Airborne trichloramine in indoor swimming pools in Sweden.

Trichloramine is a disinfection by-product in chlorinated swimming pools. It can evaporate into the air and irritate eyes and airways among swimmers and pool workers. This study aimed to evaluate airborne concentrations of trichloramine in different types of indoor swimming pools.

Serum Metabolites in Hand-Arm Vibration Exposed Workers.

Objective: To investigate whether low molecular organic biomarkers could be identified in blood samples from vibration exposed workers using a metabolomics.

Methods: The study population consisted of 38 metalworkers. All participants underwent a standardized medical examination.

Blood biomarkers for vibration-induced white fingers. A case-comparison study.

Background: Vibration induced white fingers (VWF) is one form of secondary Raynaud's phenomenon (RP).

Methods: Vibration exposed workers with RP and vibration exposed controls without RP participated. Blood samples were collected before and after cold challenge exposure (COP).

Inorganic chloramines: a critical review of the toxicological and epidemiological evidence as a basis for occupational exposure limit setting.

Inorganic chloramines are not commercially available, but monochloramine is produced for disinfection or for use in chemical synthesis. Inorganic chloramines are also formed when free chlorine reacts with nitrogen containing substances, e.g.

Occupational exposure to trichloramine and trihalomethanes: adverse health effects among personnel in habilitation and rehabilitation swimming pools.

Personnel in swimming pool facilities typically experience ocular, nasal, and respiratory symptoms due to water chlorination and consequent exposure to disinfection by-products in the air. The aim of the study was to investigate exposure to trichloramine and trihalomethanes (chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, and bromoform) from the perspective of adverse health effects on the personnel at Swedish habilitation and rehabilitation swimming pools. The study included 10 habilitation and rehabilitation swimming pool facilities in nine Swedish cities.

Early life swimming pool exposure and asthma onset in children - a case-control study.

Background: Trichloramine exposure in indoor swimming pools has been suggested to cause asthma in children. We aimed to investigate the risk of asthma onset among children in relation to individual trichloramine exposure.

Methods: A longitudinal nested case-control study of 337 children with asthma (cases) and 633 controls aged 16-17 years was performed within a population-based cohort from The Obstructive Lung Disease in Northern Sweden studies (OLIN).

Temporal Trend in Wood Dust Exposure During the Production of Wood Pellets.

Objective: Wood dust data collected in the production of wood pellets during 2001 to 2013 were evaluated to study a temporal trend in inhalation exposure.

Methods: A linear mixed effects model of natural ln-transformed data was used to express the relative annual difference in inhalation wood dust exposure.

Results: There was an annual decrease of -20.

Respiratory and Ocular Symptoms Among Employees at Swedish Indoor Swimming Pools.

Background: This study investigated trichloramine exposure and prevalence of respiratory and ocular symptoms among Swedish indoor swimming pool workers.

Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to pool workers and referents. Lung function and fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were measured before and after work.

Occupational Exposure to Trichloramine and Trihalomethanes in Swedish Indoor Swimming Pools: Evaluation of Personal and Stationary Monitoring.

Introduction: Chlorination is a method commonly used to keep indoor swimming pool water free from pathogens. However, chlorination of swimming pools produces several potentially hazardous by-products as the chlorine reacts with nitrogen containing organic matter. Up till now, exposure assessments in indoor swimming pools have relied on stationary measurements at the poolside, used as a proxy for personal exposure.

Swimming pool attendance is related to asthma among atopic school children: a population-based study.

Background: By-products of water disinfectants have been suggested to cause asthma, especially in atopic children. However, studies on indoor swimming pool attendance and asthma in children have presented conflicting results. The present study examined the relationship between indoor swimming pool attendance and asthma among sensitized and non-sensitized children aged 11-12 years.

Serum metabolomic biomarkers of dementia.

Aims: This study compared serum metabolites of demented patients (Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia) and controls, and explored serum metabolite profiles of nondemented individuals 5 years preceding the diagnosis.

Methods: Cognitively healthy participants were followed up for 5-20 years. Cognitive assessment, serum sampling, and diagnosis were completed every 5 years.

Lung function in volunteers before and after exposure to trichloramine in indoor pool environments and asthma in a cohort of pool workers.

Objectives: Exposure to trichloramine (NCl(3)) in indoor swimming-pool environments is known to cause mucous membrane irritation, but if it gives rise to changes in lung function or asthma in adults is not known. (1) We determined lung function in volunteers before and after exposure to indoor pool environments. (2) We studied the occurrence of respiratory symptoms and asthma in a cohort of pool workers.

Determination of resin acids during production of wood pellets--a comparison of HPLC/ESI-MS with the GC/FID MDHS 83/2 method.

Resin acids are constituents of natural and technical products of widespread use. Exposure is known to cause health effects in the airways and on the skin. Liquid chromatography/positive ion electrospray-mass spectrometry (HPLC/pos ESI-MS) was investigated for determination of 7-oxodehydroabietic (7-OXO), dehydroabietic (DHAA) and abietic acid (AA) in wood dust-containing air samples as a derivatisation-free alternative to the GC/FID HSE method 83/2, developed by the Health and Safety Executive UK.

Evaluation of a tape-stripping technique for measuring dermal exposure to pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene.

Epidemiological studies have shown an increased incidence of cancer among workers occupationally exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). As the dermal route is considered important for exposure to PAHs in the workplace, the aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a tape-stripping technique for monitoring dermal exposure to pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene. The tape-stripping method was evaluated by applying different concentrations of pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene directly onto tape strips (spiked tapes), clean glass plates, and on the skin of five volunteers.

Lung cancer risk and radon exposure in a cohort of iron ore miners in Malmberget, Sweden.

Objectives: Lung cancer caused by radon in miners is a well-known risk. However, the risk estimates vary between studies and between mines. We have studied the dose response-relationship in a Swedish iron ore mine where two other studies have previously reached different risk estimates.

Field validation of the Ogawa diffusive sampler for NO2 and NOx in a cold climate.

A small-scale field trial in Umeå, Sweden with Ogawa samplers and a chemiluminescence instrument indicated that the NO(2) concentration was underestimated with respect to the reference monitor, if calculated according to the manufacturer's Ogawa sampling protocol. By co-locating Ogawa samplers and reference monitors at six sites in two Swedish cities, uptake rates were determined for NO(2) and NO(x) better applicable to the Swedish conditions and climate. The concentrations of NO(2) and NO(x) calculated according to the instruction manual of the sampler and using the field-determined uptake rates were compared with values derived from chemiluminescence monitors for each week over which samples were taken.

Lung cancer and exposure to quartz and diesel exhaust in Swedish iron ore miners with concurrent exposure to radon.

Objectives: Studies of underground miners have documented an increased risk of lung cancer mainly linked to radon exposure but possibly influenced by other concurrent exposures.

Methods: A cohort study was carried out in 8321 iron ore miners with low exposure to radon, employed in 1923-1998 and followed up for lung cancer in 1958-2000. Historical exposures to radon, crystalline silica and diesel exhaust were assessed.

Mortality from myocardial infarction in relation to exposure to vibration and dust among a cohort of iron-ore miners in Sweden.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate myocardial infarction (MI) mortality in relation to exposure to hand/arm vibration (HAV) and whole body vibration (WBV) as well as exposure to dust among men employed in two Swedish iron-ore mines.

Methods: This study comprised employed men at two iron-ore mines in Sweden who had been employed for at least 1 year from 1923 up to 1996. The causes of death were obtained from the national cause of death register from 1952 to 2001.

Occupational exposure to dust, gases and fumes, a family history of asthma and impaired respiratory health.

Objectives: This study assessed the impact of occupational exposure to dust, gases, and fumes on respiratory symptoms, obstructive lung diseases, or the use of asthma medication among persons with and without a family history of asthma.

Methods: A population-based cohort was followed for 10 years. This study included all 1739 men and 1594 women occupationally active at the first survey.

Variability and determinants of wood dust and resin acid exposure during wood pellet production: measurement strategies and bias in assessing exposure-response relationships.

Production of wood pellets is a relatively new and expanding industry in which the exposure profiles differ from those in other wood-processing industries like carpentries and sawmills where there are lower levels of wood dust. Sixty-eight personal exposure measurements of wood dust (inhalable and total dust) and resin acids were collected for 44 participants at four production plants located in Sweden. Results were used to estimate within- and between-worker variability and to identify uniformly exposed groups and determinants of exposure.

Tape-stripping as a method for measuring dermal exposure to resin acids during wood pellet production.

The purpose of this study was to develop a sensitive and specific method for quantifying dermal exposure to the resin acids 7-oxodehydroabietic acid (7-OXO), dehydroabietic acid (DHAA), abietic acid (AA), and pimaric acid (PA). In addition the method was evaluated in occupational settings during production of wood pellets. Tape-strips were spiked with the substances to evaluate the recovery of the acids from the tape.

Exposure to wood dust, resin acids, and volatile organic compounds during production of wood pellets.

The main aim of this study was to investigate exposure to airborne substances that are potentially harmful to health during the production of wood pellets, including wood dust, monoterpenes, and resin acids, and as an indicator of diesel exhaust nitrogen dioxide. In addition, area measurements were taken to assess background exposure levels of these substances, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon monoxide. Measurements were taken at four wood pellet production plants from May 2004 to April 2005.

Exposure-response of silicosis mortality in Swedish iron ore miners.

Objectives: To assess the exposure-response relationship between exposure to quartz and fatal silicosis.

Methods: The mortality from silicosis in 7729 miners was analyzed and compared to their estimated exposure to respirable quartz. The miners had been working as a miner for at least 1 year between 1923 and 1996.

Development, evaluation and data acquired with a tape-stripping technique for measuring dermal exposure to budesonide at a pharmaceutical manufacturing site.

Objectives: Although corticosteroids have been used for over 50 years as anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative agents, few studies have examined their exposure levels and health effects on workers employed in the corticosteroid manufacturing industry. The aims of the study reported here were to develop a tape-stripping technique for monitoring budesonide (a corticosteroid used in inhalators for treating respiratory diseases) and to apply the method in a pilot study to estimate the potential dermal exposure to budesonide among workers at a pharmaceutical formulation site.

Methods: The tape-stripping method was evaluated by applying 0.

Should styrene be sampled on the left or right shoulder?--An important question in employee self-assessment.

A self-operated personal sampling technique called 'self assessment of exposure' (SAE) has been suggested as an easy method for collecting inhalation exposure data, as the workers themselves are performing the sampling. Employers and employees have raised the question of whether a different estimate of the air concentration is likely to be obtained depending on whether the sampler is fastened at the left or the right shoulder. In order to answer this question, the exposure to styrene vapour in two different small enterprises within the reinforced plastics industry was measured.