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PubMed2002

Monocyte CD14 response following endotoxin exposure in cotton spinners and office workers.

BACKGROUND: Monocyte cell surface CD14 acts as the major lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding structure, and as such is of interest in the etiology of LPS induced disease. METHODS: The objective was to assess change in monocyte cell surface CD14 and CD4+ CD25+ lymphocytes in a group of cotton workers exposed to LPS over a working week, and to compare this to changes in office workers. Twenty-five cotton workers and nine office workers were studied. Monocyte CD14 fluorescence was measured by flow cytometry, on samples taken pre-shift on a Monday morning (baseline/pre-exposure), and subsequently after 6 and 72 hr. The majority of cotton workers were exposed to at least 1 EU/m(3) of endotoxin over a working shift, and some highly exposed (between 100 and 400 EU/m(3)). RESULTS: After 6 hr of work in the mill, cotton workers developed a significant upregulation in CD14 in comparison to office workers (P = 0.016), whereas CD14 expression had returned to levels not significantly differing from the office workers at 72 hr after first work exposure (P = 0.426). CONCLUSIONS: We propose that CD14 expression on monocytes may help to determine the mechanism of action of lipopolysaccharide in producing respiratory ill health, and may ultimately play a role in monitoring the health effect associated with LPS exposure in the workplace.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Surveillance of respiratory diseases among construction and trade workers at Department of Energy nuclear sites.

BACKGROUND: Medical screening programs were begun in 1996 and 1997 at three Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear weapons facilities (Hanford Nuclear Reservation, Oak Ridge, and the Savannah River Site) to evaluate whether current and former construction workers are at significant risk for occupational illnesses. The focus of this report is pneumoconiosis associated with exposures to asbestos and silica among workers enrolled in the screening programs through September 30, 2001. METHODS: Workers provided a detailed work and exposure history and underwent a respiratory examination, which included a respiratory history and symptom questionnaire, a posterior-anterior (P-A) chest radiograph, and spirometry. Both stratified and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to explore the risk of disease by duration of DOE employment and frequency of exposure, while controlling for potential confounders such as age, race, sex, and other work in the construction and building trades. RESULTS: Of the 2602 workers, 25.2% showed one or more chest X-ray changes by ILO criteria and 42.7% demonstrated one or more pulmonary function defects. The overall prevalence of parenchymal changes by ILO criteria (profusion 1/0 or greater) was 5.4%. In the logistic regression models, the odds ratio for parenchymal disease was 2.6 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.0-6.6) for workers employed 6 to 20 years at Hanford or Savannah River and increased to 3.6 (95% CI = 1.1-11.6) for workers employed more than 35 years, with additional incremental risks for workers reporting routine exposures to asbestos or silica. CONCLUSIONS: Continued surveillance of workers is important given their increased risk of disease progression and their risk for asbestos related malignancies. Smoking cessation programs should also be high priority and continued abstinence for former smokers reinforced. Although the observed respiratory disease patterns are largely reflective of past exposures, these findings suggest that DOE needs to continue to review industrial hygiene control programs for work tasks involving maintenance, repair, renovation, and demolition.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2003

Fatal occupational injuries among self-employed workers in North Carolina.

BACKGROUND: Research suggests that rates of occupational injury and death may be higher among self-employed workers than in the wage and salaried population. This analysis was conducted to describe the demographic and occupational characteristics, as well as injuries, activities, and occupations of self-employed workers who are fatally injured on the job. METHODS: Characteristics of workers by type of employment were compared using data from the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, 1978-1994. Age-, activity-, and industry-specific fatality rates in self-employed workers (N=395) were contrasted to those privately employed (N=1,654). RESULTS: Highest fatal injury rates among the self-employed occurred in agriculture, retail, and transportation industries. Homicide deaths occurred more frequently among self-employed workers; deaths resulting from unintentional injuries occurred more frequently among non-self-employed workers. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated occupational fatality death rates among self-employed workers, especially in retail and transportation industries, provide justification for addressing work-related conditions of self-employed workers in North Carolina.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2003

Respiratory health of cobalt production workers.

BACKGROUND: Cobalt production workers are exposed to metallic cobalt and nickel and their compounds and to different irritant gases. The aim of our study was to determine whether long-term exposure is associated with an increased occurrence of respiratory symptoms and findings or diseases, other than asthma, which is a known hazard, among cobalt processing workers. METHODS: The study population was comprised of 110 current and former cobalt workers who had worked more than 10 years in a cobalt plant. The reference group consisted of 140 unexposed workers. All the participants were men. The analysis was based on exposure history, pulmonary function, chest X-ray findings, and symptom questionnaires. RESULTS: Symptoms of asthma based on questionnaire responses were statistically more prevalent among the exposed workers. The respiratory flow rates MEF25 and MEF50, which refer to smaller airways, were significantly lower among the smoking exposed workers than among the smoking unexposed workers. The causative factors of these symptoms and pulmonary function changes could not be determined by the study. One new case of cobalt asthma and one case of allergic asthma were diagnosed in the exposed population. No cases of hard metal disease or fibrosing alveolitis were found. CONCLUSIONS: No chronic respiratory diseases, except asthma, were found among cobalt production workers in this study.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Co-worker fatalities from hydrogen sulfide.

BACKGROUND: Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless, odorless gas that may cause rapid loss of consciousness and respiratory depression without warning. It has produced toxicity in workers in numerous industries and occupations. METHODS: A review of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (USBLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) for occupational deaths related to hydrogen sulfide from 1993 to 1999 was performed. RESULTS: Fifty-two workers died of hydrogen sulfide toxicity in this 7-year period. Deaths were most commonly reported in workers who were white (85%), male (98%), and in their first year of employment with the company (48%). Common industries included waste management, petroleum, and natural gas. In 21% of cases, a co-worker died simultaneously or in the attempt to save the workers. CONCLUSIONS: Hydrogen sulfide toxicity is uncommon, but potentially deadly. Toxicity is predominantly in new workers and co-worker fatalities occur in a significant minority of cases. Proper training and education on the warning signs of hydrogen sulfide toxicity may help reduce worker fatalities.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Chlorophenol exposure in harbor workers exposed to river silt aerosols.

OBJECTIVES: While dredging the river Elbe in the harbor of Hamburg, workers are potentially exposed to river silt aerosols containing organic compounds. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the internal load of chlorophenols in exposed workers. METHODS: Eighty-four exposed workers and eighty-four unexposed office workers were examined. Urinary samples were analyzed for dichlorophenols, trichlorophenols, tetrachlorophenols, and pentachlorophenol (PCP). RESULTS: For exposed workers, more than 2/3 of the urinary samples were above detection limit for 2,5-dichlorophenol, 2,4/3,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, and PCP. Harbor workers had significantly higher median levels of 2,5-dichlorophenol (0.6 vs. 0.4 microg/g creatinine) and PCP (1.4 vs. 1.0 microg/g creatinine) as compared to unexposed subjects. These differences remained statistically significant after adjustment for age, smoking habits, and fish consumption. CONCLUSION: Harbor workers in the harbor of Hamburg have a statistically significant higher internal load of chlorophenols than the general population. However, the internal load is within the range of exposure reported from the general population. Therefore, even though chlorophenols are found in the river silt these exposures do not seem to be the major source of the internal load among workers in the harbor of Hamburg.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Impacts of health and safety education: comparison of worker activities before and after training.

BACKGROUND: The International Chemical Workers Union Council (ICWUC) Center for Worker Health and Safety Education in Cincinnati, Ohio, trains workers to protect themselves from hazards due to chemical spills and other chemical exposures. We evaluated whether the ICWUC Hazardous Waste Worker Training Program affects the attitudes and post-training activities, of trained union workers. METHODS: Detailed survey questionnaires were administered to 55 workers prior to and 14-18 months following training. Surveys queried trainees' interest and involvement in safety and health, use of information resources, training activities at their worksite, and their attempts and successes at making worksite improvements. RESULTS: Post-training, the study population showed an increase in training of other workers, use of resources, attempts at improvements, success rates for those attempting change, and overall success at making improvements. Self-reported interest decreased, and self reported involvement in health and safety did not significantly change. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that workers are more willing to attempt to change worksite conditions following training, and that their efficacy at making changes is substantially greater than before they were trained. The study confirms earlier work and strengthens these conclusions by using statistically tested comparisons of impact measures pre- and post-training.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Surveillance of hearing loss among older construction and trade workers at Department of Energy nuclear sites.

BACKGROUND: Medical screening programs at three Departments of Energy (DOE) nuclear weapons facilities (Hanford Nuclear Reservation, Oak Ridge, and the Savannah River Site) have included audiometric testing since approximately 1996. This report summarizes hearing evaluations through March 31, 2003. METHODS: Occupational examinations included a medical history, limited physical examination, and tests for medical effects from specific hazards, including audiometric testing. Hearing thresholds by frequency for DOE workers were compared to age-standardized thresholds among an external comparison population of industrial workers with noise exposures <80 dBA. Multivariate analyses were used to explore the risk of hearing impairment by duration of construction trade work and self-reported noise exposure, while controlling for potential confounders such as age, race, sex, smoking, elevated serum cholesterol, hypertension, solvent exposures, and recreational noise exposures. RESULTS: Hearing thresholds among DOE workers were much higher than observed in a comparison population of industrial workers with low noise exposures. Overall, 59.7% of workers examined were found to have material hearing impairment by NIOSH criteria. Age, duration of construction work, smoking, and self-reported noise exposure increased the risk of hearing loss. The risk of material hearing impairment was significantly elevated for construction trade workers compared to the external comparison population (odds-ratio = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.3-2.1) and increased with the duration of trade work. CONCLUSIONS: These medical screening programs confirm worker concerns about risks for hearing loss and the need for hearing conservation programs for construction workers, with emphasis on the prevention of noise exposures.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1987

Past exposure to asbestos among active railroad workers.

Before the transition from steam- to diesel-powered locomotives during the 1950s certain railroad workers had the opportunity for significant occupational exposure to asbestos. Past studies have demonstrated that older workers with jobs associated with the repair of steam locomotives had the most exposure. To determine the prevalence of currently employed railroad workers with past asbestos exposure we surveyed 514 white male employees of an active US railroad by mail questionnaire. Twenty-one percent (50/242) of the workers 50 years old or greater had likely asbestos exposure compared to 3% (9/275) of the workers 49 years old or less (p less than .001). Fifteen (30%) of the 50 older workers with likely asbestos exposure had current job titles no longer suggestive of past exposure. The duration of exposure of these older active workers was short, (median = 3 years; range, 6 months to 15 years). A history of past asbestos exposure may still be obtained among active railroad workers with past railroad shop employment.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Fluoride in workplace air and in urine of workers concentrating fluorspar.

The urinary fluoride concentrations of workers exposed to calcium fluoride (CaF2) during fluorspar processing were measured. Personal dust measurement showed that the mean occupational exposure to fluoride for 12 workers in the most dusty environment was 24.3 mg/m3, which is 9.7 times the threshold limit value (TLV) of 2.5 mg/m3. Exposure was below the TLV for the remaining 23 workers. Urinary fluoride concentrations were measured pre- and postshift. The heavily exposed workers had a mean preshift concentration of 3.3 mg/liter (range 1.4-8.5 mg/liter), only slightly higher than the mean of 2.8 mg/liter (range 1.3-4.2 mg/liter) in the workers with fluoride exposure below the TLV. Four of the preshift concentrations exceeded the recommended upper limit of 4 mg/liter. The mean postshift concentration for workers exposed above the TLV was 4.4 mg/liter (range 2.4-7.1 mg/liter) and the difference between pre- and postshift concentrations was significant (p less than 0.05). Only one urinary concentration exceeded the recommended upper limit of 7 mg/liter. There was poor correlation between intensity of environmental exposure to fluorspar and postshift fluoride concentration in the urine. Eighteen workers provided a urine sample 7-14 hr after the end of a shift. The mean fluoride concentration was 4.7 mg/liter (range 2.4-11.7 mg/liter), which exceeded their postshift concentration by 0.2 mg/liter. These results indicate that the low aqueous solubility of fluorspar reduced the biologic availability of the fluoride ion but that this did not prevent excessive fluoride absorption in some workers.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1990

Mortality from lung cancer among workers employed in formaldehyde industries.

A historical cohort of 26,561 workers employed in ten facilities was assembled to evaluate cancer risks associated with exposure to formaldehyde. Historical exposures to formaldehyde by job, work area, plant, and calendar time were estimated using monitoring data available from participating plants, comments from long-term workers and company officials, exposure evaluations from walk-through surveys conducted by project industrial hygienists, and results from monitoring specifically performed for this project. A previous report of findings from this study noted a 30% excess mortality from lung cancer among wage workers. The relative risk for lung cancer (whether estimated by SMRs or SRRs) 20 or more years after first exposure did not generally rise with increasing exposure to formaldehyde. Various estimates of exposure were investigated including duration, intensity, peak, cumulative, and average, and by exposures lagged by 5, 10, 20, and 30 years. The excess did not appear to arise gradually, but emerged suddenly among workers whose total cumulative exposure was less than 0.1 ppm-years. Slightly positive, but nonsignificant, exposure-response associations between lung cancer and level of formaldehyde occurred in only a few out of a large number of comparisons (e.g., for persons hired before the start dates for the study and for workers also exposed to particulates). There was a lack of consistency among the various plants for risk of lung cancer, with six plants having elevated SMRs and four plants having deficits. Mortality from lung cancer was more strongly associated with exposure to other substances including phenol, melamine, urea, and wood dust than with exposure to formaldehyde. Workers exposed to formaldehyde without exposure to these substances did not experience an elevated mortality from lung cancer. The risk did not increase with cumulative levels of formaldehyde among those exposed to other substances and there was a slightly negative trend for those exposed to formaldehyde alone. Although some role for formaldehyde, particularly in association with other substances, in the excess of lung cancer seen among these workers cannot be ruled out, these findings suggest that exposure to phenol, melamine, urea, wood dust or other exposures also occurring in the area where these substances were used (i.e., production of resin and molding compounds) may play a more primary role. This association should be further evaluated in other studies that include workers from resin and molding compound operations.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMed1990

Ventilatory dysfunction in glass bangle workers.

The pulmonary function status of 73 glass bangle workers suffering from chronic bronchitis having varied exposures to pulmonary toxicants in the work environment was evaluated in 1984. The findings were compared with those observed in 220 asymptomatic glass bangle workers and 88 unexposed controls. There was a higher prevalence (45.2%) of ventilatory dysfunction in the chronic bronchitic cases as compared to 19% in the asymptomatic workers and 2.3% in controls, respectively. The relative risk of airway obstruction was 8.3 and 19.6 times higher in the asymptomatic and chronic bronchitic workers respectively as compared to the controls (p less than 0.001). The prevalence of obstructive impairment among the smokers and non-smokers in the exposed workers was not statistically significant. However, age greater than 30 was found to be significantly associated with bronchial obstruction in chronic bronchitic cases. The relative risk of duration of exposure was found to be 1.86 in the asymptomatic workers exposed for more than 10 years (p less than 0.05) while it was 1.62 in workers with chronic bronchitis. The occupational and environmental factors responsible for the high prevalence of chronic bronchitis and associated ventilatory dysfunction in relatively young glass bangle workers are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Retrospective cohort mortality study of cancer among sewage plant workers.

There is little known about the incidence of cancer among sewage workers. In this paper we examine findings from a retrospective cohort study of 487 white male sewer authority workers employed between January 1950 and October 1979. Vital status was ascertained for 93% of the cohort yielding a total of 6,886 person years. Total mortality from all causes was comparable to that of the general white male U.S. population (Standardized Mortality Ratio [SMR] = 0.91, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 0.77-1.07). The cohort was subdivided into those not exposed, and sewer workers who were exposed to sewage effluent, sludge, or wastewater containing chemicals including potential carcinogens. Among the nonexposed group, mortality from all causes was significantly low (SMR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.33-0.88). Among the exposed sewer workers, mortality from all causes was not significantly different from that of the general white male U.S. population (SMR = 1.00, 95% CI = 0.84-1.19). Mortality from all cancers among exposed sewer workers was slightly higher than that of the general population (SMR = 1.19, 95% CI = 0.79-1.7). Statistically significant elevated mortality ratios were seen for cancer of the larynx (SMR = 7.93, 95% CI = 1.59-23.96), and cancer of the liver (SMR = 5.4, 95% CI = 1.10-16.05). Careful study of the medical and occupational histories of these cases suggested that larynx cancer was possibly work-related, while liver cancer was not. A group estimated to be the highest exposed, composed predominantly of operatives, had a higher directly adjusted death rate from all malignant neoplasms combined compared to all other workers (rate ratio = 1.64). These findings of increased risk of cancer among exposed sewage workers, especially operators, are based on small number of cases and should be interpreted with caution. Studies of larger cohorts are needed to clarify the risk of these cancers among sewage workers.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Cancer of the stomach and the colon-rectum among workers in a coke gas plant.

Four thousand nine hundred and eight male workers of the Hamburg gas plant, employed for 10 or more years during the period from January 1, 1900 to December 31, 1989, have been traced for cancer mortality. Based on their jobs, they were grouped into three subcohorts: gas furnace workers, workers in other parts of the plant, and white-collar workers. Despite the general "healthy worker effect," gas furnace workers showed a significant incidence of cancer of all sites (standardized mortality ratio [SMR] = 186), particularly cancers of the lung (SMR = 288), stomach (SMR = 177), and the colon-rectum (SMR = 184). In comparison to the death rates of white-collar workers, the manual workers in other parts of the plant also showed an excess of cancer mortality for cancer of these sites. The reason for this excess in cancer mortality seems to be due to the working conditions. The results contribute to the current evidence that exposure to coal carbonization fumes causes not only lung cancer, but also cancers of the stomach and colon-rectum.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Random walk models of worker sorting in ant colonies.

Sorting can be an important mechanism for the transfer of information from one level of biological organization to another. Here we study the algorithm underlying worker sorting in Leptothorax ant colonies. Worker sorting is related to task allocation and therefore to the adaptive advantages associated with an efficient system for the division of labour in ant colonies. We considered four spatially explicit individual-based models founded on two-dimensional correlated random walk. Our aim was to establish whether sorting at the level of the worker population could occur with minimal assumptions about the behavioural algorithm of individual workers. The behaviour of an individual worker in the models could be summarized by the rule "move if you can, turn always". We assume that the turning angle of a worker is individually specific and negatively dependent on the magnitude of an internal parameter micro which could be regarded as a measure of individual experience or task specialization. All four models attained a level of worker sortedness that was compatible with results from experiments onLeptothorax ant colonies. We found that the presence of a sorting pivot, such as the nest wall or an attraction force towards the centre of the worker population, was crucial for sorting. We make a distinction between such pivots and templates and discuss the biological implications of their difference.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1996

Lymphocyte beta2-adrenergic receptors and plasma catecholamine levels in lead-exposed workers.

The effect of lead exposure on beta2-adrenoceptor density and catecholamine response was studied in 26 male workers and 1 female worker, exposed to lead on average for 6 years. The systolic blood pressure in lead workers (101-160 mmHg, 124.4 +/- 14.7 mmHg) was found to be significantly higher than in controls (97-134 mmHg, 115.4 +/- 10.4 mmHg, p < 0.01) as was plasma norepinephrine (0.51 +/- 0.1 microg/liter vs 0.24 +/- 0.05 microg/liter, p < 0.01). The density of lymphocyte beta2-adrenergic receptors (Bmax) in lead-exposed workers was 86% lower than that in controls (0.15 +/- 0.08 vs 1.08 +/- 0.29 fmol/0.1 x 10(6) cells; p < 0.01). The dissociation constants (Kd) of [125I]iodocyanopindolol were 93.6 +/- 42.6 and 87.9 +/- 42.7 pM in lead-exposed workers and controls, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that elevation of systolic pressure was closely related to (a) blood lead levels, (b) decreased beta2-adrenergic receptor density, and (c) increased plasma catecholamine levels in lead-exposed workers. Linear regression analysis revealed that both plasma norepinephrine levels and beta2-adrenoceptor density (Bmax) were highly correlated with both systolic blood pressures and blood lead levels in lead-exposed workers, and a highly significant negative correlation was found to exist between Bmax and plasma norepinephrine levels (r = -0.82, p < 0.001). These data therefore demonstrate that there is a close relationship between elevated plasma catecholamine levels, decreased beta2-adrenergic receptors, and elevated blood pressure in lead-exposed workers.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Search for anti-laminin antibodies in the serum of workers exposed to cadmium, mercury vapour or lead.

Anti-laminin antibodies were sought for in the serum of workers exposed to mercury vapour (Hg, n = 58), lead (Pb, n = 38) or cadmium (Cd, n = 47). Thirty-one workers removed from Cd exposure for an average of eight years were also examined. Compared with control workers matched for age and socio-economic status, the prevalence of circulating anti-laminin antibodies was not increased in workers exposed to Hg (mean duration of exposure: 7.9 years and mean urinary excretion of Hg: 72 micrograms/g creatinine) nor in those exposed to Pb (mean duration of exposure: 10.6 years and mean Pb levels in blood: 535 micrograms/l). In contrast, anti-laminin antibodies were significantly more prevalent in Cd-exposed workers whose urinary Cd exceeded 20 micrograms/g creatinine. This observation was made in both currently exposed workers and in workers removed from Cd exposure (mean duration of exposure: 9.4 and 24.6 years and mean urinary Cd: 7.8 and 13.4 micrograms/g creatinine respectively). These autoantibodies were found in Cd workers with normal renal function as well as in those with increased proteinuria.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1994

Immunological and respiratory reactions in workers exposed to organic dusts.

The relationship of skin reactivity and serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels to the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and to ventilatory capacity is examined in workers exposed to different organic aerosols. The results from group of control workers similarly tested are also presented. Workers exposed to occupational allergens had positive skin tests more frequently than did controls, except for soy bean workers. Workers with positive skin tests to occupational allergens had a higher prevalence of almost all symptoms than those with negative skin tests although the differences did not always reach statistical significance. Workers with positive skin reactions in general had significantly higher serum IgE levels than did workers with negative skin reactions. There were across-shift reductions of ventilatory capacity in all groups of exposed workers, varying for forced vital capacity from 1.7% to 13.3%, for forced expiratory volume from 0.4%-21.9%, for maximum flow rates at 50% from 1.5% to 16.1% and for maximum flow rates at the last 25% of control vital capacity from 0% to 24.9%. There was, however, no correlation between acute and chronic lung function changes and skin reactivity or IgE values. Our data suggest that although exposure to organic aerosols may be associated with frequent immunologic reactions, these findings do not predict objective respiratory impairment.

Adult↗