The earliest report linking environmental (occupational) exposure to adverse human male reproductive effects dates back to1775 when an English physician, Percival Pott, reported a high incidence of scrotal cancer in chimney sweeps. This observation led to safety regulations in the form of bathing requirements for these workers. The fact that male-mediated reproductive harm in humans may be a re...

In 2000, soldiers from a Special Operations Force had airborne lead exposures 20 to 38 times the permissible exposure limit. Their average blood lead level was 13.9 microg/dL. Immediate implementation of pertinent Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations was recommended. In 2003, investigators learned that the unit also used an outdoor firing range with exposures exceeding the ...

Exposure to ambient particulate air pollution is a recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease; however the link between occupational particulate exposures and adverse cardiovascular events is less clear. We conducted a systematic review, including meta-analysis where appropriate, of the epidemiologic association between occupational exposure to particulate matter and cardiovascular disea...

Asthma is common among adults of working age and aVects 5–10% of the population worldwide. Occupational asthma has become a common work related respiratory disorder in the industrialised world. Blanc and Toren have shown that 9% of cases of adult asthma—including principally new onset asthma and, much more rarely, reactivation of pre-existing asthma—are attributable to occupational factors. Stu...

AIMS To study the risk of childhood cancer in relation to parental occupation and related exposures. METHODS Self reported occupational data from mothers and fathers of 3838 children with cancer and 7629 control children were analysed. Odds ratios were calculated for 31 "occupational groups" by parent, diagnostic group (leukaemia, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), central nervous system tu...

Health-care workers are at risk of exposure to occupational infections with subsequent risk of contracting diseases, disability, and even death. A systematic collection of occupational disease data is useful for monitoring current trends in work situations and disease exposures; however, these data are usually limited due to under-reporting. The objective of this study was to review literature ...

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms from occupational lung hazards among workers in industries of south Tehran, IRAN. METHODOLOGY This was a cross-sectional study in which by multistage random sampling items on demographic characteristics, cigarette smoking, occupational history and respiratory symptoms were collected of workers. RE...

While self-response to a checklist of substances may be a convenient and inexpensive method for obtaining information on occupational exposure, the validity of such information has not been evaluated. The objective of this report is to provide some evidence concerning validity of self-reported occupational exposures. In the context of a large case-control study, it was possible to compare self-...

Coal tar is obtained by cooling the gas that is formed during the destructive distillation of coal to approximately ambient temperature. It is a black, viscous liquid composed primarily of a complex mixture of condensed-ring aromatic hydrocarbons. It may contain phenolic compounds, aromatic nitrogen bases and their alkyl derivatives, and paraffinic and olefinic hydrocarbons. Coal-tar pitch is t...

Immigrants comprise vulnerable populations that are frequently exposed to a multitude of environmental and occupational hazards. The historical context behind state and federal legislation has helped to foster an environment that is particularly hostile toward caring for immigrant health. Current hazards include toxic exposures, air and noise pollution, motor vehicle accidents, crowded living a...