Comparison of jobs, exposures, and mortality risks for short-term and long-term workers
Article Abstract:
Short-term workers are often not included in estimations of mortality associated with particular companies or occupations, for several reasons. Either including or excluding short-term workers may bias risk estimates. Records for 26,561 workers employed at nine factories manufacturing formaldehyde or formaldehyde products were examined for differences between short- and long-term workers in exposure to formaldehyde and particulates. Few short-term jobs were ''dirty,'' or of high exposure to risks, but rather tended to be similar to jobs held by long-term workers. The estimated average exposure to formaldehyde was the same for both groups. Short-term workers tended to have more exposure to particulates, but this reflects only any incidence of exposure, not the dose of particulates, which data was not available. Mortality of short-term workers, adjusted for age and calendar year, was greater than that of long-term workers, but this appeared to be consistent with tobacco and alcohol use and other lifestyle factors. Increased mortality was related to disease of the cardiovascular and digestive systems, emphysema, liver cirrhosis, auto accidents, suicide, and cancers of the stomach, colon, lung, prostate, and brain. The study suggests that occupational risk assessment should include short-term workers, but that they should be evaluated separately. (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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Sick-hospital syndrome
Article Abstract:
Workers and residents of modern buildings often complain of a number of symptoms and illnesses that some believe are attributable to the heating, air-conditioning, and ventilation systems in these buildings. Symptoms include respiratory problems, headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and many others. This study reported the case of an outbreak of such symptoms among hospital employees working in the operating suite. Two dozen employees from the suite reported symptoms one morning, and a number of them were hospitalized. The cause was thought to be diesel exhaust from an emergency generator. The generator was repaired and the air levels of nitrogen oxide decreased to normal. However, employees continued to experience health problems. No air contaminants could be detected. An industrial hygiene evaluation was performed, and an occupational medical evaluation was made of the employees' health and work records. Results from the industrial hygiene survey did not detect any air contaminants beyond normally acceptable levels, and the symptoms were not associated with anesthetic gases in the operating room suite. A wide range of symptoms among the employees persisted, but the cause of the symptoms was not determined. This case is similar to other reported cases. Critical care areas in hospitals are also subject to this phenomenon. (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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