Last data update: May 13, 2024. (Total: 46773 publications since 2009)
Records 1-2 (of 2 Records) |
Query Trace: Page EH[original query] |
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Evaluation of a multiple sclerosis cluster among nurses in an inpatient oncology ward
Page EH , Couch JR , de Perio MA . J Occup Environ Hyg 2014 12 (5) D54-9 In January 2011 the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request from three employees in the inpatient oncology unit of a university hospital in Wisconsin concerning a potential multiple sclerosis (MS) cluster. Three of the 41 nurses in the unit were diagnosed with MS between 2007 and 2010, and employees were concerned about their exposures to chemotherapy drugs and helicopter exhaust. The employees were also concerned that exposure to acrolein, a metabolite from exposure to some chemotherapy drugs that is also present in helicopter engine exhaust, may be associated with MS.(Citation1) | The 39-bed unit housed hematology/oncology, bone marrow transplant, and palliative care patients. At the time of this evaluation, the average occupancy was 68%, and 17% of the patients received chemotherapy daily. The hospital oncology unit administers a wide variety of chemotherapy drugs and daily administration amounts vary depending upon patient load. The decision to concentrate sampling efforts on cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide was made based upon their frequent use at the hospital and that fact that these drugs are metabolized into acrolein in the human body. |
Exposure to flour dust and sensitization among bakery employees
Page EH , Dowell CH , Mueller CA , Biagini RE , Heederik D . Am J Ind Med 2010 53 (12) 1225-32 BACKGROUND: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health conducted a study to determine prevalences of sensitization to bakery-associated antigens (BAAs) and work-related respiratory symptoms at a large commercial bakery. METHODS: The following measurements were carried out: personal breathing zone (PBZ) and general area (GA) monitoring for inhalable flour dust, alpha-amylase and wheat, a questionnaire, and blood tests for IgE specific to flour dust, wheat, alpha-amylase, and common aeroallergens. RESULTS: Of 186 bakery employees present during our site visit, 161completed the questionnaire and 96 allowed their blood to be drawn. The geometric mean PBZ and GA inhalable flour dust concentrations for the lower-exposure group was 0.235 mg/m(3), and for the higher-exposure group was 3.01 mg/m(3). Employees in the higher-exposure group had significantly higher prevalences of work-related wheezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, and frequent sneezing than the lower-exposure group. The prevalence of IgE specific to wheat was significantly higher among employees who ever had a job in the higher-exposure group or in production at another bakery at both the ≥ 0.10 kU/L and the ≥ 0.35 kU/L cutoffs, and to flour dust and alpha-amylase at the ≥ 0.10 kU/L cutoff, compared to the lower-exposure group. CONCLUSIONS: Despite knowledge of the risks of exposure to flour being available for centuries, U.S. employees are still at risk of sensitization and respiratory symptoms from exposure to high levels of BAA. Am. J. Ind. Med. (c) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. |
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