International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

Our medical research library holds 18 studies published in International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health (2011–2022). 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. 11 have an abstract, the authors' own summary as PubMed records it: open "Abstract" to read it. For 1 study PubMed has no abstract for, we give the abstract printed in the article or, where there is none, a summary we wrote from it, each labeled as such.

About the journal

• Publisher: Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine
• Published: 1994 to the present, Poland
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1232-1087 (print), 1896-494X (electronic)
• Continues: 0867-8383. Polish Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health
• Its record in the NLM Catalog

2020s

• Epidemiology of silicosis reported to the central register of occupational diseases over last 20 years in Poland. J. Nowak-Pasternak, A. Lipińska-Ojrzanowska, B. Świątkowska. 2022;35(5):561-570. PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate and assess the incidence of silicosis cases acknowledged as occupational diseases in Poland in 2000-2019.

  Material And Methods: The cases of all medically recognized pneumoconioses, including silicoses, certified as occupational diseases were studied. The records were extracted from the Central Register of Occupational Diseases, the only official Polish central electronic data base of occupational diseases.

  Results: During the period 2000-2019, 2066 confirmed cases of silicoses and 10 665 cases of other pneumoconioses including asbestosis and coal workers' pneumoconiosis were reported to the Central Register of Occupational Diseases. Silicoses accounted for 12.8-21.2% of all pneumoconioses. The number of confirmed silicoses cases was growing along with the length of latency period and was the highest for the period of ≥40 years (513 cases). Over 70% of silicoses cases occurred after occupational exposure >20 years. The most workers who evolved silicosis were employed in manufacturing, predominantly casting of iron, mining and quarrying and construction.

  Conclusions: The number of confirmed cases of silicosis in Poland decreased in 2000-2019 but the disease still remains an important health problem. Prevention is crucial to reduce further disease incidence. The medical monitoring standards of exposed workers should be improved. Developing new diagnosing guidelines with the use of other imaging examinations, like high-resolution computed tomography, has to be considered. The analysis should contribute into the implementation of silicosis preventative programmes, both at the enterprise and national level. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2022;35(5):561-70.

  This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.

• A case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in a worker exposed to terephthalic acid in the production of polyethylene terephthalate. P. Sartorelli, G. d'Hauw, D. Spina, et al. 2020;33(1):119-123. Case report PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  Occupational hypersensitivity pneumonitis (OHP) is an interstitial lung disease caused by sensitization to an inhaled antigen. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is mainly used for disposable beverage bottles. A clinical case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) in a 66-year-old patient in the follow-up as a worker formerly exposed to asbestos is presented. At the first visit in 2012 a diagnosis of asbestosis and pleural plaques was formulated. In 2017 the high resolution computed tomography was performed demonstrating a slight progression of the pulmonary fibrosis, while physical examinations revealed inspiratory crackles on auscultation, and lung function tests showed a decreased diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide. The radiological and histological pictures were compatible with HP. From 1992 to 2013 the patient worked in a chemical company that produced PET for disposable beverage bottles. A diagnosis of OHP was made, and the most likely causative agents were terephthalic acid and dimethyl terephthalate. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of an OHP case in PET production. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2020;33(1):119-23.

  This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.

2010s

• Authors' response (April 30, 2018) to the letter to the editor concerning the paper "Histological findings and lung dust analysis as the basis for occupational disease compensation in asbestos-related lung cancer in Germany". I.S. Feder, A. Theile, A. Tannapfel. 2018;31(6):849-851. Letter · Comment PubMed · Publisher

• Authors' response (March 14, 2018) to the letter to the Editor concerning the paper "Histological findings and lung dust analysis as the basis for occupational disease compensation in asbestos-related lung cancer in Germany". I.S. Feder, A. Theile, A. Tannapfel. 2018;31(6):841-843. Letter · Comment PubMed · Publisher

• Histological findings and lung dust analysis as the basis for occupational disease compensation in asbestos-related lung cancer in Germany. I.S. Feder, A. Theile, A. Tannapfel. 2018;31(3):293-305. PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  Objectives: This study has researched the significance of histologically raised findings and lung dust analyses in the context of claiming the recognition of and thus compensation for an asbestos-associated occupational disease.

  Material And Methods: For this approach, all findings from the German Mesothelioma Register in 2015 that included lung dust analyses were evaluated and were compared with information on asbestos fiber exposure at work based on fiber years, and with the results of radiological findings.

  Results: For 68 insured persons, recognition of an asbestos-induced lung disease according to Section 4104 of the German Ordinance on Occupational Diseases (Berufskrankheitenverordnung - BKV) could be recommended solely on the basis of the histological examinations of lung tissues and complementary lung dust analyses. Neither did the calculation of the cumulative asbestos dust exposure at work yield 25 fiber years, nor could bridge findings (e.g., plaques) be identified. In addition, the autopsies of 12 patients revealed plaques that had not been diagnosed during radiological examinations. These results show that - irrespective of the prescribed working techniques and radiological diagnosis - pathological/anatomical and histological diagnostics are often the only way for the insureds to demonstrate the causal connection between asbestos and their disease. Even after long intervals of up to 40 years post last exposure, the asbestos fibers would still be easily detectable in the lung tissues evaluated.

  Conclusions: Whenever suitable tissue is available, it should be examined for mild asbestosis with the aid of a lung dust analysis. Otherwise there is a risk that an occupational disease is wrongfully rejected. In the context of health insurance, the lung dust analysis and the resulting proof of the presence of asbestosis often constitute one option of providing evidence of an occupational disease. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(3):293-305.

  This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.

• Letter to the Editor (April 4, 2018) concerning the paper "Histological findings and lung dust analysis as the basis for occupational disease compensation in asbestos-related lung cancer in Germany". P.J. Landrigan, R.A. Lemen, O.B.O.T. Collegium Ramazzini. 2018;31(6):845-847. Letter · Comment PubMed · Publisher

• Letter to the Editor (February 14, 2018) concerning the paper "Histological findings and lung dust analysis as the basis for occupational disease compensation in asbestos-related lung cancer in Germany". X. Baur, F. Belpoggi, L.T. Budnik, et al. 2018;31(6):837-839. Letter · Comment PubMed · Publisher

• Pleural mesothelioma in household members of asbestos-exposed workers in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy. F. D' Agostin, P. de Michieli, C. Negro. 2017;30(3):419-431. PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  Objectives: Malignant mesothelioma is closely associated to asbestos exposure. One such exposure may occur through contact with occupationally exposed household members and their belongings. This study examines the features of pleural mesothelioma attributable only to asbestos brought home by another family member.

  Material And Methods: The data sources were 1063 mesothelioma cases diagnosed between 1995 and 2014, from the Friuli Venezia Giulia Mesothelioma Register. In all cases the diagnosis of mesothelioma was based on the pathology report. Exposure information and demographic data were acquired by an occupational medical standardized questionnaire/interview.

  Results: Household-exposure mesothelioma cases included 33 women and 2 men. Relationships were: wives (N = 22), daughters (N = 9), sons (N = 2), and mothers (N = 2). Asbestos exposure in the workers predominantly occurred in shipyards. Out of the 35 pleural cases, 19 were epithelial, 9 biphasic, 3 sarcomatoid, and 4 not specified. The mean age at diagnosis was 77 years old. The mean latency was 59 years, with wives having a significant shorter latency than offspring. Latency was not significantly related to morphology and asbestosis. The overall mean survival was 16 months (median 11 months) but treatment was beneficial (mean 16 months vs. 7 months). Biphasic/sarcomatoid histology and presence of asbestosis were associated with a decreased survival, although not with statistical significance.

  Conclusions: Our data confirms that household exposure increases the risk for pleural mesothelioma amongst women with no history of occupational asbestos exposure. This is an ongoing problem in many countries, as well as in Italy, where the evaluation of a framework for the compensation of these cases is under debate. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(3):419-431.

  This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.

• Pleural mesothelioma: Case-report of uncommon occupational asbestos exposure in a small furniture industry. E. Oddone, M. Imbriani. 2016;29(3):523-6. PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  The relationship between asbestos exposure and malignant mesothelioma is no longer disputed, although it is not always easy to trace past occupational exposure. This report describes a case of uncommon asbestos exposure of a small furniture industry worker, who subsequently died of pleural malignant mesothelioma, to stress the crucial importance of a full reconstruction of the occupational history, both for legal and compensation purposes. Sarcomatoid pleural mesothelioma was diagnosed in a 70-year-old man, who was previously employed as a carpenter in a small furniture industry. He worked for about 6 years in the small factory, was exposed to asbestos during the assembly of the furniture inspired by classical architecture, in which asbestos cement tubes were used to reproduce classical columns. During this production process no specific work safety measures were applied, nor masks or local aspirators. No extra-professional exposure to asbestos was identified. This mesothelioma case was investigated by the Public Prosecutor's assignment that commissioned expert evidence on the legal accountability for the disease. Despite its uncommon expositive circumstance, the length of latency (about 30 years), the duration of exposure, the clinical and histochemical features are all consistent with literature evidence, accounting for the occupational origin of this malignancy.

  This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.

• Response to the letter to editors concerning "Validity of mesothelin in occupational medicine practice". P. Smolková, M. Nakládalová, J. Zapletalová. 2016;29(6):881. Comment · Letter PubMed · Publisher

• Validity of mesothelin in occupational medicine practice. D. Taeger, K. Gawrych, T. Brüning. 2016;29(6):879-880. Letter · Comment PubMed · Publisher

• Validity of mesothelin in occupational medicine practice. P. Smolková, M. Nakládalová, J. Zapletalová, et al. 2016;29(3):395-404. PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  Objectives: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is the most serious asbestos-related disease. Its increasing incidence is alarming, suggesting the need for as early diagnosis as possible. This 4.5-year prospective longitudinal study aimed at assessing the benefit of measuring serum mesothelin as a marker for diagnosing malignant mesothelioma in individuals with previous occupational exposure to asbestos, as a part of their clinical follow-up care.

  Material And Methods: The study comprised 309 participants (235 males, 74 females) with a mean age of 58.9 years (standard deviation (SD) = 9.8) and a mean duration of exposure to asbestos dust of 13.4 years (SD = 9.3). From 2009 to June 2013, all subjects were followed at a department of occupational medicine in Olomouc. Apart from the standard parts of medical examination (history, physical examination, simple chest radiographs and spirometry), the patients' serum mesothelin levels were determined by the Mesomark immunoenzymatic diagnostic assay. Statistical analysis of the validity of serum mesothelin level measurement was carried out with respect to the diagnosis of MM.

  Results: Among the participants, 16 (5.2%) individuals (14 males and 2 females) were diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma. Based on the detected mesothelin levels, their validity for prediction of malignant mesothelioma was calculated as follows: sensitivity - 0.75, specificity - 0.962, positive predictive value - 0.706, negative predictive value - 0.969, positive and negative likelihood ratios - 19.95 and 0.26, respectively, and diagnostic odds ratio - 76.8, at a 95% confidence interval.

  Conclusions: The high specificity was identified indicating the low false positivity as well. In the case of detecting elevated soluble mesothelin-related peptides (SMRP) levels in formerly asbestos-exposed individuals, the possibility of the presence of MM should be included into the clinical consideration. The high negative predictive value denotes a lower probability of the presence of MM in patients with normal SMRP levels but due to the limiting lower sensitivity this possibility cannot be entirely excluded.

  This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.

• Occupational exposure to asbestos is associated with increased mortality in men recruited for a population-based study in Germany. K. Repp, R. Lorbeer, T. Ittermann, et al. 2015;28(5):849-62. PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  Objectives: Occupational exposure to asbestos is associated with increased mortality which, however, has not been thoroughly validated in a general population. We have aimed at exploring whether this association may be confirmed within a population-based setting after adjustment for confounders. Furthermore, the impact of tobacco consumption on the association between occupational exposure to asbestos and mortality is assessed.

  Material And Methods: We used data from 2072 (224 exposed) male participants of the Study of Health in Pomerania. Information on exposure to asbestos is based on a selfreport. Median follow-up time was 11.3 years. All-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality of exposed and non-exposed men were compared using mortality rate ratios, Kaplan-Meier analyses and multivariable Cox regression.

  Results: During the follow-up, 52 (23.2%) exposed and 320 (17.3%) non-exposed participants deceased. Exposed subjects had increased hazard ratios (HR) for all-cause mortality (HR=1.48, 95% CI: 1.1-2), benign lung disease mortality (HR=3, 95% CI: 1.18- 7.62) and stomach cancer mortality (HR=4.59, 95% CI: 1.53-13.76). The duration of exposure (per 10 years) was associated with all-cause (HR=1.21, 95% CI: 1.07-1.36) and benign lung disease mortality (HR=1.68, 95% CI: 1.26-2.22). Smokers occupationally exposed to asbestos had the highest risk for all-cause (HR=3.70, 95% CI: 2.19-6.27) and cancer mortality (HR=4.56, 95% CI: 1.99-10.48) as compared to non-asbestos exposed non-smokers.

  Conclusions: Our results confirm associations of occupational exposure to asbestos with all-cause, benign lung disease, and stomach cancer mortality and underline the impact of joint effects of asbestos and smoking on mortality.

  This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.

• Occupational diseases in Poland--an overview of current trends. N. Szeszenia-Dąbrowska, U. Wilczyńska. 2013;26(3):457-70. PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  Introduction: The number of occupational diseases (OD) recorded in Poland in the 1990's rapidly increased, and the number of recognized cases has steadily decreased until now. Hence, it was decided to demonstrate the trends of selected pathologies which in Poland are "underestimated" in comparison to other countries. The presented data may constitute a basis for further research into the dependence of OD on socio-economic factors.

  Materials And Methods: Occupational Disease Reporting Forms, completed and sent obligatorily by the state health inspectors to the Central Register of Occupational Diseases were used as source documents for analysis. This work analyzes changes in the incidence of chronic poisonings, asbestosis, voice organ diseases, cancers, viral hepatitis, asthma and the musculoskeletal disorders over the years 1998-2011.

  Results: In 1998, the total number of registered diseases reached the maximum - 12,017 cases, which fell in the subsequent years to 2,562 cases in 2011. During that period, the incidence rate decreased by 6 cases per year per 100,000 employees. A considerable decrease, exceeding 90% of cases, was observed in voice organ disorders, hearing loss, chronic poisonings and viral hepatitis. The abovementioned changes, as well as improved detection of asbestos-related diseases through implementing a medical examination program of former asbestos processing plant workers, are advantages of the current situation in the epidemiology of OD. However, the disadvantages include underestimation, in comparison to other countries, of asthma, cancer and pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.

  Conclusion: The reported data indicates the need to assess the occupational fraction of the underestimated pathologies present in the work environment in Poland, as well as the need for studies aimed at clarifying the effect of systemic factors on identifying their occupational background.

• Environmental asbestos pollution -- situation in Poland. N. Szeszenia-Dąbrowska, W. Sobala, B. Swiątkowska, et al. 2012;25(1):3-13. PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  Objectives: Environmental exposure of the general population to asbestos in Poland is mainly due to degradation of very popular asbestos-cement products and the resultant release of the elementary asbestos fibres into the ambient air. Assessments of environmental pollution by asbestos were based on the volume of the raw material used, amount of manufactured asbestos products, and measuring the concentration of fibres in the air.

  Material And Methods: Under the governmental program intended to remove asbestos, measurements of the concentration of asbestos fibres were performed in 2004-2010 in all provinces of Poland. Considering that potential sources of asbestos dust emissions were present in residential areas, 1634 sampling sites were designated. From 2 to 4 air samples were collected at each sampling site. A total of 5962 samples were collected during seven years. A single dose of air collected by 25 mm 0.8 μm pore Sartorius filter was 1,300 litres. The fibres were counted using optical microscopy with phase contrast (PCM) on a polarizing microscope (PLM) at a total magnification of 600×.; method was adapted to determine the concentration of asbestos fibres in non-occupational environment.

  Results: Mean concentration of asbestos fibres was 492 f/m(3) (95% CI: 467-518). In 82% of the sampling sites, the mean concentrations did not exceed 800 f/m(3). As much as 25.8% of the samples were found to be below the detection limit of the method. Estimated mean concentrations of fibres in different provinces ranged from 146 (95% CI: 106-203) to 709 f/m(3) (95% CI: 591-851). In the areas affected by former asbestos-processing plants, mean concentration was 732 f/m(3) (95% CI: 527-1016) and was significantly higher than levels recorded in other areas of Poland.

  Conclusion: Asbestos consumption per capita and the recorded moderate levels of asbestos fibres concentration in atmospheric air point to a relatively low level of environmental asbestos pollution in Poland.

• Progression of small, irregular opacities in chest radiographs of former asbestos workers. B. Świątkowska, W. Sobala, Z. Szubert. 2012;25(4):481-91. PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  Objectives: Pulmonary parenchymal changes appear many years after the start of exposure to asbestos and their progression has been observed to continue many years after cessation of the exposure. The aim of the present analysis is to assess the risk of progression of radiological changes in the respiratory system, based on long-term follow-up of groups of workers occupationally exposed to asbestos dust.

  Materials And Methods: The analysis included 3144 individuals voluntarily applying for a medical examination in 2000-2010, who had performed at least two radiographs of the chest. Probability of progression in subsequent studies was based on the evaluation of radiographs for the presence of small, irregular type s, t, u opacities in the parenchymal lung tissue with profusion categories as specified in the classification of ILO, 1980. Multistate hidden Markov model was used in the statistical analysis.

  Results: In the group of patients, small irregular opacities with a profusion of 1/1 or higher occurred in 640 (20%) patients in the first examination, and in 918 (29%) patients in the last examination. No parenchymal changes were observed in 1360 (43%) patients in the first examination (opacity profusion category 0/0), and in 645 (20%) patients in the last examination. The risk of progression of radiographic changes in former workers of asbestos processing plants is higher in smokers, from profusion category 0 to 1 - by 30% (HR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.15-1.47), from profusion category 1 to 2 - by 50% (HR = 1.50, 95% CI: 0.92-2.45). The risk of progression of parenchymal changes decreases in the workers employed in subsequent calendar years: for category changes from 1 to 2, the decrease is nearly 40% for every 10 years of subsequent employment (HR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.45-0.80). The probability of the progression increases with longer latency period: for change of category from 1 to 2, the increase is about 20% (HR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.00-1.42) per 10 years of employment for blue collar workers. The risk of the 1 to 2 category progression is significant, nearly 2.5-fold higher in the workers employed in the asbestos-processing textile industry.

  Conclusions: Our results show that the risk of progression of pulmonary parenchymal fibrotic processes was higher in the smokers, workers employed during the earlier calendar years of the discussed period, those with longer latency period, blue collar workers involved directly in the production processes, and employees of the asbestos cement and/or textile industries.

• Asbestos abatement workers versus asbestos workers: exposure and health-effects differ. J. Lange, G. Mastrangelo, L. Cegolon. 2011;24(4):418-9; author reply 420-1. Letter · Comment PubMed · Publisher

  Summary

  In this letter to the editor, the authors commented on a paper by Szeszenia-Dąbrowska et al. on the current state of asbestos-related diseases in Poland, and suggested that its observations could be extended to other developed nations. They noted that asbestos exposure levels had changed dramatically since the 1950s and 1960s (e.g., from 8 to 0.001 f/cc) and that the type of work had also changed. Historically, asbestos workers mined, manufactured and installed asbestos-containing materials, whereas today abatement workers remove and dispose of them. The authors argued that these are distinct populations with dissimilar exposures and differing health consequences, and that most studies place them in the same category. Citing the Polish paper and other reports, they stated that exposure of asbestos abatement workers is very low (0.001 to 0.080 f/cc) and would result in negligible rates of asbestos-related diseases. They stated that only one study had evaluated health effects in abatement workers, and that using data on asbestos workers to discuss hazards for abatement workers was erroneous and misleading. They reported that smoking rates among abatement workers were high (50 to 70%). They added that these rates did not appear to have changed over the past 25 years in the United States despite required education, and that cancer risks, particularly lung cancer, would therefore remain high. The authors concluded that education and training for abatement workers should focus on smoking cessation and other personal habits and risk reduction (e.g., drug use, driving hazards). They also concluded that legislation should focus on present hazards and less on asbestos directly.

  PubMed has no abstract for this study, and the article doesn't print one. We wrote this summary from the full article with the help of AI. It is not the authors' wording.

• Asbestos in Poland: occupational health problems. N. Szeszenia-Dąbrowska, B. Swiątkowska, Z. Szubert, et al. 2011;24(2):142-52. PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  The presentation addresses current problems of health risk and health effects associated with exposure to asbestos, including data on historical exposure and on currently valid occupational exposure limits. The quantity and types of the raw material used for the production of various asbestos products have also been discussed in relation to the particular types of asbestos-induced occupational diseases. The authors describe the medical care system for former asbestos workers and those currently exposed during removal of asbestos-containing products. The national system for medical certification of occupational asbestos-related diseases and the compensation procedure have been outlined as well. According to the parliamentary Act of 1997, importing, manufacture and sale of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials are prohibited in Poland. Thus, the assessment of asbestos exposure and the monitoring of health conditions of workers at asbestos-processing plants have become irrelevant. However, the delayed health effects attributable to past exposure continue to be the matter of concern for public health. Likewise, the environmental pollution from asbestos waste landfills in the vicinity of asbestos-processing plants (where high levels of asbestos fibre in ambient air have been recorded) will continue to be a serious public health problem. Presently, two programmes aimed at minimising the adverse effects of asbestos on population health are underway. One of them is the governmental programme for "Elimination of asbestos and asbestos-containing products used in Poland, 2002-2032". The programme was updated in 2009 to cover the workers contracted to perform demolition works and provide protective covers to asbestos waste landfills. This will be the exposed group who need prophylactic health care. The other is a programme of prophylactic examinations for former asbestos workers and is referred to as the AMIANTUS programme. Both programmes have been briefly described.

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