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H Dimich-Ward

Publications and source records attributed to H Dimich-Ward.

39 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Concentrations of organochlorine pesticides in the adipose tissue of British Columbia residents.

Adipose tissue from a sample of 41 British Columbians was analyzed for a number of organochlorine pesticides. Pesticide concentrations were very low. Persistent fat-soluble compounds like DDT were found at the highest concentrations, whereas compounds that either quickly metabolize to other forms or are readily excreted were found at low levels or not detected. Data on age, sex, area of residence, occupation, diet and weight were obtained by interview. Increasing age was related to increasing levels of several of the persistent pesticides. Although there were insufficient data for statistical analysis, two individuals with potential occupational exposures had much higher levels of the pesticides than other subjects. Although population-based surveys of these organochlorine pesticides in human tissue may have little value, further study may be warranted for groups known to have had high exposures (e.g. occupationally exposed).

Adipose Tissue↗

Opportunities for a broader understanding of work and health: multiple uses of an occupational cohort database.

Occupational cohort studies conducted to study cancer incidence and mortality require extensive data gathering about workers' job histories, exposures, and health outcomes. Although this process is expensive, the database created can be looked upon as a resource for broad investigations of the relationship between work and health. This paper presents the example of a retrospective cohort study which began in the traditional way, examining the link between a specific pesticide exposure and mortality and cancer incidence. The cohort register has since been used to investigate whether infertility, adverse reproductive outcomes, and childhood cancers might be associated with this exposure. It is also being used as the basis for studying other sawmill exposures including noise and wood dust as well as socioeconomic factors including job strain, job mobility, unemployment, and retraining. This approach allows both the efficient use of occupational cohorts as well as providing the opportunity for investigators to develop a more comprehensive perspective on the determinants of the health status of workers and their families.

British Columbia↗