Formaldehyde-releasers: relationship to formaldehyde contact allergy. Contact allergy to formaldehyde and inventory of formaldehyde-releasers

This is one of series of review articles on formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasers (others: formaldehyde in cosmetics, in clothes and in metalworking fluids and miscellaneous). Thirty-five chemicals were identified as being formaldehyde-releasers. Although a further seven are listed in the literature as formaldehyde-releasers, data are inadequate to consider them as such beyond doubt. Several (nomenclature) mistakes and outdated information are discussed. Formaldehyde and formaldehyde allergy are reviewed: applications, exposure scenarios, legislation, patch testing problems, frequency of sensitization, relevance of positive patch test reactions, clinical pattern of allergic contact dermatitis from formaldehyde, prognosis, threshold for elicitation of allergic contact dermatitis, analytical tests to determine formaldehyde in products and frequency of exposure to formaldehyde and releasers. The frequency of contact allergy to formaldehyde is consistently higher in the USA (8-9%) than in Europe (2-3%). Patch testing with formaldehyde is problematic; the currently used 1% solution may result in both false-positive and false-negative (up to 40%) reactions. Determining the relevance of patch test reactions is often challenging. What concentration of formaldehyde is safe for sensitive patients remains unknown. Levels of 200-300 p.p.m. free formaldehyde in cosmetic products have been shown to induce dermatitis from short-term use on normal skin

Self-reported or register-based? A comparison of sickness absence data among 8110 public and private employees in Denmark:A comparison of sickness absence data among 8110 public and private employees in Denmark

Objectives The study aim was to examine (i) non-response bias between responders and non-responders, and (ii) whether the association between self-reported sickness absence (SA) and register-based SA differed by gender, age, sector, or physically demanding work. Methods The responses of 8110 participants to a question on self-reported SA in the past 12 months in the Work Environment and Health in Denmark Survey (2014) was linked to 12 months of SA data from the Danish Register of Work Absence. We used logistic regression for the non-response analysis and Poisson regression to examine associations. Results Responders had on average 0.5 days less SA per year than non-responders. Public employees had a higher response rate than private employees (approximately five percentage points), women had a higher rate than men (approximately nine percentage points), and older employees a higher rate than younger employees (approximately nine percentage points in ten years). Self-reported SA correlated highly with register-based SA (Spearman's rank correlation=0.76). In general, responders with few SA days (30) over-reported their SA. Women under-reported significantly more than men (average difference one day); older employees under-reported significantly more than younger employees (difference between age groups 18-29 and 60-64 was 1.7 days). Differences between sectors or levels of physically demanding work were non-significant. Conclusions Self-reported SA data may be influenced by non-response bias, and different accuracy in different demographic groups. When available, the use of register-based SA data is recommended

Introduction: Exploring genres of professional communication

No abstract

Undersøkelse av sammenhengen mellom utholdenhet og lidenskap hos studenter i Norge

Utholdenhet og lidenskap kan ses på som viktige faktorer for ferdighetsutvikling og veien mot ekspertise. Utholdenhet refererer til hvilken grad et individ utøver innsats over tid, til tross for motgang. Lidenskap viser derimot til en sterk følelse av interesse eller engasjement for et område/ferdighet/tema som individet verdsetter. Samspillet mellom utholdenhet og lidenskap kan være sentral for oppnåelse av betydningsfulle prestasjoner innenfor akademiske og ikke-akademiske domener. Utholdenhet og lidenskap kan ses på som to underfasetter av grit, men med bakgrunn i kritikken av grit kan det argumenteres for at det er mer gunstig å måle dem opp mot hverandre adskilt. Denne studien undersøkte sammenhengen mellom utholdenhet og lidenskap hos 244 studenter i Norge. Sammenhengen ble undersøkt ved hjelp av Pearsons bivariate korrelasjonsanalyse. Studien fant en sterk signifikant sammenheng mellom utholdenhet og lidenskap, r(242) = .55, p < .001. Sammenhengen kan bety at de to faktorene kan assosieres med hverandre. Denne kunnskapen kan videre brukes til å forstå hvordan man oppnår ekspertise, og kan bidra til at studenter er mer bevisste på hvordan de kan optimalisere egne akademiske prestasjoner. Det foreslås at videre forskning bør fortsette med å se på sammenhengen mellom de to konstruktene samt inkludere et mål for akademiske prestasjoner. En bør også utforske hvilken betydning en mentor har for ferdighetsutvikling. Studien konkluderer med at samspillet mellom utholdenhet og lidenskap kan være viktig for ferdighetsutvikling, men at sammenhengen bør utforskes videre og sikre at Perseverance scale viser tilstrekkelig validitet. Nøkkelord: Utholdenhet, lidenskap, gritPerseverance and passion are essential for skill development and expertise. Perseverance refers to which degree an individual exerst effort over time, despite adversity. Passion refers to a strong sense of interest or engagement in a area/skill/theme that the individual values. However, the interaction between perseverance and passion can be essential for achieving remarkable performances in academic and non-academic domains. Perseverance and passion can also be seen as two subfacets of grit, but given the criticism of grit, it can be argued that is more beneficial to examine these factors separately. This study explored the relationship between perseverance and passion among 244 students in Norway. The relationship was investigated using Pearson's bivariate correlation analysis. The study found a strong significant correlation between perseverance and passion, r(242) = .55, p < .001. The relationship may imply that the two factors can be associated with each other. Furthermore, this knowledge can be used to understand how expertise is achieved and how it can help students become more aware of how to optimize their own academic performace. It is suggested that further research should continue to examine the relationship between the two constructs and include a measure of academic performance. Additionally one should explore the importance of a mentor for skill development. The study concludes that the interaction between perseverance and passion can be important for skill development, but that the relationship should be futher explored and secure that the Perseverance scale show adequate validity. Keymords: Perseverance, passion, gri

Long-term sickness absence from combined factors related to physical work demands:prospective cohort study

Background: The working environment plays an important role in public health. This study investigates the risk for long-term sickness absence (LTSA) from the combination of factors related to physical work demands.Methods: Employees (n = 22 740) of the general population (the Danish Work Environment &amp; Health study 2012) were followed for two years in the Danish Register for Evaluation of Marginalisation. Using Cox regression analyses we determined the risk of LTSA from four factors; (i) physical work demands, (ii) physical exertion during work, (iii) fatigue after work and (iv) work-limiting pain.Results: During follow-up 10.2% experienced LTSA. Each of the four factors increased the risk of LTSA with hazard ratios (HR) ranging from 1.30 to 1.57. Scoring high on one (30.3% of the respondents), two (24.4%), three (19.9%) and all four factors (9.2%) gradually increased the risk of LTSA (HR's of 1.39 [95% CI 1.16-1.66], 1.66 [95% CI 1.39-1.99], 1.90 [95% CI 1.57-2.29] and 3.02 [95% CI 2.47-3.68], respectively). Risk estimates remained robust in stratified analyses of age, sex and socioeconomic position. Population attributable fractions were high across all subgroups; 39% (general population), 36% (younger workers), 45% (older workers), 36% (men), 41% (women), 30% (higher socioeconomic position) and 45% (lower socioeconomic position).Conclusion: The risk of LTSA gradually increased with number of factors related to high physical work demands, underlining the importance of targeting combined factors in risk assessment and preventive interventions.</p

Associations between the workplace-effort in psychosocial risk management and the employee-rating of the psychosocial work environment - A multilevel study of 7565 employees in 1013 workplaces

Aims: This study examined the association between the workplace-effort in psychosocial risk management and later employee-rating of the psychosocial work environment. Method: The study is based on data from two questionnaire surveys – one including 1013 workplaces and one including 7565 employees from these workplaces. The association was analyzed using multi-level linear regression. The association for five different trade-groups and for five different psychosocial work environment domains was examined. Results: Limited but statistically significant better employee-ratings of the psychosocial work environment in the respective domains were observed among Danish workplaces that prioritized “development possibilities for employees,” “recognition of employees,” “employees influence on own work tasks,” good “communication at the workplace,” and “help to prevent work overload.” Conclusion: Danish workplaces with a high effort in psychosocial risk management in the preceding year had a small but significantly more positive rating of the psychosocial work environment by the employees. However, future studies are needed to establish the causality of the associations. </jats:p

Implementing Circadian Rhythm Lighting – Two Health-Care Case Studies

The studies derive from two larger Danish cases, which evaluated the application of circadian rhythm lighting in sensitive health care environments and highlights the difficulties that can be experienced in the implementation of entraining, or shifting of the timing, of the biological clock through lighting design. The paper focuses on the effects of introducing new 24-hour light and dark patterns on patients and residents in the two institutions, a home for the aged with dementia and a psychiatric facility for eating disorder patients. Data was gathered through ethnographic interviews, questionnaires, mappings, and structured observations. While positive benefits for health were an intended effect of implementing 24-hour biologically attuned lighting into these two environments, its introduction was also experienced negatively by staff and patients, particularly in the early stages of implementation, by affecting the patients’ everyday routines and feeling of ownership. The paper lays out the foundation for current research projects by the author, by comparing the perceived comfort and experiences of the patients with the documented laboratory effects of the design of circadian lighting system. The paper concludes with preliminary recommendations for future implementations of circadian lighting designs, including the consideration of the context, the users’ adaptation of the technology, communication with staff, usability and personal control.publishedVersio