| 1. |
- Dauter, Ulrike Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Cancer-related changes and low-to-moderate exposure to welding fumes : A longitudinal study
- 2022
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - : Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - 0355-3140 .- 1795-990X. ; 48:1, s. 21-30
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective This study tested for an association between early cancer-related biomarkers and low-to-moderate exposure to fumes from welding mild steel.Methods Male, non-smoking participants from southern Sweden were recruited and examined (N=338, 171 welders and 167 controls); of these, 78 welders and 96 controls were examined on two occasions six years apart. Exposure to welding fumes was evaluated by measuring respirable dust, welding years, and cumulative exposure. DNA methylation of CpG sites within the cancer-related genes AHRR, F2RL3, and B3GNTL1 was measured by pyrosequencing and relative mitochondrial DNA copy number and telomere length were measured by qPCR in whole-blood samples. Multivariate models were used for longitudinal analysis.Results Median exposure to respirable dust was 0.7 mg/m3 at both timepoints, adjusted for use of personal protective equipment. Compared with controls, welders showed a significant decrease over time in DNA methylation of B3GNTL1 CpG1 and CpG4 [adjusted for age, body mass index, and smoking: β=-0.66, standard error (SE)=0.28; β=-0.48, SE=0.24, respectively]. In addition, exposure to respirable dust and cumulative exposure was associated with a decrease in methylation of F2RL3 CpG2 among all welders (adjusted β=-0.67, SE=0.23 and β=-0.03, SE=0.02, respectively). No significant associations were found for AHRR, mitochondrial DNA copy number, or telomere length.Conclusion Low-to-moderate exposure to welding fumes was associated with a small effect on selected early epigenetic biomarkers of cancer. The direction of the methylation pattern (lower methylation of specific CpG sites) indicates early lung cancer-related changes associated with mild steel welding.
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| 2. |
- Gliga, Anda R., et al.
(författare)
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Exposure to Mild Steel Welding and Changes in Serum Proteins With Putative Neurological Function—A Longitudinal Study
- 2020
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Public Health. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2296-2565. ; 8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Welders are exposed to high levels of metal particles, consisting mainly of iron and manganese (Mn) oxide. Metal particles, especially those containing Mn can be neurotoxic. In this exploratory study, we evaluated associations between welding and expression of 87 putative neurology-related proteins in serum in a longitudinal approach. The study cohort from southern Sweden included welders working with mild steel (n = 56) and controls (n = 67), all male and non-smoking, which were sampled at two timepoints (T1, T2) 6-year apart. Observed associations in the longitudinal analysis (linear mixed models) were further evaluated (linear regression models) in another cross-sectional sample which included welders (n = 102) and controls (n = 89) who were sampled only once (T1 or T2). The median respirable dust levels for welders after adjusting for respiratory protection was at T1 0.6 (5–95 percentile: 0.2–4.2) and at T2 0.5 (0.1–1.8) mg/m3. The adjusted median respirable Mn concentration was at T2 0.049 mg/m3 (0.003–0.314) with a Spearman correlation between adjusted respirable dust and respirable Mn of rS = 0.88. We identified five neurology-related proteins that were differentially expressed in welders vs. controls in the longitudinal sample, of which one (nicotinamide/nicotinic acid mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 1; NMNAT1) was also differentially expressed in the cross-sectional sample. NMNAT1, an axon-protective protein linked to Alzheimers disease, was upregulated in welders compared with controls but no associations were discerned with degree of exposure (welders only: years welding, respirable dust, cumulative exposure). However, we identified five additional proteins that were associated with years welding (GCSF, EFNA4, CTSS, CLM6, VWC2; welders only) both in the longitudinal and in the cross-sectional samples. We also observed several neurology-related proteins that were associated with age and BMI. Our study indicates that low-to-moderate exposure to welding fumes is associated with changes in circulating levels of neurology-related proteins.
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| 3. |
- Taj, Tahir, et al.
(författare)
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Effect of welding fumes on the cardiovascular system: a six-year longitudinal study
- 2021
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Work Environment & Health. - : Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - 0355-3140 .- 1795-990X. ; 47:1, s. 52-61
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective This study investigated whether low-to-moderate exposure to welding fumes is associated with adverse effects on the cardiovascular system. Methods To test this, we performed a longitudinal analysis of 78 mild steel welders and 96 controls; these subjects were examined twice, six years apart (ie, timepoints 1 and 2). All subjects (male and non-smoking at recruitment) completed questionnaires describing their health, work history, and lifestyle. We measured their blood pressure, endothelial function (by EndoPAT), and risk markers for cardiovascular disease [low-density lio-protein (LDL), homocysteine, C-reactive protein]. Exposure to welding fumes was assessed from the responses to questionnaires and measurements of respirable dust in their breathing zones adjusted for use of respiratory protection equipment. Linear mixed-effect regression models were used for the longitudinal analysis. Results Median respirable dust concentrations, adjusted for respirable protection, of the welders were 0.7 (5-95 percentile range 0.2-4.2) and 0.5 (0.1-1.9) mg/m 3 at timepoints 1 and 2, respectively. Over the six-year period, welders showed a statistically significant increase in systolic [5.11 mm Hg, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.92-8.31] and diastolic (3.12 mm Hg, 95% CI 0.74-5.5) blood pressure compared with controls (multi-variable adjusted mixed effect models). Diastolic blood pressure increased non-significantly by 0.22 mm Hg (95% CI-0.02-0.45) with every additional year of welding work. No consistent significant associations were found between exposure and endothelial function, LDL, homocysteine, or C-reactive protein. Conclusion Exposure to welding fumes at low-to-moderate levels is associated with increased blood pressure, suggesting that reducing the occupational exposure limit (2.5 mg/m(3) for inorganic respirable dust in Sweden) is needed to protect cardiovascular health of workers.
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| 4. |
- Torén, Kjell, 1952, et al.
(författare)
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Occupational risks associated with severe COVID-19 disease and SARS-CoV-2 infection-a Swedish national case-control study conducted from October 2020 to December 2021
- 2023
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Work Environment & Health. - 0355-3140. ; 49:6, s. 386-394
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective This study aimed to investigate whether workplace factors and occupations are associated with SARSCoV-2 infection or severe COVID-19 in the later waves of the pandemic.Methods We studied 552 562 cases with a positive test for SARS-CoV-2 in the Swedish registry of communicable diseases, and 5985 cases with severe COVID-19 based on hospital admissions from October 2020 to December 2021. Four population controls were assigned the index dates of their corresponding cases. We linked job histories to job-exposure matrices to assess the odds for different transmission dimensions and different occupations. We used adjusted conditional logistic analyses to estimate odds ratios (OR) for severe COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 with 95% confidence intervals (CI).Results The highest OR for severe COVID-19 were for: regular contact with infected patients, (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.23-1.54), close physical proximity (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.34-1.61), and high exposure to diseases or infections (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.52-1.96). Mostly working outside had lower OR (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.57-1.06). The odds for SARS-CoV-2 when mostly working outside were similar (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.80-0.86). The occupation with the highest OR for severe COVID-19 (compared with low-exposure occupations) was certified specialist physician (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.31-3.21) among women and bus and tram drivers (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.49-2.79) among men.Conclusions Contact with infected patients, close proximity and crowded workplaces increase the risks for severe COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Outdoor work is associated with decreased odds for SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19.
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| 5. |
- Torén, Kjell, 1952, et al.
(författare)
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Transmission factors and exposure to infections at work and invasive pneumococcal disease
- 2022
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Ingår i: American Journal of Industrial Medicine. - : Wiley. - 0271-3586 .- 1097-0274. ; 66:1, s. 65-74
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundWorking in close contacts with coworkers or the general public may be associated with transmission of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). We investigated whether crowded workplaces, sharing surfaces, and exposure to infections were factors associated with IPD. MethodsWe studied 3,968 cases of IPD, and selected six controls for each case from the Swedish population registry with each control being assigned the index date of their corresponding case. We linked job histories to job-exposure matrices to assess different transmission dimensions of pneumococci, as well as occupational exposure to fumes. We used adjusted conditional logistic analyses to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) for IPD with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). ResultsORs for IPD for the different transmission dimensions were increased moderately but were statistically significant. Compared to home-working or working alone, the highest odds was for Working mostly outside, or partly inside (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.04-1.38). Estimates were higher in men for all dimensions, compared to women. The odds for IPD for Working mostly outside, or partly inside were 1.33 (95% CI 1.13-1.56) and 0.79 (95% CI 0.55-1.14) for men and women, respectively. Higher odds were seen for all transmission dimensions among those exposed to fumes, although CIs included unity. Contact with ill or infected patients did not increase the odds for IPD. ConclusionIPD was associated with working in close contact with coworkers or the general public, and with outside work, especially for men. Contact with infected patients or persons was not associated with IPD.
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| 6. |
- Albin, Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Ska alla behöva arbeta längre?
- 2020
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Ingår i: Förlängt arbetsliv – förutsättningar, utmaningar och konsekvenser. - Stockholm : Försäkringskassan. ; , s. 72-83
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Bokkapitel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Det finns flera skäl till att öppna för att människor skall ha möjlighet att arbeta längre. Hit hör en i allmänhet förbättrad folkhälsa, behovet av arbetskraft och att ett gott och meningsfullt arbete kan berika livet för den enskilde samtidigt som det bidrar till samhällets välstånd och finansieringen av välfärdssystemen. Men ett arbetsmedicinskt svar på om alla ska behöva arbeta längre är klart Nej. Det grundar sig på: • folkhälsans ojämlika utveckling • att de fysiska kraven fortfarande är höga i många yrken, främst arbetaryrken • att arbetets fysiska krav är det som främst är begränsande vid högre åldrar • att många rapporterar att arbetets fysiska krav överstiger deras förmåga • den sjunkande tillgången till kvalificerad arbetsanpassning genom exempelvis företagshälsovård, särskilt för kvinnor och i arbetaryrken.
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| 7. |
- Albin, Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Sustainable work for health and job longevity
- 2021
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Ingår i: European Journal of Workplace Innovation. - : University of Agder. - 2387-4570. ; 6:2, s. 147-162
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- While improved public health in groups with high or middle socioeconomic status (e.g. educational level) permits many to work for more years, the gap is widening for less advantaged groups, such as those with only compulsory level education. Within manual jobs, individual health status and the challenges of physical demands exceed the physical capacity of many middle-aged, and with a low bargaining power, constitute major threats to job longevity. Artificial intelligence and digitization are also rapidly transforming the labour market, especially for low-mid grade (level) white-collar workers. Young workers often have insecure job contracts, while older workers may have a permanent position but have a fear of leaving a safe position for a new one, and ultimately may be forced to leave their job when they are unable to meet the demands.Current economic incentives to prolong working life – often combined with more restrictive unemployment and disability benefits – may overall increase work participation but may also decrease sustainability in the more disadvantaged part of the labour market.Recent research suggests that unemployment is the most important factor behind lost working years among workers with less education, and that primary prevention focused on the work environment rather than individual health promotion (lifestyle habits), will enhance sustainability together with inclusive welfare systems. Resilience, or reduced vulnerability, in the workforce on a macro- and workplace level can be achieved by well-established societal measures.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Alhamdow, Ayman, et al.
(författare)
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Fluorene exposure among PAH-exposed workers is associated with epigenetic markers related to lung cancer
- 2020
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Ingår i: Occupational and Environmental Medicine. - : BMJ. - 1351-0711 .- 1470-7926. ; 77:7, s. 488-495
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives Exposure to high-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) may cause cancer in chimney sweeps and creosote-exposed workers, however, knowledge about exposure to low-molecular-weight PAHs in relation to cancer risk is limited. In this study, we aimed to investigate occupational exposure to the low-molecular-weight PAHs phenanthrene and fluorene in relation to different cancer biomarkers. Methods We recruited 151 chimney sweeps, 19 creosote-exposed workers and 152 unexposed workers (controls), all men. We measured monohydroxylated metabolites of phenanthrene and fluorene in urine using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. We measured, in peripheral blood, the cancer biomarkers telomere length and mitochondrial DNA copy number using quantitative PCR; and DNA methylation ofF2RL3andAHRRusing pyrosequencing. Results Median PAH metabolite concentrations were higher among chimney sweeps (up to 3 times) and creosote-exposed workers (up to 353 times), compared with controls (p<0.001; adjusted for age and smoking). n-ary sumation OH-fluorene (sum of 2-hydroxyfluorene and 3-hydroxyfluorene) showed inverse associations with percentage DNA methylation ofF2RL3andAHRRin chimney sweeps (B (95% CI)=-2.7 (-3.9 to -1.5) forF2RL3_cg03636183, and -7.1 (-9.6 to -4.7) forAHRR_cg05575921: adjusted for age and smoking), but not in creosote-exposed workers. In addition, n-ary sumation OH-fluorene showed a 42% mediation effect on the inverse association between being a chimney sweep and DNA methylation ofAHRRCpG2. Conclusions Chimney sweeps and creosote-exposed workers were occupationally exposed to low-molecular-weight PAHs. Increasing fluorene exposure, among chimney sweeps, was associated with lower DNA methylation ofF2RL3andAHRR, markers for increased lung cancer risk. These findings warrant further investigation of fluorene exposure and toxicity.
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| 10. |
- Andersson, Tommy, et al.
(författare)
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Multiple Pricing for Personal Assistance Services
- 2022
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This paper provides a general theoretical framework that captures the essential features ofa Swedish reform where private and public health care providers serve patients with certainfunctional impairments. Because providers receive a fixed hourly compensation for theirservices (identical across patient types) and only private providers can reject service requestsfrom patients, private providers avoid the costliest patients, resulting in a monetary deficitfor public providers. To partially overcome this problem, a multiple pricing (reimbursement)scheme is proposed and its solution is characterized. The results suggest that there are somefundamental trade-offs, e.g., between the goals of containing costs and restricting choicesfor patients, but that the suggested pricing scheme may substantially reduce the deficits forpublic providers without affecting the total budget set by the central government.
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