bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A mortality study of cobalt production workers: An extension of the follow‐up
Authors: Moulin J. J. , Wild P. , Mur J. M. , Fournier‐Betz M. , Mercier‐Gallay M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe follow‐up of a cohort of workers employed in an electrochemical plant producing cobalt and sodium, previously studied from 1950–1980, has been extended from 1981–1988. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for all causes of death was 0.85 (95% confidence interval [CI] + 0.76–0.95, 309 observed) for the whole cohort, and 0.95 (95% CI + 0.83–1.08, 247 observed) for the subcohort of workers born in France. With regard to lung cancer mortality among cobalt production workers, which is the main objective of the study, the SMRs were, respectively, 0.85 (95% CI + 0.18–2.50, 3 observed) and 1.16 (95% CI + 0.24–3.40, 3 observed). Neither did any excess of mortality from diseases of the circulatory and of the respiratory systems appear among cobalt production workers. Maintenance workers, however, exhibited high SMRs for lung cancer, reaching statistical significance for duration of exposure and time since first exposure ≥ 30 years. This study does not support the hypothesis of a relationship between lung cancer and cobaltexposure. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss. Inc.
Schneeberg lung disease and uranium mining in the saxon ore mountains (Erzgebirge)
Authors: Schüttmann Werner 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe so‐called Schneeberg lung disease is a form of bronchial or alveolar carcinoma caused by the effects of the radioactive gas radon and of its radioactive short half‐life daughter products. This type of radiation‐induced occupational cancer is the most common and the most important radiation injury among workers occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation. There have been many deaths from lung cancer, especially in the Soviet uranium mines in the Erzgebirge of Saxony in the former German Democratic Republic. The history of disease in these miners extends over five centuries; the first observations of their health hazard start in the Middle Ages. The discovery of the lung cancer component was made toward the end of the nineteenth century, and the suspicion that a connection might exist between this cancer type and exposure to ionizing radiation was voiced at the beginning of the twentieth century. In the first half of this century, further research was carried out on this disease in the Schneeberg area of the Erzgebirge. Before the end of World War II, guidelines were set up to define the acceptable limits of radon exposure in the ore mines of Saxony. After World War II, the American uranium mines in the Colorado Plateau used the German research results as a basis for working out their own radiation protection standard. The uranium mines under Soviet occupation in the former GDR, on the contrary, paid no attention to these research findings. For many years, no precautions were taken for the miners' working conditions. The consequence of this serious omission was an estimated 9,000 fatal cases of lung cancer among these underground miners. High concentrations of radon are to be found in indoor air of homes in some districts of the Erzgebirge, suggesting an increasing lung cancer risk for the local inhabitants. The significance of this finding is evaluated. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transport injuries in small coal mines: An exploratory analysis
Authors: Hunting Katherine L. , Weeks James L. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractMine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) surveillance data were analyzed to elucidate mine characteristics or injury characteristics that distinguished mines with high rates of transport‐related injuries from mines with lower transport injury rates. The results showed that most high‐rate mines are small, high‐rate mines have a disproportionate number of injuries involving young and less experienced workers, and injuries in high‐rate mines are proportionally more severe. Further analyses of the MSHA injury data showed that smaller mines have a greater share of fatal and permanently disabling injuries, whereas larger mines have a greater share of injuries involving no lost time. Based on these results, we explored two explanations for the small mine injury risk: (1) a suggestion that differences in injury reporting between large and small mines may contribute to an apparent small mine injury risk, and (2) identification of factors contributing to a true difference in transport‐related injury risk between small and large mines.Whereas it was true that most high injury rate mines were small, most small mines were actually zero‐rate, having reported employment but no injuries to MSHA. An analysis employing binomial probability theory showed that a substantial proportion of small mines reported zero injuries when it was statistically probable that injuries would have occurred. This indicated that small mines may underreport injuries relative to larger mines. The possibility that reporting bias affected the associations found in this study was explored by eliminating the least severe injuries from the data set and evaluating changes in associations. This “adjustment” for reporting bias did not change previously observed relationships.Finally, MSHA injury data were analyzed in concert with mining population data collected by the Bureau of Mines. With such denominator information, the results indicated a disproportionately high risk of injury among workers in their first year at a mine and indicated that higher injury risk in small mines might be explained by the fact that workers at small mines have substantially less experience than workers at large mines. An effect of age was not found in these analyses. These results suggest the potential importance of targeted training programs for newly hired miners. Results also point to the need to explore specific factors contributing to the small mine injury risk, and to the necessity for complete and accurate reporting of injury data. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Risk of hospitalization for specific non‐work‐related conditions among laborers and their families
Authors: Pollack Earl S. , Ringen Knut 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTo better describe patterns of nonoccupational morbidity among construction laborers and their dependents, two health insurance plans organized by local unions of the Laborers' International Union of North America provided their medical claims data for 1989. The observed numbers of hospital admissions were compared with the numbers expected, based on the age‐sex‐specific hospital discharge rates from the 1989 National Hospital Discharge Survey. Standardized morbidity ratios thus obtained showed excesses for alcohol and drug dependence, complications related to pregnancy, and several other conditions. Medical claims data are a very useful resource in epidemiologic and medical care research, but their use poses numerous challenges, mainly related to the accuracy of diagnostic recording, problems in comparing different health insurance plans, and confounding factors due to health insurance largely being a condition of employment. Nevertheless, the use of these data can provide specific hypotheses for further study. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An evaluation of New Jersey's hospital discharge database for surveillance of severe occupational injuries
Authors: Sorock Gary S. , Smith Elaine , Hall Nancy 
Published: April 2007

AbstractComputerized population‐based hospital discharge data in New Jersey offer new opportunities for surveillance of serious work‐related injuries. This database was evaluated for its potential in identifying selected injuries that occurred at work during 1985 and 1986. Hospital discharge data were compared with data collected by telephone interview of discharged patients. A total of 1,575 unique hospital discharge records for the selected injuries included finger amputation (1,041), thumb amputation (209), crush injury of the lower limb (208), toxic effects of heavy metals (69), and eye burns (48). Of 809 study subjects sent letters, 445 (55%) could be contacted and 289 (36%) were interviewed for the study. Sixty‐one percent (175) said their injury was work related. A comparison was made between self‐reported injury at work, and the presence of workers' compensation payer codes on the discharge database. The agreement beyond chance (Kappa) was 0.78 (95% CI + 0.67, 0.89). The sensitivity of this indicator of work relatedness was 83%; specificity was 98%. These data suggest that worker's compensation payment on the hospital discharge database may be a good to excellent proxy indicator of the work relatedness of these injuries. However, this proxy indicator will underestimate the number of work‐related injuries by about 20%. Only 11% of hospital discharge records had external cause of injury codes (E‐codes), which reduces the utility of the database for understanding the causal mechanisms of work‐related injuries. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Methodology and utility of a job‐exposure matrix
Authors: Plato Nils , Steineck Gunnar 
Published: April 2007

AbstractWe have previously reported a study in which a job‐exposure matrix was applied to census data, identifying, e.g., polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and creosote as increasing the risk of urothelial cancer. In this article, we expand on some theoretical issues, and present detailed accounts of constructed linkages for PCBs, creosote, and phenols. For agents of interest, one should emphasize the positive predictive value rather than the sensitivity in the construction of the matrix. The reverse is true for confounding factors; to avoid residual confounding after restriction to subjects unexposed for the confounding factors, one should emphasize sensitivity, possibly compromising the positive predictive value. This discrepancy between agents of interest and confounding factors may limit the application of a general matrix for studying several different diseases. The construction of the matrix is much harder, if sensitivity rather than positive predictive value is emphasized for an agent. Confounding from industry‐related agents arises due to a true mixed exposure in certain work tasks, but also due to a gross classification of occupations in the census. One should not confuse different levels of the positive predictive value with exposure dose. A “dose‐response” with different levels of positive predictive value reflects an accuracy of the matrix, not a biological phenomenon. Studies with exposure information from a job‐exposure matrix applied to registers with scant information on occupation and industry may be warranted for exposures and diseases for which previous studies with a detailed documentation of exposure have low precision. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The effect of vibro‐acoustic stimulation on fetal behavioral state organization
Authors: Visser G. H. A. , Mulder E. J. H. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractDuring the third trimester of pregnancy there is a gradual development of fetal behavioral states. These states are distinct and discontinuous modes of neural activity; they reflect a certain degree of maturity and/or integrity of the fetal brain and are homologous with those seen in newborn infants. Abnormal state development has been found in growth retarded fetuses and in fetuses of women with type‐1 diabetes. Behavioral state organization is not easily influenced by external factors and most stimuli fail to induce a state change when the fetus is in quiet sleep (state 1F). However, fetuses do react to vibro‐acoustic stimulation (VAS) with an electronic artificial larynx. This stimulus induces excessive fetal movements, prolonged tachycardia, disorganization of behavioral states, and state transitions normally not seen in healthy fetuses. The backgrounds for these excessive and unusual reactions are largely unknown. For the time being, it seems better not to use this device in clinical practice. In this review paper, data on the development of behavioral states and on fetal reactions to VAS are discussed. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Work in pregnancy
Authors: Chamberlain Geoffrey V. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractPregnant women in the western world are increasing their part in paid employment. This can be added to their work in the home which, with their leisure and athletic activities, might add up to a considerable load; the possible effects this exertion could have on the woman and her unborn child has been realized only in the last twenty years and many attempts have been made to quantify it.The patterns of work in the home, in employment, and at sporting activity are assessed. There are two distinct areas of possible influence on the fetus: the work with its physical effort might affect respiratory and metabolic acid‐base balance and specific teratogens related to activity at work may be encountered and act at nodal points during fetal growth at specific times, causing congenital abnormalities of organs.Potential hazards under chemical, physical, and biological headings are considered, while both the psychological and physical effect of energy expenditure are discussed. Possible measures of outcome are assessed and three recently published studies from the U.S. and U.K. are examined to show the difficulties of making valid measurements about the effect of work on the pregnancy, as well as that of pregnancy on the work.It is probable that ordinary work done by a fit young woman has no serious effect on herself or a healthy fetus. Research will continue, for it may be that with an impaired afferent nutrition and oxygen supply to the fetus, certain specific increases in degrees of work could have an exaggerated effect. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mortality of professional chemists in England and Wales, 1965–1989
Authors: Hunter W. J. , Henman B. A. , Bartlett D. M. , le Geyt I. P. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractSeveral studies on the mortality of chemists have revealed a lower overall mortality but an excess of deaths from certain diseases, in particular, cancers. This study determined the causes of mortality of 4,012 chemists among 14,884 members of The Royal Society of Chemistry who were followed for a period of 25 years. The results demonstrated consistency with other studies. There was an overall low mortality rate, with fewer deaths than expected from cancers, but an excess mortality from lymphatic and hematopoietic cancers, in particular leukemias. There was an excess of deaths from certain gastrointestinal cancers. There was reduced mortality from respiratory diseases, including lung cancers, and from cardiovascular disease. New findings reported in this study are increased mortality from cancers of the duodenum and kidney, certain skin cancers, mental disorders, and diseases of the nervous system. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A case‐control study of multiple myeloma and occupation
Authors: Demers Paul A. , Vaughan Thomas L. , Koepsell Thomas D. , Lyon Joseph L. , Swanson G. Marie , Greenberg Raymond S. , Weiss Noel S. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractLifetime job histories from a population‐based, case‐control study were analyzed to investigate the relationship between multiple myeloma and employment in various occupations and industries. Interviews were obtained from 89% (692) of eligible incident cases and 83% (1683) of eligible controls. An elevated risk was observed among persons ever employed as painters [odds ratio (OR) + 2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) + 1.2–3.6], particularly for those employed for 10 or more years (OR + 4.1, 95% CI + 1.8–10.4). A small excess risk was observed among agricultural workers employed for 10 or more years (OR + 1.3, 95% CI + 1.0–2.2), with a higher relative risk observed among farm laborers (OR + 1.8, 95% CI + 1.0–4.0). Among agricultural workers who reported having been highly exposed to pesticides, the OR was 5.2 (95% CI + 1.6–21.1). Some evidence, based on smaller numbers, was also found to support an association with firefighting and employment in the petroleum‐ and coal‐products manufacturing industries. Little evidence was found to support the previously noted association with wood exposure, and no evidence for an association with employment in the rubber or petroleum refining industries was found. This study lends further support to previously reported associations between multiple myeloma and employment among painters and agricultural workers. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Validity of exposure in one job as a surrogate for exposure in a cohort study
Authors: Vetter Renate , Stewart Patricia A. , Dosemeci Mustafa , Blair Aaron 
Published: April 2007

AbstractFrequently, information pertaining to only one job is available or used to evaluate risk estimates of disease in occupational epidemiologic research. The amount of misclassification that such a practice could create has not, however, been examined. We used data from a mortality study of workers employed in 10 formaldehyde‐producing or ‐using plants to address how closely several parameters of exposure based on the first, longest, or last job held in a company compared with those based on the worker's entire employment history at the plant. The best predictor for cumulative formaldehyde exposure at the plant was the longest job at that plant, with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.70. The correlation with average exposure over the worker's employment was 0.77 for the first job and 0.74 for the longest and last jobs. Peak exposures and highest exposure levels experienced in the plant were more closely related to the first job (r + 0.72 and r + 0.74). The highest correlation with any of the measures was never with the last job. Variation between plants for each of these comparisons, however, was wide. These findings indicate that the use of a single job as a surrogate for exposure received at a particular worksite can result in different degrees of misclassification for different exposure measures. Even though the correlations were generally high, the associated misclassification of exposure could lead to a substantial underestimation of the relative risks in some situations. In this report two hypothetical examples show what effect the misclassification rates could have on estimates of disease risks. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of skin symptoms among workers at a swedish paper mill
Authors: Meding Birgitta , Torén Kjell , Karlberg Ann‐Therése , Hagberg Stig , Wass Kristina 
Published: April 2007

AbstractProcess and office workers at a Swedish paper mill (n + 274) and dairy workers (n + 45) were investigated with questionnaires regarding skin symptoms. In the second part of the study, subjects reporting skin symptoms and a random sample of subjects without symptoms were examined and investigated with patch testing. Pruritus and skin irritation probably related to exposure to dust were found. The results do not indicate an increased prevalence of contact allergy. In two cases, positive patch test reactions to paper size (rosin) and a slimicide, mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT), were noted. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A follow‐up study on the mortality of truck drivers
Authors: Hansen Eva S. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate a possible relationship between occupational exposure to vehicle exhaust and cancer risk. For this purpose, a cohort of 14,225 truck drivers was followed throughout a ten‐year period with regard to cause‐specific mortality. Comparisons were made with another cohort of unskilled male laborers. Both of the occupational groups compared were identified at a census and no supplementary data on individual exposure history were available. The study showed an increased mortality for lung cancer (standardized mortality ratio (SMR) 160, 95% confidence interval (CI) 126–200) and multiple myeloma (SMR 439, 95% CI 142–1,024). It seems likely that exposure to diesel exhaust has contributed to the increased lung cancer risk observed. The possible relationship between multiple myeloma and certain constituents of vehicle exhaust may be worth attention in future investigations. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diffuse thickening superimposed on circumscribed pleural thickening related to asbestos exposure
Authors: Miller Albert , Miller Jeffrey A. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractCircumscribed and diffuse pleural thickening (PT), the most common radiographic manifestations of asbestos‐related disease, have different pathogeneses, differential diagnostic criteria, and effects on pulmonary function. The important distinction between the two disorders is demonstrated by six patients in whom typical circumscribed PT was followed by diffuse PT in the same hemithorax. The diffuse PT came on 18–47 (mean 32.3) years after first exposure to asbestos. In four patients, clinically evident pleural effusions preceded the diffuse PT; the latter left all with moderate to severe restrictive ventilatory impairment.Patients with stable pleural plaques are at risk for diffuse PT and consequent greater ventilatory impairment, even though they are many years from first exposure to asbestos. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of asbestos fibers in lungs and mesotheliomatous tissues of baboons following long‐term inhalation
Authors: Hiroshima K. , Murai Y. , Suzuki Y. , Goldstein B. , Webster I. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractChanges in the dimensions of inhaled asbestos fibers in the lung and translocation of intrapulmonary asbestos fibers into mesothelial tissues were investigated in 17 baboons (5 exposed to amosite, 4 to chrysotile, 5 to crocidolite, and 3 unexposed). The animals received different cumulative doses of asbestos by inhalation, followed by varying recovery periods (0–69 months). All asbestos types induced pulmonary asbestosis with severity directly related to the cumulative dose. There were a larger number of asbestos bodies in the lung of the amphibole‐exposed animals than in those exposed to chrysotile. A tissue burden study, using transmission electron microscopy on 25‐μm paraffin sections, ashed in a low‐temperature asher, was performed. Intrapulmonary amosite fibers were shorter in geometric mean length compared with a standard amosite sample (UICC) (3.3 μm). In explanation, it was considered that long fibers might not be able to reach the lower respiratory tract and/or long fibers might be fragmented into shorter fibers. Further, in the amosite‐exposed group, the mean length of intrapulmonary fibers increased with the extension of recovery period, suggesting that shorter fibers had been cleared from the lung. The chrysotile standard sample (UICC) had a shorter geometric mean length (1.1 μm) than amosite. The mean length of intrapulmonary chrysotile did not noticeably change with the extension of inhalation and recovery periods; however, the mean width decreased with the extension of these periods. This finding strongly suggested that separation of thick chrysotile fibers had occurred in the lung. The crocidolite standard sample (Transvaal) had a shorter geometric mean length (1.4 μm) than amosite. The mean length of intrapulmonary crocidolite fibers increased with the extension of inhalation and recovery periods, suggesting that shorter fibers had been cleared from the lung during both the inhalation and recovery periods. There was no specific tendency of size distribution among four distinct interstitial locations (peribronchiolar, alveolar septal, subpleural, and interlobular connective tissue) within the same lung exposed to either amosite, chrysotile or crocidolite. In four animals, malignant mesothelioma developed in the pleura (2 amosite and 1 UICC crocidolite) and the peritoneum (1 UICC crocidolite). Asbestos fibers were found in the mesotheliomas. Their size distribution in mesotheliomatous tissue and lung was not significantly different in two animals, but the fibers were shorter and thinner in another two. The presence of fibers in the neoplasms was confirmed, and translocation of fibers from the lung into the pleura or the peritoneum was strongly suggested. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.