Exposure-response estimate for lung cancer and asbestosis in a predominantly chrysotile-exposed Chinese factory cohort.

Background: Cumulative fiber exposures, predominantly chrysotile, were estimated in a Chinese asbestos worker cohort and exposure-response relationships with lung cancer mortality and cumulative incidence of asbestosis were determined.

Methods: Individual time-dependent cumulative exposures were estimated for 577 asbestos workers, followed prospectively for 37 years. Occupational history and smoking data were obtained from company records and personal interviews; vital status and causes of death were ascertained from death registries and hospital records.

Size- and type-specific exposure assessment of an asbestos products factory in China.

This study describes fibre size and type-specific airborne asbestos exposures in an asbestos product factory. Forty-four membrane filter samples were analysed by scanning electron microscopy to determine the size distribution of asbestos fibres, by workshop. Fibre frequencies of bivariate (length by width) categories were calculated and differences between workshops were tested by analysis of variance.

Exposure-specific lung cancer risks in Chinese chrysotile textile workers and mining workers.

Objective: Whether there is a difference in the exposure-response slope for lung cancer between mining workers and textile workers exposed to chrysotile has not been well documented. This study was carried out to evaluate exposure-specific lung cancer risks in Chinese chrysotile textile workers and mining workers.

Subjects And Methods: A chrysotile mining worker cohort and a chrysotile textile worker cohort were observed concurrently for 26 years.

Exposure to chrysotile mining dust and digestive cancer mortality in a Chinese miner/miller cohort.

Objectives: To examine mortality from digestive cancers in a Chinese miner cohort and to explore the exposure-response relationship between chrysotile mining dust and site-specific digestive cancers.

Methods: A cohort of 1539 asbestos miners was followed for 26 years. Information on vital status and death causes was collected from personnel records and hospitals.

Interaction between occupational stress and GR gene polymorphisms on essential hypertension among railway workers.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the interactions of occupational stress and glucocorticoid receptor gene (GR) polymorphisms on essential hypertension (EH) among Chinese railway workers.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted with 196 EH cases and matched controls from male railway employees. Occupational stress was scaled by a validated Chinese version of the Occupational Stress Inventory.

Mortality in chrysotile asbestos workers in China.

Purpose Of Review: China has been the world's top chrysotile asbestos consumer and producer. However, the national mortality rate for asbestos-related diseases, particularly from malignancies, is unknown. This review elaborates recent studies on cancer mortality and nonmalignant respiratory diseases in Chinese chrysotile asbestos workers.

An updated review on asbestos and related diseases in China.

Background: Asbestos is an industrial mineral that can cause diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Asbestos consumption in China has increased steadily since the 1960s and is currently at half a million tonnes per year. Work conditions in the asbestos-related industries are poor and exposure levels frequently exceed the occupational exposure limit.

Cause-specific mortality in relation to chrysotile-asbestos exposure in a Chinese cohort.

Introduction: The carcinogenic potency of chrysotile asbestos remains a contentious topic, and more data are needed to address this issue. We examine cause-specific mortality, especially lung cancer, and its association with chrysotile-asbestos exposure in a Chinese cohort.

Methods: A cohort of 577 workers from a chrysotile-textile plant was followed prospectively from 1972 to 2008.

A 37-year observation of mortality in Chinese chrysotile asbestos workers.

Objectives: This 37-year prospective cohort study was undertaken to provide additional evidence for mortality risks associated with exposure to chrysotile asbestos.

Methods: 577 asbestos workers and 435 control workers in original cohorts were followed from 1972 to 2008, achieving a follow-up rate of 99% and 73%, respectively. Morality rates were determined based on person-years of observation.

Occupational injury in rural Bangladesh: data gathering using household survey.

Occupational injuries are estimated to cause over 300,000 deaths per year worldwide. Many low- and middle-income countries often lack effective injury surveillance systems. We attempted to utilize household surveys to collect occupational injury data to develop more accurate injury incidence data.

Asbestos-related disease in Bangladeshi ship breakers: a pilot study.

A pilot study tested the feasibility of conducting occupational health research in Bangladesh while examining prevalence of asbestos-related diseases including asbestosis, work-related respiratory symptoms, and attitudes to occupational health and safety among a group of internal migrant ship breakers. Data was collected on clinical and work history, respiratory symptoms, and occupational health and safety practices in Bengali. A B-reader read all postero-anterior chest x-rays.