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Despite the ban of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) some decades ago, concerns regarding their adverse health effects are continuing, because the workers employed for installation and repair of electrical equipment may be still exposed to PCBs. This study aimed to assess serum PCBs levels in workers in different industries. To do this, we determined the serum concentrations of 9 non-dioxin-like PCBs and 12 dioxin-like PCBs in 147 workers from seven occupational groups and 35 housewives. An electrical distribution company, paint manufacturer, and pesticide manufacturer were categorized as high probability exposure jobs, whereas turning and casting operations, polymer plastic manufacturing, professional driving, and office work were categorized as low probability exposure jobs. In addition, the average of PCB 138, 153, and 180 and PCB sums were observed to be significantly higher in paint manufacture workers compared to the another groups. In addition, the average PCB 118 level was higher in electrical distribution workers and housewives. Following the adjustment for age, blood lipid, residency place, and seafood in the regression model, the association of PCB 118 in electrical distribution workers and PCB 153 in paint manufacture workers remained significant. The results of this study served as further support for the hypothesis for an occupational basis for bioaccumulation of some PCB types. However, the plasma levels of almost all PCB congeners in Iran were found to be lower than many other countries.

Background Exposure to Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) continues over the world through seafood consumption and indoor exposure to building materials containing PCB. This study aimed to assess the relationship between plasma level of PCB congeners and lipid profile and Body Mass Index (BMI) as well. Methods The study population consisted of 181 Iranian adults. Data on BMI, plasma concentration of PCB congeners and serum level of lipid profile including Triglyceride, low-density lipoproteins and high-density lipoproteins, recruited from database of a project entitled “Occupational and environmental exposure to PCBs in Iran”. Multiple linear regression analysis of associations between different quartiles of PCB congeners and various lipid fractions and BMI have been conducted. Results A linear increase in average serum Triglyceride and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) levels of participants in first, second, third and fourth quartiles of some PCB congeners was obtained. Following adjustment for age, gender, diet and other variables, only the association between different quartiles of PCB 138, PCB 153, PCB 118 and PCB sum and TG remained statistically significant. Conclusion The study showed a significant positive relation between plasma PCBs concentrations and serum level of TG in the study population with normal PCBs levels., Public health; Endocrinology; Biological sciences; Health sciences; Polychlorinated biphenyls, Serum lipid, Body mass index, Triglyceride, LDL, HDL.

The export of e-waste from industrialized to developing countries has led to the formation of a large-scale informal e-waste recycling sector in Accra, Ghana. During recycling processes, workers are exposed to several hazardous substances, such as heavy metals. As a common component of e-waste, inorganic arsenic can be released during e-waste recycling processes. The aim of this study was to assess the exposure to inorganic arsenic species in e-waste workers compared to a control group. N = 84 e-waste workers and n = 94 control subjects were included in this analysis. Inorganic arsenic species were determined in urine samples using HPLC-ICP-MS. E-waste workers showed higher median concentrations of As(III), As(V), MMA, DMA and the sum of inorganic arsenic in comparison to the control group. More than 80% of the e-waste workers exceeded the acceptable concentration (14 μg/L), which was significantly higher in comparison to the control group (70%). The tolerable concentration (40 μg/L) was exceeded in 17.2% of the participants, meaning a statistically relevant risk of developing cancer due to arsenic exposure throughout their (working) life. In conclusion, the exposure to inorganic arsenic is not only a problem of informal e-waste recycling, but a major public health concern that needs further investigation.

Background It has been suggested that asbestos exposure affects lung function, even in the absence of asbestos-related pulmonary interstitial or pleural changes or emphysema. Methods We analyzed associations between well-known asbestos-related risk factors, such as individual cumulative asbestos exposure, and key lung function parameters in formerly asbestos-exposed power industry workers (N = 207) with normal CT scans. For this, we excluded participants with emphysema, fibrosis, pleural changes, or any combination of these. Results The lung function parameters of FVC, FEV1, DLCO/VA, and airway resistance were significantly associated with the burden of smoking, BMI and years since end of exposure (only DLCO/VA). However, they were not affected by factors directly related to amount (eg, cumulative exposure) or duration of asbestos exposure. Conclusions Our results confirm the well-known correlation between lung function, smoking habits, and BMI. However, we found no significant association between lung function and asbestos exposure.

Background: A walk through the Agbogbloshie e-waste recycling site shows a marked heterogeneity in the spatial distribution of the different e-waste processing activities, which are likely to drive clustering of health conditions associated with the different activity type in each space. Objective of study: To conduct a spatial assessment and analysis of health conditions associated with different e-waste activities at different activity spaces at Agbogbloshie. Methods: A choropleth showing the various activity spaces at the Agbogbloshie e-waste site was produced by mapping boundaries of these spaces using Etrex GPS device and individuals working in each activity spaces were recruited and studied. Upon obtaining consent and agreeing to participate in the study, each subject was physically examined and assessed various health outcomes of interest via direct physical examination while characterizing and enumerating the scars, lacerations, abrasions, skin condition and cuts after which both systolic and diastolic blood pressure values were recorded alongside the administration of open and close ended questionnaires. All individuals working within each activity space and consented to participate were recruited; giving a total of one hundred and twelve (112) subjects in all. Results: A study of the choropleth showed that health conditions associated e-waste processing activities were clustered in a fashion similar to the corresponding distribution of each activity. While a total of 96.2% of all the study subjects had cuts, the dismantlers had higher mix of scars, lacerations and abrasions. Abrasions were observed in 16.3% of the dismantlers. Scars were the most common skin condition and were observed on the skins of 93.6% of the subjects. Prevalence of burns among the study subjects was 23.1%. Developing hypertension was not associated with activity type and while a total of 90.2% of subjects had normal blood pressure and 9.8% of them were hypertensives. Finally, 98.2% of respondents felt the need to have a first aid clinic at the site with 96.4% and 97.3% willing to visit the clinic and pay for services respectively. Conclusion: We conclude that while the observed injuries were random and were due purely to accidents without any role of spatial determinants such as the configuration, slope, topography and other subterranean features of the activity spaces, a strong association between the injuries and activity type was observed.

Informal e-waste recycling leads to a contamination of the workers with several hazardous substances, in particular heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) belong to the group of POPs and are suspected to be associated with adverse health effects. In particular lower chlorinated PCBs, such as the congeners PCB 28 and PCB 52 are a marker of occupational exposure. The aim of our study was to assess the occupational PCB exposure in e-waste workers in relation to their specific recycling task (e.g. dismantling, burning). Altogether, n = 88 e-waste workers and n = 196 control subjects have been included in this study. All plasma participant's samples were evaluated for the PCB congeners PCB 28, 52, 101, 138, 153, 180 and sum of NDL-indicator congeners by human biomonitoring. A significant difference could be detected for the lower chlorinated PCB congeners (PCB 28, 52, and 101) for e-waste workers in comparison to the control group. Analyzing specific recycling tasks, workers who dismantle and those who burn e-waste showed the highest plasma levels of PCB 28 and 52. In conclusion, e-waste workers showed occupational related elevated PCB levels. Although those levels did not exceed the BAT value, workers were contaminated with PCBs during their task. Occupational health and safety measure are therefore necessary to protect the worker's health.

BMJ open 9(10), e030094 (2019). doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-030094, Published by BMJ Publishing Group, London

International journal of environmental research and public health : IJERPH 17(5), 1534 (2020). doi:10.3390/ijerph17051534 special issue: "Special issue "occupational safety and health interventions to ensure decent work for all by 2030" / special issue editors: Julius Fobil, guest editor; Suvi Lehtinen, guest editor; Jorma Rantanen, guest editor; Rosemary Sokas, guest editor", Published by MDPI AG, Basel

Advances in food sciences 12(1), 25 (2017). doi:10.1186/s12995-017-0171-8, Published by Parlar Scientific Publ., Freising

OBJECTIVES In a cohort study non-response might lead to a biased selection of cohort members and may affect the validity and reliability of the study outcome. To detect the possible effects of a non-response bias on study results, we evaluated the reasons for non-participation and the differences of respondents and non-respondents in a health surveillance program for power industry workers, formerly exposed to asbestos. METHODS A cohort of former power plant workers was formed to participate in an early detection program for lung cancer. We evaluated the results of 1,019 individuals (mean age 66 yr), of which 839 took part in at least one examination, 180 refused to participate or did not respond. To obtain the reasons for non-response, we interviewed the cohort members by telephone or we requested them by mail to complete and return a brief questionnaire. Further sources of information were the communal registration offices and local health offices. RESULTS The main reasons for non-participation were refusal (35%), illness (23.3%), death (16.7%) and difficulties with traveling (13.3%). It was impossible to make contact with or obtain an explanation from 11.7%. In a logistic regression model we demonstrated that advanced age and a long travel distance from the study center negatively affected the participation rate (p

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of lung cancer in a high-risk asbestos-exposed cohort using low-dose MDCT. Of a population of 5,389 former power-plant workers, 316 were characterized as individuals at highest risk for lung cancer according to a lung-cancer risk model including age, asbestos exposure and smoking habits. Of these 316, 187 (mean age: 66.6 years) individuals were included in a prospective trial. Mean asbestos exposure time was 29.65 years and 89% were smokers. Screening was performed on a 16-slice MDCT (Siemens) with low-dose technique (10/20 mAs(eff.); 1 mm/0.5 mm increment). In addition to soft copy PACS reading analysis on a workstation with a dedicated lung analysis software (LungCARE; Siemens) was performed. One strongly suspicious mass and eight cases of histologically proven lung cancer were found plus 491 additional pulmonary nodules (average volume: 40.72 ml, average diameter 4.62 mm). Asbestos-related changes (pleural plaques, fibrosis) were visible in 80 individuals. Lung cancer screening in this high-risk cohort showed a prevalence of lung cancer of 4.28% (8/187) at baseline screening with an additional large number of indeterminate pulmonary nodules. Low-dose MDCT proved to be feasible in this highly selected population.

Journal of occupational medicine and toxicology 9, 14 (2014). doi:10.1186/1745-6673-9-14, Published by BioMed Central, London

Journal of occupational medicine and toxicology : JOMT 9, 18 (2014). doi:10.1186/1745-6673-9-18, Published by BioMed Central Ltd., London

In patients developing malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) or lung cancer, using effective tumour markers is the quickest way to ensure early diagnosis and improve survival time. The aim of our study was to assess the influence of age and asbestos exposure on the blood levels of the proposed tumour markers, mesothelin and osteopontin, and to determine the change of these markers over time. We analysed 3,329 blood samples of 2,262 participants including 1,894 formerly asbestos-exposed power industry workers, a mixed group of 266 participants with an unknown history of asbestos exposure and a group of 102 non-asbestos-exposed controls. Marker concentrations were determined using commercial ELISA kits. While age had a strong influence on marker levels, there was no association between exposure duration or benign asbestos-related disease and marker levels. In order to assess the maximum increase that can be expected to occur in asbestos-exposed workers those with an at least 10 % increase were selected (n = 290 for mesothelin and n = 81 for osteopontin). The 95th percentile of the annual change was 0.402 nmol/l for mesothelin and 334 ng/ml for osteopontin. In two patients with MPM and five with lung cancer, we could obtain more than one marker result before the diagnosis was made. Both MPM patients showed a steep increase of mesothelin levels. Fixed cut-off values for deciding between intensive clinical work-up and continued surveillance appeared inadequate for the evaluated markers. While general conclusions cannot be drawn, we can say that the results of the two patients would be consistent with a mesothelin increase between 6 and 18 months before clinical symptoms developed.

Journal of occupational medicine and toxicology : JOMT 5(15), (2010). doi:10.1186/1745-6673-5-15, Published by BioMed Central Ltd., London

Objectives To examine the association between work-place exposure to asbestos and risk factors for developing asbestos related diseases using the analysis of a cross-sectional cohort of 8582 formerly asbestos exposed workers followed between March 2002 until the end of the year 2009. To assess the value of the three risk categories used for focused health surveillance programmes among formerly asbestos exposed power industry. Methods The work started with a descriptive analysis of three asbestos exposed sub-cohorts of workers from different types of the power industry then assessed the difference between the three sub-cohorts with regard to their corresponding level of risk. Further, we investigated how well the risk categories could predict the risk of asbestos related disease in comparison to applying a single risk factor such as age or asbestos exposure. Results The smokers over 65 age of years and those who had an exposure duration over 10 years were more likely to have lung cancer in this cohort. Hence the results showed that the age of participants (over 65 years, OR=11.47), smoking habits (OR=9.48 (current smoker), were associated significantly with lung cancer. The results showed that the risk of having lung cancer in group A was 1.87 times. Conclusions There was a strong association between both duration of exposure and age, and the risk of developing lung cancer. The use of risk categories based on a combination of risk factors may be an advantage for planning focused health surveillance programmes.

Objectives For the proposed tumour markers mesothelin and osteopontin we determined the influence of gender, age and former asbestos exposure on blood concentrations, assessed the changes over time and investigated characteristics of marker concentrations in prediagnosis samples of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and lung cancer (LC). Methods We analysed multiple blood samples of 2262 volunteers of three groups: 1894 formerly asbestos exposed power industry workers, 266 mostly asbestos exposed patients suffering from chronic respiratory diseases and 102 not occupationally exposed controls. Marker concentrations were determined using commercial ELISA kits. For statistical analysis we used the t-test and multiple regression models. Results We measured 3273 and 3218 concentrations of mesothelin and osteopontin respectively. Second, third and fourth samples were obtained in 691, 304 and 72 participants. 16 patients suffering from newly developed MPM or LC could be identified, seven of them had multiple prediagnosis samples. While marker concentrations were associated with age (mesothelin p=0.006, osteopontin p Conclusions The concentrations of mesothelin and osteopontin in asbestos exposed healthy individuals are strongly influenced by age. Fixed cut-off values for deciding between clinical work up and continued surveillance appear inadequate. Results would be consistent with an increase of the mesothelin concentration between 6 and 18 months before specific clinical symptoms develop.

Schoolchildren were Mantoux-tested with 2 TU freeze-dried PPD RT23, and the strong reactors with indurations of 14.0 mm or more were selected for treatment with one of three different fixed drug combinations containing isoniazid or with placebo for 2 to 6 months. The initial tuberculin test was repeated after 8, 14, and 27 months. Of the 8,934 black schoolchildren initially tested, 5,165 did not react to the skin test, 2,898 had indurations up to 14.0 mm, and 871 reacted strongly. Of these strong reactors, 808 were allocated to four preventive treatment groups. On completion of treatment, the mean tuberculin reaction for all groups was significantly decreased. Because the placebo group showed changes similar to those seen in the other treatment groups, the tuberculin skin test is probably not suitable for monitoring the success of preventive therapy. Differences between skin test results before and after treatment when retesting only strong reactors are caused by a combination of effects that are difficult to distinguish. Assuming random variation in tuberculin sensitivity, the decrease can be explained as a combined effect of regression to the mean and some boosting. The increased reaction sizes in the subsequent Mantoux tests are explained by the booster phenomenon and possibly by reinfection. When using a cutting point for deriving a positive reactor, the chance of being selected for preventive treatment may depend primarily on the moment in time when the test is done. Thus, all reactors with no recent BCG vaccination should equally be considered for treatment.