Long working hours, sedentary work, noise, night shifts and risk of ischaemic heart disease.

Objective: Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) is a leading cause of death in Western countries. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between occupational exposure to loud noise, long working hours, shift work, and sedentary work and IHD.

Methods: This data linkage study included all New Zealanders employed and aged 20-64 years at the time of the 2013 census, followed up for incident IHD between 2013 and 2018 based on hospitalisation, prescription and death records.

Serum biomarkers of neuroinflammation and blood-brain barrier leakage in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable and rapidly progressive neurological disorder. Biomarkers are critical to understanding disease causation, monitoring disease progression and assessing the efficacy of treatments. However, robust peripheral biomarkers are yet to be identified.

Respiratory symptoms and use of dust-control measures in New Zealand construction workers - A cross-sectional study.

Dust-exposed construction workers have an increased risk of respiratory symptoms, but the efficacy of dust-control measures remains unclear. This study compared respiratory symptoms, using a modified European Community Respiratory Health Survey questionnaire, between construction workers (n = 208) and a reference group of bus drivers and retail workers (n = 142). Within the construction workers, we assessed the effect of collective (on-tool vacuum/'wet-cut' systems) and personal (respirators) exposure controls on symptom prevalence.

A longitudinal linkage study of occupation and ischaemic heart disease in the general and Māori populations of New Zealand.

Objectives: Occupation is a poorly characterised risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) with females and indigenous populations under-represented in most research. This study assessed associations between occupation and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) in males and females of the general and Māori (indigenous people of NZ) populations of New Zealand (NZ).

Methods: Two surveys of the NZ adult population (NZ Workforce Survey (NZWS); 2004-2006; n = 3003) and of the Māori population (NZWS Māori; 2009-2010; n = 2107) with detailed occupational histories were linked with routinely collected health data and followed-up until December 2018.

Airborne Fumigants and Residual Chemicals in Shipping Containers Arriving in New Zealand.

Background: Airborne fumigants and other hazardous chemicals inside unopened shipping containers may pose a risk to workers handling containers.

Methods: Grab air samples from 490 sealed containers arriving in New Zealand were analysed for fumigants and other hazardous chemicals. We also collected grab air samples of 46 containers immediately upon opening and measured the total concentration of volatile organic compounds in real-time during ventilation.

Ischaemic Heart Disease and Occupational Exposures: A Longitudinal Linkage Study in the General and Māori Populations of New Zealand.

Objectives: This study assessed associations between occupational exposures and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) for males and females in the general and Māori populations (indigenous people of New Zealand).

Methods: Two surveys of the general adult [New Zealand Workforce Survey (NZWS); 2004-2006; n = 3003] and Māori population (Māori NZWS; 2009-2010; n = 2107), with information on occupational exposures, were linked with administrative health data and followed-up until December 2018. Cox proportional hazards regression (adjusted for age, deprivation, and smoking) was used to assess associations between organizational factors, stress, and dust, chemical and physical exposures, and IHD.

Associations of Occupational Exposures to Electric Shocks and Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields With Motor Neurone Disease.

In a New Zealand population-based case-control study we assessed associations with occupational exposure to electric shocks, extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) and motor neurone disease using job-exposure matrices to assess exposure. Participants were recruited between 2013 and 2016. Associations with ever/never, duration, and cumulative exposure were assessed using logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education, smoking, alcohol consumption, sports, head or spine injury, and solvents, and was mutually adjusted for the other exposure.

A model respiratory personal protective programme for the New Zealand healthcare industry.

In the absence of advice from the workplace regulator, a model respiratory protection programme for healthcare workers is presented based in healthcare and wider industry experience. Hospital and other healthcare institutions can use this as a basis for their programmes in preparation for the next infective disease outbreak.

Exposures to Fumigants and Residual Chemicals in Workers Handling Cargo from Shipping Containers and Export Logs in New Zealand.

Objectives: Previous studies have reported high concentrations of airborne fumigants and other chemicals inside unopened shipping containers, but it is unclear whether this is reflective of worker exposures.

Methods: We collected personal 8-h air samples using a whole-air sampling method. Samples were analysed for 1,2-dibromoethane, chloropicrin, ethylene oxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen phosphide, methyl bromide, 1,2-dichloroethane, C2-alkylbenzenes, acetaldehyde, ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, methanol, styrene, and toluene.

The Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Different Occupational Groups in New Zealand.

Objectives: Although cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk has been shown to differ between occupations, few studies have specifically evaluated the distribution of known CVD risk factors across occupational groups. This study assessed CVD risk factors in a range of occupational groups in New Zealand, stratified by sex and ethnicity.

Methods: Two probability-based sample surveys of the general New Zealand adult population (2004-2006; n = 3003) and of the indigenous people of New Zealand (Māori; 2009-2010; n = 2107), for which occupational histories and lifestyle factors were collected, were linked with routinely collected health data.

Respiratory health in professional cleaners: Symptoms, lung function, and risk factors.

Background: Cleaning is associated with an increased risk of asthma symptoms, but few studies have measured functional characteristics of airway disease in cleaners.

Aims: To assess and characterize respiratory symptoms and lung function in professional cleaners, and determine potential risk factors for adverse respiratory outcomes.

Methods: Symptoms, pre-/post-bronchodilator lung function, atopy, and cleaning exposures were assessed in 425 cleaners and 281 reference workers in Wellington, New Zealand between 2008 and 2010.

Exposure Determinants of Wood Dust, Microbial Components, Resin Acids and Terpenes in the Saw- and Planer Mill Industry.

Objectives: Sawmill workers have an increased risk of adverse respiratory outcomes, but knowledge about exposure-response relationships is incomplete. The objective of this study was to assess exposure determinants of dust, microbial components, resin acids, and terpenes in sawmills processing pine and spruce, to guide the development of department and task-based exposure prediction models.

Methods: 2474 full-shift repeated personal airborne measurements of dust, resin acids, fungal spores and fragments, endotoxins, mono-, and sesquiterpenes were conducted in 10 departments of 11 saw- and planer mills in Norway in 2013-2016.

Determinants of Airborne Solvent Exposure in the Collision Repair Industry.

Objectives: To assess the determinants of airborne solvent exposures in contemporary vehicle collision repair workplaces.

Methods: Personal, full-shift airborne solvent exposures (n = 97) were assessed in 85 vehicle collision repair workers from 18 workshops. Peak exposures were assessed using a small number of video exposure monitoring measurements.

Carcinogenicity of glyphosate: why is New Zealand's EPA lost in the weeds?

In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that glyphosate is "probably carcinogenic to humans". The New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZEPA) rejected this and commissioned a new report, concluding that glyphosate was unlikely to be genotoxic or carcinogenic to humans. The NZEPA has argued that the difference arose because IARC is a "hazard-identification authority", whereas NZEPA is a "regulatory body that needs to cast the net more widely".

Effects of Personal Protective Equipment Use and Good Workplace Hygiene on Symptoms of Neurotoxicity in Solvent-Exposed Vehicle Spray Painters.

Objectives: To assess the association between the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and good workplace hygiene and symptoms of neurotoxicity in solvent-exposed vehicle spray painters.

Methods: Exposure control measures including PPE-use and workplace hygiene practices and symptoms of neurotoxicity were assessed in 267 vehicle repair spray painters. Symptoms were assessed using an adapted version of the EUROQUEST Questionnaire.

Determinants of hand dermatitis, urticaria and loss of skin barrier function in professional cleaners in New Zealand.

This study assessed the risk of dermatitis, urticaria and loss of skin barrier function in 425 cleaners and 281 reference workers (retail workers and bus drivers). Symptoms, atopy and skin barrier function were assessed by questionnaire, skin prick tests, and measurement of transepidermal water loss. Cleaners had an increased risk of current (past 3 months) hand/arm dermatitis (14.

Neuropsychological performance in solvent-exposed vehicle collision repair workers in New Zealand.

Objectives: To assess whether contemporary solvent exposures in the vehicle collision repair industry are associated with objectively measured neuropsychological performance in collision repair workers.

Methods: The RBANS battery and additional tests were administered to 47 vehicle collision repair and 51 comparison workers randomly selected from a previous questionnaire study.

Results: Collision repair workers performed lower on tests of attention (digit span backwards: -1.

Morbidity in New Zealand pesticide producers exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD).

Objectives: To conduct a cross-sectional morbidity survey among 245 former employees of a pesticide production plant exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in New Zealand.

Methods: Demographic factors and health information were collected in face-to-face interviews. TCDD, lipids, thyroid hormones, glucose and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were determined in non-fasting blood.

The INTEROCC case-control study: risk of meningioma and occupational exposure to selected combustion products, dusts and other chemical agents.

Background: Little is known about occupational risk factors for meningioma.

Objectives: To study whether risk of meningioma is associated with several occupational exposures, including selected combustion products, dusts and other chemical agents.

Methods: The INTEROCC study was an international case-control study of brain cancer conducted in seven countries.

Interactions between occupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields and chemicals for brain tumour risk in the INTEROCC study.

Objectives: In absence of clear evidence regarding possible effects of occupational chemical exposures on brain tumour aetiology, it is worthwhile to explore the hypothesis that such exposures might act on brain tumour risk in interaction with occupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF).

Methods: INTEROCC is a seven-country (Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, New Zealand and UK), population-based, case-control study, based on the larger INTERPHONE study. Incident cases of primary glioma and meningioma were ascertained from 2000 to 2004.