No abstract

We conducted a cross-sectional investigation to determine whether table grape harvesters, who have significant cutaneous contact with crop-associated materials that may cause skin disease, are more likely to develop dermatitis than are a control group of tomato workers performing mechanical harvesting with minimal cutaneous contact with crop-associated substances. A secondary aim was to develop methods for studying skin disease in farm workers, including a standard questionnaire and physical examination. California table grape workers (n = 183) and tomato workers (n = 43) completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire and waist-up physical examination at their work site during harvest operations. On physical examination, pustular eruptions such as acne and folliculitis were present in 30% of subjects, and eczematous rashes were noted in 10% of subjects. Irritant or allergic contact dermatitis was diagnosed in 2% of subjects. No significant differences in prevalence for these skin conditions were observed between the two groups of workers. In contrast to the physical examination results, grape workers were more likely than tomato workers to report a rash occurring in the previous 3 months (52% vs. 19%, p less than 0.001). Explanations for this discrepancy are discussed. The sensitivity of the questionnaire for current skin conditions was 31%, and the specificity was 94%. Improved sensitivity was seen for eczematous skin conditions (55%). We conclude that questionnaires provide an efficient means of assessing subject characteristics, but may have limited sensitivity for some dermatologic outcomes.

On three adjacent kibbutzim in the Negev (southern region) of Israel, 13 cases of Parkinson's disease were found in a population of 592 persons who were at least 40 yr of age. There were no clinical (or other) findings that distinguished these Parkinson's disease cases. Long-term residence is characteristic of this population. During the past 40 yr, water has been supplied to these persons via wells from a common aquifer. On the basis of local age-specific incidence data, no difference in age distribution was found between clustered and nonclustered cases. The incidence of Parkinson's disease is about five times greater in each of the three kibbutzim than in the remainder of the region. The three kibbutzim in the cluster use similar agricultural chemicals, as do other kibbutzim. Although associations with rural residence and well water use have been reported elsewhere, clusters of this sort have not been reported. Clusters strongly suggest that common environmental factors exist. Drinking water and agricultural chemicals are the most likely common environmental factors.

On three adjacent kibbutzim (collective rural communities) in the Negev (Southern Israel) 13 parkinsonian patients were found among a population of 592 persons 40 years or older. The clinical picture was not different from that of patients from other areas with idiopathic parkinsonism. Long term residence in the kibbutzim is characteristic of this population. In the past most of the drinking water has been supplied by wells from a common aquifer. From other patients with Parkinson's disease in the Negev, we estimated the age-specific incidence for the region. The incidence is about five times greater in each of these kibbutzim than in the remainder of the Negev. Although associations with rural residence and well water use have been reported elsewhere, clusters of this sort have not been reported. They strongly suggest that a common environmental factor exists. RESUME: Agregation de cas de la maladie de Parkinson dans le sud de I'etat d'IsraelNous avons recense 13 parkinsoniens dans trois kibbutzim (agglomerations rurales collectives) voisins dans le Negev (sud de I'etat d'Israel) parmi une population de 592 personnes agees de 40 ans et plus. Leur tableau clinique n'etait pas different de celui qu'on retrouve chez les patients presentant un parkinsonisme idiopathique dans d'autres regions. Cette population reside dans le kibbutz depuis longtemps. Dans le passe, l'eau potable provenait en majeure partie de puits rejoignant la meme nappe phreatique. A partir des donnees globales pour le Negev, nous avons estime 1'incidence regionale par age. L'incidence est a peu pres de cinq fois superieure dans chacun de ces kibbutzim que dans le reste du Negev. Meme si l'association avec un lieu de residence rural et la consommation d'eau de puits a ete rapportee ailleurs, une telle agregation de cas n'a pas ete rapportee anterieurement. Cette observation suggere fortement qu'un facteur environnemental commun existe dans ces lieux.

Objective-To identify store tobacco policies and retailer perception and beliefs that may have contributed to changes in compliance with youth access laws in California. Design-In the winter of 1996-7, a cross sectional, follow up telephone survey was conducted of California store managers whose stores were anonymously surveyed for illegal tobacco sales in the summer of 1996 (that is, 1996 Youth Tobacco Purchase Survey, YTPS). Conclusions-Store tobacco youth access policies, and managers' beliefs about the extent of youth access enforcement in the community, are important in reducing illegal tobacco sales to minors. (Tobacco Control 1999;8:306-310)