Environmental health : a global access science source, 2015
Following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986, vast areas of Ukraine became contaminated with ... more Following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986, vast areas of Ukraine became contaminated with radionuclides. We examined health effects of school-based food intervention for children in a rural region Narodichi, Ukraine, exposed to low-level radiation through diet of locally produced foods. Until 1995, children received three daily meals with low content of artificial radionuclides which were subsequently reduced to two. Annual health screening data (1993-1998) were examined using a quasi-experimental regression discontinuity analysis (n = 947 children; 3,573 repeated measurements). Generalized Estimating Equation models evaluated effect of the food supplementation reduction on hematologic measures and prevalence of anemia, acute respiratory illnesses and diseases of immune system. Prior improvement of several hematologic parameters diminished after food supplementation was reduced. From 1995 to 1996, levels of hemoglobin and erythrocytes decreased from 12.63 (95 % CI: 12.56-12.7...
Environmental health : a global access science source, 2015
Following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986, vast areas of Ukraine became contaminated with ... more Following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986, vast areas of Ukraine became contaminated with radionuclides. We examined health effects of school-based food intervention for children in a rural region Narodichi, Ukraine, exposed to low-level radiation through diet of locally produced foods. Until 1995, children received three daily meals with low content of artificial radionuclides which were subsequently reduced to two. Annual health screening data (1993-1998) were examined using a quasi-experimental regression discontinuity analysis (n = 947 children; 3,573 repeated measurements). Generalized Estimating Equation models evaluated effect of the food supplementation reduction on hematologic measures and prevalence of anemia, acute respiratory illnesses and diseases of immune system. Prior improvement of several hematologic parameters diminished after food supplementation was reduced. From 1995 to 1996, levels of hemoglobin and erythrocytes decreased from 12.63 (95 % CI: 12.56-12.7...
We previously reported that obstructive and restrictive lung function findings were associated wi... more We previously reported that obstructive and restrictive lung function findings were associated with radioactive 137Cesium (137Cs) soil contamination from the 1986 Chernobyl disaster in a pediatric cohort residing in the Narodichesky district of Ukraine from 1993-98. To determine whether these associations persist, we repeated the study and refined the exposure by measuring individual radiation concentration with a whole body counter. Basic and post-bronchodilator spirometry measurements were made for 517 children age 8-17 years born in and living within this differentially contaminated study area during 2008-2010. A gamma-spectrometer equipped with a collimator was used for the measurement of whole-body radiation, and adjusted for weight. General linear and logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between spirometry measures and the weight-adjusted 137Cs whole-body burden (Bq/kg) while controlling for potential confounders. The geometric median weight-adjusted radiation concentration was 65.96 Bq/kg (14.98, 240.9 95%CI), equivalent to a geometric mean internal dose estimate of 0.165 (0.037, 0.602 95%CI) mSv/yr. Decrements in % predicted FEV1/FVC and an increased odds of bronchodilator responsiveness, restrictive impairment, and FVC<LLN were associated with a log increase in weight adjusted 137Cs whole-body burden after adjusting for potential confounders. Our previous study of soil 137Cs exposure and reduced lung function was corroborated herein with individual 137Cs whole-body burden, although low, and annual internal dose data. Children in a region just outside of the closed Chernobyl contamination zone continued to have respiratory health deficits associated with 137Cs whole-body burden as recently as 2010.
Disaster medicine and public health preparedness, 2014
A widely produced chemical, chlorine is used in various industries including automotive, electron... more A widely produced chemical, chlorine is used in various industries including automotive, electronics, disinfectants, metal production, and many others. Chlorine is usually produced and transported as a pressurized liquid; however, as a gas it is a significant pulmonary irritant. Thousands of people are exposed to chlorine gas every year, and while large-scale exposures are uncommon, they are not rare. Symptoms are usually related to the concentration and length of exposure, and although treatment is largely supportive, certain specific therapies have yet to be validated with randomized controlled trials. The majority of those exposed completely recover with supportive care; however, studies have shown the potential for persistent inflammation and chronic hyperreactivity. This case report describes an incident that occurred in Graniteville, South Carolina, when a train derailment exposed hundreds of people to chlorine gas. This report reviews the events of January 6, 2005, and the cu...
Photovoice is a qualitative method of inquiry whereby individuals can document their lived experi... more Photovoice is a qualitative method of inquiry whereby individuals can document their lived experiences, particularly individuals whose voices are not typically heard in regard to promoting social change and policy development. We used photovoice to elicit major themes regarding community members' perceptions of the long-term impact on their quality of life as a deadly technological disaster hit a small, rural town in South Carolina. Overall, participants photographed more negative images than positive. Overarching themes included residential and business vacancies, economic decline, the need for clean-up and modernization, attention to wellness or rehabilitation, and concerns for safety. Emergency response agencies should consider the themes elicited from these community residents to help identify where to focus disaster response efforts both in the immediate aftermath and during the long-term recovery period of technological disasters, particularly in underserved, rural communi...
The Journal of asthma : official journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma, Jan 5, 2015
Background: Little is known about the relationship between antibiotic use and asthma in the child... more Background: Little is known about the relationship between antibiotic use and asthma in the children with a higher risk of allergic sensitization. We examine the association between the use of specific therapeutic antibiotics in the first year of life and development of wheezing by 36 months among children with a higher risk of allergic sensitization. Methods: A multi-center prospective cohort study was conducted among children at high risk for allergic sensitization. A validated questionnaire was used to prospectively collect information on antibiotic use and potential risk factors for wheezing from parents or guardians of 606 children from three European countries at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months of age. Multivariate linear and logistic regression models were used to adjust for potential confounders and effect modifiers and to estimate the association of antibiotic use with the development of early childhood wheezing. Results: Of the antibiotics assessed, only macrolide use in the first...
The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) 1 was severely damaged from the chain reaction of... more The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) 1 was severely damaged from the chain reaction of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami on 11 March 2011, and the consequent meltdown and hydrogen gas explosions. This resulted in the worst nuclear accident since the Chernobyl accident of 1986. Just as in the case of Chernobyl, emergency workers were recruited to conduct a wide range of tasks, including disaster response, rescuing activities, NPP containment, and radiation decontamination. This paper describes the types and efficacy of the various occupational health interventions introduced to the Fukushima NPP radiation workers. Such interventions were implemented in order to prevent unnecessary radiation overexposure and associated adverse health effects and work injuries. Less than 1% of all emergency workers were exposed to external radiation of >100 mSv, and to date no deaths or health adversities from radiation have been reported for those workers. Several occupational ...
Environmental health : a global access science source, 2015
Following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986, vast areas of Ukraine became contaminated with ... more Following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986, vast areas of Ukraine became contaminated with radionuclides. We examined health effects of school-based food intervention for children in a rural region Narodichi, Ukraine, exposed to low-level radiation through diet of locally produced foods. Until 1995, children received three daily meals with low content of artificial radionuclides which were subsequently reduced to two. Annual health screening data (1993-1998) were examined using a quasi-experimental regression discontinuity analysis (n = 947 children; 3,573 repeated measurements). Generalized Estimating Equation models evaluated effect of the food supplementation reduction on hematologic measures and prevalence of anemia, acute respiratory illnesses and diseases of immune system. Prior improvement of several hematologic parameters diminished after food supplementation was reduced. From 1995 to 1996, levels of hemoglobin and erythrocytes decreased from 12.63 (95 % CI: 12.56-12.7...
Environmental health : a global access science source, 2015
Following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986, vast areas of Ukraine became contaminated with ... more Following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986, vast areas of Ukraine became contaminated with radionuclides. We examined health effects of school-based food intervention for children in a rural region Narodichi, Ukraine, exposed to low-level radiation through diet of locally produced foods. Until 1995, children received three daily meals with low content of artificial radionuclides which were subsequently reduced to two. Annual health screening data (1993-1998) were examined using a quasi-experimental regression discontinuity analysis (n = 947 children; 3,573 repeated measurements). Generalized Estimating Equation models evaluated effect of the food supplementation reduction on hematologic measures and prevalence of anemia, acute respiratory illnesses and diseases of immune system. Prior improvement of several hematologic parameters diminished after food supplementation was reduced. From 1995 to 1996, levels of hemoglobin and erythrocytes decreased from 12.63 (95 % CI: 12.56-12.7...
We previously reported that obstructive and restrictive lung function findings were associated wi... more We previously reported that obstructive and restrictive lung function findings were associated with radioactive 137Cesium (137Cs) soil contamination from the 1986 Chernobyl disaster in a pediatric cohort residing in the Narodichesky district of Ukraine from 1993-98. To determine whether these associations persist, we repeated the study and refined the exposure by measuring individual radiation concentration with a whole body counter. Basic and post-bronchodilator spirometry measurements were made for 517 children age 8-17 years born in and living within this differentially contaminated study area during 2008-2010. A gamma-spectrometer equipped with a collimator was used for the measurement of whole-body radiation, and adjusted for weight. General linear and logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between spirometry measures and the weight-adjusted 137Cs whole-body burden (Bq/kg) while controlling for potential confounders. The geometric median weight-adjusted radiation concentration was 65.96 Bq/kg (14.98, 240.9 95%CI), equivalent to a geometric mean internal dose estimate of 0.165 (0.037, 0.602 95%CI) mSv/yr. Decrements in % predicted FEV1/FVC and an increased odds of bronchodilator responsiveness, restrictive impairment, and FVC<LLN were associated with a log increase in weight adjusted 137Cs whole-body burden after adjusting for potential confounders. Our previous study of soil 137Cs exposure and reduced lung function was corroborated herein with individual 137Cs whole-body burden, although low, and annual internal dose data. Children in a region just outside of the closed Chernobyl contamination zone continued to have respiratory health deficits associated with 137Cs whole-body burden as recently as 2010.
Disaster medicine and public health preparedness, 2014
A widely produced chemical, chlorine is used in various industries including automotive, electron... more A widely produced chemical, chlorine is used in various industries including automotive, electronics, disinfectants, metal production, and many others. Chlorine is usually produced and transported as a pressurized liquid; however, as a gas it is a significant pulmonary irritant. Thousands of people are exposed to chlorine gas every year, and while large-scale exposures are uncommon, they are not rare. Symptoms are usually related to the concentration and length of exposure, and although treatment is largely supportive, certain specific therapies have yet to be validated with randomized controlled trials. The majority of those exposed completely recover with supportive care; however, studies have shown the potential for persistent inflammation and chronic hyperreactivity. This case report describes an incident that occurred in Graniteville, South Carolina, when a train derailment exposed hundreds of people to chlorine gas. This report reviews the events of January 6, 2005, and the cu...
Photovoice is a qualitative method of inquiry whereby individuals can document their lived experi... more Photovoice is a qualitative method of inquiry whereby individuals can document their lived experiences, particularly individuals whose voices are not typically heard in regard to promoting social change and policy development. We used photovoice to elicit major themes regarding community members' perceptions of the long-term impact on their quality of life as a deadly technological disaster hit a small, rural town in South Carolina. Overall, participants photographed more negative images than positive. Overarching themes included residential and business vacancies, economic decline, the need for clean-up and modernization, attention to wellness or rehabilitation, and concerns for safety. Emergency response agencies should consider the themes elicited from these community residents to help identify where to focus disaster response efforts both in the immediate aftermath and during the long-term recovery period of technological disasters, particularly in underserved, rural communi...
The Journal of asthma : official journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma, Jan 5, 2015
Background: Little is known about the relationship between antibiotic use and asthma in the child... more Background: Little is known about the relationship between antibiotic use and asthma in the children with a higher risk of allergic sensitization. We examine the association between the use of specific therapeutic antibiotics in the first year of life and development of wheezing by 36 months among children with a higher risk of allergic sensitization. Methods: A multi-center prospective cohort study was conducted among children at high risk for allergic sensitization. A validated questionnaire was used to prospectively collect information on antibiotic use and potential risk factors for wheezing from parents or guardians of 606 children from three European countries at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months of age. Multivariate linear and logistic regression models were used to adjust for potential confounders and effect modifiers and to estimate the association of antibiotic use with the development of early childhood wheezing. Results: Of the antibiotics assessed, only macrolide use in the first...
The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) 1 was severely damaged from the chain reaction of... more The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) 1 was severely damaged from the chain reaction of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami on 11 March 2011, and the consequent meltdown and hydrogen gas explosions. This resulted in the worst nuclear accident since the Chernobyl accident of 1986. Just as in the case of Chernobyl, emergency workers were recruited to conduct a wide range of tasks, including disaster response, rescuing activities, NPP containment, and radiation decontamination. This paper describes the types and efficacy of the various occupational health interventions introduced to the Fukushima NPP radiation workers. Such interventions were implemented in order to prevent unnecessary radiation overexposure and associated adverse health effects and work injuries. Less than 1% of all emergency workers were exposed to external radiation of >100 mSv, and to date no deaths or health adversities from radiation have been reported for those workers. Several occupational ...
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Papers by Erik Svendsen