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Biomedical subjects

V E Rose

Publications and source records attributed to V E Rose.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Beyond air quality--factors that affect prevalence estimates of sick building syndrome.

If the prevalence of sick building syndrome (SBS) is estimated before intervention begins, then a reduction in the estimate may later be used to measure success of the intervention, and in particular, those efforts toward improving air quality. However, the measure of success will be distorted if factors other than air quality affect the SBS prevalence estimate. In this study the background prevalence of SBS was estimated and study factors identified that alone affected the estimate. Two symptom questionnaires were randomly administered to workers from 39 offices before routine physical examinations; one questionnaire described the SBS study, the other did not. SBS was defined as a symptom in the prior 24-hour or 7-day recall period that was more severe at work and not related to suspected confounders--allergy, cold, flu. Prevalence and prevalence ratios were estimated along with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Symptoms were reported by 45% of 1088 workers surveyed, but most reported them as more severe outside work or related them to confounders. SBS prevalence was 5%. It was 3.2 times higher (95% CI: 1.8, 5.7) among workers cognizant of the study relative to those blinded, 2.2 times higher (95% CI: 1.2, 4.1) for the 7-day relative to the 24-hour recall period, and 2.5 times higher (95% CI: 1.4, 5.0) for females. SBS prevalence did not differ by workday or age. Since study factors alone affected prevalence estimates, a standardized assessment method seems necessary for SBS.

Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic↗
PubMed1990

Identification of faceseal leak sites on a half-mask respirator.

A method has been developed to identify the location and shape of respirator faceseal leak sites by the deposition of a fluorescent tracer. An aerosol generation, conditioning, and exposure system to provide a test environment with stable aerosol concentration and size distribution of 4-methyl-7-diethylaminocoumarin was designed and tested. Faceseal leak sites on a respirator mounted on a mannequin and worn by human subjects were identified by deposition of the tracer aerosol and subsequent observation under long-wave ultraviolet lighting. Test parameters were identified for the optimal definition of leaks. Photographic techniques were developed to document the identified leak sites.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

An evaluation of the K2 asbestos screening test.

The predictive ability of the K2 Asbestos Screening Test was determined by comparing the results obtained with the test and confirming analysis by polarizing light microscopy on 90 bulk insulation samples. The test yielded 38.9% true positives, 4.4% true negatives, 56.7% false positives and 0% false negatives. The proportion of false positives was significantly different from that reported by the researchers who developed the test and found that the test would not yield false positives. The results of this study are similar to those reported in a previous evaluation of the test. It was concluded that the screening test is not an effective screening tool because of the high proportion of false positives, as reflected by marginal values of specificity and positive predictive value. It was noted that problems with the test might result from failure of the wash steps to adequately remove positive interferences apparently associated with gypsum and mineral wool. Problems in interpreting color changes were noted also.

Alabama↗
PubMed1985

The practice of industrial hygiene: Role Delineation Analysis American Board of Industrial Hygiene.

To better assure that the content of the American Board of Industrial Hygiene's Core and Comprehensive Practice Examinations are reflective of the current practice of the profession, the Board conducted a validation of their test specifications. The validation effort involved development of Domains of Practice, i.e. Recognition, Evaluation, Control, and for Comprehensive Practice, Management. Within each domain, Task Statements and the associated knowledge and skills necessary to successfully complete the task were identified. This overall "role delineation" was submitted to a random sample of 200 Certified Industrial Hygienists who were asked to identify the relative importance of each Domain and each Task and identify the percent of time and industrial hygienist might devote to each. An excellent response rate of 68.5% was achieved and provided ABIH with sets of weights for each Domain and Task Statement. These weights will be used by the ABIH to update future versions of the two examinations with initial influence in 1986 followed by a greater impact in 1987.

Certification↗
PubMed1983

A tracer method for quantifying contamination of building supply air: reentrainment of laboratory hood exhausts.

A method is described for quantifying the reentrainment of exhaust air contaminants into a building's fresh-air supply system. The method relies on the "tracer" gas, sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), which Is detected by infrared (IR) absorption analysis. This method of analysis differs from the conventional gas chromatography, electron capture detection method due to the MIRAN-1 A's portability, direct-reading capabilities, ease of operation and modest cost. Specific instrument settings for the MIRAN-1 A are given such that detection of SF6 will be optimized without interference. Calculations for quantifying reentrainment are presented and discussed for the "worst case" reentrainment observed.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed1983

An assessment of the Environmental Protection Agency's asbestos hazard evaluation algorithm.

We performed an exploratory evaluation of the Environmental Protection Agency's algorithm for assessment of risk of exposure to asbestos in buildings. Observers scored five sites using the algorithm. One group (N = 23) conducted their assessments relying only on written instructions, while another (N = 20) was trained in the use of the algorithm. Five professional industrial hygienists, experienced in risk assessment, also used the algorithm on the same sites. A wide range of highly variable results, for both untrained and trained observers coupled with poor comparability with expert's scores raise concern as to the reliability of this assessment tool. The development of a valid and reliable "lay" index of risk is still needed.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Occupational health priorities for health standards: the current NIOSH approach.

Government agencies responsible for protecting the public from the adverse effects of toxic chemicals must set priorities for research, regulatory action, protocol testing, and monitoring due to the vast number of toxic chemicals and the limited resources available to these agencies. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) must set priorities for research on hazards encountered in the workplace. Priorities are also utilized by NIOSH in preparing criteria for recommended occupational standards which are forwarded to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Department of Labor, for possible promulgation. For various reasons, including rapidly changing conditions in the American workplace, NIOSH has instituted a revised priorities program. In the future, NIOSH research and recommended standards activities will focus not only on individual chemicals, but also on industries, occupations, chemical classes, and general industrial processes. NIOSH has also implemented a new program which will allow recommended control procedures for certain chemicals to be forwarded to OSHA in a shorter time period than has been experienced previously.

Humans↗