Maternal occupation during pregnancy, birth weight, and length of gestation: Combined analysis of 13 European birth cohorts

Objectives We assessed whether maternal employment during pregnancy – overall and in selected occupational sectors – is associated with birth weight, small for gestational age (SGA), term low birth weight (LBW), length of gestation, and preterm delivery in a population-based birth cohort design. Methods We used data from >200 000 mother-child pairs enrolled in 13 European birth cohorts and compared employed versus non-employed women. Among employees, we defined groups of occupations representing the main sectors of employment for women where potential reproductive hazards are considered to be present. The comparison group comprised all other employed women not included in the occupational sector being assessed. We performed meta-analyses of cohort-specific estimates and explored heterogeneity. Results Employees had a lower risk of preterm delivery than non-employees [adjusted odds ratio (ORadj) 0.86, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.81–0.91]. Working in most of the occupational sectors studied was not associated with adverse birth outcomes. Being employed as a nurse was associated with lower risk SGA infants (ORadj 0.91, 95% CI 0.84–0.99) whereas food industry workers had an increased risk of preterm delivery (ORadj 1.50, 95% CI 1.12–2.02). There was little evidence for heterogeneity between cohorts. Conclusions This study suggests that, overall, employment during pregnancy is associated with a reduction in the risk of preterm birth and that work in certain occupations may affect pregnancy outcomes. This exploratory study provides an important platform on which to base further prospective studies focused on the potential consequences of maternal occupational exposures during pregnancy on child development

Developing a general population job-exposure matrix in the absence of sufficient exposure monitoring data.

In New Zealand, there is a need for a comprehensive and accessible database with national occupational exposure information, such as a general population job-exposure matrix (GPJEM). However, few New Zealand-specific exposure data exist that could be used to construct such a GPJEM. Here, we present the methods used to develop a GPJEM for New Zealand (NZJEM), by combining GPJEMs from other countries with New Zealand-specific exposure information, using wood dust as an example to illustrate this process. The assessments of GPJEMs from other countries were made available to a New Zealand expert in occupational wood dust exposure, who then provided a preliminary NZJEM assessment (including the percentage exposed and the level of exposure for each occupation). Where possible, this assessment was based on New Zealand exposure measurements. In the next step, information from a nationwide workplace exposure survey of 3000 members of the New Zealand workforce was used to finalize the NZJEM assessments. The final NZJEM listed 104 of the 956 New Zealand occupational codes as exposed to wood dust. The percentage of workers exposed within an occupation ranged from 5% (e.g. boiler attendants) to 100% (e.g. cabinet makers). The level of exposure ranged from 0.05 mg m(-3) (e.g. electricians) to 3 mg m(-3) (e.g. carpenters). Of these assessments, 23% were mainly based on New Zealand exposure data, 37% on overseas GPJEMs and exposure data, and for 40% the national survey data served as the main source of information for the expert assessment. Combining the NZJEM assessments with national employment statistics indicated that 5.6% of the New Zealand workforce is occupationally exposed to wood dust, corresponding to a total of 97 000 workers (86% male and 14% female). Construction-related occupations included the largest number of exposed workers

Maternal occupation during pregnancy, birth weight, and length of gestation : combined analysis of 13 European birth cohorts

Objectives. We assessed whether maternal employment during pregnancy – overall and in selected occupational sectors – is associated with birth weight, small for gestational age (SGA), term low birth weight (LBW), length of gestation, and preterm delivery in a population-based birth cohort design. Methods. We used data from >200 000 mother-child pairs enrolled in 13 European birth cohorts and compared employed versus non-employed women. Among employees, we defined groups of occupations representing the main sectors of employment for women where potential reproductive hazards are considered to be present. The comparison group comprised all other employed women not included in the occupational sector being assessed. We performed meta-analyses of cohort-specific estimates and explored heterogeneity. Results. Employees had a lower risk of preterm delivery than non-employees [adjusted odds ratio (ORadj) 0.86, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.81–0.91]. Working in most of the occupational sectors studied was not associated with adverse birth outcomes. Being employed as a nurse was associated with lower risk SGA infants (ORadj 0.91, 95% CI 0.84–0.99) whereas food industry workers had an increased risk of preterm delivery (ORadj 1.50, 95% CI 1.12–2.02). There was little evidence for heterogeneity between cohorts. Conclusions. This study suggests that, overall, employment during pregnancy is associated with a reduction in the risk of preterm birth and that work in certain occupations may affect pregnancy outcomes. This exploratory study provides an important platform on which to base further prospective studies focused on the potential consequences of maternal occupational exposures during pregnancy on child developmentAplinkotyros katedraVytauto Didžiojo universiteta

Occupation and risk of lung cancer in Central and Eastern Europe: the IARC multi-center case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the role of occupation and industry in lung carcinogenesis in six countries in Central and Eastern Europe. METHODS: This multi-center case-control study included 2,056 male and 576 female lung cancer incidence cases diagnosed from 1998 to 2001 and 2,144 male and 727 female controls frequency-matched for sex and age. Unconditional regression models were applied to calculate the odds ratios after controlling for potential confounders including age (5-year groups), study center (15 centers), and tobacco pack-years. RESULTS: Elevated odds ratios (ORs) were found for men employed as production workers (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.22-1.72), bookkeepers and cashiers (1.81, 1.03-3.24), general farmers (1.67, 1.08-2.60), livestock workers (2.54, 1.09-5.88), miners (2.17, 1.47-3.23), toolmakers and metal patternmakers (2.56, 1.34-4.94), glass formers (2.55, 1.18-5.50), dockworkers, and freight handlers (1.49, 1.04-2.12). Industries with elevated risk among men included mining (1.75, 1.20-2.57), manufacture of cement, lime, or plaster (3.62, 1.11-12.00), casting of metals (2.00, 1.17-3.45), manufacture of electric motors (2.18, 1.24-3.86). For women, elevated ORs were found for medical, dental, veterinary doctors (2.54, 1.01-6.31), librarians and curators (7.03, 1.80-27.80), sewers 3.63 (1.12-10.23). CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies new areas for further, explanatory analyses, especially in production work, and indicates new possible sources of exposure to cancer risk for women