Occupational exposures of firefighting and prostate cancer risk in the Norwegian Fire Departments Cohort.

Objectives: Excess incidence of prostate cancer (PC) is frequently observed among firefighters; however, the association with specific occupational exposures of firefighting, as well as the influence of a medical surveillance bias, remains unclear. Our aim was to study PC risk within a firefighter cohort, applying indicators of exposures.

Methods: We used indicators of various firefighting exposures to examine PC risk among men in the Norwegian Fire Departments Cohort (N=4251).

Assessment of Occupational Exposure to Inhalable Aerosols in an Instant Powdered Food Manufacturing Plant in Norway.

Background: In the food manufacturing industry, exposure to inhalable aerosols contributes to respiratory illnesses such as occupational asthma and rhinitis. However, there is a lack of comprehensive exposure assessment studies. This study evaluated occupational exposure to inhalable aerosols in an instant powdered food manufacturing plant during work operations involving dried food and powders.

Determining Which Combinatorial Combat-Relevant Factors Contribute to Heterotopic Ossification Formation in an Ovine Model.

Traumatic heterotopic ossification (HO) is frequently observed in Service Members following combat-related trauma. Estimates suggest that ~65% of wounded warriors who suffer limb loss or major extremity trauma will experience some type of HO formation. The development of HO delays rehabilitation and can prevent the use of a prosthetic.

Occupational exposures of firefighting and urinary tract cancer risk among men in the Norwegian Fire Departments Cohort.

Objectives: Increased risks of bladder cancer and mesothelioma were the strongest evidence for the recent reclassification of firefighting as carcinogenic (Group 1) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Our study aim was to develop indicators for specific firefighting exposures and examine associations with urinary tract cancer (UTC), including bladder cancer.

Methods: We developed indicators for exposure from employment at a fire department or in firefighting jobs, to fire and smoke, and to diesel exhaust for men in the Norwegian Fire Departments Cohort (n=4250).

Chloroform exposure in air and water in Swedish indoor swimming pools-urine as a biomarker of occupational exposure.

Introduction: Disinfection by-products are produced in water disinfected with chlorine-based products. One such group is trihalomethanes, and chloroform is the most abundant trihalomethane in swimming pool areas. Chloroform can be absorbed by inhalation, ingestion, and dermal absorption, and is classified as possibly carcinogenic.

Developing a combat-relevant translatable large animal model of heterotopic ossification.

Heterotopic ossification (HO) refers to ectopic bone formation, typically in residual limbs following trauma and injury. A review of injuries from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) indicated that approximately 70% of war wounds involved the musculoskeletal system, largely in part from the use of improvised explosive devices (IED) and rocket-propelled grenades (RPG). HO is reported to occur in approximately 63%-65% of wounded warriors from OIF and OEF.

Occupational Exposure during Asphalt Paving-Comparison of Hot and Warm Mix Asphalt in Field Experiments.

Objectives: Several studies have demonstrated an increased risk of adverse health effects, including reduced lung function and lung cancer among asphalt pavers, which has been related to occupational exposure to contaminants during asphalt paving. Consequently, occupational exposure among asphalt pavers must be reduced. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of hot mix asphalt (HMA) and warm mix asphalt (WMA) paving on occupational exposure levels during road paving in field experiments.

Work Conditions and Practices in Norwegian Fire Departments From 1950 Until Today: A Survey on Factors Potentially Influencing Carcinogen Exposure.

Background: Meta-analyses have shown firefighters to be at an increased risk of several cancer types. Occupational carcinogen exposure may explain these increased risks. This study aims to describe Norwegian fire departments' work conditions from 1950 until today, focusing on factors relevant for potential occupational carcinogen exposure.

Biomonitoring of the benzene metabolite s-phenylmercapturic acid and the toluene metabolite s-benzylmercapturic acid in urine from firefighters.

The aim of this study was to determine firefighter's exposure to benzene and toluene during a fire drill by monitoring air benzene and toluene, and their corresponding urinary metabolites. A liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method with a minimal of sample preparation steps was developed for the benzene metabolite s-phenylmercapturic acid (SPMA) and the toluene metabolite s-benzylmercapturic acid (SBMA) in urine. Urine samples and air samples were collected from nine firefighters during and after a fire drill in a non-environmentally refurbished house.

Exposure Determinants of Wood Dust, Microbial Components, Resin Acids and Terpenes in the Saw- and Planer Mill Industry.

Objectives: Sawmill workers have an increased risk of adverse respiratory outcomes, but knowledge about exposure-response relationships is incomplete. The objective of this study was to assess exposure determinants of dust, microbial components, resin acids, and terpenes in sawmills processing pine and spruce, to guide the development of department and task-based exposure prediction models.

Methods: 2474 full-shift repeated personal airborne measurements of dust, resin acids, fungal spores and fragments, endotoxins, mono-, and sesquiterpenes were conducted in 10 departments of 11 saw- and planer mills in Norway in 2013-2016.

Occupational exposure during treatment of offshore drilling waste and characterization of microbiological diversity.

The exposure for workers handling and recycling offshore drilling waste are previously not described, and given the potential for exposure to hazardous components, there is a need for characterizing this occupational exposure. In this study five plants recycling offshore drilling waste with different techniques were included. Measurements were conducted in both winter and summer to include seasonal exposure variations.

In vivo analysis of a first-in-class tri-alkyl norspermidine-biaryl antibiotic in an active release coating to reduce the risk of implant-related infection.

Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a well-known and persisting problem. Active release coatings have promise to provide early protection to an implant by eradicating small colony biofilm contaminants or planktonic bacteria that can form biofilm. Traditional antibiotics can be limited as active release agents in that they have limited effect against biofilms and develop resistance at sub-lethal concentrations.

Pneumoproteins in Offshore Drill Floor Workers.

The aim was to assess pneumoproteins and a certain biomarker of systemic inflammation in drill floor workers exposed to airborne contaminants generated during drilling offshore, taking into consideration serum biomarkers of smoking, such as nicotine (S-Nico) and cotinine. Blood samples of club cell protein 16 (CC-16), surfactant protein D (SP-D) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were collected before and after a 14-day work period from 65 drill floor workers and 65 referents. Air samples of oil mist, drilling mud components and elemental carbon were collected in person.

Characterization of air contaminants emitted during laser cutting of carbon fiber-reinforced composite materials.

The emission of ultrafine carbonaceous particles during the laser cutting of fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite materials was investigated. The study was based on characterization of air contaminants emitted during laser cutting of an epoxy-based CFRP material with respect to particle size distribution, particle morphology, and chemical composition. Results indicate that about 90% of the total particulate mass is present as fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic cut-off diameter of 0.

Correction: Comparison of air samplers for determination of isocyanic acid and applicability for work environment exposure assessment.

Correction for 'Comparison of air samplers for determination of isocyanic acid and applicability for work environment exposure assessment' by Mikolaj Jan Jankowski et al., Environ. Sci.

Correction: The stability and generation pattern of thermally formed isocyanic acid (ICA) in air - potential and limitations of proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) for real-time workroom atmosphere measurements.

Correction for 'The stability and generation pattern of thermally formed isocyanic acid (ICA) in air - potential and limitations of proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) for real-time workroom atmosphere measurements' by Mikolaj Jan Jankowski et al., Environ. Sci.

Correction: The applicability of proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) for determination of isocyanic acid (ICA) in work room atmospheres.

Correction for 'The applicability of proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) for determination of isocyanic acid (ICA) in work room atmospheres' by Mikolaj Jan Jankowski et al., Environ. Sci.

Pulmonary function and high-resolution computed tomography examinations among offshore drill floor workers.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess short-term changes in pulmonary function in drill floor workers currently exposed to airborne contaminants generated as a result of drilling offshore. We also aimed to study the prevalence of pulmonary fibrosis using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans of another group of previously exposed drill floor workers.

Methods: Pulmonary function was measured before and after a 14-day work period in a follow-up study of 65 drill floor workers and 65 referents.

Comparison of air samplers for determination of isocyanic acid and applicability for work environment exposure assessment.

Isocyanic acid (ICA) is one of the most abundant isocyanates formed during thermal decomposition of polyurethane (PUR), and other nitrogen containing polymers. Hot-work, such as flame cutting, forging, grinding, turning and welding may give rise to thermal decomposition of said polymers potentially forming significant amounts of ICA. A newly launched dry denuder sampler for airborne isocyanates using di-n-butylamine (DBA) demonstrated build-up of background ICA-DBA over time.

Transcortical or intracondylar? Which model is accurate for predicting biomaterial attachment in total joint replacement?

Despite four decades of research on material and porous coatings intended for cementless fixation in total joint replacement (TJR), aseptic mechanical loosening unrelated to particulate disease remains a concern. One main question asked is how translational are the animal models used to screen material and porous coatings intended for TJR fixation? Another question is how specific are the translational models at targeting the cementless TJR components that have the highest loosening rates? The hypothesis tested was that the bone response would be different between the two bone types-cortical and cancellous-used in translational animal modeling. The osteoblastic jumping distance (OJD), percent ingrowth, and appositional bone response were measured to assess the response between cancellous and cortical bone at two different anatomical locations, within the same limb.

Tremor and hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) in road maintenance workers.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate postural and rest tremor among workers using vibrating hand tools, taking into account the possible effects of toxicants such as alcohol and tobacco. A further aim was to study workers diagnosed with hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) at the time of examination.

Methods: This study comprises 103 road maintenance workers, 55 exposed to vibrating hand tools (age 41.

The stability and generation pattern of thermally formed isocyanic acid (ICA) in air - potential and limitations of proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) for real-time workroom atmosphere measurements.

Isocyanic acid (ICA) in vapour phase has been reported to be of unstable nature, making the occupational hygienic relevance of ICA questionable. The stability of pure ICA in clean air at different humidity conditions was investigated by Fourier transform-infrared spectrometric (FT-IR) measurements. Furthermore, the stability of ICA in a complex atmosphere representative thermal degradation hot-work procedures were examined by performing parallel measurements by proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometric (PTR-MS) instrumentation and off-line denuder air sampling using di-n-butylamine (as a derivatization agent prior to liquid chromatography mass spectrometric (LC-MS) determination).

Pulmonary function and serum pneumoproteins in professional ski waxers.

Context: Professional ski waxers are exposed to particulate matter (PM) during work, but little is known about untoward pulmonary effects.

Objectives: The aim was to study lung function and pneumoproteins in professional ski waxers before and during exposure to PM generated during ski waxing and ski preparation.

Material And Methods: Forty-five male professional ski waxers examined on an exposure-free day in the morning and at least 6 h later were re-examined during ski waxing 2 d later in a cross-shift study.