Publications by authors named "Renee Kalmes"

Article Synopsis
  • There are significant gaps in research about adults' hand-to-mouth touching behavior, which is important for understanding health risks from accidental ingestion of harmful substances.
  • The study observed 14 participants performing various tasks to analyze how often and where they touched their faces, focusing on hand contact surfaces.
  • Findings showed that during most tasks, participants frequently touched their faces, with an average of 27.7 face touches during non-installation tasks, primarily with their palms, suggesting specific health implications based on what their hands might be carrying.
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Lumber Liquidators (LL) Chinese-manufactured laminate flooring (CLF) has been installed in >400,000 U.S. homes over the last decade.

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This study's objective is to assess the risk of asbestos-related disease being contracted by past users of cosmetic talcum powder.  To our knowledge, no risk assessment studies using exposure data from historical exposures or chamber simulations have been published. We conducted activity-based sampling with cosmetic talcum powder samples from five opened and previously used containers that are believed to have been first manufactured and sold in the 1960s and 1970s.

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Objective: We compared, updated, and expanded the analyses of two previous meta-analyses of personal hair dye exposure and bladder cancer, and briefly discussed the biological plausibility of a systemic hazard to human health from exposure to para-phenylenediamine (PPD), a key chemical in hair dyes.

Methods: The meta-analysis included 11 case-control studies and one cohort study. We evaluated heterogeneity across studies and conducted sensitivity and influence analyses.

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Work-related exposures potentially associated with a cluster of brain tumors at a petroleum exploration and extraction research facility were evaluated in a nested case-control study. Fifteen cases were identified in the original cohort and 150 matched controls were selected. Odds ratios (ORs) for occupational exposure to petroleum, radiation, solvents, magnetic fields, and work activities were near or below 1.

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A cohort mortality study was conducted among 3,779 employees at a petroleum exploration and extraction research facility to evaluate workplace exposures and brain tumor risk. Deaths were identified by searches against the National Death Index, Social Security Administration, and California state mortality files. Work histories were classified by job titles, laboratory activity, and company division.

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Elevated prostate cancer incidence was found at a plant producing atrazine that had an intensive prostate screening program. This study tested the relationship among atrazine exposure, prostate cancer, and the screening program. Twelve cases and 130 control subjects were selected from the original cohort.

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