bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Smoking patterns by occupation and duration of employment
Authors: Levin Lynn I. , Silverman Debra T. , Hartge Patricia , Fears Thomas R. , Hoover Robert N. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractLifetime patterns of smoking and occupation based on personal interviews were examined among 3,627 white men and 1,200 white women who were randomly selected from ten areas in the United States during the period 1977–1978. These individuals participated in the control series of the National Bladder Cancer Study. We estimated, based on Axelson's method, the extent to which smoking habits for given occupational groups would confound the estimated relative risk for lung cancer for 62 occupations among men and 18 occupations among women. Among men, confounding by smoking resulted in a 30% or greater increased risk of lung cancer in only three occupational groups—namely, stationary engineers and power station operators (relative risk (RR) = 1.6), printers (RR = 1.3), and fishermen and sailors (RR = 1.3). A decrease in lung cancer risk of 0.8 or less due to smoking habits was observed among the clergy (RR = 0.5) and chemical workers (RR = 0.7). Among women, a 30% increase or greater in the risk of lung cancer based on smoking habits alone was found for food service workers (RR = 1.5), building managers and administrators (RR = 1.3), telephone and telegraph operators (RR = 1.3), and operatives (RR = 1.3). A risk ratio of 0.8 or less was observed for those women employed as farmers (RR = 0.5) and teachers (RR = 0.8). Smoking habits by duration of employment were also examined for 38 occupations among men. The largest increase in the risk of lung cancer based on the smoking habits among long‐term workers was only 1.3 and was observed for those men employed 20 or more years as painters and as electricians. These findings suggest that the smoking patterns, in only a few occupational groups that we evaluated, confound estimates of the relative risk by more than 30%, and for most occupational groups under investigation in this study, confounding by smoking alone did not produce trends in relative risks by duration of employment.
Would a federal judicial science board improve toxic tort litigation?
Authors: Brennan Troyen A. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractOver the past two decades, courts have struggled with technical and scientific evidence regarding the causal connection between exposure to hazardous substances and disease states. Judges' and juries' inability to understand the uncertainty inherent in lexicological evidence of causation has led to decisions which are incorrect from a scientific point of view. These problems are exacerbated by the “battle of experts,” which is the traditional method for presenting scientific evidence to courts. Alternative means for presenting scientific evidence to courts, such as court‐appointed experts and use of panels of expert scientists, are theoretically superior to the existing adversarial process. A Federal Judicial Science Board could coordinate the use of court‐appointed experts and science panels and make them more attractive alternatives to courts struggling with issues of toxic causation.
Prologue: Agricultural occupational and environmental health: Policy strategies for the future
Authors: Donham Kelley J. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe conference “Agricultural Occupational and Environmental Health: Policy Strategies for the Future” documented for the public record the epidemic of occupational and environmental deaths, diseases. and injuries experienced by America's farm families and agricultural workers. The confcrcnce also gave life to a process aimed at rcducing those harards.The outcome of long‐range objectives of lowering death, injury, and disease rates in our agricultural population will not be known for several years. However, there was unanimous consensus that the major short‐range objectives were achieved. Extensive regional and national media coverage helped meet the goal of Cacilitating public awareness of the issues. In addition, a prioritized policy agenda, soundly based on recentscientific information, was produced. This agcnda was the product of collaboration between the scientific community, Carm constituency groups, farm equipment and chemical manufacturers, and representatives from state and federal governments.Primary changes resulting from thc conference include an increase in general awareness and a sense of urgency that agricultural health problems must he addressed. In addition, the conference spawned a new organization called the National Coalition for Agricultural Safety and Health (N‐CASH) to help assure a vibrant continuation of confcrencc issues. This coalition will live on to help disseminate the spirit, information, and specific policy recommendations of the conference to the public sector and private institutions.Two years of planning and work by I8 individuals occurred even before the start of the conference. During the conference. 176 individuals put in an equivalent of three and a hall person years of work. However, the work is just beginning. This effort is justified if it results in one less death or serious injury in a farm family.
Epidemiologic studies of cancer in agricultural workers
Authors: Pearce Neil , Reif John S. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe incidence of cancer in agricultural workers is generally low, in part due to the low prevalence of cigarette smoking in this group. However, agricultural workers have elevated risks for several specific cancer types including leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and cancers of the lip, stomach, prostate, brain, and connective tissue. Two major groups of risk factors have been proposed as causes of hematologic malignancies in agricultural workers. The first group includes various agricultural chemicals. In particular, several studies have found increased risks of malignant lymphoma and soft tissue sarcoma in persons exposed to phenoxy herbicides. However, the evidence is inconsistent and there is a wide variation in relative risk estimates. The second group of risk factors includes various animal viruses. There is currently little evidence concerning the zoonotic nature or human carcinogenicity of these viruses. However, leads have been suggested by recent evidence of increased risks of hematologic malignancies in abattoir workers, veterinarians, and meat inspectors. A third hypothesis, for which little evidence is currently available, is that agricultural work may involve prolonged antigenic stimulus leading to lymphoproliferation. The factors responsible for the increased risks for cancers other than hematologic malignancies are not well understood but may also involve exposure to chemicals or viruses.
Scope and magnitude of injuries in the agricultural workplace
Authors: Purschwitz Mark A. , Field William E. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractAgricultural work injury data are less available than data for other industries, so an overview of existing data is provided. Agriculture has the highest annual work death rate of all industries, 52 per 100,000 workers, which is five times the combined rate for all industries. Tractor‐related injuries are the leading types of fatal injuries; injuries involving agricultural machinery, animals, and trucks are the leading types of non‐fatal injuries. Victims of fatal accidents range in age from less than 1 year to over 90. Research needs are discussed, including the need for comprehensive surveillance.
A methodology for the collection of supplemental information on agricultural fatalities
Authors: Seltzer Barbara L. , Murphy Dennis J. , Yesalis Charles E. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractDue to the lack of a standardized methodology to identify agriculturally related fatalities and the inaccuracy of data from death certificates, NSC's and NIOSH's estimates of the level of agriculturally related fatalities conflict, and the validity of both is subject to criticism. A follow‐up survey with the next of kin of 107 potential agricultural fatalities, from a pool of 150 Pennsylvania cases, has been conducted. This paper details the methods and success in gaining supplemental information. Next of kin were generally willing to provide the information (67%), with both telephone (66%) and mail (68%) methods generating comparable levels of cooperation. The optimal time frame for finding current addresses and telephone numbers as well as for gaining cooperation appeared to be about 1 year after the fatality. However, a retrospective investigation of up to 3 years past the anniversary of the fatality produced an acceptable rate of cooperation. How the collected data compares with fatality data for agriculture published by NSC and NIOSH has been addressed in another paper.
1983 occupational injury hospital admissions in Iowa: A comparison of the agricultural and non‐agricultural sectors
Authors: Fuortes Laurence J. , Merchant James A. , van Lier Stephanie F. , Burmeister Leon F. , Muldoon Joann 
Published: April 2007

AbstractAn occupational injury surveillance project was conducted in 15 of Iowa's 99 counties. Trained abstractors reviewed the medical records of persons admitted for trauma to hospitals during 1983. Based on these chart reviews, subsequent mail‐out questionnaires and phone contacts were made, and rate estimates for occupational injury hospitalization for farmers and non‐farmers were generated.The 1980 U.S. census data for occupation and market area data for the sample hospitals were used for the rate calculations. Approximately 14.7% of hospitalizations for trauma in the sample area were for work‐related injuries. Farmers were hospitalized for occupational injuries at a rate of 1,521/100,000 compared to non‐farmers at a rate of 497/100,000.There were no significant differences in the mean number of days per hospitalization for farmers versus non‐farmers, (7.4 days for farmers and 6.7 days for non‐farmers). Based on the questionnaire data, farmers were much less likely to receive any form of remuneration for injury, (odds ratio = 0.26, p < 5 × 10−6). Farmers also reported less time off from work, with a mean of 79 days compared to non‐farmers with a mean of 289 days.
Preventing respiratory disease in swine confinement workers: Intervention through applied epidemiology, education, and consultation
Authors: Donham Kelley J. , Merchant James A. , Lassise Deborah , Popendorf William J. , Burmeister Leon F. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA combined epidemiological and intervention study was conducted on 207 swine confinement farmers with matched comparison subjects. The objectives of the study were to define, in detail, the nature and disease determinants in this exposed group and to explore methods of disease prevention. This 5 year prospective study included three annual medical assessments of workers and complementary work environment assessments. Between the first and second assessment periods, an in‐depth educational intervention was conducted. An industrial hygiene consultation intervention was conducted between the second and third measurement periods. Outcome measurements included changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behavior following educational intervention. Additionally, the outcomes measured included changes in medical and environmental assessment over the 3 year assessment periods. Results of the baseline respiratory symptoms assessment are reported here. Nearly 20% of swine confinement workers reported chronic cough, and 25% reported phlegm (American Thoracic Society questionnaire). Both symptoms were significantly more prevalent in the confinement workers compared to a blue collar comparison group, but only phlegm production was more prevalent compared to nonconfinement farmers. Work‐related symptoms were reported much more frequently than chronic symptoms (e.g., 87% of confinement workers reported work‐related cough). Bronchitis as well as airways reactivity were all significantly more prevalent in confinement workers compared to nonconfinement workers. Smoking seemed to have an additive effect with confinement exposure. Bronchitis and chest tightness symptoms were reported to be more severe upon return to work after an absence of 7 days or more. Finally, 34% of workers reported episodes of organic dust toxic syndrome.
Cohort studies of immunologic lung disease among Wisconsin dairy farmers
Authors: Marx James J. , Guernsey Judith , Emanuel Dean A. , Merchant James A. , Morgan Donald P. , Kryda Michael 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTraditionally, hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) or farmer's lung disease (FLD) was thought to be the major occupational respiratory problem of farmers. In recent years, other acute conditions, particularly organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS), have been recognized as significant features of the agricultural respiratory disease picture. The differences between HP and ODTS are discussed in this article. A cohort of workers on 90 dairy farms has been under study since 1975. Prevalence of FLD was calculated at 4.2/1,000. Extensive immunologic testing of this group was conducted. Serum antibody reactivity to farmer's lung antigens was related to chronic symptoms of bronchitis and occupational asthma, but not FLD. Serology may be thought of as a measure of exposure, but not FLD.
Work‐related respiratory disorders among finnish farmers
Authors: Terho Erkki O. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractSeveral research projects on work‐related respiratory diseases have been conducted in Finland. One of the largest, “Farmers' Occupational Health Programme,” was conducted by the Social Insurance Institution of Finland during 1973‐1983 in cooperation with Kuopio Regional Institute of Occupational Health and the National Board of Health. The main objective of the program was to develop a model for occupational health services for farmers. As a part of the program, postal surveys were conducted in 1979 and 1982. The surveys allowed an analysis of both the prevalence and the mean annual incidence of asthma, farmer's lung, and chronic bronchitis as well as of background variables related to the diseases. More than every tenth farmer suffered from these respiratory diseases. The occurrence of chronic bronchitis (the most common disease) was, in general, related to farming types in which grain crops (including animal feeds) were handled. Chronic bronchitis was most prevalent among farmers who worked in piggeries, implying a combined effect of grain dusts, dusts of animal origin, and development of the disease. Atopy predisposed to and had an additive effect with smoking on chronic bronchitis.
Presence of endotoxins in different agricultural environments
Authors: Olenchock Stephen A. , May John J. , Pratt David S. , Piacitelli Laurie A. , Parker John E. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractGram‐negative bacterial endotoxins are contaminants of dusts from agricultural products. They represent a potential health hazard for farmers working in many different processes. However, the occurrence of endotoxins has not been well characterized in the various farming operations. Therefore, two farming activities with potential for generating airborne endotoxins were studied: 1) chopping of baled corn stalks or straw for bedding in New York State, and 2) oat bin unloading in Alabama. Actual airborne endotoxin levels in dusts obtained during bedding chopper operations far exceeded [90 endotoxin units (EU)/m3] the level at which acute pulmonary function decrements occur in cotton dust‐exposed individuals. Endotoxin contamination of laboratory‐generated dust from an oat sample likewise exceeded these levels. This study documents the presence of potentially hazardous exposures to endotoxins in two common farm processes, which expands the knowledge of airborne endotoxin exposures on the farm.
Environmental epidemiology of non‐Hodgkin's Lymphoma in Eastern Nebraska
Authors: Weisenburger Dennis D. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe incidence of non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is increased in many counties in eastern Nebraska. Histologic analysis has revealed a twofold increase in the clinically aggressive, diffuse large cell subtype of NHL. To investigate the possible association between NHL and agricultural exposures, a population‐based case‐control study was conducted in eastern Nebraska in 1985. Telephone interviews were conducted with 201 men having histologically confirmed NHL and 725 controls. Among men, the use of the herbicide 2,4‐D was associated with a 50% increased risk of NHL (OR 1.5, 95% CI 0.9, 2.4). Personal exposure to 2,4‐D more than 20 days per year increased the risk threefold (OR 3.3, 95% CI 0.5, 22.1). Several classes of insecticides were also associated with increased risk: organophosphates (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1, 3.1), carbamates (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.0, 3.2), and chlorinated hydrocarbons (OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.8, 2.3). As a result of intense agrichemical use, extensive contamination of shallow groundwater by nitrate and atrazine has also occurred in eastern Nebraska. A twofold increased incidence of NHL is present in counties with greater than 20% of the wells contaminated by nitrate (> 10 ppm) and in counties with intense fertilizer use. These findings suggest that NHL in eastern Nebraska may be related to the use of pesticides and nitrogen fertilizers.
Pesticide illness surveillance: Review of the national pesticide hazard assessment program
Authors: Wagner Sheldon L. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractRegarding consultations on pesticide exposures by Oregon State University, the following information is summarized: 1) source of queries; 2) locations of exposure; 3) types of chemicals; and 4) nature of the illnesses. The majority of queries involve nonagricultural exposures in the home and workplace. Principal sources of referral are from the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network (toll‐free number), state departments of agriculture, and state extension services. In addition to illnesses, the system also responds to press releases such as those that occurred after the withdrawal of chlordane. Previously unsuspected clinical problems have been reported (suggesting new areas of research need), including cases associated with long‐acting organophosphates, such as chlorpyrifos, and with the pyrethroids.
Neurotoxic concerns of human pesticide exposures
Authors: Davies John E. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractWhile the human effects of acute pesticide poisoning are well known, significant data gaps exist with regard to what is known about some of the chronic effects, particularly neurotoxic and behavioral aspects of organophosphate exposures. The extent of this concern is particularly high in Europe where these issues are being addressed by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Development Programme. These agencies are sponsoring a ten‐nation, international study of chronic neurologic and neurotoxic sequelae. In the United States, evidence for chronic neurologic effects have come from case studies, clusters of neurologic disease, or from specific epidemiologic studies. For both toxicologic and epidemiologic reasons, it is essential that the neurobehavioral potential of low‐level, prolonged exposure to pesticides and pesticide mixtures be more thoroughly investigated. Workers exposed to pesticides are one of the largest occupational populations at risk in the world. The effects of these occupational exposures on the worker's nervous system and behavior are just beginning to be investigated.
Occupational health among migrant and seasonal farmworkers: The specific case of dermatitis
Authors: Schenker Marc B. , McCurdy Stephen A. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractOccupational health studies of agricultural workers have generally excluded migrant and seasonal farmworkers, and this population experiences a high degree of health risk from agricultural exposures. A survey of dermatologic disorders among migrant and seasonal farmworkers will be used to illustrate this point. Data from a recent field study are presented to illustrate epidemiologic approaches to studying dermatologic disorders in farmworkers and risk factors for dermatitis. This study suggests there is generally a high health risk to agricultural workers and this study also suggests methods to investigate other acute and chronic diseases among agricultural workers.
Technical workshop report: Working group I: Occupational health and safety strategies for agriculture
Authors: Dosman James A. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe six workshops in this subgroup—Injuries, Respiratory Diseases, Acute Chemical Toxicity, Cancer, and Health Surveillance—competently outlined the principal health and safety issues in agriculture, documenting the increased and unacceptable morbidity and mortality in farmers and their families. It became evident that although research knowledge is just now unfolding, sufficient data exist to permit comprehensive program planning for research and prevention. It is necessary that famers and their families be considered an occupational grouping and that specific programs aimed at ongoing risk assessment and early diagnosis are important. At the same time, a more broadly based approach to rural family life enhancement is essential, including the following: 1) education; 2) prevention; 3) family life enhancement; and 4) research. Because of the scope and nature of the problem, program development should include a multidisciplinary approach that involves the local community, state government, university (professional) resources, farm/organizations, and industry.
Farmers' health care—worldwide
Authors: Höglund Sverker 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis review will summarize the current state of preventive health care systems for farmers in the world. It is obvious that well‐organized occupational health care systems for farmers occur sporadically in only a few countries, and generally are in the initial stages of development. Large cooperative farms and plantations may have industrialized occupational health care. In some countries in Europe, e.g., France and Austria, Farmers' organizations may include a certain amount of health and safety activity within their social insurance systems for farmers. Moreso than in other places, the Scandinavian countries have tried different approaches to provide comprehensive health services among farmers. Regardless of the kind of system, it is obvious from experiences worldwide that agriculture is a risky occupation and farmers are exposed to numerous hazards which may result in injuries, work‐related diseases, and death. It is promising to note an increased interest in this situation from many parts of the world.