Temporal Trends in Variability of Respirable Dust and Respirable Quartz Concentrations in the European Industrial Minerals Sector.

While between- and within-worker variability have been studied quite extensively, hardly any research is available that examines long-term trends in the variability of occupational exposure. In this first study on trends in occupational exposure variability temporal changes in the variability of respirable dust and respirable quartz concentrations within the European industrial minerals sector were demonstrated. Since 2000 the European Industrial Minerals Association's Dust Monitoring Program (IMA-DMP) has systematically collected respirable dust and respirable quartz measurements.

Is the New EN689 a Better Standard to Test Compliance With Occupational Exposure Limits in the Workplace?

Objective: To evaluate the performance of three measurement strategies to test compliance with occupational exposure limits of similarly exposed groups (SEGs): the old and new versions of EN689, and the BOHS-NVvA guidance on measuring compliance.

Methods: Respirable dust exposures concentrations (n = 1383) measured within the member companies of IMA-Europe were used to compare compliance decisions between the three measurement strategies. A total of 210 SEGs of which 158 with repeated measurements were analysed.

Temporal trends in respirable dust and respirable quartz concentrations within the European industrial minerals sector over a 15-year period (2002-2016).

Objectives: Since 2000 the European Industrial Minerals Association's Dust Monitoring Programme (IMA-DMP) has systematically collected respirable dust and respirable quartz measurements from 35 companies producing industrial minerals. The IMA-DMP initiative allowed for estimating overall temporal trends in exposure concentrations for the years 2002-2016 and for presenting these trends by type of mineral produced, by jobs performed and by time of enrolment into the DMP.

Methods: Approximately 32 000 personal exposure measurements were collected during 29 sampling campaigns during a 15-year period (2002-2016).

Acute respiratory effects of livestock-related air pollution in a panel of COPD patients.

Living close to livestock farms has been associated with increased symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The causes of these effects are still poorly understood. This panel study attempts to assess the acute effects of livestock-related air pollution in patients with COPD living in an area with intensive livestock farming in the Netherlands.

Considerations in the use of different spirometers in epidemiological studies.

Background: Spirometric lung function measurements have been proven to be excellent objective markers of respiratory morbidity. The use of different types of spirometers in epidemiological and clinical studies may present systematically different results affecting interpretation and implication of results. We aimed to explore considerations in the use of different spirometers in epidemiological studies by comparing forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV) and forced vital capacity (FVC) measurements between the Masterscreen pneumotachograph and EasyOne spirometers.

Air Pollution from Livestock Farms Is Associated with Airway Obstruction in Neighboring Residents.

Rationale: Livestock farm emissions may not only affect respiratory health of farmers but also of neighboring residents.

Objectives: To explore associations between spatial and temporal variation in pollutant emissions from livestock farms and lung function in a general, nonfarming, rural population in the Netherlands.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in 2,308 adults (age, 20-72 yr).

15 years of monitoring occupational exposure to respirable dust and quartz within the European industrial minerals sector.

Introduction: In 2000, a prospective Dust Monitoring Program (DMP) was started in which measurements of worker's exposure to respirable dust and quartz are collected in member companies from the European Industrial Minerals Association (IMA-Europe). After 15 years, the resulting IMA-DMP database allows a detailed overview of exposure levels of respirable dust and quartz over time within this industrial sector. Our aim is to describe the IMA-DMP and the current state of the corresponding database which due to continuation of the IMA-DMP is still growing.

Spirometry, questionnaire and electronic medical record based COPD in a population survey: Comparing prevalence, level of agreement and associations with potential risk factors.

Background: COPD-diagnosis is confirmed by post-bronchodilator (BD) spirometry. However, epidemiological studies often rely on pre-BD spirometry, self-reports, or medical records. This population-based study aims to determine COPD-prevalence based on four different operational definitions and their level of agreement, and to compare associations between COPD-definitions and risk factors.

Increased Micronodule Counts Are More Common in Occupationally Silica Dust-Exposed Smokers Than in Control Smokers.

OBJECTIVE:: To determine the prevalence of increased micronodule counts in silica dust-exposed smokers. METHODS:: We evaluated 54 male smokers with severe silica dust exposure and 54 male control smokers. Both groups underwent low-dose chest computed tomography and lung function testing.

A cross-sectional study among detergent workers exposed to liquid detergent enzymes.

Objectives: To investigate sensitisation and respiratory health among workers who produce liquid detergent products and handle liquid detergent enzymes.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study among 109 eligible workers of a detergent products plant. 108 were interviewed for respiratory and allergic symptoms and 106 blood samples were taken from them to examine sensitisation to enzymes.

Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome in chemical workers producing diacetyl for food flavorings.

Rationale: Workers in microwave popcorn plants are at risk of developing bronchiolitis obliterans associated with exposure to butter flavoring volatiles, including diacetyl.

Objectives: To investigate the risk of bronchiolitis obliterans for chemical workers producing diacetyl, with exposure to less complex mixtures of chemicals.

Methods: We interviewed and conducted spirometry on 175 of 196 workers from a chemical production plant that produced diacetyl between 1960 and 2003.