| 1. |
- Fritzell, Peter, et al.
(författare)
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Bacteria : back pain, leg pain and Modic sign—a surgical multicentre comparative study
- 2019
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Ingår i: European spine journal. - : Springer. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 28:12, s. 2981-2989
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: To compare bacterial findings in pain-generating degenerated discs in adults operated on for lumbar disc herniation (LDH), and mostly also suffering from low back pain (LBP), with findings in adolescent patients with non-degenerated non-pain-generating discs operated on for scoliosis, and to evaluate associations with Modic signs on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cutibacterium acnes (Propionibacterium acnes) has been found in painful degenerated discs, why it has been suggested treating patients with LDH/LBP with antibiotics. As multidrug-resistant bacteria are a worldwide concern, new indications for using antibiotics should be based on solid scientific evidence.Methods: Between 2015 and 2017, 40 adults with LDH/LBP (median age 43, IQR 33–49) and 20 control patients with scoliosis (median age 17, IQR 15–20) underwent surgery at seven Swedish hospitals. Samples were cultured from skin, surgical wound, discs and vertebrae. Genetic relatedness of C. acnes isolates was investigated using single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis. DNA samples collected from discs/vertebrae were analysed using 16S rRNA-based PCR sequencing. MRI findings were assessed for Modic changes.Results: No bacterial growth was found in 6/40 (15%) LDH patients, compared with 3/20 (15%) scoliosis patients. Most positive samples in both groups were isolated from the skin and then from subcutis or deep within the wound. Of the four disc and vertebral samples from each of the 60 patients, 235/240 (98%) were DNA negative by bacterial PCR. A single species, C. acnes, was found exclusively in the disc/vertebra from one patient in each group. In the LDH group, 29/40 (72%) patients had at least one sample with growth of C. acnes, compared to 14/20 (70%) in the scoliosis group. Bacterial findings and Modic changes were not associated.Conclusions: Cutibacterium acnes found in discs and vertebrae during surgery for disc herniation in adults with degenerated discs may be caused by contamination, as findings in this group were similar to findings in a control group of young patients with scoliosis and non-degenerated discs. Furthermore, such findings were almost always combined with bacterial findings on the skin and/or in the wound. There was no association between preoperative Modic changes and bacterial findings. Antibiotic treatment of lumbar disc herniation with sciatica and/or low back pain, without signs of clinical discitis/spondylitis, should be seriously questioned.
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| 2. |
- Albin, Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Cytogenetic and morphologic subgroups of myelodysplastic syndromes in relation to occupational and hobby exposures.
- 2003
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - 0355-3140. ; 29:5, s. 378-387
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the association between occupational and hobby exposure and the risk of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) while focusing on differential patterns of clonal chromosome aberrations and morphologic subgroups. METHODS: A case-referent study was conducted with 330 MDS patients investigated cytogenetically in 1976-1993 (cases) and matched referents. Telephone interviews with either the person or a next-of-kin were used. The participation rate of the cases and referents was 85% and 60%, respectively. Information was obtained from the next-of-kin more often for the cases (88%) than for the referents (26%). Occupational hygienists assessed the exposure using interview data on worktasks and hobbies. Associations with disease risk were evaluated for 10 exposures with a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The investigated exposures were generally not associated with cytogenetically abnormal MDS. Effect estimates for specific cytogenetic or morphologic subgroups were generally imprecise. Occupational exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (EMF) was associated with MDS with a normal karyotype [odds ratio (OR) 2.0, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.0-4.0]. The exposure-response association was consistent for intensity but inconclusive for duration. A decreased risk was observed for MDS, irrespective of karyotypic pattern, among farmers and farmhands (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.35-0.81). CONCLUSIONS: Cytogenetically abnormal MDS was generally not associated with occupational or hobby exposure to known or suspected genotoxic agents. However, exposure prevalences and intensities were low for several agents. An association was suggested between occupational exposure to EMF and MDS with a normal karyotype. Biases due to differential information quality and selective participation cannot be ruled out.
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| 3. |
- Albin, Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Miljöhälsorapport för Skåne
- 2004
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)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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| 4. |
- Albin, Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Mortality and cancer morbidity in cohorts of asbestos cement workers and referents
- 1990
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Ingår i: British Journal of Industrial Medicine. - 0007-1072. ; 47:9, s. 602-610
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Total and cause specific mortality and cancer morbidity were studied among 1929 asbestos cement workers with an estimated median cumulative exposure of 2.3 fibre (f)-years/ml (median intensity 1.2 f/ml, predominantly chrysotile). A local reference cohort of 1233 industrial workers and non-case referents from the exposed cohort were used for comparisons. The risk for pleural mesothelioma was significantly increased (13 cases out of 592 deaths in workers with at least 20 years latency). No case of peritoneal mesothelioma was found. A significant dose response relation was found for cumulative exposure 40 years or more before the diagnosis, with a multiplicative relative risk (RR) of 1.9 for each f-year/ml. No relation was found with duration of exposure when latency was accounted for. There was a significant overrisk in non-malignant respiratory disease (RR = 2.6). The overall risks for respiratory cancer, excluding mesothelioma, and for gastrointestinal cancer were not significantly increased. Surprisingly, colorectal cancer displayed a clear relation with cumulative dose, with an estimated increase of 1.6% in the incidence density ratio for each f-year/ml (but not with duration of exposure).
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| 5. |
- Albin, Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Retention patterns of asbestos fibres in lung tissue among asbestos cement workers
- 1994
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Ingår i: Occupational and Environmental Medicine. - 1470-7926. ; 51:3, s. 205-211
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Retention patterns in lung tissue (determined by transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometry) of chrysotile, tremolite, and crocidolite fibres were analysed in 69 dead asbestos cement workers and 96 referents. There was an accumulation of tremolite with time of employment. Among workers who died within three years of the end of exposure, the 13 with high tremolite concentrations had a significantly longer duration of exposure than seven in a low to intermediate category (medians 32 v 20 years; p = 0.018, one sided). Crocidolite showed similar patterns of accumulation. In workers who died more than three years after the end of exposure, there were no correlations between concentrations of amphibole fibres and time between the end of exposure and death. Chrysotile concentrations among workers who died shortly after the end of exposure were higher than among the referents (median difference in concentrations 13 million fibres (f)/g dry weight; p = 0.033, one sided). No quantitative differences in exposure (duration or intensity) could be shown between workers with high and low to intermediate concentrations. Interestingly, all seven workers who had had a high intensity at the end of exposure (> 2.5 f/ml), had low to intermediate chrysotile concentrations at death, whereas those with low exposure were evenly distributed (31 subjects in both concentration categories); hence, there was a dependence between last intensity of exposure and chrysotile concentration (p = 0.014). Among 14 workers with a high average intensity of exposure, both those (n = 5) with high tissue concentrations of chrysotile and those (n = 10) with high tissue concentrations of tremolite fibres had more pronounced fibrosis than those with low to intermediate concentrations (median fibrosis grades for chrysotile: 2 v 1, p = 0.021; for tremolite: 2 v 0.5, p = 0.012). Additionally, workers who died shortly after the end of exposure with high concentrations of chrysotile and crocidolite had smoked more than those with low intermediate concentrations (medians for chrysotile 35 v 15 pack-years, p = 0.030; for crocidolite 37 v 15 pack-years, p = 0.012). The present data indicate that chrysotile has a relatively rapid turnover in human lungs, whereas the amphiboles, tremolite and crocidolite, have a slower turnover. Further, chrysotile retention may be dependent on dose rate. Chrysotile and crocidolite deposition and retention may be increased by tobacco smoking; chrysotile and tremolite by fibrosis.
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| 6. |
- Albin, Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Survival in cohorts of asbestos cement workers and controls
- 1996
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Ingår i: Occupational and Environmental Medicine. - 1470-7926. ; 53:2, s. 87-93
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: To measure the impact on survival of being exposed to asbestos cement dust. METHODS: Survival of 866 asbestos cement workers and 755 controls was studied with Cox's proportional hazards regression models with age as the basic time variable. The effect of cumulative exposure up to the age of 40 was investigated in an internal analysis of 635 asbestos cement workers who had dose estimates. RESULTS: The death risk was higher for the asbestos cement workers than for the controls with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.15 (95% confidence interval was 1.00 to 1.31). The increased risk found seemed to be confined to the period 20-40 years from start of employment. The estimates of the cohort effect were almost unaffected by adjustment for smoking habits. The estimates of the exposure effect rose with increasing dose (< 4 fibre-years/ml (f-y/ml): HR = 1.00, 4-9.9 f-y/ml: HR = 1.06, > or = 10 f-y/ml: HR = 1.35, for workers with at least five years of employment), and were higher when restricted only to deaths from malignant or non-malignant respiratory disease. However, none of the point estimates were significantly increased. Median age at death was two years lower in the high than in the low, exposure group. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that even a moderate asbestos exposure may shorten the median duration of life in an exposed population. Compared with the estimated effect on duration of life from ever being a smoker, that of ever being an asbestos cement worker was less, although that of having a high exposure was similar.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Baev, A., et al.
(författare)
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A quantum mechanical - Electrodynamical approach to nonlinear properties : Application to optical power limiting with platinum-organic compounds
- 2007
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Ingår i: Journal of nonlinear optical physics and materials. - 0218-8635. ; 16:2, s. 157-169
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Light propagation in a medium is sensitively dependent on the shape and intensity of the optical pulse as well as on the electronic and vibrational structure of the basic molecular units. We review in this paper the results of systematic studies of this problem for isotropic media. Our theoretical approach - the quantum mechanical-electrodynamical (QMED) approach - is based on a quantum mechanical account of the many-level electron-nuclear medium coupled to a numerical solution of the density matrix and Maxwell's equations. This allows us to accommodate a variety of nonlinear effects which accomplish the propagation of strong light pulses. Particular attention is paid to the understanding of the role of coherent and sequential excitations of electron-nuclear degrees of freedom. The QMED combination of quantum chemistry with classical pulse propagation enables us to estimate the optical transmission from cross sections of multi-photon absorption processes and from considerations of propagation effects, saturation and pulse effects. Results of the theory suggest that in the nonlinear regime, it is often necessary to simultaneously account for coherent one-step and incoherent step-wise multi-photon absorption, as well as for off-resonant excitations even when resonance conditions prevail. The dynamic theory of nonlinear propagation of a few interacting intense light pulses is highlighted here in a study of the optical power limiting with platinum-organic molecular compounds. © World Scientific Publishing Company.
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| 9. |
- Baev, A., et al.
(författare)
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Light-matter interaction of strong laser pulses in the micro-, nano-, and picosecond regimes
- 2007
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Ingår i: Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings. - 9781605604206 ; , s. 12-29
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Light propagation in a medium is sensitively dependent on the shape and intensity of the optical pulse as well as on the electronic and vibrational structure of the basic molecular units. We review in this paper results of systematic studies of this problem for isotropic media. Our theoretical approach-the quantum mechanical-electrodynamical (QMED) approach-is based on a quantum mechanical account of the many-level electron-nuclear medium coupled to a numerical solution of the density matrix and Maxwell s equations. This allows to accommodate a variety of nonlinear effects which accomplish the propagation of strong light pulses. Particular attention is paid to the understanding of the role of coherent and sequential excitations of electron-nuclear degrees of freedom. The QMED combination of quantum chemistry with classical pulse propagation allows to estimate the optical transmission from cross sections of multi-photon absorption processes and from considerations of propagation effects, saturation and pulse effects. Results of the theory suggest that in the nonlinear regime it is often necessary to account simultaneously for coherent one-step and incoherent step-wise multi-photon absorption, as well as for off-resonant excitations even when resonance conditions prevail. The dynamic theory of nonlinear propagation of a few interacting intense light pulses is here highlighted in a study of the optical power limiting with platinum-organic molecular compounds. © 2007 Materials Research Society.
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| 10. |
- Björk, Jonas, et al.
(författare)
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Are occupational, hobby, or lifestyle exposures associated with Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukaemia?
- 2001
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Ingår i: Occupational and Environmental Medicine. - : BMJ. - 1470-7926 .- 1351-0711. ; 58:11, s. 722-727
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: To investigate a broad range of occupational, hobby, and lifestyle exposures, suggested as risk factors for Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). METHODS: A case-control study, comprising 255 Ph+CML patients from southern Sweden and matched controls, was conducted. Individual data on work tasks, hobbies, and lifestyle exposures were obtained by telephone interviews. Occupational hygienists assessed occupational and hobby exposures for each subject individually. Also, occupational titles were obtained from national registries, and group level exposure-that is, the exposure proportion for each occupational title-was assessed with a job exposure matrix. The effects of 11 exposures using individual data and two exposures using group data (organic solvents and animal dust) were estimated. RESULTS: For the individual data on organic solvents, an effect was found for moderate or high intensity of exposure (odds ratio (OR) 3.4, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.1 to 11) and for long duration (15-20 years) of exposure (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.0). By contrast, the group data showed no association (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.27 to 1.8; moderate or high intensity versus no exposure). For extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs), only individual data were available. An association with long occupational exposure to EMFs was found (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2 to 4.5). However, no effect of EMF intensity was indicated. No significant effects of benzene, gasoline or diesel, or tobacco smoking were found. OR estimates below unity were suggested for personal use of hair dye and for agricultural exposures. CONCLUSIONS: Associations between exposure to organic solvents and EMFs, and Ph+CML were indicated but were not entirely consistent.
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| 11. |
- Blomqvist, A, et al.
(författare)
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Airways symptoms, immunological response and exposure in powder painting
- 2005
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Ingår i: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-1246 .- 0340-0131. ; 78:2, s. 123-131
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: Powder painting is an alternative to solvent-based spray painting. Powder paints may contain organic acid anhydrides (OAAs), which are irritants to the airways and may cause sensitisation. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and immunological response among powder painters and to describe the exposure to OAAs. Methods: In all, 205 subjects in 32 enterprises participated: 93 exposed and 26 formerly exposed workers in 25 powder paint shops and 86 unexposed workers. They completed a questionnaire about working conditions and symptoms and took part in a medical examination, which included a lung function test. Urine samples, for determination of two OAAs, and blood samples, for analysis of specific antibodies against the OAAs, were taken. In addition, 33 paint samples were analysed for nine OAAs. Results: The powder painters reported more work-related respiratory symptoms than unexposed subjects did. The prevalence of three or more symptoms was 24% in subjects with low exposure, 44% in highly exposed individuals, 46% in formerly exposed subjects and 19% in unexposed workers. Asthma symptoms were frequent, 7%, 40%, 15% and 2%, respectively. Regression analyses of the lung volumes did not show any influence of exposure. IgG, but not IgE, against the OAAs and metabolites of OAAs was found in some subjects, but no associations with the exposure could be observed. OAAs were found in only small amounts in the paint samples. Conclusions: The exposure to organic acid anhydrides was estimated to be low, and yet, IgG antibodies to OAA were observed in some subjects. The prevalence of work-related symptoms from the eyes and the airways was relatively high among the powder painters, and these symptoms, but not the lung volumes, were clearly related to exposure. The symptoms were probably caused by irritative properties of the powder paint dust.
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
- Bohgard, Mats, et al.
(författare)
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Characteristics of Aerosols Containing Chromium and Nickel From Some Thermal Spraying Operations
- 1983
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Characterization of aerosols, emitted from five methods of thermal spraying with materials containing chromium and nickel were carried out. The characterization procedure includes the determinations of the metal content, the particle size distribution, the oxidation state of chromium and a measure of the solubility of chromium. Three different kinds of samplers and the analytical methods PIXE (Particle Induced X-ray Emission analysis), ESCA (Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis), AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry), spectrophotometry with DPC-reagent (sym-diphenylcarbazide), and TEM (‘Transmission Electron Microscopy) were used. The relative concentrations of the major elements in the aerosols agree with the relative abundances in the spraying material. A considerable part of the aerosol mass was found in the respirable fraction. Mass median aerodynamic diameters in the respirable fractions were below 0.5 µm. Hexavalent chromium, which is the oxidation state of chromium with the highest health hazard potential, was determined. Less soluble hexavalent chromium was detected in some of the spraying methods.
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| 14. |
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| 15. |
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| 16. |
- Chedid, Michel, 1977-, et al.
(författare)
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Realization of an active inductance for a low power high bandwidth DC power line communication network transceiver
- 2010
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Ingår i: AEU - International Journal of Electronics and Communications. - : Elsevier. - 1434-8411 .- 1618-0399. ; 64:10, s. 947-952
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- An active inductor based on an improved gyrator circuit is proposed. The active inductor is developed to be implemented in a high impedance transceiver for a wearable DC power line communication network where requirements such as low power consumption, high bandwidth and numerous nodes support are prioritized. A load isolation step is introduced to ensure the stability of the active inductance's size on different load currents. The proposed gyrator circuit is analyzed and optimized by means of theoretical calculations. The theoretical results are then verified by simulations and experiments in the frequency range up to 10MHz.
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| 17. |
- Drexler, H, et al.
(författare)
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Exposure assessment and sensitisation in workers exposed to organic acid anhydrides
- 2000
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Ingår i: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-1246 .- 0340-0131. ; 73:4, s. 228-234
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: To clarify whether the intensity of exposure to organic acid anhydrides (OAAs) is associated with the risk of sensitisation to these allergens. METHODS: The investigations were carried out in three different manufacturing plants (A, B, and C) where OAAs were used in the production of epoxy resins. Methyltetrahydrophthalic acid anhydride (MTHPA) was used in all three plants. The exposure assessment included stationary and ambient air monitoring (OAAs in the air) and biological monitoring (metabolites in urine). In plant A 20, in plant B 86 and in plant C 113 employees were examined by a physician (anamnesis, skin-prick test, specific IgE, spirometry). In plants B and C, the exposure areas were classified as high, medium, and low, without the results of the exposure assessment being known. RESULTS: The ambient air concentrations (in microg/m3) of MTHPA were 37.2 and 58.5 in plant A (number of samples n = 2), ranged from <0.5-26.2 in plant B (n = 5) and from 2.1-57.9 in plant C (n = 3) with stationary air collecting, and from 8-45 (n = 6), from < 4.7-35.7 (n = 3) and from 2-37.8 (n = 3) with personal air collection. The metabolites of OAAs in urine (in nmol/mmol creatinine) ranged from 5.7-645 (median of MTHPA: 346) in plant A, from < 1-213 (median of MTHPA: 10.1) in plant B and from 0.1-830 (median of the sum of the OOA metabolites: 108.6) in plant C. The prevalence of sensitisation was 35% in plant A, 21% in plant B and 29% in plant C. A higher prevalence in the highly exposed areas, however, could not be seen. Levels of IgE specific for conjugates of MTHPA were not associated with the metabolites in the end of shift urine. Levels of IgG specific for conjugates of MTHPA, however, were associated with the metabolites in the end of shift urine. CONCLUSIONS: The data showed that biological monitoring is a useful tool in the exposure assessment of OAAs. Comparing the prevalence of sensitisation and the results of biological monitoring, between the three plants, we found that sensitisation increased with increasing exposure. Within a plant a higher risk of sensitisation in persons working in highly exposed areas at the time of the examination could not be seen, possibly due to frequent job rotation.
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| 18. |
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| 19. |
- Gerhardsson, Lars, et al.
(författare)
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Metallmätningar hos gravida kvinnor
- 2005
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Denna undersökning av 104 gravida kvinnor från mödravårdscentralerna vid Hässleholms sjukhus (51 st) och Simrishamns sjukhus (53 st) har finansierats genom Naturvårdsverkets miljöövervakningsprogram. Undersökningen genomfördes perioden 2002-2003 och innefattade frågeformulär (Bilaga 1), blodprover (totalkvicksilver, organiskt och oorganiskt kvicksilver samt bly och kadmium) och hårprover (totalkvicksilver). Medianvärdena i helblod bland samtliga kvinnor låg genomgående lågt i början av graviditeten: för kvicksilver (B-Hg totalt medianvärde 0,64 μg/L; range 0,04-2,05 μg/L; B-Hg org 0,30; 0-1,68; B-Hg oorg 0,25; 0-1,35) samt för bly (11,0 μg/L; 4,2- 79,0) och kadmium (0,30 μg/L; 0,05-4,8). Även kvicksilverkoncentrationerna i hår var genomgående låga (median 0,22 μg/g; range 0,04-0,83). De gravida kvinnorna från kuststaden Simrishamn hade signifikant högre koncentrationer av kadmium (p=0,004) och totalkvicksilver (p=0,005) i helblod liksom av kvicksilver i hår (p=0,015) jämfört med inlandsstaden Hässleholm. Den grupp som åt insjöfisk under graviditetens sista 6 månader hade ungefär samma halter av totalkvicksilver, oorganiskt och organiskt kvicksilver i helblod, liksom av totalkvicksilver i hår, som den grupp som enbart åt havsfisk. Kvinnor som emellertid ätit krabba under motsvarande period hade något högre halter av organiskt (p=0,037) resp totalkvicksilver (p=0,013) i helblod jämfört med kvinnor som ej ätit krabba. Halterna av oorganiskt kvicksilver i helblod visade ett positivt samband med såväl antalet occlusala (rs=0,27; p=0,008) som med det totala antalet amalgamfyllningar (rs=0,25; p=0,014) i munnen. Vid en linjär regressionsanalys var kvicksilverhalten i helblod relaterad till såväl antalet fiskmåltider per vecka som till antalet occlusala amalgamfyllningar i munnen. Kvicksilverkoncentrationen i hår visade det starkaste sambandet med totalkvicksilverhalten i helblod. Värdena av totalkvicksilver och metylkvicksilver i helblod var klart lägre i denna undersökning från södra Sverige i jämförelse med resultaten från motsvarande studier från västkusten och Uppsala län. Så var även fallet för kvicksilverhalterna i hår. Baserat på data från NRC (2000) och EPA (2001), har med hänsyn taget till använda säkerhetsfaktorer, följande referensvärden föreslagits: B-Hg totalt 5 μg/L, B-Hg org 4 μg/L, Hår-Hg 1 μg/g. Samtliga kvinnor i vår undersökning låg under dessa referensvärden. Fortsatt hälsorelaterad miljöövervakning kan emellertid vara motiverad, för att säkerställa att denna känsliga grupp även fortsättningsvis har en kvicksilver-, bly- och kadmiumbelastning, som inte innebär hälsorisker för mödrar eller foster.
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| 20. |
- Gerhardsson, Lars, et al.
(författare)
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Metallmätningar hos gravida kvinnor, SNV nr 2150204
- 2005
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Denna undersökning av 104 gravida kvinnor från mödravårdscentralerna vidHässleholms sjukhus (51 st) och Simrishamns sjukhus (53 st) har finansierats genomNaturvårdsverkets miljöövervakningsprogram. Undersökningen genomfördesperioden 2002-2003 och innefattade frågeformulär (Bilaga 1), blodprover(totalkvicksilver, organiskt och oorganiskt kvicksilver samt bly och kadmium) ochhårprover (totalkvicksilver).Medianvärdena i helblod bland samtliga kvinnor låg genomgående lågt i början avgraviditeten: för kvicksilver (B-Hg totalt medianvärde 0,64 μg/L; range 0,04-2,05μg/L; B-Hg org 0,30; 0-1,68; B-Hg oorg 0,25; 0-1,35) samt för bly (11,0 μg/L; 4,2-79,0) och kadmium (0,30 μg/L; 0,05-4,8). Även kvicksilverkoncentrationerna i hårvar genomgående låga (median 0,22 μg/g; range 0,04-0,83). De gravida kvinnornafrån kuststaden Simrishamn hade signifikant högre koncentrationer av kadmium(p=0,004) och totalkvicksilver (p=0,005) i helblod liksom av kvicksilver i hår(p=0,015) jämfört med inlandsstaden Hässleholm. Den grupp som åt insjöfisk undergraviditetens sista 6 månader hade ungefär samma halter av totalkvicksilver,oorganiskt och organiskt kvicksilver i helblod, liksom av totalkvicksilver i hår, somden grupp som enbart åt havsfisk. Kvinnor som emellertid ätit krabba undermotsvarande period hade något högre halter av organiskt (p=0,037) resptotalkvicksilver (p=0,013) i helblod jämfört med kvinnor som ej ätit krabba.Halterna av oorganiskt kvicksilver i helblod visade ett positivt samband med såvälantalet occlusala (rs=0,27; p=0,008) som med det totala antalet amalgamfyllningar(rs=0,25; p=0,014) i munnen. Vid en linjär regressionsanalys var kvicksilverhalten ihelblod relaterad till såväl antalet fiskmåltider per vecka som till antalet occlusalaamalgamfyllningar i munnen. Kvicksilverkoncentrationen i hår visade det starkastesambandet med totalkvicksilverhalten i helblod.Värdena av totalkvicksilver och metylkvicksilver i helblod var klart lägre i dennaundersökning från södra Sverige i jämförelse med resultaten från motsvarande studierfrån västkusten och Uppsala län. Så var även fallet för kvicksilverhalterna i hår.Baserat på data från NRC (2000) och EPA (2001), har med hänsyn taget till användasäkerhetsfaktorer, följande referensvärden föreslagits: B-Hg totalt 5 μg/L, B-Hg org 4μg/L, Hår-Hg 1 μg/g. Samtliga kvinnor i vår undersökning låg under dessareferensvärden. Fortsatt hälsorelaterad miljöövervakning kan emellertid varamotiverad, för att säkerställa att denna känsliga grupp även fortsättningsvis har enkvicksilver-, bly- och kadmiumbelastning, som inte innebär hälsorisker för mödrar eller foster.
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| 21. |
- Hernandez, Danilo, et al.
(författare)
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Respiratory Symptoms among Waste-Picking Child Laborers A Cross-Sectional Study
- 2010
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Ingår i: International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health. - 1077-3525. ; 16:2, s. 124-135
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study evaluates respiratory symptoms, lung function, and exposure to airborne particles among waste-picking children. We enrolled 103 waste-picking children at a dump in Managua, Nicaragua and 103 children who do not pick waste. Exposure to airborne particles was assessed by area sampling. Health data were obtained from a questionnaire, clinical examination, and spirometry. Exposure effects were evaluated with multivariate regression analysis. Exposure to particles exceeded national and international standards. Wheezing among children was related to exposure status, with waste-picking children who are both "never highly exposed" and "ever highly exposed" having greater prevalence of wheezing compared to the children who do not pick waste. FEV1 among "ever highly exposed" waste-picking children with wheeze was 13% lower than non-waste-picking children with wheeze. Exposure to small particles was unacceptably high and associated with wheeze and decreased lung function.
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| 22. |
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| 23. |
- Jakobsson, Kristina, et al.
(författare)
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Mortality and cancer morbidity among cement workers
- 1993
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Ingår i: British Journal of Industrial Medicine. ; 50:3, s. 72-264
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To explore associations between exposure to cement dust and cause specific mortality and tumour morbidity, especially gastrointestinal tumours. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: 2400 men, employed for at least 12 months in two Swedish cement factories. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cause specific morality from death certificates (1952-86). Cancer morbidity from tumour registry information (1958-86). Standardised mortality rates (SMRs; national reference rates) and standardised morbidity incidence rates (SIRs; regional reference rates) were calculated. RESULTS: An increased risk of colorectal cancer was found > or = 15 years since the start of employment (SIR 1.6, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.1-2.3), mainly due to an increased risk for tumours in the right part of the colon (SIR 2.7, 95% CI 1.4-4.8), but not in the left part (SIR 1.0, 95% CI 0.3-2.5). There was a numerical increase of rectal cancer (SIR 1.5, 95% CI 0.8-2.5). Exposure (duration of blue collar employment)-response relations were found for right sided colon cancer. After > or = 25 years of cement work, the risk was fourfold (SIR 4.3, 95% CI 1.7-8.9). There was no excess of stomach cancer or respiratory cancer. Neither total mortality nor cause specific mortality were significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS: Diverging risk patterns for tumours with different localisations within the large bowel were found in the morbidity study. Long term exposure to cement dust was a risk factor for right sided colon cancer. The mortality study did not show this risk.
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| 24. |
- Jakobsson, Kristina, et al.
(författare)
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Radiological changes in asbestos cement workers
- 1995
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Ingår i: Occupational and Environmental Medicine. - 1470-7926. ; 52:1, s. 20-27
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE--To explore associations between exposure to asbestos cement dust and radiographic findings in lung parenchyma and pleura. METHODS--Radiographs from 174 blue collar workers and 29 white collar workers from an asbestos cement plant formed one part of the study. Progression of small opacities was further studied in those 124 blue collar workers, for whom two radiographs taken after the end of employment were available. The median readings from five readers who used the full ILO 1980 classification were used. As exposure indices, time since start of employment, duration of employment, cumulative exposure, and average intensity of asbestos exposure were used. The influence of age and smoking was also considered in multiple logistic regression analyses. RESULTS--Small opacities (profusion > or = 1/0) were closely correlated with time related exposure variables, and showed weaker association with intensity based exposure variables. The odds ratio (OR) for small opacities was equal to 2.8 (90% CI 1.2, 6.7) in the > 30 f(fibre)-y/ml group, compared with those in the 0-10 f-y/ml group. Progression of at least two minor ILO categories after the end of employment was seen in 20%. Also, pleural thickening was closely related to time. By contrast, costophrenic angle obliterations were not associated with the time related variables, but closely associated with the intensity of asbestos exposure, and tended to occur during employment. The OR was 4.5 (90% CI 1.3, 15) in the > 2 f/ml group, compared with those in the 0-1 f/ml group. CONCLUSIONS--In these workers, exposed mainly to chrysotile but also to small amounts of amphibole, the risk of radiographically visible parenchymal abnormality was substantially increased and strongly dependent on time related exposure variables. Progression was found long after the end of exposure. The findings on costophrenic angle obliterations, supposed to be sequelae of benign pleural effusions, were consistent with an immediate reaction triggered by intense asbestos exposure.
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| 25. |
- Johannesson, Gunvor, et al.
(författare)
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Serum albumins are the major site for in vivo formation of hapten-carrier protein adducts in plasma from humans and guinea-pigs exposed to type-1 allergy inducing hexahydrophthalic anhydride
- 2001
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Ingår i: Clinical and Experimental Allergy. - 1365-2222. ; 31:7, s. 1021-1030
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Organic acid anhydrides (OAAs) are highly allergenic compounds used in the chemical industry. The OAAs probably act as haptens but the proteins that form conjugates with OAAs in vivo are still unknown. Conjugates between the anhydrides and serum albumins (SAs) have routinely been used when testing for OAA-specific antibodies. However, the use of SA as the carrier-protein in these tests has never been evaluated. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify major and also immunologically relevant protein conjugates of a particularly sensitizing OAA, hexahydrophthalic anhydride (HHPA), in plasma. METHODS: Plasma was obtained from a HHPA-exposed worker, from a guinea-pig (GP) exposed to HHPA in an exposure chamber for 2 weeks (8 h/day, 5 days/week) and from a GP exposed once, nose-only, to tritium-labelled HHPA for 8 h. The plasma was fractionated using ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. These fractions and also aliquots of unfractioned plasma were hydrolysed, derivatized and analysed for anhydride adduct content using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Further, plasma from the tritium labelled HHPA-exposed GP was separated by SDS gel electrophoresis and analysed by autoradiography. In addition, immunologically relevant proteins were identified through specific IgE and IgG immunoblottings using sera from exposed workers. RESULTS: For humans > 85% and for GPs > 74% of the HHPA-adducts coeluted with SA in plasma. Autoradiography of GP-plasma shows a single 66 kDa protein that binds HHPA. IgE immunoblotting shows a major 66 kDa and a minor 28 kDa protein which could be inhibited by HHPA-SA conjugate. IgG immunoblotting showed a major 66 kDa protein and several minor protein bands. CONCLUSION: This study shows SA to be the major protein in plasma that forms adducts in vivo with HHPA. The results also show that in an in vitro synthesized HHPA plasma protein conjugate, HHPA-specific IgE and IgG antibodies bind preferably to the SA.
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