Database

Acrylamide exposure is common in construction projects. In this project, blood levels were measured and found to be slowly decreasing with a half life of 40 to 80 days. At the same time, symptoms of numbness and tingling gradually declined. Evidence from: L Hagmar et al. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. August (2001) Vol.27 #4 p 219. A NOAEL was identified. The Radar report is available to subscribers: 1#8 7 Evidence from: F Granath et al. Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Sept (2001) Vol.58 #9 p 608. A comment on an earlier study of a proposed association between occupational exposure to acrylamide and, cancer. A 10-year follow-up study was reported in 1999 Occupational and Environmental Medicine Vol.56, p 181 to 190. The main conclusion of the original report was that there was no significant long-term cancer risk. The letter (here) suggests the original study was severely flawed. Comment Our reading of the criticism of the original work leads us to believ

This was a powerful study of physical and psychosocial risk factors for regular back pain. Neither physical nor psychosocial factors were predictive of new cases of back pain. Emotional exhaustion was predictive.  Evidence from: WE Hoogendoorn et al. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. August (2001) Vol.27 #4 p 258. The Radar report is available to subscribers: 1#8 6

A study of physical and psychosocial risk factors for back pain and chronic back pain.. Evidence from: LAM Elders et al. Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Sept (2001) Vol.58 #9 p 597. The only results, which showed statistical significance, were; associations between general ill health and LPB and, general ill health and LBP-related disability. Strenuous arm position was associated with LBP related disability. The Radar report is available to subscribers: 1#8 5

The study sought an association between exposure to environmental tobacco smoke at work and two measures of lung function (FEV1 and FVC). Actual lung function was compared with expected. Exposure was measured by cotinine levels and by questionnaire. Evidence from: R Chen et al. Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Sept (2001) Vol.58 #9 p 563. The observed effects were small and may have been reversible. The Radar report is available to subscribers: 1#8 4

This powerful prospective study demonstrated some strong associations between work tasks and symptoms. If symptoms are a clear indicator of subsequent injury risk then they could be used as prompts for change to the system of work.  Evidence from: A Leclerc et al. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. August (2001) Vol.27 #4 p 268. Risk factors and their precision estimates were reported along with 3-year incidence. The Radar report is available to subscribers: 1#8 3

Disabling shoulder pain was related to two ergonomic factors and two psychosocial factors. It was not clear whether the disability was signalled by the inability to perform those two specific ergonomic actions or by some other disability. If the former then the result may be significant but could be little more than a self-fulfilling prophesy. Evidence from: GJ Macfarlane et al. Annals of Rheumatic Diseases. September (2001) Vol. 60 #9 p 852. Incidence of bilateral and unilateral shoulder pain was reported. The Radar report is available to subscribers: 1#8 2