| 2. |
- Kogevinas, Manolis, et al.
(author)
-
Exposure to substances in the workplace and new-onset asthma : an international prospective population-based study (ECRHS-II)
- 2007
-
In: The Lancet. - 0140-6736 .- 1474-547X. ; 370:9584, s. 336-341
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background The role of exposure to substances in the workplace in new-onset asthma is not well characterised in population-based studies. We therefore aimed to estimate the relative and attributable risks of new-onset asthma in relation to occupations, work-related exposures, and inhalation accidents. Methods We studied prospectively 6837 participants from 13 countries who previously took part in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (1990-95) and did not report respiratory symptoms or a history of asthma at the time of the first study. Asthma was assessed by methacholine challenge test and by questionnaire data on asthma symptoms. Exposures were defined by high-risk occupations, an asthma-specific job exposure matrix with additional expert judgment, and through self-report of acute inhalation events. Relative risks for new onset asthma were calculated with log-binomial models adjusted for age, sex, smoking, and study Centre. Findings A significant excess asthma risk was seen after exposure to substances known to cause occupational asthma (Relative risk=1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.3, p=0.017). Risks were highest for asthma defined by bronchial hyper-reactivity in addition to symptoms (2.4,1.3-4.6, p=0.008). Of common occupations, a significant excess risk of asthma was seen for nursing (2.2,1.3-4.0, p=0.007). Asthma risk was also increased in participants who reported an acute symptomatic inhalation event such as fire, mixing cleaning products, or chemical spills (RR=3.3, 95% CI 1.0-11.1, p=0.051). The population-attributable risk for adult asthma due to occupational exposures ranged from 10% to 25%, equivalent to an incidence of new-onset occupational asthma of 250-300 cases per million people per year. Interpretation Occupational exposures account for a substantial proportion of adult asthma incidence. The increased risk of asthma after inhalation accidents suggests that workers who have such accidents should be monitored closely.
|
|
| 3. |
- Mirabelli, Maria C., et al.
(author)
-
Metalworking exposures and persistent skin symptoms in the ECRHS II and SAPALDIA 2 cohorts
- 2009
-
In: Contact Dermatitis. - : Wiley. - 0105-1873 .- 1600-0536. ; 60:5, s. 256-263
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Diseases of the skin are important and often preventable conditions occurring among workers with dermal exposures to irritant and sensitizing agents. OBJECTIVE: We conducted this analysis to assess the associations between metalworking exposures and current and persistent skin symptoms among male and female participants in two population-based epidemiologic studies. METHODS: We pooled data from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey II (ECRHS II) and the Swiss Cohort Study on Air Pollution and Lung and Heart Disease in Adults 2 (SAPALDIA 2), two prospective cohort studies in Europe. Each participant completed interviewer-administered questionnaires to provide information about symptoms and exposures related to selected occupations, including metalworking, during the follow-up periods. We assessed associations between skin symptoms and the frequency of metalworking exposures among 676 ECRHS II/SAPALDIA 2 respondents. RESULTS: Current skin symptoms were reported by 10% of metalworkers and were associated with frequent use, defined as four or more days per week, of oil-based metalworking fluids [prevalence ratio (PR): 1.76, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.25-2.49)] and organic solvent/degreasing agents (PR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.21-3.50). CONCLUSIONS: Skin symptom prevalence is associated with increasing frequency of oil-based metalworking fluid and degreasing agent use. Our findings justify assessing strategies for reducing the frequency of metal-related exposures.
|
|
