bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acquired intolerance to organic solvents and results of vestibular testing
Authors: Gyntelberg Finn , Vesterhauge Søren , Fog Pernille , Isager Henrik , Zillstorff Kaj 
Published: April 2007

AbstractAmong 160 consecutive patients referred to the Clinic of Occupational Medicine, Rigshospitalet, for symptoms connected with exposure to organic solvents, 20 exhibited symptoms of acquired intolerance to minor amounts of organic solvents. Later, an additional 30 consecutive patients with symptoms of acquired intolerance were included, yielding a total of 43 men and 7 women. The characteristics of the clinical syndrome described are complaints of dizziness, nausea, and weakness after exposure to minimal solvent vapor concentrations. After having tolerated long‐term occupational exposure to moderate or high air concentrations of various organic solvents, the patients became intolerant within a short period of time. Since dizziness was a frequent complaint, we tried to obtain a measure of the patients' complaints using vestibular tests. As a diagnostic test the combined vestibular tests had a sensitivity of 0.55 and a specificity of 0.87. No differences between patients with and without intolerance could be detected by the vestibular tests used. We conclude that acquired intolerance to organic solvents is a new but characteristic and easily recognizable syndrome, often with severe consequences for the patient's working ability.
Nasal cancer and occupation in Sweden, 1961–1979
Authors: Malker Hans S. R. , McLaughlin Joseph K. , Blott William J. , Weiner Jan A. , Malker Birgitta K. , Ericcson Jan L. E. , Stone B. J 
Published: April 2007

AbstractUsing national population–based registries which link cancer incidence (1961–1979) with 1960 census data on industry and occupation for all employed individuals in Sweden, a systematic assessment was made of nasal cancer (ICD 7th Rev. 160) with special reference to occurrence in manufacturing industries and craftsman–tradesman occupations. Data are presented for three histologic categories: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and other histologic types. The highest risks (18–fold) were observed for adenocarcinoma among men employed in furniture making. Elevated risks were also observed for textile workers of both sexes. The findings are generally consistent with previous reports from other countries and help clarify the role of occupation in the origins of nasal cancer.
Reproductive hazards in the workplace: A case study of women firefighters
Authors: Evanoff Bradley A. , Rosenstock Linda 
Published: April 2007

AbstractRecent attention has focused on the difficulties of providing equal employment opportunities for women while ensuring reproductive health in the workplace. This paper examines the potential hazards faced by pregnant firefighters and recommends a policy that seeks a reasonable accommodation between employment and fetal and maternal health. The potential hazards faced by firefighters include physical exertion, hyperthermia, and exposure to carbon monoxide and other toxic gases. The ideal policy option for improving reproductive health is to make the workplace safe for all employees. Where this cannot be accomplished and a unique reproductive hazard exists to women during pregnancy, temporary positions should be found that remove the pregnant woman from the hazard while allowing her to continue work.
Mortality in police and firefighters in New Jersey
Authors: Feuer Elizabeth , Rosenman Kenneth 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA proportionate mortality study of police and firefighters in New Jersey was conducted using the records of a comprehensive retirement system. Three reference populations were used: (1) U.S. general population, (2) New Jersey general population, and (3) police as a reference group for the firefighters. Overall neither group differed from the New Jersey male population in the cause of death. Analyses by latency showed an increase in skin cancer and cirrhosis in firefighters and cirrhosis in police. With increased time from first employment, an inverse association was found between heart disease and time of first exposure. This was reflected in statistically significant increased proportionate mortality rates (PMR) for arteriosclerotic heart disease (ASHD) (ICD 410–414) for both working police (PMR = 1.15) and firefighters (PMR = 1.2). Retired police and firefighters had PMRs of 0.96 and 0.98, respectively. Firefighters had a significant increase in nonmalignant respiratory disease (PMR = 1.98) and leukemia (PMR = 2.76) when the police were used as a reference group. Potential causes of the above findings are discussed.
Peripheral eosinophilia and respiratory symptoms in rubber injection press operators: A case‐control study
Authors: Thomas Richard J. , Bascom Rebecca , Yang William N. , Fisher John F. , Baser Michael E. , Greenhut Janet , Baker John H. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTo evaluate a suspected association between an outbreak of acute respiratory illness and eosinophilia and employment as a rubber worker, we performed a retrospective review of medical records of rubber workers employed from September 1983 to July 1984 in a plant housing a thermoinjection process. Twenty‐five workers met the case definition of a respiratory illness requiring a physician visit. The predominant respiratory illness was acute in onset with cough, chest tightness, and dyspnea. Peripheral eosinophilia, up to 40% of white blood cells in a peripheral smear, was seen in 10 of 18 (56%) cases. Twenty‐one of 25 white males with respiratory symptoms were employed in the thermoinjection process (odds ratio = 22, p < .001). Smoking and employment in this process contributed independently to an increased risk of being a case as determined by a logistic regression analysis. Return to the plant building caused recurrence of symptoms in most cases, and these workers have been transferred or left the company. We conclude that a strong previously unrecognized association exists between employment in this neoprene rubber thermoinjection process and the development of an acute respiratory illness.
Airborne particles, their use in the respiratory system to measure air flow, function, and clearance
Authors: Nelson Norton , Altshuler Bernard , Palmes Edward D. , Albert Roy E. , Lippmann Morton , Schlesinger Richard 
Published: April 2007

AbstractNonhygroscopic monodisperse particles can be used to estimate airway dimensions within chosen regions of the respiratory tract. These dimensions correspond well with those measured in inflation‐fixed lungs.The dispersion of a bolus of airborne particles on inhalation and exhalation is very sensitive to the dimensions of the airways through which the bolus passes, yielding indices of dispersion that provide sensitive indicators of changes in airway dimensions, eg, with smoking.The rates of clearance of particles from the lungs are determined using gamma‐labelled particles whose lung retention is determined by external measurements. There are major differences between the deep lung and the ciliated airways. Changes in clearance rates are caused by disease or inhaled intoxicants such as cigarette smoke.At lower levels of irritant exposure, an acceleration of clearance rate is observed, while higher doses and longer periods of exposure produce decreased rates.It is suggested that aerosol techniques may have useful clinical applications; approaches are suggested for such applications.
Mortality among ferrous foundry workers
Authors: Silverstein Michael , Maizlish Neil , Park Robert , Silverstein Barbara , Brodsky Lynda , Mirer Franklin 
Published: April 2007

AbstractMortality analyses were carried out for 278 male hourly workers who were employed for at least 10 years at a gray iron foundry and who died between January 1, 1970 and December 31, 1981. Statistically significant excess proportional mortality due to nonmalignant respiratory disease (SPMR = 177), lung cancer (SPMR = 148), and leukemia (SPMR = 284) was found among the 221 white males. Among nonwhite males there was a significant excess in proportional mortality due to circulatory diseases (SPMR = 143). White males in the Finishing classification experienced a significant excess of proportional mortality due to nonmalignant respiratory disease (SPMR = 279) and lung cancer (SPMR = 179). White males in the Core Room classification experienced an excess of proportional mortality due to nonmalignant respiratory disease (SPMR = 321). Case‐control studies demonstrated a significant association between nonmalignant respiratory disease and the Finishing classification after controlling for the effects of age, prior occupations in coal mining or foundries, and smoking. A positive but nonsignificant association between lung cancer and Finishing was also found after controlling for age, prior work history, and smoking in case control studies.
Chromium content of organs of chromate workers with lung cancer
Authors: Kishi Reiko , Tarumi Takashi , Uchino Eiji , Miyake Hirotsugu 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe content of chromium was measured in organs of six chromate workers who had worked in a chromate chemical manufacturing plant, had been exposed to a considerable amount of chromiun for over 10 years, and had died of lung cancer. The chromium in the lungs of workers averaged 51.5 μg/g (range 24.8–210 μg/g), while levels in the lungs of non‐exposed controls were 0.07–1.01 μg/g. Organs other than the lungs of the workers also had more chromium than those of the controls. Moreover, it was apparent that the metal remained in the lungs long after exposure to chromate had ceased.
A cohort mortality study among cobalt and sodium workers in an electrochemical plant
Authors: Mur J. M. , Moulin J. J. , Charruyer‐Seinerra M. P. , Lafitte J. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractWe have studied the mortality between 1950 and 1980 of a cohort of 1,143 workers in an electrochemical plant producing cobalt and sodium. The mortality of the whole cohort is significantly lower than in the French population for all causes of death (SMR = 0.77), and especially for deaths from circulatory system diseases (SMR = 0.59). However, among cobalt production workers, there is a relative over‐mortality, especially from lung cancers (SMR = 4.66, 4 cases). The relationship between cobalt production and lung cancer mortality was supported by a case‐control study nested in the cohort study. The authenticity of the occupational origin of this risk could not be established due to the low number of cases and because the role of tobacco consumption could not be taken into account. Other studies should be carried out in plants producing or using cobalt.
Cancer and other causes of death among wisconsin farmers
Authors: Saftlas Audrey F. , Blair Aaron , Cantor Kenneth P. , Hanrahan Larry , Anderson Henry A. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractComputerized mortality listings for Wisconsin for 1968‐1976 were used in proportional mortality ratio (PMR) and proportional cancer mortality ratio (PCMR) analyses to evaluate mortality patterns among Wisconsin farmers. Examination of PCMR trends by per capita county level of agricultural production was limited to the youngest birth cohort (1905‐1958) and cancer sites associated with farming exposures in either the present or previous analyses. Among all Wisconsin farmers, significantly decreased PMRs were seen for tobacco‐ and alcohol‐related causes of death, while excesses occurred for accidential causes, asthma, and cancer of the stomach, prostate, eye, and lymphatic and hematopoietic systems. Elevated PCMR's for leukemia and all lymphopoietic cancer and cancers of the stomach, rectum, eye occurred in farmers born 1905‐1958, while deficits were observed for cancer of the pancreas and the category, “all other cancers.” Increases in PCMR's with level of various agricultural activities were largely associated with cancers of other lymphatic tissue (2/3 of which were multiple myeloma) and the rectum. Certain agricultural exposures were also positively associated with deaths due to cancers of the prostate, brain, lymphosarcoma and reticulosarcoma, and all lymphopoietic cancers. No positive PCMR gradients were observed for leukemia and malignancies of the stomach and eye. Modern chemical practices in farming may account for some of the patterns noted.
Experimental and clinical studies on the reproductive toxicology of 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin
Authors: Silbergeld Ellen K. , Mattison Donald R. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe reproductive toxicology of 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD) has been studied in animal models and in human populations. In animals, TCDD has a range of toxic effects on organs of the reproductive system in males and females, on hormone biochemistry, and on embryo‐fetal development. These effects may involve in part an identified intracellular TCDD receptor and its association with the induction of microsomal cytochrome P‐450‐dependent monooxygenases in many organs. TCDD treatment increases activity of monooxygenase enzyme in liver and gonads of treated animals, but unlike other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that are monooxygenase inducers, TCDD is not cytotoxic to any population of oocytes in the mature female mouse. Epidemiological studies of TCDD reproductive toxicity have been limited in design. There are some reports of adverse effects in the Seveso population and in children born to American veterans presumed to have been exposed to TCDD in Agent Orange during the Vietnam war. Occupational cohorts have not been found to show such paternally mediated effects of TCDD exposure.
Semiconductor manufacturing: An introduction to processes and hazards
Authors: Wald Peter H. , Jones Jeffrey R. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractRecent studies suggest that semiconductor workers have an increased incidence of work‐related illness. Semiconductor manufacturing is a chemically intensive industry involving many potentially hazardous operations. As this industry moves into new geographic areas, health care professionals will be asked to evaluate medical or workplace conditions associated with unfamiliar and complex production processes. This paper provides an overview of semiconductor manufacturing processes for these health practitioners. Each step of device fabrication is detailed with its attendant chemical and physical hazards. Broader concepts of industrial control technology, clean room ventilation, and ergonomics are explained. The hazards are tabulated to allow rapid assessment of the risks inherent to each processing step. References have been chosen to guide the reader to more indepth information.
An asbestos hazard in the reprocessed textile industry
Authors: Quinn M. M. , Kriebel D. , Buiatti E. , Paci E. , Sini S. , Vannucchi G. , Zappa M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractEpidemiologic studies have identified an excess risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma among workers in the reprocessed textile industry in Prato, Italy. These studies suggested that there may have been asbestos hazard in this industry although exposure was not known to exist. An industrial hygiene investigation was conducted to determine whether there was previous or current asbestos exposure in the industry. Walk‐through surveys, environmental sampling, process documentation, and management and worker interviews were conducted in 13 textile reprocessing establishments. Polypropylene bags that once contained asbestos were found in 2 of the 13. Asbestos bags were cut open and used to cover bales of rags which were then distributed throughout the world. Workers were exposed to asbestos while handling the bags which were contaminated with chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite. Additional sources of asbestos exposure that may have existed in the past in the industry are also discussed.
Relationship between external and internal parameters of exposure to manganese in workers from a manganese oxide and salt producing plant
Authors: Roels Harry , Lauwerys Robert , Genet Pierre , Sarhan Mohammad Jawad , de Fays Michèle , Hanotiau Isabelle , Buchet Jean‐Pierre 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn a plant producing manganese (Mn) oxides and salts, 11 different workplaces were identified. The current exposure to airborne Mn (total dust, personal sampling, n = 80) varied from 0.07 to 8.61 mg/m. The geometric mean and median values amounted approximately to 1 mg/m3 and the 95th percentile was 3.30 mg/m3. The concentration of Mn in blood (Mn‐B) in a group of 141 Mn‐exposed male workers ranged from 0.10–3.59 μg/100 ml compared to 0.04–1.31 μg/100 ml in a group of 104 control subjects. The ranges of the concentrations of Mn in urine (Mn‐U) were 0.06–140.6 and 0.01–5.04 μg/g creatinine for the exposed and control groups, respectively. The average level of Mn‐B in the Mn group was more than twice as high as in the control group (arithmetic mean, 1.36 vs 0.57 μg/100 ml) and that of Mn‐U was ten times higher in the Mn group (geometric mean, 1.56 vs 0.15 μg/g creatinine). The Mn‐B level did not change significantly after 8 h of Mn exposure, whereas the Mn‐U level dropped rapidly when exposure ceased (half‐life less than 30 h).On an individual basis, neither Mn‐B nor Mn‐U correlated with the current levels of Mn‐air or duration of Mn exposure. There was also no relationship between Mn‐B and Mn‐U. On a group basis, there was no correlation between the mean Mn‐B levels and the current levels of Mn‐air at each workplace; however, a slight but significant correlation (r = 0.62, p < 0.05) was found between the geometric mean of Mn‐U of each subgroup (n = 11) and the current level of Mn‐air at their corresponding workplaces. On a group basis (n = 6), Mn‐U did not correlate with the estimation of past integrated exposure of the workers, while group means of Mn‐B significantly correlated with past integrated exposure. These results indicate that the individual evaluation of the Mn exposure intensity remains difficult on the basis of Mn‐B and Mn‐U. On a group basis however, Mn‐U appears to reflect very recent exposure, while Mn‐B is to some extent a reflection of the body burden of Mn.
Death certificate‐based occupational mortality surveillance in the united states
Authors: Dubrow Robert , Sestito John P. , Lalich Nina R. , Burnett Carol A. , Salg Joyce A. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractSurveillance of cause‐specific mortality patterns by occupation and industry through the use of death certificate records is a simple and relatively inexpensive approach to the generation of leads as to potential occupational disease problems. Researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have been working with the National Center for Health Statistics, other federal agencies, and state health departments on a number of programs to foster the development of standardized, routine coding of occupation and industry entries on death certificates by state health departments. Thirty‐one states and the District of Columbia are now doing such coding. These data are being analyzed currently by investigators at NIOSH and at individual state health departments for the purpose of hypothesis generation on occupation–disease relationships. The proportionate mortality ratio method is the predominant method being used, as appropriate denominator data are not generally available. This type of surveillance is particularly useful for the study of occupation and industry groups for which it is difficult to assemble cohorts, such as groups that are predominantly non‐union and in small workplaces. Limitations of this surveillance include its inappropriateness for monitoring those occupational diseases which are not often fatal, and the limited scope and accuracy of death certificate information.
Historical perspective on asbestos: Policies and protective measures in world war ii shipbuilding
Authors: Corn Jacqueline Karnell , Starr Jennifer 
Published: April 2007

AbstractCurrent public health consequences of poorly controlled utilization of asbestos in the past can be traced back, in part, to decisions made 45 or more years ago. This paper focuses on the extensive use of asbestos as a fireproofing and insulating material in shipbuilding in the 1940s, when World War II industrial expansion brought about a hitherto unprecedented rise in the amount of asbestos utilized. Twenty years after World War II, asbestos diseases began to manifest themselves, affecting thousands of shipyard workers as well as other workers who had been exposed in the 1940s and during the postwar period.By scrutinizing past actions, the paper argues that social forces, as well as science and technology, affect the setting of priorities and the determination of policy regarding needed but hazardous materials.
Two‐Year Inhalation Toxicity Study of Petroleum Coke in Rats and Monkeys
Authors: Klonne Dennis R. , Burns John M. , Halder Clive A. , Holdsworth Charles E. , Ulrich Charles E. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractSprague‐Dawley rats and Cynomolgus monkeys were exposed to dust aerosol concentrations (0, 10.2, and 30.7 mg/m3) of micronized delayed process petroleum coke for 6 hr/day, 5 days/week over 2 years. With the exception of pulmonary effects, particularly in the rats, no significant adverse treatment‐related effects were observed. Both dust‐exposed groups of both species exhibited a gray to black discoloration of the lung, an observation consistent with pulmonary deposition of the coke dust, as well as increased absolute and/or relative lung weight values. The pulmonary histopathology in the monkeys was limited to the deposition and phagocytosis of the test material by pulmonary macrophages. The rats also exhibited these responses, but with concomitant signs of chronic inflammation and focal areas of fibrosis, bronchiolization, sclerosis, squamous alveolar metaplasia, and keratin cyst formation. No difference in the mortality rate was observed between the control and exposed groups of rats. Lastly, no significant increases in chromosomal aberrations were observed in rodents of the 10.2 or 30.7 mg/m3 exposure groups when examined after 5 days, 12 months, and 22 months of exposure.
Statistical methods for describing developmental milestones with censored data: effects of birth weight status and sex in neonatal pigtailed macaques
Authors: Kroeker Rose , Sackett Gene , Reynolds Joel 
Published: April 2007

AbstractNeurobehavioral tests are used to assess early neonatal behavioral functioning and detect effects of prenatal and perinatal events. However, common measurement and data collection methods create specific data features requiring thoughtful statistical analysis. Assessment response measurements are often ordinal scaled, not interval scaled; the magnitude of the physical response may not directly correlate with the underlying state of developmental maturity; and a subject's assessment record may be censored. Censoring occurs when the milestone is exhibited at the first test (left censoring), when the milestone is not exhibited before the end of the study (right censoring), or when the exact age of attaining the milestone is uncertain due to irregularly spaced test sessions or missing data (interval censoring). Such milestone data is best analyzed using survival analysis methods. Two methods are contrasted: the non‐parametric Kaplan–Meier estimator and the fully parametric interval censored regression. The methods represent the spectrum of survival analyses in terms of parametric assumptions, ability to handle simultaneous testing of multiple predictors, and accommodation of different types of censoring. Both methods were used to assess birth weight status and sex effects on 14 separate test items from assessments on 255 healthy pigtailed macaques. The methods gave almost identical results. Compared to the normal birth weight group, the low birth weight group had significantly delayed development on all but one test item. Within the low birth weight group, males had significantly delayed development for some responses relative to females. Am. J. Primatol. 69:1313–1324, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.