Association of Occupational Exposures and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Morbidity.

Objective: The aim of the study is to determine whether aggregate measures of occupational exposures are associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) outcomes in the Subpopulations and Intermediate Outcome Measures in COPD study cohort.

Methods: Individuals were assigned to six predetermined exposure hazard categories based on self-reported employment history. Multivariable regression, adjusted for age, sex, race, current smoking status, and smoking pack-years determined the association of such exposures to odds of COPD and morbidity measures.

Peak Exposures in Epidemiologic Studies and Cancer Risks: Considerations for Regulatory Risk Assessment.

We review approaches for characterizing "peak" exposures in epidemiologic studies and methods for incorporating peak exposure metrics in dose-response assessments that contribute to risk assessment. The focus was on potential etiologic relations between environmental chemical exposures and cancer risks. We searched the epidemiologic literature on environmental chemicals classified as carcinogens in which cancer risks were described in relation to "peak" exposures.

An investigation of mercury sources in the Puyango-Tumbes River: Using stable Hg isotopes to characterize transboundary Hg pollution.

Mercury (Hg) concentrations and stable isotopes along with other trace metals were examined in environmental samples from Ecuador and Peru's shared Puyango-Tumbes River in order to determine the extent to which artisanal- and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in Portovelo-Zaruma, Ecuador contributes to Hg pollution in the downstream aquatic ecosystem. Prior studies investigated the relationship between ASGM activities and downstream Hg pollution relying primarily on Hg concentration data. In this study, Hg isotopes revealed an isotopically heavy Hg signature with negligible mass independent fractionation (MIF) in downstream sediments, which was consistent with the signature observed in the ASGM source endmember.

Environmental and occupational risk factors for progressive supranuclear palsy: Case-control study.

Background: The cause of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is largely unknown. Based on evidence for impaired mitochondrial activity in PSP, we hypothesized that the disease may be related to exposure to environmental toxins, some of which are mitochondrial inhibitors.

Methods: This multicenter case-control study included 284 incident PSP cases of 350 cases and 284 age-, sex-, and race-matched controls primarily from the same geographical areas.

Extended followup of a cohort of chromium production workers.

Background: The current study evaluates the mortality of 2,354 workers first employed at a Baltimore chromate production plant between 1950 and 1974.

Methods: The National Death Index (NDI Plus) was used to determine vital status and cause of death. Cumulative chromium (VI) exposure and nasal and skin irritation were evaluated as risk factors for lung cancer mortality.

Serial Free Bisphenol A and Bisphenol A Glucuronide Concentrations in Neonates.

Objective: To determine the balance of metabolism of free bisphenol A (BPA) to the inactive conjugate, BPA glucuronide (BPAG), in neonates.

Study Design: Free BPA and BPAG concentrations were measured in 78 urine samples collected between December 2012 and August 2013 from a cohort of 44 healthy full term (≥ 37 weeks' gestation) neonates at 2 intervals (3-6 days and 7-27 days of age). A questionnaire was administered at the time of sample collection.

Early Life Metabolism of Bisphenol A: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

When a comprehensive report on BPA was published in 2008, few data were available to assess the extent to which known poor glucuronidation capacity impacts BPA internal dose in infants and young children. In this paper, evidence that has emerged since the 2008 report is summarized, including: 1) human biomarker studies in children aged 0-5 years; 2) animal studies of neonatal toxicokinetics; and 3) physically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models. To address limitations in these studies, we recommend more human biomonitoring studies in children aged 0-5 years in which unmetabolized (free) BPA and BPA metabolites are separately quantified and detailed quality-control data are reported, investigation of metabolic differences between humans and animal species used for the study of BPA metabolism, and enzyme ontogeny studies, which along with biomonitoring studies would reduce uncertainty in PBPK models of early-life BPA metabolism.

Laceration injuries and infections among workers in the poultry processing and pork meatpacking industries.

Background: Workers in poultry processing and pork meatpacking have high rates of acute injuries and chronic disease among. The presence of zoonotic pathogens in these workplaces may interact with injury.

Methods: We investigated incidence of worker injuries, lacerations, and infections reported by 10 companies from 2004 to 2009 and calculated annual incidence rates by industry and company along with temporal trends and job-related risk factors.

Characterization of a portable method for the collection of exhaled breath condensate and subsequent analysis of metal content.

Using exhaled breath condensate (EBC) as a biological media for analysis of biomarkers of exposure may facilitate the understanding of inhalation exposures. In this study, we present method validation for the collection of EBC and analysis of metals in EBC. The collection method was designed for use in a small scale longitudinal study with the goal of improving reproducibility while maintaining economic feasibility.

Urinary free bisphenol A and bisphenol A-glucuronide concentrations in newborns.

Infants are exposed to the endocrine disruptor bisphenol A (BPA) through breast milk and baby formula. Detoxication by conjugation of BPA may be limited in infants. We demonstrate BPA exposure in 11 neonates and 1 young infant, but find no evidence of a low capacity for BPA conjugation.

Prenatal secondhand smoke exposure and infant birth weight in China.

Epidemiologic evidence provides some support for a causal association between maternal secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure during pregnancy and reduction in infant birth weight. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to examine the magnitude of this association in China, where both prevalence and dose of SHS exposure are thought to be higher than in U.S.

Evaluation of the interactions between multiwalled carbon nanotubes and Caco-2 cells.

The aim of this study was to determine whether multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNCT) are taken up by and are toxic to human intestinal enterocytes using the Caco-2 cell model. Caco-2 cells were exposed to 50 μg/ml MWCNT (oxidized or pristine) for 24 h, and experiments were repeated in the presence of 2.5 mg/L natural organic matter.

Evaluation of antineoplastic drug exposure of health care workers at three university-based US cancer centers.

Objective: This study evaluated health care worker exposure to antineoplastic drugs.

Methods: A cross-sectional study examined environmental samples from pharmacy and nursing areas. A 6-week diary documented tasks involving those drugs.

Chemosensory loss: functional consequences of the world trade center disaster.

Background: Individuals involved in rescue, recovery, demolition, and cleanup at the World Trade Center (WTC) site were exposed to a complex mixture of airborne smoke, dust, combustion gases, acid mists, and metal fumes. Such exposures have the potential to impair nasal chemosensory (olfactory and trigeminal) function.

Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of chemosensory dysfunction and nasal inflammation among these individuals.

Circumstances of fatal lockout/tagout-related injuries in manufacturing.

Background: Over the past few decades, hundreds of manufacturing workers have suffered fatal injuries while performing maintenance and servicing on machinery and equipment. Using lockout/tagout procedures could have prevented many of these deaths.

Methods: A narrative text analysis of OSHA accident investigation report summaries was conducted to describe the circumstances of lockout/tagout-related fatalities occurring in the US manufacturing industry from 1984 to 1997.

Effects of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) standard on rates of machinery-related fatal occupational injury.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the United States' federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration's control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) standard on rates of machinery-related fatal occupational injury. The standard, which took effect in 1990, requires employers in certain industries to establish an energy control program and sets minimum criteria for energy control procedures, training, inspections, and hardware.

Design: An interrupted time-series design was used to determine the standard's effect on fatality rates.

Evaluation of long-term occupational exposure to styrene vapor on olfactory function.

The primary sensory neurons of the olfactory system are chronically exposed to the ambient environment and may therefore be susceptible to damage from occupational exposure to many volatile chemicals. To investigate whether occupational exposure to styrene was associated with olfactory impairment, we examined olfactory function in 2 groups: workers in a German reinforced-plastics boat-manufacturing facility having a minimum of 2 years of styrene exposure (15-25 ppm as calculated from urinary metabolite concentrations, with historical exposures up to 85 ppm) and a group of age-matched workers from the same facility with lower styrene exposures. The results were also compared with normative data previously collected from healthy, unexposed individuals.

Inter-rater agreement of assessed prenatal maternal occupational exposures to lead.

Background: Industrial hygienists' assessments of prenatal occupational exposures based on parental job histories is a promising approach for population-based case-control studies of birth defects and other perinatal outcomes. However, evaluations of inter-rater agreement of such assessments have been limited.

Methods: We examined inter-rater agreement of occupational lead exposure assessments of maternal job reports by industrial hygienists in a population-based case-control study of parental occupational lead exposure and low birth weight.

Health status of Army Chemical Corps Vietnam veterans who sprayed defoliant in Vietnam.

Background: U.S. Army Chemical Corps veterans handled and sprayed herbicides in Vietnam resulting in exposure to Agent Orange and its contaminant 2,3,7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD or dioxin).

Development of a questionnaire to assess worker knowledge, attitudes and perceptions underlying dermal exposure.

Objectives: Workers' behavior is identified as an important determinant of dermal exposure and is influenced by knowledge, attitudes, and risk perceptions. Because behavior may be a significant predictor of exposure, its assessment provides a means for examining exposure and designing strategies and incentives that encourage worker protective behavior. Currently, there are no psychosocial instruments examining worker knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions with respect to dermal hazards.

Use of green fluorescent protein-expressing Aspergillus fumigatus conidia to validate quantitative PCR analysis of air samples collected on filters.

This study used green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing Aspergillus fumigatus conidia to compare quantitative PCR (qPCR) enumeration with direct epifluorescent microscopic filter counts of conidia collected on filters in a test chamber. In separate experiments this study initially compared white versus fluorescent light microscopy for counting A. fumigatus conidia, then compared fluorescent microscopy counting of corresponding filter halves, and finally compared qPCR enumeration to counting by fluorescent light microscopy.

A study of urban housing demolition as a source of lead in ambient dust on sidewalks, streets, and alleys.

We examined changes in ambient dust lead (Pb) levels associated with the demolition of older row houses containing lead paint in Baltimore, MD, USA. Our previous paper describes the three study sites, the demolition processes, and increases in the Pb dustfall rate during demolition (>40-fold) and debris removal (>6-fold) within 10 m of sites where wetting was of limited effectiveness. This paper presents the analysis of settled dust collected using a cyclone device from streets, sidewalks, and alleys within 100 m of study sites before, immediately after, and 1 month after demolition.

Biosolids compost amendment for reducing soil lead hazards: a pilot study of Orgro amendment and grass seeding in urban yards.

In situ inactivation of soil Pb is an alternative to soil removal and replacement that has been demonstrated in recent years at industrial sites with hazardous soil Pb concentrations. Most children exposed to elevated soil Pb, however, reside in urban areas, and no government programs exist to remediate such soils unless an industrial source caused the contamination. Modern regulated biosolids composts have low Pb concentrations and low bioaccessible Pb fractions and can improve grass growth on urban soils.