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This portable and self-contained lightweight microprocessor based Ergonomic Dosimeter is designed to collect continuously postural angles of the torso and the upper arm in the sagittal plane and the number of kneeling activities. Up to 4 h of task performance data can be stored in a non-volatile memory of the dosimeter, which can then be downloaded to a lap-top computer. The portable dosimeter was tested for test-retest reliability, compared with posture data obtained with a computer-based video analysis system and evaluated at a carpenter's apprentices school and at a construction site. The dosimeter was shown to be suitable for collecting posture and kneeling data for a prolonged period at construction sites. Keywords: Carpentry task; Posture Analysis; Kneeling activity; Egonomic dosimeter

Rationale: Murine models demonstrate a synergistic production of reactive oxygen species on coexposure to diesel exhaust particles and endotoxin.Objectives: It was hypothesized that coexposure to traffic-related particles and endotoxin would have an additive effect on persistent wheezing during early childhood.Methods: Persistent wheezing at age 36 months was assessed in the Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study, a high-risk birth cohort. A time-weighted average exposure to traffic-related particles was determined by applying a land-use regression model to the homes, day cares, and other locations where children spent time from birth through age 36 months. Indoor levels of endotoxin were measured from dust samples collected before age 12 months. The relationship between dichotomized (or=75th percentile) traffic-related particle and endotoxin exposure and persistent wheezing, controlling for potential covariates, was examined.Measurements and Main Results: Persistent wheezing at age 36 months was significantly associated with exposure to increased levels of traffic-related particles before age 12 months (OR = 1.75; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-2.87). Coexposure to endotoxin had a synergistic effect with traffic exposure on persistent wheeze (OR = 5.85; 95% confidence interval, 1.89-18.13) after adjustment for significant covariates.Conclusions: The association between traffic-related particle exposure and persistent wheezing at age 36 months is modified by exposure to endotoxin. This finding supports prior toxicological studies demonstrating a synergistic production of reactive oxygen species after coexposure to diesel exhaust particles and endotoxin. The effect of early versus later exposure to traffic-related particles, however, remains to be studied because of the high correlation between exposure throughout the first 3 years of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Objectives: Due to the lack of consensus in the literature in the use of posteroanterior (PA) vs PA with right and left oblique views as the optimum radiograph surveillance methodology to investigate pleural changes, a study was undertaken to evaluate the reliability, sensitivity, and specificity of these two approaches.Design: Three experienced radiologist B readers used the 1980 International Labor Office classification system for pneumoconiosis to independently read chest radiographs of workers with individual identifiers masked. All radiographs were read first as a PA view only. Unknown to the B readers, each subject's PA was then matched to his or her corresponding right and left oblique views (film triad) and re-read several weeks later.Setting and Participants: The respiratory health of 652 workers exposed to refractory ceramic fiber was assessed as part of cross-sectional and longitudinal surveillance programs.Measurements and Results: kappa Statistics for interreader and intrareader reliability between the PA view and film triad methods were calculated. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value were assessed by comparing the initial cross-sectional study to the longitudinal study. The film triad method had considerably higher interreader reliability (kappa = 0.59) compared to the PA-only method (kappa = 0.44). Results from the initial cross-sectional study were then compared to findings evaluated longitudinally. The film triad again was superior, demonstrating a positive predictive value of 73.7% compared to only 47.8% for the PA method.Conclusions: It is our recommendation that the film triad method be used in surveillance studies where both parenchymal and pleural changes are anticipated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have assessed multiple stress factors as a potential risk for menstrual disorders. This study evaluated whether work-related stress or life event stress was associated with alterations in menstrual function of military personnel. The study is unique in that it evaluated the association between race and three job factors--job stress, handling chemical mixtures, and being a military or civilian employee of the US Air Force. A comprehensive questionnaire was administered to 170 healthy, premenopausal employed women to examine the relationship between work-related or life event stress and menstrual disorders. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed no statistically significant association between work-related stress and menstrual disorders, whereas life event stress was significantly associated with dysmenorrhea (odds ratio [OR], 2.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08 to 4.50) abnormal cycle length (OR, 3.42; CI, 1.12 to 10.50), and hypermenorrhea (OR, 2.99; 95% CI, 1.20 to 7.42). Having one or more menstrual disorders was significantly associated with life events by race interaction (OR, 6.52; 95% CI, 2.45 to 17.36). Non-Caucasians had significantly increased risks of hypermenorrhea (OR, 4.99; 95% CI, 2.07 to 12.05) and abnormal cycle length (OR, 4.12; 95% CI, 1.47 to 11.55). The prevalence of menstrual disorders in this military population was 31.2% for dysmenorrhea, 17.9% for hypermenorrhea, and 12.0% for abnormal cycle length. This study suggests that women in the military report less day-to-day job stress but more atypical life events, including those related to their jobs, and that these life events are associated with adverse menstrual consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to evaluate the respiratory health of workers manufacturing refractory ceramic fibre (RCF) and products, an industry-wide study was undertaken. Data were collected from current workers at three facilities and from current and former workers at two. Eight (11.4%) of the 70 employees with more than 20 years since first RCF production job had pleural changes, (adjusted OR = 7.7; 95% CI = 2.0, 29.1). Six (20.7%) of the 29 workers with more than 20 years duration in RCF production employment had pleural changes (adjusted OR = 8.8; 95% CI = 2.6, 30.1). Twentyone (91.35) of the 23 workers with pleural changes had pleural plaques. The association between time since first RCF production job is statistically significant and remains so after adjustment for any known asbestos exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

An industry-wide study was initiated in 1987 to characterize current exposures to refractory ceramic fibres (RCF) and silica in the major RCF manufacturing facilities located in the United States. Samples are collected quarterly using NIOSH methods; for fibre sampling, the method incorporates a nickel-plated aluminium (conductive) cowl. The results reported are from the initial and first two rounds of quarterly monitoring. Cristobalite and quartz were detected in five of the 35 samples for silica. TWA fibre counts ranged from below the limit of detection (0.01 fibres ml−1) to 1.04 fibres ml−1. TWA fibre counts from cowl rinses ranged from below the limit of detection to 1.54 fibres ml−1. Additional sample collection will provide data for the study of variability in exposure. Fibre sizing studies of both the air sampling and cowl rinse filters have been initiated. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]