Occupation, socioeconomic status, and brain tumor mortality: a death certificate based case-control study
Article Abstract:
The increase in the incidence of brain tumors and other central nervous system neoplasms, suggests the influence of environmental exposure, and possibly an occupational connection. Occupations in agriculture, and the rubber and petroleum processing industries, and in industries using vinyl chloride, formaldehyde, and electromagnetic radiation have been implicated. Case control study designs are particularly valuable in the study of rare disease, since large numbers of records can be reviewed. This study was designed to examine the relationships between brain tumor death, electromagnetic fields, socioeconomic status (SES), and occupation. The cases that were reviewed were confined to deaths occurring in white males, who were at least 20 years old. The data were recorded between 1969 and 1978 in Washington state. Controls were drawn from individuals in a closely-matched population, who died in the same year from a tumor that was not located in the brain. The study population was finalized at 863 cases and 877 controls. Particular attention was paid to deaths from glioma and astrocytic tumors. A pattern relating to increased SES and an increased incidence of brain tumors, which has previously been reported, was again observed. The potential influence of SES as a confounding variable was considered, and the data was corrected to control for this factor. Plant and systems operators, and all types of power plant engineers had an excess risk for all brain tumors. Cleaning service workers and forestry workers were at excess risk for glioblastomas and astrocytomas. Extensive tables are included showing risks associated with occupations within various industries and within each industry as a whole. These data are valuable bases from which further studies and hypotheses can be generated. (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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Urinary creatinine excretion is not stable: a new method for assessing urinary toxic substance concentrations
Article Abstract:
Examination of urine is a common method of establishing the presence of toxic substances in the body. Creatinine is a metabolic waste product that is normally secreted at a stable rate. Creatinine excretion rate is used both to assess the functional integrity of the kidney and to evaluate the excretion of toxic materials. Conventionally, toxicologic studies express toxic excretion as a ratio of (ingested) substance-to-creatinine. Recent studies have challenged the value of such measures, because the underlying basis, constant creatinine excretion, has been shown to vary with the rate of urine production (urinary flow). A mathematical correction factor has been developed that compensates for urinary flow using simple measurements such as urinary output and specific gravity. Once this correction is made the usefulness of the substance-to-creatinine ratio is restored.
Publication Name: Journal of Occupational Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0096-1736
Year: 1989
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