susan R. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn the past 10 years there has been growing awareness among occupational health professionals worldwide of the large burden of illness associated with musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and upper limbs. It has been suggested that these disorders are associated with highly repetitive work and are due, at least in part, to ergonomic factors. This review examines the epidemiologic evidence of the relationship between workplace ergonomic factors such as repetition, force, static muscle loading, and extreme joint position and the development of muscle, tendon, and nerve entrapment disorders of the neck and upper limbs of exposed workers. An extensive search for relevant studies was undertaken. Of 54 potentially relevant studies identified, three met the a priori inclusion criteria. The validity of these studies was assessed, and one study was found to have major flaws. Criteria to demonstrate causality were also applied and were met in the most rigorously conducted study. When the results of these studies are compared and aggregated where appropriate, they provide strong evidence of a causal relationship between repetitive, forceful work and the development of musculoskeletal disorders of the tendons and tendon sheaths in the hands and wrists and nerve entrapment of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel. The comparison of exposed to controls for hand/wrist tendinitis gives an unadjusted common odds ratio of 9.1 (95% CI 4.9‐16.2). The adjusted odds ratio for carpal tunnel syndrome is 15.5 (95% CI 1.7‐141.5) based on the most rigorous study.
Cancer by industry: Analysis of a population‐based cancer registry with an emphasis on blue‐collar workers
Authors: Hall Nancy E. L. , Rosenman Kenneth D. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis paper uses information on occupation and industry routinely collected in a state‐based cancer registry to assess potential associations between work place exposures and cancer incidence. Industry‐specific proportional cancer incidence ratios (PCIR) were calculated by race and sex for all individuals and for white males with blue‐collar occupations. Expected numbers of cancers were derived both from cancers occurring among all occupations and just among blue‐collar occupations. This latter analysis was done as a control for differences in the prevalence of life‐style habits between blue‐ and white‐collar workers.Increased lung cancer PCIR were seen in most industries previously reported to be associated with lung cancer risk. The effects of socioeconomic status on these results are discussed. Other results include an increased ratio of melanoma in blue‐collar white male rubber and plastic product workers, an increased ratio of non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas in motor vehicle manufacture workers, and an increased PCIR of chronic lymphocytic leukemia in general construction workers. Uterine cancer was increased in proportion in white females for a number of industries including rubber and plastic product manufacture, apparel manufacture, and electrical equipment manufacture.
Chrysotile asbestos and health in Zimbabwe: II. Health status survey of active miners and millers
Authors: Cullen Mark R. , Lopez‐Carrillo Lizbeth , Alli Ben , Pace Patricia E. , Shalat Stuart L. , Baloyi Rabelan S. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractAs part of the effort to establish industrial practice and public policy regarding asbestos in Zimbabwe, we have conducted a cross‐sectional study of the chrysotile mines and mills. A stratified random sample of workers with greater than 10 years of exposure has been evaluated by spirometry, chest radiographs, and employment history. The latter was converted to quantitative estimates of exposure dose, using a matrix based on measured and reconstructed fiber levels for each job and facility during the years of work. Based on these data, a clear dose‐response between asbestos exposure and functional loss has been demonstrated, with mean losses from predicted of about 400‐600 cc in vital capacity in the 10% of the population with heaviest exposures. Low‐grade parenchymal radiographic abnormalities (ILO grade ≥ 1/0) were evident in 8.7% of the total study group and were almost 10 times more common in those with more than 100 fibers/cc.years cumulative exposure than in those with 16 fibers/cc.years or less. Pleural disease was relatively rare, occurring in just under 10% of the study group, and was unrelated to exposure dose. Overall, these findings are compatible with results of similar studies in Quebec and Swaziland and suggest that similar control strategies are probably indicated.
Increased risk of lung cancer in the melting department of a second ontario steel manufacturer
Authors: Finkelstein Murray M. , Boulard Monique , Wilk Nancy 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA study of lung cancer among workers at an electric arc steel making operation was performed to follow up on the observation of a lung cancer cluster in the melt shop of another plant. The study group comprised 335 deceased men identified from plant records. Eight of thirty men who had ever worked in the pouring pit area died of lung cancer (PMR 276; p ≤ 0.01), but increased risk was not found elsewhere in the melting department. There was a significant trend in lung cancer risk with the length of employment in the pit area during a time window 18‐30 years before death. Smoking data suggested that smoking alone could not account for the increased risk. An industrial hygiene assessment found present exposures to carcinogenic metals and silica to be within current guidelines. No polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were detected. This is the second steel plant for which we have found increased lung cancer risk in the pouring areas. The causative factors have not yet been identified.
Use of “time windows” to investigate lung cancer latency intervals at an ontario steel plant
Authors: Finkelstein Murray M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis paper describes an application of the time windows method to an examination of the temporal pattern of lung cancer risk among steel workers. Case‐control methodology was utilized. The cases were 36 men who had died of lung cancer and the controls were 289 men who had died of any other cause. The number of years of employment in the steel pouring area was used as a surrogate measure of exposure. The data were examined by contingency table analysis and by logistic regression, which permitted adjustment for exposures in multiple time windows and the use of continuous, rather than categorical, measures of exposure. It was found that lung cancer risk was associated with exposures occurring between 18 and 30 years before death. It cannot yet be determined whether this time course reflects a biological response or the temporal pattern of exposure to an as yet unidentified toxic agent.