Bladder cancer screening in aluminum smelter workers.

Objective: To present results of a bladder cancer screening program conducted in 18 aluminum smelters in the United States from January 2000 to December 2010.

Methods: Data were collected on a cohort of workers with a history of working in coal tar pitch volatile exposed areas including urine analysis for conventional cytology and ImmunoCyt/uCyt+ assay.

Results: ImmunoCyt/uCyt+ and cytology in combination showed a sensitivity of 62.

Acoustic neuroma: potential risk factors and audiometric surveillance in the aluminium industry.

Objectives: To look for an association between acoustic neuroma (AN) and participation in a hearing conservation programme (HCP) and also for an association between AN and possible occupational risk factors in the aluminium industry.

Methods: We conducted a case-control analysis of a population of US aluminium production workers in 8 smelters and 43 other plants. Using insurance claims data, 97 cases of AN were identified between 1996 and 2009.

Impact of daily noise exposure monitoring on occupational noise exposures in manufacturing workers.

Objective: Despite the use of hearing protection devices (HPDs), noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) remains one of the most prevalent occupational conditions. A new technology allows for daily monitoring of noise exposures under HPDs. We report on an intervention employing the voluntary use of this technology in a worksite setting.

Further validation that claims data are a useful tool for epidemiologic research on hypertension.

Background: The practice of using medical service claims in epidemiologic research on hypertension is becoming increasingly common, and several published studies have attempted to validate the diagnostic data contained therein. However, very few of those studies have had the benefit of using actual measured blood pressure as the gold standard. The goal of this study is to assess the validity of claims data in identifying hypertension cases and thereby clarify the benefits and limitations of using those data in studies of chronic disease etiology.

Effect of daily noise exposure monitoring on annual rates of hearing loss in industrial workers.

Objectives: Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is prevalent, yet evidence on the effectiveness of preventive interventions is lacking. The effectiveness of a new technology allowing workers to monitor daily at-ear noise exposure was analysed.

Methods: Workers in the hearing conservation program of an aluminium smelter were recruited because of accelerated rates of hearing loss.