Last data update: Sep 16, 2024. (Total: 47680 publications since 2009)
Records 1-4 (of 4 Records) |
Query Trace: Dearwent SM [original query] |
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Mortality from asbestos-associated disease in Libby, Montana 1979-2011
Naik SL , Lewin M , Young R , Dearwent SM , Lee R . J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 2017 27 (2) 207-213 Research on asbestos exposure in Libby, MT, has focused on occupational exposure in vermiculite mining and processing, but less attention has been paid to asbestos-related mortality among community members without vermiculite mining occupational history. Our study reports on asbestos-related mortality in Libby over 33 years (1979-2011) while controlling for occupational exposure. We calculated sex-specific 33-year standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for Libby residents who died from 1979 to 2011 with an asbestos-related cause of death. Decedent address at time of death was geocoded to confirm inclusion in the Libby County Division. We controlled for past W.R. Grace employment by including and then removing them from the SMR analysis. Six hundred and ninety-four decedents were identified as having at least one asbestos-related cause of death and residing in our study area boundary. Statistically significant (P<0.05) 33-year SMRs, both before and after controlling for W.R. Grace employment, were found for: male and female non-malignant respiratory diseases, female COPD, and asbestosis for both sexes combined. Eighty-five men and two women were matched to employment records. We observed elevated asbestos-related mortality rates among males and females. SMR results for asbestosis were high for both sexes, even after controlling for past W.R. Grace employment. These results suggest that the general population may be experiencing asbestos-related effects, not just former vermiculite workers. Additional research is needed to determine whether SMRs remain elevated after controlling for secondary exposure, such as living with vermiculite workers. |
Comparison of blood volatile organic compound levels in residents of Calcasieu and Lafayette Parishes, LA, with US reference ranges
Uddin MS , Blount BC , Lewin MD , Potula V , Ragin AD , Dearwent SM . J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 2014 24 (6) 602-7 Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry conducted a study to evaluate body burden levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) among residents of highly industrialized Calcasieu Parish, LA, USA, in 2002. Blood VOC levels in a representative sample of participants in Calcasieu Parish were compared with a similar group of participants in the less-industrialized Lafayette Parish. Participants' ages ranged from 15 to 91 years, 46% were men, and 89% were Caucasian. VOC levels in these two populations were also compared at the national levels. Solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography mass spectrometry was used to measure levels of 30 VOCs in blood samples collected from 283 self-described non-smoking study participants. Of the 30 VOCs, 6 had quantifiable levels in at least 25% of the blood samples analyzed. The frequency of detection was >95% for benzene and m-/p-xylene, >60% for 1,4-dichlorbenzene and toluene, 27% for ethylbenzene, and 39% for styrene. Calcasieu and Lafayette Parish participants had similar distributions for six VOCs in key percentiles and geometric means. When compared with a representative sampling of the 1999-2000 US general population, no significant differences were found between the parish data and the US general population. |
Communities near toluene diisocyanate sources: an investigation of exposure and health
Wilder LC , Langley RL , Middleton DC , Ernst K , Lummus ZL , Streicher RP , Campbell DS , Wattigney WA , Bernstein JA , Bernstein DI , Dearwent SM . J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 2011 21 (6) 587-94 Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is a well-known cause of occupational asthma, but we know little about the potential for exposure and health effects among residents who live near facilities that release TDI. In the mid-1990's, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry investigated exposures to TDI and health outcomes in one community, which left some unanswered questions. This cross-sectional study evaluated the potential associations between living near a TDI source and the prevalence of three variables: asthma or asthma-like respiratory symptoms, antibodies specific to TDI, and verifiable levels of TDI in residential air. Results among North Carolina residents living near such facilities (five target communities) were compared with the results from residents living further away (five comparison communities). Overall, the prevalence of reporting either asthma or asthma-like respiratory symptoms was higher (odds ratio=1.60; 95% confidence interval=0.97-2.54) among residents in target communities than those in comparison communities. However, this difference was not statistically significant. Symptom prevalence varied greatly among the community populations. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms was higher near facilities with historically higher TDI emissions. Among the 351 participants who provided blood samples, only one had immunoglobulin G specific antibodies to TDI. This participant lived in a target area and may have had non-occupational exposure. TDI was detected at an extremely low level (1 ppt) in one of the 45 air samples from target communities. One ppt is one-tenth the EPA reference concentration. Overall, air sample and antibody test results are not consistent with recent or ongoing exposure to TDI. Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology advance online publication, 23 February 2011; doi:10.1038/jes.2011.5. |
A multidisciplinary investigation of a polycythemia vera cancer cluster of unknown origin
Seaman V , Dearwent SM , Gable D , Lewis B , Metcalf S , Orloff K , Tierney B , Zhu J , Logue J , Marchetto D , Ostroff S , Hoffman R , Xu M , Carey D , Erlich P , Gerhard G , Roda P , Iannuzzo J , Lewis R , Mellow J , Mulvihill L , Myles Z , Wu M , Frank A , Gross-Davis CA , Klotz J , Lynch A , Weissfeld J , Weinberg R , Cole H . Int J Environ Res Public Health 2010 7 (3) 1139-1153 Cancer cluster investigations rarely receive significant public health resource allocations due to numerous inherent challenges and the limited success of past efforts. In 2008, a cluster of polycythemia vera, a rare blood cancer with unknown etiology, was identified in northeast Pennsylvania. A multidisciplinary group of federal and state agencies, academic institutions, and local healthcare providers subsequently developed a multifaceted research portfolio designed to better understand the cause of the cluster. This research agenda represents a unique and important opportunity to demonstrate that cancer cluster investigations can produce desirable public health and scientific outcomes when necessary resources are available. copyright 2010 by the authors. |
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