PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

N Hallin

Publications and source records attributed to N Hallin.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Occupational sunlight exposure and cancer incidence among Swedish construction workers.

We studied sunlight exposure from outdoor work in relation to cancer, using data from 323,860 men participating in an occupational health service program of the Swedish construction industry. An experienced industrial hygienist assessed the exposure for 200 job tasks. We estimated relative risks (RRs) adjusted for age, smoking, and magnetic field exposure. There was an increased RR in the high-exposure group for myeloid leukemia [RR = 2.0, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.1-3.6] and lymphocytic leukemia (RR = 1.7, 95% CI = 0.9-3.2). For non-Hodgkin's lymphoma there was a 30% increase in risk in the high-exposure group (95% CI = 0.9-1.9). There was no increased risk of malignant melanoma, except for tumors of the head, face, and neck in the high-exposure group (RR = 2.0, 95% CI = 0.8-5.2), and we also found an increased risk for malignant melanoma of the eye in this group (RR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.1-10.5). Outdoor workers had no increased risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Nevertheless, the RR for lip cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) among the high-exposure group was estimated at 1.8 (95% CI = 0.8-3.7). Among other sites, an increased risk of stomach cancer was suggested in this group (RR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.0-1.9). The results for lymphoma, leukemia, and possibly also for stomach cancer might reflect a suppression of the immune system from ultraviolet light in outdoor workers.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Impact of exposure to insulation wool on lung function and cough in Swedish construction workers.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether application of insulation wool adversely affects lung volumes and increases the occurrence of symptoms of airway irritation. METHODS: Data from nationwide health check ups in 1981-93 of male construction workers born in 1955 or later were used to investigate cross sectional (n = 96,004) and longitudinal (n = 26,298) associations between lung volumes, vital capacity (VC), and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and exposure to insulation wool by combining a job exposure matrix (JEM) and self reported exposure. Data on 12 month prevalence of persistent cough not associated with the common cold was available for the period 1989-92. Potential confounding from smoking, exposure to asbestos, silica, and isocyanates, was considered in the analyses. RESULTS: For those in the highest exposure category (self reported duration of exposure of > or = 11 years, and high exposure according to the JEM) VC was on average 2.5 cl lower (95% CI -6.5 to 1.5) than in those with no exposure. The corresponding figures for FEV1 was -2.4 cl (95% CI -6.1 to 1.3). In the longitudinal analyses, the yearly change in VC between the first and last spirometry for those in the highest exposure category was 0.50 cl (95% CI -0.97 to 1.98) less than in the unexposed category. The corresponding figure for FEV1 was 0.89 cl (95% CI - 0.70 to 2.06). High exposure to insulation wool, asbestos, or silica, during the 12 months preceding the check up was associated with increased odds ratios (ORs) for persistent cough of the same magnitude as current smoking. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate no effects on VC or FEV1 from exposure to insulation wool. Recent exposure to insulation wool, asbestos, and silica was associated with an increased prevalence of persistent cough.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Does long-term concrete work cause silicosis?

The machining of cast concrete often produces heavy exposure to respirable silica dust. Work with concrete in general results in considerably less exposure, however, and only a few cases of silicosis due to work with concrete have been reported. Telephone interviews with detailed questions on occupational history were made with 271 construction workers specializing in concrete work for more than 20 years, and exposure data were evaluated for different work tasks. The mean cumulative exposure of subjects to silica was estimated to be 2.4 mg.years.m-3. Chest radiographs were classified according to the International Labour Office classification. There was no suspicion of silicosis for any of the workers. The risk of contracting silicosis from work with concrete in the Swedish construction industry in recent decades is considered to be slight and does not justify general, periodic chest radiographic screening.

Construction Materials↗