International archives of occupational and environmental health, Jan 21, 2015
To quantify serum concentrations of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and dioxin-like co... more To quantify serum concentrations of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and dioxin-like compounds in former phenoxy herbicide production plant workers and firefighters, 20 years after 2,4,5-T production ceased. Of 1025 workers employed any time during 1969-1984, 430 were randomly selected and invited to take part in a morbidity survey and provide a blood sample; 244 (57 %) participated. Firefighters stationed in close proximity of the plant and/or engaged in call-outs to the plant between 1962 and 1987 also participated (39 of 70 invited). Reported here are the serum concentrations of TCDD and other chlorinated dibenzo-dioxins, dibenzofurans, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Determinants of the serum concentrations were assessed using linear regression. The 60 men who had worked in the phenoxy/TCP production area had a mean TCDD serum concentration of 19.1 pg/g lipid, three times the mean concentration of the 141 men and 43 women employed in other parts of the plant (6.3...
To assess wood dust exposures and determinants in joineries and furniture manufacturing and to ev... more To assess wood dust exposures and determinants in joineries and furniture manufacturing and to evaluate the efficacy of specific interventions on dust emissions under laboratory conditions. Also, in a subsequent follow-up study in a small sample of joinery workshops, we aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate a cost-effective and practicable intervention to reduce dust exposures. Personal inhalable dust (n = 201) was measured in 99 workers from 10 joineries and 3 furniture-making factories. To assess exposure determinants, full-shift video exposure monitoring (VEM) was conducted in 19 workers and task-based VEM in 32 workers (in 7 joineries and 3 furniture factories). We assessed the efficacy of vacuum extraction on hand tools and the use of vacuum cleaners instead of sweeping and dry wiping under laboratory conditions. These measures were subsequently implemented in three joinery workshops with 'high' (>4 mg m-3) and one with 'low' (<2 mg m-3) baseline expos...
Objectives To assess whether solvent use and workplace practices in the vehicle collision repair ... more Objectives To assess whether solvent use and workplace practices in the vehicle collision repair industry are associated with symptoms of neurotoxicity in spray painters and panel beaters (auto body repair workers). Methods Neurobehavioural symptoms were assessed using a cross-sectional study design in 370 vehicle collision repair and 211 reference workers using the EUROQUEST questionnaire. Full-shift airborne solvent levels were measured in a subset (n = 92) of collision repair workers. Results Solvent exposures were higher in spray painters than in panel beaters, but levels were below current international exposure standards. Collision repair workers were more likely to report symptoms of neurotoxicity than reference workers with ORs of 2.0, 2.4 and 6.4 (all p < 0.05) for reporting ≥5, ≥10 and ≥15 symptoms respectively. This trend was generally strongest for panel beaters (ORs of 2.1, 3.3 and 8.2 for ≥5, ≥10 and ≥15 symptoms respectively). Associations with specific symptom domains showed increased risks for neurological (OR 4.2), psychosomatic (OR 3.2), mood (OR 2.1), memory (OR 2.9) and memory and concentration symptoms combined (OR 2.4; all p < 0.05). Workers who had worked for 10–19 years or 20+ years in the collision repair industry reported consistently more symptoms than those who had only worked less than 10 years even after adjusting for age. However, those who worked more than 20 years generally reported fewer symptoms than those who worked 10–19 years, suggesting a possible healthy worker survivor bias. Conclusions Despite low airborne solvent exposures, vehicle collision repair spray painters and panel beaters continue to be at risk of symptoms of neurotoxicity. What this paper adds • Previous research has shown that vehicle collision repair workers exposed to mixed solvents have an increased risk of symptoms of neurotoxicity. • Changes in industry practices over the past two decades have likely resulted in reduced solvent exposure, but little research has been conducted to confirm this, and the current risk of symptoms of neu-rotoxicity in vehicle collision repair workers is therefore unknown. • The current study has shown that despite current airborne exposures being below international exposure standards, collision repair workers continue to have a significantly elevated risk of symptoms of neurotoxicity. • Further preventive measures are required to reduce the burden of neurotoxicity in this group, which represent a sizable proportion of the global workforce.
Significant excess risks of lung cancer and haematologic neoplasms have been observed in slaughte... more Significant excess risks of lung cancer and haematologic neoplasms have been observed in slaughterhouse workers in eight New Zealand studies, and numerous studies conducted elsewhere. No specific causal agents have been identified, although a biological aetiology is suggested as the risk is highest in those areas where workers are exposed to live animals or to biological material containing animal urine, faeces or blood. This study aimed to assess the airborne bacterial microflora in the slaughterhouse environment in order to develop exposure categories for reanalysis of a meat workers&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; cohort. Bulk air samples (n = 31) were collected for between 5 and 8 h in five areas in both sheep and beef slaughterhouses using a SASS3100 sampler (fitted with a proprietary SASS filter) located between 0.5 and 2 metres from the worker. Nucleic acid was extracted from each filter and amplified using commercially available kits, then sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq instrument. Bioinformatics analyses conducted included comparative taxonomic analyses, gene function (including virulence factor) analyses, and principal component analyses to compare profiles in samples taken in different areas. Of the bacteria identified over 95% were in the classes Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. Clear differences in all parameters were apparent in the different areas, however, and the full results of the comparative analyses and the development of exposure profiles will be presented. Metagenomic analysis of bioaerosol samples represents a promising method for the development of exposure categories for the epidemiological analysis of the effect of biological exposures in an occupational environment.
To identify which cases of adult bladder cancer notified to the New Zealand Cancer Registry in 20... more To identify which cases of adult bladder cancer notified to the New Zealand Cancer Registry in 2001 had a probable occupational cause. Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), in conjunction with the Massey University Centre for Public Health Research, interviewed and obtained an occupational history for 210 (162 men, 48 women) cases. Of the 162 male cases (response rate 65%), 45 (28%) were considered to be &#39;probable&#39; occupational cancers. Of the 48 female cases (response rate 76%), three cases (6%) were considered to be &#39;probable&#39; occupational cancers. The largest occupational group for men was truck drivers, which made up 51% of probable cases. Other common groups were engineering and metal workers (18%), crop farmers/orchardists (7%), textile and leather workers (7%), painters/furniture finishers (7%), and plastics manufacturing workers (4%). The three female cases considered to be of occupational origin included two textile workers and one telephonist. The percentage of cases considered to be of occupational origin is similar to that reported in Europe and the United States, indicating that occupational cancer is a major occupational health problem in New Zealand as it is in other parts of the world.
We aimed to measure mortality and cancer incidence in a cohort of lead-exposed workers by using b... more We aimed to measure mortality and cancer incidence in a cohort of lead-exposed workers by using blood lead levels to assess exposure. The cohort comprised male lead workers. Subjects were matched to cancer and death registries. Observed death and cancer incidence rates were compared with population rates to obtain standardized mortality ratios (SMR) and standardized incidence ratios (SIR). There were 4114 male subjects with average follow-up time of 16.2 years, and 406 deaths were observed. There were significant results for overall death (SMR, 111; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 101-123), digestive system deaths (SMR, 167; 95% CI, 110-250), and deaths from external causes (SMR, 135; 95% CI, 105-174). A total of 228 subjects had cancer, with an overall SIR of 83 (95% CI, 73-95); liver cancer SIR of 217 (95% CI, 103-454) and esophageal cancer SIR of 240 (95% CI, 129-447). The latter was seven-fold greater (SIR 755; 95% CI, 314-1813) among those with a blood lead level result above 30 μg/dL compared with population rates. No other increases in cancers were observed. Overall mortality was elevated. Although incidence rates of overall cancer were low, further studies and analysis are required to investigate any biologically plausible associations between inorganic lead and liver or esophageal cancer.
Sawmill workers have an increased risk of developing occupational asthma and other respiratory sy... more Sawmill workers have an increased risk of developing occupational asthma and other respiratory symptoms. Wood dust and microorganisms have both been suggested to play a role, but few studies have measured microbial exposure levels in sawmills. The preliminary study reported in this paper assessed airborne dust, bacterial endotoxin and beta(1,3)-glucan levels in 37 samples from two New Zealand sawmills. Nearly one-third of the measured dust levels exceeded 1 mg/m(3) and only one sample exceeded the legal limit of 5 mg/m(3). Endotoxin levels were clearly elevated with 50% of all measured exposures above 50 EU/m(3) (range: 7-588 EU/m(3)). beta(1,3)-glucan levels were comparable with levels measured in other industries where workers are exposed to organic dust. Workers in the planing department had the highest mean exposures to dust, endotoxin and beta(1,3)-glucan. Dust levels were only weakly correlated with endotoxin and beta(1,3)-glucan levels. Endotoxin exposures in sawmill workers are at levels sufficient to potentially contribute to the development of respiratory symptoms. Moreover, measurement of dust exposure is a poor proxy for beta(1,3)-glucan and endotoxin exposure in sawmill workers.
The role of occupational exposures in the incidence of low back pain (LBP) has always aroused muc... more The role of occupational exposures in the incidence of low back pain (LBP) has always aroused much discussion. Historical texts such as The Diseases of Occupations 1 and Industrial Maladies 2 report associations that were later discounted and then re-accepted as epidemiological techniques are explored and refined. Most practitioners involved in the occupational field have relied on the 1997 NIOSH publication Musculoskeletal Disorders and Workplace Factors (p97–141). This was a review of epidemiological studies that reported "strong evidence" of an association between "work related lifting and forceful movements" and low back musculoskeletal disorder (LBD) and a further association with "whole body vibration" exposures. "Evidence" was also reported between "heavy physical work" and "work related postures" and low back disorder. The advice given to employers in at risk industries, and to individual employees with significant ...
International archives of occupational and environmental health, Jan 21, 2015
To quantify serum concentrations of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and dioxin-like co... more To quantify serum concentrations of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and dioxin-like compounds in former phenoxy herbicide production plant workers and firefighters, 20 years after 2,4,5-T production ceased. Of 1025 workers employed any time during 1969-1984, 430 were randomly selected and invited to take part in a morbidity survey and provide a blood sample; 244 (57 %) participated. Firefighters stationed in close proximity of the plant and/or engaged in call-outs to the plant between 1962 and 1987 also participated (39 of 70 invited). Reported here are the serum concentrations of TCDD and other chlorinated dibenzo-dioxins, dibenzofurans, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Determinants of the serum concentrations were assessed using linear regression. The 60 men who had worked in the phenoxy/TCP production area had a mean TCDD serum concentration of 19.1 pg/g lipid, three times the mean concentration of the 141 men and 43 women employed in other parts of the plant (6.3...
To assess wood dust exposures and determinants in joineries and furniture manufacturing and to ev... more To assess wood dust exposures and determinants in joineries and furniture manufacturing and to evaluate the efficacy of specific interventions on dust emissions under laboratory conditions. Also, in a subsequent follow-up study in a small sample of joinery workshops, we aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate a cost-effective and practicable intervention to reduce dust exposures. Personal inhalable dust (n = 201) was measured in 99 workers from 10 joineries and 3 furniture-making factories. To assess exposure determinants, full-shift video exposure monitoring (VEM) was conducted in 19 workers and task-based VEM in 32 workers (in 7 joineries and 3 furniture factories). We assessed the efficacy of vacuum extraction on hand tools and the use of vacuum cleaners instead of sweeping and dry wiping under laboratory conditions. These measures were subsequently implemented in three joinery workshops with 'high' (>4 mg m-3) and one with 'low' (<2 mg m-3) baseline expos...
Objectives To assess whether solvent use and workplace practices in the vehicle collision repair ... more Objectives To assess whether solvent use and workplace practices in the vehicle collision repair industry are associated with symptoms of neurotoxicity in spray painters and panel beaters (auto body repair workers). Methods Neurobehavioural symptoms were assessed using a cross-sectional study design in 370 vehicle collision repair and 211 reference workers using the EUROQUEST questionnaire. Full-shift airborne solvent levels were measured in a subset (n = 92) of collision repair workers. Results Solvent exposures were higher in spray painters than in panel beaters, but levels were below current international exposure standards. Collision repair workers were more likely to report symptoms of neurotoxicity than reference workers with ORs of 2.0, 2.4 and 6.4 (all p < 0.05) for reporting ≥5, ≥10 and ≥15 symptoms respectively. This trend was generally strongest for panel beaters (ORs of 2.1, 3.3 and 8.2 for ≥5, ≥10 and ≥15 symptoms respectively). Associations with specific symptom domains showed increased risks for neurological (OR 4.2), psychosomatic (OR 3.2), mood (OR 2.1), memory (OR 2.9) and memory and concentration symptoms combined (OR 2.4; all p < 0.05). Workers who had worked for 10–19 years or 20+ years in the collision repair industry reported consistently more symptoms than those who had only worked less than 10 years even after adjusting for age. However, those who worked more than 20 years generally reported fewer symptoms than those who worked 10–19 years, suggesting a possible healthy worker survivor bias. Conclusions Despite low airborne solvent exposures, vehicle collision repair spray painters and panel beaters continue to be at risk of symptoms of neurotoxicity. What this paper adds • Previous research has shown that vehicle collision repair workers exposed to mixed solvents have an increased risk of symptoms of neurotoxicity. • Changes in industry practices over the past two decades have likely resulted in reduced solvent exposure, but little research has been conducted to confirm this, and the current risk of symptoms of neu-rotoxicity in vehicle collision repair workers is therefore unknown. • The current study has shown that despite current airborne exposures being below international exposure standards, collision repair workers continue to have a significantly elevated risk of symptoms of neurotoxicity. • Further preventive measures are required to reduce the burden of neurotoxicity in this group, which represent a sizable proportion of the global workforce.
Significant excess risks of lung cancer and haematologic neoplasms have been observed in slaughte... more Significant excess risks of lung cancer and haematologic neoplasms have been observed in slaughterhouse workers in eight New Zealand studies, and numerous studies conducted elsewhere. No specific causal agents have been identified, although a biological aetiology is suggested as the risk is highest in those areas where workers are exposed to live animals or to biological material containing animal urine, faeces or blood. This study aimed to assess the airborne bacterial microflora in the slaughterhouse environment in order to develop exposure categories for reanalysis of a meat workers&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; cohort. Bulk air samples (n = 31) were collected for between 5 and 8 h in five areas in both sheep and beef slaughterhouses using a SASS3100 sampler (fitted with a proprietary SASS filter) located between 0.5 and 2 metres from the worker. Nucleic acid was extracted from each filter and amplified using commercially available kits, then sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq instrument. Bioinformatics analyses conducted included comparative taxonomic analyses, gene function (including virulence factor) analyses, and principal component analyses to compare profiles in samples taken in different areas. Of the bacteria identified over 95% were in the classes Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. Clear differences in all parameters were apparent in the different areas, however, and the full results of the comparative analyses and the development of exposure profiles will be presented. Metagenomic analysis of bioaerosol samples represents a promising method for the development of exposure categories for the epidemiological analysis of the effect of biological exposures in an occupational environment.
To identify which cases of adult bladder cancer notified to the New Zealand Cancer Registry in 20... more To identify which cases of adult bladder cancer notified to the New Zealand Cancer Registry in 2001 had a probable occupational cause. Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), in conjunction with the Massey University Centre for Public Health Research, interviewed and obtained an occupational history for 210 (162 men, 48 women) cases. Of the 162 male cases (response rate 65%), 45 (28%) were considered to be &#39;probable&#39; occupational cancers. Of the 48 female cases (response rate 76%), three cases (6%) were considered to be &#39;probable&#39; occupational cancers. The largest occupational group for men was truck drivers, which made up 51% of probable cases. Other common groups were engineering and metal workers (18%), crop farmers/orchardists (7%), textile and leather workers (7%), painters/furniture finishers (7%), and plastics manufacturing workers (4%). The three female cases considered to be of occupational origin included two textile workers and one telephonist. The percentage of cases considered to be of occupational origin is similar to that reported in Europe and the United States, indicating that occupational cancer is a major occupational health problem in New Zealand as it is in other parts of the world.
We aimed to measure mortality and cancer incidence in a cohort of lead-exposed workers by using b... more We aimed to measure mortality and cancer incidence in a cohort of lead-exposed workers by using blood lead levels to assess exposure. The cohort comprised male lead workers. Subjects were matched to cancer and death registries. Observed death and cancer incidence rates were compared with population rates to obtain standardized mortality ratios (SMR) and standardized incidence ratios (SIR). There were 4114 male subjects with average follow-up time of 16.2 years, and 406 deaths were observed. There were significant results for overall death (SMR, 111; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 101-123), digestive system deaths (SMR, 167; 95% CI, 110-250), and deaths from external causes (SMR, 135; 95% CI, 105-174). A total of 228 subjects had cancer, with an overall SIR of 83 (95% CI, 73-95); liver cancer SIR of 217 (95% CI, 103-454) and esophageal cancer SIR of 240 (95% CI, 129-447). The latter was seven-fold greater (SIR 755; 95% CI, 314-1813) among those with a blood lead level result above 30 μg/dL compared with population rates. No other increases in cancers were observed. Overall mortality was elevated. Although incidence rates of overall cancer were low, further studies and analysis are required to investigate any biologically plausible associations between inorganic lead and liver or esophageal cancer.
Sawmill workers have an increased risk of developing occupational asthma and other respiratory sy... more Sawmill workers have an increased risk of developing occupational asthma and other respiratory symptoms. Wood dust and microorganisms have both been suggested to play a role, but few studies have measured microbial exposure levels in sawmills. The preliminary study reported in this paper assessed airborne dust, bacterial endotoxin and beta(1,3)-glucan levels in 37 samples from two New Zealand sawmills. Nearly one-third of the measured dust levels exceeded 1 mg/m(3) and only one sample exceeded the legal limit of 5 mg/m(3). Endotoxin levels were clearly elevated with 50% of all measured exposures above 50 EU/m(3) (range: 7-588 EU/m(3)). beta(1,3)-glucan levels were comparable with levels measured in other industries where workers are exposed to organic dust. Workers in the planing department had the highest mean exposures to dust, endotoxin and beta(1,3)-glucan. Dust levels were only weakly correlated with endotoxin and beta(1,3)-glucan levels. Endotoxin exposures in sawmill workers are at levels sufficient to potentially contribute to the development of respiratory symptoms. Moreover, measurement of dust exposure is a poor proxy for beta(1,3)-glucan and endotoxin exposure in sawmill workers.
The role of occupational exposures in the incidence of low back pain (LBP) has always aroused muc... more The role of occupational exposures in the incidence of low back pain (LBP) has always aroused much discussion. Historical texts such as The Diseases of Occupations 1 and Industrial Maladies 2 report associations that were later discounted and then re-accepted as epidemiological techniques are explored and refined. Most practitioners involved in the occupational field have relied on the 1997 NIOSH publication Musculoskeletal Disorders and Workplace Factors (p97–141). This was a review of epidemiological studies that reported "strong evidence" of an association between "work related lifting and forceful movements" and low back musculoskeletal disorder (LBD) and a further association with "whole body vibration" exposures. "Evidence" was also reported between "heavy physical work" and "work related postures" and low back disorder. The advice given to employers in at risk industries, and to individual employees with significant ...
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