Biomedical subjects

Ruth Hershler

Publications and source records attributed to Ruth Hershler.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Cancer and occupational exposure to pentachlorophenol and tetrachlorophenol (Canada).

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to assess the carcinogenicity of pentachlorophenol and tetrachlorophenol using data from the BC sawmill workers cohort study. METHODS: The cohort consisted of 27,464 men employed by 14 sawmills for 1 year or more between 1950 and 1995. Fatal (1950-1995) and incident (1969-1995) cancers were identified using national registries. Plant records and systematic interviews with senior employees were used to estimate dermal exposure. Comparisons were made with the general BC population and dose-response relationships were assessed using Poisson regression. RESULTS: There were 1,495 fatal cancer and 2,571 incident cancers. There were no large or statistically significant excesses of any of the specific cancers were observed compared to the general population. Internal analyses showed strong dose-response relationships for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and kidney cancer. These relationships were strongest when exposure was restricted to pentachlorophenol. The strength of the dose-response increased when exposure was lagged by 20 years. CONCLUSIONS: Dermal exposure to pentachlorophenol was associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and kidney cancer, but not with other cancers of a priori interest.

British Columbia↗

PubMed2004

A longitudinal study comparing the effort-reward imbalance and demand-control models using objective measures of physician utilization.

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to compare the predictive validity of the demand-control and effort-reward imbalance models using objective measures of physician utilization. METHODS: Self-reports for psychosocial work conditions were obtained in interviews with 1,028 workers using the demand-control and effort-reward imbalance models. Physician utilization outcomes were obtained through linkage to the British Columbia Linked Health Database. Outcomes were any visit to a physician for mental health reasons and 30 or more physician visits for any reason. The predictive validity of both models was compared in a longitudinal study using logistic regression. RESULTS: Neither job strain nor effort-reward imbalance predicted either outcome. However, low esteem reward and low status control increased the risk for 30 or more physician visits by, respectively, approximately 60% and 30%. CONCLUSIONS: In a sample of middle-aged blue-collar current and ex-sawmill workers in Western Canada, followed prospectively, after controlling for sociodemographic and workplace confounders, and reducing the potential for adverse health selection into high-stress jobs, low esteem reward and low status control were associated with a significantly greater risk for 30 or more physician visits for any reason.

Adult↗