Retrospective Assessment of Exposure Through Modeling in a Study on Cancer Risks among Workers Exposed to Phenoxy Herbicides, Chlorophenols and Dioxins

• Published in: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment ＆ Health Vol. 20; no. 4; pp. 262 - 271
• Main Authors: Kauppinen, Timo P, Pannett, Brian, Marlow, David A, Kogevinas, Manolis
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Helsinki Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment ＆ Health 01-08-1994; National Institute of Occupational Health (Sweden); Institute of Occupational Health (Finland); National Institute of Occupational Health (Denmark); National Institute of Occupational Health (Norway); Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Chemical hazards; Chlorophenols; Chlorophenols - adverse effects; Derivative works; Dioxins; Dioxins - adverse effects; Epidemiology; Herbicides; Herbicides - adverse effects; Humans; Medical sciences; Models, Theoretical; Neoplasms - chemically induced; Occupational Exposure - adverse effects; Pesticides, fertilizers and other agrochemicals toxicology; Pollutant emissions; Questionnaires; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Spraying; Stochastic models; Toxicology; Europe; Finland; dose-response; epidemiology; soft-tissue sarcoma; non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; exposure-response; Human; Chemical industry; Toxicity; Spraying; Pesticides; Occupational exposure; Epidemiology; Herbicide; Retrospective; Dose activity relation; Carcinogen; Phenols; Models; Occupational medicine; Public health
• ISSN: 0355-3140; 1795-990X
• DOI: 10.5271/sjweh.1399

Objectives — The study aimed at developing a model for the retrospective assessment of exposures in epidemiologie studies when little or no data on past exposures are available. Methods — A deterministic model was developed for the level of exposure by industrial hygienists involved in an international study on cancer risks among phenoxy herbicide or chlorophenol manufacturing workers and pesticide sprayers. The general source-receptor model was used as the conceptual framework for the model. Results — The model included variables related to job, the emission of chemicals, contact with chemicals, personal protection, and other relevant determinants of exposure. Cumulative dose indices were calculated from the duration of exposure (from the work histories) and the level of exposure (from the model). Conclusions — Deterministic modeling in complex exposure situations may provide more valid and reliable results than its conventional alternative, subjective assessment by an expert.