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Ren X, Wang L, Wang Z, Wang L, Kong Y, Guo Y, Sun L. Association between parental occupational exposure and the risk of asthma in offspring: A meta-analysis and systematic review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e36345. [PMID: 38050266 PMCID: PMC10695554 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000036345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous epidemiological studies have shown inconsistent results regarding the relation between the risk of asthma in offspring and parental occupational exposure. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive and systematic collection of currently available epidemiological data to quantify the correlation between the 2. METHODS Related studies published before March 2023 were identified through searches of the Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, while pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed using fixed-effect or random-effects models. RESULTS This systematic review included 10 cohort studies, with a total of 89,571 parent-child pairs included in the quantitative analysis. The results exhibited a substantial association between parental occupational exposure to allergens (OR = 1.11; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.23; P = .051) and irritants (OR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.32; P = .001) and an increased risk of asthma in offspring. This association was also observed in the analysis of wheezing (OR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.35; P < .001 and OR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.32; P = .001). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that maternal occupational exposure to allergens (OR = 1.07; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.12; P = .008) and irritants (OR = 1.13; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.21; P = .001) significantly increased the risk of childhood asthma. Furthermore, parental postnatal occupational exposure to allergens (OR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.46; P = .001) and irritants (OR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.49; P = .009) had a more pronounced impact on childhood asthma. Higher levels of exposure (OR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.46; P = .001 and OR = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.16, 1.47; P < .001) were recognized as significant risk factors for childhood asthma. CONCLUSION Parental occupational exposure to allergens and irritants increases the risk of asthma and wheezing in offspring, with maternal exposure, postnatal exposure, and high-dose exposure being the primary risk factors for childhood asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoting Ren
- College of Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Lie Wang
- Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun Jilin, China
| | - Zhongtian Wang
- College of Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Lei Wang
- College of Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yibu Kong
- Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun Jilin, China
| | - Yinan Guo
- Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun Jilin, China
| | - Liping Sun
- Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun Jilin, China
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Ramezanifar S, Azimian A, Khadiv E, Naziri SH, Gharari N, Fazlzadeh M. Para-occupational exposure to chemical substances: a systematic review. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2023:reveh-2023-0019. [PMID: 37525484 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2023-0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Today, many health problems related to work have overshadowed workers and their families. In the meantime, chemicals are among the risk factors that have created many problems due to para-occupational exposure. In para-occupational exposures, family members are exposed to work pollutants transferred to the home environment. This study was conducted to investigate para-occupational exposure to chemicals. To conduct this systematic review, databases such as "Web of Science", "Google Scholar", "Scopus", and "SID" were used. Relevant articles in these databases were extracted by searching keywords such as "take-home exposure", "para-occupational exposure", and "chemicals" from 2000 to 2022. To extract the required data, all parts of the articles were reviewed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020). Among the 44 identified articles, 23 were selected as final articles, of which 10 were related to agriculture workers and their families, and 13 were related to other occupations. These studies mainly investigated para-occupational exposure to pesticides (14 studies) and metals (four studies). Also, contaminated work clothes, the washing place of contaminated clothes, and storage of working clothes, equipment, and chemicals were proposed as the main routes of contamination transmission. As a result of these para-occupational exposures, problems like neuro-behavioral disorders in children, end-stage renal disease, black gingival borders, and autism spectrum disorder were created or aggravated. Limiting the transmission routes and taking measures such as training and providing facilities like devoting places for washing and storing clothes in the workplaces can decrease this type of exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soleiman Ramezanifar
- Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Behest University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Afsane Azimian
- Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Behest University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elahe Khadiv
- Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Behest University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Husein Naziri
- Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Behest University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Noradin Gharari
- Lung Diseases Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
- Department of Occupational Health, School of Health, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Mehdi Fazlzadeh
- Lung Diseases Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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3
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Wlazło Ł, Nowakowicz-Dębek B, Chmielowiec-Korzeniowska A, Maksym P, Pawlak H, Kapica J. Assessment of the Level of Organic Dust and Mould Spores in the Work Environment of Baker. Indian J Occup Environ Med 2020; 24:137-141. [PMID: 33746424 PMCID: PMC7962511 DOI: 10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_51_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: This study was conducted to determine the level of fungal contamination of the air in bakeries to assess health hazards for workers. Materials and Methods: Six bakeries producing traditionally baked goods were selected for the study. After a background survey, samples of exhaled air were collected to test for fungal aerosols. The inhalable and respirable fraction in the bakery air environment was measured by the gravimetric method. Statistical Analysis Used: All data analyses were performed using Statistica software (v 8.0). Results: The mean concentration of fungi and particles in the bakeries did not exceed the recommended levels. The air in the bakeries had a low level of microbial contamination. The identified fungi included biological agents from hazard group 2. Conclusions: Proper employee training and the introduction of preventive measures (including both individual and group protection) can significantly reduce employees’ exposure and thus their occupational risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Wlazło
- Department of Animal Hygiene and Environmental Hazards, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka, Poland
| | - Bożena Nowakowicz-Dębek
- Laboratory of Occupational and Environmental Hazards, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka, Poland
| | | | - Piotr Maksym
- Department of Technology Fundamentals, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Głęboka, Lublin, Poland
| | - Halina Pawlak
- Department of Technology Fundamentals, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Głęboka, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jacek Kapica
- Department of Technology Fundamentals, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Głęboka, Lublin, Poland
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4
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Kalweit A, Herrick RF, Flynn MA, Spengler JD, Berko JK, Levy JI, Ceballos DM. Eliminating Take-Home Exposures: Recognizing the Role of Occupational Health and Safety in Broader Community Health. Ann Work Expo Health 2020; 64:236-249. [PMID: 31993629 PMCID: PMC7064272 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxaa006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxic contaminants inadvertently brought from the workplace to the home, known as take-home or paraoccupational exposures, have often been framed as a problem that arises due to unsanitary worker behavior. This review article conceptualizes take-home exposures as a public health hazard by (i) investigating the history of take-home contaminants and how they have been studied, (ii) arguing that an ecosocial view of the problem is essential for effective prevention, (iii) summarizing key structural vulnerabilities that lead populations to be at risk, and (iv) discussing future research and prevention effort needs. This article reframes take-home exposures as one of many chronic pathways that contributes to persistent health disparities among workers, their families, and communities. Including the role of work in community health will increase the comprehensiveness of prevention efforts for contaminants such as lead and pesticides that contribute to environmental disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Kalweit
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert F Herrick
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael A Flynn
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Science Integration, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - John D Spengler
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - J Kofi Berko
- US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Policy & Standard Division, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jonathan I Levy
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Diana M Ceballos
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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5
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Viegas C, Fleming GTA, Kadir A, Almeida B, Caetano LA, Quintal Gomes A, Twarużek M, Kosicki R, Viegas S, Coggins AM. Occupational Exposures to Organic Dust in Irish Bakeries and a Pizzeria Restaurant. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E118. [PMID: 31952269 PMCID: PMC7022993 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8010118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
For decades, occupational exposure to flour dust has been linked to a range of respiratory diseases, including occupational asthma, thought to result from exposure to fungi present in the flour. Antifungal resistance is of increasing prevalence in clinical settings, and the role of occupational and environmental exposures, particularly for specific fungal species, is of concern. Occupational exposure to flour dust can occur in a range of occupational settings, however, few studies have focused on restaurant workers. The objective of this study was to measure occupational exposure to flour and microbial contamination, including azole resistance screening, in two small commercial bakeries and in a pizzeria. Personal full shift inhalable dust measurements were collected from workers, and were analyzed for inhalable dust and fungi, bacteria, azole resistance, and mycotoxins. Samples of settled dust were collected, and electrostatic dust cloths (EDC) were deployed and analyzed for microbial contamination, including azole resistance screening, and mycotoxins. Geometric mean exposures of 6.5 mg m-³ were calculated for inhalable dust, however, exposures of up to 18.30 mg m-³ were measured-70% of personal exposure measurements exceeded the occupational exposure limit for flour dust of 1.0 mg m-³. The air and EDC fungal counts were similar to those reported in previous studies for similar occupational environments. The fungi were dominated by Penicillium genera, however Aspergillus genera, including Fumigati and Flavi sections, were observed using culture-based methods, and the Fumigati section was also observed by molecular tools. Both Aspergillus sections were identified on the azole resistance screening. Mycotoxins were also detected in the settled dust samples, dominated by deoxynivalenol (DON). The role of environmental exposure in both the development of antimicrobial resistance and the total mycotoxin body burden is a growing concern; therefore, the presence of azole-resistant fungi and mycotoxin contamination, although low in magnitude, is of concern and warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Viegas
- H&TRC-Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL-Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisbon, Portugal; (B.A.); (L.A.C.); (A.Q.G.)
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), 1150-090 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Gerard T. A. Fleming
- School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland, H91 CF50 Galway, Ireland;
| | - Abdul Kadir
- School of Physics and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland, H91 CF50 Galway, Ireland;
| | - Beatriz Almeida
- H&TRC-Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL-Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisbon, Portugal; (B.A.); (L.A.C.); (A.Q.G.)
| | - Liliana Aranha Caetano
- H&TRC-Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL-Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisbon, Portugal; (B.A.); (L.A.C.); (A.Q.G.)
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Anita Quintal Gomes
- H&TRC-Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL-Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisbon, Portugal; (B.A.); (L.A.C.); (A.Q.G.)
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Magdalena Twarużek
- Department of Physiology and Toxicology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kazimierz Wielki University, Chodkiewicza 30, 85–064 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (M.T.); (R.K.)
| | - Robert Kosicki
- Department of Physiology and Toxicology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kazimierz Wielki University, Chodkiewicza 30, 85–064 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (M.T.); (R.K.)
| | - Susana Viegas
- H&TRC-Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL-Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisbon, Portugal; (B.A.); (L.A.C.); (A.Q.G.)
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), 1150-090 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ann Marie Coggins
- School of Physics and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland, H91 CF50 Galway, Ireland;
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6
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Jeebhay MF, Moscato G, Bang BE, Folletti I, Lipińska‐Ojrzanowska A, Lopata AL, Pala G, Quirce S, Raulf M, Sastre J, Swoboda I, Walusiak‐Skorupa J, Siracusa A. Food processing and occupational respiratory allergy- An EAACI position paper. Allergy 2019; 74:1852-1871. [PMID: 30953601 DOI: 10.1111/all.13807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Occupational exposure to foods is responsible for up to 25% of cases of occupational asthma and rhinitis. Animal and vegetable high-molecular-weight proteins present in aerosolized foods during food processing, additives, preservatives, antioxidants, and food contaminants are the main inhalant allergen sources. Most agents typically cause IgE-mediated allergic reactions, causing a distinct form of food allergy (Class 3 food allergy). The allergenicity of a food protein, allergen exposure levels, and atopy are important risk factors. Diagnosis relies on a thorough medical and occupational history, functional assessment, assessment of sensitization, including component-resolved diagnostics where appropriate, and in selected cases specific inhalation tests. Exposure assessment, including allergen determination, is a cornerstone for establishing preventive measures. Management includes allergen exposure avoidance or reduction (second best option), pharmacological treatment, assessment of impairment, and worker's compensation. Further studies are needed to identify and characterize major food allergens and define occupational exposure limits, evaluate the relative contribution of respiratory versus cutaneous sensitization to food antigens, evaluate the role of raw versus cooked food in influencing risk, and define the absolute or relative contraindication of patients with ingestion-related food allergy, pollinosis, or oral allergy syndrome continuing to work with exposure to aerosolized food allergens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed F. Jeebhay
- Occupational Medicine Division, and Centre for Environmental & Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine University of Cape Town Observatory South Africa
| | - Gianna Moscato
- Department of Public Health, Forensic and Experimental Medicine, Specialization School in Occupational Medicine University of Pavia Pavia Italy
| | - Berit E. Bang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine University Hospital of North Norway Sykehusvegen, Tromsoe Norway
| | - Ilenia Folletti
- Occupational Medicine Terni Hospital, University of Perugia Perugia Italy
| | | | - Andreas L. Lopata
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences James Cook University Townsville Queensland Australia
| | - Gianni Pala
- Occupational Physician’s Division Healthcare Authority of Sardinia Area of Sassari Italy
| | - Santiago Quirce
- Department of Allergy Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), and CIBER of Respiratory Diseases CIBERES Madrid Spain
| | - Monika Raulf
- Institute of Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance Institute of the Ruhr University Bochum Bochum Germany
| | - Joaquin Sastre
- Allergy Department Hospital Fundación Jiménez Díazand CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES) Madrid Spain
| | - Ines Swoboda
- Molecular Biotechnology Section FH Campus Wien ‐ University of Applied Sciences Vienna Austria
| | | | - Andrea Siracusa
- Formerly professor of Occupational Medicine University of Perugia Perugia Italy
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Mandić-Rajčević S, Bulat Z, Matović V, Popević M, Lepić M, Mandić B, Jovanović M, Haufroid V, Žarković M, Bulat P. Environmental and take-home lead exposure in children living in the vicinity of a lead battery smelter in Serbia. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 167:725-734. [PMID: 30236521 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.08.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Blood lead levels (BLLs) have been falling steadily worldwide due to restricted use of lead (Pb) and its compounds. although they remain above preindustrial Pb levels. Elevated BLL can still be found in children living near secondary Pb smelters that represent around 50% of Pb production. There have been no studies on Pb exposure in children living in Serbia ever since the 1980s. The aim of this study was to evaluate the BLLs in children living in two villages in Serbia (Zajača, the location of a secondary lead smelter, and Paskovac, 5 km away), identify the primary determinants of children's BLLs, and investigate the impact of BLLs on children's health symptoms and school achievement. The study was conducted in 2011 on 127 children, aged 1-18 years, whose BLLs were measured using inductively coupled argon plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The median BLL in children was 12 μg/dl, with a significantly higher value of 17.5 μg/dl in Zajača, compared to 7.6 μg/dl in Paskovac. Only 1 out of 75 and 12 out of 52 children from Zajača and Paskovac, respectively, had BLLs below the CDC recommended 5 μg/dl level. Living near the smelter resulted in 19 times, and having a father who works in the plant 4 times higher odds of elevated BLLs. No significant effects of elevated BLLs health symptoms were seen in this study. BLLs of children living near a battery recycling plant in Serbia, an upper-middle income European country, were in the range and even higher than those of children living in developing countries. For the first time, the contribution of environmental and take-home lead exposure was quantified using mixed-effect modeling, and our results indicate a contribution of 25-40% of the take-home lead exposure to the BLLs of children living in the vicinity of a secondary lead smelter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Mandić-Rajčević
- Innovation Centre of the Faculty for Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Zorica Bulat
- Department of Toxicology "Akademik Danilo Soldatović," University of Belgrade - Faculty of Pharmacy, Serbia.
| | - Vesna Matović
- Department of Toxicology "Akademik Danilo Soldatović," University of Belgrade - Faculty of Pharmacy, Serbia
| | - Martin Popević
- Serbian Institute for Occupational Health "Dr. Dragomir Karajović", Belgrade, Serbia; University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, Serbia
| | - Milan Lepić
- Clinic for Neurosurgery, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Bojana Mandić
- Clinic for Hematology, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Mića Jovanović
- Faculty for Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Serbia and Academy of Engineering Sciences of Serbia, Serbia
| | - Vincent Haufroid
- Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc-Analytical Toxicology Laboratory, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Miloš Žarković
- Clinic for Endocrinology, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia; University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, Serbia
| | - Petar Bulat
- Serbian Institute for Occupational Health "Dr. Dragomir Karajović", Belgrade, Serbia; University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, Serbia
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Singer AB, Windham GC, Croen LA, Daniels JL, Lee BK, Qian Y, Schendel DE, Fallin MD, Burstyn I. Maternal Exposure to Occupational Asthmagens During Pregnancy and Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Study to Explore Early Development. J Autism Dev Disord 2017; 46:3458-3468. [PMID: 27511194 PMCID: PMC5073112 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-016-2882-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Maternal immune activity has been linked to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We examined maternal occupational exposure to asthma-causing agents during pregnancy in relation to ASD risk. Our sample included 463 ASD cases and 710 general population controls from the Study to Explore Early Development whose mothers reported at least one job during pregnancy. Asthmagen exposure was estimated from a published job-exposure matrix. The adjusted odds ratio for ASD comparing asthmagen-exposed to unexposed was 1.39 (95 % CI 0.96-2.02). Maternal workplace asthmagen exposure was not associated with ASD risk in this study, but this result does not exclude some involvement of maternal exposure to asthma-causing agents in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison B Singer
- Department of Epidemiology and Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Gayle C Windham
- Division of Environmental and Occupational Disease, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA
| | - Lisa A Croen
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Julie L Daniels
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Brian K Lee
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yinge Qian
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Diana E Schendel
- Department of Public Health, Section for Epidemiology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Economics and Business, National Centre for Register-based Research, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - M Daniele Fallin
- Department of Epidemiology and Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Mental Health and the Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Igor Burstyn
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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9
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Singer AB, Burstyn I, Thygesen M, Mortensen PB, Fallin MD, Schendel DE. Parental exposures to occupational asthmagens and risk of autism spectrum disorder in a Danish population-based case-control study. Environ Health 2017; 16:31. [PMID: 28359263 PMCID: PMC5374665 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-017-0230-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental exposures and immune conditions during pregnancy could influence development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring. However, few studies have examined immune-triggering exposures in relation to ASD. We evaluated the association between parental workplace exposures to risk factors for asthma ("asthmagens") and ASD. METHODS We conducted a population-based case-control study in the Danish population using register linkage. Our study population consisted of 11,869 ASD cases and 48,046 controls born from 1993 through 2007. Cases were identified by ICD-10 codes in the Danish Psychiatric Central Register. ASD cases and controls were linked to parental Danish International Standard Classification of Occupations (DISCO-88) job codes. Parental occupational asthmagen exposure was estimated by linking DISCO-88 codes to an asthma-specific job-exposure matrix. RESULTS Our maternal analyses included 6706 case mothers and 29,359 control mothers employed during the pregnancy period. We found a weak inverse association between ASD and any maternal occupational asthmagen exposure, adjusting for sociodemographic covariates (adjusted OR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.86-0.99). In adjusted analyses, including 7647 cases and 31,947 controls with employed fathers, paternal occupational asthmagen exposure was not associated with ASD (adjusted OR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.92-1.05). CONCLUSIONS We found a weak inverse association between maternal occupational asthmagen exposure and ASD, and a null association between paternal occupational exposure and ASD. We suggest that unmeasured confounding negatively biased the estimate, but that this unmeasured confounding is likely not strong enough to bring the effect above the null. Overall, our results were consistent with no positive association between parental asthmagen exposure and ASD in the children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison B Singer
- Department of Epidemiology and Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Centre for Integrated Register-based Research, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #7435, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| | - Igor Burstyn
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, 3215 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Malene Thygesen
- Centre for Integrated Register-based Research, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Economics and Business, National Centre for Register-based Research, Aarhus University, Fuglesangs Allé 4, Building 2631, DK-8210, Aarhus V, Denmark
| | - Preben Bo Mortensen
- Centre for Integrated Register-based Research, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Economics and Business, National Centre for Register-based Research, Aarhus University, Fuglesangs Allé 4, Building 2631, DK-8210, Aarhus V, Denmark
- Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - M Daniele Fallin
- Department of Epidemiology and Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Diana E Schendel
- Centre for Integrated Register-based Research, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Economics and Business, National Centre for Register-based Research, Aarhus University, Fuglesangs Allé 4, Building 2631, DK-8210, Aarhus V, Denmark
- Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Section for Epidemiology, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2, Building 1260, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
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10
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Stobnicka A, Górny RL. Exposure to flour dust in the occupational environment. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND ERGONOMICS 2016; 21:241-9. [PMID: 26414680 PMCID: PMC4685600 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2015.1081764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/29/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to flour dust can be found in the food industry and animal feed production. It may result in various adverse health outcomes from conjunctivitis to baker's asthma. In this paper, flour dust exposure in the above-mentioned occupational environments is characterized and its health effects are discussed. A peer-reviewed literature search was carried out and all available published materials were included if they provided information on the above-mentioned elements. The hitherto conducted studies show that different components of flour dust like enzymes, proteins and baker's additives can cause both non-allergic and allergic reactions among exposed workers. Moreover, the problem of exposure to cereal allergens present in flour dust can also be a concern for bakers' family members. Appreciating the importance of all these issues, the exposure assessment methods, hygienic standards and preventive measures are also addressed in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Stobnicka
- a Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute (CIOP-PIB) , Poland
| | - Rafał L Górny
- a Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute (CIOP-PIB) , Poland
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11
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Takaro TK, Scott JA, Allen RW, Anand SS, Becker AB, Befus AD, Brauer M, Duncan J, Lefebvre DL, Lou W, Mandhane PJ, McLean KE, Miller G, Sbihi H, Shu H, Subbarao P, Turvey SE, Wheeler AJ, Zeng L, Sears MR, Brook JR. The Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development (CHILD) birth cohort study: assessment of environmental exposures. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2015; 25:580-92. [PMID: 25805254 PMCID: PMC4611361 DOI: 10.1038/jes.2015.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2014] [Accepted: 12/15/2014] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development birth cohort was designed to elucidate interactions between environment and genetics underlying development of asthma and allergy. Over 3600 pregnant mothers were recruited from the general population in four provinces with diverse environments. The child is followed to age 5 years, with prospective characterization of diverse exposures during this critical period. Key exposure domains include indoor and outdoor air pollutants, inhalation, ingestion and dermal uptake of chemicals, mold, dampness, biological allergens, pets and pests, housing structure, and living behavior, together with infections, nutrition, psychosocial environment, and medications. Assessments of early life exposures are focused on those linked to inflammatory responses driven by the acquired and innate immune systems. Mothers complete extensive environmental questionnaires including time-activity behavior at recruitment and when the child is 3, 6, 12, 24, 30, 36, 48, and 60 months old. House dust collected during a thorough home assessment at 3-4 months, and biological specimens obtained for multiple exposure-related measurements, are archived for analyses. Geo-locations of homes and daycares and land-use regression for estimating traffic-related air pollution complement time-activity-behavior data to provide comprehensive individual exposure profiles. Several analytical frameworks are proposed to address the many interacting exposure variables and potential issues of co-linearity in this complex data set.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim K Takaro
- Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Ryan W Allen
- Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | | | - A Dean Befus
- University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Michael Brauer
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | | | - Wendy Lou
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Hind Sbihi
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Huan Shu
- Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Karlstad University, Karlstad, Värmland, Sweden
| | - Padmaja Subbarao
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stuart E Turvey
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Amanda J Wheeler
- Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia
- Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Leilei Zeng
- University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Jeffrey R Brook
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Environment Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Yilmaz I, Oner Erkekol F, Secil D, Misirligil Z, Mungan D. Cat and dog sensitization in pet shop workers. Occup Med (Lond) 2013; 63:563-7. [PMID: 24174631 DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqt116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sensitivity and symptoms related to animal proteins have been investigated in various occupational groups. However, data from pet shops are limited. AIMS To investigate rates of sensitivity to cats and dogs among pet shop workers, to assess the relationship between sensitivity, allergen levels and symptoms and to investigate whether passive transport from pet shops to homes is possible. METHODS Pet shop workers underwent interviews with a questionnaire adapted from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey. Dust samples for allergen detection were collected from pet shops using a vacuum cleaner. Skin tests were performed with common allergens. Dust samples were also obtained from the houses of 7 workers and 12 control subjects. RESULTS Fifty-one workers from 20 pet shops were included in the study. Thirteen (25%) workers reported work-related symptoms. Four workers had sensitivity to animal allergens. The mean cat/dog allergen levels from pet shops were 15.7 and 3.2 µg/g, respectively. There was no significant relationship between cat/dog allergen levels and work-related symptoms and sensitivity to pets. None of the dust samples collected from the homes of pet shop workers contained cat allergens. Dog allergen was detected in only one house (0.58 µg/g). Neither cat nor dog allergens were found in the homes of the 12 control subjects. CONCLUSIONS Although a quarter of pet shop workers reported work-related symptoms, sensitivity to cat and dog was low. These findings suggest that work-related symptoms may be due to other factors than cat and dog sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Yilmaz
- Department of Chest Diseases, Division of Immunology and Allergy, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara 06100, Turkey
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13
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Pavilonis BT, Anthony TR, O'Shaughnessy PT, Humann MJ, Merchant JA, Moore G, Thorne PS, Weisel CP, Sanderson WT. Indoor and outdoor particulate matter and endotoxin concentrations in an intensely agricultural county. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2013; 23:299-305. [PMID: 23321860 PMCID: PMC3977744 DOI: 10.1038/jes.2012.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2012] [Revised: 10/11/2012] [Accepted: 11/09/2012] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to characterize rural populations' indoor and outdoor exposure to particulate matter (PM)(10), PM(2.5), and endotoxin and identify factors that influence these concentrations. Samples were collected at 197 rural households over five continuous days between 2007 and 2011. Geometric mean (GM) indoor PM(10) (21.2 μg/m(3)) and PM(2.5) (12.2 μg/m(3)) concentrations tended to be larger than outdoor PM(10) (19.6 μg/m(3)) and PM(2.5) (8.2 μg/m(3)) concentrations (PM(10) P=0.086; PM(2.5) P<0.001). Conversely, GM outdoor endotoxin concentrations (1.93 EU/m(-3)) were significantly larger than indoor (0.32 EU/m(3); P<0.001). Compared with measurements from previous urban studies, indoor and outdoor concentrations of PM(10) and PM(2.5) in the study area tended to be smaller, whereas ambient endotoxin concentrations measured outside rural households were 3-10 times larger. Contrary to our initial hypothesis, seasonality did not have a significant effect on mean ambient PM(10) concentrations; however, endotoxin concentrations in the autumn were almost seven times larger than winter. Excluding home cleanliness, the majority of agricultural and housing characteristics evaluated were found to be poorly associated with indoor and outdoor particulate and endotoxin concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian T Pavilonis
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
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Christensen BH, Thulstrup AM, Hougaard KS, Skadhauge LR, Hansen KS, Frydenberg M, Schlünssen V. Maternal occupational exposure to asthmogens during pregnancy and risk of asthma in 7-year-old children: a cohort study. BMJ Open 2013; 3:bmjopen-2012-002401. [PMID: 23585388 PMCID: PMC3641506 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2012-002401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to examine whether maternal exposure to asthmogens during pregnancy is associated with the development of asthma in 7-year-old Danish children, taking atopic status and sex into consideration. DESIGN The study is a prospective follow-up of a birth cohort. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS A total of 41 724 women and their children from The Danish National Birth Cohort were categorised according to maternal occupational exposure. Exposure information was obtained by combining job title in pregnancy and 18 months after pregnancy with a commonly used asthma Job Exposure Matrix. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcome was parent-reported asthma among their 7-year-old children in an internet-based questionnaire. Secondary outcome was asthma among the same children with or without atopic dermatitis and among boys and girls, respectively. RESULTS Prenatal exposure to low molecular weight (LMW) agents was borderline associated with asthma in children with OR 1.17 (0.95 to 1.44) for children with atopic dermatitis and 1.10 (0.98 to 1.22) for children without. Maternal postnatal exposure was associated with asthma (OR 1.15 (1.04 to 1.28). After mutual adjustment,postnatal exposure (OR 1.13 (0.99 to 1.29) and the combined effects of prenatal and postnatal exposure (OR 1.34 (1.19 to 1.51)) seem to increase the risk of asthma in children. No significant associations were observed for other prenatal or postnatal exposures. The gender of the child did not modify the aforementioned associations. CONCLUSIONS Maternal occupational exposures during pregnancy do not seem to be a substantial risk factor for the development of asthma in 7-year-old children. Maternal prenatal and postnatal exposures to LMW agents may predispose the propensity of the children to develop asthma. Future studies should prioritise the characterisation of the timing of exposure in relation to the birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berit Hvass Christensen
- Department of Public Health, Section of Environment, Occupation and Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ane Marie Thulstrup
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Lars R Skadhauge
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Hospital of South-West Jutland, Esbjerg, Denmark
| | | | - Morten Frydenberg
- Department of Public Health, Section of Biostatistics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Vivi Schlünssen
- Department of Public Health, Section of Environment, Occupation and Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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