Epidemiological standardization

Radiation Safety Standards (RSS-99) (1999), in State Sanitary and Epidemiological Standards and Regulations, Minzdrav of Russia, Moscow (in Russian). 

The long-term widespread use of DDT over a number of years demonstrates one typical Soviet trick - abusing loopholes in the rules. DDT was actively used for decades, while not being on lists of permitted substances, a situation condoned by the Health and Epidemiological Services and their on-site agencies. Pesticide use systematically was not in accordance with the permissible standards in the USSR. In 1976 the USSR introduced a System of Labor Safety Standards Harmful Substances, Classification and Overall Safety Requirements, according to which all harmful substances were broken down into four risk classes, taking into account several different indices (table 1.5). 

Working conditions were studied in one of the collective farms in Tajikistan where vamidothion was used to fight spider mites in cotton [A52]. The vamidothion concentration in work zone air when it was sprayed from airplanes and tractors reached 0.9 mg/m3, according to underreported data (the public health standard was 0.1 mg/m3) ]. In 1978, vamidothion was banned however, the 1997 Official Handbook of the Health and Epidemiological Service of Russia [10] still lists this pesticide, with no mention of the ban ... 

The Baermann concentration technique has greater sensitivity for the detection of strongyloides larvae than do the standard concentration techniques described above. This technique is useful clinically for the diagnosis and monitoring of therapy of strongyloides infections, and it is useful epidemiologically for the examination of soil for the larvae of nematode parasites. 

Landrigan et al. (1982) conducted an epidemiologic survey to evaluate occupational exposure to arsine in a lead-acid battery manufacturing plant. Arsine concentrations ranged from nondetectable to 49 /breathing zone samples. A high correlation was found between urinary arsenic concentration and arsine exposure (r=0.84 p=0.0001 for an n of 47). Additionally, arsine levels above 15.6 /ig/m3 (=0.005 ppm) were associated with urinary arsenic concentrations in excess of 50 //g/L. The investigators concluded that exposure to a 200 /ig/m3 arsine exposure standard would not prevent chronic increased absorption of trivalent arsenic. 

Landrigan, P.J., R.J.Castello, and W.T.Stringer. 1982. Occupational exposure to arsine. An epidemiologic reappraisal of current standards. Scand. J. Work Environ. Health. 8 169-177. Legge, T.M. 1916. Arsenic poisoning. In Diseases of Occupations and Vocational Hygiene, G.M.Kober and W.Hanson, eds. Philadelphia, PA Blakiston. 

ICD-10 Tenth revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. It is the international standard diagnostic classification for all general epidemiological and many health management purposes. 

In contrast to the documented effect of cotton dust on acute responses, the causation of chronic respiratory effects in occupationally exposed subjects has not been established. The OSHA cotton dust standard is based on the premise that sustained exposure may result in chronic respiratory problems. To test this hypothesis, the pertinent literature is reviewed and discussed in an attempt to decide if convincing epidemiological documentation exists to support a cause and effect connection between prolonged dust exposure and chronic respiratory impairment. There appears to be a need for additional studies to clarify this important aspect of occupational medicine. 

With the promulgation of the OSHA mandatory standards for exposure to cotton dust ( ), it is now assumed that prolonged exposure to cotton dust is a cause of chronic respiratory effects. Thus, there seems to have been a straightforward interpretation of complex and conflicting medical literature. This paper presents a review of the literature with emphasis on cause and effect relationship consistent with reported epidemiological data. 

Studies of the reactions of population groups to photochemical smog are reviewed in Chapter 10. Such studies played a major role in the establishment of the current federal standards. Included were eye irritation studies, effects on asthmatics, and the responses of groups of high-school athletes. Uncertainties in the design of these experiments and interpretation of the data make further epidemiologic studies essential. 

Landrigan PJ et al Occupational exposure to arsine. An epidemiologic reappraisal of current standards. Scand J Work Environ Health 8 169-177, 1982... 

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