1
|
Guth M, Pilorget C, Lefevre M, Coste A, Danjou A, Dananché B, Praud D, Pérol O, Daudin M, Clarotti MA, Lattes S, Bouillon C, Paul A, Schüz J, Bujan L, Olsson A, Fervers B, Charbotel B. Occupational exposure to organic solvents and the risk of developing testicular germ cell tumors (TESTIS study): Effect of combined exposure assessment on risk estimation. Scand J Work Environ Health 2024; 50:359-371. [PMID: 38597023 PMCID: PMC11245321 DOI: 10.5271/sjweh.4161] [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: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Etiological factors of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) remain largely unknown, but a causal role of occupational exposures to solvents has been suggested. Previous studies analyzing these exposures reported discordant results, potentially related to exposure assessment methods. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of occupational exposure to solvents on the risk of developing TGCT among young men. METHODS This study examined occupational exposures to solvents and TGCT risk based on the lifetime work histories of 454 cases and 670 controls, aged 18-45 years, of the French national TESTIS case-control study. Solvent exposure was estimated using: (i) exposure assignment by job-exposure matrix (JEM) and (ii) JEM combined with self-reported exposure data from specific questionnaires (SQ) and expert assessment (EA). Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using conditional logistic regression models. RESULTS Both approaches (JEM and JEM+SQ+EA) showed a consistent association between TGCT and trichloroethylene exposure (exposed versus not exposed; JEM=OR 1.80 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12-2.90] and JEM+SQ+EA= OR 2.59 (95% CI 1.42-4.72). Both approaches also observed positive associations with ketone esters and fuels & petroleum-based solvents. CONCLUSION The results suggest that some organic solvents might be involved in the pathogenesis of TGCT among occupationally exposed men. The combined use of JEM+SQ+EA seemed to limit misclassification by considering individual exposure variability and is, therefore, an appealing approach to assess occupational exposures in epidemiological studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Béatrice Fervers
- Prevention Cancer Environnement Departement, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ben Rayana T, Wild P, Debatisse A, Jouannique V, Sakthithasan K, Suarez G, Guseva Canu I. Job Exposure Matrix, a Solution for Retrospective Assessment of Particle Exposure in a Subway Network and Their Long-Term Effects. TOXICS 2023; 11:836. [PMID: 37888686 PMCID: PMC10610788 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11100836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Health effects after long-term exposure to subway particulate matter (PM) remain unknown due to the lack of individual PM exposure data. This study aimed to apply the job exposure matrix (JEM) approach to retrospectively assess occupational exposure to PM in the Parisian subway. METHODS Job, the line and sector of the transport network, as well as calendar period were four JEM dimensions. For each combination of these dimensions, we generated statistical models to estimate the annual average PM10 concentration using data from an exhaustive inventory of the PM measurement campaigns conducted between 2004 and 2020 in the Parisian subway and historical data from the Parisian air pollution monitoring network. The resulting JEM and its exposure estimates were critically examined by experts using the uncertainty analysis framework. RESULTS The resulting JEM allows for the assignment of the estimated annual PM10 concentration to three types of professionals working in the subway: locomotive operators, station agents, and security guards. The estimates' precision and validity depend on the amount and quality of PM10 measurement data used in the job-, line-, and sector-specific models. Models using large amounts of personal exposure measurement data produced rather robust exposure estimates compared to models with lacunary data (i.e., in security guards). The analysis of uncertainty around the exposure estimates allows for the identification of the sources of uncertainty and parameters to be addressed in the future in order to refine and/or improve the JEM. CONCLUSIONS The JEM approach seems relevant for the retrospective exposure assessment of subway workers. When applied to available data on PM10, it allows for the estimation of this exposure in locomotive operators and station agents with an acceptable validity. Conversely, for security guards, the current estimates have insufficient validity to recommend their use in an epidemiological study. Therefore, the current JEM should be considered as a valid prototype, which shall be further improved using more robust measurements for some jobs. This JEM can also be further refined by considering additional exposure determinants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tesnim Ben Rayana
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges-Lausanne, Switzerland
- Autonomous Parisian Transportation Administration (RATP), 75012 Paris, France
| | - Pascal Wild
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges-Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Amélie Debatisse
- Autonomous Parisian Transportation Administration (RATP), 75012 Paris, France
| | - Valérie Jouannique
- Autonomous Parisian Transportation Administration (RATP), 75012 Paris, France
| | | | - Guillaume Suarez
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges-Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Irina Guseva Canu
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges-Lausanne, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sixteen-Year Monitoring of Particulate Matter Exposure in the Parisian Subway: Data Inventory and Compilation in a Database. ATMOSPHERE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos13071061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The regularly reported associations between particulate matter (PM) exposure, and morbidity and mortality due to respiratory, cardiovascular, cancer, and metabolic diseases have led to the reduction in recommended outdoor PM10 and PM2.5 exposure limits. However, indoor PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in subway systems in many cities are often higher than outdoor concentrations. The effects of these exposures on subway workers and passengers are not well known, mainly because of the challenges in exposure assessment and the lack of longitudinal studies combining comprehensive exposure and health surveillance. To fulfill this gap, we made an inventory of the PM measurement campaigns conducted in the Parisian subway since 2004. We identified 5856 PM2.5 and 18,148 PM10 results from both personal and stationary air sample measurements that we centralized in a database along with contextual information of each measurement. This database has extensive coverage of the subway network and will enable descriptive and analytical studies of indoor PM exposure in the Parisian subway and its potential effects on human health.
Collapse
|
4
|
Evaluation of Airborne Asbestos Concentrations Associated with the Operation and Maintenance of Brakes and Clutches on Nonautomated Heavy Equipment. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2022:9831883. [PMID: 35495363 PMCID: PMC9054464 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9831883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluated the potential for chrysotile asbestos exposure during maintenance and operation of older, nonautomated heavy equipment with chrysotile-containing brake and clutch linings. Recent reports indicate that such equipment may be in current use in the U.S. and other locations, including developing countries, due to its lower cost and ease of maintenance compared to newer equipment. Personal and area airborne fiber concentrations were measured for cranes with draglines during brake and clutch repair, equipment operation, shop cleanup, and clothes handling of the mechanic's coveralls over a period of three days. The range of airborne chrysotile concentrations during the complete friction band replacement process, including band removal from the equipment, friction lining replacement, and reinstallation, ranged from 0.0053 to 0.0273 f/cc (phase contrast microscopy-equivalent or PCME) over 3.3 to 6.2 hours. Additional bench work tasks, including electric wire brushing, hand sanding, riveting, and compressed air use were also performed. Full shift airborne chrysotile concentrations (6.1-8.5 hours) for all combined maintenance activities were 0.0093, 0.0414, and 0.0445 f/cc (PCME), on days 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Personal short-term samples (14-36 minutes) for lining removal, installation, wire brushing, hand sanding, and compressed air use ranged from nondetect (ND) to 0.238 f/cc (PCME), below the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) 30-minute excursion limit of 1 f/cc. Short-term samples during crane operation, shop cleanup, and simulated laundry activities with the mechanic's coveralls ranged from ND to 0.01 f/cc (PCME; 15-36 minutes). The results indicated that full-shift measured airborne chrysotile concentrations during the brake and clutch maintenance activities evaluated remained below the U.S. 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) permissible exposure limit (PEL) for asbestos of 0.1 f/cc. The results are likely to be relevant to farmers, construction workers, and vehicle maintenance workers historically, as well as today for those who choose to continue using and maintaining such equipment.
Collapse
|
5
|
Spinazzè A, Consonni D, Borghi F, Rovelli S, Cattaneo A, Zellino C, Dallari B, Pesatori AC, Kromhout H, Peters S, Riboldi L, Cavallo DM, Mensi C. Asbestos Exposure in Patients with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma included in the PRIMATE Study, Lombardy, Italy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19063390. [PMID: 35329075 PMCID: PMC8949216 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19063390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The PRIMATE study is an Italian translational research project, which aims to identify personalized biomarkers associated with clinical characteristics of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). For this purpose, characteristics of MPM patients with different degrees of asbestos exposure will be compared to identify somatic mutations, germline polymorphism, and blood inflammatory biomarkers. In this framework, we assessed exposure to asbestos for 562 cases of MPM extracted from the Lombardy region Mesothelioma Registry (RML), for which a complete interview based on a standardized national questionnaire and histopathological specimens were available. Exposure assessment was performed: (1) through experts' evaluation (considered as the gold standard for the purpose of this study), according to the guidelines of the Italian National Mesothelioma Registry (ReNaM) and (2) using a job-exposure matrix (SYN-JEM) to obtain qualitative (ever/never) and quantitative estimates of occupational asbestos exposure (cumulative exposure expressed in fibers per mL (f/mL)). The performance of SYN-JEM was evaluated against the experts' evaluation. According to experts' evaluation, occupational asbestos exposure was recognized in 73.6% of men and 23.6% of women; furthermore, 29 men (7.8%) and 70 women (36.9%) had non-occupational exposure to asbestos. When applying SYN-JEM, 225 men (60.5%) and 25 women (13.2%) were classified as occupationally exposed, with a median cumulative exposure higher for men (1.7 f/mL-years) than for women (1.2 f/mL-years). The concordance between the two methods (Cohen’s kappa) for occupational exposure assessment was 0.46 overall (0.41 in men, and 0.07 in women). Sensitivity was higher in men (0.73) than in women (0.18), while specificity was higher in women (0.88) than in men (0.74). Overall, both methods can be used to reconstruct past occupational exposure to asbestos, each with its own advantages and limitations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Spinazzè
- Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, 22100 Como, Italy; (F.B.); (S.R.); (A.C.); (D.M.C.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Dario Consonni
- Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (D.C.); (C.Z.); (B.D.); (A.C.P.); (L.R.); (C.M.)
| | - Francesca Borghi
- Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, 22100 Como, Italy; (F.B.); (S.R.); (A.C.); (D.M.C.)
| | - Sabrina Rovelli
- Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, 22100 Como, Italy; (F.B.); (S.R.); (A.C.); (D.M.C.)
| | - Andrea Cattaneo
- Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, 22100 Como, Italy; (F.B.); (S.R.); (A.C.); (D.M.C.)
| | - Carolina Zellino
- Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (D.C.); (C.Z.); (B.D.); (A.C.P.); (L.R.); (C.M.)
| | - Barbara Dallari
- Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (D.C.); (C.Z.); (B.D.); (A.C.P.); (L.R.); (C.M.)
| | - Angela Cecilia Pesatori
- Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (D.C.); (C.Z.); (B.D.); (A.C.P.); (L.R.); (C.M.)
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Hans Kromhout
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands; (H.K.); (S.P.)
| | - Susan Peters
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands; (H.K.); (S.P.)
| | - Luciano Riboldi
- Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (D.C.); (C.Z.); (B.D.); (A.C.P.); (L.R.); (C.M.)
| | - Domenico Maria Cavallo
- Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, 22100 Como, Italy; (F.B.); (S.R.); (A.C.); (D.M.C.)
| | - Carolina Mensi
- Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (D.C.); (C.Z.); (B.D.); (A.C.P.); (L.R.); (C.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
OUP accepted manuscript. Ann Work Expo Health 2022; 66:815-821. [DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxac009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
|
7
|
Koivisto AJ, Jayjock M, Hämeri KJ, Kulmala M, Van Sprang P, Yu M, Boor BE, Hussein T, Koponen IK, Löndahl J, Morawska L, Little JC, Arnold S. Evaluating the Theoretical Background of STOFFENMANAGER® and the Advanced REACH Tool. Ann Work Expo Health 2021; 66:520-536. [PMID: 34365499 PMCID: PMC9030124 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxab057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
STOFFENMANAGER® and the Advanced REACH Tool (ART) are recommended tools by the European Chemical Agency for regulatory chemical safety assessment. The models are widely used and accepted within the scientific community. STOFFENMANAGER® alone has more than 37 000 users globally and more than 310 000 risk assessment have been carried out by 2020. Regardless of their widespread use, this is the first study evaluating the theoretical backgrounds of each model. STOFFENMANAGER® and ART are based on a modified multiplicative model where an exposure base level (mg m−3) is replaced with a dimensionless intrinsic emission score and the exposure modifying factors are replaced with multipliers that are mainly based on subjective categories that are selected by using exposure taxonomy. The intrinsic emission is a unit of concentration to the substance emission potential that represents the concentration generated in a standardized task without local ventilation. Further information or scientific justification for this selection is not provided. The multipliers have mainly discrete values given in natural logarithm steps (…, 0.3, 1, 3, …) that are allocated by expert judgements. The multipliers scientific reasoning or link to physical quantities is not reported. The models calculate a subjective exposure score, which is then translated to an exposure level (mg m−3) by using a calibration factor. The calibration factor is assigned by comparing the measured personal exposure levels with the exposure score that is calculated for the respective exposure scenarios. A mixed effect regression model was used to calculate correlation factors for four exposure group [e.g. dusts, vapors, mists (low-volatiles), and solid object/abrasion] by using ~1000 measurements for STOFFENMANAGER® and 3000 measurements for ART. The measurement data for calibration are collected from different exposure groups. For example, for dusts the calibration data were pooled from exposure measurements sampled from pharmacies, bakeries, construction industry, and so on, which violates the empirical model basic principles. The calibration databases are not publicly available and thus their quality or subjective selections cannot be evaluated. STOFFENMANAGER® and ART can be classified as subjective categorization tools providing qualitative values as their outputs. By definition, STOFFENMANAGER® and ART cannot be classified as mechanistic models or empirical models. This modeling algorithm does not reflect the physical concept originally presented for the STOFFENMANAGER® and ART. A literature review showed that the models have been validated only at the ‘operational analysis’ level that describes the model usability. This review revealed that the accuracy of STOFFENMANAGER® is in the range of 100 000 and for ART 100. Calibration and validation studies have shown that typical log-transformed predicted exposure concentration and measured exposure levels often exhibit weak Pearson’s correlations (r is <0.6) for both STOFFENMANAGER® and ART. Based on these limitations and performance departure from regulatory criteria for risk assessment models, it is recommended that STOFFENMANAGER® and ART regulatory acceptance for chemical safety decision making should be explicitly qualified as to their current deficiencies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antti Joonas Koivisto
- ARCHE Consulting, Liefkensstraat 35D, B-9032 Wondelgem, Belgium.,Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR), University of Helsinki, PL 64, FI-00014 UHEL, Helsinki, Finland.,Air Pollution Management, Willemoesgade 16, st tv, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
| | | | - Kaarle J Hämeri
- Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR), University of Helsinki, PL 64, FI-00014 UHEL, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Markku Kulmala
- Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR), University of Helsinki, PL 64, FI-00014 UHEL, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Mingzhou Yu
- Laboratory of Aerosol Science and Technology, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Brandon E Boor
- Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, 550 Stadium Mall Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.,Ray W. Herrick Laboratories, Center for High Performance Buildings, Purdue University, 177 South Russell Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Tareq Hussein
- Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR), University of Helsinki, PL 64, FI-00014 UHEL, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Physics, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | | | - Jakob Löndahl
- Division of Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Lund University, PO Box 118, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Lidia Morawska
- International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia.,Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - John C Little
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
| | - Susan Arnold
- University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| |
Collapse
|