Work-related injuries among Iowa farm operators: An analysis of the Iowa Farm Family Health and Hazard Surveillance Project

In 1994, the Iowa Farm Family Health and Hazard Surveillance Project carried out a two-stage, stratified, cluster survey of Iowa farms using a mail survey. With data from this representative sample of Iowa farmers, we examined the associations between farm-work–related injuries and possible risk factors for 390 principal farm operators. Forty (10.3%) of these operators reported being injured while doing farm work. We developed a logistic regression to assess associations between potential risk factors and injury. We found three factors significantly associated with injury: younger age (odds ratio [OR] = 3.1, confidence interval [CI] = 1.1–9.3), having an impairment or health problem that limits work (OR = 2.4, CI = 1.5–3.8), and hand or arm exposure to acids or alkalis (OR = 2.6, CI = 1.1–5.9). In the univariate analysis, safety training did not seem to protect farmers from injuries. Am. J. Ind. Med. 33:510–517, 1998. Published 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Farm-related dermatoses in Iowa male farmers and wives of farmers: a cross-sectional analysis of the Iowa Farm Family Health and Hazard Surveillance Project

Agricultural workers are exposed to a variety of hazards that increase their risk for dermatitis. Nevertheless, the prevalence, patterns, and risk factors for dermatitis have not been well characterized among farmers in the United States. We assessed the prevalence and risk factors for dermatitis among 382 male farmers and 256 wives of farmers in Iowa using a cross-sectional study design. From 1992 to 1994, we collected data on potential risk factors and dermatitis. The results showed that 9.6% of male farmers and 14.4% of wives of farmers reported dermatitis during the previous 12-month period. In multivariable models, a history of allergy (odds ratio [OR], 8.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.0 to 33.3) was strongly associated with dermatitis among male farmers. Among wives of farmers, some college education (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.1 to 9.9) and exposure to petroleum products (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.3 to 7.0) were associated with dermatitis. These results can be used to form preventive efforts in controlling farmwork-related exposures.     

Risk factors for back pain among male farmers: analysis of Iowa Farm Family Health and Hazard Surveillance Study.

BACKGROUND: Back pain causes considerable morbidity, disability, and economic loss among workers. Farmers handle heavy objects, often in awkward postures. However, the prevalence of back pain among farmers and the risk factors associated with back pain are not well known. METHODS: In this study, we assess the frequency of risk factors for back pain among 287 Iowa male farmers. From 1992 to 1994, using a mail questionnaire, we collected data on potential risk factors for back pain. Eighteen months later, we surveyed occurrence of back pain as the outcome measure. RESULTS: Thirty-one percent of farmers reported having daily back pain for a week or more during the past 12 months compared to 18.5% in the general working population. Using a multiple logistic regression model, we found two factors associated with back pain: 45-59 years of age (OR = 2.13, 95% CI 1.02-4.43) and having a non-agricultural job as the major occupation (OR = 2.02, 95% CI 0.98-4.17, P = 0.055). CONCLUSIONS: Farmers had a significantly higher prevalence of back pain than the general working population. Middle-aged farmers and those with additional non-agricultural jobs had the highest risk for back pain.     

A comparison of self-reported hearing and pure tone threshold average in the Iowa Farm Family Health and Hazard Survey

BACKGROUND: Self-reported hearing measures are useful for surveying hearing loss in a population because they are short, and easy to administer by either questionnaire or telephone. This study aims to assess the performance of several self-reported hearing measures to identify hearing loss in a group of Iowa farmers. METHODS: The study subjects were 98 male farmers who participated in the Iowa Farm Family Health and Hazard Survey. We tested three self-reported hearing measures; the hearing screening questions, the Rating Scale for Each Ear (RSEE), and the Health, Education and Welfare-Expanded Hearing Ability Scale (HEW-EHAS), which were originally developed and implemented in the National Health Interview Survey. The sensitivity and specificity of the self-reported hearing measures were assessed by comparing them with pure tone threshold averages. These sensitivity and specificity measures were compared between younger and older age groups. RESULTS: The sensitivities of the screening questions, RSEE, and HEW-EHAS were 73.0%, 66.7%, and 53.3%, respectively. The specificities of the self-reported hearing measures were similar, which ranged from 81.4% to 84.8%. The sensitivities of the self-reported hearing measures were higher in the younger age group while the specificities were higher in the older age group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support the use of simple screening questions in identifying hearing loss among farmers.     

Respiratory symptoms and lung function among workers in swine confinement buildings: a cross-sectional epidemiological study

To study possible chronic respiratory problems of people working in swine confinement buildings, a cross-sectional epidemiological study was initiated. A cohort of swine confinement workers was matched for age, sex, and smoking history with nonconfinement swine producers. Pulmonary function studies and a survey questionnaire for chronic respiratory disease symptoms (the American Thoracic Society, Epidemiologic Standardization Project Questionnaire) were performed on both groups. Compared to controls, the confinement workers experienced significantly higher prevalence of chronic bronchitis and wheezing, (odds ratio 7 and 4, respectively). There were, however, no significant differences in baseline pulmonary functions. Based on the high prevalence of chronic respiratory disease symptoms, this study emphasizes an emerging occupational concern in agriculture to the estimated 500,000 persons working in swine confinement operations and the estimated 500,000 additional persons who work in poultry, veal, beef, or dairy confinement operations. It is important to study a representative population of these workers prospectively to determine if a progressive loss in lung function is evident.     

Screening for depressive symptoms in older adults in the Family Health Strategy,Porto Alegre,Brazil

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the prevalence of depression in older adults and associated factors.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study using a stratified random sample of 621 individuals aged ≥ 60 from 27 family health teams in Porto Alegre, RS, Southern Brazil, between 2010 and 2012. Community health agents measured depression using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale. Scores of ≥ 6 were considered as depression and between 11 and 15 as severe depression. Poisson regression was used to search for independent associations of sociodemographic and self-perceived health with both depression and its severity.

RESULTS

The prevalence of depression was 30.6% and was significantly higher in women (35.9% women versus 20.9% men, p < 0.001). The variables independently associated with depression were: female gender (PR = 1.4, 95%CI 1.1;1.8); low education, especially illiteracy (PR = 1.8, 95%CI 1.2;2 6); regular self-rated health (OR = 2.2, 95%CI 1.6;3.0); and poor/very poor self-rated health (PR = 4.0, 95%CI 2.9;5.5). Except for education, the strength of association of these factors increases significantly in severe depression.

CONCLUSIONS

A high prevalence of depression was observed in the evaluations conducted by community health agents, professionals who are not highly specialized. The findings identified using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale in this way are similar to those in the literature, with depression more associated with low education, female gender and worse self-rated health. From a primary health care strategic point of view, the findings become still more relevant, indicating that community health agents could play an important role in identifying depression in older adults.     

2016年12月全国艾滋病性病疫情

  目的  了解江苏省高中生艾滋病相关知识认知现状及需求,分析不同地区间的差异及其影响因素,为后续干预提供科学依据。  方法  2016年6 — 8月选择江苏省苏南、苏中、苏北的6所中学,采用随机整群抽样的方式,以自行设计的问卷调查高中生艾滋病知识现状、来源途径及健康教育需求;采用χ²检验比较不同地区高中生艾滋病认知现状差异,并采用logistic回归分析影响因素。  结果  共调查3 590名高中生,艾滋病相关知识总知晓率为50.5 %,苏南地区高中生总知晓率（63.5 %）高于苏中地区（57.8 %）,高于苏北地区（31.8 %）,差异均有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。男生艾滋病总知晓率（52.9 %）显著高于女生（48.6 %）,P < 0.05。经logistic分析,不同地区和父母同住与高中生防艾知识知晓率有关（OR_苏南 = 3.593,95 % CI = 3.026～4.266;OR_苏中 = 2.871,95 % CI = 2.431～3.391;OR_{与父母同住} = 1.332,95 % CI = 1.066～1.666）江苏省高中生健康知识来源途径主要为网络（62.8 %）、同学朋友（50.0 %）、书籍（48.1 %）和老师（47.8 %）等;绝大部分高中生（> 90 %）认为相关健康教育知识对成长有帮助且愿意获取更多相关知识。  结论  江苏省不同地区高中生艾滋病认知存在显著差异,苏北地区高中生艾滋病知识水平薄弱,应在苏北地区增加健康教育资源,同时需加强对所有中学生艾滋病健康教育,提高其艾滋病认知水平。     

Skin symptoms in bakery and auto body shop workers: associations with exposure and respiratory symptoms

Purpose

Despite the importance of skin exposure, studies of skin symptoms in relation to exposure and respiratory symptoms are rare. The goals of this study were to describe exposure–response relationships for skin symptoms, and to investigate associations between skin and respiratory symptoms in bakery and auto body shop workers.

Methods

Data from previous studies of bakery and auto body shop workers were analyzed. Average exposure estimates for wheat allergen and isocyanates were used. Generalized linear models were constructed to describe the relationships between exposure and skin symptoms, as well as between skin and respiratory symptoms.

Results

Data from 723 bakery and 473 auto body shop workers were analyzed. In total, 5.3 % of bakery and 6.1 % of auto body shop workers were female; subjects’ mean age was 39 and 38 years, respectively. Exposure–response relationships were observed in auto body shop workers for itchy or dry skin (PR 1.55, 95 % CI 1.2–2.0) and work-related itchy skin (PR 1.97, 95 % CI 1.2–3.3). A possible exposure–response relationship for work-related itchy skin in bakery workers did not reach statistical significance. In both groups, reporting skin symptoms was strongly and significantly associated with reporting respiratory symptoms, both work-related and non-work-related.

Conclusions

Exposure–response relationships were observed for skin symptoms in auto body shop workers. The lack of significant exposure–response associations in bakery workers should be interpreted cautiously. Workers who reported skin symptoms were up to four times more likely to report respiratory symptoms. Improved awareness of both skin and respiratory outcomes in exposed workers is needed.     

Household food insufficiency, financial strain, work-family spillover, and depressive symptoms in the working class: the Work, Family, and Health Network study

Objectives. We evaluated the association of household-level stressors with depressive symptoms among low-wage nursing home employees.Methods. Data were collected in 2006 and 2007 from 452 multiethnic primary and nonprimary wage earners in 4 facilities in Massachusetts. We used logistic regression to estimate the association of depressive symptoms with household financial strain, food insufficiency, and work–family spillover (preoccupation with work-related concerns while at home and vice versa).Results. Depressive symptoms were significantly associated with household financial strain (odds ratio [OR] = 1.82; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03, 3.21) and food insufficiency (OR = 2.10; 95% CI = 1.10, 4.18). Among primary earners, stratified analyses showed that food insufficiency was associated with depressive symptoms (OR = 3.60; 95% CI = 1.42, 9.11) but financial strain was not. Among nonprimary wage earners, depressive symptoms correlated with financial strain (OR = 3.65; 95% CI = 1.48, 9.01) and work–family spillover (OR = 3.22; 95% CI = 1.11, 9.35).Conclusions. Household financial strain, food insufficiency, and work–family spillover are pervasive problems for working populations, but associations vary by primary wage earner status. The prevalence of food insufficiency among full-time employees was striking and might have a detrimental influence on depressive symptoms and the health of working-class families.Depression is among the most commonly experienced disorders and is a leading cause of disability worldwide.1 Increasing evidence suggests that depression is a leading cause of sickness-related absence in the labor force and is a concern for employers and employees alike.2 Women, people in lower socioeconomic positions, and racial/ethnic minorities have higher rates of depression than the general population, whether they are in the workforce or not.3 Some evidence suggests, however, that the higher prevalence of depression observed in disadvantaged groups may stem from stressors associated with their common experiences rather than from race/ethnicity, income, or gender per se.3–5Several studies have established that the presence of persistent negative and stressful experiences may lead to depression.6–9 Evidence shows that work-related strain, specifically job strain (high demand/low control) and emotional strain, is associated with depression, especially among caregiving workers.7–9 The work–family literature suggests that work–family spillover (preoccupation with work impinging on home life or preoccupation with personal responsibilities impinging on work) may be correlated with depression.10 Fewer studies, however, have explored the contribution of both household- and work-related stressors to depression.The inability to provide for one''s family despite working full time could be a significant source of stress.11 Indeed, household financial strain and food insufficiency (sometimes or often not having enough food to eat) are considered particularly stressful,12–15 especially for low-income populations.16,17 Studies have found separate associations between financial strain and food insufficiency and adverse mental health outcomes.12,17–22 However, these studies concentrated on populations with obvious disadvantages, such as the unemployed and elderly people with disabilities. Thus, the extent and deleterious effects of both household financial strain and food insufficiency—along with work–family spillover—on working-class households have not been fully examined.Nursing home workers are a growing part of the workforce who may face higher rates of household food insufficiency, financial strain, and work–family spillover.23,24 Among nursing assistants—the biggest work group in nursing homes, and among the lowest paid—the proportion of women is estimated to be 80% to 90%; most are single mothers and are thus the primary wage earners for their families.23,25 Nursing home workers are more likely to be recent immigrants who may not be aware of or eligible for government benefits.24 A majority of these low-wage earners are also members of racial/ethnic minority groups.25Research has not fully explored the relationship between household- and work-related stressors and mental health outcomes, particularly among working-class households. We examined work and home conditions—household financial strain, food insufficiency, and work–family spillover—associated with depressive symptoms in a low-wage, multiethnic group of women and men employed in the long-term care industry. Because previous studies did not examine these factors jointly, our first objective was to assess the multivariate association of each exposure with depressive symptoms. We then determined whether the association between these exposures remained in a model incorporating all 3 main variables. We hypothesized that depressive symptoms associated with these variables would be more significant and stronger for people who were the primary income providers for their households than for nonprimary wage earners.     

Changes in activity and interest in the third and fourth age: associations with health, functioning and depressive symptoms

This study examines the changes in activity investment among older adults and the role of these changes in the relationship between health limitations and depression. Residents of six senior living facilities (N?=?178) completed questionnaires including the Geriatric Depression Scale, health and functioning measures and the Revised Change in Activity and Interest Index (CAII-R) which measures self-perceived changes in the level of investment in social and leisure activities among older adults. Respondents indicated more disengagement from CAII-R subscales Active Instrumental (AI) and Active Social (AS) and increased engagement in Passive Social Spiritual. Fourth Age adults (age 80+) reported greater reductions in AI than Third Age adults (age 64-79). Reduced AS investment had the strongest association with depression and mediated the relationship between poor health or functioning and depression. These categories of activity may guide occupational therapy practitioners and other health providers in selecting the focus of intervention for older clients according to their identified life stage. The study provides evidence of distinct differences in interests within the parameters of normal aging and a baseline from which to assess the impact of illness and disability on the activity choices for clients in different life stages.     

Depression and anxiety symptoms in bronchiectasis: associations with health-related quality of life

Background and purpose

Bronchiectasis causes pulmonary infections and loss of lung function, resulting in chronic respiratory symptoms and worsening health-related quality of life. The aims of this study were to measure symptoms of depression and anxiety in a sample of patients with bronchiectasis and evaluate their relationship to health outcomes and health-related quality of life.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included adolescents and adults with bronchiectasis. Patients completed the hospital anxiety and depression scale and the St. George respiratory questionnaire. Health outcome data, including clinical, radiological and spirometric values, were recorded from medical charts.

Results

Ninety-three participants with bronchiectasis of any aetiology were recruited: 20 % had elevated depression-related scores and 38 % had elevated anxiety-related scores. Increased symptoms of depression and anxiety were significantly associated with age; anxiety was associated with more frequent exacerbations. Regression analyses indicated that after controlling for demographic (gender and age) and clinical variables (exacerbations frequency, daily sputum, aetiology and spirometry), both depression and anxiety symptoms predicted significantly worse health-related quality of life. In comparison with other predictors, psychological symptoms explained the largest amount of variance in health-related quality of life.

Conclusions

Symptoms of depression and anxiety were significant predictors of health-related quality of life in patients with bronchiectasis, independently of respiratory involvement, gender, age or other variables.     

2004 — 2014年创伤后应激障碍文献的内容分析

目的 考察警察职业风险及其与创伤后应激症状之间的关系。 方法 2016年9 — 12月,在全国12个省份选取警察3 160名,使用事件影响量表修订版（IES-R）和警察职业风险调查问卷对被试进行创伤后应激症状评估以及职业风险调查。 结果 发生率较高的警察职业风险有：言语辱骂（63.8 %,1 887/2 958）、遇到过恶意投诉（39.6 %,1 171/2 958）、曾受到要殴打和伤害自己的威胁恐吓（31.8 %,941/2 958）、受到非器具攻击（26.0 %,769/2 958）。17.2 %（509/2 958）的被试警察处于创伤后应激障碍高风险状态。警察职业风险的4个因子分别与事件影响量表得分有正相关（r = 0.38、0.39、0.37、0.41,均P < 0.01）。回归分析发现,在控制性别、警龄的情况下,发现警察职业风险的4个因子得分均可预测事件影响量表得分（β = 0.08、0.23、0.09、0.25,均P < 0.001）。 结论 本研究提示我国警察的创伤后应激症状检出率较高,警察职业风险可预测创伤后应激症状。     

Iron, zinc, and alcohol consumption and mortality from cardiovascular diseases: the Iowa Women's Health Study

BACKGROUND: The relation between iron status and atherosclerosis has long been a topic of debate. OBJECTIVE: We examined associations of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality with dietary intakes of iron (a possible prooxidant), zinc (a possible antioxidant), and alcohol (a disruptor of iron homeostasis). DESIGN: Postmenopausal women (n = 34 492) aged 55-69 y at baseline, who completed a food-frequency questionnaire, were followed for CVD mortality over 15 y. RESULTS: Among women who consumed >/=10 g alcohol/d, after adjustment for CVD risk factors in a model that contained dietary heme iron, nonheme iron, and zinc intakes, dietary heme iron showed a positive association, dietary nonheme iron showed a U-shaped association, and dietary zinc showed an inverse association with CVD mortality. For example, the relative risks (RRs) for categories of dietary heme iron were 1.0, 1.46, 1.52, 1.73, and 2.47 (P for trend = 0.04); corresponding RRs for dietary nonheme iron were 1.0, 0.93, 0.63, 0.83, and 1.20 (P for quadratic term = 0.02). The corresponding RRs for dietary zinc were 1.0, 0.61, 0.59, 0.57, and 0.37 (P for trend = 0.07). In an analysis restricted to those who consumed >/=30 g alcohol/d, the risk gradients strengthened. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a higher intake of heme iron might be harmful, whereas a higher intake of zinc might be beneficial in relation to CVD mortality in the presence of a trigger that can disturb iron homeostasis, such as alcohol consumption.     

Respiratory Health Effects of Airborne Particulate Matter: The Role of Particle Size, Composition, and Oxidative Potential-The RAPTES Project

Background: Specific characteristics of particulate matter (PM) responsible for associations with respiratory health observed in epidemiological studies are not well established. High correlations among, and differential measurement errors of, individual components contribute to this uncertainty.Objectives: We investigated which characteristics of PM have the most consistent associations with acute changes in respiratory function in healthy volunteers.Methods: We used a semiexperimental design to accurately assess exposure. We increased exposure contrast and reduced correlations among PM characteristics by exposing volunteers at five different locations: an underground train station, two traffic sites, a farm, and an urban background site. Each of the 31 participants was exposed for 5 hr while exercising intermittently, three to seven times at different locations during March-October 2009. We measured PM10, PM2.5, particle number concentrations (PNC), absorbance, elemental/organic carbon, trace metals, secondary inorganic components, endotoxin content, gaseous pollutants, and PM oxidative potential. Lung function [FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 sec), FVC (forced vital capacity), FEF25-75 (forced expiratory flow at 25-75% of vital capacity), and PEF (peak expiratory flow)] and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) were measured before and at three time points after exposure. Data were analyzed with mixed linear regression.Results: An interquartile increase in PNC (33,000 particles/cm3) was associated with an 11% [95% confidence interval (CI): 5, 17%] and 12% (95% CI: 6, 17%) FENO increase over baseline immediately and at 2 hr postexposure, respectively. A 7% (95% CI: 0.5, 14%) increase persisted until the following morning. These associations were robust and insensitive to adjustment for other pollutants. Similarly consistent associations were seen between FVC and FEV1 with PNC, NO2 (nitrogen dioxide), and NOx (nitrogen oxides).Conclusions: Changes in PNC, NO2, and NOx were associated with evidence of acute airway inflammation (i.e., FENO) and impaired lung function. PM mass concentration and PM10 oxidative potential were not predictive of the observed acute responses.     

Self-Rated Health in middle-aged and elderly Chinese: distribution, determinants and associations with cardio-metabolic risk factors

Background  

Self-rated health (SRH) has been demonstrated to be an accurate reflection of a person's health and a valid predictor of incident mortality and chronic morbidity. We aimed to evaluate the distribution and factors associated with SRH and its association with biomarkers of cardio-metabolic diseases among middle-aged and elderly Chinese.     

中关村社区医疗保健卫生服务需要与利用调查分析(Ⅱ)——家庭询问调查部分

2·3 影响居民医疗卫生服务需要与利用因素分析本资料从两周患病、两周就诊、慢性病患病、年住院者在性别、年龄、文化程度、职业及医疗费用支付方式方面寻找到卫生服务需要及利用的影响线索和程度。2·3·1 性别对居民卫生服务需要利用的影响:见表7。     

家庭健康：概念、测度与中国现状

本研究对家庭健康的框架和维度进行了介绍;基于中国版家庭健康简易评价量表,评价我国家庭健康的分布以及不同家庭特征下的异质性;并通过分析家庭健康对个体健康相关生命质量的影响论证家庭健康的重要性。我国家庭健康均分为37.99分（总分50）;家庭健康存在显著的城乡差异;家庭经济水平越高,家庭健康水平越高;核心/主干/联合家庭的家庭健康水平高于其他家庭类型;残疾人家庭健康评分低于非残疾家庭。家庭健康对于个体生命质量存在显著的正向效应。家庭健康为制定卫生政策、执行健康干预提供了一个更为全面的跨学科综合指标,在健康中国建设中应予以充分关注。     

Physician diagnosed asthma,respiratory symptoms,and associations with workplace tasks among radiographers in Ontario,Canada

Background: Medical radiation technologists (MRTs) or radiographers have potential exposure to chemicals including sensitisers and irritants such as glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, sulphur dioxide, and acetic acid.

Aims: To determine the prevalence of asthma and work related respiratory symptoms among MRTs compared with physiotherapists, and to identify work related factors in the darkroom environment that are associated with these outcomes.

Methods: As part of a two component study, we undertook a questionnaire mail survey of the members of the professional associations of MRTs and physiotherapists in Ontario, Canada, to ascertain the prevalence of physician diagnosed asthma, and the prevalence in the past 12 months of three or more of the nine respiratory symptoms (previously validated by Venables et al to be sensitive and specific for the presence of self reported asthma). Information on exposure factors during the past 12 months, such as ventilation conditions, processor leaks, cleanup activities, and use of personal protective equipment was also collected.

Results: The survey response rate was 63.9% among MRTs and 63.1% among physiotherapists. Most analyses were confined to 1110 MRTs and 1523 physiotherapists who never smoked. The prevalence of new onset asthma (since starting in the profession) was greater among never smoking MRTs than physiotherapists (6.4% v 3.95%), and this differed across gender: it was 30% greater among females but fivefold greater among males. Compared with physiotherapists, the prevalence of reporting three or more respiratory symptoms, two or more work related, and three or more work related respiratory symptoms in the past 12 months was more frequent among MRTs, with odds ratios (ORs) (and 95% confidence intervals) adjusted for age, gender, and childhood asthma, of 1.9 (1.5 to 2.3), 3.7 (2.6 to 5.3), and 3.2 (2.0 to 5.0), respectively. Analyses examining latex glove use indicated that this was not likely to account for these differences. Among MRTs, respiratory symptoms were associated with a number of workplace and exposure factors likely to generate aerosol or chemical exposures such as processors not having local ventilation, adjusted OR 2.0 (1.4 to 3.0); leaking processor in which clean up was delayed, 2.4 (1.6 to 3.5); floor drain clogged, 2.0 (1.2 to 3.2); freeing a film jam, 2.9 (1.8 to 4.8); unblocking a blocked processor drain, 2.4 (1.6 to 3.7); and cleaning up processor chemical spill, 2.8 (1.9 to 4.2). These outcomes were not associated with routine tasks unlikely to generate exposures, such as working outside primary workplace, loading film into processor, routine cleaning of processors, or removing processed film. Males reported that they carried out a number of tasks potentially associated with irritant exposures more frequently than females, consistent with the marked increase in risk for new onset asthma.

Conclusions: These findings suggest an increase of work related asthma and respiratory symptoms shown to denote asthma among MRTs, which is consistent with previous surveys. The mechanism is not known but appears to be linked with workplace factors and may involve a role for irritant exposures.