bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Establishment size and risk of occupational injury
Authors: Oleinick Arthur , Gluck Jeremy V. , Guire Kenneth E. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractFor many years, the annual survey of occupational injuries and illnesses by the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has consistently reported, without explanation, that injury rates in the smaller establishments (<50 employees) are substantially lower than those for midsize establishments (100‐499 employees). Also during those years, a remarkable increase has been reported in the injury rate in large companies, following the imposition of stiff fines for failure to keep required injury records. The rate patterns are identical for Michigan and the country in general. We investigated possible causes for lower injury rates in small establishments since such rates are inconsistent with reports of higher fatality rates in small establishments in the mining, construction, manufacturing, and transportation industries and higher, or at least comparable, injury rates for small establishments in the mining industry. They are also inconsistent with increased turnover and decreased availability of occupational safety services in small companies. Moreover, injury severity, as measured by missed worktime, is greater for workers in small establishments. We investigated the possibility that interactions of workforce or injury characteristics with establishment size could explain the rate differences. We also reviewed the available literature to see whether differences in labor turnover rates could explain the BLS findings. Graphical and statistical analyses of the 1988 CPS Annual Demographic File, a sample of employed persons in the U.S. workforce, failed to identify any associations between workforce characteristics and enterprise size that would explain the lower rates. Similarly, graphical and statistical analyses of all Michigan workers incurring a compensable injury in 1986 failed to indicate any associations between injury characteristics and establishment size that would explain the lower rates. The potential role of labor turnover on the injury rate was analyzed from data in the literature on turnover rate by establishment size and risk of injury by time on the job. None of these analyses explains the lower injury rates reported for small establishments. This leaves underreporting of injuries from small establishments as a substantial possibility. If small establishments were subject to the same injury incidence rates as midsize establishments, then the 1986 survey for Michigan may have missed as many as 54,000 injuries (and far more nationally). We suggest that BLS undertake methodological studies to validate the completeness of reporting from small establishments. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Distinguishability of the Video Display Terminal (VDT) as a source of magnetic field exposure
Authors: Nair Indira , Zhang Jun 
Published: April 2007

AbstractMagnetic field strength or its surrogate has been used as the measurement of exposure in all studies involving field exposure. Video display terminals (VDTs) are considered a minor source on this scale because its field strengths lie in the low range of magnetic fields. Several experiments show, however, that field strength may not be the only relevant variable in determining exposure. This paper explores the use of a method based on “effects functions” to determine the extent to which the VDT can be distinguished from other sources. It is shown that VDT exposure may be of consequence if exposure depends on certain types of time variation of the field. Because of the incompleteness of science in this area, this is a demonstration of a method rather than an actual demonstration of VDT as a significant source of exposure. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessment of mortality in the construction industry in the United States, 1984–1986
Authors: Robinson C. , Stern F. , Halperin W. , Venable H. , Petersen M. , Frazier T. , Burnett C. , Lalich N. , Salg J. , Sestito J. , Fingerhut M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractConstruction, one of the larger industries in the United States, employs 7.6 million workers, many in skilled trades occupations. Previously published data about potential worksite exposures and mortality of construction site workers are limited. We analyzed occupation and industry codes on death certificates from 19 U.S. states to evaluate mortality risks among men and women usually employed in construction occupations. Proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs) for cancer and several other chronic diseases were significantly elevated among 61,682 white male construction workers who died between 1984 and 1986. Men younger than age 65, who were probably still employed immediately prior to death, had significantly elevated PMRs for cancer, asbestos‐related diseases, mental disorders, alcohol‐related disease, digestive diseases, falls, poisonings, traumatic fatalities that are usually work‐related, and homicides. Elevated PMRs for many of the same causes were observed to a lesser degree for black men and white women whose usual industry was construction. In addition, women experienced excess cancer of the connective tissue and suicide mortality. Various skilled construction trades had elevated PMRs for specific sites, such as bone cancer and melanoma in brickma‐sons, stomach cancer in roofers and brickmasons, kidney and bone cancer in concrete/terrazzo finishers, nasal cancer in plumbers, pulmonary tuberculosis in laborers, scrotal cancer and aplastic anemia in electricians, acute myeloid leukemia in boilermakers, rectal cancer and multiple sclerosis in electrical power installers, and lung cancer in structural metal workers. Using a standard population of blue collar workers did not result in fewer elevated PMRs for construction workers. Despite lifestyle differences and other limitations of the study, the large numbers of excess deaths observed in this study indicate the need for preventive action for construction workers. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Childhood cancer and paternal exposure to ionizing radiation: A second report from the oxford survey of childhood cancers
Authors: Sorahan Tom , Lancashire Robert J. , Temperton David H. , Heighway W. Peter 
Published: April 2007

AbstractPaternal occupational data already collected as part of the Oxford Survey of Childhood Cancers have been reviewed. Information on paternal occupation was available for 14.869 children dying from cancer in England, Wales, and Scotland in the period 1953‐81 and for an equal number of matched controls. The importance of fathers working, at any time before or after conception of the survey child, in any of the following occupations was assessed: radiologists (clinical), surgeons and anesthetists, veterinary surgeons, dental surgeons, nuclear industry workers, industrial radiographers. There was no indication that preconception employment in any of these occupations was more important than postconception employment with regard to the risks of all childhood cancers or all childhood leukemias. Findings were consistent with neither paternal preconception exposure to external ionizing radiation nor exposure to unsealed sources of radionuclides being an important risk factor for childhood leukemia or for the overall grouping of all childhood cancers. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High frequency of metalworkers among patients with seminomatous tumors of the testis: A case‐control study
Authors: Rhomberg W. , Schmoll H. J. , Schneider B. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractOccupational analyses were conducted between 1971 and 1978 comparing 165 cases of testicular cancer in the Hannover region of Germany with 187 controls without neoplastic diseases admitted to the Hannover University Medical School during the same period. The results showed a significantly higher risk of metal workers developing seminomas and mixed seminomatous tumors compared to the controls (odds ratio 2.05; 1.17–3.58). There was a lack of risk for the nonseminomatous tumors as a whole group, and cases with a history of metal work may have a decreased risk for embryonal carcinomas. No definite single noxious substance responsible for the development of testicular tumors could be detected. In view of the results in animal experiments, cadmium and zinc are especially considered in the discussion. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Respiratory effects of chronic hydrogen sulfide exposure
Authors: Richardson David B. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA cross‐sectional study investigated whether the exposure of sewer workers to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) was associated with reduced lung function. Sixty‐eight sewer workers and 60 water treatment workers performed spirometric tests. Job titles were used to classify the sewer workers according to presumed H2S exposure, and water treatment workers served as a comparison population presumed to have no occupational exposure to H2S. There was a statistically significant difference in mean FEV1/FVC values between sewer and water treatment workers of similar age, height, race, and smoking habits (−3.1, s.e. = 1.4). This deficit was greatest (−5.7, s.e. = 2.0) for sewer workers presumed to have high H2S exposure. Nonsmoking sewer workers presumed to have high H2S exposure achieved only 89% of their predicted FEV1/FVC value, whereas nonsmoking water treatment workers achieved nearly 98% of their predicted FEV1/FVC value. In conclusion, this study found evidence that chronic low level exposure to H2S may be associated with reduced lung function. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss. Inc.
Collection of a single alveolar exhaled breath for volatile organic compounds analysis
Authors: Pleil Joachim D. , Lindstrom Andrew B. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractMeasurement of specific organic compounds in exhaled breath has been used as an indicator of recent exposure to pollutants or as an indicator of the health of an individual. A typical application involves the collection of multiple breaths onto a sorbent cartridge or into an evacuated canister with the use of a relatively complex sampling apparatus. A new method has been developed wherein a single exhaled breath is directly transferred from the mouth into an evacuated 1 1 or 1.8 1 stainless steel SUMMA® canister. The single breath canister (SBC) method avoids the necessity for a complex sampling system requiring maintenance and cleaning and allows easy collection of samples. Additionally, it is possible to collect a rapid sequence of samples from a subject to establish the elimination curve subsequent to an exposure to specific volatile organic compounds with a theoretical resolution of adjacent breaths. The SBC method was compared to an accepted canister based sampling system to assure comparability and then used to demonstrate its utility by measuring the absorption and elimination of chloroform during and after exposure to chlorinated shower water. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Commentary. Finnish Institute of Occupational Health Asbestos Program 1987–1992
Authors: Huuskonen M. S. , Koskinen K. , Tossavainen A. , Karjalainen A. , Rinne J.‐P. , Rantanen J. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn 1987–1992, the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH) implemented a nationwide asbestos program aimed at preventing asbestos‐related risks in good cooperation with governmental authorities, industry, trade unions, the health care and insurance systems, and mass media. The goals were to minimize all exposure to asbestos, identify people exposed at work, and improve the diagnostics of asbestos diseases, especially cancers. The program entailed several concrete actions and extensive dissemination of information, training, services, and scientific research. As proposed by the State Asbestos Committee, new use of asbestos products was banned and strict regulations were applied to renovation and inspection of old buildings. The screening study of asbestos‐induced diseases included 18,943 current and retired workers from house building, shipyard, and asbestos industries. Pleural and parenchymal changes were found in 4.133 persons (22%), who were referred to further clinical examinations as suspected cases of an occupational disease. It was estimated that past exposure of asbestos among the Finnish population of 5 million causes > 150 mesotheliomas and lung cancers annually, totalling > 2,000 asbestos‐induced cancer deaths by the year 2010. Although several major control actions were made or started during the program, the bulk of the preventive work still lies ahead.
Wood dust and sino‐nasal cancer: Pooled reanalysis of twelve case‐control studies
Authors: Demers Paul A. , Kogevinas Manolis , Boffetta Paolo , Leclerc Annette , Luce Danièle , Gérin Michel , Battista Guiseppe , Belli Stefano , Bolm‐Audorf Ulrich , Brinton Louise A. , Colin Didier , Comba Pietro , Hardell Lennart , Hayes Richard B. , Magnani Corrado , Merler Enzo , Morcet Jean‐François , Preston‐Martin Susan , Matos Elena , Rodella Stefania , Vaughan Thomas L. , Zheng Wei , Vainio Harri 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn order to examine the relationship between wood dust and sino‐nasal cancer, data from 12 case‐control studies conducted in seven countries were pooled and reanalyzed. The relative risks associated with wood‐related jobs and with exposure to wood dust, measured using a job exposure matrix based on occupation and industry titles, were examined using logistic regression. The combined data set consisted of 680 male cases, 2,349 male controls, 250 female cases, and 787 female controls. A high risk of adenocarcinoma among men was associated with employment in wood‐related occupations (odds ratio [OR] = 13.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 9.0‐20.0) and the risk was greatest among men who had been employed in jobs with the highest wood dust exposure (OR = 45.5, 95% CI = 28.3‐72.9) and increased with duration of exposure. The risk of adenocarcinoma also appeared elevated among women employed in wood‐related jobs (OR = 2.5, 95% CI = 0.5‐12.3), but the small number of exposed cases precluded detailed analysis. Women in wood dust‐exposed jobs appeared to have an excess of squamous cell carcinoma (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 0.8‐5.5) which increased with duration of exposure. An increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma in men was seen only among those employed for 30 or more years in jobs with exposure to fresh wood (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.1‐5.0). The results of this analysis provide strong support to the association between exposure to wood dust in a variety of occupations and the risk of sino‐nasal adenocarcinoma and are consistent with the results of individual participating studies, although the magnitude of the excess risk varied. The evidence in regard to squamous cell carcinomas was ambiguous and there was a great deal of heterogeneity observed in individual study results. This may be due to differences in risk associated with exposure to hardwoods and softwoods or with other, as yet to be identified, aspects of exposure.
Exposure‐response analysis of mortality among coal miners in the United States
Authors: Kuempel Eileen D. , Stayner Leslie T. , Attfield Michael D. , Buncher C. Ralph 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe quantitative relationship between exposure to respirable coal mine dust and mortality from nonmalignant respiratory diseases was investigated in a study of 8,878 working male coal miners who were medically examined from 1969 to 1971 and followed to 1979. Exposure‐related mortality was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards modeling for underlying or contributing causes of death and modified lifetable methods for underlying causes. For pneumoconiosis mortality, the lifetable analyses showed increasing standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) with increasing cumulative exposure category. Significant exposure‐response relationships for mortality from pneumoconiosis (P < 0.001) and from chronic bronchitis or emphysema (P < 0.05) were observed in the proportional hazards models after controlling for age and smoking. No exposure‐related increases in lung cancer or stomach cancer were observed. Pneumo coniosis mortality was found to vary significantly by the rank of coal dust to which miners were exposed. Miners exposed at or below the current U.S. coal dust standard of 2 mg/m3over a working lifetime, based on these analyses, have an elevated risk of dying from pneumoconiosis or from chronic bronchitis or emphysema.
A classification scheme for aggregating u.s. census occupation and industry codes
Authors: Schnitzer Patricia G. , Teschke Kay , Olshan Andrew F. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe use of occupation as a surrogate for workplace exposures when more specific information is unavailable is common yet is particularly challenging in studies involving many diverse occupations. A classification scheme that aggregates workers based on similar job tasks and potential exposures was developed for use in a Canadian study, and its adaptation for a similar U.S. study is described. The 56 occupational categories and 1980 U.S. census occupation and industry codes used to create each are presented. The scheme was developed using the distribution of occupations and industries in two limited study populations, and no exposure measurements were taken in its preparation. However, the aggregation of jobs with similar exposures has practical utility in the analysis of a large number of specific occupations, each with a small number of workers. As a result, the scheme presented can provide a starting point for researchers facing this task in the analysis of case‐control occupational data.
Endemic work‐related febrile respiratory illness among construction workers
Authors: Epling Carol A. , Rose Cecile S. , Martyny John W. , Zhen Boguang , Alexander William , Waldron James A. , Kreiss Kathleen 
Published: April 2007

AbstractConstruction workers building Denver International Airport (DIA) reported work‐related respiratory and flulike symptoms of several months duration. We performed a cross‐sectional interview study of 495 randomly selected DIA workers from six contractors in comparison with preplacement workers. We defined cases as workers with two work‐attributed lower respiratory symptoms and one work‐attributed systemic symptom. Case rates were significantly higher among DIA workers (34%) compared with those who had never worked at DIA (2%). Risk factors for illness included exposure to fireproofing (OR, 4.21; 95% CI, 1.95–9.08), work in tunnels and adjoining areas (OR, 3.07; 95% CI, 1.84–5.12), length of DIA employment (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.46–0.92), and preexisting bronchitis (OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.17–5.05). Our industrial hygiene investigation revealed alkaline dust (pH 11) present at a worksite associated with elevated risk of illness, and we identified airborne Penicillium mold widely distributed indoors at DIA. Clinical evaluation of 26 self‐identified symptomatic DIA employees, including bronchoalveolar lavage and biopsy in 10, revealed work‐related asthma in three workers and histologic evidence of chronic bronehitis in four who had never smoked. We concluded that future investigations of endemic work‐related febrile respiratory illness among construction workers should evaluate its association with indoor exposure to dusts from alkaline fireproofing, Penicillium mold, mycotoxins, and bacterial bioaerosols.
Upper airway symptoms and function in wood surface coating industry workers
Authors: Holmström Mats , Granstrand Per , Nylander‐French Leena A. , Rosén Gunnar 
Published: April 2007

AbstractRespiratory and ocular effects from exposure to airborne contaminants in workers employed in the manufacture of wood products using ultraviolet radiation curing (UV) or acid curing (AC) of surface coating were investigated. Surface coating line or finishing workers exclusively employed in one or both processes were compared to a control group. Symptoms of exposure were investigated by questionnaire and medical examination. Nasal, pharyngeal, and ocular symptoms of discomfort, but not lower airway, were common among all exposed groups. These symptoms were most frequent in UV line workers and finishers of UV surface‐coated wood products. Mucociliary clearance was significantly slower in UV line workers. Significantly higher olfaction thresholds were observed in UV line and AC line workers and finishers of UV/AC surface‐coated wood products. Low levels of organic solvents and coating dusts (composed in part of wood dust, chemical composition unknown) were measured in the workers' breathing zones. Although remarkable improvements have been made in both AC and UV surface coating, additional control measures to eliminate airborne contaminants and improved work practices are required.
Autonomic and central nervous system effects of lead in female glass workers in china
Authors: Murata Katsuyuki , Araki Shunichi , Yokoyama Kazuhito , Nomiyama Kazuo , Nomiyama Hiroko , Tao Yong‐Xian , Liu Shi‐Jie 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTo clarify the effects of lead on autonomic and central nervous system functions, electrocardiographic R‐R interval variability (CVRR) as well as visual and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (VEP and BAEP) were measured in 36 female workers exposed to lead (exposed group) and in 15 female textile workers (unexposed group). The C‐CVLF, C‐CVHF (two component CVs of the CVRR reflecting sympathetic and parasympathetic activities, respectively), and LF/HF ratio (indicator of sympatho‐vagal balance) were also computed from component spectral powers by means of autoregressive spectral and component analyses. The exposed group had engaged in glass work for 2‐17 (mean 7.8) years. Blood lead (BPb) concentrations were 25.8–79.3 (mean 55.6) μg/dl in the exposed group and 4.7‐8.6 (mean 6.3) μg/dl in the unexposed group. The CVRR, C‐CVLF, C‐CVHF, and LF/HF ratio in the exposed group were significantly lower than those in the unexposed group. Also, the exposed group had more complaints of subjective symptoms and signs than did the unexposed group. On the other hand, no significant differences in either VEP or BAEP latencies were found between the two groups. It is suggested that autonomic nervous function is more susceptible to lead than visual and auditory nervous functions; lead affects sympathetic activity more strongly than parasympathetic activity.