1
|
Pinkerton LE, Hein MJ, Anderson JL, Christianson A, Little MP, Sigurdson AJ, Schubauer-Berigan MK. Melanoma, thyroid cancer, and gynecologic cancers in a cohort of female flight attendants. Am J Ind Med 2018; 61:572-581. [PMID: 29687925 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Flight attendants may have an increased risk of some cancers from occupational exposure to cosmic radiation and circadian disruption. METHODS The incidence of thyroid, ovarian, and uterine cancer among ∼6000 female flight attendants compared to the US population was evaluated via life table analyses. Associations of these cancers, melanoma, and cervical cancer with cumulative cosmic radiation dose and metrics of circadian disruption were evaluated using Cox regression. RESULTS Incidence of thyroid, ovarian, and uterine cancer was not elevated. No significant, positive exposure-response relations were observed. Weak, non-significant, positive relations were observed for thyroid cancer with cosmic radiation and time zones crossed and for melanoma with another metric of circadian disruption. CONCLUSIONS We found little evidence of increased risk of these cancers from occupational cosmic radiation or circadian disruption in female flight attendants. Limitations include few observed cases of some cancers, limited data on risk factors, and misclassification of exposures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lynne E. Pinkerton
- Industrywide Studies Branch; Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Cincinnati Ohio
| | - Misty J. Hein
- Industrywide Studies Branch; Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Cincinnati Ohio
| | - Jeri L. Anderson
- Industrywide Studies Branch; Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Cincinnati Ohio
| | - Annette Christianson
- Industrywide Studies Branch; Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Cincinnati Ohio
| | - Mark P. Little
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch; Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics; National Cancer Institute; Bethesda Maryland
| | - Alice J. Sigurdson
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch; Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics; National Cancer Institute; Bethesda Maryland
| | - Mary K. Schubauer-Berigan
- Industrywide Studies Branch; Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Cincinnati Ohio
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
MacDonald LA, Fujishiro K, Howard VJ, Landsbergis P, Hein MJ. Participation in a US community-based cardiovascular health study: investigating nonrandom selection effects related to employment, perceived stress, work-related stress, and family caregiving. Ann Epidemiol 2017; 27:545-552.e2. [PMID: 28890281 DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2017.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Participation in health studies may be inversely associated with employment and stress. We investigated whether employment, perceived stress, work-related stress, and family caregiving were related to participation in a longitudinal US community-based health study of black and white men and women aged ≥45 years. METHODS Prevalence ratios and confidence intervals were estimated for completion of the second stage (S2) of a two-stage enrollment process by employment (status, type), and stress (perceived stress, work-related stress, caregiving), adjusting for age, sex, race, region, income, and education. Eligibility and consent for a follow-up occupational survey were similarly evaluated. RESULTS Wage- but not self-employed participants were less likely than the unemployed to complete S2. Among the employed, S2 completion did not vary by stress; however, family caregivers with a short time burden of care (<2 hour/d) were more likely to complete S2, compared to noncaregivers. Eligibility and participation in the follow-up occupational survey were higher among those employed (vs. unemployed) at enrollment but were not associated with enrollment stress levels. CONCLUSIONS Limited evidence of selection bias was seen by employment and stress within a large US community-based cohort, but findings suggest the need for enrollment procedures to consider possible barriers to participation among wage-employed individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leslie A MacDonald
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, Cincinnati, OH.
| | - Kaori Fujishiro
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Virginia J Howard
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Birmingham, AL
| | - Paul Landsbergis
- State University of New York-Downstate, School of Public Health, New York
| | - Misty J Hein
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, Cincinnati, OH
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
MacDonald LA, Bertke S, Hein MJ, Judd S, Baron S, Merritt R, Howard VJ. Prevalence of Cardiovascular Health by Occupation: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Among U.S. Workers Aged ≥45 Years. Am J Prev Med 2017; 53:152-161. [PMID: 28410861 PMCID: PMC5522644 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2017.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Revised: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Identification of groups with poor cardiovascular health (CVH) can inform where and how to target public health efforts. National prevalence estimates of CVH were derived for clinical (blood glucose, total cholesterol, blood pressure) and behavioral (BMI, diet quality, physical activity, smoking) factors among U.S. workers aged ≥45 years. METHODS This cross-sectional analysis included 6,282 employed black and white men and women aged ≥45 years enrolled in the national population-based REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke study from 2003 to 2007. Each CVH factor was scored as ideal (2); intermediate (1); or poor (0) according to American Heart Association criteria, and summed to define optimal composite scores: CVH (sum, 10-14); clinical (sum, 5-6); and behavioral (sum, 6-8) health. Occupational data were collected 2011-2013. Analyses were conducted in 2016. RESULTS Only 14% met ideal criteria for all three clinical health factors, and none met ideal criteria for all four behavioral health factors. Sales and low status office workers had a low prevalence of optimal CVH. Service workers in protective services and the food preparation and serving occupations had a low prevalence of optimal clinical health; computer and healthcare support workers had a low prevalence of optimal behavioral health. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of optimal CVH among middle-aged and older workers in the U.S. is low, but considerable differences exist by occupation. Targeted public health interventions may improve the CVH of at-risk older workers with different clinical and behavioral risk factor profiles employed in diverse occupational settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leslie A MacDonald
- Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio.
| | - Stephen Bertke
- Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Misty J Hein
- Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Suzanne Judd
- School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Sherry Baron
- Barry Commoner Center for Health and the Environment, Queens College, Flushing, New York
| | - Robert Merritt
- Division of Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Virginia J Howard
- School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Johnson CY, Rocheleau CM, Hein MJ, Waters MA, Stewart PA, Lawson CC, Reefhuis J. Agreement between two methods for retrospective assessment of occupational exposure intensity to six chlorinated solvents: Data from The National Birth Defects Prevention Study. J Occup Environ Hyg 2017; 14:389-396. [PMID: 28388335 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2016.1269177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The wide variety of jobs encountered in population-based studies makes retrospective exposure assessment challenging in occupational epidemiology. In this analysis, two methods for estimating exposure intensity to chlorinated solvents are compared: rated (assigned by an expert rater) and modeled (assigned using statistical models). Estimates of rated and modeled intensities were compared for jobs held by mothers participating in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study with possible exposure to six chlorinated solvents: carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, methylene chloride, perchloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and trichloroethylene. For each possibly exposed job, an industrial hygienist assigned (1) an exposure intensity (rated intensity) and (2) determinants of exposure to be used in a statistical model of exposure intensity (modeled intensity). Of 12,326 reported jobs, between 31 (0.3%) and 746 (6%) jobs were rated as possibly exposed to each of the six solvents. Agreement between rated and modeled intensities was low overall (Spearman correlation coefficient range: -0.09 to 0.28; kappa range: -0.23 to 0.43). Although no air measurements were available to determine if rated or modeled estimates were more accurate, review of participants' job titles showed that modeled estimates were often unexpectedly high given the low-exposure tasks found in these jobs. Differences between the high-exposure jobs used to create the statistical models (obtained from air measurements in the published literature) and the low-exposure jobs in the actual study population is a potential explanation for the disagreement between the two methods. Investigators should be aware that statistical models estimating exposure intensity using existing data from one type of worker population might not be generalizable to all populations of workers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Candice Y Johnson
- a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Cincinnati , Ohio
- b Epidemic Intelligence Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta , Georgia
| | - Carissa M Rocheleau
- a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Cincinnati , Ohio
| | - Misty J Hein
- a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Cincinnati , Ohio
- c CACI Inc. , Cincinnati , Ohio
| | - Martha A Waters
- a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Cincinnati , Ohio
| | | | - Christina C Lawson
- a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Cincinnati , Ohio
| | - Jennita Reefhuis
- e National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta , Georgia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ruder AM, Hein MJ, Hopf NB, Waters MA. Cancer incidence among capacitor manufacturing workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls. Am J Ind Med 2017; 60:198-207. [PMID: 28059454 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We evaluated cancer incidence in a cohort of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposed workers. METHODS Incident cancers, identified using state registries, were compared to those in a national population using standardized incidence ratios. Trends in prostate cancer incidence with cumulative PCB exposure were evaluated using standardized rate ratios and Cox regression models. For selected sites, cumulative PCB exposure was compared between aggressive (fatal/distant stage) and localized/regional cancers. RESULTS We identified 3,371 invasive first primary cancer diagnoses among 21,317 eligible workers through 2007. Overall relative incidence was reduced. Elevations were only observed for respiratory cancers and among women, urinary organ cancers. Among men, prostate cancer incidence was reduced and not associated with cumulative PCB exposure although median exposures were significantly higher for aggressive compared to localized/regional prostate cancers. CONCLUSION Previously observed associations between cumulative PCB exposure and prostate cancer mortality were not confirmed in this analysis; prostate cancer stage at diagnosis may explain the discrepancy. Am. J. Ind. Med. 60:198-207, 2017. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Avima M. Ruder
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies; Cincinnati Ohio
| | - Misty J. Hein
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies; Cincinnati Ohio
- CACI, Inc.; Cincinnati Ohio
| | - Nancy B. Hopf
- Institute for Work and Health (IST); Epalinges-Lausanne; Switzerland
| | - Martha A. Waters
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Division of Applied Research and Technology; Cincinnati Ohio
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Purdue MP, Stewart PA, Friesen MC, Colt JS, Locke SJ, Hein MJ, Waters MA, Graubard BI, Davis F, Ruterbusch J, Schwartz K, Chow WH, Rothman N, Hofmann JN. Occupational exposure to chlorinated solvents and kidney cancer: a case-control study. Occup Environ Med 2016; 74:268-274. [PMID: 27803178 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2016-103849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2016] [Revised: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Trichloroethylene, a chlorinated solvent widely used for metal degreasing, is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a kidney carcinogen. Other chlorinated solvents are suspected carcinogens, most notably the cleaning solvent perchloroethylene, although it is unclear whether they are associated with kidney cancer. We investigated kidney cancer associations with occupational exposure to 6 chlorinated solvents (trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and methylene chloride) within a case-control study using detailed exposure assessment methods. METHODS Cases (n=1217) and controls (n=1235) provided information on their occupational histories and, for selected occupations, on tasks involving potential exposure to chlorinated solvents through job-specific interview modules. Using this information, an industrial hygienist assessed potential exposure to each solvent. We computed ORs and 95% CIs for different exposure metrics, with unexposed participants as the referent group. RESULTS 1,1,1-trichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and methylene chloride were not associated with kidney cancer. Among jobs with high exposure intensity, high cumulative hours exposed to perchloroethylene was associated with increased risk, both overall (third tertile vs unexposed: OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.3 to 7.4) and after excluding participants with ≥50% exposure probability for trichloroethylene (OR 3.0, 95% CI 0.99 to 9.0). A non-significant association with high cumulative hours exposed to trichloroethylene was observed (OR 1.7, 95% CI 0.8 to 3.8). CONCLUSIONS In this study, high exposure to perchloroethylene was associated with kidney cancer, independent of trichloroethylene. Additional studies are needed to further investigate this finding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark P Purdue
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Melissa C Friesen
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Joanne S Colt
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sarah J Locke
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Martha A Waters
- Division of Applied Research and Technology, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Barry I Graubard
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Faith Davis
- University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Julie Ruterbusch
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Kendra Schwartz
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Wong-Ho Chow
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Nathaniel Rothman
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jonathan N Hofmann
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bertke SJ, Lehman EJ, Wurzelbacher SJ, Hein MJ. Mortality of lead smelter workers: A follow-up study with exposure assessment. Am J Ind Med 2016; 59:979-986. [PMID: 27350012 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lead exposure has been linked to impaired renal function and kidney failure. High lead exposures have been associated with increased mortality from certain cancers, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS We extended vital status follow-up on a cohort of 1,990 lead smelter workers by 25 years and computed standardized mortality ratios and rate ratios (RR) stratified by cumulative lead exposure. RESULTS The update added 13,823 person-years at risk and 721 deaths. Increased risk of mortality was observed for the a priori outcomes of lung cancer, cardiovascular disease (including cerebrovascular disease), chronic kidney disease, and ALS. However, of these outcomes, only cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and chronic kidney diseases were associated with a positive exposure-response in RR analyses. CONCLUSIONS This study reaffirms the association of lead exposure with cardiovascular and kidney diseases; however, increased mortality observed for certain cancers is not likely to be due to lead exposure. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:979-986, 2016. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J. Bertke
- Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies; Industrywide Studies Branch, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Cincinnati Ohio
| | - Everett J. Lehman
- Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies; Industrywide Studies Branch, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Cincinnati Ohio
| | - Steven J. Wurzelbacher
- Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies; Industrywide Studies Branch, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Cincinnati Ohio
| | - Misty J. Hein
- Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies; Industrywide Studies Branch, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Cincinnati Ohio
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is current disagreement in the scientific literature about the relationship between playing football and suicide risk, particularly among professional players in the National Football League (NFL). While some research indicates players are at high risk of football-related concussions, which may lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy and suicide, other research finds such a connection to be speculative and unsupported by methodologically sound research. PURPOSE To compare the suicide mortality of a cohort of NFL players to what would be expected in the general population of the United States. STUDY DESIGN Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS A cohort of 3439 NFL players with at least 5 credited playing seasons between 1959 and 1988 was assembled for statistical analysis. The vital status for this cohort was updated through 2013. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs), the ratio of observed deaths to expected deaths, and 95% CIs were computed for the cohort; 95% CIs that excluded unity were considered statistically significant. For internal comparison purposes, standardized rate ratios were calculated to compare mortality results between players stratified into speed and nonspeed position types. RESULTS Suicide among this cohort of professional football players was significantly less than would be expected in comparison with the United States population (SMR = 0.47; 95% CI, 0.24-0.82). There were no significant differences in suicide mortality between speed and nonspeed position players. CONCLUSION There is no indication of elevated suicide risk in this cohort of professional football players with 5 or more credited seasons of play. Because of the unique nature of this cohort, these study results may not be applicable to professional football players who played fewer than 5 years or to college or high school players.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Everett J. Lehman
- Address correspondence to Everett J. Lehman, MS, c/o Douglas Trout, MD, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4676 Columbia Parkway, R-12, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA ()
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Pinkerton LE, Hein MJ, Anderson JL, Little MP, Sigurdson AJ, Schubauer-Berigan MK. Breast cancer incidence among female flight attendants: exposure–response analyses. Scand J Work Environ Health 2016; 42:538-546. [DOI: 10.5271/sjweh.3586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
|
10
|
Pinkerton LE, Hein MJ, Grajewski B, Kamel F. Mortality from neurodegenerative diseases in a cohort of US flight attendants. Am J Ind Med 2016; 59:532-7. [PMID: 27184412 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Concern exists about the potential chronic neurological effects among aircrew of exposure to chemical contaminants from engine oil in aircraft cabin air. We evaluated mortality from neurodegenerative diseases among 11,311 former US flight attendants. METHODS Vital status was ascertained through 2007, and life table analyses were conducted to obtain standardized mortality ratios (SMRs). RESULTS Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) mortality was over twice as high in the cohort as in the US general population, based on nine observed ALS deaths. There was no clear pattern in risk when SMRs for ALS were stratified by exposure duration. Mortality from other neurodegenerative diseases was not elevated. CONCLUSIONS Our findings are limited due to small numbers of observed deaths and reliance on mortality data, but suggest that flight attendants may have an increased risk of ALS. Additional research is needed. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:532-537, 2016. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lynne E. Pinkerton
- Industrywide Studies Branch, Division of Surveillance; Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Cincinnati Ohio
| | | | - Barbara Grajewski
- Industrywide Studies Branch, Division of Surveillance; Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Cincinnati Ohio
| | - Freya Kamel
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; Research Triangle Park; North Carolina
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Hein MJ, Schubauer-Berigan MK. Re: Bias in the proportionate mortality ratio analysis of small study populations: A case on analyses of radiation and mesothelioma. Int J Radiat Biol 2015; 91:908-10. [PMID: 26189732 DOI: 10.3109/09553002.2015.1075179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Misty J Hein
- a CACI, Inc. , Cincinnati , OH ;,b Industrywide Studies Branch, Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies , National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health , Cincinnati , OH , USA
| | - Mary K Schubauer-Berigan
- b Industrywide Studies Branch, Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies , National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health , Cincinnati , OH , USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Schubauer-Berigan MK, Anderson JL, Hein MJ, Little MP, Sigurdson AJ, Pinkerton LE. Breast cancer incidence in a cohort of U.S. flight attendants. Am J Ind Med 2015; 58:252-66. [PMID: 25678455 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Flight attendants may have elevated breast cancer incidence (BCI). We evaluated BCI's association with cosmic radiation dose and circadian rhythm disruption among 6,093 female former U.S. flight attendants. METHODS We collected questionnaire data on BCI and risk factors for breast cancer from 2002-2005. We conducted analyses to evaluate (i) BCI in the cohort compared to the U.S. population; and (ii) exposure-response relations. We applied an indirect adjustment to estimate whether parity and age at first birth (AFB) differences between the cohort and U.S. population could explain BCI that differed from expectation. RESULTS BCI was elevated but may be explained by lower parity and older AFB in the cohort than among U.S. women. BCI was not associated with exposure metrics in the cohort overall. Significant positive associations with both were observed only among women with parity of three or more. CONCLUSIONS Future cohort analyses may be informative on the role of these occupational exposures and non-occupational risk factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary K. Schubauer-Berigan
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Division of Surveillance; Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies; Industrywide Studies Branch; Cincinnati Ohio
| | - Jeri L. Anderson
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Division of Surveillance; Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies; Industrywide Studies Branch; Cincinnati Ohio
| | - Misty J. Hein
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Division of Surveillance; Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies; Industrywide Studies Branch; Cincinnati Ohio
| | - Mark P. Little
- National Cancer Institute; Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics; Radiation Epidemiology Branch; Bethesda Maryland
| | - Alice J. Sigurdson
- National Cancer Institute; Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics; Radiation Epidemiology Branch; Bethesda Maryland
| | - Lynne E. Pinkerton
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Division of Surveillance; Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies; Industrywide Studies Branch; Cincinnati Ohio
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Carreón T, Hein MJ, Hanley KW, Viet SM, Ruder AM. Coronary artery disease and cancer mortality in a cohort of workers exposed to vinyl chloride, carbon disulfide, rotating shift work, and o-toluidine at a chemical manufacturing plant. Am J Ind Med 2014; 57:398-411. [PMID: 24464642 PMCID: PMC4512282 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We updated through 2007 the mortality experience of 1,874 workers employed at a New York State chemical manufacturing plant between 1946 and 2006. METHODS Reassessed exposures to vinyl chloride, carbon disulfide, and shift work and categories of o-toluidine exposure were based on year, department and job title. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) compared mortality to that of the US population. Internal comparisons used directly standardized rate ratios. RESULTS Hepatobiliary cancer mortality was elevated among workers ever exposed to vinyl chloride (SMR = 3.80, 95% confidence interval 1.89-6.80); directly standardized rates increased with increasing vinyl chloride exposure duration. No increase in non-Hodgkin lymphoma mortality was observed with vinyl chloride and shift work exposures. Internal comparisons showed increased coronary artery disease mortality among long-term workers exposed to carbon disulfide and shift work for 4 years or more. CONCLUSIONS Excess coronary artery disease mortality confirms earlier results; further investigation is needed to understand risk factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tania Carreón
- Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Misty J. Hein
- Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Kevin W. Hanley
- Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | | | - Avima M. Ruder
- Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Carreón T, Hein MJ, Hanley KW, Viet SM, Ruder AM. Bladder cancer incidence among workers exposed to o-toluidine, aniline and nitrobenzene at a rubber chemical manufacturing plant. Occup Environ Med 2014; 71:175-82. [PMID: 24368697 PMCID: PMC4548974 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2013-101873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An earlier investigation found increased bladder cancer incidence among workers at a rubber chemical manufacturing plant that used o-toluidine, aniline and nitrobenzene. The cohort was expanded to include additional workers (n=1875) and updated through 2007 to assess bladder cancer with improved exposure characterisation. METHODS Work histories were updated and exposure categories and ranks were developed for o-toluidine, aniline and nitrobenzene combined. Incident cancers were identified by linkage to six state cancer registries. Residency in time-dependent cancer registry catchment areas was determined. SIR and standardised rate ratios for bladder cancer were calculated by exposure category and cumulative rank quartiles for different lag periods. Cox regression was used to model bladder cancer incidence with estimated cumulative rank, adjusting for confounders. Indirect methods were used to control for smoking. RESULTS Excess bladder cancer was observed compared to the New York State population (SIR=2.87, 95% CI 2.02 to 3.96), with higher elevations among workers definitely exposed (moderate/high) (SIR=3.90, 95% CI 2.57 to 5.68), and in the highest cumulative rank quartile (SIR=6.13, 95% CI 2.80 to 11.6, 10-year lag). Bladder cancer rates increased significantly with estimated cumulative rank (10-year lag). Smoking only accounted for an estimated 8% elevation in bladder cancer incidence. CONCLUSIONS Bladder cancer incidence remains elevated in this cohort and significantly associated with estimated cumulative exposure. Results are consistent with earlier findings in this and other cohorts. Despite other concurrent chemical exposures, we consider o-toluidine most likely responsible for the bladder cancer incidence elevation and recommend a re-examination of occupational exposure limits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tania Carreón
- Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Misty J Hein
- Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Kevin W Hanley
- Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Avima M Ruder
- Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
MacDonald LA, Pulley L, Hein MJ, Howard VJ. Methods and feasibility of collecting occupational data for a large population-based cohort study in the United States: the reasons for geographic and racial differences in stroke study. BMC Public Health 2014; 14:142. [PMID: 24512119 PMCID: PMC3933294 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2013] [Accepted: 01/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronary heart disease and stroke are major contributors to preventable mortality. Evidence links work conditions to these diseases; however, occupational data are perceived to be difficult to collect for large population-based cohorts. We report methodological details and the feasibility of conducting an occupational ancillary study for a large U.S. prospective cohort being followed longitudinally for cardiovascular disease and stroke. METHODS Current and historical occupational information were collected from active participants of the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study. A survey was designed to gather quality occupational data among this national cohort of black and white men and women aged 45 years and older (enrolled 2003-2007). Trained staff conducted Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI). After a brief pilot period, interviewers received additional training in the collection of narrative industry and occupation data before administering the survey to remaining cohort members. Trained coders used a computer-assisted coding system to assign U.S. Census codes for industry and occupation. All data were double coded; discrepant codes were independently resolved. RESULTS Over a 2-year period, 17,648 participants provided consent and completed the occupational survey (87% response rate). A total of 20,427 jobs were assigned Census codes. Inter-rater reliability was 80% for industry and 74% for occupation. Less than 0.5% of the industry and occupation data were uncodable, compared with 12% during the pilot period. Concordance between the current and longest-held jobs was moderately high. The median time to collect employment status plus narrative and descriptive job information by CATI was 1.6 to 2.3 minutes per job. Median time to assign Census codes was 1.3 minutes per rater. CONCLUSIONS The feasibility of conducting high-quality occupational data collection and coding for a large heterogeneous population-based sample was demonstrated. We found that training for interview staff was important in ensuring that narrative responses for industry and occupation were adequately specified for coding. Estimates of survey administration time and coding from digital records provide an objective basis for planning future studies. The social and environmental conditions of work are important understudied risk factors that can be feasibly integrated into large population-based health studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leslie A MacDonald
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, MS R15, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA
| | - LeaVonne Pulley
- College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Misty J Hein
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, MS R15, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA
| | - Virginia J Howard
- School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1665 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Meyers AR, Pinkerton LE, Hein MJ. Cohort mortality study of garment industry workers exposed to formaldehyde: update and internal comparisons. Am J Ind Med 2013; 56:1027-39. [PMID: 23788124 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/27/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To further evaluate the association between formaldehyde and leukemia, we extended follow-up through 2008 for a cohort mortality study of 11,043 US formaldehyde-exposed garment workers. METHODS We computed standardized mortality ratios and standardized rate ratios stratified by year of first exposure, exposure duration, and time since first exposure. Associations between exposure duration and rates of leukemia and myeloid leukemia were further examined using Poisson regression models. RESULTS Compared to the US population, myeloid leukemia mortality was elevated but overall leukemia mortality was not. In internal analyses, overall leukemia mortality increased with increasing exposure duration and this trend was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS We continue to see limited evidence of an association between formaldehyde and leukemia. However, the extended follow-up did not strengthen previously observed associations. In addition to continued epidemiologic research, we recommend further research to evaluate the biological plausibility of a causal relation between formaldehyde and leukemia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Lynne E. Pinkerton
- Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, Industrywide Studies Branch; The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Misty J. Hein
- Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, Industrywide Studies Branch; The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Cincinnati, Ohio
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Ruder AM, Hein MJ, Hopf NB, Waters MA. Mortality among 24,865 workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in three electrical capacitor manufacturing plants: a ten-year update. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2013; 217:176-87. [PMID: 23707056 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2013.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2012] [Revised: 03/21/2013] [Accepted: 04/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this analysis was to evaluate mortality among a cohort of 24,865 capacitor-manufacturing workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at plants in Indiana, Massachusetts, and New York and followed for mortality through 2008. Cumulative PCB exposure was estimated using plant-specific job-exposure matrices. External comparisons to US and state-specific populations used standardized mortality ratios, adjusted for gender, race, age and calendar year. Among long-term workers employed 3 months or longer, within-cohort comparisons used standardized rate ratios and multivariable Poisson regression modeling. Through 2008, more than one million person-years at risk and 8749 deaths were accrued. Among long-term employees, all-cause and all-cancer mortality were not elevated; of the a priori outcomes assessed only melanoma mortality was elevated. Mortality was elevated for some outcomes of a priori interest among subgroups of long-term workers: all cancer, intestinal cancer and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (women); melanoma (men); melanoma and brain and nervous system cancer (Indiana plant); and melanoma and multiple myeloma (New York plant). Standardized rates of stomach and uterine cancer and multiple myeloma mortality increased with estimated cumulative PCB exposure. Poisson regression modeling showed significant associations with estimated cumulative PCB exposure for prostate and stomach cancer mortality. For other outcomes of a priori interest--rectal, liver, ovarian, breast, and thyroid cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Alzheimer disease, and Parkinson disease--neither elevated mortality nor positive associations with PCB exposure were observed. Associations between estimated cumulative PCB exposure and stomach, uterine, and prostate cancer and myeloma mortality confirmed our previous positive findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Avima M Ruder
- Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - Misty J Hein
- Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Nancy B Hopf
- Institute for Work and Health (IST), Rue du Bugnon 21, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Martha A Waters
- Division of Applied Research Technology, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Pinkerton LE, Hein MJ, Meyers A, Kamel F. Assessment of ALS mortality in a cohort of formaldehyde-exposed garment workers. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2013; 14:353-5. [PMID: 23570513 DOI: 10.3109/21678421.2013.778284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lynne E Pinkerton
- Industrywide Studies Branch, Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Lehman EJ, Hein MJ, Baron SL, Gersic CM. Author response. Neurology 2013; 80:1266-1267. [PMID: 23641511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
|
20
|
Neta G, Stewart PA, Rajaraman P, Hein MJ, Waters MA, Purdue MP, Samanic C, Coble JB, Linet MS, Inskip PD. Occupational exposure to chlorinated solvents and risks of glioma and meningioma in adults. Occup Environ Med 2012; 69:793-801. [PMID: 22864249 PMCID: PMC3850418 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2012-100742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Chlorinated solvents are classified as probable or possible carcinogens. It is unknown whether exposure to these agents increases the risk of malignant or benign brain tumours. Our objective was to evaluate associations of brain tumour risk with occupational exposure to six chlorinated solvents (i.e., dichloromethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene). METHODS 489 glioma cases, 197 meningioma cases and 799 controls were enrolled in a hospital-based case-control study conducted at three U.S.A. hospitals in Arizona, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Information about occupational history was obtained through a detailed inperson interview that included job-specific modules of questions such that the interview was tailored to each individual's particular work history. An industrial hygienist assessed potential solvent exposure based on this information and an exhaustive review of the relevant industrial hygiene literature. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to calculate OR and 95% CI for each solvent for ever/never, duration, cumulative, average weekly and highest exposure. RESULTS Overall, we found no consistent evidence of an increased risk of glioma or meningioma related to occupational exposure to the six chlorinated solvents evaluated. There was some suggestion of an association between carbon tetrachloride and glioma in analyses restricted to exposed subjects, with average weekly exposure above the median associated with increased risk compared with below the median exposure (OR = 7.1, 95% CI 1.1 to 45.2). CONCLUSIONS We found no consistent evidence for increased brain tumour risk related to chlorinated solvents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gila Neta
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, EPS, Room 7092, 6120 Executive Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20852-7244, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Ruder AM, Yiin JH, Waters MA, Carreón T, Hein MJ, Butler MA, Calvert GM, Davis-King KE, Schulte PA, Mandel JS, Morton RF, Reding DJ, Rosenman KD, Stewart PA. The Upper Midwest Health Study: gliomas and occupational exposure to chlorinated solvents. Occup Environ Med 2012; 70:73-80. [PMID: 23104734 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2011-100588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Occupational exposure to chlorinated aliphatic solvents has been associated with an increased cancer risk, including brain cancer. However, many of these solvents remain in active, large-volume use. We evaluated glioma risk from non-farm occupational exposure (ever/never and estimated cumulative exposure) to any of the six chlorinated solvents--carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, methylene chloride, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene or 1,1,1--trichloroethane-among 798 cases and 1175 population-based controls, aged 18-80 years and non-metropolitan residents of Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Methods Solvent use was estimated based on occupation, industry and era, using a bibliographic database of published exposure levels and exposure determinants. Unconditional logistic regression was used to calculate ORs adjusted for frequency matching variables age group and sex, and age and education. Additional analyses were limited to 904 participants who donated blood specimens (excluding controls reporting a previous diagnosis of cancer) genotyped for glutathione-S-transferases GSTP1, GSTM3 and GSTT1. Individuals with functional GST genes might convert chlorinated solvents crossing the blood-brain barrier into cytotoxic metabolites. RESULTS Both estimated cumulative exposure (ppm-years) and ever exposure to chlorinated solvents were associated with decreased glioma risk and were statistically significant overall and for women. In analyses comparing participants with a high probability of exposure with the unexposed, no associations were statistically significant. Solvent-exposed participants with functional GST genes were not at increased risk of glioma. CONCLUSIONS We observed no associations of glioma risk and chlorinated solvent exposure. Large pooled studies are needed to explore the interaction of genetic pathways and environmental and occupational exposures in glioma aetiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Avima M Ruder
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze neurodegenerative causes of death, specifically Alzheimer disease (AD), Parkinson disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), among a cohort of professional football players. METHODS This was a cohort mortality study of 3,439 National Football League players with at least 5 pension-credited playing seasons from 1959 to 1988. Vital status was ascertained through 2007. For analysis purposes, players were placed into 2 strata based on characteristics of position played: nonspeed players (linemen) and speed players (all other positions except punter/kicker). External comparisons with the US population used standardized mortality ratios (SMRs); internal comparisons between speed and nonspeed player positions used standardized rate ratios (SRRs). RESULTS Overall player mortality compared with that of the US population was reduced (SMR 0.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.48-0.59). Neurodegenerative mortality was increased using both underlying cause of death rate files (SMR 2.83, 95% CI 1.36-5.21) and multiple cause of death (MCOD) rate files (SMR 3.26, 95% CI 1.90-5.22). Of the neurodegenerative causes, results were elevated (using MCOD rates) for both ALS (SMR 4.31, 95% CI 1.73-8.87) and AD (SMR 3.86, 95% CI 1.55-7.95). In internal analysis (using MCOD rates), higher neurodegenerative mortality was observed among players in speed positions compared with players in nonspeed positions (SRR 3.29, 95% CI 0.92-11.7). CONCLUSIONS The neurodegenerative mortality of this cohort is 3 times higher than that of the general US population; that for 2 of the major neurodegenerative subcategories, AD and ALS, is 4 times higher. These results are consistent with recent studies that suggest an increased risk of neurodegenerative disease among football players.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Everett J Lehman
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Baron SL, Hein MJ, Lehman E, Gersic CM. Body mass index, playing position, race, and the cardiovascular mortality of retired professional football players. Am J Cardiol 2012; 109:889-96. [PMID: 22284915 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2011.10.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2011] [Revised: 10/28/2011] [Accepted: 10/28/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Concern exists about cardiovascular disease (CVD) in professional football players. We examined whether playing position and size influence CVD mortality in 3,439 National Football League players with ≥ 5 pension-credited playing seasons from 1959 to 1988. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) compared player mortality through 2007 to the United States population of men stratified by age, race, and calendar year. Cox proportional hazards models evaluated associations of playing-time body mass index (BMI), race, and position with CVD mortality. Overall player mortality was significantly decreased (SMR 0.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.48 to 0.59) as was mortality from cancer (SMR 0.58, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.72), and CVD (SMR 0.68, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.81). CVD mortality was increased for defensive linemen (SMR 1.42, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.92) but not for offensive linemen (SMR 0.70, 95% CI 0.45 to 1.05). Defensive linemen's cardiomyopathy mortality was also increased (SMR 5.34, 95% CI 2.30 to 10.5). Internal analyses found that CVD mortality was increased for players of nonwhite race (hazard ratio 1.69, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.51). After adjusting for age, race, and calendar year, CVD mortality was increased for those with a playing-time BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 (hazard ratio 2.02, 95% CI 1.06 to 3.85) and for defensive linemen compared to offensive linemen (hazard ratio 2.07, 95% CI 1.24 to 3.46). In conclusion, National Football League players from the 1959 through 1988 seasons had decreased overall mortality but those with a playing-time BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 had 2 times the risk of CVD mortality compared to other players and African-American players and defensive linemen had higher CVD mortality compared to other players even after adjusting for playing-time BMI.
Collapse
|
24
|
Elliott L, Loomis D, Dement J, Hein MJ, Richardson D, Stayner L. Lung cancer mortality in North Carolina and South Carolina chrysotile asbestos textile workers. Occup Environ Med 2012; 69:385-90. [PMID: 22267448 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2011-100229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Studies of workers in two US cohorts of asbestos textile workers exposed to chrysotile (North Carolina (NC) and South Carolina (SC)) found increasing risk of lung cancer mortality with cumulative fibre exposure. However, the risk appeared to increase more steeply in SC, possibly due to differences in study methods. The authors conducted pooled analyses of the cohorts and investigated the exposure-disease relationship using uniform cohort inclusion criteria and statistical methods. METHODS Workers were included after 30 days of employment in a production job during qualifying years, and vital status ascertained through 2003 (2001 for SC). Poisson regression was used to estimate the exposure-response relationship between asbestos and lung cancer, using both exponential and linear relative rate models adjusted for age, sex, race, birth cohort and decade of follow-up. RESULTS The cohort included 6136 workers, contributing 218,631 person-years of observation and 3356 deaths. Cumulative exposures at the four study facilities varied considerably. The pooled relative rate for lung cancer, comparing 100 f-yr/ml to 0 f-yr/ml, was 1.11 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.16) for the combined cohort, with different effects in the NC cohort (RR=1.10, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.16) and the SC cohort (RR = 1.67, 95% CI 1.44 to 1.93). CONCLUSIONS Increased rates of lung cancer were significantly associated with cumulative fibre exposure overall and in both the Carolina asbestos-textile cohorts. Previously reported differences in exposure-response between the cohorts do not appear to be related to inclusion criteria or analytical methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leslie Elliott
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Hanley KW, Viet SM, Hein MJ, Carreón T, Ruder AM. Exposure to o-toluidine, aniline, and nitrobenzene in a rubber chemical manufacturing plant: a retrospective exposure assessment update. J Occup Environ Hyg 2012; 9:478-490. [PMID: 22708702 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2012.693836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health previously conducted a retrospective cancer incidence and mortality study of workers employed at a rubber chemical manufacturing plant. Compared with New York State incidence, the bladder cancer risk was 6.5 times higher for workers considered to have definite exposure to ortho-toluidine and aniline, and 4 times higher for workers with possible exposure. Exposure characterization in the original study utilized a surrogate measure based only on departments in which each worker was ever employed. As part of an update of that study, some departments in the three original exposure groups were reclassified based on a follow-up site visit; interviews with employees, management, and union representatives; and review of records including exposure data. An additional evaluation of department-job combinations, rather than only departments, was used to stratify exposure into four categories. An approximate rank of "relative" exposure level for each department-job-year combination was also assigned using a ranking scale of 0 to 10. The ranks were supported by quantitative exposure levels and by professional judgment. The numerical ranking scale was applied to each worker by multiplying the exposure rank by duration for each job held based on comprehensive individual work histories. The cumulative rank scores for this cohort ranged from 0 to 300 unit-years. The medians of the cumulative rank scores for the exposure categories showed very good agreement with increasing exposure classifications (e.g., 0.72, 4.6, 11, 14 unit-years for the four exposure categories). Workers' breathing zone air sampling data collected at this plant from 1976-2004 were well below published occupational exposure limits for these chemicals, but additional cases of bladder cancer have been reported. The exposure assessment revisions and rank estimates will be used to analyze the updated bladder cancer incidence data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin W Hanley
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Industrywide Studies Branch, Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Pinkerton LE, Waters MA, Hein MJ, Zivkovich Z, Schubauer-Berigan MK, Grajewski B. Cause-specific mortality among a cohort of U.S. flight attendants. Am J Ind Med 2012; 55:25-36. [PMID: 21987391 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.21011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We evaluated mortality among 11,311 former U.S. flight attendants. The primary a priori outcomes of interest were breast cancer and melanoma. METHODS Vital status was ascertained through 2007, and life table analyses was conducted. Cumulative exposure to cosmic radiation and circadian rhythm disruption were estimated from work history data and historical published flight schedules. RESULTS All-cause mortality was less than expected among women but was elevated among men, primarily due to elevated HIV-related disease mortality. Mortality from breast cancer among women and melanoma was neither significantly elevated nor related to metrics of exposure. Mortality was elevated for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma among men; for alcoholism, drowning, and intentional self-harm among women; and for railway, water, and air transportation accidents. CONCLUSIONS We found no evidence of increased breast cancer or melanoma mortality. Limitations include reliance on mortality data and limited power resulting from few melanoma deaths and relatively short employment durations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lynne E Pinkerton
- Industrywide Studies Branch, Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Rocheleau CM, Lawson CC, Waters MA, Hein MJ, Stewart PA, Correa A, Echeverria D, Reefhuis J. Inter-rater reliability of assessed prenatal maternal occupational exposures to solvents, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals. J Occup Environ Hyg 2011; 8:718-728. [PMID: 22074298 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2011.627293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Because direct measurements of past occupational exposures are rarely available in population-based case-control studies, exposure assessment of job histories by multiple expert raters is frequently used; however, the subjective nature of this method makes measuring reliability an important quality control step. We evaluated inter-rater reliability of 7729 retrospective jobs reported in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. Jobs were classified as exposed, unexposed, or exposure unknown by two independent industrial hygienists; exposed jobs were further evaluated for intensity, frequency, and routes. Exposure prevalence ranged from 0.1-9.8%. Inter-rater reliability for exposure (yes/no), assessed by kappa coefficients, was fair to good for cadmium (κ = 0.46), chlorinated solvents (κ = 0.59), cobalt (κ = 0.54), glycol ethers (κ = 0.50), nickel compounds (κ = 0.65), oil mists (κ = 0.63), and Stoddard Solvent (κ = 0.55); PAHs (κ = 0.24) and elemental nickel (κ = 0.37) had poor agreement. After a consensus conference resolved disagreements, an additional 4962 jobs were evaluated. Inter-rater reliability improved or stayed the same for cadmium (κ = 0.51), chlorinated solvents (κ = 0.81), oil mists (κ = 0.63), PAHs (κ = 0.52), and Stoddard solvent (κ = 0.92) in the second job set. Inter-rater reliability varied by exposure agent and prevalence, demonstrating the importance of measuring reliability in studies using a multiple expert rater method of exposure assessment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carissa M Rocheleau
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Schubauer-Berigan MK, Hein MJ, Raudabaugh WM, Ruder AM, Silver SR, Spaeth S, Steenland K, Petersen MR, Waters KM. Update of the NIOSH life table analysis system: a person-years analysis program for the windows computing environment. Am J Ind Med 2011; 54:915-24. [PMID: 22068723 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.20999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Person-years analysis is a fundamental tool of occupational epidemiology. A life table analysis system (LTAS), previously developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, was limited by its platform and analysis and reporting capabilities. We describe the updating of LTAS for the Windows operating system (LTAS.NET) with improved properties. SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS A group of epidemiologists, programmers, and statisticians developed software, platform, and computing requirements. Statistical methods include the use of (indirectly) standardized mortality ratios, (directly) standardized rate ratios, confidence intervals, and P values based on the normal approximation and exact Poisson methods, and a trend estimator for linear exposure-response associations. SOFTWARE FEATURES We show examples using LTAS.NET to stratify and analyze multiple fixed and time-dependent variables. Data import, stratification, and reporting options are highly flexible. Users may export stratified data for Poisson regression modeling. CONCLUSIONS LTAS.NET incorporates improvements that will facilitate more complex person-years analysis of occupational cohort data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary K Schubauer-Berigan
- Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies, Industrywide Studies Branch, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Anderson JL, Waters MA, Hein MJ, Schubauer-Berigan MK, Pinkerton LE. Assessment of Occupational Cosmic Radiation Exposure of Flight Attendants Using Questionnaire Data. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 82:1049-54. [DOI: 10.3357/asem.3091.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
30
|
Estill CF, Baron PA, Beard JK, Hein MJ, Larsen LD, Deye GJ, Rose L, Hodges L. Comparison of air sampling methods for aerosolized spores of B. anthracis Sterne. J Occup Environ Hyg 2011; 8:179-186. [PMID: 21347959 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2011.556981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis Sterne spores were aerosolized within a chamber at concentrations ranging from 1 x 10³ to 1.7 x 10⁴ spores per cubic meter of air (particles (p)/m³) to compare three different sampling methods: Andersen samplers, gelatin filters, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane filters. Three samples of each type were collected during each of 19 chamber runs. Chamber concentration was determined by an aerodynamic particle sizer (APS) for the size range of 1.114-1.596 μm. Runs were categorized (low, medium, and high) based on tertiles of the APS estimated air concentrations. Measured air concentrations and recovery efficiency [ratio of the measured (colony forming units (CFU)/m³) to the APS estimated (particles/m³) air concentrations] for the sampling methods were compared using mixed-effects regression models. Limits of detection for each method were estimated based on estimated recovery efficiencies. Mean APS estimated air concentrations were 1600 particles/m³, 4100 particles/m³, and 9100 particles/m³ at the low, medium, and high tertiles, respectively; coefficient of variation (CV) ranged from 25 to 40%. Statistically significant differences were not observed among the three sampling methods. At the high and medium tertiles, estimated correlations of measured air concentration (CFU/m³) among samples collected from the same run of the same type were high (0.73 to 0.93). Among samples collected from the same run but of different types, correlations were moderate to high (0.45 to 0.85); however, correlations were somewhat lower at the low tertile (-0.31 to 0.75). Estimated mean recovery efficiencies ranged from 0.22 to 0.25 CFU/particle with total CVs of approximately 84 to 97%. Estimated detection limits ranged from 35 to 39 particles/m³. These results will enable investigators to conduct environmental sampling, quantify contamination levels, and conduct risk assessments of B. anthracis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl Fairfield Estill
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Jin Y, Hein MJ, Deddens JA, Hines CJ. Analysis of lognormally distributed exposure data with repeated measures and values below the limit of detection using SAS. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 55:97-112. [PMID: 21177260 DOI: 10.1093/annhyg/meq061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Studies of determinants of occupational exposure frequently involve left-censored lognormally distributed data, often with repeated measures. Left censoring occurs when observations are below the analytical limit of detection (LOD); repeated measures data results from taking multiple measurements on the same worker. A common method of dealing with this type of data has been to substitute a value (such as LOD/2) for the censored data followed by statistical analysis using the 'usual' methods. Recently, maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) methods have been employed to reduce bias associated with the substitution method. We compared substitution and MLE methods using simulated lognormally distributed exposure data subjected to varying amounts of censoring using two procedures available in SAS: LIFEREG and NLMIXED. In these simulations, the MLE method resulted in less bias and performed well even for censoring up to 80%, whereas the substitution method resulted in considerable bias. We illustrate the NLMIXED procedure using a dataset of chlorpyrifos air measurements collected from termiticide applicators on consecutive days over a 5-day workweek. We provide sample SAS code for several situations including one and two groups, with and without repeated measures, random slopes, and nested random effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Jin
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Hein MJ, Waters MA, Ruder AM, Stenzel MR, Blair A, Stewart PA. Statistical modeling of occupational chlorinated solvent exposures for case-control studies using a literature-based database. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 54:459-72. [PMID: 20418277 DOI: 10.1093/annhyg/meq027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Occupational exposure assessment for population-based case-control studies is challenging due to the wide variety of industries and occupations encountered by study participants. We developed and evaluated statistical models to estimate the intensity of exposure to three chlorinated solvents-methylene chloride, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and trichloroethylene-using a database of air measurement data and associated exposure determinants. METHODS A measurement database was developed after an extensive review of the published industrial hygiene literature. The database of nearly 3000 measurements or summary measurements included sample size, measurement characteristics (year, duration, and type), and several potential exposure determinants associated with the measurements: mechanism of release (e.g. evaporation), process condition, temperature, usage rate, type of ventilation, location, presence of a confined space, and proximity to the source. The natural log-transformed measurement levels in the exposure database were modeled as a function of the measurement characteristics and exposure determinants using maximum likelihood methods. Assuming a single lognormal distribution of the measurements, an arithmetic mean exposure intensity level was estimated for each unique combination of exposure determinants and decade. RESULTS The proportions of variability in the measurement data explained by the modeled measurement characteristics and exposure determinants were 36, 38, and 54% for methylene chloride, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and trichloroethylene, respectively. Model parameter estimates for the exposure determinants were in the anticipated direction. Exposure intensity estimates were plausible and exhibited internal consistency, but the ability to evaluate validity was limited. CONCLUSIONS These prediction models can be used to estimate chlorinated solvent exposure intensity for jobs reported by population-based case-control study participants that have sufficiently detailed information regarding the exposure determinants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Misty J Hein
- Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Curwin BD, Hein MJ, Barr DB, Striley C. Comparison of immunoassay and HPLC-MS/MS used to measure urinary metabolites of atrazine, metolachlor, and chlorpyrifos from farmers and non-farmers in Iowa. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 2010; 20:205-12. [PMID: 19277069 DOI: 10.1038/jes.2009.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2008] [Accepted: 01/21/2009] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Urine samples were collected from 51 participants in a study investigating pesticide exposure among farm families in Iowa. Aliquots from the samples were sent to two different labs and analyzed for metabolites of atrazine (atrazine mercapturate), metolachlor (metolachlor mercapturate) and chlorpyrifos (TCP) by two different analytical methods: immunoassay and high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). HPLC-MS/MS methods tend to be highly specific, but are costly and time consuming. Immunoassay methods are cheaper and faster, but can be less sensitive due to cross reactivity and matrix effects. Three statistical methods were employed to compare the two analytical methods. Each statistical method differed in how the samples that had results below the limit of detection (LOD) were treated. The first two methods involved an imputation procedure and the third method used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE). A fourth statistical method that modeled each lab separately using MLE was used for comparison. The immunoassay and HPLC-MS/MS methods were moderately correlated (correlation 0.40-0.49), but the immunoassay methods consistently had significantly higher geometric mean (GM) estimates for each pesticide metabolite. The GM estimates for atrazine mercapturate, metolachlor mercapturate, and TCP by immunoassay ranged from 0.16-0.98 microg l(-1), 0.24-0.45 microg l(-1) and 14-14 microg l(-1), respectively and by HPLC-MS/MS ranged from 0.0015-0.0039 microg l(-1), 0.12-0.16 microg l(-1), and 2.9-3.0 microg l(-1), respectively. Immunoassays tend to be cheaper and faster than HPLC-MS/MS, however, they may result in an upward bias of urinary pesticide metabolite levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian D Curwin
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Waters MA, Grajewski B, Pinkerton LE, Hein MJ, Zivkovich Z. Development of historical exposure estimates of cosmic radiation and circadian rhythm disruption for cohort studies of Pan Am flight attendants. Am J Ind Med 2009; 52:751-61. [PMID: 19722196 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.20738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is conducting cohort studies of flight crew employed by the former Pan American World Airways company (Pan Am) as part of an effort to examine flight crew workplace exposures and health effects. Flight crew are exposed to elevated levels of cosmic radiation and to disruption of circadian rhythm when flying across multiple time zones. Methods exist to calculate cosmic radiation effective doses on individual flights; however, only work histories which provided an employee's domicile (home base) history rather than a record of every flight flown were available. METHODS/RESULTS We developed a method for estimating individual cumulative domicile-based cosmic radiation effective doses and two metrics for circadian rhythm disruption for each flight attendant: cumulative times zones crossed and cumulative travel time during the standard sleep interval. CONCLUSIONS The domicile-exposure matrix developed was used to calculate exposure estimates for a cohort mortality study of former Pan Am flight attendants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martha A Waters
- Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Silver SR, Whelan EA, Deddens JA, Steenland NK, Hopf NB, Waters MA, Ruder AM, Prince MM, Yong LC, Hein MJ, Ward EM. Occupational exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and risk of breast cancer. Environ Health Perspect 2009; 117:276-82. [PMID: 19270799 PMCID: PMC2649231 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.11774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2008] [Accepted: 09/25/2008] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the endocrine system activity exhibited by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), recent studies have shown little association between PCB exposure and breast cancer mortality. OBJECTIVES To further evaluate the relation between PCB exposure and breast cancer risk, we studied incidence, a more sensitive end point than mortality, in an occupational cohort. METHODS We followed 5,752 women employed for at least 1 year in one of three capacitor manufacturing facilities, identifying cases from questionnaires, cancer registries, and death certificates through 1998. We collected lifestyle and reproductive information via questionnaire from participants or next of kin and used semiquantitative job-exposure matrices for inhalation and dermal exposures combined. We generated standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and standardized rate ratios and used Cox proportional hazards regression models to evaluate potential confounders and effect modifiers. RESULTS Overall, the breast cancer SIR was 0.81 (95% confidence interval, 0.72-0.92; n = 257), and regression modeling showed little effect of employment duration or cumulative exposure. However, for the 362 women of questionnaire-identified races other than white, we observed positive, statistically significant associations with employment duration and cumulative exposure; only smoking, birth cohort, and self- or proxy questionnaire completion had statistically significant explanatory power when added to models with exposure metrics. CONCLUSIONS We found no overall elevation in breast cancer risk after occupational exposure to PCBs. However, the exposure-related risk elevations seen among nonwhite workers, although of limited interpretability given the small number of cases, warrant further investigation, because the usual reproductive risk factors accounted for little of the increased risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sharon R Silver
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Lehman EJ, Hein MJ, Estill CF. Proportionate mortality study of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry. Am J Ind Med 2008; 51:950-63. [PMID: 18942099 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.20640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study examined causes of deaths among unionized plumbers, pipefitters and allied trades. METHODS Deaths of union members from the years 1971, 1979, 1987, and 1995 were selected as a representative sample from a computer file provided by the union. These years provided 15,411 deaths for proportionate mortality ratio (PMR) analysis. RESULTS PMRs for lung cancer and asbestosis were significantly elevated compared to U.S. white males. PMRs for chronic disease of the endocardium and cardiomyopathy were also elevated. Elevations were not observed in other a priori causes: laryngeal cancer, lymphatic cancer, and neurological disorders. PMRs for transportation accidents for pipe/steam-fitters were elevated in 1971 and 1979, but not in 1987 or 1995. CONCLUSION Despite the limitations of a PMR analysis, study results indicate mortality related to asbestos exposure is, and will continue to be, an area of concern for members of the union.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Everett J Lehman
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
McKernan LT, Ruder AM, Petersen MR, Hein MJ, Forrester CL, Sanderson WT, Ashley DL, Butler MA. Biological exposure assessment to tetrachloroethylene for workers in the dry cleaning industry. Environ Health 2008; 7:12. [PMID: 18412959 PMCID: PMC2374777 DOI: 10.1186/1476-069x-7-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2007] [Accepted: 04/15/2008] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of conducting biological tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene, PCE) exposure assessments of dry cleaning employees in conjunction with evaluation of possible PCE health effects. METHODS Eighteen women from four dry cleaning facilities in southwestern Ohio were monitored in a pilot study of workers with PCE exposure. Personal breathing zone samples were collected from each employee on two consecutive work days. Biological monitoring included a single measurement of PCE in blood and multiple measurements of pre- and post-shift PCE in exhaled breath and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) in urine. RESULTS Post-shift PCE in exhaled breath gradually increased throughout the work week. Statistically significant correlations were observed among the exposure indices. Decreases in PCE in exhaled breath and TCA in urine were observed after two days without exposure to PCE. A mixed-effects model identified statistically significant associations between PCE in exhaled breath and airborne PCE time weighted average (TWA) after adjusting for a random participant effect and fixed effects of time and body mass index. CONCLUSION Although comprehensive, our sampling strategy was challenging to implement due to fluctuating work schedules and the number (pre- and post-shift on three consecutive days) and multiplicity (air, blood, exhaled breath, and urine) of samples collected. PCE in blood is the preferred biological index to monitor exposures, but may make recruitment difficult. PCE TWA sampling is an appropriate surrogate, although more field intensive. Repeated measures of exposure and mixed-effects modeling may be required for future studies due to high within-subject variability. Workers should be monitored over a long enough period of time to allow the use of a lag term.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauralynn T McKernan
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, R-15, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA
| | - Avima M Ruder
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, R-15, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA
| | - Martin R Petersen
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, R-15, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA
| | - Misty J Hein
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, R-15, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA
| | - Christy L Forrester
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, R-15, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA
| | - Wayne T Sanderson
- University of Iowa Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, 100 Oakdale Campus, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA
| | - David L Ashley
- CDC National Center for Environmental Health, 4770 Buford Highway, F-47, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, USA
| | - Mary A Butler
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, R-15, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Baron PA, Estill CF, Beard JK, Hein MJ, Larsen L. Bacterial endospore inactivation caused by outgassing of vapourous hydrogen peroxide from polymethyl methacrylate (Plexiglas). Lett Appl Microbiol 2008; 45:485-90. [PMID: 17958554 DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-765x.2007.02209.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To investigate the cause and to eliminate the inactivation of Bacillus anthracis strain Sterne spores settled onto agar and stainless steel surfaces in plastic holders. METHODS AND RESULTS In an experimental chamber in which spores settled onto sampling surfaces, vapourous hydrogen peroxide (VHP) was used for decontamination between experiments. It was demonstrated that hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) absorbed into plastic (Plexiglas) surfaces and could outgas in the sample holders. Further experiments demonstrated that H(2)O(2) was released from Plexiglas sample holders in sufficient quantity to inactivate spores. High temperature degassing (30-35 degrees C) for several days or aluminum coating of the surfaces were two remedies found to be effective in preventing inadvertent spore inactivation. CONCLUSIONS H(2)O(2) can be absorbed into plastic and released after an extended period of time (weeks), allowing a sufficient concentration to accumulate in small volumes to inactivate spores. Outgassing the plastic or coating the surface with an impermeable layer are potential solutions to reduce spore inactivation. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Many studies with bacilli and other organisms are carried out using small plastic containers that may have been sterilized using H(2)O(2) or other agents. This study presents a cautionary note to ensure elimination of H(2)O(2) or other sterilizing agents to prevent spurious results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P A Baron
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Hein MJ, Waters MA, van Wijngaarden E, Deddens JA, Stewart PA. Issues when modeling benzene, toluene, and xylene exposures using a literature database. J Occup Environ Hyg 2008; 5:36-47. [PMID: 18041643 DOI: 10.1080/15459620701763947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
A database of benzene, toluene, and xylene measurements was compiled from an extensive literature review that contained information on several exposure determinants, including job type, operation, mechanism of release, process type, ventilation, temperature, distance from the source, quantity, and location. The database was used to develop statistical models for benzene, toluene, and xylene exposure as a function of operation and other workplace determinants. These models can be used to predict exposure levels for subjects enrolled in community-based case-control studies. This article presents the derived parameter estimates for specific operations and additional workplace exposure determinants and describes a number of statistical and data limitation issues that are inherent in determinants modeling of historical published data. [Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene for the following free supplemental resource(s): a PDF file of QQ plots and a Word file with references used in the benzene/toluene/xylene exposure database].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Misty J Hein
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
McKernan LT, Hein MJ, Wallingford KM, Burge H, Herrick R. Assessing total fungal concentrations on commercial passenger aircraft using mixed-effects modeling. J Occup Environ Hyg 2008; 5:48-58. [PMID: 18041644 DOI: 10.1080/15459620701766817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The primary objective of this study was to compare airborne fungal concentrations onboard commercial passenger aircraft at various in-flight times with concentrations measured inside and outside airport terminals. A secondary objective was to investigate the use of mixed-effects modeling of repeat measures from multiple sampling intervals and locations. Sequential triplicate culturable and total spore samples were collected on wide-body commercial passenger aircraft (n = 12) in the front and rear of coach class during six sampling intervals: boarding, midclimb, early cruise, midcruise, late cruise, and deplaning. Comparison samples were collected inside and outside airport terminals at the origin and destination cities. The MIXED procedure in SAS was used to model the mean and the covariance matrix of the natural log transformed fungal concentrations. Five covariance structures were tested to determine the appropriate models for analysis. Fixed effects considered included the sampling interval and, for samples obtained onboard the aircraft, location (front/rear of coach section), occupancy rate, and carbon dioxide concentrations. Overall, both total culturable and total spore fungal concentrations were low while the aircraft were in flight. No statistical difference was observed between measurements made in the front and rear sections of the coach cabin for either culturable or total spore concentrations. Both culturable and total spore concentrations were significantly higher outside the airport terminal compared with inside the airport terminal (p-value < 0.0001) and inside the aircraft (p-value < 0.0001). On the aircraft, the majority of total fungal exposure occurred during the boarding and deplaning processes, when the aircraft utilized ancillary ventilation and passenger activity was at its peak.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauralynn Taylor McKernan
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Curwin BD, Hein MJ, Sanderson WT, Striley C, Heederik D, Kromhout H, Reynolds SJ, Alavanja MC. Pesticide dose estimates for children of Iowa farmers and non-farmers. Environ Res 2007; 105:307-15. [PMID: 17659274 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2007.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2006] [Revised: 05/23/2007] [Accepted: 06/04/2007] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Farm children have the potential to be exposed to pesticides. Biological monitoring is often employed to assess this exposure; however, the significance of the exposure is uncertain unless doses are estimated. In the spring and summer of 2001, 118 children (66 farm, 52 non-farm) of Iowa farm and non-farm households were recruited to participate in a study investigating potential take-home pesticide exposure. Each child provided an evening and morning urine sample at two visits spaced approximately 1 month apart, with the first sample collection taken within a few days after pesticide application. Estimated doses were calculated for atrazine, metolachlor, chlorpyrifos, and glyphosate from urinary metabolite concentrations derived from the spot urine samples and compared to EPA reference doses. For all pesticides except glyphosate, the doses from farm children were higher than doses from the non-farm children. The difference was statistically significant for atrazine (p<0.0001) but only marginally significant for chlorpyrifos and metolachlor (p = 0.07 and 0.1, respectively). Among farm children, geometric mean doses were higher for children on farms where a particular pesticide was applied compared to farms where that pesticide was not applied for all pesticides except glyphosate; results were significant for atrazine (p = 0.030) and metolachlor (p = 0.042), and marginally significant for chlorpyrifos (p = 0.057). The highest estimated doses for atrazine, chlorpyrifos, metolachlor, and glyphosate were 0.085, 1.96, 3.16, and 0.34 microg/kg/day, respectively. None of the doses exceeded any of the EPA reference values for atrazine, metolachlor, and glyphosate; however, all of the doses for chlorpyrifos exceeded the EPA chronic population adjusted reference value. Doses were similar for male and female children. A trend of decreasing dose with increasing age was observed for chlorpyrifos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian D Curwin
- Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, MS R-14, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Seel EA, Zaebst DD, Hein MJ, Liu J, Nowlin SJ, Chen P. Inter-rater agreement for a retrospective exposure assessment of asbestos, chromium, nickel and welding fumes in a study of lung cancer and ionizing radiation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 51:601-10. [PMID: 17846032 DOI: 10.1093/annhyg/mem037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
A retrospective exposure assessment of asbestos, welding fumes, chromium and nickel (in welding fumes) was conducted at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for a nested case-control study of lung cancer risk from external ionizing radiation. These four contaminants were included because of their potential to confound or modify the effect of a lung cancer-radiation relationship. The exposure assessment included three experienced industrial hygienists from the shipyard who independently assessed exposures for 3519 shop/job/time period combinations. A consensus process was used to resolve estimates with large differences. Final exposure estimates were linked to employment histories of the 4388 study subjects to calculate their cumulative exposures. Inter-rater agreement analyses were performed on the original estimates to better understand the estimation process. Although concordance was good to excellent (78-99%) for intensity estimates and excellent (96-99%) for frequency estimates, overall simple kappa statistics indicated only slight agreement beyond chance (kappa < 0.2). Unbalanced distributions of exposure estimates partly contributed to the weak observed overall inter-rater agreement. Pairwise weighted kappa statistics revealed better agreement between two of the three panelists (kappa = 0.19-0.65). The final consensus estimates were similar to the estimates made by these same two panelists. Overall welding fume exposures were fairly stable across time at the shipyard while asbestos exposures were higher in the early years and fell in the mid-1970s. Mean cumulative exposure for all study subjects was 520 fiber-days cc(-1) for asbestos and 1000 mg-days m(-3) for welding fumes. Mean exposure was much lower for nickel (140 microg-days m(-3)) and chromium (45 microg-days m(-3)). Asbestos and welding fume exposure estimates were positively associated with lung cancer in the nested case-control study. The radiation-lung cancer relationship was attenuated by the inclusion of these two confounders. This exposure assessment provided exposure estimates that aided in understanding of the lung cancer-radiation relationship at the shipyard.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E A Seel
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Hein MJ, Stayner LT, Lehman E, Dement JM. Follow-up study of chrysotile textile workers: cohort mortality and exposure-response. Occup Environ Med 2007; 64:616-25. [PMID: 17449563 PMCID: PMC2092560 DOI: 10.1136/oem.2006.031005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2007] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This report provides an update of the mortality experience of a cohort of South Carolina asbestos textile workers. METHODS A cohort of 3072 workers exposed to chrysotile in a South Carolina asbestos textile plant (1916-77) was followed up for mortality through 2001. Standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) were computed using US and South Carolina mortality rates. A job exposure matrix provided calendar time dependent estimates of chrysotile exposure concentrations. Poisson regression models were fitted for lung cancer and asbestosis. Covariates considered included sex, race, age, calendar time, birth cohort and time since first exposure. Cumulative exposure lags of 5 and 10 years were considered by disregarding exposure in the most recent 5 and 10 years, respectively. RESULTS A majority of the cohort was deceased (64%) and 702 of the 1961 deaths occurred since the previous update. Mortality was elevated based on US referent rates for a priori causes of interest including all causes combined (SMR 1.33, 95% CI 1.28 to 1.39); all cancers (SMR 1.27, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.39); oesophageal cancer (SMR 1.87, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.99); lung cancer (SMR 1.95, 95% CI 1.68 to 2.24); ischaemic heart disease (SMR 1.20, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.32); and pneumoconiosis and other respiratory diseases (SMR 4.81, 95% CI 3.84 to 5.94). Mortality remained elevated for these causes when South Carolina referent rates were used. Three cases of mesothelioma were observed among cohort members. Exposure-response modelling for lung cancer, using a linear relative risk model, produced a slope coefficient of 0.0198 (fibre-years/ml) (standard error 0.00496), when cumulative exposure was lagged 10 years. Poisson regression modelling confirmed significant positive relations between estimated chrysotile exposure and lung cancer and asbestosis mortality observed in previous updates of this cohort. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms the findings from previous investigations of excess mortality from lung cancer and asbestosis and a strong exposure-response relation between estimated exposure to chrysotile and mortality from lung cancer and asbestosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Misty J Hein
- Industrywide Studies Branch, Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
McKernan LT, Burge H, Wallingford KM, Hein MJ, Herrick R. Evaluating fungal populations by genera/species on wide body commercial passenger aircraft and in airport terminals. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 51:281-91. [PMID: 17351266 DOI: 10.1093/annhyg/mem002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Given the potential health effects of fungi and the amount of time aircrew and passengers spend inside aircraft, it is important to study fungal populations in the aircraft environment. Research objectives included documenting the genera/species of airborne culturable fungal concentrations and total spore concentrations on a twin-aisle wide body commercial passenger aircraft. Twelve flights between 4.5 and 6.5 h in duration on Boeing 767 (B-767) aircraft were evaluated. Two air cooling packs and 50% recirculation rate (i.e. 50:50 mix of outside air and filtered inside air) were utilized during flight operations. Passenger occupancy rates varied from 67 to 100%. N-6 impactors and total spore traps were used to collect sequential, triplicate air samples in the front and rear of coach class during six sampling intervals throughout each flight: boarding, mid-climb, early cruise, mid-cruise, late cruise and deplaning. Comparison air samples were also collected inside and outside the airport terminals at the origin and destination cities resulting in a total of 522 culturable and 517 total spore samples. A total of 45 surface wipe samples were collected using swabs onboard the aircraft and inside the airport terminals. A variety of taxa were observed in the culturable and total spore samples. A frequency analysis of the fungal data indicated that Cladosporium, Aspergillus and Penicillium were predominant genera in the culturable samples whereas Cladosporium, Basidiospores and Penicillium/Aspergillus were predominant in the total spore samples. Fungal populations observed inside the aircraft were comprised of similar genera, detected significantly less frequently and with lower mean concentrations than those observed in typical office buildings. Although sources internal to the aircraft could not be ruled out, our data demonstrate the importance of passenger activity as the source of the fungi observed on aircraft. Isolated fungal peak events occurred occasionally when concentrations of a particular genus or species rose sharply inside the cabin for a limited period. Overall, our research demonstrates that on the sampled flights the B-767 filtration system operated efficiently to remove fungal spores when two air cooling packs and 50% recirculation rate were utilized during flight operations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauralynn Taylor McKernan
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Curwin BD, Hein MJ, Sanderson WT, Striley C, Heederik D, Kromhout H, Reynolds SJ, Alavanja MC. Urinary pesticide concentrations among children, mothers and fathers living in farm and non-farm households in iowa. Ann Occup Hyg 2007; 51:53-65. [PMID: 16984946 DOI: 10.1093/annhyg/mel062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
In the spring and summer of 2001, 47 fathers, 48 mothers and 117 children of Iowa farm and non-farm households were recruited to participate in a study investigating take-home pesticide exposure. On two occasions approximately 1 month apart, urine samples from each participant and dust samples from various rooms were collected from each household and were analyzed for atrazine, metolachlor, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos or their metabolites. The adjusted geometric mean (GM) level of the urine metabolite of atrazine was significantly higher in fathers, mothers and children from farm households compared with those from non-farm households (P < or = 0.0001). Urine metabolites of chlorpyrifos were significantly higher in farm fathers (P = 0.02) and marginally higher in farm mothers (P = 0.05) when compared with non-farm fathers and mothers, but metolachlor and glyphosate levels were similar between the two groups. GM levels of the urinary metabolites for chlorpyrifos, metolachlor and glyphosate were not significantly different between farm children and non-farm children. Farm children had significantly higher urinary atrazine and chlorpyrifos levels (P = 0.03 and P = 0.03 respectively) when these pesticides were applied by their fathers prior to sample collection than those of farm children where these pesticides were not recently applied. Urinary metabolite concentration was positively associated with pesticide dust concentration in the homes for all pesticides except atrazine in farm mothers; however, the associations were generally not significant. There were generally good correlations for urinary metabolite levels among members of the same family.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian D Curwin
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Prince MM, Ruder AM, Hein MJ, Waters MA, Whelan EA, Nilsen N, Ward EM, Schnorr TM, Laber PA, Davis-King KE. Mortality and exposure response among 14,458 electrical capacitor manufacturing workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Environ Health Perspect 2006; 114:1508-14. [PMID: 17035134 PMCID: PMC1626402 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.9175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We expanded an existing cohort of workers (n = 2,588) considered highly exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at two capacitor manufacturing plants to include all workers with at least 90 days of potential PCB exposure during 1939-1977 (n = 14,458). Causes of death of a priori interest included liver and rectal cancers, previously reported for the original cohort, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), melanoma, and breast, brain, intestine, stomach, and prostate cancers, based on other studies. METHODS We ascertained vital status of the workers through 1998, and cumulative PCB exposure was estimated using a new job exposure matrix. Analyses employed standardized mortality ratios (SMRs; U.S., state, and county referents) and Poisson regression modeling. RESULTS Mortality from NHL, melanoma, and rectal, breast, and brain cancers were neither in excess nor associated with cumulative exposure. Mortality was not elevated for liver cancer [21 deaths; SMR 0.89; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.55-1.36], but increased with cumulative exposure (trend p-value = 0.071). Among men, stomach cancer mortality was elevated (24 deaths; SMR 1.53; 95% CI, 0.98-2.28) and increased with cumulative exposure (trend p-value = 0.039). Among women, intestinal cancer mortality was elevated (67 deaths; SMR 1.31; 95% CI, 1.02-1.66), especially in higher cumulative exposure categories, but without a clear trend. Prostate cancer mortality, which was not elevated (34 deaths; SMR 1.04; 95% CI, 0.72-1.45), increased with cumulative exposure (trend p-value = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS This study corroborates previous studies showing increased liver cancer mortality, but we cannot clearly associate rectal, stomach, and intestinal cancers with PCB exposure. This is the first PCB cohort showing a strong exposure-response relationship for prostate cancer mortality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Avima M. Ruder
- Address correspondence to A.M. Ruder, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mailstop R-16, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226 USA. Telphone: (513) 841-4440. Fax: (513) 841-4486. E-mail:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the late 1970s, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health identified two shoe manufacturing facilities where workers experienced relatively "pure" exposures to toluene. A mortality study was conducted through December 31, 1982. An original study did not detect elevated leukemia mortality but did detect increased lung cancer mortality. The present study is an update of the mortality of the original cohort. METHODS The study cohort consisted of workers employed 1 month or more between 1940 and 1979 at two Ohio shoe manufacturing plants. Vital status was ascertained through December 31, 1999. RESULTS Seven thousand eight hundred twenty eight workers, contributing 300,777 person years, were available for analysis. An excess of lung cancer deaths persisted with additional years of follow-up (SMR = 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.19-1.54). Trend tests did not indicate a positive trend between lung cancer risk and duration of employment. Mortality from leukemia was not significantly elevated in the updated analysis. CONCLUSIONS Results indicate a possible association between lung cancer mortality and exposure to chronic, low-levels of organic solvents. Although the strength of this conclusion was weakened by the lack of increasing lung cancer risk in relation to duration of employment, other studies have supported this association.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Everett J Lehman
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies, Industrywide Studies Branch, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Prince MM, Hein MJ, Ruder AM, Waters MA, Laber PA, Whelan EA. Update: cohort mortality study of workers highly exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) during the manufacture of electrical capacitors, 1940-1998. Environ Health 2006; 5:13. [PMID: 16716225 PMCID: PMC1524943 DOI: 10.1186/1476-069x-5-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2006] [Accepted: 05/22/2006] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health previously reported mortality for a cohort of workers considered highly exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) between 1939 and 1977 at two electrical capacitor manufacturing plants. The current study updated vital status, examined liver and rectal cancer mortality previously reported in excess in this cohort and evaluated mortality from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and cancers of the stomach, intestine, breast, prostate, skin (melanoma) and brain reported to be in excess in other cohort and case-control studies of PCB-exposed persons. METHODS Mortality was updated through 1998 for 2572 workers. Age-, gender-, race- and calendar year-adjusted standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using U.S., state and county referent rates. SMRs using U.S. referent rates are reported. Duration of employment was used as a surrogate for exposure. RESULTS Consistent with the previous follow-up, mortality from biliary passage, liver and gall bladder cancer was significantly elevated (11 deaths, SMR 2.11, CI 1.05 - 3.77), but mortality from rectal cancer was not (6 deaths, SMR 1.47, CI 0.54 - 3.21). Among women, mortality from intestinal cancer (24 deaths, SMR 1.89, CI 1.21 - 2.82) and from "other diseases of the nervous system and sense organs", which include Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, (15 deaths, SMR 2.07, CI 1.16 - 3.42) were elevated. There were four ALS deaths, all women (SMR 4.35, CI 1.19-11.14). Mortality was elevated for myeloma (7 deaths, SMR 2.11, CI 0.84 - 4.34), particularly among workers employed 10 years or more (5 deaths, SMR 2.80, CI 0.91 - 6.54). No linear associations between mortality and duration of employment were observed for the cancers of interest. CONCLUSION This update found that the earlier reported excess in this cohort for biliary, liver and gall bladder cancer persisted with longer follow-up. Excess mortality for intestinal cancer among women was elevated across categories of duration of employment; myeloma mortality was highest among those working 10 years or more. The small numbers of deaths from liver and intestinal cancers, myeloma and nervous system diseases coupled with the lack of an exposure-response relationship with duration of employment preclude drawing definitive conclusions regarding PCB exposure and these causes of death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary M Prince
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluation and Field Studies, Industrywide Studies Branch, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA
| | - Misty J Hein
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluation and Field Studies, Industrywide Studies Branch, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA
| | - Avima M Ruder
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluation and Field Studies, Industrywide Studies Branch, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA
| | - Martha A Waters
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluation and Field Studies, Industrywide Studies Branch, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA
| | - Patricia A Laber
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluation and Field Studies, Industrywide Studies Branch, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Whelan
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluation and Field Studies, Industrywide Studies Branch, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Steenland K, Hein MJ, Cassinelli RT, Prince MM, Nilsen NB, Whelan EA, Waters MA, Ruder AM, Schnorr TM. Polychlorinated biphenyls and neurodegenerative disease mortality in an occupational cohort. Epidemiology 2006; 17:8-13. [PMID: 16357589 DOI: 10.1097/01.ede.0000190707.51536.2b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Production of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) ended in the United States in the 1970s, but PCBs persist in the environment and are detectable in the blood of approximately 80% of Americans over age 50. PCBs decrease dopamine levels in rats and monkeys. Loss of dopamine is the hallmark of Parkinson disease, a neurodegenerative disease. There are no epidemiologic studies of PCBs and neurodegenerative disease. METHODS We conducted a retrospective mortality study of 17,321 PCB-exposed workers to determine whether mortality from Parkinson disease, dementia, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis was elevated compared with the U.S. population. All workers had a least 90 days employment in 1 of 3 electrical capacitor plants using PCBs from the 1940s to the 1970s. PCB serum levels from a sample of these workers in the 1970s were approximately 10 times the level of community controls. RESULTS We found no overall excess of Parkinson disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or dementia in the PCB-exposed cohort (standardized mortality ratios [SMRs]-1.40, 1.11, and 1.26, respectively, and number of deaths-14, 10, and 28 respectively). However, sex-specific analyses revealed that women had an excess of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (SMR-2.26; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.08-4.15; 10 deaths). Furthermore, among highly exposed women (defined by a job-exposure matrix), we found an excess of Parkinson disease (SMR-2.95; 95% CI = 1.08-6.42; 6 deaths) and dementia (SMR-2.04; 95% CI = 1.12-3.43; 14 deaths). CONCLUSIONS Our data are limited due to small numbers and reliance on mortality rather than incidence data, but are suggestive of an effect of PCBs on neurodegenerative disease for women. The literature does not offer an explanation for why women would be more affected than men by PCB exposure for these outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Steenland
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Ruder AM, Hein MJ, Nilsen N, Waters MA, Laber P, Davis-King K, Prince MM, Whelan E. Mortality among workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in an electrical capacitor manufacturing plant in Indiana: an update. Environ Health Perspect 2006; 114:18-23. [PMID: 16393652 PMCID: PMC1332650 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.8253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
An Indiana capacitor-manufacturing cohort (n=3,569) was exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from 1957 to 1977. The original study of mortality through 1984 found excess melanoma and brain cancer; other studies of PCB-exposed individuals have found excess non-Hodgkin lymphoma and rectal, liver, biliary tract, and gallbladder cancer. Mortality was updated through 1998. Analyses have included standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using rates for Indiana and the United States, standardized rate ratios (SRRs), and Poisson regression rate ratios (RRs). Estimated cumulative exposure calculations used a new job-exposure matrix. Mortality overall was reduced (547 deaths; SMR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.7-0.9). Non-Hodgkin lymphoma mortality was elevated (9 deaths; SMR, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.6-2.3). Melanoma remained in excess (9 deaths; SMR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.1-4.6), especially in the lowest tertile of estimated cumulative exposure (5 deaths; SMR, 3.72; 95% CI, 1.2-8.7). Seven of the 12 brain cancer deaths (SMR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.0-3.3) occurred after the original study. Brain cancer mortality increased with exposure (in the highest tertile, 5 deaths; SMR, 2.71; 95% CI, 0.9-6.3); the SRR dose-response trend was significant (p=0.016). Among those working >or= 90 days, both melanoma (8 deaths; SMR, 2.66; 95% CI, 1.1-5.2) and brain cancer (11 deaths; SMR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.1-3.8) were elevated, especially for women: melanoma, 3 deaths (SMR, 5.99; 95% CI, 1.2-17.5); brain cancer, 3 deaths (SMR, 2.87; 95% CI, 0.6-8.4). These findings of excess melanoma and brain cancer mortality confirm results of the original study. Melanoma mortality was not associated with estimated cumulative exposure. Brain cancer mortality did not demonstrate a clear dose-response relationship with estimated cumulative exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Avima M Ruder
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|