摘要:

Occupational exposure to power-frequency electromagnetic fields (PF-EMF) has been suspected of being associated with adverse neurological outcomes. We performed a case-control study to assess the relationship between exposure to PF-EMF and the risk of cognitive impairment, an indication of certain adverse neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Among 2198 elderly individuals aged 65 years or older, 290 persons with score-based cognitive impairment were compared with 580 sex-matched controls to assess the risk of cognitive impairment in relation to PF-EMF exposure. Participants who were former electrical workers or living within 100 meters of high-voltage transmission lines were considered to have higher exposure. Compared with background exposure, the risk was equal or close to unity for participants with higher exposure from a previous occupation (odds ratio [OR], 1.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.7 to 2.3), higher residential exposure (OR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.3 to 2.6), or higher exposure in both occupation and residential environments (OR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.2 to 4.6). Our findings provide little support for the link between PF-EMF and cognitive impairment. Nevertheless, the study results do not preclude the possible association between PF-EMF and any specific neurodegenerative disease previously investigated.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Office work-related upper extremity symptoms and disorders have been associated with static work posture, repetition, and inadequate recovery in the anatomic structures of the neck and upper extremities. Despite these associations, relatively little research has been conducted on the development of practical measures of these ergonomic exposures. The present study examines the measurement properties of an upper-extremity–specific self-report index of ergonomic exposures. Ninety-two symptomatic office workers completed a Web-based questionnaire measuring demographic variables, ergonomic exposures, pain, job stress, and functional limitations. Comparisons of internal consistency, construct validity, and discriminative and predictive abilities were made between the self-report index and an observational exposure assessment checklist. Results indicated that the self-report index had acceptable measurement properties. Furthermore, higher levels of self-reported ergonomic exposures were associated with upper extremity pain, symptom severity, and functional limitations. In contrast, higher levels of observed exposure were related only to lower levels of general physical function. The self-report measure has potential for use in occupational health surveillance programs for office work environments and as an outcome measure of ergonomic exposure in intervention trials. These results also suggest the need for using multiple methods when assessing ergonomic exposures.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

A cross-sectional study including 54 furniture factories and three control factories was conducted to survey lung function and prevalence of respiratory symptoms among woodworkers. Spirometry was performed on 2423 persons. Questionnaires regarding respiratory symptoms and wood dust exposure were completed by 2033 woodworkers and 474 controls. Personal passive dust measurements were performed on 1579 persons. The arithmetic mean ± SD for equivalent inhalable dust was relatively low (1.19 ± 0.86 mg/m3). Woodworkers had increased frequency of coughing with negative interaction between dust exposure and smoking. A dose-response relationship was seen between dust exposure and asthma symptoms, and a positive interaction for asthma was seen between female gender and dust exposure. Increased frequency of wheezing and a cross-shift decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 second among workers using pinewood was seen. In conclusion, wood dust exposure might cause respiratory symptoms, despite a relatively low exposure level.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID