An algorithm for quantitatively estimating occupational endotoxin exposure in the Biomarkers of Exposure and Effect in Agriculture (BEEA) study: I. Development of task-specific exposure levels from published data.

Background/objective: Farmers conduct numerous tasks with potential for endotoxin exposure. As a first step to characterize endotoxin exposure for farmers in the Biomarkers of Exposure and Effect in Agriculture (BEEA) Study, we used published data to estimate task-specific endotoxin concentrations.

Methods: We extracted published data on task-specific, personal, inhalable endotoxin concentrations for agricultural tasks queried in the study questionnaire.

A Task-Specific Algorithm to Estimate Occupational (1→3)-β-D-glucan Exposure for Farmers in the Biomarkers of Exposure and Effect in Agriculture Study.

Objectives: Farmers may be exposed to glucans (a cell component of molds) through a variety of tasks. The magnitude of exposure depends on each farmer's activities and their duration. We developed a task-specific algorithm to estimate glucan exposure that combines measurements of (1→3)-β-D-glucan with questionnaire responses from farmers in the Biomarkers of Exposure and Effect in Agriculture (BEEA) study.

Observed vs. self-reported agricultural activities: Evaluating 24-hr recall in a pilot study.

Few studies have evaluated the validity of self-report of work activities because of challenges in obtaining objective measures. In this study, farmers' recall of the previous day's agricultural activities was compared to activities observed by field staff during air monitoring. Recall was assessed in 32 farmers from the Biomarkers of Exposure and Effect in Agriculture Study, a subset of a prospective cohort study.

Characteristics of Registered Clinical Trials Evaluating the Role of e-Cigarettes in Cessation or Reduction of Cigarette Smoking.

This observational study examines the characteristics of completed and ongoing domestic and international clinical trials registered in the World Health Organization Registry Network.