Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K Reijula

Publications and source records attributed to K Reijula.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Extractable latex allergens in airborne glove powder and in cut glove pieces.

BACKGROUND: Quantification of natural rubber latex (NRL) allergens of NRL glove extracts has been reported in several studies. Similarly, immunoassay studies reporting the level of NRL aeroallergens in air samples have been published. When studying the NRL allergens of gloves, however, little attention has been focused on identifying the relationship between extractable NRL allergens of medical gloves and NRL aeroallergens in indoor air. OBJECTIVE: In an experimental study we analysed NRL aeroallergens of medical gloves in joint relation to total airborne dust concentration and NRL allergen concentration in gloves. METHODS: NRL aeroallergen level was measured using a chamber setting with 18 lots of powdered medical gloves. In each setting 10 pairs of powdered NRL gloves were swinging in an unventilated chamber (9 m3). Air samples were collected using airflow through Millipore filters (pore size 0.8 microm). The filters were weighed before and after the experiment, and total airborne dust concentration in the chamber was calculated. The filter samples were then extracted and the NRL allergen level measured by IgE ELISA-inhibition assay. Furthermore, cut NRL gloves were extracted and analysed by the same method. Finally, levels of two major NRL allergens, Hev b1 and Hev b 6.02, were measured in three selected NRL glove brands. RESULTS: The NRL aeroallergen level in the chamber air ranged from < 0.9 to 2.9 allergen units (AU)/m3. The total airborne dust concentration in the chamber air remained low with all lots of gloves measured (range < 20 to 80 microg/m3). The NRL allergen level in cut glove extracts varied over 100-fold (< 10 to 1050 AU/mL). Statistically significant correlation between aeroallergen concentration and airborne dust (r = 0.8, P = 0.0015) concentration was found. Moreover, significant correlation between aeroallergen levels and allergen content of cut glove pieces was observed (r = 0.59, P < 0.05). Hev b 1 levels varied from 9 to 25 ng/mL and the levels of Hev b 6.02 from 1720 to 14460 ng/mL in the glove extracts. In the extracts from airborne dust samples, Hev b 6.02 content varied from 61 to 183 ng/m3, whereas Hev b 1 levels were very low (0.4 to 3 ng/m3). CONCLUSION: An elevated NRL aeroallergen level is rather related to a high level of airborne glove powder than to a high concentration of extractable NRL allergen in medical gloves.

Allergens↗
PubMed2001

Environmental tobacco smoke exposure and overtime work as risk factors for sick building syndrome in Japan.

Sick building syndrome (SBS) is an increasingly common health problem for workers in modern office buildings. It is characterized by irritation of mucous membranes and the skin and general malaise. The impact of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure and overtime work on these symptoms remains unclear. The authors examined these relations using data from a 1998 cross-sectional survey of 1,281 municipal employees who worked in a variety of buildings in a Japanese city. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio for symptoms typical of SBS while adjusting for potential confounders. Among nonsmokers, the odds ratio for the association between study-defined SBS and 4 hours of ETS exposure per day was 2.7 (95% confidence interval: 1.6, 4.8), and for most symptom categories, odds ratios increased with increasing hours of ETS exposure. Working overtime for 30 or more hours per month was also associated with SBS symptoms, but the crude odds ratio of 3.0 for SBS (95% confidence interval: 1.8, 5.0) was reduced by 21% after adjustment for variables associated with overtime work and by 49% after further adjustment for perceived work overload. These results suggest that both ETS exposure and extensive amounts of overtime work contribute to the development of SBS symptoms and that the association between overtime and SBS can be explained substantially by the work environment and personal lifestyle correlated with overtime.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Detection of aflatoxins (G(1-2), B(1-2)), sterigmatocystin, citrinine and ochratoxin A in samples contaminated by microbes.

A method is described for the simultaneous determination of common aflatoxins (G1, G2, B1, B2) and their precursor sterigmatocystin, and also citrinine and ochratoxin A. The method was applied to a building material matrix artificially contaminated with mycotoxin-producing fungi. The method includes extraction, sample pre-treatment and reversed-phase HPLC separation with tandem mass spectrometric identification and quantification using electrospray ionisation on a quadrupole ion trap mass analyser (ESI-MS-MS). Aqueous methanol was used in the initial extraction and solvent partitioning and solid phase extraction in the purification of samples. The HPLC separation was run on-line with the ESI-MS-MS detection. The limit of quantification of the procedure was 200 ng for all compounds. Recoveries of the sample pre-treatment varied from 28 to 99%. The average compound- and concentration-dependent accuracy and precision (RSD) were 21 and 113%, respectively. The method includes small sample volumes (approximately 1 g in 20 ml) and few, non-labour intensive, sample treatment steps. It should allow for a high throughput of samples with good prospects of automation.

Aflatoxins↗
PubMed2001

The short-term impact of national smoke-free workplace legislation on passive smoking and tobacco use.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the short-term impact of national smoke-free workplace legislation on employee exposure to environmental tobacco smoke at work and on employee smoking habits. METHODS: We performed 2 cross-sectional studies in 9 medium-sized and large Finnish workplaces, before and after implementation of national smoke-free workplace legislation. We assessed tobacco smoke exposure via questionnaire and indoor air nicotine measurements. RESULTS: Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke declined considerably after the legislation was implemented. Tobacco consumption among smokers diminished. Nicotine concentrations fell significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Legislation was more efficient than voluntary workplace-specific smoking restrictions in reducing passive smoking and cigarette consumption.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Dog allergen in indoor air and dust during dog shows.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Dog dander is one of the most important indoor allergens in Nordic countries. Due to the population flow into cities, the number of dogs in urban areas has increased. Dog allergens can be found practically everywhere indoors. We measured allergen content in indoor air and dust during dog shows. RESULTS: In facilities used for dog shows, the dog allergen content was exceptionally high, up to 2,100,000 ng Can f 1/g dust, but it can be reduced by proper cleaning. The efficiency of cleaning will remain poor if furniture and textiles are not cleaned or the distribution of airborne allergen cannot be prevented. CONCLUSIONS: Dog shows should not be held in public facilities, such as schools, where a significant proportion of occupants are hypersensitive to dog allergens and may therefore suffer symptoms due to the exposure to dog dander.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed2000

Smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke at medium-sized and large-scale workplaces.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study was to assess the smoking prevalence of workers, the attitudes toward smoking, and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in different work environments. METHODS: A questionnaire survey and indoor air quality (IAQ) measurements including the concentration of gaseous nicotine in indoor air were performed in 10 medium-sized and large-scale workplaces representing industrial, service, and office environments. The questionnaire was distributed to all workers (n=1471) in 10 workplaces. IAQ measurements were performed in 4-7 locations in each workplace. RESULTS: Altogether 1027 (70%) employees, of whom 31% were women, responded to the questionnaire. Prevalence of daily smokers was 28.3% (32.3% for men and 22.9% for women). The prevalence was highest among workers in the service sector (32.7%) and lowest in offices (21.6%). Among smokers, 86% of men and 75% of women smoked inside the building. Exposures greater than one hour to ETS were highest in industry (66.3%) and lowest in services (42.6%). Non-smokers complained more often than the regular smokers about the spreading of tobacco smoke to non-smoking areas, and they felt that workplace smoking was a significant discomfort. Mean concentration of nicotine was highest in service environments (3.0 microg/m(3)) and lowest in offices (0.6 microg/m(3)). CONCLUSIONS: According to the present questionnaire survey and IAQ measurements, smoking habits and exposure to tobacco smoke varied considerably depending on the position of the employees and the type of the workplace.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed2000

Nicotine and 3-ethenylpyridine concentrations as markers for environmental tobacco smoke in restaurants.

The Finnish Tobacco Act has restricted smoking in public places since 1976, and in 1994 the Act was amended to include workplaces as well. In 2000, the Tobacco Act will be expanded further to restaurants. In Finland, the exposure of clients and employees to the vapor phase environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in restaurants has not been systematically studied before by measuring ETS markers in indoor air. However, in these establishments the concentrations of ETS are expected to be much higher than in other workplaces. Gaseous nicotine and 3-ethenylpyridine were used as indicators of ETS in three different types of restaurants. Mean concentrations of nicotine ranged from 1.4-42.2 micrograms/m3 and 3-ethenylpyridine 1.4-6.3 micrograms/m3. In addition, concentrations of total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), CO and CO2 were measured and concentrations were 183-2215 micrograms/m3, 0.9-3.1 mg/m3 and 600-880 ppm, respectively. The concentrations of ETS markers were highest in discos and nightclubs and lowest in restaurants. The concentrations of total volatile organic compounds were highest in discos and nightclubs, especially when smoke generators were used.

Carcinogens↗
PubMed2000

Emission of ozone and organic volatiles from a selection of laser printers and photocopiers.

To estimate the impact of office equipment on the quality of indoor air, the emission of ozone and organic volatiles was measured from one photocopier and four laser printers, three of which operated according to traditional corona discharge technology. The laser printers equipped with traditional technology emitted significant amounts of ozone and formaldehyde. Lesser amounts of other volatile aldehydes were emitted during printing. The photocopier emitted mainly ozone. In a well-ventilated office environment, the amounts encountered here for individual volatiles were within recommended maximum exposure limits for a reasonable density of printers. Because it is not known whether the concentration of irritating volatiles, such as formaldehyde, should be kept lower in an ozone rich environment or not, and because emissions in the immediate vicinity of the printers exceeded recommendations, the authors recommend that laser printers equipped with the traditional corona rods not be placed beside or immediately at the working site of office personnel. This way, ozone concentrations can be kept below recommended maximum exposure limits, provided that the ventilation rate is adequate. Further, it seems that if a reliable quantitative comparison of total organic volatiles prior to and during printing is to be made, the inertness of the sorbent toward ozone should be confirmed.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed2000

Mycotoxins in crude building materials from water-damaged buildings.

We analyzed 79 bulk samples of moldy interior finishes from Finnish buildings with moisture problems for 17 mycotoxins, as well as for fungi that could be isolated using one medium and one set of growth conditions. We found the aflatoxin precursor, sterigmatocystin, in 24% of the samples and trichothecenes in 19% of the samples. Trichothecenes found included satratoxin G or H in five samples; diacetoxyscirpenol in five samples; and 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol, deoxynivalenol, verrucarol, or T-2-tetraol in an additional five samples. Citrinine was found in three samples. Aspergillus versicolor was present in most sterigmatocystin-containing samples, and Stachybotrys spp. were present in the samples where satratoxins were found. In many cases, however, the presence of fungi thought to produce the mycotoxins was not correlated with the presence of the expected compounds. However, when mycotoxins were found, some toxigenic fungi usually were present, even if the species originally responsible for producing the mycotoxin was not isolated. We conclude that the identification and enumeration of fungal species present in bulk materials are important to verify the severity of mold damage but that chemical analyses are necessary if the goal is to establish the presence of mycotoxins in moldy materials.

Aspergillus↗
PubMed1999

Support for and observance of worksite smoking restriction policies--A study of municipal employees at a city office in Japan.

BACKGROUND: While various types of smoking restrictions have been introduced in Japanese workplaces, it is not clear what restriction policies workers find acceptable. This study examined the relationship between the extent of worksite smoking restriction and worker attitudes toward these policies. METHODS: Municipal employees randomly selected from a city office were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire concerning support for and smokers' observance of their present smoking restriction. A total of 2857 (88. 6%) workers responded. RESULTS: More than 60% of respondents regarded a work-area ban with a designated smoking space as the most desirable policy. Among subjects who were aware of the current policies in their workplaces, positive support was highest for a total ban (73.9%) and decreased as the extent of the restriction became milder (P for trend <0.001). In contrast, an inverse relation was found for negative support (P for trend <0.001). These trends were observed among both nonsmokers and smokers. Smokers subject to a work-area ban observed the policy more faithfully than those subject to milder policies. CONCLUSIONS: Policies prohibiting smoking in work areas were favorably accepted by municipal employees, irrespective of smoking status. These results should encourage Japanese workplaces to adopt work-area bans, through which nonsmokers are effectively protected from environmental tobacco smoke.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Analysis of nicotine, 3-hydroxycotinine, cotinine, and caffeine in urine of passive smokers by HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry.

BACKGROUND: A method is described for the simultaneous analysis of nicotine and two of its major metabolites, cotinine and 3-hydroxycotinine, as well as for caffeine from urine samples. The method was developed to assess exposure of restaurant and hotel workers to environmental tobacco smoke. METHODS: The method includes sample pretreatment and reversed-phase HPLC separation with tandem mass spectrometric identification and quantification using electrospray ionization on a quadrupole ion trap mass analyzer. Sample pretreatment followed standard protocols, including addition of base before liquid-liquid partitioning against dichloromethane on a solid matrix, evaporation of the organic solvent using gaseous nitrogen, and transferring to HPLC vials using HPLC buffer. HPLC separation was run on-line with the electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometric detection. RESULTS: The detection limits of the procedure were in the 1 microg/L range, except for nicotine (10 microg/L of urine). Still lower detection limits can be achieved with larger sample volumes. Recoveries of the sample treatment varied from 99% (cotinine) to 78% (3-hydroxycotinine). CONCLUSIONS: The method described is straightforward and not labor-intensive and, therefore, permits a high throughput of samples with excellent prospects for automation. The applicability of the method was demonstrated in a small-scale study on restaurant employees.

Caffeine↗
PubMed1998

The attitudes of occupational health personnel to smoking at work.

Attitudes of occupational health care professionals toward smoking and their activity to address smoking issues were investigated by a questionnaire survey. Data were also collected on employees' exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and on smoking policies that existed in workplaces. Questionnaires were mailed to all occupational health care centers (n = 1,004) in Finland. The prevalence of daily smokers was 9.6% among physicians and 3.6% among nurses; 15% and 11%, respectively smoked occasionally. Smoking restrictions were enforced in more than 70% of all workplaces, but only 3.6% of them had a total smoking ban. Nonsmoking professionals were in favor of smoke-fee workplaces and smoking restrictions significantly more often than their smoking colleagues. Nonsmokers also regarded smoking as a serious problem to the organizational climate of workplaces. Almost half of nonsmoking respondents, but only 11% of daily smokers, would totally ban smoking in workplaces. Although the personal smoking status of the respondent had a strong effect on attitudes to smoking regulations, it did not have a clear influence on interest in discussing smoking issues when seeing patients. Nurses were more active in addressing smoking issues than physicians. Occupational health professionals of large companies reported stricter smoking policies at work than those who represented small enterprises

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Measurement and analysis of nicotine and other VOCs in indoor air as an indicator of passive smoking.

In Finland the Tobacco Act was amended in 1994 to include workplaces. The developed method for estimating passive smoking, or environmental tobacco smoke utilised the widely used measurement of volatile organic compounds in indoor air quality surveys. The method is based on active sorbent sampling, thermal desorption and gas chromatography/mass selective detection (GC/MS) analysis and it has been tested in a chamber and in field conditions. The method can be used simultaneously to measure volatile organic compounds and exposure to tobacco smoke. We recommend nicotine, collected by active sampling, as an indicator for the evaluation of the exposure to environmental tobacco smoke spreading from smoking areas.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed1998

Detection of polar and macrocyclic trichothecene mycotoxins from indoor environments.

A method is described for the qualitative and semi-quantitative simultaneous determination of both non-macrocyclic and macrocyclic trichothecene biotoxins from samples derived from indoor environments. The method includes extraction, sample pre-treatment and reversed-phase HPLC separation followed by tandem mass spectrometric identification and quantification using electrospray ionization on a quadrupole ion trap mass analyser. Aqueous methanol was used in the initial extraction and solvent partitioning and solid-phase extraction in the purification of samples. The HPLC separation was run on-line with electrospray ionization MS-MS detection. The detection limits and recoveries of the procedure varied from 1 to 1000 pg and from 31 to 92%, respectively. As the method includes few and not very labour intensive sample treatment steps, it should allow for a high throughput of samples with good prospects of automation.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1998

Radiographic abnormalities among Finnish construction, shipyard and asbestos industry workers.

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of asbestos-related radiographic abnormalities was surveyed among Finnish construction, shipyard, and asbestos industry workers. METHODS: The radiographic screening focused on active and retired workers who were under the age of 70 years and had been employed for at least 10 years in construction or for at least 1 year in shipyards or in the asbestos industry. In 1990-1992, 18,943 people participated in an X-ray examination of the lungs and an interview on work history and exposure. The criteria for a positive radiological finding were (i) small irregular lung opacities clearly consistent with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (ILO 1/1 or higher), (ii) lung opacities indicating mild pulmonary fibrosis (ILO 1/0) with unilateral or bilateral pleural plaques, (iii) marked adhesions with or without thickening of the visceral pleura, or (iv) findings consistent with bilateral pleural plaques. RESULTS: Fulfilling the criteria were 4133 workers (22%) (22% from construction, 16% from shipyards, and 24% from the asbestos industry). The radiological findings included signs of pulmonary fibrosis (3%), changes in the visceral pleura (7%), bilateral plaques (17%), and unilateral plaques (10%). Occupational disease was diagnosed according to the Finnish insurance regulations for three-fourths of those referred for further examinations, 96% being abnormalities in the pleura and 4% being asbestosis. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to asbestos dust has been common in ordinary construction work, and, consequently, radiographic abnormalities (mostly pleural) occur frequently among active and retired construction workers.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Bacteria, molds, and toxins in water-damaged building materials.

Microbial toxins and eukaryotic cell toxicity from indoor building materials heavily colonized by fungi and bacteria were analyzed. The dominant colonizers at water-damaged sites of the building were Stachybotrys chartarum (10(3) to 10(5) visible conidia cm-2), Penicillium and Aspergillus species (10(4) CFU mg-1), gram-negative bacteria (10(4) CFU mg-1), and mycobacteria (10(3) CFU mg-1). The mycobacterial isolates were most similar to M. komossense, with 98% similarity of the complete 16S rDNA sequence. Limulus assay of water extracts prepared from a water-damaged gypsum liner revealed high contents of gram-negative endotoxin (17 ng mg-1 of E. coli lipopolysaccharide equivalents) and beta-D-glucan (210 ng mg-1 of curdlan equivalents). High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of the methanol extracts showed that the water-damaged gypsum liner also contained satratoxin (17 ng mg-1). This methanol-extracted substance was 200 times more toxic to rabbit skin and fetus feline lung cells than extract of gypsum liner sampled from a non-water-damaged site. The same extract contained toxin(s) that paralyzed the motility of boar spermatozoa at extremely low concentrations; the 50% effective concentration was 0.3 microgram of dry solids per ml. This toxicity was not explainable by the amount of bacterial endotoxin, beta-D-glucan, or satratoxin present in the same extract. The novel in vitro toxicity test that utilized boar spermatozoa as described in this article is convenient to perform and reproducible and was a useful tool for detecting toxins of microbial origin toward eukaryotic cells not detectable in building materials by the other methods.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Effects of intranasal exposure to spores of Stachybotrys atra in mice.

The effects of highly toxic and nontoxic spores of Stachybotrys atra were investigated in mice after six intranasal administrations of 1 x 10(5) and 1 x 10(3) spores in phosphate-buffered saline during a 3-week period. Toxic spores contained the trichothecene mycotoxins, satratoxins G and H, as well as the immunosuppressant stachybotrylactones and -lactams. No trichothecenes were detected in the nontoxic spores, and they contained only minor amounts of stachybotrylactones and -lactams. In mice injected with toxic and nontoxic spores, the platelet count was decreased and leucocyte and erythrocyte counts, hemoglobin concentration, and hematocrit were increased. No IgG antibodies to S. atra were detected in sera of mice exposed intranasally to spores. No histological changes were detected in spleen, thymus, or intestines of mice. The mice receiving 1 x 10(5) toxic spores intranasally developed severe inflammatory changes within both bronchioles and alveoli. Hemorrhage was detected in alveoli. The mice receiving 1 x 10(5) nontoxic spores also developed inflammatory changes in the lungs, but these changes were significantly milder than those in mice receiving toxic spores. The mice receiving 1 x 10(3) toxic spores developed inflammatory changes in the lungs that were less severe than those in the mice receiving 1 x 10(5) toxic spores. No inflammatory changes were detected in the mice receiving 1 x 10(3) of nontoxic spores. The present findings indicate that exposure to S. atra spores containing toxins (satratoxins) can be a significant health risk.

Administration, Intranasal↗