[Transition and future tasks of occupational health practice in small and mid-sized companies in the city of Sapporo].

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the present state of activities of occupational health physicians (OHPs) and companies' opinions about them. METHODS: Questionnaires, to be answered anonymously, were sent to 1,898 companies with ≥ 50 employees. We analyzed the data according to type of industry and the size of the company. RESULTS: We received 692 responses. First, we compared the data with the results of a previous study we had conducted in 2003. The percentage of companies that employed OHPs was found to have increased from 77% to 97%. The implementation rate of work place inspection conducted by OHPs had increased from 41% to 65%, and the attendance rate of health committees increased from 24% to 56%. Regarding overtime, we found that the percentage of workers who did more than 80 hours of overtime work per month had decreased from 29% to 7%, but in the transportation industry the high rate of 38% was maintained. Stress assessments were conducted by 98% of the companies with ≥ 50 employees. CONCLUSIONS: This study determined the present situation in companies, with regard to recent law revisions. Stress assessments are carried out more frequently, the number of workers doing overtime has decreased, and measures against second-hand smoke are being promoted. In addition, we found an increase in the frequency of work place inspection and attendance of health committees, but in one-third of the companies these were not carried out.

[Worldwide cancer mortality among chromium platers].

The elevated risk of lung cancer among chromate-producing workers has been confirmed by many epidemiological studies. Although chromium has been most used in the chromium plating industry and many platers are employed in small-scale factories, cancer studies have been documented in only a few investigations. We have conducted several prospective cohort studies in Japanese chromium platers and recently extended them through 2003. We additionally surveyed epidemiological studies among chromium platers carried out in other parts of the world. Occupational chromium exposure through chromium plating work may be a risk factor for mortality not only from lung cancer but also malignant lymphoma and brain tumor. The age at first exposure to chromium may be a more important factor than the duration of exposure for an increased risk of lung cancer and malignant lymphoma.

Global mesothelioma deaths reported to the World Health Organization between 1994 and 2008.

OBJECTIVE: To carry out a descriptive analysis of mesothelioma deaths reported worldwide between 1994 and 2008. METHODS: We extracted data on mesothelioma deaths reported to the World Health Organization mortality database since 1994, when the disease was first recorded. We also sought information from other English-language sources. Crude and age-adjusted mortality rates were calculated and mortality trends were assessed from the annual percentage change in the age-adjusted mortality rate. FINDINGS: In total, 92,253 mesothelioma deaths were reported by 83 countries. Crude and age-adjusted mortality rates were 6.2 and 4.9 per million population, respectively. The age-adjusted mortality rate increased by 5.37% per year and consequently more than doubled during the study period. The mean age at death was 70 years and the male-to-female ratio was 3.6:1. The disease distribution by anatomical site was: pleura, 41.3%; peritoneum, 4.5%; pericardium, 0.3%; and unspecified sites, 43.1%. The geographical distribution of deaths was skewed towards high-income countries: the United States of America reported the highest number, while over 50% of all deaths occurred in Europe. In contrast, less than 12% occurred in middle- and low-income countries. The overall trend in the age-adjusted mortality rate was increasing in Europe and Japan but decreasing in the United States. CONCLUSION: The number of mesothelioma deaths reported and the number of countries reporting deaths increased during the study period, probably due to better disease recognition and an increase in incidence. The different time trends observed between countries may be an early indication that the disease burden is slowly shifting towards those that have used asbestos more recently.

Cancer risk among Japanese chromium platers, 1976-2003.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our prospective cohort study was to assess cancer mortality risks among chromium platers. METHODS: The cohort comprised 1193 male platers (626 with exposure to chromium, the remainder with no exposure) with a follow-up period of 27 years (1 October 1976 to 31 December 2003). Mortality risk was assessed by the standardized mortality rate (SMR) with reference to the national population. RESULTS: Lung cancer mortality was elevated only in the chromium plater subgroup, with borderline statistical significance [SMR=1.46, observations (Obs)=28, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.98-2.04]. The chromium plater subgroup also showed elevated mortality risks for brain tumor (SMR=9.14, Obs=3, 95% CI 1.81-22.09) and malignant lymphoma (SMR=2.84, Obs=6, 95% CI 1.05-5.51). Risks were particularly elevated for lung cancer (SMR=1.59, Obs=23, 95% CI 1.01-2.38) and malignant lymphoma (SMR=3.80, Obs=6, 95% CI 1.39-8.29) among those with initial chromium exposure prior to 1970. CONCLUSIONS: In Japan, occupational exposure to chromium through work as a chromium plater is a risk factor for lung cancer, especially for platers working prior to 1970. Occupational chromium exposure may also increase the risk of brain tumor and malignant lymphoma.