Journal of Environmental Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Mortality among workers at a plastics manufacturing plant","authors":"N. Sathiakumar, E. Delzell, P. Cole, R. Larson","doi":"10.1002/JEM.36","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/JEM.36","url":null,"abstract":"This study evaluated the 1970–1993 mortality experience of 2550 of white and black men employed at a Texas plastics plant that made polyethylene, polypropylene, K-resin (a copolymer of 1,3-butadiene and styrene) and other materials. Of particular interest was the relationship between work in plastics manufacturing and colorectal cancer, as certain epidemiological investigations have reported an increase in this form of cancer among workers with potential exposure to polypropylene. \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000Overall, subjects had fewer than expected deaths from all causes combined (269 observed/364.3 expected), from all cancer (79/89.3) and from colorectal cancer (5/9.5). Polypropylene workers had one observed compared with 0.4 expected death from colorectal cancer. A two-fold increase in deaths from accidents among hourly men was attributable to an explosion in the polyethylene area. Certain subgroups of workers had a slight increase in lung cancer deaths. These results were not statistically significant, did not display marked patterns with duration of employment or time since hire and were not clearly attributable to occupational exposure. Some subgroups of employees had more than expected deaths from oesophagus cancer, pancreas cancer and prostate cancer. These findings were based on small numbers, and there is no persuasive evidence that the excesses were due to chemicals at the plant. However, longer follow-up will be necessary to obtain more precise results for subjects with long-term employment and with long potential induction time. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.","PeriodicalId":100780,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Medicine","volume":"32 1","pages":"241-248"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73956198","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A review of the epidemiological evidence on health effects of nitrogen dioxide exposure from gas stoves","authors":"R. Basu, J. Samet","doi":"10.1002/JEM.28","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/JEM.28","url":null,"abstract":"This review addresses the evidence on the health effects of exposure to emissions of NO2 from gas stoves, covering findings of 45 epidemiological studies. These studies had addressed diverse outcome measures, including the risks of acute respiratory illness, decreased pulmonary function, respiratory symptoms and asthma exacerbation. Although most studies have focused on schoolchildren, studies of adults and more recently, prospective studies of infants have also been carried out. The findings have not been consistent across all studies in showing adverse effects. We conclude that the evidence does not support a causal relationship between exposure NO2 or use of a gas stove and increased risk for respiratory morbidity at the levels of NO2 typically associated with gas stoves. Some studies do show increased risk for respiratory health effects, however, and the evidence does not support the conclusion that NO2 emitted by gas stoves is risk-free. Further research would be indicated if populations receiving exposures in a range of interest can be identified. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000This review addresses the evidence on the health effects of exposure to emissions of NO2 from gas stoves, covering findings of 45 epidemiological studies. These studies had addressed diverse outcome measures, including the risks of acute respiratory illness, decreased pulmonary function, respiratory symptoms and asthma exacerbation. Although most studies have focused on schoolchildren, studies of adults and more recently, prospective studies of infants have also been carried out. The findings have not been consistent across all studies in showing adverse effects. We conclude that the evidence does not support a causal relationship between exposure NO2 or use of a gas stove and increased risk for respiratory morbidity at the levels of NO2 typically associated with gas stoves. Some studies do show increased risk for respiratory health effects, however, and the evidence does not support the conclusion that NO2 emitted by gas stoves is risk-free. Further research would be indicated if populations receiving exposures in a range of interest can be identified. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.","PeriodicalId":100780,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Medicine","volume":"80 1","pages":"173-187"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77435674","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Health‐based environmental indicators: approaches, potential and limitations","authors":"Z. Vassilev, M. Robson, Marjorie B. Kaplan","doi":"10.1002/JEM.31","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/JEM.31","url":null,"abstract":"The concept of indicators has long been applied for describing the trends and dynamics in both the environment and in human health. In recent years, significant effort has been devoted to estimating the negative impacts of the environment on human health, as well as to developing integrated metrics for the evaluation of the adverse health outcomes attributable to environmental exposures. The health-based environmental indicators (HBEIs) are measures designed to describe the status of human health with direct reference to the environmental conditions. Important potentials and limitations of the most promising approaches for developing HBEIs are examined from both a national and New Jersey prospective. The strengths and applicability of the health-based environmental measures are discussed with respect to the complex nature of the host–environment interactions and the scientific uncertainty about the environmental causation of diseases. It is concluded that the health-based environmental indicators are only supplemental tools for understanding of the relationship between environment and public health and do not provide solutions for the problems that might be encountered. Nevertheless, they can be efficiently used for improved environmental management and policy decisions. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.","PeriodicalId":100780,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Medicine","volume":"15 1","pages":"201-206"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89838863","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Epidemiology of particulate air pollution: exploiting observable exposure variability","authors":"C. Pope","doi":"10.1002/JEM.43","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/JEM.43","url":null,"abstract":"Epidemiological studies of PM pollution and health have attempted to exploit observable sources of exposure variability to evaluate potential health consequences. These studies have become increasingly ingenious and rigorous in their ability to use natural exposure variability. Although a large majority of studies have evaluated only changes in short-term exposures, long-term, chronic exposure may be more important in terms of overall public health. This paper outlines the various dimensions of natural PM exposure variability that have been exploited in the epidemiology of PM literature, discuss how this exposure variablilty has or has not been utilized in recent epidemiology studies of PM exposure and human health, outline the inferences being drawn from the studies, and present the major limitations of these studies.Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.","PeriodicalId":100780,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Medicine","volume":"161 1","pages":"297-305"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87444518","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Particulate matter and health: does the evidence hang in the balance?","authors":"J. Samet","doi":"10.1002/JEM.39","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/JEM.39","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":100780,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Medicine","volume":"10 1","pages":"261-266"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85790452","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Wildlife as sentinels for human health hazards: a review of study designs","authors":"P. Rabinowitz, M. Cullen, H. Lake","doi":"10.1002/JEM.33","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/JEM.33","url":null,"abstract":"A systematic search of the peer-reviewed biomedical literature was performed for original studies linking environmental hazards with health effects in wild animal populations. Some 104 original studies were identified in the BIOSIS and Medline databases since 1966 and classified in terms of study design. A marked increase in published studies has occurred over the past decade, examining a wide range of hazards and outcomes. Most analytic studies were ecologic or cross-sectional in nature. All cross-sectional studies sampled subjects on the basis of exposure, using a reference population for the selection of controls. Studies of wild animal populations may hold unique advantages for toxicant hazard identification, yet the current range of study designs appears restricted. Increased use of study approaches such as sampling based on outcome, intra-population comparisons, as well as cohort and case-control designs may improve hazard identification and priority setting for confirmatory toxicologic and human studies of effects seen in wildlife. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.","PeriodicalId":100780,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Medicine","volume":"42 1","pages":"217-223"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77566184","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Time‐series analyses and cohort studies to investigate relationships between particulate matter and mortality—two approaches to one endpoint","authors":"N. Englert","doi":"10.1002/JEM.42","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/JEM.42","url":null,"abstract":"Time‐series analyses and cohort studies provide different methods of looking at the health effects of air pollution. With respect to mortality, the relative risk associated with a defined increase in the concentration of particulate matter is numerically much higher if derived from cohort studies than if based on time‐series analyses. This discrepancy is often explained by arguing that chronic effects of air pollutants can only be assessed in cohort studies. However, with respect to changes in life expectancy, the results of the two study types can be shown to be consistent. In calculations of pollution‐related health costs, mortality plays a dominant role. Applying the relative risk derived from cohort studies directly as a multiplier on daily or annual mortality leads to a considerable overestimation of effects. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.","PeriodicalId":100780,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Medicine","volume":"71 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76846140","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Could industrial noise be regarded as a risk factor for arterial hypertension","authors":"L. Soleo, G. Pesola, L. Vimercati, G. Lasorsa, C. Zocchetti, F. Cassano, S. Palmi, F. Merluzzi","doi":"10.1002/JEM.32","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/JEM.32","url":null,"abstract":"The aim of this study was to determine whether occupational noise exposure is a risk factor that may favour a chronic increase of diastolic and systolic blood pressure and a higher prevalence of arterial hypertension. A cross-sectional study was performed on 1372 workers employed in 11 cement plants in central and southern Italy. In 1985 the workers were subjected to a medical examination during which blood pressure was measured and information about personal features, occupational activity, diseases, family history of hypertension, use of antihypertensive drugs, smoking habit and alcohol intake were also gathered by questionnaire. For each worker noise exposure (dBA) was estimated using a series of indicators representing both the levels of exposure at the time of study and loud energy previously absorbed during the occupational life spent in the industry considered. 41.4% of the examined workers were hypertensive, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) definition (i.e. systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels ≥140 and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels ≥90 mmHg and/or reported antihypertensive treatment). Linear regression analysis showed a positive influence of age, BMI and use of antihypertensive drugs for both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Noise exposure, independent of the indicators, was negatively associated with diastolic blood pressure only. The logistic regression analysis of the different variables contributing to high blood pressure showed a positive influence of age, BMI and family history of hypertension, while only some indicators of noise exposure were found to be negatively associated with arterial hypertension. Noise exposure, as assessed by all the different indicators used in the study, does not seem to influence systolic arterial pressure, but does have a negative influence on diastolic pressure. The prevalence of arterial hypertension, as defined by WHO criteria, appears negatively associated with noise exposure. The results obtained could be related both to a physiological variation of blood pressure following chronic noise exposure and to an unfavourable combination of elements further accentuated by the limitations of the cross-sectional study. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.","PeriodicalId":100780,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Medicine","volume":"84 1","pages":"207-216"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81015106","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The health significance of environmental odour pollution: revisited","authors":"D. Shusterman","doi":"10.1002/JEM.38","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/JEM.38","url":null,"abstract":"The health impact of environmental odor pollution varies with both the source and the exposed population. Some environmental odors herald toxicologically important exposures. On the other hand, some potent odorants, in particular organic amines and reduced sulfur gases, have odor thresholds several orders of magnitude lower than their thresholds for irritant (or other toxic) effects. Notwithstanding this apparent margin of safety, community members impacted by such emissions often report, not only odor-related annoyance, but also such somatic symptoms as headache, nausea and shortness of breath. This paper reviews potential pathophysiologic mechanisms whereby ordors, per se, may trigger symptoms among exposed individuals. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.","PeriodicalId":100780,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Medicine","volume":"53 1","pages":"249-258"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79415958","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Blood lead level and haematological parameters in Saudi Arabian female school children","authors":"I. AI-Saleh, M. Nester, E. Devol, N. Shinwari, S. Al-Shahria","doi":"10.1002/1099-1301(199907/09)1:3<141::AID-JEM24>3.0.CO;2-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/1099-1301(199907/09)1:3<141::AID-JEM24>3.0.CO;2-7","url":null,"abstract":"The present study afforded the opportunity to study the effect of lead on haematological parameters of 538 Saudi female pupils aged 6 to 12 years living in Riyadh City. Blood lead levels ranged from 2.300 to 27.362 μg dl−1. Based on Mentzer's formula, 42 pupils were excluded due to thalassaemia. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to study the effect of lead on haematological parameters such as HGB, HCT, MCV and MCH after adjusting for serum Fe and a number of other variables. The results showed that MCV was significantly associated with blood lead levels. Microcytic anaemia in 108 pupils with blood lead levels ≥10 μ dl−1 was also investigated. Of the 108 pupils, 24 had microcytic anaemia as defined by MCV <80 fl and HCT <0.36. The results of this study indicate that haematological abnormalities can be seen at blood lead levels less than the current CDC acceptable limit for lead. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.","PeriodicalId":100780,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Medicine","volume":"69 1","pages":"141-146"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73569641","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}