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PubMed1991

A study of the prevalence of respiratory morbidity among agate workers.

A random sample of 342 workers engaged in chipping and grinding of agate stones were surveyed in a cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence of respiratory morbidity in the agate industry. The findings were compared with those obtained in controls. The study showed a significantly higher prevalence of lung diseases among agate workers than among controls (63.4% vs 35.5%, P less than 0.001). The respiratory morbidity in agate workers and controls was maximal in the group aged 31+ years (83.3% and 42.2%, respectively). The prevalence of pneumoconiosis in agate workers (18.4%) was highly significant as compared with controls, in whom not a single case was found (P less than 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between the prevalence of pneumoconiosis in men and women of the exposed group (17.9% vs 19.6%). Among the cases of pulmonary diseases in agate workers, pneumoconiosis formed the largest group (18.4%), whereas among controls it was tuberculosis (12.1%). The prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis was very high in both agate workers and controls (15.5% and 12.1%, respectively), probably because of poor socio-economic and unhygienic living conditions. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis was found to be higher among the control population as compared with the exposed group (6.7% vs 2.6%). It therefore appeared that agate dust had no role in precipitating chronic bronchitis. However, bronchial asthma appeared to have been aggravated due to agate dust, as the risk among agate workers was 7-fold that found among the controls. The prevalence of pneumoconiosis showed a dose-response relationship in both male and female agate workers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Correlations of pedometer readings with energy expenditure in workers during free-living daily activities.

In a total of 23 subjects consisting of 10 clerical and 13 assembly workers in a factory, the pedometer readings during a day of free-living activity were analyzed for the relation with energy expenditure as determined by the simultaneously recorded 24-hour heart rate. The 24-hour energy expenditures in the clerical and assembly workers were 9515 kJ (2274 kcal) and 9698 kJ (2318 kcal) respectively. The whole day readings of the pedometer for all the subjects moderately correlated (r = 0.438, p less than 0.05) with the net energy cost (NEC) as determined by subtracting the sleeping metabolic cost from the energy expenditure (clerical workers: r = 0.781, p less than 0.01; assembly workers: r = 0.188, p less than 0.05). The correlation analysis of the pedometer readings with the NEC in three activity phases in a day (work, commuting and staying at home), showed that the extent of the relationship differed by job types and activity phases. The best correlation was obtained during commuting in both of the job types (clerical workers: r = 0.843, p less than 0.01; assembly workers: r = 0.743, p less than 0.01). During work, a quite strong correlation (r = 0.889, p less than 0.01) was obtained with the clerical workers but not with the assembly workers. No significant correlations were found in the data while the subjects were at home. The capacity of the pedometer to detect the impacts of body movements, and the characteristics of activity, are responsible for the differences in correlation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Recruitment and retention of psychosocial rehabilitation workers.

Recruitment and retention of direct service workers can be a major problem for administrators of community mental health organizations. This paper, based on a nationwide study of psychosocial rehabilitation workers and administrators, examines the congruity of worker and administrator perceptions of worker motivation for entering and leaving the field. Workers are motivated by the intrinsic nature of the work to enter into and stay in the field. Job burnout is as important as low pay in forcing workers out of the field. Administrators, however, perceive money to be a major factor motivating workers to enter the field and perceive external opportunities as forces that pull them away. Thus, administrators must address their workers' needs if their agencies are to offer quality services.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Mimicry of queen Dufour's gland secretions by workers of Apis mellifera scutellata and A. m. capensis.

The development of the Dufour's gland of workers of the two honey bee races Apis mellifera scutellata and A. m. capensis was measured. The Dufour's glands of A. m. capensis workers were longer and increased in length more rapidly than the glands of workers of A. m. scutellata at comparable ages. Analysis of the Dufour's gland secretions of workers and queens of both races revealed that there were caste and racial differences. Secretions of queenright A. m. scutellata workers were dominated by a series of long-chain hydrocarbons. In contrast the secretions of the A. m. capensis workers both under queenright and queenless conditions were a mixture of hydrocarbons and wax-type esters, as were those of queens. Multivariate analysis of the secretion profiles indicated that laying workers of both races mimic queens. The secretions of the A. m. capensis laying workers mimicked queen secretions most closely, enabling them to act as successful social parasites.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Individual versus social pathway to honeybee worker reproduction (Apis mellifera): pollen or jelly as protein source for oogenesis?

Honeybee workers, Apis mellifera, can reproduce in queenless colonies. The production of queen-like pheromones may be associated with their reproductive activity and induce nestmates to respond by feeding them. Such frequent trophallaxis could supply their protein needs for oogenesis, constituting a social pathway to worker reproduction. However, some individuals can develop ovaries without producing queen pheromones. The consumption of protein-rich pollen could be an alternative solitary pathway for them to satisfy this dietary requirement. In order to investigate the way in which workers obtain proteins for oogenesis, we created orphaned worker groups and determined ovarian and pheromonal development in relation to pollen consumption of selected workers. Individuals that did not consume pollen had significantly more developed ovaries and produced significantly more queen mandibular pheromone than workers that fed directly on pollen. Our results suggest that workers producing queen-like secretions are fed trophallactically. However, reproductive workers that lacked queen pheromones had consumed little or no pollen, suggesting that they also obtained trophallaxis. Although pollen consumption might contribute to sustaining oogenesis, it does not appear to be sufficient. Trophallaxis as a means of obtaining proteins seems to be necessary to attain reproductive status in queenless honeybee colonies.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2003

Morbidity among municipal waste incinerator workers: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: In order that the occupational exposures and health risks for municipal waste incinerator operators be better determined, a study was carried out in three centres. METHODS: A transversal study was carried out for 102 male incinerator workers matched for age with 94 male workers from other industrial activities. Three groups of exposed workers were considered (group 1: "crane operators" and "equipment operators"; group 2: "furnace " workers; group 3: "maintenance" and "effluent-treatment" workers). Data were collected through a questionnaire and medical examination. The respiratory function was explored and blood samples were taken for biological analysis. Statistical analysis using chi(2) or Student's test, and calculation of odds-ratio (OR) using logistic regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in general symptoms between the two groups. Skin symptoms (OR =4.85; 2.04-11.51 for the "maintenance and effluent" workers) were more often observed in the exposed group. An excess of respiratory problems was also encountered: daily coughing ["maintenance and effluent" groups (OR =2.55; 0.84-7.75); "furnace men" (OR =6.58; 2.18-19.85)]. A significant relationship between exposure and the decrease of several pulmonary parameters was observed. The liver and haematological tests were well within the normal range; nevertheless, a slight but significant increase in the white blood cells was observed in the exposed group. Higher blood lead levels were found for exposed workers. CONCLUSION: There were few adverse health effects in our morbidity study but skin irritation and cough were more frequent in the exposed workers. A slight decrease in pulmonary function was observed. These findings are in agreement with those of several other studies.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2003

Metabolic disturbances in male workers with rotating three-shift work. Results of the WOLF study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between important metabolic risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) and type 2 diabetes in shift workers and day workers. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from a sub-population in the WOLF study consisting of 665 day workers and 659 three-shift workers in two plants were analysed. RESULTS: A higher proportion of shift workers than day workers had high triglyceride levels (> or =1.7 mmol/l), low levels of HDL-cholesterol (<0.9 mmol/l) and abdominal obesity (waist/hip ratio>0.9). The risk of low HDL-cholesterol was doubled in shift workers, (odds ratio (OR): 2.02, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.24-3.28) after being adjusted for age, socio-economic factors, physical activity, current smoking, social support and job strain. High levels of triglycerides were also significantly associated with shift work (OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.08-1.83). The OR for abdominal obesity was 1.19, (95% CI: 0.92-1.56). The prevalence of hyperglycaemia (serum glucose > or =7.0 mmol/l) was similar in day and shift workers. No significant interaction was seen between shift work and abdominal obesity with regard to the associations with triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: We found a significant association between shift work and lipid disturbances (i.e. low HDL-cholesterol and high triglyceride levels). We did not find any association with hyperglycaemia.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Respiratory symptoms and ex vivo cytokine release are associated in workers processing herring.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among workers processing herring and assess ex vivo cytokine release in response to agents at their workplace. METHODS: We applied a questionnaire, and performed skin prick testing and pulmonary investigations in 36 workers at two herring factories, using 31 municipal workers as controls. In a whole blood assay (WBA), venous blood from the subjects was incubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), beta(1,3)-glucan or sterile-filtered, fish constituents such as skin and rinsing water. We determined the IL-1beta and IL-8 release in the plasma by chemiluminescence ELISA. RESULTS: Among smoking fish-factory workers the forced vital capacity (FVC) was higher (per cent predicted 92.0 vs 85.0; P=0.028) than among municipal workers. Fish rinsing water induced WBA IL-8 release to higher levels than LPS and glucan. Among non-smokers the induced IL-1beta release for rinsing water ( P=0.007) and the IL-8 release for skin ( P=0.001) and meat ( P=0.003) were higher in fish-factory workers than in municipal workers. The IL-1beta release for rinsing water ( P=0.028) and skin ( P=0.041) was higher among non-smokers than among smokers, and so was the IL-8 release for rinsing water ( P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Assessing the cytokine release by use of the WBA we identified substances in the occupational environment with a pro-inflammatory potential comparable to that of LPS. The cytokine release for fish constituents was highest among non-smoking fish-factory workers. The results suggest a priming effect of the work exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Sperm DNA damage correlates with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons biomarker in coke-oven workers.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to determine whether occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in men has adverse effect on semen quality. METHODS: Forty-eight coke-oven workers, including 16 topside-oven (TO) workers and 32 sideoven (SO) workers, were studied. Ambient PAHs exposure, urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) levels, and parameters of semen quality were determined. RESULTS: TO workers had significantly higher ambient PAHs exposure (3,436.1+/-3,411.0 vs. 1,123.1+/-1,829.3 ng/m3, P < 0.01), urinary 1-OHP levels (207.8+/-176.4 vs. 54.0+/-44.8 microg/g, P < 0.001), frequency of oligospermia (18.8 vs. 0%, P < 0.05), and morphological abnormality in sperm (32.3 vs. 14.6%, P < 0.01) than SO workers. Among cigarette smokers, TO workers had significantly higher rates of DNA denaturation in spermatozoa (alphaT) and percentage of sperm with increased DNA denaturation (COMP alphaT) levels than SO workers (246.2+/-49.5 vs. 198.1+/-30.3 for alphaT; 34.8+/-14.4 vs. 19.3+/-13.9% for COMP alphaT, P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between urinary 1-OHP and alphaT, COMP alphaT, and abnormal sperm morphology and a tenfold increase in urinary 1-OHP associated with a 2.35-fold increase in alphaT, as well as a 1.07-fold increase in percentage of sperm with abnormal morphology. CONCLUSIONS: A potential risk of sperm dysfunction should be considered for workers occupationally exposed to high levels of PAHs. Cigarette smoking may aggravate this risk. Urinary 1-OHP can be used as a biomarker predicting sperm dysfunction.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Evaluation of peripheral blood neutrophil leucocytes in lead-exposed workers.

BACKGROUND: Inorganic lead can interfere with humoral and especially cell-mediated immunity even at frequently occurring (<50 microg/dl) blood lead (Pb-B) levels. Occupational exposure to lead causes a primary impairment of the chemotactic and phagocytic activities of neutrophil leucocytes. OBJECTIVE: To verify whether, after taking into account the main confounding factors, occupational lead exposure is shown to induce changes in the number of blood neutrophil leucocytes, and to assess a possible dose-response relationship between Pb-B and the circulating neutrophil count in exposed workers. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included 68 male lead-exposed (E) workers and 59 male workers in a food plant, recruited as controls (NE). A standardized questionnaire probing work, social, familial and personal medical history was administered to all the subjects. Blood and urine samples were collected to determine the dose and effect biological indices of lead and the total white blood cell and neutrophil counts. RESULTS: Pb-B levels were significantly higher in E (geometric mean (GM): 20.5 microg/dl; 3.2-120 microg/dl) than in NE workers (GM: 3.5 microg/dl; 1-11 microg/dl). The mean absolute neutrophil count (ANC) was significantly higher in E workers with respect to NE workers. ANC correlated significantly with the biological lead dose and effect indices. Moreover, there was a dose-dependent increase of ANC with increasing Pb-B levels. The linear relationship between ANC and Pb-B was confirmed even after correction for age, body mass index and smoking habit. We also found an interaction between Pb-B level and smoking habit in increasing the number of blood neutrophils in lead-exposed workers. CONCLUSION: Our study is the first to describe a dose-dependent effect of lead on ANC in exposed workers. Our results underline the importance of promoting a further reduction of occupational lead exposure levels, adopting adequate individual protection means, as well as conducting medical campaigns against smoking, at the workplace.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers--plasma levels and thyroid status of workers at an electronic recycling facility.

OBJECTIVES: Personnel working with electronic dismantling are exposed to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which in animal studies have been shown to alter thyroid homeostasis. The aim of this longitudinal study was to measure plasma level of PBDEs in workers at an electronic recycling facility and to relate these to the workers' thyroid status. METHODS: PBDEs and three thyroid hormones: triiodothyronine (T(3)), thyroxin (T(4)) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were repeatedly analysed in plasma from 11 workers during a period of 1.5 years. RESULTS: Plasma levels of PBDEs at start of employment were <0.5-9.1 pmol/g lipid weight (l.w.). The most common congener was PBDE #47 (median 2.8 pmol/g l.w.), followed by PBDE #153 (median 1.7 pmol/g l.w.), and PBDE #183 had a median value of <0.19 pmol/g l.w. After dismantling the corresponding median concentrations were: 3.7, 1.7 and 1.2 pmol/g l.w., respectively. These differences in PBDE levels were not statistically significant. PBDE #28 showed a statistically significantly higher concentration after dismantling than at start of employment (P=0.016), although at low concentrations (start 0.11 pmol/g l.w. and dismantling 0.26 pmol/g l.w.). All measured levels of thyroid hormones (T(3), T(4) and TSH) were within the normal physiological range. Statistically significant positive correlations were found between T(3) and #183 in a worker, between T(4) and both #28 and #100 in another worker and also between TSH and #99 and #154 in two workers. CONCLUSIONS: The workers' plasma levels of PBDEs fluctuated during the study period. Due to small changes in thyroid hormone levels it was concluded that no relevant changes were present in relation to PBDE exposure within the workers participating in this study.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Determination of N-nitrosodiethanolamine in urine by gas chromatography thermal energy analysis: application in workers exposed to aqueous metalworking fluids.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe a detailed and validated methodology designed for the analysis of carcinogenic N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDELA) down to sub-microgram/l levels in urine and its application to a number of workers exposed to NDELA-contaminated aqueous metalworking fluids (MWF). METHODS: Following a work-up procedure based on solid-phase extraction of NDELA, the urinary extracts were analysed without derivatization by gas chromatography on a polar wide-bore column with chemiluminescent detection using a thermal energy analyser (TEA). N-Nitroso-(2-hydroxypropyl)amine was used as an internal standard. The method was applied to 12 workers using "nitrite-free" or "nitrite-formulated" MWF and to 15 unexposed subjects. The NDELA content of the MWF was also determined using a similar, but simpler method able to easily quantify NDELA down to at least 0.1 mg/l. RESULTS: Contamination by NDELA traces of some chemicals used for the sample preparation, particularly ethyl formate, must be carefully checked since it can give rise to false-positive results of up to 1 or 2 micrograms/l. The response was linear in the range of 0-500 micrograms/l. Between 0.5 and 10 micrograms/l, the recovery rate was close to 95%, while repeatability ranged from 12.5 to 6.4% (n = 5). The detection limit was 0.3 microgram/l (Signal/noise = 3). No detectable NDELA could be observed in the control workers. There was no significant increase in NDELA levels at the end of shift spot samples from an exposed worker over 1 week. Higher NDELA concentrations were found in two workers (4.3 and 10.7 micrograms/l) exposed to "nitrite-formulated" fluids (contaminated with 65 and 18 mg NDELA per 1, respectively) than in nine workers (range, 0.4-1.3 micrograms/l exposed to "nitrite-free" fluids with lower levels of NDELA (range, 0.5-6.6 mg/l). CONCLUSION: The detailed methodology described in this work and applied to a limited industrial situation was found to be suitable for monitoring NDELA in the urine of workers exposed to aqueous MWF. A much larger screening has been undertaken with the aim of obtaining better information on the real exposure of workers sometimes exposed to "nitrite-formulated" fluids that are still used.

Carcinogens↗
PubMed2004

A step too far? Randomized trial of cognitive-behaviour therapy delivered by social workers to depressed adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that depressed adolescents given brief cognitive behaviour therapy by trained social workers will be less depressed after this treatment than depressed adolescents who have routine care from their social workers. METHOD: Open study, two randomized parallel groups. 86 social workers were randomized to training in brief CBT or delayed training by remote telephone randomization. 25 social workers who attended CBT training recruited 29 depressed adolescents. 22 social workers in the control group recruited 23 depressed adolescents. RESULTS: Social workers' perceptions of their knowledge and skills in dealing with adolescent depression were better after the training than before. However, in intention to treat analyses, adolescents who had therapy from trained social workers had a similar level of depression post treatment (mean depression score 17.5, 95% CI 11.8 to 23.3) to those who did not have such therapy (mean depression score 16.7, 95 % CI 11.3 to 22.1). There were no significant differences between the groups on other outcomes or at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This study failed to recruit enough cases and probably did not therefore have enough statistical power to detect an effect of the intervention. It was also based on a severely impaired sample with many comorbid problems. However, the results suggest that training community-based social workers in cognitive behaviour therapy is neither practical nor effective in improving the outcomes of their clients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Age influence on attitudes of office workers faced with new computerized technologies: a questionnaire analysis.

The study of Bue and Gollac (1988) provided evidence that a significantly lower proportion of workers aged 45 years and over make use of computer technology compared with younger ones. The aim of the present survey was to explain this fact by a more intensive analysis of the older workers' attitude with respect to the computerization of work situations in relation to other individual and organizational factors. Six hundred and twenty office workers from 18 to 70 years old, either users or non-users of computerized devices, were asked to complete a questionnaire. The questions allowed the assessment of various aspects of the workers' current situation, such as the computer training they had received, the degree of consultation they were subjected to during the computerization process, their representation of the effects of these new technologies on working conditions and employment, the rate of use of new technologies outside the work context, and the perceived usefulness of computers for their own work. The analysis of the questionnaire revealed that as long as the step towards using computer tools, even minimally, has not been taken, then attitudes with respect to computerization are on the whole not very positive and are a source of anxiety for many workers. Age, and even more, seniority in the department, increase such negative representations. The effects of age and seniority were also found among users, as well as the effects of other factors such as qualification, education level, type and rate of computer use, and size of the firm. For the older workers, the expectation of less positive consequences for their career, or even the fear that computerization might be accompanied by threats to their own employment and the less clear knowledge of how computers operate, appeared to account for a significant part of the observed age and seniority differences in attitudes. Although the difference in the amount of computer training between age groups was smaller than expected, the study revealed that one third of the users never received any specific training, and that many of those who benefited from it were trained for only a few days. Consultation of the staff during the computerization process also appeared to be poor, to apply mostly to the best trained and qualified workers, and to be more highly developed in small companies. The results are discussed in the light of more qualitative data recorded during the survey. They suggest the need to increase information, training and involvement of all personnel from the very first stages of computerization (or other technical changes) in order to lessen fears and the feeling of disruption, which are particularly obvious among the oldest workers.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

Female health workers: an obstetric risk group.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to gather information about the pregnancies of female health workers and to compare them with those of another group of working women with different working conditions, namely bank workers, METHODS: Using a cross-sectional comparative design, physicians (184), nurses (197) and bank-workers (192) were interviewed about their previous pregnancies and working conditions during those pregnancies. RESULTS: The majority of physicians (70.6%) and nurses (81.2%) had night work during their pregnancies and two-thirds of them continued this work until the last month of pregnancy, even though they have a legal right not to work during the night after the 7th month of pregnancy. Health workers had shorter maternity leaves than bank workers (P < 0.001) and complained more about the negative attitudes of managers and colleagues during their pregnancy (P < 0.001). Health workers had more preterm deliveries (P < 0.05) compared with bank workers, and nurses had more low birth weight babies compared with bank workers (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a need for a change in the climate in hospitals in terms of the working conditions of pregnant health staff and the attitudes towards them.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Biological effect monitoring in industrial workers following incidental exposure to high concentrations of ethylene oxide.

Peripheral blood from four groups of seven workers from a chemical manufacturing plant in The Netherlands was analyzed for hemoglobin adducts in erythrocytes and for hprt mutants, micronuclei and SCEs in lymphocytes. Group I workers were incidentally exposed to acute high doses of ethylene oxide ranging from 52 to 785 mg/m3. Group II and III workers were chronically exposed to low doses of ethylene oxide for < 5 years or > 15 years respectively. Group IV workers served as unexposed controls and came from the Occupational Health Department. Hemoglobin adduct levels in group I workers were very high and ranged from 1461 to 19913 pmol HOEtVal/g Hb approximately 1 month after the accident. HOEtVal values for group II and III workers fluctuated between 0 and 190 pmol/g Hb corresponding with average EtO exposure levels in the range of < 0.01 and 0.06 mg/m3 EtO. The statistical analysis of the genetic data did not reveal any statistically significant differences between any combination of worker groups. The genetic tests for group I workers were performed on blood samples collected 89-180 days after the incidental exposure. The absence of enhanced frequencies of mutations, micronuclei and SCEs suggests that significant induction of hprt mutations in vivo did not occur and that persistent preclastogenic lesions were not present in significant amounts when the exposed lymphocytes were put in culture to visualize any induced cytogenetic damage. This finding implies that the incidental exposure to high concentrations of EtO did not cause any measurable permanent mutational/cytogenetic damage in exposed lymphocytes.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1995

Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene as biomarker of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in workers in petrochemical industries: baseline values and dermal uptake.

The suitability of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene as a biomarker for the assessment of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in petrochemical industries was evaluated in 562 workers involved in various operations in petrochemical industries. The median 1-hydroxypyrene concentration in 121 of these workers (both smokers and non-smokers) who had had no recent occupational exposure to PAH was 0.11 mumol/mol creatinine. The upper limit of the 95% confidence interval was 0.51 mumol/mol creatinine. During activities with a low potential exposure to PAH, such as loading bitumen and the handling of clarified slurry oils and furfural extracts, 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations were only marginally increased compared with the values measured in the 121 workers with no recent occupational exposure to PAH. Despite the substantially higher potential exposure to PAH during clean-out operations of various oil refinery installations, the concentrations of 1-hydroxypyrene in the workers involved were in the same range. This suggests that personal protection equipment was generally adequate to prevent excessive exposure. However, in workers digging PAH-contaminated soil and workers engaged in the production of needle coke from ethylene cracker residue, significantly increased urinary 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations were measured. A major decrease in urinary 1-hydroxypyrene following the application of dermal protective equipment in the ground workers suggested that skin absorption plays a major role in occupational exposure to PAH. The excretion of 1-hydroxypyrene by the workers of the needle coke plant was investigated in relation to potential determinants of exposure to PAH. It was indeed found that not only inhalatory but also dermal exposure was a significant determinant of occupational exposure to PAH.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1982

Clinical and immunologic evaluation of trimellitic anhydride workers in multiple industrial settings.

This article described our clinical and immunologic experience in assessing workers exposed to trimellitic anhydride (TMA) in three industrial settings. Since 1977 we have had engaged in a prospective study of workers involved at the site of manufacture of TMA. These studies demonstrate that serologic measurements of total antibody to trimellityl human serum albumin (TM-HSA) and IgE antibody to TM-HSA are predictive of the development of an immunologically mediated respiratory illness and are useful in monitoring workers removed from TMA exposure, in identifying asymptomatic workers who may be at risk in the future, and in defining the nature of sensitization of the work force. In a different industrial setting, we have been able to study workers who mixed previously manufactured TMA powder with epoxy resins. This study indicated that clinical assessments by a plant physician with a standardized questionnaire, along with serologic tests, could establish the presence or absence of an immunologic respiratory illness caused by the inhalation of TMA dust. In a third industrial situation, workers were exposed to both TMA and phthalic anhydride (PA). Here workers were interviewed by a local physician with minimal experience with TMA-related respiratory illness. In this situation a more detailed questionnaire was utilized, along with serologic tests utilizing the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to establish the presence of a TMA- or PA-related syndrome. Immunologic studies demonstrated in workers exposed to both TMA and PA that the antibody responses elicited showed little crossreactivity between antibodies directed against TM-HSA or PA-HSA.

Antibodies↗