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Epidemiological Research on Occupational and Environmental Carcinogens

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Occupational Safety and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 14366

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The cancer risk associated with exposure to environmental and occupational carcinogens such as asbestos, benzene and radiation, or to lifestyle carcinogens such as cigarette smoking, depends upon the entire history of exposure to the carcinogen, including age at start of exposure and the time-varying intensity of exposure. Although the importance of temporal aspects of exposure and risk has been emphasized for some time, the vast majority of epidemiological studies of cohorts use cumulative exposure as the measure of exposure, even when detailed exposure information is available for each member of the cohort. One reason is that the explicit history of exposure is difficult to incorporate in the traditional statistical models used for analyses of epidemiological data. In contrast, time-dependent parameters associated with time-varying intensities of exposure can be easily accommodated in statistical analyses based on multistage models.

Largely as a result of the focus on case control studies, undue emphasis has been placed on the development of relative risk regression models. Even when cohort data are available, epidemiological studies have focused on the estimation of relative risk when the more appropriate targets of estimation are the hazard functions for varying levels of exposure. Once the hazard functions are estimated, various measures of risk, such as relative risk and excess risk, can be easily estimated. Methods of analyses based on multistage models provide one approach to estimating hazard functions for any general time-varying exposure history.

Finally, multistage models for carcinogenesis provide a unified framework for analyses of data from multiple sources in cancer epidemiology.

The aim of this SI is extending the current knowledge of environmental and occupational cancer etiology and by providing the evidence base for carcinogen evaluation and cancer prevention. The SI will focus on three priority areas: (i) environmental and occupational exposures, (epi)genetic changes, and cancer risk throughout the life course, (ii) the functional role of genetic and epigenetic changes in carcinogenesis, and (iii) studies on specific exposure and cancer.

Furthermore, it is relevant to study the epidemiology of probable/possible carcinogens in order to clarify the real effects on health.

Dr. Caterina Ledda
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • exposure
  • risk assessment
  • risk management
  • occupational medicine
  • environmental medicine
  • epidemiology
  • cancer

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 276 KiB  
Editorial
Epidemiological Research on Occupational and Environmental Carcinogens
by Caterina Ledda
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(5), 2215; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052215 - 24 Feb 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2280
Abstract
The cancer risk associated with exposure to environmental and occupational carcinogens such as asbestos, benzene, radiation, or lifestyle carcinogens such as cigarette smoking depends on the entire history of exposure to the carcinogen, including the age of exposure and the time-varying intensity of [...] Read more.
The cancer risk associated with exposure to environmental and occupational carcinogens such as asbestos, benzene, radiation, or lifestyle carcinogens such as cigarette smoking depends on the entire history of exposure to the carcinogen, including the age of exposure and the time-varying intensity of exposure [...] Full article

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Other

9 pages, 306 KiB  
Article
Risks of Leukemia in Various Industrial Groups in Korea: A Retrospective National Cohort Study
by Won-Tae Lee, Woo-Ri Lee, Wanhyung Lee, Jin-Ha Yoon and Jongin Lee
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 1187; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021187 - 9 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1664
Abstract
It is known that occupational exposure to specific agents is associated with leukemia. However, whether the occupational risks of leukemia differ among various industrial groups remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to elucidate the occupational risks of leukemia among different [...] Read more.
It is known that occupational exposure to specific agents is associated with leukemia. However, whether the occupational risks of leukemia differ among various industrial groups remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to elucidate the occupational risks of leukemia among different worker groups by industry. Data for a total of 11,050,398 people from the National Health Insurance System’s claim data from 2007 to 2015 were analyzed. By cohort inclusion of workers whose industry had not changed for three years and with total workers as a control group, the risk for a specific industry group was expressed as an age-standardized incidence ratio (SIR). Among groups by industry, ’Manufacture of motor vehicles and engines for motor vehicles’, ’Sale of motor vehicle parts and accessories’, and ’Personal care services’ showed significantly higher SIRs. In division analysis, the ’Manufacture of other machinery and equipment’ and ’Waste collection, treatment and disposal activities’ divisions showed significantly higher SIRs than other divisions. We identified an increased risk of leukemia in workers of certain industries in Korea. Based on the results of this study, it is necessary to create a policy to protect workers at risk of leukemia. Various additional studies are needed to protect workers by revealing more precise relationships between individual hazardous substances, processes, and leukemia. Full article
12 pages, 652 KiB  
Article
Estimate of Occupational Exposure to Carcinogens among Migrant Workers in the United Arab Emirates: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Iffat Elbarazi, Sonia El-Zaemey, Basema Saddik, Balázs Ádám, Mohamed El Sadig, Aminu S. Abdullahi, Lin Fritschi and Mohamud Sheek-Hussein
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13012; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013012 - 11 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2158
Abstract
Occupational illnesses, such as cancer, cause more deaths each year than occupational accidents. Occupational carcinogens include physical, chemical, biological and organizational hazards. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), migrant workers account for 80% of labor. Being sometimes employed as unskilled workers and more [...] Read more.
Occupational illnesses, such as cancer, cause more deaths each year than occupational accidents. Occupational carcinogens include physical, chemical, biological and organizational hazards. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), migrant workers account for 80% of labor. Being sometimes employed as unskilled workers and more willing to work in demanding jobs, their vulnerability and exposure may be increased. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of occupational exposure to workplace carcinogens among migrant workers in the UAE. A sample of employees working in construction, cleaning, dry cleaning, mechanic workshops and hair salons were recruited and interviewed. Using OccIDEAS (an online assessment tool), participants were asked questions about their demographics, work history and regular tasks. Exposure to various carcinogens was estimated using the in-built algorithms of OccIDEAS. A sample of 1778 workers was included. The sample consisted of workers from Bangladesh (19.2%), India (31%), Nepal (4.7%), Pakistan (29.9%) and the Philippines (4.8%), with the rest from other nationalities. Overall, the prevalence of probable exposure was considerable, with the highest among drivers (96%) and the lowest among laundry workers (52%). Moderate to high exposure was found to 20 different carcinogens. Self-rated health among those who were exposed to carcinogens was significantly lower than among those not exposed (AOR = 0.783, 95% CI [0.638–0.961]). Exposure to several different carcinogens is relatively common in the UAE among migrant workers. Further strengthening policies and the implementation of tailored interventions are needed to prevent exposure to occupational carcinogens and, consequently, to combat occupational cancer in the UAE. Full article
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15 pages, 2287 KiB  
Article
The Oxidative Stress Parameters as Useful Tools in Evaluating the DNA Damage and Changes in the Complete Blood Count in Hospital Workers Exposed to Low Doses of Antineoplastic Drugs and Ionizing Radiation
by Jasminka Mrdjanović, Slavica Šolajić, Branislava Srđenović-Čonić, Višnja Bogdanović, Karaba-Jakovljević Dea, Nebojša Kladar and Vladimir Jurišić
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(16), 8445; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168445 - 10 Aug 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2600
Abstract
Hospital workers at the Oncology Department are occupationally exposed to antineoplastic drugs (ANTNP) or low doses of ionizing radiation (Irrad). Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the level of DNA damage, the oxidative stress parameters and complete blood count (CBC) [...] Read more.
Hospital workers at the Oncology Department are occupationally exposed to antineoplastic drugs (ANTNP) or low doses of ionizing radiation (Irrad). Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the level of DNA damage, the oxidative stress parameters and complete blood count (CBC) of hospital workers in order to analyze the negative health effects of ANTNP and low dose Irrad. The frequency of micronuclei (MN) and proliferation index (PI) were analyzed by cytokinesis-block test. The oxidative stress biomarkers evaluated were the level of lipid peroxidation in plasma and catalase activity (CAT) in erythrocytes. A group of 86 hospital workers (35 exposed to ANTPN and 51 to Irrad) had increased MN frequency, CAT activity and level of lipid peroxidation compared to the control group, which consisted of 24 volunteers. The hemoglobin level was lower in the ANTNP group compared to thecontrol group, while a significant difference in RBC was recorded between thecontrol and Irrad groups, and in platelet count betweentheIrrad and ANTNP group. The results showed increased DNA damage, oxidative stress parameters, as well as impairment on complete blood count in hospital workers occupationally exposed to antineoplastic drugs and low-dose ionizing radiation. As this research has shown the importance of oxidative stress, we suggest that in addition to routine methods in periodic medical evaluation, the possibility of applying oxidative stress parameters is considered. Moreover, hospital workers exposed to ANTNP and Irrad in the workplace should undergo not only a more complete health prevention procedure but also have a more appropriate health promotion. Full article
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8 pages, 3198 KiB  
Article
Immunohistochemical Expression of Serine and Arginine-Rich Splicing Factor 1 (SRSF1) in Fluoro-Edenite-Induced Malignant Mesothelioma: A Preliminary Study
by Giuseppe Broggi, Giuseppe Angelico, Veronica Filetti, Caterina Ledda, Claudia Lombardo, Ermanno Vitale, Venerando Rapisarda, Carla Loreto and Rosario Caltabiano
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(12), 6249; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18126249 - 9 Jun 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2327
Abstract
The Serine and Arginine-Rich Splicing Factor 1 (SRSF1) has a proto-oncogenic function, being associated with angiogenesis and frequently overexpressed in many human malignant neoplasms. Its immunohistochemical expression has never been investigated in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). We evaluated SRSF1 immunoexpression and its possible [...] Read more.
The Serine and Arginine-Rich Splicing Factor 1 (SRSF1) has a proto-oncogenic function, being associated with angiogenesis and frequently overexpressed in many human malignant neoplasms. Its immunohistochemical expression has never been investigated in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). We evaluated SRSF1 immunoexpression and its possible relation to angiogenesis in a selected cohort of 10 fluoro-edenite(FE)-induced MPM cases. Methods: Immunohistochemical analyses with an anti-SRSF1 antibody were performed. We interpreted the cases as positive if tumor cell nuclei were stained; a semi-quantitative analysis of the cases was performed by evaluating the intensity of staining and the percentage of tumor positive cells. A microvessel density (MVD) count was also performed. Results: High and low immunoexpressions of SRSF1 were seen in six and four MPMs, respectively. A trend of shorter overall survival was found in FE-induced MPM patients with SRSF1 overexpression. In addition, a significant association between high-MVD and high SRSF1 immunoexpression (p = 0.0476) was found. Conclusions: SRSF1 appears to be involved in MPM pathogenesis and its immunoexpression may represent a prognostic biomarker capable of identifying subgroups of patients with different prognosis. However, given the preliminary nature of the present study, further investigations on larger series, and additional in vitro studies, are required to validate our findings. Full article
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Other

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8 pages, 2440 KiB  
Case Report
Near Missed Case of Occupational Pleural Malignant Mesothelioma, a Case Report and Latest Therapeutic Options
by Claudia-Mariana Handra, Marinela Chirila, Raluca-Andreea Smarandescu and Isabel Ghita
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 14763; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192214763 - 10 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2201
Abstract
Asbestos use started to be gradually banned in Europe from 1991 onwards, and there are currently strict occupational exposure limits for asbestos. However, malignant mesothelioma has a long latency time (in some cases up to 50–60 years), so the risks related to asbestos [...] Read more.
Asbestos use started to be gradually banned in Europe from 1991 onwards, and there are currently strict occupational exposure limits for asbestos. However, malignant mesothelioma has a long latency time (in some cases up to 50–60 years), so the risks related to asbestos exposure should not be forgotten. Considering the increased risk of lung cancer following the inhalation of asbestos fibers, lifetime health monitoring should be considered in people occupationally exposed to asbestos, with an emphasis on the respiratory system. An assessment of their occupational history should be performed rigorously, especially in the areas with a history of asbestos production/use, as this is a key element for an early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. This case report presents a near-missed case of occupational pleural malignant mesothelioma. The latency time between the first asbestos exposure and the diagnosis of occupational pleural malignant mesothelioma was 49 years. The accurate diagnosis was made two years after the first symptoms appeared. Full article
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