Occupational exposure to particles and incidence of acute myocardial infarction and other ischaemic heart disease.

Background: Ambient particulate air pollution has been linked to cardiovascular disease. Occupational particle exposure levels may be several times higher than ambient levels but has been less studied.

Objectives: The authors investigated the association between occupational exposure to particles and the incidence of ischaemic heart disease (IHD).

Occupational exposure to particles and incidence of stroke.

Objectives: This paper aims to investigate the relation between occupational exposure to particles, particle size, and the incidence of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.

Methods: The cohort included all manual workers identified from the Swedish National Census in 1980, who were alive as of 1 January 1987. First time events of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke during the period 1987-2005 were identified through linkage to the Hospital Discharge Register and the National Cause of Death Register.

Occupational exposure in parkinsonian disorders: a 43-year prospective cohort study in men.

Background: Several occupations and occupational exposures have been investigated for associations with Parkinson's disease. Common findings are increased risk associated with pesticide exposure and no association between Parkinson's disease and welding.

Methods: We explored the association between a broad range of possible occupational risk factors and Parkinson's disease as well as Parkinson's disease plus other forms of Parkinsonism (referred to as Parkinsonian disorders), using prospectively collected data in the population-based Swedish Twin Registry.

Occupational exposures and risk of acoustic neuroma.

Objectives: Acoustic neuroma is a benign tumour accounting for approximately 6-10% of all intracranial tumours and occurs mainly in patients aged ≥50 years. Our aim was to investigate a wide range of occupational exposures, individual occupational titles and socioeconomic status (SES) as potential risk factors for acoustic neuroma.

Methods: We conducted a population-based case-control study of 793 acoustic neuroma cases identified through the Swedish Cancer Registry and 101,762 randomly selected controls.

Delayed manifestations of CNS effects in formerly exposed printers--a 20-year follow-up.

Whether long-term occupational exposure to organic solvents may affect mental and cognitive functioning later in life, remains unclear. In this study, twelve rotogravure printers formerly exposed to toluene and 19 referents, all initially examined in the mid-1980s, were reexamined after twenty years, applying neuropsychological tests, symptoms and social interaction questionnaires, medical examination, and exposure assessment of each individual's cumulative exposure. By far the most extensive exposure, mainly toluene, had occurred before 1985.

Occupational lead exposure and severe CKD: a population-based case-control and prospective observational cohort study in Sweden.

Background: The role of low-level lead exposure in the cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is unsettled.

Study Design: Case-control study and prospective observational cohort study.

Setting & Participants: 926 cases with incident severe CKD (serum creatinine > 3.

Occupational exposure to UV light and mortality from multiple sclerosis.

Background: The etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) is largely unknown; low exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light has been a suggested risk factor. The aim of this study was to investigate whether occupational exposure to UV light reduces the risk of death from MS.

Methods: The cohort was based on all individuals in the Swedish census in 1980.

Long-term exposure to road traffic noise and myocardial infarction.

Background: An association has been reported between long-term exposure to road traffic noise and the risk of myocardial infarction (MI), but the evidence is limited and inconclusive. No previous study has simultaneously analyzed the role of exposure to noise and air pollution from road traffic in the risk of MI.

Methods: A population-based case-control study on MI was conducted 1992-1994 in Stockholm County.

The determinants of dermal exposure ranking method (DERM): a pesticide exposure assessment approach for developing countries.

A new method for assessment of dermal exposure to pesticides in subsistence farmers by use of determinants of dermal exposure is described. The method, called the determinants of dermal exposure ranking method (DERM), is a combination of checklists and expert rating assessment. Thus, determinants are listed in a form, which is used to check their presence and to assess them using a simple algorithm based on two factors, the type of transport process (T value) and the area of body surface exposed (A value).

Deposition of nickel, chromium, and cobalt on the skin in some occupations - assessment by acid wipe sampling.

Background: Nickel, chromium, and cobalt are important skin sensitizers. Better knowledge about skin exposure is needed for more efficient prevention. We have previously developed acid wipe sampling for assessment of skin exposure to metals.

Occupational noise exposure and risk of acoustic neuroma.

A small number of prior epidemiologic studies of occupational noise exposure based on self-report have suggested an association with acoustic neuroma. The goal of the present study was to further examine the association between noise exposure and acoustic neuroma by using an objective measure of exposure in the form of a job exposure matrix. A total of 793 acoustic neuroma cases aged 21-84 years were identified between 1987 and 1999 from the Swedish Cancer Registry.

Mortality, morbidity and occupational exposure to airway-irritating agents among men with a respiratory diagnosis in adolescence.

Objectives: To examine the influence of an airway diagnosis in adolescence on future health and occupation in Swedish men.

Methods: Data were collected from the linkage of four Swedish national registers: the Military Service Conscription Register, the Population and Housing Censuses, the Inpatient Care Register and the National Cause of Death Register. A job-exposure matrix for airway-irritating substances was developed for application on the conscription cohort.

Assessment of skin exposure to nickel, chromium and cobalt by acid wipe sampling and ICP-MS.

There is a great need to accurately assess skin exposure to contact allergens. We have developed a technique for assessment of skin exposure to nickel, chromium and cobalt using acid wipe sampling by cellulose wipes with 1% nitric acid. Chemical analysis was performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Parkinson's disease and other basal ganglia or movement disorders in a large nationwide cohort of Swedish welders.

Introduction: Although it has been hypothesised that metal welding and flame cutting are associated with an increased risk for Parkinson's disease due to manganese released in the welding fume, few rigorous cohort studies have evaluated this risk.

Methods: The authors examined the relation between employment as a welder and all basal ganglia and movement disorders (ICD-10, G20-26) in Sweden using nationwide and population based registers. All men recorded as welders or flame cutters (n = 49,488) in the 1960 or 1970 Swedish National Census were identified and their rates of specific basal ganglia and movement disorders between 1964 and 2003 were compared with those in an age and geographical area matched general population comparison cohort of gainfully employed men (n = 489,572).

Exposure to particles and nitrogen dioxide among taxi, bus and lorry drivers.

Aim: The aims of this study have been to investigate the occurrence of systematic differences in the personal exposure to motor exhaust between different groups of taxi, bus and lorry drivers, and to study if these are influenced by the choice of exposure indicator.

Methods: We used one indicator of the gaseous phase, nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)), and one of the particle phase (measured by DataRAM), of the exhausts. A total of 121 drivers were included in the study: 39 taxi drivers, 42 bus drivers and 40 lorry drivers.

Assessment of dermal pesticide exposure with fluorescent tracer: a modification of a visual scoring system for developing countries.

A semi-quantitative dermal exposure assessment method based on visual observations of fluorescence images was presented by Fenske in 1988. We adapted the method to Nicaraguan working conditions and evaluated its performance. Thirty-two farmers applied chlorpyrifos and methamidophos marked with Tinopal CBS-X(R).

Ambient isoflurane pollution and isoflurane consumption during intensive care unit sedation with the Anesthetic Conserving Device.

Objective: To examine ambient isoflurane pollution, scavenging efficacy, and isoflurane consumption using the Anesthetic Conserving Device (ACD) for prolonged isoflurane sedation in the intensive care unit.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Multidisciplinary university intensive care unit.

Determinants of dermal exposure among Nicaraguan subsistence farmers during pesticide applications with backpack sprayers.

Objectives: Identification of pesticide exposure determinants has become an issue in explaining exposure variability and improving control measures. Most studies have been conducted in industrialized countries. The aim of this study was to identify relevant dermal exposure determinants among Nicaraguan subsistence farmers.

Reliability of a visual scoring system with fluorescent tracers to assess dermal pesticide exposure.

Background And Objectives: We modified Fenske's semi-quantitative 'visual scoring system' of fluorescent tracer deposited on the skin of pesticide applicators and evaluated its reproducibility in the Nicaraguan setting.

Methods: The body surface of 33 farmers, divided into 31 segments, was videotaped in the field after spraying with a pesticide solution containing a fluorescent tracer. A portable UV lamp was used for illumination in a foldaway dark room.

Occupational magnetic field exposure among women in Stockholm County, Sweden.

Background: Most epidemiological studies on adverse health effects among women in relation to occupational magnetic field exposure have been based on information about men's exposure.

Aims: To create a job-exposure matrix for occupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields among women.

Methods And Results: Measurements were performed using personal magnetic field meters (Emdex Lite) carried by the subjects for 24 hours on a normal workday.

Absence of association between organic solvent exposure and risk of chronic renal failure: a nationwide population-based case-control study.

Exposure to organic solvents has been suggested to cause or exacerbate renal disease, but methodologic concerns regarding previous studies preclude firm conclusions. We examined the role of organic solvents in a population-based case-control study of early-stage chronic renal failure (CRF). All native Swedish residents aged 18 to 74 yr, living in Sweden between May 1996 and May 1998, formed the source population.

Cancer incidence and work place exposure among Swedish biomedical research personnel.

Objective: This cohort study aimed to elucidate cancer occurrence in relation to occupational exposure to specific chemical, biological and physical agents among biomedical research laboratory personnel in Sweden.

Methods: Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for the period 1970-1994 were calculated for specific exposures in the laboratory group (n = 3,277) and for personnel working in non-laboratory departments (n = 2,011), as an internal reference group. Expected numbers were based on national cancer rates.

Paternal occupational exposures and childhood cancer.

The objective of the study described here was to test the hypothesis that paternal occupational exposure near conception increases the risk of cancer in the offspring. We conducted a cohort study based on a population of 235,635 children born shortly after two different censuses in Sweden. The children were followed from birth to 14 years, and cases of cancer were identified in the Swedish Cancer Registry.

Evaluation of the Q16 questionnaire on neurotoxic symptoms and a review of its use.

Objectives: The questionnaire 16 (Q16) is commonly used to study prevalences of neurotoxic symptoms among workers exposed to organic solvents. It has also been recommended that exposed workers reporting more than six symptoms should be referred for further examination of possible chronic toxic encephalopathy. It would be useful to know whether symptoms reported in the questionnaire also reflect impairment of similar functions measured with objective or semiobjective methods in a formerly highly exposed group.

Glioma and occupational exposure in Sweden, a case-control study.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyse whether any job titles, industrial codes, and certain occupational exposures were associated with an increased risk of glioma.

Methods: A population based case-control study of incident primary brain tumours in adults was carried out in Uppsala, Sweden in the period 1987-90. The study included 192 cases of glioma and 192 matched controls.