Challenges to retrospective exposure assessment

Stewart, Patricia A.

doi:10.5271/sjweh.473

Cited by 48 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…After explaining the purpose of the study and obtaining prior informed consent, a self-administered questionnaire (adapted from the Agricultural Health Study 15 ) was applied. Exposure determinants, including characteris-tics that may influence exposure levels 16 , were covered.…”

Section: Study Population and Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pesticide exposure and health conditions of terrestrial pesticide applicators in Córdoba Province, Argentina

et al. 2015

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Agricultural workers represent a population that is highly vulnerable to the toxic effects of pesticide exposure. This cross sectional study aimed to describe the health conditions of terrestrial pesticide applicators in Córdoba Province, Argentina, their work practices and socio-demographic characteristics, by means of a standardized self-administered questionnaire (n = 880). A descriptive analysis reported a high prevalence of occasional or frequent symptoms: 47.4% had symptoms of irritation, 35.5% fatigue, 40.4% headache and 27.6% nervousness or depression. Using logistic regression models, risk and protective factors were found for symptoms of irritation, medical consultation and hospitalization. Among the occupational exposure variables, marital status, length of time in the job, low level of protection with regard to the use of personal protective equipment, combined use of different pesticides and the application of the insecticide endosulfan, were associated with a higher frequency of reported symptoms and higher consultation rates and hospitalization.

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Section: Study Population and Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pesticide exposure and health conditions of terrestrial pesticide applicators in Córdoba Province, Argentina

et al. 2015

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“…In every collapsing step, information gets lost. Therefore, it is beneficial to categorize jobs systematically by a set of exposure determinants (Stewart 1999), creating categories as similar as possible with respect to PCBs and other exposures. However, it is important to bear in mind that a job may seem stationary, but due to the changes in the plant the exposure could have changed radically over time.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The layouts over time did not indicate the presence of any exhaust ventilation (the company confirmed this). Based on the available information, we defined the appropriate factors that could affect possible PCB exposures (exposure determinants) (Stewart 1999;Stewart and Stewart 1994) within the plant and in a job. Using exposure determinants to systematize available data for each job has been shown to be efficient (Stewart 1999).…”

Section: Development Of the Jemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Historical reconstruction of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposures for workers in a capacitor manufacturing plant

Hopf

Ruder

Waters

2013

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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We developed a semiquantitative job exposure matrix (JEM) for workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at a capacitor manufacturing plant from 1946 to 1977. In a recently updated mortality study, mortality of prostate and stomach cancer increased with increasing levels of cumulative exposure estimated with this JEM (trend p values=0.003 and 0.04, respectively). Capacitor manufacturing began with winding bales of foil and paper film, which were placed in a metal capacitor box (pre-assembly), and placed in a vacuum chamber for floodfilling (impregnation) with dielectric fluid (PCBs). Capacitors dripping with PCB residues were then transported to sealing stations where ports were soldered shut before degreasing, leak testing, and painting. Using a systematic approach, all 509 unique jobs identified in the work histories were rated by predetermined process-and plant-specific exposure determinants; then categorized based on the jobs' similarities (combination of exposure determinants) into 35 job exposure categories. The job exposure categories were ranked followed by a qualitative PCB exposure rating (baseline, low, medium, and high) for inhalation and dermal intensity. Category differences in other chemical exposures (solvents, etc.) prevented further combining of categories. The mean of all available PCB concentrations (1975 and 1977) for jobs within each intensity rating was regarded as a representative value for that intensity level. Inhalation (in microgram per cubic milligram) and dermal (unitless) exposures were regarded as equally important. Intensity was (1975)(1976)(1977). Such interpolations, extrapolations, and modifying factors may introduce non-differential misclassification; however, we do believe our rigorous method minimized misclassification, as shown by the significant exposure-response trends in the epidemiologic analysis. HHS Public Access

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“…Detailed descriptions of industries and tasks are required, and an understanding of historical changes in work practices is necessary. One of the key points highlighted in Stewart's commentary (27) is the need for epidemiologic studies to provide detailed documentation of their assessments to assist others carrying out similar studies and to prevent investigators continually "re-inventing the wheel". For multicenter epidemiologic studies the production of an international "library" of exposure assessment methods and appropriate guidance material would prove useful when retrospective exposure assessments are performed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure assessment for a population-based case-control study combining a job-exposure matrix with interview data

Semple

Dick

Cherrie³

2004

Scand J Work Environ Health

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Challenges to retrospective exposure assessment

Abstract: The following article refers to this text: 2009;35(4):241-319

Cited by 48 publications

References 22 publications

Pesticide exposure and health conditions of terrestrial pesticide applicators in Córdoba Province, Argentina

Pesticide exposure and health conditions of terrestrial pesticide applicators in Córdoba Province, Argentina

Historical reconstruction of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposures for workers in a capacitor manufacturing plant

Exposure assessment for a population-based case-control study combining a job-exposure matrix with interview data

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