Publications by authors named "Helle Laier Johnsen"
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.
Article Synopsis
- - Sawmill workers are exposed to several harmful substances, including wood dust and various microbial components, which can lead to health issues like respiratory problems and skin allergies.
- - A study measured personal exposure levels of wood dust, endotoxins, fungal spores, and resin acids across different departments of 11 Norwegian sawmills, revealing that while average exposures were low, they often exceeded safety limits.
- - The study found strong correlations for resin acids exposure and moderate ones for other substances, with high levels of spores and endotoxins observed in certain work areas, indicating a complex exposure environment in sawmill operations.
Article Synopsis
- Traditional assessments of fungal exposure primarily focused on spore measurements, which are linked to respiratory diseases, but may underestimate actual exposure due to complex aerosolized fragments.
- A new immunolabeling method and the analysis of samples from Norwegian sawmills revealed that larger fungal fragments (over 1 µm) constituted the majority of fungal aerosols, significantly exceeding spore concentrations.
- Fungal aerosol composition varied by environment, showing that saw departments had a higher spore ratio compared to areas handling green timber, highlighting the need for more comprehensive exposure-response studies that include fungal fragments.
Objectives: In a previous study on smelter workers we, found significant relationship between exposure to dust and accelerated annual decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1). In this cross-sectional study at the end of a follow-up, we aimed to investigate the possible association between annual decline in FEV1 and markers of airways, and systemic inflammation in smelter workers.
Methods: Employees (n=76 (27 current smokers)) who had been part of a longitudinal study (9-13 years) that included spirometry (>6 measurements) and respiratory questionnaires, performed induced sputum, exhaled NO and had blood drawn.
Objective: To investigate associations between work-related asthma-like symptoms (WASTH) and annual pulmonary function decline among employees of 18 Norwegian smelters.
Methods: A 5-year longitudinal study in which WASTH was defined as a combination of dyspnea and wheezing that improved on rest days and vacation.
Results: A total of 12,966 spirometry examinations were performed in 3084 employees.
Objectives: To investigate the relationship between dust exposure and annual change in lung function among employees in Norwegian silicon carbide (SiC) plants using a quantitative job exposure matrix (JEM) regarding total dust.
Methods: All employees, 20-55 years of age by inclusion (n=456), were examined annually for up to 5 years (1499 examinations). Spirometry was performed at each examination, and a questionnaire encompassing questions of respiratory symptoms, smoking status, job and smoking history, and present job held was completed.
The incidence of work-related asthma-like symptoms and dust exposure in Norwegian smelters.
Am J Respir Crit Care Med
June 2012
Rationale: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms among employees in smelters is positively associated with dust exposure.
Objectives: To investigate the association between the incidence of work-related asthma-like symptoms (WASTH) and dust exposure.
Methods: All the employees were invited to participate in a 5-year longitudinal study.
Purpose: We have investigated the association between respiratory symptoms and dust exposure among employees in 18 Norwegian smelters using a longitudinal design.
Methods: All employees (N = 3,084) were examined annually for 5 years (12,996 health examinations). At each examination, the subjects reported if they had respiratory symptoms, coded as 1 (yes) or 0 (no), on a respiratory questionnaire.
We have investigated the association between the incidence of airflow limitation and occupational exposure. The employees (n = 3,924) were investigated annually during five years (n = 16,570) using spirometry. Exposure was classified using job category and a job exposure matrix.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAims: To investigate the association between airflow limitation and occupational exposure and to compare a fixed limit with an age adjusted limit for airflow limitation.
Methods: 3924 employees in 24 Norwegian smelters and related workplaces were investigated annually over 5 years (n=16, 570) using spirometry and a respiratory questionnaire on smoking habits and job category. Employees working full time on the production line were classified as line operators; subjects who never worked on the production line were regarded as non-exposed.
Rationale: The relationship between dust exposure and annual decline in lung function among employees in the smelting industry is unknown.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between annual change in lung function and occupational dust exposure among workers in 15 Norwegian smelters.
Methods: All employees (n = 2,620) were examined annually for 5 years (11,335 health examinations).
Prediction of dropout from respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation in a longitudinal respiratory study.
Scand J Work Environ Health
June 2008
Objectives: This study investigated the possibility that employees reporting respiratory symptoms were more likely than asymptomatic workers to dropout of a respiratory study carried out in Norwegian smelters.
Methods: The study included 3924 employees in 24 Norwegian smelters. They were examined annually using a respiratory questionnaire and spirometry.
Objectives: To investigate the association between decline in lung function and production of alloys in the Norwegian smelting industry.
Methods: All employees (N = 3924) were examined annually for 5 years (16,570 examinations). The employees were classified into three categories: 1) line operators (employed full time in the production line), 2) nonexposed (no exposure last year), and 3) non-line operators (remaining subjects).