摘要:

To assess differences in the lag structure pattern between particulate matter <10 &mgr;m/100 &mgr;m in diameter (PM10) and cause-specific mortality, we performed a time-series analysis in 10 US cities using generalized additive Poisson regressions in each city; nonparametric smooth functions were used to control for long time trend, weather, and day of the week. The PM10effect was estimated based on its daily mean, 2-day moving average, and the cumulative 7-day effect by means of an unconstrained distributed lag model. A 10-&mgr;g/m3increase in the 7-day mean of PM10was associated with increases in deaths due to pneumonia (2.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5, 3.9), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (1.7%, 95% CI: 0.1, 3.3), and all cardiovascular diseases (1.0%, 95% CI: 0.6, 1.4). A 10-&mgr;g/m3increase in the 2-day mean of PM10was associated with a 0.7% (95% CI: 0.3, 1.1) increase in deaths from myocardial infarction. When the distributed lag was assessed, two different patterns could be observed: respiratory deaths were more affected by air pollution levels on the previous days, whereas cardiovascular deaths were more affected by same-day pollution. These results contribute to the overall efforts so far in understanding how exposure to air pollution promotes adverse health effects.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Thiodiglycolic acid (TdGA) is the major metabolite of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) detected in human urine. Although urinary TdGA has been reported to be associated with ambient VCM exposure, the relationship between urinary TdGA and a low level of air VCM is not clear. Questionnaires were administered to 16 polyvinyl chloride manufacturing workers to obtain a detailed history of occupation and lifestyle. For each worker, personal air monitoring for VCM was performed and a time-weighted average for VCM exposure was calculated. The urinary TdGA levels at the end of a work shift, and at the commencement of the next shift, were also assessed for each worker. Urine analysis revealed that TdGA levels at the beginning of the next shift were higher than those at the end of that shift. Workers experiencing a VCM exposure greater than 5 ppm in air revealed a urinary TdGA level significantly greater than those experiencing a VCM exposure of less than 5 ppm (P< 0.05). The best fit of regression for urinary TdGA on air VCM was Y = 1.06 + 0.57X for urine collected at the commencement of the following work shift, where X is the air VCM concentration and Y is the urinary TdGA concentration (r2= 0.65,P< 0.01). We conclude that the urinary TdGA level is best detected at the commencement of the next shift and that it can be used as an exposure marker for polyvinyl chloride workers when the air VCM level to which they are exposed is greater than 5 ppm.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Studies have suggested that occupational disease and injury are under-recognized by clinicians. To estimate the frequency of occupational factors in disease and injury, 108 patients in a general (not occupational) health care facility were interviewed about the frequency and types of workplace–health interactions. Thirty-nine percent reported possible causation by work, and 66% reported a possible increase in symptoms by work, even if not caused by work. Twenty-seven percent reported changing jobs and/or tasks because of work–health interactions. The majority of men and women reported that worksite changes could improve their functional ability at work. This study therefore indicates that (1) occupational health concerns are common in primary care clinics, even if not addressed by clinicians; (2) the definition of occupational health concerns should be broadened to include disease caused by work, disease symptoms worsened by work, and the need for occupational accommodation even if the disease itself is not caused by work; and (3) inquiring about patient concerns about workplace–health interactions can provide clinicians with significant opportunities for primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The aim of the study was to determine if certain occupations pose an increased risk for infertility (of no known cause) among a group of infertile men compared with a group of fertile men. A total of 640 consecutive men whose spouses were unable to conceive were recruited from an infertility clinic. Of these, 218 men (cases) were found to have no known cause for their infertility. A total of 227 men whose spouses were pregnant at the time of the study were recruited ascontrols. The Singapore Standard Occupational Classification was used to code the subjects’ occupations. Semen parameters (density, total sperm counts, motility, viability, and normal morphology) in all of the cases were significantly poorer than those in the controls. The risk for infertility is associated with smoking adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.85 and 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.91 to 4.24. Work, independently, is not a risk factor for infertility. Engineering technicians (adjusted OR, 2.75; 95% CI, 1.36 to 5.54), finance analysts (adjusted OR, 4.66; 95% CI, 1.90 to 11.40), corporate and computing managers (adjusted OR, 2.49; 95% CI, 1.04 to 5.98), and teachers (adjusted OR, 7.72; 95% CI, 1.86 to 32.10) were at a greater risk of infertility compared with “services and clerical workers.” Using services and clerical workers as a reference group, certain occupations are at a higher risk for infertility. Higher work demands and possible electromagnetic field exposure could be contributory factors for infertility.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

We used the nationwide Swedish Family-Cancer Database to analyze the risk for common childhood tumors in offspring in relation to parental occupation recorded in the census of 1960. A total of 8158 cancer cases, diagnosed before age 15 between years 1958 and 1996, were included. Standardized incidence ratios were calculated using 52 different parental occupations. Among the maternal occupations, seven were associated with the risk of cancer in offspring. Assistant nurses had an excess of children with leukemia and connective tissue and colon cancers. Children of female cooks had brain cancers at a rate greater than expected. Fifteen different malignancies were associated with children of male workers. Shoe and leathers workers’ children had excesses of many tumors. Among the other paternal occupations associated with childhood tumors, miners, quarrymen, and hairdressers were likely to be exposed to harmful dusts and chemicals.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

A 1-year pilot study was conducted, linking the efforts of a workers’ compensation managed care organization with those of an occupational health clinic and emergency department to manage work-related injuries and associated work disability. Sustained (>90 day), injury-specific return-to-work outcomes, modified by job title, were compared with loosely managed and well-managed benchmarks. The mean return-to-work outcome, measured as lost workdays (LWDs), was 5.11 ± 21.0 LWDs for 418 workers. These results exceeded benchmarks for both loosely managed care, 14.0 ± 17.2 LWDs,P< 0.001 (8.9 fewer LWDs/case), and optimally case-managed care, 6.99 ± 7.64 LWDs,P= 0.044 (1.9 fewer LWDs/case). An estimate of the value of these saved LWDs to the employers at $200 per workday was $740,400 for the loosely managed benchmarks and $157,000 for the well-managed benchmarks. The Outcome Assurance Program virtually eliminated typical delays in the diagnosis and medical management of these injured workers.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The purpose of the study was to follow up an earlier observation of pulmonary function among workers employed in firebrick-manufacturing factories. A 2-year follow-up study of pulmonary function among 442 workers in 30 firebrick-manufacturing factories was designed. Excluding 79 workers with a history of other occupational dust exposure, changes in pulmonary function of 291 firebrick workers were compared with pulmonary function in 72 control subjects over a period of 2 years. Baseline pulmonary function values (ie, forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1]/forced vital capacity [FVC] and forced expiratory flow after 50% of vital capacity has been expelled [FEF50%] in smoking firebrick workers, and FEV1/FVC and FEF75%in nonsmoking firebrick workers) were significantly lower than those in the comparison group. The statistical method for repeated measurements was used for comparison of the difference between follow-up and baseline lung function. There was no significant difference in FVC and FEV1changes between firebrick workers and those in the comparison group during the 2-year follow-up period. The decreases in FEV1/FVC, peak expiratory flow rate, maximal midexpiratory flow, and FEF50%in the firebrick workers were significantly greater than in the comparison group, after adjustment for smoking status. The FEV1, maximal midexpiratory flow, FEF50%, and FEF75%also showed a dose-response relationship with job titles. The decrement of pulmonary function in the 2-year follow-up period was the worst in burning work, followed by crushing and molding. The results show that workers in firebrick-manufacturing factories with exposure to silica-containing dusts may contract obstructive pulmonary function defects.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Differences in fatigue and psychological distress across occupations were examined among 8521 employees participating in the Maastricht Cohort Study of “Fatigue at Work.” Additional information on the perceived psychosocial work environment was incorporated. A total of 131 occupations, classified according to the Netherlands Standard Classification of Occupations 1992, were studied. Results showed that occupation as a proxy index of the “objective” work environment adds little explanatory information beyond perceived measures of the work environment. Although “occupation” seems to be an easy entree for intervention, focusing on occupation exclusively to prevent, or at least reduce, fatigue and psychological distress may be inadequate. Supplementary information about the perceived work environment of the job occupant is needed to develop preventive measures on the individual level. Further research, including a longitudinal analysis, is required to elucidate the complex relation between occupation, psychosocial risk factors, and fatigue and psychological distress.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

We report an update of the mortality experience of a cohort of 8878 employees who worked between November 1, 1965, and December 31, 1988, at a synthetic fiber manufacturing facility with potential exposure to glycerol polyglycidyl ether (T55) and were followed through December 31, 1998. The mortality experience of the race/gender groups within the cohort was strikingly similar, with both the all causes of death and all cancer causes of death below unity on both national and local standards. For white men, there were no statistically significant increases for any cause of death, with the exception of benign neoplasms. Thirty-four percent of the cohort had worked at the plant for less than 1 year. Standardized mortality ratios were compiled for those with less than 1 year of employment and for those with 1 year or more of employment. Exclusion of those cohort members who worked less than 1 year had little impact on the standardized mortality ratios.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID