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R Sokas

Publications and source records attributed to R Sokas.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Surveillance of sentinel occupational mortality in the District of Columbia: 1980 to 1987.

Epidemiological surveillance of sentinel occupationally related deaths commonly relies on computerized analyses of mortality data obtained from vital statistics records. A computer search of death records in the District of Columbia for the period 1980 to 1987 identified 15 cases that noted asbestosis, silicosis, coal worker's pneumoconiosis, or primary cancer of the pleura/mesothelioma as the underlying cause of death. A manual review of the death certificates for the same period identified three times as many cases (n = 48) with any mention of these conditions. Problems with performing surveillance of these events using death certificates include the lack of sufficient information to identify mesotheliomas and the failure to code and computerize all contributing causes of death.

Abstracting and Indexing↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Development of multiple chemical sensitivity after an outbreak of sick-building syndrome.

Investigation of this outbreak raises some important points for future research. Although for various reasons the case ascertainment for MCS was not complete, the three MCS patients described here all had preexisting conditions that may have put them at risk. In addition, one person among the 20 described had chronic fatigue syndrome but did not develop MCS. Many of the persons described here continue to have ongoing complaints that are not MCS. Significant exacerbation of preexisting allergic disease and new onset of asthma occurred among those patients. As a group, they did not recover completely after the outbreak; several are no longer working in the building but in alternative work spaces. An important distinction should be made between individuals who met the definition used here for MCS and others who had significant exacerbation of some better-defined illness brought on by building conditions. New onset of MCS was a partial but not complete explanation of the clinical course for this group of 20 persons.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical experiences: development of a medical surveillance protocol for hazardous waste workers.

Medical surveillance of hazardous waste workers is essential for the health of these workers, who have unique, complex exposures. In order for this preventive tool to be effective, the supervising and/or examining physician must be educated about the specific health risks of hazardous waste workers and also must perform a comprehensive examination. Results of testing should be evaluated both for remarkable abnormalities as well as longitudinal subtle changes in individuals, and also for trends in workers with similar exposures. Fitness for duty determinations should be then made with appropriate communication of abnormalities and follow-up recommendations to both employers and employees. To date, clinical and research findings from clinical centers performing surveillance examinations on hazardous waste workers have not revealed remarkable abnormalities related to their potential exposures. The possible causes for these results include: (1) the workers have been well protected; (2) the current diagnostic methodologies are not sensitive enough to detect pathophysiologic changes; and (3) disease may not yet be manifest due to latency or cumulative effects of long-term low-dose exposure. In addition, one must keep in mind that previous clinical and research data were collected from test results of workers who were mainly involved in feasibility, as opposed to remediation, activities. With the prospective change of more clean-up involvement of hazardous waste workers, their potential for exposure may increase. Therefore, periodic collaborative evaluation of existing surveillance programs' results (e.g., every 5 years) is advised. This would allow determination of the efficacy of the current diagnostic methods in detecting disease, as well as the possible inclusion of more sensitive and/or specific newer technologies for use on a more routine basis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗