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Kojo K, Turtiainen T, Holmgren O, Kurttio P. Radon Exposure Concentrations in Finnish Workplaces. Health Phys 2023; 125:92-101. [PMID: 37022176 PMCID: PMC10309095 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0000000000001692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to obtain information on the radon concentrations to which Finnish workers are exposed. Radon measurements were conducted as integrated measurements in 700 workplaces, supplemented by continuous radon measurements in 334 workplaces. The occupational radon concentration was calculated by multiplying the result of the integrated measurements by the seasonal correction factor and the ventilation correction factor (ratio between the working time and the full-time radon concentration obtained from continuous measurement). The annual radon concentration to which workers are exposed was weighted by the actual number of workers in each province. In addition, workers were divided into three main occupational categories (working mainly outdoors, underground, or indoors above ground). Probability distribution of the parameters affecting radon concentration levels were generated to calculate a probabilistic estimate of the number of workers exposed to excessive radon levels. With deterministic methods, the geometric and arithmetic mean radon concentrations in conventional, above-ground workplaces were 41 and 91 Bq m -3 , respectively. The estimated geometric and arithmetic mean annual radon concentrations that Finnish workers are exposed to were assessed as 19 and 33 Bq m -3 , respectively. The generic ventilation correction factor for workplaces was calculated as 0.87. Assessed with probabilistic methods, there are approximately 34,000 workers in Finland whose exposure to radon exceeds the reference level of 300 Bq m -3 . Although radon concentrations are generally low in Finnish workplaces, many workers are exposed to high levels of radon. Radon exposure in the workplace is the most common source of occupational radiation exposure in Finland.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Päivi Kurttio
- Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), Vantaa, Finland
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Kurkela O, Nevalainen J, Pätsi SM, Kojo K, Holmgren O, Auvinen A. Lung cancer incidence attributable to residential radon exposure in Finland. Radiat Environ Biophys 2023; 62:35-49. [PMID: 36344858 PMCID: PMC9950193 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-022-01004-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to estimate (1) the number of avoidable lung cancer cases attributable to residential radon in Finland in 2017, separately by age, sex, dwelling type and smoking status, (2) the impact of residential radon alone and the joint effect of residential radon and smoking on the number of lung cancers and (3) the potential decrease in the number of radon-attributable lung cancers if radon concentrations exceeding specified action levels (100, 200 and 300 Bq m-3) would have been mitigated to those levels. Population-based surveys of radon concentrations and smoking patterns were used. Observed radon levels were contrasted with 25 Bq m-3 representing a realistic minimum level of exposure. Lung cancer risk estimates for radon and smoking were derived from literature. Lastly, the uncertainty due to the estimation of exposure and risk was quantified using a computationally derived uncertainty interval. At least 3% and at most 8% of all lung cancers were estimated as being attributable to residential radon. For small cell carcinoma, the proportion of cases attributable to radon was 8-13%. Among smokers, the majority of the radon-related cases were attributable to the joint effect of radon and smoking. Reduction of radon exposure to 100 Bq m-3 action level would eliminate approximately 30% of radon-attributable cases. Estimates were low compared with the literature, given the (relatively high) radon levels in Finland. This was mainly due to the lower radon levels and higher smoking prevalence in flats than in houses and a more realistic point of comparison, factors which have been ignored in previous studies. The results can guide actions in radon protection and in prevention of lung cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olli Kurkela
- STUK-Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Environmental Surveillance, Helsinki, Finland.
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Unit of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 100, 33014, Tampere, Finland.
- Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Ratatie 22, 01300, Vantaa, Finland.
| | - Jaakko Nevalainen
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Unit of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 100, 33014, Tampere, Finland
| | - Salla-Maaria Pätsi
- STUK-Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Environmental Surveillance, Helsinki, Finland
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Unit of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 100, 33014, Tampere, Finland
| | - Katja Kojo
- STUK-Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Environmental Surveillance, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Holmgren
- STUK-Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Environmental Surveillance, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anssi Auvinen
- STUK-Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Environmental Surveillance, Helsinki, Finland
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Unit of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 100, 33014, Tampere, Finland
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Kojo K, Oda H, Suetomi T, Negoro H, Nishiyama H. A review of intravaginal ejaculatory dysfunction and unconsummated marriage cases in the outpatient clinic for male infertility at the University of Tsukuba Hospital. J Sex Med 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2022.03.468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Suetomi T, Ichioka D, Iimura T, Kojo K, Ikeda A, Kimura T, Kawahara T, Hoshi A, Kandori S, Negoro H, Nishiyama H. Characteristics of testicular atrophy during testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). J Sex Med 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2022.03.398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Turtiainen T, Kojo K, Laine JP, Holmgren O, Kurttio P. IMPROVING THE ASSESSMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO RADON IN ABOVE-GROUND WORKPLACES. Radiat Prot Dosimetry 2021; 196:44-52. [PMID: 34435632 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncab127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Representative sampling of radon in indoor air is difficult because the concentration often exhibits unpredictable spatial and temporal variation. In workplaces, temporal variation may be rapid, and the minimum and maximum concentration can differ by a factor of 100. In this paper, we compare methods for assessing the radon concentration in workplaces utilising the results of an initial investigation with a track-etch detector and the results of an additional continuous measurement. The recommended method is as follows: the mean radon concentration during the working hours of 1 week, as well as the weekly mean, is calculated from the continuous measurement. The ratio between these mean concentrations is multiplied by the result from the track-etch detector. The coefficient of variation of this method is assessed as 19%. If the result of 1 week of continuous measurement is used alone, the coefficient of variation is assessed as 32%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuukka Turtiainen
- STUK-Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, P.O. Box 14, FI-00811 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Katja Kojo
- STUK-Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, P.O. Box 14, FI-00811 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jussi-Pekka Laine
- STUK-Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, P.O. Box 14, FI-00811 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Holmgren
- STUK-Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, P.O. Box 14, FI-00811 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Päivi Kurttio
- STUK-Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, P.O. Box 14, FI-00811 Helsinki, Finland
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Kojo K, Laine JP, Turtiainen T, Kurttio P. Radon in Finnish underground mines 2011-2019. J Radiol Prot 2021; 41:619-627. [PMID: 34098543 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/ac08f0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Radon measurements in Finnish underground mines were started in 1972. Since 1992, regular radon inspections by the competent authority have been carried out in all underground mines. During these inspections, several grab samples are taken from the air, which are later measured in the laboratory. This is a follow-up survey of radon concentrations in the air of the underground mines. The average radon concentrations in the mines between the years 2011 and 2019 varied from 90 to 1100 Bq m-3. Overall, the occupational radon exposure in the Finnish underground mines has remained at a low level from the 1990s onwards. In recent years, high radon concentrations have been observed only in those mines where active mining has ceased. Compared to other recent studies in mines in other countries, radon concentrations in Finnish mines are approximately at the same level. Uncertainties relating to infrequent grab sampling have been recognised and the authority is now testing personal radon detectors that may be used for the exposure assessment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Kojo
- Environmental Radiation Surveillance, Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jussi-Pekka Laine
- Environmental Radiation Surveillance, Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tuukka Turtiainen
- Environmental Radiation Surveillance, Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Päivi Kurttio
- Environmental Radiation Surveillance, Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Helsinki, Finland
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Tettamanti G, Auvinen A, Åkerstedt T, Kojo K, Ahlbom A, Heinävaara S, Elliott P, Schüz J, Deltour I, Kromhout H, Toledano MB, Poulsen AH, Johansen C, Vermeulen R, Feychting M, Hillert L. Long-term effect of mobile phone use on sleep quality: Results from the cohort study of mobile phone use and health (COSMOS). Environ Int 2020; 140:105687. [PMID: 32276731 PMCID: PMC7272128 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure (RF-EMF) from mobile phone use on sleep quality has mainly been investigated in cross-sectional studies. The few previous prospective cohort studies found no or inconsistent associations, but had limited statistical power and short follow-up. In this large prospective cohort study, our aim was to estimate the effect of RF-EMF from mobile phone use on different sleep outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included Swedish (n = 21,049) and Finnish (n = 3120) participants enrolled in the Cohort Study of Mobile Phone Use and Health (COSMOS) with information about operator-recorded mobile phone use at baseline and sleep outcomes both at baseline and at the 4-year follow-up. Sleep disturbance, sleep adequacy, daytime somnolence, sleep latency, and insomnia were assessed using the Medical Outcome Study (MOS) sleep questionnaire. RESULTS Operator-recorded mobile phone use at baseline was not associated with most of the sleep outcomes. For insomnia, an odds ratio (OR) of 1.24, 95% CI 1.03-1.51 was observed in the highest decile of mobile phone call-time (>258 min/week). With weights assigned to call-time to account for the lower RF-EMF exposure from Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS, 3G) than from Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM, 2G) the OR was 1.09 (95% CI 0.89-1.33) in the highest call-time decile. CONCLUSION Insomnia was slightly more common among mobile phone users in the highest call-time category, but adjustment for the considerably lower RF-EMF exposure from the UMTS than the GSM network suggests that this association is likely due to other factors associated with mobile phone use than RF-EMF. No association was observed for other sleep outcomes. In conclusion, findings from this study do not support the hypothesis that RF-EMF from mobile phone use has long-term effects on sleep quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Tettamanti
- Unit of Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anssi Auvinen
- STUK - Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Environmental Radiation Surveillance and Emergency Preparedness, Helsinki, Finland; Tampere University, Faculty of Social Sciences/Health Sciences, Tampere, Finland
| | - Torbjörn Åkerstedt
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Stress Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Katja Kojo
- STUK - Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Environmental Radiation Surveillance and Emergency Preparedness, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anders Ahlbom
- Unit of Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sirpa Heinävaara
- STUK - Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Environmental Radiation Surveillance and Emergency Preparedness, Helsinki, Finland; Finnish Cancer Registry, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Paul Elliott
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK; Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK; National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit on Health Impact of Environmental Hazards, Imperial College London, London, UK; NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Joachim Schüz
- International Agency for Research on Cancer, Environment and Radiation Section, Lyon, France
| | - Isabelle Deltour
- International Agency for Research on Cancer, Environment and Radiation Section, Lyon, France
| | - Hans Kromhout
- University of Utrecht, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Mireille B Toledano
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK; Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK; National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit on Health Impact of Environmental Hazards, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Christoffer Johansen
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark; CASTLE Cancer Late Effect Research Oncology Clinic, Center for Surgery and Cancer, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Roel Vermeulen
- University of Utrecht, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Maria Feychting
- Unit of Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Lena Hillert
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden; Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Auvinen A, Feychting M, Ahlbom A, Hillert L, Elliott P, Schüz J, Kromhout H, Toledano MB, Johansen C, Poulsen AH, Vermeulen R, Heinävaara S, Kojo K, Tettamanti G. Headache, tinnitus and hearing loss in the international Cohort Study of Mobile Phone Use and Health (COSMOS) in Sweden and Finland. Int J Epidemiol 2019; 48:1567-1579. [PMID: 31302690 PMCID: PMC6857740 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyz127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mobile phone use and exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) from it have been associated with symptoms in some studies, but the studies have shortcomings and their findings are inconsistent. We conducted a prospective cohort study to assess the association between amount of mobile phone use at baseline and frequency of headache, tinnitus or hearing loss at 4-year follow-up. METHODS The participants had mobile phone subscriptions with major mobile phone network operators in Sweden (n = 21 049) and Finland (n = 3120), gave consent for obtaining their mobile phone call data from operator records at baseline, and filled in both baseline and follow-up questionnaires on symptoms, potential confounders and further characteristics of their mobile phone use. RESULTS The participants with the highest decile of recorded call-time (average call-time >276 min per week) at baseline showed a weak, suggestive increased frequency of weekly headaches at 4-year follow-up (adjusted odds ratio 1.13, 95% confidence interval 0.95-1.34). There was no obvious gradient of weekly headache with increasing call-time (P trend 0.06). The association of headache with call-time was stronger for the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network than older Global System for Mobile Telecommunications (GSM) technology, despite the latter involving higher exposure to RF-EMF. Tinnitus and hearing loss showed no association with call-time. CONCLUSIONS People using mobile phones most extensively for making or receiving calls at baseline reported weekly headaches slightly more frequently at follow-up than other users, but this finding largely disappeared after adjustment for confounders and was not related to call-time in GSM with higher RF-EMF exposure. Tinnitus and hearing loss were not associated with amount of call-time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anssi Auvinen
- Environmental Surveillance and Emergency Preparedness, STUK – Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Helsinki, Finland
- Faculty of Social Science/Health Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Maria Feychting
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Ahlbom
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lena Hillert
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Paul Elliott
- MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research, Imperial College Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
- UKDRI Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Health Impact of Environmental Hazards at King's College London and Imperial College London in partnership with Public Health England, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Joachim Schüz
- Section of Environment and Radiation, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Lyon, France
| | - Hans Kromhout
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Mireille B Toledano
- MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research, Imperial College Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
- UKDRI Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Health Impact of Environmental Hazards at King's College London and Imperial College London in partnership with Public Health England, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Christoffer Johansen
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Surgery and Cancer, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Roel Vermeulen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Sirpa Heinävaara
- Environmental Surveillance and Emergency Preparedness, STUK – Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Katja Kojo
- Environmental Surveillance and Emergency Preparedness, STUK – Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Giorgio Tettamanti
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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Toledano MB, Auvinen A, Tettamanti G, Cao Y, Feychting M, Ahlbom A, Fremling K, Heinävaara S, Kojo K, Knowles G, Smith RB, Schüz J, Johansen C, Poulsen AH, Deltour I, Vermeulen R, Kromhout H, Elliott P, Hillert L. An international prospective cohort study of mobile phone users and health (COSMOS): Factors affecting validity of self-reported mobile phone use. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2018; 221:1-8. [PMID: 29056311 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2017.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Revised: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
This study investigates validity of self-reported mobile phone use in a subset of 75 993 adults from the COSMOS cohort study. Agreement between self-reported and operator-derived mobile call frequency and duration for a 3-month period was assessed using Cohen's weighted Kappa (κ). Sensitivity and specificity of both self-reported high (≥10 calls/day or ≥4h/week) and low (≤6 calls/week or <30min/week) mobile phone use were calculated, as compared to operator data. For users of one mobile phone, agreement was fair for call frequency (κ=0.35, 95% CI: 0.35, 0.36) and moderate for call duration (κ=0.50, 95% CI: 0.49, 0.50). Self-reported low call frequency and duration demonstrated high sensitivity (87% and 76% respectively), but for high call frequency and duration sensitivity was lower (38% and 56% respectively), reflecting a tendency for greater underestimation than overestimation. Validity of self-reported mobile phone use was lower in women, younger age groups and those reporting symptoms during/shortly after using a mobile phone. This study highlights the ongoing value of using self-report data to measure mobile phone use. Furthermore, compared to continuous scale estimates used by previous studies, categorical response options used in COSMOS appear to improve validity considerably, most likely by preventing unrealistically high estimates from being reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mireille B Toledano
- MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Health Impact of Environmental Hazards, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK.
| | - Anssi Auvinen
- School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere, FI-33014, Tampere, Finland; Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), 00811 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Giorgio Tettamanti
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yang Cao
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Maria Feychting
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Ahlbom
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Fremling
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sirpa Heinävaara
- Finnish Cancer Registry, Mass Screening Registry, Unioninkatu 22, FI-00130 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Katja Kojo
- Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), 00811 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Gemma Knowles
- MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Health Impact of Environmental Hazards, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - Rachel B Smith
- MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Health Impact of Environmental Hazards, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - Joachim Schüz
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Section of Environment and Radiation, 69372 Lyon, France
| | - Christoffer Johansen
- Oncology clinic, Finsen Center, Copenhagen, Denmark; The Danish Cancer Society Research Center, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Isabelle Deltour
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Section of Environment and Radiation, 69372 Lyon, France
| | - Roel Vermeulen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Kromhout
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Paul Elliott
- MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Health Impact of Environmental Hazards, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - Lena Hillert
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Stockholm County Council, 104 22 Stockholm, Sweden
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Nishikawa K, Lin Q, Tsurui H, Kawano S, Kojo K, Amano H, Shirai T, Hirose S. THU0379 Dichotomy in FC Gamma Receptor IIB Deficiency and Autoimmune-Prone Slam Haplotype Reveals the Role of Slam Haplotype in Monocytosis and the Significant Effect of FC Gamma Receptor IIB Deficiency in Yaa-Related Lupus Nephritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2015. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-eular.2659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Abstract
Increased incidence of skin cancers among airline cabin crew has been reported in several studies. We evaluated whether the difference in risk factor prevalence between Finnish airline cabin crew and the general population could explain the increased incidence of skin cancers among cabin crew, and the possible contribution of estimated occupational cosmic radiation exposure. A self-administered questionnaire survey on occupational, host, and ultraviolet radiation exposure factors was conducted among female cabin crew members and females presenting the general population. The impact of occupational cosmic radiation dose was estimated in a separate nested case-control analysis among the participating cabin crew (with 9 melanoma and 35 basal cell carcinoma cases). No considerable difference in the prevalence of risk factors of skin cancer was found between the cabin crew (N = 702) and the general population subjects (N = 1007) participating the study. The mean risk score based on all the conventional skin cancer risk factors was 1.43 for cabin crew and 1.44 for general population (P = 0.24). Among the cabin crew, the estimated cumulative cosmic radiation dose was not related to the increased skin cancer risk [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.75, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.57-1.00]. The highest plausible risk of skin cancer for estimated cosmic radiation dose was estimated as 9% per 10 mSv. The skin cancer cases had higher host characteristics scores than the non-cases among cabin crew (adjusted OR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.01-2.04). Our results indicate no difference between the female cabin crew and the general female population in the prevalence of factors generally associated with incidence of skin cancer. Exposure to cosmic radiation did not explain the excess of skin cancer among the studied cabin crew in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Kojo
- STUK-Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, PO Box 14, FI-00880 Helsinki, Finland.
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Pukkala E, Helminen M, Haldorsen T, Hammar N, Kojo K, Linnersjö A, Rafnsson V, Tulinius H, Tveten U, Auvinen A. Cancer incidence among Nordic airline cabin crew. Int J Cancer 2012; 131:2886-97. [PMID: 22447246 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.27551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2011] [Accepted: 03/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Airline cabin crew are occupationally exposed to cosmic radiation and jet lag with potential disruption of circadian rhythms. This study assesses the influence of work-related factors in cancer incidence of cabin crew members. A cohort of 8,507 female and 1,559 male airline cabin attendants from Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden was followed for cancer incidence for a mean follow-up time of 23.6 years through the national cancer registries. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were defined as ratios of observed and expected numbers of cases. A case-control study nested in the cohort (excluding Norway) was conducted to assess the relation between the estimated cumulative cosmic radiation dose and cumulative number of flights crossing six time zones (indicator of circadian disruption) and cancer risk. Analysis of breast cancer was adjusted for parity and age at first live birth. Among female cabin crew, a significantly increased incidence was observed for breast cancer [SIR 1.50, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.32-1.69], leukemia (1.89, 95% CI 1.03-3.17) and skin melanoma (1.85, 95% CI 1.41-2.38). Among men, significant excesses in skin melanoma (3.00, 95% CI 1.78-4.74), nonmelanoma skin cancer (2.47, 95% CI 1.18-4.53), Kaposi sarcoma (86.0, 95% CI 41.2-158) and alcohol-related cancers (combined SIR 3.12, 95% CI 1.95-4.72) were found. This large study with complete follow-up and comprehensive cancer incidence data shows an increased incidence of several cancers, but according to the case-control analysis, excesses appear not to be related to the cosmic radiation or circadian disruptions from crossing multiple time zones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eero Pukkala
- Finnish Cancer Registry, Institute for Statistical and Epidemiological Cancer Research, Helsinki, Finland.
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Oivanen T, Kojo K, Pylkkänen L, Holli K, Auvinen A. Early detection of skin cancer as public health policy: comparison of campaign and routine activity. Prev Med 2008; 46:160-5. [PMID: 17919714 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2007.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2007] [Revised: 08/22/2007] [Accepted: 08/28/2007] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate the early detection of skin cancer, with emphasis on comparison of campaign (short high-intensity periods) and routine (continuous low-intensity) activity. METHODS The study population consisted of 5903 campaign and 4284 routine attenders visiting a nurse at the Pirkanmaa Cancer Society between January 1, 1991, and December 31, 2000. Skin cancers were identified from the Finnish Cancer Registry. The performance of the program was evaluated in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values. RESULTS A single lesion was more frequently examined during campaigns whereas a partial or total body were examined less frequently (p<0.001). Attenders received referral for removal of a lesion more frequently in routine activity (52% vs. 20% p<0.001), regardless of extent of the examination. The cumulative incidence of skin cancer within 24 months was 3.2% for routine and 1.6% for campaign attenders (p<0.001). Sensitivity was higher (82% vs. 59%, p<0.001), while specificity was lower (49% vs. 79%, p<0.001) for routine activity. CONCLUSIONS Even though neither approach appears optimal, scheduled appointments with adequate time allocation per subject provided a lower threshold for detection and a higher yield of skin cancers compared to high-intensity campaigns.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Because of the lack of recorded flight history for cabin crew, a retrospective assessment of exposure to cosmic radiation is complicated. Our aim was to develop an assessment method for occupational exposure based on flight timetables. METHODS The frequency of flights, aircraft types, and flight profiles from timetables were collected. The cosmic radiation dose was calculated with the EPCARD software. Based on annual doses and work history, the cumulative dose was estimated. RESULTS The annual dose increased linearly: 0.7 milliSievert (mSv) in 1960, 1.6 mSv in 1980, 2.3 mSv in 1985, and 2.1 mSv in 1995. The median cumulative dose was 20.8 mSv (minimum 0.4 mSv, maximum 61.6 mSv). CONCLUSIONS This method provides a simple algorithm for occupational dose assessment for cabin crew and can be used in other research settings as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Kojo
- Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), Helsinki, Finland.
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Kojo K, Jansen CT, Nybom P, Huurto L, Laihia J, Ilus T, Auvinen A. Population exposure to ultraviolet radiation in Finland 1920-1995: Exposure trends and a time-series analysis of exposure and cutaneous melanoma incidence. Environ Res 2006; 101:123-31. [PMID: 16290819 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2005.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2005] [Accepted: 09/26/2005] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is the principal cause of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM). However, the relation between CMM and UVR exposure is not clear. We present the trends of population exposure to UVR and conduct a time-series analysis of the relation between UVR exposure and incidence of CMM. Data on CMM incidence were obtained from the Finnish Cancer Registry. Clothing coverage of the body was scored from archival photographs and the proportion of uncovered skin was used as a measure of solar exposure. Information on the number of sunny resort holidays, duration of annual holidays, and sunscreen sales were obtained from various sources. Exposed skin area doubled from 1920 to 1985. The average duration of annual holidays increased 30-fold. The number of sunny resort holidays and the sales of sunscreens increased rapidly from 1980. CMM was most strongly associated with solar exposure of 5-19 years earlier. There is a considerable decrease in clothing coverage during the 20th century. UVR exposure preceding CMM occurrence 4 years or less does not appear relevant, whereas the period 5-19 years prior to CMM occurrence might be the most relevant period. However, findings of ecological studies may not be applicable at the individual level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Kojo
- STUK-Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, 00881 Helsinki, Finland.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Earlier studies have found increased breast cancer risk among female cabin crew. This has been suggested to reflect lifestyle factors (for example, age at first birth), other confounding factors (for example, age at menarche), or occupational factors such as exposure to cosmic radiation and circadian rhythm alterations due to repeated jet lag. AIMS To assess the contribution of occupational versus lifestyle and other factors to breast cancer risk among cabin attendants in Finland. METHODS A standardised self-administered questionnaire on demographic, occupational, and lifestyle factors was given to 1041 cabin attendants. A total of 27 breast cancer cases and 517 non-cases completed the questionnaire. Breast cancer diagnoses were confirmed through the Finnish Cancer Registry. Exposure to cosmic radiation was estimated based on self-reported flight history and timetables. A conditional logistic regression model was used for analysis. RESULTS In the univariate analysis, family history of breast cancer (OR = 2.67, 95% CI: 1.00 to 7.08) was the strongest determinant of breast cancer. Of occupational exposures, sleep rhythm disruptions (OR = 1.72, 95% CI: 0.70 to 4.27) were positively related and disruption of menstrual cycles (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.26 to 1.96) negatively related to breast cancer. However, both associations were statistically non-significant. Cumulative radiation dose (OR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.83 to 1.19) showed no effect on breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that breast cancer risk among Finnish cabin attendants is related to well established risk factors of breast cancer, such as family history of breast cancer. There was no clear evidence that the three occupational factors studied affected breast cancer risk among Finnish flight attendants.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Kojo
- STUK-Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Helsinki, Finland.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to develop a method for assessing dose radiation on the basis of individual flight history and to estimate whether this method is applicable for cabin attendants without flight log data. METHODS Questionnaire data were collected to determine attendants' flight history covering up to three decades. Finnair timetables and an expert panel of pilots were used to determine one to four representative flights in five route categories. The cumulative career and annual doses were calculated on the basis of the flight histories and route-specific exposure data. RESULTS Questionnaire data were obtained from 544 flight attendants. The mean number of active workyears was 10.5 (range 0-30) years, and the mean cosmic radiation dose was 3.2 (range 0-9.5) mSv per active workyear. The mean cumulative career dose for all the cabin attendants was 34.0 (range 0-156.8) mSv. CONCLUSIONS If no flight log data are available, survey data are needed for individual dose estimation when possible radiation effects on cabin crew are evaluated in epidemiologic studies. This method provides a crude procedure for assessing cosmic radiation exposure among attendants when survey data are missing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Kojo
- Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), Helsinki, Finland.
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Gelfer M, Burger C, Fadeev A, Sics I, Chu B, Hsiao BS, Heintz A, Kojo K, Hsu SL, Si M, Rafailovich M. Thermally induced phase transitions and morphological changes in organoclays. Langmuir 2004; 20:3746-58. [PMID: 15875410 DOI: 10.1021/la035361h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Thermal transitions and morphological changes in Cloisite organoclays were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and in situ simultaneous small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) over the temperature range of 30-260 degrees C. On the basis of DSC and FTIR results, the surfactant component in organoclays was found to undergo a melting-like order-disorder transition between 35 and 50 degrees C. The transition temperatures of the DSC peaks (Ttr) in the organoclays varied slightly with the surfactant content; however, they were significantly lower than the melting temperature of the free surfactant (dimethyldihydrotallowammonium chloride; Tm = 70 degrees C). FTIR results indicated that within the vicinity of Ttr, the gauche content increased significantly in the conformation of surfactant molecules, while WAXD results did not show any change in three-dimensional ordering. Multiple scattering peaks were observed in SAXS profiles. In the SAXS data acquired below Ttr, the second scattering peak was found to occur at an angle lower than twice that of the first peak position (i.e., nonequidistant scattering maxima). In the data acquired above Ttr, the second peak was found to shift toward the equidistant position (the most drastic shift was seen in the system with the highest surfactant content). Using a novel SAXS modeling technique, we suggest that the appearance of nonequidistant SAXS maxima could result from a bimodal layer thickness distribution of the organic layers in organoclays. The occurrence of the equidistant scattering profile above Ttr could be explained by the conversion of the bimodal distribution to the unimodal distribution, indicating a redistribution of the surfactant that is nonbounded to the clay surface. At temperatures above 190 degrees C, the scattering maxima gradually broadened and became nonequidistant again but having the second peak shifted toward a scattering angle higher than twice the first peak position. The changes in SAXS patterns above 190 degrees C could be attributed to the collapse of organic layers due to desorption and/or degradation of surfactant component, which was supported by the TGA data.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Gelfer
- Chemistry Department, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3400, USA
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