Agreement between fixed-ratio and lower limit of normal spirometry interpretation protocols decreases with age: is there a need for a new GOLD standard?

Objectives: To assess concordance between the fixed 70% ratio cutoff point with the fixed percent predicted values (Fixed-ratio) and the lower limit of normal (LLN) algorithms in interpreting spirometry results in an older population.

Methods: Spirometries were interpreted using Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey reference equations for 2319 workers.

Results: The Fixed-ratio algorithm characterized 34.

Risk and significance of chest radiograph and pulmonary function abnormalities in an elderly cohort of former nuclear weapons workers.

Objective: To estimate prevalence and risk factors for International Labour Organization radiographic abnormalities, and assess relationship of these abnormalities with spirometry results in former Department of Energy nuclear weapons workers.

Methods: Participants were offered chest x-ray (CXR) and lung function testing. Three occupational medicine physicians read CXRs.

Risk of beryllium sensitization in a low-exposed former nuclear weapons cohort from the Cold War era.

Background: The nuclear weapons industry has long been known as a source of beryllium exposure.

Methods: A total of 1,004 former workers from a nuclear weapons assembly site in the Midwest were screened for sensitization to beryllium (BeS). The screenings were part of the Department of Energy (DOE) Former Worker Program established in 1996.

Prevalence of beryllium sensitization among Department of Defense conventional munitions workers at low risk for exposure.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of beryllium sensitization among former and current Department of Defense workers from a conventional munitions facility.

Methods: Participants were screened by using Beryllium Lymphocyte Proliferation Test. Those sensitized were offered clinical evaluation for chronic beryllium disease.

Farm activities associated with eye injuries in the Agricultural Health Study.

Farmers are at risk for work-related eye injuries, some of which can be very serious. This study describes the farm activities that were related to eye injury in a group of 36 Iowa farmers in the Agricultural Health Study who sustained 40 farmwork-related eye injuries requiring medical advice or treatment. Farm activities of grinding or cutting metal accounted for 11 (27.