Associations between mercury exposure with blood pressure and lipid levels: A cross-sectional study of dental professionals.

Mercury (Hg) exposure is a public health problem worldwide that is now being addressed through the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Fish containing methylmercury and dental amalgam containing elemental Hg are the major sources of exposure for most populations. There is some evidence that methylmercury impacts cardiovascular and metabolic health, primarily in populations with high exposure levels.

Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 in air and on surfaces and estimating infection risk in buildings and buses on a university campus.

Background: Evidence is needed on the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in various types of environmental samples and on the estimated transmission risks in non-healthcare settings on campus.

Objectives: The objective of this research was to collect data on SARS-CoV-2 viral load and to examine potential infection risks of people exposed to the virus in publicly accessible non-healthcare environments on a university campus.

Methods: Air and surface samples were collected using wetted wall cyclone bioaerosol samplers and swab kits, respectively, in a longitudinal environmental surveillance program from August 2020 until April 2021 on the University of Michigan Ann Arbor campus.

Bayesian inference of dependent kappa for binary ratings.

In medical and social science research, reliability of testing methods measured through inter- and intraobserver agreement is critical in disease diagnosis. Often comparison of agreement across multiple testing methods is sought in situations where testing is carried out on the same experimental units rendering the outcomes to be correlated. In this article, we first developed a Bayesian method for comparing dependent agreement measures under a grouped data setting.

Measurement of asbestos emissions associated with demolition of abandoned residential dwellings.

Many cities are revitalizing their urban cores through the demolition of abandoned residential dwellings (ARDs). However, data regarding the emissions of asbestos during such an operation are sparse. We measured airborne asbestos emissions from emergency demolitions (demolitions on structures deemed too dangerous to enter and remove asbestos) of ARDs in Detroit.

Asbestos-containing materials in abandoned residential dwellings in Detroit.

Objective: The efforts of many municipalities to demolish abandoned residential dwellings (ARDs) are hampered by the presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in these structures. However, the extent of such materials is unknown. Our study sought to characterize ACMs present in ARDs demolished in Detroit.

Comparison of digital and film chest radiography for detection and medical surveillance of silicosis in a setting with a high burden of tuberculosis.

Background: Continuing use of analog film and digital chest radiography for screening and surveillance for pneumoconiosis and tuberculosis in lower and middle income countries raises questions of equivalence of disease detection. This study compared analog to digital images for intra-rater agreement across formats and prevalence of changes related to silicosis and tuberculosis among South African gold miners using the International Labour Organization classification system.

Methods: Miners with diverse radiological presentations of silicosis and tuberculosis were recruited.

Long-term symptomatic, functional, and work outcomes of carpal tunnel syndrome among construction workers.

Background: The long-term outcomes of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) including symptoms, functional status, work disability, and economic impact are unknown.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 234 active construction workers with medical claims for CTS and 249 workers without CTS claims; non-cases were matched on age, trade, and insurance eligibility. We conducted telephone interviews with cases and non-cases and collected administrative data on work hours.

Genetic polymorphisms are associated with hair, blood, and urine mercury levels in the American Dental Association (ADA) study participants.

Background/aims: Mercury (Hg) is a potent toxicant of concern to the general public. Recent studies suggest that several genes that mediate Hg metabolism are polymorphic. We hypothesize that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in such genes may underline inter-individual differences in exposure biomarker concentrations.

Exposures of dental professionals to elemental mercury and methylmercury.

Mercury (Hg) exposure, a worldwide public health concern, predominantly takes two forms--methylmercury from fish consumption and elemental Hg from dental amalgam restorations. We recruited 630 dental professionals from an American Dental Association meeting to assess Hg body burden and primary sources of exposure in a dually exposed population. Participants described occupational practices and fish consumption patterns via questionnaire.

Molecular characterization of microbial communities and quantification of Mycobacterium immunogenum in metal removal fluids and their associated biofilms.

A number of human health effects have been associated with exposure to metal removal fluids (MRFs). Multiple lines of research suggest that a newly identified organism, Mycobacterium immunogenum (MI), appears to have an etiologic role in hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) in case of MRFs exposed workers. However, our knowledge of this organism, other possible causative agents (e.

Ulnar Neuropathy Among Active Workers Based Upon Hand Diagram Ratings.

Background: Limited studies have estimated the prevalence of ulnar neuropathy (UN) in the workplace. Hand diagrams have been demonstrated to have a good sensitivity and specificity when attempting to identify patients with UN.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for UN among active workers based on results of a hand diagram, and to determine the reliability of hand diagram scoring.

Serum concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins among ceramicists.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) occur naturally in ball clay at elevated concentrations. Thus, persons who habitually work with clay may be at risk for exposure to PCDDs. An earlier case report provided some evidence of elevated PCDD levels in serum for long-term hobby ceramicists; however, no previous study has measured serum dioxin concentrations among ceramicists.

Self-reported physical work exposures and incident carpal tunnel syndrome.

Background: To prospectively evaluate associations between self-reported physical work exposures and incident carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Methods: Newly employed workers (n = 1,107) underwent repeated nerve conduction studies (NCS), and periodic surveys on hand symptoms and physical work exposures including average daily duration of wrist bending, forearm rotation, finger pinching, using vibrating tools, finger/thumb pressing, forceful gripping, and lifting >2 pounds. Multiple logistic regression models examined relationships between peak, most recent, and time-weighted average exposures and incident CTS, adjusting for age, gender, and body mass index.

The effectiveness of post-offer pre-placement nerve conduction screening for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Objective: We evaluated post-offer pre-placement (POPP) nerve conduction studies (NCS) for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), testing diagnostic yield and cost-effectiveness.

Methods: A total of 1027 newly hired workers underwent baseline NCS and were followed for an average of 3.7 years for diagnosed CTS.

Using job-title-based physical exposures from O*NET in an epidemiological study of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Objective: We studied associations between job-title-based measures of force and repetition and incident carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Background: Job exposure matrices (JEMs) are not commonly used in studies of work-related upper-extremity disorders.

Method: We enrolled newly hired workers in a prospective cohort study.

Impact of body mass index on the detection of radiographic localized pleural thickening.

Rationale And Objectives: Subpleural fat can be difficult to distinguish from localized pleural thickening (LPT), a marker of asbestos exposure, on chest radiographs. The aims of this study were to examine the influence of body mass index (BMI) on the performance of radiograph readers when classifying LPT and to model the risk of false test results with varying BMI.

Materials And Methods: Subjects (n = 200) were patients being screened or treated for asbestos-related health outcomes.

Asbestos-related radiographic findings among household contacts of workers exposed to Libby vermiculite: impact of workers' personal hygiene practices.

Objective: To explore the potential impact of worker hygiene by determining the prevalence of radiographic changes consistent with asbestos exposure among household contacts of workers exposed to Libby vermiculite that contained amphibole fibers.

Methods: Workers and household contacts had chest radiographs and completed questionnaires regarding hygiene and potential exposure pathways.

Results: Participants included 191 household contacts of 118 workers.

Evaluation of the release of dioxins and PCBs during kiln-firing of ball clay.

Ball clay is known to be naturally contaminated with high levels of polychlorinated di-benzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs). This study evaluated the potential for PCDD, polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) release during the kiln firing of ball clay in an art studio. Toxic equivalence (TEQ) were calculated using World Health Organization (WHO) 2005 toxic equivalence factors (TEF) and congener concentrations.

Relationship of estimated dietary intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from fish with peripheral nerve function after adjusting for mercury exposure.

Background: Some clinical studies have suggested that ingestion of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) has neuroprotective effects on peripheral nerve function. However, few epidemiological studies have examined the effect of dietary n-3 PUFA intake from fish consumption on peripheral nerve function, and none have controlled for co-occurrence of methylmercury exposure from fish consumption.

Objectives: We evaluated the effect of estimated dietary n-3 PUFA intake on peripheral nerve function after adjusting for biomarkers of methylmercury and elemental mercury in a convenience sample of 515 dental professionals.