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Biomedical subjects

L Hagmar

Publications and source records attributed to L Hagmar.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Cancer incidence and mortality among Swedish Baltic Sea fishermen.

A 25% lower cancer mortality was found for 1360 Swedish fishermen who fished on the Baltic Sea than for the general population. The fishermen consumed twice as much fish as the population in the same county. In spite of the low overall cancer mortality, increased mortality from myeloma, as well as increased incidences of gastric carcinoma and squamous cell cancer of the skin and lips, was observed in the cohort. The decrease in risk for ischemic heart disease was not significant. Whether the dietary intake of fatty acids and selenium from fish contributed to the decreased risk was difficult to evaluate. Moreover, whether the consumption of fish from the Baltic Sea, contaminated with, for example, polychlorinated dioxins and dibenzofurans and other persistent organochlorine substances, contributed to the observed increased specific cancer risks is not known. However, the net health effect of high fish consumption from the Baltic Sea seems to be positive.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

An epidemiological study of cancer risk among workers exposed to ethylene oxide using hemoglobin adducts to validate environmental exposure assessments.

Cancer morbidity was investigated in a cohort of 2,170 ethylene oxide (EO)-exposed workers from 2 plants producing disposable medical equipment. The subjects had been employed for at least 1 year during the periods 1970-1985 and 1964-1985, respectively. The exposure to EO was assessed for each of six job categories in the plants with respect to each calendar year, on which basis values for individual cumulative exposure to EO (ppm-years) were calculated. The levels of hydroxyethyl adducts to N-terminal valine (HOEtVal) in hemoglobin fitted well with the values estimated for airborne exposure to EO. No increased cancer incidence was found [standardized morbidity ratio (SMR), 0.78; 95% CI, 0.49-1.21)]. No leukemia was observed, but one case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, one case of myeloma, and one case of polycythemia vera were diagnosed as compared with two expected hematopoietic and lymphatic tumors (SMR, 1.54; 95% CI, 0.32-4.5). No stomach cancer was detected as compared with the 0.5 case expected. There were no significant exposure-response associations between estimates of exposure to EO and cancer morbidity.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Cancer morbidity in nitrate fertilizer workers.

A cohort of 2,131 male nitrate fertilizer workers was evaluated for cancer morbidity from 1963 to 1986. No significant increase in total cancer, stomach cancer (5 actual vs 6.7 expected cases), or lung cancer (13 vs 13 expected) was found. On the other hand, 26 actual cases of prostate cancer were observed vs 16 expected cases (standardized morbidity ratio, SMR = 161; 95%, confidence interval, CI = 107-239). This risk increase however, was, not enhanced by applying at least a 10-year latency period. In a cohort of 1,148 male fertilizer workers who had never been exposed to nitrate, there was an increased incidence of lung cancer (SMR = 151,95% CI = 103-220) but not of stomach cancer or prostate cancer. There was no association between airborne nitrate exposure dose and total cancer, stomach cancer, lung cancer or prostate cancer, respectively.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

A collaborative study of cancer incidence and mortality among vinyl chloride workers.

A large European multicentric cohort study has been coordinated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer with the objectives of investigating the dose-response relationship between liver cancer and exposure to vinyl chloride and assessing cancer risk for sites other than the liver. A nearly threefold increase in liver cancer was detected on the basis of 24 observed deaths and 8.4 expected (standardized mortality ratio 286, 95% confidence interval 186-425). The excess from liver cancer was clearly related to time since first exposure, duration of employment, and estimated ranked and quantitative exposures. Other cancer sites investigated on the basis of a priori hypotheses were either not in excess (lung) or apparently unrelated to the exposure variables (brain and lymphoma).

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Mortality and cancer morbidity in workers exposed to low levels of vinyl chloride monomer at a polyvinyl chloride processing plant.

To study whether exposure to low levels of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) causes increased risk for cancer morbidity and death from ischemic heart disease, a cohort study was performed among 2,031 male workers at a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) processing plant who had been employed for at least 3 months during the period 1945-1980. An almost significantly increased total mortality (SMR = 116, 95% CI 99-136) was found. Deaths caused by violence or intoxication were significantly increased (SMR = 153, 95% CI 109-213), but not deaths from ischemic heart disease (SMR = 100, 95% CI 73-135). A significant increase in total cancer morbidity was observed (SMR = 128, 95% CI 101-161). Respiratory cancers were significantly increased (SMR = 213, 95% CI 127-346). Furthermore, six brain tumors (vs. 2.6 expected) were observed. This increase, however, was not significant (SMR = 229, 95% CI 84-498). No liver hemangiosarcoma was observed. Applying a latency period of greater than or equal to 10 years from start of employment did not change the risk patterns. There were no significant exposure-response associations between exposure estimates for VCM, asbestos, and plasticizers and cancer morbidity.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Health effects of exposure to endotoxins and organic dust in poultry slaughter-house workers.

Twenty-three dust-exposed shacklers in the hanging departments of four poultry slaughter-house plants were examined immediately before work on a Monday morning with a standardized interview, pulmonary function tests (VC and FEV1), and blood sampling for analysis of complement factors. The examinations were repeated immediately after work the same day. Further, the individual breathing zone levels of both total dust and endotoxins were monitored during the whole work-shift. Moreover, spot samples of airborne bacteria and fungi were collected. The mean level of total dust was 6.3 mg/m3 (range 0.4-15.3 mg/m3) and of endotoxins 0.40 micrograms/m3 (range 0.02-1.50 micrograms/m3). Total levels of 4 x 10(5)-4 x 10(6) cfu/m3 of airborne bacteria, mainly coagulase-negative staphylococcal strains, but only 500-4000 cfu/m3 of fungi were found in the hanging departments. An over-shift increase in respiratory symptoms was found, but none of the workers had experienced any symptoms indicating extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA) or organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS). Further, mean over-shift decreases of VC (3.1%) and FEV1 (4.1%) were found, indicating a harmful effect on the bronchi. There were, however, no associations between these over-shift decreases and the individual time-weighted average breathing zone levels of either total dust or of endotoxins. No over-shift change in serum complement factors was observed.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1990

An inter-Nordic prospective study on cytogenetic endpoints and cancer risk. Nordic Study Group on the Health Risk of Chromosome Damage.

To investigate whether high rates of chromosomal aberrations (CAs), sister chromatid exchange (SCE), or micronuclei(MN) in peripheral lymphocytes indicate an increased risk for subsequent cancer, a prospective cohort study of 2,969 subjects cytogenetically examined between 1970 and 1988 in four Swedish, two Finnish, and two Norwegian laboratories was initiated. To standardize for the interlaboratory variation, the results of the three cytogenetic endpoints were trichotomized for each laboratory into "low" (1st to 33rd percentile), "medium" (34th to 66th percentile), and "high" (67th to 100th percentile]. Thirty-four cancers had been diagnosed in the cohort during the observation period (1970 to 1985). The point-estimates of the standardized morbidity ratio (SMR) in the three CA strata were 90, 92, and 180, respectively. This trend for a positive association was not statistically significant (p = 0.06). There was no significant trend between SMR and the trichotomized rates of SCE. In the subcohort examined for MN only two cases of cancer had been diagnosed until now. If subjects with "high" frequencies of CA or SCE have a two-fold (or greater) risk of developing cancer as compared with individuals who have "medium" or "low" frequencies, we estimate that there is a likelihood of 80% and 70%, respectively, that this will be detectable as significant (p less than or equal to 0.05) differences after a further follow-up period of 5 years. Weaker associations between cancer risk and the cytogenetic endpoints would not be possible to evaluate until even later follow-ups.

Chromosome Aberrations↗
PubMed1990

Comparison of the limulus amebocyte lysate test and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for measuring lipopolysaccharides (endotoxins) in airborne dust from poultry-processing industries.

The lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin) content in airborne dust samples from three different poultry slaughterhouses was determined with both the chromogenic Limulus amebocyte lysate assay and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of lipopolysaccharide-derived 3-hydroxy fatty acids. Gram-negative cell walls were also measured by using two-dimensional gas chromatography/electron-capture analysis of diaminopimelic acid originating from the peptidoglycan. The correlation between the results of the Limulus assay and those of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for determination of the lipopolysaccharide content in the dust samples was poor, whereas a good correlation was obtained between lipopolysaccharide and diaminopimelic acid concentrations with the gas chromatographic methods. The results suggest that it is predominantly cell-wall-dissociated lipopolysaccharides that are measured with the Limulus assay, whereas the gas chromatographic methods allow determination of total concentrations of lipopolysaccharide, including Limulus-inactive lipopolysaccharide, gram-negative cells, and cellular debris.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1989

Cytogenetic and hematological effects in plastics workers exposed to styrene.

For 20 glass-reinforced plastics workers exposed to styrene and 22 unexposed referents, the frequency and size distribution of micronuclei were determined for lymphocytes stimulated with phytohemagglutinin or pokeweed mitogen, and white blood cell counts were made. Furthermore, chromosome aberrations were scored for 11 of the exposed subjects and 15 of the referents. The mean level of styrene in the breathing zone of the workers was 56 mg/m3. Workers exposed to styrene did not show an increase in any of the cytogenetic end points studied when the effect of age and smoking was allowed for in a multiple regression analysis. A significant 30% increase in the number of peripheral monocytes was observed for the exposed workers. No correlations between the cytogenetic and hematological tests on one hand and the length of exposure time on the other could be detected.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Mortality and cancer morbidity in workers exposed to sulphur dioxide in a sulphuric acid plant.

To evaluate the risk of non-malignant respiratory disease and tumours at exposure to sulphur dioxide, a retrospective cohort study was performed on a group of 400 male workers, employed for at least six months during the period 1961-1981, in a sulphuric acid factory. Since 1969, fairly extensive measurements have been performed in the respiratory zone of the workers. The median level of total dust, over the years, was 2.2 mg/m3 (time-weighted average), of respirable dust 0.6 mg/m3, of sulphur dioxide 3.6 mg/m3, and of arsenic 11 micrograms/m3. There was a significantly increased total mortality in the period 1961-1985. Applying greater than or equal to 5 years latency period there were 47 observed deaths, giving a standardized mortality rate (SMR) of 1.57 (P = 0.002). The increased mortality was due to violence and intoxication (observed 9, SMR = 2.83; P = 0.006) and cardiovascular disease (SMR = 1.51, P = 0.05). The total tumour morbidity was not increased (observed 17, SMR = 1.17, P greater than 0.5) and there was no rise of either non-malignant or malignant lung diseases. However, there was an increase of bladder cancer (observed 5, SMR = 4.36, P = 0.006).

Chemical Industry↗
PubMed1988

Biological effects in a chemical factory with mutagenic exposure. I. Cytogenetic and haematological parameters.

Analysis in two independent laboratories demonstrated no significant differences in chromosome aberrations or micronuclei in lymphocytes from peripheral blood between workers in a chemical factory (exposed to a mixture of chemicals, such as piperazine, low levels of ethylene oxide and formaldehyde, aromatic nitrogen compounds, and other aromatic compounds) compared to unexposed control subjects. The chemical workers had significantly higher counts of lymphocytes (3.57 vs. 2.82 X 10(9)/l; P less than 0.001), eosinophils (0.27 vs. 0.20 X 10(9)/l; P = 0.005), and basophils (0.06 vs. 0.05 X 10(9)/l; P = 0.01) than the controls. Twenty workers exposed to piperazine had higher total numbers of B-lymphocytes than control subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Biological effects in a chemical factory with mutagenic exposure. II. Analysis of unscheduled DNA synthesis and adenosine diphosphate ribosyl transferase, epoxide hydrolase, and glutathione transferase in resting mononuclear leukocytes.

A chemical plant, where an increased number of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and myelomas had been observed, was monitored for genotoxic effects occurring in peripheral mononuclear leukocyte samples from 76 exposed workers. Biochemical markers sensitive to DNA repair and drug metabolism were used as the indicators of genotoxic risk. Unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) and covalent binding induced by N-acetoxy-N-acetyl-2-aminofluorene (NA-AAF) and constitutive and gamma ray induced adenosine diphosphate ribosyl transferase (ADPRT) activities were highly and significantly elevated over the corresponding values for a control group of 48 postal workers. Microsomal and soluble epoxide hydrolases and glutathione transferase activities directed towards trans-stilbene oxide and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene were not significantly altered in the exposed group. The exposure in this factory was complex, involving over 100 chemicals including several well known carcinogens. However, no apparent significant associations to exposure could be established.

Acetoxyacetylaminofluorene↗
PubMed1988

Biological effects in a chemical factory with mutagenic exposure. III. Urinary mutagenicity and thioether excretion.

Eighty-five workers in a chemical plant, in which there was an increased frequency of B-lymphocyte tumours (myelomas and lymphomas) and lung cancer, did not excrete higher amounts of thioethers in urine than 48 control subjects. The chemically exposed workers had, however, a higher excretion of thioethers in urine during shift compared to an exposure-free period. The bacterial fluctuation test showed a statistically significantly increased mutagenic activity for E. coli Wp2 uvrA, but not for Salmonella TA98, in the urine of the exposed workers compared with the controls. However, no difference in excretion was found in the chemical workers between work and an exposure free-period. Further, no association of thioether or mutagen excretion with any specific chemical exposure (e.g. ethylene oxide and formaldehyde) in the plant could firmly be established.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Excretion of N-mononitrosopiperazine in urine in workers manufacturing piperazine.

Piperazine has been shown to nitrosate in vivo to N-mononitrosopiperazine (MNPZ) by oral intake. Urine from workers exposed to piperazine in a chemical plant was analysed for nitrosamines by gas chromatography-thermal energy analysis. In five out of 11 exposed cases, MNPZ excretion in urine was 0.3 to 4.7 micrograms/24 h (during and after a work shift). In four cases, MNPZ was detected in some urine samples, and in two cases MNPZ was not detected (less than 0.1 ng/ml). The individual excretion was strongly dependent on piperazine exposure, which ranged from 0.06 to 1.7 mg/m3 (time-weighted average; Spearman's rank correlation 0.78, P = 0.01). The MNPZ excretion showed no significant correlation with nitrite or nitrate in saliva (both: r = 0.50, P = 0.10).

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Excretion of N-mononitrosopiperazine after low level exposure to piperazine in air: effects of dietary nitrate and ascorbate.

The secondary amine piperazine may be nitrosated in vivo, following oral intake or occupational exposure by inhalation. The suspected carcinogen N-mononitrosopiperazine could be formed in the human stomach, and in part excreted in the urine. In this study, 0.4 microgram N-mononitrosopiperazine, determined by gas chromatography-Thermal Energy Analysis, was observed in the urine in one of four volunteers, at an experimental exposure by inhalation of 0.3 mg piperazine/m3. The intake of spinach and beetroot caused an increased nitrosation of piperazine, and up to 1.7 microgram N-mononitrosopiperazine was excreted in the urine in the four individuals. This excretion indicates that about 5% of the absorbed piperazine dose was converted to N-mononitrosopiperazine. With the same nitrate-rich diet, but with the addition of citrus fruits and fresh vegetables, the highest excretion was 0.6 microgram N-mononitrosopiperazine. The excretion was significantly correlated with the ratio between the maximum level of nitrite in saliva and the ascorbate level in plasma. There was also a significant interindividual variation. N,N'-Dinitrosopiperazine was not found in any sample of urine.

Administration, Inhalation↗