Dataset Information

Decision rule approach applied to estimate occupational lead exposure in a case-control study of kidney cancer.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:We developed a systematic, data-driven approach to estimate metrics of occupational exposure to lead to aid in epidemiologic analyses in a case-control study of kidney cancer. METHODS:Probability of exposure to ten lead sources was assigned using decision rules developed from an extensive literature review and expert judgement. For jobs with >50% probability of exposure, we assigned source-specific frequency based on subjects' self-reported task frequencies or means of subjects' job-groups and source-specific intensity estimates of blood lead (?g/dL). RESULTS:In our study, 18.7% of employed person-years were associated with high (?80%) probability of exposure to any lead source. The most common medium (>50%) or high probability source of lead exposure was leaded gasoline (2.5% and 11.5% of employed person-years, respectively). The median blood lead attributed to occupational exposure was 3.1??g/dL. CONCLUSIONS:These rules can aid in future studies after population-specific adaption for geographic differences and different exposure scenarios.

SUBMITTER: Callahan CL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6849374 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Decision rule approach applied to estimate occupational lead exposure in a case-control study of kidney cancer.

Callahan Catherine L CL Locke Sarah J SJ Dopart Pamela J PJ Stewart Patricia A PA Schwartz Kendra K Ruterbusch Julie J JJ Graubard Barry I BI Rothman Nathaniel N Hofmann Jonathan N JN Purdue Mark P MP Friesen Melissa C MC

American journal of industrial medicine 20181006 11

<h4>Background</h4>We developed a systematic, data-driven approach to estimate metrics of occupational exposure to lead to aid in epidemiologic analyses in a case-control study of kidney cancer.<h4>Methods</h4>Probability of exposure to ten lead sources was assigned using decision rules developed from an extensive literature review and expert judgement. For jobs with >50% probability of exposure, we assigned source-specific frequency based on subjects' self-reported task frequencies or means of ...[more]

PMID: 30291640

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Project description:ObjectivesJob exposure matrices (JEMs) are important tools for estimating occupational exposures in study populations where only information on industry and occupation (I&O) are available. JEMs The objective of this work was to create JEMs for solar and artificial ultraviolet radiation (UVR) using a US standardized coding scheme.MethodsUsing U.S. Census Bureau industry and occupation codes, separate lists of I&O pairs were developed for solar and artificial UVR by a panel of Certified Industrial Hygienists who assigned exposure ratings to I&O pairs with potential exposure. Parameters for exposure included prevalence (P) and frequency (F) for solar UVR and P, F, and intensity (I) for artificial UVR. Prevalence, or percent of all workers employed in an I&O pair who were exposed, was categorically rated: 0 to <1, 1 to <20; 20 to <80, and ≥80. Frequency of exposure, defined by the number of hours per week workers were exposed, was categorically rated: 0 to <5, 5 to <20, 20 to <35, and ≥35 h per week. For artificial UVR only, intensity of exposure was assigned three ratings: low, low with rare excursions, and >low under normal conditions. Discrepant ratings were resolved via consensus.ResultsAfter excluding I&O pairs assigned P and F ratings of 0 (solar UVR) and P, F, and I ratings of 0 (artificial UVR) from the JEM, 9206 I&O pairs were rated for solar UVR and 2010 I&O pairs for artificial UVR. For solar UVR, 723 (7.9% of all rated pairs) had ratings in the highest category for P and F; this group included 45 occupations in varied industries. Construction and extraction occupations represented most of the occupations (n = 20; 44%), followed by farming, fishing, and forestry occupations (n = 6; 13%). For artificial UVR, 87 I&O pairs (4.3% of all rated pairs) had maximum ratings for P, F, and I; these comprised a single occupation (welding, soldering, and brazing workers) in diverse industries.ConclusionsJEMs for solar and artificial UVR were developed for a broad range of I&O pairs in the US population and are available for use by researchers conducting occupational epidemiological studies.

Dataset Information

Decision rule approach applied to estimate occupational lead exposure in a case-control study of kidney cancer.

Publications

Decision rule approach applied to estimate occupational lead exposure in a case-control study of kidney cancer.

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