Canadian Medical Association Journal

Our medical research library holds 16 studies published in Canadian Medical Association Journal (1965–1984). Each entry links to the study's record on PubMed and, where there is one, to the publisher's page and a free full text. 9 have an abstract, the authors' own summary as PubMed records it: open "Abstract" to read it.

About the journal

• Publisher: Canadian Medical Association
• Published: 1911–1985, Canada
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0008-4409 (print)
• Merged from: Montreal Medical Journal
• Merged from: Maritime Medical News
• Continued by: CMAJ
• Its record in the NLM Catalog

1980s

• Known occupational carcinogens and their significance. P. Ernst, G. Thériault. 1984;130(7):863-7. Review PubMed · Free full text

  Abstract

  Although rates of occupational cancer can be excessive in certain industries, less than 5% of all cancers seem attributable to exposure to carcinogens in the workplace. For example, workers in hard-rock mining and the woodworking industries are at increased risk; cigarette smoking has a synergistic effect. There is conclusive evidence of carcinogenicity for fewer than 20 substances, including asbestos, arsenic, chromium, nickel, cadmium, radon, several aromatic hydrocarbons and certain herbicides. Most of the hundreds of organic compounds known to be mutagenic in in-vitro tests have not been shown to be carcinogenic in epidemiologic studies. Both laboratory and epidemiologic approaches, however, can identify probable causes of cancer and permit the application of effective preventive measures. In addition, it is still possible for the alert individual clinician to make the initial discovery of an occupational hazard.

• Recent trends in incidence rates of pleural mesothelioma in British Columbia. H.I. Morrison, P.R. Band, R. Gallagher, et al. 1984;131(9):1069-71. PubMed · Free full text

  Abstract

  A total of 64 cases of pleural mesothelioma were reported in British Columbia between 1973 and 1980, 54 in males and 10 in females. There was a significant (p less than 0.05) increase in the incidence among males. The overall incidence rates were 4.9 and 0.9 per million person-years for males and females respectively. The age distribution of the cases was roughly exponential up to age 70 years. Almost all of the cases were clustered in Cowichan Valley, Capital and Greater Vancouver counties, where there was a high level of shipbuilding activity 30 to 40 years ago. The increased incidence in males may be related to this activity, which involved exposure to asbestos.

• "Labrador lung": an unusual mixed dust pneumoconiosis. H.W. Edstrom, D.M. Rice. 1982;126(1):27-30. PubMed · Free full text

  Abstract

  Forty-eight workers involved for various periods from 1962 in mining and milling iron-containing rock in the Carol Lake area of western Labrador were found in late 1974 and early 1975 to have pneumoconiosis. Their annual chest roentgenograms demonstrated irregular nodular densities, and several revealed mild hilar lymphadenopathy or pleural thickening. All 48 workers were asymptomatic and had normal pulmonary function; their average age was 38 years. At work they had been exposed to high levels of dust containing iron, silica and anthophyllite, a type of asbestos. Lung biopsy specimens from 13 of them showed widespread focal fibrosis, large amounts of hemosiderin and silica and many ferruginous bodies; one ferruginous body was identified as having a core of anthophyllite. A granulomatous reaction was seen in two biopsy specimens and typical silicotic nodules were found in two others. The relatively brief exposure, especially in ones case (11 months), and the short latent interval before the development of the pneumoconiosis are reasons for concern for the health of iron ore workers.

• Asbestos and public health. F.D. Liddell. 1981;125(3):237-9. Editorial PubMed · Free full text

• Occupational cancer: experience in Ontario. A.C. Chovil, W.J. McCracken, E.C. Dowd, et al. 1981;125(11):1237-41. PubMed · Free full text

  Abstract

  This paper reviews the experience of the Workmen's Compensation Board of Ontario in identifying cases of cancer that could be attributed to occupational hazards. Worker's claims for compensation are allowed if there is reasonable medical evidence that their cancer was caused by exposure to risk factors associated with their occupation. Details of the types of cancer associated with specific carcinogens or fields of employment are discussed. About 50% of the cases were related to exposure in particular industrial operations that functioned for relatively brief periods. The number of deaths from cancer identified as being caused by occupational factors is compared with the total for cancer from all causes in Ontario during the period 1971 through 1975. Although all workers eligible for compensation may not have been identified, the data suggest that less than 1% of cancer is presently caused by occupational factors.

• Identification of adults at high risk of lung cancer. A.B. Miller. 1980;122(9):985-7. Review PubMed · Free full text

1970s

• Asbestos-related disease. A.B. Morrison. 1979;120(10):1216. Letter PubMed · Free full text

• Community air pollution in Canada: a review and predictions for the 1980s. D.V. Bates. 1979;120(10):1252-6. PubMed · Free full text

  Abstract

  The main trends in Canadian air pollution since the national program of surveillance began are reviewed in this paper. In common with the United States, significant improvements in sulfur dioxide and particulate pollution have been recorded in a number of cities after the institution of control measures. However, some areas with a concentration of certain industries still have considerable particulate pollution. Since emission of nitrogen dioxide is increasing in the United States, the consequent photochemical pollution in southern Ontario will probably continue to increase. Nitrogen dioxide concentrations in the air are elevated in some western Canadian cities, presumably because of the presence of plants that burn natural gas to generate electricity and increasing pollution from automobiles. There is increasing concern about community air pollution in cities with large metal-fabricating plants, and community exposure to asbestos fibres is likely to be an important concern in the 1980s.

• Occupational lung cancer and smoking: a review in the light of current theories of carcinogenesis. A.C. Chovil. 1979;121(5):548-50, 553-5. Review PubMed · Free full text

  Abstract

  This paper considers modern theories of carcinogenesis as they apply to the induction of lung cancer by tobacco smoking and occupational exposure to carcinogens. Some of the known and postulated factors affecting carcinogenesis are discussed, with particular reference to syncarcinogenesis and thresholds. Factors affecting the intensity of smoking exposure are reviewed, and the generally accepted occupational lung carcinogens are listed. Relative risks for the various carcinogens according to smoking status (where known) are presented. The carcinogens are considered individually, and known or postulated interactions with smoking are discussed. It is concluded that the effects of lung carcinogens can be explained on the basis of current theories that support a rational definition of priorities for the prevention of occupational lung cancer.

• Letter: Hazards in laboratories. C.L. Lavelle, A.D. Landman. 1976;114(6):498, 503. PubMed · Free full text

• Rheumatic complaints and pulmonary response to chrysotile dust inhalation in the mines and mills of Quebec. F.M. White, J. Swift, M.R. Becklake. 1974;111(6):533-5. PubMed · Free full text

  Abstract

  In 1967-68 an age-stratified random sample of 1069 current workers in Quebec asbestos mines and mills was surveyed. Questions concerning rheumatic complaints were included in a modified MRC questionnaire used at that time, and on this basis a rheumatic severity gradient was devised. No relationship could be detected between rheumatic complaints and pulmonary radiologic response to chrysotile dust exposure, despite implications in the literature that such a relationship might exist.

• Epidemiologic surveillance of mesothelioma in Canada. A.D. McDonald, J.C. McDonald. 1973;109(5):359-62. PubMed · Free full text

  Abstract

  The number of fatal malignant mesotheliomas was ascertained for the period 1960-70 by contacting all pathologists in Canada. The annual incidence was steady between 1966 and 1970 at 1.4 per million population. Of 71 cases registered in 1968-70 and not previously reported, 66% were pleural, 24% peritoneal and the remainder in both sites; 45% of tumours were in women. The diagnosis of mesothelioma was approved by the Canadian Mesothelioma Panel in 59%. Sixty-nine cases were successfully investigated epidemiologically. A history of definite or probable occupational asbestos exposure was found in 30% of male cases compared with 11% of controls, but in none of the female cases or controls. However, among cases, four women and one man had had domestic exposure to dusty clothing of an asbestos worker. Most of the excess occupational exposure was in the manufacture of asbestos products or insulation and little in mining or milling. No case other than those occupationally or domestically exposed had lived within 20 miles of asbestos mines or mills.

1960s

• The incidence of asbestos bodies in the lungs at random necropsies in Montreal. L. Anjilvel, W.M. Thurlbeck. 1966;95(23):1179-82. PubMed · Free full text

  Abstract

  The incidence of asbestos bodies in the lungs of adult patients selected at random, who died in four Montreal hospitals, was studied by examining fresh unstained smears of lungs obtained at necropsy. Two techniques were used for preparation of the smears and an arbitrary grading system was developed to estimate the degree of contamination of the lungs by asbestos bodies.Asbestos bodies were present in 48 out of 100 necropsies; they were found in 32 of 56 men (57%) and in 16 of 44 women (34%). Men were more heavily contaminated. The proportion of positive smears depended on the technique used and the amount of lung sampled. No particular association was noted between asbestos bodies in the lungs and the presence of cancer in the 33 patients in this series with malignant disease. The high incidence in this random series suggests that asbestos is a significant air contaminant in Montreal.

• Asbestos and Cancer. A.G. McLeod. 1965;93(6):278. PubMed · Free full text

• Asbestos and cancer; the report and recommendations of a working group convened under the auspices of the Geographical Pathology Committee of the International Union Against Cancer. F. Turgeon, J. Devries, A.G. Thompson. 1965;92(19):1020-5. PubMed · Free full text

• The association of asbestos and malignancy. J.G. Gillis. 1965;92(19):1034-5. PubMed · Free full text

Browse every journal in the library or the library by type of article, or return to medical research.