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Specific Exposure (specific + exposure)
Selected AbstractsContact allergy to epoxy (meth)acrylatesCONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 1 2009Kristiina Aalto-Korte Background: Contact allergy to epoxy (meth)acrylates, 2,2-bis[4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloxypropoxy) phenyl]propane (bis-GMA), 2,2-bis[4-(2-hydroxy-3-acryloxypropoxy)phenyl]-propane (bis-GA), 2,2-bis[4-(methacryl-oxyethoxy)phenyl] propane (bis-EMA), 2,2-bis[4-(methacryloxy)phenyl]-propane (bis-MA), and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) is often manifested together with contact allergy to diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) epoxy resin. Objective: To analyse patterns of concomitant allergic reactions to the five epoxy (meth)acrylates in relation to exposure. Methods: We reviewed the 1994,2008 patch test files at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH) for reactions to the five epoxy (meth)acrylates, and examined the patients' medical records for exposure. Results: Twenty-four patients had an allergic reaction to at least one of the studied epoxy (meth)acrylates, but specific exposure was found only in five patients: two bis-GMA allergies from dental products, two bis-GA allergies from UV-curable printing inks, and one bis-GA allergy from an anaerobic glue. Only 25% of the patients were negative to DGEBA epoxy resin. Conclusions: The great majority of allergic patch test reactions to bis-GMA, bis-GA, GMA and bis-EMA were not associated with specific exposure, and cross-allergy to DGEBA epoxy resin remained a probable explanation. However, independent reactions to bis-GA indicated specific exposure. Anaerobic sealants may induce sensitization not only to aliphatic (meth)acrylates but also to aromatic bis-GA. [source] Assessing teratogenicity of antiretroviral drugs: monitoring and analysis plan of the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry,,PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 8 2004Deborah L. Covington DrPH Abstract This paper describes the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry's (APR) monitoring and analysis plan. APR is overseen by a committee of experts in obstetrics, pediatrics, teratology, infectious diseases, epidemiology and biostatistics from academia, government and the pharmaceutical industry. APR uses a prospective exposure-registration cohort design. Clinicians voluntarily register pregnant women with prenatal exposures to any antiretroviral therapy and provide fetal/neonatal outcomes. A birth defect is any birth outcome ,20 weeks gestation with a structural or chromosomal abnormality as determined by a geneticist. The prevalence is calculated by dividing the number of defects by the total number of live births and is compared to the prevalence in the CDC's population-based surveillance system. Additionally, first trimester exposures, in which organogenesis occurs, are compared with second/third trimester exposures. Statistical inference is based on exact methods for binomial proportions. Overall, a cohort of 200 exposed newborns is required to detect a doubling of risk, with 80% power and a Type I error rate of 5%. APR uses the Rule of Three: immediate review occurs once three specific defects are reported for a specific exposure. The likelihood of finding three specific defects in a cohort of ,600 by chance alone is less than 5% for all but the most common defects. To enhance the assurance of prompt, responsible, and appropriate action in the event of a potential signal, APR employs the strategy of ,threshold'. The threshold for action is determined by the extent of certainty about the cases, driven by statistical considerations and tempered by the specifics of the cases. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Effects of self-reported health conditions and pesticide exposures on probability of follow-up in a prospective cohort studyAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2010Martha P. Montgomery MHS Abstract Background We investigated the potential for selection bias due to non-participation in the follow-up of a large prospective cohort study. Methods Licensed pesticide applicators (52,395 private; 4,916 commercial) in the Agricultural Health Study provided demographic, health, and pesticide exposure information at enrollment (1993,1997) and in a 5-year follow-up telephone interview. Factors associated with non-participation in the follow-up were identified using multiple logistic regression. Potential for selection bias was evaluated by comparing exposure,disease associations between the entire cohort and the follow-up subset. Results Sixty-six percent of private and 60% of commercial applicators completed the follow-up interview. Private and commercial applicators who did not complete the follow-up reported at enrollment younger age, less education, lower body mass index, poorer health behaviors but fewer health conditions, and lower pesticide use. Estimates of exposure,disease associations calculated with and without non-participants did not indicate strong selection bias. Conclusions Differences between non-participants and participants in the follow-up interview were generally small, and we did not find significant evidence of selection bias. However, the extent of bias may depend on the specific exposure and outcome under study. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:486,496, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Occupational risk in health care and research,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 4 2003Daniela Vecchio MS Abstract Background Working in the health care and research sectors has been linked to various hazards. Methods Studies published in the peer-reviewed literature that are pertinent to the exposures or diseases relevant to these fields were reviewed. Results The most important exposures include infectious agents, formaldehyde, anesthetic agents, antineoplastic drugs, and ethylene oxide. The best-documented evidence is that of infectious risk primarily among clinical personnel. Monitoring studies of persons occupationally exposed to anesthetics clearly demonstrate behavioral effects, possible risk of reproductive problems, as well as cytogenetic effects of unknown significance. The latter two impairments are also observed among those exposed to antineoplastic drugs and ethylene oxide. Exposure to formaldehyde appears to be associated with nasopharyngeal tumors. Whereas increased risk of cancer of certain sites, particularly the brain and lymphohematopoietic system, is found among research and health care personnel, no specific exposure has been linked to these neoplasms. Conclusions Although some results are inconsistent, continued environmental and biological monitoring will allow better assessment of exposures and of implemented protection measures. Am. J. Ind. Med. 43:369,397, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Children After Hurricane Katrina: Predicting the Need for Mental Health ServicesAMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPSYCHIATRY, Issue 2 2009Howard J. Osofsky MD The purpose of this study was to examine factors related to the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms in children and adolescents after Hurricane Katrina. It was hypothesized that a positive correlation would exist between trauma exposure variables and symptoms indicating need for mental health services experienced 2 years after Hurricane Katrina. Specifically, the authors hypothesized that experiences associated with natural disaster including personal loss, separation from family and/or community, and lack of community support as well as previous loss or trauma would be related to increased symptomatology in both children and adolescents. This study included 7,258 children and adolescents from heavily affected Louisiana parishes. Measures included the Hurricane Assessment and Referral Tool for Children and Adolescents developed by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN, 2005). Results were generally supportive of our hypotheses, and specific exposure and demographic variables were found to be strongly related to posttraumatic stress symptoms in children and adolescents. [source] Airways obstruction among older construction and trade workers at Department of Energy nuclear sitesAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 3 2010John M. Dement PhD Abstract Background A study of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among 7,579 current and former workers participating in medical screening programs at Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear weapons facilities through September 2008 was undertaken. Methods Participants provided a detailed work and exposure history and underwent a respiratory examination that included a respiratory history, respiratory symptoms, a posterior,anterior (P,A) chest radiograph classified by International Labour Office (ILO) criteria, and spirometry. Statistical models were developed to generate group-level exposure estimates that were used in multivariate logistic regression analyses to explore the risk of COPD in relation to exposures to asbestos, silica, cement dust, welding, paints, solvents, and dusts/fumes from paint removal. Risk for COPD in the study population was compared to risk for COPD in the general US population as determined in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). Results The age-standardized prevalence ratio of COPD among DOE workers compared to all NHANES III data was 1.3. Internal analyses found the odds ratio of COPD to range from 1.6 to 3.1 by trade after adjustment for age, race, sex, smoking, and duration of DOE employment. Statistically significant associations were observed for COPD and exposures to asbestos, silica, welding, cement dusts, and some tasks associated with exposures to paints, solvents, and removal of paints. Conclusions Our study of construction workers employed at DOE sites demonstrated increased COPD risk due to occupational exposures and was able to identify specific exposures increasing risk. This study provides additional support for prevention of both smoking and occupational exposures to reduce the burden of COPD among construction workers. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:224,240, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Occupation and leukemia: A population-based case,control study in Iowa and Minnesota,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2001A. Blair PhD Abstract Background Studies have suggested that risk of leukemia may be associated with occupational or industrial exposures and risk may vary by the histological type of the disease. Methods A population-based case,control study was conducted in Iowa and Minnesota to evaluate the association between various occupations, industries, and occupational exposures and leukemia risk. A total of 513 cases and 1,087 controls was included in the study. A lifetime occupational history and other risk factor information were collected through in-person interviews, and a job-exposure matrix was used to assess possible risks associated with specific exposures. Results A significantly increased risk of leukemia was observed among agricultural service industries and among nursing and healthcare workers. Janitors, cleaners, and light truck drivers also experienced increased risk. Those employed in plumbing, heating and air conditioning industries, and sales of nondurable goods (such as paints and varnishes) had an increased risk. Printers, painters, and workers in the food and metal industries had a nonsignificantly increased risk of leukemia. Analyses by specific exposures and histology of leukemia showed that risk of leukemia associated with occupational or industrial exposures may vary by histological type of the disease. Conclusions An increased risk of leukemia among workers employed in agricultural industries, nursing and healthcare workers, and in a few occupations with possible exposure to solvents is consistent with earlier studies. Associations of risk with occupations not observed previously deserve further assessment. Am. J. Ind. Med. 40:3,14, 2001. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Postmarketing surveillance for human teratogenicity: A model approach,BIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH, Issue 5 2001Christina D. Chambers Background Most congenital defects associated with prenatal exposures are notable for a pattern of major and minor malformations, rather than for a single major malformation. Thus, traditional epidemiological methods are not universally effective in identifying new teratogens. The purpose of this report is to outline a complementary approach that can be used in addition to other more established methods to provide the most comprehensive evaluation of prenatal exposures with respect to teratogenicity. Methods We describe a multicenter prospective cohort study design involving dysmorphological assessment of liveborn infants. This design uses the Organization of Teratology Information Services, a North American network of information providers who also collaborate for research purposes. Procedures for subject selection, methods for data collection, standard criteria for outcome classification, and the approach to analysis are detailed. Results The focused cohort study design allows for evaluation of a spectrum of adverse pregnancy outcomes ranging from spontaneous abortion to functional deficit. While sample sizes are typically inadequate to identify increased risks for single major malformations, the use of dysmorphological examinations to classify structural anomalies provides the unique advantage of screening for a pattern of malformation among exposed infants. Conclusions As the known human teratogens are generally associated with patterns of structural defects, it is only when studies of this type are used in combination with more traditional methods that we can achieve an acceptable level of confidence regarding the risk or safety of specific exposures during pregnancy. Teratology 64:252,261, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | ||||||||||