bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Occupational associations with lung cancer in two Ontario cities
Authors: Finkelstein Murray M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA death certificate based case‐control study of lung cancer in two Ontario cities was performed to estimate the risk of lung cancer attributable to occupation in Ontario, and to estimate the proportion of occupational lung cancers receiving compensation from the Workers' Compensation Board. Occupation and industry were identified from the death certificate. A priori occupations for analysis were those whose members had received compensation for occupational cancer from the Ontario Workers' Compensation Board. Population attributable risks were computed using the relative risks observed in this study and employment data from the 1986 Census of Canada.Subjects were all men (N = 967) between the ages of 45 and 75 years resident in the cities of Hamilton and Sault Ste‐Marie who died of lung cancer from 1979 to 1988. Controls (2,821) were matched on age, year of death, and city of residence.In agreement with other studies, an increased risk of lung cancer was observed for workers in the construction sector, for miners, and for truck drivers. It was estimated that only a small proportion of lung cancers attributable to occupation are compensated in Ontario. It is believed that many occupational cancers go uncompensated because of the failure to file claims, rather than because claims are rejected by Compensation Boards. Physicians are in a position to advise patients about the possibility of compensable disease and to act as advocates for them. By recognizing compensable illness, physicians have the opportunity to ease the financial burden of patients and their families. The challenge is a difficult one, but it is well worth pursuing. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss. Inc.
Mortality study of gold miners exposed to silica and nonasbestiform amphibole minerals: An update with 14 more years of follow‐up
Authors: Steenland Kyle , Brown David 
Published: April 2007

AbstractWe have updated a study of 3,328 gold miners who worked underground for at least 1 year between 1940‐1965 in South Dakota, extending the follow‐up from 1977 to 1990. The exposures of concern were silica and nonasbestiform amphibole minerals. The lung cancer standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was 1.13 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94‐1.36, 115 observed) when the U.S. population was used as the referent group, increasing to 1.25 (95% CI 1.03‐1.51) when the county was used as the referent, and to 1.27 (1.02‐1.55) for person‐time with more than 30 years potential latency. However, lung cancer mortality did not show a positive exposure‐response trend with estimated cumulative dust exposure. Data on smoking habits suggested that the miners smoked slightly more than the U.S. population in a 1960 cross‐sectional survey. In contrast to lung cancer, other diseases known to be associated with silica exposure (tuberculosis and silicosis) were significantly increased (SMR = 3.44 and 2.61) and exhibited clear exposure‐response trends. Nonmalignant renal disease, also associated with silica exposure, was elevated for those hired in early years and showed a significant positive exposure‐response trend. Multiple‐cause analysis revealed significant excesses of arthritis, musculoskeletal diseases (including systemic lupus and sclerosis), and skin conditions (including scleroderma and lupus), diseases of autoimmune origin which have been associated with silica exposure in other studies. Multiple cause analysis also showed a significant excess of diseases of the blood and blood‐forming organs.
Respiratory symptoms, ventilatory impairment, and bronchial reactivity in oil mist‐exposed automobile workers
Authors: Ameille Jacques , Wild Pascal , Choudat Dominique , Ohl Gérard , Vaucouleur Jean François , Chanut Jean Claude , Brochard Patrick 
Published: April 2007

AbstractStudies concerning the respiratory effects of oil mists are sparse and contradictory. The aim of this study was to determine the respective effects of occupational exposure to straight cutting oils and soluble mineral oils on the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, ventilatory impairment, and bronchial reactivity.The population study consisted of 308 male workers of a large French car‐making plant, including 40 subjects chronically exposed to straight cutting oils (group S), 51 subjects chronically exposed to soluble mineral oils (group E), 139 subjects with chronic dual exposure to straight cutting oils and soluble mineral oils (group D), and 78 unexposed assembly workers used as a control group (group C). Worker evaluation included a standardized questionnaire, measurement of pulmonary function, and a methacholine challenge. Oil mist concentration at the work place was determined by gravimetric analysis. The arithmetic mean concentration was 2.6 ± 1.8 mg/m3. The geometric mean concentration was 2.2 pm 1.9 mg/m3.The prevalence of respiratory symptoms did not differ significantly among the four groups. However, the subjects exposed to straight cutting oils (group S + group D) had a significantly higher prevalence of chronic cough and/or phlegm than the others (group E + group O): 25.7% vs. 16.3% (p = 0.048). Furthermore, the prevalence of cough and/or phlegm increased significantly (p = 0.03) with increasing duration of exposure to straight cutting oils after adjustment on smoking categories. Lung function tests did not differ significantly among the four groups but we observed a significant decrease of forced expiratory volume in 1 see (FEV1), forced expiratory flow during the middle half of forced vital capacity (FEF25‐75), and maximal flow rate at 50% and 25% of exhaled forced vital capacity (V50 and V25) according to duration of exposure among smokers exposed to straight cutting oils, suggesting a synergistic effect of tobacco and insoluble oils. No effect of exposure to mineral oils on bronchial reactivity was demonstrated.It is concluded that despite low levels of pollution by oil mists, the present study has shown tenuous adverse chronic effects of straight cutting oils on respiratory symptoms and lung function. However, no adverse effect of soluble mineral oils was demonstrated. These results suggest that threshold limit values for mineral oils should be reassessed.
Proportionate mortality among construction laborers
Authors: Stern Frank , Schulte Paul , Sweeney Marie Haring , Fingerhut Marilyn , Vossenas Pamela , Burkhardt Greg , Kornak Mary‐Frances 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis report presents the results of proportionate mortality ratio (PMR) analyses and proportionate cancer mortality ratio (PCMR) analyses among the 11,685 members of the Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA), who died between 1985‐1988, using U.S. proportionate mortality rates as the comparison population. Statistically significant elevated mortality risks were observed for all malignant neoplasms (N = 3285, PMR = 1.13, CI = 1.09‐1.17), as well as for site‐specific neoplasms of the lung (N = 1208, PCMR = 1.06, CI = 1.00‐1.12), stomach (N = 170, PCMR = 1.44, CI = 1.23‐1.68), and thyroid gland (N = 10, PCMR = 2.24, CI = 1.07‐4.12). The PCMRs for these malignant neoplasms were elevated among both white and non‐white males, regardless of length of union membership, in most 10‐year categories of age at death above 40 and for the three largest LIUNA regions examined. The study also observed 20 mesothelioma deaths, which indicated that some LIUNA members had been previously exposed to asbestos. Statistically significant elevated risks were also observed for deaths from transportation injuries (N = 448, PMR = 1.37, CI = 1.25‐1.51), falls (N = 85, PMR = 1.34, CI = 1.07‐1.66), and other types of injuries (N = 245, PMR = 1.61, CI = 1.42‐1.83). The deaths due to injuries were most often observed among those members who had the shortest amount of time within the union, were younger, and first entered the union after 1955. This is the first study that has examined the general mortality experience limited to construction laborers only (Bureau of Census code 869). © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Repetitive industrial work and neck and upper limb disorders in females
Authors: Ohisson K. , Attewell R. G. , Pålsson B. , Karlsson B. , Balogh I. , Johnsson B. , Ahlm A. , Skerfving S. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA cross‐sectional study was performed in which physical examinations of the neck and upper limbs were conducted on 82 currently working female industrial workers with exposure to repetitive work tasks and on 64 currently working referent subjects without exposure to repetitive work tasks. Associations between results of symptom questions and physical examination were sought with variables related to the work environment and to the individuals. In a multivariate model, there were statistically significant associations between exposure to repetitive work and diagnoses in both the neck/shoulders (prevalence odds ratio, POR = 4.6) and elbows/hands (POR = 3.5). In addition, age (POR = 1.9, 75th vs. 25th percentiles), tendencies towards subjective muscular tension (POR = 2.3), and stress/worry (POR = 1.9) were also associated with diagnoses in the neck/shoulders; however, there was not an association between these variables and the prevalence of diagnoses in elbows/hands. Standardized evaluation of videotape recordings in 74 of the industrial workers revealed significant associations between neck flexion, and elevation and abduction of the arm and the prevalence of neck/shoulder diagnoses. In the multivariate model, neck flexion was significantly associated with diagnoses in the neck/shoulders (p = 0.005). In addition, low muscle strength, lack of emotional well‐being at work, and a variety of psychosomatic symptoms were associated with diagnoses in the neck/shoulders (all p < 0.001). Lack of strength was also associated with disorders of elbows/hands (p = 0.007). This study demonstrated a substantial prevalence of neck and upper limb disorders associated with repetitive work performed with a flexed neck and elevated and abducted arms, as well as a possible potentiation of these ergonomic factors by certain personal traits in some workers.
A detailed analysis of work‐related injury among youth treated in emergency departments
Authors: Knight Elizabeth B. , Castillo Dawn N. , Layne Larry A. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTelephone interviews were conducted with 146 14‐ to 16‐year‐olds who incurred an occupational injury treated in an emergency department during the period July through September 1992. Thirty‐two percent of the injuries occurred as the result of using equipment. Over half the workers reported not having received prior training on how to avoid injury. The injury limited normal activities for at least 1 day for 68% of the youth and for more than a week for 25%, corresponding to an estimated 6,208 (95% CI: 4,277, 8,139) and 2,639 (95% CI: 1,580, 3,699) youths nationwide, respectively. Employment in retail trades, equipment use, lack of training, and burn injuries were associated with increased limitation of normal activities. Nineteen percent of the youths appear to have been injured in jobs declared to be hazardous, or typically prohibited for their age (14‐and 15‐year‐olds) under federal child labor laws. The prohibited job directly contributed to the injury in 64% of these cases.
Potential Pitfall in Using Cumulative Exposure in Exposure‐Response Relationships: Demonstration and Discussion
Authors: Finkelstein Murray M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractCumulative exposure is frequently used as a measure of exposure in the quantitative analysis of epidemiologic studies. It is recognized that the imposed symmetry between duration and intensity of exposure is a potential problem with this measure, but it is less widely recognized that the finding of an exposure‐response relationship, using cumulative exposure as the exposure metric, does not necessarily imply that exposures were accurately or even consistently estimated. This report describes a simulation study drawn from a nested case‐control analysis of mesothelioma in a cohort of asbestos cement workers. Intensity of exposure in the range of 0.1‐40 fibers/ml was randomly assigned to subjects. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that there was no association between mesothelioma risk and the randomly assigned intensity of exposure. However, in 171 (86%) of 200 trials, mesothelioma risk was significantly associated with cumulative exposure, even though intensity of exposure remained randomly assigned. A strong exposure‐response relationship might thus be misleading. One would be more confident about quantitative risk assessment when there are a large number of independent studies available for analysis. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Glove‐induced dermal and respiratory symptoms among health care workers in one finnish hospital
Authors: Kujala Veikko M. , Reijula Kari E. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTo evaluate the prevalence of skin and respiratory symptoms associated with the use of protective gloves in health care workers, an inquiry study was carried out on 534 hospital employees who used protective latex or vinyl gloves on a daily basis at work. The prevalence of skin disorders related to the usage of gloves was 56%. Rhinorrhea or nasal congestion was present in 13% of the workers who used powdered disposable gloves. The prevalence of both skin and respiratory symptoms was significantly higher among the workers who used gloves > 2 hours a day (p < 0.001). The skin disorders were more common in young employees. The findings indicate that most of the symptoms were caused by irritation or an immediate, IgE‐mediated allergy. We conclude that there is a positive correlation between the duration of daily glove usage at work and the skin and respiratory symptoms. In order to reduce skin disorders associated with the daily use of gloves, it is necessary to develop safer materials in the glove manufacturing process. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neurobehavioral effects of acute and chronic mixed‐solvent exposure in the screen printing industry
Authors: White Roberta F. , Proctor Susan P. , Echeverria Diana , Schweikert Janelle , Feldman Robert G. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis 2‐year prospective study examined the neurobehavioral effects of acute and chronic exposure to mixed solvents in workers in a screen printing business. A total of 30 subjects participated in the study in two field testings over a 12 month period. Each subject completed a detailed medical and occupational questionnaire, had a neurological examination, and underwent a battery of neuropsychological tests. Industrial hygiene investigation identified the following chemical exposures as present: toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, mineral spirits, β‐ether, methylene chloride, and acetic acid. Different departments and jobs had varying degrees of exposure to these chemicals, the highest exposures being in the ink mix area and the screen washroom area. However, all exposure levels were below recommended threshold limit values. Persons categorized as having higher acute exposure demonstrated significantly impaired test performance on tasks involving manual dexterity, visual memory, and mood. Those with higher chronic exposure demonstrated significantly poorer performance on visual memory tasks and mood. Results suggest that the mixed solvents used in the screen printing industy have an effect on central nervous system functioning in the absence of obvious clinical disease.
Urinary excretion of tetrahydrophtalimide in fruit growers with dermal exposure to captan
Authors: de Cock Johan , Heederik Dick , Hoek Fred , Boleij Jan , Kromhout Hans 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe relation between dermal and respiratory exposure and uptake into the body of captan, measured as 24 hr cumulative tetrahydrophtalimide (THPI) dose, was studied among 14 male fruit growers applying pesticides in orchards in the Netherlands. No contribution of respiratory exposure was observed on THPI in the urine. Dermal exposure, measured with skin pads, showed a clear relation with THPI in urine when exposure was estimated from exposure on skin pads of ankles and neck. No relation was found for total dermal exposure, calculated from measured exposure on skin pads of representative skin areas according to models described in the literature. Determinants of exposure such as use of a cabin on the tractor, use of gloves during mixing and loading, and use of rubber boots also explained THPI in urine very well. This finding corroborated the findings on measured dermal exposure. Results indicate that more attention should be paid to skin areas which are suspected to be most permeable for a chemical under study. It was concluded that dermal exposure data can be linked better to biological monitoring based on empirical findings as gathered in a pilot study on exposure of specific body areas than on estimations of total skin dose.
Asbestos‐induced visceral pleural fibrosis reduces pulmonary compliance
Authors: Valkila Eeva H. , Nieminen Markku M. , Moilanen Aimo K. , Kuusisto Paula A. , Lahdensuo Aarne H. S. , Karvonen Juha I. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTo determine the nature of respiratory functional impairment caused by asbestos‐induced visceral pleural fibrosis (VPF) and to discover which pulmonary physiological variable best reveals it, we examined 59 asbestos‐exposed construction workers having asbestos‐related changes on chest radiographs. Computed tomography scans of the thorax were also performed. Visceral pleural fibrosis was diagnosed in 29 subjects: seven had only VPF, 17 had VPF and pleural plaques, and five had VPF, plaques, and asbestosis. In subjects without VPF, 23 had plaques, six had plaques and asbestosis, and one had only minor fibrotic parenchymal changes insufficient for a diagnosis of asbestosis. Flow‐volume spirometry, body plethysmography, static and dynamic compliance, and pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide were measured. The subjects with VPF had significantly lower static (p = 0.005) and dynamic (p = 0.007) compliance values than those without. Other respiratory function variables failed to show any significant differences. We conclude that the measurement of static and dynamic compliance is a useful method in assessing pulmonary function impairment caused by visceral pleural fibrosis.
Mortality among workers at a plastics manufacturing and research and development facility: 1946–1988
Authors: Dell Linda , Teta M. Jane 
Published: April 2007

AbstractMortality through 1988 was studied for 5,932 male employees who worked between January 1, 1946 and December 31, 1967 at a New Jersey plastics manufacturing and research and development facility. The cohort was followed for an average of 32 years and included 1,859 deaths. Potential exposures included asbestos, formaldehyde, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Mortality rates for the cohort were compared to both U.S. and state mortality rates, and analyses were also performed by lagging duration of employment. Based on U.S. rates, mortality among hourly males (n = 3,853) from all cancers was similar to expected [standardized mortality ratio (SMR), 102; 95% confidence interval (CI), 92‐114]. Excess mortality among hourly workers was seen for pancreatic cancer (SMR, 146; 95% CI, 95–216) and “malignancies of other parts of the respiratory system” (SMR, 373; 95% CI, 121–870). The latter excess was due entirely to five deaths from pleural mesothelioma. There were no deaths identified due to nasal cavity or nasopharyngeal cancers, or angiosarcoma of the liver. Mortality from leukemia among research and development workers (n = 1,421) was significantly elevated (SMR, 265; 95% CI, 115–524) and related to assignment to process development. This study verifies the excess of pancreatic cancer among workers at the facility seen in earlier studies and observes excesses of mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure and leukemia in process development workers.
Altered partition of t cell subsets in the peripheral blood of healthy workers exposed to flour dust
Authors: Kolopp‐Sarda Marie N. , Bene Marie C. , Massin Nicole , Wild Pascal , Faure Gilbert C. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractOccupational exposure to organic compounds can induce obvious immunological disorders or more subtle modifications. We investigated peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in 34 bakers and 82 millers exposed to wheat flour dust, and 51 salt factory workers. Significantly decreased levels of CD4 +, CD8 +, CD57 + and CD8 + /57 + cells were noted in mill workers, and of CD57+ cells in bakers. CD29 + and CD4 + /CD29 + cells were significantly lower in millers, CD4 + /CD45RA + cells higher in all exposed workers. The lower numbers of positive cells noted in millers appeared associated to significantly higher (p<0.001) levels of CD29 and CD45RA expression as measured by fluorescence intensity. These data are opposite to those previously reported in asthmatic workers exposed to flour dust. Since the individuals tested here were clinically healthy, the alterations of T‐cell subsets observed could be interpreted as a successful attempt at immunoregulation maintaining homeostasis.
Effect of recall period on the reporting of occupational injuries among older workers in the health and retirement study
Authors: Zwerling Craig , Sprince Nancy L. , Wallace Robert B. , Davis Charles S. , Whitten Paul S. , Heeringa Steven G. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractStudies of injury morbidity often rely on self‐reported survey data. In designing these surveys, researchers must chose between a shorter recall period to minimize recall bias and a longer period to maximize the precision of rate estimates. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study, which employed a recall period of 1 year, we examined the effect of the recall period on rates of occupational injuries among older workers as well as upon rate ratios of these injuries for nine risk factors. We fit a stochastic model to the occupational injury rates as a function of time before the interview and used this model to estimate what the injury rates would have been had we used a 4‐week recall period. The adjusted occupational injury rate of 5.9 injuries per 100 workers per year was 36% higher than the rate based on a 1‐year recall period. Adjustment for recall period had much less effect on rate ratios, which typically varied by <10%. Our work suggests that self‐reported surveys with longer recall periods may be used to estimate occupational injury rates and also may be useful in studying the associations between occupational injuries and a variety of risk factors.