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Occupational exposures and mortality from cardiovascular disease among women textile workers in Shanghai, China
Author(s) -
Gallagher Lisa G.,
Ray Roberta M.,
Li Wenjin,
Psaty Bruce M.,
Gao Dao Li,
Thomas David B.,
Checkoway Harvey
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.22113
Subject(s) - medicine , hazard ratio , stroke (engine) , environmental health , confidence interval , proportional hazards model , cohort , cohort study , risk factor , mechanical engineering , engineering
Background Exposure to textile fiber dusts, like particulate air pollution, may be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Bacterial endotoxin, a potent inflammagen found in cotton dust, may be a specific risk factor. Methods Female textile workers (N = 267,400) in Shanghai, China were followed for CVD mortality (1989–2000). Factory exposures were approximated by sector classifications based on materials and processes. Quantitative endotoxin and cotton dust measures were available for a subcohort (n = 3,188). Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Slightly elevated mortality risk for the cotton sector was seen for ischemic stroke (HR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.97–1.31) and hemorrhagic stroke (HR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.02–1.23). Similar hemorrhagic stroke mortality risk was observed in high dust sectors (HR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.02–1.24). No association was observed for ischemic heart disease. Conclusions Exposures in textile factories may have contributed to CVD mortality among this cohort. The specific components of these exposures that may be harmful are not clear and should be further investigated. Am. J. Ind. Med. 55:991–999, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.