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Biomedical subjects

B Kolmodin-Hedman

Publications and source records attributed to B Kolmodin-Hedman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Work-related respiratory problems in industrial arts teachers.

Because of reports of respiratory complaints in Swedish industrial arts (IA) teachers, a cross-sectional study was performed on 130 IA teachers in Stockholm to study the relationship between the work environment and health, and especially the aforementioned complaints. One hundred and twelve other school employees served as control subjects. Sex, age, and smoking habit distribution were similar in the two groups. All subjects answered a questionnaire about their health problems, and the IA teachers answered questions about their work environment. The work environment consisted of many old and neglected workshops (hereafter called shops). Compared to the control subjects, the IA teachers had more complaints in respect of the skin, eyes, nose, throat, and lower airways--including chronic bronchitis (OR 12.4, 95% confidence interval 2.95-110.5). A higher occurrence of symptoms existed in shops with bad ventilation and dust-spreading machines and in shops where dust-spreading cleanup methods were used. A suspected interaction between smoking and work environment was noted for some symptoms, especially impaired smell and chronic bronchitis. In conclusion, several factors in the work environment were identified as risk factors for health. Identification of these risk factors should result in a program to reduce the health problems in the work environment.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Phenoxyacetates.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Agricultural Workers' Diseases↗
PubMed1991

Exposure to peat dust: acute effects on lung function and content of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.

Mechanised production of peat for fuel consumption is associated with high concentrations of organic dust, which is inhaled by the peat workers. In the present study 17 workers at two peat bogs in northern Sweden were examined. Personal sampling of total dust and the respirable fraction was performed during several workshifts. Dynamic spirometry was carried out before and at the end of shifts. Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed in six subjects at the end of the working season and the results were compared with unexposed reference subjects. Peat workers using modern machines with ventilated cabins containing air filters were found to be exposed to low concentrations of peat dust. The recorded dust concentrations were below the threshold limit value for organic dust (5 mg/m3 air) in all but one worker. The respirable fraction of peat dust recorded in the breathing zone of the workers correlated significantly with a decrease in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). The effect on lung function in non-asthmatic peat workers was, however, small. The concentration of lysozyme positive alveolar macrophages in BAL fluid was significantly lower in the peat workers compared with reference subjects. An inverse correlation was found between the mentioned cells and exposure to the respirable fraction of the peat dust. Furthermore, one particularly dust exposed worker had pronounced increases in alveolar macrophages, fibronectin concentration, and mast cells in BAL fluid.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Inflammatory cell response in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid after nitrogen dioxide exposure of healthy subjects: a dose-response study.

The combination of environmental chamber exposure and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was used to study the effects of the common air pollutant nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Eighteen healthy nonsmokers were exposed to NO2 during 20 min in an exposure chamber during light bicycle ergometer work. All subjects were examined with BAL at least 3 wks before exposure, as a reference. The subjects were re-examined with BAL, in groups of eight, 24 h after exposure to 4, 7 and 10 mg NO2.m.3 (2.25, 4.0 and 5.5 ppm), respectively. An inflammatory cell response was found after exposure to all concentrations. An increase in the number of lymphocytes in BAL fluid was observed after 7 and 10 mg.m.3 (p less than 0.05 and 0.02, respectively). An increase in the number of mast cells, that appears to be dose-dependent, was found after exposure to all concentrations. The proportion of lysozyme positive alveolar macrophages was elevated after exposure to 7 mg.m.3. The inflammatory mediators fibronectin, hyaluronan, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and beta 2-microglobulin were unchanged by exposure. Due to the findings of inflammatory cell changes far below the peak exposure limits for work places in industrialized countries, 9-18 mg.m.3, the safety of these limits is questioned. Studies are in progress in our laboratory using BAL to evaluate the effects of repeated NO2 exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Mortality from circulatory diseases, especially ischaemic heart disease in sea pilots and boatmen in Sweden 1951-84: a retrospective cohort study.

A cohort of 1455 sea pilots and boatmen employed after 1921 was established. Those identified and alive in 1951 (n = 1323) were linked to the Swedish cause of death register 1951-84. In 21 352 person-years 383 deaths were observed among sea pilots compared with 379.3 expected (SMR = 101;95% CI between 99 and 112) and in 12,127 person-years the observed number of deaths among boatmen was 136, expected 135.9 (SMR = 100) when Swedish men were used as a reference population. For ischaemic heart disease (IHD) (ICD-8: 410-414) the SMR was equal to 96 (obs = 131, exp = 137.2) for sea pilots and 91 (obs = 44, exp = 48.4) for boatmen. No trend over time or geographical differences could be observed. A healthy worker effect could not explain why there was no excess mortality from IHD.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Bronchoalveolar mastocytosis and lymphocytosis after nitrogen dioxide exposure in man: a time-kinetic study.

The combination of environmental chamber exposure and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was used to study the time-course of the cell response in the human lung to nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Healthy subjects were exposed for 20 min to 7 mg NO2.m-3 (4 ppm), a concentration which occurs indoors in industries and is below the peak exposure limit for work places in most countries, 10 mg.m-3 (5.5 ppm). BAL was performed in all subjects several weeks before exposure and 4, 8, 24 and 72 h after exposure, in eight subjects at each time. Mastocytosis and lymphocytosis were found in BAL fluid 4-24 h after exposure, with normalization after 72 h. A mild increase in lysozyme positive macrophages was found 24-72 h after exposure. The time-course of the human pulmonary cell response to NO2, demonstrated in BAL fluid, represents a new and previously not reported finding after exposure to this common air pollutant. Our findings are diverging from results obtained in animal studies, using approximately the same NO2 concentrations, indicating that the results from the animal studies may not be transferable to man.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Is the short term limit value for sulphur dioxide exposure safe? Effects of controlled chamber exposure investigated with bronchoalveolar lavage.

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) which has not previously been used in investigating the effect of sulphur dioxide (SO2) on the human lung was performed on 12 subjects before and after controlled chamber exposure with SO2 for 20 minutes. BAL fluid 24 hours after exposure with 10 mg SO2/m3 (4 ppm, 10 subjects) showed increased alveolar macrophage activity as judged by an increase in lysozyme positive macrophages. Twenty four hours after 20 mg/m3 (4 subjects) a further increase was seen, which was accompanied by an increase in total numbers of macrophages and lymphocytes. Seventy two hours after exposure (4 subjects) cell numbers had virtually returned to pre-exposure levels. These previously uninvestigated reactions indicate potentially noxious effects of SO2 in the lungs at exposure levels that are regarded as relatively safe.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Cell response in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid after exposure to sulfur dioxide: a time-response study.

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) has been performed in 22 healthy nonsmoking male volunteers after exposure to 8 ppm SO2 (20 mg/m3). The exposure level exceeds the US Short-Term Exposure Limit (STEL) of 5 ppm, but occurs as peak exposures in industrial indoor environments. Exposures were made during light work on a bicycle ergometer in an environmental exposure chamber for 20 min. BAL was performed 2 wk or more before exposure and 4, 8, 24, and 72 h after exposure in eight subjects at each time interval. Four hours after exposure significant increases were found in the numbers of lysozyme-positive macrophages, lymphocytes, and mast cells (p less than 0.02 to 0.05). Lymphocytes, lysozyme-positive macrophages, total count of alveolar macrophages, and total cell number increased to peak values 24 h after exposure (p less than 0.02 to 0.05). Seventy-two hours after exposure the cell numbers and distribution had returned to normal. The time course of the cell reactions found in BAL fluid after controlled SO2 exposure represents a new and previously not reported response to a noxious gas.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Cell response in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid after sulfur dioxide exposure.

Environmental chamber exposure and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were used to study the dose-response relationship between short-term exposure to sulfur dioxide (SO2) and inflammatory reactions in the human lung as reflected in BAL fluid. Healthy subjects were exposed to 10, 13, 20, or 30 mg/m3 for 20 min. BAL was performed several weeks preexposure and 24 h postexposure. Mast cells, lymphocytes, lysozyme positive macrophages, and the total number of macrophages were significantly increased after SO2 exposure. A dose-dependent increase in the cell response in BAL fluid was observed after exposure to 10-20 mg/m3, but no further increase was detected after 30 mg/m3. Inflammatory cell response was found in BAL fluid at SO2 levels that occur in industrial indoor environments worldwide, and cell response to SO2 was also seen below the short-term exposure limit of Sweden and many other countries (13 mg/m3).

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Health problems among operators of plastic welding machines and exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields.

To study possible medical effects of high radiofrequency radiation (RF), 113 Swedish men and women were studied by means of a structured interview and rating of subjective symptoms. A test session was included in order to examine coordination and muscular function of the hands. A neurological test concerning two-point discrimination (2-PD) was also done. As referents, 23 women, sewing machine operators and assembly workers, were chosen, interviewed and likewise tested. Exposure measurements were taken of the RF fields around the welding machines. The present Swedish ceiling value of 250 W/m2 for the equivalent power density was exceeded in more than 50% of the machines. The highest leakage fields, both for electric and magnetic fields, were found near machines used in factories for ready-made clothing, which gave a high exposure to the hands. Irritative eye symptoms were reported by 23% of the men and 40% of the women. A group of 27 persons was selected for a clinical eye examination and checked by photographs, and nine persons had modest conjunctivitis. A high prevalence of numbness in hands, especially among women, was found. A significantly impaired 2-PD was found in the exposed women as compared to the referent group. The pregnancy outcome for 305 female plastic welders during 1974-1984 did not show any significant differences with the Swedish average concerning malformation or prenatal mortality.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Follow-up study of pulmonary function and respiratory tract symptoms in workers in a Swedish iron ore mine.

In 1967, 240 workers in the Kiruna, Sweden, mine were examined with regard to lung function and respiratory symptoms. Seventeen years later, 167 of these workers were reexamined using a structured interview which covered respiratory symptoms, smoking habits, and workplace, and lung function tests, including dynamic spirometry and closing volume. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis in the present study was 9.6%. There was a strong relationship between chronic bronchitis and smoking but no relationship between chronic bronchitis and working underground in the mine. Only three persons had chronic obstructive lung disease. In the still active mine workers, dynamic spirometry results showed no difference between smokers or nonsmokers or between underground and surface workers. Thus, we found no excess of chronic obstructive lung disease or lung function disturbances in the mine workers studied. This probably reflects a self-selection process whereby the workers with airway obstruction due to smoking or underground exposure have left underground work and also the company. Underground workers with chronic mucous hypersecretion, on the other hand, have not felt motivated, because of this, to leave underground work. Some, however, may have stopped smoking but not necessarily because of the hypersecretion.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Incidence of organic dust toxic syndrome and allergic alveolitis in Swedish farmers.

The incidence of allergic alveolitis (AA) and of febrile reactions (FR) to inhaled mold dust in those who did not meet the criteria of AA was investigated in Swedish farmers, and the findings were related to farming methods and exposure type. A questionnaire was completed by 6,702 farmers. A stratified sample of 390 farmers underwent examination comprising spirometry, a skin-prick test, blood tests for precipitating antibodies and total IgE and an interview concerning symptoms, exposure and farming methods. The yearly incidence of AA was 2-3/10,000 farmers. The incidence of FR was 30-50 times higher (1/100 farmers) and the majority of these reactions was of a toxic rather than allergic type (organic dust toxic syndrome). Among farmers with recent FR or AA there was a higher frequency of positive precipitin reactions (p less than 0.05). Exposures to moldy grain, straw, wood chips and hay were associated with both AA and FR. A major difference in exposure between 17 farmers with AA and 80 with FR was that AA appeared to require repeated exposure, while FR was associated with occasional heavy exposure to mold dust.

Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic↗