Search

Objective To study recall of mobile phone usage, including laterality and hands-free use, in young people. Methods Actual mobile phone use was recorded among volunteers aged between 10 and 24 years from 12 countries by the software application XMobiSense and was compared with self-reported mobile phone use at 6 and 18 months after using the application. The application recorded number and duration of voice calls, number of text messages, amount of data transfer, laterality (% of call time the phone was near the right or left side of the head, or neither), and hands-free usage. After data cleaning, 466 participants were available for the main analyses (recorded vs. self-reported phone use after 6 months). Results Participants were on average 18.6 years old (IQR 15.2–21.8 years). The Spearman correlation coefficients between recorded and self-reported (after 6 months) number and duration of voice calls were 0.68 and 0.65, respectively. Number of calls was on average underestimated by the participants (adjusted geometric mean ratio (GMR) self-report/recorded = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.47–0.58), while duration of calls was overestimated (GMR=1.32, 95%, CI = 1.15–1.52). The ratios significantly differed by country, age, maternal educational level, and level of reported phone use, but not by time of the interview (6 vs. 18 months). Individuals who reported low mobile phone use underestimated their use, while individuals who reported the highest level of phone use were more likely to overestimate their use. Individuals who reported using the phone mainly on the right side of the head used it more on the right (71.1%) than the left (28.9%) side. Self-reported left side users, however, used the phone only slightly more on the left (53.3%) than the right (46.7%) side. Recorded percentage hands-free use (headset, speaker mode, Bluetooth) increased with increasing self-reported frequency of hands-free device usage. Frequent (≥50% of call time) reported headset or speaker mode use corresponded with 17.1% and 17.2% of total call time, respectively, that was recorded as hands-free use. Discussion These results indicate that young people can recall phone use moderately well, with recall depending on the amount of phone use and participants’ characteristics. The obtained information can be used to calibrate self-reported mobile use to improve estimation of radiofrequency exposure from mobile phones.

Purpose: To describe the added value of determining changes in position and apposition on computed tomography angiography (CTA) after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) to detect early caudal displacement of the device and to prevent type Ia endoleak. Methods: Four groups of elective EVAR patients were selected from a dataset purposely enriched with type Ia endoleak and migration (>10 mm) cases. The groups included cases of late type Ia endoleak (n=36), migration (n=9), a type II endoleak (n=16), and controls without post-EVAR complications (n=37). Apposition of the endograft fabric with the aortic neck, shortest distance between the fabric and the renal arteries, expansion of the main body (or dilatation of the aorta in the infrarenal sealing zone), and tilt of the endograft toward the aortic axis were determined on the first postoperative and the last available CTA scan without type Ia endoleak or migration. Differences in these endograft dimensions were compared between the first vs last scan and among the 4 groups. Results: No significant differences in endograft configurations were observed among the groups on the first postoperative CTA scan. On the last CTA scan before a complication arose, the position of the fabric relative to the renal arteries, expansion of the main body, and apposition of the fabric with the aortic neck were significantly different between the type Ia endoleak (median follow-up 15 months) and migration groups (median follow-up 23 months) compared with the control group (median follow-up 19 months). Most endograft dimensions had changed significantly compared with the first postoperative CTA scan for all groups. Apposition had increased in the control group but had decreased significantly in the type Ia endoleak and migration groups. Conclusion: Progressive changes in dimensions of the endograft within the infrarenal neck could be detected on regular CTA scans before the complication became urgent in many patients.

Introduction Leptospirosis is the most common occupational zoonosis in New Zealand, with the highest incidence observed in meat processing workers and farm workers. New Zealand has a high incidence of human infection relative to other temperate developed countries, and the organism is widespread in livestock. Serological testing has confirmed infection in livestock presenting to abattoirs and in meat workers. The objective of this study was to determine whether leptospires were present in bioaerosols within the abattoir. Methods Ambient air samples (n=18) were collected in an abattoir from ovine and bovine processing areas, using a SASS 3100 high volume sampler located adjacent to workers performing exsanguination (halal sticking), pelt removal, evisceration, a splitting saw (bovine only) and boning or meat cutting. Nucleic acid (DNA) in the bioaerosol samples was amplified using multiple displacement amplification (MDA) for metagenomic analysis, but the material was also tested for specific pathogenic species including L. interrogans sv Pomona and L. borgpetersenii sv Hardjobovis by quantitative PCR. The original (unamplified) DNA samples were also tested. Result Leptospires were detected in 11 of the (MDA) samples from both ovine and bovine processing areas at the splitting saw, evisceration, exsanguination and pelt removal. There was no evidence of leptospires in samples taken in the boning or meat cutting areas, or in the five blanks taken. Two of the original DNA samples, both from the ovine pelt removal area, also tested positive for leptospires. Discussion This is the first study to show that leptospires can be detected in a bioaerosol within an abattoir, suggesting a possible route of transmission to meat workers. The organism was detected at locations adjacent to slaughter, pelt removal and evisceration, with the strongest evidence near ovine pelt removal. This distribution directly mirrors the pattern of risk shown in serological testing of meat workers.

In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that glyphosate is "probably carcinogenic to humans". The New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZEPA) rejected this and commissioned a new report, concluding that glyphosate was unlikely to be genotoxic or carcinogenic to humans. The NZEPA has argued that the difference arose because IARC is a "hazard-identification authority", whereas NZEPA is a "regulatory body that needs to cast the net more widely". We conclude that the NZEPA process for evaluating the carcinogenicity of glyphosate was flawed and the post hoc justification invalid: there is no mention of risk assessment or "net-benefit approach" in the NZEPA report; and there is no discussion of current New Zealand glyphosate exposures. Further, the NZEPA report quotes heavily from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) report, which is itself markedly flawed, and like the NZEPA report, relies heavily on industry-funded and industry-manipulated reviews. Given the scientific flaws in both reports we urge that: the NZEPA report be withdrawn; the NZEPA respond to the concerns raised and for a reassessment to be conducted; and clearer process and better understanding of science be used to inform any future review of hazardous substances in New Zealand.

Sawmill workers are exposed to wood dust (a well-known carcinogen), microorganisms, endotoxins, resin acids (diterpenes), and vapours containing terpenes, which may cause skin irritation, allergy, and respiratory symptoms including asthma. The health effects of most of these exposures are poorly understood as most studies measure only wood dust. The present study assessed these exposures in the Norwegian sawmill industry, which processes predominantly spruce and pine. Personal exposures of wood dust, resin acids, endotoxin, fungal spores and fragments, mono-, and sesquiterpenes were measured in 10 departments in 11 saw and planer mills. The geometric mean (GM) and geometric standard deviation (GSD) thoracic exposures were: 0.09 mg m−3 dust (GSD 2.6), 3.0 endotoxin units (EU) m−3 (GSD 4.9), 0.4 × 105 fungal spores m−3 (GSD 4.2), 2 × 105 fungal fragments m−3 (GSD 3.2), and 1560 ng m−3 of resin acids (GSD 5.5). The GM (GSD) inhalable exposures were: 0.72 mg m−3 dust (2.6), 17 EU m−3 (4.3), 0.4 × 105 fungal spores m−3 (3.8), and 7508 ng m−3 (4.4) of resin acids. The overall correlation between the thoracic and inhalable exposure was strong for resin acid (rp = 0.84), but moderate for all other components (rp = 0.34–0.64). The GM (GSD) exposure to monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes were 1105 µg m−3 (7.8) and 40 µg m−3 (3.9), respectively. Although mean exposures were relatively low, the variance was large, with exposures regularly exceeding the recommended occupational exposure limits. The exposures to spores and endotoxins were relatively high in the dry timber departments, but exposures to microbial components and mono-and sesquiterpenes were generally highest in areas where green (undried) timber was handled. Dust and resin acid exposure were highest in the dry areas of the sawmills. Low to moderate correlation between components (rp ranging from 0.02 to 0.65) suggests that investigations of exposure–response associations for these components (both individually and combined) are feasible in future epidemiological studies.

A national survey was conducted in 2011-2013 to assess serum concentrations of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) in adult New Zealanders. Participants were randomly selected from the 2010 Electoral Roll within 64 demographic strata according to 4 age groups, 4 geographic regions, 2 ethnic groups (Māori/non-Māori) and sex. Eligible participants (n = 734; response rate of contacted individuals = 37%) donated up to 30 mL of blood, after which serum was pooled (49 pools for BFRs, 63 pools for PFASs) according to demographic strata. BFRs were analysed by GC-HRMS and PFASs by LC-MS/MS. Associations between serum BFRs and PFASs and demographic variables (age, region, ethnicity, sex) were assessed using regression analysis. The weighted geometric mean (GM) serum concentrations of BDE47, BDE99, BDE100, and BDE153 were 2.0, 0.66, 0.43, and 1.2 ng/g lipid, respectively. The weighted geometric mean (GM) serum concentrations of PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, and PFNA were 3.4, 2.4, 1.0, and 0.66 ng/mL, respectively. The majority of BFRs showed higher serum concentrations in younger age groups. Conversely, the four PFASs showed higher serum concentrations in older age groups. Concentrations of BFRs and PFASs were generally lower in females compared to males. In New Zealand, both age and sex are important determinants of BFR and PFAS serum concentrations.

Objective: To study recall of mobile phone usage, including laterality and hands-free use, in young people. Methods: Actual mobile phone use was recorded among volunteers aged between 10 and 24 years from 12 countries by the software application XMobiSense and was compared with self-reported mobile phone use at 6 and 18 months after using the application. The application recorded number and duration of voice calls, number of text messages, amount of data transfer, laterality (% of call time the phone was near the right or left side of the head, or neither), and hands-free usage. After data cleaning, 466 participants were available for the main analyses (recorded vs. self-reported phone use after 6 months). Results: Participants were on average 18.6 years old (IQR 15.2-21.8 years). The Spearman correlation coefficients between recorded and self-reported (after 6 months) number and duration of voice calls were 0.68 and 0.65, respectively. Number of calls was on average underestimated by the participants (adjusted geometric mean ratio (GMR) self-report/recorded = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.47-0.58), while duration of calls was overestimated (GMR=1.32, 95%, CI = 1.15-1.52). The ratios significantly differed by country, age, maternal educational level, and level of reported phone use, but not by time of the interview (6 vs. 18 months). Individuals who reported low mobile phone use underestimated their use, while individuals who reported the highest level of phone use were more likely to overestimate their use. Individuals who reported using the phone mainly on the right side of the head used it more on the right (71.1%) than the left (28.9%) side. Self-reported left side users, however, used the phone only slightly more on the left (53.3%) than the right (46.7%) side. Recorded percentage hands-free use (headset, speaker mode, Bluetooth) increased with increasing self-reported frequency of hands-free device usage. Frequent (≥50% of call time) reported headset or speaker mode use corresponded with 17.1% and 17.2% of total call time, respectively, that was recorded as hands-free use. Discussion: These results indicate that young people can recall phone use moderately well, with recall depending on the amount of phone use and participants’ characteristics. The obtained information can be used to calibrate self-reported mobile use to improve estimation of radiofrequency exposure from mobile phones. © 2018 Elsevier Inc.

To assess personal exposure to respirable dust and respirable crystalline silica (RCS) in New Zealand construction workers.In a pilot study, 39 personal samples were collected from a cross-section of workers engaged in a range of tasks performed on construction sites that were expected to entail exposure to respirable crystalline silica. Nine static samples were taken at locations adjacent to these tasks. Particle size-selective sampling heads were used to collect the respirable fraction of airborne particulates. Dust concentrations were determined gravimetrically, while crystalline silica was analysed using x-ray diffraction.Almost half of the personal crystalline silica samples exceeded the New Zealand Workplace Exposure Standard (NZ WES), while 56% exceeded the more stringent international recommendation (ACGIH TLV). The tasks associated with the highest RCS levels were concrete grinding and cutting. Two of four static samples collected close to (silica-containing) Linea board cutting exceeded the ACGIH TLV for RCS, indicating the potential for bystander exposure.A large proportion of workers performing common tasks in the construction industry may be exposed to levels of respirable dust and crystalline silica exceeding national standards and international recommendations. These results suggest that workers in this industry may be at risk of developing silica-related diseases, including silicosis, lung cancer, COPD and chronic renal disease. Action is required to improve dust control to reduce silica exposure and the associated health risks.

Objectives We evaluated the association between occupational exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE) and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in a pooled analysis of four international case-control studies. Methods Overall, the pooled study population included 3788 NHL cases and 4279 controls. Risk of NHL and its major subtypes associated with TCE exposure was calculated with unconditional logistic regression and polytomous regression analysis, adjusting by age, gender and study. Results Risk of follicular lymphoma (FL), but not NHL overall or other subtypes, increased by probability (p=0.02) and intensity level (p=0.04), and with the combined analysis of four exposure metrics assumed as independent (p=0.004). After restricting the analysis to the most likely exposed study subjects, risk of NHL overall, FL and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) were elevated and increased by duration of exposure (p=0.009, p=0.04 and p=0.01, respectively) and with the combined analysis of duration, frequency and intensity of exposure (p=0.004, p=0.015 and p=0.005, respectively). Although based on small numbers of exposed, risk of all the major NHL subtypes, namely diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, FL and CLL, showed increases in risk ranging 2–3.2-fold in the highest category of exposure intensity. No significant heterogeneity in risk was detected by major NHL subtypes or by study. Conclusions Our pooled analysis apparently supports the hypothesis of an increase in risk of specific NHL subtypes associated with occupational exposure to TCE.

Flexible semi-transparent organic photovoltaic (OPV) modules were manufactured by roll-to-roll slot–die coating of three functional layers [ZnO, photoactive layer, and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)(PEDOT:PSS)] and either the screen printing or inkjet printing of the top electrodes. A poly(3-hexylthiophene):[6,6] phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT:PCBM) layer deposited from non-chlorinated solvents was used as the absorber layer. The modules were realized by slot–die coating of the layers onto a laser-patterned polyethylene terephthalate/indium-tin oxide (PET/ITO) substrate, followed by laser structuring of all coated layers. The top electrodes were realized by high-resolution printing, which, combined with laser patterning of other layers, enables manufacturing of the modules with high geometrical fill factor (92.5%). The modules have an active area of 156 cm2, and contain 13 serially interconnected cells. Two semitransparent electrodes (ITO from the bottom and PEDOT:PSS/Ag-grid from the top side) allow the absorption of photons incident from both sides. The performance of the modules was evaluated and compared among the modules by considering the following factors: (i) roll-to-roll slot–die coated vs. spin-coated layers,(ii) inkjet-printed vs. screen-printed top electrodes, (iii) top vs. bottom illumination. The demonstrated technology is one of the proven feasible ways towards industrial manufacturing of the OPV modules.

Occupation as a welder has been associated with a 25%-40% increase in lung cancer risk. This study aims to elucidate to what extent confounding by smoking and asbestos drives this association and to evaluate the role of welding-related exposures such as chromium. The study included 2,197 male incident lung cancer cases and 2,295 controls from Romania, Hungary, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom from 1998 to 2001. Information on risk factors was collected through face-to-face interviews. Experts assessed exposure to 70 agents, and risk estimates were adjusted for smoking and occupational exposures. Occupation as a welder/flame cutter (prevalence controls: 3.7%) was associated with an odds ratio of 1.36 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00, 1.86) after adjustment for smoking and occupational exposures including asbestos. An odds ratio of 1.18 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.38) was found for welding fumes (prevalence controls: 22.8%), increasing to 1.38 for more than 25 exposure years (95% CI: 1.09, 1.75). A duration-response association was also observed for mild steel welding without chromium exposure. In this population, occupational exposure to welding fumes accounted for approximately 4% of lung cancer cases, to which both stainless and mild steel welding contributed equally. Given that welding remains a common task for many workers, exposure to welding fumes represents an important risk factor for lung cancer. © The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. All rights reserved.

Objectives: Retrospective exposure assessment remains a problematic aspect of population-based case-control studies. Different methods have been developed, including case-by-case expert assessment and job-exposure matrices (JEM). The present analyses compare exposure prevalence and risk estimates derived by different exposure assessment methods. Methods: In the context of a case-control study conducted in seven European countries, exposure was estimated for asbestos, diesel motor emissions (DME) and crystalline silica, using three different assessment methods. First, experts assigned exposures to all reported jobs on a case-by-case basis. Second, a population-specific JEM (PSJEM) was developed using the expert assessments of controls only, and re-applied to all study subjects. Third, an independent general population JEM (GPJEM) was created by occupational exposure experts not involved in the original study, and applied to study subjects. Results from these methods were compared. Results: There was poor to fair agreement in assigned exposure between expert assessment and the GPJEM (kappas: asbestos 0.17; DME 0.48; silica 0.38). Exposure prevalence was significantly heterogeneous (p

Background An estimated ~110 million workers are exposed to welding fumes worldwide. An IARC working group (WG) re-evaluated the carcinogenicity of welding fumes in 2017, previously classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) in 1990, based on limited evidence for lung cancer in humans. The WG conducted a meta-analysis of peer-reviewed epidemiologic studies reporting a relative risk for welding (fumes) and lung cancer, accounting for confounding by exposure to asbestos and tobacco smoking. Methodology After comprehensive searches in PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases and reference lists of relevant publications, 23 case-control and 36 cohort and nested case-control studies met our inclusion criteria. We attempted to remove overlapping populations for calculating summary-RRs. Results The summary-RRs were 1.29 (95% CI: 1.24–1.34; I 2 =47.5%) for “ever” compared with “never” being a welder or being exposed to welding fumes, 1.27 (95% CI: 1.22–1.32; I 2 =44.7%) among cohort and nested case-control studies, 1.50 (95% CI: 1.34–1.67; I 2 =39.9%) for case-control studies, 1.09 (95% CI: 0.98–1.20; I 2 =23%) adjusted for smoking and asbestos exposure, 1.15 (95% CI: 1.02–1.28), among “shipyard welders”, 1.00 (95% CI: 0.84–1.17) among “stainless-steel welders” and 1.31 (95% CI: 1.03–1.60) among “mild steel welders”. The summary-RR was higher for “gas welders” compared to “arc welders”, but not statistically significant. Increased risks were observed over time periods, occupational settings and geographic locations support an evaluation for an increased risk of lung cancer among welders, independent of exposure to asbestos and tobacco smoking.

Poster tijdens de Onderwijs Research Dagen (juni 2017)

Which personal resources do honours students use to reach success?

Characterizing exposure to radiofrequency (RF) fields from wireless telecommunications technologies during childhood and adolescence is a research priority in investigating the health effects of RF. The Mobi-Expo study aimed to describe characteristics and determinants of cellular phone use in 534 young people (10-24years) in 12 countries. The study used a specifically designed software application installed on smartphones to collect data on the use of wireless telecommunications devices within this age group. The role of gender, age, maternal education, calendar period, and country was evaluated through multivariate models mutually adjusting for all variables. Call number and duration were higher among females compared to males (geometric mean (GM) ratio 1.17 and 1.42, respectively), among 20-24year olds compared to 10-14year olds (GM ratio 2.09 and 4.40, respectively), and among lowest compared to highest social classes (GM ratio 1.52 and 1.58, respectively). The number of SMS was higher in females (GM ratio 1.46) and the middle age group (15-19year olds: GM ratio 2.21 compared to 10-14year olds) and decreased over time. Data use was highest in the oldest age group, whereas Wi-Fi use was highest in the middle age group. Both data and Wi-Fi use increased over time. Large differences in the number and duration of calls, SMS, and data/Wi-Fi use were seen by country, with country and age accounting for up to 50% of the variance. Hands-free and laterality of use did not show significant differences by sex, age, education, study period, or country. Although limited by a convenience sample, these results provide valuable insights to the design, analysis, and interpretation of future epidemiological studies concerning the health effects of exposure resulting from cellular phone use in young people. In addition, the information provided by this research may be used to design strategies to minimize RF exposure; Dans le cadre de l'étude internationale MOBIKIDS, l'objectif de cette étude est de mieux connaitre l'exposition aux radiofréquences des technologies numériques de communications utilisées ppar les jeunes, afin de mieux évaluer leur exposition ds le cadre de l'étude Cas -témoin MOBIKIDS sur les relations entre exposition aux radiofréquences et tumeurs du cerveau chez l'adolescent et le jeune adulte.

© 2017, BMJ. All rights reserved. Objectives: Exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) has inconsistently been associated with a decreased sex ratio of the offspring (number of male births divided by total births). We conducted a study among men and women who were employed in a New Zealand phenoxy herbicide production plant between 1969 and 1984, to study their offspring sex ratio in relation to their back-calculated TCDD serum concentrations determined in 2007/2008. Methods: A total of 127 men and 21 women reported that 355 children were conceived after starting employment at the plant. The association between their lipid-standardised TCDD serum concentrations back-calculated to the time of their offspring's birth and the probability of a male birth was estimated through logistic regression, adjusting for the age of the exposed parent at birth, current body mass index and smoking. Results: The overall sex ratio was 0.55 (197 boys, 158 girls). For fathers with serum TCDD concentrations ≥20 pg/g lipid at time of birth, the sex ratio was 0.47 (OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.30 to 0.79). The probability of a male birth decreased with higher paternal serum TCDD at time of birth (

Background: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), the most common hematologic malignancy, consists of numerous subtypes. The etiology of NHL is incompletely understood, and increasing evidence suggests that risk factors may vary by NHL subtype. However, small numbers of cases have made investigation of subtype-specific risks challenging. The International Lymphoma Epidemiology Consortium therefore undertook the NHL Subtypes Project, an international collaborative effort to investigate the etiologies of NHL subtypes. This article describes in detail the project rationale and design. Methods: We pooled individual-level data from 20 case-control studies (17 471 NHL cases, 23 096 controls) from North America, Europe, and Australia. Centralized data harmonization and analysis ensured standardized definitions and approaches, with rigorous quality control. Results: The pooled study population included 11 specified NHL subtypes with more than 100 cases: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (N = 4667), follicular lymphoma (N = 3530), chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (N = 2440), marginal zone lymphoma (N = 1052), peripheral T-cell lymphoma (N = 584), mantle cell lymphoma (N = 557), lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma/Waldenström macroglobulinemia (N = 374), mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome (N = 324), Burkitt/Burkitt-like lymphoma/leukemia (N = 295), hairy cell leukemia (N = 154), and acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (N = 152). Associations with medical history, family history, lifestyle factors, and occupation for each of these 11 subtypes are presented in separate articles in this issue, with a final article quantitatively comparing risk factor patterns among subtypes. Conclusions: The International Lymphoma Epidemiology Consortium NHL Subtypes Project provides the largest and most comprehensive investigation of potential risk factors for a broad range of common and rare NHL subtypes to date. The analyses contribute to our understanding of the multifactorial nature of NHL subtype etiologies, motivate hypothesis-driven prospective investigations, provide clues for prevention, and exemplify the benefits of international consortial collaboration in cancer epidemiology.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore lung cancer risk among firefighters, with adjustment for smoking. Methods: We used pooled information from the SYNERGY project including 14 case-control studies conducted in Europe, Canada, New Zealand, and China, with lifetime work histories and smoking habits for 14,748 cases of lung cancer and 17,543 controls. We estimated odds ratios by unconditional logistic regression with adjustment for smoking and having ever been employed in a job known to present an excess risk of lung cancer. Results: There was no increased lung cancer risk overall or by specific cell type among firefighters (n=190), neither before nor after smoking adjustment. We observed no significant exposure-response relationship in terms of work duration. Conclusions: We found no evidence of an excess lung cancer risk related to occupational exposure as a firefighter. Copyright © 2016 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.

BackgroundAssociations between ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and occupation are poorly understood. We linked two previously conducted New Zealand workforce surveys with routinely collected health data to assess occupational risk factors of IHD in New Zealand.MethodsTwo probability-based sample surveys of the general New Zealand adult population (2004–2006; n=3003) and of the New Zealand indigenous peoples (M&_x0101;ori; 2009–2010; n=2107), for which occupational history was collected, were linked with health data up to the end of 2017 using Statistics New Zealand individual-level microdata. Incident IHD events were identified using hospitalisations, prescriptions and deaths. The odds ratios associated with ever being employed in occupational groups were estimated by logistic regression adjusting for age, smoking and socio-economic status separately for males and females in each cohort.ResultsA total of 282 IHD cases were identified in both surveys. Statistically significant elevated IHD risks were observed for male clerks in the general survey (OR=1.60, 95%CI=1.02–2.49) and agriculture and fishery male workers in the M&_x0101;ori survey (OR=1.70, 95%CI=1.02–2.82). Among females, the odds ratios for agriculture and fishery workers were 1.69 (95%CI=0.81–3.51) and 1.49 (95%CI=0.81–2.75) in the general survey and the M&_x0101;ori survey, respectively. A statistically significant increased risk was observed for female plant and machine operators and assemblers in the M&_x0101;ori survey (OR=1.87, 95%CI=1.05–3.31). In the general survey, male plant and machine operators and assemblers had an odds ratio of 1.26 (95%CI=0.81–1.95). We also identified borderline increased odds ratios for trades workers among males in the general survey (OR=1.39, 95%CI=0.92–2.12, p-value=0.12) and among females in the M&_x0101;ori survey (OR=2.26, 95%CI=0.98–5.21, p-value=0.06).ConclusionThis study identified associations between several occupational groups and IHD in the New Zealand population. Further analyses will be conducted to assess specific occupational exposures associated with IHD risk.

BackgroundDifferences in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk between occupations have been observed, but what specific risk factors underlie these patterns remains unclear. This study assessed how established CVD risk factors differ across occupational groups in New Zealand, and whether patterns differ by gender and ethnicity.MethodsTwo probability-based sample surveys of the general New Zealand adult population (2004–2006; n=3003) and of the indigenous peoples of New Zealand (M&_x0101;ori; 2009–2010; n=2107), for which occupational histories and lifestyle factors were collected, were linked with routinely collected health data. For males and females in each cohort, smoking, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol were dichotomised and compared between occupational groups using age-adjusted logistic regression. In addition, two way tables and chi-squared tests were used to compare the distribution of risk factors between white and blue-collar workers.ResultsThe prevalence of ever smoking was greater in blue-collar compared to white-collar workers of both cohorts, i.e. general population male (56%; 47%), general population female (62%; 47%), M&_x0101;ori male (68%; 55%) and M&_x0101;ori female (84%; 64%). For diabetes and high cholesterol, differences were statistically significant only for general population females (11%; 6% and 26%; 16% respectively). Hypertension prevalence was higher in blue versus white-collar workers for general population females (36%; 29%), M&_x0101;ori males (43%; 36%) and M&_x0101;ori females (44%; 37%), but not for general population males (35%; 34%). Results by occupational group revealed the same patterns with some noteworthy exceptions. In both cohorts, clerks had an increased risk of hypertension, particularly among males. Male agricultural workers in the general population cohort had a reduced risk of hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol, but this pattern was not observed for females or among M&_x0101;ori.ConclusionThis study showed differences in profiles of known CVD risk factors across occupations, with some notable ethnic and gender differences.

BackgroundPrevious studies found elevated concentrations of fumigants and other chemicals in the air of unopened shipping containers, which led to the assumption that workers were likely to be highly exposed. This study assessed personal 8 hour exposures in workers handling cargo from shipping containers or export logs, which were fumigated prior to loading.Methods193 personal 8 hour air samples were collected and analysed for 1,2-dibromoethane, chloropicrin, ethylene oxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen phosphide and methyl bromide, 1,2-dichloroethane, C2-alkylbenzenes, acetaldehyde, ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, methanol, styrene and toluene. Additive Mixture Values were calculated using the Work Exposure (WES) standard set by Worksafe NZ and the Threshold Limit Values (TLV) set by the ACGIH. Linear regression was conducted to assess associations between time spent inside shipping containers and exposure (n=98).ResultsChemical exposures as indicated by median and geometric mean values were low (e.g. 2.5 and 4.4 ppb respectively for methyl bromide) and none exceeded the NZ WES, although formaldehyde exceeded the TLV in 48 (26.2%) samples. The AMV-TLV threshold of 1 was exceeded in 54 (29.5%) samples. Major differences between the occupational groups (container, log and retail workers and fumigators) were not found. Time spent inside the container was significantly and positively associated with ethylene oxide, C2-alkylbenzenes and acetaldehyde, but this was based on a small number of detectable observations (non-detects 52.0%–95.9%) and for one chemical (methyl bromide, n=94) we found inverse associations.ConclusionThis study has shown that personal exposures measured over an 8 hour working day were low, with the exception of formaldehyde, and do not confirm earlier suggestions (based on measurements inside closed containers) that they regularly exceed exposure limits. Association with time spent unloading containers was weak suggesting that exposures may result from short peak exposures rather than continuous low level exposure.

BackgroundWe have reported previously the results on a New Zealand population based case-control study evaluating occupations as risk factors for MND. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between 11 different occupational exposure groups and the risk of MND by using self-reported job-related exposures.MethodsWe recruited 321 cases through the New Zealand Motor Neurone Disease Association and hospital discharges records, and 605 population controls from the Electoral Roll between 2013 and 2016. A standardized questionnaire was used to obtain information on personal and demographic details, lifestyle factors and a full occupational history with detailed workplaces exposures. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals for MND. Analyses were adjusted for age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education and smoking.ResultsSignificantly elevated risks for MND were observed for self- reported job related exposures to Fibres (OR=1.39, 95% CI 1.00–1.93); Fumigants (OR=2.44, 95% CI 1.35–4.23); Animal and Animal Products (OR=1.41, 95% CI 1.03–1.92); Other Chemicals (OR=1.53, 95% CI 1.14–2.05) and Fungicides/Insecticides/Herbicides/Timber Preservatives (OR=1.44, 95% CI 1.05–1.99)ConclusionsOur study shows various occupational related exposures with increased odds of MND. While study results need to be interpreted cautiously given the lack of direct exposure measures, these results, in particular exposure to Fumigants, Fungicides/Insecticides/Herbicides/ Timber Preservatives which were consistent with our previous results on agriculture occupations and MND risk. Future studies will have a particular focus on exposures specific for certain job tasks and dose-response relationships.

IntroductionYearly over 3000 tonnes of pesticide active ingredients are applied in New Zealand agriculture. Since the 1980’s, epidemiological studies have reported increased risks of lymphopoietic cancers in agricultural sectors with high pesticide use. Here we aim to estimate the number and total volume of currently used pesticides in New Zealand that are known or suspected human carcinogens, in order to inform interventions.MethodsFor each of the pesticide active ingredients most commonly used in New Zealand, the carcinogenicity classification of three regulatory agencies (The New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority [NZ-EPA], the US Environmental Protection Agency [US-EPA], and the European Chemicals Agency [EU]) were extracted, as well as the classification of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monograph Programme. Total tonnes of active ingredients that are known or suspected human carcinogens was calculated for each classification.ResultsNone of the pesticides used in New Zealand are classified as known human carcinogens by any of the three regulatory agencies or IARC. Annually New Zealand uses 148–756 tonnes of active pesticide ingredients that are classified as suspected human carcinogens by the three regulatory agencies. If also including the pesticides classified by IARC as possible or probable human carcinogens, the upper estimate doubles to 1475 tonnes, representing half of the total volume of pesticide active ingredients used in New Zealand agriculture. The percentage and volume of active ingredients classified as suspected carcinogens by the three regulatory agencies was highest for the fungicides (8%–60%; 72–540 tonnes), followed by herbicides (3%–10%; 60–200 tonnes), and insecticides (8%, 16 tonnes).ConclusionsAlthough no known human carcinogens are used as pesticides, New Zealand’s high use of pesticides that are suspected carcinogens requires a greater awareness of the presence of potential carcinogens in the agricultural sector and the development of an intervention strategy to reduce cancer risk.

We show that at low velocities the dynamics of a contact line of a water drop moving over a Teflon-like surface under ac electrowetting must be described as stick-slip motion, rather than one continuous movement. At high velocities we observe a transition to a slipping regime. In the slipping regime the observed dependence of the contact angle is well described by a linearization of both the hydrodynamic and the molecular-kinetic model for the dynamic contact line behavior. The overall geometry of the drop also has a strong influence on the contact angle: if the drop is confined to a disk-like shape with radius R, much larger than the capillary length, and height h, smaller than the capillary length, the advancing angle increases steeper with velocity as the aspect ratio h/R is smaller. Although influence of the flow field near a contact line on the contact angle behavior has also been observed in other experiments, these observations do not fit either model. Finally, in our ac experiments no sudden increase of the hysteresis beyond a certain voltage and velocity was observed, as reported by other authors for a dc voltage, but instead we find with increasing voltage a steady decrease of the hysteresis.

Several epidemiologic studies have indicated an increased risk of lung cancer among welders. We used the SYNERGY project database to assess welding as a risk factor for developing lung cancer. The database includes data on 15,483 male lung cancer cases and 18,388 male controls from 16 studies in Europe, Canada, China, and New Zealand conducted between 1985 and 2010. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals between regular or occasional welding and lung cancer were estimated, with adjustment for smoking, age, study center, and employment in other occupations associated with lung cancer risk. Overall, 568 cases and 427 controls had ever worked as welders and had an odds ratio of developing lung cancer of 1.44 (95% confidence interval: 1.25, 1.67) with the odds ratio increasing for longer duration of welding. In never and light smokers, the odds ratio was 1.96 (95% confidence interval: 1.37, 2.79). The odds ratios were somewhat higher for squamous and small cell lung cancers than for adenocarcinoma. Another 1,994 cases and 1,930 controls had ever worked in occupations with occasional welding. Work in any of these occupations was associated with some elevation of risk, though not as much as observed in regular welders. Our findings lend further support to the hypothesis that welding is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. © The Author 2013.

Breast milk samples of 39 first time mothers aged 20-30 were collected in 2007-2010 from rural and urban areas of New Zealand, following the fourth World Health Organization coordinated survey protocol. Samples were individually analysed for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) including dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The lipid adjusted concentrations of PCDD/Fs (mean toxic equivalent (TEQ): 3.54 pg/g) and PCBs (mean TEQ 1.29 pg/g) were low in comparison to those reported for other countries, and concentrations of dieldrin (10 ng/g) and p,p'-DDE (379 ng/g) and PBDEs were in the mid-range. Breast milk concentrations of PCDD/F-TEQ, PCB-TEQ, dieldrin and p,p'-DDE were significantly higher in rural compared to urban areas (+23%, 33%, 59%, and 44% respectively), while concentrations of several PBDEs and lindane were higher in urban areas. Concentrations of PCDD/Fs, PCBs and OCPs, but not PBDEs, increased with age, and higher body mass index was associated with lower concentrations of PCBs. Despite New Zealand's low body burdens of many chlorinated POPs in comparison to other countries, breast milk concentrations continued to decrease over time, with a decrease by half over the last 10 years for PCDD/F-TEQ (-40%), PCB-TEQ (-54%) and OCPs -34 to -90%), indicating that regulatory measures continue to have beneficial effects. Continued monitoring is needed particularly for the brominated POPs for which little New Zealand specific data is available.