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Health Education
American Journal of Industrial Medicine
A risk-neutral default for chemical risk management
Sven Ove Hansson, Christina Rudén Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:42:00 -0000
In many risk management decisions concerning industrial chemicals, including decisions on classification and labeling, lack of toxicity data is interpreted as (or has the same implications as) absence of toxicity. In other words, if the toxicity of a chemical is unknown, it is treated as having no or low toxicity. This practice is difficult to defend from a decision-theoretical point of view. We apply standard decision theory to toxicity data and investigate an alternative approach in which substances with unknown properties are treated as if they had the average toxicity among tested substances in the group to which they belong. An index of acute toxicity is proposed and then used to define a risk-neutral hazard default that can be applied to industrial chemicals for which no specific information on acute toxicity is available. It is proposed that such a risk-neutral approach is preferable to the current practice of treating substances with unknown acute toxicity in the same manner as substances that can reasonably be assumed to have no such harmful properties. The risk-neutral approach could be generalized to other toxicological endpoints. Am. J. Ind. Med. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The impact of hearing conservation programs on incidence of noise-Induced hearing loss in Canadian workers
Hugh Davies, Steve Marion, Kay Teschke Mon, 25 Aug 2008 08:51:00 -0000
Noise exposure remains one of the most ubiquitous of occupational hazards. Hearing conservation program legislation and the programs themselves were designed to lower risk of resulting occupational noise-induced hearing loss, but there has been no broad-based effort to assess the effectiveness of this policy.The incidence of a 10-dB standard threshold shift was examined in a group of Canadian lumber mill workers, using annual audiogram series obtained from the Workers' Compensation Board of British Columbia for the period 1979-1996 and using Cox proportional hazard models.Mean cumulative noise exposure was 98.1 dB-years. The audiograms from 22,376 individuals, among whom there were 2,839 threshold shifts of 10 dB or greater (i.e., a "standard threshold shift"), were retained in multivariable analyses. After adjusting for potential confounders, continuous use of hearing protection, and initial hearing tests later in the study period, the risk for standard threshold shift was reduced by 30%. Risk increased sixfold, however, in those with the highest noise exposure.Hearing conservation programs may be effective in reducing overall incidence of hearing loss. In the absence of noise control at source, however, highly exposed workers remain at unnecessary risk. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Occupational allergy and asthma among salt water fish processing workers
Mohamed F. Jeebhay, Thomas G. Robins, Mary E. Miller, Eric Bateman, Marius Smuts, Roslynn Baatjies, Andreas L. Lopata Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:18:00 -0000
Fish processing is a common economic activity in Southern Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and host determinants of allergic symptoms, allergic sensitization, bronchial hyper-responsiveness and asthma among workers processing saltwater fish.A cross-sectional study was conducted on 594 currently employed workers in two processing plants involved in pilchard canning and fishmeal processing. A modified European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) questionnaire was used. Skin prick tests (SPT) used extracts of common airborne allergens, fresh fish (pilchard, anchovy, maasbanker, mackerel, red eye) and fishmeal. Spirometry and methacholine challenge tests (MCTs; tidal breathing method) used ATS guidelines.Work-related ocular-nasal symptoms (26%) were more common than asthma symptoms (16%). The prevalence of atopy was 36%, while 7% were sensitized to fish species and 26% had NSBH (PC20 [le] 8 mg/ml or [ge]12% increase in FEV1 post-bronchodilator). The prevalence of probable occupational asthma was 1.8% and fish allergic rhino-conjunctivitis 2.6%. Women were more likely to report work-related asthma symptoms (OR = 1.94) and have NSBH (OR = 3.09), while men were more likely to be sensitized to fish (OR = 2.06) and have airway obstruction (OR = 4.17). Atopy (OR = 3.16) and current smoking (OR = 2.37), but not habitual seafood consumption were associated with sensitization to fish.Based on comparison with previous published studies, the prevalence of occupational asthma to salt water fish is lower than due to shellfish. The gendered distribution of work and exposures in fish processing operations together with atopy and cigarette smoking are important determinants of occupational allergy and asthma. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Acute pesticide poisoning among agricultural workers in the United States, 1998-2005
Geoffrey M. Calvert, Jennifer Karnik, Louise Mehler, John Beckman, Barbara Morrissey, Jennifer Sievert, Rosanna Barrett, Michelle Lackovic, Laura Mabee, Abby Schwartz, Yvette Mitchell, Stephanie Moraga-McHaley Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:11:00 -0000
Approximately 75% of pesticide usage in the United States occurs in agriculture. As such, agricultural workers are at greater risk of pesticide exposure than non-agricultural workers. However, the magnitude, characteristics and trend of acute pesticide poisoning among agricultural workers are unknown.We identified acute pesticide poisoning cases in agricultural workers between the ages of 15 and 64 years that occurred from 1998 to 2005. The California Department of Pesticide Regulation and the SENSOR-Pesticides program provided the cases. Acute occupational pesticide poisoning incidence rates (IR) for those employed in agriculture were calculated, as were incidence rate ratios (IRR) among agricultural workers relative to non-agricultural workers.Of the 3,271 cases included in the analysis, 2,334 (71%) were employed as farmworkers. The remaining cases were employed as processing/packing plant workers (12%), farmers (3%), and other miscellaneous agricultural workers (19%). The majority of cases had low severity illness (N = 2,848, 87%), while 402 (12%) were of medium severity and 20 (0.6%) were of high severity. One case was fatal. Rates of illness among various agricultural worker categories were highly variable but all, except farmers, showed risk for agricultural workers greater than risk for non-agricultural workers by an order of magnitude or more. Also, the rate among female agricultural workers was almost twofold higher compared to males.The findings from this study suggest that acute pesticide poisoning in the agricultural industry continues to be an important problem. These findings reinforce the need for heightened efforts to better protect farmworkers from pesticide exposure. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Occupational asthma caused by sculptured nails containing methacrylates
Riitta Sauni, Paula Kauppi, Kristiina Alanko, Maj-Len Henriks-Eckerman, Matti Tuppurainen, Timo Hannu Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:05:00 -0000
In recent decades, the use of artificial nails including methacrylates (MAs) has increased. This study presents the first two clinical cases of occupational asthma (OA) caused by sculptured nails containing MAs.In both cases, OA was diagnosed on the basis of a work simulation test combined with the patient's history of occupational exposure and respiratory symptoms.Both patients developed work-related respiratory symptoms 4-5 years before the current examinations. Previously, the first patient (a 30-year-old female) was diagnosed as having allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to MAs; the second patient (a 27-year-old female) had no skin symptoms. In both cases, a dual asthmatic reaction was observed in the bronchial provocation test, in which the patients simulated their work using their own products including MAs.Sculptured nails containing MAs can induce OA in nail technicians. Products not containing MAs should be used to prevent OA and ACD. If MAs are used, they should be handled with appropriate safety measures. Am. J. Ind. Med. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Genetic Polymorphisms of IL-1A, IL-1B, IL-1RN, NFKB1, FAS, and FASL, and Risk of Silicosis in a Chinese Occupational Population
Fen Wu, Zhaolin Xia, Yabin Qu, Yunxia Tang, Duozhi Cao, Pin Sun, David C. Christiani Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:03:00 -0000
To test whether polymorphisms in IL-1, NF-KB, FAS, and FASL genes are associated with risk of silicosis.A case-control study was conducted with 183 silicosis patients and 111 silica-exposed miners who were frequency-matched by age, dust exposure duration, work location, and type of work. Genotype analysis was performed on genomic DNA, using a PCR-RFLP assay.Individuals carrying the NFKB1 ins/del genotype had a decreased risk of silicosis (adjusted OR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.32-0.998, P = 0.049) compared with subjects carrying the ins/ins genotype and individuals with the FAS-1377AA homozygote had a decreased risk of silicosis compared with those with the -1377GG genotype (adjusted OR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.19-0.93, P = 0.03). The analysis of haplotypes of polymorphisms in FAS showed that there was a 2.71-fold (OR = 2.71, 95% CI = 1.22-6.03, P = 0.011) increased risk of silicosis for subjects with alleles of FAS-1377G and FAS-670G, compared with those carrying alleles of FAS-1377G and FAS-670A.Although the polymorphisms at NFKB1, FAS-1377, and extended haplotype FAS-1377G/-670G may play a role in the development of silicosis in the Chinese population, our findings should be verified by larger studies with >1 case/control ratio. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health
Occupational styrene exposure and hearing loss: a cohort study with repeated measurements
Tue, 02 Sep 2008 06:10:41 -0000
Abstract Objective Associations between occupational styrene exposure and impairment of hearing function were investigated, guided by three questions: are there hearing losses concerning high frequency and standard audiometric test? Are there dose–response relationships and measurable thresholds of effects? Are there signs of reversibility of possible effects if the workers are examined during times of improvement from their work? Methods A group of workers from a boat building plant, some of whom were laminators, were examined in subgroups of current low (n = 99, mean mandelic acid MA + phenylglyoxylic acid PGA = 51 mg/g creatinine), medium (n = 118, mean 229 mg/g creat.) and high (n = 31, mean 970 mg/g creat.) exposure to styrene. In addition, subgroups chronically exposed to high-long (n = 17) and low-short (n = 34) styrene levels were analysed. The examinations were carried out during normal work days and during the company holidays. Hearing thresholds and transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) were measured. Statistics included multiple co-variance analyses with repeated measures, linear regressions, and logistic regressions. Results The analyses of all participants demonstrated no clear exposure effects. Particularly no sufficient proof of dose–response relationship measured against parameters of current exposure (MA + PGA, styrene/blood) and of chronic exposure (cumulative and average life time exposure resp.) was found. The analyses of groups exposed to high levels show elevated thresholds at frequencies up to 1,500 Hz among the subgroup exposed to high styrene levels (e.g. 40–50 ppm as average) for a longer period of time (e.g. more than 10 years). These participants also demonstrated signs of “improvement” at frequencies above 2,000 Hz during work holidays, when they were not exposed to styrene. A significantly elevated odds ratio for cases of hearing loss (more than 25 dB (A) in one ear, 3,000–6,000 Hz) was found among the group exposed to high levels (above 30 ppm as average) for a longer period of time (more than 10–26 years). The measurements of TEOAE did not exhibit significant results related to exposure. Conclusion This study found, that chronic and intensive styrene exposure increases the hearing thresholds. At levels of about 30–50 ppm as an average inhaled styrene per work day over a period of about 15 years with higher exposure levels above 50 ppm in the past, an elevated risk for impaired hearing thresholds can be expected. The formerly published results on ototoxic effects below 20 ppm could not be confirmed. With few exceptions (at frequencies of 1,000 and 1,500 Hz) no dose–response relationship between threshold and exposure data was found. Improvements of hearing thresholds during work- and exposure-free period are possible. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00420-008-0355-8Authors Gerhard Triebig, University Hospital of Heidelberg Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational and Social Medicine Voßstraße 2 69115 Heidelberg GermanyThomas Bruckner, University of Heidelberg Department of Biometry in Medicine Heidelberg GermanyAndreas Seeber, University of Dortmund Institute of Occupational Physiology Dortmund Germany Journal International Archives of Occupational and Environmental HealthOnline ISSN 1432-1246Print ISSN 0340-0131
Occupational paraquat exposure of agricultural workers in large Costa Rican farms
Tue, 02 Sep 2008 06:10:40 -0000
Abstract Objective Paraquat is an herbicide widely used worldwide. This study determined the extent of occupational exposure to paraquat among farm workers in Costa Rica and identified determinants of occupational exposure. Methods Twenty-four hour urine samples were collected from 119 paraquat handlers and 54 non-handlers from banana, coffee and palm oil farms. Information about herbicide handling operations was also collected. The urinary paraquat levels were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 2 ng/mL. Inhalable dust and airborne paraquat levels were simultaneously measured for a subset of the participants. Results Urinary paraquat measurements were non-detectable or very low when workers did not handle paraquat. For handlers, 83.3, 47.1 and 63.9% of the samples were below the LOQ on before-, during- and after-paraquat spray days, respectively. The arithmetic mean (±SD) of urinary paraquat level on days when workers handled paraquat was 6.3 (±10.45) μg/24 h. Paraquat exposures among handlers on spray day were significantly associated with the type of crop. Conclusion Non-handlers had negligible urinary paraquat, while detectable paraquat exposures were observed among handlers on spray day. Urinary paraquat levels were different by crop. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00420-008-0356-7Authors Kiyoung Lee, Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Health and Institute of Health and Environment 28 Yeungun-dong, Jongro-gu Seoul South KoreaEun-Kee Park, University of California Department of Public Health Sciences Davis CA USAMaria Stoecklin-Marois, University of California Department of Public Health Sciences Davis CA USAMarja E. Koivunen, University of California Department of Entomology and Cancer Research Center Davis CA USAShirley J. Gee, University of California Department of Entomology and Cancer Research Center Davis CA USABruce D. Hammock, University of California Department of Entomology and Cancer Research Center Davis CA USALaurel A. Beckett, University of California Department of Public Health Sciences Davis CA USAMarc B. Schenker, University of California Department of Public Health Sciences Davis CA USA Journal International Archives of Occupational and Environmental HealthOnline ISSN 1432-1246Print ISSN 0340-0131
Phenotypes of individuals affected by airborne chemicals in the general population
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:03:09 -0000
Abstract Objective To characterise the chemical exposures and symptoms affecting individuals with subsequent adjustments of social life or occupational conditions, and further characterise these severely affected individuals. Methods All individuals (n = 1,134) who reported symptoms from airborne chemical exposures in a population-based questionnaire study of 6,000 individuals were included and dichotomised according to severity. Logistic regression models were used to characterise the group of severely affected individuals. Results Severely affected individuals reported more symptoms and exposures related to symptoms than less severely affected individuals, and the number of symptoms was more predictive for severity than the number of exposures. Most predictive for the severity of reported symptoms were CNS-symptoms other than headache (OR = 3.2, P < 0.001) and exposure to freshly printed papers or magazines (OR = 2.0, P = 0.001). Conclusion CNS-symptoms except from headache were a main characteristic of individuals severely affected by common chemical exposures in a general population-based sample. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00420-008-0352-yAuthors Nikolaj Drimer Berg, University of Copenhagen The Danish Research Centre for Chemical Sensitivities, Gentofte Hospital Ledreborg Allé 40, 2.th. 2820 Gentofte DenmarkAllan Linneberg, University of Copenhagen Research Centre for Prevention and Health, Glostrup Hospital Glostrup DenmarkAsger Dirksen, University of Copenhagen Department of Respiratory Medicine Y, Gentofte Hospital Hellerup DenmarkJesper Elberling, University of Copenhagen The Danish Research Centre for Chemical Sensitivities, Gentofte Hospital Ledreborg Allé 40, 2.th. 2820 Gentofte Denmark Journal International Archives of Occupational and Environmental HealthOnline ISSN 1432-1246Print ISSN 0340-0131
Arseniasis prevalence and mortality in a multiethnic, endemic township in Guizhou, China
Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:11:02 -0000
Abstract Objective Farmers in Southwest Guizhou Autonomous Prefecture, China, represent a unique case of arseniasis, which is related to indoor combustion of high arsenic-containing coal instead of to arsenic-contaminated drinking water. A significant difference in the prevalence of arseniasis was observed in two neighboring ethnic clans in one village. The question arose whether the ethnicity-dependent difference observed in this village was more widely spread throughout the whole township. An epidemiologic investigation was designed to explore arseniasis distribution and mortality among all four ethnic groups in a multiethnic township. Methods The cohort of arseniasis patients, diagnosed and registered in the overall field survey of 1991 as well as all the asymptomatic residents of the township, were enrolled in the present investigation. Indirect standardization was used for calculating the age-adjusted standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of arseniasis, the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of various death causes (including some cancers), and their corresponding intervals of 95% confidence in both genders and in each local ethnic group. Results The descending rank of arseniasis SIRs among local ethnic groups was found as: Hui>Han>Bouyei>Hmong. The descending rank of SMRs of malignancies was displayed as: Han>Hui>Bouyei>Hmong in males and both genders together as well. Concerning deaths of non-malignant causes the rank was observed as: Hui>Han>Bouyei>Hmong in males. The arseniasis SIR for ethnic Hmong residents (both genders combined) was found to be significantly less profound than the overall level in the township. No death cases in diagnosed ethnic Hmong patients and no cases of death from malignant causes in asymptomatic Hmong residents were recorded. The significant increase of arseniasis prevalence was observed in all males, compared with the overall prevalence of all residents. However, a significantly lower prevalence was seen in all females. Conclusion Significant ethnicity-dependent difference in arseniasis prevalence and mortality from all causes was found in a multiethnic rural township where farmers have been exposed to the indoor combustion of high arsenic coal for decades. The ethnic Hmong residents seemed to be the least susceptible to arseniasis among the four local ethnic groups. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00420-008-0353-xAuthors Ji-gang Chen, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology Shanghai 200032 ChinaGuo-fang Lin, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology Shanghai 200032 ChinaYu-gang Chen, County Center for Disease Prevention and Control of Xingren Xingren Guizhou 562300 ChinaChao-gang Jia, County Institute of Public Health Supervision of Xingren Xingren Guizhou 562300 ChinaYun-shu Zhou, Prefecture Center for Disease Prevention and Control of Southwest Guizhou Ethnic Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture Xingyi Guizhou 562400 ChinaHong Meng, Second Military Medical University Department of Health Statistics Shanghai 200433 ChinaWei-chao Guo, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology Shanghai 200032 ChinaKlaus Golka, Institute for Occupational Physiology at the University of Dortmund (IfADo) 44139 Dortmund GermanyKe Jian Liu, University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy Albuquerque NM USAJian-hua Shen, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology Shanghai 200032 China Journal International Archives of Occupational and Environmental HealthOnline ISSN 1432-1246Print ISSN 0340-0131
No acute effects of an exposure to 50 ppm acetaldehyde on the upper airways
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:31:46 -0000
Abstract Objective German MAK value of acetaldehyde has been fixed at 50 ppm to prevent from irritating effects. The threshold value is mainly based on animal experiments. The aim of this study was to evaluate acute effects of an exposure to 50 ppm acetaldehyde on the upper airways of human subjects. Methods Twenty subjects were exposed to 50 ppm acetaldehyde and to air in an exposure chamber for 4 h according to a crossover design. Subjective symptoms were assessed by questionnaire. Olfactory threshold for n-butanol and mucociliary transport time were measured before and after exposure. Concentrations of interleukin 1β and interleukin 8 were determined in nasal secretions taken after exposure. mRNA levels of interleukins 1β, 6 and 8, tumour necrosis factor α, granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor, monocyte chemotactic protein 1, and cyclooxygenases 1 and 2 were measured in nasal epithelial cells, gained after exposure. Possible effects were investigated by semiparametric and parametric crossover analyses. Results Exposure to acetaldehyde did not cause any subjective irritating symptoms. Olfactory threshold did not change. Mucociliary transport time increased insignificantly after exposure to acetaldehyde. Neither concentrations of interleukins in nasal secretions nor mRNA levels of inflammatory factors were higher after exposure to acetaldehyde. Conclusion An acute exposure to 50 ppm acetaldehyde did not cause any adverse effects in test subjects. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00420-008-0354-9Authors A. Muttray, University of Mainz Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine Mainz GermanyJ. Gosepath, University of Mainz Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Mainz GermanyJ. Brieger, University of Mainz Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Mainz GermanyA. Faldum, University of Mainz Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics Mainz GermanyA. Pribisz, University of Mainz Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine Mainz GermanyO. Mayer-Popken, University of Mainz Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine Mainz GermanyD. Jung, University of Mainz Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine Mainz GermanyB. Roßbach, University of Mainz Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine Mainz GermanyW. Mann, University of Mainz Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Mainz GermanyS. Letzel, University of Mainz Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine Mainz Germany Journal International Archives of Occupational and Environmental HealthOnline ISSN 1432-1246Print ISSN 0340-0131
Levels of metals and organic substances in workers at a hazardous waste incinerator: a follow-up study
Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:01:09 -0000
Abstract Purpose To determine the blood and urine concentrations of a number of metals and organic substances in workers at a hazardous waste incinerator (HWI) in Catalonia, Spain, 8 years after regular operations in the facility. To compare these concentrations with the baseline (1999) levels and with those obtained in previous (2000 and 2005) surveys. Methods The employees were divided into three groups according to their specific workplaces. Plasma analyses of hexachlorobenzene (HCB), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs 28, 52, 101, 138, 153 and 180) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), as well as urinary analyses of 2,4- and 2,5-dichlorophenol (DCP), 2,4,5- and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP), pentachlorophenol (PCP) and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HP) were carried out. Blood concentrations of manganese and mercury, and urinary levels of nickel were also determined. Results For organic compounds in plasma, the comparison of the current levels with those of previous surveys did not show any significant increase for any of the compounds analyzed. In contrast, plasma levels of PCBs 28, 52 and 101 were significantly lower than the respective baseline concentrations, while especially notable was the significant reduction in the levels of PCDD/Fs in plasma of plant workers, which decreased from 26.7 pg I-TEQ/g lipid in the baseline survey to the current 2.5 pg I-TEQ/g lipid. Conclusion According to the results of the present study, there are no evident signs of occupational exposure to a number of metals and organic substances in the workers of the HWI. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00420-008-0350-0Authors Montse Mari, Rovira i Virgili University Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering Sescelades Campus 43007 Tarragona SpainMarta Schuhmacher, Rovira i Virgili University Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering Sescelades Campus 43007 Tarragona SpainJosé L. Domingo, Rovira i Virgili University Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine San Lorenzo 21 43201 Reus Spain Journal International Archives of Occupational and Environmental HealthOnline ISSN 1432-1246Print ISSN 0340-0131
Occupational Therapy International
Retracted: Development of an education programme for caregivers of people aging with multiple sclerosis
Marcia Finlayson, Jennifer Dahl Garcia, Katharine L. Preissner Tue, 05 Feb 2008 03:48:00 -0000
The article from Occupational Therapy International, Development of an Education Program for Caregivers of People Aging with Multiple Sclerosis (DOI: 10.1002/OTI.245) by Marcia Finlayson, Jennifer Garcia and Katharine Preissner, published online on 5 February 2008 in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com), has been retracted by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The retraction has been agreed due to dual publication of this article. Copyright ? 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Occupational Medicine - current issue
OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE CALENDAR
Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0000
In this issue of Occupational Medicine
Hobson, J. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0000
Asbestos-related diseases: time for technology sharing
Takahashi, K., On behalf of the Asian Asbestos Initiative Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0000
PubMed: 0355-3140
Follow-up study of cancer incidence after chlorophenol exposure in a community in southern Finland.
Lampi P, Tuomisto J, Hakulinen T, Pukkala E Related Articles Follow-up study of cancer incidence after chlorophenol exposure in a community in southern Finland. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2008 Jun;34(3):230-3 Authors: Lampi P, Tuomisto J, Hakulinen T, Pukkala E OBJECTIVES: In the 1970s and 1980s, people in a village in southern Finland had been exposed to high concentrations of chlorophenols in the drinking water and in fish from a nearby lake. An ecological analysis and a case-control study conducted around 1990 indicated significant excess in the incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and soft-tissue cancer in the municipality and a relationship between the chlorophenol exposure and the incidence of these cancers. The present article reports a follow-up of cancer risk in the same study area during a 20-year period after the closing of the old water intake plant, which was contaminated by chlorophenols. METHODS: The observed and expected numbers of cancer were obtained for three periods, 1953-1971 (before exposure), 1972-1986 (during exposure) and 1987-2006 (after exposure), for all cancers combined and separately for cancers potentially related to chlorophenols. RESULTS: The present study demonstrates that all of the cancer risks returned to the average population level during the 20-year period after the old water intake plant was closed and chlorophenol exposure stopped. CONCLUSIONS: The rapid changes in cancer risk after changes in chlorophenol exposure suggest that chlorophenols may have a promotion effect in the carcinogenic process. PMID: 18728913 [PubMed - in process]
Prediction of dropout from respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation in a longitudinal respiratory study.
Søyseth V, Johnsen HL, Kongerud J Related Articles Prediction of dropout from respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation in a longitudinal respiratory study. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2008 Jun;34(3):224-9 Authors: Søyseth V, Johnsen HL, Kongerud J OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the possibility that employees reporting respiratory symptoms were more likely than asymptomatic workers to dropout of a respiratory study carried out in Norwegian smelters. METHODS: The study included 3924 employees in 24 Norwegian smelters. They were examined annually using a respiratory questionnaire and spirometry. The employees who did not meet for the follow-up within 18 months prior to the end of the study were considered dropouts. The data were analyzed using Cox regression for time-dependent covariates. RESULTS: The total and the median follow-up times were 16 997 and 4.9 years, respectively. The overall dropout rate was 44.5 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 41.5-47.8 per 1000 person-years]. The hazard ratio (HR) for dropout was 1.38 (95% CI 1.15-1.66) for the workers reporting any respiratory symptom compared with the asymptomatic workers. The effect was the strongest among the employees who reported dyspnea, and it was stronger regarding symptoms at the last visit than for the baseline symptoms. Similarly, the hazard ratio for dropout for those with an airflow limitation [forced expiratory volume/forced vital capacity below the 5th percentile of the predicted value] was 1.31 (95% CI 1.01-1.69) when they were compared with employees without any airflow limitation. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation are important predictors of dropout from a longitudinal respiratory study. PMID: 18728912 [PubMed - in process]
A diary study to open up the black box of overtime work among university faculty members.
Beckers DG, van Hooff ML, van der Linden D, Kompier MA, Taris TW, Geurts SA Related Articles A diary study to open up the black box of overtime work among university faculty members. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2008 Jun;34(3):213-23 Authors: Beckers DG, van Hooff ML, van der Linden D, Kompier MA, Taris TW, Geurts SA OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at opening up the black box of overtime work among university faculty members by providing information on (i) when faculty members work overtime, (ii) what activities are undertaken during overtime, and (iii) how overtime is experienced. METHODS: Data were collected among 120 Dutch faculty members who completed a general questionnaire (addressing general overtime hours, work characteristics, and well-being) and a 9-day diary study (with information on daily overtime hours, activities, and experiences). Analyses of variance were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Overtime was very prevalent among faculty members, high overtime workers being nonfatigued, engaged employees with positive work characteristics. Overtime was unevenly distributed over the week, being common on Sunday and Monday and uncommon on Friday and Saturday. Overtime activities during the weekend differed from those during the workweek, relatively much time being spent on research during weekend overtime. Overtime activities were experienced differently than activities during regular hours, overtime work being experienced as less effortful and less stressful than regular workhours and weekend overtime being less pleasurable than regular hours and evening overtime. CONCLUSIONS: This detailed day-to-day mapping and evaluation of overtime work contributes to a better understanding of overtime work by demonstrating meaningful patterns of overtime over the (work)week and meaningful associations between overtime activities and time-contingent experiences. It is suggested that worktime control plays an important role in explaining the results. PMID: 18728911 [PubMed - in process]
Annals of Occupational Hygiene - current issue
Measurement Uncertainty
Bartley, D., Liden, G. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0000
The reporting of measurement uncertainty has recently undergone a major harmonization whereby characteristics of a measurement method obtained during establishment and application are combined componentwise. For example, the sometimes-pesky systematic error is included. A bias component of uncertainty can be often easily established as the uncertainty in the bias. However, beyond simply arriving at a value for uncertainty, meaning to this uncertainty if needed can sometimes be developed in terms of prediction confidence in uncertainty-based intervals covering what is to be measured. To this end, a link between concepts of accuracy and uncertainty is established through a simple yet accurate approximation to a random variable known as the non-central Student's t-distribution. Without a measureless and perpetual uncertainty, the drama of human life would be destroyed. Winston Churchill
Application of a Pilot Control Banding Tool for Risk Level Assessment and Control of Nanoparticle Exposures
Paik, S. Y., Zalk, D. M., Swuste, P. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0000
Control banding (CB) strategies offer simplified solutions for controlling worker exposures to constituents that are found in the workplace in the absence of firm toxicological and exposure data. These strategies may be particularly useful in nanotechnology applications, considering the overwhelming level of uncertainty over what nanomaterials and nanotechnologies present as potential work-related health risks, what about these materials might lead to adverse toxicological activity, how risk related to these might be assessed and how to manage these issues in the absence of this information. This study introduces a pilot CB tool or ‘CB Nanotool’ that was developed specifically for characterizing the health aspects of working with engineered nanoparticles and determining the level of risk and associated controls for five ongoing nanotechnology-related operations being conducted at two Department of Energy research laboratories. Based on the application of the CB Nanotool, four of the five operations evaluated in this study were found to have implemented controls consistent with what was recommended by the CB Nanotool, with one operation even exceeding the required controls for that activity. The one remaining operation was determined to require an upgrade in controls. By developing this dynamic CB Nanotool within the realm of the scientific information available, this application of CB appears to be a useful approach for assessing the risk of nanomaterial operations, providing recommendations for appropriate engineering controls and facilitating the allocation of resources to the activities that most need them.
'Stoffenmanager', a Web-Based Control Banding Tool Using an Exposure Process Model
Marquart, H., Heussen, H., Le Feber, M., Noy, D., Tielemans, E., Schinkel, J., West, J., Van Der Schaaf, D. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0000
In the scope of a Dutch programme to reinforce the working conditions policy on hazardous substances, an internet-based tool was developed to help small- and medium-sized companies to handle hazardous substances with more care. The heart of this tool, called the Stoffenmanager, is a risk banding scheme. It combines a hazard banding scheme similar to that of COSHH Essentials and an exposure banding scheme based on an exposure model originally presented by Cherrie et al. (1996) and further developed by Cherrie and Schneider (1999). The exposure model has been modified to allow non-expert users to understand and use the model. Exposure scores are calculated based on categorization of determinants of emission, transmission and immission. These exposure scores are assigned to exposure bands. The comparison of exposure bands and hazard bands leads to a risk band or priority band. Following the evaluation of the priority of tasks done with products, generic exposure control measures can be evaluated for their possibility to lower the risks. Relevant control measures can be put into an action plan and into workplace instruction cards. The tool has several other functionalities regarding registration and storage of products. The exposure model in the Stoffenmanager leads to exposure scores. These have been compared with measured exposure levels. The exposure scores correlated well with measured exposure levels. The development of the Stoffenmanager has facilitated a whole range of further developments of useful tools for small- and medium-sized enterprises.
Stoffenmanager Exposure Model: Development of a Quantitative Algorithm
Tielemans, E., Noy, D., Schinkel, J., Heussen, H., Van Der Schaaf, D., West, J., Fransman, W. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0000
In The Netherlands, the web-based tool called ‘Stoffenmanager’ was initially developed to assist small- and medium-sized enterprises to prioritize and control risks of handling chemical products in their workplaces. The aim of the present study was to explore the accuracy of the Stoffenmanager exposure algorithm. This was done by comparing its semi-quantitative exposure rankings for specific substances with exposure measurements collected from several occupational settings to derive a quantitative exposure algorithm. Exposure data were collected using two strategies. First, we conducted seven surveys specifically for validation of the Stoffenmanager. Second, existing occupational exposure data sets were collected from various sources. This resulted in 378 and 320 measurements for solid and liquid scenarios, respectively. The Spearman correlation coefficients between Stoffenmanager scores and exposure measurements appeared to be good for handling solids (rs = 0.80, N = 378, P < 0.0001) and liquid scenarios (rs = 0.83, N = 320, P < 0.0001). However, the correlation for liquid scenarios appeared to be lower when calculated separately for sets of volatile substances with a vapour pressure >10 Pa (rs = 0.56, N = 104, P < 0.0001) and non-volatile substances with a vapour pressure ≤10 Pa (rs = 0.53, N = 216, P < 0.0001). The mixed-effect regression models with natural log-transformed Stoffenmanager scores as independent parameter explained a substantial part of the total exposure variability (52% for solid scenarios and 76% for liquid scenarios). Notwithstanding the good correlation, the data show substantial variability in exposure measurements given a certain Stoffenmanager score. The overall performance increases our confidence in the use of the Stoffenmanager as a generic tool for risk assessment. The mixed-effect regression models presented in this paper may be used for assessment of so-called reasonable worst case exposures. This evaluation is considered as an ongoing process and when more good quality data become available, the analyses described in this paper will be expanded. Based on these analyses, the algorithm will be refined in the near future.
Asbestos Fibre Concentrations in the Lungs of Brake Workers: Another Look
Finkelstein, M. M. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0000
Objective: To reanalyse data on the lung content of asbestos fibres among brake mechanics. Methods: I re-analysed data published by Butnor, Roggli and colleagues on the lung content of chrysotile and tremolite asbestos fibres among brake mechanics and controls. Statistics of the distributions were estimated by maximum likelihood to accommodate observations below the detection limit. Mean concentrations were compared by the t-test, bootstrap resampling and interval-censored survival methods. Results: The mean concentrations of fibres were higher among the brake workers than the controls. The concentration of tremolite fibres was higher than the concentration of chrysotile, a pattern similar to that observed among Quebec chrysotile miners and millers. Conclusions: Re-analysis of published data does not support the interpretation that, in automotive brake repair workers with malignant mesothelioma, asbestos content is within the normal range. The alternative interpretation that brake mechanics have a greater than background burden of asbestos fibres, attributable to occupational exposure to dusts from friction products manufactured from Canadian chrysotile, appears more credible. This asbestos burden might be associated with an increased risk of asbestos-associated cancers.
Exposure to Chrysotile Asbestos Associated with Unpacking and Repacking Boxes of Automobile Brake Pads and Shoes
Madl, A. K., Scott, L. L., Murbach, D. M., Fehling, K. A., Finley, B. L., Paustenbach, D. J. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0000
Industrial hygiene surveys and epidemiologic studies of auto mechanics have shown that these workers are not at an increased risk of asbestos-related disease; however, concerns continue to be raised regarding asbestos exposure from asbestos-containing brakes. Handling new asbestos-containing brake components has recently been suggested as a potential source of asbestos exposure. A simulation study involving the unpacking and repacking of 105 boxes of brakes (for vehicles ca. 1946–80), including 62 boxes of brake pads and 43 boxes of brake shoes, was conducted to examine how this activity might contribute to both short-term and 8-h time-weighted average exposures to asbestos. Breathing zone samples on the lapel of a volunteer worker (n = 80) and area samples at bystander (e.g., 1.5 m from worker) (n = 56), remote area (n = 26) and ambient (n = 10) locations collected during the unpacking and repacking of boxes of asbestos-containing brakes were analyzed by phase contrast microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Exposure to airborne asbestos was characterized for a variety of parameters including the number of boxes handled, brake type (i.e. pads versus shoes) and the distance from the activity (i.e. worker, bystander and remote area). This study also evaluated the fiber size and morphology distribution according to the International Organization for Standardization analytical method for asbestos. It was observed that (i) airborne asbestos concentrations increased with the number of boxes unpacked and repacked, (ii) handling boxes of brake pads resulted in higher worker asbestos exposures compared to handling boxes of brake shoes, (iii) cleanup and clothes-handling tasks produced less airborne asbestos than handling boxes of brakes and (iv) fiber size and morphology analysis showed that while the majority of fibers were free (e.g. not associated with a cluster or matrix), <30% were respirable and even fewer were of the size range (>20 µm length) considered to pose the greatest risk of asbestos-related disease. It was found that average airborne chrysotile concentrations (30 min) ranged from 0.086 to 0.368 and 0.021 to 0.126 f cc–1 for a worker unpacking and repacking 4–20 boxes of brake pads and 4–20 boxes of brake shoes, respectively. Additionally, average airborne asbestos exposures (30 min) at bystander locations ranged from 0.004 to 0.035 and 0.002 to 0.011 f cc–1 when 4–20 boxes of brake pads and 4–20 boxes of brake shoes were handled, respectively. These data show that a worker handling a relatively large number of boxes of brakes over short periods of time will not be exposed to airborne asbestos in excess of its historical or current short-term occupational exposure limits.
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