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Biomedical subjects

F B Stern

Publications and source records attributed to F B Stern.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Proportionate mortality among unionized roofers and waterproofers.

BACKGROUND: The United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers, and Allied Workers (UURWAW) is one of the 15 building and construction trades departments in the AFL-CIO. The U.S. roofing industry, including both roofing and waterproofing applications, both unionized and nonunionized, comprises about 25,000 firms, employing approximately 300,000 people, about 200,000 of whom are involved in the application of roofs. The specific toxins to which roofers may be exposed at the job site include, among others, bitumens (asphalt and/or coal tar pitch) as well as asbestos and fiberglass from roof removal operations. Excess deaths from occupational injuries are also of concern. METHODS: This study evaluated causes of mortality among 11,144 members of the UURWAW. Age-adjusted proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs) were computed with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using U.S. age-, gender-, and race-specific proportional mortality rates for the years of the study, 1950-1996. RESULTS: Statistically significant increased PMRs were found for all injuries (PMR = 142, CI = 134-150), especially falls (PMR = 464, CI = 419-513) and other injuries (PMR = 121, CI = 107-137), cancers of the lung (PMR = 139, CI = 131-148), bladder (PMR = 138, CI = 111-170), esophagus (PMR = 134, CI = 107-166), larynx (PMR = 145, CI = 106-193), and cancers of other and unspecified sites (PMR = 130, CI = 112-149), pneumoconioses and other nonmalignant respiratory diseases (PMR = 115, CI = 103-128), and homicides (PMR = 153, CI = 135-172). The occupational exposures which may have contributed to the excess risks of malignant and nonmalignant respiratory diseases include, among others, asphalt fumes, coal tar pitch volatiles and asbestos; however, cigarette smoking must also be considered a contributing factor. CONCLUSIONS: The present study underscores the need to control airborne exposures to hazardous substances and especially to examine fall prevention efforts within the roofing industry. Am. J. Ind. Med. 37:478-492, 2000. Published 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed1998

Underlying and multiple cause mortality in a cohort of workers exposed to aromatic amines.

BACKGROUND: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has previously conducted studies of bladder cancer incidence and mortality at a synthetic dye plant that manufactured beta-naphthylamine from 1940 through 1979. This report extends the period of mortality follow-up 13 years and analyzes both underlying and nonunderlying causes of death. METHODS: The vital status of each cohort member, as of December 31, 1992, was determined by using the National Death Index and information from the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Postal Service. The NIOSH life table analysis system (LTAS) was used to generate person-year-at-risk and the expected numbers of death for 92 categories of death, using several referent rates (U.S. underlying, Georgia underlying, U.S. multiple cause). RESULTS: There were three bladder cancer deaths listed as underlying cause, yielding a standardized mortality ratio (SMR) based on U.S. rates of 2.4 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.5, 7.0) and a total of eight bladder cancers listed anywhere on the death certificates (SMR based on multiple cause referent rates = 5.6; 95% CI = 2.4, 11.1). Mortality from esophageal cancer, which had been significantly elevated in the previous study, was no longer significantly elevated (SMR = 2.0; 95% CI = 0.8, 4.1). Mortality from all causes was significantly higher than expected (SMR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.3, 1.6). CONCLUSIONS: The elevated bladder cancer risk in this cohort was detected by the multiple cause, but not the underlying cause, analysis. Elevated mortality from other causes of death, especially among short-term workers, may be related to regional and lifestyle factors.

Amines↗
PubMed1997

Proportionate mortality among unionized construction ironworkers.

This report presents the results of proportionate mortality ratios (PMR) and proportionate cancer mortality ratios (PCMR) among 13,301 members of the International Union of Bridge, Structural, and Ornamental Ironworkers who had been members for a minimum of 1 year, were actively paying dues into the death beneficiary fund, and had died between 1984-1991. Using the United States proportionate mortality rates as the comparison population, statistically significant elevated risks, using 95% confidence intervals (CI), were observed for several types of injuries: falls (N = 259, PMR = 3.57, CI = 3.15-4.03), transportation injuries (N = 363, PMR = 1.22, CI = 1.10-1.35), and other types of injuries (N = 225, PMR = 1.63, CI = 1.43-1.86). The deaths due to falls were significantly elevated for each 10-year age group under age 60 (PMR > 7.00) and for those workers with < 20 years in the union (PMR > 6.00). Elevated mortality risks were also observed for all malignant neoplasms combined (N = 3,682, PMR = 1.09, CI = 1.06-1.13) as well as for site-specific malignant neoplasms of the lung (N = 1,523, PMR = 1.28, CI = 1.21-1.35), pleural mesothelioma (N = 7, PMR = 1.67, CI = 0.67-3.44) and "other and unspecified sites" (N = 307, PMR = 1.29, CI = 1.15-1.44). The category "pneumoconiosis and other respiratory diseases" was also significantly elevated (N = 690, PMR = 1.11, CI = 1.03-1.20); in this category, deaths due to asbestosis had the greatest elevated risk (N = 10, PMR = 3.56, CI = 1.70-6.54). No elevation in risk was found for kidney cancer or for chronic nephritis which were of interest because of Ironworkers' potential exposure to lead. The present study underscores the importance of fall protection and other injury prevention efforts in the construction industry, as well as the need to control airborne exposures to asbestos, welding fumes and other respirable disease hazards.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1993

Mortality of workers employed in shoe manufacturing.

A retrospective cohort mortality study was conducted among 7814 white shoe manufacturing workers followed from 1940 through 1982. The workers were potentially exposed to solvents (including toluene) and solvent-based adhesives. Benzene may have been present as an impurity of toluene. Mortality due to leukemia and aleukemia was not statistically significantly elevated. Statistically significant excess mortality due to cancer of the trachea, bronchus and lung was observed in the total cohort [standardized mortality ratio (SMR) 147, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 120-180] and showed a statistically significant trend in standardized relative risk with increasing potential latency, but not with increasing duration of employment. Chronic nonmalignant respiratory disease was significantly elevated among the men (SMR 158, 95% CI 114-217) but was less than expected among the women (SMR 79), a finding suggesting a possible contribution of smoking to the mortality from respiratory cancer. However, adjustment for the potential effects of smoking did not completely eliminate the increased risk for lung cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Does low-level lead exposure increase risk of death? A mortality study of newspaper printers.

This exploratory study examined the mortality experience of a cohort of newspaper printers in order to investigate the effects of low-level exposure to lead. In this industry, historic lead exposure levels have been below the current US permissible exposure level (PEL) of 50 micrograms/m3. The study population was 1261 typesetters, employed in 1961 and followed until the end of 1984; this was a cohort of convenience, assembled as a comparison for a different study. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated using New York City comparison rates. The all-cause SMR was 0.74, and was significantly different from 1.00. Other statistically significant deficits were deaths from arteriosclerotic heart disease (SMR = 0.63) and non-malignant diseases of the respiratory system (SMR = 0.57) and digestive system (SMR = 0.65). These can be attributed to the comparison bias known as the healthy worker effect. The SMR for cerebrovascular disease (CVD) was 1.35, on the edge of statistical significance (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.98-1.82). When the cohort was stratified by years of union membership, a surrogate for length of exposure, only one cause of death was significantly elevated. For those printers employed for 30 years or more, the CVD SMR was 1.68 (95% CI: 1.18-2.31; p = 0.002). No significant excesses were seen for any other cause of death in any exposure stratum. Several studies of workers with much higher levels of lead exposure have reported elevated CVD risk. These findings suggest the possibility that lead exposure at levels below the current US PEL may also be associated with CVD mortality.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Heart disease mortality among bridge and tunnel officers exposed to carbon monoxide.

The authors investigated the effect of occupational exposure to carbon monoxide on mortality from heart disease in a retrospective study of 5,529 New York City bridge and tunnel officers employed between January 1, 1952 and February 10, 1981, at any one of nine major water crossings operated by the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority of New York City. Among former tunnel officers, 61 deaths from arteriosclerotic heart disease were observed, as compared with 45 expected (standardized mortality ratio = 1.35, 90% confidence interval 1.09-1.68); expected rates were based on the New York City population. Using a proportional hazards model, the authors compared the risk of mortality from arteriosclerotic heart disease among tunnel officers with that of the less-exposed bridge officers. No association of arteriosclerotic heart disease with length of exposure was observed, but there was significant interaction of exposure with age. The elevated risk of arteriosclerotic heart disease among tunnel officers, as compared with that of bridge officers, declined after cessation of exposure, with much of the risk dissipating within as little as five years. The parallel findings of this study of occupational exposure to carbon monoxide and those studies showing the relation of cigarette smoking to cardiovascular mortality suggest that carbon monoxide may play an important role in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular mortality associated with cigarette smoking.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Mortality of chrome leather tannery workers and chemical exposures in tanneries.

A retrospective mortality analysis was conducted in a cohort of 9,365 individuals employed as of 1940 in two chrome leather tanneries in the United States and followed to the end of 1982. Vital status as of the closing date was determined for over 95% of the cohort. Potential hazardous workplace exposures varied with department and included nitrosamines, chromate pigments, benzidine-based direct dyestuffs, formaldehyde, leather dust, and aromatic organic solvents. Mortality from all causes combined was lower than expected for each tannery, the standardized mortality ratio being 81 for one and 93 for the other. Deaths from cancer of each site, including the lung, were also lower than expected compared to those of either the population of the United States or of local state rates. A significant excess of deaths was observed, however, due to accidental causes in one tannery and cirrhosis of the liver, suicide, and alcoholism in the other. These excesses did not appear to be causally associated with occupational exposures. The findings of this study are consistent with those of the only other mortality investigation of leather tannery employees.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1986

A case-control study of leukemia at a naval nuclear shipyard.

A matched case-control study was conducted of 53 leukemia deaths and of 212 controls within a previously studied cohort of 24,545 on-shore workers employed between January 1, 1952 and August 15, 1977 at the Portsmouth (New Hampshire) Naval Shipyard. The study sought to ascertain a priori whether there was an association between leukemia deaths and occupational exposure to either ionizing radiation or organic solvents. To obtain information on individual exposures, radiation dose histories and detailed work histories by job and shop were evaluated for each subject. No statistically significant associations were found either between ionizing radiation or presumed solvent exposure and myelogenous or lymphatic leukemia. However, when specific job categories and shops were examined without benefit of a priori hypotheses, two occupations, electrician and welder, were found to be associated with leukemia. For electricians, the Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio (ORMH) was significantly elevated for all leukemias (ORMH = 3.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.29-6.98), particularly for lymphatic leukemia (ORMH = 6.00, 95% CI = 1.47-24.45). For welders, the odds ratio was not significantly elevated for all leukemias (ORMH = 2.25, 95% CI = 0.92-5.53), but was significantly elevated for myeloid leukemia (ORMH = 3.83, 95% CI = 1.28-11.46). These findings persisted when potential confounders were adjusted by means of a conditional logistic regression model.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Mortality of lead smelter workers.

To examine patterns of death in lead smelter workers, a retrospective analysis of mortality was conducted in a cohort of 1,987 males employed between 1940 and 1965 at a primary lead smelter in Idaho. Overall mortality was similar to that of the United States white male population (standardized mortality ratio (SMR) = 98). Excess mortality, however, was found from chronic renal disease (SMR = 192; confidence interval (CI) = 88-364), and the risk of death from renal disease increased with increasing duration of employment, such that after 20 years employment, the standardized mortality ratio reached 392 (CI = 107-1,004). Excess mortality was also noted for nonmalignant respiratory disease (SMR = 187, CI = 128-264). Eight of 32 deaths in this category were caused by silicosis; at least five workers who died of silicosis had been miners for a part of their lives. An additional 11 deaths resulted from tuberculosis (SMR = 139; CI = 69-249); in six of these cases, silicosis was a contributory cause of death. Cancer mortality was not increased overall (SMR = 95; CI = 78-114). An increase, however, was noted for deaths from kidney cancer (six cases; SMR = 204; CI = 75-444). Finally, excess mortality was noted for injuries (SMR = 138; CI = 104-179); 13 (23%) of the 56 deaths in this category were caused by mining injuries. The data from this study are consistent with previous reports of increased mortality from chronic renal disease in persons exposed occupationally to lead.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1985

Notification and risk assessment for bladder cancer of a cohort exposed to aromatic amines. III. Mortality among workers exposed to aromatic amines in the last beta-naphthylamine manufacturing facility in the United States.

A retrospective cohort mortality study was conducted among workers employed at the last facility in the United States that manufactured beta-naphthylamine (BNA), a recognized human bladder carcinogen. This study was conducted in conjunction with a pilot project in which workers were notified of the health risks associated with exposures to carcinogenic amines. Cause-specific mortality for 1,312 male workers employed between 1940 and 1972, and followed through 1979, was compared with the mortality of the general population in the United States. Two deaths from bladder cancer were observed while 0.7 such deaths were expected. Due to the use of these potent carcinogenic amines, it had been anticipated that more bladder cancer deaths would be found in this population. The reasons for the small number of bladder cancer deaths could have been the low percentage of the work force exposed, an inadequate latency period, and/or the high survival rate for bladder cancer. In fact, a notification and medical screening project recently conducted in this same population found an additional 11 bladder cancer cases. This suggests that mortality may not always be an adequate indicator of disease risk.

2-Naphthylamine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Exposure of motor vehicle examiners to carbon monoxide: a historical prospective mortality study.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) investigated the health effects of chronic exposure to low concentrations of carbon monoxide by conducting a historical prospective cohort study of mortality patterns among 1,558 white male motor vehicle examiners who were employed in New Jersey for a minimum of 6 months between 1944 and 1973. Industrial hygiene surveys indicated that the examiners were exposed to carbon monoxide at a time-weighted average (TWA) of 10-24 ppm; the exposure level recommended by NIOSH is 35 ppm TWA. A modified life table technique was used to calculate cause-specific expected deaths for the cohort adjusted for age and calendar time periods. The expected deaths were compared to the number of observed deaths through August 1973. The cohort demonstrated a slight overall increase in cardiovascular disease deaths (124 observed vs. 118.4 expected), but a more pronounced excess was observed within the first 10 yr. following employment (28 observed vs. 20.9 expected). A statistically significant excess of cancer mortality was found for motor vehicle examiners after 30 yr latency (13 observed vs. 6.9 expected, P < 0.5); this excess, however, was not confined to any particular organ site. The number of deaths due to accidents was significantly lower than expected (8 observed vs. 19.6 expected, P < .01).

Air Pollutants↗