摘要:

AbstractTo estimate the prevalence and work‐relatedness of self‐reported carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among U.S. workers, data from the Occupational Health Supplement of 1988 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were analyzed. Among 127 million “recent workers” who worked during the 12 months prior to the survey, 1.47% (95% CI: 1.30; 1.65), or 1.87 million self‐reported CTS, and 0.53% (95% CI: 0.42; 0.65), or 675,000, stated that their prolonged hand discomfort was called CTS by a medical person. Occupations with the highest prevalence of self‐reported CTS were mail service, health care, construction, and assembly and fabrication. Industries with the highest prevalence were food products, repair services, transportation, and construction. The risk factor most strongly associated with medically called CTS was exposure to repetitive bending/ twisting of the hands/wrists at work (OR = 5.2), followed by race (OR = 4.2; whites higher than nonwhites), gender (OR = 2.2; females higher than males), use of vibrating hand tools (OR = 1.8), and age (OR = 1.03; risk increasing per year). This result is consistent with previous reports in that repeated bending/twisting of the hands and wrists during manual work is etiologically related to occupational carpal tunn

ISSN:0271-3586    

DOI:10.1002/ajim.4700270402

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractSince 1988, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has notified workers who were subjects in occupational epidemiology studies of the study findings (“worker notification”). This paper describes seven notifications and the worker's reactions to them. The chemicals of interest in the studies were: carbon monoxide, o‐toluidine, bis‐chloromethyl ether, polychlorinated biphenyls, cadmium, acid mist, and dioxin. Materials describing the study results were sent to 15,958 subjects who were notified of their increased risk of arteriosclerotic heart disease, bladder cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, kidney dysfunction, laryngeal cancer, all cancers combined, or soft tissue sarcoma. Workers provided feedback via telephone calls, and for three notifications, by postcards containing workers' comments and ratings of the notification materials. The percentage of telephone calls received from notified workers ranged from 0.3% to 3.8%, and the percentage returning postcards ranged from 8.8% to 17.6%. The two largest categories of callers were those with questions about their disease risk (30%) or who reported on their health status (25%). Most of the comments on postcards (26%) were complimentary or expressed appreciation for receiving the letters; reports of ill health were second (20%). A majority (66%) rated the notification materials well done. Few of the callers (5%) requested information on legal issues. Most (85%) did not find the materials, which ranged in reading level from sixth to ninth grade, too hard to read, although 15% reported difficulty reading them. Although this response system was effective in producing some input from workers, its limitation is that respondents may not be representative of all notified workers. However, such information is useful because there are few data on the effects of notifications on workers. © 1995 Wiley

ISSN:0271-3586    

DOI:10.1002/ajim.4700270403

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

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).

ISSN:0271-3586    

DOI:10.1002/ajim.4700270404

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractPerimenstrual symptoms are among the most common disorders of women. Seven perimenstrual symptoms were related to working conditions among 539 hospital workers in a retrospective cohort questionnaire study, as part of a larger examination of health problems and working conditions of Quebec hospital workers. Only 8% of women had experienced no symptoms of discomfort associated with their last menstrual period. Lower abdominal pain, the most common symptom (58% prevalence), was associated with lifting weights (usually patients) in a logistic regression adjusted for parity and contraceptive use. Back pain, leg pain, swelling, and headache were associated with indicators of time pressure and fast work speed. Back pain during menstruation was experienced by 44% of workers. Studies of the prevalence and etiology of back pain, a common occupational health problem among hospital workers, may be confused if perimenstrual back pain is not taken into account. Similar reservations hold for the results on other perimenstrual symptoms that are also likely to occur outside the perimenstrual period, such as leg pain, irritability, and headache. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, i

ISSN:0271-3586    

DOI:10.1002/ajim.4700270405

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractSome polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo(a)pyrene and benzo(a)anthracene are well‐established genotoxic agents. Long‐term exposure to PAHs may lead to proliferative cell disorders in humans, predominantly in the skin, lung, and bladder. The concentration of several tumor markers in serum, of polyamines and modified nucleosides in urine, and of cytogenetic endpoints in peripheral lymphocytes (sister‐chromatid exchanges, high frequency cells [HFC], and micronuclei) were measured in 149 male workers exposed to PAHs in two coke oven and one graphite electrode plants, and in 137 controls. We have assessed whether these biomarkers were related to several parameters reflecting exposure to PAHs, i.e., the sum of the airborne concentration of 13 PAHs, 1‐hydroxypyrene (1‐OHP) concentration in postshift urine, ben‐zo(a)pyrene‐diolepoxide adducts to hemoglobin (BPDE‐Hb adducts), and duration of exposure, taking also into account several possible confounding factors. HFC was the biomarker most consistently associated with the intensity of current exposure to PAHs. Smoking exerts an independent effect on the same parameter. On the basis of the logistic regression between the prevalence of abnormal HFC values and PAHs in air and 1‐OHP in postshift urine found in nonsmokers, it is suggested that the latter should be kept below 6.4 μg/m3and 2.7 μg/g creatinine, respectively. No relationship was found between the cytogenetic effects and BPDE‐Hb adducts although both parameters are statistically correlated with the airborne PAH level. Some tumor markers in serum (carcinoembryonic antigen, tissue polypeptide antigen, sialic acid) and the urinary concentration of some polyamines were correlated with either PAHs in air or 1‐OHP in urine. The associations, however, were very weak which suggests that these biomarkers have limited practical value for the health surveillance of groups of workers exposed to genotoxic PAHs.

ISSN:0271-3586    

DOI:10.1002/ajim.4700270406

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractAn outbreak of dermatitis occurred among county jail inmates who removed dead fish from the Sacramento River in California after a spill of metam sodium. The spilled chemical decomposes to methylisothiocyanate (MITC), a known skin irritant. A retrospective cohort study was conducted among the inmates and their crew leaders. Among 42 jail group members, 27 had dermatitis involving the feet and ankles; dermatitis was associated with lower extremity water contact (RR = 3.4, 95% CI 1.0‐11.8); the attack rate increased with length of time spent in the water. For comparison, other state and federal employees who worked in the river at the same time were also interviewed. None reported dermatitis. Over three‐quarters (24/31) of these other clean‐up workers whose feet became wet changed to dry clothing immediately; none of the jail group changed immediately. The river concentration of MITC measured 20‐40 ppb at the time of exposure. We speculate that prolonged wetness, occlusive boots, friction, and heat contributed to chemical irritation at this low concentration; the experience of the other clean‐up workers suggests that this outbreak could have been

ISSN:0271-3586    

DOI:10.1002/ajim.4700270407

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractOccupational exposure to carcinogenic agents on the decks on six Norwegian crude oil tankers was examined in five harbors. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the need for improving the working environment on deck on these tankers. Technical arrangments and the work itself on the deck were observed during loading or unloading. Occupational monitoring was performed by active sampling of benzene, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and some aldehydes. The crew answered a questionnaire concerning their work, use of protective equipment, and occurrence of acute symptoms. The levels of air‐borne carcinogenic agents were low, probably due to closed loading systems on all tankers. However, the seamen reported discomfort during the work that may be related to other chemical agents in the cargo. The seamen were frequently painting with lead chromate paint without using personal protective equipment. This type of chemical exposure should be evaluate

ISSN:0271-3586    

DOI:10.1002/ajim.4700270408

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractThe distribution of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM)‐induced chromosome breaks was studied in cultured lymphocytes of subjects occupationally exposed to this gas. In the examined subjects, the mean group value of chromosome aberrations is 6.5% and for sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequencies, the mean value per cell is 7.9. These values are significantly higher than in the control population. Occupational exposure to VCM caused lymphocytosis together with disturbances of mitogenic activity in lymphocytes stimulated by phytohaemagglutinin. The results of G‐banding showed that sites of chromosome breakpoints caused by VCM can be related to the lymphatic tissue disorders. © 1995 Wiley‐Lis

ISSN:0271-3586    

DOI:10.1002/ajim.4700270409

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractAsbestos has been widely used in Italian thermoelectric power plants and instances of exposure to workers have been documented in a variety of jobs. Preventive measures were put into effect only in the late 1970s. We report here on four mesothelioma cases among workers of three Italian power plants where cohort studies were carried out, and on three additional cases recorded by a systematic survey carried out on this neoplasm in Tuscany.When the data of the cohorts sources are merged, a significant excess of lung cancer is also evident. Even without a quantitative assessment of exposure, this report shows the importance of asbestos risk in thermal power plants. The risk appears not to be restricted to any particular category of workers. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, I

ISSN:0271-3586    

DOI:10.1002/ajim.4700270410

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractThe aim of this study was to estimate to what degree malignant pleural mesotheliomas were reported as occupational cancers. The study included all malignant pleural mesotheliomas (n = 210) found in the Cancer Registry 1980‐1989 from four Swedish counties. Whether or not a case was reported as occupational cancer was found in the Swedish Register of Reported Occupational Diseases. To evaluate the presence of exposure histories, the chest department files for 58 mesotheliomas from one county were reviewed.The reporting was low, with only 75 mesotheliomas (36%) reported. All the cases were men, and for the men, the reporting frequency was 42%. The reporting was significantly lower for the last part of the decade than for the first part. The reporting frequency decreased with age. In the review of the chest department files, an exposure history was found in 93% of the reported cases and in 47% of the unreported cases. It is concluded that physicians must give more priority to exposure histories in patients with pleural mesotheliomas. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss,

ISSN:0271-3586    

DOI:10.1002/ajim.4700270411

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY