| 1. |
- Lundström, Nils-Göran, et al.
(author)
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Cumulative lead exposure : relationship to mortality and lung cancer morbidity in a cohort of smelter workers
- 1997
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - : Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - 0355-3140 .- 1795-990X. ; 23:1, s. 24-30
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the mortality and cancer incidence of long-term lead smelter workers at a primary smelter.Methods: A cohort of 3979 workers employed for at least 1 year during 1928-1979 and a subcohort of 1992 workers employed in lead-exposed departments (lead only workers) was formed. The expected mortality in 1955-1987 and cancer incidence in 1958-1987 were calculated relative to the county rates, specified for cause, gender, 5-year age groups, and calendar year. A cumulative blood-lead index was used for the dose-response analyses.Results: The lung cancer incidence of the total cohort [standardized incidence ratio (SIR) 2.8, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.1-3.8] and the group with the highest exposure (SIR 3.1, 95% CI 2.0-4.6) was high. Similar risk estimates were observed with a latency of 15 years. The workers hired before 1950 had higher lung cancer risk estimates (SIR 3.6, 95% CI 2.6-5.0) than the workers hired later (SIR 1.3, 95% CI 0.6-2.6, no latency period). The risk estimates for lung cancer were further elevated in the subcohort of lead-only workers (SIR 5.1, 95% CI 2.0-10.5 in the highest exposed subgroup; latency period of 15 years). No excesses of other malignancies were noted.Conclusions: The increased relative risks were probably mainly due to interactions between lead and other carcinogenic exposures, including arsenic. Further study is required concerning such possible interactions before a role in the induction of lung cancer can be ascribed to lead.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Annika, Hagenbjörk-Gustafsson, et al.
(author)
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Spatial variation of ground level ozone and the relation between ozone and NO2/NOx in two Swedish cities
- 2013
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Ozone is a pollutant known to cause adverse effects on human health. It is formed by reactions between nitrogen oxides (NOx) and hydrocarbons under the influence of sunlight. In urban areas ozone is consumed oxidating nitrogen oxide (NO) to nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Despite the potential to cause adverse health effects, the local spatial distribution of ozone and the relationship between ozone, NO2 and NOx in different environments is poorly studied.Aims Our aim was to study the concentrations and spatial distribution of ozone in two cities, Malmö in the south of Sweden and Umeå in the north of Sweden, since the contribution of ozone from other parts of Europe decreases with higher latitude. We also wanted to investigate differences in the ozone/NO2 and the ozone/NOx ratios between the cities and between different environments.Methods Ozone, NO2 and NOx concentrations were measured with Ogawa diffusive samplers during three one-week campaigns in April, May/June and in August 2012. Measurements were conducted simultaneously at 20 sites in each city outside preschools, distributed at traffic sites, urban background sites and regional background (rural) sites. Results The average concentration of ozone in Malmö and Umeå were 67,5 µg/m3 and 50,6 µg/m3, respectively. The mean ozone/NOx ratio was of equal magnitude in Malmö and in Umeå, and in both cities the ratio was highest at rural sites and lowest at traffic sites. In Umeå there was a clear trend with highest ozone concentrations at rural sites and lowest concentrations at traffic sites, a trend that was not as obvious in Malmö. In Umeå the ozone/NO2 ratio at rural sites was about three times larger compared to Malmö.Conclusions There is a clear local variation of ozone, with stronger gradients in northern (Umeå) Sweden in comparison to southern Sweden (Malmö). This can partly be explained by less long-range transport of ozone and larger impact of local NO emissions that reduce ozone in northern Sweden.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Axmon, Anna, et al.
(author)
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Female fertility in relation to the consumption of fish contaminated with persistent organochlorine compounds.
- 2002
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - 0355-3140. ; 28:2, s. 124-132
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of exposure to presistent organochlorine compounds through the consumption of fatty fish from the Baltic Sea on human fertility. METHODS: Information on time to pregnancy, miscarriages, and subfertility was collected retrospectively by self-administered questionnaires in two cohorts of fishermen's sisters from the Swedish east coast, by the Baltic Sea, and the west coast, where fish are less contaminated. Along with cohort affiliation, fish consumption and growing up in a fishing village or fisherman's family were used as measures of exposure within the eastcoast cohort (ie, the exposed cohort). RESULTS: There was no support for a negative effect of the consumption of fatty Baltic Sea fish on time to pregnancy, miscarriages, or subfertility. On the contrary, some evidence pointed towards a protective effect of fatty fish consumption within both cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: No evidence of reduced fertility was found for women who could be assumed to have a high lifetime consumption of fatty fish contaminated by persistent organochlorine compounds. A possible explanation for this finding is that a positive effect of some of the constituents in fatty fish could be strong enough to disguise the hazardous effects of exposure to persistent organochlorine compounds.
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| 6. |
- Axmon, Anna, et al.
(author)
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Fertility among female hairdressers.
- 2006
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In: Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health. - 0355-3140. ; 32:1, s. 51-60
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The study investigated whether working as a hairdresser has a negative impact on fertility, measured as time to pregnancy and miscarriage risk.
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| 7. |
- Axmon, Anna, et al.
(author)
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Polychlorinated biphenyls in blood plasma among Swedish female fish consumers in relation to time to pregnancy
- 2001
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In: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part A: Current Issues. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1087-2620 .- 1528-7394. ; 64:6, s. 485-498
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The purpose of this study was to assess the association between 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153) in plasma, a biomarker of exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), and time to pregnancy (TTP) in a group of women with a varying dietary exposure to PCB. For 121 Swedish east coast fishermen's wives (median year of birth 1956, range 1945-1968), information on selt-reported TTP for the first planned pregnancy (median 2 mo, range 0-48) and CB-153 concentrations from blood samples drawn in 1995 (median 144 ng/g lipid, range 16-566) were available. Each woman's CB-153 concentration in plasma at the time immediately preceding her pregnancy was estimated, taking into account reduction of body burden of CB-153 due to lactation, the yearly reduction of PCB in Baltic Sea fish, as well as the biological half-life of CB-153. Based on the estimated CB-153 concentrations, subjects were categorized into tertiles as low (37-206 ng/g lipid), medium (207-330 ng/g lipid), and high (331-,1036 ng/g lipid) exposure groups. TTP in the medium- and high-exposure groups were then compared to TTP in the low-exposure group by estimating the corresponding success rate (i.e., the number of pregnancies per person month) ratios (SuRR) using discrete Cox regression, taking into account essential confounders. No obvious association between estimated CB-153 concentration and TTP was observed (medium vs. low: SuRR 0.77 [95% CI 0.47-1.28] and high vs. low: SuRR 0.95 10.74-1.23]). The present data give no support for a negative association between the plasma CB-153 concentrations observed in the present study and TTP. It should, however, be borne in mind that the study group was rather small and mainly included relatively young women, likely to have been only moderately exposed.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
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| 14. |
- Giwercman, Aleksander, et al.
(author)
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Sperm chromatin structure assay as an independent predictor of fertility in vivo: a case-control study.
- 2010
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In: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley. - 1365-2605 .- 0105-6263. ; 33, s. 221-227
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Summary Standard sperm parameters have a limited power for prediction of the chance of natural conception. Recent studies have indicated that the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) DNA fragmentation index (DFI), a measure for the fraction of sperms with DNA damage, is associated with fertility in vivo. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of this parameter for prediction of infertility. One hundred and twenty-seven men from infertile couples with no known female factor and 137 men with proven fertility were included. Semen analysis was performed as recommended by the WHO. DFI was assessed using SCSA. Logistic binary regression was used to compute the odds ratios (OR) for infertility. As compared with men with a DFI <10%, men with a DFI between 10% and 20% had an increased risk for infertility (OR 2.5, 95% CI: 1.0-6.1). This was also true for men with a DFI >20% (OR 8.4; 95% CI: 3.0-23). In men with normal standard semen parameters (sperm concentration, motility and morphology) the OR for infertility was increased with DFI >20% (OR 5.1, 95% CI: 1.2-23), whereas if one of the standard semen parameters was abnormal, the OR for infertility was increased already at DFI above 10% (OR 16, 95% CI: 4.2-60). We conclude that SCSA DFI adds to the value of semen analysis in prediction of the chance of natural conception.
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| 15. |
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| 16. |
- Hagmar, Lars, et al.
(author)
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Tidstrender för exponering för persistenta organohalogena miljögifter (POP) hos unga svenska män : Resultat från basundersökningen
- 2003
-
Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- I en undersökning av 304 mönstrande män (medianålder 18 år) var medianvärdet 65 ng/g blodfett för CB-153 i serum och det fanns en variationsbredd mellan 23 och 248 ng/g fett. Medianhalten av p,p´-DDE var för 223 av de unga männen 88 ng/g fett (variationsbredd ca 10 till 1270 ng/g fett). Halterna var lägre än de man finner hos medelålders och äldre män. Den aktuella studien är en basundersökning, som om man några år senare gör om motsvarande undersökning på en ny kull mönstrande unga män, kan användas som grund för tidstrendsanalyser av human exponering för olika persistenta organohalogena miljögifter.
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| 17. |
- Hagmar, Lars, et al.
(author)
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Tidstrender för halter av persistenta klororganiska miljögifter i blod hos vuxna svenska män i relation till konsumtion av fet östersjöfisk
- 2004
-
Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Det har skett en signifikant genomsnittlig minskning med 34 till 55 % av serumhalterna av CB-153, p,p´-DDE och HCB under perioden 1991 till 2001 bland 39 medelålders svenska män, varav en del med hög konsumtion av fet östersjöfisk. Detta kunde inte förklaras med förändrad fiskkonsumtion över tiden. Däremot förklarade en ökad kroppsvikt en del av minskningen, genom en ”utspädningseffekt” (större distributionsvolym). Det är sannolikt att en minskad förorening av animaliska livsmedel med dessa POPs under senare år bidragit till de sjunkande halterna i serum. I motsats till resultaten för CB-153, p,p´-DDE och HCB förelåg det inte någon signifikant tidstrend för TEQ för PCDD eller PCDF I serum bland 26 medelålders svenska män, trots en längre uppföljningsperiod (1987 till 2002). För enskilda PCDD/F kongeners noterades såväl minskningar som ökningar över tiden. Resultaten ger vid handen att dioxinbelastningen varit oförändrad under den senaste 15 års perioden.
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| 18. |
- Haugen, Trine B., et al.
(author)
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Differences in serum levels of CB-153 and p,p '-DDE, and reproductive parameters between men living south and north in Norway
- 2011
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In: Reproductive Toxicology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-1708 .- 0890-6238. ; 32:3, s. 261-267
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Arctic is contaminated with persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs), and exposure to these compounds may differ between south and north in Norway. POPs may have negative impact on male reproductive characteristics. We compared serum levels of the CB-153 and p,p'-DDE in men who were born and had lived most of their lifetime south and north (close to or above the Arctic Circle) in Norway. We found no geographical differences in levels of CB-153 (south: 50 ng/g lipid (mean), north: 59 ng/g lipid; p = 0.27) or sperm parameters. However, the levels of AV-ODE were higher in south than in north (81 ng/g lipid (mean) vs. 66 ng/g lipid; p = 0.02), as were the levels of total and free testosterone. The FSH levels were lowest in south. A strong relationship between the CB-153 and the SHBG levels was observed. The regional differences observed for p,p'-DDE, testosterone and FSH were not reflected in the semen quality. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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| 19. |
- Holmer, Helene, et al.
(author)
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Fracture incidence in GH-deficient patients on complete hormone replacement including GH
- 2007
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In: Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. - : Wiley. - 0884-0431 .- 1523-4681. ; 22:12, s. 1842-1850
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Fracture risk in GHD patients is not definitely established. Studying fracture incidence in 832 patients on GH therapy and 2581 matched population controls, we recorded a doubled fracture risk in CO GHD women, but a significantly lower fracture risk in AO GHD men. Introduction: The objective of this study was to evaluate fracture incidence in patients wilh confirmed growth hormone deficiency (GHD) on replacement therapy (including growth hormone [GH]) compared with population controls, while also taking potential confounders and effect modifiers into account. Materials and Methods: Eight hundred thirty-two patients with GHD and 2581 matched population controls answered a questionnaire about fractures and other background information. Incidence rate ratio (IRR) and 95% CI for first fracture were estimated. The median time on GH therapy for childhood onset (CO) GHD men and women was 15 and 12 yr, respectively, and 6 and 5 yr for adult onset (AO) GHD men and women, respectively. Results: A more than doubled risk (IRR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.23-4.28) for nonosteoporotic fractures was recorded in women with CO GHD, whereas no risk increase was observed among CO GHD men (IRR. 0.61) and AO GHD women (IRR, 1.08). A significantly decreased incidence of fractures (IRR, 0.54; 95% CI 0.34-0.86) was recorded in AO GHD men. Conclusions: Increased fracture risk in CO GHD women can most likely be explained by interaction between oral estrogen and the GH-IGF-I axis. The adequate substitution rate of testosterone (90%) and GH (94%) may have resulted in significantly lower fracture risk in AO GHD men.
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| 20. |
- Holmer, Helene, et al.
(author)
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Nonfatal stroke, cardiac disease, and diabetes mellitus in hypopituitary patients on hormone replacement including growth hormone
- 2007
-
In: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. - : The Endocrine Society. - 1945-7197 .- 0021-972X. ; 92:9, s. 3560-3567
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context: The impact of long-term GH replacement on cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus in hypopituitary patients is unknown. Objective: The incidence of nonfatal stroke and cardiac events, and prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus ( T2D) and cardioprotective medication were compared between cohorts of GH-deficient (GHD) patients and population controls. Design and Participants: The incidence of nonfatal stroke and cardiac events was estimated retrospectively from questionnaires in 750 GHD patients and 2314 matched population controls. A prevalence of T2D and cardioprotective medication was recorded at the distribution of questionnaires. Time since first pituitary deficiency to start of GH therapy was 4 and 2 yr, and time on GH therapy was 6 yr for GHD women and men, respectively. Results: Lifelong incidence of nonfatal stroke was tripled in GHD women and doubled in GHD men, but a decline was seen in both genders during periods after first pituitary hormone deficiency and GHD, during which most patients had GH therapy. The lifelong incidence of nonfatal cardiac events declined in GHD men during first pituitary hormone deficiency and GHD periods. GHD women had a higher prevalence of T2D and lipid-lowering medication, whereas GHD men had a higher prevalence of antihypertensive medication. Conclusions: The declined risks of nonfatal stroke in both genders and of nonfatal cardiac events in GHD men during periods on GH replacement may be caused by prescription of cardioprotective drugs and 6-yr GH replacement. GHD women had an increased prevalence of T2D, partly attributed to higher body mass index and lower physical activity.
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| 21. |
- Jakobsson, Kristina, et al.
(author)
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Exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers and tetrabromobisphenol A among computer technicians.
- 2002
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In: Chemosphere. - 1879-1298. ; 46:5, s. 709-716
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study investigates exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), which are used as flame retardants in electronic equipment, in a group of technicians with intense computer work. Thirteen PBDE congeners and TBBPA were quantified in serum from 19 computer technicians. Previously investigated groups of hospital cleaners with no computer experience, and clerks working full-time at computer screens were used for comparison. The computer technicians had serum concentrations of BDE-153, BDE-183 and BDE-209 that were five times higher than those reported among hospital cleaners and computer clerks. The median levels observed among the computer technicians were 4.1, 1.3, and 1.6 pmol/g lipid weight, respectively. In contrast, for BDE-47 there was no difference between the computer technicians and the others. BDE-100, BDE-203, and three structurally unidentified octa-BDEs and three nona-BDEs, were present in almost all samples from the computer technicians. Further, TBBPA was detected in 8 out of 10 samples. The levels of BDE-153, BDE-183, and one of the octa-BDEs were positively correlated with duration of computer work among technicians. On a group level an exposure gradient was observed, from the least exposed cleaners to the clerks, and to the highest exposed group of computer technicians. A dose (duration of computer work)-response relationship among computer technicians was demonstrated for some higher brominated PBDE congeners. Thus, it is evident that PBDEs used in computers and electronics, including the fully brominated BDE-209, contaminate the work environment and accumulate in the workers tissues.
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| 22. |
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| 23. |
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| 24. |
- Jönsson, Bo A, et al.
(author)
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Inter-population variations in concentrations, determinants of and correlations between 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)-ethylene (p,p'-DDE): a cross-sectional study of 3161 men and women from Inuit and European populations
- 2005
-
In: Environmental Health. - 1476-069X. ; 4:27
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The study is part of a collaborative project (Inuendo), aiming to assess the impact of dietary persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs) on human fertility. The aims with the present study are to analyze inter-population variations in serum concentrations of 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)-ethylene (p,p'-DDE), to assess inter-population variations in biomarker correlations, and to evaluate the relative impact of different determinants for the inter-individual variations in POP-biomarkers. METHOD: In study populations of 3161 adults, comprising Greenlandic Inuits, Swedish fishermen and their wives, and inhabitants from Warsaw, Poland and Kharkiv, Ukraine, serum concentrations of CB-153 and p,p'-DDE, were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The median serum concentrations of CB-153 were for male and female Inuits 200 and 110, for Swedish fishermen 190 and their wives 84, for Kharkiv men and women 44 and 27, and for Warsaw men and women 17 and 11 ng/g lipids, respectively. The median serum concentrations of p,p'-DDE were for Kharkiv men and women 930 and 650, for male and female Inuits 560 and 300, for Warsaw men and women 530 and 380, and for Swedish fishermen 240 and their wives 140 ng/g lipids, respectively. The correlation coefficients between CB-153 and p,p'-DDE varied between 0.19 and 0.92, with the highest correlation among Inuits and the lowest among men from Warsaw. Men had averagely higher serum concentrations of CB-153 and p,p'-DDE, and there were positive associations between age and the POP-biomarkers, whereas the associations with BMI and smoking were inconsistent. Dietary seafood was of importance only in the Inuit and Swedish populations. CONCLUSION: CB-153 concentrations were much higher in Inuits and Swedish fishermen's populations than in the populations from Eastern Europe, whereas the pattern was different for p,p'-DDE showing highest concentrations in the Kharkiv population. The correlations between the POP-biomarkers varied considerably between the populations, underlining that exposure sources differ and that the choice of representative biomarkers of overall POP exposure has to be based on an analysis of the specific exposure situation for each population. Age and gender were consistent determinants of serum POPs; seafood was of importance only in the Inuit and Swedish populations.
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| 25. |
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| 26. |
- Knutsen, Helle Katrine, et al.
(author)
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Risk for animal and human health related to the presence of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in feed and food.
- 2018
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In: EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority. - : Wiley. - 1831-4732. ; 16:11
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The European Commission asked EFSA for a scientific opinion on the risks for animal and human health related to the presence of dioxins (PCDD/Fs) and DL-PCBs in feed and food. The data from experimental animal and epidemiological studies were reviewed and it was decided to base the human risk assessment on effects observed in humans and to use animal data as supportive evidence. The critical effect was on semen quality, following pre- and postnatal exposure. The critical study showed a NOAEL of 7.0pg WHO2005-TEQ/g fat in blood sampled at age 9years based on PCDD/F-TEQs. No association was observed when including DL-PCB-TEQs. Using toxicokinetic modelling and taking into account the exposure from breastfeeding and a twofold higher intake during childhood, it was estimated that daily exposure in adolescents and adults should be below 0.25 pg TEQ/kg bw/day. The CONTAM Panelestablished a TWI of 2 pg TEQ/kg bw/week. With occurrence and consumption data from European countries, the mean and P95 intake of total TEQ by Adolescents, Adults, Elderly and Very Elderly varied between, respectively, 2.1 to 10.5, and 5.3 to 30.4pg TEQ/kg bw/week, implying a considerable exceedance of the TWI. Toddlers and Other Children showed a higher exposure than older age groups, but this was accounted for when deriving the TWI. Exposure to PCDD/F-TEQ only was on average 2.4- and 2.7-fold lower for mean and P95 exposure than for total TEQ. PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs are transferred to milk and eggs, and accumulate in fatty tissues and liver. Transfer rates and bioconcentration factors were identified for various species. The CONTAM Panelwas not able to identify reference values in most farm and companion animals with the exception of NOAELs for mink, chicken and some fish species. The estimated exposure from feed for these species does not imply a risk.
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| 27. |
- Malm, Gunilla, et al.
(author)
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Reproductive function during summer and winter in Norwegian men living north and south of the Arctic circle.
- 2004
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In: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. - : The Endocrine Society. - 1945-7197 .- 0021-972X. ; 89:9, s. 4397-4402
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Seasonal, daylight-dependent variation in human spermatozoa counts, with lowest values during summer, has been suggested. To test this hypothesis, we performed a longitudinal study of semen quality and reproductive hormone levels in Norwegian men living north and south of the Arctic Circle. An ejaculate and a serum specimen were obtained both in summer and in winter from 92 volunteers in Tromsoe (69° north latitude) and 112 in Oslo (60° north latitude). Semen analyses were performed, and serum was assayed for FSH and inhibin B. The median spermatozoa concentration in Tromsoe after adjustment for abstinence period length was 49 × 106/ml in summer and 54 × 106/ml in winter. Corresponding values for Oslo were 59 × 106/ml and 54 × 106/ml. The seasonal differences in spermatozoa concentration were not statistically significant, nor were significant differences observed in median total spermatozoa count, semen volume, percentage progressive motile spermatozoa, or FSH. In Tromsoe, but not Oslo, inhibin B concentration was slightly, but significantly (P = 0.02) higher in winter than summer (229 ng/liter vs. 223 ng/liter).The length of the daylight period may have a slight impact on hormonal markers of spermatogenesis but does not cause substantial changes in spermatozoa numbers and motility.
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| 28. |
- Malmqvist, Ebba, et al.
(author)
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Assessing ozone exposure for epidemiological studies in Malmo and Umea, Sweden
- 2014
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In: Atmospheric Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 1352-2310 .- 1873-2844. ; 94, s. 241-248
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Ground level ozone [ozone] is considered a harmful air pollutant but there is a knowledge gap regarding its long term health effects. The main aim of this study is to develop local Land Use Regression [LUR] models that can be used to study long term health effects of ozone. The specific aim is to develop spatial LUR models for two Swedish cities, Umea and Malmo, as well as a temporal model for Malmo in order to assess ozone exposure for long term epidemiological studies. For the spatial model we measured ozone, using Ogawa passive samplers, as weekly averages at 40 sites in each study area, during three seasons. This data was then inserted in the LUR-model with data on traffic, land use, population density and altitude to develop explanatory models of ozone variation. To develop the temporal model for Malmo, hourly ozone data was aggregated into daily means for two measurement stations in Malmo and one in a rural area outside Malmo. Using regression analyses we inserted meteorological variables into different temporal models and the one that performed best for all three stations was chosen. For Malmo the LUR-model had an adjusted model R-2 of 0.40 and cross validation R-2 of 0.17. For Umea the model had an adjusted model R-2 of 0.67 and cross validation adjusted R-2 of 0.48. When restricting the model to only including measuring sites from urban areas, the Malmo model had adjusted model R-2 of 0.51 (cross validation adjusted R-2 0.33) and the Umea model had adjusted model R-2 of 0.81 (validation adjusted R-2 of 0.73). The temporal model had adjusted model R-2 0.54 and 0.61 for the two Malmo sites, the cross validation adjusted R-2 was 0.42. In conclusion, we can with moderate accuracy, at least for Umea, predict the spatial variability, and in Malmo the temporal variability in ozone variation. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
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| 29. |
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| 30. |
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| 31. |
- Richthoff, Jonas, et al.
(author)
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Serum Levels of 2,2,4,4,5,5 -Hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153) in Relation to Markers of Reproductive Function in Young Males from the General Swedish Population.
- 2003
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In: Environmental Health Perspectives. - : Environmental Health Perspectives. - 1552-9924 .- 0091-6765. ; 111:4, s. 409-413
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A time-related deterioration in male reproductive function caused by exposure to endocrine disrupters, including persistent organochlorines (POCs), has been hypothesized. In animal studies, POCs were found to have adverse effects on male reproductive function. However, little is known about the impact of POC exposure on reproductive parameters in men. In a study of 305 young Swedish men 18-21 years old from the general population, we correlated lipid-adjusted serum levels of 2,2´,4,4´,5,5´-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153)--an index substance for POC exposure--to markers of male reproductive function: testis size assessed by ultrasound, sperm concentration, total sperm count, sperm motility assessed manually and with a computer-aided sperm analyzer (CASA), and serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, inhibin B, testosterone, sexual hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), luteinizing hormone, and estradiol. We found weak but statistically significant, negative correlations between CB-153 levels and both the testosterone:SHBG ratio (r = -0.25, p < 0.001)--a measure of the biologically active free testosterone fraction--and CASA sperm motility (r = -0.13, p = 0.02). No statistically significant association with other seminal, hormonal, or clinical markers of male reproductive function was found. In previous studies of more highly POC-exposed groups of adult men, the correlation between POC exposure, including CB-153, and free testosterone levels was not statistically significant. The present study gives some tentative support for weak negative effects of CB-153 exposure on sperm motility and free testosterone levels in young men, but further semen studies on more highly exposed groups may give more firm conclusions on the hazard for male reproductive function from dietary POC exposure. Key words: dioxin, male reproduction, PCB, reproductive hormones, semen quality, sperm concentration, sperm motility.
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| 32. |
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| 33. |
- Rignell-Hydbom, Anna, et al.
(author)
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Exposure to persistent organochlorine pollutants and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
- 2007
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In: Human & Experimental Toxicology. - : SAGE Publications. - 0960-3271 .- 1477-0903. ; 26:5, s. 447-452
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs), such aspolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) and its major metabolite 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)-ethylene (p,p' -DDE) have been associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in recent epidemiological studies. We have analysed 2,2',4,4',5,5' -hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153) and p,p'-DDE in 544 serum-samples from Swedish women with a median age of 50 years. The participants were asked if they had diabetesand if so, what type of diabetes, years since diagnosis and what kind of treatment they had. Associations between exposure and T2DM were analysed by logistic regression. Moreover, trends of T2DM prevalence were tested with Jonckheere-Terpstra' test. Sixteen of the 544 women (3%) had diabetes, of which15 were classified as T2DM. There was a significant associationwith T2DM for both CB-153 (an increase of 100ng/glipid corresponded to an odds ratio [OR] of 1. 6, 95% confidenceinterval [CI] 1. 0, 2. 7) and p,p9-DDE (OR 1. 3, 95%CI 1. 1, 1. 6). In addition, significant positive trends betweenquartiles of CB-153 and T2DM (P 5 0. 004) and p,p9-DDEand T2DM (P 5 0. 002) were observed. The study showsan association between POP serum concentrations andan increased prevalence of T2DM.
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| 34. |
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| 35. |
- Rylander, Lars, et al.
(author)
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A simplified precise method for adjusting serum levels of persistent organohalogen pollutants to total serum lipids.
- 2006
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In: Chemosphere. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-1298 .- 0045-6535. ; 62:3, s. 333-336
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In order to obtain biomarker values that reflect body burden of persistent organohalogen pollutants (POP), concentrations of lipophilic POP in serum or plasma are generally expressed on a lipid weight basis, and not on a fresh weight basis. There are two different approaches to determine the lipid content in serum and plasma. The gravimetric determination is more expensive, and longer experience is needed as compared with the preferable enzymatic determination. Clinical chemistry laboratories at most hospitals perform enzymatic determinations of cholesterol and triglycerides on a routine basis, whereas analysis of phospholipids is not part of these analyses. In the present study, therefore, we evaluated the association between the sum of measured triglyceride, cholesterol, and phospholipid levels in serum among 617 individuals with the sum of only triglyceride and cholesterol levels. There was a very strong linear association between the sums of serum concentrations of triglycerides and cholesterols and the total lipid concentrations. As much as 97.2% of the variation in total lipid concentrations was explained by the sum of the triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations, with the following regression: Total lipid = 0.9 + 1.3 * (Cholesterol + Triglycerides). Almost identical relationships were recorded in subgroups with men, women and subjects of different age. Thus, total lipid concentrations in blood serum can be accurately estimated by analyzing only cholesterol and triglycerides in the matrix. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 36. |
- Rylander, Lars, et al.
(author)
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Associations between CB-153 and p,p'-DDE and hormone levels in serum in middle-aged and elderly men.
- 2006
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In: Chemosphere. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-1298 .- 0045-6535. ; 65:3, s. 375-381
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Animal and epidemiologic data indicate that exposure to persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs) may disrupt the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) and the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axes. We have assessed whether the POP-biomarkers 2,2'4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-ethene (p,p'-DDE) affect thyrotropin (TSH), thyroid hormones, gonadotropins or sex hormone concentrations in men. Methods: Lipid adjusted serum concentrations of CB-153, and p,p'-DDE, were determined in 196 men (median age 59 years, range 48-82). Hormone analyses in serum were performed with immunoassays. The effect of CB-153 and p,p'-DDE (as continuous or categorized variables) were evaluated by linear regression models, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: There was a significant positive association between p,p'-DDE and TSH. An increase of 100 ng/g lipid of p,p'-DDE corresponded to an increase of 0.03 mU/l (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.01, 0.05) in TSH level. The explanatory value (R 2) of the multi-variate model was only 7%. Moreover, there was a significant negative association between p,p'-DDE and estradiol. An increase of 100 ng/g lipid of p,p'-DDE corresponded to a decrease of 0.57 pmol/l (95% CI -1.0, -0.12) in estradiol level. The R-2-value was only 4%. No associations were observed between any of the POP biomarkers and the other hormones. Conclusions: The positive association between p,p'-DDE and TSH and the negative association between p,p'-DDE and estradiol, among middle-aged and elderly men, were not accompanied by associations between the POP-markers and thyroxin, testosterone, and gonadotropins, respectively. The results gives some additional support for that POP exposure may affect HPT- and HPG-axes also in humans, but the overall epidemiological data are still not coherent enough to allow any firm conclusions. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 37. |
- Rylander, Lars, et al.
(author)
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Intra-individual variations and temporal trends in dioxin levels in human blood 1987-2002
- 2009
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In: Chemosphere. - Oxford : Pergamon Press. - 0045-6535 .- 1879-1298. ; 76:11, s. 1557-1562
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: In Sweden, an important source for exposure to persistent organochlorine pollutants, such as PCDD and PCDF, is through intake of fatty fish from the Baltic Sea off the Eastern coast of Sweden. The present study assesses temporal trends for human levels of PCDD/F between 1987 and 2002 among 26 men from Sweden. In addition, we investigate the impact of potential determinants (age, relative change in BMI and fish consumption) on the relatively change in individual PCDD/F congener levels between 1987 and 2002. Methods: In 1987, nine of the men did not eat fatty fish from the Baltic Sea, eight had a moderate intake, and nine were high consumers. For the same individuals,blood samples were collected in 1987 as well as in 2002, and the concentrations of seven PCDD and 10 PCDF congeners were analyzed at the same laboratory. Results: The WHO-TEQ levels for PCDD/F did not significantly change over the 15-year period. There were, however, some specific congeners that significantly had changed over time. None of the investigated determinants were associated with the change over time for the specific PCDD/F congeners. Conclusion: The present study may be of importance for risk assessment and setting standards for food contamination with PCDD/F, especially regarding intake of fatty fish from the Baltic Sea.
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| 38. |
- Rylander, Lars, et al.
(author)
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Polychlorinated biphenyls in blood plasma among Swedish female fish consumers in relation to low birth weight
- 1998
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In: American Journal of Epidemiology. - 0002-9262. ; 147:5, s. 493-502
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The authors examined the hypothesized association between the body burden of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in women and the risk of low birth weight for their infants. In Sweden, a main exposure route for PCBs and other persistent organochlorine compounds is through the consumption of fatty fish from the Baltic Sea (on the Swedish east coast). A previous comparison between a cohort of consumers of large quantities of fish from the Swedish east coast and a reference population, together with a following analysis based on questionnaire data from a case-control study within the east coast cohort, supported the hypothesized association. In 1995, blood samples were collected from the wives and ex-wives of fishermen from the Swedish east coast (n = 192) who had given birth during the period 1973-1991. Cases (n = 57), i.e., infants with low birth weight (1,500-2,750 g), were matched with controls (n = 135; birth weight, 3,250-4,500 g) on gender, parity, and calendar year of birth. The concentration of 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153) in plasma was analyzed; it has been suggested that CB-153 is a relevant biomarker of exposure to PCBs. The concentration of CB-153 in the plasma of mothers during the year of childbirth was "estimated" using some alternative plausible kinetic models. For two alternative estimated exposure datasets, which were focused on separately, an increase in the risk of a low birth weight was observed at a CB-153 concentration of 300 and 400 ng/g lipid weight, respectively (adjusted odds ratios of 2.1 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0-4.7) and 2.3 (95% CI 0.9-5.9)). The present results strengthen the findings reported previously for this study population.
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| 39. |
- Rylander, Lars, et al.
(author)
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Weight and height at 4 and 7 years of age in children born to mothers with a high intake of fish contaminated with persistent organochlorine pollutants.
- 2007
-
In: Chemosphere. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-1298 .- 0045-6535. ; 67:3, s. 498-504
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In Sweden the main exposure route for persistent organochlorine pollutants (POP) is through consumption of fatty fish from the Baltic Sea (off the eastern coast). The present study aimed to investigate whether intrauterine exposure for POP may have negative impact on children's weight and height at 4 and 7 years of age, respectively. The study included 174 fishermen's wives from the Swedish east coast who had given birth to an infant with either low (n = 55) or normal (n = 119) birth weight, and 88 and 206 corresponding women from the Swedish west coast (where the fish is less polluted). Comparisons between the east and west coast cohorts were performed. In addition, blood samples were collected among the cast coast women and the concentrations of 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153) in plasma was analyzed and estimated for the year of childbirth. There were no significant differences between the east and west coast cohorts regarding weight and height at 4 and 7 years of age. There were, however, significant negative associations between the estimated plasma concentrations of CB-153 during year of childbirth and weight at 4 and 7 years of age, respectively, among the normal birth weight children. The study gives only very weak support for the hypothesized association.
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| 40. |
- Taylor, Kyla W., et al.
(author)
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Evaluation of the Association between Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Diabetes in Epidemiological Studies: A National Toxicology Program Workshop Review
- 2013
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In: Environmental Health Perspectives. - : Environmental Health Perspectives. - 1552-9924 .- 0091-6765. ; 121:7, s. 774-783
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a major threat to public health in the United States and worldwide. Understanding the role of environmental chemicals in the development or progression of diabetes is an emerging issue in environmental health. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the epidemiologic literature for evidence of associations between persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Using a PubMed search and reference lists from relevant studies or review articles, we identified 72 epidemiological studies that investigated associations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) with diabetes. We evaluated these studies for consistency, strengths and weaknesses of study design (including power and statistical methods), clinical diagnosis, exposure assessment, study population characteristics, and identification of data gaps and areas for future research. CONCLUSIONS: Heterogeneity of the studies precluded conducting a meta-analysis, but the overall evidence is sufficient for a positive association of some organochlorine POPs with type 2 diabetes. Collectively, these data are not sufficient to establish causality. Initial data mining revealed that the strongest positive correlation of diabetes with POPs occurred with organochlorine compounds, such as trans-nonachlor, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and dioxins and dioxin-like chemicals. There is less indication of an association between other nonorganochlorine POPs, such as perfluoroalkyl acids and brominated compounds, and type 2 diabetes. Experimental data are needed to confirm the causality of these POPs, which will shed new light on the pathogenesis of diabetes. This new information should be considered by governmental bodies involved in the regulation of environmental contaminants.
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| 41. |
- Tiido, Tarmo, et al.
(author)
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Exposure to persistent organochlorine pollutants associates with human sperm Y:X chromosome ratio.
- 2005
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In: Human Reproduction. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0268-1161 .- 1460-2350. ; 20:7, s. 1903-1909
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: During the last decades, there has been concern that exposure to endocrine disruptors, such as persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs), may contribute to sex ratio changes in offspring of exposed populations. METHODS: To investigate whether exposure to 2,2'4,4'5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153) and dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethene (p,p'-DDE) affect Y:X chromosome proportion, semen of 149 Swedish fishermen, aged 27–67 years, was investigated. The men provided semen and blood for analysis of hormone, CB-153 and p,p'-DDE levels. The proportion of Y- and X-chromosome bearing sperm in semen samples was determined by two-colour fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis. RESULTS: Log transformed CB-153 as well as log transformed p,p'-DDE variables were both significantly positively associated with Y chromosome fractions (P-values=0.05 and <0.001, respectively). Neither age, smoking nor hormone levels showed any association with Y-chromosome fractions. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to indicate that exposure to POPs may increase the proportion of ejaculated Y-bearing spermatozoa. These data add to the growing body of evidence that exposure to POPs may alter the offspring sex ratio.
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| 42. |
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| 43. |
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| 44. |
- Wallin, Ewa, et al.
(author)
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Exposure to persistent organochlorine compounds through fish consumption and the incidence of osteoporotic fractures.
- 2004
-
In: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - 0355-3140. ; 30:1, s. 30-35
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: Animal studies have shown that persistent organochlorine compounds (POC) impair normal bone metabolism and result in increased bone fragility. These findings may have health implications for POC-exposed human populations. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of POC-contaminated fish on the self-reported fracture incidence of Swedish fishermen and their wives. METHODS: A postal questionnaire was sent to 2096 fishermen and 1602 fishermen's wives from the Swedish east (exposed) coast and 4584 fishermen and 4217 fishermen's wives from the west (unexposed) coast. Self-reported fractures, together with specified current fish consumption and information about potential confounders, were registered. The response rates varied between 50% and 59%. The age distributions of the nonrespondents and respondents were almost identical. Hip, vertebral, and wrist fractures were classified as osteoporotic. The fracture incidence rates for specific skeletal locations were based on allocated fractures and person-years under risk from the age of 25 years until the time of fracture or the end of follow-up. RESULTS: No differences in fracture incidence were observed between the east and west-coast cohorts. East-coast wives with more than one meal of fatty fish from the Baltic Sea per month had, however, an increased fracture incidence as compared with that of the east-coast wives who ate, at most, one such meal per month (age-adjusted incidence rate ratio 1.68, 95% confidence interval 1.00-2.84). No such exposure-response association was found for the fishermen. CONCLUSIONS: The present study only minimally supports an association between POC exposure through contaminated fish and an increased risk of osteoporotic fractures.
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| 45. |
- Wojtyniak, Bogdan J., et al.
(author)
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Association of maternal serum concentrations of 2,2 ', 4,4 ' 5,5 '-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)-ethylene (p,p '-DDE) levels with birth weight, gestational age and preterm births in Inuit and European populations
- 2010
-
In: Environmental Health. - 1476-069X. ; 9
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Epidemiological studies on the association between maternal exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and fetal growth alteration report inconsistent findings which weights in favor of additional studies. Methods: Blood samples were collected from interviewed pregnant women in Greenland (572), Kharkiv (611) and Warsaw (258) and were analyzed for CB-153 and p,p'-DDE by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Data on birth weight, gestational age and preterm birth were obtained for 1322 singleton live births. We examined the association between natural log-transformed serum POPs concentration and birth weight and gestational age using multiple linear regression and the association with prematurity using logistic regression controlling for potential confounding factors. Results: The median serum concentrations of CB-153 and p,p'-DDE were for Inuit mothers 105.6 and 298.9, for Kharkiv mothers 27.0 and 645.4 and for Warsaw mothers 10.7 and 365.2 ng/g lipids, respectively. Increase in CB-153 concentration by one unit on the log scale in Inuit mothers serum was associated with significant decrease in infant birth weight of -59 g and gestational age by -0.2 week. Decreases observed in the cohorts in Kharkiv (-10 g and -0.1 week) and in Warsaw (-49 g and -0.2 week) were not statistically significant. Increase in p,p'-DDE concentration by one unit on the log scale was associated with a statistically significant decrease in infant birth weight of -39.4 g and -104.3 g and shortening of gestational age of -0.2 week and -0.6 week in the Inuit and Warsaw cohorts, respectively. In the Kharkiv cohort decrease in birth weight (-30.5 g) was not significant, however a shortening of gestational age of -0.2 week per increase in p,p'-DDE concentration by one unit on the log scale was of the borderline significance. There was no significant association between CB-153 and p,p'-DDE concentrations and risk of preterm birth however, in all cohorts the odds ratio was above 1. Conclusions: In utero exposure to POPs may reduce birth weight and gestational age of newborns however, new insights as to why results vary across studies were not apparent.
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| 46. |
- Al-Jebari, Yahia, et al.
(author)
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Cancer therapy and risk of congenital malformations in children fathered by men treated for testicular germ-cell cancer : A nationwide register study
- 2019
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In: PLoS Medicine. - : PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE. - 1549-1277 .- 1549-1676. ; 16:6
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Because of the potential mutagenic effects of chemo- and radiotherapy, there is concern regarding increased risk of congenital malformations (CMs) among children of fathers with cancer. Previous register studies indicate increased CM risk among children conceived after paternal cancer but lack data on oncological treatment. Increased CM risk was recently reported in children born before paternal cancer. This study aims to investigate whether anti-neoplastic treatment for testicular germ-cell cancer (TGCC) implies additional CM risk. Methods and findings In this nationwide register study, all singletons born in Sweden 1994-2014 (n = 2,027,997) were included. Paternal TGCC diagnoses (n = 2,380), anti-neoplastic treatment, and offspring CMs were gathered from the Swedish Norwegian Testicular Cancer Group (SWENOTECA) and the Swedish Medical Birth Register. Children were grouped based on +/- paternal TGCC; treatment regimen: surveillance (n = 1,340), chemotherapy (n = 2,533), or radiotherapy (n = 360); and according to time of conception: pre- (n = 2,770) or post-treatment (n = 1,437). Odds ratios (ORs) for CMs were calculated using logistic regression with adjustment for parental ages, maternal body mass index (BMI), and maternal smoking. Children conceived before a specific treatment acted as reference for children conceived after the same treatment. Among children fathered by men with TGCC (n = 4,207), 184 had a CM. The risk of malformations was higher among children of fathers with TGCC compared with children fathered by men without TGCC (OR 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19-1.38, p = 0.001, 4.4% versus 3.5%). However, no additional risk increase was associated with oncological treatment when comparing post-treatment-to pretreatment-conceived children (chemotherapy, OR = 0.82, 95% CI 0.54-1.25, p = 0.37, 4.1% versus 4.6%; radiotherapy, OR = 1.01, 95% CI 0.25-4.12, p = 0.98, 3.2% versus 3.0%). Study limitations include lack of data on use of cryopreserved or donor sperm and on seminoma patients for the period 1995-2000-both tending to decrease the difference between the groups with TGCC and without TGCC. Furthermore, the power of analyses on chemotherapy intensity and radiotherapy was limited. Conclusions No additional increased risk of CMs was observed in children of men with TGCC treated with radio- or chemotherapy. However, paternal TGCC per se was associated with modestly increased risk for offspring malformations. Clinically, this information can reassure concerned patients.
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| 47. |
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| 48. |
- Albin, Maria, et al.
(author)
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Incidence of asthma in female Swedish hairdressers.
- 2002
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In: Occupational and Environmental Medicine. - : BMJ. - 1470-7926 .- 1351-0711. ; 59:2, s. 119-23.
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk of asthma in hairdressers. METHODS: The incidence of asthma was retrospectively estimated in a Swedish nationwide study including all female hairdressers certified from vocational schools from 1970 to 1995, and a stratified sample of women from the general population were referents. A postal questionnaire included questions on respiratory tract symptoms, atopy, smoking, working periods as a hairdresser, and number of specific hair treatments performed/week. Reported exposures were validated by occupational hygienists. Rate ratios of incidence (IRRs) of asthma were estimated by Poisson regression, adjusted for calendar year of observation, hay fever, smoking, and region of domicile. RESULTS: The crude incidences of asthma/1000 person-years were: 3.9 during active years as a hairdresser, 2.8 among the hairdressers when not working in the profession, and 3.1 among the referents. The corresponding IRR for being an active hairdresser compared with the referents was 1.3 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.0 to 1.6). Moderate effects on risk of asthma were found both from hairdressing work (IRR=1.6 (1.1 to 2.2) among never-smokers) and from smoking (IRR=1.6 (1.2 to 2.2) among referents). However, the combined effect from hairdressing work and smoking (IRR=1.5 (1.0 to 2.1)) was less than expected (p=0.02). No effect modification by respiratory atopy was found. The hairdressers most often performing hair bleaching treatments (IRR=1.5 (0.7 to 3.0)) or using hair spray (IRR=1.4 (0.8 to 2.4)) had, compared with the most infrequent users, a slightly, but not significantly higher incidence of asthma. Exposure to persulphates in hair bleach was estimated to be 0.04-0.15 mg/m(3) during mixing of the powder. Reported average number of bleaching treatments agreed well with those performed according to a diary. CONCLUSIONS: Active hairdressing work was associated with a moderately increased incidence of asthma among lifelong non-smokers. The results are moderately supportive, but not conclusive, of associations between asthma and exposure to hair bleach or hair spray.
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| 49. |
- Albin, Maria, et al.
(author)
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National policies and social inequalities in exit paths from working life in Sweden
- 2019
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In: ; , s. 3-5
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We investigated the impact on work life exits from reduced access to disability pension (2006), and financial incentives to extend working life. Method and materialWe used labour statistics of all employees in Sweden, Social insurance and income data, to compare occupational groups (SSYK, based on ISCO-88), and blue and white collar workers, with regard to i) lost years in working life due to death, disability pension and long-term sick-leave preceding disability pension 2007-2010, ii) granted disability pensions 2007-2011, and iii) premature age pension in 2004 and 2011.ResultsYears lost in working life were similar for men and women in the same 1-digit SSYK occupational group, somewhat higher for those born outside Sweden, but showed a clear gradient from white to blue collar occupations, e.g. for 0.39 versus 2.40 ys lost for Legislators/senior officials/managers and in Elementary occupations, respectively (women born in Sweden).In 2006 the prevalence of disability pension in age 50-64 was 3.61% among women and 2.49% among men, with 10/10 of the highest prevalence occupations (4-digit SSYK code) in men, and 9/10 in women, being blue collar ones. Approved applications decreased 2006-2011 by 74.4% in women, and 64.3% in men; for mental disorders (ICD-10-SE; F00-F99) 64.9% in women and 48.8% in men, for musculoskeletal disorders (M00-M99) 91.1% and 90.0%, respectively. The prevalence of premature age pension increased between 2004 and 2011: men 2.5% to 6.4%, women 1.7% to 5.5%. Blue collar occupations were most affected.ConclusionsThe socioeconomic divide in lost years of working life between white and blue collars prevailed. There was an apparent flow from disability to premature age pension, in particular in female blue collars. The findings indicate the budgetary savings of disability pensions transferred the economic burden of disease to individuals, and mainly to female blue collar workers.
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| 50. |
- Alhamdow, Ayman, et al.
(author)
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Chimney sweeps in Sweden : a questionnaire-based assessment of long-term changes in work conditions, and current eye and airway symptoms
- 2017
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In: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0340-0131 .- 1432-1246. ; 90:2, s. 207-216
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: To explore chimney sweeping work tasks, chimney sweeps’ use of protective equipment, and type of fuel used by clients, over time. Further, to assess work-relatedness of current eye and airway symptoms. Methods: In a cross-sectional study in 2011, male Swedish chimney sweeps (n = 483; age 21–69 years) answered a questionnaire about their occupational history and eye and airway symptoms. Results: Between 1960 and 2010, black-soot-sweeping in private homes was the major task, although it decreased during the time period, for chimney sweeps. Between 1975 and 2010, the use of petroleum oil decreased, whereas the use of pellets and wood increased. Also, the use of gloves and masks increased significantly. Black-soot-sweeping in industry was associated with work-related eye symptoms (prevalence odds ratio POR = 3.76, 95% CI: 1.72–8.24, for every 10% increment of working time, adjusted for age and tobacco smoking). Chimney sweeps also had slightly higher prevalence of cough with increasing black-soot-sweeping (POR = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.99–1.13 for every 10% increment, further adjusted for the use of mask), and the association was more pronounced, although nonsignificant, for black-soot-sweeping in industry (adjusted POR = 1.26, 95% CI: 0.98–1.61). Conclusions: Chimney sweeping tasks and use of protective equipment as well as type of fuel used by the clients changed significantly over the last 35 years, which may have changed chimney sweeps’ exposure to soot. Still, chimney sweeps in Sweden have black-soot-sweeping-related eye and airway symptoms.
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