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PubMed1998

Risk for prostate cancer by occupation and industry: a 24-state death certificate study.

Current knowledge of the etiology of prostate cancer is limited. Numerous studies have suggested that certain occupations and industries may be associated with the occurrence of prostate cancer. Information on occupation and industry on death certificates from 24 states gathered from 1984 to 1993 was used in case control study on prostate cancer. A total of 60,878 men with prostate cancer as underlying cause of death was selected and matched with controls who died of all other causes except cancer. Similar to the findings of our parallel large case control study of prostate cancer, we observed excess risks in some white-collar occupations, such as administrators, managers, teachers, engineers, and sales occupations. However, some blue-collar occupations, such as power plant operators and stationary engineers, brickmasons, machinery maintenance workers, airplane pilots, longshoreman, railroad industry workers, and other occupations with potential exposure to PAH also showed risk of excess prostate cancer. Risk was significantly decreased for blue-collar occupations, including farm workers, commercial fishermen, mechanics and repairers, structural metal workers, mining, printing, winding, dry cleaning, textile machine operators, cooks, bakers, and bartenders. Although we observed excess risks of prostate cancer among some low socioeconomic status (SES) occupations, the overall results suggest that the effects of higher SES cannot be ruled out in associations between occupational factors and the risk of prostate cancer.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Benzene and total hydrocarbon exposures in the upstream petroleum oil and gas industry.

Occupational exposures to benzene and total hydrocarbons (THC) in the Canadian upstream petroleum industry are described in this article. A total of 1547 air samples taken by 5 oil companies in various sectors (i.e., conventional oil/gas, conventional gas, heavy oil processing, drilling and pipelines) were evaluated and summarized. The data includes personal long- and short-term samples and area long-term samples. The percentage of samples over the occupational exposure limit (OEL) of 3.2 mg/m3 or one part per million for benzene, for personal long-term samples ranges from 0 to 0.7% in the different sectors, and area long-term samples range from 0 to 13%. For short-term personal samples, the exceedance for benzene is at 5% with respect to the OEL of 16 mg/m3 or five parts per million in the conventional gas sector and none in the remaining sectors. THC levels were not available for all sectors and had limited data points in others. The percentage exceedance of the OEL of 280 mg/m3 or 100 parts per million for THC as gasoline ranged from 0 to 2.6% for personal long-term samples. It is recommended that certain operations such as glycol dehydrators be carefully monitored and that a task-based monitoring program be included along with the traditional long- and short-term personal exposure sampling.

Benzene↗
PubMed2002

Inpatient hospital care for back disorders in relation to industry and occupation in Finland.

OBJECTIVES: The variation in hospital admission rates was studied for back disorders by industry and occupational title among gainfully employed Finns. METHODS: Admissions to Finnish hospitals in 1996 among 25- to 64-year-olds, based on the Hospital Discharge Register, were linked with sociodemographic data from the 1995 population census for the following primary diagnoses [International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10)]: all back disorders (M40.0-54.9; N (individual patients) 7,253), lumbar intevertebral disc disorders (M51.0-M51.9, N = 3,863), and other common back disorders (ICD-10: M47.1-47.2, M47.8-47.9, M48.0, M54.1, M54.3-54.5, M54.8-54.9; N = 2,433), with the total occupationally active workforce (same age range and gender) as reference. Age-standardized hospitalization rate ratios (SRR) were calculated. RESULTS: The highest SRR values for hospitalization for any back disorder were found for fishing (SRR 195), "other" mining and carrying (SRR 168), and sewage and refuse disposal (SRR 152) among the men and water transport (SRR 158), wood product (SRR 149) and pulp, paper and paper product (SRR 145) manufacturing among the women. Computer activities (SRR 44) among the men and insurance and pension funding (SRR49) among the women had the lowest SRR values. The occupations reindeer breeders and herders (SRR 495), agricultural workers (SRR 232), and paper product workers (SRR 205) among the men and plastic product (SRR 233), laundry (SRR 224), and agricultural (SRR 219) workers among the women had the highest SRR values. The lowest SRR values were observed for upper white-collar employees in public administration [men (SRR 40) and women (SRR 61)]. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalization rates for back disorders were high for several physically strenuous industries and occupations.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Suicide mortality in the United States: differentials by industrial and occupational groups.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate variations in the risk of suicide by industrial and occupational groups. METHODS: Cox proportional hazards regression models were fitted to the data from the National Longitudinal Mortality Study (1979-1989). In estimating the effects of industry and occupation, controls were made for the potentially confounding effects of age, sex, marital status, education, income, and region of residence. RESULTS: It was found that persons employed in mining experienced the highest risk of suicide (RR=4.29, CI=1.59, 12.13) compared to workers in finance, insurance, and real estate. Elevated risks were also observed among business and repair services (RR=4.20, CI=1.72, 10.25), professional and related services (RR=2.92, CI=1.25,6.82), and wholesale and retail trade (RR=2.71, CI=1.17,6.25). When comparisons were made by occupational status, it was found that laborers experienced the highest risk of suicide (RR=2.12, CI=1.09,4. 12) when compared to farmers, farm managers, and farm workers. CONCLUSIONS: There are differentials in the risk of suicide among industrial groups, and the industry with the highest risk is mining. The disparities in suicide remained even after the effects of socioeconomic and other variables were controlled. Further research needs to determine if the high suicide risk observed in some industrial groups may be linked to possible depressive symptomatology in the workplace.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Characterization of the airborne concentrations of lead in U.S. industry.

Occupational exposure to lead represents a continuing problem of significant magnitude in the United States. To characterize the problem for surveillance purposes, an analysis of the airborne concentrations of lead identified in OSHA compliance inspections was conducted for the years 1979 to 1985. The five specific objectives of the study were: 1) to examine the distribution of air lead concentration in industrial environments; 2) to determine the secular trends in air lead concentrations for high lead industries; 3) to assess which job titles had excessive airborne lead concentrations; 4) to evaluate whether there was a relationship between lead overexposure and company size, unionization, or type of inspection; and 5) to investigate the prevalence of respirator violations for lead. Fifty-two industries were identified which had more than 1/3 of their inspection medians greater than the permissible exposure limit. These included primary and secondary lead smelting, battery manufacture, pigment manufacture, brass/bronze foundries, as well as 46 other industries. There has been little if any improvement in the prevalence and severity of airborne lead concentrations for the high lead industries, battery manufacture, secondary smelting, pigment manufacture, and brass/bronze foundries. Specific high exposure job titles are identified for certain high lead industries. The job title of painting stands out as an especially problematical job title across a number of industries. The prevalence of respirator violations is approximately 20% of all lead inspections.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed2001

Comparison of assessment methods for pesticide exposure in a case-control interview study.

In epidemiologic studies, much of the variation in disease risk estimates associated with occupational pesticide exposure may be due to variation in exposure classification. The authors compared five different methods of using interview information to assess occupational pesticide exposure in a US-Canada case-control study of neuroblastoma (1992-1994). For each method, exposure assignment was compared with that of a reference method, and neuroblastoma effect estimates were calculated. Compared with the reference method, which included a complete review of occupation, industry, job tasks, and exposure-specific activities, the use of occupation-industry groups alone or in combination with general job task information diluted the exposed group by including individuals who were unlikely to have been truly exposed. The effect estimates representing associations between each exposure method and neuroblastoma were different enough to influence the study's conclusions, especially when the exposure was rare (for maternal occupational pesticide exposure, the odds ratio was 0.7 using the reference exposure assessment method and 3.2 using the occupation-industry group exposure assessment method). Exposure-specific questions about work activities can help investigators distinguish truly exposed individuals from those who report exposure but are unlikely to have been exposed above background levels and from those who have not been exposed but are misclassified as exposed because of their employment in an occupation-industry group determined a priori to be exposed.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Incidence by occupation and industry of work-related skin diseases in the United Kingdom, 1996-2001.

BACKGROUND: Work-related skin disease is common but few cases are documented in statutory reports or disability systems. Voluntary reporting by specialist physicians provides more complete information. AIMS: To summarize incidence rates of work-related skin diseases reported by consultant dermatologists and occupational physicians, with emphasis on contact and allergic dermatitis by occupation and industry. METHODS: Cases reported in 1996-2001 to the EPIDERM and OPRA national surveillance schemes were analysed by causal agent, occupation and industry, with incidence rates calculated against appropriate denominators. RESULTS: Average annual incidence rates based on data from dermatologists were 97 per million overall, 74 for contact dermatitis and 14 for neoplasia. The corresponding rates for occupational physicians were 623 overall, 510 and 2, respectively. For infective disease, the rates for occupational physicians were 28 compared to 2 for dermatologists. Contact dermatitis was most frequently attributed to rubber chemicals, soaps and cleaners, wet work, nickel and acrylics; most cases of contact urticaria were attributed to rubber chemicals or foods and flour. The pattern of incidence rates by occupation and industry was complex, but correlated with the probable type of exposure. Rates of contact dermatitis were highest among skilled workers in the petrochemical and rubber and plastic manufacturing industries, with machine operators and technical workers in metal and automotive industries also at increased risk. High proportions of cases attributed to rubber chemicals were in nurses and technicians in the health and social services. CONCLUSIONS: These findings identify jobs and types of work where contact with causal agents is common and potentially preventable.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Industrial hygiene and occupational diseases in chemical industry at present].

The working conditions of workers engaged in chemical industry today make them be at risk of an occupational disease whose early manifestation can be detected by modern techniques of medical investigations, such as electromyography, electron spirometry, allergic, immunological and neuropsychological tests. The preventive trend in occupational medicine should be in progress by developing the system of biological and hygienic monitoring techniques for those getting in contact with noxious chemicals and by improving the legal bases for creating safe working conditions with allowance made for new economic relations.

Chemical Industry↗
PubMed2005

The impact of overtime and long work hours on occupational injuries and illnesses: new evidence from the United States.

AIMS: To analyse the impact of overtime and extended working hours on the risk of occupational injuries and illnesses among a nationally representative sample of working adults from the United States. METHODS: Responses from 10,793 Americans participating in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) were used to evaluate workers' job histories, work schedules, and occurrence of occupational injury and illness between 1987 and 2000. A total of 110,236 job records were analysed, encompassing 89,729 person-years of accumulated working time. Aggregated incidence rates in each of five exposure categories were calculated for each NLSY survey period. Multivariate analytical techniques were used to estimate the relative risk of long working hours per day, extended hours per week, long commute times, and overtime schedules on reporting a work related injury or illness, after adjusting for age, gender, occupation, industry, and region. RESULTS: After adjusting for those factors, working in jobs with overtime schedules was associated with a 61% higher injury hazard rate compared to jobs without overtime. Working at least 12 hours per day was associated with a 37% increased hazard rate and working at least 60 hours per week was associated with a 23% increased hazard rate. A strong dose-response effect was observed, with the injury rate (per 100 accumulated worker-years in a particular schedule) increasing in correspondence to the number of hours per day (or per week) in the workers' customary schedule. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that job schedules with long working hours are not more risky merely because they are concentrated in inherently hazardous industries or occupations, or because people working long hours spend more total time "at risk" for a work injury. Strategies to prevent work injuries should consider changes in scheduling practices, job redesign, and health protection programmes for people working in jobs involving overtime and extended hours.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1982

The utility of regional cancer mortality data for identifying occupations at high risk.

Mortality rates by geographic areas have been used successfully in the past to identify occupations with a high risk of cancer. The 1975 Atlas of Cancer Mortality for U.S. Counties: 1950-1969 for white males showed that mortality rates in three California counties (Alameda, Sacramento, and San Francisco) were significantly elevated compared to other US counties, and in Sacramento County the lung cancer death rate was significantly high also. This current study was to determine if the excess in the cancer mortality rate found in Sacramento County was possibly related to specific occupational categories. Death certificates for all white males dying of cancer were retrieved, Last occupation, industry, and length of service were coded according to the Index of Industries and Occupations prepared by the US Bureau of the Census. Observed frequencies of cancer deaths were compared to an expected number which was based on US census data by occupation for Sacramento County. Elevated standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for cancer deaths were found for technicians, metal craftsmen, nonfarm laborers, construction workers, and drivers. SMRs were high for cancer of the esophagus, pancreas, respiratory tract, skin, and central nervous system.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Association between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and employment by industry and occupation in the US population: a study of data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Data from the US population-based Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted from 1988 to 1994, were used to estimate the population prevalence, prevalence odds ratios, and attributable fractions for the association of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with employment by industry and occupation. The aim was to identify industries and occupations at increased risk of COPD. COPD was defined as forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1))/forced vital capacity <70% and FEV(1 )<80% predicted. The authors used SUDAAN software (Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina) to estimate the weighted population prevalence and odds ratios using 9,823 subjects aged 30-75 years who underwent lung function tests. Odds ratios for COPD, adjusted for age, smoking status, pack-years of smoking, body mass index, education, and socioeconomic status, were increased for the following industries: rubber, plastics, and leather manufacturing; utilities; office building services; textile mill products manufacturing; the armed forces; food products manufacturing; repair services and gas stations; agriculture; sales; construction; transportation and trucking; personal services; and health care. Occupations associated with increased odds ratios for COPD were freight, stock, and material handlers; records processing and distribution clerks; sales; transportation-related occupations; machine operators; construction trades; and waitresses. The fraction of COPD attributable to work was estimated as 19.2% overall and 31.1% among never smokers.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Study of the effects of occupation and industry on sperm quality.

Most of the environmental exposures known to affect testicular function and/or male fertility are to pharmacologic agents, alkylating agents and antitestosterone agents. There are however, few firmly-based associations with occupational exposure. The aim of this study was therefore to determine if there is any association between different semen parameters (viz. sperm count and motility) in relation to occupations and industrial groupings. A total of 614 subjects who attended an andrology clinic were studied. The investigation included a detailed occupational history, clinical examination and seminal analysis for volume, sperm count, and sperm motility. Each subject's last occupation and the industry he represented was classified according to the standard classification code of the Singapore Standard Occupational Classification (SSOC) and the Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC), respectively. The results showed that subjects who worked as "plant and machine operators" had a significantly higher risk of oligozoospermia, with an adjusted (for age, smoking, medical history, and testicular size) odds ratio (OR) of 1.93 (1.12-3.30), as compared with other occupational groups. Exposure to excessive heat was a possible factor for the poorer sperm count. "Senior officials and managers" were less likely to have poor sperm count, adjusted OR = 0.52 (0.32-0.84), compared to individuals from other occupations. As for abnormal sperm motility, workers from the "transport and communication" industry had significantly higher adjusted OR of 1.80 (1.08-3.00) when compared to the other occupational groups. This could not be attributed to excessive noise, heat or solvent exposure at the workplace.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMed1989

Health characteristics by occupation and industry.

Estimates of health characteristics of the labor force are presented by occupation and industry of employment for persons 18 years of age and over. The health characteristics presented include respondent-assessed health status, limitation of activity, disability days, physician utilization, hospital utilization, acute conditions, chronic conditions, and health care coverage.

Absenteeism↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Repetitive motion musculoskeletal problems in the microelectronics industry.

Occupational rheumatologic problems due to rapid repetitive motion are increasing in frequency in the electronics industry and are more commonly responsible for awards of Workers' Compensation benefits. If not handled correctly, these problems can result in significant pain and disability for employees and heavy medical and disability costs for employers. Corporate health and safety personnel can play a major role in reducing this human and fiscal cost by the following measures: Careful evaluation of patterns of injury and illness among employees will identify production areas with a high rate of problems. An intervention system designed to provide rapid early identification of employees with early symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, and muscle pain-spasm syndrome. Early treatment will produce much better medical results and will significantly reduce temporary disability and medical costs. Corporate ergonomic expertise or outside consultant evaluation of "hot spot" areas where significant numbers of cases are identified is critical to the prevention of future injury among employees. Some large electronics firms have ergonomic experts on staff in at least one plant facility. Arranging expert consultation can be expensive, with consulting fees of up to +1000 per day, plus expenses. However, this must be balanced against the medical disability costs of even one case of carpal tunnel syndrome, for example (up to +30,000 per case), and the required transfer of an experienced employee who develops a problem to another work area. Finally, these problems often do not occur in isolation. An employee with carpal tunnel syndrome very often has concomitant tendinitis and/or muscle pain-spasm syndrome.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome↗