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Biomedical subjects

J M Mur

Publications and source records attributed to J M Mur.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Mortality of iron miners in Lorraine (France): relations between lung function and respiratory symptoms and subsequent mortality.

An increased mortality from lung and stomach cancer was found in previous studies on Lorraine iron miners. A detailed analysis, however, was not possible due to the lack of data for survivors. In this study the cohort included 1178 workers selected at random from all the 5300 working miners aged between 35 and 55 at the start of the follow up period, which ranged from 1975 to 1985. Occupational exposures and tobacco consumption, lung function tests, and respiratory symptoms were assessed for each subject in 1975, 1980, and 1985. This study confirmed the excess of lung cancer (standardised mortality ratio (SMR) = 389, p < 0.001) and of stomach cancer (SMR = 273, p < 0.05). There was no excess of lung cancer in non-smokers and moderate smokers (< 20 pack-years) or the miners who worked only at the surface or underground for less than 20 years. A significant excess (SMR = 349, p < 0.001) was found in moderate smokers when they worked underground for between 20 and 29 years. Heavy smokers (over 30 pack-years) or subjects who worked underground for more than 30 years experienced a high risk: SMR = 478 (p < 0.001) for moderate smokers who worked underground for over 30 years; 588 (p < 0.001) for heavy smokers who worked underground for between 20 and 29 years; and 877 (p < 0.001) for heavy smokers who worked underground for over 30 years. This showed an interaction between smoking and occupational exposure. The excess mortality from lung cancer was because there were some subjects who died young (from 45 years old). Comparison with the results of a previous study showed that additional hazards produced by diesel engines and explosives increased the mortality from lung cancer. The SMR was higher than 400 (p < 0.001) from 45 years old instead of from 56 years. A relation was found between a decrease in vital capacity (VC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and of FEV1/VC and mortality from all causes and from lung cancer in heavy smokers or men who had worked underground for more than 20 years. Respiratory symptoms were related to mortality from lung cancer among smokers (moderate and heavy) who worked underground for more than 20 years. It is considered that the risk of lung cancer in the Lorraine iron miners was mainly due to dust, diesel engines, and explosives although the role of low exposure to radon daughters could not be totally excluded.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Mortality in retired coke oven plant workers.

A previous study on 536 retired coke oven plant workers in Lorraine Collieries (France) reported an excess of deaths from lung cancer (standardised mortality ratio (SMR) = 251) compared with the French male population. Occupational exposures during working life were retraced for each subject, but the number of deaths during the observation period (1963-82) was small, and smoking habits were known only for dead subjects. In 1988, the cohort was re-examined (182 deaths occurred between 1963 and 1987) and smoking habits were determined for all the subjects. This study confirmed the excess of lung cancer (SMR = 238, p < 0.001). It showed an excess of mortality from all causes (SMR = 141, p < 0.001), overall cancers (SMR = 133, p < 0.05), and cardiovascular diseases (SMR = 133, p < 0.05). A significant excess of deaths was found for subjects who worked near the ovens for all causes (145, p < 0.01), lung cancer (SMR = 252, p < 0.01), colon cancer (SMR = 381, p < 0.05), and cardiovascular diseases (SMR = 155, p < 0.05). A significant excess mortality was also found from all causes (176, p < 0.05) and stomach cancer (SMR = 538, p < 0.01) in subjects who worked in byproducts, from lung cancer (SMR = 433, p < 0.001) in those in the workshops, and from cirrhosis of the liver and alcoholism (SMR = 360, p < 0.01) in those underground; but, due to small numbers, these figures were not robust. An excess of mortality from all causes (SMR = 163, p<001), lung cancer (SMR = 228, p<0.05) and cardiovascular diseases (SMR = 179, p<0.01) was shown also for non-exposed or slightly exposed subjects. The fact that, on the whole, mortality of various exposed groups was similar to that of non-exposed or slightly exposed workers may be explained in part by the selection at hiring and the healthy worker effect. As an increased risk of lung cancer was noted among subjects who worked in the old generations of plant compared with the other workers (although the relative risk was not significant) it is concluded that the role of occupational hazards could not be excluded.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed1993

A mortality study among mild steel and stainless steel welders.

A mortality study was carried out in conjunction with the European mortality study among welders coordinated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The study was aimed at assessing risks for lung cancer in relation to exposure to asbestos, welding fumes containing chromium and nickel, and tobacco smoke. The study included a cohort of 2721 welders and an internal comparison group of 6683 manual workers employed in 13 factories in France. The mortality of the two cohorts was studied from 1975 to 1988 by the historical prospective method. Job histories of welders were traced including welding processes used, metals welded, and proportion of worktime spent in welding. Data on smoking habits were collected from medical records. The observed number of deaths were compared with those expected (standardised mortality ratio (SMR)) based on national rates with adjustments for age, sex, and calendar time. The smoking habits of 87% of the whole study population were known. The distribution of welders and controls according to smoking was not statistically different. The overall mortality was slightly higher for welders (SMR = 1.02, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.89-1.18) than for controls (SMR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.84-0.99). For lung cancer, the SMR was 1.24 (95% CI 0.75-1.94) for welders, whereas the corresponding value was lower for controls (SMR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.68-1.26). The SMR for lung cancer was 1.59 among non-shipyard mild steel welders (95% CI 0.73-3.02). This contrasted with the results for all stainless steel welders (SMR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.19-2.69), and for stainless steel welders predominantly exposed to chromium VI (SMR = 1.03, 95% CI 0.12-3.71). Moreover, SMRs for lung cancer for mild steel welders tended to increase with duration of exposure and time since first exposure, leading to significant excesses for duration > or = 20 years and latency > or = 20 years. Such a pattern was not found for stainless steel welders.

Asbestos↗
PubMed1993

[Work and sterility. State of epidemiological research].

Among the factors of man or woman sterility some of them may be due to occupation. The identification of these factors may be performed through epidemiological studies; the fertility indices taken into account and the epidemiological strategies used are briefly described. As examples the results of studies on man hypofertility induced by dibromochloropropane and ionising radiations are presented.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1992

Morbidity in retired coke oven plant workers.

The effect of past occupational exposure on morbidity was studied in 354 coke oven workers in Lorraine Collieries (France) who retired between 1963 and 1982, and were still alive in 1988; 96% of them participated in this study. Occupational exposure to respiratory hazards during the working life was retraced for each subject. No significant association between the occupational exposure and the frequency of ischemic cardiopathies, arterial hypertension, gastro-duodenal ulcers, and respiratory symptoms was revealed. However, subjects who had worked on the Ovens, in the Workshops, and in the Byproducts showed a prevalence of arterial hypertension significantly higher than the non- or slightly exposed subjects. The healthy worker effect phenomenon, the exclusion of deceased subjects, and the small size of this retiree population may conceal possible differences between exposure groups.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1992

Transient non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema following massive ingestion of ethylene glycol butyl ether.

A case of acute poisoning with ethylene glycol butyl ether (EGBE) is reported in a chronic alcohol abuser. On admission the 53-year-old patient was comatose with metabolic acidosis, shock, and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema confirmed by haemodynamic study. Following supportive treatment and haemodialysis the outcome was favorable. The relationship between respiratory failure and EGBE is examined.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1992

Lung function in retired coke oven plant workers.

Lung function was studied in 354 coke oven plant workers in the Lorraine collieries (Houillères du Bassin de Lorraine, France) who retired between 1963 and 1982 and were still alive on 1 January 1988. A spirometric examination was performed on 68.4% of them in the occupational health service. Occupational exposure to respiratory hazards throughout their career was retraced for each subject. No adverse effect of occupational exposure on ventilatory function was found. Ventilatory function was, however negatively linked with smoking and with the presence of a respiratory symptom or discrete abnormalities visible on pulmonary x ray films. The functional values were mostly slightly lower than predicted values and the most reduced index was the mean expiratory flow, FEF25-75%. The decrease in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was often parallel to that in forced vital capacity (FVC), but it was more pronounced for subjects who had worked underground, for smokers of more than 30 pack-years, and for subjects having a respiratory symptom. Pulmonary function indices were probably overestimated because of the exclusion of deceased subjects and the bias of the participants.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Epidemiology of respiratory hazards: recent advances.

A bibliographical review of epidemiological studies published over the last five years has led us to individualize the themes that have been the subject of most recent publications (Table I). These research themes are not new, which shows a certain continuity in epidemiological research on the respiratory risks of occupational origin. Few studies are devoted to the identification of unrecognized respiratory risks; nevertheless, the methodology used, the indicators of effects studies contribute to a better knowledge of the respiratory effects of known occupational exposure factors. Among these effects, exposure to asbestos, silica, isocyanates and organic dusts is frequently referred to in most publications. Smoking habits are more and more taken into consideration in these studies. The themes retained and the publications cited here are not exhaustive, and this bibliographical review does not pretend to represent a complete appraisal of recent developments of the epidemiological respiratory risks of occupational origin.

Asbestosis↗
PubMed1991

A study of the prevalence of acute respiratory disorders among workers in the textile industry.

An epidemiological study of 774 workers in seven eastern France cotton textile factories was conducted to determine the prevalence of acute respiratory disorders. From nine non-textile companies, 464 workers, stratified as to sex, age and tobacco consumption participated in the study as a control population. A questionnaire designed to elicit the respiratory symptoms (in particular the Monday tightness characterizing byssinosis) was administered to the 1238 workers. Peak-expiratory-flow (PEF) measurement was made for each subject, exposed and non-exposed, before the start of the shift on the day of the worker's return to work and repeated at the end of the shift. The PEF's variations during the workshift were studied. Present Monday tightness was mentioned by 48 cotton exposed workers (6.2%) and by 9 non-exposed (1.9%) (P less than 0.001). A 10% decrease in PEF during the shift was present in 63 cotton exposed workers (8.1%) and in 10 non-exposed (2.1%) (P less than 0.001). For the exposed population, Monday tightness was analysed using multiple logistic regression, showing an absence of a link with smoking, an increased occurrence after 20 years of exposure (OR = 7.3) and a link with current job (more frequent among those with the dustiest jobs) (OR = 4.9). The multiple logistic analysis of a 10% decrease in PEF showed effects of smoking habits (OR = 1.86). It also showed a link with "highly polluted job" history (OR = 2.7), but especially with present job (OR = 3.4). The absence of a constant link between Monday tightness and drop of the PEF was found.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Mortality study among workers producing ferroalloys and stainless steel in France.

A mortality study was carried out among the workers of a plant that had produced ferrochromium and stainless steel, and was still producing stainless steel, in order to determine whether exposure to chromium compounds, to nickel compounds, and to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) could result in a risk of lung cancer for the exposed workers. The cohort comprised 2269 men whose vital status were recorded between 1 January 1952 and 31 December 1982. The smoking habits of 67% of the cohort members were known from medical records. The observed numbers of deaths were compared with the expected ones based on national rates with adjustment for age, sex, and calendar time. A low mortality, achieving statistical significance, was found from all causes (observed = 137, standardised mortality ratio (SMR) = 0.82) and from benign respiratory diseases (observed = one, SMR = 0.15). With regard to mortality from lung cancer, a non-significant excess appeared in the whole cohort (observed = 12, SMR = 1.40). Among the exposed workers, however, a significant lung cancer excess was found (observed = 11, SMR = 2.04) that contrasted with a low SMR (0.32) in the non-exposed group. This excess is unlikely to be explained by smoking, as the tobacco consumption of these two groups was similar. No trend was observed for mortality from lung cancer either according to time since first exposure, or according to duration of exposure. A nested case-control study clearly suggested that this excess of deaths from lung cancer was attributable to former PAH exposures in the ferrochromium production workshops rather than to exposures in the stainless steel manufacturing areas.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1989

Arc welders' respiratory health evolution over five years.

The respiratory health of 138 arc welders and 106 control subjects in the same company was studied in 1981 and in 1986. Most of the subjects welded mild steel using the Metal Inert Gas (MIG) process. The controls were workers in the same company, not exposed to any known pulmonary risk. The welders and controls in the analysis had not changed their professional activity nor their smoking habits during these five years. The examinations consisted of a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms, a thoracic auscultation, a chest X-ray and lung function tests: flow-volume curve and steady state CO transfer test. The examinations in 1986 confirmed the risk of non specific radiological impairment (pulmonary reticulo-micronodulation) and of obstruction in the small bronchi, which had already been observed in 1981 in the arc welders in this company. These impairments did not seem to have evolved more than in the controls, but do however justify regular surveillance of the respiratory health of arc welders.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Respiratory hazards in hard metal workers: a cross sectional study.

A cross sectional study was conducted on 513 employees at three hard metal plants: 425 exposed workers (351 men, 74 women) and 88 controls (69 men, 19 women). Cough and sputum were more frequent in workers engaged in "soft powder" and presintering workshops compared with controls (12.5% and 16.5% v 3.5%). Spirometric abnormalities were more frequent among women in sintering and finishing workshops compared with control women (56.8% v 23.8%) and abnormalities of carbon monoxide test were more frequent in exposed groups than in controls; this difference was more pronounced in women (31.4% v 5.6%) than in men (18.5% v 13%). No significant correlation was observed between duration of exposure and age adjusted lung function tests. Slight abnormalities of chest radiographs (0/1, 1/1 according to ILO classification) were more frequent in exposed men than controls (12.8% v 1.9%) and mostly in soft powder workers. In subjects with abnormal chest radiographs FVC, FEV1 and carbon monoxide indices (fractional uptake of CO or CO transfer index or both) were lower compared with those with normal chest radiographs. Although relatively mild, the clinical, radiological, and functional abnormalities uncovered call for a regular supervision of workers exposed to hard metal dust.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Risk of lung, larynx, pharynx and buccal cavity cancers among carbon electrode manufacturing workers.

Among workers employed in factories producing carbon graphite products the risk of cancer due to exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was estimated. In one cohort (plant A), a cancer incidence study was carried out; the number of cases were not significantly increased for lung cancers [7 cases, standardized incidence ratio (SIR) 79] or for cancers of the upper respiratory and alimentary tract (10 cases, SIR 103). In another cohort (plant B), a mortality study was carried out; neither the mortality from lung cancer [13 deaths, standardized mortality ratio (SMR) 118] nor that from upper respiratory and alimentary tract cancers (10 deaths, SMR 125) was significantly higher than expected. Within each cohort, a case-referent study was carried out. In plant A the odds ratios were high but nonsignificant for lung cancers (odds ratio 3.42) and upper respiratory and alimentary tract cancers (odds ratio 2.19) and they showed a nonsignificant relationship with duration of exposure. In plant B, the odds ratios were low for every cancer site.

Carbon↗
PubMed1989

[Congenital malformations and socio-occupational status].

A case-control study was conducted in a maternity hospital, in order to look for the relationships between the occurrence of birthdefects and the socio-occupational status of the parents. Cases were 189 new-born children with one or several congenital malformations diagnosed at birth or within the first 8 days of the life. Birthdefects were listed according to the British Paediatric Association classification of diseases. Controls were 5,896 new-born children without any congenital malformation detected within the first 8 days of life. Cases and controls were all children born in the same maternity hospital, between 1980 and 1983. The socio-occupational status (INSEE classification) of the parents of cases and controls was ascertained within the first trimester of the pregnancy, before a possible congenital malformation was known. In order to look for the relationships between the socio-occupational status of the parents and the occurrence of birthdefects, we compared the proportions, in each of the socio-occupational classes, of the fathers and of the mothers of cases and controls. These comparisons (for all birthdefects together and for the most frequent ones) were tested using the chi-square test, when the expected number was greater than 5, and the Fischer's test, when it was equal to, or lower than 5. The incidence rate of birthdefects in this sample was 3,1%. Their distribution according to the types of malformations did not differ from that observed in 1982 among the new-borns in Paris. There was no significant difference between the parents of cases and controls, for: age, degree of instruction, ethnic origin, marital status.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗
PubMed1989

Chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes of welders and characterization of their exposure by biological samples analysis.

Chromosomal aberrations in cultured lymphocytes obtained from 55 welders and 55 matched controls were analyzed. Depending on the welding techniques and the nature of the consumables and metals welded, three separate groups of welders were examined. Chromium, nickel, and manganese levels in serum and urine were measured to assess the exposure to welding fumes. A statistically significant increase of chromosomal aberrations was found in one of the three analyzed groups of welders. This group used the semi-automatic metal active gas welding process with cored wire containing nickel for welding mild steel. These welders had significantly higher concentrations of serum and urine manganese and, unlike the other welders, significantly elevated concentrations of nickel, both in serum and urine. However, no significant correlations between nickel or manganese levels and the frequency of chromosomal aberrations were found. There was a significant correlation between the length of welding employment of these welders and the frequency of chromosomal breaks, although there was no significant correlation between age and the frequency of chromosomal aberrations. The other two groups of welders, for which the analyses of biologic fluids proved chromium and manganese exposure, had no statistically significant higher frequency of chromosomal aberrations. One of these groups used the manual metal arc welding process with coated electrodes for welding mainly mild steel and the other group used the tungsten inert gas welding process for welding stainless steel. A significant correlation between the daily amount of cigarettes smoked and the frequency of chromosomal breakages, in controls as in welders, was observed. The present data indicate that certain welding processes may generate fumes that seem to have a clastogenic activity.

Adult↗