Shift Work and Prostate Cancer Incidence in Industrial Workers: A Historical Cohort Study in a German Chemical Company.

Background: There is inconsistent evidence for a possible carcinogenic effect of shift work. In particular, little is known about the putative association of shift work with prostate cancer.

Method: We studied a cohort of 27,828 male industrial production workers residing in the German federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate who worked for at least one year in a chemical company in the period 1995-2005.

Combined effect of back pain and stress on work ability.

Background: Back pain and occupational stress are known risk factors for absenteeism and presenteeism. In addition, the relationship between back pain (BP) and psychosocial stressors has been examined in numerous studies.

Aims: To examine the prevalence of BP and perceived stress among employees of different occupational status and to investigate their combined impact on work ability.

Chromosomal alterations in exfoliated urothelial cells from bladder cancer cases and healthy men: a prospective screening study.

Background: Chromosomal instability in exfoliated urothelial cells has been associated with the development of bladder cancer. Here, we analyzed the accumulation of copy number variations (CNVs) using fluorescence in situ hybridization in cancer cases and explored factors associated with the detection of CNVs in tumor-free men.

Methods: The prospective UroScreen study was designed to investigate the performance of UroVysion™ and other tumor tests for the early detection of bladder cancer in chemical workers from 2003-2010.

A retrospective cohort study of shift work and risk of incident cancer among German male chemical workers.

Objective: Human evidence of carcinogenicity concerning shift work is inconsistent. This industry-based cohort study aimed to examine the relationship between working in a rotating shift and cancer incidence.

Methods: The cohort consisted of male production workers (12 609 shift and 15 219 day), employed in a large chemical industry for at least one year between 1995-2005, and residing in the German federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate.

Shift work and risk of non-cancer mortality in a cohort of German male chemical workers.

Objectives: Shift work is widely considered to be a health risk. In a previous study, we observed no elevated risk of total mortality in BASF shift workers followed up until the end of 2006. The present study aims to investigate non-cancer mortality, especially mortality caused by ischaemic heart disease (IHD), relative to shift work.

Screening for bladder cancer with urinary tumor markers in chemical workers with exposure to aromatic amines.

Purpose: To validate urinary markers for the early detection of bladder cancer (BC) in chemical workers.

Methods: UroScreen was conducted as a validation study for tumor markers within the frame of a health surveillance program of the German Social Accident Insurance for active or retired workers with former exposure to aromatic amines. From 2003 to 2010, 1,609 men took part in voluntary annual screens.

[Shiftwork and health--experience from a chemical company].

Background And Objective: Shiftwork is an essential part of our society. At the same time scientific evaluations demonstrate possible negative effects of shiftwork on the health status of the employees. Against this background we performed different studies to evaluate these effects within the specific shift system in a large chemical site in Germany.

A retrospective cohort study of shift work and risk of cancer-specific mortality in German male chemical workers.

Objectives: Human evidence of carcinogenicity concerning shift work is inconsistent. In a previous study, we observed no elevated risk of total mortality in shift workers followed up until the end of 2006. The present study aimed to investigate cancer-specific mortality, relative to shift work.

Chromosomal instability and bladder cancer: the UroVysion(TM) test in the UroScreen study.

Unlabelled: What's known on the subject? and what does the study add?: UroVysion™ is a multicolour fluorescence in situ hybridisation assay that detects DNA gain at chromosomes 3, 7 and 17 and loss at the 9p21 locus in exfoliated urothelial cells. This cell-based test is time-consuming and costly compared with voided urine cytology or other molecular markers for the early detection of bladder cancer. We determined copy number changes at chromosomes 3, 7 and 17 and at the 9p21 locus with UroVysion in a prospective screening study among chemical workers.

Occupational stress perception and its potential impact on work ability.

Objective: To examine perceived stress across employees with different occupational status, to investigate the impact of stress on work ability and to derive conclusions regarding health promotion activities.

Participants And Methods: A comprehensive survey combining questionnaire and medical examination was offered in one division in BASF Ludwigshafen. Among 867 voluntary participants, 653 returned complete questionnaires.

Shift work and cancer: state of science and practical consequences.

In 2007, an expert Working Group convened by the IARC Monographs Programme concluded that shift work that involves circadian disruption is probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A). We scrutinised the epidemiological basis for this conclusion, with a focus on, but not limited to, breast and prostate cancers. We further considered practical consequences for shift workers in our industry against the background of new findings.

Worker protection during mercury electrolysis cell plant decommissioning.

This article brings information on how to protect worker health during the decommissioning of mercury-based electrolysis facilities. It relies on the Euro Chlor document "Health 2, Code of practice, Control of worker exposure to mercury in the chlor-alkali industry" that provides protection guidelines for both normal production and decommissioning activities, and on hands-on experience gained during chlor-alkali plant decommissioning operations.Decommissioning and dismantling of mercury-containing chlorine production plants presents challenges to industrial hygiene and health protection that are usually not present during normal operations.

Analysis of protein adducts as biomarkers of short-term exposure to ethylene oxide and results of follow-up biomonitoring.

An accidental exposure of six workers to ethylene oxide (EO) provided the rationale for a biomonitoring and follow-up study, whose aim was to analyse protein adduct kinetics and examine the differentiation between accidental and environmental exposure, e.g., from tobacco smoke.

Prospective evaluation of fluorescence-in situ-hybridization to detect bladder cancer: results from the UroScreen-Study.

Background: UroScreen is a prospective study for early diagnosis of bladder cancer (BC) in chemical workers formerly exposed to aromatic amines, aimed to assess the performance of molecular tumor markers in comparison with urinary cytology. Here we evaluate the cancer-predictive values and potential effect modifiers of fluorescence-in-situ-hybridization (FISH).

Subjects And Methods: A FISH test was performed in 7,091 urine samples from 1,609 subjects between 2007 and 2010.

Performance of survivin mRNA as a biomarker for bladder cancer in the prospective study UroScreen.

Background: Urinary biomarkers have the potential to improve the early detection of bladder cancer. Most of the various known markers, however, have only been evaluated in studies with cross-sectional design. For proper validation a longitudinal design would be preferable.

Nuclear matrix protein-22: a prospective evaluation in a population at risk for bladder cancer. Results from the UroScreen study.

Unlabelled: What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? The prognosis of bladder cancer significantly depends on tumour stage and time of diagnosis so early diagnosis is desirable to decrease mortality and treatment costs. The NMP22 test is approved for clinical application by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the US. Previous studies have reported values of 47-100% for sensitivity and 58-91% for specificity with this test, but there is no new data on the predictive value of NMP22 for screening bladder cancer (BC).

Exposure registries: overview and utility for nanomaterial workers.

Objective: This article provides the background for consideration of exposure registries to address potential disease risks in nanomaterial workers.

Methods: The history of exposure registries is reviewed with a focus on their purpose and criteria for establishment.

Results: A rationale is presented for developing registries of nanomaterial workers, and unresolved obstacles and challenges are identified.

Developing a registry of workers involved in nanotechnology: BASF experiences.

Objective: To assist BASF in the establishment of a registry of workers involved in nanotechnology.

Methods: The initial step was a complete inventory of nanomaterials and sites of use. Guidance was developed to clarify which particulate nanomaterials were to be included in the survey.

Role of medical surveillance in risk management.

Objective: Occupational physicians face increasing pressure by health authorities, employers, and employees to provide practical, targeted, and meaningful medical surveillance to workers handling nanoparticles.

Methods: On the basis of experience and literature review, examples were identified for successful medical surveillance activities. Consideration was given to the respective context in which they provide benefit, and whether these examples may be extrapolated to the present situation with nanoparticles.

[Bladder cancer screening with urine-based tumour markers - occupational medical experience].

Objective: Bladder cancer responds favourably to treatment and has a good survival rate, provided it is diagnosed at an early stage. Established methods exist for the early detection, however, their specificity and positive predictive value are not yet satisfactory. Innovative markers have been proposed, but still require validation in prospective studies.

The role of haematuria in bladder cancer screening among men with former occupational exposure to aromatic amines.

Unlabelled: Study Type - Diagnostic (validating cohort).

Level Of Evidence: 1b. What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Microscopic haematuria (µH) is frequently detected in elderly adults.

Is health, measured by work ability index, affected by 12-hour rotating shift schedules?

Two forms of continuously forward rotating 12-h shift schedules exist at BASF's Ludwigshafen site. These shift schedules were compared with a daytime working system to investigate potential differential effects on employee's health status assessed with the Work Ability Index (WAI). In the 3 x 12 system, a 12-h day shift is followed 24 h later by a 12-h night shift, and after a day off the employee returns to the day shift.

Impact of an occupational health promotion program on subsequent illness and mortality experience.

Background: Integrating general health initiatives into established occupational health programs may be an effective way of contributing more broadly to employee health. Objective assessment of the success of such initiatives is needed, but is often difficult to carry out because of their voluntary nature.

Methods: A cohort of 24,586 wage employees, 35+ years of age and with 15+ years of prior employment, was established to assess morbidity and mortality outcomes relative to participation in an ongoing health initiative instituted in 1983.

Medical program for shift workers--impacts on chronic disease and mortality outcomes.

Objective: In 1983, global chemical company BASF SE implemented a supplemental health protection program to help its employees cope with the stressors associated with shift work. The program included comprehensive medical examinations and health promotion activities targeted at shift workers.

Methods: To assess the possible long-term health impacts of the program, cohorts of 14,128 male rotating shift and 17,218 male day wage employees were established via electronic job history searches.