An exploratory analysis of the occupational correlates of large pigmented nevi at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Article Abstract:
Pigmented nevi are moles or birthmarks that are discolored, as compared with the surrounding skin. These nevi can transform into cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM), a form of skin cancer. Factors that may contribute to or cause this transformation include exposure to ultraviolet radiation and certain chemicals which may be present in the workplace. It has been reported previously that employees of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) who received medical care at a health maintenance organization (HMO) had over three times the rate of biopsies for pigmented junctional nevi compared with other HMO members who did not work at LLNL. It is possible that the occupations of the LLNL employees were related to the number of nevi requiring biopsy to determine whether they were cancerous. It has also been reported that the incidence of CMM among LLNL employees from 1972 to 1977 was three times the expected rate. The role of occupation was investigated further by studying 110 individuals who worked at LLNL between 1969 and 1980 and who had been in a previous study of CMM as control subjects. Subjects were asked if they had any pigmented nevi that were larger than 5 millimeters in diameter, which is considered large for a mole. Of the 110 subjects, 38 had at least one such nevi and 72 had none. Presence of nevi was then related to various aspects of the person's work history. The factors associated with occupation that were linked to the presence of large pigmented nevi were: being an engineer; being an electrical engineer; being hired to work at LLNL before 1962; and exposure of the skin to rare earth metals such as yttrium and neodymium. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Occupational Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0096-1736
Year: 1990
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Medical surveillance for leukemia at a petrochemical manufacturing complex: four-year summary
Article Abstract:
Three studies have indicated an elevated number of leukemia deaths among employees of a Shell petrochemical complex in Illinois. However, no connection to any specific activity, task, chemical exposure, work site, or time frame could be established. A special medical surveillance program consisting of an annual complete blood count (CBC) was initiated, to cover active and retired employees of the complex, resident in the area. The project was designed to recognize and characterize abnormal CBC's, and diagnosis leukemia. The program data of 2,086 participants, between August 1985 to July 1989, were reviewed. One hundred fourteen persons were identified with persistent, but benign, blood abnormalities. Except for four retirees with malignant disease, no new significant clusters were identified in the study cohort. It is suggested that this type of study may not be particularly effective in identifying occupationally-related disease. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Occupational Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0096-1736
Year: 1991
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