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Little MP, Bazyka D, de Gonzalez AB, Brenner AV, Chumak VV, Cullings HM, Daniels RD, French B, Grant E, Hamada N, Hauptmann M, Kendall GM, Laurier D, Lee C, Lee WJ, Linet MS, Mabuchi K, Morton LM, Muirhead CR, Preston DL, Rajaraman P, Richardson DB, Sakata R, Samet JM, Simon SL, Sugiyama H, Wakeford R, Zablotska LB. A Historical Survey of Key Epidemiological Studies of Ionizing Radiation Exposure. Radiat Res 2024; 202:432-487. [PMID: 39021204 PMCID: PMC11316622 DOI: 10.1667/rade-24-00021.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
In this article we review the history of key epidemiological studies of populations exposed to ionizing radiation. We highlight historical and recent findings regarding radiation-associated risks for incidence and mortality of cancer and non-cancer outcomes with emphasis on study design and methods of exposure assessment and dose estimation along with brief consideration of sources of bias for a few of the more important studies. We examine the findings from the epidemiological studies of the Japanese atomic bomb survivors, persons exposed to radiation for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, those exposed to environmental sources including Chornobyl and other reactor accidents, and occupationally exposed cohorts. We also summarize results of pooled studies. These summaries are necessarily brief, but we provide references to more detailed information. We discuss possible future directions of study, to include assessment of susceptible populations, and possible new populations, data sources, study designs and methods of analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark P. Little
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-9778, USA
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Headington Campus, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Dimitry Bazyka
- National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, 53 Melnikov Street, Kyiv 04050, Ukraine
| | | | - Alina V. Brenner
- Radiation Effects Research Foundation, 5-2 Hijiyama Park, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0815, Japan
| | - Vadim V. Chumak
- National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, 53 Melnikov Street, Kyiv 04050, Ukraine
| | - Harry M. Cullings
- Radiation Effects Research Foundation, 5-2 Hijiyama Park, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0815, Japan
| | - Robert D. Daniels
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Benjamin French
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Eric Grant
- Radiation Effects Research Foundation, 5-2 Hijiyama Park, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0815, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Hamada
- Biology and Environmental Chemistry Division, Sustainable System Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI), 1646 Abiko, Chiba 270-1194, Japan
| | - Michael Hauptmann
- Institute of Biostatistics and Registry Research, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, 16816 Neuruppin, Germany
| | - Gerald M. Kendall
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Richard Doll Building, Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK
| | - Dominique Laurier
- Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety, Fontenay aux Roses France
| | - Choonsik Lee
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-9778, USA
| | - Won Jin Lee
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Martha S. Linet
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-9778, USA
| | - Kiyohiko Mabuchi
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-9778, USA
| | - Lindsay M. Morton
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-9778, USA
| | | | | | - Preetha Rajaraman
- Radiation Effects Research Foundation, 5-2 Hijiyama Park, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0815, Japan
| | - David B. Richardson
- Environmental and Occupational Health, 653 East Peltason, University California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-3957 USA
| | - Ritsu Sakata
- Radiation Effects Research Foundation, 5-2 Hijiyama Park, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0815, Japan
| | - Jonathan M. Samet
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Steven L. Simon
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-9778, USA
| | - Hiromi Sugiyama
- Radiation Effects Research Foundation, 5-2 Hijiyama Park, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0815, Japan
| | - Richard Wakeford
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, The University of Manchester, Ellen Wilkinson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Lydia B. Zablotska
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16 Street, 2 floor, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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Ruano-Ravina A, Martin-Gisbert L, Kelsey K, Pérez-Ríos M, Candal-Pedreira C, Rey-Brandariz J, Varela-Lema L. An overview on the relationship between residential radon and lung cancer: what we know and future research. Clin Transl Oncol 2023; 25:3357-3368. [PMID: 37610496 PMCID: PMC10603006 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-023-03308-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
We aim to provide an overview of the research available on indoor radon and lung cancer, with a special focus on Spanish investigations. Early studies on underground miners established the link between radon and lung cancer, which was later confirmed for the general population by residential case-control studies. Spain contributed with extensive evidence, including 5 multicentric, hospital-based, case-control studies in the last 30 years, exploring diverse aspects, such as radon's effect on never-smokers, molecular pathways linking radon exposure to lung cancer risk, survival rates, mortality burden, and occupational exposure. There is a well-established causal association between radon with lung cancer. Despite pioneering research performed in our country by the Galician Radon Laboratory, particularly on driver genes, the evidence on the potential molecular pathways which makes radon a carcinogen is sparse. Also, relevant questions on the potential association of radon exposure with the induction of other diseases are still pending.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Ruano-Ravina
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Facultade de Medicina, University of Santiago de Compostela, Rua San Francisco S/N, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública/CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela-IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Cross-Disciplinary Research in Environmental Technologies (CRETUS), University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Lucia Martin-Gisbert
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Facultade de Medicina, University of Santiago de Compostela, Rua San Francisco S/N, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- Cross-Disciplinary Research in Environmental Technologies (CRETUS), University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Karl Kelsey
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Mónica Pérez-Ríos
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Facultade de Medicina, University of Santiago de Compostela, Rua San Francisco S/N, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública/CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela-IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Cristina Candal-Pedreira
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Facultade de Medicina, University of Santiago de Compostela, Rua San Francisco S/N, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela-IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Cross-Disciplinary Research in Environmental Technologies (CRETUS), University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Julia Rey-Brandariz
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Facultade de Medicina, University of Santiago de Compostela, Rua San Francisco S/N, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Cross-Disciplinary Research in Environmental Technologies (CRETUS), University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Leonor Varela-Lema
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Facultade de Medicina, University of Santiago de Compostela, Rua San Francisco S/N, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública/CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela-IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Cross-Disciplinary Research in Environmental Technologies (CRETUS), University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Milder CM, Howard SC, Ellis ED, Deppen SA. Deep Breaths: A Systematic Review of the Potential Effects of Employment in the Nuclear Industry on Mortality from Non-Malignant Respiratory Disease. Radiat Res 2022; 198:396-429. [PMID: 35943867 PMCID: PMC9704034 DOI: 10.1667/rade-21-00014.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Ionizing radiation is an established carcinogen, but its effects on non-malignant respiratory disease (NMRD) are less clear. Cohorts exposed to multiple risk factors including radiation and toxic dusts conflate these relationships, and there is a need for clarity in previous findings. This systematic review was conducted to survey the body of existing evidence for radiation effects on NMRD in global nuclear worker cohorts. A PubMed search was conducted for studies with terms relating to radiation or uranium and noncancer respiratory outcomes. Papers were limited to the most recent report within a single cohort published between January 2000 and December 2020. Publication quality was assessed based upon UNSCEAR 2017 criteria. In total, 31 papers were reviewed. Studies included 29 retrospective cohorts, one prospective cohort, and one longitudinal cohort primarily comprising White men from the U.S., Canada and Western Europe. Ten studies contained subpopulations of uranium miners or millers. Papers reported standardized mortality ratio (SMR) analyses, regression analyses, or both. Neither SMR nor regression analyses consistently showed a relationship between radiation exposure and NMRD. A meta-analysis of excess relative risks (ERRs) for NMRD did not present evidence for a dose-response (overall ERR/Sv: 0.07; 95% CI: -0.07, 0.21), and results for more specific outcomes were inconsistent. Significantly elevated SMRs for NMRD overall were observed in two studies among the subpopulation of uranium miners and millers (combined n = 4229; SMR 1.42-1.43), indicating this association may be limited to mining and milling populations and may not extend to other nuclear workers. A quality review showed limited capacity of 17 out of 31 studies conducted to provide evidence for a causal relationship between radiation and NMRD; the higher-quality studies showed no consistent relationship. All elevated NMRD SMRs were among mining and milling cohorts, indicating different exposure profiles between mining and non-mining cohorts; future pooled cohorts should adjust for mining exposures or address mining cohorts separately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cato M. Milder
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Sara C. Howard
- Health Studies Program, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
| | - Elizabeth D. Ellis
- Health Studies Program, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
| | - Stephen A. Deppen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
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Kelly-Reif K, Bertke S, Daniels RD, Richardson DB, Schubauer-Berigan MK. Nonmalignant respiratory disease mortality in male Colorado Plateau uranium miners, 1960-2016. Am J Ind Med 2022; 65:773-782. [PMID: 35941829 PMCID: PMC10031748 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To evaluate trends of nonmalignant respiratory disease (NMRD) mortality among US underground uranium miners on the Colorado Plateau, and to estimate the exposure-response association between cumulative radon progeny exposure and NMRD subtype mortality. METHODS Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and excess relative rates per 100 working level months (excess relative rate [ERR]/100 WLM) were estimated in a cohort of 4021 male underground uranium miners who were followed from 1960 through 2016. RESULTS We observed elevated SMRs for all NMRD subtypes. Silicosis had the largest SMR (n = 52, SMR = 41.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 30.9, 54.3), followed by other pneumoconiosis (n = 49, SMR = 39.6; 95% CI: 29.6, 52.3) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) (n = 64, SMR = 4.77; 95% CI 3.67, 6.09). SMRs for silicosis increased with duration of employment; SMRs for IPF increased with duration of employment and calendar period. There was a positive association between cumulative radon exposure and silicosis with evidence of modification by smoking (ERR/100 WLM≥10 pack-years = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.05, 24.6 and ERR/100 WLM<10 pack-years = 0.01; 95% CI: -0.03, 0.52), as well as a small positive association between radon and IPF (ERR/100 WLM = 0.06, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.24); these associations were driven by workers with prior employment in hard rock mining. CONCLUSIONS Uranium mining workers had excess NMRD mortality compared with the general population; this excess persisted throughout follow-up. Exposure-response analyses indicated a positive association between radon exposure and IPF and silicosis, but these analyses have limitations due to outcome misclassification and missing information on occupational co-exposures such as silica dust.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin Kelly-Reif
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Stephen Bertke
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Robert D Daniels
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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Abstract
Systematic bio- and databanks are key prerequisites for modern radiation research to investigate radiation response mechanisms in the context of genetic, environmental and lifestyle-associated factors. This report presents the current status of the German Uranium Miners’ Biobank. In 2008, the bio- and databank was established at the Federal Office for Radiation Protection, and the sampling of biological materials from former uranium miners with and without lung cancer was initiated. For this purpose, various biological specimens, such as DNA and RNA, were isolated from blood samples as well as from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded lung tissue. High-quality biomaterials suitable for OMICs research and the associated data on occupational radiation and dust exposure, and medical and lifestyle data from over 1000 individuals have been stored so far. Various experimental data, e.g., genome-wide SNPs, whole genome transcriptomic and miRNA data, as well as individual chromosomal aberration data from subgroups of biobank samples, are already available upon request for in-depth research on radiation-induced long-term effects, individual radiation susceptibility to lung cancer and radon-induced fingerprints in lung cancer. This biobank is the first systematic uranium miners´ biobank worldwide that is suitable for OMICs research on radiation-exposed workers. It offers the opportunity to link radiation-induced perturbations of biological pathways or processes and putative adverse outcome(s) by OMICs profiling at different biological organization levels.
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Ruano-Ravina A, Cameselle-Lago C, Torres-Durán M, Pando-Sandoval A, Dacal-Quintas R, Valdés-Cuadrado L, Hernández-Hernández J, Consuegra-Vanegas A, Tenes-Mayén JA, Varela-Lema L, Fernández-Villar A, Barros-Dios JM, Pérez-Ríos M. Indoor Radon Exposure and COPD, Synergic Association? A Multicentric, Hospital-Based Case-Control Study in a Radon-Prone Area. Arch Bronconeumol 2021; 57:630-636. [PMID: 35699045 DOI: 10.1016/j.arbr.2020.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND COPD is a multifactorial disease which causes considerable mortality and morbidity worldwide. Previous studies assessing the possible relationship between indoor radon exposure and COPD have shown inconclusive results. METHODS A multicentric, hospital-based, case-control study was conducted in a Spanish radon-prone area. COPD cases were confirmed by spirometry and controls were selected due to trivial surgery or procedures not related to tobacco consumption. All participants had to have lived for at least 15 years in the same dwelling. Radon measurements were conducted individually in dwellings using alpha-track detectors. Results were obtained using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS 189 cases and 747 controls took part. There was no significant association between residential radon concentrations and COPD onset with a OR of 1.12 (95%CI 0.41-3.06) for individuals exposed to more than 200Bq/m3 compared to those exposed to less than 50Bq/m3. Heavy smokers seem to increase their COPD risk if exposed to higher radon concentrations vs those exposed to lower concentrations. There was a statistically significant synergy index between radon exposure and tobacco consumption, S-index 11.60 (95%CI 3.71-36.26). Indoor radon concentration was higher in never/light smokers with COPD compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS No association between indoor radon and COPD has been observed. However, there might be some effect modification on the COPD risk in heavy smokers when high radon exposure is present. This is supported by the additive synergy observed. Also, a possible association between indoor radon and COPD onset in never and light smokers needs to be further studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Ruano-Ravina
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Spain; Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela - IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Candela Cameselle-Lago
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Luis Valdés-Cuadrado
- Service of Neumology, Clinic University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Leonor Varela-Lema
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Spain
| | | | - Juan Miguel Barros-Dios
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Spain; Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela - IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Mónica Pérez-Ríos
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Spain; Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela - IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Blagrove-Hall N, Berriault C, Jardine KJ, Demers PA, Arrandale VH. Estimating Historical Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica in the Mining Industry in Ontario, Canada Using a Newly Developed Exposure Database. Ann Work Expo Health 2021; 65:1040-1049. [PMID: 34170289 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxab033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To use the recently developed Ontario Mining Exposure Database (OMED) to describe historical silica exposure in the Ontario metal mining industry and identify predictors of historical silica exposure. METHODS Personal respirable crystalline silica (RCS) data for metal mines were extracted from OMED and included both individual and summary measures, where multiple exposure measurements (n > 1) were aggregated and entered as a single exposure value (n = 1). Data were stratified by sample location (underground/surface) for analysis. Monte Carlo simulation was used to simulate individual measures from the summary measures. A fixed effects multiple linear regression model was used to assess the effects of commodity (ore mined), sample year, source of exposure data, and occupational group on RCS concentration. Parameter estimates (β), standard errors, and 95% upper and lower confidence intervals were reported. RESULTS The OMED contained 12 995 silica measurements. After limiting to RCS measurements in metal mines, and measures with sufficient information for analysis, 2883 RCS measurements collected from 1974 to 1991 remained, including 2816 individual and 67 summary measurements. In total, 321 individual RCS measurements were simulated from the 67 summary measures. The analysis database contained 2771 (12% simulated) underground measurements and 366 surface measurements (0% simulated). In the underground group, an overall geometric mean (GM) of 0.05 [geometric standard deviation (GSD) 3.09] mg m-3 was estimated with a 6% annual decrease over time. In this group, the commodity with the highest average RCS level was zinc mines (GM = 0.07 mg m-3) and the lowest was iron mines (GM = 0.01 mg m-3). In the surface group, an overall GM of 0.05 (GSD 3.70) mg m-3 was estimated with an 8% decreased over time. In this group, the commodity with the highest average RCS level was gold mines (GM = 0.07 mg m-3) and the lowest was zinc mines (GM = 0.03 mg m-3). In both groups, company collected data had lower estimated RCS compared with regulator collected data. CONCLUSIONS Historical RCS levels decreased over time. Mean measurements exceeded the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists current health-based threshold limit value (0.025 mg m-3). The main predictors of exposure were commodity, source of exposure data, and sample year. However, low R2 and high GSD values suggest additional predictors of RCS exposures in Ontario's metal mines exist that were unavailable in OMED.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Colin Berriault
- Occupational Cancer Research Centre, Ontario Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Paul A Demers
- Occupational Cancer Research Centre, Ontario Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Victoria H Arrandale
- Occupational Cancer Research Centre, Ontario Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Requena-Mullor M, Alarcón-Rodríguez R, Parrón-Carreño T, Martínez-López JJ, Lozano-Paniagua D, Hernández AF. Association between Crystalline Silica Dust Exposure and Silicosis Development in Artificial Stone Workers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18115625. [PMID: 34070293 PMCID: PMC8197517 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18115625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica (SiO2) is one of the most common and serious risks because of the health consequences for the workers involved. Silicosis is a progressive, irreversible, and incurable fibrotic lung disease caused by the inhalation of respirable crystalline silica dust. A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out to assess the occupational risk factors that may contribute to the onset of silicosis in workers carrying out work activities with the inhalation of silica compact dust. The study population consisted of 311 artificial stone workers from the province of Almeria (southeast of Spain). Among them, 64 were previously diagnosed with silicosis and the rest of the participants (n = 247 workers) were not diagnosed with such a disease. The workers showing a greater risk of developing silicosis were those who installed kitchen worktops at consumers’ homes, as they did not use face-masks or were not provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) by their business. The results of this study provide support for the evidence indicating that silicosis is a major emerging health concern for workers in the artificial stone sector. Exposure to crystalline silica dust thus can influence the development of silicosis in those cases where individual and collective protection measures are not used or adequately applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mar Requena-Mullor
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain; (M.R.-M.); (T.P.-C.); (D.L.-P.)
| | - Raquel Alarcón-Rodríguez
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain; (M.R.-M.); (T.P.-C.); (D.L.-P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-950-214-606
| | - Tesifón Parrón-Carreño
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain; (M.R.-M.); (T.P.-C.); (D.L.-P.)
| | | | - David Lozano-Paniagua
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain; (M.R.-M.); (T.P.-C.); (D.L.-P.)
| | - Antonio F. Hernández
- Department of Legal Medicine and Toxicology, University of Granada School of Medicine, 18016 Granada, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria, Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 18080 Madrid, Spain
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Richardson DB, Rage E, Demers PA, Do MT, DeBono N, Fenske N, Deffner V, Kreuzer M, Samet J, Wiggins C, Schubauer-Berigan MK, Kelly-Reif K, Tomasek L, Zablotska LB, Laurier D. Mortality among uranium miners in North America and Europe: the Pooled Uranium Miners Analysis (PUMA). Int J Epidemiol 2021; 50:633-643. [PMID: 33232447 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyaa195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Pooled Uranium Miners Analysis (PUMA) study draws together information from cohorts of uranium miners from Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany and the USA. METHODS Vital status and cause of death were ascertained and compared with expectations based upon national mortality rates by computing standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) overall and by categories of time since first hire, calendar period of first employment and duration of employment as a miner. RESULTS There were 51 787 deaths observed among 118 329 male miners [SMR = 1.05; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04, 1.06]. The SMR was elevated for all cancers (n = 16 633, SMR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.21, 1.25), due primarily to excess mortality from cancers of the lung (n = 7756, SMR = 1.90; 95% CI: 1.86, 1.94), liver and gallbladder (n = 549, SMR = 1.15; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.25), larynx (n = 229, SMR = 1.10; 95% CI: 0.97, 1.26), stomach (n = 1058, SMR = 1.08; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.15) and pleura (n = 39, SMR = 1.06; 95% CI: 0.75, 1.44). Lung-cancer SMRs increased with duration of employment, decreased with calendar period and persisted with time since first hire. Among non-malignant causes, the SMR was elevated for external causes (n = 3362, SMR = 1.41; 95% CI: 1.36, 1.46) and respiratory diseases (n = 4508, SMR = 1.32; 95% CI: 1.28, 1.36), most notably silicosis (n = 814, SMR = 13.56; 95% CI: 12.64, 14.52), but not chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n = 1729, SMR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.93, 1.02). CONCLUSIONS Whereas there are important obstacles to the ability to detect adverse effects of occupational exposures via SMR analyses, PUMA provides evidence of excess mortality among uranium miners due to a range of categories of cause of death. The persistent elevation of SMRs with time since first hire as a uranium miner underscores the importance of long-term follow-up of these workers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - E Rage
- Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN), PSE-SANTE, SESANE, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - P A Demers
- Occupational Cancer Research Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | - M T Do
- Occupational Cancer Research Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | - N DeBono
- Occupational Cancer Research Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | - N Fenske
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - V Deffner
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - M Kreuzer
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - J Samet
- Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - C Wiggins
- University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- New Mexico Tumor Registry, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - M K Schubauer-Berigan
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - K Kelly-Reif
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - L Tomasek
- Radiation Protection Institute, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - L B Zablotska
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - D Laurier
- Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN), PSE-SANTE, SESANE, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
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10
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Sharma S, Shore XW, Mohite S, Myers O, Kesler D, Vlahovich K, Sood A. Association between Spirometric Parameters and Depressive Symptoms in New Mexico Uranium Workers. SOUTHWEST JOURNAL OF PULMONARY AND CRITICAL CARE 2021; 22:58-68. [PMID: 33664988 DOI: 10.13175/swjpcc015-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Uranium workers are at risk of developing lung disease, characterized by low forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and/or forced vital capacity (FVC). Previous studies have found an association between decreased lung function and depressive symptoms in patients with pulmonary pathologies, but this association has not been well examined in occupational cohorts, especially uranium workers. Methods This cross-sectional study evaluated the association between spirometric measures and depressive symptoms in a sample of elderly former uranium workers screened by the New Mexico Radiation Exposure Screening & Education Program (NM-RESEP). Race- and ethnicity-specific reference equations were used to determine predicted spirometric indices (predictor variable). At least one depressive symptom [depressed mood and/or anhedonia, as determined by a modified Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2)], was the outcome variables. Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression models were used for statistical analyses. Results At least one depressive symptom was self-reported by 7.6% of uranium workers. Depressed mood was reported over twice as much as anhedonia (7.2% versus 3.3%). Abnormal FVC was associated with at least one depressive symptom after adjustment for covariates. There was no significant interaction between race/ethnicity and spirometric indices on depressive symptoms. Conclusions Although depressive symptoms are uncommonly reported in uranium workers, they are an important comorbidity due to their overall clinical impact. Abnormal FVC was associated with depressive symptoms. Race/ethnicity was not found to be an effect modifier for the association between abnormal FVC and depressive symptoms. To better understand the mechanism underlying this association and determine if a causal relationship exists between spirometric indices and depressive symptoms in occupational populations at risk for developing lung disease, larger longitudinal studies are required. We recommend screening for depressive symptoms for current and former uranium workers as part of routine health surveillance of this occupational cohort. Such screening may help overcome workers' reluctance to self-report and seek treatment for depression and may avoid negative consequences to health and safety from missed diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiva Sharma
- Preventive Medicine Section, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine
| | - Xin W Shore
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine
| | - Satyajit Mohite
- Department of Behavioral Health, Psychiatry & Psychology, Mayo Clinic Health System
| | - Orrin Myers
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine
| | - Denece Kesler
- Preventive Medicine Section, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine
| | - Kevin Vlahovich
- Preventive Medicine Section, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine
| | - Akshay Sood
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine
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11
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Ruano-Ravina A, Cameselle-Lago C, Torres-Durán M, Pando-Sandoval A, Dacal-Quintas R, Valdés-Cuadrado L, Hernández-Hernández J, Consuegra-Vanegas A, Tenes-Mayén JA, Varela-Lema L, Fernández-Villar A, Barros-Dios JM, Pérez-Ríos M. Indoor Radon Exposure and COPD, Synergic Association? A Multicentric, Hospital-Based Case-Control Study in a Radon-Prone Area. Arch Bronconeumol 2020; 57:S0300-2896(20)30539-1. [PMID: 33446344 DOI: 10.1016/j.arbres.2020.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND COPD is a multifactorial disease which causes considerable mortality and morbidity worldwide. Previous studies assessing the possible relationship between indoor radon exposure and COPD have shown inconclusive results. METHODS A multicentric, hospital-based, case-control study was conducted in a Spanish radon-prone area. COPD cases were confirmed by spirometry and controls were selected due to trivial surgery or procedures not related to tobacco consumption. All participants had to have lived for at least 15 years in the same dwelling. Radon measurements were conducted individually in dwellings using alpha-track detectors. Results were obtained using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS 189 cases and 747 controls took part. There was no significant association between residential radon concentrations and COPD onset with a OR of 1.12 (95%CI 0.41-3.06) for individuals exposed to more than 200Bq/m3 compared to those exposed to less than 50Bq/m3. Heavy smokers seem to increase their COPD risk if exposed to higher radon concentrations vs those exposed to lower concentrations. There was a statistically significant synergy index between radon exposure and tobacco consumption, S-index 11.60 (95%CI 3.71-36.26). Indoor radon concentration was higher in never/light smokers with COPD compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS No association between indoor radon and COPD has been observed. However, there might be some effect modification on the COPD risk in heavy smokers when high radon exposure is present. This is supported by the additive synergy observed. Also, a possible association between indoor radon and COPD onset in never and light smokers needs to be further studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Ruano-Ravina
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Spain; Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela - IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Candela Cameselle-Lago
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Luis Valdés-Cuadrado
- Service of Neumology, Clinic University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Leonor Varela-Lema
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Spain
| | | | - Juan Miguel Barros-Dios
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Spain; Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela - IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Mónica Pérez-Ríos
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Spain; Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela - IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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12
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Estimation of an Exposure Threshold Value for Compensation of Silica-Induced COPD Based on Longitudinal Changes in Pulmonary Function. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17239040. [PMID: 33291582 PMCID: PMC7729997 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17239040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
(1) Background: To estimate the cumulative exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) that reduces lung function to an extent corresponding with airway obstruction equivalent to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). (2) Methods: The study is based on a miners' cohort with longitudinal data on lung function and RCS exposure. Random-effects linear regression models, allowing for a possible threshold concerning the exposure concentration were used to analyze the impact of RCS on the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s and forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC). The proposed threshold is the amount of RCS resulting in a decrease in FEV1/FVC from the expected value to the lower limit of normal. (3) Results: The analysis shows that a threshold model fits the data significantly better than the usual linear model. The estimated threshold value for the exposure concentration is 0.089 mg/m3. Using this threshold, the estimate for the corresponding reference dose for RCS is 2.33 mg/m3·y. (4) Conclusions: The analysis confirmed that RCS has a negative impact on lung function. The effect is primarily due to exposure above a concentration threshold of 0.1 mg/m3. It is recommended that COPD should be compensated as an occupational disease if cumulative exposure was at least 2 mg/m3·y above this threshold.
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13
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Conde-Sampayo A, Lorenzo-González M, Fernández-Villar A, Barros-Dios JM, Ruano-Ravina A. Exposure to Residential Radon and COPD: A Systematic Review. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis 2020; 15:939-948. [PMID: 32425519 PMCID: PMC7196197 DOI: 10.2147/copd.s245982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between exposure to residential radon and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by means of a systematic review. Material and Methods A search was conducted in PubMed and OVID for papers making reference to the radon–COPD relationship. No search filters were applied, whether by date of publication, study type or sample size. All studies not written in English or Spanish were discarded. Results A total of 174 and 57 papers were found in PubMed and OVID, respectively: of these, 13 (11 on miners and 2 on the general population) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Only four of the studies on cohorts of miners analysed COPD as a specific disease, and only one reported statistically significant results. In addition, many of these studies lacked information on tobacco use among miners. In contrast, studies conducted on the general public showed an association between mortality and hospital admissions, on the one hand, and residential radon on the other. Conclusion There are not enough studies to provide a basis for confirming or ruling out an association between radon exposure and COPD. Nonetheless, the most recent general population studies point to evidence of a possible association. In view of the heterogeneity of available studies, it is impossible to say whether this gas may or may not affect COPD morbidity and mortality, until such a time as further studies are carried out.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Juan Miguel Barros-Dios
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.,Preventive Medicine Unit, Santiago de Compostela University Teaching Hospital Complex, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Alberto Ruano-Ravina
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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14
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Vieira CLZ, Koutrakis P, Huang S, Grady S, Hart JE, Coull BA, Laden F, Requia W, Schwartz J, Garshick E. Short-term effects of particle gamma radiation activities on pulmonary function in COPD patients. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 175:221-227. [PMID: 31146094 PMCID: PMC6609300 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.05.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is not known whether environmental gamma radiation measured in US cities has detectable adverse health effects. We assessed whether short-term exposure to gamma radiation emitted from ambient air particles [gamma particle activity (PRγ)] is associated with reduced pulmonary function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. OBJECTIVE We hypothesize that the inhalation of gamma radiation emitted from ambient air particles may be associated with reduced pulmonary function in individuals with COPD. METHODS In 125 patients with COPD from Eastern Massachusetts who had up to 4 seasonal one-week assessments of particulate matter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5), black carbon (BC), and sulfur followed by spirometry. The US EPA continuously monitors ambient gamma (γ) radiation including γ released from radionuclides attached to particulate matter that is recorded as 9 γ-energy spectra classes (i = 3-9) in counts per minute (CPMγ) in the Boston area (USA). We analyzed the associations between ambient and indoor PRγi (up to one week) and pre and post-bronchodilator (BD) forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and with forced vital capacity (FVC) using mixed-effects regression models. We estimated indoor PRγi using the ratio of the indoor-to-outdoor sulfur in PM2.5 as a proxy for infiltration of ambient radionuclide-associated particles. RESULTS Overall, exposures to ambient and indoor PRγi were associated with a similar decrease in pre- and post-BD FEV1 and FVC. For example, ambient PRγ3 exposure averaged from the day of pulmonary function testing through the previous 3 days [IQR of 55.1 counts per minute (CPMγ)] was associated with a decrease in pre-BD FEV1 of 21.0 ml (95%CI: -38.5 to -3.0 ml; p < 0.01) and pre-BD FVC of 27.5 ml [95% confidence interval (CI): -50.7 to -5.0 ml; p < 0.01] with similar effects adjusting for indoor and outdoor BC and PM2.5. CONCLUSION Our results show that short-term ambient and indoor exposures to environmental gamma radiation associated with particulate matter are associated with reduced pre- and post-BD pulmonary function in patients with COPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina L Z Vieira
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shaodan Huang
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stephanie Grady
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Research and Development Service, VA Boston Health Care System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jaime E Hart
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brent A Coull
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Francine Laden
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Weeberb Requia
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joel Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric Garshick
- Pulmonary, Allergy, Sleep and Critical Care Medicine Section, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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15
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Post-1971 Era Uranium Workers in New Mexico Have Significant Lung Disease Burden. Ann Am Thorac Soc 2018; 16:515-518. [PMID: 30525911 DOI: 10.1513/annalsats.201805-309rl] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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16
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Neophytou AM, Picciotto S, Brown DM, Gallagher LE, Checkoway H, Eisen EA, Costello S. Exposure-Lag-Response in Longitudinal Studies: Application of Distributed-Lag Nonlinear Models in an Occupational Cohort. Am J Epidemiol 2018; 187:1539-1548. [PMID: 29447338 PMCID: PMC6030974 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwy019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Prolonged exposures can have complex relationships with health outcomes, as timing, duration, and intensity of exposure are all potentially relevant. Summary measures such as cumulative exposure or average intensity of exposure may not fully capture these relationships. We applied penalized and unpenalized distributed-lag nonlinear models (DLNMs) with flexible exposure-response and lag-response functions in order to examine the association between crystalline silica exposure and mortality from lung cancer and nonmalignant respiratory disease in a cohort study of 2,342 California diatomaceous earth workers followed during 1942–2011. We also assessed associations using simple measures of cumulative exposure assuming linear exposure-response and constant lag-response. Measures of association from DLNMs were generally higher than those from simpler models. Rate ratios from penalized DLNMs corresponding to average daily exposures of 0.4 mg/m3 during lag years 31–50 prior to the age of observed cases were 1.47 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.92, 2.35) for lung cancer mortality and 1.80 (95% CI: 1.14, 2.85) for nonmalignant respiratory disease mortality. Rate ratios from the simpler models for the same exposure scenario were 1.15 (95% CI: 0.89, 1.48) and 1.23 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.46), respectively. Longitudinal cohort studies of prolonged exposures and chronic health outcomes should explore methods allowing for flexibility and nonlinearities in the exposure-lag-response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas M Neophytou
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California
| | - Sally Picciotto
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California
| | - Daniel M Brown
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California
| | - Lisa E Gallagher
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Harvey Checkoway
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Ellen A Eisen
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California
| | - Sadie Costello
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California
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17
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Paolocci G, Folletti I, Torén K, Ekström M, Dell'Omo M, Muzi G, Murgia N. Occupational risk factors for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Southern Europe: a case-control study. BMC Pulm Med 2018; 18:75. [PMID: 29784045 PMCID: PMC5963078 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-018-0644-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive fibrosing interstitial pneumonia of unknown cause associated with the histopathologic and/or radiologic pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP). Occupational risk factors have been proposed to be associated with UIP. The aim of this case-control study is to evaluate the relationship between UIP pattern and occupational exposure in Southern Europe. Methods Sixty nine cases with a UIP radiological pattern at CT-scan were selected from a clinical database of the University Hospital of Perugia, Umbria, between January 2010 and December 2013. Controls (n = 277) not reporting doctor diagnosed pulmonary fibrosis, were ascertained casually among general population from the same catching area of cases. Data were collected by a questionnaire used previously in a similar study. Logistic regression models, adjusted for gender, age and smoking, were performed to evaluate the association between UIP and occupational exposure. Results Farmers, veterinarians and gardeners (OR = 2.73, 95%CI = 1.47–5.10), metallurgical and steel industry workers (OR = 4.80, 95%CI = 1.50–15.33) were occupations associated with UIP. Metal dust and fumes and organic dust were risk factors for UIP. Increasing the length of occupational exposure in jobs at risk of pulmonary fibrosis, increased the risk of having UIP. Conclusions This case control study confirm partially the results from previous similar studies. Some discrepancies could be explained by the different geographical origins of the population under study, reflecting also different occupational exposures. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12890-018-0644-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Paolocci
- Section of Occupational Medicine, Respiratory Diseases and Toxicology, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli, 06100, Perugia, Italy
| | - Ilenia Folletti
- Section of Occupational Medicine, Respiratory Diseases and Toxicology, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli, 06100, Perugia, Italy
| | - Kjell Torén
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Magnus Ekström
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Marco Dell'Omo
- Section of Occupational Medicine, Respiratory Diseases and Toxicology, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli, 06100, Perugia, Italy
| | - Giacomo Muzi
- Section of Occupational Medicine, Respiratory Diseases and Toxicology, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli, 06100, Perugia, Italy
| | - Nicola Murgia
- Section of Occupational Medicine, Respiratory Diseases and Toxicology, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli, 06100, Perugia, Italy. .,Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.
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18
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Morbidity and Health Risk Factors Among New Mexico Miners: A Comparison Across Mining Sectors. J Occup Environ Med 2018; 59:789-794. [PMID: 28697062 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000001078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examines differences in chronic health outcomes between coal, uranium, metal, and nonmetal miners. METHODS In a cross-sectional study using data from a health screening program for current and former New Mexico miners, log-binomial logistic regression models were used to estimate relative risks of respiratory and heart disease, cancer, osteoarthritis, and back pain associated with mining in each sector as compared with coal, adjusting for other relevant risk factors. RESULTS Differential risks in angina, pulmonary symptoms, asthma, cancer, osteoarthritis, and back pain between mining sectors were found. CONCLUSIONS New Mexico miners experience different chronic health challenges across sectors. These results demonstrate the importance of using comparable data to understand how health risks differ across mining sectors. Further investigation among a broader geographic population of miners will help identify the health priorities and needs in each sector.
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19
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Azizova TV, Zhuntova GV, Haylock R, Moseeva MB, Grigoryeva ES, Bannikova MV, Belyaeva ZD, Bragin EV. Chronic bronchitis incidence in the extended cohort of Mayak workers first employed during 1948-1982. Occup Environ Med 2016; 74:105-113. [PMID: 27647620 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2015-103283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Revised: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This paper describes findings from the study of chronic bronchitis (CB) incidence after occupational exposure to ionising radiation among workers employed at Russian Mayak Production Association (PA) during 1948 and 1982 and followed up until 2008 based on 'Mayak Worker Dosimetry System 2008'. METHODS Analyses were based on 2135 verified cases among 21 417 workers. Rate ratios (RR) were estimated by categorical analysis for non-radiation and radiation factors. Excess rate ratios per Gy (ERR/Gy) of external or internal exposures with adjustments via stratification on other factors were calculated. RESULTS The interesting finding in relation to non-radiation factors was a sharp increase in the RR for CB incidence before 1960, which could be caused by a number of factors. Analyses restricted to the follow-up after 1960 revealed statistically significant associations of the CB incidence and external γ-ray radiation, ERR/Gy=0.14 (95% CI 0.02 to 0.28) having adjusted for sex, attained age, calendar period, plant, smoking status and lung α-particle dose, and internal α-particle radiation, ERR/Gy=1.14 (95% CI 0.41 to 2.18) having adjusted for sex, attained age, calendar period, plant, smoking status and lung γ-ray dose and ERR/Gy=1.19 (95% CI 0.32 to 2.53) having additionally adjusted for pre-employment occupational hazards and smoking index instead of smoking status. CONCLUSIONS Analyses of CB incidence in the study cohort identified positive significant association with occupational exposure to radiation: however, there are no similar studies of CB incidence in relation to radiation in other cohorts to date with which a meaningful comparison of the results could be made.
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Affiliation(s)
- T V Azizova
- Southern Urals Biophysics Institute, Ozyorsk, Chelyabinsk Region, Russia
| | - G V Zhuntova
- Southern Urals Biophysics Institute, Ozyorsk, Chelyabinsk Region, Russia
| | | | - M B Moseeva
- Southern Urals Biophysics Institute, Ozyorsk, Chelyabinsk Region, Russia
| | - E S Grigoryeva
- Southern Urals Biophysics Institute, Ozyorsk, Chelyabinsk Region, Russia
| | - M V Bannikova
- Southern Urals Biophysics Institute, Ozyorsk, Chelyabinsk Region, Russia
| | - Z D Belyaeva
- Southern Urals Biophysics Institute, Ozyorsk, Chelyabinsk Region, Russia
| | - E V Bragin
- Southern Urals Biophysics Institute, Ozyorsk, Chelyabinsk Region, Russia
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20
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Walsh L, Grosche B, Schnelzer M, Tschense A, Sogl M, Kreuzer M. A review of the results from the German Wismut uranium miners cohort. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2015; 164:147-53. [PMID: 25267854 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncu281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2014] [Accepted: 08/09/2014] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The Wismut cohort is currently the largest single study on the health risks associated with occupational exposures to ionising radiation and dust accrued during activities related to uranium mining. The cohort has ∼59 000 male workers, first employed between 1946 and 1989, at the Wismut Company in Germany. The main effect is a statistically significant increase in mortality from lung cancer with both increasing cumulative radon exposure and silica dust exposure. Risks for cancers of the extrathoracic airways, all extra-pulmonary cancers and cardiovascular diseases associated with radiation exposures have been evaluated. Cohort mortality rates for some other cancer sites, stomach and liver, are statistically significantly increased in relation to the general population, but not statistically significantly related to occupational exposures. No associations between leukaemia mortality and occupational doses of ionising radiation were found.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Walsh
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
| | - B Grosche
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
| | - M Schnelzer
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
| | - A Tschense
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
| | - M Sogl
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
| | - M Kreuzer
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
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21
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Gallagher LG, Park RM, Checkoway H. Extended follow-up of lung cancer and non-malignant respiratory disease mortality among California diatomaceous earth workers. Occup Environ Med 2015; 72:360-5. [PMID: 25759179 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2014-102412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2014] [Accepted: 02/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Millions of workers worldwide are employed in occupations involving potentiality hazardous exposure to crystalline silica. The diatomaceous earth industry can have particularly high exposures, but there is a lower likelihood of simultaneously occurring confounding exposures. We extended follow-up for diatomaceous earth industry workers previously studied for mortality. METHODS The cohort included 2342 white men who were employed for at least 1 year at a diatomaceous earth plant in Lompoc, California beginning in 1942. Workers' vital status was updated using the National Death Index through 2011, an extension of 19 years from earlier studies. Detailed work history and quantitative air monitoring measurements estimated exposure intensity. Cox proportional hazards modelling estimated HRs and 95% CIs. SMRs were calculated. RESULTS Elevated mortality was observed by quartile of cumulative crystalline silica exposure for lung cancer (HR=2.03, 95% CI 1.07 to 3.85, highest quartile, unlagged) and non-malignant respiratory disease (NMRD) (HR=3.59, 95% CI 1.94 to 6.67, highest quartile, unlagged), although trends were not statistically significant. Associations were attenuated when adjusted for smoking and asbestos exposure. Mortality from NMRD was significantly increased over the entire follow-up compared to the general population (SMR=1.37, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.60). An increase for lung cancer was confined to the earlier follow-up (SMR=1.29, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.61). CONCLUSIONS The risk of lung cancer and NMRD mortality remained elevated, although generally non-significant, and exposure-response trends with cumulative crystalline silica persisted on extended follow-up of this cohort. The findings support a generally consistently observed aetiological relation between crystalline silica and lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa G Gallagher
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Robert M Park
- US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Harvey Checkoway
- Department of Family & Preventive Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
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Richardson DB, Laurier D, Schubauer-Berigan MK, Tchetgen Tchetgen E, Cole SR. Assessment and indirect adjustment for confounding by smoking in cohort studies using relative hazards models. Am J Epidemiol 2014; 180:933-40. [PMID: 25245043 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwu211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Workers' smoking histories are not measured in many occupational cohort studies. Here we discuss the use of negative control outcomes to detect and adjust for confounding in analyses that lack information on smoking. We clarify the assumptions necessary to detect confounding by smoking and the additional assumptions necessary to indirectly adjust for such bias. We illustrate these methods using data from 2 studies of radiation and lung cancer: the Colorado Plateau cohort study (1950-2005) of underground uranium miners (in which smoking was measured) and a French cohort study (1950-2004) of nuclear industry workers (in which smoking was unmeasured). A cause-specific relative hazards model is proposed for estimation of indirectly adjusted associations. Among the miners, the proposed method suggests no confounding by smoking of the association between radon and lung cancer--a conclusion supported by adjustment for measured smoking. Among the nuclear workers, the proposed method suggests substantial confounding by smoking of the association between radiation and lung cancer. Indirect adjustment for confounding by smoking resulted in an 18% decrease in the adjusted estimated hazard ratio, yet this cannot be verified because smoking was unmeasured. Assumptions underlying this method are described, and a cause-specific proportional hazards model that allows easy implementation using standard software is presented.
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Lu Z, He Y, Yu B, Hu X. Harmful effects of airborne dust diffused from ceramic tiles during home decoration. POWDER TECHNOL 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2014.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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