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PubMed2004

Mortality among a cohort of uranium mill workers: an update.

AIMS: To evaluate the mortality experience of 1484 men employed in seven uranium mills in the Colorado Plateau for at least one year on or after 1 January 1940. METHODS: Vital status was updated through 1998, and life table analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Mortality from all causes and all cancers was less than expected based on US mortality rates. A statistically significant increase in non-malignant respiratory disease mortality and non-significant increases in mortality from lymphatic and haematopoietic malignancies other than leukaemia, lung cancer, and chronic renal disease were observed. The excess in lymphatic and haematopoietic cancer mortality was due to an increase in mortality from lymphosarcoma and reticulosarcoma and Hodgkin's disease. Within the category of non-malignant respiratory disease, mortality from emphysema and pneumoconioses and other respiratory disease was increased. Mortality from lung cancer and emphysema was higher among workers hired prior to 1955 when exposures to uranium, silica, and vanadium were presumably higher. Mortality from these causes of death did not increase with employment duration. CONCLUSIONS: Although the observed excesses were consistent with our a priori hypotheses, positive trends with employment duration were not observed. Limitations included the small cohort size and limited power to detect a moderately increased risk for some outcomes of interest, the inability to estimate individual exposures, and the lack of smoking data. Because of these limitations, firm conclusions about the relation of the observed excesses in mortality and mill exposures are not possible.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Occupational exposure to methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) at an oil refinery].

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is widely used as an additive to gasoline, to increase oxygen content and reduce tailpipe emission of carbon monoxide. Our research dealt with 37 refinery workers in order to measure their occupational exposure to MTBE during two different seasonal periods. They provided blood and urine samples before and after a work shift during which they wore an active charcoal sampler for solvents. All samples were analysed by a gas-chromatograph equipped with a mass spectrometer detector. The concentration in air of MTBE was very low (median: 25 micrograms/m3 in spring and 5 micrograms/m3 in autumn). The blood and urine concentrations of MTBE at the end of the work shift were higher than those found before the shift. The increment in biological samples confirmed a small intake of MTBE by refinery workers: the biological monitoring of occupational exposure to this solvent yielded reliable results. Blood and urinary concentrations of MTBE obtained from workers split in relation to their smoking habit did not give a statistic significance to say that cigarette smoke is not a confusion factor in monitoring exposure to MTBE.

Extraction and Processing Industry↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Africa in my heart].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2004

[Return-to-work strategies in Statoil Forpleining].

BACKGROUND: Since 1997, the catering department at Statoil, a Norwegian oil company, has worked systematically in order to facilitate employees' ability to avoid sick leaves and return to work after illness, and to improve their ability to cope with the challenges entailed in their work. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All employees in the catering department were sent a questionnaire about how they felt about their working environment. Sick leave data from Statoil and from Statistic Norway were collected. RESULTS: From 1997, sick leaves in catering have declined by 8%. 60% of employees and 90% of managers say that the physical as well as the psychosocial working environments have improved because of the programme described in this article. INTERPRETATION: Better support from co-workers and supervisors has created a more positive culture in the workplace.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Mortality updates (1970-1997) of two refinery/petrochemical plant cohorts at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Baytown, Texas.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this retrospective cohort study is to update mortality experience at refinery/petrochemical plant facilities in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Baytown, Texas. METHODS: Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated for 1970-1997 based on death rates in the respective states. RESULTS: SMRs are near or below unity for most causes of death. Among elevations, Baton Rouge has an SMR of 2.42 (95% CI = 1.16-4.45) for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, 1.58 (95% CI = 1.17-2.08) for hypertension with heart disease, and 1.47 (95% CI = 0.98-2.11) for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Baytown has an SMR of 2.13 (95% CI = 1.10-3.73) for acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) and 3.11 (95% CI = 1.01-7.26) for unspecified brain/spinal cord neoplasms. The above findings pertain to pre-1950 hires and exhibit no apparent job-related patterns. Both cohorts have approximately twofold increases in mesothelioma deaths, similar to the last update, with most decedents having held maintenance jobs. CONCLUSIONS: Periodic examination of mortality patterns has an important role in assessing overall employee health status and identifying potential areas of increased risk. Mortality surveillance will continue to monitor these outcomes among more recent workers.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Psychophysiological professional selection of drilling technicians who provide the sinking of oil wells].

To protect health and to warn future workers against the choice of a petroleum job that was not in accord with their psychological and physiological features of their organism, studies (such as sanitary and psychophysiological ones) were conducted to create criteria for the professional selection of drilling technicians who provided the sinking of oil wells. The studies have been systematized and mathematically analyzed. This made it possible to reveal the significant psychophysiological properties (8 parameters) in a drilling technician. By taking into account these properties, the author derived a linear equation that estimates the fitness of a candidate for a job as a drilling technician.

Data Interpretation, Statistical↗
PubMed2005

Investigation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from coal gasification.

The hazardous organic pollutants generated from coal gasification, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs), are highly mutagenic and carcinogenic. More researchers have paid particular attention to them. Using air and steam as gasification medium, the experiments of three kinds of coals were carried out in a bench-scale atmospheric fluidized bed gasifier. The contents of the 16 PAHs specified by US EPA in raw coal, slag, bag house coke, cyclone coke and gas were measured by HPLC to study the contents of PAHs in raw coal and the effects of the inherent characters of coals on the formation and release of PAHs in coal gasification. The experimental results showed that the distributions of PAHs in the gasified products are similar to raw coals and the total-PAHs content in coal gasification is higher than in raw coal(except Coal C). The total-PAHs contents increase and then decrease with the rise of fixed carbon and sulfur of coal while there has an opposite variation when volatile matters content increase. The quantities of PAHs reduce with the increase of ash content or the drop of heating value during coal gasification.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2004

[Influence of extraction methods on the composition of essential oils].

The aim of this work is to demonstrate our results on comparison of composition of essential oil fractions obtained by traditional steam distillation and supercritical fluid extraction. The plant materials for the various extraction methods were selected from the Lamiaceae, Apiaceae and Asteraceae families. For the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) carbon dioxide was used as supercritical solvent. The extracts were collected by stage wise precipitation in two separators. The waxy product and extract rich in essential oil were collected in the 1st and in the 2nd separator respectively. The traditional water steam distillation (SD) was carried out in the special apparatus of the Hungarian Pharmacopoea (7th ed.). GC analysis was carried out on capillary silica fused columns coated with DB-1701 and the specific chiral columns coated with Rt-beta DEX m or Rt-beta DEX sm. Comparing the composition of steam distilled oils with that of volatile SFE fractions the following general characteristics were established. The SFE fractions were richer in monoterpene-esters and poorer in alcohols than the traditional essential oils (clary sage, lavander, moldavian dragonhead). Regarding the distribution of the monoterpene and sesquiterpene compounds, the SFE fractions contained sesquiterpenes in higher percentage than the distilled oils (Salvia fruticosa). Furthermore, the proportion of sesquiterpenes increased in SFE fractions collected successively with time (Salvia officinalis) similar to the ratio of oxygenated monoterpenes to monoterpene hydrocarbons (Rosmarinus officinalis). The phtalides of lovage (Satureja hortensis) did not show regular change during the supercritical extraction. In other cases it was verified that part of the mono- and sesquiterpenes were present originally in bound form (glycosides) in plants. Thus they appeared only in essential oil fractions after previous acidic treatment (Thymus, Origanum, Satureja species). During the super-critical extraction the azulenogene sesquiterpene lactones did not transform to azulenes (chamomile, yarrow), but SFE fractions of some Asteraceae plants contained sesquiterpene-gamma-lactones of unchanged structure.

Apiaceae↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Biochemical and haematological assessment of workers exposed to some petroleum products in Enugu Urban, Enugu State, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to petroleum product(s) occurs during extraction, refining, transportation and utilisation. Surprisingly, this relatively common hazard has received little public recognition. We therefore studied the adverse effects of petroleum products among occupationally exposed liquefied petroleum gas and histochemical workers in Enugu Urban, Nigeria. METHODS: Eight industries/departments were surveyed. Sixty workers were tested for some biochemical and haematological parameters (phosphatases, transaminases, complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate), were analysed, using standard methods. Also, 30 age and sex-matched apparently healthy subjects served as the control group. RESULTS: When the test and control results were compared, there were statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in: (1) haematocrit, reticulocytes, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, platelet, lymphocyte, monocyte, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase among liquefied petroleum gas workers and (2) haemoglobin, haematocrit, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, platelets, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocytes, acid phosphatases and alkaline phosphatase among histochemical workers. Overall, there was statistically significant decrease (p < 0.05) in most of the parameters among the test subjects when compared with the control group. Blood films of the workers revealed mild to moderate hypochromia, anisocytosis and poikilocytosis while the controls were normocytic and normochromic. CONCLUSION: We conclude that exposure to petroleum products adversely affects biochemical and haematological parameters. Hence, improved working conditions are recommended.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

An assessment of high risk sexual behaviour and HIV transmission among migrant oil workers in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: A cross--sectional behavioural survey undertaken amongst migrant oil-workers of an oil exploration outfit operating in the Niger-Delta of Nigeria with the aim of assessing the interplay of migrancy, high-risk sexual behaviour and HIV transmission. METHOD: A total of 300 randomly selected migrant oil workers were assessed using structured questionnaires to evaluate key high - risk sexual behavioral parameters such as multiplicity of sexual partners, bisexuality (closet homosexuality), high grade sexual behaviour and lesbianism. Sampling period was two months with a control cohort of 200. RESULT: The prevalence of high risk sexual behaviour (HRSB) amongst the migrant oil workers was found to be 7.7% while low-risk sexual behaviour (LRSB) was 92.3%. There was no record of HRSB in the control group. We did not also encounter any lesbian sexual orientation in this study. The distribution of HRSB amongst the migrant oil workers showed that the commonest variety was bisexuality (closet homosexuality) with 10(43.5%) followed by high-risk sexual behaviour 7(30.4%), while the least common was multiplicity of sexual partners with 6 (26.1%). Furthermore, majority of these individuals 19 (82.6%) were above the age of 35 years. The index of condom-use and acceptance was high. Here 14 (60.9%) found condom-use convenient while 13 (56.5%) regularly used the condom. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the existence of HRSB among migrant oil workers in the Niger delta. It is therefore advisable to focus interventionist and prevention programmes on this group which appear to be pivotal in the transmission and spread of HIV/AIDS in this environment.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1997

Comparison of the mutagenicity of chemical agents released during coke production.

Benzene- and acetone-extracted samples of airborne particulate matter collected in two coke plants were analysed for their content of genotoxic agents (coal tar pitch volatiles (CTPVs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): benzo/a/pyrene, pyrene, dibenzo/a,h/anthracene, anthracene and fluoranthene) following the identification and quantification of the compounds as well as the evaluation of their mutagenic activity using in vitro reverse mutation assay. Results of determinations at the top section of coke batteries were compared. Mean concentrations of total dust, CTPVs and B/a/P were as follows: 2.06 mg/m3, 0.63 micrograms/m3 in plant A, and 2.77 mg/m3, 0.89 mg/m3 and 0.35 micrograms/m3 in plant B, respectively. All the extracts of particulate matter samples increased the induction of bacterial mutation in both +S9 and -S9 tests. The exposures to mutagenic airborne particulate matter were in the range of 98-683 rev./m3 (-S9): 714-2214 rev./m3 (+S9) in plant A, and 21-496 rev./m3 (-S9); 68-850 rev./m3 (+S9) in plant B. The correlation between mutagenic potential and concentrations of tested agents was insignificant. The coke oven emission seemed to be higher in plant A with side charging of coal.

Extraction and Processing Industry↗
PubMed1979

Levels of benzo(a)pyrene in oil shale industry wastes, some bodies of water in the Estonian S.S.R. and in water organisms.

Data on the content of benzo(a)pyrene (BP) in oil shale industry wastewater, the effectiveness of various effluent treatment processes (evaporation, extraction with butyl acetate, trickling filters, aeration tanks) in reducing the level of BP in oil shale wastewater, the level of BP in various bodies of water of Estonia, and in fish and other water organisms are reviewed. The quantitative determination of BP in concentrated diethyl ether extracts of water samples was carried out by ultraviolet and spectroluminescence procedures by use of the quasi-linear spectra at -196 degrees C in solid paraffins. It has been found that oil shale industry wastewater contains large amounts of BP. The most efficient purification process for removing the BP in oil shale industry phenol water is extraction with butyl acetate. The level of BP in the rivers of the oil shale industry area is comparatively higher than in other bodies of water of the Republic. The concentration of BP in the lakes of the Estonian S.S.R. is on the whole insignificant. Even the maximum concentration found in our lakes is as a rule less than the safety limit for BP in bodies of water (0.005 microgram/l). During water is treated at the waterworks. The effectiveness of the water treatment in reducing the level of BP varies from 11 to 88%. Filtration was found to be the most effective treatment. About 20 samples of fish from nine bodies of water in Estonia have been analyzed for content of BP. The average content of BP in the muscular tissue of various species of fish is as a rule less than 1 microgram/kg. There is no significant difference in the concentration of BP in sea and freshwater fish. There is no important difference in the content of BP in the organs of various fish. Fat fish contain more BP than lean ones. The weight (age) of fish does not influence the content of BP in the muscular tissue of fish.

Animals↗