Occupational exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and brain tumor risk: Application of the INTEROCC job-exposure matrix.

Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF, 100 kHz to 300 GHz) are classified by IARC as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). This study evaluates the potential association between occupational RF-EMF exposure and brain tumor risk, utilizing for the first time, a RF-EMF job-exposure matrix (RF-JEM) developed in the multi-country INTEROCC case-control study. Cumulative and time-weighted average (TWA) occupational RF-EMF exposures were estimated for study participants based on lifetime job histories linked to the RF-JEM using three different methods: (1) by considering RF-EMF intensity among all exposed jobs, (2) by considering RF-EMF intensity among jobs with an exposure prevalence ≥ the median exposure prevalence of all exposed jobs, and (3) by considering RF-EMF intensity of jobs of participants who reported RF-EMF source use.

The effects of radiofrequency exposure on cognition: A systematic review and meta-analysis of human observational studies.

Background: We aimed to assess evidence of long-term effects of exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) on indicators of cognition, including domains of learning and memory, executive function, complex attention, language, perceptual motor ability and social cognition, and of an exposure-response relationship between RF-EMF and cognition.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo and the EMF-Portal on September 30, 2022 without limiting by date or language of publication. We included cohort or case-control studies that evaluated the effects of RF exposure on cognitive function in one or more of the cognitive domains.

COPD in Never-Smokers: BOLD Australia Study.

Purpose: Tobacco smoking is the major risk factor for COPD, and it is common for other risk factors in never-smokers to be overlooked. We examined the prevalence of COPD among never-smokers in Australia and identified associated risk factors.

Methods: We used data from the Australia Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study, a cross-section of people aged ≥40 years from six sites.

Occupational characteristics and disability-free survival after retirement age: an exploratory analysis from the ASPREE study.

Background: Certain occupational characteristics have been linked with poor health and reduced longevity. However, the association between occupational characteristics and survival free of disability in a post-retirement age group has not been investigated.

Methods: We investigated outcomes in 12,215 healthy older Australian adults in the Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) and ASPREE Longitudinal Study of Older Persons (ALSOP) sub-study.

A Population-Based Family Case-Control Study of Sun Exposure and Follicular Lymphoma Risk.

Background: Epidemiologic evidence suggests an inverse association between sun exposure and follicular lymphoma risk.

Methods: We conducted an Australian population-based family case-control study based on 666 cases and 459 controls (288 related, 171 unrelated). Participants completed a lifetime residence and work calendar and recalled outdoor hours on weekdays, weekends, and holidays in the warmer and cooler months at ages 10, 20, 30, and 40 years, and clothing types worn in the warmer months.

Exploration of associations between occupational exposures and current adult eczema.

Objectives: There is a scarcity of evidence on occupational exposures that may increase eczema in adults. We aimed to investigate potential associations between occupational exposures and eczema in middle-aged adults.

Methods: A lifetime work history calendar was collected from the Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study participants when they were at age 53.

Occupational exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields and follicular lymphoma risk: a family case-control study.

Objectives: We aimed to examine the relationship between occupational exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) and follicular lymphoma (FL) risk.

Methods: We conducted a family case-control study between 2011 and 2016 in Australia and included 681 cases. Controls were either a family member of cases (related (n=294), unrelated (n=179)) or were unrelated recruited for a similarly designed Australian multiple myeloma study (n=711).

Incidence and mortality from malignant mesothelioma 1982-2020 and relationship with asbestos exposure: the Australian Mesothelioma Registry.

Objectives: Malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon cancer associated with asbestos exposure, predominantly occupational. Asbestos has been banned in Australia since 2003 but mesothelioma has a long latency and incident cases continue to present. The Australian Mesothelioma Registry was incepted to collect systematic data about incidence and mortality alongside asbestos exposure.

Workers in Australian prebake aluminium smelters: update on risk of mortality and cancer incidence in the Healthwise cohort.

Objectives: To investigate mortality and the rates of incident cancer among a cohort of aluminium industry workers.

Methods: Among 4507 male employees who worked in either of two Australian prebake smelters for at least 3 months, data linkage was undertaken with the Australian National Death Index and Australian Cancer Database. Standardised Mortality Ratios (SMRs) and Standardised Incidence Rates (SIRs) were estimated for the whole cohort and for: production; maintenance and office workers.

Dietary intake of animal-based products and likelihood of follicular lymphoma and survival: A population-based family case-control study.

Background: The association between dietary intake of foods of animal origin and follicular lymphoma (FL) risk and survival is uncertain. In this study, we examined the relationship between dietary intake of dairy foods and fats, meat, fish and seafoods, and the likelihood of FL and survival.

Methods: We conducted a population-based family case-control study in Australia between 2011 and 2016 and included 710 cases, 303 siblings and 186 spouse/partner controls.

Ever and cumulative occupational exposure and lung function decline in longitudinal population-based studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Adverse occupational exposures can accelerate age-related lung function decline. Some longitudinal population-based studies have investigated this association. This study aims to examine this association using findings reported by longitudinal population-based studies.

Herbicide use in farming and other jobs in relation to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) risk.

Objectives: Given mixed evidence for carcinogenicity of current-use herbicides, we studied the relationship between occupational herbicide use and risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in a large, pooled study.

Methods: We pooled data from 10 case-control studies participating in the International Lymphoma Epidemiology Consortium, including 9229 cases and 9626 controls from North America, the European Union and Australia. Herbicide use was coded from self-report or by expert assessment in the individual studies, for herbicide groups (eg, phenoxy herbicides) and active ingredients (eg, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), glyphosate).

Associations between early-life growth pattern and body size and follicular lymphoma risk and survival: a family-based case-control study.

Background: The influence of early-life growth pattern and body size on follicular lymphoma (FL) risk and survival is unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between gestational age, growth during childhood, body size, changes in body shape over time, and FL risk and survival.

Methods: We conducted a population-based family case-control study and included 706 cases and 490 controls.

Associations between Smoking and Alcohol and Follicular Lymphoma Incidence and Survival: A Family-Based Case-Control Study in Australia.

The association between smoking and alcohol consumption and follicular lymphoma (FL) incidence and clinical outcome is uncertain. We conducted a population-based family case-control study (709 cases: 490 controls) in Australia. We assessed lifetime history of smoking and recent alcohol consumption and followed-up cases (median = 83 months).

Mobile phone carrying locations and risk perception of men: A cross-sectional study.

Little was known about the relationship between carrying mobile phone handsets by men and their risk perception of radiofrequency-electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure due to carrying handsets close to the body. This study aimed to determine where men usually carried their handsets and to assess the relationship to risk perception of RF-EMF. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire about mobile phone use, handset carrying locations, and levels of risk perception to RF-EMF.

Physical activity and glioma: a case-control study with follow-up for survival.

Purpose: High-grade disease accounts for ~ 70% of all glioma, and has a high mortality rate. Few modifiable exposures are known to be related to glioma risk or mortality.

Methods: We examined associations between lifetime physical activity and physical activity at different ages (15-18 years, 19-29 years, 30-39 years, last 10 years) with the risk of glioma diagnosis, using data from a hospital-based family case-control study (495 cases; 371 controls).

The efficacy of earplugs at a major hazard facility.

At a major hazard facility, cases of occupational noise-induced hearing loss have occurred despite the use of hearing protection devices. Preliminary measurements of personal attenuation ratings (PAR) suggested that earplugs may not achieve the attenuation implied by their Australian SLC80 Class designation in field-use conditions. We examined the relationship between PAR and the SLC80 classification for earplugs, as a good understanding of the attenuation provided by earplugs under normal field-use conditions, rather than in laboratory settings, is vital to their effective use as a control measure for noise exposure.

Ten-year prediction model for post-bronchodilator airflow obstruction and early detection of COPD: development and validation in two middle-aged population-based cohorts.

Background: Classifying individuals at high chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-risk creates opportunities for early COPD detection and active intervention.

Objective: To develop and validate a statistical model to predict 10-year probabilities of COPD defined by post-bronchodilator airflow obstruction (post-BD-AO; forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity<5th percentile).

Setting: General Caucasian populations from Australia and Europe, 10 and 27 centres, respectively.