bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An epidemiological study of work with video screens and pregnancy outcome:i. a registry study
Authors: Ericson Anders , Källén Bengt 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThree cohorts of women were identified with the aid of occupational codes in the census, linked to the Medical Birth Registry and an Inpatient Registry, containing information on women hospitalized for spontaneous abortion. The three cohorts were selected from the same socioeconomic stratum but had different probabilities to be exposed for video screen work: high, medium, and low. The total pregnancy outcome of the three groups of women did not differ significantly, but there was a weak trend for more spontaneous abortions and perhaps also for congenital malformations in the group with the highest video screen work exposure; however, the differences could be random. Comparisons of delivery outcomes for these cohorts in 1976–77 with those in 1980–81 did not show any consistent pattern in spite of the heavy computerization of these workplaces which occurred between the two time periods. The second part of this report studies the material in further detail.
An epidemiological study of work with video screens and pregnancy outcome: II. A case–control study
Authors: Ericson Anders , Källén Bengt 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA case–control study on work with video screen equipment during pregnancy has been made for three cohorts of women, identified with the aid of occupational codes in the census, linked to the Medical Birth Registry and a registry containing information on women hospitalized for spontaneous abortion. Five hundred and twenty–two cases were selected (women with spontaneous abortions or women who had infants that died, had severe malformations, or had a birth–weight below 1,500 g) and 1,032 controls (women who had infants without any of these characteristics) taken from the same age stratum as the cases. All pregnancies had occurred in 1980–81. Questionnaires were mailed to the women asking for information on their work situation, including questions about work with video screen equipment. Fifty–eight women were excluded for various reasons. Response rate was 93%–lower (89%) among women with spontaneous abortions than among women who gave birth (95%). As stress and smoking were associated with video screen work, the effect of video screen work was analyzed after stratification for stress and smoking–no statistically significant effect of video screen work was seen but odds ratios were above 1. Crude odds ratios for video screen work were significantly elevated and showed a dose–dependent effect. This finding is discussed from the point of view of biases in the study: selective non–responding, recall bias, geographical variability, and lack of information on women who had induced abortions. Using questionnaire data for exposure rates in the populations studied, an estimate of the effect of > 10 hr weekly work with video screens on spontaneous abortion rate was made. The point estimate was 1.04 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.9–1.2. Analysis of 44 infants with birth defects whose mothers had worked more than 10 hr/week with video screen equipment compared to 30 infants with birth defects whose mothers had not used such equipment in early pregnancy showed no signs of specificity in the type of birth defect.
Malignant mesothelioma caused by childhood exposure to long‐fiber low aspect ratio tremolite
Authors: Magee F. , Wright J. L. , Chan N. , Lawson L. , Churg A. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA 41‐year‐old man was found to have a malignant mesothelioma of the pleura. During childhood in Corsica, he had been exposed at home to chrysotile ore from the Canari mine. Analysis of lung mineral content revealed background levels of chrysotile but an elevated level of tremolite and actinolite asbestos. The latter had a geometric mean length of 3.7 μm, a value considerably longer than we have found for tremolite and actinolite from Quebec chrysotile miners but roughly the same as the mean length of amosite and crocidolite in workers with occupational amphibole exposure. No tremolite or actinolite fibers of length greater than 8 μm microns and width less than 0.25 μm were observed. The mean aspect ratio of the tremolite and actinolite fibers was 7, a value similar to that found in chrysotile miners with mesothelioma but considerably less than the mean aspect ratio of amosite and crocidolite from those with occupational expsoure. These data suggest that long‐fiber tremolite is a potential mesothelial carcinogen in humans, and that fiber length is more important than fiber aspect ratio in this regard.
Psychological Performance in Relation to Central and Peripheral Nerve Conduction in Workers Exposed to Lead, Zinc, and Copper
Authors: Araki Shunichi , Yokoyama Kazuhito , Aono Hiroshi , Murata Katsuyuki 
Published: April 2007

AbstractPsychological performance was examined in relation to central and peripheral nerve conduction by means of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale test, short‐latency somato‐sensory‐evoked potential (SSEP), and median nerve conduction velocity in 19 male gunmetal foundry workers exposed to lead, zinc, and copper. (Their blood lead concentrations—ie, 16–64 μg/dl with a mean of 42—and plasma zinc and copper concentrations were significantly higher than those of control subjects.) In these workers, the score of picture completion (psychological performance) was significantly low; indicators of lead absorption, but no indicators of zinc and copper absorption, were significantly correlated with this score. The score of picture completion was significantly correlated with the N11–N13 latency of SSEP (conduction time in the spinobulbar region) in the workers; their N11–N13 latency, together with the N9 and N9–N11 latencies, was significantly prolonged and was significantly correlated with indicators of lead absorption. Furthermore, their maximal motor and sensory conduction velocities of the median nerve were significantly slowed. It is concluded that both psychological performance and central and peripheral nerve conduction may be impaired in lead‐exposed workers with BPb's below approximately 60 μg/dl.
Transmission of occupational disease to family contacts
Authors: Knishkowy Barry , Baker Edward L. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractAs recognition of occupational illness increases, the scope of health problems related to work widens. An important area of concern is the worker's family, which has been shown to be at increased risk of disease attributable to the hazards previously thought to be relevant only to the worker. Such “para‐occupational” disease occurs particularly in spouses and children through transport by the worker of hazardous materials from the worksite into the home. The most common vehicle has been contaminated work clothing brought home for cleaning. Outbreaks of severe illness caused by lead, beryllium, asbestos, and other compounds have been traced to home contamination by industrial dust. In this review, we describe reports of “para‐occupational” illness that demonstrate the importance of early recognition by medical professionals of this cause of illness and of strict control of the dissemination of hazardous materials outside the workplace.
Exposure to triarylphosphate and polyneuropathy: A case report
Authors: Jarvholm Bengt , Johansson Barbro , Lavenius Barbro , Torell Gunnar 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis report describes a case of polyneuropathy in a 48‐year‐old mechanic who was heavily exposed to hydraulic fluids containing isopropylated triphenylphosphate (ITP). A cross‐sectional examination of eight other men exposed to hydraulic fluids and eight controls showed differences in EMGs but not in nerve conduction velocities or other values measured in a clinical examination. The study indicates a possible association between heavy occupational exposure to hydraulic fluids and ITP and polyneuropathy.
Patterns of mortality among plumbers and pipefitters
Authors: Cantor Kenneth P. , Sontag James M. , Heid Marian F. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA proportionate mortality ratio (PMR) study was undertaken of 7,121 members and retirees of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters in California who died in 1960–79. The PMR for all malignant neoplasms was 1.24, with a major contribution from lung cancers (PMR = 1.41). Lung cancer PMRs were consistently elevated, through the 20‐year study period, across the pipe trades and within different birth cohorts. Sixteen mesothelioma deaths occurred, suggesting asbestos as a risk factor. PMRs for malignancies of the stomach, kidney, brain, and lymphopoietic system were also elevated, especially among plumbers. Chronic rheumatic heart disease, emphysema, liver cirrhosis, and all external causes of death were the major non‐cancer causes with significantly elevated PMRs. There were significant deficits in diabetes mellitus, all pneumonia, chronic nephritis, and vascular lesions of the central nervous system (CNS). PMRs for successive birth cohorts among all study subjects revealed decreasing emphysema risk, suggesting previous reduction of a risk factor for this disease. Among plumbers, PMRs for death due to several non‐respiratory malignancies showed an increasing trend with recency of birth cohort.
Mortality of medical practitioners in Japan: Social class and the “healthy worker effect”
Authors: Araki Shunichi , Murata Katsuyuki , Kumagai Kazuaki , Nagasu Masaya 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTo assess patterns of mortality in Japanese medical practitioners, we compared the mortality of male physicians in a Japanese prefecture with that of eight major working populations, the nonworking population, and the general population of all Japan and of the prefecture. Standardized mortality ratios were calculated. All‐causes mortality in medical practitioners aged 25–64 years was significantly higher than that of administrative and managing workers (standardized mortality ratio [SMR] = 228); it was significantly lower than that of the nonworking population (SMR = 23). Physicians were found to have higher cause‐specific mortality for pneumonia and bronchitis and for ischemic heart disease than the total working population. These findings suggest that the previously reported low mortality of physicians reflects principally their high socioeconomic status; within the professional class, the mortality of medical practitioners compares unfavorably with that of other persons.
Lung diseases caused by organic dusts in the farm environment
Authors: Rylander Ragnar 
Published: April 2007

AbstractOrganic dusts present in the farm environment may cause a series of lung cell reactions involving inflammation and immune responses. Clinical diseases related to this exposure and based on the inflammation may be divided into acute and chronic inflammation. These can be accompanied by airway hypersensitivity. Individual clinical cases often present atypical or mixed symptoms that must be recognized as a work‐related disease.
Report on agents
Authors: Popendorf William 
Published: April 2007

AbstractRecommendations were formulated on sampling strategies and characteristics of different sampling methods. Microbiological products, such as endotoxins and proteases were suggested to be included apart from traditional dust measurements. It was recommended that priority should be given to establishing dose‐response relationships and that the importance of anaerobic organisms be evaluated. A summary of components within organic dust suspected of contributing to respiratory disease was presented.
Short‐term mortality and cancer incidence in capacitor manufacturing workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBS)
Authors: Gustavsson Per , Hogstedt Christer , Rappe Christoffer 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA cohort study of 142 male Swedish capacitor manufacturing workers was performed. PCB had been used as a dielectricum in power capacitors between 1960 and 1978. Mortality was investigated for the period 1965 to 1982 and cancer incidence from 1965 to 1980. Twenty‐one deaths and seven cancers were observed, which was in agreement with the anticipated numbers calculated from national statistics. One person had developed two rare tumors, a slow growing mesenchymal tumor (desmoid) and a malignant lymphoma. The results cannot rule out the possibility of a carcinogenic risk from PCB exposure because of the small size of the cohort and relatively brief follow‐up period, but they do not indicate any excess mortality or cancer incidence in this factory so far.
An approach to the characterization of silica exposure in U.S. industry
Authors: Froines John R. , Wegman David H. , Dellenbaugh Cornelia A. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractQuantitative evaluation of worker exposure to silica in nine Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes was conducted, using data derived from OSHA compliance inspections, in order to assess the silica exposure problem in the U.S. The nine SICs studied were those in which OSHA inspections were concentrated. They include: construction; chemical manufacture; stone, glass, and clay manufacturing; primary metal industries; metal fabrication; machinery; transportation; and miscellaneous manufacturing industries. High exposures to silica were documented in each industry, with the number of test samples over the permissible exposure limit ranging from 14% (aluminum foundries) to 73% (pottery). An estimation is made that 24,889 workers employed in ferrous and nonferrous foundries are at risk of silica‐related pulmonary effects. The data developed in this analysis also indicate the need to investigate certain industries that had high exposures but few inspections. The limitations of the data base for estimating the scope of the silica problem, including lack of data on mining and milling, are discussed. We conclude that exposure to silica represents a continuing and significant problem in a number of U.S. industries.
Silica, silicosis and lung cancer among ceramic workers: A case‐referent study
Authors: Forastiere F. , Lagorio S. , Michelozzi P. , Cavariani F. , Arca' M. , Borgia P. , Perucci C. , Axelson O. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA case‐referent study has been carried out regarding a possible connection between silica exposure and lung cancer (ICD 162) in Central Italy, where the pottery industry has a long tradition. Silicosis among 72 cases of lung cancer and among 314 referents, all deceased, was ascertained through checking the individual files of compensated cases of silicosis. Questionnaires on past employments and smoking habits were blindly administered to the next‐of‐kin of the deceased subjects. Controlling for age, period of death, and smoking, workers in the ceramic industry were found to have a higher lung cancer risk than workers in other occupations free from silica exposure (Mantel–Haenszel rate ratio = 2.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1–3.5). This increased risk was mainly due to a rate ratio of 3.9 (95% CI = 1.8–8.3) for silicotic individuals, while for nonsilicotic ceramic workers it was only 1.4 (95% CI = 0.7–2.8). The result of this study seems to suggest that lung cancer might be merely indirectly associated with exposure to silica through the silicotic process, although the dose may differ for silicotic and nonsilicotic individuals.
Texaco mortality study: II. Patterns of mortality among white males by specific job groups
Authors: Divine Barbara J. , Barron Virginia 
Published: April 2007

AbstractWhile an earlier report on the Texaco Mortality Study cohort showed no statistically significant elevations for any cause of death for the white males, it did not preclude any excess risk of mortality within subgroups of workers. In this study, an employee's complete job history was used to determine his work categories, and patterns of mortality were examined for the more common job categories. All of the job categories examined showed deficits for mortality overall, and the patterns seen were similar to those for the entire cohort. Significant elevations were seen in pancreas cancer mortality for office and managerial people and in leukemia mortality for pipefitters and boilermakers. Other elevations of particular interest based on five or more deaths were brain cancer for laboratory workers and benign neoplasms in pipefitters and boilermakers. These associations were examined by latency and years worked, and no consistently positive associations were seen. It was not possible to take into account calendar time of exposure in this type of analysis, nor could any specific chemicals or levels of exposure be associated with the job categories where the standardized mortality ratios were elevated.
Early detection and signs of hepatoangiosarcoma among vinyl chloride workers
Authors: Sugita Minoru , Masuda Yoshinori , Tsuchiya Kenzaburo 
Published: April 2007

AbstractHealth examinations of 108 workers exposed to vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) at a Japanese chemical plant were carried out in 1979. The polymerization of vinyl chloride was started at the plant in 1949. In this study, the highest concentration of VCM in autoclaves was determined to be 250 ppm in 1961. However, the workers at the plant had been exposed to higher concentrations of VCM several times before 1960. More recent VCM exposure was considered negligible. Examinations assessed data on age, height, weight, obesity index, sake consumption, VCM exposure concentration, latent period, cumulative exposure, ICG (indocyano green test), serum bilirubin, GOT (glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase), GPT (glutamic pyruvic transminase), A1‐P (alkaline phosphatase), GGT(γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase), ZTT (zinc turbidity test), LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), cholesterol, TTT (thymol turbidity test), A/G (albumin globulin ratio), and thrombocytes. Variation in VCM exposure did not affect (1) tests of pigment excretion from the liver, such as ICG; (2) thrombocytes; and (3) enzyme activity (such as GPT); nor bilirubin or flocculation reaction in serum.
Pleural plaques and respiratory function
Authors: Järvholm Bengt , Sandén ÅKe 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis cross‐sectional study was comprised of 202 nonsmoking shipyard workers with varying exposures to asbestos. Their chest X‐rays were normal or contained no abnormality other than pleural plaques. They participated in a health examination of workers exposed to asbestos, which comprised a total of 3,904 persons. One hundred and fifteen of the 202 workers had no deviations from normal X‐rays, and 87 had pleural plaques but no other finding on their X‐rays. Three out of the 115 workers with normal X‐rays and 13 of the 87 with pleural plaques had FVCs below the reference limits (p < 0.005). The workers with plaques had an average of 6.9% lower FVC. Even after stratification for asbestos exposure, men with plaques were found to have lower FVCs than men without plaques. This difference was largest for those with heavy exposure to asbestos.
Is occupational noise exposure during pregnancy a risk factor of damage to the auditory system of the fetus?
Authors: Lalande Nicole M. , Hétu Raymond , Lambert Jean 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn the Province of Quebec, the regulated daily noise exposure limit is 90 dBA‐8h. This limit value also applies to pregnant women. Experimental studies suggest however, that this standard is not sufficiently stringent to protect the auditory system of the fetus, particularly in cases of low‐frequency noise exposure. An exploratory study was undertaken to assess this possibility. A total of 131 children were examined. Their mothers had worked, while pregnant with that child, in noise conditions ranging from 65 to 95 dBA‐8h. Results show (1) a three‐fold increase in the risk of having a high‐frequency hearing loss in the children whose mothers were exposed to noise in the range between a LAeq,9m of 85 to 95 dB, and (2) a significant increase in the risk of hearing loss at a frequency of 4000 Hz when these exposures involved a strong component of low‐frequency noise.
The morbidity and mortality of vermiculite miners and millers exposed to tremolite‐actinolite: Part I. Exposure estimates
Authors: Amandus H. E. , Wheeler R. , Jankovic J. , Tucker J. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe vermiculite ore and concentrate of a mine and mill near Libby, Montana, was found to be contaminated with fibrous tremolite‐actinolite. Of 599 fibers (length greater than 5 μm and width greater than 0.45 μm) counted in eight airborne membrane filter samples, 96% had an aspect ratio greater than 10 and 16% had an aspect ratio greater than 50. Additionally, 73% of the fibers were longer than 10 μm, 36% were longer than 20 μm, and 10% were longer than 40 μm. Estimates of exposure before 1964 in the dry mill were 168 fibers/cc for working areas, 182 fibers/cc for sweepers, 88 fibers/cc for skipping, and 13 fibers/cc for the quality control laboratory. In 1964–1971, exposure estimates for these areas were 33, 36, 17, and 3 fibers/cc, respectively. Estimates of exposures in the mine before 1971 ranged from 9–23 fibers/cc for drillers and were less than 2 fibers/cc for nondrilling jobs. All 8‐hr TWA job exposure estimates decreased from 1972‐1976, and from 1977‐1982 were less than 1 fiber/cc.
Bronchocarcinogenic properties of welding and thermal spraying fumes containing chromium in the rat
Authors: Berg Nils O. , Berlin Maths , Bohgard Mats , Rudell Bertil , Schütz Andrejs , Warvinge Karin 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe possible bronchocarcinogenic effects of fumes released during the shielded metal arc welding of stainless steel and the thermal spraying of chromium oxide (Cr2O3) have been studied on the rat. The fume particles were shown to contain tri‐ and hexavalent chromium in soluble and low soluble forms; they were collected and implanted as pellets in the bronchi of groups of 100 rats by the method of Laskin et al. A negative control group of 100 rats was included, as well as positive controls receiving pellets containing benz(a)pyrene. The experiment was continued for 34 months; no differences of biological significance were noted between the growth rates, survival times, and terminal organ weights of the test and negative control groups. At autopsy, the macroscopic and microscopic appearance of the organs in the three groups, including the local reaction to the implanted pellet, were similar. No precancerous changes were observed at the implantation sites; one rat, who received a pellet containing welding fumes, showed squamous cell carcinoma remote from the implantation site and not associated with the bronchus. It had the appearance of a metastasis. All three benz(a)pyrene control rats developed cancer at the implantation site. The occupational health implications of these findings are discussed.
Respiratory symptoms associated with the use of azodicarbonamide foaming agent in a plastics injection molding facility
Authors: Whitehead Lawrence W. , Robins Thomas G. , Fine Lawrence J. , Hansen Doan J. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractRespiratory health variables were studied cross‐sectionally in 227 employees of a plastics molding facility where numerous complaints had been apparently associated with the use of azodicarbonamide foaming agent in injection molding. Pre‐ and postshift respiratory status measures and azodicarbonamide concentrations were also obtained for 17 employees. Cross‐sectional pulmonary function differences by injection molding status were not observed. Modest decrements in pulmonary function measures were observed between start and end of shift but with no dose‐effect relationship. A strong association was observed for injection molding workers for eye/nose/throat irritation, cough, and wheezing. Additionally, wheezing, chest tightness, and symptoms of chronic bronchitis were strongly associated with work in injection molding during periods in which azodicarbonamide was in use. These results suggest respiratory symptom causation by some combination of azodicarbonamide itself, reaction products of azodicarbonamide formed during injection molding, or other unidentified agents uniquely associated with the process of injection molding with azodicarbonamide foaming agent.