ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Marked elevation of dioxin associated with the herbicide Agent Orange was recently found in 19 of 20 blood samples from persons living in Bien Hoa, a large city in southern Vietnam. This city is located near an air base that was used for Agent Orange spray missions between 1962 and 1970. A spill of Agent Orange occurred at this air base more than 30 years before blood samples were collected in 1999. Samples were collected, frozen, and sent to a World Health Organization–certified dioxin laboratory for congener-specific analysis as part of a Vietnam Red Cross project. Previous analyses of more than 2200 pooled blood samples collected in the 1990s identified Bien Hoa as one of several southern Vietnam areas with persons having elevated blood dioxin levels from exposure to Agent Orange. In sharp contrast to this study, our previous research showed decreasing tissue dioxin levels over time since 1970. Only the dioxin that contaminated Agent Orange, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), was elevated in the blood of 19 of 20 persons sampled from Bien Hoa. A comparison, pooled sample from 100 residents of Hanoi, where Agent Orange was not used, measured blood TCDD levels of 2 parts per trillion (ppt). TCDD levels of up to 271 ppt, a 135-fold increase, were found in Bien Hoa residents. TCDD contamination was also found in some nearby soil and sediment samples. Persons new to this region and children born after Agent Orange spraying ended also had elevated TCDD levels. This TCDD uptake was recent and occurred decades after spraying ended. We hypothesize that a major route of current and past exposures is from the movement of dioxin from soil into river sediment, then into fish, and from fish consumption into people.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Screening for lung disease in workers with a low prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is subject to debate. Examining all workers would lead to unacceptable costs. Surveillance of high-risk groups may be a useful alternative. Data from 314 workers exposed to dust were used to develop a prediction model. Data from a study comprising 96 rubber workers were used to validate the model’s performance. COPD was defined as a ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity outside the 5th percentile. The accuracy of the model was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and by comparison of the observed versus predicted probabilities. Shortness of breath, wheeze, heavy smoking, and work-related lower respiratory symptoms were identified as independent determinants of having COPD. Workers with COPD can be distinguished from those without COPD on the basis of a medical/work-related questionnaire. Occupational physicians can develop a low-cost strategy for detecting workers at risk for COPD.

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

摘要:

The Strain Index is a job analysis method for determining if workers are exposed to increased risk of developing distal upper extremity disorders. Its predictive and external validity was initially demonstrated in a pork processing plant. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive validity of the Strain Index in one turkey processing plant. While blinded to health outcomes, investigators analyzed the right and left sides of workers in 28 jobs using the Strain Index and classified them as “hazardous” or “safe” based on the Strain Index score. Subsequently, OSHA 200 logs were used to ascertain the occurrence of distal upper extremity disorders retrospectively. If at least one such disorder had occurred on the right or left side during the previous 3 years, that side was classified as “positive.” If no such disorder was reported during the previous 3 years, that side was classified as “negative.” When comparing sides, symmetry between morbidity and hazard classification was required. When comparing jobs, such symmetry was not required. Evidence of association between the hazard classifications and the morbidity classifications for the 56 sides and the 28 jobs was evaluated using 2 × 2 contingency tables. For the sides, the association between hazard classification and morbidity classification was statistically significant, with an odds ratio of 22.0. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 0.86, 0.79, 0.92, and 0.65, respectively. Similar results were noted for the jobs—the odds ratio was 50.0, and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 0.91, 0.83, 0.95, and 0.71. These results provide additional evidence of the external validity and predictive validity of the Strain Index.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

This study assessed the utility of Poison Control Center data for identifying and describing occupational toxic exposures to youth and the associated health outcomes of such exposures. The authors reviewed 1997 data from the American Association of Poison Control Centers’ Toxic Exposure Surveillance System for occupational exposures to persons 6 to 19 years old. In 1997, there were 3442 reported occupational exposure cases among 6- to 19-year-olds. Exposure cases included underage workers, exposure to multiple substances, continuous or repeated exposure to the offending substance, and exposures occurring in the home. Poison Control Centers provide unique and valuable information on toxic workplace exposures to youth. Child labor laws may be violated in many cases, and risks exist with respect to industrial work done in the home. Prospective studies with immediate follow-back are needed.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Overhaul is the stage in which firefighters search for and extinguish possible sources of reignition. It is common practice not to wear respiratory protection during overhaul. Fifty-one firefighters in two groups, 25 without respiratory protection and 26 wearing cartridge respirators, were monitored for exposure to products of combustion and changes in spirometric measurements and lung permeability following overhaul of a structural fire. Testing at baseline and 1 hour after overhaul included forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), serum Clara cell protein (CC16), and serum surfactant-associated protein A (SP-A). Overhaul increased CC16 in both groups, indicating increased alveolar-capillary membrane permeability. Contrary to expectations, SP-A increased and FVC and FEV1decreased in the firefighters wearing cartridge respirators. Changes in FEV1, CC16, and SP-A were associated with concentrations of specific products of combustion or carboxyhemoglobin levels. Firefighter exposures during overhaul have the potential to cause changes in spirometric measurements and lung permeability, and self-contained breathing apparatus should be worn during overhaul to prevent lung injury.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

N,N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) has excellent solvent properties and is used intensively in the production of synthetic leather and resins. It has caused hepatoxicity in human and animal studies. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus infections are reported to be the major causes of chronic liver diseases (including liver cirrhosis and liver cancer) in Taiwan. This study examined the dose-response relationship of the observed abnormal liver function among the DMF-exposed workers and the interactions among DMF, other chemical exposures, HBV infection, and potential confounders on liver abnormalities. The average DMF exposure concentration was 11.6 ppm (median, 5.9 ppm; range, 0.1 to 86.6 ppm); 65 of 176 workers (36.9%) had high (>10 ppm) DMF exposure, 37 (21%) had middle (>5 ppm, ≤10 ppm) exposure, and 74 (42%) had low (≤5 ppm) exposure. There were 24 of 65 abnormal liver function test results (LFTs) (36.9%) (elevations of either glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, or gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase) among the workers with high DMF exposure, 10 of 37 abnormal LFTs (27%) among workers with middle DMF exposure, and 11 of 74 abnormal LFTs (22%) among workers with low DMF exposure. Compared with the workers having low DMF exposure, the HBV, drinking, body mass index (BMI), sex, duration of employment, epichlorohydrin, and toluene exposure adjusted odds ratios (ORs) (and 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for abnormal LFTs were 1.62 (0.61, 4.28) for workers with middle DMF exposure and 2.93 (1.27, 6.8) for those with high DMF exposure, and there was a significant dose response between DMF exposure and the prevalence of abnormal LFTs (P= 0.006). There were significant associations between abnormal LFTs and HBV carriers (adjusted OR: 3.11; 95% CI: 1.29, 7.5;P= 0.01) and between abnormal LFTs and increased BMI (adjusted OR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.02, 4.72;P= 0.041). Ultrasonography showed significant associations between chronic liver diseases and HBV carrier status, increased BMI, and high cumulative (>100 ppm-years) DMF exposure (respectively, adjusted OR: 9.58, 95% CI: 1.79, 51.4,P= 0.007; adjusted OR: 13.2, 95% CI: 1.32, 132,P= 0.025; and adjusted OR: 6.2, 95% CI: 1.14, 34.1,P= 0.032). Drinking and BMI were significantly associated with fatty liver (respectively, adjusted OR: 4.9, 95% CI: 1.39, 17.3,P= 0.012; and adjusted OR: 7.93, 95% CI: 1.6, 39.3,P= 0.01). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that (1) a significant dose-response relationship existed between liver function abnormalities and DMF exposure among workers in Taiwan, (2) HBV carrier status or increased BMI had synergistic effects with DMF in causing liver abnormalities (abnormal LFTs and clinical chronic liver diseases).

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Mortality was analyzed for an automotive engine foundry and machining complex, with process exposures derived from department assignments. Logistic regression models of mortality odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for 2546 deaths, and numbers of work-related deaths were estimated. Lung cancer mortality in the foundry was increased where cleaning and finishing of castings was performed (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.15 to 2.4 [at mean exposure duration of exposed cases]) and in core-making after 1967 (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.11 to 2.0). Black workers had excess lung cancer mortality in machining heat-treat operations (OR, 2.5, 95% CI, 1.4 to 4.3) and excess nonmalignant respiratory disease mortality in molding (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.16 to 5.5) and core-making (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.25 to 5.8). Stomach cancer mortality was elevated among workers with metalworking fluid exposures in precision grinding (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.14 to 5.1). Heart disease mortality was increased among all workers in molding (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.09 to 2.3), as was stroke mortality among workers exposed to metalworking fluids (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.22 to 2.7). Malignant and nonmalignant liver disease mortality was elevated in assembly/testing and precision grinding. In this modern foundry, 11% of deaths were estimated to be work-related despite it’s being largely in regulatory compliance over its 40-year existence. Machining plant exposures accounted for 3% or more of deaths there.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The main aim of the study was to examine the possible effects of occupational exposure to styrene on color vision function and the course after reduction of exposure. Color vision function was examined in 22 styrene-exposed laminators and 11 control subjects at a boat manufacturing plant. The Lanthony D-15 desaturated panel was used to test acquired dyschromatopsia. In all, six examinations were performed: Monday morning and Thursday afternoon of the same week, before and immediately after a vacation of 4 weeks (altogether, phase 1), and approximately 10 months later (phase 2), after the exposure level of styrene had been reduced. Styrene uptake was objectified by biological monitoring measuring the metabolites mandelic acid and phenylglyoxcylic acid in urine samples taken on Thursday afternoon. In both Thursday examinations, styrene-exposed workers had higher color confusion index (CCI) values compared with controls, which indicated quantitative color vision loss. After an exposure-free period of 4 weeks, a significant decrease of CCI values to normal range was found in laminators. Reexamination 10 months later showed also lower CCI values in exposed workers, indicating a dose–effect relationship. Abnormal CCI values occurred primarily in subjects with an excretion of approximately 500 to 600 mg mandelic acid plus phenylglyoxcylic acid per gram creatinine or more. We concluded that styrene-induced color vision dysfunction is reversible after an exposure-free interval of 4 weeks. The current Biological Tolerance Value of 600 mg mandelic acid plus phenylglyoxcylic acid per gram creatinine, as used in Germany, protects styrene-exposed workers from this subclinical effect.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID