| 1. |
- Hagenbjörk-Gustafsson, Annika, et al.
(author)
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Determinants of personal exposure to some carcinogenic substances and nitrogen dioxide among the general population in five Swedish cities
- 2014
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In: Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1559-0631 .- 1559-064X. ; 24:4, s. 437-443
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Environmental levels of airborne carcinogenic and related substances are comparatively better known than individual exposure and its determinants. We report on a personal monitoring program involving five Swedish urban populations. The aim of the program was to investigate personal exposure to benzene, 1,3-butadiene, formaldehyde, and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The measurements were performed among 40 inhabitants during seven consecutive days, in one urban area each year, during 2000-2008. The estimated population exposure levels were 1.95 mu g/m(3) for benzene, 0.56 mu g/m(3) for 1,3-butadiene, 19.4 mu g/m(3) for formaldehyde, and 14.1,mu g/m(3) for NO2. Statistical analysis using a mixed-effects model revealed that time spent in traffic and time outdoors contributed to benzene and 1,3- butadiene exposure. For benzene, refueling a car was an additional determinant influencing the exposure level. Smoking or environmental tobacco smoke were significant determinants of exposure to NO2, benzene, and 1, 3-butadiene. Those with a gas stove had higher NO2 exposure. Living in a single-family house increased the exposure to formaldehyde significantly. In a variance component model, the between-subject variance dominated for 1,3-butadiene and formaldehyde, whereas the between-city variance dominated for NO2. For benzene, the between-subject and between-cities variances were similar.
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| 2. |
- Bergendorf, Ulf, et al.
(author)
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Cancerframkallande ämnen i tätortsluft –Personlig exponering ochbakgrundsmätningar i Malmö 2008
- 2010
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Den allmänna befolkningens personliga exponering i Malmö för några cancerframkallandeämnen undersöktes under perioden september-december 2008. Totalt 61 mätningargenomfördes på 41 slumpmässigt utvalda individer med personburna passiva provtagare förbensen, 1,3-butadien, formaldehyd, samt kvävedioxid, i sjudygnsperioder. Upprepademätningar gjordes på 20 personer. Parallellt med de personburna mätningarna utfördesstationära mätningar på två platser i Malmö, en på Rådhustaket, som anses representeraMalmös urbana bakgrund, samt en i gatunivå på Dalaplan.Utöver detta utfördes även pumpad tvådygnsprovtagning av partiklar (PM2.5) ochpolyaromatiska kolväten (PAH) stationärt inomhus i vardagsrum samt vid den urbanabakgrundsstationen. PAH-mätningarna presenteras nedan som nivåer av bens(a)pyren.Deltagarfrekvensen var 63 %. Medianresultat från studien i Malmö presenteras i nedanståendetabell:Ämne Personburnamätningar/vardagsrumsmätningarUtomhusmätningarRådhustaket DalaplanBensen(μg/m3)1,0 0,65 1,11,3-Butadien(μg/m3)0,31 0,05 0,12Formaldehyd(μg/m3)12 3,4 3,0Kvävedioxid(μg/m3)15 20 28Bens(a)pyren(pg/m3) 14 24 -PM2.5(μg/m3) 5,8 5,3 -Denpersonliga exponeringen för bensen korrelerade med halten av butadien, inga andraämnen korrelerade med varandra.Den personliga exponeringen för bensen och butadien korrelerade med både egen rökning ochpassiv rökning. Det fanns också samband mellan butadien och tid i egen bostad.Kvävedioxidhalterna korrelerade till innehav av gasspis. Bens(a)pyren mätt i urban bakgrundkorrelerade med både PM2.5 och summa PAH. För inomhusmätningarna korrelerade summaPAH med både PM2.5 och bens(a)pyren.Det fanns inga korrelationer mellan de parallella bakgrundsmätningarna och medelhalter avde personburna exponeringarna för något av de studerade ämnena.Vid en jämförelse med 2003 års mätning har de personburna halterna av bensen och butadiensjunkit signifikant. För kvävedioxid visar denna undersökning att de stationärabakgrundshalterna har sjunkit tydligt vilket också konfirmeras med mätningar genomförda avMalmö kommun, medan de personburna nivåerna ligger på samma nivåer.Denna studie är en del i Naturvårdsverkets hälsorelaterade miljöövervakning, luft, ochfinansieras av Naturvårdsverket. Liknande undersökning har tidigare genomförts i Malmö2003 och i Göteborg, Stockholm, Umeå och Lindesberg mellan 2000 och 2007.
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| 3. |
- Broberg Palmgren, Karin, et al.
(author)
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The GSTP1 Ile105 Val polymorphism modifies the metabolism of toluene di-isocyanate.
- 2010
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In: Pharmacogenetics & Genomics. - 1744-6872 .- 1744-6880. ; 20:2, s. 104-111
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Toluene di-isocyanate (TDI) is widely used in the production of polyurethane foams and paints. As TDI causes respiratory disease in only a fraction of exposed workers, genetic factors may play a key role in disease susceptibility. Polymorphisms in TDI metabolising genes may affect elimination kinetics, resulting in differences in body retention, and in its turn differences in adverse effects. OBJECTIVES: To analyze how genotype modifies the associations between (i) TDI in air (2,4-TDI and 2,6-TDI) and its metabolites toluene diamine (TDA; 2,4-TDA and 2,6-TDA) in hydrolyzed urine; and (ii) 2,4-TDA and 2,6-TDA in hydrolyzed plasma and 2,4-TDA and 2,6-TDA in urine. METHODS: Workers exposed to TDI were analyzed for 2,4-TDI and 2,6-TDI in air (N=70), 2,4-TDA and 2,6-TDA in hydrolyzed urine (N=124) and in plasma (N=128), and genotype: CYP1A1*2A, CYP1A1*2B, GSTA1-52, GSTM1O, GSTM3B, GSTP1 I105V, GSTP1 A114V, GSTT1O, MPO-463, NAT1*3, *4, *10, *11, *14, *15, NAT2*5, *6, *7, and SULT1A1 R213H. RESULTS: GSTP1 105 strongly modified the relationship between 2,4-TDA in plasma and in urine: ValVal carriers had about twice as steep regression slope than IleIle carriers. A similar pattern was found for 2,6-TDA. CYP1A1*2A, GSTM1, GSTP1, GSTT1, and MPO possibly influenced the relationship between TDA in plasma and urine. CONCLUSION: Our results show, for the first time, genetic modification on the human TDI metabolism. The findings suggest that GSTP1 genotype should be considered when evaluating biomarkers of TDI exposure in urine and plasma. Moreover, the results support earlier findings of GSTP1 105 Val as protective against TDI-related asthma.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Hamada, Haneen, et al.
(author)
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Dermal uptake study with 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate led to active sensitization
- 2012
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In: Contact Dermatitis. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0105-1873 .- 1600-0536. ; 66:2, s. 101-105
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background. To investigate the dermal uptake of 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (4,4'-MDI), a study was performed in which 2 female volunteers were exposed to 10 and 25 mg, respectively, of 4,4'-MDI by applying 2.0% 4,4'-MDI in petrolatum over areas where the surface concentration corresponded to 800 µg/cm(2) . Ten days later, they developed eczematous dermatitis at the area of application. Objectives. To investigate whether the dermal application caused active sensitization to 4,4'-MDI. Methods. Chemical analysis of the 4,4'-MDI preparation used in the application and the amount of 4,4'-MDI not absorbed by the skin was performed with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The volunteers were tested with serial dilutions of 4,4'-MDI and the potentially cross-reacting substances 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane (4,4'-MDA), p-phenylenediamine (PPD), and dicyclohexylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate (DMDI). Results. Patch test results suggested that the volunteers were actively sensitized to 4,4'-MDI following the dermal uptake study, as they reacted positively to 4,4'-MDA, a marker for 4,4'-MDI allergy. No positive reactions were seen to PPD or DMDI. Chemical investigation confirmed that the correct concentration had been used for the dermal uptake study, and showed that about 70% of the applied 4,4'-MDI was not absorbed. Conclusions. A dermal uptake study with 4,4'-MDI in 2.0% pet. with an occlusion time of 8 hr induced active sensitization to 4,4'-MDI and subsequently to 4,4'-MDA.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Hedmer, Maria, et al.
(author)
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Exposure and Emission Measurements During Production, Purification, and Functionalization of Arc-Discharge-Produced Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes.
- 2014
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In: Annals of Occupational Hygiene. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1475-3162. ; 58:3, s. 355-379
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The production and use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is rapidly growing. With increased production, there is potential that the number of occupational exposed workers will rapidly increase. Toxicological studies on rats have shown effects in the lungs, e.g. inflammation, granuloma formation, and fibrosis after repeated inhalation exposure to some forms of multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs). Still, when it comes to health effects, it is unknown which dose metric is most relevant. Limited exposure data for CNTs exist today and no legally enforced occupational exposure limits are yet established. The aim of this work was to quantify the occupational exposures and emissions during arc discharge production, purification, and functionalization of MWCNTs. The CNT material handled typically had a mean length <5 μm. Since most of the collected airborne CNTs did not fulfil the World Health Organization fibre dimensions (79% of the counted CNT-containing particles) and since no microscopy-based method for counting of CNTs exists, we decided to count all particle that contained CNTs. To investigate correlations between the used exposure metrics, Pearson correlation coefficient was used.
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| 8. |
- Hedmer, Maria, et al.
(author)
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Exposure to respirable dust and manganese and prevalence of airways symptoms, among Swedish mild steel welders in the manufacturing industry.
- 2014
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In: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-1246 .- 0340-0131. ; 87:6, s. 623-634
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Welding fume consists of metal fumes, e.g., manganese (Mn) and gases, e.g., ozone. Particles in the respirable dust (RD) size range dominate. Exposure to welding fume could cause short- and long-term respiratory effects. The prevalence of work-related symptoms among mild steel welders was studied, and the occupational exposure to welding fumes was quantified by repeated measurements of RD, respirable Mn, and ozone. Also the variance components were studied.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
- Hogstedt, Christer, et al.
(author)
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Cancer Incidence in a Cohort of Swedish Chimney Sweeps, 1958-2006.
- 2013
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In: American Journal of Public Health. - 1541-0048. ; 103:9, s. 1708-1714
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives. We examined cancer incidence in an expanded cohort of Swedish chimney sweeps. Methods. We added male chimney sweep trade union members (1981-2006) to an earlier cohort (employed 1918-1980) and linked them to nationwide registers of cancer, causes of deaths, and total population. The total cohort (n = 6320) was followed from 1958 through 2006. We estimated standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) using the male Swedish population as reference. We estimated exposure as years of employment and analyzed for exposure-response associations by Poisson regression. Results. A total of 813 primary cancers were observed vs 626 expected (SIR = 1.30; 95% confidence interval = 1.21, 1.39). As in a previous follow-up, SIRs were significantly increased for cancer of the esophagus, liver, lung, bladder, and all hematopoietic cancer. New findings included significantly elevated SIRs for cancer of the colon, pleura, adenocarcinoma of the lung, and at unspecified sites. Total cancer and bladder cancer demonstrated positive exposure-response associations. Conclusions. Exposure to soot and asbestos are likely causes of the observed cancer excesses, with contributions from adverse lifestyle factors. Preventive actions to control work exposures and promote healthier lifestyles are an important priority. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print January 17, 2013: e1-e7. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2012.300860).
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| 13. |
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| 14. |
- Kammer, Ronny, et al.
(author)
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Evaluation of a tape-stripping technique for measuring dermal exposure to pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene.
- 2011
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In: Journal of Environmental Monitoring. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1464-0325 .- 1464-0333. ; 13:8, s. 2165-2171
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Epidemiological studies have shown an increased incidence of cancer among workers occupationally exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). As the dermal route is considered important for exposure to PAHs in the workplace, the aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a tape-stripping technique for monitoring dermal exposure to pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene. The tape-stripping method was evaluated by applying different concentrations of pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene directly onto tape strips (spiked tapes), clean glass plates, and on the skin of five volunteers. The glass plates were stripped using a single strip of tape and the skin of the volunteers was stripped with five consecutive strips of tape after 0 and 30 minutes. The method was also tested on five chimney sweeps at three exposure sites. High-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection was employed for the quantification of pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene. The mean recovery from the spiked tapes was 97% for pyrene and 93% for benzo(a)pyrene. The mean overall recovery from the glass plates was 88% and 76% for pyrene and 88 and 85% for benzo(a)pyrene. The recovery from human skin was 70% and 63% for pyrene and 60 and 54% for benzo(a)pyrene, after 0 and 30 minutes, respectively. A concentration gradient was clearly detected between the five consecutive strips. Detectable amounts of pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene were found on all chimney sweeps at all exposure sites. This method can thus be used to detect and quantify dermal exposure to pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene. The results also show that pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene may be taken up by the skin.
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| 17. |
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| 18. |
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| 19. |
- Lynge, Elsebeth, et al.
(author)
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Exposure to tetrachloroethylene in dry cleaning shops in the Nordic countries
- 2011
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In: Annals of Occupational Hygiene. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1475-3162. ; 55:4, s. 387-396
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: Tetrachloroethylene is the dominant solvent used in dry cleaning worldwide and many workers are potentially exposed. We report here on results of 1296 measurements of tetrachloroethylene undertaken in Nordic dry cleaning shops 1947–2001. Methods: We searched documents and files in the Nordic institutes of occupational health for air measurements of tetrachloroethylene. Repeated measurements from the same facility during a short time interval were registered only once using the time-weighted average. We registered also changes over time in occupational exposure limits (OELs) to tetrachloroethylene. Results: Only scattered measurements were available from the early years, and the exposure level seemed fairly stable up until the mid 1970s. The median exposure level was 20 p.p.m. in 1976 and decreased to 3 p.p.m. in 2000. Exposure levels in the four Nordic countries followed similar trends. In the late 1960s, the OELs varied between the Nordic countries from 30 to 100 p.p.m. Sweden was first to lower the limit, but limits gradually converged over time. At present, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden use 10 p.p.m., while Norway uses 6 p.p.m. Over time, the average observed exposure level was lower than the OEL in all countries, but in Denmark and Sweden, up to one-third of measured exposures exceeded the OEL. Overall, the stationary measurements for maintenance work showed 36 p.p.m., while the personal measurements showed 7.5 p.p.m. for dry cleaners and 6.25 p.p.m. for shop assistants. Conclusion: The Nordic data illustrate that it is possible over time to control chemical exposures even in an industry consisting of many small and scattered work places.
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| 20. |
- 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
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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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| 21. |
- Malmqvist, Ebba, et al.
(author)
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Gestational Diabetes and Preeclampsia in Association with Air Pollution at Levels below Current Air Quality Guidelines.
- 2013
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In: Environmental Health Perspectives. - : Environmental Health Perspectives. - 1552-9924 .- 0091-6765. ; 121:4, s. 488-493
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Several studies have estimated associations between air pollution and birth outcomes, but few have evaluated potential effects on pregnancy complications.Objective: We investigated whether low-level exposure to air pollution is associated with gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.Methods: High-quality registry information on 81,110 singleton pregnancy outcomes in southern Sweden during 1999-2005 was linked to individual-level exposure estimates with high spatial resolution. Modeled exposure to nitrogen oxides (NOx), expressed as mean concentrations per trimester, and proximity to roads of different traffic densities were used as proxy indicators of exposure to combustion-related air pollution. The data were analyzed by logistic regression, with and without adjusting for potential confounders.Results: The prevalence of gestational diabetes increased with each NOx quartile, with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.69 (95% CI: 1.41, 2.03) for the highest (> 22.7 µg/m3) compared with the lowest quartile (2.5-8.9 µg/m3) of exposure during the second trimester. The adjusted OR for acquiring preeclampsia after exposure during the third trimester was 1.51 (1.32, 1.73) in the highest quartile of NOx compared with the lowest. Both outcomes were associated with high traffic density, but ORs were significant for gestational diabetes only.Conclusion: NOx exposure during pregnancy was associated with gestational diabetes and preeclampsia in an area with air pollution levels below current air quality guidelines.
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| 22. |
- Malmqvist, Ebba, et al.
(author)
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Maternal Exposure to Air Pollution and Birth Outcomes.
- 2011
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In: Environmental Health Perspectives. - : Environmental Health Perspectives. - 1552-9924 .- 0091-6765. ; 119, s. 553-558
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The knowledge about air pollution effects on birth weight, prematurity and small for gestational age [SGA] in low-exposure areas is insufficient. Objectives: The aim of this birth cohort study was to investigate if low-level exposure to air pollution was associated with prematurity and foetal growth and if there are gender specific effects. Method: We combined high quality registry information on 81110 births with individually modeled exposure data at residence for nitrogen oxides [NOx] and proximity to roads with differing traffic density. The data were analyzed by using logistic and linear regression with and without potential confounders. Results: An increased risk for babies being SGA was observed when highest and lowest NOx quartiles were compared, adjusting for maternal age, smoking, gender and year of birth. After additional adjustment for maternal country of origin and parity (which were highly intercorrelated), the increase was no longer statistically significant. However, in subgroup analysis when highest and lowest NOx quartiles were compared, there was still an increased risk for SGA for baby girls Odds Ratio [OR] 1.12 (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.01, 1.24), and also if mothers had not changed residency during pregnancy OR 1.09 (95% CI 1.01, 1.18). The confounders with the greatest impact on SGA were parity and country of origin. Concerning prematurity, the prevalence was lower in the three higher NOx exposure quartiles compared to the lowest category. Conclusion: For future studies on air pollution effects on birth outcomes careful control of confounding is crucial.
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| 23. |
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| 24. |
- Mikoczy, Zoli, et al.
(author)
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Cancer incidence and mortality in Swedish sterilant workers exposed to ethylene oxide: updated cohort study findings 1972-2006.
- 2011
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In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI AG. - 1660-4601. ; 8:6, s. 2009-2019
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: To assess whether cancer incidence, mainly from lymphohaematopoietic tumours and breast cancer, and mortality were increased in a cohort of Swedish sterilant workers exposed to low levels of ethylene oxide (EtO), updated with 16 more years of follow up. METHODS: The mortality and cancer incidence 1972-2006 experienced by a cohort of 2,171 male and female workers employed for at least one year in two plants producing medical equipment sterilised with EtO were investigated. Individual cumulative exposure to EtO was assessed by occupational hygienists. Cause-specific standardized rate ratios were calculated using the regional general population as a comparison for mortality (SMR) and cancer incidence (SIR). Internal Poisson-regression analyses were performed for selected causes. RESULTS: The median cumulative exposure to EtO was 0.13 ppm-years. The overall cancer incidence was close to unity (SIR 0.94, 95% CI 0.82-1.08). Eighteen cases of lymphohaematopoietic cancer were observed (SIR 1.25, 95% CI 0.74-1.98). A healthy worker effect was indicated from a significantly decreased overall mortality and mortality from cardiovascular diseases. Internal analyses found significantly increased rate ratios for breast cancer for the two upper quartiles of cumulative exposure as compared to the lowest 50% of the cohort (IRR 2.76, 95% CI 1.20-6.33 and IRR 3.55, 95% CI 1.58-7.93). CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this updated study indicate limited or low risks for human cancer due to occupational exposure from ethylene oxide at the low cumulative exposure levels in this cohort. However a positive exposure-response relation with breast cancer was observed though.
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