Database

Evidence from: Weightmans 4th May 2006. “CIT Robberies raise PI claims” USEPA “High Production Volume Information System” PD Darbre. J Applied Tox. (2006) Vol.26 p 191 -197 “Metalloestrogens: an emerging class of inorganic xenoestrogens with potential to add to the oestrogenic burden of the human breast” Food Standards Agency Project T07011 “Immunochemical reactivity to peanuts and nuts in allergic individuals” EFSA Scientific Report (2006) Vol.84 p 1 – 102 “Dimethoate” USEPA “Ships as Artificial Reefs” Further detail: 6#5-6 54 BB

A preliminary research finding casts doubt on the current estimates of vCJD incidence. They could be underestimates. Evidence from: JW Ironside et al. BMJ (2006) Vol.332 p 1186 – 1188 “Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: prion protein genotype analysis of positive appendix tissue samples from a retrospective prevalence study” The study examined tissues from 12,674 samples retained after surgery. Samples from three people were found to have evidence of prion disease. Two of these samples were tested for genotype at the codon 129. All clinical cases of vCJD to date have been of the type MM which forms a substantial minority of the population. Further detail: 6#5-6 53  

The potential market for biodegradable plastics is very significant. Ones that incorporate natural rubber latex could be problematic due to the potential for allergy problems. Evidence from: J Shey et al. Industrial Crops and Products (2006) Vol.24 p 34 – 40 “Properties of baked starch foam with natural rubber latex” The paper reports the development of natural starch based plastic packaging incorporating natural rubber latex. The packaging offers tensile property improvements and great resistance to water damage. It is fully biodegradable. It would however require a thin plastic layer to protect it from water damage. The US EPA estimated that in 2003 there were 24 million tonnes of plastic in municipal solid waste. Comment Latex allergy is among the most common of allergies.

The report identifies best practice for case management and finds good evidence that this approach is cost effective. It is an approach that is increasingly being adopted by the larger firms. Evidence from: HSE Research Report RR493 “The costs and benefits of active case management and rehabilitation for musculoskeletal disorders” The report lays out the key qualities of a case manager. Further detail: 6#5-6 51

Research clearly shows that being out of work leads to reduced health. Return to work leads to improved health. Evidence from: G Waddell and K Burton. The Stationery Office 2006. “Is work good for your health and well-being?” When people return to work from unemployment their health improves. Returning to work from unemployment improves health by as much as unemployment damages it. Further detail: 6#5-6 50

Epidemiological research of work related neck and upper limb problems showed that effective prevention, retention and rehabilitation of upper limb symptoms is probably much more complex than hitherto allowed for. Evidence from: PM Bongers et al. J. Occup. Rehabil (2006) Vol. 16 p 279 – 302 “Epidemiology of work related neck and upper limb problems: Psychosocial and personal risk factors (Part I) and effective interventions from a bio behavioural perspective (Part II)” For upper limb pain, a consensus approach to problem solving has been promoted by HSE for several years now. Guidance for this [HSG60 (2002)] however, still relies on extrapolations made from high exposure situations and may unduly encourage the view that physical exposures are the main problem. Further detail: 6#5-6 49