Biomedical subjects

M P van Sprundel

Publications and source records attributed to M P van Sprundel.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

Occupational risk factors of lung cancer: a hospital based case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relation between lung cancer and exposure to occupational carcinogens in a highly industrialised region in western Europe. METHODS: In a case-control study 478 cases and 536 controls, recruited from 10 hospitals in the Antwerp region, were interviewed. Cases were male patients with histologically confirmed lung cancer; controls were male patients without cancer or primary lung diseases. Data were collected by questionnaires to obtain information on occupations, exposures, and smoking history. Job titles were coded with the Office of Populations, Censuses and Surveys industrial classification. Exposure was assessed by self report and by job-task exposure matrix. Exposure odds ratios were calculated with logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, smoking history, and marital and socio-economic status. RESULTS: A job history in the categories manufacturing of transport equipment other than automobiles (for example, shipyard workers), transport support services (for example, dockers), and manufacturing of metal goods (for example, welders) was significantly associated with lung cancer (odds ratios (ORs) 2.3, 1.6, and 1.6 respectively). These associations were independent of smoking, education, civil, and economic status. Self reported exposure to potential carcinogens did not show significant associations with lung cancer, probably due to nondifferential misclassification. When assessed by job-task exposure matrix, exposure to molybdenum, mineral oils, and chromium were significantly associated with lung cancer. A strong association existed between smoking and lung cancer: OR of ex-smokers 4.2, OR of current smokers 14.5 v non-smokers. However, smoking did not confound the relation between occupational exposure and lung cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The study has shown a significant excess risk of lung cancer among workers in manufacturing of metal goods, manufacturing of transport equipment (other than automobiles), and transport support services. Assessment of exposure to specific carcinogens resulted in significant associations of chromium, mineral oils, and molybdenum with lung cancer. This study is, to our knowledge, the first study reporting a significant association between occupational exposure to molybdenum and lung cancer.

Aged↗

PubMed1990

Pneumoconioses: the situation in developing countries.

In developing countries, the incidence and prevalence of pneumoconioses are high and appear to be increasing. The rapid expansion of mining, mineral extraction, construction, and other industries places many new workers at risk each year. The hygienically poor working conditions often expose workers to high concentrations of respirable dust, so that pneumoconioses can develop with rapid progression after a short latency period. The health risk is increased by the high prevalence of tuberculosis in most of those countries. Accurate statistical data on occupational diseases in developing countries are rare. Although some prevalence data are available from cross-sectional studies, incidence figures and risk estimates are usually lacking because of the absence of reliable information about the size of the population at risk and exposure measurements. Some figures on pneumoconioses from countries in Africa, Asia, and South America are presented. To prevent pneumoconioses, hygienic conditions at the workplaces should be controlled and improved and appropriate dust standards developed. Medical surveillance of exposed workers should be organized. Finally, research in the field of pneumoconioses in developing countries should be promoted.

Adult↗

PubMed1984

Lead pollution in Antwerpen, Belgium.

Environmental pollution by trace metals was found to be important in the vicinity of a smelter situated in Hoboken, a suburb of Antwerpen, Belgium. Lead content of surface soil ranged from 147-693 ppm, while dust samples contained up to 7% of lead. The annual average ambient air concentration decreased from 3.79 micrograms Pb/m3 in 1974 to 1.25 micrograms Pb/m3 in 1982. Lead deposition in fall-out samples was about 20 mg/m2/day at 500 m from the smelter. In 1978 the mean blood lead level of 11-13 years old children was 26.9 micrograms/100 ml within 1 km from the smelter, compared to 16.3 micrograms/100 at 2.5 km and 11.2 micrograms/100 ml in a rural control group. Younger children even proved to be at higher risk of lead impregnation. Out of 359 children, 3-12 years old, attending schools within 1 km of the smelter, 23 belonged to class III of the CDC risk classification and 3 to class IV. 17 of them showed reduced nerve conduction velocities. The mean dentine lead level of 51 exposed children was 31.94 +/- 6.98 ppm compared to 9.63 +/- 1.50 ppm in an urban control group. A programme aimed at reducing exposure was enforced: reduction of emission and wind blown dust from ore-piles, decontamination of houses and soils, closing down of schools near the smelter, motivation of families for moving away from the area, screening of the children, etc. Although an important reduction of ambient air lead levels could be realized, lead deposition did not decrease significantly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗