Biomedical subjects

D H Garabrant

Publications and source records attributed to D H Garabrant.

48 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1987

Smoking as a risk factor in noise-induced hearing loss.

We studied the relationship between cigarette smoking and hearing loss among 2,348 noise-exposed white male participants in a hearing conservation program at an aerospace company. Comparisons of risk factors were based on two definitions of hearing loss. In the first, cases were defined as those subjects in the top third of the hearing loss distribution (at 3, 4, and 6 kHz) for their age category, and controls were those subjects in the lowest third of the distribution. The crude relative risks for smokers were significantly elevated (ever smoker: odds ratio = 1.27, p = .02; present smoker: odd ratio = 1.39, P = .002) compared with never smokers. Simultaneous evaluation of several risk factors using multiple logistic regression methods indicated that the effects of smoking, having a noisy hobby, and years worked at the plant were independent factors for hearing loss. Statistically significant trends in risk were observed for the number of pack-years of smoking (P = .007) and current packs per day consumption in present smokers (P = .009). In the second definition, hearing loss cases were defined according to National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health criteria for beginning impairment. By using multiple logistic regression, present smoking was a statistically significant independent predictor of impairment. These results suggest that smokers are at increased risk of noise-induced hearing loss.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987

Excessive lead absorption resulting from exposure to lead naphthenate.

There are no reported studies of the relationship between exposure to lead naphthenate and lead absorption in humans. In an aluminum forging operation where lead naphthenate was sprayed without local ventilation, the mean concentration of lead in air was 96 micrograms/m3 with a range of 12-430 micrograms/m3. The 29 forge operators who worked in this area had a mean blood lead concentration of 63 micrograms/dl, which was statistically significantly (P less than .001) higher than the mean blood lead concentration of 17 micrograms/dl among the 103 unexposed workers. Similarly, the mean zinc protoporphyrin concentration among the forge operators was 265 micrograms/dl, which was statistically significantly (P less than .001) higher than the mean concentration of 26 microgram/dl among the unexposed workers. Nineteen workers, all of whom worked in the forge areas, had blood lead concentrations in excess of 60 micrograms/dl, with the highest concentration being 108 micrograms/dl. This is the first reported instance in which the use of lead naphthenate has been associated with increased lead absorption in humans.

Absorption↗

PubMed1986

Investigation of lung cancer among female cosmetologists.

Using a population-based cancer registry to identify subjects, a case-control study of female cosmetologists in Los Angeles County was conducted to investigate possible occupational and environmental causes for the elevated lung cancer risk found in this group. A standardized questionnaire was administered to proxy informants for decreased lung cancer patients and decreased nonpulmonary cancer control patients. No associations between lung cancer and specific beauty shop tasks, beauty product use, or environmental exposures were observed in the crude analysis or after controlling for smoking status. Case subjects had held more jobs outside of cosmetology than control subjects, but these jobs did not appear to be associated with any known hazardous exposures. Despite the elevated risk of lung cancer among female cosmetologists, researchers were unable to relate this excess to any specific occupational tasks or exposures. The excess of lung cancer in cosmetologists is most likely accounted for by a higher frequency of smoking in this occupational group.

Aged↗

PubMed1985

Dermatitis from aziridine hardener in printing ink.

13 of 51 workers developed dermatitis of the hands and face after handling a water-based ink containing a polyfunctional aziridine hardening agent. Improper work practices resulted in skin contamination with the ink and its ingredients. The aziridine hardener contained trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA). The incidence of dermatitis was highest among the ink mixers who handled the undiluted aziridine (6 of 8 workers affected), was lower among printers who handled ink containing 2 to 4% aziridine (7 of 22 workers affected), and was absent in workers who did not handle ink. The mean latency from first contact with the ink to the development of the rash was 3.2 months among the ink mixers, and 6.2 months among the printers. The present findings demonstrate the risk of handling aziridine hardeners when protective clothing is not properly used and when work practices result in direct skin contact. Further research should be performed to discern whether aziridine compounds themselves, free of TMPTA, can cause dermatitis.

Acrylates↗

PubMed1985

Respiratory effects of borax dust.

The relation of respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function, and abnormalities of chest radiographs to estimated exposures of borax dust has been investigated in a cross sectional study of 629 actively employed borax workers. Ninety three per cent of the eligible workers participated in the study and exposures ranged from 1.1 mg/m3 to 14.6 mg/m3. Symptoms of acute respiratory irritation such as dryness of the mouth, nose, or throat, dry cough, nose bleeds, sore throat, productive cough, shortness of breath, and chest tightness were related to exposures of 4.0 mg/m3 or more, and were infrequent at exposures of 1.1 mg/m3. Symptoms of persistent respiratory irritation meeting the definition of chronic simple bronchitis were related to exposure among non-smokers. Decrements in the FEV1 as a percentage of predicted were seen among smokers who had heavy cumulative borax exposures (greater than or equal to 80 mg/m3 years) but were not seen among less exposed smokers or among non-smokers. Radiographic abnormalities were uncommon and were not related to dust exposure. Borax dust appears to act as a simple respiratory irritant and perhaps causes small changes in the FEV1 among smokers who are heavily exposed.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1985

Uses of a cancer registry in the assessment of occupational cancer risks.

Five approaches for the evaluation of occupational factors in cancer etiology are described. These approaches, based on one's having access to cancer registry data, are for examining cancer profiles for industry and occupation, evaluating information on occupation and industry to infer exposure, observing time trends in incidence to evaluate tumors of occupational interest, using cases of interest to form the basis for case-control studies, and linking cohorts with known exposure to the tumor registry to ascertain cancer incidence in that cohort.

Adult↗

PubMed1984

Cancer mortality among shoe and leather workers in Massachusetts.

A proportional mortality analysis of death certificates of 2,798 shoe and leather workers demonstrated a statistically significant excess of bladder cancer among female shoe workers (PMR = 2.51, 95% confidence interval 1.23 to 5.12). A case-referent analysis of 289 leather workers, on whom detailed occupational information was available, demonstrated an association of lung cancer with work in leather-tanning jobs (odds ratio = 4.2, 95% confidence interval 1.09 to 16.2).

Aged↗

PubMed1984

Job activity and colon cancer risk.

The authors studied 2,950 population-based colon cancer cases in males in Los Angeles County, California, that were diagnosed between 1972 and 1981. To determine if colon cancer risk is reduced by physical activity on the job in males aged 20-64 years, the authors first rated each occupation by judging the activity level as high, moderate, or sedentary. Men with sedentary jobs had a colon cancer risk at least 1.6 times that of men whose jobs required a high level of activity. Risk increased in a stepwise manner as activity level decreased. This gradient was consistently seen within each socioeconomic stratum, among whites, blacks, immigrant and native Hispanics, and for each subsection of the colon from the hepatic flexure to the sigmoid. The protective effect of physical activity was very strong in the descending colon and diminished in a gradient both proximally and distally. There was no such relationship between physical activity and risk for rectal cancer. Physical activity may play a major, previously unrecognized role in colon cancer etiology. Such a role is consistent with the known pattern of colon cancer occurrence and with our understanding of colon physiology and colon cancer pathogenesis. In addition to the implications for prevention, understanding the effects of physical activity on colon cancer risk may allow future studies to evaluate more accurately the role played by diet.

Adult↗

PubMed1984

Respiratory and eye irritation from boron oxide and boric acid dusts.

Boron oxide has been shown in animals to irritate the respiratory mucosa and conjunctiva. The present study was undertaken to determine whether exposures to boron oxide and its hydration product, boric acid, cause respiratory and eye irritation in humans. One hundred thirteen workers exposed to these materials and 214 unexposed workers were interviewed regarding symptoms. Statistically significant associations were found between eye irritation, dryness of the mouth, nose, or throat, sore throat, and productive cough and mean exposures of 4.1 mg/m3 (which probably did not exceed 8.5 mg/m3).

Adult↗

PubMed1982

Occupational epidemiology: detection of cancer in the workplace.

There are fundamental approaches that can be used by health professionals to study the contribution of occupational exposures to cancer occurrence. It would be helpful for clinicians who see patients with cancer to be aware of the methods used to identify those types of cancer that are related to work. Such physicians may be asked by companies or unions to collaborate on the design of epidemiologic studies in work settings or to assist in interpreting results, or they may be consulted by patients from such work environments. Understanding these approaches is essential in order to anticipate, detect and prevent cancer caused by occupational exposures.

Epidemiologic Methods↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Wood-dust exposures and cancer of the colon.

Previous studies of workers exposed to wood dusts have shown a decreased risk of cancer of the colon in these workers. However, none of these studies adequately controlled for potential confounders, such as physical activity, diet, and family history of colorectal cancer. The purpose of this case-control study was to evaluate the association between exposure to wood dust and risk for colon cancer after adjusting for potential confounders. Four hundred nineteen male cases of adenocarcinoma of the colon, identified from the Los Angeles County Cancer Surveillance Program, were individually matched to neighborhood controls based on gender and date of birth. Exposure to wood dust was associated with reduced risk of colon cancer that was partially masked before adjustment for confounders, and was limited to workers with frequent exposures that had begun at least 30 years before diagnosis [unadjusted and adjusted ORs, respectively, to exposures 5+ times a week beginning 30+ years before diagnosis = 0.63 (95% CI 0.36-1.13) and 0.39 (95% CI 0.20-0.77)]. This study provides additional evidence that heavy exposure to wood dusts may be associated with reduced risk of colon cancer in males after adjustment for other known causes of colon cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Carcinogens and cancer risks in the microelectronics industry.

Additional epidemiologic studies and a systematic program of carcinogenicity testing of materials are necessary to demonstrate that the electronics industry is free of cancer risks. Screening of new and existing materials for mutagenic activity is needed before these materials are introduced into the workplace. Materials found to possess mutagenic activity should be more extensively tested in animals so that their carcinogenic potential can be defined. Those found to be carcinogenic in animals should be regarded as though they are carcinogenic to humans.

Epoxy Resins↗