bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of epidemiologic approaches to the study of lung disease related to cotton dust exposures
Authors: Wegman David H. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractEpidemiologic approaches to improved understanding of the several reactions observed in cotton processors began in 1955 with Schilling's symptom classification of Monday‐morning chest tightness. To date, epidemiologic studies have identified the importance of increasing years of exposure to the development of both specific and nonspecific chronic respiratory symptoms and of acute change in pulmonary function. The few longitudinal studies suggest similar associations with accelerated loss of pulmonary function. Respirable dust level has been associated, cross‐sectionally, with symptoms and with acute function change, but studies have not yet been made with sufficient prospective collection of both exposure and health effects data to estimate accurately the association of continued exposure with accelerated loss of lung function or development of disability. Furthermore, there has been very limited field study comparing exposure to respirable dust distinguished from exposure to endotoxin. With careful attention to features of study design and analytic plans, investigators can take advantage of simple technology to examine the fate of the acute responder, the potential for recovery if exposure is reduced or ceased, and the long‐term dose response relationship between different cumulative measures of exposure and chronic disease.
Methods to assess airborne concentrations of cotton dust
Authors: Corn Morton 
Published: April 2007

AbstractAssessment of concentrations of airborne cotton dust in the factory is necessary to determine adherence to applicable Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) on a day‐to‐day basis, as well as for investigatory studies of an epidemiological nature. The latter are required on an ongoing basis to determine the adequacy of PELs to prevent disease in the exposed population. A strategy of sampling includes considerations of the numbers of samples to be obtained for statistical validity and the locations of samples. Current practice is to obtain more “personal samples” of exposure wherever possible, but with regard to cotton dust, instrumentation is not available for such sampling. In the U.S., the vertical elutriator is the instrument of choice for determining the concentrations of cotton dust in air. Results are expressed as milligrams of airborne particulate (cotton dust) per cubic meter.
The role of endotoxin for reactions after exposure to cotton dust
Authors: Rylander Ragnar 
Published: April 2007

AbstractGram‐negative bacteria and their endotoxins are present on all parts of the cotton plant and occur in large numbers after rain or frost. Endotoxins activate pulmonary macrophages that in turn recruit neutrophils into the airways. Platelets accumulate in pulmonary capillaries. The presence of these cells allows for the initiation of acute and chronic inflammation. Dose‐response relationships have been demonstrated between endotoxin and fever, chest tightness, and reduction in air flow (bronchoconstriction) in cotton workers. Limited data suggest that after cotton dust exposure, other symptoms, such as airway hyperreactivity and chronic inflammation, are also related to the endotoxin exposure. Tentative thresholds for airborne endotoxins are presented.
Current trends in research on the etiology and pathogenesis of byssinosis
Authors: Holt Patrick G. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe features of the cotton dust syndrome which need to be considered when formulating a hypothesis on mechanism(s) are: 1) the presence of fever, 2) the “Monday effect,” 3) the slow onset of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) changes, and 4) the presence of bronchitis in chronic sufferers but the absence of emphysema or fibrosis. The main hypotheses concerning the mechanisms are direct release of histamine triggered by cotton dust components, immune reactions (principally antibody mediated) to cotton dust antigens, and inflammatory response(s) triggered by endotoxins released from bacterial contaminants on the dust.While histamine release and immune reactions may occur as a result of cotton dust inhalation, it is suggested that they are of secondary importance in comparison to inflammation. Evidence is reviewed that implicates bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) present in the dust as the principal etiologic agent in this process. It is postulated that LPS inhalation stimulates a secretory response by lung macrophages, involving the release of effector molecules which trigger coagulation, bronchoconstriction, fever, and mucus production. LPS‐induced macrophage secretory products also promote the local sequestration and activation of both neutrophils and platelets, which serve to amplify the inflammatory response. Evidence is presented implicating both interstitial and alveolar macrophages in this process.The problems associated with the identification of “high risk” groups of cotton workers will be discussed, from a number of viewpoints; consideration will be given to the role of a variety of environmental factors (including tobacco smoking) in this context, as well as possible genetic factors. Regarding genetic predisposition, preliminary evidence will be presented from ongoing studies on the presence of high and low responders to LPS.
Preliminary approach to the diagnosis of byssinosis
Authors: Dehong Li , Shixuan Lu , Maobo Ding , Cuijuan Zhang 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe prevalence of byssinois was studied in two cotton mills by a standardized questionnaire and pulmonary function measurements (forced expiratory volume in 1 second; FEV1). In mill A, the dust level was high (57‐159 mg/m3). Among 90 participants, 80 were interviewed twice at an interval of 4 months, and disagreement on actual presence or absence of byssinosis was 7.5 percent. Twenty out of ninety workers had complaints of Monday symptoms and the prevalence was 22.2 percent. In mill B, the dust control (6.8 mg/m3) was relatively good. Among 173 participants from the carding room, two had complaints of Monday symptoms and the prevalence was 1.2 percent. A significant correlation was found between duration of employment and prevalence of byssinosis in mill A. FEV1 was measured in 9 byssinotics, 29 nonbyssinotics, and 30 controls before and after work on Mondays and Wednesdays. A significant decrease of 177 ml on average (7.8%) was found in byssinotics after work on Monday, whereas in nonbyssinotics, the decrease of FEV1 was nonsignificant. In controls, a slight increase in FEV1 after work was observed.
Some opinions on byssinosis in China
Authors: Guo‐chang Xing 
Published: April 2007

AbstractOn the basis of some study results in China and reports from abroad, a conclusion should be drawn that leads to the recognition of a pneumoconiosis‐like lesion of interstitial fibrosis. This disease is called “cotton pneumoconiosis” and we may classify these occupational lesions into four types: 1) byssinosis; 2) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); 3) cotton fever; and 4) cotton pneumoconiosis. Byssinosis, COPD, cotton fever and cotton pneumoconiosis may be different types of responses due to the different duration of exposure, the different parts of bronchial tree (upper respiratory tract, small airway, and respiratory part) where deposition occurs, and the different components of cotton dust (broken cotton fibers, bracts, pericarps, bacteria, and fungi). These responses, which include histaminelike reaction, allergy, and stimulation of foreign material, happen in different symptoms of the syndrome among cotton mill workers. But no matter whether responses caused by inhalation of dust are inflammation or allergic reaction, cotton dust is foreign stimulation on deposited sites, causing lung fibrosis after lung stimulation. For the health of cotton workers, we must pay attention not only to the acute effects but also to the chronic lesions. We therefore suggest that these four types of occupational lung disorders caused by inhalation of cotton dust may be called by the joint name, “Byssinosis syndrome”.
A study of byssinosis in Hong Kong and Jakarta: Research methods and objectives
Authors: Lam Tai Hing , Ong Say Gark , Baratawidjaja Karnen Garna 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTwo research projects to study the prevalence of byssinosis in Hong Kong and Jakarta were conducted. Both projects had similar objectives and design. Although the studies were conducted within the agreed upon guidelines, it became obvious that there were differences in the methods of implementation due to the researchers' attempts to overcome local obstacles. Many factors were found to influence the implementation of a research proposal: local culture and customs, business practices, factory management, availability of local information, and the prevalence of the disease being studied. Provided that these factors are understood and taken into account, the comparability of results should not be substantially affected.
Byssinosis and other respiratory problems in the cotton industry of Hong Kong
Authors: Ong Say Gark , Lam Tai Hing , Wong C. M. , Chow W. K. , Ma P. L. , Lam Shi Kai , O'Kelly F. J. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBetween February 1982 and October 1984, a total of 2,317 workers from all levels of cotton processing—carding, blowing, spinning and weaving—were studied in a citywide cross‐sectional survey. The workers were administered the British MRC Questionnaire in local dialect and their pre‐ and postshift lung functions were assessed by portable spirometers. The prevalence of byssinosis for the whole industry was 2.3%, being much greater in the more dusty processes (blowing and carding, 5.6%; weaving 1.6%). Even more important was the prevalence of chronic obstructive airways disease (COAD) (13.8%) and a combination of nonspecific respiratory symptoms (10.0%), characterized by chest tightness and dyspnea, but not related to any specific day of the week such as those seen in typical byssinosis. The importance of these two large groups of respiratory problems in relation to byssinosis and the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases in people exposed to cotton dust is discussed.
Smoking characteristics of US workers, 1978–1980
Authors: Brackbill Robert , Frazier Todd , Shilling Sharon 
Published: April 2007

AbstractData from the 1978–1980 National Health Interview Survey smoking questionnaire were used to analyze prevalence and levels of cigarette smoking among groups of US workers. This information is valuable for indirect adjustment in occupational epidemiology studies as well as for describing smoking patterns of workers in a wide range of job settings. Although there was a higher percentage of current smokers among men than women in the general population, there were few differences in prevalence of smoking among men and women for specific occupations. Also, race and employment status had an influence on prevalence of smoking, where both the currently unemployed and blacks generally had a higher proportion of current smokers, although blacks generally had a higher proportion of current smokers, although blacks smoked fewer cigarettes. Industry also played a major role in the variation of smoking habits. For instance, the percentage of current smokers of a given occupation had as much as a 25% difference depending on the industry they were employed, such as 52% vs 26% for managers and administrators. Detailed data will be made available as microcomputer files for interested researchers.
Chemical exposures and central nervous system cancers: A case‐control study among workers at two nuclear facilities
Authors: Carpenter Arvind V. , Flanders W. Dana , Frome Edward L. , Tankersley William G. , Fry Shirley A. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn a nested case‐control study of workers employed between 1943 and 1977 at two nuclear facilities, we evaluated the possible association of primary CNS cancers with occupational exposure to chemicals. Seventy‐two white male and 17 white female workers who, according to the information on death certificates, died of primary CNS cancers were identified as cases. For each case, four controls were matched on race, sex, facility at which initially employed (cohort), year of birth, and year of hire. Each job title/department combination was subjectively evaluated for potential exposure to each of 26 chemicals or chemical groups. Statistically significant associations were not found between CNS cancer deaths and any of the 26 chemicals. An increased risk of CNS cancer occurrence was observed among subjects employed for more than 20 yr (OR = 7.0, 95% CI = 1.2,41.1, cases=9).
Mortality among California highway workers
Authors: Maizlish Neil , Beaumont Jay , Singleton Jim 
Published: April 2007

AbstractStandardized proportional mortality ratios (PMR) were computed for a population of highway workers. Hazards of highway maintenance work include exposure to solvents, herbicides, asphalt and welding fumes, diesel and auto exhaust, asbestos, abrasive dusts, hazardous material spills, and moving motor vehicles.Underlying cause of death was obtained for 1,570 workers who separated from the California Department of Transportation between 1970 and 1983, and who died in California between 1970 and 1983 (inclusive). Among 1,260 white males, the major findings were statistically significant excesses of cancers of digestive organs (PMR = 128), skin (PMR = 218), lymphopoietic cancer (PMR = 157), benign neoplasms (PMR = 343), motor vehicle accidents (PMR = 141), and suicide (PMR = 154). Black males (N = 66) experienced nonsignificant excesses of cancer of the digestive organs (PMR = 191) and arteriosclerotic heart disease (PMR = 143). Among 168 white females, deaths from lung cancer (PMR = 189) and suicide (PMR = 215) were elevated. White male retirees, a subgroup with 5 or more years of service, experienced excess mortality due to cancers of the colon (PMR = 245), skin (PMR = 738), brain (PMR = 556), and lymphosarcomas and reticulosarcomas (PMR = 514). Deaths from external causes (PMR = 135) and cirrhosis of the liver (PMR = 229) were elevated among white males with a last job in landscape maintenance. White males whose last job was highway maintenance experienced a deficit in mortality from circulatory diseases (PMR = 83) and excess mortality from emphysema (PMR = 250) and motor vehicle accidents (PMR = 196). Further epidemiologic and industrial hygiene studies are needed to confirm the apparent excess mortality and to quantify occupational and nonoccupational exposures. However, reduction of recognized hazards among highway maintenance workers is a prudent precautionary measure.
Use of exposure registration in the prevention of occupational cancer in Finland
Authors: Alho Juha , Kauppinen Timo , Sundquist Erkki 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA nationwide system for monitoring occupational exposure to a wide range of carcinogens has been in operation in Finland since 1979. The primary aim of the system is to lead to the identification, evaluation, and eventual elimination of the exposures. The number of exposed workers reported to the register was about 20,000 out of the work force of 2.3 million in 1979–1984. The most common exposures were chromates, nickel and its inorganic compounds, and asbestos. Data are presented to show that the system has been at least partially successful in decreasing exposures at work places. As an example, we discuss the decrease in the use of hydrazine, which was previously widely used as an anticorrosive agent at power plants. The statistical quality of the system is discussed, and possibilities for future research uses of the computerized data base are outlined.
Mortality of aircraft manufacturing workers in Southern California
Authors: Garabrant David H. , Held Janetta , Langholz Bryan , Bernstein Leslie 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA retrospective cohort mortality study was conducted among men and women employed for four or more years, between 1958 and 1982, at an aircraft manufacturing company in San Diego County. Specific causes of death under investigation included cancer of the brain and nervous system, malignant melanoma, and cancer of the testicle, which previous reports have suggested to be associated with work in aircraft manufacturing. Follow‐up of the cohort of 14,067 subjects for a mean duration of 15.8 yr from the date of first employment resulted in successful tracing of 95% of the cohort and found 1,804 deaths through 1982. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated based on U.S. national mortality rates and separately based on San Diego County mortality rates. Mortality due to all causes was significantly low (SMR = 75), as was mortality due to all cancer (SMR = 84). There was no significant excess of cancer of the brain, malignant melanoma, cancer of the testicle, any other cancer site, or any other category of death. Additional analyses of cancer sites for which at least ten deaths were found and for which the SMR was at least 110 showed no increase in risk with increasing duration of work or in any specific calendar period. Although this study found no significant excesses in cause‐specific mortality, excess risks cannot be ruled out for those diseases that have latency periods in excess of 20 to 30 yr, or for exposures that might be restricted to a small proportion of the cohort.
The risk of miscarriage and birth defects among women who use visual display terminals during pregnancy
Authors: Goldhaber Marilyn K. , Polen Michael R. , Hiatt Robert A. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractUse of visual display terminals (VDTs) was examined in a case‐control study of pregnancy outcome among 1,583 pregnant women who attended three Kaiser Permanente obstetrics and gynecology clinics in Northern California, 1981‐1982. We found a significantly elevated risk of miscarriage for working women who reported using VDTs for more than 20 hr per week during the first trimester of pregnancy compared to other working women who reported not using VDTs (odds ratio 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2‐2.8). This risk could not be explained by age, education, occupation, smoking, alcohol consumption, or other maternal characteristics. No significantly elevated risk for birth defects was found among working women although odds ratios were 1.4 for both moderate and high VDT exposure, compared with no exposure (95% CI: 0.7‐2.7 and 0.7‐2.9, respectively). One possible explanation for these findings is that women who had adverse pregnancy outcomes may have overreported their exposures to VDTs and/or women with normal births may have underreported theirs. The findings may also be due to unmeasured factors confounded with high VDT use such as poor ergonomie conditions or job‐related stress. That VDTs themselves are hazardous to the pregnant operator remains a possibility. Our results underscore the need for large cohort studies of working women that will provide objective measures of VDT exposures, ergonomic factors, and stress.
Cardiovascular malformations and organic solvent exposure during pregnancy in Finland
Authors: Tikkanen Jorma , Heinonen Olli P. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn order to investigate the possible association between cardiovascular malformations and maternal exposure to organic solvents during the first trimester of pregnancy, 569 cases and 1,052 controls were retrospectively studied. The cases represented all infants with diagnosed cardiovascular malformations born in Finland in 1982–1984, and the controls were randomly selected from all normal births in the country during the same period. All mothers were interviewed approximately 3 months after delivery by a midwife using a structured questionnaire. Exposures to organic solvents at work during the first trimester of pregnancy were slightly more prevalent among the mothers of affected infants (10.4%) than among those of controls (7.8%). Logistic regression analysis of exposure to organic solvents showed an adjusted relative odds ratio of 1.3 (95% confidence interval, 0.8–2.2). In the analysis of ventricular septal defect, exposure to organic solvents showed an adjusted relative odds ratio of 1.5 (95% confidence interval, 1.0–3.7).
Preventing Percutaneous Absorption of Industrial Chemicals: The “Skin” Denotation
Authors: Grandjean Philippe , Berlin Alexandre , Gilbert Michel , Penning Wim 
Published: April 2007

AbstractPercutaneous absorption has received comparatively little attention in occupational health, although this route of entry has repeatedly caused occupation‐related intoxications. In practice, the evaluation of skin penetration rates is far from simple. Much evidence has been obtained from studies of chemicals used for cosmetics and topical therapeutics, but the information available on compounds encountered in occupational health is limited. The data obtained from experimental studies have confirmed that the concentration, type of vehicle, skin area, skin condition, and extent of occlusion are important factors in determining the degree of percutaneous absorption, but no general model has been developed. Also, too little is known about the basic chemical properties governing the rate of penetration. Thus, prediction is difficult and bound to be rather inaccurate. Current preventive practice follows the procedure used by ACGIH and is mainly based on a “skin” denotation in official listings of chemicals to which exposure limits have been allocated. The number of substances and groups of chemicals which have received skin denotation in 17 selected countries varies between 24 and 179, and a total of 275 are listed as a skin hazard in one or more countries; ACGIH lists 143. Thus, the denotation practice varies. As an unfortunate result of these discrepancies and the dichotomy of skin denotation, the absence of skin denotation may erroneously indicate that efforts to protect the skin are unnecessary. Thus, an evaluation of skin penetration potentials should be incorporated in occupational health practice as a supplement to the official denotations.
Cancer morbidity in lamp manufacturing workers
Authors: Shannon Harry S. , Haines Ted , Bernholz Charles , Julian Jim A. , Verma Dave K. , Jamieson Ellen , Walsh Chris 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA historical prospective study of cancer in lamp manufacturing workers in one plant was conducted. All men and women who worked for a total of at least 6 months and were employed at some time between 1960 and 1975 were included. Work histories were abstracted and subjects were divided according to whether they had worked in the coiling and wire drawing area (CWD). Cancer morbidity from 1964 to 1982 was ascertained via the provincial registry, and was compared with the site‐specific incidence in Ontario, adjusting for age, sex and calendar period. Of particular interest were primary breast and gynecological cancers in women.The cancers of a priori concern were significantly increased in women in CWD, but not elsewhere in the plant. The excess was greatest in those with more than 5 yr exposure (in CWD) and more than 15 yr since first working in CWD, with eight cases of breast and gynecological cancers observed in this category compared with 2.67 expected. Only three cancers occurred in men in CWD.Environmental measurements had not been made in the past and little information was available on substances used in the 1940s and 1950s, the period when the women with the highest excess began employment. It is known that methylene chloride and trichlorethylene have been used, but not enough is known about the dates and patterns of use to draw any conclusions about their relationship with the increase in disease.