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N Heyer

Publications and source records attributed to N Heyer.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Development of a life events/icon calendar questionnaire to ascertain occupational histories and other characteristics of migrant farmworkers.

BACKGROUND: Specialized methods are necessary to collect data from migrant farmworkers for epidemiologic research. METHODS: We developed a questionnaire that collected lifetime occupational histories and other lifestyle risk factors via a life events/icon calendar, and administered the questionnaire to a convenience sample of 162 migrant farmworkers in nine areas of the U.S. RESULTS: The average duration of the interviews was about 1 h 30 min, with an average of 45 min for the work history section. The occupational histories covered a median of 27.6 years per person for men and 20.8 years per person for women. The median number of years spent in farm jobs was 11.3 for men and 5.8 for women. The median number of farm jobs (crop/task combination) per person was 59 among men and 27 among women. Many farmworkers performed the same crop/task combinations at multiple times throughout their lives, yielding a median of 13 unique farm jobs and 8 unique crops among men and 7 jobs and 5 crops among women. CONCLUSIONS: The project demonstrated that it is feasible to collect detailed work histories and other risk factor data from farmworkers, documented the complexity of work histories encountered among farmworkers, and yielded recommendations for refining a questionnaire that will facilitate future epidemiologic research on farmworkers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Indignation.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S.↗
PubMed1994

Platelet monoamine oxidase B activity in workers exposed to styrene.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) activity in platelets as a biomarker of effect of styrene and perchloroethylene exposures. MAO-B is an enzyme system involved in dopamine catabolism, the impairment of which has been postulated as a mechanism of styrene-induced neurotoxicity. We previously observed an inverse association between blood styrene and MAO-B among reinforced plastics manufacturing workers. The present study included 59 male boat plant workers exposed to styrene (exposure range < 1-144 ppm, 8-h TWA). Two comparison groups comprised six male dry cleaning workers exposed to perchloroethylene (PCE; exposure range < 2-37 ppm) and 14 male laundry workers not exposed to either agent. Respiratory protection was not used by any of the styrene- or PCE-exposed workers; thus, air concentrations were regarded as valid exposure indicators. MAO-B activity (pmol/10(8) cells/h) was measured in peripheral blood platelets, using phenylethylamine as substrate. Only small overall mean differences in MAO-B were observed among the three groups; mean values were 4.21, 4.51, and 4.12 for the styrene-exposed, PCE-exposed, and laundry workers, respectively. Despite the absence of gross differences among the groups, styrene exposure was inversely related to MAO-B. Mean values for four increasing exposure group quartiles were: 5.60, 4.13, 3.69, and 3.44. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient for styrene with MAO-B was -0.41. Adjustment for age, medication use, smoking, and alcohol consumption had only a minimal effect on this trend.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Occupational carpal tunnel syndrome in Washington State, 1984-1988.

BACKGROUND: There are no published population-based studies of occupational carpal tunnel syndrome (OCTS) using a strict case definition. Most studies are either industry specific or present patient self-report of symptoms. METHODS: We conducted a population-based incidence study of OCTS using the Washington State Workers' Compensation database. Incident OCTS claims were identified with paid bills for physician reported ICD codes 354.0 and 354.1. RESULTS: There were 7,926 incident OCTS claims identified for the years 1984-1988, which yields an industry-wide incidence rate of 1.74 claims/1,000 FTEs. The mean age (37.4 years) and female/male ratio (1.2:1) in this population differ from those reported in nonoccupational carpal tunnel studies (mean age, 51 years; female/male ratio, 3:1). The female-specific OCTS incidence rate increased significantly during the study period. The highest industry specific OCTS rates were found in the food processing, carpentry, egg production, wood products, and logging industries. CONCLUSION: Demographic differences and industry-specific rates consistent with workplace exposures suggest that OCTS is distinct from CTS occurring in nonoccupational settings. Workers' compensation data proved useful in identifying high risk industries.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Cohort mortality study of Seattle fire fighters: 1945-1983.

Fire fighters are known to be occupationally exposed to many toxic substances. However, the limited number of previous studies has not demonstrated any consistent excess mortality from diseases of a priori concern, such as lung cancer, non-malignant respiratory disease, and cardiovascular disease. We studied 2,289 Seattle fire fighters from 1945 through 1983, and observed 383 deaths. Excess mortality from leukemia (SMR = 503, n = 3) and multiple myeloma (SMR = 989, n = 2) was observed among fire fighters with 30 years or more fire combat duty. Lung cancer mortality was elevated (SMR = 177, n = 18) among fire fighters 65 years old or older. We also analyzed the data by considering fire fighters at risk only after 30 years from first exposure. In this analysis, a trend of increasing risk with increasing exposure was observed for diseases of the circulatory system. For this cause of death, fire fighters with 30 years or more fire combat duty had a relative risk of 1.84 compared to those with less than 15 years of fire combat duty.

Cause of Death↗