Updated findings on temporal variation in radiation-effects on cancer mortality in an international cohort of nuclear workers (INWORKS).

The International Nuclear Workers Study (INWORKS) contributes knowledge on the dose-response association between predominantly low dose, low dose rate occupational exposures to penetrating forms of ionizing radiation and cause-specific mortality. By extending follow-up of 309,932 radiation workers from France (1968-2014), the United Kingdom (1955-2012), and the United States (1944-2016) we increased support for analyses of temporal variation in radiation-cancer mortality associations. Here, we examine whether age at exposure, time since exposure, or attained age separately modify associations between radiation and mortality from all solid cancers, solid cancers excluding lung cancer, lung cancer, and lymphohematopoietic cancers.

Leukaemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma mortality after low-level exposure to ionising radiation in nuclear workers (INWORKS): updated findings from an international cohort study.

Background: A major update to the International Nuclear Workers Study (INWORKS) was undertaken to strengthen understanding of associations between low-dose exposure to penetrating forms of ionising radiation and mortality. Here, we report on associations between radiation dose and mortality due to haematological malignancies.

Methods: We assembled a cohort of 309 932 radiation-monitored workers (269 487 [87%] males and 40 445 [13%] females) employed for at least 1 year by a nuclear facility in France (60 697 workers), the UK (147 872 workers), and the USA (101 363 workers).

Inverse Probability Weighting to Estimate Impacts of Hypothetical Occupational Limits on Radon Exposure to Reduce Lung Cancer.

Radon is a known cause of lung cancer. Protective standards for radon exposure are derived largely from studies of working populations that are prone to healthy worker survivor bias. This bias can lead to under-protection of workers and is a key barrier to understanding health effects of many exposures.

Site-specific cancer mortality after low level exposure to ionizing radiation: Findings from an update of the International Nuclear Workers Study (INWORKS).

A major update to the International Nuclear Workers Study was undertaken that allows us to report updated estimates of associations between radiation and site-specific solid cancer mortality. A cohort of 309,932 nuclear workers employed in France, the United Kingdom, and United States were monitored for external radiation exposure and associations with cancer mortality were quantified as the excess relative rate (ERR) per gray (Gy) using a maximum likelihood and a Markov chain Monte Carlo method (to stabilize estimates via a hierarchical regression). The analysis included 28,089 deaths due to solid cancer, the most common being lung, prostate, and colon cancer.

Ethylene Oxide Hemoglobin Adducts in Cord Blood and Offspring's Size at Birth: The NewGeneris European Cohort Study.

Background: Prenatal ethylene oxide exposure may have adverse effects on fetal development. We examined the relationships between ethylene oxide hemoglobin (Hb) adduct levels and offspring's size at birth in a prospective European mother-child study.

Methods: This study included 1106 singletons from the NewGeneris project (2006-2010) with ethylene oxide Hb adducts measured in cord blood.

Infection precaution adherence varies by potential exposure risks to SARS-CoV-2 and job role: Findings from a US medical center.

Background: Infection precautions (IP) facilitate standardized and safe patient care. Research has demonstrated several barriers to IP adherence among health care personnel (HCP) but potential exposure risk to SARS-CoV-2 and job role has not been considered.

Methods: Researchers used self-reported baseline surveys with 191 HCPs at a university medical center to examine factors that may have affected IP adherence (eg, personal protective equipment [PPE] and hand hygiene errors) over the 2 weeks prior to the survey.

Cancer mortality after low dose exposure to ionising radiation in workers in France, the United Kingdom, and the United States (INWORKS): cohort study.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of protracted low dose, low dose rate exposure to ionising radiation on the risk of cancer.

Design: Multinational cohort study.

Setting: Cohorts of workers in the nuclear industry in France, the UK, and the US included in a major update to the International Nuclear Workers Study (INWORKS).

Ionizing radiation and solid cancer mortality among US nuclear facility workers.

Background: The risk of solid cancers from low-level protracted ionizing radiation is not well characterized. Nuclear workers provide valuable information on the effects of ionizing radiation in contemporary exposure scenarios relevant to workers and the public.

Methods: We evaluated the association between penetrating ionizing radiation exposure and solid cancer mortality among a pooled cohort of nuclear workers in the USA, with extended follow-up to examine cancers with long latencies.

Radon and lung cancer in the pooled uranium miners analysis (PUMA): highly exposed early miners and all miners.

Objectives: Radon is a ubiquitous occupational and environmental lung carcinogen. We aim to quantify the association between radon progeny and lung cancer mortality in the largest and most up-to-date pooled study of uranium miners.

Methods: The pooled uranium miners analysis combines 7 cohorts of male uranium miners with 7754 lung cancer deaths and 4.

Nonmalignant respiratory disease mortality in male Colorado Plateau uranium miners, 1960-2016.

Background: To evaluate trends of nonmalignant respiratory disease (NMRD) mortality among US underground uranium miners on the Colorado Plateau, and to estimate the exposure-response association between cumulative radon progeny exposure and NMRD subtype mortality.

Methods: Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and excess relative rates per 100 working level months (excess relative rate [ERR]/100 WLM) were estimated in a cohort of 4021 male underground uranium miners who were followed from 1960 through 2016.

Results: We observed elevated SMRs for all NMRD subtypes.

Lung Cancer and Radon: Pooled Analysis of Uranium Miners Hired in 1960 or Later.

Background: Despite reductions in exposure for workers and the general public, radon remains a leading cause of lung cancer. Prior studies of underground miners depended heavily upon information on deaths among miners employed in the early years of mine operations when exposures were high and tended to be poorly estimated.

Objectives: To strengthen the basis for radiation protection, we report on the follow-up of workers employed in the later periods of mine operations for whom we have more accurate exposure information and for whom exposures tended to be accrued at intensities that are more comparable to contemporary settings.

Lung and extrathoracic cancer incidence among underground uranium miners exposed to radon progeny in the Příbram region of the Czech Republic: a case-cohort study.

Objectives: Radon is carcinogenic, but more studies are needed to understand relationships with lung cancer and extrathoracic cancers at low exposures. There are few studies evaluating associations with cancer incidence or assessing the modifying effects of smoking.

Methods: We conducted a case-cohort study with 16 434 underground uranium miners in the Czech Republic with cancer incidence follow-up 1977-1996.

COVID-19 Surveillance and Investigations in Workplaces - Seattle & King County, Washington, June 15-November 15, 2020.

Workplace activities involving close contact with coworkers and customers can lead to transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 (1,2). Information on the approach to and effectiveness of COVID-19 workplace investigations is limited. In May 2020, Public Health - Seattle & King County (PHSKC), King County, Washington established a COVID-19 workplace surveillance and response system to enhance COVID-19 contact tracing and identify outbreaks in workplaces.

Radon and cancer mortality among underground uranium miners in the Příbram region of the Czech Republic.

Background: This study aims to estimate the association between radon and site-specific cancer mortality among a large contemporary cohort of male uranium miners.

Methods: Annual occupational radon exposure was estimated based on a worker's duration of underground mining in a year and estimates of potential alpha energy of radon progeny in their location of work. Cancer mortality over the period 1977-1992 was ascertained for a cohort of 16 434 male underground uranium miners employed in the Czech Republic between 1946 and 1992.

Ischaemic heart and cerebrovascular disease mortality in uranium enrichment workers.

Objective: Linear and non-linear dose-response relationships between radiation absorbed dose to the lung from internally deposited uranium and external sources and circulatory system disease (CSD) mortality were examined in a cohort of 23 731 male and 5552 female US uranium enrichment workers.

Methods: Rate ratios (RRs) for categories of lung dose and linear excess relative rates (ERRs) per unit lung dose were estimated to evaluate the associations between lung absorbed dose and death from ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and cerebrovascular disease.

Results: There was a suggestion of modestly increased IHD risk in workers with internal uranium lung dose above 1 milligray (mGy) (RR=1.

PUMA - pooled uranium miners analysis: cohort profile.

Objectives: Epidemiological studies of underground miners have provided clear evidence that inhalation of radon decay products causes lung cancer. Moreover, these studies have served as a quantitative basis for estimation of radon-associated excess lung cancer risk. However, questions remain regarding the effects of exposure to the low levels of radon decay products typically encountered in contemporary occupational and environmental settings on the risk of lung cancer and other diseases, and on the modifiers of these associations.

Mortality and cancer incidence among underground uranium miners in the Czech Republic 1977-1992.

Objectives: Uranium miners in Příbram, Czech Republic were exposed to low and moderate levels of radon gas and other hazards. It is unknown whether these hazards increase the risk of mortality or cancer incidence when compared with the general Czech population.

Methods: A cohort of 16 434 male underground miners employed underground for at least 1 year between 1946 and 1976, and alive and residing in the Czech Republic in 1977, were followed for mortality and cancer incidence through 1992.

Employment characteristics and cause-specific mortality at automotive electronics manufacturing plants in Huntsville, Alabama.

Background: This study was carried out in response to worker concerns over their exposure to lead solder and chlorinated solvents at automotive electronics manufacturing plants in Huntsville, Alabama.

Methods: A study of 4396 United Autoworkers members ever-employed at the plants between 1972 and 1993 was conducted with mortality follow-up through 2016. Poisson regression was used to estimate mortality rate ratios (RR) according to employment characteristics, including calendar period of employment.