| 1. |
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| 2. |
- Nilsson Sommar, Johan, et al.
(author)
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End-stage renal disease and low level exposure to lead, cadmium and mercury; a population-based, prospective nested case-referent study in Sweden.
- 2013
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In: Environmental health : a global access science source. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1476-069X. ; 12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- ABSTRACT: Background: Cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) cause toxicological renal effects, but the clinical relevance at low-level exposures in general populations is unclear. The objective of this study is to assess the risk of developing end-stage renal disease in relation to Cd, Pb, and Hg exposure. Methods: A total of 118 cases who later in life developed end-stage renal disease, and 378 matched (sex, age, area, and time of blood sampling) referents were identified among participants in two population-based prospective cohorts (130,000 individuals). Cd, Pb, and Hg concentrations were determined in prospectively collected samples. Results: Erythrocyte lead was associated with an increased risk of developing end-stage renal disease (mean in cases 76 μg/L; odds ratio (OR) 1.54 for an interquartile range increase, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18-2.00), while erythrocyte mercury was negatively associated (2.4 μg/L; OR 0.75 for an interquartile range increase, CI 0.56-0.99). For erythrocyte cadmium, the OR of developing end-stage renal disease was 1.15 for an interquartile range increase (CI 0.99-1.34; mean Ery-Cd among cases: 1.3 μg/L). The associations for erythrocyte lead and erythrocyte mercury, but not for erythrocyte cadmium, remained after adjusting for the other two metals, smoking, BMI, diabetes, and hypertension. Gender-specific analyses showed that men carried almost all of the erythrocyte lead and erythrocyte cadmium associated risks. Conclusions: Erythrocyte lead is associated with end-stage renal disease but further studies are needed to evaluate causality. Gender-specific analyses suggest potential differences in susceptibility or in exposure biomarker reliability.
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| 3. |
- Akesson, A, et al.
(author)
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Cadmium-induced effects on bone in a population-based study of women
- 2006
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In: Environmental Health Perspectives. - : Environmental Health Perspectives. - 1552-9924 .- 0091-6765. ; 114:6, s. 830-834
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- High cadmium exposure is known to cause bone damage, but the association between low-level cadmium exposure and osteoporosis remains to be clarified. Using a population-based women's health survey in southern Sweden [Women's Health in the Lund Area (WHILA)] with no known historical cadmium contamination, we investigated cadmium-related effects on bone in 820 women (53-64 years of age). We measured cadmium in blood and urine and lead in blood, an array of markers of bone metabolism, and forearm bone mineral density (BMD). Associations were evaluated in multiple linear regression analysis including information on the possible confounders or effect modifiers: weight, menopausal status, use of hormone replacement therapy, age at menarche, alcohol consumption, smoking history, and physical activity. Median urinary cadmium was 0.52 mu g/L adjusted to density (0.67 mu g/g creatinine). After multivariate adjustment, BMD, parathyroid hormone, and urinary deoxypyridinoline (U-DPD) were adversely associated with concentrations of urinary cadmium (p < 0.05) in all subjects. These associations persisted in the group of never-smokers, which had the lowest cadmium exposure (mainly dietary). For U-DPD, there was a significant interaction between cadmium and menopause (p = 0.022). Our results suggest negative effects of low-level cadmium exposure on bone, possibly exerted via increased bone resorption, which seemed to be intensified after menopause. Based on the prevalence of osteoporosis and the low level of exposure, the observed effects, although slight, should be considered as early signals of potentially more adverse health effects.
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| 4. |
- Akesson, AA, et al.
(author)
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Tubular and glomerular kidney effects in Swedish women with low environmental cadmium exposure
- 2005
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In: Environmental Health Perspectives. - : Environmental Health Perspectives. - 1552-9924 .- 0091-6765. ; 113:11, s. 1627-1631
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Cadmium is a well-known nephrotoxic agent in food and tobacco, but the exposure level that is critical for kidney effects in the general population is not defined. Within a population-based women's health survey in southern Sweden (Women's Health in the Lund Area, WHILA), we investigated cadmium exposure in relation to tubular and glomerular function, from 1999 through early 2000 in 820 women (71% participation rate) 53-64 years of age. Multiple linear regression showed cadmium in blood (median, 0.38 mu g/L) and urine (0.52 mu g/L; density adjusted = 0.67 mu g/g creatinine) to be significantly associated with effects on renal tubules (as indicated by increased levels of human complex-forming protein and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase in urine), after adjusting for age, body mass index, blood lead, diabetes, hypertension, and regular use of nephrotoxic drugs. The associations remained significant even at the low exposure in women who had never smoked. We also found associations with markers of glomerular effects: glomerular filtration rate and creatinine clearance. Significant effects were seen already at a mean urinary cadmium level of 0.6 mu g/L (0.8 mu g/g creatinine). Cadmium potentiated diabetes-induced effects on kidney. In conclusion, tubular renal effects occurred at lower cadmium levels than previously demonstrated, and more important, glomerular effects were also observed. Although the effects were small, they may represent early signs of adverse effects, affecting large segments of the population. Subjects with diabetes seem to be at increased risk.
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| 5. |
- Albin, Maria, et al.
(author)
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Arbets- och miljömedicin
- 2009
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In: Folkhälsa som tvärvetenskap. - 9789144040097 ; , s. 293-316
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Book chapter (other academic/artistic)
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| 6. |
- Albin, Maria, et al.
(author)
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Doser från bostad och föda--små men farliga.
- 2007
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In: Läkartidningen. - 0023-7205. ; 104:48, s. 3659-3663
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- he health gains from risk reduction with regard to chemical health hazards have so far been most evident in the occupational setting. Development with regard to analytical and epidemiological methods, and possibilities to measure discrete effects, do however indicate health effects also at low levels of exposure, relevant for the general environment. Efficient risk reduction in the general, and even domestic, environment is possible as illustrated by the reduced exposure to tobacco smoke. Current exposures in Sweden to radon, mercury, cadmium, lead, PCBs, dioxins, and other persistent organic pollutants, affect diseases of major concern for public health like cancer, reproductive effects, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis. Lung cancer from domestic radon exposure remains a major concern, and should be targeted with higher ambition.
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| 7. |
- Albin, Maria, et al.
(author)
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Låt vården förebygga ohälsa
- 2013
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In: Skånska dagbladet. - 1103-9973. ; , s. 27-27
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Journal article (pop. science, debate, etc.)
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| 8. |
- Albin, Maria, et al.
(author)
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Miljöhälsorapport för Skåne
- 2004
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Rapport utifrån de sex miljökvalitetsmålen. Rapporten syftar till att förbättra kunskapen om miljörelaterad ohälsa och fungera som underlag till beslut och prioriteringar i kommuner, företag och hushåll.
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| 9. |
- Ali, Imran, et al.
(author)
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Associations between cadmium exposure and circulating levels of sex hormones in postmenopausal women.
- 2014
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In: Environmental Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 1096-0953 .- 0013-9351. ; 134, s. 265-269
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Recent epidemiological as well as in vivo and in vitro studies collectively suggest that the metalloestrogen cadmium (Cd) could be a potential risk factor for hormone-related cancers in particularly breast cancer. Assessment of the association between Cd exposure and levels of endogenous sex hormones is of pivotal importance, as increased levels of such have been associated with a higher risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. The present study investigated the perceived relationship (multivariable-adjusted linear regression analyses) between Cd exposure [blood Cd (B-Cd) and urinary Cd (U-Cd)], and serum levels of androstenedione, testosterone, estradiol, and sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG), in 438 postmenopausal Swedish women without hormone replacement therapy (HRT). A significant positive association between B-Cd (median 3.4nmol/L) and serum testosterone levels, as well as a significant inverse association between B-Cd and serum estradiol levels and with the estradiol/testosterone ratio were encountered. However, U-Cd (median 0.69nmol/mmol creatinine) was inversely associated with serum estradiol levels only. Our data may suggest that Cd interferes with the levels of testosterone and estradiol in postmenopausal women, which might have implications for breast cancer risk.
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| 10. |
- Andren, P, et al.
(author)
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Environmental exposure to lead and arsenic among children living near a glassworks
- 1988
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In: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-1026 .- 0048-9697. ; 77:1, s. 25-34
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Concentrations of lead (Pb) in blood (B-Pb, geometric mean 34.6 micrograms l-1, n = 127) and inorganic arsenic (As) and its metabolites in urine (U-As, mean 5.1 micrograms/g creatinine, n = 35) did not differ between children living in a village close to a glassworks emitting both Pb and As and children living in a reference area. There was no significant effect on B-Pb and U-As related to parents working at the glassworks or consumption of domestically grown vegetables. Neither was there any significant effect upon B-Pb of sex, age, potentially lead-exposing hobbies, or consumption of canned foods. Boys had higher U-As than girls (5.8 vs 4.2 micrograms/g creatinine, p = 0.005), and there was a decrease with age (range 8.4-10.4 years, 27% per year, p = 0.01). Further, parental smoking habits had a significant effect on both B-Pb and U-As. In children of non-smoking parents the B-Pb was 30 micrograms l-1, in children with one parent who smoked 39 micrograms l-1 (smoking father 37, smoking mother 41 micrograms l-1) and in children with two parents who smoked 47 micrograms l-1 (p less than 0.001). The corresponding values for U-As were 4.2, 5.5, and 13 micrograms/g creatinine, respectively (p = 0.01).
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| 11. |
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| 12. |
- Arvidsson, Inger, et al.
(author)
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Are neck-shoulder disorders associated with habitual neck extension in computer work?
- 2006
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In: Meeting diversity in ergonomics.
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- A common clinical conception is that prolonged neck extension during computer work is associated with an increased risk of neck-shoulder disorders. The aim of this study was to find out whether neck postures in computer work differed between females cases with neck-shoulderdisorders, compared to healthy referents. Based on physical examinations, 13 cases and 11 referents were selected among 70 female air traffic controllers with the same computer work and identical work stations. Neck angles were measured by inclinometry, during an ordinary work period of about 1 h. Results: Average neck angles (50thpercentile) in cases and referents was -10° (SP 8) and -9 (SD 10) respectively; p=0.9. Hence, we did not find any association between neck-shoulder disorders and neck extension during computer work.
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| 13. |
- Arvidsson, Inger, et al.
(author)
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Changes in physical workload with implementation of mouse-based information technology in air traffic control
- 2006
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In: International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0169-8141 .- 1872-8219. ; 36:7, s. 613-622
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Effects on physical workload were quantified when introducing new information technology in air traffic control. Seven female and 7 male air traffic controllers were studied in an old control system, and during simulated-but similar-work in a new, mouse-based system. Postures, movements and muscular load were recorded (inclinometry for head, neck, back and upper arms; goniometry for wrists; elect romyography for the trapezius and forearm extensor muscles). The new system was associated with lower movement velocities than the old one (examples: [50th percentiles] head flexion: 2 vs. 5 degrees/s, P < 0.01; right arm elevation: 3 vs. 6 degrees/s; P < 0.01; [90th percentile] wrist flexion: 19 vs. 50 degrees/s, P < 0.01), less varying postures (head: 95th-5th percentile range 17 degrees vs. 34 degrees; P < 0.01), and less muscular rest in the right forearm extensors (3.5% vs. 9% of time; P < 0.05). The old/new system differences were amplified at high work intensities. The new air traffic control system caused a major change of physical exposures, probably associated with an increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders in arms and hands. Relevance to industry While this study concerned the specific changes in the introduction of a new air traffic control system, we believe that the findings are applicable to similar technological developments in other settings. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 14. |
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| 15. |
- Arvidsson, Inger, et al.
(author)
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Follow-up study of musculoskeletal disorders 20 months after the introduction of a mouse-based computer system.
- 2008
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - 0355-3140. ; 34:5, s. 374-380
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: This study attempted to determine whether musculoskeletal health is influenced by mouse-intensive computer work. METHODS: The neck-upper limbs of 148 air-traffic controllers (71 women, 77 men) with demanding computer work were examined before (baseline) and a median of 20 months after (follow-up) a change from varied computer work to a mouse-based system, causing a significant change in the physical exposure of the workers (eg, lower variation of work postures and less rest in the forearm extensor muscles, as assessed by technical measurements). Complaints (according to a Nordic questionnaire), diagnoses (standardized physical examination), and psychosocial work environment (Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire) were recorded. RESULTS: The air traffic controllers had consistently higher prevalences of disorders in the elbows-hands in the follow-up than at the baseline (complaints 30% versus 18%, P=0.03; diagnoses 10% versus 3.4%, P=0.02). The predominance of right-arm disorders was more pronounced in the follow-up than at the baseline. For the neck-shoulders-upper back, there was no consistent difference between the baseline and follow-up values; disorders increased significantly among the "young" controllers (
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| 16. |
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| 17. |
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| 18. |
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| 19. |
- Arvidsson, Inger, et al.
(author)
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Neck postures in air traffic controllers with and without neck/shoulder disorders.
- 2008
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In: Applied Ergonomics. - : Elsevier BV. - 1872-9126 .- 0003-6870. ; 39:2, s. 255-260
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Prolonged computer work with an extended neck is commonly believed to be associated with an increased risk of neck–shoulder disorders. The aim of this study was to compare neck postures during computer work between female cases with neck–shoulder disorders, and healthy referents. Based on physical examinations, 13 cases and 11 referents were selected among 70 female air traffic controllers with the same computer-based work tasks and identical workstations. Postures and movements were measured by inclinometers, placed on the forehead and upper back (C7/Th1) during authentic air traffic control. A recently developed method was applied to assess flexion/extension in the neck, calculated as the difference between head and upper back flexion/extension. Results: cases and referents did not differ significantly in neck posture (median neck flexion/extension: −10° vs. −9°; p=0.9). Hence, the belief that neck extension posture is associated with neck–shoulder disorders in computer work is not supported by the present data.
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
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| 22. |
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| 23. |
- Balogh, Istvan, et al.
(author)
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Increasing the Degree of Automation in a Production System: Consequences for the physical workload
- 2006
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In: International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics. - : Elsevier BV. - 1872-8219 .- 0169-8141. ; 36:4, s. 353 - 365
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In spite of the continuous development of production systems work-related musculoskeletal disorders is still a large problem. One reason might be the difficulties in quantifying the ergonomic effects of interventions. In this paper ergonomic consequences of technical and organisational changes were quantified in a plant for producing slats for parquet flooring. Muscle activity, work postures and movements were assessed for neck/shoulders and upper limb by direct technical measurements at three generations of production lines. The physical workload for 31 operators at the manual, semi-automated and automated line was derived based on all existing work tasks. The work was characterised by moderate muscular loads, the 50th percentiles being 1.2-3.8%MVE for the neck/shoulder muscles, high repetitiveness and constant movements of the hands and a high prevalence of neck/shoulder disorders. There were statistically significant differences considering exposure levels between the work tasks within each line as well as between the lines. The semi-automated line implied reduced muscular load for all muscles registered but more constrained work postures. The automated line, on the other hand, required higher skills, offered less constrained postures, lower loads and repetitiveness for the hands as well as frequent changes between different physical load levels. Relevance to industry: When designing or redesigning production systems, technical solutions are often used to obtain 'beneficial' ergonomic conditions, implying a strive for low physical workloads. However, there is a risk that this might lead to more constrained physical activities. Possibilities for job enlargement must be thoroughly utilised. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 24. |
- Balogh, Istvan, et al.
(author)
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Precision of measurements of physical workload during standardized manual handling part III: Goniometry of the wrists.
- 2009
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In: Journal of Electromyography & Kinesiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-5711 .- 1050-6411. ; 19:5, s. 1005-1012
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Goniometry of the wrist is a feasible method for studying wrist movements in most hand-intensive work. The precision and accuracy of the method per se is good. For the knowledge on validity of field measurements, the size of imprecision is of importance. This study evaluated this condition during standardized circumstances. Six women performed three different hand-intensive work tasks: 'materials picking', 'light assembly', and 'heavy assembly', repeated during three different days. Variance components between-days (within subjects) and between-subjects were derived for positions (flexion/extension and deviation) and movements, including angular velocities, % of time with very low velocity (<1 degrees /s), as well as repetitiveness. For positions, the average standard deviations in the three tasks were, both between-days and between-subjects, 3-4 degrees . For movements, the coefficients of variation of angular velocities were about 10% between-days, and could to a great part be explained by differences in work rate. Between-subjects variability was higher, 20-40%. The variability was larger at low velocities than at high ones. The precision of the measured positions was good, expressed as small between-days and between-subjects variability. For movements, the between-days variability was also small, while there was a larger between-subjects variability. The imprecision of goniometry is consequently lower and comparable with inclinometry but lower than for EMG.
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| 25. |
- Balogh, Istvan, et al.
(author)
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Work-related neck and upper limb disorders - Quantitative exposure-response relationships adjusted for personal characteristics and psychosocial conditions
- 2019
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In: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2474. ; 20:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: We have previously reported quantitative exposure-response relationships between physical exposures recorded by technical methods, and complaints and diagnoses in the neck/shoulders, and the elbows/hands, based on group data. In the present study the number of workers was doubled, and information on individual factors, and psychosocial working conditions was used. Relationships between various kinds of exposure and response have been analysed in this larger and more detailed sample. Methods: The prevalence of complaints (Nordic Questionnaire) and diagnoses (clinical examination) were recorded in a number of occupational groups within which the participants had similar work tasks, 34 groups of female employees (N = 4733 women) and 17 groups of male employees (N = 1107 men). Age and other individual characteristics were recorded, as well as psychosocial work environment factors (job-content questionnaire) for most participants. Postures and velocities (inclinometry) of the head (N = 505) and right upper arm (N = 510), right wrist postures and velocities (electrogoniometry; N = 685), and muscular activity (electromyography; EMG) in the right trapezius muscle (N = 647) and forearm extensors (N = 396) were recorded in representative sub-groups. Exposure-response relationships between physical exposure and musculoskeletal disorders, adjusted for individual factors with Poisson regression were then calculated. The effect of introducing psychosocial conditions into the models was also assessed. Results: Associations were found between head velocity, trapezius activity, upper arm velocity, forearm extensor activity and wrist posture and velocity, and most neck/shoulder and elbow/hand complaints and diagnoses. Adjustment for age, other individual characteristics and psychosocial work conditions had only a limited effect on these associations. For example, the attributable fraction for tension neck syndrome among female workers with the highest quintile of trapezius activity was 58%, for carpal tunnel syndrome versus wrist velocity it was 92% in men in the highest exposure quintile. Conclusions: Based on the findings, we propose threshold limit values for upper arm and wrist velocity.
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