RESUMEN
Air samples were collected by personal sampling with five stage Sioutas cascade impactors and respirable cyclones in parallel among tappers and crane operators in two manganese (Mn) alloy smelters in Norway to investigate PM fractions. The mass concentrations of PM collected by using the impactors and the respirable cyclones were critically evaluated by comparing the results of the parallel measurements. The geometric mean (GM) mass concentrations of the respirable fraction and the <10 µm PM fraction were 0.18 and 0.39 mg m(-3), respectively. Particle size distributions were determined using the impactor data in the range from 0 to 10 µm and by stationary measurements by using a scanning mobility particle sizer in the range from 10 to 487 nm. On average 50% of the particulate mass in the Mn alloy smelters was in the range from 2.5 to 10 µm, while the rest was distributed between the lower stages of the impactors. On average 15% of the particulate mass was found in the <0.25 µm PM fraction. The comparisons of the different PM fraction mass concentrations related to different work tasks or different workplaces, showed in many cases statistically significant differences, however, the particle size distribution of PM in the fraction <10 µm d(ae) was independent of the plant, furnace or work task.
Asunto(s)
Aerosoles/análisis , Contaminantes Ocupacionales del Aire/análisis , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Manganeso/análisis , Exposición por Inhalación/estadística & datos numéricos , Exposición Profesional/análisis , Exposición Profesional/estadística & datos numéricos , Tamaño de la Partícula , Lugar de TrabajoRESUMEN
Cement dust exposure has previously been associated with airway symptoms and ventilatory impairment. The aim of the present study was to examine lung function and airway symptoms among employees in different jobs and at different levels of exposure to thoracic dust in the cement production industry. At the start of a 4-yr prospective cohort study in 2007, exposure to cement dust, symptoms and lung function were recorded cross-sectionally in 4,265 employees in 24 European cement plants. Bronchial exposure was assessed by 2,670 full-shift dust samples with cyclones collecting the thoracic aerosol fraction. A job exposure matrix was constructed by grouping dust concentrations according to job type and plant. Elevated odds ratios for symptoms and airflow limitation (range 1.2-2.6 in the highest quartile), but not for chronic bronchitis, were found in the higher quartiles of exposure compared with the lowest quartile. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) showed an exposure-response relationship with a 270-mL deficit of FEV(1) (95% CI 190-300 mL) in the highest compared with the lowest exposure level. The results support the hypothesis that exposure to dust in cement production may lead to respiratory symptoms and airway obstruction.
Asunto(s)
Contaminantes Ocupacionales del Aire/toxicidad , Obstrucción de las Vías Aéreas/etiología , Materiales de Construcción/toxicidad , Polvo , Exposición por Inhalación , Pulmón/fisiopatología , Enfermedades Profesionales/etiología , Exposición Profesional , Adulto , Obstrucción de las Vías Aéreas/fisiopatología , Bronquitis Crónica/etiología , Bronquitis Crónica/fisiopatología , Estudios de Cohortes , Europa (Continente)/epidemiología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Enfermedades Profesionales/fisiopatología , Estudios Prospectivos , Pruebas de Función Respiratoria , Fumar/epidemiología , EspirometríaRESUMEN
A cross-sectional study was performed in eight companies, comprising 32 buildings without previously recognized indoor air problems. Engineers filled in a technical questionnaire on building characteristics, floor surface materials, ventilation, cleaning procedures, heating and cooling. A total of 3562 employees returned questionnaires on individual factors, workload, perceived physical work environment, allergy and symptoms. Frequent symptoms were feeling of fatigue or heavy-headedness, eye irritation, and dry facial skin. Women reported symptoms more frequently than men. Employees with allergy had a 1.8-2.5 times risk of reporting a high score for general, skin, or mucosal symptoms. The risk of a high symptom score increased with daily visual display unit (VDU) work time. Passive smoking and psychosocial load were also relatively strong predictors of symptoms. Weekly cleaning as compared with a frequency of cleaning two to four times a week increased the risk of symptoms. Adjusted odds ratio for a high general symptoms score from infrequent cleaning was 1.5 (95%CI 1.1-2.0). A high ventilation flow or central ventilation unit filter EU7 vs. EU8 seemed to be associated with an increased risk of general symptoms. Absence of local temperature control increased the risk of mucosal symptoms.
Asunto(s)
Contaminación del Aire Interior/efectos adversos , Síndrome del Edificio Enfermo/epidemiología , Ventilación , Lugar de Trabajo , Adulto , Estudios Transversales , Arquitectura y Construcción de Instituciones de Salud , Femenino , Calefacción , Humanos , Higiene , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prevalencia , Medición de Riesgo , Síndrome del Edificio Enfermo/etiologíaRESUMEN
AIMS: To analyse longitudinal changes in pulmonary function in professional divers and their relation with cumulative diving exposure. METHODS: The study included 87 men at the start of their education as professional divers. At follow up one, three, and six years later, 83, 81, and 77 divers were reexamined. The median number of compressed air dives in the 77 divers over the follow up period was 196 (range 37-2000). A group of non-smoking policemen (n = 64) were subjected to follow up examinations in parallel with the divers. Assessment of lung function included dynamic lung volumes, maximal expiratory flow rates, and transfer factor for carbon monoxide (Tl(CO)). The individual rates of change of the lung function variables were calculated by fitting linear regression lines to the data, expressed as percent change per year. RESULTS: The annual reductions in forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expired volume in one second (FEV(1)) were 0.91 (SD 1.22) and 0.84 (SD 1.28) per cent per year in divers, which were significantly higher than the reductions in the policemen of 0.24 (SD 1.04) and 0.16 (SD 1.07) per cent per year (p < 0.001). The annual reduction in the maximal expiratory flow rates at 25% and 75% of FVC expired (FEF(25%) and FEF(75%)) were related to the log(10) transformed cumulative number of dives in a multiple regression analysis (p < 0.05). The annual reductions in Tl(CO) were 1.33 (SD 1.85) and 0.43 (SD 1.53) per cent per year in divers and policemen (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: FVC, FEV(1), maximal expiratory flow rates, and Tl(CO) were significantly reduced in divers over the follow up period when compared with policemen. The contrasts within and between groups suggest that diving has contributed to the reduction in lung function.
Asunto(s)
Buceo/fisiología , Pulmón/fisiología , Accidentes de Trabajo/estadística & datos numéricos , Adulto , Estudios de Seguimiento , Volumen Espiratorio Forzado , Humanos , Masculino , Enfermedades Profesionales/etiología , Exposición Profesional , Análisis de Regresión , Pruebas de Función Respiratoria/métodos , Capacidad VitalRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the facial skin complaints of office workers before and after the static electric fields of a visual display unit were reduced. METHODS: On the basis of a screening survey of 4556 office workers in 11 companies, 120 of 227 subjects reporting facial skin complaints were randomly selected to this double blind intervention study. Antistatic measures were used to reduce the static electric fields of the visual display unit in the intervention group but not in the control group, which worked with a visual display unit resembling that of the intervention group. Electric fields, dust concentration, health complaints, and psychological behavior tests were recorded before and after the intervention. RESULTS: The intervention group reported statistically significantly fewer facial skin complaints than the control group. In the intervention group, among those with an office dust concentration of >58 microg/m3, a median reduction of 1.5 skin index points (scale 0-8) was achieved, whereas there was no change in the control group. In the regression model "group category" was still a significant variable after control for background factors. In addition, further linear regression analyses indicated that several static electric field parameters were predictors of the skin complaint reduction. CONCLUSIONS: This field trial indicates that removing static electric fields from visual display units can probably help reduce the facial skin complaints of workers in offices with high dust concentrations.
Asunto(s)
Campos Electromagnéticos/efectos adversos , Dermatosis Facial/prevención & control , Exposición Profesional/prevención & control , Adulto , Algoritmos , Análisis de Varianza , Método Doble Ciego , Polvo/efectos adversos , Dermatosis Facial/etiología , Femenino , Humanos , Modelos Lineales , Masculino , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversos , Electricidad Estática/efectos adversosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: There is need for relevant markers of bronchial inflammation in epidemiologic studies of asthma. Serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) is a marker of eosinophil inflammation and asthma activity. We have studied serum ECP in atopic farmers with current asthma, in non-atopic asthmatics and in non-asthmatic, non-atopic controls. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a cross-sectional study of a representative sample of 8,482 farmers in Norway, asthma was recorded using a self-administered questionnaire; spirometry and serum sampling were performed on all of them. Atopy was screened with Phadiatop and RAST analyses to the mites Lepidoglyphus destructor and Tyrophagus putrescentiae in all asthma cases and controls. All the identified atopics had additional RAST analyses on a set of allergens. Serum ECP was tested in 60 persons with current asthma and atopy (mean 16.2, 95% CI 13.2-19.3), 127 non-atopic asthmatics (mean 9.1, 95% CI 8.0-10.2) and 39 non-atopic controls (mean 5.5, 95% CI 4.0 7.0). ECP levels in atopic asthmatics were associated with number of positive allergens and reduction of FEVI values. Moreover, the ECP levels were elevated with allergy to swine, cow, D. pteronyssinus, L. destructor, A. siro, T. putrescentiae, timothy grass and the cereal grains: wheat, oat, barley and rye. CONCLUSION: Serum ECP seems feasible as an indicator of inflammatory activity in epidemiological studies of current allergic asthma, and may help to indicate the importance of specific allergens. Although the ECP values were significantly more elevated in atopic than in non-atopic asthma, elevated serum ECP was not specific for atopic asthma.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades de los Trabajadores Agrícolas/epidemiología , Asma/epidemiología , Proteínas Sanguíneas/análisis , Eosinófilos/química , Ribonucleasas , Adulto , Anciano , Enfermedades de los Trabajadores Agrícolas/diagnóstico , Enfermedades de los Trabajadores Agrícolas/inmunología , Obstrucción de las Vías Aéreas/diagnóstico , Obstrucción de las Vías Aéreas/epidemiología , Obstrucción de las Vías Aéreas/inmunología , Animales , Asma/diagnóstico , Asma/inmunología , Bovinos , Estudios de Cohortes , Estudios Transversales , Proteínas en los Gránulos del Eosinófilo , Eosinófilos/inmunología , Femenino , Humanos , Hipersensibilidad Inmediata/diagnóstico , Hipersensibilidad Inmediata/epidemiología , Hipersensibilidad Inmediata/inmunología , Modelos Lineales , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Ácaros/inmunología , Prueba de Radioalergoadsorción , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Fumar , Espirometría , Esposos , PorcinosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: This investigation studied possible neuropsychological effects among former chloralkali workers with past exposure to mercury vapor. METHODS: Seventy-five formerly exposed workers who had been examined with an extensive neuropsychological test battery were compared with 52 referents frequency-matched for age. The tests measured general cognitive function, motor and psychomotor function, attention, memory, and learning. The groups were similar in educational level, age, and verbal comprehension. The mean exposure time to mercury vapor in the index group was 7.9 (range 1.1-36.2) years with an annual mean urinary mercury concentration of 539 (range 41-2921) nmol/(l x year). The mean time since the cessation of exposure was 12.7 (range 1.0-35.0) years. RESULTS: Performance on the grooved pegboard (dominant hand 75.8 versus 70.9 seconds, P<0.05; nondominant hand 82.2 versus 76.3 seconds, P=0.02) and the Benton visual retention test (mean number of correct reproductions 6.9 versus 7.5, P<0.05) was poorer among the formerly exposed workers when compared with the referents. In addition the subjects who had experienced the highest intensity of exposure [cumulative urinary mercury index > or =550 nmol/(l x year)] had a poorer performance on the trailmaking test, part A and B, on the digit symbol test, and on the word pairs test (retention errors). CONCLUSIONS: The presented results suggest a slight persistent effect of mercury vapor exposure on the central nervous system, mainly involving motor functions and attention, but also possibly related to the visual system. Previous exposure does not seem to have affected the workers' general intellectual level or their ability to reason logically.
Asunto(s)
Industria Química , Trastornos Mentales/etiología , Mercurio , Enfermedades del Sistema Nervioso/etiología , Exposición Profesional , Adulto , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pruebas NeuropsicológicasRESUMEN
We studied pulmonary and auditory function in a cross-sectional study of 26 experienced construction divers compared with 26 workshop workers matched for age, height, and smoking habits. The divers used air as breathing gas and performed open-sea bounce dives to a maximum of 50 m in sea water. The mean number of dives over a mean diving period of 20 yr (SD = 11) was 4746 (SD = 4743) (Range: 450-17000). Assessment of lung function included dynamic lung volume and flow and diffusion capacity (transfer factor) for carbon monoxide (TlCO). The auditory examination was performed measuring air conduction thresholds in a cabin. The results show a significantly higher mean forced vital capacity (FVC) of 6.01 L (SD = 0.88) in the divers compared with 5.67 L (SD = 0.84) (p = 0.045) in the controls, and an alveolar volume (VA) of 7.74 L (SD = 0.99) in the divers compared with 7.35 L (SD = 0.74) (p = 0.035) in the controls. There was a nonsignificant reduction in forced mid-expiratory flow rate (FEF25-75%) and a significant reduction in forced expiratory flow rate at 50% of FVC (FEF50%) among the divers of 4.69 L (SD = 1.41) compared with 5.76 L (SD = 2.03) among the controls of (p = 0.03). There were no differences in FEV1 and TlCO between the two groups. The divers showed reduced auditory function in their left ear compared with their right ear in the 3 kHz (p = 0.006) and 8 kHz (p = 0.022) area. No statistical difference was found in hearing thresholds of the divers compared with those of the controls. Our results indicate that exposure to diving may be associated with changes in pulmonary function and that the left ear may be more vulnerable than the right ear to hearing impairment in construction divers.
Asunto(s)
Umbral Auditivo/fisiología , Buceo/efectos adversos , Buceo/fisiología , Mediciones del Volumen Pulmonar , Capacidad de Difusión Pulmonar/fisiología , Adulto , Anciano , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Estudios Transversales , Flujo Espiratorio Forzado , Trastornos de la Audición/diagnóstico , Trastornos de la Audición/etiología , Humanos , Masculino , Flujo Espiratorio Medio Máximo , Persona de Mediana Edad , Enfermedades Profesionales/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Profesionales/etiología , Factores de Tiempo , Capacidad Vital/fisiologíaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Little has been known about the risk of cancer associated with occupational exposure to manganese. The objective of this study was therefore to examine the associations between duration of specific work and cancer incidence among employees in four Norwegian ferromanganese and silicomanganese producing plants. METHODS: Among men first employed in 1933-91 and with at least 6 months in these plants, the incident cases of cancer during 1953-91 were obtained from The Cancer Registry of Norway. The numbers of various cancers were compared with expected figures calculated from age and calendar time specific rates for Norwegian men during the same period. Internal comparisons of rates were performed with Poisson regression analysis. The final cohort comprised 6363 men. RESULTS: A total of 607 cases of cancer were observed against 596 cases expected (standardised incidence ratio (SIR) 1.02). Internal comparisons of rates showed a positive trend between the rate of all cancers and duration of furnace work. A slightly weaker trend was also found for duration of blue collar non-furnace work when lags of 25 or 30 years were applied in the analyses. However, several results indicated that the incidence of all cancers among the non-furnace workers decreased during the period of active employment. CONCLUSIONS: Furnace and non-furnace workers may have exposures that increase the incidence of several cancers. The low incidence of cancer among non-furnace workers during the period of ongoing exposure cannot be explained. As this study cannot identify any causal factors, the role of exposure to manganese remains unclear.
Asunto(s)
Compuestos Ferrosos/efectos adversos , Manganeso/efectos adversos , Neoplasias/epidemiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/epidemiología , Humanos , Incidencia , Masculino , Neoplasias/inducido químicamente , Noruega/epidemiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/inducido químicamente , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversos , Análisis de Regresión , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between cancer incidence, in particular incidence of lung cancer, and duration of work among employees in eight Norwegian plants producing ferrosilicon and silicon metal. METHODS: Among men first employed during 1933-91 and with at least 6 months in these plants, the incident cases of cancer during 1953-91 were obtained from The Cancer Registry of Norway. The numbers of various cancers were compared with expected figures calculated from age and calendar time specific rates for Norwegian men during the same period. Internal comparisons of rates were performed with Poisson regression analysis. The final cohort comprised 8530 men. RESULTS: A total of 832 cases of cancer were observed against 786 expected (standardised incidence ratio (SIR) 1.06). Among the furnace workers an increased incidence of lung cancer (SIR 1.57) and testicular cancer (SIR 2.30) was found. Internal comparisons of rates by Poisson regression analysis among the rural furnace workers showed a positive trend between incidence of lung cancer and duration of work of 1.05 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.00 to 1.10)/work-year. Excess cases of prostate and kidney cancer were found among blue collar non-furnace workers, in particular among the mechanics. CONCLUSION: The results suggest associations between furnace work and lung and testicular cancer, and between non-furnace work and prostate cancer.
Asunto(s)
Compuestos Ferrosos/efectos adversos , Neoplasias/etiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/etiología , Dióxido de Silicio/efectos adversos , Humanos , Neoplasias Pulmonares/epidemiología , Neoplasias Pulmonares/etiología , Masculino , Neoplasias/epidemiología , Noruega/epidemiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/epidemiología , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversos , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
The possible effect of environmental pollution on fetal growth was examined in 3,231 consecutively liveborn single infants (>/=37 weeks' gestation) of Caucasian parents born between 1986 and 1988. The parents lived in an industrial area or in less polluted urban and rural residential areas. Information about lifestyle, health, and work exposures was collected from the parents. A significantly lower arithmetic mean birth weight was observed for newborns in the industrial residential area (3,517 g, SD, 482), compared with the urban (3,592 g, SD 495) and rural (3,618 g, SD 517) areas (P < 0.05). Even controlling for gestational age, sex, parity, maternal smoking habits, and social class, residential area still had a significant effect on birth weight. Among other factors examined, only maternal psychological stress at work had a significant effect on birth weight. If the observed association reflects a causal relationship, birth weight may represent a potential outcome parameter for surveillance of effects on humans of environmental exposures.
Asunto(s)
Contaminantes Atmosféricos/efectos adversos , Peso al Nacer , Características de la Residencia , Salud Rural , Salud Urbana , Adulto , Contaminantes Atmosféricos/análisis , Factores de Confusión Epidemiológicos , Dinamarca , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Femenino , Humanos , Industrias , Recién Nacido , Masculino , Factores Socioeconómicos , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine mortality from circulatory diseases and sudden death among workers in 12 Norwegian ferroalloy plants. METHODS: The cohort comprised 14730 men employed for the first time during 1933-1990 and for at least 6 months. Deaths observed during 1962-1990 were compared with expected figures calculated from national mortality rates. Internal comparisons of rates were performed by Poisson regression analysis. RESULTS: The overall mortality from cardiovascular diseases was not increased [standardized mortality ratio (SMR) 1.01], but a significantly increased mortality from sudden death (SMR 1.55) and hypertensive disease (SMR 1.37) was observed. Among the ferromanganese/silicomanganese (FeMn/SiMn) furnace workers the sudden death mortality was significantly increased during the employment period (SMR 2.47). In an internal comparison of the sudden death rates, a significant increase of 0.05 in the rate ratio per workyear was observed in this group. The mortality from 3 hypertension-related diseases combined (cerebrovascular, hypertensive, and renal diseases) showed identical positive mortality trends among the ferrosilicon/silicon-metal (FeSi/Si-met) and the FeMn/SiMn furnace workers by increasing duration of work. CONCLUSIONS: Increased mortality from sudden death among the FeMn/SiMn furnace workers is not likely to be explained by smoking or alcohol consumption. Associations with work exposures (manganese and possibly carbon monoxide and heat) are suspected. The increasing mortality from hypertension-related diseases with increasing duration of work in both groups of furnace workers may be associated with common furnace work conditions (eg, heat, psychosocial stress, shift work, noise, carbon monoxide).
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/mortalidad , Causas de Muerte , Muerte Súbita Cardíaca/epidemiología , Compuestos de Hierro/efectos adversos , Enfermedades Profesionales/mortalidad , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversos , Compuestos de Silicona/efectos adversos , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Aleaciones/efectos adversos , Monóxido de Carbono/efectos adversos , Estudios de Cohortes , Estudios Transversales , Muerte Súbita Cardíaca/etiología , Humanos , Hipertensión/etiología , Hipertensión/mortalidad , Incidencia , Hierro/efectos adversos , Masculino , Manganeso/efectos adversos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Noruega/epidemiología , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: This study examined mortality from nonmalignant respiratory diseases among ferroalloy workers. METHODS: The cohort comprised 14730 men employed for the first time in 1933-1990 and for at least 6 months in 1 of 12 plants. The duration of work in specific departments and exposure to amorphous silica in the ferrosilicon/silicon-metal (FeSi/Si-met) plants, estimated from a job-exposure matrix, were the main exposure variables. Deaths were observed during 1962-1990. The mortality was analyzed with the use of standardized mortality ratios (SMR) and internal comparisons of rates. RESULTS: Overall mortality from nonmalignant respiratory diseases was not increased, but mortality from bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma combined was significantly increased among the men with at least 3 years of FeSi/Si-met furnace work (SMR 1.82, 16 deaths). A Poisson regression analysis of the mortality from these causes among 6359 employees in the FeSi/Si-met plants showed a significant increase of 0.06 per unit of amorphous silica exposure observed 10-20 years after the exposure. Six men died of pneumonia while still employed in a ferromanganese/silicomanganese (FeMn/SiMn) plant. No corresponding deaths occurred among employees in FeSi/Si-met plants. Only 2 deaths from pneumoconiosis were observed in the total cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Among employees in FeSi/Si-met plants increased mortality from bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma may be associated with previous exposure to amorphous silica. Deaths from pneumonia among FeMn/SiMn workers may be associated with manganese exposure.
Asunto(s)
Bronquitis/mortalidad , Compuestos de Hierro/efectos adversos , Enfermedades Pulmonares/mortalidad , Enfermedades Profesionales/mortalidad , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversos , Enfermedades Respiratorias/mortalidad , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Aleaciones/efectos adversos , Bronquitis/etiología , Causas de Muerte , Estudios de Cohortes , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Hierro/efectos adversos , Enfermedades Pulmonares/etiología , Manganeso/efectos adversos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Noruega/epidemiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/etiología , Enfermedades Respiratorias/etiología , Factores de Riesgo , Compuestos de Silicona/efectos adversos , Silicosis/etiología , Silicosis/mortalidadRESUMEN
The consequences of long-lasting and low-grade exposure to carbon monoxide are a matter of debate. During the second world war, lack of petrol led to widespread use of wood as fuel (generator gas vehicles), especially in the Nordic countries. This caused many cases of "acute" or "chronic" carbon monoxide poisoning. Typical symptoms of "chronic poisoning" were headache, dizziness and tiredness. Usually the symptoms disappeared after some weeks or month, but in some patients probably became permanent. The experiences from the generator gas era are now almost forgotten, and chronic carbon monoxide poisoning is easily overlooked. The authors describe two cases of such poisoning. A crane driver at a smelting works developed permanent symptoms after twenty years of exposure. A faulty oil-fired central heating system caused long-lasting symptoms in four members of a family.
Asunto(s)
Intoxicación por Monóxido de Carbono , Contaminantes Atmosféricos/efectos adversos , Contaminantes Ocupacionales del Aire/efectos adversos , Intoxicación por Monóxido de Carbono/diagnóstico , Intoxicación por Monóxido de Carbono/etiología , Aceites Combustibles , Calefacción , Historia del Siglo XX , Humanos , Vehículos a Motor , Noruega , Investigación , GuerraRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Concern about the health hazards of exposure to workers in the ferroalloy industry has initiated this historical cohort study. The aim was to examine the mortality pattern among male employees in 12 Norwegian ferroalloy plants. METHODS: All men employed for at least six months who started their first employment during 1933-91 were eligible for the cohort. Deaths observed during 1962-90 were compared with expected figures calculated from national mortalities. Internal comparisons of rates were performed by Poisson regression analysis. The final cohort comprised 14,730 male employees who were observed for 288,886 person-years. RESULTS: Mortality from all causes of death was slightly increased (3390 deaths, standardised mortality ratio (SMR) 1.08, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.04-1.11). Regression analysis of total mortality showed a significant negative trend for the rate ratios with increasing duration of employment. An increased mortality was found among employees in urban plants compared with employees in rural plants (rate ratio (RR) 1.21, 95% CI 1.13-1.29). Excess deaths from cancer (SMR 1.11) and sudden death (SMR 1.47) were found among employees with at least three years of employment. Mortality from accidents, poisonings, and violence was increased among all employees (SMR 1.28). Excess deaths from this cause were however only found for the time after the end of employment in this industry and not during employment (SMR 0.90). CONCLUSIONS: The increased mortality from cancer and sudden death could be related to work exposures, at least in subgroups, and these results warrant further studies. The excess deaths from accidents, poisonings, and violence were probably not related to work exposures. The mortality results for short term workers and other information indicate that systematic errors contribute to the increased overall mortality.
Asunto(s)
Metalurgia , Enfermedades Profesionales/mortalidad , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Aleaciones , Causas de Muerte , Estudios de Cohortes , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Noruega/epidemiología , Análisis de RegresiónRESUMEN
The aim of the study was to examine the roles of occupational and environmental factors in relation to spontaneous abortions with known karyotypes. A case-referent study was performed among 793 women hospitalized for spontaneous abortion and 808 referents attending ultrasound screening at 17-18 weeks of pregnancy. Chromosomal analysis were obtained for 371 abortuses and 679 referent newborns. Significantly elevated odds ratios (ORs) for abortions with abnormal chromosomes were found for maternal psychological strain at work (OR:1.8), exposure to anesthetic gases (OR:6.9), video display unit work >/= 1/2 working day (OR:1.9), and sales work (OR:2.0). An association with paternal security work (OR:3.0) was possibly confounded by maternal exposure to psychological strain. Abortuses with normal chromosomes were associated with maternal sales work (OR:1.9) and psychological (OR:2.3) and physical (OR:1.6) strain at home, and with paternal construction work (OR:2.1) and physical strain at home (OR:1.9). No relationship between air pollution and spontaneous abortion was observed regardless of karyotype.
RESUMEN
A competent assessment of causal relationships in the case of work-related lung disorders depends on correct diagnosis, a detailed occupational history and updated epidemiological knowledge about causal relationships, obtained from the literature. Assessments for purposes of compensation demand, in addition, an explicit choice of methods for calculating causes, before a meaningful attempt can be made to weight the various factors in and outside the working environment. If adequate epidemiological knowledge is available, the causal probability, based on the etiological fraction among the exposed persons (attributable risk) may be a useful tool for apportioning the different causal factors.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades Pulmonares/epidemiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/epidemiología , Evaluación de la Discapacidad , Métodos Epidemiológicos , Humanos , Revisión de Utilización de Seguros , Enfermedades Pulmonares/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Pulmonares/etiología , Noruega/epidemiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Profesionales/etiologíaRESUMEN
Proposals for diagnostic methods and clinical evaluation of occupational lung and pleural diseases have been worked out by a Working Group appointed by the Norwegian Thoracic Society and the Norwegian Society of Occupational Medicine. The management of this group of diseases demands both an evaluation of occupational exposure and a specific pulmonary diagnosis. Recommendations were made especially for obstructive, interstitial, and malignant diseases.