Mortality of workers occupationally exposed to refractory ceramic fibers.

This study was prompted by refractory ceramic fibers (RCF) inhalation studies at high dose levels in animals that demonstrated positive effects for lung fibrosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. Current and former male workers employed between 1952 and 2000 at two RCF manufacturing facilities were followed to investigate a possible excess in mortality. The mortality analytic methods included: (1) standardized mortality ratios comparing this cohort to the general and state populations, and (2) a proportional hazards model that relates risk of death to the lifetime cumulative fiber-months/cc exposure among the RCF cohort, adjusted for age at hire and for race.

The effects of jet fuel on immune cells of fuel system maintenance workers.

Jet fuel is a common occupational exposure among commercial and military maintenance workers. JP-8 jet fuel, a military formulation, has shown immunotoxic effects in mice, but little data exist for humans. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine whether immune cell counts in the peripheral blood were altered among tank entry workers at three Air Force bases.

Evidence of reproductive endocrine effects in women with occupational fuel and solvent exposures.

Hydrocarbons (HCs) found in fuels and solvents are ubiquitous in the environment, yet we know little about their effects on the endocrine system. The objective of this study was to assess the potential reproductive endocrine effects of low-dose HCs encountered by female U.S.

Urinary reproductive hormone level differences between African American and Caucasian women of reproductive age.

Objective: To compare urinary levels of reproductive hormones in African American and Caucasian women.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Ten United States Air Force (USAF) bases.