出版社：Norsk forening for epidemiologi - The Norwegian Epidemiological Association
摘要：ABSTRACTResults are described from exposure assessments in two epidemiological studies of farmers and tunnelworkers. The inter and intra worker variances of exposure were used as a basis for classification ofworkers in groups exposed to different levels.The between worker variability of exposure to α-quartz showed that tunnel workers were exposedto different levels (GSD B = 2.7). Classification by job type showed only 39% higher exposure of concreteworkers compared to excavation workers. The influence of tasks on exposure to α-quartz amongconcrete workers was studied further because the between worker variability was large (GSD B = 4.3).Multiple regression of tasks on α-quartz exposure identified two tasks that explained 51% of the totalvariance (R 2adj ). Further classification of concrete workers will depend on identification of workers thatuse different time on these tasks.As farmers carry out few exposed tasks per day, exposure for each task was measured separately.The between worker variability of exposure to fungal spores among farmers was high (GSD B = 4.4).Classification of measurements into two broad task categories related to plant and livestock productionshowed that the tasks within each category were relative homogeneously exposed (GSD B = 1.1 and 1.4)and with geometric mean exposures that differed by a factor of 20. It therefore seems likely thatfarmers can be divided in groups with different cumulative exposure.These preliminary results indicate that task-based exposure assessment may improve classificationof workers by exposure.
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