bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term follow‐up after single toxic exposure to trichloroethylene
Authors: Feldman Robert G. , White Roberta Firnhaber , Currie Jon N. , Travers Patricia Hyland , Lessell Simmons 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn an earlier report [Feldman and Lessell, 1967], neurologic fndings following acute intoxication to trichloroethylene were presented. Facial anesthesia, asymmetric pupillary responses, and electrical evidence of sensorimotor neuropathy accompanied neuropsy‐chological deficits, manifested by difficulty in solving sequential problems and poor memory affecting the acquisition of new information. Twelve years after the initial exposure, patches of hypalgesia over the malar eminences persisted and corneal reflexes remained absent, although sensation in the snout region was totally normal. Neuropsy‐chological test results continued to demonstrate impaired attention and short‐term memory as well as diminished visuospatial organization and sequencing, 16 years after exposure. In addition, MMPI profile and interview suggested continued depressive symptomatology. Eighteen years after exposure, findings included paresthesia and hypalgesia in the malar area of the face as well as myokymia of the facial muscles. Facial nerve latency studies were normal as were pattern shift visual evoked responses. The patient continued to have large pupils that reacted asymmetrically to light. In the right eye, contraction was synchronous in all segments of the sphincter. In the left eye, there was segmental contraction, suggestive of a tonic pupil. This report offers evidence of long‐term residual oculomotor and ciliary reflex dysfunction as well as impaired neuropsychological performance as a result of acute TCE intoxication.
Rapid progression of silicosis in slate pencil workers: II. A follow‐up study
Authors: Saiyed H. N. , Chatterjee B. B. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractFindings of the follow‐up examination of slate‐pencil workers after 16 months are described. The progression of silicosis with this short duration was very rapid with high mortality among those who had conglomerate silicosis at the initial examination. Twenty‐three workers had died during this period at a mean age of only 34.7 years, with a mean duration of exposure of 11.9 years. This high mortality is attributed to exposure to high concentrations of silica dust leading to early onset of PMF at a relatively young age. The progression of silicosis within this period was related to the intensity and duration of dust exposure, and also to the severity of silicosis found at the initial examination. Smoking habits had an adverse, though statistically nonsignificant, effect on the evolution of silicosis.
Competition and despecialization: An analytical study of occupational health services in San Diego, 1974–1984
Authors: Guidotti Tee L. , Kuetzing Brenda H. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractOccupational health care services are changing in response to rapid changes in health care organization generally; this trend is not reflected in the occupational medicine literature. San Diego is a large and rapidly developing metropolitan area with a balance of heavy, light, and service industries and is relatively isolated and self‐contained in health services, making it useful for monitoring health services trends. We examined local trends in the supply of health services as reflected by facilities, manpower, and other indicators between 1974 to 1984. We also assembled findings of local market surveys and certain other sources into a profile of occupational health care resources in the metropolitan area. Corporate medical departments did not keep up with the growth of industry over the decade; freestanding “industrial medicine clinics,” by contrast, began with a single facility and proliferated to 13. In the last three years, freestanding “urgent care centers” entered the health care market in force and now outnumber industrial medicine clinics. Despite an overall massive increase in the number of physicians in the area, occupational physicians with specialty credentials or eligibility remained few and primarily based in institutions, while the number of uncertified physicians and of medical groups accepting occupational medicine referrals increased considerably. Employers reported approval of acute care, traditional screening, and employee assistance services far more often than of preventive services, but if they approved of a service, they usually provided it, except in the case of employee assistance services. We conclude that the role of preventive services and of trained personnel in delivering occupational health care is declining, rather than increasing, in the face of competition and changes in the general health care system. Corporate and in‐plant medical services are not keeping up with the growth of industry, and no class of health facility matched the growth of industrial medical clinics except urgent care centers, with which they are beginning to compete. The implications of this study for occupational medicine as a specialty, for the standards of patient care, and for the role of prevention is a matter of grave concern if they reflect national trends. Further studies of occupational health services are urgently needed to assess the significance of these findings.
Styrene vapor control systems in FRP yacht plants
Authors: Todd William F. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe production of large (greater than 25‐ft) fiber‐reinforced plastic (FRP) yachts has presented problems of styrene exposure in excess of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration permissible exposure level (OSHA PEL) of 100 ppm. Also, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is currently recommending a 10‐hour workshift, 40‐hour workweek time weighted average (TWA) of 50 ppm for styrene. Meeting this challenge will require a system of engineering, work practice, personal protective equipment, and monitoring control measures.NIOSH has performed a study of the engineering controls in three FRP yacht plants. Work practices and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) were also considered in the evaluation. The three systems evaluated included a dilution system, a local ventilation system, and a push‐pull ventilation system. The cost of constructing and operating these systems was not evaluated in this study. Study results indicated that each type of ventilation system can meet the present PEL of 100 ppm styrene; however, it is not certain that these systems can meet a lower PEL of 50 ppm styrene.
Occupational lead exposure aboard a tall ship
Authors: Landrigan Philip J. , Straub Wesley E. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTo evaluate occupational exposures to lead in shipfitters cutting and riveting lead‐painted iron plates aboard an iron‐hulled sailing vessel, we conducted an environmental and medical survey. Lead exposures in seven personal (breathing zone) air samples ranged from 108 to 500 μg/m3 (mean 257 μg/m3); all were above the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard of 50 μg/m3. In two short‐term air samples obtained while exhaust ventilation was temporarily disconnected, mean lead exposure rose to 547 μg/m3. Blood lead levels in ten shipfitters ranged from 25 to 53 μg/dl (mean, 37.8 μg/dl); levels in three of these workers exceeded the upper normal limit of 40 μg/dl. Blood lead levels in shipfitters were significantly higher than in other shipyard workers (mean 10.0 μg/dl; p < 0.001). Smoking shipfitters (mean, 47 μg/dl) had significantly higher lead levels than nonsmokers (mean, 32 μg/dl; p = 0.03). Lead levels in shipfitters who wore respirators were not lower than in those who wore no protective gear (p = 0.68). Four shipfitters had erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP) concentrations above the adult upper normal limit of 50 μg/dl. A close correlation was found between blood lead and EP levels (r = 0.70). Prevalence of lead‐related symptoms was no higher in shipfitters than in other workers. No cases of symptomatic lead poisoning were noted. These data indicate that serious occupational exposure to lead can occur in a relatively small boatyard.
Health hazards of natural and introduced chemical components of boatbuilding woods
Authors: Jagels Richard 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe major components of untreated wood—cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin—have not been implicated as toxicants, but extractive substances, especially in heartwood, can be toxic. Decay‐resistant woods are more likely to contain irritants or sensitizers than nondurable woods. Short‐term exposures to certain wood dusts may result in asthma, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, or allergic dermatitis, but long‐term effects may include nasal cancer and Hodgkin's disease. Some thermophilic microorganisms found in wood are human pathogens, and septic splinters (chromomycosis) and inhalation of ascomycete spores from stored wood chips have been implicated in human illnesses. Reconstituted wood can contain formaldehyde resins, which pose health risks in enclosed humid areas. Pentachlorophenol (PCP)‐treated wood is particularly toxic—short‐term exposures to PCP‐treating solutions can lead to aplastic anemia and mortality, while diseases such as Hodgkin's disease are associated with long‐term exposures. Since much commercial lumber is dipped in PCP, the separation of the chronic effects of wood dust from PCP exposure is difficult. Chromated copper arsenate (CCA)‐ and ammoniacal copper arsenite (ACA)‐treated wood may leach arsenic. CCA‐treated wood is potentially safer, since it contains the pentavalent arsenic, which is a common constituent in the environment. ACA contains the trivalent arsenic, which is more toxic.
Sensitization in traumatized skin
Authors: Meneghini Carlo L. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractPatch tests with the standard series of chemical allergens were performed on 8,230 patients having various dermatoses. The frequency of contact sensitization among categories of dermatoses varied markedly. While only 21% of persons whose diagnosis was occupational contact dermatitis reacted allergically to at least one chemical, reactions were observed in 70% of those whose skin had been damaged by mechanical traumas. Cuts, wounds, and abrasions incurred on the job, while not very serious injuries per se, should be regarded as having greater clinical importance insofar as they increase the likelihood of contact sensitization to allergens.
Dermatoses acquired by solid‐waste handlers
Authors: Gellin Gerald A. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA clinical evaluation of the skin changes and injuries among refuse (waste) collectors in San Francisco was conducted in 1983. Almost 75% had palmar calluses—a result of repeated pressure and friction. Those workers who protected their hands with gloves had practically normal skin, with minor or absent calluses.The majority of waste collectors sustained work‐related injuries each year. These consisted mainly of sprains, abrasions and lacerations, fractures, and eye injuries.Based on the injury rate, waste collection is a hazardous occupation. The skin is invariably traumatized.
Low humidity and microtrauma
Authors: Rycroft R. J. G. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractLow‐humidity dermatoses arise in the work place as a result of low water content of the air. At a relative humidity of 10% or less, the horny layer becomes rigid and brittle. The combination of low humidity, high temperature, and, frequently, rapid air movement dehydrates the outer stratum corneum. This leads to pruritus and, finally, to low‐grade eczema. A roughened, scaly stratum corneum becomes more susceptible to mechanical trauma. Microtrauma from small particles can aggravate the dry scaly dermatosis. Low‐humidity lesions resolve quickly with the simple expedients of routine use of moisturizers and/or raising the relative humidity.
The effects of repeated mechanical trauma in the meat industry
Authors: Finkel Madelon Lubin 
Published: April 2007

AbstractMeat handlers are more prone to traumatic hand lesions and wound infections than most other occupational groups. This paper deals with the carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), which is thought to be a major occupationally related condition affecting thousands of workers engaged in repetitive hand motion tasks. The literature reveals a high prevalence of CTS among meat handlers. Additional epidemiological research is needed. Further, it is important to educate workers about the signs, symptoms, and causes of CTS.
Prevalence of dermatologic disease in the United States: A review of the national health and nutrition examination survey, 1971–1974
Authors: Johnson Marie‐Louise , Roberts Jean 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1971–1974, provides the only data on the prevalence of dermatologic disease in the United States. Details are given about specific diagnoses, disability, disfigurement, discomfort, and the relationship of skin change to environmental and occupational exposure. One‐third of the individuals, which extrapolates to 60 million Americans, had dermatological problems that should have been seen at least once by a physician. Of those, at least a third considered their skin problems to be a handicap, 10% a handicap to employment or housework. These data provide a basis for evaluating the effect of environment and occupation and should be of interest to those concerned with chronic effects of mechanical injury to the skin.
Techniques for assessing the vulnerability and repair capacity of human skin in vivo
Authors: Grove Gary L. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTechniques have been developed for studying age‐associated changes in human skin, including its vulnerability to external insults and its capacity for healing. Possible application of these methods for studying the effects of repeated mechanical trauma to the skin of workers is discussed. The methods include procedures for inflicting standardized superficial wounds and nonintrusive techniques for measuring damage, rate of skin repair via measurement of transepidermal water loss, and characterization of altered surface features using image analyses. These approaches have the great advantage of allowing quantification.
Methodologies to produce and assess standardized trauma to the skin
Authors: Marks R. , Black D. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn order to learn how mechanical trauma affects the skin, it is necessary to establish quantitative relationships between the degree of trauma and the extent of the biological response. This requires the development of novel techniques and instrumentation. In this paper, two new techniques for applying standardized increments of trauma to the skin are presented. Methods for measuring the effects on the skin surface and on skin function are described.
Clinical features to stage alveolitis in asbestos workers
Authors: Bégin R. , Cantin A. , Berthiaume Y. , Boileau R. , Bisson G. , Lamoureux G. , Rola‐Pleszczynski M. , Drapeau G. , Massé S. , Boctor M. , Breault J. , Péloquin S. , Dalle D. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTo analyze the clinical features of asbestos‐induced alveolitis and stage its activity, we evaluated 217 asbestos workers by the usual clinical, radiological, and functional parameters and computerized gallium 67(Ga) lung scan; we obtained bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in 33 and lung biopsy in 6. In addition, we scored the profusion of lung rales and correlated it with other parameters of severity of asbestosis. In the 55 workers without asbestosis and normal 67Ga scan, BAL analyses were comparable to those of controls. Of the 56 without asbestosis but increased 67Ga lung uptake, BAL analyses in 8 documented a predominantly macrophagic alveolitis (confirmed on lung biopsy in 3), with the highest levels of BAL fibronectin. In the 106 workers with asbestosis, 67Ga lung uptake was increased in 75; BAL in 17 demonstrated a macrophagic and neutro‐philic alveolitis with elevated fibronectin levels. Lung biopsy in 3 of the latter workers documented peribronchiolar fibrosing alveolitis. Rale scores in all workers or in those without asbestosis did not correlate with 67Ga scores; they correlated fairly well with profusion of parenchymal opacities (Rs = 0.42) and rigidity of the lung pressure‐volume curve (Rs = 0.39). Thus, 67Ga lung uptake is an early indicator of chronic macrophagic alveolitis in asbestos workers, which usually progresses to asbestosis. In the disease, profusion of lung rales constitutes a simple clinical mode of assessment of disease severity that correlates better with radiological and functional parameters than with parameters of alveolitis.
Asbestos exposure, smoking habits, and cancer incidence among production and maintenance workers in an electrochemical plant
Authors: Hilt Bjørn , Langåd Sverre , Andersen Aage , Rosenberg Jan 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe incidence of cancer was studied in a cohort of 287 men who were exposed to asbestos at a nitric acid production plant from 1928 onwards. During the observation period from 1953 through 1980 all cancer cases among the cohort members were identified in The Cancer Registry. For the whole cohort 42 cases of cancer were observed versus 30.6 expected. The figures for cancer of the lungs and pleura combined were 17 observed versus 3.7 expected. The corresponding figures for a heavily exposed subcohort were 11 observed and 1.2 expected. In that group there was also an increased incidence of colon cancer with 3 cases observed against 0.8 cases expected. Within the whole cohort four cases of pleural and one case of peritoneal malignant mesothelioma were found. There was also an increased incidence of malignant melanoma of the skin with 3 cases observed against 0.6 expected. For cancer cases that were registered as of unknown origin there were 7 cases observed and 1.4 expected. There was no increased rate ratio for cancer at any site before 20 years after the first asbestos exposure. The smoking habits of all cohort members were recorded and the relative rates for lung cancer were calculated in relation to smoking habits. In common with previous studies the results indicate a multiplicative model for the interaction between asbestos exposure and smoking in regard to lung cancer risk.
Spontaneous abortions among women employed in the plastics industry
Authors: Lindbohm Marja‐Liisa , Hemminki Kari , Kyyrönen Pentti 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA matched case‐control study was done to analyze whether certain occupational exposures in the plastics industry were related to the risk of spontaneous abortions. Information on spontaneous abortions (cases) and births (controls) was obtained from the hospital discharge register; data on occupational exposures were obtained from the occupational health services of the workplaces. No increased risk of spontaneous abortions was observed among workers processing polymerized plastics or heated plastics made of vinyl chloride or of styrene. Owing to the low statistical power of the study, only strong effects can be ruled out. The odds ratio for workers actually processing polyurethane was increased (1.9, not statistically significant), and that for all workers in polyurethane‐processing factories was significantly increased (3.0, p = 0.02). The finding needs to be investigated further in future studies.
Mortality of a municipal worker cohort: II. Females
Authors: Vena John E. , Cookfair Diane L. , Fiedler Roger C. , Barnes Robert E. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractWomen have become an increasingly important segment of the total work force, yet there are very few published occupational mortality studies of female workers. This paper reports the findings of a retrospective cohort mortality study of 1,371 full‐time female municipal employees of the City of Buffalo, New York, who were employed at least 1 day between January 1, 1950, and October 1, 1979, and who worked a minimum of 5 years. Vital status was ascertained for 88% of the female cohort, resulting in the identification of 214 observed deaths. This predominantly white‐collar, service‐oriented female cohort demonstrated significantly lower mortality than that expected based on U.S. mortality rates for white females. This strong “healthy‐worker effect” was consistent across the time period of the study, across cause‐specific mortality especially for all malignant neoplasms and all diseases of the circulatory system, and across different worker groups. Findings are discussed in light of the methodological issues involved in occupational studies of female workers.
An analysis of mortality follow‐up through the national death index for a cohort of refinery and petrochemical workers
Authors: Acquavella J. F. , Donaleski D. , Hanis N. M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractAlong with our submission to the National Death Index (NDI) of a cohort of more than 23,000 petrochemical and refinery workers, we included 1,449 known U.S. deaths to determine the completeness of death ascertainment through the NDI. A number of factors that may affect follow‐up were examined including sex, race, age, and reporting area. Overall, NDI detected 97.1% of known deaths. Follow‐up was slightly better for males (97.2%) than for females (92.0%) and was significantly better for whites (97.6%) than for nonwhites (92.0%). Analyses by reporting area showed very complete follow‐up from all locations (93.4%–100%) except for the New York City area (71.4%). These findings indicate that NDI is an extremely useful source for vital status follow‐up, though follow‐up may be somewhat less complete for certain subgroups of an occupational study cohort.
A proportionate mortality study of granite cutters
Authors: Steenlanddegs Kyle , Beaumont Jay 
Published: April 2007

AbstractSeveral recent studies (animal and human) have suggested an association between lung cancer and silica exposure. To test the hypothesis, we have studied death benefit records of 1,905 members of the Granite Cutters Union. A proportionate mortality analysis (PMR) was conducted, using U.S. deaths as a comparison population. Statistically significant excesses were observed for death from nonmalignant respiratory disease (largely silicosis) (183 obs, 43.7 exp) and for tuberculosis (largely silicotuberculosis) (262 obs, 19.3 exp). Other significant excesses were observed for bone cancer (6 obs, 1.9 exp) and arthritis (5 obs, 1.5 exp). A significant decrease was observed for leukemia (5 obs, 13.0 exp). For lung cancer a slight but nonsignificant excess was observed (97 obs, 81.1 exp, PMR = 1.19, 95% CI 0.97–1.46). A proportionate cancer mortality analysis (PCMR) showed similar results for lung cancer (PCMR = 1.09, 95% CI 0.89–1.33). Lung cancer mortality also failed to show any trend with either calendar time or duration of exposure. Although no significant excess of lung cancer was observed for the entire silica‐exposed cohort, there was an indication that those who were silicotic had an excess risk of lung cancer, based on a review of contributing causes on the death certificate.
An unusual type of keratopathy observed in polyurethane workers and its reproduction in experimental animals
Authors: Potts Albert M. , Rouse Elizabeth F. , Eiferman Richard A. , Au Pin C. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractWe have reported two cases of keratopathy in polyurethane workers that appear to be identical to those described by previous authors. We have been able to produce similar findings in the corneas of cats by exposing the eyes of anesthetized animals to the vapor of two of the amines used as catalysts in polyurethane manufacture. We were unable to reproduce these results with toluene diisocyanate. Therefore we support the previous suggestion that the amine catalysts are responsible for the distinctive keratopathy in polyurethane workers. We are unable to substantiate the claim that toluene diisocyanate is responsible for this phenomenon.